Beer has a story that stretches back to ancient history, reaches into nearly every country on earth, and, in the last couple of decades or so, has entered an incredible new chapter that celebrates standing traditions, resurrects a few nearly forgotten ones, and forges ahead into new territory. That’s a lot to keep up with, but the third edition of “World Atlas of Beer” manages to boil the current state of brews down into a 272-page, handsome hardcover volume.
Inside this award-winning work is a curated list of the essential beers and beer places throughout the planet, broken down by region, country, or even city—from Albania to Zimbabwe, from Addis Ababa to Zagreb. Scattered throughout are useful and fascinating elements: A beer tour map of Tokyo and Australia’s Ovens River Valley, profiles of notable breweries and brewmasters, notes on Dutch beer bar etiquette and Amazonian-wood aging, a look at the state of hops, and explanations of the particular origins of different styles. There’s also guidance for buying, pouring, pairing, storing, and more. Whether you’re traveling around the world or the import section of your local liquor store, this compendium will guide your journey.
