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You are here: Home --> Forum Home --> Brewing Forum --> Brewing Discussion --> Book Review: Mastering Homebrew, Randy Mosher

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mchrispen
Bastrop, TX
485 Posts


There are more than a few homebrewing heroes around, but few I respect more than Randy Mosher. Several years ago I picked up Radical Brewing and consumed it quickly. Mastering Homebrew is no exception. This is precisely what I would expect from one of the great masters (knowledge and judging skills).

The book is incredibly organized and systematic, without going into Master's or Ph'd dissertation territory (Sorry Water; Hops, Malt, Yeast), remains entertaining and will most likely become my go-to reference for many things. The illustrations and graphs are excellent - and can serve for many of the longer discussions. That said - don't skip through the reading.

I have learned and confirmed a few things reading through this book... some subtle. Randy's super-taster status shows in descriptions of all things spices, hops and malt - useful when you are considering a new specialty malt or an exotic spice for that special beer. Where Radical Brewing considered all thing culinary - this picks up with sound fundamentals without dictating heavy process or ridiculous recommendations.

I highly recommend this book, and it will become my newby homebrewer gift. Hope to meet him at NHC!

www.amazon.com/Mastering-Homebrew-Com...




Posted 34 days ago.

tracebusta
Charter Member
Somerville, MA
155 Posts


Sounds great, this book is on my list for sure. I'm reading Brewing Better Beer by Gordon Strong right now, how would you compare the two (assuming you've read both)?



Posted 34 days ago.

uberg33k
Charter Member
The Internet
314 Posts


So, if I didn't really respect Radical Brewing and I've mostly thought Randy Mosher has been full of fluff and no substance when I've heard him speak, I probably won't really get much out of this either, correct?



Posted 34 days ago.

homebrewdad
Charter Member
Birmingham, AL
2480 Posts


Interesting.  I'm not sure how I feel about Radical Brewing, but I'm always up for a good read.



Posted 34 days ago.

uberg33k
Charter Member
The Internet
314 Posts


@homebrewdad - have you ever read Radical Brewing?  People seem to love it or hate it.  There aren't many in between.



Posted 34 days ago.

mchrispen
Bastrop, TX
485 Posts


@uberg33k - I kind of understand what you are saying... I thought most of Radical Brewing was just odd - and the recipes not something that I would brew. Still well documented and illustrated and entertaining. This ain't that at all... very practical advice, process oriented without being rigid. The organization and the illustrations are really nice.

@tracebusta - I feel about Gordon Strong like uberg33k feels about Randy... I got very little out of Brewing Better Beer, but I do reference it from time to time. GS and I have gotten into some battles about BJCP and the structure - but is a different post. Maybe if I meet him I might feel different.

I guess between all of the so-called How To Brew books, I still prefer the Noonan book -> New Lager Brewing, although some of the book is a bit dated. I would be curious how he would revise for a new edition.






Posted 34 days ago.

uberg33k
Charter Member
The Internet
314 Posts


If it's less like Radical Brewing and more practical, I might give it a shot.



Posted 34 days ago.

homebrewdad
Charter Member
Birmingham, AL
2480 Posts


I felt like radical brewing was mostly about stuff I don't really care about.  That said, Mosher seems like a really smart guy. Hence why I'm not totally sure how I feel about the book. 





Posted 34 days ago.

Oginme
New Ipswich, NH
18 Posts


I just finished Randy's book (thanks to 15 hr plane flights) and agree with homebrewdad on his analysis.  It places itself nicely in the category of 'How to Brew' without being so technically detailed and 'Joy of Homebrewing'.  Personally, I like Randy's writing style, it is easy to read and very practical in this instance, even guiding readers around to book to start their brewing early if they so desire.  Most of the others start you brewing and then try to catch up with the details.  Randy offers an alternative to those who want to read all about it first and then jump in.

I think he covered the dreaded maths sections very well, giving some graphical alternatives without having to delve into actual maths. 

I can definitely recommend this book to several people I know who are interested but would be turned off by the 'sciencey' approach some of the other books take.

As far as Radical Brewing:  I have read it and consider it a classic as well.  It is not for everyone though.  You need to be somewhere in the artist category to appreciate his 'expand your thinking' guidance.  Being someone who balances art and science, I can appreciate his attempt at expanding people's view of brewing and formulating. 




Posted 34 days ago.

uberg33k
Charter Member
The Internet
314 Posts


> You need to be somewhere in the artist category to appreciate his 'expand your thinking' guidance.

See, I thought it was quite the opposite.  I took it as more a book for people who have little to no creative spirit and need help developing that.  If you're already creative and inquisitive, this book is boring as hell.

I might just have to re-skim it now to confirm I'm remembering it correctly.




Posted 34 days ago.

mchrispen
Bastrop, TX
485 Posts


I go back to Radical Brewing to remind me occasionally not to put something into my beer. Sounds funny I know.

There is some good advice in there - and I think that just knowing someone has gone before you and put, say kitty litter in their beer and nobody died, might be that bit of encouragement. I kind of feel the same way about some of Drew Beechum's recipes - where the spices just don't make any sense to me. That said - I do like to wander the aisles of Whole Foods or our HEB Central Market and hit the spices or fruit sections and see if there is anything that screams to be made into beer. Honestly, I have the same basic reaction to PB&J Stouts or porters that seem all the rage these days.

I just got some dried fruit tea blends, as an example, that I intend to try in split batches of my house saison recipe, as well as some pinot skins for a sour or a pyment.




Posted 34 days ago.

homebrewdad
Charter Member
Birmingham, AL
2480 Posts


I have yet to try a peanut butter beer (let alone a PB&J) that isn't disgusting.

I tried three different varieties at brewfest, and ALL of them tasted like burned peanut powder to me.  Others were raving, so it could very well just be me.





Posted 34 days ago.

chino_brews
Charter Member
Eden Prairie, MN
301 Posts


I love Radical Brewing because of the brewing history in there, as well as that there are about 270 new ideas in there, as well as buried process and technique. It's amazing how I'll see someone come up with some idea, and then read Radical Brewing and realize Mosher already covered it in detail.

So I'll add Mastering Homebrew to the list.




Posted 34 days ago.

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