Beer in a New Light
Beer lovers are in for a treat! Bernstein’s book shows that the time has come for beer to shine in the limelight and get the recognition and in-depth coverage that it has long deserved. Now, not only can you turn to big tome reference books like the first edition of The Oxford Companion to Beer, which launched last year, but you can also get a specific insider’s chronicle of the craft beer makers that bring it all closer to home in Bernstein’s Brewed Awakening.
The creative layout immediately intrigues and entices: The handwritten beer reviews add a personal touch. The action shots of the beer makers show the personality behind the brands. And the images of beer labels show the often overlooked wide range of visual expressions in packaging.
Bernstein’s enthusiasm and depth of beer knowledge makes the book hard to put down. Besides the expected information on hop styles, he keeps the book fresh by discussing trends and points of debate: Cans, bottles or growlers? Low or high alcohol? Also, the growth of seasonal flavors, food pairing, preservation of beloved beer styles, and the arrival of the beer restaurants.
My only concern is wondering how to find some of the beers, so I wish there was a list of retailers in the book. Besides that, I have no qualms with the book. I encourage beer enthusiasts to “hop to it” and check it out!
Here’s an example beer review: Full Sail Brewing Co. Click on the recipe box to the right.
