Home brewing tips and recipes

[Air-over-water]

Hello all
I know there is a home brewing thread but I thought a thread with hints/tips might be nice.
I am compiling a gift for my dads 50th and am wanting to create a binder of brewing hint/tips and some good recipes. I will also be adding a few choice micro-brews as well.
I am mostly thinking of hints/tips that people would have like to know when they were starting out. I know there are lots of places on line with information but most of those I am sure he will have already looked at those.
So please post any helpful hints and tips as well as any of your favorite recipes.
Maybe this tread will help others as well.

[Air-over-water]

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