Sourdough Starter – What is it?

All sourdough bread needs to begin from a starter. A sourdough starter is a mixture of flour, water and sometimes sugar. Sits at ambient room temperature and allows wild yeast and flora in the air, and the grain/flour, to inoculate the mixture. The starter’s fermentation will occur in a few days and will give the starter its “sour” taste and smell. After the initial growth of the starter it is ready to use, for years and years, if fed and treated right! Once you have a strong and thriving starter all you need to do is replenish it, keep it stored in the refrigerator (or cool dark place), and it will last indefinitely.

If your starter turns color, has a pink or orange tint, colored streaks or it just smells “off” to you … toss it, because it has gone bad. Leaving it out too long, two-weeks or more, leaving it uncovered and gets some contaminated with “bad” bacteria … could and will make your starter go bad. The “off” smell I was referring to is from the creation of acetic acid from a stressed out and/or starved culture. It will smell like vinegar or nail polish remover, so if this happens … when it doubt toss it and start over.

Sourdough Starter – How to make it?

Making a starter! It’s simple to do … trust me.

What “equipment” you’ll need is:

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• A Clean Glass Jar and Lid:
  I use a wide mouth mason jar with a rubber banded coffee filter on top. You need something to keep anything from getting into the starter and allow it to breathe.
  Once I get to storing it in the refrigerator, I swap out the coffee filter for a plastic lid. I would not use a standard metal lid and band though in fear that it could react from the acidity of the starter. Be sure your vessel has enough room in it as it will more than double in size.
• A Rubber Band:
  I use a rubber band on the outside of the jar to mark the height of the starter upon feeding it. You could also use a marker as well – but the rubber band is simple and won’t wash away.
• Scale or Measuring Cups:
  I recommend using a kitchen scale that can measure in grams. But you can use volume for measuring out (I’ll provide both weight and cups/tbsp/tsp below.
• Spatula or Spoon:
  I use a plastic narrow spatula, one that is smaller than the mason jar opening. You also use a spoon but I would not recommend a wooden spoon since the starter will be sticky and harder to clean off a wooden spoon.

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Now the ingredients: This is a simple one for the starter

• Flour
• Water
• Existing Starter Culture

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Flour
Ok … if you are starting from SCATCH … you’ll want to start with Whole Wheat, Rye Flour or Pumpernickel Flour. The yeast and bacteria actually really prefers whole grain/wheat flour, it’s easier to get the starter going than using just white flour. Once the starter is established you can switch the Unbleached White Flour for feedings

Water
As far as the water. You should use Chlorine Free Water – since chlorine is used to kill harmful microorganisms. Almost all city tap water is treated with chlorine and chloramine. So I suggest using filtered, distilled water or bottled water is you know your tap water is heavily treated … but I’ll tell you, I just use tap water and have NOT had any problems. Yet.

Existing Culture
You can either purchase a commercial (Cultures for Life, King Arther, Breadtopia for example) – It can come in powder form, wet starter form or dried flakes. The better way is to get it from a friend, a family member, a neighbor, anyone who is making sourdough bread.

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Now I’m going to skip making a starter culture from scratch … there is numerous ways and just as many articles out there in the process … Allot at least (8) days for making up a starter from scratch first off. Here is a good link(s) for starting from square one:

• https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/learn/guides/sourdough/create/
• https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/packages/baking-guide/yeasted-breads/how-to-make-sourdough-starter/

What I’m showing you is how to start from an existing sourdough starter / culture. These steps are the same I use for maintenance feedings as well for your leaven starter.

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When it’s time to refresh the culture, use the same container as a permanent home and don’t wash out the container. If the container DOES need to be washed though, feel free. Discard all of the original / previous starter except for the required retained culture amount noted below.

Standard Size Starter – 450 grams – [100% Hydration]
This refresh feeding, enough for four loaves of pan bread in the next 7 to 10 days.

• 50 grams (or 1/4 cup) – Retained culture / starter
• 200 grams (or 1-1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp + 2-1/2 tsp) – White Flour (All-Purpose or Bread)
• 200 grams (or 3/4 cup + 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp) – Water (75° Summer / 85° Winter)

Double Size Starter – 850 grams – [100% Hydration]

• 50 grams (or 1/4 cup) – Retained Culture / Starter
• 400 grams (or 2-3/4 cup + 2 tsp) – White Flour (All-Purpose or Bread)
• 400 grams (or 1-1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp) – Water (75° Summer / 85° Winter)

Mix by hand until all combined. Cover and let sit at room temperature for 20 to 24 hours, then refrigerate.

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I’ll be making a standard 450 gram starter this time …

Start with measuring out 200 grams (or 1-1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp + 2-1/2 tsp) of flour in a bowl.

Then zero out / tare the scale and add 200 grams (or 3/4 cup + 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp) of tepid water

Then zero out / tare the scale again and add 50 grams (or 1/4 cup) of retained starter culture

Next discard all of the original starter from the vessel.
This is where you can lend your friend, neighbor or family member some of your discarded culture.

