What books do you find useful?
I have just received:
Homebrewing Guide by Dave Miller, and
Brew Ware by Karl F. Lutzen & Mark Stevens
I also use:
http://www.howtobrew.com/sitemap.html
http://www.byo.com/
I have found Brew Ware to be very good and I can't wait to try making some of the items to improve my brewery.
I am yet to give Homebrewing Guide more then a casual page flick.
I find How To Brew a good all round reference however I am not a fan of reading books off the PC. Does anyone have the printed version and how do you find it?
I find BYO can have some interesting bits if published online.
Other titles I have been looking at and would like to know others opinion on are:
The Complete Joy of Homebrewing Third Edition by Charles Papazian
Designing Great Beers : The Ultimate Guide to Brewing Classic Beer Styles by Ray Daniels
Brew Like a Monk : Trappist, Abbey, and Strong Belgian Ales and How to Brew Them by Stan Hieronymus
Origin and History of Beer and Brewing: From Prehistoric Times to the Beginning of Brewing Science and Technology by John P. Arnold
Brew Chem 101 : The Basics of Homebrewing Chemistry by Lee W. Janson
Beer in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance by Richard W. Unger
And any other books people want to recommend or warn of.
Recommended Books
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Dogger Dan
- Posts: 3168
- Joined: Thursday Aug 26, 2004 10:43 am
- Location: Lucan, Ontario, Canada
I have both of Papazians books which are good all round instruction and easy to read
Brew ware you have already discussed I found only OK, I had found I had made many of the gizmos already
Homebrewing guide is good
I have not heard anything good about brewchem 101 or designing great beers although I would like to get the later and see for myself
Dogger
Brew ware you have already discussed I found only OK, I had found I had made many of the gizmos already
Homebrewing guide is good
I have not heard anything good about brewchem 101 or designing great beers although I would like to get the later and see for myself
Dogger
"Listening to someone who brews their own beer is like listening to a religous fanatic talk about the day he saw the light" Ross Murray, Montreal Gazette
I have two books on homebrewing:
"How to Brew" by John J Palmer ISBN 0-9710579-0-7.
"Homebrerwing Volume 1" by Al Korzonas ISBN 0-9655219-0-7
Between the two of them I have (so far) had all my questions answered.
I bought them both on line from an online retailer in the US, but I cannot remember the name.
How to Brew is advertised for sale on http://www.esbeer.com.au/category49_1.htm
There is a selection of brew books at http://www.northernbrewer.com/beer-books.html
I also am keen to start on some of the recipies in the PDF that Aussie Claret sent around.
Cheers,
Greg
"How to Brew" by John J Palmer ISBN 0-9710579-0-7.
"Homebrerwing Volume 1" by Al Korzonas ISBN 0-9655219-0-7
Between the two of them I have (so far) had all my questions answered.
I bought them both on line from an online retailer in the US, but I cannot remember the name.
How to Brew is advertised for sale on http://www.esbeer.com.au/category49_1.htmThere is a selection of brew books at http://www.northernbrewer.com/beer-books.html
I also am keen to start on some of the recipies in the PDF that Aussie Claret sent around.
Cheers,
Greg
I own Michael Jacksons 'world guide to beer' - it's ok.. a little outdated imo tho. & i've recently picked up 'wild brews' by jeff sparrow ("explores the world of Lambics, Flanders red and brown beers and American brews in a similar style. Includes coverage of wood-barrel aging, blending and the use of fruit in wild fermentations.") of which i'm really enjoying the little bit that i have read..
I guess both arent really "homebrewing" books.. but are beer related
I guess both arent really "homebrewing" books.. but are beer related
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Oliver
- Administrator
- Posts: 3424
- Joined: Thursday Jul 22, 2004 1:22 am
- Location: West Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
The homebrewing books I have are:
* Home Brewing: The CAMRA Guide by Graham Wheeler
* Brew Your Own Real Ale at Home by Graham Wheeler and Roger Protz
* Home Brewing in Australia by Laurie Strachan
* Brew Ware - How to find, adapt and build homebrewing equipment by Karl Lutzen and Mark Stevens
* Home Brewing - A practical guide to all forms of brewing by Mike Rodgers-Wilson
The last book is possibly the dodgiest homebrewing book ever produced, as I'm sure some of you will attest.
