How to Brew: Everything You Need To Know To Brew Beer Right The First Time (Paperback)

by John J. Palmer (Author)
Key Phrases: dry basis, fine grind, effective hardness, United States Profile, Understanding the Mash, Hops Boil Time (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Everything needed to brew beer right the first time. Presented in a light-hearted style without frivolous interruptions, this authoritative text introduces brewing in a easy step-by-step review.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Brewers Publications; 3rd edition (June 25, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0937381888
• ISBN-13: 978-0937381885
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (86 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,239 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

115 of 115 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Currently the best place to start, and NOT out of print!, November 14, 2004

By	Bighairydoofus "-" (Brooklyn Park, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Brew: Ingredients, Methods, Recipes, and Equipment for Brewing Beer at Home (Paperback)

Like most homebrewers, I started out with Charlie Papazian's book "The New Joy of Homebrewing". I had the second edition. It was a good book, but comparing it to this text, it seems hopelessly dated.

With the explosion of microbreweries across the country, lots of people got turned on to GOOD beer - and many of those looked into homebrewing. With so many people trying different methods and equipment, over time, brewing became simpler and much of what was deemed necessary in the earlier days was discarded. Many of the techniques and equipment listed here are the results of years of trial-and-error streamlining by other homebrewers. In addition, there's never been so many resources available via mail order and on the net. Homebrewing really is easy at this point.

This is the best basic brewing text I've found. You can start with it by making extract only beers, graduating to specialty grains in addition to extract, then to all grain brewing and making your own recipes and beer styles. The book is linear, presents the information as you need it and the information ranges from the most basic (like sanitation) to as technical as you could possibly want (water chemistry).

For years I've been an extract and specialty grain brewer. I never completely understood the process of all-grain brewing until I bought this text. It gave me the courage to build my own lautering tun and brew my first batch of beer made completely from scratch. It was a pale ale, nothing exotic, but man was it good beer. Check out the author's website and read the first edition online. The second edition is improved, so if you like the online text buy the hard copy book.

There are other good texts out there (the author lists many of them in the back of the book) but if you only want one homebrewing text, buy this one. It's a shame that Amazon doesn't carry it anymore. Track it down.

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The first book for any hombrewer, July 29, 2006

By	Menthol Rum (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

I borrowed and read a few brewing books, but found "How to Brew" to be the best. The very first chapter gets you off to a running start should you find yourself with an unpacked brew kit, needing only the most vital information to start brewing immediately. The rest of the book is well written and provides a clear outlay of brewing from the basics to the esoteric. There are clear explinations, many recipies and a wealth of information regarding the process and ingredients.

There are a few other books that are good, but if you own just one brewing book, this is it.

Update:3/2008
Almost two years later, I have to say this book remains at the forefront of my now expanded beer library. If you are just starting to brew, if you are curious, if you're looking for a book for someone who is starting out or if you are a brewer looking for an A-Z guide, this remains the one to get. It will provide a foundation of knowledge that will serve you well in your brewing pursuits.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything you need to know to make a quality homebrew, September 11, 2002

By	Tim Cailloux "[e-mail]" (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Brew: Ingredients, Methods, Recipes, and Equipment for Brewing Beer at Home (Paperback)

A few years ago, John Palmer wrote an online guide to making a very simple beer in an effort to whet people's appetites (and taste buds!) for brewing beer at home. Greatly expanded after that first edition, this book contains information on brewing techniques, brewing chemistry, and the biology of the plants that end up in a brew.

In addition to giving a very thorough overview of brewing beer, Palmer includes recipes and information on how to create your own, unique beer.