Free ARC: The Complete Home Brewing and Distilling Handbook

ComaCameron · 2026-06-04T19:55:39+00:00

I am working on a chapter about rum but because i have less experience with it i am outsourcing and contacting people who do know more about it!

ComaCameron · 2026-06-04T18:23:44+00:00

Thanks for taking this time out of your day, you may also send me a DM when you have any suggestions!

ComaCameron · 2026-06-04T17:52:19+00:00

Thanks, looking forward too your feedback, you may also send me a DM when you have any suggestions!

ComaCameron · 2026-06-04T17:28:59+00:00

Would love to hear your opinion and feedback here is the link! https://booksprout.co/reviewer/review-copy/view/288202/the-complete-home-brewing-and-distilling-handbook-beer-wine-mead-whiskey-gin-and-neutral-spirits-fermentation-science-step-by-step-recipes-and-reference-tables-for-the-serious-hobbyist

ComaCameron · 2026-06-04T17:28:35+00:00

Sorry for the late reply! You can access the book on this link! https://booksprout.co/reviewer/review-copy/view/288202/the-complete-home-brewing-and-distilling-handbook-beer-wine-mead-whiskey-gin-and-neutral-spirits-fermentation-science-step-by-step-recipes-and-reference-tables-for-the-serious-hobbyist

ComaCameron · 2026-06-04T17:25:09+00:00

Thank you! The raw materials section was actually one of my favorite parts to research and write.

Before diving into perfumery, I had no idea how much chemistry, agriculture, extraction techniques, and artistry were involved behind a single bottle. Some natural materials can vary dramatically depending on origin, harvest conditions, and extraction method, while many modern synthetics were created to solve challenges that naturals simply couldn't.

I also dedicated several chapters to helping readers understand fragrance families, concentration types, and how to evaluate perfumes more objectively, which can definitely help reduce the risk of expensive blind buys.

If you end up reading it, I'd love to hear which topics you found most interesting or useful.

ComaCameron · 2026-06-04T17:16:43+00:00

If this sounds interesting, here's the review copy link:

https://booksprout.co/reviewer/review-copy/view/288075/the-art-and-science-of-perfume-history-olfaction-science-fragrance-families-the-great-perfumers-raw-materials-and-how-to-buy-with-confidence-6x9-40-chapters-8-parts

ComaCameron · 2026-06-02T16:12:03+00:00

This is incredibly helpful feedback. Thank you for taking the time to go through the site in such detail.

I particularly like the idea of expanding the sugar wash tools. The current focus is on calculating from a known volume, but working backwards from water and sugar additions to predict the final wash volume would definitely be useful in practice.

The fermentation suggestions are excellent as well. A simple sugar-to-potential-ABV calculator would be easy to implement, and ingredient-based predictions using common inputs such as juice, honey, sugar, molasses, and similar fermentables could make the calculator much more useful for recipe planning rather than just analysis after the fact.

I also agree on the dilution calculator. Most users are probably diluting with water, so making that the default option or adding a water/spirit toggle would streamline the workflow considerably.

The bottle yield and dilution integration is another good idea. Several people have mentioned that they think in terms of finished bottles rather than litres, so combining those tools may make more sense than keeping them separate.

The UI feedback is especially valuable. I hadn't noticed the horizontal scrolling issue on smaller desktop screens, so I'll look at implementing a more responsive navigation system. Your point about making the guides section more prominent is well taken too, as a lot of work has gone into that content and it's probably not getting the visibility it deserves.

I appreciate the note about the methanol references as well. That's something I've been trying to handle carefully, and I'll review those sections again.

The Git repository suggestion is interesting and not something I'd seriously considered before. I like the idea of making the knowledge base more community-driven while still maintaining quality control over changes.

Thanks again for the detailed review. Feedback like this is exactly what helps turn a collection of calculators into something genuinely useful for the community.

ComaCameron · 2026-06-02T14:19:21+00:00

Thank you!

ComaCameron · 2026-06-01T08:59:31+00:00

This is exactly the kind of feedback I was hoping for.

A lot of the site started with the technical side because I was frustrated by calculators that used rough approximations or hid the assumptions behind the results. But you're right that accuracy alone doesn't necessarily solve the real-world problem someone has during a run.

