Beer for Dummies (Paperback)

~ (Author), Steve Ettlinger (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The phrase "beer for dummies" may ring redundant in a world where wine snobbery has made "beer education" sound more like an oxymoron than a worthwhile endeavor. Yet the mass-produced fizz-water that commonly passes for beer is really an unrepresentative descendent of the classic European pilsner style--just one of more than 20 categories of beer recognized by modern brewers. Beer for Dummies is a terrific reference for those beer lovers who might be surprised or enticed by beer's oft-forgotten diversity.

In the down-to-earth, light-hearted tone typical of the For Dummies series, Marty Nachel covers most--if not all--of the beer lover's terrain. Sections on defining, enjoying, buying, making, and "going nuts over" beer comprise the balance of the book, but even more information follows by way of reference: you'll learn about beer and brewing clubs, beer history, collector's info, and more. The advanced topics may be spread a bit thin by the book's breadth, but the neophyte beer enthusiast has much to glean from such a broad overview. Those to whom "hops" and "mashing" still sound like terms for teen revelry should give Beer for Dummies a chance to redefine their idea of beer. --Todd Gehman

Product Description

Beer has always been one of the world's most popular beverages; but recently, people have embraced the rich complexities of beer's many varieties. Now, with Beer For Dummies, you can quickly and enjoyably educate your palate -- from recognizing the characteristics of ales, lagers, and other beer styles to brewing your own beer right at home. In Beer For Dummies, beer connoisseur Marty Nachel shares his own expertise on this subject so dear to his heart, revealing his picks for the best beer festivals, tastings, and events around the world as well as his simple tips for pouring, storing, and drinking beer like an expert brewmeister.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (August 16, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156884865X
• ISBN-13: 978-1568848655
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #335,804 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not just for dummies, July 1, 1997

By A Customer

I've been a "serious" beer drinker for more than 20 years and I've just brewed my third batch. I wish I'd had this book 20 years ago. It's not that I didn't learn anything from it--I did--it just would have saved me about ten years of self education.

Beer for Dummies has a ton of very practical information on every aspect of beer--including enough to get you through a couple batches of homebrew, if you're so inclined. This is the book I will give to friends with a budding interest in beer--including those who think Coors Light is the last word in beer

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Many, Many Facts about Beer, September 13, 1997

By A Customer

I have been an avid homebrewer now for about three years and, in that time, I have accumulated my share of books on the subject of homebrewing. "Beer for Dummies" has more tidbits of information than any other. However, the book is written in a style similar to an encyclopedia so if you are looking for a book that has novel-like reading appeal, you shold pass this one up. But if you want a book that reads like an almanac, loaded with lists, charts, and reference material, then this is the book for you.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Have a beer, read about beer, January 4, 1997

By A Customer

Like most of the "....For Dummies" series, the book is a little irreverent, but an easy read. If you are just starting in a learn-more-about-beer project, a good place to start. If Coors Light is your idea of a great beer, look elsewhere.