So I renewed my AHA membership & got my book code.
But I’m having a little decision paralysis: which book should I use the code on?
I have a lot of the usual suspects already (Palmer 4th Ed., Denny & Drew, the four ingredient books …).
Help. 
So the book comes free with renewal? Is this something new? I don’t ever remember getting offered a book for re-upping but then again, I’m on automatic renewal. Maybe I should uncheck that box in my account and see if they offer me a book or a pack of hops or something. ;D
Anyway, what are the book choices?
I had to email customer service because you’re supposed to get an email with the discount code when your membership autorenews, but I never got it. Same thing happened last year with the free hops.
The code works in the Brewer’s Publications store.
Interesting. Never heard of this “discount code” for renewing. ???
My membership is up in August so I’ll keep an eye out for it.
That’s a lot of books to choose from…no wonder you are having a hard time deciding. I wish I can help you there, but I’ve only ever read a few of those and I’m sure you have read them as well (Palmer, Designing Great Beers).
I would probably base my decision on the author first and my interest in the subject second.
Cheers!
If you don’t feel like you need a standard “how to” book I can recommend Buhner’s “Sacred and Healing Beers”. It’s just a good read if you are interested in plants generally, and medicinals specifically. It’s sort of a mix of natural history, brewing and brewing history, and medicine. Lots of historical recipes as well as more modern ones. But really I like it for information about medicinal plants and their history alongside humans.
I have most of those books. I recommend staying away from the single style books, because they become dated with time. I still reference Noonan, Brewing Lager Beer and Stan Heronimous Brew Like a Monk more than the others.
If you want something to put you to sleep at night, get Water.
Second on water.
Beyond “the usual suspects”, consider focusing on specific authors (where ever they publish or talk).
Based on the books available, consider:
- Mosher: (Radical Brewing + Mastering Homebrew + HomeBrew Con presentations + CB&B articles)
- Strong (Brewing Better Beer + Modern Home Brew Recipes + HomeBrew Con presentations + BYO articles)
I have all four books. After reading them, I continue to reference them at various times for various reasons.
For those who prefer to read, there are other expert brewers worthy of following (Weikert, Colby, Janish, …) as well.
For those who prefer videos, I’ll defer to others who can point out ‘the experts of video presentations’.
Also, /u/chino_brews over in /r/homebrewing has offered (IMO) solid advice on home brewing books for almost a decade.
Chino is definitely well and roundly read - I don’t just say this because he continues to offer up my Everything Homebrewing Book as a dark horse recommendation. 
I should email them. I thought I just always got screwed from the offers for auto renewing… I could use a new book lol
Unfortunately, it’s too late for me to avoid that one. I already have it.
That one’s not Brewer’s Publications, but I’ve added it to my brewing books wishlist.
I created a value function based on the difference between the book price and the credit (why spend a $25 credit on a $10 book?), whether I own the book or not (0=don’t own it; 0.5=own the ebook; 1=own the hardcopy), and my degree of interest in the book (0.00-1.00).
According to the model, I should pick Stan Hieronymus’ Brewing Local: American-Grown Beer.
