Wild Brews: The Craft of Home Brewing, from Sour and Fruit Beers to Farmhouse Ales

Jaega Wise, head brewer at East London's Wild Card Brewery, guides readers through the process of creating wild fermented beers. Her work highlights how these beverages replicate the flavors of beer from two centuries ago, prior to industrialization. The text explains the scientific principles behind using naturally occurring yeasts and bacteria to achieve complex profiles. Readers will find instructions for brewing, bottling, and aging beer in wooden barrels. The content covers specific styles including sour beers, farmhouse ales, and fruit beers. A dedicated section addresses troubleshooting techniques for managing wild yeast and bacterial growth during fermentation. This manual is suitable for home brewers interested in experimental recipes and historical brewing methods. It may not appeal to those seeking standard lager or pilsner instructions. The book offers a practical approach to replicating modern sour and wild beer styles within a domestic setting.