Basic Brewing Radio

11-27-25 - Hop Sampler, NZ Pacific Sunrise, Strata, Comet

Contributed by Lukas

For the 27th Hop Sampler, the usual suspects compare three deliciously fruity hops: NZ Pacific Sunrise, Strata, and Comet.

11-02-23 - Recipe Development, Pre-prohibition American Lager

Contributed by Lukas

James is joined by Chris Colby of beerandgardeningjournal.com as they taste their Smoked Rotbier and formulate a recipe for a long lost American style...

07-30-20 Hop Sampler, Galaxy and Centennial Blend

Contributed by Lukas

James and Steve blindly sample small batches with two delicious and popular hops by themselves and a third batch that's a blend between the two.

07-23-20 Low ABV Using Extreme Mash Temps

Contributed by Lukas

Homebrewer Mark Stevens shares an experiment using extreme low and high mash temps to limit the alcohol on tasty pale ales.

08-28-14 Funky Apple Blossom

Contributed by Lukas

Brewer Nathan Traw of Apple Blossom Brewing Company shares some funky beers, including one fermented with sourdough starter.

08-21-14 Michigan Water Experiment

Contributed by Lukas

Homebrewer Alex Baker shares his experiment brewing the same recipe with water from different springs across Michigan.

08-14-14 Mead Boiling Experiment

Contributed by Lukas

Home mead maker Tim Leber shares the result of his experiment comparing meads made with musts that have been boiled and have not.

08-07-14 Lose Weight, Not Beer

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Colby, editor of Beer and Wine Journal, shares his successful weight loss plan that allows him to keep his favorite beverage, while losing pound...

07-31-14 No Chill Aging Experiment

Contributed by Lukas

Homebrewer Bob Stempski shares his experiment comparing beers brewed with no-chill worts aged for eight and four months with a fresh batch.

07-24-14 Open Fermentation at Arcadia Brewing

Contributed by Lukas

Vaughn Stewart, brewing manager of Arcadia Brewing in Kalamazoo, Michigan, talks about open fermentation and repitching yeast for many generations.

07-17-14 Local Michigan Ingredients

Contributed by Lukas

We join homebrewers and pros to sample and talk about hops and malt grown and produced in Michigan.

07-10-14 Hopping Technique Experiment Part Two

Contributed by Lukas

We join homebrewer David Curtis in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to evaluate the second round of his experiment comparing different hopping techniques.

07-03-14 Michael Tonsmeire at Club Night

Contributed by Lukas

The Mad Fermentationist talks about his new book, "American Sour Beers," as we take a tour of sour homebrew at the National Homebrewers Conference.

12-18-25 - Archived Brews and Artificial Intelligence

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Author Peter Symons joins us to talk about his fifth book of brewing history and homebrew recipes and his use of AI to help put it together.

12-04-25 - Brewing Wild and High

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Giovanisci of Brew Cabin heads to the mountains to go back to his roots of home brewing.

11-13-25 - German Lager Quest

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Homebrewer Detlef Koertge is inspired to brew German lager style beers after a visit with a professional lager brewer in his home country.

10-30-25 - Save the Purrgils

29 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Josh Secaur of Gambit Brewing in St. Paul, Minnesota, answers the Mash Your Luck challenge with a Black IPA nod to the Star Wars universe.

10-16-25 - The Dark Flower

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Homebrewer Scott Housel answers the Mash Your Luck challenge with a Graf, a cider/beer hybrid inspired by author Stephen King.

10-02-25 - Broken Rice Japanese Lager

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Scott Lafontaine from the University of Arkansas joins James along with Adam Ross of Twin Span Brewing and author Chris Colby to sample James' ric...

09-18-25 - Big and Complex

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Adam Ross of Twin Span Brewing shares the second half of a tasting round featuring beers that are big and flavorful.

09-04-25 - Light and Fast

03 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Adam Ross of Twin Span Brewing shares a flight of three beers that are light in character and quick to produce.

08-21-25 - Hop Sampler 26

20 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Homebrewer Mitchel Jensen shares some of his hop freezer bounty as we compare Zappa, Bergamot, and Experimental 25.

08-07-25 - Remembering Jack McAuliffe

06 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We dig into the archives to find excerpts of shows that featured Jack McAuliffe, the founder of modern craft beer, who passed away this past month.

07-17-25 - FOAM Mash Your Luck Tasting

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

James heads to Tulsa to taste the results of the Mash Your Luck challenge with members of the Fellowship of Oklahoma Ale Makers.

07-10-25 - Doctor Bishop 12 Percent Lager

09 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Homebrewer Scott Housel answers the Mash Your Luck challenge with three beers that share common ingredients - two share the same yeast, and two share ...

