KopyKat
Well-Known Member
John Palmers How to Brew 2006 Edition arrived at my doorstep a month ahead of schedule a week ago. I have cruised through each section in every day and I have been really impressed.
My first two, and best books I read and reread when I first started brewing is Charlie Papazians Joy of Homebrewing and John Palmers online book, How to Brew. Charlie, in a worn second edition I got free, gave me basics and inspiration. Unlike many who found the phrase repetitive and trite, I found comfort in his phrase Relax, dont worry, have a Homebrew.
However, when I wanted to learn the finer techniques of brewing, I clicked my mouse and turned to John Palmers online book. It seemed so complete that I resisted spending money on a hardcover version for quite some time. A few weeks ago I decided to break down and go for a hardcover. As I was preparing to order, I found that he had a new version coming out in June and ordered it.
Having purchased Charlies new version of Joy of Homebrewing and being disappointed that it was not really much different than the last one, my expectations were not high when I cracked the cover of Palmers new edition. Was I in for a surprise! I will emphatically state that if you are a new homebrewer or like me having gotten up to all grain but still a fledgling, this is a must have book.
Palmers new edition is fully up to date on the latest techniques, which by the way he points out each to be a new resurgence of and old ideas and procedures. For example, recently I have been scouring the forums for information on First Wort Hopping FWH. I have gleaned a lot of information and brewed using what I learned. And I figure I learned a lot, but still had questions. John fully covered this subject and the principles behind it. He also covered what type of hops are best for FWH and why. In fact, I learned so much in the Hops section, I considered that was worth the price of the book alone.
John Palmer is no Charlie Papazian. If this book was my first and only, I would have found the subject material complete but so factual I might have laid it down and never started brewing. Charlie gave me basics and inspiration and the excitement of a peek at the possibilities of great beer brewed at home. John gave me the tools and understanding to make better and better beer and I appreciate him for that. Both books are musts in my opinion for the beginner and will carry him or her through to being an accomplished brewer. These two books are the base grains all others are adjuncts IMHO.
My first two, and best books I read and reread when I first started brewing is Charlie Papazians Joy of Homebrewing and John Palmers online book, How to Brew. Charlie, in a worn second edition I got free, gave me basics and inspiration. Unlike many who found the phrase repetitive and trite, I found comfort in his phrase Relax, dont worry, have a Homebrew.
However, when I wanted to learn the finer techniques of brewing, I clicked my mouse and turned to John Palmers online book. It seemed so complete that I resisted spending money on a hardcover version for quite some time. A few weeks ago I decided to break down and go for a hardcover. As I was preparing to order, I found that he had a new version coming out in June and ordered it.
Having purchased Charlies new version of Joy of Homebrewing and being disappointed that it was not really much different than the last one, my expectations were not high when I cracked the cover of Palmers new edition. Was I in for a surprise! I will emphatically state that if you are a new homebrewer or like me having gotten up to all grain but still a fledgling, this is a must have book.
Palmers new edition is fully up to date on the latest techniques, which by the way he points out each to be a new resurgence of and old ideas and procedures. For example, recently I have been scouring the forums for information on First Wort Hopping FWH. I have gleaned a lot of information and brewed using what I learned. And I figure I learned a lot, but still had questions. John fully covered this subject and the principles behind it. He also covered what type of hops are best for FWH and why. In fact, I learned so much in the Hops section, I considered that was worth the price of the book alone.
John Palmer is no Charlie Papazian. If this book was my first and only, I would have found the subject material complete but so factual I might have laid it down and never started brewing. Charlie gave me basics and inspiration and the excitement of a peek at the possibilities of great beer brewed at home. John gave me the tools and understanding to make better and better beer and I appreciate him for that. Both books are musts in my opinion for the beginner and will carry him or her through to being an accomplished brewer. These two books are the base grains all others are adjuncts IMHO.
