"How to Brew", by John Palmer Options

[Mookie]

I'm an inexperienced brewer but have been making mead and wine for some time. I have no background in chemistry and need this kind of information broken down clearly.

This book is difficult to put down. The scientific explanations about the life cycle of yeast and how some of the chemistry works are absolutely fascinating. It's simple and clear enough that someone like myself can understand and enjoy it. The simple black and white pictures and tables make it easy for me to interpret and apply what is being taught.

His explanations of the various chemicals in beer, how they are created and what they taste like provide an excellent gateway to someone like myself who is new to the world of good beer. Now I understand why experienced brewers say full boil is best, and lowering the temperature of wort quickly prevents beer haze and the relationship between skunky beer and bottle color and a miriad of other gripping topics.

Today I went into the class 6 at the local Air Force Base, selected six pack of one of the beer styles described in the book (Biere de Garde, Flying Dog), and am now trying to identify the various tastes, and how they got there. Thank you John Palmer!


M

[Connie]

I like the fact that Palmer covered instructions for both those who are chemistry majors and those of us who just want to make beer like I can make banana bread. I mean it's VERY simple. Add this after the temp reaches this and starts to boil and let it boil for X ammount of time then let it cool down to X temprature. That's all I needed. But my husband likes to know why he adds what he adds and what the ABV is and how he can get it higher or how to make it hoppier and how much hops to add. And Palmer covers both.

It's an excellent read for both the beginner or the seasoned pro who has been brewing a while.