There are some books that just make you thirsty and travel the next day to Belgium. Trappist Beer Travels is just such a book.
The conceit is simple. Visit each of the Official Trappist breweries, take a bunch of photographs and get the historical record of each. Oh, and try some beer.
The three authors do a great job of concisely telling the long histories behind each of the monasteries as well as giving you the info needed about visiting. The photographs really transport your there though, finishing the seduction. There are the requisite beer glass shots but also great views of the grounds and the brewing equipment.
You could say the book is a bit pedestrian. There are some personal notes included but this book isn’t about that or long-winded beer tasting notes. It isn’t a fancy windmill dunk of a book but more of a graceful layup. Half coffee table book and half reference book.