Distilled Knowledge: The Science Behind Drinking's Greatest Myths, Legends, and Unanswered Questions

by Brian D. Hoefling

Everyone has questions about drinking, but it can seem like every bartender (and bargoer) has different answers. Between the old wives' tales, half-truths, and whiskey-soaked conjectures, it's hard to know what to believe, until now. Armed with cutting-edge research and a barfly’s thirst for the truth, cocktail instructor Brian D. Hoefling tackles the most burning questions and longest-held myths surrounding that most ancient of human pastimes―with the science to either back them up or knock them down. From the ins and outs of aging to the chemistry of a beer head and the science behind your hangover,  Distilled Knowledge  provides a complete and comical education that will put an end to any barroom dispute, once and for all.

Genres: Nonfiction, Food

208 pages, Hardcover

Published October 4, 2016

Reviews

[Ivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Distilled Knowledge" is a well-organized layman reference on the science behind the creation of alcoholic beverages and the effect alcohol has on humans (and animals). Hoefling's style is accessible and strikes a good balance between expository scientific explanations and casual deviations that link the science to the frequently unpretty consequences of drinking. What earns the book the five stars though are illustrations by designer Leandro Castelao, which are excellent supplements to Hoefling's text and are fine enough to be turned into posters that proudly hang on bar walls.

One correction though: Goldschlager is 87 Proof, not 107 as stated on page 128 of the book.

[Robert Hausladen · Rating 5 out of 5]

From basics to science

I like his organization. A lot of the deeper science is in the appendix which allows a good understanding of the big picture while allows deep dive into interesting areas.

[ALEJANDRO PEREZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to booze chemistry.

[Erikka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not great, not bad, somewhat informative. I saw this in a distillery and picked it up from the library when I got home. It was a nice quick read.

[Jack Wolfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

So it turns out that drinking is both fun ANDDDD really complicated! "Distilled Knowledge" is designed for the layperson-- Hoefling has a witty, accessible style, and the book is laid out colorfully w/ helpful illustrations-- but the subject is chemistry. If you're like me and you last balanced an equation when Bush was president, you'll be confused at least 40% of the time. The majority of the book goes down nice and smooth, though, like a can of Michelob Ultra that's been open for three hours at a frat party.

Waitaminute

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yep. This is a very, very science-y book. And I am not great at science so it took some deep reading for me to be able to follow. The pictures made it a little easier. I honestly don't know how much I retained but I had fun reading. I think that people who have some knowledge about liquor may not find much in this book but others may find it a bit confusing. At least until the really fun chapters that start around chapter six. Overall, well-written, seems to be well-researched, and entertaining.

[roxi Net · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an insane amount of knowledge about alcohol and while it is written by a self-admitted "barfly" and not a scientist, it is full of science. It's a fun book to read if you want to get a bit more in-depth about alcohol - try not to be deterred by the scientific formulas that are sprinkled throughout (as I did at first). I also didn't know that carbonated mixes get you drunker - this book says why :)

[Monica Fastenau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the full review here: http://newberyandbeyond.com/arcs-abou...

If you are interested in learning about where alcohol comes from and how it works, this is the book for you. The author collects his research on the terminology, history, and science of alcoholic drinks and shares it in short, interesting sections.

*Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Ray Hoefling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Distilled Knowledge is a fun, interesting book that helps the reader understand the science behind what goes into your glass, and how it affects your body and brain. It's well organized and cross referenced, making it easy to use as a reference guide for settling disputes among barflys. It's a great gift idea for curious drinkers of all ages.

[Max Bartlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Scientific explanations for everything involved with fermentation, distillation, tasting, and of course the hangover.