The Meaning of Beer: An Alternative History of the World

by Jonny Garrett

What's the oldest and most consumed alcoholic beverage on earth? Beer, of course. And it might just be our more important invention.

Since its invention 13,000 years ago, our love of beer has shaped everything from religious ceremonies to advertising, and architecture to bioengineering. The people who built the pyramids were paid in ale, the first fridge was built for beer not food, bacteria was discovered while investigating sour beer, Germany's beer halls hosted Hitler's rise to power, and brewer's yeast may yet be the answer to climate change.

In The Meaning of Beer, award-winning beer writer Jonny Garrett tells the stories of these incredible human moments and inventions, taking readers to some of the best-known beer destinations in the world - Munich and Oktoberfest, Carlsberg Brewery's historic laboratory, St Louis and the home of Budweiser - as well as those lesser-known, from a 5,000 year old brewery in the Egyptian desert to Arctic Svalbard, home to the world's most northerly pub.

Ultimately, this is not a book about how we made beer, but how beer made us.

Genres: Nonfiction, Beer, History, Food, Alcohol, Audiobook

368 pages, Paperback

First published November 7, 2024

Reviews

[Zach Minard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any beer lover, especially one who worries about the future of brewing. It is so much bigger than we realize. As an American I especially enjoyed the worldly look at beer.

[Paul Tidsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

History AND beer. That’s a win.

[James Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book on the many facets of beer and how it has impacted the world. I particularly enjoyed the historical sections and the stories about some of the author's beer trips.

[Samuel Gaeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good stories and facts I never heard of. Easy and fun read.

[Darnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't really drink, so the subjective elements of this did nothing for me, but the historical parts were generally interesting. Bit skeptical that it repeats the bacteria thing which is, to my knowledge, not accurate.

[Henric · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Meaning of Beer is indeed an essential read for anyone interested in the greatest beverage on the planet. It contains many examples on how beer has been important in different ways through history and continue to be so today. The writing is engaging throughout, particularly when it involves Garrett's travels and experiences of beer and brewing, whether it be in Dublin, Copenhagen, Czechia, or Svalbard. These section are some of the clear highlights for me and really give the book something extra compared to other similar popular histories. However, the book doesn't come without its flaws.

One of my major gripes comes from a place of similarly being a beer researcher and historian, summed up in the problems of writing popular history (compared to scientific history). For one, as always in this type of histories - it is sorely lacking in references and proper literature list. Granted, there is a short one towards the end, but it is rarely noted where historical examples and facts are taken from. This is a shame since there are quite a few facts and factoids I want to and will come back to again. My second, more major critique has to do with the overall theme of the book, or lack thereof. All the chapters are well-chosen and interesting, but barely holds together into a coherent story about the meaning and importance of beer. What is it actually been through history? The conclusion that life would have been worse and sadder without beer is an easy one to agree with as a fellow beer-lover, but it leaves me wanting a lot more of analysis and more thorough conclusions. There is also some overlap between chapters, and not all fit their theme - the community chapter is definitely more political than the politics chapter, with more reads as a collection of a few interesting historical facts and anecdotes. I miss some on the political regulation of beer and the several ways this beverage has been targeted by politicians.

Despite these gripes about the popular format and lack of coherence, it is one of the best popular histories of beer, interesting and at times deeply engaging, and one I will keep coming back to many times.

[Trevin Sandlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who are we without beer? Where would we be as a civilization - a species! - without beer. And what is it that makes beer so special in human history and culture?

These are among the questions beer journalist/content creator Jonny Garrett sets out to explore in this exceptional book. Part history, part travelogue, part culinary exploration, part social and cultural exploration, part science book, Garrett's book kinda defies easy definition (just like beer itself, ultimately, defies pigeonholing into just one thing). Garrett makes an excellent case that beer has been one of the most important "inventions/discoveries" in human history - right up there with fire and the wheel. From the importance of brewing to early civilization to the importance of brewing in the scientific revolutions of the 19th and 20th centuries, to the role the beverage has had in identity, politics and even the history of advertising...Garrett leaves no corner unexplored.

