Beer Is Proof God Loves Us
Reaching for the Soul of Beer and Brewing
Beer Is Proof God Loves Us is a funny, engaging, and downright joyous examination of the whole world of beer and brewing. Your guide, Charlie Bamforth, may be the world's #1 expert on every aspect of beer: After a worldwide search, he was selected as the first Anheuser-Busch Professor of Brewing Science at the University of California, Davis. Now, he presents the most compelling social history of beer ever written: where it's come from, where the brewing business stands now, and what the future holds. In this far-reaching book, he reveals The extraordinary complexity and artistry that can be found in great brewing. The factors that impact beer quality and wholesomeness. Centuries-old cultural values embedded in good beer. Bamforth also explains what the rise of new craft breweries means to beer drinkers and what the latest global trends will have on beer consumption. The book concludes with a look to the future, illustrating how environmental issues will change the brewing industry and addressing radical new approaches to brewing, such as Happoshu and malternatives.
Back cover copy
""A delightful book that not only reaches the soul of brewing but also tells us much about the soul and humanity of the author. Bamforth skillfully weaves a holistic and philosophical story about our complex society and the positive role that beer has, does, and will play in it. It is a joy to read and will leave the reader refreshed in mind and soul.""-Simon Jackson, Executive Director, Institute of Brewing and Distilling, London, England ""A heartfelt account of beer that reads as though I'm sitting at a pub table across from the 'Beer Professor' himself as he reveals personal tales and experiences over many pints of beer. A concise snapshot of the world of beer-past, present, and future. Remarkable insight into the behind-the-scenes world of beer.""-Charlie Papazian, Author of Complete Joy of Homebrewing; National Beer Examiner, http: //Examiner.com/beer; President, Brewers Association (USA); and Founder, Great American Beer Festival Don't just drink beer: Experience it. All of it. Discover the extraordinary culture and history of brewing: the remarkable craft that reaches back before written history. Visit legendary British pubs now fading sadly into memory...and the craft breweries, corporate boardrooms, and home brewers that are the new future of beer. Learn how to tell a great beer from a good one...find surprising new research on beer and human health...uncover beer in the Bible (and other unlikely places)...and discover divinity and transcendence in your very next brew. Yes, there's more to beer than you ever imagined: It is the most complex, subtle, and remarkable beverage humans have ever created. Its story deserves to be told with love and passion. Charles W. Bamforth brings all that, plus a lifetime of brewing knowledge and wisdom. Read his book, and you'll agree with Benjamin Franklin's apocryphal quote: Beer truly is proof that God loves us.From Bangkok's Singha to the Sierra Nevadas How institutional investing, indexing, and efficient markets theory promote herding Secrets of foam, color, clarity, and freshness From the bottle inward: the makings of a great brew Discovering the "Slow Beer" movement Traditional brewers, true beer culture, and real heritage God in a glass: the spiritual dimensions of beer Experiencing the magnificence of transformation and deliverance
Contents
Preface xiii
Introduction xv
Chapter 1: Global Concerns 1
Chapter 2: The Not-So-Slow Death of a Beer Culture 23
Chapter 3: Barbican, Balls, and Beyond 39
Chapter 4: On The Other Hand: The Re-Birth of a Beer Ethos 49
Chapter 5: So What Is Quality? 65
Chapter 6: Despite the Odds: Anti-Alcohol Forces 79
Chapter 7: Societal Issues 93
Chapter 8: Looks Good, Tastes Good, and… 101
Chapter 9: Whither Brewing? 115
Chapter 10: God in a Glass 123
Conclusion 129
Endnotes 133
Appendix A: The Basics of Malting and Brewing 213
Appendix B: Types of Beer 219
About the Author 223
Index 225
