Homebrew Happy Hour
This is the show where we take YOUR questions about homebrew and craft beer as well as interview fellow homebrewers and industry professionals! If you have a question that you’d like for us to discuss on a future episode, please call our hotline @ 325-305-6017 and leave a voicemail message after the beep. More info and resources can be found at www.HomebrewHappyHour.com
Emergency Glycol Failures, Diacetyl Rests & Hop Alpha Acids Explained!
Thank you so much for tuning into the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to craft beer!
A NOT SO SUBTLE REMINDER:
If you appreciate the things we do here at Homebrew Happy Hour, consider joining our Trub Club! — https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=21132635
On Today’s Show:
Emergency Glycol Failures, Diacetyl Rests & Hop Alpha Acids Explained!
00:00:00 – 00:10:59 Patreon & Small Talk
00:11:00 – 00:23:10 Glycol Failure During Fermentation
00:23:11 – 00:40:49 What is a Diacetyl Rest and Why Do We Do it
Did I Ruin My Beer? + Extract Wars & Kettle Sizing!
Happy Friday, my friend! Who else has been watching this wild World Cup? I might be in the minority here, but I’m pumped for the finals this weekend. Let’s go, Argentina!
ANYWAY
Thank you so much for tuning into the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to craft beer! For this, my 485th episode, I’m excited to have Ms. Lorena Evans on as my guest host. Spoiler (and let me know in the comments below if you even rea...
Inside Atlanta’s Premier Brew Shop with Joshua Lord | Episode 484
When you start homebrewing, it usually begins with a specific obsession. For this week’s guest, that obsession was a total lack of great, accessible Saisons in his local market, so he did what any passionate brewer would do: he eventually bought the whole homebrew supply shop! I am so delighted to sit down with Joshua Lord, the owner and brewer at The Brew Depot over in Alpharetta, Georgia. We’re diving deep into his journey from passionate hobbyist to taking the reins of a premier brick-and-mortar hub, and discussing exactly how he’s working to lower the barrier of ent...
Inside Boulevard Brewing Co with Brand Manager Adam Hall
Y’all – the streak of bad luck has been broken! To catch you up to speed, in case you don’t know what I’m referring to… I started off 2026 with a goal to offer premium clones of OG craft beer legends for our Trub Club members AND also nab interviews with the people and/or the brewers behind those legends. In January, we brewed a Shiner Bock and interviewed Shiner brewmaster, Greg Hybner. In February, we brewed a Real Ale Fireman’s 4 clone and spoke with their founder, Brad Farbstein. Then, in March, I felt like the king of podcastin...
Hop Extracts for Dry Hopping, Lager Yeast Kölsch, & Solving Low OG Problems | Episode 482
Two episodes in one week?! Woohoo! Well, it’s mostly because I failed to put an episode out last week and I did, legit, feel bad about that. ICYMI – my Pop and I were at #HomebrewCon last week and discussed our thoughts on that trip here: https://youtu.be/s4ZyLDoHjdc
Thank you so much for tuning into the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to craft beer!
A NOT SO SUBTLE REMINDER:
If you appreciate the things we do...
Our Trip to #HomebrewCon 2026 in Asheville, NC | Episode 481
My Pop and I had the best trip ever this past week as we left Austin, Texas, flew into Nashville, and road tripped it out to Asheville via the beautiful Smokey Mountains so we could attend #HomebrewCon 2026. In today’s episode, we recap the entire trip. If you’re only interested in our thoughts on the conference, use the timestamp below! Otherwise…
Thank you so much for tuning into the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to craft beer!
A NOT SO S...
The Road to HomebrewCon 2026 in Asheville w/ Julia Herz | Episode 480
It’s great to have Julia Herz from the American Homebrewers Association (https://homebrewersassociation.org/) back on the show this week to discuss the upcoming #HomebrewCon (NEXT WEEK, FYI, SO GO BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW). Personally, I have high expectations for this year’s show because, well, my Pop and I are going to be there! If you’re attending this year’s event, please hit me up. We’d love to meet you in person and grab a beer (or two, or three). With all of that being said, thanks for coming back for another episode of our Homebrew H...
