The Homebrewer’s Garden – By Joe Fisher and Dennis Fisher

The Homebrewer’s Garden – Joe Fisher and Dennis Fisher
How to easily grow, prepare, and use your own Hops, Malts and Brewing Herbs

If you have ever considered growing hops, barely, or herbs this is a wealth of information. The book also contains 29 recipes that call for some of these exotic and historical ingredients. Very useful if you want to brew beer without hops or brew in styles from centuries ago.

I feel confident setting up my hop yard based on the information contained here. Contains details on everything about growing hops, from planting, stringing, watering, feeding, eliminating pests, and treating disease, to harvesting and drying. Each hops plant can yield over a pound of dried hops after the second year, and at current hops prices this is well worth looking into if you have a sunny unused area.

In terms of growing your own grains, you will need a lot of space and time. According to the book, a 20’x40′ plot can yield up to 47 pounds of grain, which is only about five all grain batches. This book also covers how to malt, which is a detailed and time intensive process.

Topics unique to this book.

• Profile of 40+ herbs used in historical brewing processes: (Alecost, Anise Hyssop, Basil, Bee Balm, Betony, Birch, Blackberry, Blessed Thistle, Borage, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Coriander, Dandelion, Elder, Elecampane, Gentian, Ginger, Ginseng, Greek Oregano, Heather, Horehound, Hyssop, Juniper, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Licorice, Milk Thistle, Mint, Nasturtium, Nettles, Raspberry, Rhubarb, Rose Hips, Rosemary, Sage, Savory, Spruce, Sweet Woodruff, Thyme, Valerian, Wintergreen, Yarrow)
• 29 Recipes containing specialty herbs, including: (Dandelion bitter, Quinoa Bitter, Chica De Jora, Chili Beer, Rhubarb Ale, Gingered Ale, Gotlandsdrika, Pumpkin Ale, Oregano Pale, Sorghum Ale)
• Growing and malting your own grain