Buy new:
$19.95
FREE delivery Tuesday, May 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$19.95
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Tuesday, May 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Friday, May 10. Order within 5 hrs 28 mins
In Stock
$$19.95 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$19.95
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$11.31
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
Item in acceptable condition including possible liquid damage. As well answers may be filled in. May be missing DVDs, CDs, Access code, etc. There is a water stain on the book!!!! Item in acceptable condition including possible liquid damage. As well answers may be filled in. May be missing DVDs, CDs, Access code, etc. There is a water stain on the book!!!! See less
FREE delivery Wednesday, May 15 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Friday, May 10. Order within 7 hrs 13 mins
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$19.95 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$19.95
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Michael Tonsmeire
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

American Sour Beers Paperback – July 7, 2014

by Michael Tonsmeire (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 418 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$19.95","priceAmount":19.95,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"19","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"95","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"iCXX8j4x%2B7FFMW0eyiLwYeZ%2B5tf9bgUvJnQUaXCn7FNx58VE5JY9oX7cSodd%2FdWJ0Lb6rkkRSgkcMr2pt6%2BgmErMXLradRKexxYON741Gj3PRrEQg7zC01lbI43Ym2Ro2rih3RpKzcIbifiIwMVs9A%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$11.31","priceAmount":11.31,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"11","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"31","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"iCXX8j4x%2B7FFMW0eyiLwYeZ%2B5tf9bgUvMS3raZjbj7BCAoVMM7qf6Vco3RNsKStvE9fX2mKrGSAejUXJJKs2PrR%2FX7jcru0dQ74CuX6XJM5xg65TYYxvDQ%2BjbLSav%2Fx0m8erl0Hm3Ox9XBQeUR5tHBZJKK4xw5xbi%2FLySDvRod0MpoSQjihoTavibadhHm8S","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

One of the most exciting and dynamic segments of today’s craft brewing scene , American-brewed sour beers are designed intentionally to be tart and may be inoculated with souring bacteria, fermented with wild yeast or fruit, aged in barrels or blended with younger beer. Craft brewers and homebrewers have adapted traditional European techniques to create some of the world’s most distinctive and experimental styles. This book details the wide array of processes and ingredients in American sour beer production, with actionable advice for each stage of the process. Inspiration, education and practical applications for brewers of all levels are provided by some of the country’s best known sour beer brewers.
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    400 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Brewers Publications
  4. Publication date
    July 7, 2014
  5. Dimensions
    6.16 x 0.97 x 8.8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1938469119
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1938469114
  8. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Frequently bought together

American Sour Beers
$19.95
Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Wild Brews: Beer Beyond the Influence of Brewer's Yeast
$13.72
Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Sold by ComfortandCompliments and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.
+
Malt: A Practical Guide from Field to Brewhouse (Brewing Elements)
$12.56
Get it May 15 - 20
Only 5 left in stock - order soon.
Ships from and sold by sweethomeliquid2.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
Some of these items ship sooner than the others.
Show details Hide details
Choose items to buy together.

From the Publisher

beer, how to brew, brewing, fermentation, DIY, craft beer, homebrew
craft brewer, homebrewer, brewmaster, making beer, beer history, beer styles, DIY, quality
craft brewer, homebrewer, brewmaster, making beer, beer history, beer styles, DIY, quality craft brewer, homebrewer, brewmaster, making beer, beer history, beer styles, DIY, quality craft brewer, homebrewer, brewmaster, making beer, beer history, beer styles, DIY, quality craft brewer, homebrewer, brewmaster, making beer, beer history, beer styles, DIY, quality craft brewer, homebrewer, brewmaster, making beer, beer history, beer styles, DIY, quality craft brewer, homebrewer, brewmaster, making beer, beer history, beer styles, DIY, quality
How to Brew Designing Great Beers Brewing Classic Styles Simple Homebrewing Modern Homebrew Recipes For the Love of Hops
Customer Reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
2,600
4.7 out of 5 stars
970
4.7 out of 5 stars
708
4.5 out of 5 stars
74
4.6 out of 5 stars
154
4.7 out of 5 stars
762
Price $15.66 $12.44 $17.10 $17.16 $19.95 $19.95
Home-brewing Classics ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Beer Recipes ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Good for Beginners ✓ ✓ ✓
Advanced Brewers ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
craft beer, beer history, kveik, foraging
craft brewer, homebrewer, brewmaster, making beer, beer history, beer styles, DIY, quality craft brewer, homebrewer, brewmaster, making beer, beer history, beer styles, DIY, quality craft brewer, homebrewer, brewmaster, making beer, beer history, beer styles, DIY, quality craft brewer, homebrewer, brewmaster, making beer, beer history, beer styles, DIY, quality craft brewer, homebrewer, brewmaster, making beer, beer history, beer styles, DIY, quality craft brewer, homebrewer, brewmaster, making beer, beer history, beer styles, DIY, quality
Starting Your Own Brewery Yeast (Brewing Elements Series) Quality Management Quality Labs for Small Brewers Small Brewery Finance Water
Customer Reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars
170
4.8 out of 5 stars
1,071
4.7 out of 5 stars
47
4.6 out of 5 stars
11
4.8 out of 5 stars
50
4.8 out of 5 stars
770
Price $70.34 $17.58 $71.08 $95.00 $79.19 $18.20
Professional Brewing Education ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Brewing Elements Series ✓ ✓
Good for Managers ✓ ✓ ✓
Brewing and Lab Staffs ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael Tonsmeire is an award-winning homebrewer, certified beer judge, sour beer blogger and has written articles on sour beers for various beer magazines. He most recently developed the recipes and grew the microbes for the sour beer program at Modern Times brewery in San Diego, CA. Tonsmeire resides in Washington, D.C.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Brewers Publications; First Edition (July 7, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1938469119
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1938469114
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.16 x 0.97 x 8.8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 418 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Michael Tonsmeire

