Best Beer Book [2024 Review]

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Having a better understanding of beer can help you enjoy it more. Whether you are a beer lover or just getting started, learning about the various types of beer can enhance your experience. That’s why having the best beer book is a great resource since it can provide in-depth information.

My Top Best Beer Book Recommendations

There are many beer books on the market, each with its unique angle. Therefore, before you buy a beer book, it’s essential to understand what you want to get out of it. You need to check the reviews to understand what others think about the book. You don’t want to end up with a book that’s difficult to read or doesn’t provide the information you’re looking for.

Brand
The Oxford Companion to Beer
A Crash Course in Craft Beer
The Art of Mixing Spirits and Beer
Product
The Oxford Companion to Beer (Oxford Companion...
Beer School: A Crash Course in Craft Beer (Craft...
Cocktails on Tap: The Art of Mixing Spirits and...
Type of Book Cover
Hardcover
Paperback
Hardcover
Product Dimensions
10.1 x 2 x 7.5 inches
5.75 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
7 x 0.63 x 9 inches
Brand
The Oxford Companion to Beer
Product
The Oxford Companion to Beer (Oxford Companion...
Type of Book Cover
Hardcover
Product Dimensions
10.1 x 2 x 7.5 inches
Price
Brand
A Crash Course in Craft Beer
Product
Beer School: A Crash Course in Craft Beer (Craft...
Type of Book Cover
Paperback
Product Dimensions
5.75 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
Price
Brand
The Art of Mixing Spirits and Beer
Product
Cocktails on Tap: The Art of Mixing Spirits and...
Type of Book Cover
Hardcover
Product Dimensions
7 x 0.63 x 9 inches
Price

Best Beer Book Overall: The Oxford Companion to Beer

The Oxford Companion to Beer (Oxford Companion...

The Oxford Companion to Beer is my top choice because it’s packed with information on beer styles, brewing methods, major breweries, and beer regions. There are more than 1,100 entries written by 166 experts from 36 countries. This book covers everything you need to know about beer, making it a great choice for anyone who wants to learn more about this popular beverage.

Unlike others on the list, this book covers everything from the agricultural ingredients used in brewing to the different beer glassware types. It also includes a section on beer in pop culture, which is a nice touch and makes the book more enjoyable. Readers will also enjoy the culture and history sections, which provide exciting insights into the world of beer.

Unlike A Crash Course in Craft Beer, the book also features appendices listing major beer festivals, an overview of beer-related organizations, and a glossary of terms. It also has conversion tables to help you with measurements. The only downside is that some conversions may be difficult to understand for those unfamiliar with the metric system.

Advantages

  • The book has over 140 images to help explain the concepts covered.
  • The book covers everything from the agricultural ingredients used in brewing to the different beer glassware types.
  • It includes a section on beer in pop culture, which is a nice touch and makes the book more enjoyable.
  • The book will also take you through the beer-making process, including information on brewing methods and beer styles.
  • The conversion tables in the appendix will be helpful for those unfamiliar with the metric system.

Disadvantages

  • Some conversions in the appendix may be difficult to understand for those unfamiliar with the metric system.
  • The book sometimes uses jargon that may be difficult to understand for those new to the beer world. 
Sale
The Oxford Companion to Beer (Oxford Companion...
  • The Oxford Companion to Beer
  • Hardcover Book
  • English (Publication Language)

Best Beer Book for Beginners: A Crash Course in Craft Beer

Beer School: A Crash Course in Craft Beer (Craft...

A Crash Course in Craft Beer is a great book for beginners because it provides a great introduction to the world of beer. This book covers everything from the different types of beer to the brewing process. It also includes a section on beer tastings, which is a great way to learn more about different beers.

Unlike others on the list, this book also has a section on food pairings, which is a great way to learn more about how to enjoy a beer with meals. The book covers both domestic and international beers. This will be a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about beer and taste something new.

Whether you want to be a master of beer tastings or just want to learn more about the different types of beer, the book has all the information you need. Like The Oxford Companion to Beer, the book is also easy to read and understand, making it a great choice for beginners and experts alike. The only downside is that it can tear easily if you’re not careful.

Advantages

  • The book provides a great introduction to the world of beer.
  • It covers everything from the different types of beer to the brewing process.
  • It includes a section on beer tastings, which is a great way to learn more about different beers.
  • The book has images to bring a clear understanding of the concepts covered.
  • The book is easy to read and understand, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

Disadvantage

  • The book can tear easily if you’re not careful since it’s made with thinner pages.
  • Jargon in the book might be difficult to understand for those new to the beer world.
Sale
Beer School: A Crash Course in Craft Beer (Craft...
  • Garrett, Jonny (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 155 Pages - 11/22/2016 (Publication Date) - Mango (Publisher)

Best Beer Books for Bartenders: The Art of Mixing Spirits and Beer

Cocktails on Tap: The Art of Mixing Spirits and...

