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The definitive guide to world beer fully updated for a third edition

As craft brewing continues to go from strength to strength across the world, World Atlas of Beer is the definitive and essential guide to beer. Understand the rich, multi-faceted traditions of Belgium, the Nordic legend that is Finnish Sahti, the relatively new phenomenon of the New England hazy IPA, and why Australia's lower-strength beers are one of its great successes. With thousands of breweries now operating around the globe, and more opening every day, this is the expert guide to what is really worth drinking.


Country by country the book considers a vast range of brewing techniques, beer styles and traditions. Detailed maps describe crucial trends in major territories and features such as matching beer with food and how to pour different kinds of beer complete the picture.


Now in a fully updated third edition, this book is the perfect companion to help you explore the best beers the world has to offer.


Praise for the second edition of World Atlas of Beer:

'Written with authority and wit... the perfect guide to the rapidly changing beer scene' - the Guardian

272 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2012

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About the author

Tim Webb

72 books2 followers

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5 stars
50 (33%)
4 stars
58 (38%)
3 stars
36 (24%)
2 stars
5 (3%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Lana Svitankova.
237 reviews6 followers
February 13, 2021
Прекрасний варіант - не нудна збірка "випийте цього пива", а подорож світом з особливостями пивного ринку і традиціями. Британське почуття гумору. Дуже рекомендую цю версію
Profile Image for Nora.
12 reviews
April 23, 2025
Beer was invented in Egyptian and the books don’t even bother talking about Egyptian beer or even give the rest of Africa an opportunity to shine.
91 reviews
September 15, 2018
In 2010 this would probably be a 4 to 5. In 2018 it's 3 to 4 and suffers a bit from a few things.
1) It looks great and it's well written but it's more of a reference style book than a sit down and read it cover to cover book, which is what I tried to do, and ended up reading it in fits and starts as a result.
2) I just recently read Will Travel For Beer which covers some of the same "world of beer" stuff less formally, and in a way that inspired me to explore a bit more, though there was a bit of that here too.
3) I've read this book before. I went to my shelf after finishing and checked, the Michael Jackson book that this is arguably a spiritual successor to came out in 1997 or 1998, and the two books beside it on the shelf are of a similar vintage.
4) A LOT has happened since 2010.

Worth a read, especially for someone new to beer but for "veterans" you will be familiar with a lot of it. Skim those parts and focus on the "new to you" bits.
Profile Image for John Hubbard.
406 reviews7 followers
May 18, 2017
The writing is not up to Jackson's standards but the data and photos are.
Profile Image for Kevin.
64 reviews
June 8, 2022
It's amazing to see just how much has changed in the decade since this book came out.
394 reviews1 follower
November 16, 2022
A great reference book on beer travel. I tried the dip in approach but found it better reading cover to cover and just skipping the non relevant bits.
Profile Image for John Collings.
Author 2 books28 followers
April 17, 2015
One of my greatest pleasures of life is traveling around the world and enjoying different cultures. In my travels, I have found that there are two distinct types of cultures, wine and beer. Though I do enjoy a good wine from day to day, my real passion is the variety of beers that the world has to offer. This book is a wonderful companion to exploring those beers. Not only does it give you the history of this beverage but it explores the craft beer phenomenon as it plays out across the world. There are many selections that are offered in its pages that make the reader not only explore the countries where these breweries are found, but also enjoy the best beers that these places have to offer. The thing I enjoyed the most about this book is that the authors focused on the enjoyment of drinking a good beer rather than the overconsumption of this tasty beverage. It is a message that many could take to heart and maybe the enjoyment of beer might fall into the more sophisticated etiquette of the world that is enjoyed by the other type of cultures, the wine ones. My only complaint is the size of the book. If they could design a pocket size of the book, it would be a great reference book to take with me on my travels across the world.
14 reviews
March 11, 2016
This is the first book on beer that I've read. It presents the beers of the world by country and the order of presentation is well thought out starting with 'Old World' European beer (Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic, Britain...) to North america (US and Canada) to the rest of the world including as section on emerging markets. There is a short introduction on the origins of beer and how it is produced that was concise and helpful for someone like me. This book is really well-written and thoroughly researched and stimulating as it introduces beer in a historical context. I didn't intend to but I ended up reading this book from cover to cover. I wish there was more on beer styles as I found that somewhat confusing with there being so many and some seeming very similar, but the authors do refer to Michael Jackson's landmark Beer Companion as the reference book on beer styles. I learned a lot and will be coming back to revisit the country chapters in this book when I travel.
Profile Image for Dan Smith.
134 reviews
February 12, 2014
For anyone who doesn't know about beer styles around the world, this is a perfectly fine coffee table - OK, beer table - outsize book. Nice pictures of fields of barley, hands rummaging in grain, brewing architecture, brewing paraphernalia, hearty tankards of ale, and brewers either smelling something or looking assured in a heavy apron. Here are beers from Germany, and from Peru. Here are a few recommended beers, the selection criteria of which is suspiciously opaque

But basically it wasn't particularly inspiring or deeply informative for me. I guess I can't complain - it's an Atlas - but I wonder whether that's the right format to write about beer. The thing is, the more I think about it, it is a perfectly fair format as brewing is so rooted in locale, but the fact remains this doesn't really stand above the crowd.
6,959 reviews81 followers
December 2, 2013
A good books for every beer's amateurs. Lots of beers desccription from around the world and a lot of informations on those regions as wells. It give you information on the ingredients, the variety of glasses and others stuffs thaht compose or are part of the drinking experience. Stil with all that good stuff, tit still feel like the books is missing something, can't say what tough, maybe it's the style of writing or the way the book it's put. Just keep in mind that it's an Atlas before everything, so more of a book that you consulte from time to time, than a book that you read from the beginning to the end, even if you can do it of course if you want. So definitly not a great book, but a good reference for the beer's lovers.
Profile Image for Steve.
448 reviews2 followers
July 27, 2018
I consider myself knowledgeable about craft beer and was nervous that this atlas would "talk down" to me. Needn't have worried. This atlas is authoritative (taught me more than a thing or two) and insightful on beer styles and their antecedents. The atlas is divided into regions of the world and then focuses on individual countries. Places countries in their historical brewing context and speculates on their potential future in craft brewing. Fantastic insights on the state of craft brewing per region and filled with plenty of ideas for your next beercation. I savored this book like a well crafted beer.
Profile Image for Sheree.
4 reviews
November 26, 2012
I was so excited to see that I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway!! My husband is beer lover, he loves everything from making it to drinking it so we couldn't wait to delve in! When the book arrived we first noted how beautiful the pictures were. The book is arranged into countries with explanations, details, and pictures of not only countrysides, but the beer processes, bottles, labels, and much more. It is very easy to read and it made us very excited to expand our palettes to other types of beers around the world. Again, thank you Goodreads for this book!
Profile Image for Brandy Bacala.
28 reviews9 followers
December 3, 2012
This is a beautiful book that would look great on any beer lover's coffee table! The World Atlas of Beer contains photos, maps, and a wealth of information about beers around the world. Organized by regions, this book is perfect for the connoisseur looking to learn a little more about his/her favorite lagers and ales. Even if you don't know much about brews, this is a really pretty book and a good way to learn. I highly recommend it. I was given this book for review through a first-reads giveaway.
Profile Image for Josh Grgas.
1 review4 followers
January 7, 2013
A solid primer of beer with a few frustrating copy and layout errors, namely the inconsistent and incomplete photo orientation in the Beer Selection section. I appreciate the daunting task of compiling a beer atlas, and it definitely got me excited about visiting many unexplored beer regions. Overall, I think the information was accurate and displayed well enough, but I feel uninitiated readers might have trouble with the layout and some gaps in the foundational information.
Profile Image for Ckk527.
6 reviews1 follower
January 31, 2013
This is a helpful and clearly organized introduction to beer and ales. The photography is beautiful, and the writing offers enough detail without sounding pretentious or pedantic. For someone just getting started with appreciating beer styles (not simply to like them but, rather, to understand a beer for its history and style representation) this book is a solid guide. I'm pleased to own a copy, signed by the authors.
2 reviews4 followers
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May 21, 2013
Tim Webb and Stephen Beaumont have attempted a huge project in the "World Atlas of Beer." One of the reasons this project is difficult is because of the quickly expanding beer culture all over the world. "World Atlas" provides a unique snapshot of the variety in that beer culture in different countries. Features lots of good information, and also points you in the right direction of where you can find more. Great photography as well.
Profile Image for Jon Barber.
295 reviews
January 1, 2014
Being from Virginia, I just read through the United States section, ending in the South.I appreciate the daunting task and the necessary comprehensive list leaving off my local breweries but I WAS unhappy at the lack of a South map to at least indicate a few beers from my Commonwealth. Nonetheless, I'm really enjoying the read. Looking forward to cracking open some growlers (Champion Brewing Company and Blue Mountain Brewing company) this afternoon to enjoy with it. (Merry Christmas, huh?)
Profile Image for Mark Hartzer.
322 reviews6 followers
February 10, 2014
Very nice overview of beers from around the world. Not as comprehensive as Michael Jackson's, but well researched and nicely illustrated. Tim Webb obviously knows his stuff, and it was really hard to quibble with his reviews. Witty writing combined with lots of photos and brief tidbits makes for a fun read. Best quote: "Belgium is, according to France's former president Charles de Gaulle, a country invented by the British to annoy the French." Ha ha...
535 reviews2 followers
January 30, 2014
Keskittyy perusideansa mukaisesti etenkin pienpanimoihin (toki isojakin brändejä löytyy jossain määrin - kriteerinä laatu), toisin kuin lähempänä valtavirtaa oleva Hampsonin "The Beer Book". Liikkuu sujuvasti Michael Jacksonin jalanjäljissä. Hyvä, pitkäikäinen opus ja inspiroiva kuvitus.
Profile Image for Nicole Flowers Frye.
110 reviews
September 27, 2019
I'm finding great pleasure in reading about beer. This books has beautiful pictures. It has lots of interesting information. I like traveling around the world without leaving my house. It makes me wish I could travel! Good read. Feels like a letter to a friend! Read this book!
Profile Image for Enzo Gorlomi.
20 reviews1 follower
July 30, 2014
What's to know, it's a book about beer. If you want to know more about beer, read it.
Profile Image for Moorhead Public Library.
335 reviews4 followers
November 5, 2014
Craft beer is huge lately. I mean, who doesn't like to kick back and have a beer? To me, the fun part is trying different things and learning the history of it all. This book is great for that.
Profile Image for Chris.
1,232 reviews5 followers
January 22, 2019
Beautiful coffee table book filled with lots of good information about regions, breweries and beer. Definitely recommended to all beer fans.
7 reviews
March 6, 2020
I thought I already knew a lot about beer, but now I'm somewhat smarter.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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