If you don’t discard the initial starter it will grow too big and be difficult to manage.

Only make starters to the size you intend to use timely.

Mix thoroughly by hand, or with a spatula or spoon, and pour into your vessel. Trying not to spill over the rim … which luckily I did not miss for the picture!

Once all the starter is in the vessel / jar mark the level with a rubber band or marker

Then cover with a coffee filter, cheese cloth or plastic wrap

Monitor the starter … after (1) hour you’ll see there has been some growth and activity

After (2) hours just over doubled in size … As you see, allow room in your vessel for growth.

At the (3) hour mark (yes the jar is ALMOST filled!) … At this point I’m loosely putting a lid on the jar and putting into the refrigerator to slow down and to keep until next weekend for baking.

That all you need to do for maintenance feedings or replenishing your sourdough starter.

Now that you know how to make and feed a starter … next making and baking bread with your starter!

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Sourdough Bread – How to make it?

First off there are soo0 many sourdough bread recipes out there. Standard sourdough bread, rustic sourdough bread, sourdough pretzels, then even to sourdough waffles, pancakes and pizza crust. All can be made with sourdough and much more!

What I’m going to show is just a tried and true, very simple sourdough bread recipe (4) ingredients.

Sourdough Bread Recipe – [70% Hydration]

• 50 grams – (1/4 cup) – Active Sourdough Starter
• 350 grams – (1-1/2 cups + 2 tablespoons) – Warm Water 
• 500 grams – (4 cups + 2 Tbsp) – All-Purpose or Bread Flour
• 10 grams – (1-½ tsp) – Salt

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First, measure out your warm / tepid water – 350 grams (or 1-1/2 cup and 2 tbls)

Then add your 50 grams (or 1/4 cup) active sourdough starter culture. The best time to do this is about 3 to 4 hrs after a fresh feeding of the starter. Not necessary but it will ensure the starter is at it’s prime / peak.

Throughly mix the combine the sourdough starter and water.

If you are using a food scale, zero out / tare the scale and add 500 grams (or 4 cups + 2 Tbsp) for white flour or bread flour.

And last of the ingredients is salt. Again zero out / tare the scale, if you are using one, and add 10 grams (or 1/1/2 tsp) of plain old table salt.

Next combine, mix and fold the dough – This can be done by hand, with a spatula or mixer.

If you are using a mixer, just operate the mixer on slow until the flour and water are complete mixed together. Do not over do to for this step …. it is not needed since we’ll be doing a bulk rise / fermentation.

Once combined let for dough sit / rest for 30mins to 1hr (or longer if you want).
This step is called autolyse. The pause prior to kneading will enhance the extensibility and possibly increased flavor in your bread.

The gluten begins forming and bonding, the dough starts to strengthen itself. The protease enzymes will break down protein is work on the dough. This then increases the dough and it’s extensibility.

As you can see below the dough looks more like traditional bread dough after the autolyse pause rest step.

Next you will knead the fold the dough itself for a good 10 minutes or so.
Then transfer the kneaded dough into a lightly greased bowl to mix and bulk ferment.

Cover the bread dough with a damp kitchen towel (or plastic wrap and towel) and let it rise for 8 to 10 hours at room temperature. This bulk rise I will typically let rise overnight.

After the bulk rise, gently remove the dough from the bowl onto a lightly floured surface. Tuck the edges of the dough into the center and work around the edges until you’ve tucked them all in. Flip the ball dough over. Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

Using your hands, gently pull the dough ball towards you, letting its grip on the counter pull it into a tighter ball. Rotate the dough slightly and repeat around the edges until you’ve formed a tight ball.

Prepare a bread proofing basket, if you have one, by dusting it well with flour. You can use a medium mixing bowl (about 8 inches across). To prepare the mixing bowl, you’ll want to coat it generously with cooking spray and then flour very well, or you can line it with a kitchen towel and dust it very well with flour.

Place your dough ball, smooth top down, into your prepared basket or bowl, and cover with a damp towel.

Let the dough rest for 1 to 2 hours, at room temperature, or until it’s spread out a bit and looks puffy.

If you are planning on cooking the bread in a dutch oven or oven safe pot make a parchment paper template with straight sections to allow lifting of the bread after baking.

Ensure that the parchment paper fits into the inside of the pot well.

After the dough is risen for the 2nd proof, place the parchment paper cutout centered on top of the proofing basket or bowl. Then place a cutting board on top and flip over the proofing basket/bowl and cutting board.

Carefully remove the proofing basket and lower the dough into the dutch over / pot with the parchment paper template.

Score the top with a lame, or sharp knife (serrated knife works, too) and as you see I topped the bread dough with some more spices.

Now place the COVERED dutch oven in a preheat oven set to 450° F.

If you don’t have a lid for you oven safe pot you can use aluminum foil wrapped top.

