Home of the BrewNosers

As a newbie to brewing beer, I'm trying to read as much as I can.

I just finished "The Comic Book Story of Beer: The World's Favorite Beverage from 7000 BC to Today's Craft Brewing Revolution" (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2029 ... ry-of-beer), which was very entertaining, informative and easily digestible. I really think that comic books are a criminally-underrated media for learning. Another good one unrelated to beer is Understanding Comics http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1029 ... ing_Comics. But I digress...

I'm also currently reading Palmer's How to Brew and Calagione's Extreme Brewing, and have a couple others "in the hopper" as it were.

Any other recommendations?

Brewing Better Beer by Gordon Strong, Mastering Homebrew by Randy Mosher, Yeast by Chris White & Jamil Zainasheff, Water by John Palmer and Colin Kaminski. I have these and go back for reference now and then, great books. I am sure there are more out there.

Thanks for the recommendations, Chris. "Water" seems particularly intriguing to me... I know of a source of spring water up North from here in Miramichi that I have a gut feeling will make some fantastic stout.

So much to learn...

Charlie Papazian's books are good as well, not as much the science of brewing but a lot of stories of his. The IPA book from the same series as water, yeast, hops, is also quite an interesting read, goes quite deep into the history and then has recipes at the back

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If you're still relatively new to brewing, I'd suggest Mosher's "Mastering Homebrew" as your next read. Very well written, and expands upon the basics to give you more depth in all aspects of brewing without getting overly technical. As much as I like some of the other books suggested, they may be a bit much to start with. For example, I bought "Brewing Better Beer" about a year ago when I was just starting out (well, restarting, but that's another story), and it was all over my head. I've just stared reading it again, and it makes much more sense with some experience under my belt.

If you really want to get down and dirty with beer: https://www.amazon.ca/Principles-Brewin ... ng+science" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A book that might be up your alley:

Experimental Homebrewing

It is a little bit comic book-ish itself. I like the authors' approach to experimenting with beer and I liked the casual writing style.

Also, if you have any interest in sour/wild/brett beers:

American Sour Beer

It is a great overview of beer beyond the influence of brewer's yeast.

mthibodeau wrote:Charlie Papazian's books are good as well, not as much the science of brewing but a lot of stories of his. The IPA book from the same series as water, yeast, hops, is also quite an interesting read, goes quite deep into the history and then has recipes at the back

Thanks! This sounds right up my alley. I like both the science and the stories... there's so much to tell on both sides.

sheppard107 wrote:If you're still relatively new to brewing, I'd suggest Mosher's "Mastering Homebrew" as your next read. Very well written, and expands upon the basics to give you more depth in all aspects of brewing without getting overly technical. As much as I like some of the other books suggested, they may be a bit much to start with. For example, I bought "Brewing Better Beer" about a year ago when I was just starting out (well, restarting, but that's another story), and it was all over my head. I've just stared reading it again, and it makes much more sense with some experience under my belt.

Thanks, Chris. Some great advice... I will check out Mosher's book. I am definitely feeling a little over my head with some of the stuff I am reading, and should probably start from the basics (pretty much every book strongly recommends that), but I am kind of like a "bull of the woods" kind of guy most of the time. I know that nothing will replace getting experience brewing...

GuingesRock wrote:If you really want to get down and dirty with beer: https://www.amazon.ca/Principles-Brewin ... ng+science" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks Mark - it is my full intent to (eventually) get down and absolutely filthy with beer. With the proper sanitation of course.

Lucas wrote:A book that might be up your alley:

Experimental Homebrewing

It is a little bit comic book-ish itself. I like the authors' approach to experimenting with beer and I liked the casual writing style.

Sounds cool! I haven't even brewed my first batch yet, and I am already thinking about various experiments I would like to try... I'm a big fan of foraging for wild mushrooms, and I've heard of a few breweries experimenting with that... Fils du Roy's Lady Chaga (love the name), and Big Axe's Chanterelle Cream Ale come to mind.

Lucas wrote: Also, if you have any interest in sour/wild/brett beers:

American Sour Beer

It is a great overview of beer beyond the influence of brewer's yeast.

We had some brett at the Craft Beer Oktoberfest, and my wife's been looking for some ever since - to no avail. I will definitely be checking this book out too.

In retrospect of my learning in the last couple years, I'd echo most of what people say. Keep in mind I still haven't made fantastic beer yet.

How to Brew by John Palmer is good but a bit outdated, I'd prefer Mastering Homebrew though, it feels more updated and has good visuals and excellent all around knowledge.

Listen to BrewStrong podcast from John Palmer and Jamil Zainasheff (sp?). Jamil is really obnoxious but the content in the earlier episodes is quite good.

Water book is great for more advanced stuff and I refer to it regularly

Hops isn't worth it in my opinion

Yeast is good but very technical

bandarker wrote:In retrospect of my learning in the last couple years, I'd echo most of what people say. Keep in mind I still haven't made fantastic beer yet.

How to Brew by John Palmer is good but a bit outdated, I'd prefer Mastering Homebrew though, it feels more updated and has good visuals and excellent all around knowledge.

Listen to BrewStrong podcast from John Palmer and Jamil Zainasheff (sp?). Jamil is really obnoxious but the content in the earlier episodes is quite good.

Water book is great for more advanced stuff and I refer to it regularly

Hops isn't worth it in my opinion

Yeast is good but very technical

Such humility! I guess "fantastic beer" is a pretty lofty goal. I'm hoping to start off with "drinkable" as quickly as I can, then work my way up.

Thanks for the advice - I have some travel coming up soon, so I may check out a podcast or two on the plane. It's such a shame when you have a host or co-host that drives you bonkers tho, despite good content.

cheers

Beersmith has great podcasts as well. Also experimental brewing.

Condensed water (without all the waffle and padding): https://sites.google.com/site/brunwater/water-knowledge" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hobbitfu wrote:Beersmith has great podcasts as well. Also experimental brewing.

Thanks Trevor. I am doing some travelling next week so I plan to load up a couple of podcasts for the plane.

GuingesRock wrote:Condensed water (without all the waffle and padding): https://sites.google.com/site/brunwater/water-knowledge" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sweet! Thanks for the link.