06-26-25 - Hop Sampler - Crystal, US Delta, Zythos

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The usual suspects sample single-hop beers brewed with Crystal, US Delta, and Zythos hops.

06-19-25 - Tasting Maple Lager and Triple IPL

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The cast of characters from this past week sticks around to sample James' Canada Maple Lager and his Mash Your Luck UK Triple IPL.

06-12-25 - Hop Sampler - Nugget, Harlequin, Cryo Pop

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After a long hiatus, James and Steve share a Hop Sampler (Nugget, Harlequin, Cryo Pop) with regulars from the Recipe Development and Mash Your Luck sh...

05-29-25 - Detlef Helles Experiment, Part 2

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Steve Wilkes joins Detlef Koertge and James to evaluate the results of their experiment comparing different equipment and mash schedules to brew a Hel...

05-22-25 - CBC 2025 Wrapup

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

James is joined by Greig McGill of Brewaucracy and Adam Ross of Twin Span Brewing as they share their thoughts about the Craft Brewers Conference.

05-15-25 - FOAM Mash Your Luck

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

James heads to Tulsa for a meeting of the Fellowship of Oklahoma Ale Makers (FOAM) as they spin the wheel for Mash Your Luck.

05-08-25 - Detlef Helles Experiment, Part 1

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Homebrewer Detlef Koertge enlists James' help to design an experiment testing whether his elaborate step mashes are worth the effort.

05-01-25 - Space Church Amber Ale

30 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Scott Housel meets the Mash Your Luck challenge with a big, hoppy American Amber Ale. He also rolls the dice again for another round.

04-24-25 - 2025 American Craft Sake Festival

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

James heads to his hometown of Hot Springs, Arkansas, to sample sake at a national gathering of sake brewers.

04-10-25 - Maple Sap Beer and Low-Tech Brewing Up North

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Homebrewer Allan Debertin talks to us about brewing a beer with maple sap and how he uses low-tech brewing techniques to deal with the chilly Canadian...

04-03-25 - Springtime Beer Styles

02 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Colby joins James to suggest some deliciously drinkable beer styles to take us into warmer weather.

03-27-25 - Recipe Development, UK Triple IPA

26 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

James seeks help from Matt Giovanisci of Brew Cabin and Swim University and Josh Secaur from Gambit Brewing to formulate two lagers - one small and re...

03-20-25 - Rice and Koji with NA Beers

19 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Scott Lafontaine and Dr. Christian Schubert from the University of Arkansas talk about their research using rice to improve the character and effi...

03-13-25 - Springtime Bock

12 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

James is joined by Adam Ross of Twin Span Brewing and author Chris Colby as they taste a delicious bock and roll the next Mash Your Luck challenge.

03-06-25 - Supermoon Beer Company

05 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Rob Brennan from Supermoon Beer Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, joins James and Adam Ross of Twin Span Brewing to talk about mixed fermentation in ba...

02-27-25 - Gary Glass on Left Hand and the AHA

26 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Gary Glass returns to talk about his job as head brewer at Left Hand Brewing in Longmont, Colorado, and founding board member of the newly-independent...

02-20-25 - Dancing Skeleton Meadery

19 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our good friend, Desiree Knott, introduces us to her new boss – Alex Long of Dancing Skeleton Meadery in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. We sample two of their d...

02-13-25 - A Prairie Homebrewer Companion

12 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Scott Housel shares his dark, tart, rhubarb and cherry beer with a bit of something extra. He also takes the Mash Your Luck challenge for another roun...

02-06-25 - Brown Forest and Malty Bock

05 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

James, Adam Ross from Twin Span, homebrewer Scott Housel, and author Chris Colby taste a tart Brown Forest Light and formulate the recipe for a big, m...

01-30-25 - Two Mile Brewing Brand New Key

29 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

James and Steve finally get to sample delicious beers from Two Mile Brewing in Leadville, Colorado, with brewer Sean Terrill - including his Mash Your...

01-23-25 - Catching Up with Bob

22 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our good friend, Bob Stempski, has a spirited conversation with James about taking his brewing to the next level.

01-16-25 - Brian Brennfoerder of West Mountain

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

James and Steve share beers and conversation with brewer Brian Brennfoerder, who comes to professional brewing having only started homebrewing less th...

01-09-25 - Recipe Development, Brown Forest Light

08 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Colby helps James formulate the recipe for a small, brown beer with German influences.

01-02-25 - Dark Beers for New Years

01 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Giovanisci of Brew Cabin shares two dark and delicious beers on opposite ends of the ABV scale.

12-19-24 - Annual Disaster Show

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

James and Steve read letters of brewing gone wrong by listeners from around the world.

