Author: Ben Farhner
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Keezer Build, Part 2
After building the collar for my keezer and adding a few features in part 1, it was time to add the taps and run beer lines. I decided to go with DuoTight fittings and Evabarrier line due to their price, ease of setup, and positive reviews. I started with four taps, with plans to expand…
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Keezer Build, Part 1
I built a keezer last year when I ran out of room for kegs between the garage fridge and two smaller kegerators. I was previously still using picnic taps except for one proper tap on one of the kegerators, and was itching to up my game for a better beer pouring experience. Plus, I had…
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Brewery Build, Part 1: Framing & Utilities
Last year, we began an extensive remodel on our house. I’d been brewing in the garage, but the remodel called for building out the garage, and then adding on a new garage. With our architect at my command, I prescribed a dedicated brewery & taproom space at the back of the new garage, and thus…
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Hopyard 2024: Weeding & Clearing
I noticed my hops were already starting to emerge the other day, despite the subfreezing temperatures we’ve been having here. So, I took the opportunity today to do some weeding and clearing around my hops to prepare for spring! These Cascade hops are only two years old, and I didn’t harvest them at all last…
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Portable Glass Rinser
Being able to rinse out glasses at a homebrew event is a big deal. Not only does it mean that your beer will be showcased in its purest form, but drinkers also appreciate getting their sample glasses cleaned out. It elevates the whole experience. So, naturally, as I was preparing to bring some beer to…
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DIY Glycol Chiller
After moving a few years ago and selling my fermentation chamber, I’ve been without proper temperature control for my beers. I’ve been fermenting them in the house—typically in the bathroom, which stays a bit warmer than the rest of the house. When the “shower beer” situation peaked at 25 gallons of beer, I realized I…
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Building a Temperature Controller
Now that I no longer have my fermentation chamber, I needed a new temperature controller to control a fridge for fermentation or serving. I wanted something that would match my brewery control panel, so I went a little above and beyond on this build, but I’m really happy with the results. Parts (1) InkBird ITC-1000F…
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Brewtober Chilifest 2022
I’m serving Underhill beers at my first-ever homebrewing event! If you’re in the Northwest Arkansas area on October 8th, 2022, come check out Brewtober Chilifest at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Springdale, AR. I’m very excited to share these brews with a wider audience and get feedback on them, so I hope you can make…
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Brewing with Spruce Tips
Brewing with spruce tips is not new: trees have a long, entangled history with beer. Leaves, needles, bark, and roots have all been added to the boil kettle. Branches and needles have been used in the mash tun for filtering. Trunks have been hollowed out for lautering. And wood has been used for centuries to…
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How to Make Hard Cider
‘Tis the season for hard cider, and it’s one of the easiest fermented beverages to make! We’ll show you step by step how to make hard cider from a gallon of fresh raw cider, and give you the resources you need to ferment this delicious drink for the winter. Some of the links below are…
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Salve Ale Recipe: A Relaxing Herbal Beer
Back in 2016, I brewed a beer that I called Salve Ale. My vision for the end result was a medicinal beer that would be very relaxing and have some sedative and healing effects. I ended up including 4 herbs along with some heavy hop additions, chosen both for their effects and for how the flavors…
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Brewing with Yarrow
Achillea millefolium, or yarrow, is a classic gruit herb that is prolific and easy to grow. It has been used medicinally throughout history. It’s most well known property is its ability to stanch wounds. Brewing with yarrow is easy and it provides a good foundation for an herbal ale. Foraging Yarrow Yarrow grows in a number…