Josh Weikert

In looking for tips on what makes for a great pale bock, Josh Weikert reaches out to owner-brewer Stefan Zehendner of the highly regarded Brauerei Zehendner, makers of the Mönchsambacher beers.

• Bock
• Heller Bock
• Franconia

Somewhere between hefty doppelbock and pale heller bock, the traditional dunkles bock is like the family’s middle child—it doesn’t get as much attention, but you’ll want it in your fridge year-round.

• Make Your Best
• Bock
• Dunkles Bock

In looking for insights on brewing a great porter in the modern American style, Josh Weikert talks to Cleveland’s Great Lakes about the inner workings of the beloved and enduring Edmund Fitzgerald.

• American Porter
• Porter
• Robust Porter

“Smooth and dangerous” and great for winter sipping, these are some of the most enjoyable beers you’ll ever drink—and they can be surprisingly easy to make if you build a good recipe and adhere to some basic brewing practices.

• Belgian Dark Strong Ale
• Make Your Best
• Homebrewing

We know: It’s time to drink it, not brew it. Yet while you’re hoisting a few at the season’s festivities, it’s never too early to start thinking about your spring brewing schedule...

• Make Your Best
• Oktoberfest
• Amber Lager

This light, easygoing ale is ideal as a spring or summer beer or simply for brightening up your fall or winter.

• Make Your Best
• Golden Ale
• British-Style Ale

Oh, is it that time again? For those who want to take on the classic seasonal, this is a wonderful “first lager” if you’ve never brewed one. (And as for the British malt in a traditional German style … well, we won’t tell if you won’t.)

• Beer Recipe
• Oktoberfest
• Märzen

This is a simple yet remarkably enjoyable style that novice brewers can get right the first time—yet experienced brewers can appreciate it the 100th time and beyond.

• Beer Recipe
• Golden Ale
• British-Style Ale

What was once an optional step for clarity has become virtually essential for packing flavor into IPAs and other hop-forward beers. Commercial brewers have specialized gear for it, while homebrewers—whether they realize it or not—also have everything they need for whirlpooling.

• Whirlpool
• Hops
• Hot Side

This big and complex yet dangerously easy-to-drink ale is relatively easy to brew well—just watch that attenuation and focus on healthy fermentation for a drying finish.

• Beer Recipe
• Belgian-Style Dark Strong Ale

In this Ask the Pros edition of his Make Your Best series, Josh Weikert talks to the team at Creature Comforts about their GABF medal–winning Classic City Lager and the keys to its success.

• American Lager
• American Pilsner
• Light Lager

For Josh Weikert, author of our Make Your Best series, altbier is the all-around perfect style and the one he brews most often at home. Here’s his own recipe.

• Beer Recipe
• Altbier