The Art of Mixing Spirits and Beer is an excellent book for bartenders because it provides a comprehensive guide to mixing different beers and spirits. This book covers everything from the different types of beer to the different types of spirits. Like The Oxford Companion to Beer, It also includes a section on beer tastings, which is a great way to learn about the different flavors of beer.

Unlike others here, the book has more than 50 recipes for beer cocktails, and each recipe is accompanied by a photo. In addition, the recipes are divided into sections, such as light beers, dark beers, and fruit beers. This is a great resource for bartenders who want to create unique and delicious beer cocktails. It also features a section on beer pairings, a great way to learn different flavors of beer and how they work together.

Fans of cocktails have everything to smile about with this bartending book. For instance, Think Mai Ta-IPAs is a play on the classic Mai Tai cocktail. This recipe combines pineapple, grapefruit, and lime juice with an IPA beer. Another excellent recipe is the Blackberry Cobbler, which combines blackberries, lemon juice, and a wheat beer. The only downside to this book is that it does not include a section on wine cocktails.

Advantages

  • The book enlights bartenders on the art of mixing different beers and spirits.
  • Has more than 50 recipes for beer cocktails hence a great resource for bartenders
  • It features a section on beer tastings which is a great way to learn about the different flavors of beer.
  • The recipes are divided into sections, such as light beers, dark beers, and fruit beers. This helps bartenders to create unique and delicious beer cocktails.

Disadvantages

  • To understand the book, one needs some bartending knowledge
  • The book does not include a section on wine cocktails, so it might not be ideal for bartenders who want to learn about wine cocktails.
Cocktails on Tap: The Art of Mixing Spirits and...
  • Hardcover Book
  • Grier, Mr. Jacob (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)

Features to Consider Before Buying Beer Book

Conversion TableIllustrating Brewing methodsBook’s Beer Coverage
A Crash Course in Craft BeerNot AvailableYESInternational Only
The Art of Mixing Spirits and BeerNot AvailableNOInternational Only
The Oxford Companion to BeerAvailableYESDomestic and International

A clear understanding of what you want before buying a beer book is paramount. This is because many beer books are on the market, each claiming to be the best. The following are some of the factors you should consider before purchasing a beer book:

An image an open book

The Purpose of the Book

The first thing you need to determine is the purpose of the book. For instance, if you want a bartending book, you should look for a book that covers the art of mixing different beers and spirits. On the other hand, if you want a book that covers beer tastings, you should look for a book with a section on beer tastings.

For instance, bartenders will find The Art of Mixing Spirits and Beer book valuable because it provides a comprehensive guide to mixing different beers and spirits. So, this book should be on your radar if you are a bartender or a beer lover.

The Recipes

Another factor to consider is the recipes in the book. This is because you want a book with recipes that you can use to make beer cocktails. For instance, The Art of Mixing Spirits and Beer book has more than 50 recipes for beer cocktails. So, it is vital to check the recipes in the book before buying it.

The Photos

Photos play an essential role in bartending books because they help bartenders to understand the recipes. The photos also help bartenders to see how the cocktails should look. For instance, The Oxford Companion to Beer has over 140 photos that help bartenders to understand the recipes.

Many people underrate the value of photos in bartending books. However, the photos are crucial because they help bartenders to understand the recipes.

The Sections

Another factor to consider is the sections in the book. This is because you want a book that has different sections, such as light beers, dark beers, and fruit beers. Others like The Oxford Companion to Beer have appendices that provide additional information, such as a list of beer festivals.

The sections help beer lovers and bartenders understand the different beer types. It also helps bartenders to create unique and delicious beer cocktails.

An image of open books stacked together

Frequently Asked Questions

Can One Use Any Book to Learn About Beer Cocktails?

No, you cannot. This is because many bartending books do not have a section on beer cocktails. So, you should look for a book that has a section on beer cocktails if you want to learn about this topic. It is also essential to check the recipes in the book before purchasing it.

What Are the Benefits of Having a Beer Book?

Having a beer book has many benefits. For instance, it helps bartenders and beer enthusiasts to understand the different beer types. It also helps bartenders to create unique and delicious beer cocktails. This way, you can impress your guests with your bartending skills.

Is It Necessary to Have a Bartending Book?

No, it is not necessary. However, it is essential to have one if you want to learn about bartending and beer cocktails. This is because many bartending books comprehensively guide mixing different beers and spirits. The books also have sections on beer tastings and beer cocktails.

Can One Find Beer Books for Free?

No, you cannot find these books for free. This is because many beer books are copyrighted material. So, you should expect to pay for the book if you want to own it. The only exception is if you borrow the book from a friend or a library.

Conclusion

Beer books are essential for bartenders and beer enthusiasts. This is because these books provide a comprehensive guide to mixing different beers. The books also have sections on beer tastings and beer cocktails. So, you should consider buying one to improve your bartending skills or learn about beer cocktails.