I also have various beer books, including:
* Beer by Michael Jackson
* Michael Jackson's Beer Companion
* The New Guide to Beer by Brian Glover
* Beer and Food by Bill Taylor
* Amber and Black by Willie Simpson
Plus:
* The Breweries of Australia by Keith Deutsher
* Jolly Good Ale and Old - Coopers Brewery, 1862-1998 by Alison Painter
Cheers,
Oliver
* Home Brewing: The CAMRA Guide by Graham Wheeler
* Brew Your Own Real Ale at Home by Graham Wheeler and Roger Protz
* Home Brewing in Australia by Laurie Strachan
* Brew Ware - How to find, adapt and build homebrewing equipment by Karl Lutzen and Mark Stevens
* Home Brewing - A practical guide to all forms of brewing by Mike Rodgers-Wilson
The last book is possibly the dodgiest homebrewing book ever produced, as I'm sure some of you will attest.
I also have various beer books, including:
* Beer by Michael Jackson
* Michael Jackson's Beer Companion
* The New Guide to Beer by Brian Glover
* Beer and Food by Bill Taylor
* Amber and Black by Willie Simpson
Plus:
* The Breweries of Australia by Keith Deutsher
* Jolly Good Ale and Old - Coopers Brewery, 1862-1998 by Alison Painter
Cheers,
Oliver
I agree with Oliver on the
* Home Brewing - A practical guide to all forms of brewing by Mike Rodgers-Wilson
It was my first book though, and it did lead me to Charlie Papazian's first book, which got me going into extract brewing...and seriously upped the amount of time I think about brewing!
Like Dogger, I've also got his 2nd book...which is funnier, more laid back, and I think better. Maybe it's because I've read the first one though?
I'm also looking forward to digesting AC's 'monster' over the next few weeks.
* Home Brewing - A practical guide to all forms of brewing by Mike Rodgers-Wilson
It was my first book though, and it did lead me to Charlie Papazian's first book, which got me going into extract brewing...and seriously upped the amount of time I think about brewing!
Like Dogger, I've also got his 2nd book...which is funnier, more laid back, and I think better. Maybe it's because I've read the first one though?
I'm also looking forward to digesting AC's 'monster' over the next few weeks.
For anyone thats intrested heres the books I read over christmas.
Book reviews
Homebrewing Guide. By Dave Miller
This book begins with how beer is made commercially. Then steps into getting started in home brewing which covers the basic kit and a kg brews. From there it gets very technical and goes into very detailed analysis of additives (malt, adjuncts and sugars), water and water treatment and what happens in the mash. I found this part of the book to be hard going in places due to the technical detail of the chemistry taking place, once through this though the book is very informative if a little dry. From this point on every part of the brewing process is covered in detail from mash to tasting. There are chapters towards the end on beer evaluation and trouble shooting that are very helpful and a useful glossary of brewing term. The information is well presented and in a logical sequence. Every aspect of brewing is covered with detailed information on what is happening down to the chemical bounds.
I would not recommend this book to beginners (it is to much information) however is an excellent reference for any intermediate brews looking to improve their process or take on more advanced brewing. It is also an excellent book for the advanced brewer who wants to know more about what is going on in the beer making process.
Brew Ware. By Karl F. Lutzen & Mark Stevens
This book goes into detail on all of the gadgets that are available to the home brewer to make life a little easier. It gives details of what each gadget is for and wether it is worth making them yourself. Where they believe an item can be made they give instructions and plains on how to go about it. Most of the plains are easy to follow and have detailed drawings to aid in the construction. This book was very easy to read and well presented. You can read this book as a whole or simple read the pieces you are interested in. The only issue I had with this book was that it is dated (copyright 1996) however many of the ideas are still valid and can be used and adapted to suit our needs.
I would recommend this book to anyone from beginner to advanced brewers; it has lots of simple little things to make life easier for all brewers.
