From alewife to witch : a history of myths
For context’s sake, the beer of the time was a flavored beer that couldn’t be preserved, as it was often low in alcohol and lacked effective preservatives such as hops. It was called ale in English and cervoise in French, from the imperial Latin cereviesa, itself a borrowing from the Gallic cereuesa. As ingredients are…
What is the “encens road” ?
Resins have played an important role in human history, particularly in antiquity. In this article, we’ll explore the role of three specific resins: myrrh, frankincense and terebinth, focusing on their medicinal, economic and religious roles.
What is pulque, the sacred drink of the Aztecs ?
One of the most popular pulque legends tells the story of Mayahuel, a young girl who lived with her grandmother in Mexico. The god Quetzalcoatl fell in love with her, and they were eventually transformed into the branches of a forked tree. Mayahuel’s grandmother, furious, broke off her granddaughter’s branch and left it there to…
The Myth of Mexican Vienna Lager: history geopolitics, and revolution
This a well-known story. Emperor Maximilian I, an Austrian noble brought to Mexico by the French, is said to have introduced Vienna Lager to Mexico so that he could enjoy his native beer in his new homeland. He supposedly ordered the construction of a brewery to produce Viennese beers. The brewery was built in Orizaba,…
“Raise a Glass to Summer: The Best Quebec Brew Fests of 2023”
Quebec is a province that is known for its love for beer, and it’s no surprise that brew fests are popular here. There are many brew fests happening in Quebec between June and October 2023, but we’ve narrowed it down to the top five. Each of these brew fests has its own unique history, profile…
How to use brettanomyces
What sets Brettanomyces apart from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the traditional beer yeast? First and foremost, it’s their ability to digest sugars. The presence of certain enzymes (alpha-glucosidase) allows Brettanomyces to break down more complex sugars than traditional yeast. This means that Brettanomyces can digest very complex sugars that traditional yeast cannot. Thanks to their voracity, beers…
Interview with “La Petite Bière”
For the time of a beer, I received none other than Émilie Leclerc, also known by her hoppy stage name ‘La Petite Bière’ on my show. This is a second career for the young Montreal actress, who created a second identity as an ‘ambassador of nectar.’ But be careful, don’t call her an influencer: Émilie…
The Art of Fermentation: Spontaneous vs. Cultivated Yeasts
Brettanomyces, saccharomyces bayanus, saccharomyces cerevisiae, bruxellensis, claussenii, lactobacilli… Does that ring a bell? With this lexical field of wild yeasts, we explore a whole world of beer wort fermentation. Are you interested in learning a little more about the subject? Let’s go on an adventure together! How does yeast work? What are the types of…
All you need to know about Trappist Beers
Join us on a journey to uncover the unique origins of Trappist beers, from the early connections between abbeys and beer-making to the current regulations governing the use of the Authentic Trappist Product label.
5 tips for brewing beer with wild yeast
Jocelyn Bernier-Lachance is an experienced amateur brewer with around ten years of experience. He is also a trained microbiologist who has previously worked for the company Lallemand, the artisanal brewery Gallicus, as well as La Chope à Malt/Beer Grains. Today, he wants to share his experience with you to spread his passion for microorganisms and…
Improve Your Beer by Simplifying Your Grain Bill
To be a great brewer, you must acknowledge that perfecting recipe design is a lifelong process. We often start in one direction, and over time tweak and modify until it is something completely different. This process can take months, or even years to complete, and regularly comes with a lot of frustrations when things don’t…
Weaponized Drugs in Ancient Times
Poison hemlock was a popular plant used for military purposes in ancient Greece. The plant contains a toxic alkaloid called coniine, which can cause paralysis and death. It was often used to poison enemies’ food and water supplies or smeared on weapons, causing the enemy to suffer from convulsions and paralysis.
Odrerir, the mead that drove Odin mad
Odin’s Deception: The Quest for the Giant’s Mead – Discover the tale of Odin, a god with a bad reputation, who sets out on a mission to find the giant’s mead. See how Odin’s cunning and inspiration leads him to offer the giant’s slaves a sharp scythe that gathers the grain by itself. Find out…
The Birth of a Giant: The Story of the Molson Brewing Company
Raise a glass to the legacy of Molson Brewing! With a rich history dating back to the 1700s, Molson has established itself as a pioneer in the brewing industry. From its humble beginnings to its transformation into a public enterprise, the company has alw
Why entheogens matter
Entheogens played a crucial role in the rituals of many of these religions. They were also used in medicinal practices to treat a wide range of physical and psychological ailments. The use of entheogens was not limited to the lower classes and was widely accepted among the wealthy and powerful as well. In fact, some…
Che Che, a leader on the Baja California craft beer market
Pour comprendre la scène de la bière en Basse-Californie, l’histoire de José Eduardo Arce est essentielle. Depuis 12 ans, “Che Che” joue un rôle fondamental dans le développement de la bière artisanale mexicaine, non seulement en matière de brassage, mais aussi en terme de formation et de gestion.
