brewing basics book

[marlin]

Can anyone recomend a book for someone just starting out homebrewing. Somthing to cover the basics, Ive looked on amazon and liked the "brewing for dumies" but as this is a US book, I thought some of the equeptment and aditives listed would'nt be avalable over here. Im on my third brew now with mixed sucess, first two where good but the last (muntons old english) Ive tipped away. I bottled 8 pints and keged the rest. The keg beer had a strong after taste and the bottles when opened after 3 months just throthed out for 2/3 minutes to leave half a bottle of not very good beer. Any help will be gladly received.
Mark

[steve_flack]

Of the British books the Wheeler guide is still the best although out of print and covers everything from beer kits to all-grain. Of the in-print beginner books 'How to Brew' is probably the best one but I don't know if it covers hopped kit beers (they don't seem to do them over there).

The first edition is available free online at http://www.howtobrew.com/

[Ska_J]

I've started off with "brewing for dummies" and I found it to be good. Its the only one I've read, so I can't give a comparison, but I wouldn't say the US/British thing is a problem. I read the more or less the whole thing before I bought any equipment or did my first kit, if you can take the style of those 'for dummies' books then its very readable. I don't know if maybe when I come to try any of the recipes for extract or all grain I'll have any trouble getting the stuff, but I imagine not. Even if that was the case the book is good for the techniques (in my inexperienced opinion!) and an overview of brewing, and I don't think recipes will be in short supply from other sources (not least here!)

As I said before, I've only read one book so I can't call this a recommendation, but I have no regrets over using it to start me off.

James.

[midasmesh]

I used home brewed beers and stouts, i found it eay to follow and it has other brewing techiniques in there.

Heres a link to what the book looks like.

http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/3066 ... and+Stouts

[Dennis King]

Agree with Steve Graham Wheeler`s is the best around David Lines big book of brewing might be available, thats worth a look. Personally I find the American books harder work to understand, but to be fair I`ve not got the Palmer one. If its online and free I might have a look though.

[leigh1919]

I've got 'Homebrew Beers' which is american also, but I found very useful. It's easy to follow and has some decent looking recipes in it. It's written by Sam Calagione, who is the head brewer of Dogfish Head, so leans towards 'Extreme Brews' - but it's a good read nontheless. one for the library, so to speak.

To be honest, I find this forum to be the best place for advice!