| BOOK | PRICE | % PRICE DELTA | OWN IT? | % INTEREST | VALUE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brewing Local: American-Grown Beer | $19.95 | 0.80 | 0 | 1 | 0.800 |
| Wood & Beer: A Brewer’s Guide | $19.95 | 0.80 | 0 | 0.9 | 0.720 |
| Wild Brews: Beer Beyond the Influence of Brewer’s Yeast | $17.95 | 0.72 | 0 | 1 | 0.719 |
| Brewing with Wheat: The Wit and Weizen of Wheat Beer Styles | $17.95 | 0.72 | 0 | 1 | 0.719 |
| Gose: Brewing a Classic German Beer for the Modern Era | $19.95 | 0.80 | 0 | 0.85 | 0.680 |
| Beer in America: The Early Years — 1587-1840 | $16.95 | 0.68 | 0 | 1 | 0.679 |
| The Fermentation Kitchen: Recipes for the Craft Beer Lover’s Pantry | $19.95 | 0.80 | 0 | 0.8 | 0.640 |
| Modern Homebrew Recipes: Exploring Styles and Contemporary Techniques | $19.95 | 0.80 | 0 | 0.75 | 0.600 |
| Sacred and Herbal Healing Beers: The Secrets of Ancient Fermentation | $19.95 | 0.80 | 0 | 0.75 | 0.600 |
| For The Love of Hops: The Practical Guide to Aroma Bitterness and the Culture of Hops | $19.95 | 0.80 | 0 | 0.75 | 0.600 |
| Designing Great Beers: The Ultimate Guide to Brewing Classic Beer Styles | $24.95 | 1.00 | 0.5 | 1 | 0.500 |
| American Sour Beers: Innovative Techniques for Mixed Fermentations | $19.95 | 0.80 | 0.5 | 1 | 0.400 |
| New Brewing Lager Beer: The Most Comprehensive Book for Home and Microbrewers | $19.95 | 0.80 | 0 | 0.5 | 0.400 |
| “Radical Brewing: Recipes Tales and World-Altering Meditations in a Glass” | $19.95 | 0.80 | 0 | 0.5 | 0.400 |
| Brewing Better Beer: Master Lessons for Advanced Homebrewers | $17.95 | 0.72 | 0 | 0.5 | 0.360 |
| Farmhouse Ales: Culture and Craftsmanship in the Belgian Tradition | $17.95 | 0.72 | 0.5 | 1 | 0.360 |
| “Smoked Beers: History Brewing Techniques Recipes” | $14.95 | 0.60 | 0 | 0.5 | 0.300 |
| The Guide to Craft Beer | $12.95 | 0.52 | 0 | 0.5 | 0.260 |
| “IPA: Brewing Techniques Recipes and the Evolution of India Pale Ale” | $24.95 | 1.00 | 0 | 0.25 | 0.250 |
| The Best of American Beer and Food: Pairing & Cooking with Craft Beer | $22.95 | 0.92 | 0 | 0.25 | 0.230 |
| Brewing Eclectic IPA: Pushing the Boundaries of India Pale Ale | $19.95 | 0.80 | 0 | 0.25 | 0.200 |
| “Gluten-Free Brewing: Techniques Processes and Ingredients for Crafting Flavorful Beer” | $19.95 | 0.80 | 0 | 0.25 | 0.200 |
| Independence Days: Still Just Boys and Other Stories | $18.95 | 0.76 | 0 | 0.25 | 0.190 |
| Dictionary of Beer & Brewing | $15.95 | 0.64 | 0 | 0.25 | 0.160 |
| “Altbier: History Brewing Techniques Recipes” | $14.95 | 0.60 | 0 | 0.25 | 0.150 |
| “Brown Ale: History Brewing Techniques Recipes” | $14.95 | 0.60 | 0 | 0.25 | 0.150 |
| “Kölsch: History Brewing Techniques Recipes” | $14.95 | 0.60 | 0 | 0.25 | 0.150 |
| Prost!: Story of German Brewing | $14.95 | 0.60 | 0 | 0.25 | 0.150 |
| “Barley Wine: History Brewing Techniques Recipes” | $14.95 | 0.60 | 0 | 0.25 | 0.150 |
| Belgian Ale | $11.95 | 0.48 | 0 | 0.25 | 0.120 |
| Bock | $11.95 | 0.48 | 0 | 0.25 | 0.120 |
| German Wheat Beer | $11.95 | 0.48 | 0 | 0.25 | 0.120 |
| “Oktoberfest Vienna Marzen” | $11.95 | 0.48 | 0 | 0.25 | 0.120 |
| Scotch Ale | $11.95 | 0.48 | 0 | 0.25 | 0.120 |
| Victory Beer Recipes | $11.95 | 0.48 | 0 | 0.25 | 0.120 |
| Porter | $11.95 | 0.48 | 0 | 0.25 | 0.120 |
| Stout | $11.95 | 0.48 | 0 | 0.25 | 0.120 |
| Lambic | $10.90 | 0.44 | 0 | 0.25 | 0.109 |
| American Craft Beer and Food Guide | $0.60 | 0.02 | 0 | 0.25 | 0.006 |
| Historical Brewing Techniques: The Lost Art of Farmhouse Brewing | $24.95 | 1.00 | 1 | 1 | 0.000 |
| How To Brew: Everything You Need to Know to Brew Great Beer Every Time | $24.95 | 1.00 | 1 | 1 | 0.000 |
| Malt: A Practical Guide from Field to Brewhouse | $19.95 | 0.80 | 1 | 1 | 0.000 |
| “Simple Homebrewing: Great Beer Less Work More Fun” | $19.95 | 0.80 | 1 | 1 | 0.000 |
