What do you think?
Rate this book
Fifty Places to Drink Beer Before You Die: Beer Experts Share the World's Greatest Destinations
What is the most unforgettable place you’ve ever taken a refreshing sip of a cold beer? In Fifty Places to Drink Beer Before You Die, Chris Santella explores the best destinations to crack open a cold one, reflect on the day, and take in the scenery. The book features the world’s top locations for imbibing, from beautiful landscapes to beer festivals, breweries, classic drinking establishments, and brand-new, under-the-radar spots. With a mix of national and international places to visit—Asheville, Denver, Prague, Munich, Vienna, and more—as well as firsthand accounts from contributors such as Jim Koch (founder of Boston Brewing Company/ Samuel Adams) and Joe Wiebe (author of CraftBeer Revolution), this book will make you want to trek to each must-see destination. Packed with beautiful, vibrant photographs that bring each locale to life, Fifty Places to Drink Beer Before You Die will leave you craving barley and hops and eagerly planning your next trip.
- GenresBeerTravelNonfiction
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2016
4 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 2, 2016
I received this book as an advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve lived in some very interesting places and traveled a fair portion of the Western world, so I like to think that I’ve drank beer in some very memorable spots. Of course, some of those places were so long ago that I can hardly remember them. So I thought this book would be an amusing way to re-visit some of my favorite beer drinking spots, as well as discover some new ones for future adventures.
The concept of this book is simple: fifty beer enthusiasts each recommended his or her favorite place to drink beer. Some of the enthusiasts have interests in the places they recommend. Therefore, the resulting list was fascinating in both its inclusions and omissions. Some of the places were obvious – Munich, Prague, Dublin, Boston – and some of the places I had never heard of – like Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. The places are heavily USA oriented. There are three places listed for Canada, several in Europe, a few in Asia, and just the one in Africa. Curiously, there were two places listed in Idaho and two places in Oregon, but only three places in all of New England. Despite its wealth of restaurants and gorgeous views, there was no listing for the District of Columbia. Austin was the only place listed in Texas, even though some of the best breweries in the country are located in that state.
I love the fact that the Table of Contents clearly lists the locations in alphabetical order by state, province, or country. This makes it super easy to use as a reference when you are traveling to a location. I was tempted to immediately flip to the places that were close to me so I that I could explore them as soon as possible, but I was good and read the book cover to cover in order to provide a thorough review.
Each location chapter has a lovely two or three page description of the recommended region. The description usually includes the history of beer brewing in the region, as well as some discussion of activities available in the region (hiking, fly fishing, cycling, etc) and specific beer drinking venues. There are often extensive quotes from the recommender, so you get a real feel for what that individual was thinking when they made the recommendation. Most of the recommendations seem to be oriented toward the enjoyment of craft beer. Sometimes, the description feels like an advertisement for the recommender’s interest rather than an unbiased recommendation of an excellent place to drink beer. After the description, there is a brief bio of the individual who recommended the place. Finally, there is an “If You Go” information at the end of each chapter that provides the contact information for some of the recommended venues in the region described.
Some of the photography are breathtaking views of the region, and other photography is just filler shots of interiors of breweries and other venues. The one thing that is missing from the book is a world map. Although all the states, provinces and countries are familiar, I would have liked to have seen the geographic distribution of the recommended locales.
Overall, I highly recommend this book. I will most likely be buying several copies to give as Christmas gifts this year. The only thing that would make this book better is if the recommendations seemed less biased and less like advertisements. I mean, really, you ask Jim Koch about the best place to drink beer on earth, and of course he is going to recommend the Boston Brewing Company!
I’ve lived in some very interesting places and traveled a fair portion of the Western world, so I like to think that I’ve drank beer in some very memorable spots. Of course, some of those places were so long ago that I can hardly remember them. So I thought this book would be an amusing way to re-visit some of my favorite beer drinking spots, as well as discover some new ones for future adventures.
