Best Book for New Brewer

[Dome555]

I know the horse is damn near in the ground by now but How to Brew answered many of my questions before I knew enough to ask them.

 

[birvine]

How to Brew builds a great framework, then reading lots of posts on HBT fill probably all of the gaps. Any remaining gaps can be answered with your own question.

B

 

[K5MOW]

'How to Brew' by John Palmer is great.

Roger

 

[MikeMayhem]

+1 for How to Brew. It's with me every brew day and I still pick it up between them and read through stuff I should know by heart just to keep it fresh.

I love my combination of How to Brew and Brewing Classic Styles. And while not a Brewing book, I highly recommend Tasting Beer by Randy Mosher to round out your knowledge base of beer history, beer styles, and all things that Ale ya.


Sorry Charlie, but "The Complete Joy of Homebrewing" is collecting dust with a set of Brittanicas these days.

 

[Pilgarlic]

I haven't cracked "Complete Joy of Homebrewing" in almost a year. I continue to read and absorb Palmer, "New Brewing Lager Beer", "Brewing Classic Styles", "Designing Great Beers", "Brew Like a Monk" and others.

For the beginner, "How to Brew" wins hands down.

 

[ongreystreet]

I've got the Joy of Homebrewing book, and would recommend it.

I keep telling people, my most important piece of brewing equipment as a new brewer was this book. Way too many people learning the hard way. A lot of people putting the cart in front of the horse by brewing first, learning/reading second.

 

[Andy_LV]

I think, this forum itself has more valuable and up to date info, that is usually cross-referenced/checked by rather large amount of actual home brewers, than Palmer's book, however, it makes a nice relaxing sort of zen-reading

 

[Pilgarlic]

This forum can be very confusing, though, to a beginner who is unable to confidently sort through and reconcile conflicting information. The O.P. is right to seek out the best beginner's book he can find.

 

[JohnnyGunn]

Agreed with everyone...How to Brew by Palmer gets my vote! I'm just learning...and this book is answering most of my questions as they arise. For the quick answers I need though...HBT is a great resource!

 

[thebeers54]

I have How to Brew and The Complete joy of Homebrewing.. I like HTB a bit more though both are full of good info.

 

[KyBeer]

20 years ago when I started brewing, The Complete Joy of Homebrewing was the only book I could find. With that book and the help of my local homebrew supply store I made my first red ale. I now have many many books on brewing. I would pick John Palmers How to brew as my first choice but only by a nose.
John Palmer also has a great web site and www.brewersfriend.com are both good.