A comprehensive and authoritative guide, this encyclopedia will satisfy the curiosity of beer lovers who want to know both where their favorite brews come from and the full range of exciting possibilities that lie behind each pint.

Alcohol consumption goes to the very roots of nearly all human societies. Different countries and regions have become associated with different sorts of alcohol, for instance, the “beer culture” of Germany, the “wine culture” of France, Japan and saki, Russia and vodka, the Caribbean and rum, or the “moonshine culture” of Appalachia. Wine is used in religious rituals, and toasts are used to seal business deals or to celebrate marriages and state dinners. However, our relation with alcohol is one of love/hate. We also regulate it and tax it, we pass laws about when and where it’s appropriate, we crack down severely on drunk driving, and the United States and other countries tried the failed “Noble Experiment” of Prohibition. While there are many encyclopedias on alcohol, nearly all approach it as a substance of abuse, taking a clinical, medical perspective (alcohol, alcoholism, and treatment). The SAGE Encyclopedia of Alcohol examines the history of alcohol worldwide and goes beyond the historical lens to examine alcohol as a cultural and social phenomenon, as well—both for good and for ill—from the earliest days of humankind.

Take the beer tour of your dreams! Join author Bill Yenne on a whirlwind tour of the crafty world of beer. After a quick stop to learn about the anatomy of beer, including ingredients, styles, and even museums, The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Beer guides you through all the regions of the world and their famous brews. Inside, find maps, charts, illustrations, and photographs showcasing favorite brews of the areas. Featuring beer from regions like: Belgium, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Great Britain, Ireland, France, Netherlands, USA, Caribbean, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and even the Far East. A section at the back gives you an overview of beer glassware, so you'll know which glass to use when sampling each regional brew. Grab a pint and delve into this sweeping tour of one of the world's favorite beverages!

Encyclopaedia of Brewing provides a comprehensive description and explanation of all terms which relate to the science and technology of beer, allied beverages and the brewing and malting processes. The Encyclopaedia’s unrivalled coverage is extensive enough to provide an appropriately detailed description of each term under consideration, supplemented in many cases with diagrams and photographs. Offering an international perspective, the book includes descriptions of the terms used in: the brewing process, from raw materials through to packaging the biochemistry, microbiology and genetics which underpin brewing laboratory methods used for the analysis of beer and raw materials quality assurance/control systems and standards hygiene and cleaning processes small- and large-pack packaging engineering of malting, brewing, packaging and dispense beer flavour chemistry historical context legislation relevant to brewing Encyclopaedia of Brewing is the only book of its kind, and is destined to become the essential and authoritative first point of reference for brewing science.

"The first major reference work to investigate the history and vast scope of beer, The Oxford Companion to Beer features more than 1,100 A-Z entries written by 166 of the world's most prominent beer experts"-- Provided by publisher.

For artists, designers, and all with an interest in Buddhist and Tibetan art, this is the first exhaustive reference to the seemingly infinite variety of symbols found throughout Tibetan art in line drawings, paintings, and ritual objects. Hundreds of the author's line drawings depict all the major Tibetan symbols and motifs—landscapes, deities, animals, plants, gurus, mudras (ritual hand gestures), dragons, and other mythic creatures—ranging from complex mythological scenes to small, simple ornaments.

This reference guide will help the reader to understand these plants better in order to achieve success with all the different types. It contains information on growth, spread, size and flowering as well as habitat and suitable growing conditions.'