Customer Reviews

The Good Beer Guide to New England

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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 While there are a few things out of date in this book (Pittsfield Breworks is not included and Southport Brewing has been offering beer to go in growlers for a little over a year for example), it is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.

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.

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.

I purchased this volume, unread, as a gift. Therefore, I cannot offer first-hand testimony (hence, my four stars). The recipient, however, vouches for its accuracy and usefulness.