The Good Beer Guide to New England [Paperback]

Andy Crouch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 31, 2006

With wit, enthusiasm, and a deep respect for the craft of brewing, Andy Crouch profiles nearly one hundred establishments in New England, offering a description and history of each, as well as insights into each brewmaster's philosophy and brewing style. For each brewery and brewpub profiled, Crouch covers the range of beers available and identifies its flagship product; he also highlights his choice for its "best beer," which is rarely its most popular or best known offering.

Crouch offers judicious evaluations of food, ambience, and of course, the beer; he also provides information on the availability of tours, directions and parking, hours of operation, entertainment, local sights of interest, and whether beer is available for take-away. In addition, he includes essays on the brewing process, understanding and appreciating beer, and a list of "eleven great New England beer bars."

Whether well-brewed beer is the focus of a trip or a welcomed complement, beer enthusiasts and novices alike will find this guide a worthwhile companion wherever they travel in New England.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[A] witty, perceptive guide . . . The book is fair, funny, and a delicious sip for any beer lover."--Yankee Magazine

An "excellent modern guide to New England beers."--SeacoastNH.com

"One great aspect of the book is that it has appeal to both the beer novice... [and] beer nuts... Crouch clearly did his homework."--The Republican

"The unpretentious, informative spirit of the beer guide is entirely refreshing."--Valley News

Review

"Andy Crouch brings his infectious enthusiasm for good beer to his New England roots for a comprehensive look at the Good Beer movement in this important, indeed seminal, region of America's beer experience. His obvious knowledge of beer and brewing coupled with a practiced journalist's eye toward telling the story in an accurate, entertaining and humorous way make The Good Beer Guide to New England a thought and thirst provoking experience." (Tom Dalldorf, Editor/Publisher, Celebrator Beer News )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: UPNE (May 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584654694
• ISBN-13: 978-1584654698
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #921,554 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Andy Crouch is an award-winning freelance writer whose articles on beer have appeared in Ale Street News, American Brewer, BeerAdvocate Magazine, Beverage Magazine, Celebrator Beer News, New Brewer Magazine, Yankee Food News, and here on BeerScribe.com. He presently writes the monthly 'Unfiltered' column for BeerAdvocate Magazine and a bi-monthly column for Beverage Magazine.

His newest book, Great American Craft Beer, was published by Running Press in August 2010. Great American Craft Beer takes readers on a passionate and informative journey through the most palate pleasing ales and lagers produced in America today. Built on the inalienable truth that there is a beer out there for everyone, the book directs readers to focus on the flavors they already enjoy tasting, such as sweet fruits, roasted coffee, or bitter hops. This unconventional approach allows drinkers of all experience levels to step right up to the bar and order their next pint with confidence.

His first book, The Good Beer Guide to New England, was published by the University Press of New England (UPNE) in May 2006. A passionate celebration of taste and travel, it is the first and only comprehensive guide to the bounty of great beers produced by all of the breweries and brewpubs in the six New England states. The guide will leave readers with an unparalleled resource for enjoying the array of quality beers produced in New England. Reflecting the reader's desire to travel to new places and experience local, handcrafted products, the guide provides detailed reviews of New England breweries and brewpubs along with additional content about beer and its history.

Andy Crouch lives, writes, and practices criminal law in Cambridge, Massachusetts. BeerScribe.com is a website dedicated to the art, complexity, and business of beer.

For information on how to contact Andy Crouch or Beerscribe.com, please try our contact information page or send us an email at andy[at]beerscribe.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable, May 2, 2006

By 

John J. Mezzacappa (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Good Beer Guide to New England (Paperback)

This book is the definitive guide to all New England breweries and is a great book for people into local brewers. The author set up each entry in such a way that you can use the book as a road map to breweries across New England. While there are a few things out of date in this book (Pittsfield Breworks is not included and Southport Brewing has been offering beer to go in growlers for a little over a year for example), it is as accurate as a book can be about the everchanging landscape that is craftbeer. The author also seems spot on about his impressions of these different brewers as I found myself agreeing with just about all of the entries of brewers I have visited myself. One thing the book does not include that I would like to see in future revisions (assuming there will be a second edition) is when he was there (day of the week, time of the day, and date visited). This would give us a better understanding of his impressions. Nevertheless, I consider this book an indispensable resource.

4.0 out of 5 stars Up to date, good guide, November 19, 2007

By 

CelticBrewer (CT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Good Beer Guide to New England (Paperback)

Overall, this is a good book and worth getting. It's valuable to me, a local; but more-so to people traveling in the area.

It gives good stats on the brewpubs (and beer bars) including beer lineups, hours, brew system specs and capacity, directions, nearby attractions, etc...

Then there's bios on the breweries, a bit on the brewers, and the beer, obviously.

If there's a downpoint, it's that the author was a bit generous with the beer criticism. He didn't slam certain beers or breweries as hard as I would have. I've tasted many infected or downright horrible beers from some of the places he praises.

5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what I was looking for...., April 13, 2007

By 

roadtripper (boston, ma) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Good Beer Guide to New England (Paperback)

This book is the best of its type. I also own the "Beer Lovers Guide to the USA" and "On Tap New England". Those books are ancient now unfortunately. This guide is their replacement.

I found this guidebook very well organized with very good recommendations. I've been to a few of the pubs in the book and so far, so good. (i.e Vermont Pub & Brewery, John Harvards, Barrington Brewery, Woodstock inn, & Gritty McDuffs). The author lists his personal favorite, the flagship beer (which is usually different from his favorite), and a ton of other facts.

I only wish I could have joined him in writing this book. Must have been a drunken good time!

Highly Recommended.