Have been brewing for about 1.5 years, learning via research here and elsewhere and doing ok so far. The online version of Palmer’s book has been a brew day review staple. But with a couple of 4th editions by respected brewer/authors now out there, I thought I’d spring for an updated guide. Realize each guy has his fans and objectivity might be hard to come by. But I’ll just throw it out there - which do you like better as both a how-to, etc., and why? Or should I just buy both of them? Cheers!
Palmer is probably a lot more up to date. I own the 2nd ed of both. Palmer’s 2nd ed is way ahead of Papazian’s 3rd ed (and 2nd ed obviously).
4th ed. Palmer is the way to go
Palmer’s How to Brew is in its 4th edition. There are enough changes and new information in it to make it worth buying instead of relying on the free online version… which is the 1st edition. There is even some information in the newest edition that contradicts what is in the 1st. Go with the up-to-date stuff.
Palmer for the technical background and rigorous approach.
Papazian for the RDWHAHB laid-back ethos.
RDWHAHB= Relax, don’t worry, have a Homebrew.
There is room for both. Choose your style.
Both. Both are great reads, great references. Different but both great.
Palmer came along a couple decades late for me, but I’ve read it. Papazian was the first seemingly comprehensive and authoritative book I found.* Neither has had a place on my shelf for a long time. Same goes for lots of other books. If my reference shelf is now filled with more technical, professional oriented works and historical texts, that doesn’t mean all the other books weren’t worthwhile (though some are now outmoded.) Everything I’ve read has played some part in my education. Read all you can. Eventually, as you evolve your own priorities and refine your critical faculties (gaining your own expertise,) you will recognize some sources as more useful than others; but you only learn to evaluate information through continued exposure to as much information as possible. Same as in any field. Don’t stop at either Palmer or Papazian.
(So short answer, both.)
*EDIT Seemingly. As I recall Miller and Noonan were the first to really fit this description. Miller really got me going, and Noonan is the only one of the old books I might still occasionally look at.
I’ve read both first and second editions of Palmers book. Great reads and packed with good information. Since then, I have read many other publications and found “Big Book Of Brewing” to be a good reference as well.
I have found, in this crazy hobby, we can never stop learning. Since I have never heard of Papazian, I’m going to have to look into it.
Charlie’s stuff is fun to read, you will enjoy his approach - and his wooden spoon is in the Smithsonian!
It’s funny you mention this. I have seen his book on Amazon. However, the cover looked very cartoon-ish to me so I never gave it any consideration. Well, I bought it yesterday and started reading it last night following recommendations from this post. I guess the old saying: “never judge a book by its cover” really means something! 
Thanks for the great feedback, folks. I’ll buy ‘em both and keep on truckin’.
My go-to book is Mastering Homebrew by Randy Mosher. It’s got a lot of illustrations and charts that present the info clearly and concisely.
Awesome book! For those who are right brained… thinking in artistic terms rather than scientifically… this book with its colorful charts and graphs make things crystal clear.
Randy also wrote the Brewers Companion, the first homebrew book I ever owned. It’s out of print now, but well worth it if you can find a copy.
Papazian’s book is a great read for a new brewer to get over the trepidation of brewing for the first time. It’s also good at making the case that you should enjoy brewing and not agonize over what you don’t know or over your mistakes. That said, if you’ve been brewing for a year and a half it might not have a lot of new information for you and you’ve probably overcome whatever fear you might have had as a brewer your first few batches.
Palmer’s book is a lot more technical and a good read for new to intermediate brewers.