Hidden Beers of Belgium
By Breandán Kearney, photos by Ashley Joanna, Luster, $45
What it is: A modern analog to the classic tomes on Belgian beer and lore that have now (mostly) aged out, this new book from Belgian Smaak editor (and occasional Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine® contributor) Breandán Kearney offers an intimate look at exceptional breweries and beers that are off the radar of most Belgophiles, weaving masterful tales and thoughtful curation contextualized by storytelling—a delicious read. Joanna’s stunning photos are the perfect accompaniment.
Who it’s for: It’s the perfect gift for that beer lover who, perhaps, claims to already be familiar with these “hidden” beers—but it’s also perfect for those who’d love to explore Belgium beyond the bigger names. Reading it has added several breweries to our “must visit” list.
Wood, Barrel and Time: The Art of Barrel Aging
By Marcus Baskerville, self-published, $18.99
What it is: Rather than waiting for a publisher to bite, Weathered Souls founder and current NB2A president Marcus Baskerville took matters into his own hands and authored a 145-page guide to barrel-aging beer, published in print through Kindle Direct. If you’ve ever wanted the deepest of dives into his award-winning approach to making barrel-aged beers—his Gud Mawnin’ Mon was one of our Best 20 Beers in 2023—this is a breezy and accessible look at everything from barrel selection to troubleshooting. It’s quieter on recipes and beer design, but the focus on barrel-aging mechanics makes up for it.
Who it’s for: It’s ideal for any brewer who fills barrels or hopes to start—and any serious barrel-aged-beer enthusiast who wants to learn more.
Brewing Barley Wines
By Terry Foster, Skyhorse, $19.99
What it is: It’s 270 pages of barleywine history, barleywine brewing anecdotes, five dozen barleywine recipes, and what is certainly the longest, most indulgent exploration of this tiny, aficionado-focused niche that’s ever been published. Throughout, Foster shows that he’s not afraid to bust myths, synthesizing a lot of historical research by writers such as Martyn Cornell and Ron Pattinson in the service of understanding just what barleywine is, in both the historical and modern contexts. The foundation Foster builds explains the choices brewers have made at various stages in the tradition’s development.
Who it’s for: The audience for this book, like the audience for barleywine itself, is incredibly narrow. But we’re right there in that niche, and the world is a better place because it exists.
Harlem Brew Soul
By Celeste Beatty, Rock Point, $24.99
What it is: We’ve seen plenty of cookbooks aimed at cooking with beer—heck, we’ve published a few—but none quite like this new release from the founder of Harlem Brewing. Beer-infused soul food? Sign us up. Its 176 pages include great recipes for everything from beer cocktails to beer-battered okra, seafood “gumbrew,” “beerinades,” and plenty more. We’ll excuse the abuse of beer puns, since the extensive, energetic illustrations keep it festive and fun.
Who it’s for: We’ve all had our fill of German dishes made with beer, and the world doesn’t need another recipe for beer-can chicken (though this book adds one more), but adventurous chefs who love regional specialties such as crab cakes, collard greens, curries, cornbread, and more will enjoy this broad approach.
Around the World in 80 Beers
By Martyn Cornell, Pen & Sword, £25.00
What it is: A beautifully researched history of, and ode to, old- and new-school classic beers across styles and geographies. Cornell spans the globe, highlighting notable beers from major destinations—Quiteña Chicha Vieja from Ecuador, Alles Blau Catharina Sour from Brazil, Budvar Tmavý Ležák from Czechia, and even Russian River’s Pliny the Younger. The beers themselves are perfect excuses to dive into the histories of brewing cultures and traditions, and Cornell’s thoroughly researched narratives shed light on how so many styles developed over time.
Who it’s for: Brewing history buffs will enjoy the ranging scope that Cornell pursues, going deep enough to tell the stories but having the good sense to keep them moving.