Homebrew Books

HeyK84 · Joined: 07 Mar 2015 Posts: 70 Location: United States

I've been all grain brewing for 4 years. I have a pretty good process down. I'm using the Brun Water spreadsheet to adjust my water minerals and pH. I have a fermentation chamber w/ STC-1000 to get controlled fermentation. I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of the basics and how to brew in general. I'm looking to expand my knowledge and I'm ready to purchase some books. Currently I don't own any. I have my eye on the brewing elements yeast and water books, as well as brewing classic styles, and Designing Great Beers. I know these books will offer value, but everyone says that you should own How to Brew by Palmer. I'm just wondering if at this stage if I'll get much value out of How to Brew. Should I skip it and go right to the more advanced books?

Kevin59 · Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2015 8:19 pm Post subject:

I'm a fan of Palmer's book. I found it to be a good read even after years of brewing. And you can't have too many brewing books right? Smile

That and the other two Kal recommends on the site are good books for your library I believe.

Cheers!

EDIT: Definitely get Brewing Better Beer by Gordon Strong !

foomench · Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2015 12:06 am Post subject:

If you want to make your own recipes, Designing Great Beers is a must have. I'm glad to see it on your list.

Two books that are less about technique but more entertaining:
Radical Brewing by Randy Mosher
Microbrewed Adventures by Charlie Papazian.

Tungsten · Joined: 06 Dec 2014 Posts: 318 Location: Buffalo, NY

I still find myself referring to How to Brew from time to time, even though I probably don't need to. I just know where everything is in that book from my beginners' days. I'm not sure if you'd have the same attachment to it I do though.

I really like the Water/Malt/Yeast/For the Love of Hops books in the Brewing Elements series if you want to get much more technical.

**kal** · Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2015 2:42 am Post subject:

I recommend:

For the basics (though there's lots of advanced stuff too): http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/how-to-brew
Once you've done all grain a few times and think you know stuff, read this: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/brewing-better-beer
For recipes: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/Brewing-classic-styles

Kal

HeyK84 · Joined: 07 Mar 2015 Posts: 70 Location: United States

Great input everyone. After reading some reviews about the different books, I think brewing better beers is going to click very well for me at my level of experience. Eventually I plan to acquire all of these suggestions but I'm just trying to prioritize them now.

HbgBill · Joined: 23 May 2015 Posts: 9 Location: N. Calif

Great book HeyK84. Gordon's book is not a recipe book.. but a ton of good info. on most styles.

Brewing Classic Styles is, for all intents and purposes, a recipe book.. and the recipes (at least the ones I've done) are solid.