Do You REALLY Need Rice Hulls? | SRM, Growler Fills, & Draft Sparkling Water | Episode 479
Better late than never, amirite? Apologies for the delay in publishing this but I’m thrilled to have my favorite homebrewer on the planet, Ms Lorena Evans, back on the show (via last minute request ) to help take your questions and, mostly, to participate in a variety of shenanigans with me. I always have the best time when she’s around!
Thank you so much for tuning into the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to craft beer!
A NOT SO SUB...
Is Pressure Fermentation Worth It? The Good, Bad, and the Potential Geysers! | Episode 478
My buddy (and 2025 Homebrewer of the Year), Wayne Doucette, was kind enough to come on this week’s episode and help me take YOUR questions. This week, we focused mostly on pressure fermentation and I had a real good time plus I learned a lot. Let me know in the comments below what you think!
Thank you so much for tuning into the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to craft beer!
A NOT SO SUBTLE REMINDER:
If you...
The Golden Hive Update: Mead, Makers, CBC and HomebrewCon Asheville | Episode 477
Holy moly, y’all – this week’s episode was a BLAST! I’m so excited to welcome my buddy, Charlie, from Golden Hive Mead back on the show to catch up, recap his Craft Brewer’s Conference experience, talk about his current projects, and looking forward to hanging out in Asheville next month for HomebrewCon 2026. Y’all are in for a real treat!
Thank you so much for tuning into the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to craft beer!
A NOT SO SUBTL...
Pressure, Purity, and The Great Sparge Debate | Episode 476
You guys are in for a treat this week because I have a special guest who joined the show to help me take your questions AND do some catching up. It was last minute but I’m super excited that it happend!
Thank you so much for tuning into the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to craft beer!
A NOT SO SUBTLE REMINDER:
If you appreciate the things we do here at Homebrew Happy Hour, consider joining our...
Fixing Foamy Beer, Frozen Fruit Tips, & Easy Hop Subs | Episode 475
Is it oddly cold for May wherever you’re listening from? Dude, it’s been like 58 here this whole week. I’m not complaining because I love it! Anyway – welcome back, my friends, to another jam-packed episode. This week, our good friend, Lorena Evans, is joining me to tackle your questions and to humor me and my ADHD. I had a blast and I’m sure you will too!
Thank you so much for tuning into the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to c...
Is Your Process Outdated? The Truth on Kegs, Secondary Conditioning, & Must Have Gear | Ep.474
I’m so happy to have you back, my friend! This week might seem long-winded and that’s because I have nobody here to reign me in. That’s right – I’m doing this week’s episode all by myself but DON’T FEAR… I *think* I got some useful information out this week. As always, I welcome your feedback in the comments below or call it in to 325-305-6107
Thank you so much for tuning into the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything r...
3 Topics for Brewing Better Beer: Dry Hopping, Used Gear Tips, & Medaling at Competitions – Ep. 473
Howdy, friends! I hope you’re doing well. We’re back with a jam-packed episode this week, featuring my good buddy – BrewersFriend.com pro, Lorena Evans. She helps me take YOUR questions so that we can all strive towards brewing better beer. It really doesn’t get much better than that!
Thank you so much for tuning into the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to craft beer!
A NOT SO SUBTLE REMINDER:
If you appreciate the things we do here...
No New Episode but Don’t Forget About the Boston Lager!
Hey, y’all! I apologize for no new episode this week but I did want to drop in and remind y’all that the Samuel Adams Boston Lager clone kit is live over at Patreon.com/HomebrewHappyHour ! Even though I got big-timed by Boston Beer, we’re still going to enjoy brewing this American classic. It’s a delicious Vienna Lager styled beer and I’m confident you’re going to love how this batch turns out.
Also – join us on Friday, April 24th @ 10am central for #BrewDay Live! My Pop and I will be brewing the Bo...
The Challenges of Operating a Homebrew Supply Shop in 2026 – Ep. 472
Something I’ve been wanting to do for a while is to feature more of the people behind the scenes of our nation’s mom & pop homebrew supply shops. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you likely know that it hasn’t been the best time for our industry. Shops are closing up left and right and some might say it’s a little “doom and gloom”. HOWEVER – I’m so happy to have my new friend, Tyler Wallace, on the show this week. Tyler is the owner/operator of True Bru Homebrew Supply and it was a real treat getti...
