A Beginning Brewer's Resource ListA Beginning Brewer's Resource List

To get started with home brewing, try a beer kit. Its easy, hands-on learning process will teach you most of what you need to know. Books are a good guide, but one's probably enough.

Any of the following will get you going, though we have a special fondness for Charlie Papazian's book because that's what we started with.

While you're picking up reading material, also check out the Brew Your Own magazine.

There are plenty of sites devoted to home brewing and related resources, from a database of suppliers by geography to E-commerce outfits to advice from experts. (E-commerce is good to home brewers with limited local home-brew stores; personally, we've had good experiences with the organic Seven Bridges Co-op.)

Among our favorite beer sites is the American Homebrewers Association, which can lead you to the Great American Beer Festival, a recipe database, and several books in addition to special guidance for beginners. Beginners also will appreciate the photos at HopTech Homebrewing Supplies, though the site's a little awkward to navigate.

Real Beer bills itself as The Beer Portal, and isn't limited to home brewing; it would still be useful if all you wanted was to find a nearby brewpub. At the Ultimate Internet Beer Guide, you'll find an "AllBrew Mobile Guide to Beer" (downloadable to your Palm pilot), discussion forums, and a hops database.

Want advice about home brewing? Let's virtually hoist a few in the Water Cooler.