The concept of this book is simple: fifty beer enthusiasts each recommended his or her favorite place to drink beer. Some of the enthusiasts have interests in the places they recommend. Therefore, the resulting list was fascinating in both its inclusions and omissions. Some of the places were obvious – Munich, Prague, Dublin, Boston – and some of the places I had never heard of – like Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. The places are heavily USA oriented. There are three places listed for Canada, several in Europe, a few in Asia, and just the one in Africa. Curiously, there were two places listed in Idaho and two places in Oregon, but only three places in all of New England. Despite its wealth of restaurants and gorgeous views, there was no listing for the District of Columbia. Austin was the only place listed in Texas, even though some of the best breweries in the country are located in that state.
I love the fact that the Table of Contents clearly lists the locations in alphabetical order by state, province, or country. This makes it super easy to use as a reference when you are traveling to a location. I was tempted to immediately flip to the places that were close to me so I that I could explore them as soon as possible, but I was good and read the book cover to cover in order to provide a thorough review.
Each location chapter has a lovely two or three page description of the recommended region. The description usually includes the history of beer brewing in the region, as well as some discussion of activities available in the region (hiking, fly fishing, cycling, etc) and specific beer drinking venues. There are often extensive quotes from the recommender, so you get a real feel for what that individual was thinking when they made the recommendation. Most of the recommendations seem to be oriented toward the enjoyment of craft beer. Sometimes, the description feels like an advertisement for the recommender’s interest rather than an unbiased recommendation of an excellent place to drink beer. After the description, there is a brief bio of the individual who recommended the place. Finally, there is an “If You Go” information at the end of each chapter that provides the contact information for some of the recommended venues in the region described.
Some of the photography are breathtaking views of the region, and other photography is just filler shots of interiors of breweries and other venues. The one thing that is missing from the book is a world map. Although all the states, provinces and countries are familiar, I would have liked to have seen the geographic distribution of the recommended locales.
Overall, I highly recommend this book. I will most likely be buying several copies to give as Christmas gifts this year. The only thing that would make this book better is if the recommendations seemed less biased and less like advertisements. I mean, really, you ask Jim Koch about the best place to drink beer on earth, and of course he is going to recommend the Boston Brewing Company!
December 31, 2019
Набір місць, більше як набір статей про країни, не конче інформативний, але убити час непогано
September 10, 2016
This book caught my eye because Gord and I enjoy beer and we attend a lot beer festivals. I was curious to find out where, according to beer experts, the 50 places to drink beer before I die are.
The destinations are scattered across the globe from A to Z ... from Birmingham, Alabama, when a grassroots advocacy group called Free the Hops, a nonprofit group that was lobbying to reform that state's beer laws to enjoying a cold beer along the banks of the Zambezi, Zimbabwe, with the sun setting, hippos grazing and the flat plain beyond teeming with animal life. I was happy to see there were three destinations in Canada ... Lake Louise, Vancouver Island and Montreal.
Various people closely connected with the brewing world were interviewed to discuss their favourite spots and experiences. They include craft brewing pioneers, beer writers and athletes. They describe not only pubs and breweries, but also regions that have a thriving craft beer culture or activities (such as beer festivals and the Beer Mile where runners drink four beer and run four laps) that are complemented by beer.
There are full-colour pictures throughout. At the end of each destination, there is a "If You Go" information which includes phone numbers, websites, how to get there, etc.
This book made me put 50 places to visit on my bucket list! Dieu du Ciel in Montreal is listed and we went there last year and it was great. I'll have to check out the other places listed for Montreal someday too.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2016/09...
The destinations are scattered across the globe from A to Z ... from Birmingham, Alabama, when a grassroots advocacy group called Free the Hops, a nonprofit group that was lobbying to reform that state's beer laws to enjoying a cold beer along the banks of the Zambezi, Zimbabwe, with the sun setting, hippos grazing and the flat plain beyond teeming with animal life. I was happy to see there were three destinations in Canada ... Lake Louise, Vancouver Island and Montreal.
Various people closely connected with the brewing world were interviewed to discuss their favourite spots and experiences. They include craft brewing pioneers, beer writers and athletes. They describe not only pubs and breweries, but also regions that have a thriving craft beer culture or activities (such as beer festivals and the Beer Mile where runners drink four beer and run four laps) that are complemented by beer.
