Oh, don't forget. Grow hops! It's the right thing to do.

Consider this your daily helpful reminder.  Spring is almost here!  You might not be able to get hops when its time to plant so order them now.

You are feeling sleepy.  Very sleeeepy.... follow this link to find out more about growing hops in my collection of web resources.  This has been a public service announcement.

(BTW I haven't tried hops pillows.)

Tweetin' my FB'ing blog peeps...

Yeah that's how we roll out here in the land of short attention.

the nonconFERMist has been connecting with brewing and beer profiles 'n pages and followin' folks on twitter 'n 'nat.

This is preparation for 2012 when the hive mind is complete and we are reborn.

The road to becoming a brewer...

That's what you'll hear about over here at Brewvana.  Thanks Wilson for hosting Adam (not me...) guest poster :-)

Are you a homebrewer? Do you want to grow hops this year?

This is a reminder to all homebrewers.  It is that time of year.  Pass this on via Facebook or Twitter by using the buttons above.

Most people can't just stop by the local store and get hop rhizomes.  You'll typically need to order them ahead of time.

• How many do you want to grow?
• What kind do you want to grow?
• Where will you grow them?
• Where can you get them? (Fresh Hops, Northern Brewer, Local Homebrew Store, friend etc.)
• Heck, you should probably just order them.  Don't wait too long.  They are cheap and will store in your fridge crisper.  Even if you throw them away, or plant them in a poor spot, you'll at least have them when you need them :-)
• I've collected a ton of info on this growing hops resource page to help you in your quest!

Limited Release: Never Been Brewed Beer (another ruse)

Yeah, and your family and friends are waiting for you to brew it.  Why drink over hyped beer when you can brew something truly unique yourself for about the price of a couple cases of that over hyped stuff.  Get started by looking over this mind map.

For books related to brewing...

Amazon: Home Brewing

BROUPON Brewing Resources Deal

For an unlimited time only.  Buy none get all free!  ;-)  I've spent countless hours (maybe weeks) researching these topics.  No referrals here.  Just some good old information sharing.  From me to you.  Enjoy.

• Opening Your Own Brewery

• Small Breweries

• Homebrew 101 FAQ

• Fermenting in Soda Kegs

• Yeast Resources

• Hops Infusing Devices

• Kegging & Cask Resources

• Home Brewing Starter Kit Resources

• Dry & Late Hopping Resources

• Kegerators Resources

• Hops Growing Resources

Join the American Homebrewers Association...

Found myself at the AHA website and thought.  Why don't I have a link to their signup page here somewhere.  Well I'll have to remedy that.  I'll add a link to the right sidebar too.

As a member you receive the following. I'd have to say Zymurgy and the Pub Discount are enough to cover your membership.

• Zymurgy magazine
• Members-Only resources! Commercial Calibration and Ask the Experts are available online exclusively to AHA members.
• Pub Discount Program*
• AHA Rallies
• AHA National Homebrewers Conference
• AHA National Homebrew Competition
• Great American Beer Festival℠ Members-Only Tasting Session & Entrance
• Great American Beer Festival℠ Pro-Am Competition
• AHA Club-Only Competitions
• Book Discounts
• Lallemand Scholarship

Get more details by clicking on the "join" button above.

BTW...I think I let mine lapse!  Kinda par for the course if you know me ;-)  I think I'll click on that link myself.

Is Ben on to something here? Countertop brewing....

3 gallon batch. No big pots. No outside brewing in the snow. Hmmm....

Don't know Ben from Ben's Homebrew or The Homebrew Junkie, but, I like this idea. Part two can be seen on Youtube.

Still playing with site designs....

Come and see it :-)

Tootsie Roll Ale doesn't suck!

I didn't think anything good could come from tasting this. Smells like tootsie rolls. Tastes like tootsie rolls. Finishes clean. Nice job Mike from Artisan!

Mobile NonconFERMist looks like this.

View from an iPhone

Start Homebrewing, Five ways to start with one click.

It amazes me how much information we have at our finger tips.  A quick trip to Google and you're swimming in information.  I would suggest that it isn't really the lack of information that keeps you from learning how to brew.  It is something else.

What could it be?  You've been reading blogs and drinking craft beer thinking, "I wonder if I could make this?"  Why haven't you tried?  Did you know there's more than one way to learn and they can all start right here?

So if you are ready to try, one click will get you started.  Which one will you choose?  Where will your beer drinking and homebrewing path lead you?

1 - Web How To Articles


A good coherent page or two describing somebody's process can really get your juices flowing.  It isn't as long as a book and it may be written in a voice that just speaks to you.

• How to Brew Your Own Beer in Seven Simple Steps (Mahalo: the knowledge sharing service; helping people quickly find the best information on topics, how to's and coupons.)
• How to Brew Small-Batch Beer in Your Kitchen (Chow: recipes, restaurant reviews, food videos, and cooking how-to on the web. Plus FUN.)

2 - Video

If the last thing you do is read directions or owners manual for your new purchase, maybe a video would lay it all out there for you to see.  It's like having your own private lesson and you get to hit "Pause".

