The more I read about yeast and fermentation, the more conflicting, confusing (and possibly incorrect) statements I come across. I have read in several bits of literature that yeast requires oxygen for biosynthesis (i.e. cell growth) and prefers to use it for this purpose, to which end it absorbs oxygen shortly after pitching (i.e. during the lag phase and before fermentation begins). Many sources indicate that almost all the dissolved oxygen is absorbed by the yeast within 30-180 minutes after …
I have read that it is possible to grow your own yeast, but I have not been able to find exact instructions. I would like to grow my own yeast so that I don't have to spend money on those small sachets, which cost around $3.5 for 7 gr around here.
Ignoring the downsides (Hops: buy vs. grow), how would one grow hops in their backyard? I know that it grows 30 feet tall and that you cut it to the ground in the winter, but how do you get started with growing your own plants? How long would it take and how many plants would you need if you wanted to brew one small batch of beer each year from your home grown hops? I live in the north-east. Is …
I would like to start growing my own hops and want to know what the ideal climate is. I've read that hops will grow in most areas of North America, but there must be places where they grow better than other. Do some varieties grow better in certain climates while another climate might be more suited towards a different variety?
If I were to grow barley, is there a known ratio for pounds of malted grain per square feet of planted crop? Edit: Someone from twitter posted this: http://www.gardensofeden.org/04%20Crop%20Yield%20Verification.htm
I want to grow a couple of hop bines this year. Most of the online brew supply places say they ship in late March / early April. I have a feeling I'll still have snow on the ground around that time. Here in Western PA we typically plant our gardens in early May. Last year it was mid-late may before the last frost hit and I could get my veggies in the ground. If I order hop rhizomes and they …
Which commercial beers (local and/or national) are bottle conditioned and still have viable yeast? Also, what do commercial brewers do that renders the yeast unusable (pasteurization, filtering, too old, etc.)? Related question about yeast culturing: https://homebrew.stackexchange.com/questions/197/how-to-grow-yeast
I have heard that planting hops at home you should plant the rhizome in a mound of sorts. How large around should the mound be? What type of soil amendments are best? How tall should the trelis be for the first year of growth?