Drink Beer, Think Beer
Getting to the Bottom of Every Pint
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- $21.99
Publisher Description
From an award-winning journalist and beer expert, a thoughtful and witty guide to understanding and enjoying beer
Right here, right now is the best time in the history of mankind to be a beer drinker. America now has more breweries than at any time since prohibition, and globally, beer culture is thriving and constantly innovating. Drinkers can order beer brewed with local yeast or infused with moondust. However, beer drinkers are also faced with uneven quality and misinformation about flavors. And the industry itself is suffering from growing pains, beset by problems such as unequal access to taps, skewed pricing, and sexism.
Drawing on history, economics, and interviews with industry insiders, John Holl provides a complete guide to beer today, allowing readers to think critically about the best beverage in the world. Full of entertaining anecdotes and surprising opinions, Drink Beer, Think Beer is a must-read for beer lovers, from casual enthusiasts to die-hard hop heads.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Holl (The American Craft Beer Cookbook), an editor at Craft Beer and Brewing magazine, shares his passion for beer making in this infectious history of the hoppy beverage. Even though this companionable guide to "the modern beer renaissance" starts off humorously declaring that the purchase of any beer craft or corporate is like "choosing a side in a war," Holl takes a more diplomatic approach, speaking to consumers of all brands. He offers detailed, clearly written observations on ingredients and flavors ("no matter the ingredient used, flavorings added, or homage paid, the final result should still taste like beer"), as well as explanations on how keg draft systems work and how the acidity of a brewery's local water can affect taste. Holl expresses some frustration with the us-versus-them anti-corporate dynamic in the craft brewing scene, though he does thrill at the excitement and sense of community that can be found in the craft movement. An antisnob who is a stickler for quality, Holl nevertheless circles back to simple, Michael Pollanish rules, like "sample everything, and then order what suits you best." Holl's good-natured and useful handbook offers helpful tips for the novice drinker, and topics of debate for beer connoisseurs. This is an excellent look at contemporary beer making, marketing, and consumption.