Place the dutch oven in the hot oven and cook for 30 minutes.

After 30 mins, remove the lid and put the dutch oven back in the oven, uncovered, for another 20 to 30 minutes.

The bread will be very dark and sound hollow when tapped when it is done.

You can bake it to your likeness though.

Remove the pan from the oven, and then remove the bread from the pan via the parchment paper and let it cool on a wire rack for 1 hour before slicing and serving.

Once you get your first sourdough bread under your belt … then start to experiment with additives, spices and herbs.

Be sure to try to stay with the 70% hydration ratio with your bread if you want a light and fluffy bread. Also cooking it at the high temp inside the dutch oven, locks in the moisture released from the dough and aids in lifting the dough while baking. The crust this will create will be very crunchy crust on the bread.

First the ingredients:
Now I have to confess
I just eyeball and wing it when making Kimchi – (But below is my starter recipe)
Once you’ve made it a few times … you just add or subtract as neeeded.

• (1) Head of Napa Cabbage
• (1) Head of Bok Choy Cabbage
  (At least 2-1/2 lbs mininum cabbage or combination)
• (1) Daikon Radish (Julienned cut into match sticks)
• 1/2 cup kosher salt
• (1) bunch of medium green onions (Approx. 6 cut diagonally)
• 2 to 3 carrots (Julienned cut into match sticks)
• (8 to 10) – Garlic Cloves (Minced – approx. 1/4 cup)
• 1 tbsp – Minced ginger (approx. 1/4 of amount of garlic)
• 1-1/2 tsp Sugar

Now for the ingredients that you’ll have to look for

• 1/3 cup of Korean Red Pepper Powder (Gochugaru)
  (Add more for spicy hotter Kimchi – I use Assi Brand Red Pepper Powder)
  (Available in most Korean / Asian markets or Amazon)
• 1/3 cup or Korean Chili Paste (Gochujang)
  (You can skip complete, or even make a rice flour porridge but Gochujang is easiest)
  (The last couple batches I started use this – I use Chung Jung One O’Food)
  (Available in most Korean / Asian markets or Amazon)
• 1/4 tsp fish sauce (I prefer / sometimes use oyster sauce)
• 2 tsp Korean salted shrimp minced (optional – I skip this typically)

Now additional adds .. I’ve read about Asian pears, plums, oysters, squid to name a few

Starting with your throughly rinsing cabbage. Cut the napa cabbage lengthwise into quarters and discard roots. For the bok choy cut end of root off and discard any outer bad leaves.

Cut napa cabbage and bok choy into approx. 2” square pieces. Keep bite size but not too small.

Put napa cabbage and bok choy into a large bowl or crock. Sprinkle the 1/2 cup salt all over and turn over and sprinkle. Make sure the salt is blended into cabbage.

Let sit and turn over every 30 minutes for 1-1/2 hours. Alternate option is to cover with cold water, approx. 12 cups. Cover with a plate to keep cabbage mixture submerged and cover with a towel or plastic wrap and let sit on counter at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours.

Next peel and cut daikon radish in match sticks size and/or small cubes. And then add to the salted cabbage. You can also skip this addition … but I typically get the cabbage going first and then add the daikon. But have also completely skip brining the radish.

Cut and combine all the other ingredients into large glass or metal bowl while the cabbage is brining / resting with the salt.

Next after 1 to 1-1/2 hours of total salting throughly rinse the cabbage in cold water 3 times to clean it. You should NOT taste any salt left in the cabbage mixture

And then drain completely in a colander

IMPORTANT NOTE: Do NOT use WHITE plastic bowls past this point. Use glass, metal or something that will not get stained!

Combine all the other ingredients – I’m using a stainless steel pot.

Starting mixing in the red pepper flakes, chili paste, fish sauce and any other additions.

Trying not to bruise or break cabbage upon mixing and combining the ingredients. I wear nitrile gloves and mix by hand. Again if you don’t wear gloves … your hands will turn red and possibly burn / irritate your skin. Taste me … use a spoon or wear gloves!

You can add water, more Gochujang, or even soy sauce, if you need more juice / liquid. But trust me … it will seem “dry” at first until you start packing the mixture

Start to pack tightly into glass containers or air-tight sealable plastic container (I prefer using a 1 gallon glass jar) – You can use canning jars even. But if you are using plastic … you will never get the smell or stains out of it.

Pack the mixture into the container and do not allow voids or air pockets. Leaving about 1/2″ to 3/4″ head-space at the top of jar(s). Cover loosely with a lid, cover with cheese cloth or use an airlock. I’m using an airlock this go around. Also placing the vessel onto a plate in case the ferment bubbles out the top – Thus why you need to leave some head-space.

Let sit in mild, dark place for 24 hours (or room temperature for 12 hours covered) After resting open the lid to release gases (if not using an airlock) that have built up and repress mixture tightly into container. The mixture should be covered by the natural brine it has made.

