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Beer (Eyewitness Companions) From fashionable bars to traditional pubs, a new generation of connoisseur is discovering the variety and diversity of beers from around the world, from the brewing heartlands of Europe to the new world beers of the Far East and Latin America. Whether you are looking to find out more about the brewing and history your favorite beer or want to discover a hidden gem that you’ve never tried, this book tells and shows you everything you need to know from comprehensive tasting notes to how to choose and serve each beer correctly. AUTHOR BIO: As the world’s best-selling writer on beer, Michael Jackson needs no introduction. He is renowned the world over for his pithy wisdom and good sense. Michael has written numerous books on the subjects of beer and whisky, and has won many awards, including 1999 Glenfiddich Drinks Writer of the Year and the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Wine or Spirits Book in 2006 for Whisky. He is member of the Belgian Confederation of Brewers, the only non-brewer to be honored. Jackson is also a journalist, and writes regularly for a variety of publications, including Whisky magazine, The Washington Post, and a number of websites.
Customer Review: Solid overview of the world of beer
This is yet another volume in the current “Eyewitness Companions” series. Interested in the world of beer? This represents a nice introduction. As Michael Jackson, the author, says: “Like wine, beer is grown–it is an agricultural product, perhaps the first known to civilization.”

The book begins with an introductory section, featuring a short history of beer. Back when humans were hunter-gatherers, when grain, water, and yeast interacted, this (Page 15) “. . .made people feel ‘blissful.’”

The next section is called “From Grain to Glass.” This part features the basic ingredients of beer, water, grain, and hops (among others)–plus yeast. Following this, “Beer Styles.” Yummy! The reader finds out about Belgian wild beers, wheat beers (a nice variation!), porters and stouts, ales, and lagers. Next, “Enjoying Beer.” One interesting discussion is on beer-hunting, finding really tasty, distinctive beers rather than the generic bland stuff most often drunk. As Jackson says (Page 62) “. . .ask for a beer, and the chances are you will get an insipid brew. . . .” So, one most “beer hunt” to find interesting varieties. The book also exp0lores the linkage of food and beer (just as some wines go better with certain foods, so, too, with beer!). For example (Page 68),”Try a Munich-style dark lager with sausage or pastrami. . . .”

Finally, the heart of the book. An enumeration of beers by country and region. This is not exhaustive. Unless I missed these, two beers I have enjoyed in Paris and Geneva are not represented–Cardinal and Kronenbourg. Beers are listed and described for some of the following: Czech Republic, Germany, Belgium, British Isles, other European countries, the United States, Canada, Japan, and so on. For the most part, not much time is spent on any single beer. The tradeoff? Many more beers are described. So, one sacrifices depth with breadth.

In the end, this is a lot of fun! There are problems, such as some major beers not being covered (I may have missed it, but I did not see St. Pauli Girl) and very brief descriptions of different beers. But if you’re interested in a look at the world of beer, this is a fine jumping off point.

Customer Review: An excellent survey of beer in beautifully illustrated style.
I have to confess I really enjoy the Eyewitness Companion books — they are handy, fact filled, and beautifully illustrated — in this case, a picture can be worth more than a thousand words.

Pictures for beer — what do they add?

With book in hand, you’ll see they add a great deal — the colors of the different types are especially helpful. We are lucky enough to have a retailer nearby in North Haledon that stocks over 250 different beers. This book was a great guide to the beers on offer.

The substance of the book is excellent, with very good descriptions of various types and styles. And the authors obviously love beer — there’s a warmth here that I find in the best travel books in the series.

Tags: Beer brewing, Beer guide, Make beer, Beer review