Product Description

Brewing your own beer, ale, and lager is one of the most rewarding hobbies around -- no wonder it's so popular. Now, with Homebrewing For Dummies, you can begin enjoying your own microbrews right away, saving some for yourself and giving some away as very special gifts.

Author and homebrewing expert Marty Nachel shows you just what you need to get started, including where to find equipment and ingredients. You'll discover how barley, hops, yeast, water, and other ingredients combine to form the irresistible miracle that is beer. Then, Homebrewing For Dummies takes you step by step through brewing your first batch and gives you plenty of ideas for experimenting with various flavorings and combining other additives. Nachel also serves up a tankard's-worth of recipes for ales, lagers, and other special brews. You even get the lowdown on homebrew competitions you can enter after you've perfected your own unique microbrew.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #359992 in Books
• Published on: 1997-09-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

Amazon.com Review
Marty Nachel immediately dispels two long-held myths in Homebrewing for Dummies: brewing your own beer isn't all that difficult, and despite all that you may have heard or assumed, facial hair is not a prerequisite to being a good homebrewer.

Like all other books in the popular Dummies series, Homebrewing for Dummies is a clear, concise, how-to guide for the do-it-yourselfer. As it turns out, making beer isn't hard to do if you have a stove, some basic equipment, and a little time on your hands. Here's your chance to make your own Hefeweizen or India Pale Ale and avoid another trip to the local microbrewery; Nachel provides the recipes and solid step-by-step instructions. And if making beer isn't enough, the chapter on evaluation will teach even the most pedestrian beer drinker to critically analyze homebrews like a pro.

Nachel is well qualified. The former welder is an award-winning brewer and one of the top beer writers in the country. Homebrewing for Dummies covers the gamut--from simple lagers to Belgian Dubbels--and Nachel shows that you don't need a team of Clydesdales or a Colorado mountain spring to make great beer at home.

From the Back Cover
"An outstanding, surefire guide for homebrewers at every level of expertise."
— Tom Dalldorf, Publisher, Celebrator Beer News

More than 100 foolproof recipes for lagers, ales, and more

The fun and easy way® to become your own brewmeister

If you want beer that truly tastes great, nothing beats homebrewed. And with a stove, some basic equipment, and the simple instructions in this friendly guide, you too can brew with the best. From making friends with malt and hops to bottling, kegging, storing, and pouring,

Praise for Homebrewing For Dummies

"By far the most thorough homebrewing book I have ever seen."
-- Bill Owens, brewmaster and publisher

"Clearly fills a void in the homebrewing how-to arena. Marty Nachel has very effectively communicated his extensive knowledge of the brewing process and his passion for the subject."
-- Tom Sweeney, America’s Brewing Company

Discover how to:

• Set up your home brewery
• Select ingredients and flavorings
• Brew basic beers, specialty beers, even cider
• Bottle or keg your brew
• Evaluate your beer and troubleshoot problems

About the Author
Marty Nachel delivers just what you need to create your own delicious lagers and ales. Marty Nachel is a certified beer judge, the former president of the Chicago Beer Society, an award-winning homebrewer, and the coauthor of Beer For Dummies.

Customer Reviews

What a GREAT book!
I am brand new to the world of homebrewing. Actually I was kind of bored and was looking for a hobby. Having been a bartender in my younger days (I'm 38), I always loved beer. So I figured "Why not make it"? So I browsed the bookshelves and came across a few books. I picked up another book by Chuck Papazian that was supposedly the "Bible" of homebrewing. After leafing thru it I thought it was a waste of time and alot of hype (see my review). Then I found this book. I have always been a fan of the Dummies Series and own about ten Dummies books altogether. This book is continues the tradition of a solid, informative read. It is written in a very light, conversational tone that makes the novice feel like they can make beer that competes with the big boys. It goes into the equipment you need, the ingredients and various gadgets and such that might make your brewing experience a little bit easier and definitely more fun. You don't have to read it in a linear fashion, you can jump around from section to section and then refer back to things that catch your eye. When the novice gets a little more adventurous you may want to try one of the many recipes listed in the center of the book. The bottom line is for the money this is one of the best books that I have ever seen on the subject. And, after participating in a few newsgroup discussions on the topic, (and these guys KNOW their beer), even the newsgroup members recommend this book. THAT says alot.

An Essential Book For every Homebrewer- Beginner to Pro!
When I first walked into my local homebrew store and purchased a starter kit, I grabbed one of Charlie Papazian's books. "Oh no you don't" stated the brew master, "You want the Homebrewing for Dummies book!" While I was at first insulted by his intimation that I am a 'dummy', I soon realized why he recommended that book. Needless to say, due to using this book my first batch of Pale Ale came out alot better than it could have if I had used a more 'advanced' book!
While I now own every Charlie Papazian, Miller, Snyder, etc. book that's on the market, and refer to them frequently, I still utilize this book more than any other. It is set up in a way that you do not need to read it straight through, so you can use it as a ready reference manual. Helpful charts, needed tables and graphs, and tons of step-by-step instructionals help even the most advanced brewer make a better homebrew!

So sit down, relax, have have a homebrew, and read this book!
(Check out our Homebrew Club ONLINE at: www.dskonline.net/b3)

Good, solid beginner to intermediate reference book
This book has been my #1 reference for getting up and running. For the beginner to the intermediate brewer this is a great reference. I noticed one guy panned this book, but if you'll notice, he was the only one. I had no problems with it. But now that I have been up and running for some time now I need a more technical reference for mashing and even partial mashing. That said, you cannot go wrong with this book.