Then refrigerate your kimchi and eat as soon as your liking.
But sure to check kimchi periodically for built up gases and liquid release.

Kimchi is an acquired taste for some … but give a chance and you never know, you may love it!

Now at first I wasn’t sure if John was just kidding, but I have actually heard of this though. And with some Google searching and some memory recall … I re-found the world of fruit and country wine guru Jack Keller.

If you’ve never heard of Jack Keller here is brief intro. Jack’s WineBlog was the first wine blog on the internet. He unfortunately passed away in Sept 2020 but has impact on fruit and country wine lives on. His site doesn’t exist anymore but the Web Archive has it and can be partially accessed here: Link to Archived Winemaking.JackKeller – And someone also Scribd a collection of his recipes and as a PDF download as well

Jack did have one book that is still available for purchase on Amazon.

Most, if not all, of Jack’s recipes are at 1 gallon batch sizes … so scaling is easy. Do you yourself favor and look him up! He logged numerous wine recipes.

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Jack’s Keller – Red Tomato Wine – 1 Gallon

The only word of caution for red tomato wine is to use only perfectly ripe fruit. They should also be freshly picked. If you have a large crop coming ripe all at once and have already canned enough for the off seasons, then this recipe will be a God-send. It makes one gallon of wine, but multiply it out by however many 4-lb batches of tomatoes you have for the wine.

• 4 lbs fresh, ripe red tomatoes
(I’m using a mix of beefsteak, better boy, roma and jetstar)
• 2 lbs granulated sugar
(I used some honey along with sugar)
• 3-1/2 qts water
• 2 tsp acid blend
• 1/2 tsp pectic enzyme
• 1/8 tsp grape tannin
• 1 tsp yeast nutrient
• 1 crushed Campden tablet
• 1 pkg Champagne or Montrachet yeast
(I’m using EC-1118 Yeast)

Now a brief write up about this recipe:

Boil water and dissolve sugar. Meanwhile, wash and cut fruit into chunks, discarding any bruised or insect-scarred parts. Pour fruit and any juice from cutting into nylon straining bag in primary. Tie bag and squash the fruit. Pour the boiling water with dissolved sugar over fruit. Cover and allow to cool one hour, then add acid blend, tannin, yeast nutrient, and crushed Campden tablet. Stir, recover and after 12 hours add pectic enzyme. Wait another 12 hours and add yeast. Stir twice a day for 7 days. Remove nylon bag and allow to drip drain, adding drained juice to primary; do not squeeze bag. Siphon liquid off sediments into secondary, top up, and fit airlock. Rack every 60 days until wine clears, then wait two weeks and rack again. Add stabilizer, wait 10 days, sweeten to taste with sugar water, then bottle. Wine will mature in one year and should be served chilled.

[Adapted from Terry Garey’s The Joy of Home Winemaking]

Now since I have a lot of tomatoes I decided to go with 3 gallons batch size so I just simpy times all the items listed by 3x – so yes I’m using over 12lbs of tomatoes! You do not use 3x the yeast though, a 11gram sachet is enough for a 6 gallon batch. I also have a press I’ll be using and I’m going to go with a Staggered Nutrient Additions approach with this ferment. Here is a link to how to: Improve you Mead with Staggered Nutrient Additions.

Now before you start anything let us talk sanitization. Even though is a “country wine” you need to ensure that everything is cleaned and sanitized. You can’t sanitize anything that isn’t clean … so clean and rinse through and sanitize. I suggest either StarSan or IOStar – Follow mixing and usage instructions – typically it’s 1oz of sanitizer to 5 gallons of water for a concentration of 25 ppm in solution for sanitizer. ANYTHING that touches the fermenter or the must .. I mean anything .. be sure to sanitize it! You’ll thank me later!

So start by weigh out 4 lbs of tomatoes. I went over a few ounces over since you will be cutting out any bad or bruised areas – Vary as needed but I processed the tomatoes in the manageable size of the 4lbs at a time.

Now cut up the tomatoes into quartered chucks. You don’t have to dice the tomatoes and I will be using a press so “chucks” as shown below should be good. Doesn’t have to be pretty.

Now like I said I’ll be using a press so I load 4lbs of tomatoes at a time into the press. If you don’t have a press just bag the tomatoes into a straining bag in primary, tie the bag and squash the fruit in the primary.

And squeeze and collect the juice.

I then collect the squeezed out tomatoes and place in a straining bag.

And place into the primary fermenter (Which I suggest a bucket for primary with the bagged tomatoes and glass for secondary and tertiary fermentations)

Now since tomatoes seeds are small and the press allowed the seeds to press though into the juice I decided to use a sanitized wire sieve to collect the seeds.

And you see it was a good idea!

Now collect and bring you water to a boil to dissolve your sugar. Since we’ll be adding Campden tablets I decided to use my municipal water, otherwise a good idea would be using RO Water. I collected 10-1/2 quarts (2-5/8 gallons) but I reserved back 1.5 quarts incase I didn’t like the SG gravity (which I ended up added back in the volume of water per the recipe)

I did also substituted 1lb of sugar for 1lb of honey. Be very careful with boiling your sugar solution – hot and stick bubbling boiling liquid is no joke … so watch what you’re doing!

