Join authors Dick Cantwell and Peter Bouckaert as they tell the story of the marriage between wood and beer from Roman times through medieval Europe to modern craft brewing. Cooperage is a long and venerable craft and here the authors give a description combining the evocative and technical. The smells, the heat, choosing the wood, drying, fashioning staves, steaming, firing, and assembling into a perfect container—at least perfect until the bunghole is drilled to accommodate the precious contents. Barrels and foeders have gone from an oddity of traditional breweries to a commonplace feature at the heart of the craft brewing industry. It is estimated that 85% of US breweries now use wood as part of their process. Maintaining wooden vessels requires care and meticulous organization of cellar space. The authors discuss the vagaries of temperature, humidity, seasonal changes, mold, and evaporation, and how breweries new and old deal with these challenges. The basics of selecting, inspecting, cleaning, and maintaining barrels are detailed. Finally, of course, the wood must be united with the beer. The complexity and variations that govern how wood imparts flavors to beer can be overwhelming. The authors guide the reader through wood's characteristic flavor compounds and the nuances of toasting and charring. Oak is the focus, American, French, and Eastern European, but other woods get their due. As well as intrinsic flavors, the microflora that take up residence in a barrel or foeder are the living, beating heart of a barrel-aged beer, able to create sour and unique beers of fascinating complexity. The authors pepper the text with stories and experiences from some of the giants of the craft brewing scene, discussing how they monitor their barrel programs and taste and blend their beers to create something truly special. All this will inspire professional and amateur brewers alike. At the end of the book the authors give some helpful advice on wood aging for homebrewers, including the uses for chips, cubes, spirals, staves, powders ... and the odd chair leg. Get ready to embrace the mystical complexity of flavors and aromas derived from wood.

A Great Gift for the Craft Beer Enthusiast - A Travel Guide to Craft Beer Breweries Across the United States You've heard of a wine trail, but what about an ale trail? On your next road trip, take a look at some of the nation's independent craft beer breweries. In this extensive guide, you'll find nearly every brewpub, watering hole, beer garden, and taproom in the United States. The listings include the address, phone number, and website for the featured brewery. For those that my personal favorite or have been recommended to me by close friends, I have also included a short description in the listing. Whether you're into IPAs, pilsners, or white ales, there is a brewery for you. In my book, Craft Beer Brewery Guide to All 50 States, I will show you how your next vacation can be made even more enjoyable by visiting a locally owned and operated brewery. These brewpubs and taprooms will provide you with a unique experience you won't soon forget. Beer enthusiasts will delight in the idea of taking a trip just to sample interesting local brews. In my book, I will show you where to go and how to travel to make the most of your stay, including daily itineraries with travel directions. The states are listed alphabetically, but I will show you how to go around the brewery trails geographically within the states. In this book, we'll discuss all aspects of enjoying the right pint of beer. When it comes to beer, you likely think of people sitting at a bar and drinking from a glass. However, properly serving and tasting beer is so much more than this. First, we're going to look at how to properly serve and store beer. Then we'll consider how best to drink beer. In order to properly serve and taste beer, you first need to make sure you have the right glassware. I will show you how to pick the right glassware for serving beer. We will also discuss brewery and taproom beer tasting etiquette. Tasting beer is much more than taking a swig and swallowing it down. When you taste and truly appreciate a good craft beer, you should be able to articulate your experience. With this book, you will learn how. This might seem simple, but just as you would with wine, there is a right way to properly taste your beer. I will also give you an extensive beer style guide to help you determine the differences between craft beers. Another important part of beer tasting is how to properly store your beer before drinking and then how to properly pour it into your selected glass. Beer should be treated just like any other perishable food. In this craft brewery guide, you will learn: History of Beer in America How to Serve Beer Different Types of Glasses for Beer Pouring and Storing Beer How to Drink Beer Beer Taste Ratings Beer Style Guide Brewery Etiquette State Breweries Listed by State, then by Geographic Region within that State Directional suggested itineraries so you can make the most of your trip BONUS: Glossary of common beer brewing terms This craft brewery guide to the United States is extensive, comprehensive, and makes a great gift for the beer lover in your life. Be sure to hit "Buy Now" to add this gem to your collection.

During the 75th anniversary year of the repeal of Prohibition, an emerging generation of Indiana craft beer brewers sat down with their friend and fellow beer aficionado Rita T. Kohn for in-depth interviews on the trials and tribulations of pursuing their passion. The result is a fascinating social history of the growth of handcrafted beer within the state. True Brew vibrantly details the brewers' journey in the creation and sharing of their brews. Continuity, interconnectedness, and civic concern are themes that permeate their stories, but readers may be surprised by the brewers' strong advocacy for restoring buildings, invigorating neighborhoods, and practicing sustainability. Join Kohn, Indiana's leading brew masters, and a burgeoning crop of homebrewers as they reflect on the historical, cultural, social, and economic contributions made to Indiana by one of the world's oldest beverages.

Montana's brewing history stretches back more than 150 years to the state's days as a territory. But the art of brewing in Montana has come a long way since the frontier era. Today, nearly forty craft breweries span the Treasure State, and the quality of their output rivals the best craft beer produced anywhere in the country. Maybe it's because there's also a little piece of Montana in every glass, as the state's brewers pride themselves on using cold mountain water and locally sourced barley harvested from Montana's ample fields. From grain to glass, " Montana Beer: A Guide to Breweries in Big Sky Country" tells the story of the brewers and breweries that make the Treasure State's brew so special.

Discover the best craft beer breweries in America as you travel state by state with this fun and updated craft beer roadmap. From California to Maine, there are tons of great craft breweries to explore! In The United States of Craft Beer, beer expert and home-brewer Jess Lebow invites you along this state-by-state exploration of America’s greatest breweries. From Jack’s Abby Brewing in Massachusetts to Maui Brewing Company in Hawaii, this guide takes you to fifty of the best breweries in the country and samples more than fifty-handcrafted beers. Learn everything you want to know about the people who make the nation’s best-tasting beers and the innovative brewing methods that help create the perfect batch. Now you can experience the ultimate bar crawl, as you sample and savor every delicious sip the United States has to offer!

This completely updated second edition of the best-selling beer resource features the most current information on beer styles, flavor profiles, sensory evaluation guidelines, craft beer trends, food and beer pairings, and draft beer systems. You’ll learn to identify the scents, colors, flavors, mouth-feel, and vocabulary of the major beer styles — including ales, lagers, weissbeirs, and Belgian beers — and develop a more nuanced understanding of your favorite brews with in-depth sections on recent developments in the science of taste. Spirited drinkers will also enjoy the new section on beer cocktails that round out this comprehensive volume.