The History of Beer (book recommendations)

[jpbl68]

Hope I'm posting this on the correct board. Apologies if I'm in the wrong place.


I'm after a book that explains the history of beer (how it was originally made and how the brewing process has changed, how the major breweries were established, the role beer has played in society, etc.). In particular I'm interested in the history of British brewing and British beer but I'm also interested in finding out about the global history of beer.

Any recommendations?


Thanks for reading :

 

[lancsSteve]

"A Man Walks into a Pub" is a VERY readable book:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Man-Walks-Into- ... 0330412205

really good and covers all that you;re talking about - though as it's written by former marketing guy for Stella who tries to advance an argument that "Stella" is good beer somewhat undoes it towards the end!

"Prost: THe story of German Beer" isn't as good but gives the sweep of Euro history and beer:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prost-German-Ho ... 145&sr=1-1

Graham Wheeler's original CAMRA book "Home Brewing" has lots of the same sort of info in it alongside how to brew and looks like it's being reprinted!!! :-D

http://www.amazon.co.uk/CAMRAs-Complete ... 050&sr=1-2

 

[jpbl68]

"A Man Walks into a Pub" is a VERY readable book:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Man-Walks-Into- ... 0330412205

really good and covers all that you;re talking about - though as it's written by former marketing guy for Stella who tries to advance an argument that "Stella" is good beer somewhat undoes it towards the end!

:rofl:

This sounds perfect. Cheers.

 

[unclepumble]

If you want a very informative book on the history of british beer styles "Amber Gold and Black" is a very good read indeed.

UP

 

[TheMumbler]

If you want a very informative book on the history of british beer styles "Amber Gold and Black" is a very good read indeed.

UP

I picked up Beer- The Story of the Pint by the same author from a charity shop for 50p a while back but I haven't started reading it yet. Looks like it might be the sort of thing you are after.

 

[piet_v]

Reading list

 

[jpbl68]

Thanks guys. A lot of titles to keep me occupied.

I think I'll start with "Man Walks into a Pub" and take things from there.

 

[jonboymentalhealth]

yup ive just ordered that book aswell :party:

 

[spudbasher]

If you can get hold of Beer and Skittles by Richard Boston ,1976 ,one of the founders of CAMRA , you wont go far wrong an absolutely brilliant book ,and well worth seeking out.

 

[spudbasher]

Yep, just checked Amazon its still available. Dirt cheap as well.

 

[dennisking]

If you can get hold of Beer and Skittles by Richard Boston ,1976 ,one of the founders of CAMRA , you wont go far wrong an absolutely brilliant book ,and well worth seeking out.

Amazing, forgotten all about that book, got it on shelf somewhere will have to dig it out and read it again, probably over 30 years since I read it, was a good book in its time.

 

[jpbl68]

I'm about a third of the way through and so far I'm enjoying it. The footnotes can be a little distracting and some of the information seems sketchy but overall it's an entertaining read.


A good introduction to beer's history. Cheers for the recommendation :