Beer lovers unite in this truly unique volume that celebrates the vibrant and exciting culture of beer drinkers around the world. “A globetrotting journey through the world of beer,” Atlas of Beer (National Geographic, $40) collects maps, timelines, historic and modern photographs, and a seemingly endless parade of facts and anecdotes that dive deep into the process of making, tasting, and appreciating beer. Authors, professors, and passionate beer lovers Nancy Hoalst-Pullen and Mark W. Patterson have conveniently organized information by continent, presenting the ingredients, rituals, and lifestyles throughout each region that revolve around the crisp flavor of fermented hops. Everything you ever wanted to know about Oktoberfest, Trappist ales, home brewing trends, the IPA hype, and even which glass you’re supposed to drink from can be found between these covers. Perfect for the beer drinker or geography and history buff in your life, Atlas of Beer will encourage them to raise their glass to the vibrant, rich, and rapidly growing community of beer!
No cocktail guide is going to make you giggle as much as this one, whether that’s in the process of downing its drinks or reading its contents. In an age of cookbooks that double—or even primarily function—as art books, this one satirizes and flirts with that trope in equal measure (not only are there off-the-wall recipes, there are also wonderful photographic interpretations of them). It dares you to muster the courage to meet its hedonistic standard. No one believes in the spiritual power that comes from the meeting of alcohol, energy drinks, and laughter quite like Steph Russ.
