Grape vs. Grain: A Historical, Technological, and Social Comparison of Wine and Beer [Hardcover]

Charles Bamforth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 10, 2008

Why is wine considered more sophisticated even though the production of beer is much more technologically complex? Why is wine touted for its health benefits when beer has more nutritive value? Why does wine conjure up images of staid dinner parties while beer denotes screaming young partiers? Charles Bamforth explores several paradoxes involving these beverages, paying special attention to the culture surrounding each. He argues that beer can be just as grown-up and worldly as wine and be part of a healthy, mature lifestyle. Both beer and wine have histories spanning thousands of years. This is the first book to compare them from the perspectives of history, technology, nature of the market for each, quality attributes, types and styles, and the effect that they have on human health and nutrition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Wine results from a shaky art, beer from a stately science asserts Charles Bamforth who guides the reader through the history and production of both from vine to vintage, and barley to beer bubbles. So why is it that in countries such as the United States wine is revered as sophisticated and beer dismissed as common? In pondering such questions Grape vs. Grain offers humorous as well as penetrating insights into two of the world's favorite beverages."
-Kenneth Kiple, Author of A Movable Feast

"Which do you prefer, Beer or Wine? Irrespective of your response, this highly entertaining and informative text is a valued reference for wine and beer aficionados. It will give you a much better insight and appreciation of both. Charlie Bamforth, Chair Department of Food Science and Technology and Anheuser-Busch Endowed Professor of Malting and Brewing Sciences, is well qualified to discuss wine and beer. It is obvious which one is his first love, but he demonstrates impressive knowledge and profound respect for professionals in both fields and their efforts. He has comparable disdain for inferior products, tacky marketing ploys, and intemperate consumption. He rightfully laments beer's second class image and presents compelling counter arguments.
From the history and tradition to modern developments and health benefits--both good and bad--Charlie provides a fascinating, reasonably objective comparison of beer and wine. The complex technical details (more so beer than wine) are presented in easily understandable language; even the lay reader can grasp the whys and wherefore from raw material to consumption. There's an instructive mix of technology, history, geography, sociology, medicine, economics, even politics. So be it beer or wine, using Charlie's guidelines for selection and tasting, savor your favorite - slowly, thoughtfully, and in moderation. But don't neglect the alternate beverage or unfamiliar styles; you'll learn much and be pleasantly surprised."
- Robert Bates, University of Florida

"Many great books have been written about wine, and many about beer, but until now there has been no comprehensive work comparing the two. Charles Bamforth's Grapes and Grain delves into the social history and technology of both wine and beer, and out of this yeasty mix, provocative insights flow. Bamforth gives the edge to brewed beverages, but wine connoisseurs will be fascinated, and everybody will enjoy his infectious enthusiasm."
- Andrew F. Smith, Editor in chief, The Oxford Companion to American Food and Drink

"Grape vs. Grain offers a thorough, comparative look at mankind's two most beloved and culturally significant beverages that will surely change the mind of anyone who thinks of beer as wine's less-sophisticated 'poor relation'. Charles Bamforth's jovial approach to the subject is as clean and refreshing as a Blanche de Bruges on a hot summer day. Not only did I learn a lot from this book, I enjoyed reading it too; I'd love to sit down and share a pint with its author!"
-Alan Tardi, Author of Romancing the Vine (Winner of the 2006 James Beard Best Wine and Spirits Book)

"...readers will find that the book presents a wealth of interesting material that will correct a number of common myths about the subject of beer and wine."
Agricultural History, David Hanson, University of North-Carolina- Chapel Hill

"...good in covering the technical side of both wine making and beer brewing..." -Gastronomica

Book Description

Both beer and wine have histories spanning thousands of years. This is the first book to compare them from the perspectives of history, technology, nature of the market for each, quality attributes, types and styles, and the effect that they have on human health and nutrition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (March 10, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521849373
• ISBN-13: 978-0521849371
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #882,805 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Non-biased review, September 3, 2008

By 

Fact Fan (Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grape vs. Grain: A Historical, Technological, and Social Comparison of Wine and Beer (Hardcover)

Please, take this book for what it is worth. It's written by a brewer, so obviously it is going to be skewed to brewing. The author never denies this. Look at the first paragraph. This books is great at showing why wine has gained the social status that it has and why beer has not, but should have. Wine has always been considered a rich mans drink, and beer is considered to be a poor mans drink. This book goes to show why this is not true. Beer is just as social and respectable as wine and should be considered so.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the read, September 3, 2008

By 

jonofdc (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grape vs. Grain: A Historical, Technological, and Social Comparison of Wine and Beer (Hardcover)

I think some of you may be missing the point a bit. The author, I believe, is trying to make the arguement throughout the book that the wine industry has, undeservedly, stolen the moral high ground when it comes to comparing beer and wine. The arguements Bamforth puts forward are really asking why has the wine industry been able to do this, while the beer industry has not (either intentionally or not)? He points out that there really is no proof that wine is any healthier than any other type of alcohol, that the retail mark up of wine is disproportionate to what is costs to produce and he questions the hole notion of "vintage" as an excuse for lack of consistencty. Bamforth just dares to say the beer deserves its place at the table just like wine. A great read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From technology and health issues to social value and business distribution, July 13, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grape vs. Grain: A Historical, Technological, and Social Comparison of Wine and Beer (Hardcover)

Why is wine considered the more sophisticated drink than beer, and why is it considered healthier when beer has more nutritive value? Wine and beer receive an unusual contrast in GRAPE VERSUS GRAIN, a comparative survey of the history of wine and beer over thousands of years. From technology and health issues to social value and business distribution, GRAPE VS. GRAIN discusses all aspects of beer and wine making and is a recommended pick for college-level holdings strong in food and wine education.

Diane C. Donovan

California Bookwatch