The Beer Book: A Review

"The Beer Book" sounds like the title of a book that's a little too generic to have any interest to a beer geek.  We want cool label shots and gushing, adjective filled descriptions of brews from far flung breweries we may someday be lucky enough to sample, hopefully at some ultra-hip beer bar, if not at the brewery itself.  But that's exactly what "The Beer Book" provides. 

There's some great photography, including tons of label shots and pictures of breweries like Orval and Brooklyn Brewing, as well as other impressive shots from all over the world. While I didn't always agree with their summaries, there's information on a wide variety of styles and overall it's pretty damn comprehensive.  I spent 15 minutes just staring at the United States map showing where all the breweries are located.  They even squeezed in some equal opportunity macro history, although most of the summaries are of microbreweries.  As if that wasn't enough, the foreword by Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione had me wanting to tip a pint on the spot.  His passion for beer is evident thoughout it, especially when he says, "being a hardcore beer lover means not being afraid to be promiscuous".  Every page turn seems to unearth a new tidbit.  Did you know Amsterdam has 1200 bars, or one for every 500 citizens?  Madison residents can only dream. There's sections on fruit beers, beer flavorings, beer and food and many more.

Editor Tim Hampson did a nice job putting this book together and the organization is superb, but don't listen to me. The best review comes from Calagione himself: "This is not a book for beer snobs: folks who want to impress their friends with fancy terminology.  It is a book for beer lovers and beer geeks: people who want to learn more about beer because they love to drink it and share it with friends."  Put it under your tree for a beer geek and you won't hear a peep out of him for the rest of Christmas Day.

DK Publishing - $25
(I found it cheaper online)