National Geographic Atlas of Beer: A Globe-Trotting Journey Through the World of Beer

by Nancy Hoalst-Pullen

This ultimate beer lover's guide to the world is filled with stunning photography, unique drinking destinations, little-known histories, and insider knowledge from brewers and bar owners around the globe.

The most comprehensive beer atlas available, this richly illustrated compendium includes more beers and more countries than any other book of its kind. Including beer recommendations from Garrett Oliver, the renowned brewmaster of Brooklyn Brewery, and written by "beer geographers" Nancy Hoalst-Pullen and Mark Patterson, this indispensable guide features more than 100 illuminating maps and 200 beautiful color photos. You'll find beer history, trends, and tasting across six continents (and how to order a beer in 14 languages!). Travel tips include the best breweries, beer festivals, and pubs in each location. Smart, compelling, and practical, this essential guide will help you discover the best beer wherever you are.

Genres: Beer, Travel, Food, Reference, History, Nonfiction, Cookbooks

304 pages, Hardcover

Published September 19, 2017

Reviews

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a book that maps out the best, most interesting brews around the world while also providing a fascinating history of brewing in dozens of key countries. There's no downside.

Okay, well, there's one small downside: if you read the book straight through, you'll be both desperate for a beer and kind of bored with beer. Honestly, it all runs together after a while, even if it is making you thirsty.

[Bill Sleeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was in graduate school in Michigan my friends Dan, Mark, Deborah and I would frequent a bar in Manchester that had a massive selection of international and domestic beers. Our goal was to drink our way around the world (NOT in one night) – and while I don’t recollect if we even made it very far across Europe – the joy was in the effort! Good times with good people. National Geographic’s Atlas of Beer captures that feeling of fun and appreciation of beer in all its glory and occasionally bizarre features (banana beer…that’s a no) shared with friends. As a National Geographic product I was not disappointed in the design as the Atlas was chock-full of beautiful images, informative and well-designed maps and engaging side bars that focused on beer history, beer lore (I had no idea there were so many different types of glasses) and recipes. The side bars of what to drink and eat by Garrett Oliver of the Brooklyn Brewery (when can I go?) were fun – you sensed in reading his comments that this man loves to eat good food and drink well-crafted beer! Authors Nancy Hoalst-Pullen and Mark Patterson provide a well written introduction to each continent or region’s beer making history and share a true love of travel that just happens to, fairly often it seems, focus on their appreciation of beer! This is a wonderful book and is perfect for foodies, history buffs, armchair and real travelers and of ‘course anyone who enjoys a good beer.

[Matt Ely · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps best read as reference when one is planning a trip to a specific locale (remember when planning trips to locales was a thing? Ah, the lost world of 3 weeks ago). When read in sequence, the content can tend to repeat, as many of the defining forces in the industry are international in nature. There are exceptions, but several sections are hard to distinguish beyond the differences in a few proper nouns. Additionally, the book has several two-page spreads that cut off other sections in the middle and make for awkward reading where one flips forward and back to maintain coherency. The introductory section is the most educational overall, but there's lots of interesting anecdotes and factoids throughout. And plenty of good photos.

I'm not sure if it's really a coffee table book in content or if it's just shaped like one, but this title is probably best enjoyed in moderate doses, much like its subject matter.

[Judith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not read the whole book, just several countries (Ireland, Italy, Britain) where I have tasted beer. There is much to learn from this book. Though it has excellent photos, this is not a glossy Photo-type book, but one that focuses on the history of various types of brews (e.g. lager, IPA), past and current state of brewing and breweries, and local/country culture surrounding beer. I think it is one of the best NatGeo books out.

[Tom Christiansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve never had a book with so many printing errors. There were pages with paragraphs starting mid paragraph, with the first parts of it literally not in the book. If I could award half stars this would be a 2.5 star review.
The information was exactly what I wanted though. A concise overview of the history of beer around the world. The book plays fair with each continent but the truth is that some regions just have far more interesting beer history than others.

[Hillary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun, with both broad overviews of a country's craft beer scene as well as in depth examinations of local areas or styles. Lots of mentions of intriguing local styles of various places. The one issue I had was that the maps used beer colors to indicate data divisions, which is cool in theory but also makes the maps very hard to read when you have a lot of shades of tan. 

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has good information but the way it’s put together makes me not want to even browse through it.

[Nicole Flowers Frye · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good. Beautiful pictures. Well written. Good information.

[Ron Maskell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely informative and a great read from beginning to the end.

[ManOfLaBook.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

National Geographic Atlas of Beer: A Globe-Trotting Journey Through the World of Beer by Nancy Hoalst-Pullen and Mark W. Patterson is a coffee table book about, you guessed, beer around the world. The book includes a forward by Garrett Oliver, the brewmaster of Brooklyn Brewery.

The book is a tour around Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Australia & Oceania, and Africa each with it’s own beers and experiences. The sections include a beer guide to where beer lovers go, how to order beers in different countries, beer trivia and science.

I was very excited to receive National Geographic Atlas of Beer: A Globe-Trotting Journey Through the World of Beer by Nancy Hoalst-Pullen and Mark W. Patterson for review. On first impression this book is very impressive, glossy pages, excellent design, and wonderful pictures of exotic locals around the world.

The text is interesting and informative, sometimes over the top. It seems like the authors tried too hard, describing beers like they would fine wines (which I don’t “get” either). Beers are certainly underappreciated (especially in cooking, unless you are a bbqing/meat-smoking fiend like myself), but treating beers snobbishly takes away from the fun and excitement.

I do wish though, that books such as this would be a little less high-brow and more street level. It’s great to know about all those specialized beers and options, but seriously, if I visit some far off land there is little chance I’ll go to where the book recommends. I was looking for good beer recommendations, something that a beer enthusiast would love, hidden jams. Instead a got a wine snob’s version of a beer book, and who knows if those beers would even exist when you go to those cities?

A book certainly to look at and appreciate, maybe not to act upon but to get some great ideas. Some of the little details, such as how to order beer, and a guide to where those who love beer go to drink are fun and certainly something one could use.
Also, no Israel?

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