How homebrewers use winter to help brew beer

Much of Vermont will see see subzero temperatures this weekend. While some people will find it too cold to ski or walk outside, there is one activity that becomes easier with freezing temperatures: brewing beer.

Why?

Part of the beer brewing process involves boiling a bag of grains, or malt extract, then chilling that wort to 70 degrees, which can take hours if left alone.

Serious Eats explains why this process should be done as quickly as possible:

• Decreased risk of infection
• Increased protein coagulation, which leads to clearer beer
• Clearer beer

Many homebrewers rely on wort chillers, but those who live in cold weather have another, cheaper option: the outdoors.

How to use winter to help brew beer

If it's cold, you could set out your hot wort to cool it quickly. But, don't set it in the snow. Matt Whyte, owner at Vermont Home Brew, said the snow can act as an insulator, causing the cooling to take longer than expected.

So, if you're setting it outside, be sure to find a solid surface.

According to Whyte, a better option would be to use the snow to help create an ice bath in your sink; once the snow melts, just add more.

Contact Evan Weiss at 802-660-1854 or eweiss@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @eaweiss.