Beer is a thing of beauty. Four simple ingredients—yeast, malt, hops, and water—combined under the right conditions, can create a product that is wholesome, delicious, and satisfying. But making and enjoying a quality beer is not always simple.
Profesor Emeritus Charlie Bamforth of the Universtity of California, Davis, often referred to as the “Pope of Foam” within the beer industry, has spent more than 40 years crafting, writing, and teaching others about beer and how to make it. In the 12 lessons of the The Everyday Guide to Beer, Dr. Bamforth and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company—one of the pioneering companies of the craft beer movement in the United States—take you on a journey through the history of this surprisingly complex beverage. You’ll learn how popular styles like pilsners, IPAs, and stouts were originally developed and how daring new types of beer continue to push the envelope on what a beer is … and isn’t.
After learning about the origins and history of beer, you’ll move into how it’s made. Joined by additional experts like Sierra Nevada’s Head Brewer Scott Jennings and Quality Manager Liz Huber, you’ll delve into the nuances of each ingredient that goes into beer production. You’ll begin to understand different types of fermentation and the chemical processes that take place to form the range of styles you see in today’s stores and on your local tap list.
If you’re a homebrewer, this course will help you improve your skills and broaden your horizons. If you’re someone experiencing craft beer for the first time, you’ll gain knowledge that will be useful on your next trip to your neighborhood watering hole for a pint. And if you’re simply a beer lover with a thirst for the story behind your favorite beverage, this course will give you the insight into the history and science of beer—and help you to understand and refine your own tastes. So, raise your glass and join Dr. Bamforth on this comprehensive, approachable beer tour that is unlike any other and discover what’s actually in your glass and the fascinating journey it took to get there.
