Beer is brewed from barley, hops, and water, and it is considered the most popular alcoholic beverage in human history. Roughly separated into lagers and ales depending on fermentation, lagers account for nearly 80 percent of all beer sold in the global market by big-name brands. The aughts saw a boom in craft beer comparable to the third wave of coffee. Primarily served by small breweries and always pushing the envelope for better quality, craft beer has made beer personal again. The emphasis on creating unique flavors also gave birth to new visions, like microbrews and gypsy brewing, through which craft beer evolves relentlessly in brewing methods or production practices, all the while adapting to new culinary trends with non-alcoholic beers or beer pairings at fine dining restaurants.
INTRO
LETTER FROM F
MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE
Bold slogans that tell a story about the brand
BREWPUBS
Metropolitan brewpubs, a symbol of subculture amid fierce competition that shapes the craft beer scene
INSIGHT
Scope and definition of craft beer
NEW WAVE, NEW BREWERY
Breweries that demonstrate the trends of contemporary craft beers, from spontaneous fermentation to an eco-friendly practice that uses bread scraps
ACADEMIC MANUAL
The history, tradition, and style of beers that have evolved thanks to popular characteristics
F LAB
Homebrewing with two commercially available kits
HARVESTING HOPS
Hukins Hops, a hop farm that has continued for five generations in Kent, England
VARIETIES
Star hops that are pivotal ingredients in craft beer
INTERVIEW
Florent Ladeyn : Florent Ladeyn, owner-chef at Auberge du Vert Mont, presents contemporary takes on Flemish culinary culture paired with a proprietary craft beer
ON THE TABLE
Fine dining beer pairings that have shifted the beer paradigm
BEER LOVERS
Praise for beer by four beer aficionados
F CUT
Brewing philosophies and styles as reflected in beer packaging
INTERVIEW
Brian Strumke : Brian Strumke, head of Stillwater, talks about the future of the craft beer scene
RETAIL
Bottle shops stocked with new, hippy beers
INTO THE MARKET
A selection of beers listed according to style
REFERENCES
Books and videos presented by acclaimed beer experts