• How to Brew Beer at Home (Gary Glass, American Homebrewers Association)
• Basic Brewing: Stepping into All Grain (Amazon) (One DVD from our favorite podcast, videocast, homebrewers Basic Brewing Website )

3 - Support Networks

What if you have a question?  What if you just need somebody more like you to help you understand how to get started?  Why not seek out a community of like minded people who just happen to be more experienced than you at homebrewing?  You don't even need to meet them in person.  Although, I have to say most homebrewers really are very pleasant and eager to help.

• Real Beer Forum Oldie, but a goodie.
• Blogs (just a few CNYBrew, TedBrews.com, CHIBEBRÄU, check blogrolls for more)
• Homwbrew Clubs (The American Hombrewers Association's listing of registered clubs.)
• Planning ahead?  What about Learn to Homebrew Day? (via AHA)

4 - Magazines

What?  Blogs are too informal?  Twitter is just a waste of time?  What about a professionally produced periodical to peruse?  There's nothing like opening the mailbox and finding a brewing magazine.  It just might, for a second, make you forget about the bills delivered alongside it.

• Zymurgy:  (Via Amazon) Been around for years and still goin' strong.
• Brew Your Own:  (Via Amazon) Another solid publication.
  

5 - Wikis

The soul of the Internet is embodied in Wiki's.  People like you and me watch over them and care for them.  A resource for the the people, by the people.  If you elect me...  Ahem, well, let's just say I recommend using Wikis.  (Until Ted Nelson's, Project Xanadu vision is fulfilled, it'll do.)

• Brew Wiki:  (from brewing you first beer to, technical references to BEER XML)
• Homebrew Talk Wiki

And because you made it this far, a bonus :-)

Bonus - Books


So you want something affordable, easy on the eyes, portable, well organized and stands the test of time?  Nothing beats a book when it comes to ease of use.  The Kindle, Nook, iPad and other eReaders are getting better, but, rest assured they have a long way to go.

• How to Brew: Everything You Need To Know To Brew Beer Right The First Time (Amazon)
• The Complete Joy of Homebrewing Third Edition (Harperresource Book) (Amazon)
  
• Ok, Ok eBook versions of your favorite homebrew books are available too ;-) (Amazon)

If you have other ways of learning you would like to share, please leave a comment.  Also, please send me an email at adam@nonconfermist.com if you have questions.  I would love to hear from you.

Powerful view of brewing info in Wikipedia via a Mind Map...

Have you ever wished you could get to the information you want?  Sometimes searching the Net just isn't the best way.  What about getting a quick mindmap of all related terms from Wikipedia?

Maybe WikiMindMap fits the bill?

A new look for the site....

A drawing from my daughter is the basis for this theme.

Wikis and Mind Maps...and brewing of course...

Thought it would be convenient to have a wiki for The NonconFERMist site. It is open for you to view and edit if you like. While I was up there I added a small mind map about extract brewing. You might find it interesting check it out.

Homebrew at the White House?! Well, that settles it. I need to brew again.

If you haven't heard. Somebody at the White House made some homebrew and served it to guests. Never expected such a thing. A honey ale was brewed.

Want to learn how to brew?

Amazon: Home Brewing

Brewers United for Zany Zymurgy (BUZZ)

While I'm mentioning local groups I shouldn't forget this one. All the BUZZ folks I've met have really impressed me. People you just want to hang out with.  Check out their site.

Main Line Brewers Association

For all you locals, I think I've known about these folks for a while, but, never mentioned them here.  Check them out.

Now showing! The MOBILE NonconFERMist.

Yep, that's right.  Visit The NonconFERMist on your mobile device and you can get all this amazing titillating FREE content (well unless you count the time spent here that you'll never get back).  The posts can be viewed right there on your Newton or various other PDAs (time travel not included).  It might even work on one of them S M A R T phones (Amazon Referral).

Lest you think this is a joke, try it --> http://NonconFERMist.com.  I dare ya.

Anybody thinking of ordering hop rhizomes already?

Via an email in my inbox yesterday.  John at Brew Your Own Beer in Havertown PA is taking orders.

HOP RHIZOMES ORDER

We are now taking orders for hop rhizomes.  Anticipated shipping date is March 21, 2011.  The following varieties should be available.  This is a perishable item so I will only order your pre-orders.  Phone or email your order to us by Saturday, February 26, 2011.  Cost will  be $5.00 per rhizome.

CASCADE  GLACIER  NORTHERN BREWER CENTENNIAL GOLDING  NUGGET CHINOOK  HALLERTAU  TETTNANG COLUMBUS  HORIZON  WILLAMETTE FUGGLE  MAGNUM

Email John Reynolds at BYOB202 {at} aol.com
http://brewyourownbeerhavertown.com

Is it true?  Can we really start thinking about Spring?  Maybe Phil had something to do with this.  Too much of a coincidence to be anything else.  (Hmmm...do ground hogs eat hops?)

So, I'll be digging up and transplanting some and maybe thinking about a way to irrigate the hop field....wait a second!!!  There's still a crap load of snow out there.  Think Spring everyone.  SPRING!