Having had my fill of epic fantasy and philosophy for the time being, I decided it was time for something completely different: beer. Randy Mosher’s Tasting Beer is a detailed instruction manual for becoming not only a learned taster of beer, but a serious professional. Mosher’s expertise is well-represented in this book, but his style is simple and flowing, making it easy for even a novice to understand and appreciate his wisdom. His work exudes passion, not pretentiousness, making it an enjoyable educational experience. His only obvious bias is that he is no fan of mass produced American beers but, considering the subject of his work, that is hardly surprising. It is also unlikely to bother the reader, since people content with Bud, Miller, and Coors probably would not have picked this book up in the first place.Beyond that, there isn’t much to say, other than that there is a lot of information in this book, from interesting tidbits to serious (albeit intelligible) science. The author covers a brief history of beer, the way in which one’s senses experience beer, the brewing process, the qualities of beer, proper tasting and presentation procedure, pairing beer with food, styles of beer, and tips for communal beer drinking, which, he implores, is essential to becoming an expert. All this means that there is too much to absorb on the first go, although it is helpful that Mosher occasionally repeats key information where it is essential to his discussion. Think of this as a textbook for the beer drinking experience, with an emphasis on professional tastings and judging, and as a reference manual designed to give the reader a new appreciation for the beverage. Everything you need to become a connoisseur is here except, of course, the actual beer. I picked this book up as recommended reading for the Professional Beer Server's exam (a prerequisite to obtaining the Cicerone credential) and I have to say that I was really impressed by the depth and knowledge that Randy Mosher conveys through this book. It provides a comprehensive and thoughtful discussion pertaining to the various sensory aspects involved in tasting beer, but also goes into detail regarding off-flavors that one might encounter, style characteristics, as well as an overview of beer and food pairing guidelines and serving logistics (glassware, temperature, etc.). But it doesn't stop there - Mr. Mosher also goes on to provide a detailed account of the various styles, as well as their origins. I would challenge anyone to find a more comprehensive, single-soruce compendium on the subject of beer. A must read for the self-proclaimed "beer geek".
What do You think about Degustare Le Birre (2009)?
Very helpful for a relatively new craft beer drinker. Looking forward to continuing my beer journey.
—sarahds
Read cover to cover. Can't wait to have a beer with Randy!
—leonarobertson
Lots of good information and a good history lesson.
—vannah123
Amazing. Everything you want to know about beer!
—Stranger
