Books

Described below is the set of books I have in my library. Along with the title, author, and synopsis, I provide a "Homebrewer Rating". A personal opinion-based system, this two-part rating, indicates the level of homebrewing experience to which a particular book applies, and the book's relavancy to homebrewing as a whole. This enables beer enthusiasts and homebrewers to differentiate the various type of books. Some ratings include a range, and apply to each of those ratings.  For example, 123HB would indicate that this book might be of use or interest to novice through intermediate homebrewers, as well as the beer enthusiast.

See the end of the page for a description of the Homebrewer Ratings.

Most of these books can be found at Amazon.com, MoreBeer.com, or your local homebrew shop.

Title

Author

Description

My Recommendation

Homebrewer Rating

A collection of trivia, facts, and anecdotes.

0B

A collection of 260 recipes.

123H

In-depth description and evaluation of homebrewing methods.

This book is more of a cursory study of brewing history, styles, and corporate brewing techniques.  It seems to be more of a background reference book than a "how-to" book.

 0

An unparalleled collection of 150 clonebrew recipes. Each recipe provides ingredients and procedures for extract, mini-mash, and all-grain batches. Highly recommended.

1234H

This book describes how you can acquire and build inexpensive homebrewing equipment.  Great for the novice through intermediate homebrewer.

123H

A wonderfully illustrated book packed full of charts, tables, and forms that cannot be found anywhere else.  This was my first homebrewing manual. Highly recommended.

12345H

Fun game to while away the hours, and drink beer.

1234BH

An excellent series of books no homebrewing library should be without. Each covers a specific style, and includes detailed history, recipes, and charts.

12345BHP

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12345BHP

Another unparalleled collection of 150 clonebrew recipes. Each recipe provides ingredients and procedures for extract, mini-mash, and all-grain batches. Highly recommended.

1234H

An excellent beginning and intermediate homebrewing book.

123H

Excellent book detailing the specifcs on the chemical, biological, and quantitative qualities that constitute each style. Highly recommended.

2345HP

In-depth guide to culturing and propagating yeast from various sources.

45HP

0B

A very good full-color reference guide to a large selection of the more obscure Belgian beers. Tasting notes accompany most of the selections. No recipes or procedures.

 0B

This book claims to have 2000+ recipes.  Actually, most of the "recipes" it contains only consist of the names of the grains and hops used in the beer...no measurements, occassional ratios.  The advanced homebrewer, based on experience, might be able to utilize this book, but the majority of the recipes are useless.

5H

2345H

123H 

A serious binder detailing the steps and requirements for opening your own prewpub.  At $150, this manual is only for the homebrewer who is ready to go pro.

0P

2345H 

 12H

Practical Brewer, The

Master Brewers Association

This is a serious, $100 book written for the commercial brewer.  It covers all aspects of microbrewery operations.

5P

Excellent hard-to-find book which covers a myriad of homebrewing topics, all designed to improve your existing skill set.  Highly recommended if you can find it.

2345H

Homebrew Ratings

The following ratings are intended to allow homebrewers of all skill levels to determine which book is relevant to their brewing skill level.

Homebrewer Rating

Description

0

Little or no value to a homebrewer. Can be used as potential reference material, but contains no information which furthers the skills of the homebrewer.

 1

Novice Homebrewer - Less than 5 extract batches brewed.

 2

Homebrewer - 6 to 10 batches brewed, any combination of extract or all-grain.

 3

Intermediate Homebrewer - 11 to 25 batches brewed, any combination of extract or all-grain.

 4

Advanced Homebrewer - 26 to 50 batches brewed, at least 75% of which are all-grain.

 5

Master Homebrewer - More than 50 batches brewed, at least 75% of which are all-grain.

B

Beer Enthusiast - This book focuses on beer, beer enjoyment, and evaluation.

H

Homebrewer - This book focuses on instructing the homebrewer

P

Pro Brewer - This book is written for the professional brewer.

My Recommendations

These recommendations are based on my personal opinion of how useful the book is to the average homebrewer. I have read each of these books and evaluated them based on how I utilized them in my own homebrewing experiences.  Other opinions may differ.

Note that the number of icons are an indicator of my enthusiasm or disappointment for a particular book.

This book has no homebrewing value.  It has little of no information which will further a homebrewer's skill or knowledge of homebrewing materials or processes. Buy it at your own risk.

This book may have some value to a few homebrewers. It may predominantly contain brewing industry background information, tasting notes, or serve as a useful information guide.

This book is useful to the homebrewer.  It provides information in one or more of the following areas: detailed recipes, step-by-step procedurals, equipment evaluation or construction, brewing processes, useful charts or tables.

This book is useful to the homebrewer or professional brewer.  It provides in depth and detailed information in one or more of the following areas: detailed recipes, step-by-step procedurals, equipment evaluation or construction, brewing processes, useful charts or tables.