Brew with the Best

Learn to make the world's iconic beers with techniques and recipes from the pros. Behind-the-scenes tours of 26 outstanding European and American breweries reveal the processes, equipment, and ingredients that distinguish each style.

Your knowledgeable guide is beer guru Jeff Alworth, who explores such fascinating topics as the old-time Czech brewing traditions behond Pilsner Urquell's winning flavors and how Belgium's rich agricultural history shaped Brasserie Dupont's celebrated saison. Along the way, you'll learn what makes an Irish stout similar to an English ale, garner insights into the uniquely American love of hoppy beers, and more. And, most valuably, contemporary brewmasters share their secrets to help you create your own versions of these 26 classic beers.

“This guided tour of some of the finest breweries in Europe and North America showcases the culture, brewing techniques, equipment, and geographic factors that shape their distinctive beers. But the true value of this book may be the 26 recipes Alworth includes for creating each style, including Irish Stout, German Weissbier, Belgian Saison, Italian Lager and American Hoppy Ale.” —Ale Street News

“Making art without a sense of what has come before is empty rattling. With insight from the people who live the world’s great beer traditions, Jeff Alworth helps us appreciate the subtle and somewhat hidden attitudes and practices that make each classic style so uniquely delicious.” — Randy Mosher, best-selling author of Tasting Beer

“One of the truly essential books on modern brewing, period. This immaculately detailed gift to the entire brewing community is a treasure trove of insight into how great beers are actually made. No other brewing book, aimed at professionals or homebrewers, could improve your brewing as much as this one will.” — Ben Edmunds, brewmaster at Breakside Brewery in Portland, OR