Michael Jackson's Beer Companion: The World's Great Beer Styles, Gastronomy, and Traditions [Hardcover]

Michael Jackson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1997

Now revised and updated, this award-winning classic features nearly 25% more photos and new words of wisdom. Includes updated versions of the author's "seminars" on American ales, Lambics and fruit beers, wheat beers, international ales, porters and stouts, lagers, and specialty beers, and continues its section on beer and food (with recipes), and more. 218 full-color illus.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Beer deserves to be treated as a civilized drink; it may even have been the cause of civilization." Jackson ( The New World Guide to Beer ) here presents a knowledgeable and civilized survey of the various and sundry beers imbibed around the globe. You'll learn, for example, that Ninkasi was a Sumerian goddess of brewing, and that malt-making may be as much as 4000 years old. He explains what fruit beers are ("A beer made with fruit sounds like a contradiction. Surely it is a wine?"), and defines lagers, ales, porters, wheat beers and more; discusses and rates the beers of assorted nations; and suggests what foods go well with which beers. Jackson is excellent at combining historical detail with current information about the beers and brewers in question; his organization is logical and accessible. Beautifully photographed and designed for sustained browsing as well as authoritative reference, this book will appeal to both beer tyros and more sophisticated tipplers. Photos.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Running Pr; 2nd edition (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762402016
• ISBN-13: 978-0762402014
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 7.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,184,058 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential, February 6, 2002

By 

Hoppy Doppelrocket (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Michael Jackson's Beer Companion: Revised And Updated (Hardcover)

Michael Jackson has long been considered one of (if not the) world's foremost experts on beer (so much so that those who love beer think of this Michael long before the putative Pop King Michael). And this book only adds to that well-deserved reputation.

Jackson's "Beer Companion" is loaded with color photos of many beer styles, labels, breweries, and watering holes and gives a decent history of the various brewing styles and tastes (very fascinating!). Mr. Jackson provides advice for what beers go with what foods (and it does matter) and suggests some good drinking establishments (and breweries) to visit if you're a world traveler. A good drinking companion indeed. Unfortunately, the book is somewhat large (and annoying to travel with) so you may be better off reading it first, taking some notes, and bringing the (also essential) Pocket Beer Guide with you instead. Enjoy.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The International Language is Beer, October 21, 1999

By 

George Schaefer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Michael Jackson's Beer Companion: The World's Great Beer Styles, Gastronomy, and Traditions (Hardcover)

I began my own personal journey into good beer back when Samuel Adams Lager was considered an exotic option to Heineken. I, along with many of my friends, became curious about investigating this exciting new angle to drinking beer. We all learned that there is more to drinking beer than just foolishly slurping Budweiser. One of the best sources for learning about beer styles and great beers brewed around the world is reading the books of Michael Jackson, British writer not American singer. Luckily, he removes one glove long enough to write these books. If you want to learn about beer, this is a very good resource. In my travels around America and the world, I seek out beers he recommends. This book is a primer on the many splenid styles of beer. There is a difference between an India Pale Ale and a Czech pilsner. He will point out several classic examples of each style he documents. I learned about the traditions of the countries that have great brewing histories. Beer is not just for breakfast anymore and Michael Jackson is one of the leaders in spreading the good word. His poetic prose and vast knowledge of the subject make for a fascinating read. Even a non-believer might learn a thing or two from this book. From Abbey doubles to Extra Special Bitters to Berliner weissebiers, this book has it all.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Beer Guide Yet, August 2, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Michael Jackson's Beer Companion: The World's Great Beer Styles, Gastronomy, and Traditions (Hardcover)

Jackson was among the first (if not the first) authors to write a guidebook to beer and he remains the best. The Beer Companion is impeccably researched and comprehensive. Jackson's colorful writing style, with occasional touches of wry humor, gets the reader through 280 pages on beer without ever sounding repetitive. In addition, the book contains copious photographs and would look good on anyone's coffee table.

Although it covers a lot of the same ground as Jackson's earlier World Guide to Beer, it is more up-to-date and easier to read. Unlike the World Guide, which was organized by country, the Beer Companion features chapters on each of the world's great beer styles. This makes it a more usable reference for us amatuer brewers.