The use of wooden vessels for storage, transportation, fermentation or aging of beer is deeply rooted in history. Brewing luminaries Dick Cantwell and Peter Bouckaert explore the many influences of wood as a vehicle for contributing tremendous complexity to beers fermented and aged within it. Brewers are innovating, experimenting and enthusiastically embracing the seemingly mystical complexity of flavors and aromas derived from wood. From the souring effects of microbes that take up residence in the wood to the character drawn from barrels or foeders, Wood & Beer covers not only the history, physiology, microbiology and flavor contributions of wood, but also the maintenance of wooden vessels.

While beer drinkers around the world scour market shelves for Trappist beers, few understand the enigmatic lives of the monks behind these illustrious brews. Now in its second edition, Trappist Beer Travels takes readers inside monastery walls for an in-depth look at the legendary breweries of Trappist monks. From the expansive production facilities at Chimay, to the coveted gates of Westvleteren, to the ancient sun-baked walls of Rome's Tre Fontane, join three American beer writers as they travel the globe gaining rare access to the world's authentic Trappist breweries. This updated and expanded edition includes vibrant new and historical photographs and original artwork, as well as a brand-new chapter focused on the latest brothers to take up the craft of brewing, England's Mount Saint Bernard Abbey. Explore the histories of each abbey, their brewing traditions, details about the lives of the monks, and helpful travel tips so you, too, can plan a journey of your own.

This scrapbook of archival and contemporary photos highlights the evolution of American brewery trucks, from turn-of-the-century horse-drawn wagons to the motorized trucks commonly seen on todays streets and highways. Detailed cutlines describe the trucks and their evolution, while the photos themselves detail both the interiors and exteriors of the trucks as they load and unload beverages.

Ancient brewing traditions and techniques have been passed generation to generation on farms throughout remote areas of northern Europe. With these traditions facing near extinction, author Lars Marius Garshol set out to explore and document the lost art of brewing using traditional local methods. Equal parts history, cultural anthropology, social science, and travelogue, this book describes brewing and fermentation techniques that are vastly different from modern craft brewing and preserves them for posterity and exploration. Learn about uncovering an unusual strain of yeast, called kveik, which can ferment a batch to completion in just 36 hours. Discover how to make keptinis by baking the mash in the oven. Explore using juniper boughs for various stages of the brewing process. Test your own hand by brewing recipes gleaned from years of travel and research in the farmlands of northern Europe. Meet the brewers and delve into the ingredients that have kept these traditional methods alive. Discover the regional and stylistic differences between farmhouse brewers today and throughout history.

Sharing a beer or two with friends after work or play is one of life's many joys. Session beers, whose mild strength invites more than one round, adhere to high quality standards and are dedicated to balance and drinkability above all. Some naturally low-alcohol beer styles were “sessionable” long before that word was coined, but brewers have reinvented traditionally stronger classic beer styles to make them, too, well-suited to casual drinking sessions. Responsible consumption of these high-quality, easy-drinking beers gives beer lovers the freedom to celebrate community and friendship while consuming less alcohol. Such beers can be challenging to brew, but they present many opportunities to showcase skill, flavor, and refreshment. Session Beers explores the history behind some of the world's greatest session beers, past and present. Learn about the brewing processes and ingredients to master recipe development. Explore popular craft session beer recipes from some of the best brewmasters in America, and discover why beer drinkers enjoy exploring and drinking session beers.

From an award-winning journalist and beer expert, a thoughtful and witty guide to understanding and enjoying beer Right here, right now is the best time in the history of mankind to be a beer drinker. America now has more breweries than at any time since prohibition, and globally, beer culture is thriving and constantly innovating. Drinkers can order beer brewed with local yeast or infused with moondust. However, beer drinkers are also faced with uneven quality and misinformation about flavors. And the industry itself is suffering from growing pains, beset by problems such as unequal access to taps, skewed pricing, and sexism. Drawing on history, economics, and interviews with industry insiders, John Holl provides a complete guide to beer today, allowing readers to think critically about the best beverage in the world. Full of entertaining anecdotes and surprising opinions, Drink Beer, Think Beer is a must-read for beer lovers, from casual enthusiasts to die-hard hop heads.

A guide to enjoying vintage beers explains how to plan and set up a beer cellar, what to look for when tasting aged beers, and the science behind the aging process.