Beer book recommendations...

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by IllinoisJoe, Mar 18, 2013.

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  1. IllinoisJoe

    IllinoisJoe Initiate (0) Mar 4, 2013 Illinois

    I'm new to BA and was hoping to get some beer book recommendations: particularly interested in the history of beer; what specific regions are known for; dissections of particular styles and furthering my knowledge of the various varieties of hops, malt, yeast, etc. Ideally I am looking for books that are informative, well-written and entertaining.

    Like many folks new to BA I'd put myself somewhere between a green, wet behind the ears, noob and seasoned super cicerone-type walking beer encyclopedia.

    Cheers.
     
    #1 IllinoisJoe, Mar 18, 2013
  2. leezy

    leezy Initiate (0) Sep 13, 2009 Minnesota

    #2 leezy, Mar 18, 2013
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  3. bnuno

    bnuno Initiate (0) Feb 8, 2011 California

    Really enjoyed The Brewmaster's Table, especially if you like food and travel as well.
     
    #3 bnuno, Mar 18, 2013
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  4. jtdolla911

    jtdolla911 Initiate (0) Nov 18, 2011 Massachusetts

    Brewed Awakening by Joshua M. Bernstein in addition to the above
     
    #4 jtdolla911, Mar 18, 2013
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  5. Rizalini

    Rizalini Initiate (0) Jan 20, 2011 Nevada

    Welcome to the wonderfully immense world of craft brew!
    Get your hands on Mitch Steele's book simply called IPA. He's the brew master for Sone brewing, and the book has everything to brewing techniques, history and recipes. A great read in my opinion.

    Cheers!
     
    #5 Rizalini, Mar 18, 2013
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  6. Beergelden

    Beergelden Initiate (0) Jan 15, 2013 Ohio

    #6 Beergelden, Mar 19, 2013
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  7. BrewSTL

    BrewSTL Pundit (881) Mar 14, 2013 Missouri

    The World Atlas of Beer by Tim Webb and Stephen Beaumont. Sounds like it is exactly what you are looking for.
     
    #7 BrewSTL, Mar 19, 2013
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  8. Hockey_Fan

    Hockey_Fan Pooh-Bah (1,851) Jan 13, 2013 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah

    This is a great book; after many years I still find myself referring to it.
     
    #8 Hockey_Fan, Mar 19, 2013
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  9. NoLeafClover44

    NoLeafClover44 Initiate (0) Feb 24, 2011 Delaware

    Awesome book! He gives a really modern perspective on the world of craft beer and talks about all of the brewers/beers that are most often discussed on this site.
     
    #9 NoLeafClover44, Mar 19, 2013
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  10. SammyJaxxxx

    SammyJaxxxx Initiate (0) Feb 23, 2012 New Jersey

    #10 SammyJaxxxx, Mar 19, 2013
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  11. grandmachine

    grandmachine Zealot (535) Mar 11, 2010 California

    "Tasting Beer" and "Beer for dummies" are good.
     
    #11 grandmachine, Mar 19, 2013
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  12. Squiggy

    Squiggy Initiate (0) Feb 18, 2013 Michigan

    "Sacred and Herbal Healing Beers" by Stephen Herrod Buhner is a great read. Has a wealth of information from the earliest beers/meads of mankind. It also has many recipes to brew these beers.
     
    #12 Squiggy, Mar 19, 2013
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  13. IllinoisJoe

    IllinoisJoe Initiate (0) Mar 4, 2013 Illinois

    Thanks guys, now I got a few two-tree (as we say in Chicago) starting points in furthering my beer education. I've been trawling BA for a bit before making my first post and had been a bit intimidated about making my first post, but I'm glad I did because of how helpful you folks were and how welcome you made me feel.

    Beergelden: I know typical decorum would dictate searching the forum's previous posts first, but I figured due to the nature of my question that the most current information from past and present BA members would be the best way to go. That being said it seems you may be right: what was best then, seems to be the best starting point now.

    *raises a Pipeworks smoked porter* Cheers!
     
    #13 IllinoisJoe, Mar 19, 2013
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  14. MystikCelt

    MystikCelt Zealot (723) Jun 11, 2011 New York

    If you want some world award winning fantasy with your beer history, Tim Powers' "The Drawing of the Dark" is one of my all-time favorite novels.
     
    #14 MystikCelt, Mar 19, 2013
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  15. patto1ro

    patto1ro Pooh-Bah (2,084) Apr 26, 2004 Netherlands
    Pooh-Bah

    The Oxford Companion to Beer has some great bits of fantasy, too. Horst Dornbusch is the most imginative writer of beer history currently around.

    On a more serious note, Martyn Cornell's "Amber, Gold and Black" is far and away the best history of British beer styles.
     
    #15 patto1ro, Mar 19, 2013
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  16. deadonhisfeet

    deadonhisfeet Pooh-Bah (2,481) Apr 23, 2011 Kentucky
    Pooh-Bah

    It's a bit old and predates all but the earliest American craft brewers, but Michael Jackson's Beer Companion is still THE place I go to learn about the history of specific styles.
     
    #16 deadonhisfeet, Mar 19, 2013
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  17. Beergelden

    Beergelden Initiate (0) Jan 15, 2013 Ohio

    No worries about BA etiquette!
    I enjoy reading about all aspects of beer too, but the best beer education you can get is by trying as many different beer styles as possible, by as many different breweries as possible.
    Expand your palate to include all styles, some may not be your favorite but learn to appreciate the qualities of each that you do enjoy!
    Cheers to that Pipeworks brew too!
     
    #17 Beergelden, Mar 19, 2013
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  18. jtdolla911

    jtdolla911 Initiate (0) Nov 18, 2011 Massachusetts

    As far as beer history, im looking for some good ones as well, but im currently reading The Economics of Beer by JM Swinnen. Goes back to the beginning of commercial brewing, and although its tough and "jargony", its a good read.
     
    #18 jtdolla911, Mar 19, 2013
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  19. IllinoisJoe

    IllinoisJoe Initiate (0) Mar 4, 2013 Illinois

    I agree completely. And I've slowly been working towards that (although the Belgian/German aisle at my local beer store still intimidates me). I think that reading about beer and participating in sites like this help me achieve a fuller understanding on who, what, where, why, when and how of these different styles.
     
    #19 IllinoisJoe, Mar 19, 2013
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  20. deadonhisfeet

    deadonhisfeet Pooh-Bah (2,481) Apr 23, 2011 Kentucky
    Pooh-Bah

    One other thing to check out. Go onto Youtube and do a search for ``Beer Hunter''. You will find all 6 episodes of Michael Jackson's television series. It's a bit old, but still very enjoyable and informative.
     
    #20 deadonhisfeet, Mar 19, 2013
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