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14 July 2010
The New Complete Joy of Home Brewing-- Absolute Gold!
While an old, The New Complete Joy of Home Brewing is definitely gold! Many have said that Charlie's literary humor makes for an easy read, but I didn't find this so. The ease yes; the humor no. While there are a few humorous elements in the book, it's better described as relaxed, or light-hearted.
The progression of the book, from beginner to expert, is very well done. Though I felt the beginner's portion was a bit TOO elementary, I'm quite biased (I'm a chef, so many kitchen processes are second nature). Still, as the author points out, most homebrewers never graduate beyond the beginning, for it is easy, simple, and very rewarding as is.
In arguing why one should move on to the more advanced levels, he makes many good points, but it's unclear whether the arguments are good enough to move the truly content. Another point of contention is the extreme repetition of his motto, "Relax. Don't worry. Have a homebrew." While a very minor point, it did manage to irk me a tiny bit.
Now, though the flaws may be present, they hardly detract from the work as a whole. A minor irritation or two at the very most; some may not even find it bothersome, but instead reassuring. After all, the book was written for those with little-to-no experience in the field.
As far as instruction goes, the level of explanation/possible reader comprehension varies tremendously from beginner, to medium, to advanced. If one were to read the book cover to cover without ever brewing up a batch, why, one may find oneself completely lost over the course of a single page! However, the book was written that way on purpose, or so it seems. While purely reading may confuse, if you brew a batch or five of the requisite level, and then proceed to the next, much more will make sense.
When used in this light, the book is a key item in the arsenal of any brewer, experienced or green. Overall an excellent book, and a definite must-have for any who wish to venture into the world of home brewing!