It is also somehow very poignant and funny at the same time (I laughed audibly at him saying, towards the end: "I’m not going to lie: there’s a lot more Hitler in this book than I envisaged." But it is important to include him - beer's role in Hitler's rise shouldn't be ignored - nor should the importance of Budvar to Czech culture and identity (and politics!). But the book is about more than that. It battles the beer snobbery that has (at times) infected modern culinary writing/reviews. It tackles the difficult question of why wine took over at restaurants (a relatively recent thing!). But it also strongly argues that beer, throughout human history, has been with us for all our moments - and that a world without it not only can't be imagined...it might not have even been possible!

I found myself desperately wishing I could sit down and share a beer (and this book) with my late dad. One of the very last times I was able to sit with him and just talk, father-son, before the cancer that took his life rapidly destroyed his body was over a few pints at a bar in Woodstock, GA. Some of my favorite memories of him involve the two of us with beer in hand at one bar or brewery or another (I worry that I will break down the next time I'm at Monk's in Philadelphia).

If there was any complaint, and this is so minor, it would be that the craft beer revolution in America is given only a small amount of space (a whole chapter could be written on Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada, Dogfish Head and the other breweries that completely turned American beer culture on its head). But maybe as a Brit, that's a secondary thing...and maybe that's outside the realm of what this book was about. Or maybe it's a story for another book.

All I know is that tonight...I'll be lifting a pint and thinking of both my dad and the author of this exceptional book. 5 stars. Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this. Out November 26th. You can preorder it here.

[Manon · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Meaning of Beer starts off strong with a personal anecdote that clearly shows Garrett’s genuine passion for beer (which I loved, cause same). It immediately drew me in. Unfortunately, that energy doesn’t fully carry through the rest of the book. As the chapters go on, the focus becomes increasingly diffuse, and despite my own love for beer, I ultimately did lose interest.

Garrett repeatedly argues that beer plays a foundational role in history, and while that idea is both interesting and largely true, several chapters felt unfocused or didn’t clearly tie back to the book’s broader argument. When the writing becomes overly technical, Garrett often tries to compensate with summaries and takeaways, but these feel more like quick editorial fixes than integrated parts of the structure. Honestly, where was the editor in all of this?

The book seems torn between being academically thorough and broadly accessible, and in trying to do both, it doesn’t fully succeed at either. Overall, it would have benefited from tighter editing, clearer focus, and stronger structural choices.

[Brent Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars - Clearly Jonny does an immense amount or research when writing this book! I thoroughly enjoyed the early history of beer all the way through to the 18th/19th century. However, where this book starts to stray is reaching into modern times. After grand stories about ancient beer traditions or the German Reinheitsgebot, Jonny wanders off course with stories of the British government, British-Indian pubs, and a brewery in Svalbard. Don't get me wrong, these are cool stories - I just don't think in 500 years they'll be added to the history of beer like some of the other examples in this book. As a result, toward the second half of the book I found myself waiting for it to finish.

The history of beer is still being written, and Johnny does a great job with his immense knowledge to be a part in that story's telling. It's a great book, and I'm thankful for Johnny to taking on this endeavor in an easily consumable way!

[Floris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book about beer, and it definitely left me wanting more written like this exact one. I received it as a gift from Josca, who really enjoyed reading it herself. And I completely agree with her. The author’s narrative style is engaging and immersive.

What stood out to me most was the historical perspective. Beer is more than just a drink: it’s interwoven with our culture and history (At least very much so according to Jonny Garrett). That makes the book interesting even if you're not a beer geek for it's (sort of funny) biased way of retelling history. The author also does a great job conveying the passion and knowledge of the people he meets.

I’d recommend this book to anyone with a casual interest in beer. It’s an easy, engaging read that stays light without getting too technical, but with some great technical fun facts

[Ben Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Jonny Garrett has crafted with this book delivers on multiple levels. History lesson, beer handbook and travel guide; all packaged up in the funniest read all year!

