A book required, a guide to styles

[Patterd Ale]

Evening comrades, I require a guidebook to different beer styles of the world. A publication which gives specific guidelines as to what malts make up each beer, IBU's, ABV's, Yeasts, Hops, characteristics etc. Many of you talk of interesting styles saisons, bocks etc and I must confess almost complete ignorance. But I want to brew them and so must know. Please recommend a book to educate me!
Many thanks, PA

[Capn Ahab]

Brewing Classic Styles by Jamil Zainasheff

BJCP Style Guidelines off BJCP website

Drinking loads of different beers

[Patterd Ale]

That book may be just the thing thanks.
Has anyone got "Designing great beers"? Looks good, is it?

[Eadweard]

Oh yes, I think Designing Great Beers is the book you're after.

[Aleman]

In order
Brewing Classic Styles,
Designing Great Beers
BJCP Style Guidelines

Although I'm not to sure of the order of 2 and 3, perhaps it should be swapped around. BCS really expands and explains the thinking behind the BJCP, and does a great job, plus Jamil has actual experience of many ofthe beer styles as brewed in the countries of origin . . . always useful.

Designing great beers is a useful book, and was my go to book for 'odd' styles for many years (I now use BCS much more) It does a lot of explanation about ingredients and what they bring to beers in general, before going on to the beer styles and then an analysis of the winners of the BJCP round 1 NHC entries for a couple of years showing what people actually put in the beer (Which is now getting out of date). This allows you to make a sort of informed decision about formulating a recipe for style . . . although I suspect that many US Brewers just used the Percentage ratios of ingredient used to formulate a recipe . . . which is why you have a lot of US recipes with a dozen or more malts and hops when two or three would have done.

[Askari Joe]

I'm glad I found this post. I've just ordered Zainasheff's BCS and was hoping it was going to be ok.

Thanks.

[Underthethumb]

That book may be just the thing thanks.
Has anyone got "Designing great beers"? Looks good, is it?

I have this one and I think it's excellent

[Patterd Ale]

Late last night, a few brews and Amazon made it all too easy. Didn't even need to remember bank details. I think the best of David Bowie fell in the basket too. O well, cheers guys.

[6470zzy]

That book may be just the thing thanks.
Has anyone got "Designing great beers"? Looks good, is it?

This is certainly a book that fits the bill. A good one to be sure.

Cheers

[alikocho]

Add Randy Mosher's Tasting Beer to the list.