The Complete Joy of Homebrewing Fourth Edition: Fully Revised and Updated

This is a truly classic book and the author really put lots of love and attention to detail in this book. I received this book when I was at home during my lunch break. I was reading random chapters and almost didn't make it back to work on time. This book is huge and so easy read. This is a perfect book for someone interested in home brewing beer. I wish I got it sooner!

I started home brewing 10 years ago. I started off with the 2nd addition. I still like to read up on home brewing and found the new addition worth re-reading. I enjoy his optimistic view/recommendation with having a home brew and not worrying; it is great advice. Instructions are easy to follow and great recipes that make it a great book to have for reference and I find myself using it. Wanted to make and a Marzien (oktoberfest beer) and used the recipe as a starting point. I rarely follow any recipe exactly as I like to incorporate my taste in to the recipe. Charlie Papazian was the first to write an in depth book on homebrewing which makes this book a bible like status in the homebrewing world. There are other books out there now that I have read and are just as good as this one and I recommend reading the other books on homebrewing that have good reviews. There is always something you can learn. But this is a favorite not just because it was the first of it's kind but also because of it's positive 'relax you can do it' attitude and making the explanations simple for understanding.

Not sure where to begin with this piece of literary treasure. If you are just starting it should be a requirement. If you’ve been doing it for awhile and are curious I highly recommend it. There’s actually a warning in the beginning of the book that says “if you plan on lending this book do not expect it to be returned.” Every time I pick it up I learn something new. A definite must for virtually every home brewer. Excellent instruction and hilarious prose. Just always remember; relax, don’t worry, and have a homebrew.

The content is top-notch, humorous, and precise in it's details. He tells you exactly enough to not only brew beer but also understand the fundamental scientific and aesthetic principals behind the brewing process.However, the Kindle version of the book uses scans for the many reference tables that populate the book. They are impossible to read on a standard kindle reader. I would have preferred to have that content presented some way in text form making it easier to read (and searchable as well). There are online links to table data in the book, but accessing them is clunky. I figure if I want to take in those parts I will have to use the kindle reader on my PC to see them. Also, the many titles throughout the text link back to the table of contents. I often found myself trying to turn the page only to accidentally tap a link and jumping around unnecessarily. So 5+ stars for content, 3 stars for E-book presentation, read this book, relax, don't worry, and have a homebrew!

I got this for my boyfriend and he loved it! It’s so much bigger and has so much more information than I thought it would, definitely recommend for home brewers

Awesome book, full of information that is easy to understand and laid out from start to finish. Everything you need to know to learn how to brew.

Informative and takes you through so much information, but feels like a book you read for enjoyment more than a text. And that's not just because it's about beer. It's a great read. A brewer we know calls this the bible of beer making. Hope so, cause I'm going to try different techniques and see if you can succeed after reading a tome like this.

I have had numerous friends tell me I NEED this book, as I have been tossing the idea of home brewing around for some while now. I finally decided to start brewing, and this was the first piece of equipment I purchased. It has nearly EVERYTHING you need to know about brewing beer, and I like how the book is organized. I read the first sections on the basics and intermediate steps involved, and refer to the other sections as I expand my recipes/methods. GREAT BOOK; HOME BREWER MUST-BUY! Relax, and have a home brew!