Garrett has an almost unnatural talent for soaking up copious amounts of information and then distilling it into thoughtful storytelling. I struggle with in-depth historical non-fiction but this is far from that, far more entertaining and far more insightful. From trips to ancient Egyptian temples through to the farthest reaches of the Arctic.

Crucially it'll speak to almost anyone with even a whiff of interest in beer. So whether you consider yourself a beer geek or you're shopping for Christmas presents for family members who are bound to have the Biere D'Or waiting, this'll be a winner!

[Edward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been struggling to get back into reading for a while, I just couldn't find anything that I really enjoyed. This book solved that - I've been barely able to put it down.

The research that has gone into this book is incredible - and the anecdotes told are more than likely to stir up some conversation on the next pub trip. If you like beer, and want to learn about how it essentially plays a part in pretty much all of modern life, I can't recommend this enough.

[James Slaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book on how the history of beer and brewing has helped the rise of human civilization. I ordered the book after hearing the author on the (recently now ended) Moon Under Water podcast, and found the episode engaging. The book did not disappoint. From 11,000 BCE up to this year’s (2024h developments of the yeast genome project, it’s a fun ride with the author having traveled the globe to talk to dozens of brewers and getting into the historical aspects.

[Martin Keen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun and informative read. Jonny is a knowledgable and affable host who not only tells us about the origins of beer in Egypt, or the most northern brewery in the world, but takes us there too as he travels the world, stopping for a chat and a few beers with the locals along the way. I challenge anyone to read the chapter on Pilsner and not be compelled to immediately run to the fridge. Learned a ton from this book, while thoroughly enjoying the journey.

[Nick How · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some interesting stories on beer’s influence in various events and developments in history. Need to get use to the authors conversational style which can grate and detract from the story being told. Last few chapters lose their way and focus, becoming a bit of a ramble. Overall interesting with chapters I’ll return to and read again

[Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! The history of beer is very long, but this book puts it into perspective. Good storytelling, and well researched. I'll be sure to check out the authors podcast and YouTube Channel. Highly recommended!

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5…The first half of this book is a very exhaustive history of beer…maybe not trailblazing, but successful. The second is maybe a less successful cultural history. And if you have ever watched his YouTube channel, the voice is clearly Jonny’s…for good or ill.

[Jonathan Strugnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a great book about beer, but also about much more than beer. It’s about civilisation, from its start to now and how a drink has helped and shaped it throughout our shared history. Well worth a read!

[Ryan Dolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonny does a great job of weaving humor and history together to make a very fun read. Great tales, very jealous of his travels, especially to Svalbard. Ending chapter was great. Thank god we found yeast.

[Christoph Weber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starts out with shorter episodes, the later chapters are more in one piece and a bit more serious. The final chapter I almost ignored: it's not bad but I know most of the stuff and don't need to reread it just because yeast is involved somewhere.

[Cian Moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it would be a history of beer but it's more the story of how beer made us, with everything from how beer changed modern medicine to how beer stopped Munich being sacked during the 30 Years War. Highly reccommended.

[Clint Coffey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Certainly some interesting and engaging parts, but overall it drags in too many places and goes off on boring tangents (DNA, GMO, Svalbaard, advertising campaigns etc) to often. For me it was a page-skipper, never a good sign.

[Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. A fascinating book.

[Timothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of interesting anecdote and history somewhat tied together. Tends to drag on a bit at the end.

[Ondra Soukup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written travelogue about role of beer in world culture and history.

[Calvin Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable read, covers the history and culture of beer in an entertaining way

[Scott Fitches · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best beer book I read since Michael Jackson's books. Great modern insight and biting humour.

[Tom Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most enjoyable to read and, particularly the first half of the book, full of vital history and existentialist facts on beer! A must read for any human in my opinion!

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lover of craft beer and history, this was a fantastic read!

[Bjoern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the book! Great insights, anecdotes and an even bigger list of places I want to visit. Thanks!