Ben Palmer
@johnzee7.bsky.social
British and German dual citizen living in Berlin. Brewing scientist and PhD candidate at VLB Berlin. Former brewer and maltster. Posts about beer, cycling and Germany.
My half-baked plan to attend Paris-Roubaix in spring 2026 just became very real.
BREAKING: European Sleeper will start a Paris-Berlin sleeper train from 26 March 2026, after Nightjet pulls out in December.
It'll run via Brussels (with Eurostar connection from London) 3 times a week. This + existing train = Brussels-Berlin 6 times a week. www.europeansleeper.eu/paris
It'll run via Brussels (with Eurostar connection from London) 3 times a week. This + existing train = Brussels-Berlin 6 times a week. www.europeansleeper.eu/paris
November 12, 2025 at 10:02 AM
My half-baked plan to attend Paris-Roubaix in spring 2026 just became very real.
November 11, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Reposted by Ben Palmer
At Augustiner am Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin with @akrennmair.bsky.social, @louisekrennmair.bsky.social and @johnzee7.bsky.social. Very strange to be with beer people again 😜
November 10, 2025 at 8:00 PM
At Augustiner am Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin with @akrennmair.bsky.social, @louisekrennmair.bsky.social and @johnzee7.bsky.social. Very strange to be with beer people again 😜
Reposted by Ben Palmer
I've got a fresh batch of paperbacks in if anyone wants to buy directly from me for Christmas. Same deal as back in July: £13 each, or both for £25, including UK postage.
precastreinforced.co.uk/2025/07/25/a...
precastreinforced.co.uk/2025/07/25/a...
A rare chance to buy books direct from me
I’ve got a limited supply of paperback copies of both Municipal Gothic and Intervals of Darkness ready to ship to anyone in the UK who wants to buy one. They’re £13 each including delivery in the U…
precastreinforced.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 7:22 AM
I've got a fresh batch of paperbacks in if anyone wants to buy directly from me for Christmas. Same deal as back in July: £13 each, or both for £25, including UK postage.
precastreinforced.co.uk/2025/07/25/a...
precastreinforced.co.uk/2025/07/25/a...
Are there any labs, maybe in the UK or elsewhere, performing residue analysis for carrageenan in brewing samples?
#brewingscience
#brewingscience
November 4, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Are there any labs, maybe in the UK or elsewhere, performing residue analysis for carrageenan in brewing samples?
#brewingscience
#brewingscience
I'm currently drinking the Alt Berliner Dunkel in the Eschenbräu brewpub.
It is tasting deliciously spooky 👻
It is tasting deliciously spooky 👻
October 31, 2025 at 5:46 PM
I'm currently drinking the Alt Berliner Dunkel in the Eschenbräu brewpub.
It is tasting deliciously spooky 👻
It is tasting deliciously spooky 👻
Drinking a flat white in a former crematorium somehow feels very Berlin.
Plus a bonus mention for Wedding, cc/ @weddingweiser.de
Plus a bonus mention for Wedding, cc/ @weddingweiser.de
‘It’s more about life than death’: the growing popularity of Berlin’s cemetery cafes
‘It’s more about life than death’: the growing popularity of Berlin’s cemetery cafes
While cemeteries in the German capital have long been rooted in communities, some cafe owners have gone one step further
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Drinking a flat white in a former crematorium somehow feels very Berlin.
Plus a bonus mention for Wedding, cc/ @weddingweiser.de
Plus a bonus mention for Wedding, cc/ @weddingweiser.de
Ketwurst, the East German snack that nearly went into extinction.
It's a hollowed bread roll filled with sausage and ketchup. It doesn't look overly appetising but it tastes pretty good.
It's a hollowed bread roll filled with sausage and ketchup. It doesn't look overly appetising but it tastes pretty good.
October 24, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Ketwurst, the East German snack that nearly went into extinction.
It's a hollowed bread roll filled with sausage and ketchup. It doesn't look overly appetising but it tastes pretty good.
It's a hollowed bread roll filled with sausage and ketchup. It doesn't look overly appetising but it tastes pretty good.
Today I met with @briangibsontub.bsky.social to discuss some exciting data from our TU/VLB Berlin research project.
Early results suggest that bottle conditioning could improve the chemical stability of dry-hopped beers.
Watch this space. #brewingscience 🍻
Early results suggest that bottle conditioning could improve the chemical stability of dry-hopped beers.
Watch this space. #brewingscience 🍻
October 23, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Today I met with @briangibsontub.bsky.social to discuss some exciting data from our TU/VLB Berlin research project.
