Beer: A History of Suds and Civilization from Mesopotamia to Microbreweries

by Gregg Smith

As long as there has been civilization, there has been beer. From the ancient Sumerians through the Middle Ages to the first American settlers, beer's history is the world's history, too. Home brewer and beer aficionado Gregg Smith celebrates this popular libation's history in this entertaining and informative book.

Genres: Food, Beer, Nonfiction, History

254 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1995

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, Gregg Smith puts together a compelling quick history of beer, from the dawn of civilization up until the early 1990s. The emphasis is on the development of beer in the U.S.A., with Europe and the rest of the world fading into the background. There is virtually nothing about the development of beer in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. But this does not mean that the book is not worthwhile.

After a very interesting opening in which he discusses the development of beer in its earliest forms in the Middle East and North Africa, Smith moves on to Colonial America. He has a good eye for funny anecdotes (which is just as it should be) and for amusing quotes that serve as introductions to chapters. He generally covers the territory by region - New York, Boston, and Philadelphia get special attention. Then the story shifts to the big German immigration of the 1800s and the subsequent development of large-scale lager brewing in Saint Louis, Milwaukee, and elsewhere. There is some good coverage of the rise of alcohol prohibition and its subsequent defeat, and the dramatic impact that this had on brewers around the country. Brewing consolidated around several big companies thru the 1960s and 70s, and bland American lager reached its peak of dominance. Then, with the repeal of federal anti-homebrewing laws under President Carter and an increase in tourism, Americans' tastes began to change, and the rise of the micro (or craft) brewers began. Smith does a decent, if somewhat bland, job of tracing the trajectories of many of the USA's major brewing outfits.

This was an enjoyable and informative read. I am sure there is more to say on the subject, but this is a fine one to pop the cap on first. So cheers, Gregg Smith, and thanks.

[Mathew Powers · Rating 2 out of 5]

The citations tell the story --- this is just a summary of the work provided by previous historians. The book lacks serious research, notably with regard to an utter lack of primary sources. It's a nice story, but it's more propaganda than history. I expected much more. I probably shouldn't give this 2 stars, but some of the book is good -- in parts -- and it does involve some good work (that's taken from other historians, as the footnotes clearly show).

[Kristi Thielen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I work for a museum creating exhibits and read this as research for an exhibit about the history of beer, and the rise of craft beer.

It made for an excellent research source and was also an enjoyable read.

[Enid · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were a couple of interesting chapters but overall this would have made a better magazine article, or series of regional articles. The latter half of the book reads more like an annotated list than a book. Skip it and read History of the world in 6 Glasses.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read, but not very systematic. Lots of attention spent on minutiae, less on the broad sweep of beer history. And some of the facts are incorrect. But it's a good place to start.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most comprehensive and honest account of beer in civilization I have read. Lists many items not found in mainstream histories.