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Drinking with George by George Wendt
A homage to beer by Cheers actor and beer connoisseur George Wendt, better known as Norm Peterson.
, 256 pp, $39.99. Buy
now
Australian Beer Companion, The by Willie Simpson
The Australian Beer Companion is an unrivalled book on Australia’s thriving beer industry. Separated into state sections, the book covers more than 100 of author Willie Simpson’s favourite Australian breweries. These include the big players such as Carlton & United Breweries (CUB), Cascade, Fourex (XXXX) and Coopers, as well as respected microbreweries like Mountain Goat, Little Creatures and Moo Brew. The book traces each brewery’s history and their range of beers, and showcases their beer label through a feature called ‘Behind the Label’. A glossary of beer styles and a wealth of photos make this large-format hardback book the ideal gift.
Hardback, 192 pp, $49.95. Buy
now
Short Course in Beer by Lynn Hoffman
Far-ranging in scope and written with wit and charm, this guide provides a global perspective on one of the world’s most ancient and popular beverages, including how it is made, how to serve and taste it, where to find the best, and what to serve with it. Spanning from biblical days to today, it examines beer’s historic connections to the Crusades, the Hundred Years War, and modern-day soccer riots. It also candidly discusses the effects of alcohol on the body and the brain and details the social problems that result from abuse. Straightforward and opinionated, this course will turn the novice into an expert or increase the knowledge of anyone who wants to know more about fermented libations
, 224 pp, $41.95. Buy
now
Oz and James Drink to Britain by Oz Clarke and James May
We’re a nation of drinkers but what do we drink? Following their previous highly amusing journeys around France and California Oz and James embark on a summer road trip around their homeland, on a quest to find the drink that defines modern Britain. This is an account of their thinly disguised drinking holiday through Britain and Ireland, and what they found out about British booze en route. The pair start out in a barley field in Yorkshire, with Oz showing James what goes into beer and why. As they travel round Britain they explore the best and worst of British beers and move on to other drinks that might define modern Britain: wine and whisky, of course, and gin, vodka, cider and perry. Oz and James’s hunting grounds are great British pub
, 192 pp, $39.99. Buy
now
Belgian Beers by Ben Vinken
As a country Belgium is known for many things – its lace, chocolate and of course its world renowned beers. Belgian beer stands for quality, eccentricity, individuality and creativity. Over 55 percent of the Belgian beer production is exported worldwide and no other country produces beers with so many different aromas, colours and flavours. In this book you will find all about brewing beer and the leading Belgian beers
, 192 pp, $54.95. Buy
now
Christmas Beer by Don Russell
Christmas beers, also known as Winter Warmers, are a tradition dating back at least 2,000 years, with the ancients making highly intoxicating brews to celebrate winter’s Saturnalia. Later, medieval monks, the world’s first professional brewers, pulled out their finest ingredients to produce soul-warming styles for the occasion. Today northern hemisphere brewers continue the custom, either with centuries-old recipes or new recipes with spices and herbs, enabling thirsty beer fans to deck the halls with the world’s most flavoursome ales and lagers, brewed especially for the holidays. Beer expert Don Russell details the styles and flavours that will leave beer lovers in a froth.
, 208 pp, $24.95. Buy
now
New Jersey Breweries by Lew Bryson and Mark Haynie
This is a guidebook to 23 breweries and brewpubs across the Garden State, from corporate giants to the newest brewpubs. Each entry contains information on types of beers brewed at the site, available tours, nearby points of interest, and an author’s pick for the best beer to try. Also included is a history of brewing in the state, a primer on the brewing process, and a section on favourite regional foods
Paperback, 224 pp, $23.95. Buy
now
The Beer Book by Tim Hampson
This is the ideal drinking companion – an extensive directory of over 2,000 beers. Beer, the drink to taste, savour, talk about and travel for. You can explore its astonishing variety and rapidly expanding new tastes – thirst-quenching lagers, meal-in-a-glass stouts, peppery white beers, tangy fruit-based brews, and classic ales and bitters – with this up-to-date guide to every good beer in the world. You can visit over 800 breweries and read detailed tasting notes for over 2,000 beers from a team of local specialists. You can whet your appetite with tours to key beer-producing destinations, and discover the beers to try and how best to enjoy them, with brews that are anything but ‘a pint of the usual’
, 352 pp, $49.95. Buy
now
Red, White, and Brew by Brian Yaeger
“Red, White, and Brew” is the ultimate beer run across the United States, during which Brian Yaeger visits fourteen breweries of various sizes and talks to founders, owners, brewmasters, consumers, and anyone else he meets on his odyssey and who enjoys the making, tasting, and appreciating of brews.
“Red, White, and Brew” pursues the roots of brewers who brought their craft with them from their homeland and investigates how the tradition is faring today and where it may head in the future. Covering everything from fifth-generation family-run brewing companies to first-wave microbreweries, this book is a travelogue, guide, and genealogical study of beer families and homebrewers from Portland, Maine, to Portland, Oregon. It is filled with ec
Paperback, 257 pp, $20.95. Buy
now
Yuengling by Mark A. Noon
In 1829, in Pottsville USA, German immigrant D.G. Yuengling set up shop to slake the thirst of immigrants flocking to the region’s coalfields. Five generations have steered the family-owned brewery through fires, temperance, depressions, Prohibition, and the whims of changing tastes.The book follows the brewery from its immigrant beginnings, into the age of bottled beer, through the dark days of Prohibition. It also survived the age of consolidation when the big names swallowed up or buried most regional brews and into the age of microbrews. Finally consumers turned away from bland brands in search of a beer with character, leading to Yuengling’s resurgence on the national scene.