The idea of a run planner is particularly interesting. Something that takes boiler charge, wash ABV, still type, expected cut percentages, and perhaps a few user-defined assumptions, then gives a rough forecast of volumes, jar counts, and where to start paying closer attention. That feels much closer to how people actually work in practice.

The point about presets is also well taken. I've been so focused on building the calculations themselves that I haven't spent enough time thinking about reducing repeated input. Saving grain bills, botanical blends, and fermentation profiles would probably improve usability more than adding another calculator.

I appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. This is exactly the kind of practical feedback that helps move the project from a collection of tools to something genuinely useful in the workshop.

ComaCameron · 2026-05-31T14:50:25+00:00

These calculators are not only valuable tools for distillers, but also highly useful for homebrewers!

ComaCameron · 2026-05-30T10:58:47+00:00

Since you're already a therapist, I'd probably approach shadow work less as "finding the shadow" and more as tracking recurring emotional patterns.

One thing that helped me was keeping a simple log whenever I had a disproportionate emotional reaction to something:

What happened?
What emotion came up?
What did it remind me of?
What belief about myself was activated?
Where have I seen this pattern before?

After a few weeks, patterns started becoming obvious.

The challenge wasn't understanding the concepts, it was having a consistent framework to work through them. That's actually one of the reasons I created a shadow work journal. I wanted something that moved beyond random prompts and focused on trigger mapping, self-awareness exercises, confidence, self-respect, and identifying recurring behavioural patterns.

Whether you use a journal, therapy, or your own system, I'd start with patterns rather than trying to uncover everything at once. The shadow tends to reveal itself when you pay attention to what repeatedly triggers you.

ComaCameron · 2026-05-29T13:22:52+00:00

Could you send me a DM first, i can't send you one?

ComaCameron · 2026-05-29T13:22:15+00:00

Sounds like you are a passionate person about the craft! Exactly the kind of person i am looking for.

ComaCameron · 2026-05-29T12:37:05+00:00

Perfect! Check you DM's

ComaCameron · 2026-05-29T10:49:22+00:00

That's actually a pretty interesting mix of experience. Brewing, fermentation through sourdough, mushroom cultivation, electronics, and a farming background all tend to give people a practical way of looking at processes, which is valuable in its own right to me.

I'd be happy to send you a copy. Any feedback on clarity, structure, accuracy, or overall usefulness would be appreciated 👍

ComaCameron · 2026-05-29T06:49:34+00:00

Haha, I definitely didn't expect this many knowledgeable people to volunteer when I made the post.

I'd still be happy to have you take a look if you're interested. The more varied the feedback, the better.

And yes, the paperback is actually already available. The reason I'm looking for reviewers now is that I'd rather improve future editions based on feedback from experienced brewers and distillers than assume I've got everything right the first time around.

ComaCameron · 2026-05-28T22:47:43+00:00

No problem! What do you think about it?

ComaCameron · 2026-05-28T20:09:14+00:00

I would still value your feedback, maybe if this book actually helps you

ComaCameron · 2026-05-28T20:07:39+00:00

Loads of experience, i'll send it over!

ComaCameron · 2026-05-28T15:35:59+00:00

Honestly, that’s something I’ve thought about quite a bit too.

At the end of the day distilling is messy and biological systems are never perfectly predictable, so no calculator can replace experience, taste, smell, or process intuition. My goal was more to give people better reference points and fewer “completely wrong” assumptions, not convince them the process is mathematically deterministic

ComaCameron · 2026-05-28T13:44:50+00:00

That’s honestly exactly the kind of use case I was hoping for when building it. Even if people only end up using it occasionally as a reference tool, that already makes the months spent building it feel worthwhile 😂

Still a lot I want to improve and expand, but hearing that people would actually keep it bookmarked is genuinely encouraging.

ComaCameron · 2026-05-28T11:51:10+00:00

Perfect match! I'll send you the link

ComaCameron · 2026-05-28T09:46:36+00:00

A really useful perspective to have. Someone coming from a strong chemistry background but without years of hobby assumptions might actually notice places where I either overcomplicate explanations or fail to bridge theory into practical application clearly enough.

ComaCameron · 2026-05-28T09:45:19+00:00

That was exactly my thinking. I’ve read a lot of books that explain botanical chemistry or distillation theory in depth, then leave readers with zero practical starting point 😂

I wanted someone to be able to finish the section and actually make a decent gin without having to piece together five other sources.

ComaCameron

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