The Complete Guide to Home Brewing in Australia. By Laurie Strachan
This books covers kit and kg brewing, adding to the kit and kg brew, extract brewing, and All Grain brewing. The best thing about this book was that it is in metric and uses products available in Australian HBS’s. The information is presented in a logical sequence starting with the basic starter kit and explaining what you need to get you going and how to start that first brew. It then works into expanding on the basic kits with the use of malt and hops. From there it explains extract brewing and its advantages, again easy to read and follow instructions. Then it goes into all grain brewing starting with the step in between extract and AG the partial mash. It covers all the extra equipment need to go from one process to the next and the advantages of each process as you progress through them. It was easy to read and follow with the Aussie humour present though out the book.
I would recommend this book to all beginners and intermediate brewers. It is a well rounded reference book that will keep you improving your beers well into the future.
The Great Aussie Beer Book. By Bill Driscoll
What can I say about this book but just wrong. How can you take a book that rates Australia’s “best beers†in the following order; Resch’s Pilsener, Carlton Drraught, Toohey’s Country Special, Northern Territory Draught, Canberra Draught, Fosters Lager, Emuu Export lager, Swan Lager, VB, XXXX, Boag’s Lager, Toohey’s Draught, Crown Lager, Cascade Sparkling Bitter, Toohey’s Old, Carlton Light, Swan Draught and Cooper’s Sparkling Ale seriously. The whole book shows the authors bias towards his home state of NSW. The book is now so out of date it is nearly funny (first published in 1984). The only interesting part of the book is the last chapter where it explains in detail how six o’clock closing come to be, the affects it had, and how it was latter abandoned.
I would not recommend this book to anyone (the only reason I read it was because it was the only beer related book in the library at the time). It is dated and not relevant to today’s beer drinkers.
More to come as I read them.
Book reviews
Homebrewing Guide. By Dave Miller
This book begins with how beer is made commercially. Then steps into getting started in home brewing which covers the basic kit and a kg brews. From there it gets very technical and goes into very detailed analysis of additives (malt, adjuncts and sugars), water and water treatment and what happens in the mash. I found this part of the book to be hard going in places due to the technical detail of the chemistry taking place, once through this though the book is very informative if a little dry. From this point on every part of the brewing process is covered in detail from mash to tasting. There are chapters towards the end on beer evaluation and trouble shooting that are very helpful and a useful glossary of brewing term. The information is well presented and in a logical sequence. Every aspect of brewing is covered with detailed information on what is happening down to the chemical bounds.
I would not recommend this book to beginners (it is to much information) however is an excellent reference for any intermediate brews looking to improve their process or take on more advanced brewing. It is also an excellent book for the advanced brewer who wants to know more about what is going on in the beer making process.
Brew Ware. By Karl F. Lutzen & Mark Stevens
This book goes into detail on all of the gadgets that are available to the home brewer to make life a little easier. It gives details of what each gadget is for and wether it is worth making them yourself. Where they believe an item can be made they give instructions and plains on how to go about it. Most of the plains are easy to follow and have detailed drawings to aid in the construction. This book was very easy to read and well presented. You can read this book as a whole or simple read the pieces you are interested in. The only issue I had with this book was that it is dated (copyright 1996) however many of the ideas are still valid and can be used and adapted to suit our needs.
I would recommend this book to anyone from beginner to advanced brewers; it has lots of simple little things to make life easier for all brewers.
The Complete Guide to Home Brewing in Australia. By Laurie Strachan
This books covers kit and kg brewing, adding to the kit and kg brew, extract brewing, and All Grain brewing. The best thing about this book was that it is in metric and uses products available in Australian HBS’s. The information is presented in a logical sequence starting with the basic starter kit and explaining what you need to get you going and how to start that first brew. It then works into expanding on the basic kits with the use of malt and hops. From there it explains extract brewing and its advantages, again easy to read and follow instructions. Then it goes into all grain brewing starting with the step in between extract and AG the partial mash. It covers all the extra equipment need to go from one process to the next and the advantages of each process as you progress through them. It was easy to read and follow with the Aussie humour present though out the book.
I would recommend this book to all beginners and intermediate brewers. It is a well rounded reference book that will keep you improving your beers well into the future.
