Why take A Short Course in Beer?

In the last few months, as I've been telling people about my next book, some of my more polite acquaintances seem puzzled by its very existence. (The less polite are amused.) Why would anyone want to take a course in beer? Isn't college really a four-year course in beer already? In a way, it's those attitudes that were part of the reason for this book

I wrote The Short Course in Beer because it’s time to learn what much of the world already knows: beer is complex, delightful and an interesting companion to good food. There are so many people who have discovered this lately that there’s a community of beer-lovers developing that’s devoted to and knowledgeable about good beer. Perhaps it’s a coincidence, but this beer-loving community seems attached to some solid, earthy values that seem suddenly appropriate. Beer has become the drink of the energy-conscious, conservation-oriented, planet-sparing gourmet. You can raise a glass of something delicious and be on the side of the angels.
If you haven’t been paying attention, you might be surprised by all this: beer used to have a bad reputation in some places and it may have even earned that reputation once upon a time. How seriously could we take a drink associated with:
•• Drunken kegger parties,
•• lager-crazed soccer fans
•• freezing-cold tasteless liquid and
•• moronic TV commercials

But things have changed. Some of the most creative minds in the world of taste are brewing delicious beer and others are cooking food to complement it. Historic craft-beer traditions are being revived, and new ones are being created. Brewpubs are brewing their own beer and home brew enthusiasts are following suit. There are craft-beer festivals and beer tasting parties. For the competitive types, there are even competitions and medals and bragging rights. Most of all, there’s a lot of startlingly delicious, beautiful beer available for your pleasure. It’s time to get in on the fun.

When you finish this book, you will
• Know that beer is a truly complex and wonderful drink, worthy of your attention and a companion for the finest food.
• Be able to make sense of all those wonderful flavors.
• Know how beer is brewed and where its flavor comes from.
• Understand the difference between the beers that are worth your time and digestion and the ones that aren't.
• Have a few thoughts about the place of alcohol in life.
• Appreciate the intimate relationship between beer and civilization
• Know how to find and enjoy a good brew and have a laugh at the rest.
• Be able to speak knowledgeably about beer, whenever knowledgeable speaking is appropriate.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you about the book and about events in the world of beer.