Seminal Beer Books

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by nick0417, Aug 2, 2016.

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  1. nick0417

    nick0417 Initiate (0) Jun 13, 2014 Illinois

    Hi, folks. Looking to bolster my beer library and am seeking suggestions of 'the' books on beer styles, history, brewing, business, etc one should read and have on hand. I should say, I already have read and own a few standards, including: Tasting Beer, The Brewmaster's Table, The Beer Bible, The Audacity of Hops, and a few other of Randy Mosher's books on brewing.

    Other suggestions? I'm thirsty and needing something new to read...

    Cheers!
     
  2. NizzleEGizzle

    NizzleEGizzle Initiate (0) Feb 25, 2015 New York

    Anecdotally, I read The Brewer's Tale by William Bostwick, which is a solid, if informal, look at history through the lens of beer.

    I am currently reading:

    The United States of Beer: A Freewheeling History of the All-American Drink by Dane Huckelbridge. It is very informative, and worth a read if you like American history.
     
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  3. nick0417

    nick0417 Initiate (0) Jun 13, 2014 Illinois

    Thanks, man. Much appreciate the info.
     
  4. nick0417

    nick0417 Initiate (0) Jun 13, 2014 Illinois

    Also: I'm a style/history of styles geek, so anything in that arena would be great. Cheers!
     
  5. Samlover55

    Samlover55 Pooh-Bah (1,661) Oct 8, 2015 New York
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

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  6. Samlover55

    Samlover55 Pooh-Bah (1,661) Oct 8, 2015 New York
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Michael Jackson has some books in that direction and most of his books are available either on Amazon or Ebay
    (btw I love reading about beer:wink:)
     
  7. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,181) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society

    If beer styles is your primary interest then @Samlover55 has the proper suggestion: the books of Michael Jackson.

    Also visit Youtube and watch the Michael Jackson Beer Hunter episodes. Below is one episode.

    Cheers!

     
  8. frazbri

    frazbri Initiate (0) Oct 29, 2003 Ohio

    The Brewers Association beer style series books are good. Some moreso than others.
     
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  9. TriggerFingers

    TriggerFingers Initiate (0) Apr 29, 2012 California

    Brew Like a Monk by Stan Hieronymus

    Wild Brews: Beer Beyond the Influence of Brewer's Yeast by Jeff Sparrow

    American Sour Beers
    by Michael Tonsmeire
     
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  10. nick0417

    nick0417 Initiate (0) Jun 13, 2014 Illinois

    Yeah, was curious about these. Looks like several books where each focuses on a specific style. Ones that rise above the rest?
     
  11. marquis

    marquis Pooh-Bah (2,301) Nov 20, 2005 England
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Nobody knows more about beer styles and history than our own Ron Pattinson ( patto1ro ) , his information derives from tens of thousands of brewing records from the last 200 odd years.

    His blog " shut up about Barclay Perkins" also lists his books.
     
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  12. TonyLema1

    TonyLema1 Initiate (0) Nov 19, 2008 South Carolina

    The one that started this journey for me, was the Complete Joy of Homebrewing by Charlie Papazian
     
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  13. kkdowning

    kkdowning Initiate (0) Apr 14, 2009 Pennsylvania

    Ale, Beer, and Brewsters in England: Women's Work in a Changing World by Judith M. Bennett to me is the definition of a seminal beer book. I actually had to read it for a class on Medieval Queenship in grad school and loved it.
     
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  14. Squire

    Squire Grand Pooh-Bah (4,081) Jul 16, 2015 Mississippi
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    For me it's still Michael Jackson. That guy opened my eyes.
     
  15. sjccmd

    sjccmd Initiate (0) Feb 11, 2008 Minnesota

    Definitely these! Anything and everything by Stan Hieronymus and Randy Mosher. Michael Tonsmieire hopefully keeps writing. He's one of the few beer writers that understands citing sources.
     
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  16. patto1ro

    patto1ro Pooh-Bah (1,998) Apr 26, 2004 Netherlands
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Some are real stinkers. The Stout one especially. The Mild one is pretty poor, too.
     
  17. nick0417

    nick0417 Initiate (0) Jun 13, 2014 Illinois

    Thanks for the info - any good ones in the bunch?
     
  18. patto1ro

    patto1ro Pooh-Bah (1,998) Apr 26, 2004 Netherlands
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Altbier and Helles are both really bad, having been written by Horst Dornbusch. The Scotch Ale book has propagated more misinformation than any book since the beginning of time.

    Mitch Steele's IPA book is easily the best in the series. (I should point out that I helped a little with that book.)

    If you want an overview of the history of British styles, my Vintage Beer book is probably the best.
     
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  19. marquis

    marquis Pooh-Bah (2,301) Nov 20, 2005 England
    Pooh-Bah Society

    There have been some pretty shitty beer books and articles written. All too often poorly (if at all) researched and repeating assumptions and beer folklore rather than facts. Some highly respected writers have fallen into this category.
     
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