Good Books

American Craft Beer covers the craft beer movement, its news, and its lifestyle. We view the craft beer scene as an entertainment industry that is now very much a part of today’s pop-cultural landscape. And it’s probably because of our unique approach to the industry that we’re constantly receiving offers from different people doing interesting things – asking us to share with our readers everything from new restaurants, cuisine, hangover cures, and beer-related products to new music, movies, and books….

Which leads us to Good Books – our regular series dedicated to new books on craft beer and anything else that we’re currently reading.

99 Ways to Open a Beer Bottle Without a Bottle Openerby Brett Stern – We’ve all been there. Off somewhere, a cold brewski in hand, and absolutely no means to open it. Well, author Bert Stern’s got the answer. Actually, he has 99 answers, each one more clever and amusing than the other. Photographs and step-by-step instructions for each method walk thirsty readers through the art of opening bottles, revealing the practical use of such handy available implements as a belt buckle, TV remote, baby carriage, dog collar, ski binding, golf club, park bench, BBQ grill, lawn mower, automatic teller machine, police car, and many more. This may be the most unusual beer book we’ve seen all year and it’s one we’re hanging on to.

So You Want to Start a Brewery? – The Lagunitas Storyby Tony Magee – The Founder and CEO of Lagunitas Brewing Company Tony Magee is one of craft beer’s larger-than-life characters. He’s also the author of So You Want to Start a Brewery? – a narrative and business story that chronicles his roller coaster ride of a career, from his brewery’s humble start as a one-man operation in Petaluma, California, to the powerhouse it’s become today. Shockingly honest and laugh-out-loud funny, this memoir teaches while it entertains.

Drink London by Euan Ferguson – ACB will be trekking to London next January to cover the UK craft beer scene – and this book is the first thing we’re packing! This city has a rep for its pubs and bars, and with more than 7,000 places to choose from, a book like this is essential. Drink London celebrates the 100 best bars and pubs in the city, from low-beamed old inns to cutting-edge rooftop lounges. With chapters organized by specialty, each place is profiled with an emphasis on its atmosphere and history, and we particularly appreciated that each review included “traveler-friendly” contact info and public transportation routes.