Required reading for a beginner?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by Doomcifer, Apr 28, 2014.

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  1. Doomcifer

    Doomcifer Pooh-Bah (1,665) Nov 10, 2005 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah

    In your guys opinions, what is the most significant "required reading" book on homebrewing available for someone finally wanting to pull the lever on the homebrewing hobby?

    Also, any further reading after the fact is also fully welcome.

    Thanks in advance.
     
    #1 Doomcifer, Apr 28, 2014
  2. cmannes

    cmannes Pundit (967) Mar 15, 2009 Minnesota

    While I'm still a newb myself, I'm going to be you'll see many references to this.

    http://www.howtobrew.com/ How to Brew by John Palmer
     
    #2 cmannes, Apr 28, 2014
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  3. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    www.howtobrew.com
    Either the free online vesion or (better) the updated print version.
     
    #3 VikeMan, Apr 28, 2014
  4. JohnSnowNW

    JohnSnowNW Initiate (0) Feb 6, 2013 Minnesota

    Simulpost!
     
    #4 JohnSnowNW, Apr 28, 2014
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  5. wspscott

    wspscott Pooh-Bah (1,958) May 25, 2006 Kentucky
    Pooh-Bah

    I agree with How to Brew. Go ahead and buy the print version, you will likely read it more than once. After you have read it once or twice, leave it in the bathroom for browsing.

    Amazon sells it for ~$12 (well worth it).
     
    #5 wspscott, Apr 28, 2014
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  6. pweis909

    pweis909 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,250) Aug 13, 2005 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    Nothing else to say here, really.
     
    #6 pweis909, Apr 28, 2014
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  7. Doomcifer

    Doomcifer Pooh-Bah (1,665) Nov 10, 2005 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah

    LOL, well that settles it. Ordered! Thanks guys!
     
    #7 Doomcifer, Apr 28, 2014
  8. HerbMeowing

    HerbMeowing Maven (1,295) Nov 10, 2010 Virginia
    Trader

    Happy happy to see there are no recommendations for Charlie Pap's Teh CJoHB.
    It's still a fun read but hopelessly out of date.

    All Hail Palmer!
     
    #8 HerbMeowing, Apr 29, 2014
  9. paulys55

    paulys55 Initiate (0) Aug 2, 2010 Pennsylvania

    Also, browse the homebrew forums and VikeMan's posts in general...this guy knows his stuff. Happy brewing.
     
    #9 paulys55, Apr 29, 2014
  10. hoptualBrew

    hoptualBrew Initiate (0) May 29, 2011 Florida

    Also;

    Brewing Classic Styles by Jamil Zainasheff
    Designing Great Beers by Ray Daniels
    &
    listen to The Brewing Network podcasts online and they also have an app iPhone. BrewingTV on youtube is a descent source too, more entertainment but with some good info.
     
    #10 hoptualBrew, Apr 29, 2014
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  11. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,635) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    After Palmer you could read Yeast, Hops, Water. The Malt book comes out late this year.
     
    #11 hopfenunmaltz, Apr 29, 2014
  12. Jmitchell3

    Jmitchell3 Initiate (0) Apr 2, 2013 Arizona

    I purchased the latest edition of "how to brew". Highly recommended.
     
    #12 Jmitchell3, Apr 29, 2014
  13. SFACRKnight

    SFACRKnight Grand Pooh-Bah (3,348) Jan 20, 2012 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    How to brew lives in my "library"...
     
    #13 SFACRKnight, Apr 29, 2014
  14. utahbeerdude

    utahbeerdude Maven (1,374) May 2, 2006 Utah

    I won't disagree (too much), but CP's writing style is light years beyond Palmer's. I've tried to make my way through HtB, but I just can't do it. If you want to be inspired, Charlie Papazian's Complete of of Homebrewing is the best. Indeed, technically it is a bit dated.* I think I read that an actual new version is in the works. We'll see; the last update wasn't much of an update.

    *One person's "hopelessly out of date" is another's "a bit dated", I suppose. :rolling_eyes:
     
    #14 utahbeerdude, Apr 30, 2014
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  15. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    "...but CP's writing style is light years beyond Palmer's." @utahbeerdude , a BIG +1 to that!!

    Cheers!
     
    #15 JackHorzempa, Apr 30, 2014
  16. BeerDummy

    BeerDummy Initiate (0) Feb 26, 2014 New York

    For sure. I'm only on my first homebrew batch myself, but I've been listening to 2 or 3 of the Vinnie Cilurzo episodes of this podcast, and have some others ready to go.

    Its a tremendous help. Even though they're not walking you through how to brew something as a beginner, you're learning a great deal just by listening and letting it sink in.

    I'd say its like learning a language by immersing yourself in it vs. just using books on tape.
     
    #16 BeerDummy, Apr 30, 2014
  17. kjyost

    kjyost Initiate (0) May 4, 2008 Canada (MB)


    Never having read Papizan, but having read Palmer and having had no problem with it (I had made a few batches based on LHBS and kits & have a science background) I can only say I would rather learn how to brew properly than be inspired. I never needed to be inspired...
     
    #17 kjyost, Apr 30, 2014
  18. HerbMeowing

    HerbMeowing Maven (1,295) Nov 10, 2010 Virginia
    Trader

    Really?
    Then what's that thing growing out the side of your head?:rolling_eyes:
     
    #18 HerbMeowing, May 1, 2014
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