Homebrewing for Dummies [Paperback]

Marty Nachel (Author)

Book Description

Series: For Dummies (Lifestyles Paperback) | Publication Date: September 25, 1997

Have you ever had a microbrew beer and wondered how it was made? Ever think you could do better? Like homemade apple, homebrewed beer is a personal, distinctive treat that is delightfully gratifying to make, consume, and share with friends and family! Homebrewing is a hobby shared by approximately 1.5 million people in the United States alone. A tradition originating in ancient civilizations, modern technology has made the process easier than ever before.

Homebrewing For Dummies is for everyone who has ever considered homebrewing , but thought it might be too hard or complicated. Or if you’ve tried homebrewing without great success, you’ll find guidelines, recipes, and equipment advice to help you improve your brew. Even if you’re already a successful homebrewer, you’ll find useful tips for making your beer competition quality. Find authoritative material to answer such questions about:

• Beeraphernalia
• Malts, hops, and grains
• Additives and preservatives
• Finings and clarifiers
• Sanitizing and bottling
• Troubleshooting

Go ahead and feel confident about buying the equipment, setting up shop, cooking the right mix of ingredients, and bottling your brew with personalized labels! You can choose from dozens of ale, lager, and mixed-style recipes (all with standard pounds, gallons, and ounce measurements) or craft your own recipe. Homebrewing For Dummies helps you get your first batch underway in just two hours with accessible information on:

• Equipment for beginning, intermediate, and advanced brewers
• The four primary ingredients in beer
• The nuts-and-bolts of beer
• Beer evaluation
• Getting involved in competitions
• Gadgets, gizmos, and must-haves

No other guide can offer the same convenient cheat sheets, friendly, hands-on advice, and step-by-step directions for making award-winning recipes. Whether a serious, future member of the American Homebrewers Association or a curious hobbyist, you’ll find everything you need to be drinking homemade beer in about three weeks.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Marty Nachel immediately dispels two long-held myths in Homebrewing for Dummies: brewing your own beer isn't all that difficult, and despite all that you may have heard or assumed, facial hair is not a prerequisite to being a good homebrewer.

Like all other books in the popular Dummies series, Homebrewing for Dummies is a clear, concise, how-to guide for the do-it-yourselfer. As it turns out, making beer isn't hard to do if you have a stove, some basic equipment, and a little time on your hands. Here's your chance to make your own Hefeweizen or India Pale Ale and avoid another trip to the local microbrewery; Nachel provides the recipes and solid step-by-step instructions. And if making beer isn't enough, the chapter on evaluation will teach even the most pedestrian beer drinker to critically analyze homebrews like a pro.

Nachel is well qualified. The former welder is an award-winning brewer and one of the top beer writers in the country. Homebrewing for Dummies covers the gamut--from simple lagers to Belgian Dubbels--and Nachel shows that you don't need a team of Clydesdales or a Colorado mountain spring to make great beer at home.

From the Back Cover

"An outstanding, surefire guide for homebrewers at every level of expertise."
— Tom Dalldorf, Publisher, Celebrator Beer News

More than 100 foolproof recipes for lagers, ales, and more

The fun and easy way® to become your own brewmeister

If you want beer that truly tastes great, nothing beats homebrewed. And with a stove, some basic equipment, and the simple instructions in this friendly guide, you too can brew with the best. From making friends with malt and hops to bottling, kegging, storing, and pouring,

Praise for Homebrewing For Dummies

"By far the most thorough homebrewing book I have ever seen."
– Bill Owens, brewmaster and publisher

"Clearly fills a void in the homebrewing how-to arena. Marty Nachel has very effectively communicated his extensive knowledge of the brewing process and his passion for the subject."
– Tom Sweeney, America’s Brewing Company

Discover how to:

• Set up your home brewery
• Select ingredients and flavorings
• Brew basic beers, specialty beers, even cider
• Bottle or keg your brew
• Evaluate your beer and troubleshoot problems

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (September 25, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764550462
• ISBN-13: 978-0764550461
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #732,377 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

If you enjoy beer as much as I do, then you understand how it can become a passion. I first started learning about good beer back in the mid-1980's, about the same time the American microbrewing industry began picking up steam.