Early results suggest that bottle conditioning could improve the chemical stability of dry-hopped beers.
Watch this space. #brewingscience 🍻
Early results suggest that bottle conditioning could improve the chemical stability of dry-hopped beers.
Watch this space. #brewingscience 🍻
Reposted by Ben Palmer
That's probably one of the more bizarre BrewDog beers I've had. Thanks to @johnzee7.bsky.social for bringing it!
October 11, 2025 at 7:05 PM
That's probably one of the more bizarre BrewDog beers I've had. Thanks to @johnzee7.bsky.social for bringing it!
Last month I competed in the German Aeropress Championship 2025. And I was knocked out in the first round.
But I still really enjoyed the learning experience and being cheered on by fellow Aeropress brewers @louisekrennmair.bsky.social and @silentdan.bsky.social ☕
But I still really enjoyed the learning experience and being cheered on by fellow Aeropress brewers @louisekrennmair.bsky.social and @silentdan.bsky.social ☕
October 10, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Last month I competed in the German Aeropress Championship 2025. And I was knocked out in the first round.
But I still really enjoyed the learning experience and being cheered on by fellow Aeropress brewers @louisekrennmair.bsky.social and @silentdan.bsky.social ☕
But I still really enjoyed the learning experience and being cheered on by fellow Aeropress brewers @louisekrennmair.bsky.social and @silentdan.bsky.social ☕
Some photos from my recent trip to Sheffield and Bakewell 📷
I've lived abroad for nearly 10 years now but there is something very comforting about returning to this region in the UK.
I've lived abroad for nearly 10 years now but there is something very comforting about returning to this region in the UK.
October 5, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Some photos from my recent trip to Sheffield and Bakewell 📷
I've lived abroad for nearly 10 years now but there is something very comforting about returning to this region in the UK.
I've lived abroad for nearly 10 years now but there is something very comforting about returning to this region in the UK.
Tomorrow I'm competing in the German Aeropress Championship 2025.
I've been making some final adjustments to my competition recipe this afternoon and the coffee is tasting good, so let's see what the jury thinks tomorrow.
I've been making some final adjustments to my competition recipe this afternoon and the coffee is tasting good, so let's see what the jury thinks tomorrow.
September 27, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Tomorrow I'm competing in the German Aeropress Championship 2025.
I've been making some final adjustments to my competition recipe this afternoon and the coffee is tasting good, so let's see what the jury thinks tomorrow.
I've been making some final adjustments to my competition recipe this afternoon and the coffee is tasting good, so let's see what the jury thinks tomorrow.
Reposted by Ben Palmer
I've written a little script converting the great work done by the national Bass directory (nationalbassdirectory.wordpress.com) onto google maps:
www.google.com/maps/d/edit?...
🔺🔺🔺🔺🔺
#Bass #GreatStuffThisBass
www.google.com/maps/d/edit?...
🔺🔺🔺🔺🔺
#Bass #GreatStuffThisBass
Bass - Google My Maps
Taken from the national bass directory
https://nationalbassdirectory.wordpress.com/
www.google.com
September 25, 2025 at 9:39 AM
I've written a little script converting the great work done by the national Bass directory (nationalbassdirectory.wordpress.com) onto google maps:
www.google.com/maps/d/edit?...
🔺🔺🔺🔺🔺
#Bass #GreatStuffThisBass
www.google.com/maps/d/edit?...
🔺🔺🔺🔺🔺
#Bass #GreatStuffThisBass
Most weekends I join a local group ride in Berlin. Yesterday we cycled along the former Berlin Wall, now East Side Gallery. I'm at the front of the group wearing a white helmet.
Cycling has been such a great way to explore Berlin and revisit some classic locations.
Cycling has been such a great way to explore Berlin and revisit some classic locations.
September 21, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Most weekends I join a local group ride in Berlin. Yesterday we cycled along the former Berlin Wall, now East Side Gallery. I'm at the front of the group wearing a white helmet.
Cycling has been such a great way to explore Berlin and revisit some classic locations.
Cycling has been such a great way to explore Berlin and revisit some classic locations.
Happy Oktoberfest from Berlin 🥨🎡🍻
September 20, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Happy Oktoberfest from Berlin 🥨🎡🍻
There is a pub in Berlin where you can order a Czech Dark Lager and hermelin and still get change from 10€.
Thank you @europeanbarguide.bsky.social for the recommendation!
Thank you @europeanbarguide.bsky.social for the recommendation!