The Great Aussie Beer Book. By Bill Driscoll
What can I say about this book but just wrong. How can you take a book that rates Australia’s “best beers†in the following order; Resch’s Pilsener, Carlton Drraught, Toohey’s Country Special, Northern Territory Draught, Canberra Draught, Fosters Lager, Emuu Export lager, Swan Lager, VB, XXXX, Boag’s Lager, Toohey’s Draught, Crown Lager, Cascade Sparkling Bitter, Toohey’s Old, Carlton Light, Swan Draught and Cooper’s Sparkling Ale seriously. The whole book shows the authors bias towards his home state of NSW. The book is now so out of date it is nearly funny (first published in 1984). The only interesting part of the book is the last chapter where it explains in detail how six o’clock closing come to be, the affects it had, and how it was latter abandoned.
I would not recommend this book to anyone (the only reason I read it was because it was the only beer related book in the library at the time). It is dated and not relevant to today’s beer drinkers.
More to come as I read them.
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Rubber.Piggy
- Posts: 195
- Joined: Sunday Jan 01, 2006 3:04 pm
- Location: Sydney
- Contact:
My top two are:
Papazian's The Complete Joy of Home Brewing (3rd Ed.) I have found is a good reference/ideas book, it covers everything I've thought/wondered about and it has some great tables in it. It's American but has Metric!!
Strachan's The Complete Guide to Home Brewing in Australia was a great book to, the first one I read in fact. However it was a library book and I wasn't able to find it to buy
Papazian's book is the bigger and more comprehensive (and hence a bigger read), however I think they are both great books.
Papazian's The Complete Joy of Home Brewing (3rd Ed.) I have found is a good reference/ideas book, it covers everything I've thought/wondered about and it has some great tables in it. It's American but has Metric!!
Strachan's The Complete Guide to Home Brewing in Australia was a great book to, the first one I read in fact. However it was a library book and I wasn't able to find it to buy
Papazian's book is the bigger and more comprehensive (and hence a bigger read), however I think they are both great books.
"If at first you don't succeed, redefine success."
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JaCk_SpArRoW
- Posts: 793
- Joined: Wednesday Jan 04, 2006 2:59 pm
- Location: Canberra
- Contact:
I dont recall receiving this Greg but I would love a copy if you can send it to me!....cheers!gregb wrote: I also am keen to start on some of the recipies in the PDF that Aussie Claret sent around.
Cheers,
Greg
Ćĥĕĕŕś Ň ÃƒÅ¸ĕĕŕś ~Ĵ@©ķ~
"Ah that's just drunk talk, sweet beautiful drunk talk" - Homer
http://blackpearlbrewingco.blogspot.com/
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SpillsMostOfIt
- Posts: 789
- Joined: Friday Nov 24, 2006 5:07 pm
- Location: Collingwood, Australia
Just stumbled across this thread.
Google is Your Friend.
Apart from a christmas gift of 'Home Brewing for Dummies' which isn't as bad as it sounds, I have got everything I need to date from the web.
Ray Daniels' 'Designing Great Beers' is winging its way to me as I type this.
I'm sure that people like Mr Daniels and Mr Palmer and Mr Papazian (sp?) are fantabulous brewers, but it is the experience of those of us 'down in the trenches' that probably has helped me most.
One of the greatest pieces of advice I could give anyone who is taking on brewing (or any other hobby for that matter) is to learn how to drive web search engines.
Google is Your Friend.
Apart from a christmas gift of 'Home Brewing for Dummies' which isn't as bad as it sounds, I have got everything I need to date from the web.
Ray Daniels' 'Designing Great Beers' is winging its way to me as I type this.
I'm sure that people like Mr Daniels and Mr Palmer and Mr Papazian (sp?) are fantabulous brewers, but it is the experience of those of us 'down in the trenches' that probably has helped me most.
One of the greatest pieces of advice I could give anyone who is taking on brewing (or any other hobby for that matter) is to learn how to drive web search engines.
No Mash Tun. No Chill.
No confirmed fatalities.
No confirmed fatalities.
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SpillsMostOfIt
- Posts: 789
- Joined: Friday Nov 24, 2006 5:07 pm
- Location: Collingwood, Australia