Books for noobs

[cptnpenguin]

What are the best books for noob Brewers? I'm looking for something that breaks down in more detail the reasons for each step/method and how each ingredient works towards building a beer as well as how to develop your own recipes. Any suggestions?


"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."

[TMX]

My personal fav is "Designing Great Beers"

[Stevie]

My personal fav is "Designing Great Beers"

This plus How To Brew for the basics.

[duboman]

I'd recommend the the brewer's series as well as what's already been mentioned: "Yeast" Hops" " Water" and "Malt". Each book breaks down the principal ingredients of beer in detail and will help you understand each element

[HoosierBrew]

My personal fav is "Designing Great Beers"

This plus How To Brew for the basics.

+2.  Love Charlie P for the RDWHAHB vibe, too.

[Stevie]

My personal fav is "Designing Great Beers"

This plus How To Brew for the basics.

+2.  Love Charlie P for the RDWHAHB vibe, too.

I just noticed that he released a new revision sometime last year. Same old early 90's photos from what I saw on Amazon.

[HoosierBrew]

My personal fav is "Designing Great Beers"

This plus How To Brew for the basics.

+2.  Love Charlie P for the RDWHAHB vibe, too.

I just noticed that he released a new revision sometime last year. Same old early 90's photos from what I saw on Amazon.

Yeah, saw it in a bookstore.  Looked pretty similar to the 2nd revision.

[cptnpenguin]

What is RDWHAHB?


"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."

[Stevie]

Relax, don't worry, have a home brew. Charlie papazian catch phrase. It's pretty much true.

[cassa]

Along with the others already mentioned, I think Randy Mosher's new Mastering Homebrew is worth a look.  It has the basic process description for the new brewer as well some nice discussion of recipe formulation, with some nicely designed charts and graphs.

[cptnpenguin]

Sounds good. Do any of these also go into why specific ingredients work best for certain styles?


"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."

[homoeccentricus]

Sounds good. Do any of these also go into why specific ingredients work best for certain styles?

Yes, that's exactly what Designing Great Beers does.

[ynotbrusum]

Brewing Classic Styles works well as a guide to each of the 2008 BJCP styles.  There are specific recipes for each style.  Try them with good water and you should be in good shape.

[theDarkSide]

I'd recommend the the brewer's series as well as what's already been mentioned: "Yeast" Hops" " Water" and "Malt". Each book breaks down the principal ingredients of beer in detail and will help you understand each element

Brewing Association Publications needs to make this a box set and just call it "Beer".

I would definitely read through some of the others mentioned before hitting these.  They can get technical very fast.

[braufessor]

I have always thought "How to Brew" was a great intro book.  I just got Mosher's new book (Mastering Homebrew) in the mail a couple days ago.  I have only had a chance to flip through it, but it looks like it is going to be an excellent book.