There comes a time in every real ale drinker's life when they think 'I should have a go at that'. Most, if they're sensible, reach for another bottle of something and just think about. Some will do some research and buy a couple of books and maybe look at the equipment required, and some will go for it with all guns blazing. As a forty something happily married man I'm much less gung-ho than I used to be so I'm taking the middle route.

So the books: How to Brew: Everything You Need to Know to Brew Beer Right for the First Time

by John J Palmer, which  should be an essential read for the small brewer starting out. It starts with a walk through your first brew using malt extract and then goes into the detail of the chemistry and physics of making beer. It's very readable, albeit as much as an engineering text as a recipe book: it has its origins on the Internet and indeed the first edition is freely available online.

The second book is Brew Your Own British Real Ale (Camra) by Graham Wheeler. It starts with a straightforward guide to brewing and then gives the recipes for over a hundred British ales of several styles. It's interesting reading for the backgrounds to common ale types and gives an insight into how ales that you might have tasted are made, which should serve as a starting point for making your own. That's how I see it anyway.

Next? Well, we're finishing painting the kitchen at the moment, but soon it will be time to buy some buckets, bottles, extract and hops and have a go.