The Brewer's Tale

A History of the World According to Beer

By: William Bostwick

Narrated by: Christopher Sutton

Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of 2014 US Gourmand Drinks Award

Taste 5,000 years of brewing history as a time-traveling home brewer rediscovers and re-creates the great beers of the past.

The Brewer's Tale is a beer-filled journey into the past: the story of brewers gone by and one brave writer's quest to bring them - and their ancient, forgotten beers - back to life, one taste at a time. This is the story of the world according to beer, a toast to flavors born of necessity and place - in Belgian monasteries, rundown farmhouses, and the basement nanobrewery next door. So pull up a barstool and raise a glass to 5,000 years of fermented magic.

Fueled by date-and-honey gruel, sour pediococcus-laced lambics, and all manner of beers between, William Bostwick's rollicking quest for the drink's origins takes him into the redwood forests of Sonoma County, to bullet-riddled South Boston brewpubs, and across the Atlantic, from Mesopotamian sands to medieval monasteries to British brewing factories. Bostwick compares notes with the Mt. Vernon historian in charge of preserving George Washington's molasses-based home brew, and he finds the ancestor of today's macrobrewed lagers in a nineteenth-century spy's hollowed-out walking stick.

Wrapped around this modern reportage are deeply informed tales of history's archetypal brewers: Babylonian temple workers, Nordic shamans, patriots, rebels, and monks. The Brewer's Tale unfurls from the ancient goddess Ninkasi, ruler of intoxication, to the cryptic beer hymns of the Rig Veda and down into the clove-scented treasure holds of India-bound sailing ships. With each discovery comes Bostwick's own turn at the brew pot, an exercise that honors the audacity and experimentation of the craft. A sticky English porter, a pricelessly rare Belgian, and a sacred, shamanic wormwood-tinged gruit each offer humble communion with the brewers of yore.

©2014 William Bostwick (P)2015 Audible Inc.

Good for a beer lover

I am an amateur brewer who has read several books on the history of brewing. I thought this was one of the most entertaining books I have read on the history and development of styles.

Informative

I went into this hoping to learn a lot, and I did. The writing when he was describing the taste and production of beer was on point, but when he narrated and pontificated it felt sophomoric. Definitely worth a listen if you are a beer lover.

Great exploration from past to present

Bostwick is a gifted storyteller and dug deep on his research as well. Recommended for anyone wondering about the history of beer and especially for homebrewers. From ancient Egyptian and Norse grog and Belgian abbey ales to today's craft beer scene and the behemoths of mass lager production, it's a great survey of beer history. He even mentioned my personal brewing hero Stephen H. Buhner. Yet I'd say he exaggerates a bit to subtitle it "A History of the World according to Beer;" it's not THAT extensive.

I would have wished the book were longer if it weren't for a quirk of the narrator Christopher Sutton's pronunciation. He says /k/ and /g/ sounds like he's trying to dislodge a film of mucus from the roof of his mouth. At first it was kind of subtle and didn't bother me, but as the book went on I had to take breaks because that sound was getting on my nerves so much. But other listeners might not even notice it. My dad didn't.

All in all I loved this book and will probably order a paper-and-ink copy soon.

Light and Easy, Like A Pilsner

It’s an interesting tale—or series of tales—that takes you to many places and introduces you to intriguing brewers. It’s not a book about techniques or recipes, except where those things help to tell the story of one beer critic’s journey into beer. There are fascinating historical nuggets, and the occasional elaboration on the more technical or scientific elements. Well worth a credit.

Good Beer Stories

I enjoyed following the author from one brewery to the next. I feel like I'm tagging along on vacation with him. I've noticed this new genre or writing style among beer writers. The audiobook voice was soothing but often mispronounced some of the beer words. Recommended reading to learn more about beers history and current situation.

Loved it

A sometimes serious, sometimes humorous, but always interesting look at life...and beer.
I shall approach every next pint with new knowledge, appreciation, and a touch of whimsy.

Tangy with notes of plum

Bostwick writes like a bohemian poet and Sutton delivers the lines as a practiced player. The book is enjoyable, I'd prefer if it was less florid and more prosy, but the content is interesting and enjoyable.

Great history of brewing for beer geeks

A well-written and fascinating tale looking back at how beer shaped so much of the world.

The history of beer evolution in England was particularly fascinating, especially the rise and fall of the porter and the influence pale ales had on the world.

Fantastic

One of my favorite history books ever. Easy to follow, yet filled with rich and interesting detail, A Brewer’s Tale is the perfect example of how history books should be written. There is serious and frequently quoted research based on primary sources interwoven with relevant ties to our modern day and age as well as a delightful and practical understanding of humanity as a whole. This book combined two of my favorite things (history and beer) and made me fall in love with both all over again.

@craftbierian loved this book great history

He ties history into local craft beer. It's a must for any craft enthusiast. Great performance. Beer beer beer beer