First, I started brewing my own beer, then I became a Certified Beer Judge, then I began writing about the craft. Twenty-five years and five books later, I am still an avid fan of the industry. I have visited over 250 breweries on two separate continents and I have had the pleasure of tasting and reviewing thousands of homebrews and commercial beers.

Along the way, I've had the pleasure of associating with some of the biggest names in the industry as well as evaluating beer at some of the most prestigious festivals and competitions in the U.S.

I look forward to continuing to write about this fun and dynamic industry for years to come. If you should happen to read my books, I hope you find my passion for the craft infectious.

You might also want to check out my Ale-Conner Beer Certification program at: www.BeerExam.com

Cheers!
-Marty Nachel

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 82 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a GREAT book!, February 3, 2000

By 

slider "slider" (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Homebrewing for Dummies (Paperback)

I am brand new to the world of homebrewing. Actually I was kind of bored and was looking for a hobby. Having been a bartender in my younger days (I'm 38), I always loved beer. So I figured "Why not make it"? So I browsed the bookshelves and came across a few books. I picked up another book by Chuck Papazian that was supposedly the "Bible" of homebrewing. After leafing thru it I thought it was a waste of time and alot of hype (see my review). Then I found this book. I have always been a fan of the Dummies Series and own about ten Dummies books altogether. This book is continues the tradition of a solid, informative read. It is written in a very light, conversational tone that makes the novice feel like they can make beer that competes with the big boys. It goes into the equipment you need, the ingredients and various gadgets and such that might make your brewing experience a little bit easier and definitely more fun. You don't have to read it in a linear fashion, you can jump around from section to section and then refer back to things that catch your eye. When the novice gets a little more adventurous you may want to try one of the many recipes listed in the center of the book. The bottom line is for the money this is one of the best books that I have ever seen on the subject. And, after participating in a few newsgroup discussions on the topic, (and these guys KNOW their beer), even the newsgroup members recommend this book. THAT says alot.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Book For every Homebrewer- Beginner to Pro!, September 15, 2001

By 

Joseph "Joe Spencer" (Tomball, TX, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Homebrewing for Dummies (Paperback)

When I first walked into my local homebrew store and purchased a starter kit, I grabbed one of Charlie Papazian's books. "Oh no you don't" stated the brew master, "You want the Homebrewing for Dummies book!" While I was at first insulted by his intimation that I am a 'dummy', I soon realized why he recommended that book. Needless to say, due to using this book my first batch of Pale Ale came out alot better than it could have if I had used a more 'advanced' book!
While I now own every Charlie Papazian, Miller, Snyder, etc. book that's on the market, and refer to them frequently, I still utilize this book more than any other. It is set up in a way that you do not need to read it straight through, so you can use it as a ready reference manual. Helpful charts, needed tables and graphs, and tons of step-by-step instructionals help even the most advanced brewer make a better homebrew!

So sit down, relax, have have a homebrew, and read this book!
(Check out our Homebrew Club ONLINE at: www.dskonline.net/b3)

26 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great book ... and yet, not that great., May 21, 2004

By 

Stephen Ressel (North Dakota, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Homebrewing for Dummies (Paperback)

This is the perfect book for someone wanting to learn about home brewing or brewing, but doesn't want to actually DO any brewing. Nachel puts together a high volume of information but only touches on most subjects. The biggest detriment to this book is the rather scant explanations on the actual brewing process and how it works/should work. Pictures or illustrations would help if words aren't available. The lack of illustrations forces this book back from amazing into adequate. You will need more research after this book to find helpful specifics for brewing ... Papazian's 'Joy of Homebrewing' does little to expand on this book, as both are close to identical in contents. Both books go into the intermediate brewing stage (using some extracts instead of full grain mash) in high detail, but then skimp on information for the full grain brewer. I'd rather have seen full grain explained in extreme detail, but that is my preference. I am looking for some version of a brewer's bible that has it all and goes beyond base, beginner texts with glimpses at advanced methods.