The Art of the Craft: Life, Lyrics, and Lager with Joe Whiting – Ep. 471
You’re in for a real treat today because on this episode I am joined by my good buddy (and an INCREDIBLE musician), Joe Whiting. Joe hasn’t been on the show since November 2021, so I thought it would be great to catch up with him, recap his history as a brewer, and hear his perspective on how homebrewing has changed, the current state of homebrewing, and his thoughts on the potential future for our favorite hobby.
Thank you so much for tuning into the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of you...
Mastering the Basics: Yeast Harvesting, Base Malts, and Mash Ratios – Ep. 470
You know it’s going to be a great episode when BrewersFriend.com pro, Lorena Evans, is on the show! I’m so thankful to have her expertise a lot lately and I’m looking forward to having her on even more this year.
Thank you so much for tuning into the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to craft beer!
A NOT SO SUBTLE REMINDER:
If you appreciate the things we do here at Homebrew Happy Hour, consider...
The Godfather of Double IPA: Vinnie Cilurzo on the Birth of Pliny the Elder – Ep. 469
I would love your honest feedback in the comments below (or call it in to 325-305-6107) about the episodes I’ve been publishing lately. In my opinion, these have been some of the most information-packed and also featuring some of the greatest brewing minds but I’d love to know what YOU think. With that being said, the ball keeps rolling because today’s show is truly incredible. I was able to sit down with the inventor of the Double IPA, Mr. Vinnie Cilurzo himself. Vinnie is incredibly down to Earth and shared a ton about his history, Russia...
From Brewing to Biohacking: Trong’s New Wellness Tool – Ep. 468
Y’all, this week’s episode is a doozy! Before you ask, YES – it is not a typical HHH episode. In fact, this might be the “healthiest” type of episode I’ve ever published for this show. When Trong approached me 6+ months ago with how his yeast farmer device was going to change my personal health… it obviously took me 6+ months to take him serious and have him on the show to convince me (and you guys) about it. After this episode though, I am committed to trying it out. What’s the worst that could happen?
Thank you so muc...
Unwanted Pellicle, Sprinkling vs Rehydrating Dry Yeast, & When to Rack Your Batch – Ep. 467
Last week’s episode was sort of a bummer, eh? Well, I’m past that and looking forward to bigger and better things! That’s why I have my dear friend, Lorena Evans, on the show today to help me answer YOUR questions because – let’s be real – I couldn’t do it without other people’s knowledge.
Thank you so much for tuning into the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to craft beer!
A NOT SO SUBTLE REMINDER:
If you app...
I’m Unemployed (but Homebrew Happy Hour is NOT Going Away). What’s Next? – Ep. 466
It’s true: I am officially unemployed.
[insert “End of the Road” by Boyz II Men here]
If you appreciate the things we do here at Homebrew Happy Hour, consider joining our Trub Club! — https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=21132635
Brewing Water Chemistry: Understanding Mash, Boil, and Fermentation pH with Wayne Doucette – Ep. 465
Lots of you asked for it so I’m proud to welcome my buddy (and the AHA Homebrewer of the Year), Wayne Doucette, back on the show. This week, he’s talking all about pH in brewing and why it matters. From the mash, to the boil, and all the way thru fermentation! So buckle up because it’s time for the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to craft beer!
A NOT SO SUBTLE REMINDER:
If you appreciate the things w...
A Hill Country Original: Talking Real Ale w/ Brad Farbstein – Ep. 464
Continuing with our Patreon.com/HomebrewHappyHour Trub Club goal for 2026, I am so excited that this month we’re brewing a clone of one of my favorite beers – Firemans 4 from Real Ale Brewing Company. Much like last month’s Shiner Bock, tons of Texans know Firemans 4 as being a gateway into the wonderful world of delicious craft beer. In fact, Real Ale doesn’t make a bad beer and I’m confident y’all are going to love the clone kit. Even more, I am confident y’all are going to love this interview I did with Real Ale’s president, Bra...
