Category: Beer Books

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A Book & A Beer – Hook’s Tale by John Pielmeier


I will readily admit that I am a Peter Pan freak. It speaks to my duality though that sometimes I am the Boy Who Never Grew U and other times I am much more Hook-ish in nature.

So half of me was ready to believe again in Hook’s Tale by John Pielmeier.

Though not a children’s book by any stretch, it is a quick read. It posits the other side of the story of how one James Cook got to Neverland, what was up with the massive crocodile and how the Hook came about. Replete with daddy issues and time at sea.

The set-up requires Cook before Hook to be able to fly at least until his supply of fairy dust is used up and he is the one that gets Peter to visit the Darling family so plenty of good call backs to the original book/play/panto. I didn’t quite get fully drawn into the explanation of the Neverland chain of islands but it does keep the universe contained.

The beer choices are a bit on the rum side. So let’s get on board the Jolly Roger and drink….

The Bruery – Tell No Tales
“Amongst the shipwreck that washed ashore, rum barrels were found. But the real treasure was the aging ale within. Once lost at sea, Tell No Tales is an imperial ale brewed with a bounty of yams and spices, aged in bourbon and rum barrels to temper the squalls ahead.”

Prairie Artisan – Pirate Bomb
“Pirate bomb is our beer Prairie Bomb! aged in rum casks. The flavor from the casks helps impart more vanilla and coconut flavors to the beer while helping to add more body and smoothness to the already explosive and expressive flavors of Bomb!”

Kona Brewing – Longboard Lager
“Longboard Island Lager is a smooth refreshing lager fermented and aged for five weeks at cold temperatures to yield its exceptionally smooth flavor. A delicate, slightly spicy hop aroma complements the malty body of this beer.”

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Distillery Cats


I remember seeing a friendly cat upon my first and only (so far) visit to Brooklyn Brewery. I made a joke about the employment status of said feline but maybe it had the last laugh (or purr).

Brad Thomas Parsons has compiled biographies of cats who have a job to do. Patrol distilleries and breweries and make sure the mice stay out. His book is Distillery Cats and it looks like a fun look at both the cat and the cat’s place of employment.

You can read more about the book HERE.

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A Book & A Beer – Safe by Ryan Gattis


This month I tackled my second L.A. crime novel. Following Split Second, I read Safe from Ryan Gattis. Both travel extensively around the Southland with the hardboiled criminals and cops.

I preferred Safe due to the more downbeat ending. Plus I liked the dual format where Ghost (are titular hero) and Glasses (the adversary) alternate chapters. It makes for a consistent story with more information being provided than you get in a normal mystery or crime thriller. And not to spoil things, but Safe also was the more downbeat and I like that noir thing paired with the City of Angels.

When you have the book in your hands, I suggest grabbing beers at Mumford in the Skidrokyo section of DTLA with the Speakers and Sneakers IPA or the In Other News Belgian Single. Then to pay homage to the end of the book, head to San Pedro and Brouwerij West for Switcheroo Pale Ale or the even more L.A. appropriate Ask the Dust IPA. A nod to Fante.

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A Quote & A Beer – September

The quote for September comes from Logan Pearsall Smith:

“The vitality of a new movement in Art must be gauged by the fury it arouses.”

When I read this quote and put the word “brewing” in front of Art , it immediately brought to mind the Hazy NE IPA which raised discussions into territory close to fury or at least to agree to disagree levels.

To compare and contrast the Hazy Arts, make an IPA run to Mumford Brewing in Skidrokyo and check out their re-designed menu board to pick out one regular IPA and a hazy one. (They usually have both)

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Atlas of Beer


NatGeo is adding their touch to beer with their appropriately named Atlas of Beer. What I hope to see in the pages are a focus on the rest of the world because I know that the photos will be great and that the words will add to the tale.

Written by “beer geographers” Nancy Hoalst-Pullen and Mark Patterson, the book will feature maps, history, geography color photos and beer trends. More specifically it will include travel tips which will bookmark “the best breweries, beer festivals, and pubs in each location.”

Lastly, there will be beer recommendations from Garrett Oliver, the famed brewmaster of Brooklyn Brewery,

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A Beer & A Book – IT


I had not read Stephen King’s IT in a long time. IT and its main disguise as Pennywise is not something one forgets though. And with the movie adaptation coming up, I thought it a good time to face down my fear of clowns and re-read the 2nd longest book by the horror writer.

I soon realized that Pennywise is only a cameo player in the travails of The Loser’s Club of Derry. Henry Bower’s and his roving gang of bullies cause more mayhem and broken bones over the course of the book to our heroes. King does a great job of structure with the book. Laying out the events leading to the first major encounter in the 1950’s between Bill, Beverly, Ben, Richie, Mike, Eddie and Stan, interspersed with the special (and deadly) history of the Derry Township that IT had caused. Plus the return of the older versions in the 80’s to do final battle and end the killing once and for all. To weave those threads throughout 1000+ pages of book without the action flagging is a tremendous feat.

Though there are jolts enough in the book, I was more scared by Pet Sematary and The Shining in book form as the ordinary takes evil form as opposed to the hibernating and shape-shifting IT. And considering the age of the kids I was surpirsed that I also didn’t remember the sex scene at the very end of the book. Overall, IT and The Stand work King territory well. There is a reason why they keep wanting to film his books.

For beers, let’s start with Maine’s best known brewery, Allagash and their Ghoulschip Wild Ale. A sour pumpkin ale blend to set the sour mood. Then move on to the Maple Beast from Rockingham Brewery in Derry (New Hampshire). After sitting in a chair reading for so long, you might have achy bones. So finish with Krieky Bones from the BarrelWorks crew of Firestone Walker.

Then make sure to steer clear of the house on Nieboldt Street.

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The Book on Session Beers


Brewers Publications has a new beer book slated for release, Session Beers: Brewing for Flavor and Balance delves into the past, present and future of low ABV beers.

The book is by Jennifer Talley who has a brewing resume that includes Squatters Pub Brewery, Redhook Brewery, Russian River Brewing and Auburn Alehouse. That first citation is a Utah brewery where which means that Talley has had to work under ABV restrictions which is perfect training for writing a book on sessions beers.

If you want to dive into the recipes, development, ingredients and brewing process for the low ABV, then this book will have the information you need

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A Quote & A Beer – August 2017

There are too many great quotes out in the world to counter-act the crazy-ass tweets from SCROTUS. Time to highlight some wise words instead of breathlessly regurgitating nonsense and since this is a beer blog and not an anit-alt right blog, I will also suggest beers to pair with them. (Except for this first one of course)

“I’ll walk where my own nature would be leading:/ It vexes me to choose another guide.”
Emily Bronte

What kind of beer pairs with non-conformity? If I told you, well that would run counter to the advice from Bronte. But without giving a specific beer order to be followed, let me say this. Don’t order the IPA unless it is from a new brewery. Don’t order a barrel-aged bourbon stout: look to a pilsner. Find a hop that nobody is talking about, yet. Look over the whole tap list. If it comes down to it, order blindly. Call out a tap number and see what happens.

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The App-ford Companion to Beer


I have the doorstop sized hardbound Oxford Companion to Beer. It was a lovely Christmas present a few years back. Now, you can easily afford to have a world of beer data at your fingertips with the app version that is sold for a mere $5. You can’t beat that price.