Book Reviews

Review

Superb guide to Manchester beer & pubs

Matthew Curtis has written and photographed a fine new guide to the bars, pubs and breweries of Manchester and has linked them to the city's long history of brewing. Several old family breweries have survived and they have been joined by a host of new small producers in recent years. The enjoyment of beer in the city is heightened by the many superb pubs, both ancient and modern

Added: Saturday, November 18th 2023

Comment

In depth history of Britain's beer culture

Des de Moor's new book is a well-researched history of brewing in Britain, the development of cask-conditioned ale and its struggle to revive after Covid. The design of the book is odd -- with long sections on lager as well as ale -- before readers get to the promise of the title but in general this is a thoughtful, stimulating and provocative analysis

Added: Monday, October 30th 2023

Review

Desi pubs: good for beer, food & society

David Jesudason has written a remarkable guide to desi pubs that offer not only good beer and exceptional food but are also at the vanguard of combatting racism in society. He has found pubs that once operated all-white colour bars but now welcome people from all ethnic backgrounds and offer food with its roots in Asian culture and history.

Added: Sunday, June 11th 2023

News

Protz chooses some of world's top beers

Roger Protz is one of eight leading beer writers who have combined to choose their favourite brews for the new book The World's Greatest Beers, published by CAMRA Books. It will be launched on 2 August, the opening day of the Great British Beer Festival. Protz says he has chosen 33 beers that reflect both great standard bearers along with beers from the vast number of new breweries to be found throughout the world

Added: Wednesday, July 20th 2022

Review

Clubbing together: the rise of the CIU

In his new book, Pete Brown records the creation of working men's clubs by do-gooders in Victorian Britain who wanted to win people away from the "evils" of the pub. When working men took over the clubs, they turned them into successful organisations, with millions of members throughout the country

Added: Wednesday, June 22nd 2022

Review

Beer well served by a fine book

Jonny Garrett has produced a superb book that covers the world's great beer styles in a refreshingly different fashion, breaking them down into the seasons of the year, discussing the way they are made and the best foods to enjoy with them.

Added: Saturday, June 4th 2022

Review

Quick canter through history of Bass

A book by Harry White on the history of Bass is written by an insider but it's disappointingly thin on the growth of the brewery in the 19th century and its vast export impact with IPA. It also underplays the use of mass advertising post World War Two to fuel the development of keg beer and lager

Added: Monday, May 2nd 2022

Feature

Can it! How branding boosts beer

In his new book Beer by Design, Pete Brown traces the rise of branding and marketing from the Bass Red Triangle in the 19th century to the use of modern design and typefaces to promote the vast range of craft beers throughout the world. He shows how even ultra-modern breweries such as BrewDog have benefitted from an overhaul and new image

Added: Thursday, December 9th 2021

Review

Curtis: beer is blooming in Britain

In Modern British Beer, Matthew Curtis has trawled the country to find breweries producing beers packed with exciting aromas and flavours. It's not just another book about IPAs, but covers a variety of styles from pale ale to Saison, sour, barley wine, stout and lager

Added: Sunday, August 15th 2021

Review

Brilliant romp through beer's history

The Philosophy of Beer by Jane Peyton covers the history of the world's favourite alcohol, from its inception in the Old World, through its arrival in Europe, the introduction of hops, and the scientific understanding of yeast that led to modern lager. The book also covers matching beer and food and the health attributes of moderate consumption.

Added: Monday, April 5th 2021