Parti-Gyle Brewing, IPA Freshness, & Backsweetening Kombucha – Episode 463
What a wild 10+ days it’s been down here in Texas! The winter storm was fun (meh) and I also have other news to update y’all with on a future episode but, for the time being, I’m so happy you could join me this week. You’re in for a special treat because my dear friend, Lorena Evans, is helping me take YOUR questions and hanging out as I undoubtedly derail the show at some point. Either way – I hope you’re ready because it’s officially time for the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we...
Last call for Shiner Bock Clone Kit
Hey friends! I just wanted to hop on here real quick and remind you that it is last call if you are wanting to brew the delicious Shiner Bock clone kit (https://www.patreon.com/posts/january-2026-kit-148064513) that we’ve come up with. I’m confident that you’re going to love this kit! Also, don’t forget to check out the interview I did with Shiner’s brewmaster, Greg Hybner, available here https://youtu.be/kiUTazur30E?si=GHzqfL1bx6GjbqU8 or wherever you get audio podcasts from.
A NOT SO SUBTLE REMINDER:
If you app...
A Texas Craft Beer Tradition: Inside Spoetzel Brewery w/ Shiner Brewmaster Greg Hybner – Ep.462
Around October 2025, I came up with an idea for our 2026 Trub Club recipe kits (https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=21132635). My plan – to feature clone recipe kits of our country’s most popular and longstanding craft beer AND I wanted to interview the brewmaster each month to learn more about the history of their brewery and the beer that made them so popular. Think about it! How cool is it to chat with brewmasters that are responsible for beer that have pioneered and shaped craft beer as we know it? With all of that being said, I am so thri...
Flow Control Faucets on Column Towers, Carbonating Kegs at Room Temp, What to do with an Infected Bucket, & Replicating My Favorite Commercial Beer – Ep. 461
Howdy, folks! It’s a bummer that Todd is out of town (hiking all over Big Bend National Park – not like I’m jealous or anything) but I’m super excited that James found the time to join me for this week’s episode. I hope you’re ready because it’s officially time for the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to craft beer!
A NOT SO SUBTLE REMINDER:
If you appreciate the things we do here at Homebrew Happy Hour, cons...
What Upgrades to Spend my Money on, What to do when Fermentation Stalls Out, & Bottling vs Kegging – Ep. 460
Howdy, folks! Todd and James join me for our first Q&A episode of the new year. It’s time for the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to craft beer!
A NOT SO SUBTLE REMINDER:
If you appreciate the things we do here at Homebrew Happy Hour, consider joining our Trub Club! — https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=21132635
On Today’s Show:
What Upgrades to Spend my Money on, What to do when Fermentation Stalls Out, & Bo...
Favorite Beer, Favorite Gear, & Happy New Year! – Ep. 459
Happy new year, my favorite people! If you’re here, tuning into the show, then that makes you one of my favorite people on the planet. I do have to warn you though – I am doing this week’s episode SOLO because of the holiday. Regardless, that just means I have nobody to keep me in line or reign me in when I digress… FUN FUN FUN! So, buckle up for the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to craft beer!
A NOT SO SUB...
Merry Christmas from Homebrew Happy Hour
No new episode this week but I wanted to drop in and wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I hope your day is filled with good food, family fun, and good beer. Be safe and have a wonderful rest of your week, my friends.
A NOT SO SUBTLE REMINDER:
If you appreciate the things we do here at Homebrew Happy Hour, consider joining our Trub Club! — https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=21132635
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https://www.kegconnection.com/
Each and every episode is made possible by Kegconnection.com! Build the kegerator...
Late Hop Addition Mishaps, When to Mill my Grains, What is a Kolsch, & Turnkey Kegerators vs a DIY Build – Ep. 458
Welcome back friends and whatever you are to me – it’s time for another episode. This week, Todd and James join me as we tackle YOUR questions about late hop additions, when to mill grains, what we’re looking for in a kolsch, and turnkey store bought kegerators versus building one out yourself. So, buckle up for the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to craft beer!
A NOT SO SUBTLE REMINDER:
If you appreciate the things we do here at Homeb...