There are full-colour pictures throughout. At the end of each destination, there is a "If You Go" information which includes phone numbers, websites, how to get there, etc.
This book made me put 50 places to visit on my bucket list! Dieu du Ciel in Montreal is listed and we went there last year and it was great. I'll have to check out the other places listed for Montreal someday too.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2016/09...
June 16, 2021
My wife bought this for me. I am 59 and basically this book is for those who like to travel and are 60 or older. The book does mention my favorite brewery (The Alchemist) and several beer Meccas (Bend, Stowe, Asheville). On the whole it is more an advertisement for travel destinations with mention of the large corporate breweries and a few local craft breweries. Back to the age thing. Anyone younger then I who imbibes the hoppy nectar probably already uses a Beer App like Untappd which allows them the freedom of searching for the highest rated local beers in real time while they are vacationing. That is how I discovered Old Nation while visiting a friend in South Haven. For most people this book is already dated and is more so the minute you buy it. Sorry hun but thanks for thinking of me.
January 22, 2022
I was disappointed by this book. On the plus side, they included some interviews with important people in US brewing, which was neat. On the negative side, I think it should be grounds for at least minor embarrassment to publish a book about places in the world to go drink beer that has only one entry for Belgium, while including two entries for Idaho. A more accurate title would be, "A cursory glance at the rest of the world before focusing extensively on otherwise unremarkable places to combine drinking beer and going fishing in the United States."
May 23, 2021
Enjoyable enough travelogue.
October 7, 2025
ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
When an American author puts together a travel book entitled FIFTY PLACES TO DRINK BEER BEFORE YOU DIE and presumes to suggest that 27 of those 50 places are earned by US locations to the exclusion of what has to be hundreds of possibilities in the beer Nirvana hot spots of Europe, a beer lover and non-American world traveler can do nothing more than choke, gag, and roll one's eyes at the gross display of unwarranted American exceptionalism.
If there is a list of endeavours in which the idea that the USA is not just a world leader, but THE world leader, is simply laughable, beer, craft beer, and beer brewing has to be considered as a top-rung contender for inclusion on that list. Definitely not recommended unless you're an American who wants to be spoon fed ridiculous notions of self-worth.
Paul Weiss
When an American author puts together a travel book entitled FIFTY PLACES TO DRINK BEER BEFORE YOU DIE and presumes to suggest that 27 of those 50 places are earned by US locations to the exclusion of what has to be hundreds of possibilities in the beer Nirvana hot spots of Europe, a beer lover and non-American world traveler can do nothing more than choke, gag, and roll one's eyes at the gross display of unwarranted American exceptionalism.
If there is a list of endeavours in which the idea that the USA is not just a world leader, but THE world leader, is simply laughable, beer, craft beer, and beer brewing has to be considered as a top-rung contender for inclusion on that list. Definitely not recommended unless you're an American who wants to be spoon fed ridiculous notions of self-worth.
Paul Weiss
July 21, 2017
I think this book has great recommendations, and I base that on the fact that Vermont made the list and discussion of Heady Topper was placed at the forefront (I lived in VT and witnessed the seconds-sold-out phenomena of Heady Topper). Santella did a great job collecting recommendations, and I plan to try to get to at least 10 places before I die (I'm a realist).
September 6, 2016
This book would make a great gift for the beer lover in your life. I was surprised (pleasantly so), to find so many States in the U.S. listed which would make this bucket list more possible for most. A very good book with realistic possibilities.
December 21, 2016
Very North America-focused, which is understandable, although all of the selections outside of that continent were a bit predictable.
Apparently beer is best enjoyed after golfing, fishing or hiking, but I think in most cases it's best to skip straight to the beer.
Apparently beer is best enjoyed after golfing, fishing or hiking, but I think in most cases it's best to skip straight to the beer.
August 29, 2017
Enjoyable travel guide for serious beer connoisseurs and enthusiasts.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews