New Brewing Lager Beer : The Most Comprehensive Book for Home and Microbrewers
by Gregory J. Noonan
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (October, 2003)
list price: $19.95 -- our price: $13.57
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Reviews (8)

Great book
Greg Noonan is probably one of the best authors on brewing books.This book is a great reference for brewing lagers, if not just brewing alltogether.This book is backed by true data, not anecdotes.Whether brewing lagers or ales, this book should be on your brew library shelf!!

A great reference - but not for beginners!
This classic book has recently emerged from the land of the out-of-print books in a new edition, and I bought one as soon as I found out it was available.As an experienced homebrewer, I found it fascinating and informative.Noonan gets down to the hardcore chemical and technical foundations of brewing.And if you are interested in decoction mashing, Noonan provides what is probably the best description of the process that is available in print.This book is perfect for the professional brewer or advanced all-grain homebrewer.

However, the sheer volume of detail would bore a newcomer to brewing, or worse yet, scare him or her off.The beginner simply doesn't need this much highly-technical information.However, after that beginner gets a few batches under his belt, this book would be a good addition to his or her brewing library.

Absolute must have for homebrewing!
This is without question the best book for homebrewing available.It is the only one that covers decoction mashing in detail.Most German brewers and even Anheuser-Busch use this efficient method to get maximum flavor and yield for your beer.Noonan covers a broad area of topics in great detail.From brewing chemistry to practical procedures outlined for the intermediate to advanced brewer, Noonan hits the bullseye.If you have brewed a little and really want to get into it, get this book! ... Read more

Isbn: 0937381829
Sales Rank: 47491
Subjects:  1. Beverage Technology    2. Beverages - Beer    3. Chemistry - Physical & Theoretical    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Food Science    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Technology    8. Cooking / Beer   

Designing Great Beers : The Ultimate Guide to Brewing Classic Beer Styles
by Ray Daniels
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (25 January, 2000)
list price: $24.95 -- our price: $15.72
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Editorial Review

Part 1 of Designing Great Beers is a complete book in itself, focused solely on home-brewing ingredients and techniques (including three superb chapters on hops alone). Ray Daniels proves himself the "techie" type, infusing his introductory chapters with as much brewing math as brewing lore. Yet, Daniels never hops off the deep end of beer geekdom. Instead, he complements this emphasis on data with the creative use of graphics; where one could get bogged down in the stats, there is usually a clear visual depiction to instantly summarize their meaning.

This focus on facts continues into part 2 of Daniels's guide, where it backs an admirably pragmatic take on beer styles and their importance in home-brewing. Daniels devotes a chapter to each of 14 major style categories, detailing historical origins and modern brewing techniques. He lays a contemporary groundwork by compiling and analyzing the recipes of the National Homebrew Competition's most successful beers. The assumption is that beers deemed representative of particular beer styles in modern competitions serve as ideal models for recipe creation. Among the information provided for each style is a chart showing the percentage of brewers using each type of grain and in what proportions the grains were added. Similar data are supplied for hop varieties, yeast strains, and water treatment. This reverse engineering of award-winning beers naturally benefits experienced brewers seeking to wow judges at the next competition. Yet, even brewers taking their first shy steps into creating their own recipes have much to gain from this kind of practical analysis. Daniels provides the basic tools a brewer of any level can use to formulate recipes with confidence and creativity. --Todd Gehman ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Great resource.
This book is exactly what I was looking for in a brewing title. It includes a full examination of beer ingredients and utilization of those ingredients. Intermediate science and mathematics equations allow you to fully calculate the important aspects of your homebrewing experiences. The second half of the book also includes an in-depth tour of all of the major beer styles and how they are constructed based upon commercial and craftbrew examples. Highly recommended book.

Where are the Beglians?
A fine book with the inexcusable omission of the Belgian styles.They receive absolutely no coverage.But if you're an experienced brewer who wants to brew to the other target styles, this book is great.

Excellent Book for Advanced Brewers
This is an excellent book for advanced brewers to learn recipe formulation and as a reference.The first half of the book has step-by-step instructions on how to create beer formulations.The instructions are concise, clear and written in a way that any experienced brewer should be able to understand.The book was written with the assumption that the reader has a comprehension of and experience in standard brewing methods.

The second half of the book gives an overview of the major beer styles, the common ingredients used in those styles.The chapters also provide information on how frequently those ingredients are used by second round National Homebrew Competition qualifiers and commercial brewers.This section is of most use as a quick reference to those brewers attempting to create their own interpretation of a particular style.
... Read more

Isbn: 0937381500
Subjects:  1. Beer    2. Beverage Technology    3. Brewing    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Food Science    6. General    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Technology    9. Cooking / General   

Dave Miller's Homebrewing Guide : Everything You Need to Know to Make Great-Tasting Beer
by David G. Miller
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (10 January, 1995)
list price: $16.95 -- our price: $11.53
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Editorial Review

While authors of entry-level brewing books do well to alleviate the fears of anxious new brewers, advanced writers benefit from a pointedly informative approach. Dave Miller's dry, technically versed style has earned him widespread respect through his own publications as well as his work with Brewing Techniques, the first-rate magazine for small-scale brewers. Really an update to his classic Complete Handbook of Home Brewing, Dave Miller's Homebrewing Guide is clear enough to introduce advanced techniques to the average home-brewer, yet thorough enough to provide a permanent reference for the expert.

Miller manages to improve upon his earlier book--itself one of the finest advanced brewing books available--by updating and better organizing the information. While the Homebrewing Guide does provide a cursory introduction to basic brewing techniques and a sampling of supplementary topics (kegging, filtration), its real value is in the thoroughness and clarity with which all-grain brewing is described. Grain mashing, for instance, is discussed in three different chapters: a summary of various mashing techniques, a description of the underlying biochemistry, and a step-by-step description of the mashing process. By compartmentalizing the information into short chapters and carefully organizing their sequence, Miller creates a guide that can be read straight through as an initiation to advanced brewing or easily referenced for specific information on brew day. --Todd Gehman ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Knowledgeably and expertly written
Knowledgeably and expertly written by the winner of a lifetime achievement award from the American Homebrewers Association, Dave Miller's Homebrewing Guide is an all-encompassing and up-to-date 358-page instructional and reference guide to brewing great-tasting beer in the privacy of one's home. Covering malts, water and water treatment, mash methods, hops, necessary equipment -- including kettles and wort coolers, methodical directions, practical and safety tips, and more, Dave Miller's Homebrewing Guide is a "must-have" for anyone seeking to brew their own beer at home whether as an simple pastime or as an approach to acquiring a professional microbrewery expertise.

Detailed, but repetitive
This book contains a lot of good info, which I've found to be both interesting and useful as I get back into brewing after a break of a few years.I have Papazian also, and of the two books, I pick this one up more often, and find what I'm looking for more easily.

Despite the comments of some other reviewers, one doesn't need to be an all-grain brewer to find this book useful.I'm creating my own recipes using extracts and specialty grains, and find this book to be very helpful.

However, Miller is pretty repetitive.It is only a slight exaggeration that there are 3 chapters on each topic: on each on theory, equipment and method.I find that there is a moderate degree of repetition of material across these chapters.A consolidation of each topic into 1 chapter could well result in a 1/3 reduction in pages for the book.

I'll echo another reviewer, who commented negatively on the recipes towards the back. They are really just lists of ingredients, without discussion on method (eg. mash temperatures) or variables.

Having made these mild complaints, I'll go on picking this book up every day or so as I think about what to do for my next brew.

Very good book for reference..
I am buying this book for the second time... I lost my old one and HAVE to replace it in my book collection..

There is allot of great information in this book.This was one of my first books that I got whe I started homebrewing.If the information seems heavy.Have faith and go back to it periodically as you become more familiar with brewing it self.I still find myself reading sections over and finally "getting them" (especially the chemistry part).

But, the homebrewing practices are solid and many of the reference sheets I use all of the time. My only beef are the recipes in the back... They are accurate if you use the percentages/ratios of ingridients but, are not accurate if you use them for 5 or 10 gallon recipes....Other than that no complaints. ... Read more

Isbn: 0882669052
Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Beverage Technology    3. Beverages - Beer    4. Beverages - Wine & Spirits    5. Brewing    6. Cooking    7. Cooking / Wine    8. Cooking / Beer   

The New Complete Joy of Home Brewing
by Charlie Papazian
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 October, 1991)
list price: $12.95
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Editorial Review

"Relax. Don't Worry. Have a home-brew." It's the mantra of home-brewing, a phrase that nods to the technical aspects of brewing only as it dismisses all stress with a sip and a smile. Home-brewing is fun, after all. Charlie Papazian didn't just coin the term, he virtually spearheaded the home-brewing revival in America. Figurehead for the American Homebrewers Association and its membership magazine, Zymurgy, Papazian is one of the founding fathers of the modern home-brewing scene.

Often touted as the home-brewer's bible, The New Complete Joy of Homebrewing charts a beginning brewer's course, keeping the focus on enjoying the process as well as the results of home-brewing. An easy-to-use table of ingredients helps the newly initiated design their own recipes, although many home-brewers happily spend years sampling those Papazian provides. Dozens of recipes for all levels of experience are here, christened with the most improbable (and irresistible?) names in home-brewing literature ("Toad Spit Stout," "Cheeks to the Wind Mild," and "Goat Scrotum Ale" among them).

While Papazian's classic does cover a broad sweep of home-brewing techniques (including more advanced procedures like grain mashing and yeast culturing), it's more than just a home-brewer's guidebook. Papazian's personal take on the history of American brewing is an entertaining read for any beer enthusiast, and his laid-back, humor-driven style engages readers whether or not they've ever boiled up a brew. This book makes home-brewers almost as often as it helps them. If enthusiastic friends haven't convinced you to start home-brewing, The New Complete Joy of Homebrewing undoubtedly will. --Todd Gehman ... Read more

Reviews (51)

All you ever wanted to know about home brewing.
I got interested in home brewing last fall ('03) and went to a shop that specializes in equipment and kits.From there, I wanted to get into learning more about the process and devining my own concoctions.This book is a recommended upgrade to their beginners kit and I purchased it later after brewing a kit or two.After reading this book, I am very confident that I know what to do to get the tastes out of the different breeds of hops and grain mixtures.This book actually goes a little further than I needed it to, as it goes into the chemical processes with the different ions in the water, and such as that.However, if you are a beginner brewer and want to delve into your own creations, this is where to go.It's a great work to set you on the right track.It has everything you WANT to know and some that you could probably care less about, but worth adding to the shelf if you enjoy the hobby.

This will take you far
After getting the desire to homebrew, and spending countless hours in the library reading various different books on homebrewing, I was becoming frustrated with the lack of information available . . .

Then I stumbled across this book in a homebrew shop.It was EXACTLY what I needed as a first time homebrewer.I had no one to show me how to do it, but this book proved to be an excellent guide.It is a fun book to read, helps you to understand all the basics, and gives you more in-depth information later on if you want it.

This book provided me with everything I needed in a simple-to-understand format, and answered all my questions.I've been brewing for 10 years now, and never needed to buy another homebrew instruction book.It even contains a good number of recipes from many different styles, and I've never found one I didn't like.

A must-have reference for new & intermediate brewers
When you first feel the desire to brew beer, and start looking into the process, it can seem pretty formidable.Walking into the homebrew store or visiting its website, and seeing all the ingredients and equipment, can be intimidating for the newcomer.Turning to the web, magazines and books for enlightenment, the first-timer can be intimidated by the sheer volume of brewing information floating around.Rather than throwing your hands up in confusion and walking away, buy this book.

Papazian's motto is "Relax, don't worry--have a homebrew!"Rather than getting bogged down in the details of making perfect, contest-winning beers, Papazian focuses on the basic steps a homebrewer has to follow to make good beer.You can make something tasty and enjoyable with minimal equipment, malt extract and part of a weekend afternoon, and Papazian holds the brewer's hand through the entire process.Once you've nailed the basics--and it's not hard--the last part of the book teaches you how to advance to intermediate brewing without much additional hassle.

Experienced brewers may find this book too basic for their needs.Beginning and intermediate brewers will find it invaluable. ... Read more

Isbn: 0380763664
Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Beverages - Beer    3. Brewing    4. Cooking    5. Cooking / Wine    6. General    7. Reference   

Bock (Classic Beer Style Series: 9)
by Darryl Richman
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (25 January, 1994)
list price: $11.95 -- our price: $11.95
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Reviews (2)

Excellent information for a tough style to create
This book has it all when it comes to "goat" bear.I learned that in the book, that Bock means goat.From the evolution of bock beers to their present place in the world, it is covered here.This book has helped me formulate some very tasty recipes.Combined with classic decoction mashing techniques outlined in Noonan's NEW BREWING LAGER BEER, you can't go wrong here.I assure you that this is an excellent addition to your brewing library.

A Great Book in a Great Series
Darryl Richman's Bock is one of my favorite books in the Classic Styles Series. It is well-researched and written in an often entertaining style that conveys much information and enthusiasm without being stuffy orcondescending.

The recipes are nicely formatted, and cover a wide gamutof Bock-style beers. There's even a recipe for a historic Bock, for thosewho want to experiment.

Richman's advice regarding ingredients,brewing, and fermentation is grounded in theory (which he briefly explains)and very practical. ... Read more

Isbn: 093738139X
Sales Rank: 414708
Subjects:  1. Beer    2. Beverages - Beer    3. Beverages - Wine & Spirits    4. Brewing    5. Cooking    6. Cooking / Wine    7. Germany    8. Reference    9. Cooking / General   

Continental Pilsener (Classic Beer Style)
by David Miller
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (25 January, 1990)
list price: $11.95 -- our price: $9.56
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Reviews (3)

Excellent to home in on perfection
Creating a perfect pilsner can be the most fustrating undertaking in home brewing.To acheive crisp, clean, properly hopped pilsner lager, a guide is needed.This book is that guide.It will teach you the history of the style, and give recipes for some of the most famous beers from Europe.My favorite is Pilsner Urquell.Be forewarned though, it does not teach decoction mashing, which is the traditional way to mash in your grain for Pilsner.Only NEW BREWING LAGER BEER will guide you through the triple or double decoction mash required to hit the bulleye on great pilsner taste.This book is a great addition for your collection though, and will greatly aid you in the developement of great Pilsner lager.Don't forget to use the softest water you can get your hands on!

This is why I can brew a good pilsner
Miller is a master at simplifying complex procedures. I recommend this book for good tips in brewing ANY variety of lager beer, not just pils.My pilsners are my best beers, due to this book and Noonan's New Brewing Lager Beer.

Agreat resource for the Beginning All Grain Brewer
This is one of my favorite of the classic Beer Styles Series. It is one of the shortest and Most concise, Miller doesn't go into a lot of history andobsecure style disscussion here, nor does he get too technical.What hedoes do is present the basics, and he does it all in a non-threating, easyto read style.This is a great resource for Pilsner Fans ... Read more

Isbn: 0937381209
Sales Rank: 216853
Subjects:  1. Beer    2. Beverages - Beer    3. Brewing    4. Cooking    5. Cooking / Wine    6. Reference    7. Cooking / Beer   

Zymurgy
Average Customer Review:
Magazine
list price: $38.00 -- our price: $38.85
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Reviews (4)

Join the AHA and get the magazine for free
For the $38 membership, you get the magazine for free when you join the AHA ; www.beertown.org.

The magazine is great if you are past the beginner stage of beermaking.It can be a bit on the technical side, but if you love making beer, then it's great information.

Overpriced
While this magazine provides useful information to the homebrewer, it is increadibly overpriced.Especially when you consider that for the cost of 2-3 issues you could buy a full book such as the Joy of Homebrewing, Clonebrews or Designing Great Beers.It's unfortunate that the American Homebrewers Association essentially uses the procedes from this magazine to fund extravagant trips for the staff to the many homebrew competitions and conventions held each year.Sounds like a pretty nice life...write a few articles a year and get to travel for free to cool cities and drink great beer.

Homebrewers and Beer Lovers
Information packed magazine for when you start experimenting with recipes for homemade beer.Has competition information and standings for Homebrew Clubs all over the USA.Great calendar of events!Advertising for all kinds of equipment and supplies.Hooray for July--National American Beer Month! ... Read more

Asin: B00006LAKR
Sales Rank: 1416
Subjects:  1. Cooking Food & Wine    2. General    3. Chemical Technology    4. Food & Gourmet