Customer Reviews

Beer for Dummies

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I have been an avid homebrewer now for about three years and, in that time, I have accumulated my share of books on the subject of homebrewing. "Beer for Dummies" has more tidbits of information than any other. However, the book is written in a style similar to an encyclopedia so if you are looking for a book that has novel-like reading appeal, you shold pass this one up. But if you want a book that reads like an almanac, loaded with lists, charts, and reference material, then this is the book for you.

I've been a "serious" beer drinker for more than 20 years and I've just brewed my third batch. I wish I'd had this book 20 years ago. It's not that I didn't learn anything from it--I did--it just would have saved me about ten years of self education.

Beer for Dummies has a ton of very practical information on every aspect of beer--including enough to get you through a couple batches of homebrew, if you're so inclined. This is the book I will give to friends with a budding interest in beer--including those who think Coors Light is the last word in beer

Like most of the "....For Dummies" series, the book is a little irreverent, but an easy read. If you are just starting in a learn-more-about-beer project, a good place to start. If Coors Light is your idea of a great beer, look elsewhere.

I got into beer about five years ago when I discovered just how much the really good wines cost. I started by buying this book, and with over 1200 different beers sampled, and over a dozen batches brewed, I really appreciate the start it gave me. I've actually used some of the recipes (both for food and homebrewing). I've also utilized the lists of beer and brewpubs to help search out new adventures in beer. I think the thing that I appreciate the most is the breadth. Most beer books are specialized into lists and ratings of beer, or homebrewing, but this one has a comprehensive feel about. If you're just starting to get into beer, or you're thinking about it, I'd tell you to get this book before any others.

This book contains good basic information about beer, the business of beer and how to begin homebrewing. You will need additional information to take your skills to the next level, but this book will get you started. Like most of the books in this series the information is clearly presented and easily understood by the novice. If you desire to learn more about beer, the foods it pairs with, the types and numbers of breweries, and the beers they produce this book is a great starting point.

I have never purchased or read any books in the "...for Dummies" series. I realize the concept is probably a stroke of marketing genius, and I suspect the publisher sells "millions and millions" of copies of these books. But I always found the "...for Dummies" titles off-putting. I suppose these books are intended to appeal to readers who lack confidence about their knowledge of the subject. I never felt I lacked such confidence, however, so I avoided the series. Having said that, when "Beer for Dummies" showed up as a Vine selection, I snapped it up, my interest in fine craft beer handily overpowering my aversion to the "...for Dummies" imprint.

This 2nd Edition is a revision and update of the original, which was published in 1996. This may not normally be a big deal, but the beer industry has undergone enormous transformations in the past 15 years, so to produce a book of any value, the authors probably had to re-write much of it. I don't have the original for a side-by-side comparison, so I'll just evaluate how well "Beer for Dummies" reflects today's beer culture.

And the answer is...very well indeed. Of course, some aspects of beer haven't changed since the beginning of time. Chapters covering such things as beer basics (Chapter 1), beer ingredients (2), brewing techniques (3), labeling (10), tasting and evaluating (12) and cooking with beer (14) are probably little changed from the first edition. Many new or revived styles have emerged since the first edition, such as barrel-aged, organic, Kosher and gluten-free beers, and amped-up Imperial versions of just about anything and everything. Chapters 6, 7 and 8 explore these new styles in considerable detail. Chapter 15 describes how to explore craft beer culture in North America, including a brief history lesson on the industry and advice on the best types of places to find quality brews. A short section on beer festivals presents several useful do's and don'ts for novice attendees, and mentions a few notable events you might want to check out. Chapter 16 provides similar data for Europe, Asia and elsewhere.

All in all, the breadth of coverage in "Beer for Dummies" is remarkable, although some topics may, as a result, be less deep than the curious reader might like. Also, some of the material is perishable, of course, so the prudent craft beer fan will always search on-line for up-to-date information.

Not having seen any other volumes in the series, I assume the layout of "Beer for Dummies" is typical. The main text uses a lot of bulletized lists, and is supplemented with related material in gray sidebars. Clever little icons--"Warning," "Remember," "Technical Stuff," "Tip" and "Beer Nut"--highlight certain topics. The writing style is breezy, straightforward and very readable. The information is accurate and reliable, as best I can tell, and should be of interest to any and all beer enthusiasts. I thought I knew a lot about the subject before I cracked the cover of "Beer for Dummies," but I learned a lot from it. Other beer books are available, but I don't think any of them pack in as much useful information per square inch. "Beer for Dummies" deserves a place on every beer geek's bookshelf.

This entry in the "Dummies" series is a book all about beer. It provides a good reference book for those who want to lookup facts and discover trivia about beer and the art of brewing; tasting and evaluation; cooking with beer; home brewing; and other topics.

The authors of this book write in a very matter of fact style. They use bulleted text, shaded boxes, and other eye- grabbing techniques throughout, making the book look like the layout of a long advertising piece. Plenty of lists and trivial facts can be found throughout the pages of the book, and the authors seem very interested in increasing your beer I.Q.

Some sections of this book probably deserve a little more coverage then they receive. Prohibition, one of the ugliest events in world history, receives less than one page of discussion. I guess the authors felt this wasn't significant to the modern- day enjoyment and understanding of malt beverages so they limited its allotted space.

This makes a good reference book for anyone who wants to know more about beer. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned veteran in the world of malt beverages, this guide will prove to be fun and educational.

Everything you ever wanted to know about beer can be found in this book, from beer ingredients to little known facts about beer to homebrewing. It's very informative.

Beer for dummies is an excellent starting point fo people who want to learn more about beer. it is well organised with good information and a little humor. It's one flaw is that a few chapters of the book are little more than tables that don't really help the novice user and can be overwelming. It is overall one of the better books about beer.

This book was very helpful and took away much of the mystery about beer and its complexities.