12-12-24 - Tasting Grape Ales

11 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Homebrewer Scott Housel shares a series of tart and tasty hybrid beers made with wine kit must as an ingredient.

12-05-24 - American Weiss Beer

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Adam Ross of Twin Span Brewing shares a tart historical American beer style as his response to the Mash Your Luck challenge.

11-21-24 - Recipe Development, Hoppy Belgian Golden

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Author Chris Colby joins James to formulate a recipe for a Strong Belgian Golden Ale with notes of tropical fruity hops.

11-14-24 - La Cerveza Oscura del Mundo

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Adam Ross of Twin Span Brewing, homebrewer Scott Housel, and author Chris Colby taste two beers James brewed to meet his Mash Your Luck challenge: a s...

11-07-24 - Pro-Curious Roundtable

06 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Four professional brewers from across the United States answer listener questions about going pro in today's craft beer world.

10-31-24 - Inland Empire Mash Your Luck Competition

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Members of the Inland Empire Homebrew Club pit six delicious beers against each other in the first ever Mash Your Luck competition.

10-24-24 - Beers with Detlef, Part 2

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the second part of a conversation on Steve Wilkes' porch, we talk to native Bavarian Detlef Koertge about his homebrewing and more on German beer c...

10-17-24 - Beers with Detlef

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We sit on Steve Wilkes' porch to have beers and conversation with Detlef Koertge, a homebrewer with roots in Bavaria.

10-10-24 - Recipe Development, Peppermint Mocha Stout

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Giovanisci of Brew Cabin and Josh Secaur of Gambit Brewing help James compare his two Honey IPAs, and the group brainstorm on a recipe for Matt's...

10-03-24 - Recipe Development, Dark "World" Beer

02 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Colby, author of the Homebrew Recipe Bible and Methods of Modern Homebrewing, helps James formulate a giant lager with advanced brewing techniqu...

09-26-24 - Tasting "Malt Liquor"

25 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

James shares his Mash Your Luck "Malt Liquor" with Chris Colby, Adam Ross, and Scott Housel. He rolls the dice again for another challenging beer.

09-19-24 - Lichtenhainer

18 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Homebrewer Scott Housel shares his tart and smoky interpretation of a delicious Historical German beer.

09-12-24 - A Taste of Honey IPA and Matt's MYL

11 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Giovanisci of Brew Cabin and Josh Secaur of Gambit Brewing join James to taste his Honey IPA and to plan the next version. Matt also takes the Ma...

09-05-24 - Tour of Terpenes

04 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Adam Ross of Twin Span Brewing shares four beers brewed with terpenes – three with hop terpenes, and one with terpenes from hops' wacky cousin. Scot...

08-22-24 - Steve's Black Braggot

21 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

James is joined by Adam Ross of Twin Span Brewing, Scott Housel, and Steve Wilkes as they taste Steve's Mash Your Luck braggot.

08-15-24 - Two Mile Brewing Company

14 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sean Terrill of Two Mile Brewing Company in Leadville, Colorado, talks about serving tourists at the highest altitude brewery in the country and takes...

08-08-24 - Smoke and Wine Beers

07 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Scott Housel asks James, along with Adam Ross and Austin Wadkins of Twin Span Brewing, for advice on brewing two fun and obscure beers.

08-01-24 - What Is Lager?

31 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Peter Symons, author of True Blue Brews - The Origins of Australian Beer, seeks a looser definition of "lager."

07-25-24 - Inland Empire Brewers Mash Your Luck

24 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jason Dunn and Doug Walker from the Inland Empire Brewers homebrew club in California let fate choose the parameters for an upcoming competition.

07-18-24 - Recipe Development, Honey IPA

17 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Giovanisci of Brew Cabin and Josh Secaur of Gambit Brewing Company join James to taste his Double IPA and formulate another hoppy kveik beer.

07-11-24 - Mash Your Luck Malt Liquor

10 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Colby joins James to taste the Fruit Stout pasteurization experiment and to formulate a big American Malt Liquor.

06-27-24 - Mash Your Luck Partigyle Stouts

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Scott Housel shares two beers - one big and one small - based on the Mash Your Luck challenge of Steve Wilkes.

06-20-24 - White IPA Roundup

19 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

James is joined by Matt Giovanisci of Brew Cabin and Swim University and Josh Secaur of Gambit Brewing in St. Paul, Minnesota, as they compare their W...

06-13-24 - Recipe Development, Pasteurized Fruit Stout

12 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Colby and Steve Wilkes join James to taste Steve's Kölsch and to formulate an experimental beer using pasteurization to preserve fruit flavor.

