The Brewmaster's Bible

December 9, 2008
While all home-brewing authors seem to encourage tinkering, Snyder is especially keen on experimentation (not to mention stinkingly high blood-alcohol content), writing that "few brewers can resist the joy in putting their own unique stamp on an existing formulation or in developing their own completely new recipe." His book is organized like a reference guide that breaks out the components and steps of the beer-making process. Recipes are categorized by varieties of ale, lager, and special beers. The text is clear, though often filled with potentially complex jargon (e.g., saccharification rest, the benefits of beta-amylase). Any decent beer-making guide will have reference sections, but few are as robust as Snyder's. See his weights and measures; relevant zymurgy formulas; directories of associations; magazine, newspaper, and newsletter recommendations; glossary; and bibliography. Better for more advanced brewers.-Douglas C. Lord, Connecticut State Lib., Middletown

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