If you have passed the first few levels of home brewing and feel like you have a grasp on the concepts of boiling water, hops and sticky malt and are looking for that next brew challange, this could be the book for you. The Home Brewers Companion is a deep look at the science of making beer that will put even the biggest beer enthusiest in their place. Papazian takes a very lengthy and complicated approach to explaining every in and out of the intricate science and philosophy of creating such complex concocusions. The book is jam packed full of charts, pictures and diagrams that fully illustrate every minor nuiance from the chemical makeup of yeast to protein and starch conversion rests. While over most readers heads the Home Brewer's Companion is a one of the richest resources to be tapped for the advanced brewer and if taken in mild doses will provide a much greater understanding of the brewing process.

If you are a first time home brewer, just itching to sink your teeth in the basics of making a batch of your own bubbling brew, we suggest starting with Beer For Dummies which has an excellent chapter on first time brewing and follow that up with Brewing for Dummies as the next step. Once you have wet your appitite with those two, move onto the Papazian's book. Also remember to check out The Brewers Journal for a first hand look at the begining brewing process.