The Brülosophy Podcast Episode 400 | Brü & A #40
Oct 14, 2025
Join Alex Shanks-Abel, a brewing expert and regular contributor, as he dives into some intriguing brewing questions. He explains Darcy's law and its impact on sparging, addresses off-flavors in LME kits, and shares tips for yeast starters. The duo reflects on the brewing industry's evolution and the therapy of brewing. They also debate metric versus US units, motivation behind their work, and even share playful hypotheticals. It's a mix of fun, insight, and practical advice for brewers at any level!
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Don't Overthink Minor Process Fears
- If your beer tastes fine, don't obsess over theoretical over-sparging or tiny system inefficiencies.
- Focus on factors that actually change flavor rather than marginal efficiency gains.
Handle Liquid Malt Extract Gently
- Avoid overboiling or overheating liquid malt extract; add LME late or at flameout to reduce cooked/burnt flavors.
- Prefer dry malt extract (DME) or all-grain when possible to avoid LME off-flavors and poor attenuation.
Science Backgrounds Draw People To Brewing
- Brewlosophy's surveys show many brewers come from science and engineering backgrounds.
- That likely explains hobbyists' attraction to the analytical and perceptual sides of brewing.