In this solo episode of The Beer Craft, host Ben Holm walks through his brewing journey using the full spectrum of beer color—from the pale gold of his first banana-bomb extract kit to the pitch-black stout that accidentally won him an award.
Along the way, Ben shares what each stage taught him: from the gateway ambers and red IPAs that shaped his palate, to recipe design, roast control, and learning how to pivot when a batch doesn't go as planned. It's part brewing memoir, part technical breakdown, and part encouragement for brewers at every level.
Whether you're just getting started or you've scorched a mash tun in public (we've all been there, right?), this episode is a reminder that learning to brew should be as much fun as drinking beer—and that color is just the beginning.
Topics Include:
First batches and fermentation disasters
Why amber ales were the unsung heroes of early craft beer
Cold-steeping vs full mash for roasted grains
Brewing with intention vs brewing with panic
How to teach, adapt, and embrace the spectrum
Mentioned in this episode:
Freedom Fighter Scotch Ale (Wyeast vs Windsor)
The (p)Hazey IPA
Stainless Kettle Competition (RIP)
SRM, flavor perception, and visual trickery
🛠️ Want to brew along or learn more? Visit nwbrewers.com for gear, classes, and recipes.
Music attribution
"Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
RetroFuture Dirty
"RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