06-06-24 - Recipe Development, Double IPA

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Giovanisci and Josh Secaur join James to formulate a big, hoppy beer and to sample homebrew from Matt.

05-30-24 - Keg Fill Priming Experiment

29 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

James and Steve evaluate an experiment adding priming sugar to beers bottled from a keg.

05-23-24 - Sapwood Cellars Hoppy Sours

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Tonsmeire, the Mad Fermentationist and co-founder of Sapwood Cellars, shares three hoppy sours and tips on working with hops, barrels, and blendi...

05-16-24 - Rice Malting Experiment

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Scott Lafontaine, flavor chemist and assistant professor in food science at the University of Arkansas, shares ground-breaking research in malting ric...

05-09-24 - Saison - Pale Ale Split Batch

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Homebrewer Scott Housell shares his experiment that split a wort into a Saison and a hoppy Pale Ale. Adam Ross of Twin Span also talks about CBC in Ve...

05-02-24 - Recipe Development, White IPA

01 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

James gets together with Matt from Brew Cabin and Josh from Gambit Brewing to formulate a 100% Wheat Raw White IPA.

04-25-24 - Recipe Development, Bochet Braggot

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Steve Wilkes joins James to formulate a recipe for a big, black, bitter British Braggot.

04-18-24 - Recipe Development, Kölsch

17 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Colby, author of the Homebrew Recipe Bible, joins James to taste the Hoppy Raw Ale and to formulate a Kölsch for Steve Wilkes.

04-11-24 - Recipe Development, Hoppy Raw Ale

10 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Colby joins James to taste their Belgian Single and to formulate a Hoppy Raw Ale.

04-04-24 - Whirlpool Hopping Experiment

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Giovanisci of Brew Cabin shares a whirlpool hopping experiment in his quest to brew the perfect hazy IPA.

03-28-24 - Mead Hop Sampler

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Garrett Freeman from Man Made Mead shares a mead hop sampler with James and Steve that shows off five tasty hops.

03-21-24 - Mash Your Luck and Food Safety

20 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Scott Housel shares his Mash Your Luck beer with Adam Ross of Twin Span Brewing and James, and they talk about food safety with low- and non-alcohol b...

03-14-24 - Recipe Development, Saison

13 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Giovanisci of Brew Cabin and Josh Secaur of Gambit Brewing join James to taste the Fresca Shandler and formulate a saison recipe.

03-07-24 - American Craft Sake Festival

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Bell of Origami Sake gives James a tour of the tasting tent at the annual gathering of the North American sake industry.

02-29-24 - Tasting Bru Club Mash Your Luck

28 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Haven Schultz joins James and Steve as they taste the beers of Bru Club members that met the Mash Your Luck challenge.

02-22-24 - Hoppy Raw Ale

21 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

From Finland, Mika Laitinen, author of Viking Age Brew, tells us how to skip the boil to brew a delicious hoppy beer using historic techniques.

02-15-24 - Canning Homebrew

14 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Giovanisci of Brew Cabin and James get metal as they talk about canning your homebrew.

02-08-24 - Recipe Development, Belgian Single

07 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Colby joins James to formulate the recipe for a delicious Belgian-inspired beer and to taste James' Oat Malt Stout.

02-01-24 - Recipe Development, Grapefruit Soda Shandler

31 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Giovanisci of Brew Cabin and Josh Secaur of Gambit Brewing join James to formulate a refreshing hybrid brew and to sample Matt's Gingerbread Wit.

01-25-24 - Mash Your Luck, Anglo Imperial Lager

24 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Homebrewer Scott Housel helps James evaluate the Mash Your Luck beer from Adam Ross of Twin Span Brewing - a UK-inspired high gravity lager.

01-18-24 - Pink Dry Hopping Experiment

17 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

James and Steve taste an experiment comparing dry hops floating on top of and sunk into a pale ale.

01-11-24 - Formal Brewing Education

10 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

James talks to Andrew Burns of Dakota County Technical College in Minnesota about his course to bring homebrewers to the professional level.

01-04-24 - Moist January

03 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

James and Steve sit down with Desiree and Dave from High Gravity in Tulsa to sip delicious beers and talk homebrew past, present, and future.

12-28-23 - Brewing Disasters

27 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

James and Steve delve into stories of brewing gone wrong from homebrewers from around the world and sample tasty homebrew from Scott Housel.

12-21-23 - Saison Variations

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Homebrewer Scott Housel shares five beers created from a single base saison with James and Adam Ross of Twin Span Brewing.

12-14-23 - Recipe Development, Oat Malt Stout

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

James and Chris Colby are joined by beer author and historian Peter Symons to evaluate the Pre-prohibition American Lager from a previous episode and ...