September 11, 2025 at 5:52 PM
There is a pub in Berlin where you can order a Czech Dark Lager and hermelin and still get change from 10€.
Thank you @europeanbarguide.bsky.social for the recommendation!
Thank you @europeanbarguide.bsky.social for the recommendation!
Homebrewing today with @akrennmair.bsky.social.
It has become an annual tradition that we brew a Czech Dark Lager with a double decoction mash, Saaz hops and lager yeast.
It has become an annual tradition that we brew a Czech Dark Lager with a double decoction mash, Saaz hops and lager yeast.
September 6, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Homebrewing today with @akrennmair.bsky.social.
It has become an annual tradition that we brew a Czech Dark Lager with a double decoction mash, Saaz hops and lager yeast.
It has become an annual tradition that we brew a Czech Dark Lager with a double decoction mash, Saaz hops and lager yeast.
Reposted by Ben Palmer
Czech Dark Lager 2025 with @johnzee7.bsky.social. This is how we added the roasted malt to the lauter tun this time.
#homebrewing
#homebrewing
September 6, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Czech Dark Lager 2025 with @johnzee7.bsky.social. This is how we added the roasted malt to the lauter tun this time.
#homebrewing
#homebrewing
German hop harvest update:
Peak maturity has been reached in Berlin-Wedding, one of the lesser known growing regions.
These beauties were spotted in the car park of my local Getränke Hoffmann drinks store.
Peak maturity has been reached in Berlin-Wedding, one of the lesser known growing regions.
These beauties were spotted in the car park of my local Getränke Hoffmann drinks store.
September 4, 2025 at 4:28 PM
German hop harvest update:
Peak maturity has been reached in Berlin-Wedding, one of the lesser known growing regions.
These beauties were spotted in the car park of my local Getränke Hoffmann drinks store.
Peak maturity has been reached in Berlin-Wedding, one of the lesser known growing regions.
These beauties were spotted in the car park of my local Getränke Hoffmann drinks store.
Reposted by Ben Palmer
Brewery Schneeeule in Berlin is calling it quits.
I'm very sad to see Ulrike go - beer needs big personalities like her.
Maybe I need another Berlin trip before they are gone..
I'm very sad to see Ulrike go - beer needs big personalities like her.
Maybe I need another Berlin trip before they are gone..
August 30, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Brewery Schneeeule in Berlin is calling it quits.
I'm very sad to see Ulrike go - beer needs big personalities like her.
Maybe I need another Berlin trip before they are gone..
I'm very sad to see Ulrike go - beer needs big personalities like her.
Maybe I need another Berlin trip before they are gone..
Reposted by Ben Palmer
I wrote a few bits about technical analyses of Oktoberfest-Märzen beers from 1953, 1954 and 1956.
#beerhistory
dafteejit.com/2025/08/okto...
#beerhistory
dafteejit.com/2025/08/okto...
Oktoberfest-Märzen in the 1950s - Daft Eejit Brewing
In which I list technical analyses of Oktoberfest-Märzen from 1953, 1954 and 1956 and discuss some of the notable outliers.
dafteejit.com
August 13, 2025 at 7:21 PM
I wrote a few bits about technical analyses of Oktoberfest-Märzen beers from 1953, 1954 and 1956.
#beerhistory
dafteejit.com/2025/08/okto...
#beerhistory
dafteejit.com/2025/08/okto...
Happy Caturday from Cascade 🐈
August 9, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Happy Caturday from Cascade 🐈
Reposted by Ben Palmer
Yesterday was an absolute bucket list day, when I got to visit Brauerei Zehendner in Mönchsambach 30 min south-west from Bamberg together with @louisekrennmair.bsky.social, @johnzee7.bsky.social, @silentdan.bsky.social, @thirstypilgrim.bsky.social and the rest of our Stammtisch crew.
July 27, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Yesterday was an absolute bucket list day, when I got to visit Brauerei Zehendner in Mönchsambach 30 min south-west from Bamberg together with @louisekrennmair.bsky.social, @johnzee7.bsky.social, @silentdan.bsky.social, @thirstypilgrim.bsky.social and the rest of our Stammtisch crew.
Weekend trip to Bamberg with my Stammtisch group.
First stop: Brauerei Keesmann and the Herren Pils is as good as ever.
First stop: Brauerei Keesmann and the Herren Pils is as good as ever.
July 25, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Weekend trip to Bamberg with my Stammtisch group.
First stop: Brauerei Keesmann and the Herren Pils is as good as ever.
First stop: Brauerei Keesmann and the Herren Pils is as good as ever.