Paperback, 231 pp, $64.95. Buy
now
Grape vs. Grain by Charles W. Bamforth
Why is wine considered more sophisticated even though the production of beer is much more technologically complex? Why is wine touted for its health benefits when beer has more nutrition value? Why does wine conjure up images of staid dinner parties while beer denotes screaming young partiers? Charles Bamforth explores several paradoxes involving beer and wine, paying special attention to the culture surrounding each. He argues that beer can be just as grown-up and worldly as wine and be part of a healthy, mature lifestyle. Both beer and wine have histories spanning thousands of years. This books their histories, technologies, and markets, and the effect that they have on human health and nutrition.
, 224 pp, $40.95. Buy
now
Pint-Sized Ireland by Evan McHugh
Determined to discover what makes a pint of Guinness so legendary, McHugh travels Ireland to find that each pub says the best pint can be found . . . somewhere else. In this comedic and sentimental journey, the author meets many unforgettable characters along the way
Paperback, 280 pp, $20.95. Buy
now
Beer by Michael Jackson and Stan Hieronymus
Learn all about your favourite beer with expert advice and information from a team of specialists, introduced by the world’s best-selling beer writer Michael Jackson. Uncover drinks from every significant brewing region as well as less well-known areas. Find out why beers taste the way they do, how to appreciate flavour, aroma, texture and finish, and identify your own favourite style. Meet the producers and explore their origins, history and particular brewing processes. Plus, get to the bottom of bottles, barrels and breweries and discover how to identify the labels, choose the correct glasses and locate the breweries. This is an exciting addition to Eyewitness Companions the visual reference series covering favourite hobbies and pastimes
, 288 pp, $43.95. Buy
now
Beer and Philosophy by Steven D. Hales
From the dawn of civilization, human beings have bent elbows together to consume beer. Beer is the most democratic of all beverages, making it an excellent vehicle for examining everyday life, Beer and Philosophy is written for beer lovers who want to think while they drink. It playfully explores a multitude of philosophical questions: What is the definition of an authentic beer and is its goodness context-dependent? Is it preferable to drink large quantities of Pabst Blue Ribbon or better to consume smaller amounts of Chimay Blue Grande Reserve? Can the existence of high quality brew be used to prove the theory of Intelligent Design? The contributors to this volume present intriguing and often humorous arguments for how complex philosophic
Paperback, 248 pp, $29.95. Buy
now
Land of Amber Waters by Doug Hoverson
For centuries, brewmasters both professional and homegrown have pursued the perfect pour–a delectable combination of barley, yeast, water, and hops–and few regions can claim as devoted a relationship to beer as Minnesota. Dedicated home brewers and casual pub crawlers alike will be amazed by the stories of Minnesota beers and breweries featured in Land of Amber Waters. Starting with the first brewery in 1849, Doug Hoverson tells the story from the first illegal brewer at Fort Snelling to the craft brewers and major companies of today. Nearly 300 breweries have opened and operated at one time or another in 125 cities and towns around the state.
, 360 pp, $55.95. Buy
now
The Best of American Beer & Food by Lucy Saunders
In The Best of American Beer and Food Lucy Saunders covers both pairing food and beer and cooking with beer. She begins by exploring the art of pairing flavorful beers with specific foods, considering today’s wide range of beer styles and the foods and flavors that they compliment from salad through dessert. She then turns to recipes that incorporate beer, using the diverse tastes available from today’s ales and lagers as flavor components
Paperback, 228 pp, $32.95. Buy
now
Three Sheets to the Wind by Pete Brown
Meet Pete Brown: beer journalist, beer drinker and author of an irreverent book about British beer, ‘Man Walks Into A Pub’. One day, Pete’s world is rocked when he discovers several countries produce, consume and celebrate beer far more than his countrymen in Britain. At home, meanwhile, people seem to be turning their back on the great British pint. What’s going on? Obviously, the only way to find out was to go on the biggest pub crawl ever.
Paperback, 288 pp, $20.95. Buy
now
The Little Book of Beer Tips by Andrew Langley
The little book that no self-respecting beer lover should be without. The Little Book of Beer Tips contains a plethora of information on the wide and wonderful world of beer. How to store, what to drink, where to go for different types, recipes to cook and so much more. From the author of the brilliant Little Tips Books on Wine, Cheese, Coffee and Tea.
Paperback, 112 pp, $9.95. Buy
now
Fermenting Revolution by Chris O’Brien
Beer has fermented fundamental change in human society from gender roles to religious theologies. It helped establish civilisation, sparked the Industrial Revolution, and triggered scientific theories. “Beer activists” are fermenting a revolution in social and environmental sustainability
Paperback, 274 pp, $26.95. Buy
now
The Beer Guru’s Guide by C.E. Street
This book is for all who understand that drinking beer can be a religious experience, a portal to an alternative reality. This is the perfect gift for the millions who like a pint. It features marketing partnerships with breweries and pubs. The author is a high profile advertising creative. It is fully illustrated throughout, and all for the price of just four pints. As a follower of the Barmy Swami, Chris Street is eminently qualified to reveal the mystical secrets of beer, its sacred nature and the path of the Beer Guru. Go on a quest for the Holy Ale, the sacred beer that flows from the Font of All Knowledge and which bestows infinite knowledge, immortality and enlightenment.
