Review: The Craft Beer Revolution
After Prohibition, the brewing industry in the US struggled. The few breweries that were out there produced a lot of beer but it was bland and uninteresting. Home brewers and people who had experienced European beers knew it didn’t have to be that way and they took matters into their own hands by starting small breweries that have come to be known as microbreweries. In the mid-1970s there were less than 40 breweries in the US – today there are over 2,500 and the number continues to grow. In his book The Craft Beer Revolution: How a Band of Microbrewers is Transforming the World’s Favorite Drink, Brooklyn Brewery co-founder Steve Hindy recounts the history, struggles, and triumphs of the “craft beer revolution.”
I’m fairly new to craft beer but, since discovering it, have found the industry fascinating. Most of the people who work in the industry do so because of a passion for beer. Because Carl and Vance are on the retail end of things I have learned a lot and witnessed first hand that passion, as well as the frustrations involved, so I found Hindy’s book very interesting. It was rather reassuring to see that the issues Carl and Vance face are the same throughout the industry. It’s hard for a small company to compete in a field of giants but craft brewers are doing it and doing it well.
For the most part, I really enjoyed The Craft Beer Revolution and loved getting Hindy’s insider perspective. I’m sure Carl was glad when I was through with the book because I was forever peppering him with some tidbit I had just gleaned from its pages. I recommend this book to anyone who’s interested in craft beer.
I’ve been hearing a lot about the IPA boom – we need to try some.
We love going to places that offer this kind of beer!
This sounds like a book my dad would liked! Beer was his main liquid staple. The history aspect interests me some. I’ve never liked beer myself.
Kathy, this sounds like a good book to enjoy with a glass of beer! We have a lot of
microbreweries here.
Yes, craft beers are gaining in popularity
Not my kind of book but looks like this is a very valuable one for craft beer lovers!
I’m not a drinker, but I know quite a few people who would love this book!
Wow, I think this is a book I could get my husband to read without much convincing!! 🙂
I was just thinking the same thing as Kelly from above as I read your review! That’s so funny!
I had to smile thinking of Carl probably rolling his eyes as you kept reading stuff to him. Lol.
I can’t get into IPAs, at least I haven’t had one I enjoy. I only seem to like golden beers.
We have quite a few craft beer breweries here in wine country. There seems to be as much passion for the new beers as for the wine. Sounds like an interesting book on the subject.
My cousin is very into this industry, right now he’s working for a baby breweriy who just started a yearanda half ago. He’s learning the ropes so he can open his own someday. We have several in Cleveland and the Great Lakes Brewing Company is doing it right. Brewery tours on weekends that leave from their restaurant across the street. It’s a fun touristy evening for first timers to the city. We’ll even put you up for the night if you make the trip 🙂
I enjoy the craft beers, mostly the darker, tastier ones. I’ve never been a fan of the bland light beers. A lot of our restaurants are featuring local beers now, so I get to try different ones.
I like craft beers too. I’m always fascinated with food and drink history and will add this to my list. (Oh, and link this up on Saturday if you’re so inclined!)
I’m not a big beer person, but do love learning about the evolution of certain food trends! I will pass this along to my soon to be sister in law, who works in the micro brewery part of a Budweiser distributorship.
I wish I liked beer; I think the 10cent drafts I used to drink in college turned me off from it.
I don’t know much about beer reallly – other than that I prefer lager to darker beers. Cheers
I bet you were telling Carl lots of interesting facts about the industry!
Interesting, have never seen the two words together craft and beer/Craft Beer.
We have a few craft breweries even here our little town. I love the variety of flavors especially the chocolate coffee choices.