Then pour the sugar solution into the fermenter and over the tomatoes in the strainer bag and cover and let sit for 1 hour.

After 1 hour add the crushed Campden tablet(s), yeast nutrient (DAP), acid blend (or malic acid) and wine tannin and mix with a santized spoon to incorporate the additives.

Be sure to take a cooled hydrometer sample and record you starting gravity (SG)
Hard to see from the angle and I had to hold the hydrometer .. but I got a 1.073 / 1.075 SG – You can adjust up or down as you like. I’m fine with the low 1.070s for a starting gravity.

Now cover and let you must set for 12 hours.

And if you have a fermentation chamber that’s a plus, especially for chilling down the hot must.

Then 12 hours later add your pectic enzyme. Pectic enzyme breaks down the pectins, which is the “fleshy” part of the fruit. Stir and recover to incorporate the enzymes into the must. And let sit for another 12 hours to allow the enzymes to work.

After 12 hours rehydrate your yeast (as manufacturer suggests) – I also added GoFerm to assist the yeast.

And pitch your yeast into the must.

Now at this point …. this is as far I as I have documented and will be adding to this as the ferment progress along.

Day 2 – Update After Yeast Pitch

One day after pitching yeast I gave the must a stir to degas and to punch down the bagged tomatoes back into the must. On odd days I’m stirring and degassing and on even days adding nutrients.

So day 2 I’m adding nutrients. Fermentation has slowly started and there are signs of fermentation. But with adding FermAid-K and DAP with a stir it kicks up fermentation for sure!

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2 Week Mark – Transfer to Secondary Fermenter

It’s been 2 weeks and it’s time to transfer a secondary fermenter. It’s going from the bucket fermenter into a 3gallon glass carboy.

First pulling the bag with the crushed tomatoes.

And then placing it into a sanitized colander and collect the dripping into a sanitized pot. Do not totally squeeze the bag … just collect what runs off naturally.

While that drains, using an auto siphon that you have sanitized prior, siphon the must into the carboy.

Be sure to take a record you gravity – As you can see it has fully fermented below 1.00 to a FG of 0.997 – Very similar to a hard cider ferment finishing dry.

Now you can combine the collect drippings from the bag … and below what the spent tomatoes look like.

Transfer all the clear must leaving behind the spent yeast and spent trub in the bucket

You can transfer and nearly completely to the top of the ferment since there should not be any additional fermentation happening.

Now allow the wine to set to settle out in secondary for atleast another 30 days changing on it once a week. I record the steps and reading on masking tape.

More updates as it progress …. So check back in from time to time for updates!

3 to 4 Week Mark – Transfer to Tertiary Fermenter

Time for another transfer! Even though it is SUPER clear already … we can do better yet and even without clarifying additives.

Take a reading sample and record the gravity and taste sample! As you can see it has dropped a few more points yet from the transfer to secondary. We’re down to 0.994 … drying out!

Be sure to sanitize everything prior to transferring!

Leaving behind the spent yeast and the fermentation trub / debris that is settled out.

Transferring my notes to the next carboy …

5th to 6th Week Mark
Stabilizing, Back Sweetening and Bottling

Next you need to decide to back sweeten or not. If you want a dry wine … leave it as is and go ahead and bottle. But if you desire to add back some sweetness, without fermentation happening again in the bottle, you HAVE to stabilize the must/wine. If you don’t stabilize prior to back sweetening you will make bottle bombs.

Stabilizing

To stabilize your wine, cider or mead for back sweetening the process is the same. Add 1/2 teaspoon of Potassium Sorbate (K.Sorbate) per gallon and 1/4 teaspoon of Potassium Metabisulphite (K.Meta) , or (1) crushed campden tablet per gallon. The potassium sorbate (K.Sorbate) prevents new fermentation from happening (Note: potassium sorbate should not be added without potassium metabisulphite – you can end up with off flavors otherwise) The potassium metabisulphite (K.Meta) is a preservative and should kill off any lingering wild yeast cells and protects from bacteria.

Dissolve the K.Sorbate and K.Meta in some water before adding to the wine. Then give the wine at least (5) days to (1) week for the K.Sorbate and K.Meta to halt the yeast’s ability to ferment sugars anymore. This does not kill off the yeast that still remains, but stops the ability to eat / ferment any sugars.

Now to back sweeten your wine there are varies ways. You can add a 1:1 ratio of water and sugar – (Example: boil 100grams of sugar in 100ml of water is the easiest). Adding fruit juice is another way. Or you can also use Wine Conditioner as well.

This tomato wine it’s very “cider’ like so I decided to use 100% apple juice concentrate to back sweeten with. I have used this before in the past. White grape juice concentrate would have also been a good choice as well – but wasn’t available at the store.