Michael Tonsmeire

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Michael Tonsmeire is an award-winning homebrewer, certified beer judge, beer blogger (TheMadFermentationist.com), and has written articles for various magazines about brewing sour beers. He is the co-founder of Sapwood Cellars (Columbia, MD), for which he develops the recipes, process, and microbes to produce sour beers. Tonsmeire resides in Washington, D.C. where he works as an Economist.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
418 global ratings
Thank You For Your Homebrewing Sprit
5 Stars
Thank You For Your Homebrewing Sprit
Dear Michael,Your zeal for brewing is more infectious than some Brett in an old wooden barrel.Out of all the great Brewers out there, I am hard pressed to think of anyone that embodies the spirit of homebrewing more than you. Thank you for being a great asset to the homebrewing community and inspiring me to brew better beer.Your writing style (as in your blog) is approachable, smart and informative. I just brewed my first Berliner Weisse with the recipe out of the book. I used Wyeast 5335 and Wlp 644 for the fermentation. Very strange looking spent grain in the mash tun!I look forward to using this book as my guide through my Sour Beer journey.Regards,Jon Permen
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

B. MacAskill
5.0 out of 5 stars The best brewing book I have read yet
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2014
Verified Purchase
This book is fantastically well researched, and extremely informative in an area of brewing that is short on really quality literature. "Wild Brews" and "Farmhouse Ales" are both very quality books for traditional methods and the history of old world "wild" beers, but if you are interested in brewing or consuming experimental American sour beers, this book is absolutely essential.

The author has an exceptional blog he has maintained for many years titled "The Mad Fermentationist". I have read nearly every article on the blog, and it got me started brewing sour beers in my own home. I have brewed over a dozen sour beers now, and felt like I mostly knew what I was doing. This book goes FAR beyond the content on his blog, and expanded my knowledge far beyond what I expected.

The in-depth information into the methods of elite sour breweries and award winning homebrewers allows you to not only attempt to replicate their methods, but also gives you enough information to create your own methods from their advice. While incredibly well researched and dense with information, the book is extremely accessible due to the excellent writing style of the author.

Overall I can't recommend it enough. If you brew sour beer, or want to brew sour beer, you absolutely must own a copy of this book.
48 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Wombat37
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book!
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2014
Verified Purchase
What a wonderful book! Sour beers have been traditionally classed as a Flanders Ale (Red or Brown), some variant of Lambic or as a Berliner Weisse. There are alternatives and that's what this book is all about. This is a recently published book and I see new styles of sour ales are finding their way into the BJCP guidelines. This is an exciting time for homebrewers.

This book is probably the most comprehensive text on sour beers for the home brewer - it's full of useful information. The author has a website (search for the 'Mad Fermentationist') and obviously has a lot of experience on this topic.

Be warned, this is not a book for the beginner. Brewing sour beers is a long complicated process and the results are not assured. The reader must be at least familiar with all grain brewing techniques in order to get most out of the book.

Those of you who have already acquired a taste for sour beers will know that commercial examples are not at cheap and often will cost 10 to 30 dollars for a single bottle. Making them yourself costs no more than for other beers - you just have to wait a few years before they are ready. So start the production line now - this book will help you.

Those of you who haven't acquired a taste, go out and buy some and see what you're missing - then buy this book.

Highly recommended!
7 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
funkbier
5.0 out of 5 stars worth it
Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2017
Verified Purchase
Yea, you figure you could probably find a lot of the information in this book online, if you spent a few days scouring forums and blog posts that all somewhat contradict each other. Or you could just buy this book. Anyone that's used to buying homebrewing paperbacks kind of gets used to the thin volume with somewhat oversized and spaced text, but this book is not one of them. This book is abut the thickness of a Brewing Classic Styles and a Farmhouse Ales added together, which is to say that it's quite a deal for the price listed here. There's tons of information, some of it so specific and comprehensive I doubt you're going to find a better source unless you happen to have the phone numbers of some notable brewmasters.
Helpful
 Report
NW_4_Life
5.0 out of 5 stars Thank You For Your Homebrewing Sprit
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2015
Verified Purchase
Dear Michael,

Your zeal for brewing is more infectious than some Brett in an old wooden barrel.

