Best book for a beginner

[tomska]

What's the best book for a beginner? One that explains the basic principles well, covers kit brewing and maybe makes a start on explaining brewing from scratch?

Thanks.

 

[BrewStew]

i can reccomend John Palmer's - How to Brew only because he's published it for free online here

he does go on a bit and in deep with the techy stuff but i've found it an interesting read, and have read the book several times and still refer back to it.

some of the info on fermentation you may find helpful for kits.

 

[UserDeleted]

For the UK market John Alexanders 'Guide to craft brewing' is difficult to beat. it covers the all grain process completely and in some detail . . . some people consider it to be a bit disjointed, and John certainly does use large words when a diminutive one will do (), but it's more accurate than Palmer . . . and less 'Do it my way or you'll ruin your beer'

 

[Phil]

I love John Alexander's book but I can't comment on whether it's good for a beginner or not. I tend to use it for reference.

I can say that it's more comprehensive than other UK books I've got. Also, it's up to date where equipment and ingredients is concerned.

/Phil.

 

[neil007]

what would be the best book for a selection of recipies to choose from for your first all grain brew?

although ive just brewed a kit, i think i will want to have a go at the real thing sooner rather than later

cheers

 

[BrewStew]

first ever all grain brew? you dont need a book for that, there's plenty of great recipes in the recipe section that are perfect for a first brew :thumb:

if it must be hard copy, i bought Brewing Beers Like Those You Buy... it's full of clone recipes to try. I tried the Guinness clone as my third AG.

have you taken a look at Your First AG Brew - A Guided Tour that's got a recipe for you to follow in the instructions

 

[neil007]

nice one, thanks - i will follow the instructions on that thread and save some cash - which i will need for the kit i will have to buy

 

[neil007]

i took at quick look

one question: whats a Rauchbier style beer like?

 

[BrewStew]

it's a german style.

back in old days malt was smoked to preserve it.. this smokey taste gets carried into the beer. Rauch means smoke, Bier is beer obviously. so it's a Smokebeer!

that recipe isn't very smokey, just a hint

 

[neil007]

sounds good, i had some dunkel (?) over in germany once, that is one beer type i would love to brew- never see it here

 

[BrewStew]

dunkel means dark. it's basically a stout, but by doing a triple decoction, it gets it's special characteristic. might be something you can do when you get the hang of it :thumb:

 

[Vossy1]

what would be the best book for a selection of recipies to choose from for your first all grain brew?

If you can get hold of one, get a copy of Marc Ollossons Real Ales for the homebrewer. It's out of print now, but it has some of the best recipes around. The recipes are simple as is the book which makes all grain less mystifying to people.
It doesn't have many of the 'top' commercial beers, but there are books which deal with those specifically.
A fair few of us have made a lot of the recipes in this book.

 

[Aleman]

sounds good, i had some dunkel (?) over in germany once, that is one beer type i would love to brew- never see it here

If you have a Tesc* near by take a stroll through the beer aisle and look for Bernard Cerne Pivo, its in 500ml Brown Swingtop bottles . . . . that is one really nice Dunkel pilsner.

Unfortunately our local tesc* never has any in so whatever you do don't try getting any in Blackpool

 

[dennisking]

I like the Grahan Wheeler Books. Homebrewing is out a print and cost a fortune on e-bay. The third addition of the recipe book was supposed to be released last Friday, still waiting for my copy from Amazon.

 

[highwayman]

Dennisking Quoted

I like the Grahan Wheeler Books. Homebrewing is out a print and cost a fortune on e-bay. The third addition of the recipe book was supposed to be released last Friday, still waiting for my copy from Amazon.

This would be Graham Wheeler's "Brew Your Own British Real Ale (Camra)" I am also waiting for Amazon to send me my copy....I received an email from Amazon yesterday about the book ..stating that they are still trying to get me a copy..and that I could cancel it if I wanted...SO THERE MUST BE A DEMAND FOR IT

 

[Jonnyv]

Me too with the, 'still waiting notice'. I've since cancelled my order and ordered it through CAMRA.

There has been a few people that have got it through the CAMRA website quicker.

I'm itching to get it as it'll be my first home-brew book that I can refer to in-print. :thumb:

 

[Woodside]

I like the Graham Wheeler books too. I've got a cracking Imperial Russian Stout (from the european ales book) maturing in bottles in the shed, plus Old Peculier and Exmoor Gold clones in barrel (bottling end Feb).

I like his books as they contain recipes for many of the beers I used to drink at the Tap and Barrel in Middlesbrough (back when I was a student).