A Taste for Beer

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

Energy and enthusiasm bubble throughout this celebration of the many
ways beer can add quality to life. Beaumont’s career consists of
writing about beer; this, his second book-length work on the subject, is
the winner of the North American Guild of Beer Writers Award.

“Stop and smell the hops” is Beaumont’s guiding principle. Life
should be enjoyed, and a glass of beer is part of that enjoyment.
Although he denies it, he’s on a soapbox, promoting with a passion the
products of Canada’s microbreweries.

In the tradition of wine connoisseurs, Beaumont matches beers with
food, advocating symbiotic pairings between brew and a variety of
entrées. Aromas, complexities, and tastes are analyzed and united to
heighten the enjoyment of both the brew and the stuff you chew. Building
on this good idea, he moves on to match beers to music, to baseball,
even to cigars.

The guide is packed with beer data: beer styles, brewing how-to, beer
festivals, beer seasons (lawn-mower beer?), beer with food, beer in
food, beer business.

If you want to discuss beer, cook with beer, or simply be more
knowledgeable when you drink beer, this book’s for you.