Customer Reviews

Red, White, and Brew: An American Beer Odyssey

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As I make my way through Red, White and Brew I'm struck by how many fascinating stories there are to be told by those who make the beer we all love to drink. The strength of this book is in the history and perspectives of those personalities that Yaeger interviews along his journey through my neighbouring country to the south. (Yes, I am a Canadian who loves a good American microbrew.)

It's important to realize you won't learn much from this book about which beer you should be bringing home from the corner store; you will, however, uncover a ton of history about the brewery that made that beer, the people behind it, the business ups and downs, the process, and the blood sweat and tears that go into every bottle... uh, figuratively that is.

But the main takeaway for me was a new appreciation for how democratic beer can be. The Anheuser-Busch and MillerCoors of the world might prefer you to believe that beer must come from large breweries, but the people in Red White and Brew all started down their various paths with a very different idea in mind. Beer is what you make of it, and for someone with a passion, putting *good* beer in the fridge is something you can always do for yourself. It just takes one trip down to the local homebrew store, and you're on your way.

As I've already warned my girlfriend, the day may arrive where I come home with a few bags of malt and hops, and start putting into practice the ideas I now have percolating in my mind thanks to Red, White and Brew.

Great, great read! Makes you want to road trip across America, just like Brian did. My husband has always liked craft brews and homebrews. I was mildly interested, but after reading this book we're homebrewing together and constantly on the lookout for new and different beers to try. I've recommended this book to every beer drinker I know.

It's a pretty good read about a man's odessy (he actually uses this word many times) to travel the United States, visiting various breweries and brewpubs. He sticks mainly to long established, family run breweries and some many of the chapters are often mini-family business histories. The large Coors/ Miller / Anheiser-Busch breweries are often referenced, but aren't visited. The author seems more interested in the history of each business than the product. The strength of the book is that Jaeger is a top-notch interviewer. It's no small feat in this book, when in many cases, he had already downed a few cold ones before the interview.

Surprisingly, there's little said about how the end product of each brewery tastes. The author also visits a bunch of brewpubs on the trip, but too many times, just breezes through the visit leaving the author to wonder what each place is really like. Anyone looking for any sort of insights as to how each different place on the map fits into its time and place is going to go away a bit unsatisfied.

Given the strength and weaknesses, I'd give it 3 1/2 stars so I'll round it up to four stars. Beer enthusiasts will enjoy it, but others may want to look elsewhere in the road trip genre.

As a self proclaimed beergeek, and avid homebrewer, I found Red, White, and Brew a very enjoyable read, that forces the reader to keep turning pages to see what's next on the beer menu. The author does a nice job of getting behind the scenes of some of America's best breweries, and sheds some light on what makes these unique people tick.

My only critisism of the author's writing style lies in the way he weaves his own personal life experiences in with each of the interviews. I found this to be confusing at times, not completely sure if he was spaeking about himself, or the subject of his interview.

All in all this is a book worthy of a read by anyone who enjoys the craft brew revolution underway in our country, or just likes reading about, as well as drinking beer.

One part road book, one part portrait of a unique breed of entrepreneur, "Red White and Brew" introduces us to independent brewers all over America, different in personalities and temperaments but all sharing the same steely independence and dedication to doing what they love. The best endorsement I can offer is that after finishing this book, I returned to beer drinking after a long hiatus (now if you'll excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom).

Enlightening, entertaining, educating... what more can you ask for? And oh! It is about BEER!!

I've been into good beer for many years, but I had never taken my love of brew to the level of reading about it until now. RW&B was a great read, and like the title of the review says, I learned a ton about beer from it. I learned about the background of beers I had been drinking for years and about the brewing business in general. The author drives all over the country to various craft breweries, where he meets and drinks with brewers and brewery owners as he goes. It's a fun read that will make you thirsty for good beer, will make you want to go on a road trip, and may get you to thinking about trying some home brewing out in garage.

Red, White, and Brew: An American Beer Odyssey

I bought two of these books one for myself & one for my son in law. I am not one for taking the time to read, bought I found this book very interesting.If you like beer or just like to know how breweries got there start. Than buy this book. You won't be sorry.

I ordered this book for a friend who is into microbrews and he was thrilled with the gift and excited to read about a man's traveling across the country to visit breweries.

I've recently gotten curious about the world of beer and brewing because of my boyfriend (and because I LOVE road trips!) so he got Red, White and Brew and I decided to read it. It is fascinating book about the interesting people and fun stories behind the people who make our beer around the country. Each chapter is totally different and you don't have to be a beer-head (or even a guy!) to enjoy it! I am definitely going to buy a copy for my dad and brother and my grandma too! I HIGHLY recommend!