title_body: Alternative ways to know the impact of ingredients
upvoted_answer: This discussion would be more suitable in the homebrew stack as Andrew said, but I will answer it anyway.
  
  You are on the right track, making a simple pilsner recipe will show you the effects of the malt, yeast, water and hops.
  
  There is a technique called SMASH (single malt, single hops), which is widely used to "test" the effect of a new ingredient. It is pretty much exactly what you are doing. 
  
  The best technique: brew as often as possible. Be critical of your beer. Get a BJCP judge (or similar) to try your beer and give you feedback.
  
  Relax, dont worry, have a homebrew. (Papasian).