Brewing Better Beer: Master Lessons for Advanced Homebrewers

by Gordon Strong

One of the most successful and respected homebrewers in America and highest ranking judges in the BJCP, there are few candidates better placed than Gordon Strong to give advice on how to take your homebrew to the next level. In Brewing Better Beer, the author sets out his own philosophy and strategy for brewing, examining the tools and techniques available in an even-handed manner. The result is a well-balanced mix of technical, practical, and creative advice aimed at experienced homebrewers who want to advance to the next level. The book is also a story of personal development and repeatedly mastering new systems and processes. Strong emphasizes that brewing is a creative endeavor underpinned by a firm grasp on technical essentials, but stresses that there are many ways to brew good beer. After mastering techniques, equipment, ingredients, recipe formulation, and the ability to evaluate their own beers, the advanced homebrewer will know how to think smart and work less, adjust only what is necessary, and brew with economy of effort. The author also pays special attention to brewing for competitions and other special occasions, distilling his own experiences of failure and (frequent) triumphs into a concise, pragmatic, and relaxed account of how judging works and how to increase your chances of success. The author's insights are laid out in a clear, engaging manner, deftly weaving discussions of technical matters with his own guiding principles to brewing. Learn to identify process control points in mashing, lautering, sparging, boiling, chilling, fermenting, conditioning, clarifying, and packaging. What are the best ways to control mash pH, which mash regimen suits your process, how can you effectively control your process through judicious equipment selection? Other tips on optimizing your brewing include ingredient and yeast selection, envisioning a recipe and bringing it to fruition, planning your brewing calendar, and identifying the critical path to ensure a successful brew day. There is also a detailed discussion of troubleshooting to address technical and stylistic problems advanced homebrewers often face. Through it all, Strong highlights you are the ultimate arbiter, giving advice on how to judge your own beers and understanding how balance takes many forms depending on style.

Genres: Brewing, Beer, Nonfiction, Reference

336 pages, Paperback

First published May 16, 2011

About the author

Gordon Strong is three-time winner of the National Homebrew Competition Ninkasi Award.

Reviews

[Clifford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. I can understand some of the criticism of the book, in that it is not prescriptive (i.e. this is how you should do this) but rather describes a philosophy of brewing and the individual journey one takes to improve their brewing. Not for everyone, but it resonated with me.

[DD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very technical. Author really knows his craft.

[Jeremy Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good but there is a glaring mistake about the correct way to measure mash pH

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Borderline 5-stars; definitely not for beginners but something I would recommend to anyone who is mashing (partial, mini-mash, BIAB, or full-on all-grain) and possibly to extract brewers who are doing some "otherwise sophisticated" techniques. Strong packs in so much wisdom here that it's almost hard to believe one man could know so much about brewing!

While reading this, I wound up taking about 23 pages of notes -- highlighting the key lessons, creating follow-up research tasks, or else re-framing some of the content so that it would be easier for me to visualize and digest it.

Why the single star off? First, I wish there had been at least a little bit in here about extract or partial mash brewing. At present this is my primary brewing process, so there are a number of places in the text where I need to extrapolate. To be fair to Strong though, he addresses this point early on (in the introduction) by stating that he hasn't brewed using these techniques in many years and, given the anecdotal/conversational style, it would be disingenuous of him to write about something he simply doesn't do. (Gotta respect that!)

The second place where "points off" happened for me was with certain bits of content and how they were presented. To be specific, there were places where I thought an illustration, a figure, or a table would have been a great way to show the material he was discussing -- this as opposed to the bullet points that naturally come out of the conversational style that Strong uses throughout the book. This is a fair trade-off though -- Strong's conversational style works so well throughout the rest of the book that anyone who needs to see it about her way (like me!) can just sketch it out themselves. Good deal if you ask me.

These little nit-picks aside, I loved this book and believe I'll be referring back to it many times over the next couple years as I try to step up my brewing game.

[Paul Klammer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the analogies to cooking and thinking about process when designing recipes and making beers. A great confidence builder that is not focused on one best way to make your beer.

[Geoff Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative volume that blends art with science, covering approach and mind-set as much as technique and mechanics. Some of this is over my head or not entirely relevant to the way I currently do things, but even just being made aware of considerations and issues can be useful.

Several insights especially resonated with me: understanding and working with one's own system, drawing inspiration from other disciplines, understanding and pushing the boundaries of beer styles where desired, formulating recipes, and troubleshooting.

Although I've been brewing for less than two years, the author's emphasis on mastering process validates my own experience thus far. Recipes are great, but execution is everything, and it's difficult to execute well if you don't have an excellent feel for how your own system works.

I also appreciate his discussion of drawing inspiration from other disciplines, particularly ones that might be familiar to the individual. My own various life experiences (writing, playing sports and music, managing projects, etc.) play a role in the way I brew. I can take what I've learned in terms of process from engaging in those activities and apply at least some of it to making beer.

As far as styles are concerned, I was surprised to read of the author's willingness to push or even obliterate boundaries. He helped write the BJCP guidelines, and although he recognizes their importance in a certain context (i.e., judging beers for competition), he also acknowledges their limitations and the importance of brewing something delicious vs. brewing something that meets specific technical requirements.

The sections on formulating recipes and troubleshooting are also useful. The former again primarily discusses approach, leaving more formal discussion for other well-known volumes that he references. This might frustrate some readers, because the author never really tells you what to do. However, I don't believe that is the point of the book, which serves more as a collection of options and informed opinions given by someone who seriously knows his stuff.

As I said earlier, some of what he talks about in here I'll probably never attempt myself. But just knowing that I could if I wanted to (and being advised of why I might want to) is good enough in many cases.

It's more of a guidebook than instruction manual. Possibilities are presented, but nothing is dictated or set in stone. Emphasis is on knowing one's self, which I think is good not just in brewing beer but in life as well.

[Oliver Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Strong is clearly knowledgeable when it comes to brewing, but visible attitude throughout the text of how he expects other brewers to adopt his own practices (which he doesn't cite; this shouldn't be your only book for learning to brew) makes the text a little harder to drink in. This isn't marketed as a text for beginners, but his nonchalant mannerism of "I've never tried this technique", "I wouldn't do this, re-read Chapter 3 for why" can be a little abrasive.

[Ramon van Dam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one resonated quite a lot with me. As the title suggests, this is not a book for people who are new to brewing. You should have some experience and if you do, I think it offers quite a lot of great tips and tricks.

I would have liked a bit more recipes, but overall the clear structure and practical advice make this really interesting. Definitely got a lot out of it that I will be applying going forward.

[Hershel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for those doing all grain brewing and wanting to have ideas about what to improve. There are lots of small insights that add up. This is great because it’s not a book geared as being an instruction manual. It’s more of a “have you thought about or tried doing this? This is great as everyone has different systems and philosophies about making homebrew.

[Michael Harbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MUST read for every serious homebrewer

[Rouchswalwe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good pointers in this one. The writing was clear and informative. The sections on yeast and fermentation were especially helpful.

[Peter Litster · Rating 5 out of 5]

very helpful information.

[Clay · Rating 4 out of 5]

After brewing for ~5-6 years, I was looking for something to re-vitalize the passion for it.
I felt like, Strong did this successfully. I enjoy the conversational and non-dogmatic tone that Gordon wrote this in. Plenty of tips and philosophies on how to tighten the nuts and bolts and approach brewing more holistically.

[Gingerwolverine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book exceptionally useful once we'd made the (early) switch to brewing all grain. It fills some of gaps that Palmer and Papapazian leave with their introductory tomes. Worth getting once you've made the switch to help improve your skills as a brewer.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent read. It's like a conversation with one of the best homebrewers alive. It's not a book that gets bogged down in process, it's about the spirit of how Strong brews. It's advice and considerations on how to brew a more fundamentally sound beer.

[Tim Crabtree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does what it says on the tin. Particularly useful in thinking about one's particular system and how to improve upon what is working for you, rather than making the brewer follow a specific way of doing things.

[Matt Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is hard to give any brewing book a 5 star rating these days since there is so much good information out there on the web for free. This is a good addition despite this wealth of information available elsewhere.

[Michael Florez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brewing up a notch.

[Keith Roberson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best homebrew beer book on the market.

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

Techie Geek brewing stuff. Great reference when you feel like exploring.

[Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gordon Strong is amazing. Great insights, strategy and common sense approach to quality brewing

[Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

really great ideas here, conversational writing style is easy to understand and follow. been brewing for awhile, but still have much to learn. can't wait to put this book into practice

[Chris Haney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of information to digest immediately. Already tried my first yeast starter!

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and intend to make much use of it. Best, clearest, medium-to-advanced homebrewing book I have come across.

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