| Hooray for Craft Beer! An Illustrated Guide to Beer | $19.95 | 0.80 | 1 | 1 | 0.000 |
| Brewing Classic Styles: 80 Winning Recipes Anyone Can Brew | $19.95 | 0.80 | 1 | 1 | 0.000 |
| The Compleat Meadmaker: Home Production of Honey Wine From Your First Batch to Award-winning… | $19.95 | 0.80 | 1 | 1 | 0.000 |
| Water: A Comprehensive Guide for Brewers | $19.95 | 0.80 | 1 | 1 | 0.000 |
| Yeast: The Practical Guide to Beer Fermentation | $19.95 | 0.80 | 1 | 1 | 0.000 |
| Session Beers: Brewing for Flavor and Balance | $19.95 | 0.80 | 1 | 1 | 0.000 |
| How to Make Hard Seltzer: Refreshing Recipes for Sparkling Libations | $19.95 | 0.80 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
| Brewing with Cannabis: Using THC and CBD in Beer | $19.95 | 0.80 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
| Brewing with Hemp: The Essential Guide | $19.95 | 0.80 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
| Stephen Beaumonts Brewpub Cookbook: 100 Great Recipes from 30 Great North American Brewpubs | $18.95 | 0.76 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
| “Brew Like A Monk: Trappist Abbey and Strong Belgian Ales and How to Brew Them” | $17.95 | 0.72 | 1 | 1 | 0.000 |
| “Bavarian Helles: History Brewing Techniques Recipes” | $14.95 | 0.60 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
| Beer for Pete’s Sake: The Wicked Adventures of a Brewing Maverick | $14.95 | 0.60 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
| “Pale Ale Revised: History Brewing Techniques Recipes” | $14.95 | 0.60 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
| “Mild Ale: History Brewing Techniques Recipes” | $14.95 | 0.60 | 1 | 0.5 | 0.000 |
| Continental Pilsener | $11.95 | 0.48 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
This is just beautiful. How can anyone argue with this model? My compliments.
Now I’m in the same boat and have it down to these 3 (that somehow have avoided me):
Radical Brewing - Mosher, 2004
Brew Like a Monk - Hieronymous, 2005
Modern Homebrew Recipes - Strong, 2015
I’m a bit concerned that the first two are starting to get a bit dated, though admittedly, having never read them, how would I know? Even Strong’s book is not that “Modern” anymore I suppose.
Thoughts on which of the above will be the most valuable go-to for years to come?
BLAM is timeless. If you like making beer with unusual ingredients, Radical will serve you well. If not, not so much. Gordon’s book is good if you subscribe to his method of brewing.
Never heard anyone call it BLAM but I like it [emoji1787]
Also, I agree with Denny. You’ll make some great beers brewing like Gordon Strong but it’s what works for you and your set up. I definitely stole things from him and I think it improved my beers but I don’t follow everything exactly how he does it.
I reference BLAM more than the other two.
Same here. Radical isn’t my thing. Tried a bunch of Gordon’s recipes, but his tastes are different than mine.
It’s my least favorite of his books in an otherwise very strong catalog. It falls victim to the same problem pretty much all of the BP books started falling into around that time where they tried to make the book a jack of all trades and a master of none. The first half of the book has little relation to one another. The encyclopedia of ingredients is good and covers many not covered by other homebrewing books about foraged or homegrown ingredients. The recipes in the back are good. IMO if you brew with garden or foraged ingredients, it’s another one to add to the small pile of books on the subject. Otherwise, maybe one to pass.
A great book on the same subject is The Homebrewer’s Almanac by the people at Scratch which includes a bunch of their actual ingredients.
Thanks gentlemen. Ordered.
Ack. That’s disappointing to hear. I already have The Homebrewer’s Garden. Do you think BL:A-GB’d be redundant?