The Complete Handbook of Home Brewing

As Millerwho has practiced home brewing for more than a decadenotes, ``With patience, determination, and solid information, anyone can make a great variety of excellent beers at home.'' His guide discusses how to begin brewing, and what equipment is required; brewing ingredients; and the brewing process, emphasizing bacteria control to avoid ``haze'' in the bottle. Recipes in brewmaster's shorthand for a variety of lagers, bocks and ales are also provided, but would be cumbersome for the inexperienced to follow, since the master recipe appears in an earlier chapter. If all of this sounds complicated, it is. But, as the author assures us, his goal is ``to give a full picture.'' Never forgetting the reader's likely frustration, at times, with such a technical process, Miller offers a helpful glossary and bibliography and frequent encouragement: ``Remember that brewing is one of mankind's oldest crafts. If the Sumerians could manage it, you can too.'' Illustrations not seen by PW. Better Homes and Gardens Cook Book Club alternate. (Nov.)