Heisenberg: fresh beer at your doorstep
La brasserie s’appelle Heisenberg, est originaire d’Ensenada au Mexique et a commencé à brasser des bières belges, anglaises, écossaises et allemandes, sur un marché dominé par les styles américains. Elle combine l’expérimentation, avec des recettes ” bien rodées ” des styles de sa ligne, et depuis 2020, sa boutique en ligne a positionné la marque…
“The Immortality Key: A Must-Read for Those Interested in History and Psychedelics”
“The Immortality Key: The Secret History of the Religion with No Name” by Brian Muraresku offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective on the history of psychedelics and their relationship to the origins of religion. The author presents a compelling argument that psychedelics, specifically the sacrament of kykeon consumed in ancient Greece, were an integral part…
The Mysterious History of Alcohol in Ancient China
Explore the early history of alcohol in China and discover the legends and myths that surround its origins. From the Neolithic period to the Han Dynasty, learn about the different types of fermented beverages that were consumed and the significance of alcohol in Chinese society. Despite its deep roots in Chinese culture, alcohol also had…
Homebrewing Techniques & tips
Paule Gosselin is an enthusiastic literature teacher who is passionate about the art of beer brewing. She loves learning about the ingredients and artisanal production of different beers and enjoys sharing her knowledge and love for excellent brewing products through writing. She is always keeping an eye out for new trends in the world of…
How the Sumerians Invented Beer
The beer that the Sumerians made was likely quite different from the beers we drink today. It would have been much more cloudy and had a lower alcohol content. It was also consumed as a daily beverage, rather than a leisurely drink. Sumer was an ancient civilization located in the Mesopotamia region of the Fertile…
IPA, India Pale Ale, and the Evolution of a Beer Style
The Hoppy History Podcast is all about IPA, or India Pale Ale. This popular beer style has gained widespread popularity in recent years due to its bold, hoppy flavor and high alcohol content.
Yeast, Beer, and the Pursuit of Perfection
The history of brewing is a fascinating one, full of trial and error as brewers sought to perfect their craft. Thanks to the efforts of these early pioneers, we now have access to a wide variety of delicious beers that can please any palate. If you’re interested in learning more about key trends in the…
What is next for craft beer in North America?
What are the key trends in beers in North America right now? Despite what you may have heard, beer doesn’t have to mean flavorless lagers and IPAs with a high IBU. Beer drinkers are becoming increasingly savvy, drinking craft styles like sour ales, milk stouts, and stout aged in barrels.
A guide to winter craft beers
It’s no secret that many of us enjoy a cold beer in the summertime, but what about in the winter? January can be a great time to relax and enjoy a brewsky, especially since colder weather often brings long nights and bitterly cold temperatures. Hops used in many beers act as natural anesthetics that can…
The 5 must-have beer glasses
Dominique Labre is the Founder and Lead Member of Ottawa’s Homebrew Society, a local club focused on connecting homebrewers of all levels of expertise, assisting them in improving their brewing skills, and introducing new beer lovers to the amazing hobby of homebrewing. If there’s something I know about myself, it is that I always…
“Empire in a Bottle: Tales of a Beer Historian”
“Why don’t you write your literature review about alcohol?” my African colonialism professor asked me during my master’s degree. “I can do that?!” I replied. The possibility of researching and writing on the history of beer and alcohol was, honestly, mind-blowing. I had already been an avid homebrewer for many years and had just begun…
Christmas beer: between history, marketing, and spices
By Nathalie Coursin Ah, it’s finally here, this month of December that brings with it the official beginning of winter, but also the comforting time of the Holidays. What if this time, we took the opportunity to discover and brew a Christmas beer? A bit of history… Before sharing the recipe, let’s go back in…
Key trends in craft brewing for 2023
November 6th, 2022 Written by: Paule Gosselin, columnist for Bière et Plaisirs magazine and author of the blog La Fleur du Malt. The craze for quality microbrewery beers continues to grow. What are the big craft beer trends for 2023 and what are they driven by? The Pale Ale trend Gone are the days of…
Beer in Ancient Mythology: A Gift from the gods
Pierre-Olivier Bussières is the host of the “Le Temps d’une Bière” podcast, a journey through the history of alcohol, drugs, and myths. Gods and Beers 🍺 🍻 Through the ages, many cultures have considered beer to be a gift from the gods, a divine essence, a sacred food, and much more! This brief article explores…
Six Steps to Brew
On top of the ever-growing home brewing community, we also have access to a massive amount of information online and numerous published books on homebrewing. There’s so much information that sometimes it can seem overwhelming for brewers. This is why I condensed all the resources into an easy to follow, six-step process:
