Discover the world of beer with Beerologist Allen Winn Sneath. You can even ask your own questions online.

How does the term "rule of thumb" relate to the brewing process?

- Sylvia Hopkins

Good question, Sylvia. The temperature of the brew is critical in allowing the yeast to mature. If the brew is too cold the yeast will not grow. Too hot and the yeast will die. Before the advent of thermometers, brewers tested the temperature of their maturing brews with their thumb. Hence, the "rule of thumb".

- The Beerologist

Allen knows his subject matter well. As an ad agency executive for over 25 years, he developed some of the Canadian beer industry's most memorable campaigns. He was a founding partner in the Algonquin Brewing Company, one of the country's first generation microbreweries. Allen is the author of Brewed In Canada, the only book documenting Canada's colourful 350-year-old brewing industry. The work was awarded the Quill & Tankard Trophy by the North American Guild of Beer Writers. Allen is available for informal and entertaining speaking engagements. You can contact him direct via email at ad-vantage@rogers.com.