HomebrewCon is back, baby! An Interview with Julia Herz from the American Homebrewers Association – Ep. 457
I’m so fortunate that I work in an industry full of people passionate about what they do and how they want to see it grow. Julia Herz from the American Homebrewers Association (https://homebrewersassociation.org/) was nice enough to join me this week for a quick chat about what the AHA is up to and the recent teaser announcement that we’re getting HomebrewCon back in 2026. With all of that being said, thanks for coming back for another episode of our Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and di...
Ideal Hose for CMB Flow Control, Full Keg with a Leaky Post, Mashing in the Beta Range, & Best Line Connections for a Draft Beer System – Ep. 456
I hope you are having a wonderful week. I’m having a great week because I got Todd and James to join me on this episode which features not only the longest small talk segment of all time but also the shortest answer to a question of all time. Truly, a record breaking show. So, buckle up for the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to craft beer!
A NOT SO SUBTLE REMINDER:
If you appreciate the things we do here...
Tips for Carbonating & Serving Water, Avoiding Suckback when Cold Conditioning, Does Time Heal Most Off-Flavors, & Dealing with a Stalled Fermentation – Ep. 455
Happy Thanksgiving, my friends! I hope your holiday is spent with good food, good beer, and loved ones. I’m so thankful that my good friend, Lorena Evans (from BrewersFriend.com), agreed to hop back on the show and help me tackle your questions this week. So, buckle up for the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to craft beer!
A NOT SO SUBTLE REMINDER:
If you appreciate the things we do here at Homebrew Happy Hour, consider joining our Trub...
Using a Blowoff Tube AND Doing Pressure Fermentation, Installing a FLOTit on a Conical Fermenter, My Personal Pressure Fermentation Protocol, & A Few Questions on our Topo Chico Clone Kit – Ep. 454
I don’t want to preemptively discourage anyone from tuning into this week’s episode BUT I will give you a fair warning that it’s another SOLO episode. As in – just meeeeeeee! I didn’t want to skip a week due to circumstances so I took a stab at answering questions and looking like an idiot. Might I say, I do that well. So, with that being said, it is time for the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to craft beer!
A NOT SO...
Homebrew Disconnect Maintenance, Draft Beer Temperature Ranges for Serving, & Do Kegs Go Bad? – Ep. 453
I don’t know about y’all but I am so ready for the holiday season. Good food, family time, and it’s stout season in my house so I’m loaded up with the latest batch of Breakfast Stout we cooked up. It’s the most wonderful time of the year! It’s also time for the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to craft beer!
A NOT SO SUBTLE REMINDER:
If you appreciate the things we do here at Homebrew Ha...
Open vs Closed Transferring, Planning Out Future Brew Days, Improving Mash Efficiency in Igloo Coolers, & Does the Yeast Strain Really Matter – Ep. 452
I’m so excited to welcome back my good friend, Lorena Evans (from BrewersFriend.com) as she helps me take YOUR questions and solve all of the world’s problems in a single podcast episode. Can you believe it?! Buckle up – it’s time for the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to craft beer!
A NOT SO SUBTLE REMINDER:
If you appreciate the things we do here at Homebrew Happy Hour, consider joining our Trub Club! — https://www.patreon.com/bePatron...
Replacing Regulator Gauges, Fermentation Temperature Ranges, Beer Line Cleaning Tips, & Dealing with Hop Creep – Ep. 451
Yes, you’re seeing things correctly – this is episode 451 of the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to craft beer!
Where did episode 450 go (as Todd insufferably asked multiple times this week)? We did a celebratory Brew Day Live “episode” for 450 last week which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/live/hLcvzPOAROk?si=OnI0G7N5r5Ba1ayT
A NOT SO SUBTLE REMINDER:
If you appreciate the things we do here at Homebrew Happy Hour, consider j...
Decoction Mashing, How Important is a Water Profile, & Some Chit Chat Questions with our Friend Horst Dornbusch – Ep. 449
My friends, y’all are in for a real treat this week because I’ve brought in one of the top guests of all time – Horst Dornbusch has returned to the Homebrew Happy Hour podcast!… THE home brew #podcast where we answer all of your home brewing questions and discuss anything related to craft beer!
A NOT SO SUBTLE REMINDER:
If you appreciate the things we do here at Homebrew Happy Hour, consider joining our Trub Club! — https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=21132635
On Today’s Show:
Decoction Mashing, How Important is a Water Pr...
