Tasting Beer by Randy Mosher: A book report

An unexpected Christmas present from my youngest brother turned into a book I will refer to through the rest of my beer snob career. Randy Mosher is a well known author for book, 'Radical Brewing' and digging deep into the history and revealing why so many are passionate for this liquid libation. 'Tasting Beer' takes you on a journey of beer's inception and it's rise to fame through the centuries. Randy breaks down the anatomy of beer to style, color, taste, history for you to have a more memorable experience with your beer and appreciate the art form of crafting a good beer. As a member of the AHA and Chicago Beer Society, Randy is the ultimate enthusiast that can inspire and bring out the true beer lover in anybody.

I really couldn't put this book down and almost found myself drinking a beer each time I picked it up to try and deconstruct what was in it and solve the mysteries of craft beer along with Randy. You will learn more than you can retain and I have a feeling I will be reading this again and using the dictionary provided as well or the multitude of charts for SRM (Standard Reference Method), IBU's, proper glassware, food and cheese pairings and so much more.

Probably the most enticing reading lies in chapters 9 and beyond where Randy breaks down every beer style  with complete history, profile and suggested beers to try from British ales to lagers to American craft beer. Recently I went back to reference Belgian strong dark ales while drinking a Dogfish Head Raison D'etre and gained a better appreciation for the complexity of the malts and rich finish of the beer. Now if that doesn't scream beer geek...

I encourage you to put this book on your reading list if you ever wanted to gain a fuller appreciation for the beer you drink or if you are an avid cook and want to start pairing with beer. Randy breaks it all down in simple language and great layout for you to go back and reference with ease. You can find it online for sale almost anywhere and as I write this there is a copy sitting in Martin Regional Library in Tulsa, OK.

So what are you waiting for, go grab a copy, crack open an Oklahoma craft beer and enjoy!