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Beer U.S.A.
Book by Anderson, Will
168 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1986
1 person want to read
About the author
Will Anderson
64 books12 followersLibrarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
September 29, 2024
Used bookstore find for $6, well worth the investment.
The bulk of the book is a chronological history of beer in America from 1492 to 1986. It begins in the Columbian age of exploration and ends at the early birth pangs of the micro/craft beer movement. Includes many archival photos and histories of various breweries, taverns, and the people who have enjoyed beer around the continent over nearly 500 years.
The real highlight of the book is a 32-page section titled 'Everybody's Got A Beer Story'. In this portion the author traveled the back roads and small towns of Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Pennsylvania (albeit stops in St. Louis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Chicago, Cleveland, & Pittsburgh were notable large cities along the way). From towns named Vevay (KY) to Shelbyville (IN), Winfield (MO), Warsaw (IA), Red Wing (MN), Portage (WI), Lorain (OH), and Big Run (PA) the author collected terrific oral histories of ordinary folks. Memories of beer in the 1930s, 40s, 50s, and 60s are preserved along with photos of many of the interviewees. Long lost beers and breweries are encapsulated so as not to be forgotten. Those interviewed often recalled their first beers, beer during (& after) Prohibition, and what beer represented to their family or community. Cheers to the author!
The bulk of the book is a chronological history of beer in America from 1492 to 1986. It begins in the Columbian age of exploration and ends at the early birth pangs of the micro/craft beer movement. Includes many archival photos and histories of various breweries, taverns, and the people who have enjoyed beer around the continent over nearly 500 years.
The real highlight of the book is a 32-page section titled 'Everybody's Got A Beer Story'. In this portion the author traveled the back roads and small towns of Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Pennsylvania (albeit stops in St. Louis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Chicago, Cleveland, & Pittsburgh were notable large cities along the way). From towns named Vevay (KY) to Shelbyville (IN), Winfield (MO), Warsaw (IA), Red Wing (MN), Portage (WI), Lorain (OH), and Big Run (PA) the author collected terrific oral histories of ordinary folks. Memories of beer in the 1930s, 40s, 50s, and 60s are preserved along with photos of many of the interviewees. Long lost beers and breweries are encapsulated so as not to be forgotten. Those interviewed often recalled their first beers, beer during (& after) Prohibition, and what beer represented to their family or community. Cheers to the author!
Displaying 1 of 1 review