Then bottle as normal. Making sure to throughly clean and sanitize your bottles. I opt’d for a mixture of 750ml bottles an 500ml bottles (with swing tops)

Be sure to note and record all your readings, recipe and notations throughout the process.
Documentation is important and makes you be able to repeat and improve in the future.

I hope you enjoy this …. I will attempt to get tasting remarks from club members!

The competition was a Best of Show BOS / People’s Choice type of judging to select: 1st, 2nd and 3rd. – So overall impression and personal preference.

Stylistically, Janet’s Brown should be under 10C. – American Brown Ale but due to the OG, IBU and ABV (and for the people who brewed this know it’s a big beer) should be considered as under 21B – Speciality IPA. So combining the best of both categories we should get an excellent beer!

The BJCP overall impression they describes Brown IPA as the following:
Overall Impression
Hoppy, bitter, and moderately strong like an American IPA, but with dark caramel, chocolate, toffee, or dark fruit character as in an American Brown Ale. Retaining the dryish finish and lean body that makes IPAs so drinkable, a Brown IPA is a little more flavorful and malty than an American IPA without being sweet or heavy.

And for American Brown
Overall Impression
Can be considered a bigger, maltier, hoppier interpretation of Northern English brown ale or a hoppier, less malty Brown Porter, often including the citrus-accented hop presence that is characteristic of American hop varieties.

And Janet’s Brown should be the best combination of an American Brown and an IPA – Thus the subcategory Specialty – Brown IPA for Janet’s Brown

Link to Recipe to make you own Janet’s Brown
Or the AHA 2021 Big Brew Recipe AHA Link
Or purchase from MoreBeer – Pre-Made Kit All Grain or Extract [PDF Recipe]
(More Beer donates 100% of the proceeds to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society)

And the outcome from the (6) Entries of Janet’s Brown

• 1st Place – Brent Wilkerson
• 2nd Plate – Brian Lesperance
• 3rd Place – Andy Willadsen

All (6) brew were EXCELLENTLY brewed beers. With all being the same recipe there were slight variations. Still amazes me in the differences, especially with multiple people utilizing the MoreBeer kits!

If you ever looking for the “what” to brew next … I highly recommend looking into making this beer!

So let us start with the “What’s a podcast?”

Basically a podcast is a combination of the words “iPod” and “broadcasting” … others say the “pod” was for “portable” .. while others refer them to “net cast” to not relate or be confused with Apple’s iPod.

Regardless what you call it though they are basically a digital audio audio file (some are video file format video podcast or vlog) that you download and enjoy. You can subscribe to them via a RSS feed, an application or download them manually. You can listen via your iPhone, Android phone, tablet, computer … any device that can store or stream from.

The apps you can use to subscribe to podcast with are:

• RSS Feed – The original old school way
  With an RSS feed you can sync your email client, like Outlook, with the RSS or XML site address. There also are options with apps or via a browser.
• Cell subscription service. This comes down to platform: iPhone or Android (Or an app available on either platform)
  • iPhone: Apple has a Podcast app that you connect or subscribe via the iTunes Store.
  • Android: Google has the Google Podcast App as well and you search for content via the Google Play Store
  • Platform neutral options:
    • Stitcher
    • Spotify
    • Castbox
    • Himalaya

Now the nitty gritty … What to listen to!

The original beer podcasts!

Basic Brewing Radio
http://www.basicbrewing.com/

James Spencer has been doing this podcast since 2005. Doing both audio and video shows.

James starts the shows with the same basic message:
“At Basic Brewing Radio, we’re all about home brewing. Each week, we hope to bring to you interesting interviews with people who can shed light on the hobby, share an interesting story, or give expert advice to help us all become better home brewers.”

Additional Links:
https://www.youtube.com/user/basicbrewing/
https://www.instagram.com/basicbrewing/
https://twitter.com/basicbrewing/

The Brewing Network
http://www.thebrewingnetwork.com/

The Brewing Network (The BN) has numerous shows and and various hosts and also has been going since 2005 as well founder by Justin Crossley. With other hosts including: Jason “JP” Petros, Scott “Moscow” Moskowitz, Jamil Zainasheff, John Palmer and the late Mike “Tasty” McDole.

The main and original podcast is The Session

Other great shows include:
Brew Strong
Dr Homebrew
Brewing with Style
Can You Brew It
The Sour Hour
And many more …

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Now the new guys to Podcasts ….

Experimental Brewing
https://www.experimentalbrew.com/

Experimental Brewing, along with The Brew Files, and hosted by Denny Conn and Drew Beechum, authors of Experimental Homebrewing and Homebrewing All-Stars as they explore the world of beer and homebrew.

Both Denny and Drew are also pretty active on Facebook, Reddit and Homebrew Talk. You’ll see Denny posting alot on Wisconsin Homebrewing Community Facebook page even!