Out of all the great Brewers out there, I am hard pressed to think of anyone that embodies the spirit of homebrewing more than you. Thank you for being a great asset to the homebrewing community and inspiring me to brew better beer.

Your writing style (as in your blog) is approachable, smart and informative. I just brewed my first Berliner Weisse with the recipe out of the book. I used Wyeast 5335 and Wlp 644 for the fermentation. Very strange looking spent grain in the mash tun!

I look forward to using this book as my guide through my Sour Beer journey.

Regards,

Jon Permen
Customer image
NW_4_Life
5.0 out of 5 stars Thank You For Your Homebrewing Sprit
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2015
Dear Michael,

Your zeal for brewing is more infectious than some Brett in an old wooden barrel.

Out of all the great Brewers out there, I am hard pressed to think of anyone that embodies the spirit of homebrewing more than you. Thank you for being a great asset to the homebrewing community and inspiring me to brew better beer.

Your writing style (as in your blog) is approachable, smart and informative. I just brewed my first Berliner Weisse with the recipe out of the book. I used Wyeast 5335 and Wlp 644 for the fermentation. Very strange looking spent grain in the mash tun!

I look forward to using this book as my guide through my Sour Beer journey.

Regards,

Jon Permen
Images in this review
Customer image Customer image
Customer imageCustomer image
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Blake Doepker
4.0 out of 5 stars It reads well, and is informative. Some of ...
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2016
Verified Purchase
It reads well, and is informative. Some of the recipes are kept so general to account for hop alpha acid content and mash efficiency that it takes a bit more effort to translate to a quick and simple recipe. That said, I'm looking forward to tackling a recipe or two in the coming months.
Helpful
 Report
John Garner
5.0 out of 5 stars Best beer book OF ALL TIME!!!
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2019
Verified Purchase
Michael Tonsmiere is a national treasure for brewers. I've gotten more knowledge from reading his website, his posts and comments on Reddit and elsewhere, than from anyone else in the brewing industry, besides my amazing boss who taught me this trade. As a homebrewer, I purchased American Sour Beers and pored through it absorbing as much as my brain could handle. As a professional brewer, I've read it again and it has helped immensely - as I used this info to begin our own sour program. Anyway, if you are a homebrewer or a professional brewer that wants to know how the absolute best in this industry make sour beer, then you need to read this book. His exhaustive research for this book benefits us all. Anyhoo, thanks for writing this book, Michael. And to you reading this review, your drinkers demand that you purchase this book!
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Packed with essential brewing know-how
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2014
Verified Purchase
This book will serve as a valuable and enduring resource for adventurous brewers at all levels of expertise. It is well documented yet clear and comprehendible throughout. The author starts with a primer on sour beers then takes the reader step by step through various options at each stage of sour beer production. He explains the different mindset necessary to brew sours and guides the reader through the creative journey with numerous concrete examples and advice from successful brewers. The book wraps up with an array of proven recipes as well as suggestions for further experimentation.

On another note, the author writes an impressive blog at [...] and offers in the introduction of this book to answer specific questions from worried brewers that contact him through his blog.
18 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Nicolás
5.0 out of 5 stars Lectura imprescindible
Reviewed in Spain on December 9, 2023
Verified Purchase
Libro de gran calidad tanto en la redacción como el contenido. La biblia de las sour
Report
Raoni
5.0 out of 5 stars Livro muito bom, mas não é um para iniciantes.
Reviewed in Brazil on November 4, 2019
Verified Purchase
Livro muito bem escrito que alia bem a teoria com a prática de cervejeiros artesanais e caseiros americanos. É um livro próprio para cervejeiros que já possuem um conhecimento básico sobre brassagem. Valeu muito!
Report
Mathieu
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book to initiate a homebrewer in the world of mixed fermentation
Reviewed in Canada on August 19, 2019
Verified Purchase
Very easy to read and author is very knowledgeable with lots of input and examples from leaders in the industry of sour beers.
Report
GIANLUCA R.
5.0 out of 5 stars Libro completo, profondo nei dettagli, molto tecnico e per i più esperti del settore
Reviewed in Italy on January 10, 2019
Verified Purchase
uno dei libri più curati e approfonditi sul tema che vi sia a disposizione, ben curato approfondisce tutti gli aspetti della produzione delle Birre acide in maniera esaustiva. testo indirizzato ad un pubblico molto esperto e che richiede pregresse conoscenze tecniche per poter essere capito in tutte le sue sfaccettature in quanto si basa su elementi tecnici afferenti la produzione brassicola.
Sconsiglio di prenderlo a chi non ha delle buone basi in materia in quanto risulterebbe poco comprensibile nella sua totalità avendo ben 355 pagine di nozioni tecniche e processi associati che ancorché tratteggiati rimandano ad una solida conoscenza dei lieviti e delle loro interazioni.
Report
Schenk Robert
5.0 out of 5 stars Umfassend
Reviewed in Germany on August 9, 2015
Verified Purchase
Ein sehr ausführliche Abhandlung mit sehr viel Hintergrund Knowhow von vielen berühmten US Craftbier Brauereien. Gute Anleitungen z.B zur Fasslagerung. Sehr empfehlenswert!
Report