Beer: From Beer Brewing to Beer Drinking
There's a lot more to beer than Bud Light. Today, people are paying attention to the fine flavors of lagers, ales and stouts. Learn more about this noble beverage (nearly as old as civilization itself) with help from the sites in this Beer Web Guide. Discover the history of beer and its varieties; how to pour, store and drink it to maximize its flavor; how to pair beer and food; and how to find local and international breweries.
Expand All Guide SectionsThe History of Beer
Man’s appreciation of beer dates back longer than you might expect: Did you know, for example, that the brewing of beer is as old as the baking of bread? Use the sites below to learn about the history of beer, from its origins in early civilization to its enduring global popularity today.
Insights for the History of Beer
- If you’re interested in reading more about the history of beer, try "A History of Beer and Brewing" by I. Hornsey.
- Archaeologists with the University of Pennsylvania found an ancient jug in western Iran with residue of a chemical associated with barley beer, implying that beer was being made much earlier than had previously been documented.
Top Sites for the History of Beer
Types of Beer
Types of Beer are determined by their brewing methods and ingredients. Learn the difference between ales and lagers, light beers and dark beers, and sweet beers and dry beers.
Insights for Types of Beer
- Visit BeerAdvocate’s glossary when you confront an unfamiliar brewing or beer term.
- If you’re also a liquor and cocktail enthusiast, or want to learn about different types of wine, visit findingDulcinea’s Liquor and Cocktails Web Guide and Wine Web Guide.
Top Sites for Types of Beer
Drinking Beer
Learn techniques of drinking beer that maximize its flavors. Find out how to pour, store and taste beer to ensure that you make the most of the brew. You’ll also get advice on how to pair beer with food, and find beer reviews to make you a more informed critic.
Insights for Drinking Beer
- NPR ran a story on some of the world’s best (and most expensive) beers.
- Why drink alone? Host a beer tasting or plan an entire “beer dinner,” in which each course is complemented by a particular beer.
- For more information about beer/food pairings, consult "The Brewmaster's Table: Discovering the Pleasures of Real Beer with Real Food."
Top Sites for Drinking Beer
Beer Reviews
The following Web sites provide beer reviews, industry news and information on new beer distributors. You’ll also find sites run by fellow beer enthusiasts dedicated to tasting beer and providing personal beer reviews.
Insights for Beer Reviews
- Trendy beers and upcoming brewery events are often featured in your favorite newspapers. For example, The New York Times publishes a blog about wine and beer called "The Pour."
Top Sites for Beer Reviews
Buying Beer Online
The Internet makes it easy to have beer delivered to your doorstep. Learn where to buy beer online, from everyday staples to obscure microbrews. You’ll also find resources for beer supplies, like beer steins and beer mugs.
Insights for Buying Beer Online
- The laws for shipping alcohol differ from state to state. Before you fill out an order form, be sure that your state permits the delivery of alcohol to private residences.
- If you want unique beers delivered to you on a regular basis, join a beer-of-the-month club. Connoisseur Club’s “Beer Club” offers specialty microbrews, and AmazingClubs.com’s “Beer of the Month Club” provides craft beers from across the country.
Top Sites for Buying Beer Online
Homebrewing
Imagine having a constant source of beer brewed exactly to your liking. Make it happen using the following sites, which offer homebrewing equipment, homebrewing kits, homebrewing ingredients and step-by-step instructions to execute the process.
Insights for Homebrewing
- If you're new to homebrewing, try "The Complete Joy of Homebrewing." More experienced brewers might enjoy "Extreme Brewing: An Enthusiast’s Guide to Brewing Craft Beer at Home."
- Although there are lots of sites that sell beer accessories and brewing tools specifically, eBay is also a great resource for beer-making essentials.
- Visit some of the beer suppy sites mentioned in the “Buying Beer Online” section above for additional brewing accessories.
Top Sites for Homebrewing
Beer Breweries
Visiting beer breweries is a fun, interactive way to appreciate beer drinking. Take a beer brewery tour or buy beer brewed on site. The following resources help you locate both international and local beer breweries to visit.
Insights for Beer Breweries
- If you love the beer produced by a specific brewery, visit the beer brewery’s Web site to see if you can order cases directly from the producer.
- If you’re interested in visiting vineyards as well, have a look at the findingDulcinea Wine Web Guide.
Top Sites for Beer Breweries