Additional Links:
https://www.youtube.com/c/ExperimentalBrewing/
https://www.facebook.com/experimentalbrew/
https://www.instagram.com/experimentalbrew/

The Beersmith Podcast
http://beersmith.com/

Not only is Brad Smith the author and creator of BeerSmith brewing software he also has a podcast as well! With each episode having interview with guests, how to brew, techniques and history.

If you haven’t heard of BeerSmith … you need to check it out. You can get a free (21) day trial.
http://beersmith.com/download-beersmith/

List of all the shows:
http://beersmith.com/blog/the-beersmith-podcast-index/
And BeerSmith software overview.
BeerSmith Overview

Brülosophy
https://brulosophy.com/

If you like the idea of a triangle test … this one is for you.
Marshall Schott and Brülosophy team first started with their exBEERiments (or xBmt) to test the conventional wisdom and post their results of brewing and brewing techniques. This is by far their best contribution to the brewing community and they eventually transitioned to hosting a podcast as well.

Additional Links:
https://brulosophy.com/podcasts/thebrulosophypodcast/
http://facebook.com/brulosophy/
http://instagram.com/brulosophy/
http://twitter.com/brulosopher/

The Master Brewers Podcast
https://www.masterbrewerspodcast.com/

The MBAA (Master Brewers Association of the Americas) is hosted by John Bryce and interviews with the industry’s best & brightest in brewing science, technology, and operations.

Links:
https://www.masterbrewerspodcast.com/episodes/

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And the last two I’ll mention are a little different podcasts ….

Milk the Funk: The Podcast
https://www.milkthefunk.live/

Art Whitaker, Dan Pixley and Dr Matt Humbard talk about mixed and alternative fermentation for beer, wine, mead, and cider. “The Podcast” is an extension of the Milk the Funk Facebook group and Wiki.

Check out the wiki page for all your alternative yeast and bacteria fermentation needs.
http://www.milkthefunk.com/wiki/Main_Page/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/

Fuhmentaboudit! (Ferment About It!)
https://heritageradionetwork.org/series/fuhmentaboudit/

The hosts Chris Cuzme and Mary Izett (of Fifth Hammer Brewing) aim to demystify the art of home fermentation with a primary focus on home brewing beer. They cover topics from beer, to cheese, to pickles, to sauerkraut, to sake, to kombucha, to water kerif, to kimchi, to makgeoli … basically all things fermented!!

Links
https://www.instagram.com/fuhmentaboudit/
https://www.facebook.com/Fuhmentaboudit/
https://www.instagram.com/mylifeoncraft/

So if you’ve never listened to podcast or need something new to check out … you know have hours or brew content to listen to!

So a cyser, is a mead, that is a blend of honey and apple juice and then fermented together.
So lets start with that … Honey and Apple Juice.

Let’s talk about honey.
Now we can on and on about honey but we’re talking about ‘Easy to Make Cyser’ so store bought honey is what we’re using here. Typically clover honey is what you’ll find in the stores. Sometimes you’ll find wildflower honey and maybe even orange blossom. What you are looking for are the words in honey like: “pure”, “100%”, “raw” or “unpasteurized”. If the honey is “pasteurized” or “filtered” this is fine, this usually means the the natural wild yeast has been killed off and done to slow down the crystallization. But it needs to be honey.

Watch out for the honey that comes in a little bear … this usually is “fake honey” and mainly is sugar, cornstarch and artificial sweeteners. A good test for honey is this: Place a few drops of the honey on a paper towel. If it is honey, it will stay solid and not soak through. If it’s not honey it will wet the paper towel and soak through the paper towel.

And next is apple juice or apple cider.
Again we’re looking for easy so we’re using store bought juice, or fresh cider from the store. Be sure that it is “100% juice.” It can be pasteurized, it can have ascorbic acid or vitamin C which is commonly added to store bought apple juice. This will not harm the fermentation. Just be sure it has no preservatives at all this will not all the juice to ferment.
Brands like Tree Top, Mott’s or house store brand – whatever you can find that doesn’t have any preservatives (specifically sorbets). Potassium sorbate is a growth inhibitor for yeast and will not allow the yeast to grow and ultimately ferment the juice.

And last thing that’s important is yeast.
With the batch I chose Lalvin D-47 – which is a white wine yeast. You want a yeast that will leave some body and sweetness after fermentation. A champagne yeast will ferment down to bone dry and leave no body or sweetness behind. Unless this is what you are going for. Depending on your starting gravity and estimated alcohol you can use beer ale yeast as well. But I’d recommend sticking to wine yeasts like: D-47 or 71B for the best results.

So there you have your main ingredients: Honey, Apple Juice and Yeast. Now we are going to be adding; water, some sugar and yeast nutrients .. but these are optional.

