Book Notes: on Craft Beer

So, after you’ve learned a bit about the history of beer and the process behind the drink, it comes time to ask – with such a rich tradition of brewing, and so many incredible styles to choose from, how did we mostly end up drinking slightly varied versions of the same bland, mass-marketed light lagers?

And, the follow up question – what sparked the revival of passionate interest in craft beers and bigger, bolder sorts of brewing?

Well as it turns out that’s all part of one story, a story that finds its origins in industrialization and prohibition, marketing campaigns and immigration.

Two of the best books on the world of craft beer tell that story well, and offer an almost endless supply of recommendations, information, and fascinating anecdotes along the way.

The first book on craft beer I read was The Naked Pint: An Unadulterated Guide to Craft Beer, by Hallie Beaune and Christina Perozzi, and it remains a favorite.

Also of note, Brewed Awakening: Behind the Beers and Brewers Leading the World’s Craft Brewing Revolution by Joshua Bernstein. I picked this one up at Barnes and Noble before a long flight, and had finished it by the time my plane touched the ground, it’s that good.

Happy reading!