So lets see the recipe first:

This is for a 5 gallon/19 liter batch size
OG = 1.060 (What I was targeting)
FG = 1.000 (Estimated)
Est. ABV = 7.8%

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Ingredients:

• 5 lbs Clover or Wildflower Honey
• 1 gallon Apple Juice
• 3.25 gallons Water (Topped off to 5 gallons or desired gravity)
• 11 gram sachet of Lalvin D-47 yeast
  
  Optional ingredients which I’ll be using:
• 12oz Brown Sugar (I added sugar and water ratio to reach a OG of 1.060)
• 1 campden tablet
  (If desired for cider to kill off wild yeast and if you’re using tap water to rid you of chlorine and chloramine)
• 1-1/2 tsp of Go-Ferm
  (A natural yeast rehydration nutrient added to the yeast hydration water)
  
  Staggered Nutrient Adds (SNA) – See below
• (4) doses of 4 grams of Fermaid-K
  (A yeast energizer)
• (4) doses of 2 grams of Diammonium Phosphate or DAP
  (A yeast nutrient)
  
  Possible additions at the end – Again these are OPTIONAL as well
• 1 to 2 tbsp. Vanilla Extract
• Oak Chips / Spirals
• Potassium Sorbate (For back sweeten at the end)
• Other sugars, spices or herbs
• Wine Tannin and Acid Blend

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Now Step by Step with Pictures!

Start with your store bought apple juice and honey.

Since my honey had crystalized some at the top I chose to heat the honey up in a hot water bath. I aimed for the water bath starting at a temperate of ~125ºF which normalized to about 100º after 5 minutes. Now the honey itself probably reached 85º to 90º tops – Heating well aid the honey to pour easily from the container. Be sure NOT to heat the honey up too high because it could change the flavor and not needed at all.

As the honey is warming up be sure the sanitize your fermentation vessel and other equipment (like spoon, scissors, airlock, etc.)
I’m using StarSan, you can also use other sanitizes like OneStep, IOStar or Iodophor.

Sanitizing IS the most important step … Do NOT skip proper sanitization!

With the cyser I’m using a bucket since I will be degassing in the next couple days. Degassing is gentle agitating of the must to help get the CO2 out of the fermenting solution. This is done by shaking or stirring Stirring with the using of a wine whip or sanitized spoon works just fine.

After sanitizing add you apple juice, or cider, first into the fermenter. I took a gravity reading of the initial apple juice and just like before in the past store bought apple juice is typically a gravity of 1.045. Then adding your honey next. To give you idea adding (1) 40oz / 2.5lbs jug of honey raised the gravity to 1.098!

After adding both jugs of honey (totaling 5 lbs) start adding water (1/2) gallon at a time. Stirring thoroughly to incorporate the apple juice and honey to each other.
After adding 2 gallons of water the gravity was at 1.079. Now this is a optional step I added 12oz [or 3/4 lbs] of brown sugar and ended up adding 3.25 gallons of water reaching just under 5 gallons and an original gravity of 1.060. This was is my desired starting point for my cyser.

Now moving to the yeast. Rehydrating dry yeast is a simple step and helps it to give it a good start. And with this I’m using Go-Ferm as well with rehydration.

First start by heating 1 cup of water to approximately 100ºF. Adding 1-1/2tsp of G0-Ferm and stirring until dissolved. Let sit about 5/10mins. Ensure the water is under 100ºF sprinkle the dry D-47 yeast on top of the Go-Ferm slurry.
And let sit until yeast starts to show activity. About 20mins total time for rehydration process.

Now the addition of DAP and FermAid-K. I also will be doing a Staggered Nutrient Addition (SNA) during the fermentation. This is something typical mead makers utilize.
I’ll be using a modified technique that Ken Schramm made famous. Which is:

• Day 0: – Rehdyrated yeast with Go-Ferm with 4 grams of Fermaid-K and 2 grams DAP
• Days 1, 3, 5, 7, 8: Degas must by gently stirring (or twirling the carboy) carefully
• Days 2, 4, 6: Gently stir and add 4 grams of Fermaid-K and 2 grams of DAP
  When degassing and adding nutrients, do it slowly to avoid rapid foaming

Now add your airlock and allow to ferment. Typical room temperature is fine but try to stay within the yeast temperature range, which for D-47 is 60-68°F – I’m controlling the ferment temp at 64ºF

Ferment your cyser until reaching finishing gravity and is stable. Typically 2 to 3 weeks is when you can take gravity readings. Then bottle still, keg and force carbonate or in this case I might be back sweetening and bottling.

I’ll be back sweetening by first adding 7-1/2 tsp of potassium sorbate for the 5 gallon batch (1/2tsp per gallon), let sorbate sit for 1 week. Then adding back sugar (honey or apple juice concentrate) in small increments, thoroughly stirring and then testing until the desired sweetness. Then proceed to bottling. The sorbate will inhibit the yeast from fermenting the addition of new sugars. Never back sweeten a wine, cider, mead or cyser and bottling with out adding sorbate – Skipping this step will be explosive … no really bottle bombs are no joke!

Now hopefully your cyser will be your next go to drink! And drink it like a Norse God!