A Year in Beer: The beer lover's guide to the seasons

by Jonny Garrett

Winner of the Fortnum and Mason Food and Drink Awards 2022 - Drinks BookWinner of the Food Writers Guild Awards 2022 - Drinks BookGoing well beyond Pilsner when it's hot and Stout when it's cold, A Year in Beer is a bold and exciting new look at beer, encouraging drinkers to reconnect our favourite beverage with the world around us. Taking us through the hop and malt harvests of late summer, the joyful fireside drinks and slow cooking of Autumn, the glut of Christmas beers and a cheese boards of winter, and the wild and fresh burst of new life and brewing in spring, A Year in Beer explains why drinking seasonally might just teach us more about what we drink and why. The book is peppered with delicious food recipes, explorations of the UK's modern brewing scene and deep dives into the histories and unlikely origins of our favourite styles – all bringing it back to the context in which we enjoy them – not just the season, not just the weather, but the people and the places that make them unique. Written by 2019 Beer Writer of the Year Jonny Garrett this book will change how we look at brewing and drinking beer, and increase our enjoyment of both.

Genres: Beer

382 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2022

Reviews

[Ian Mapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine idea for a book - which I have taken my time over. Its divided into the 12 months, so of course, I read each month in the corresponding timeframe. And then, of course, ordering and trying the recommendations.

The concept is to encourage the reader to drink seasonally. There is some excellent journalistic writing and the photos are lovely to look at. All done with a sense of humour, amongst the learning.

I'm not 100% sure there are 12 different monthly styles to go for. For instance, June was a write up on micro pubs. And fish and chips. Is October the best month for cider? Is anyone else going to go for Deus with Orange Juice on Xmas Morning (I might, if I can get hold it :-) ) ? However, that's nitpicking - I enjoyed January's Gueze - a style I had never tried before. Likewise, April's Maibok.

Ultimately, a book to savour and experiment with.

[Paul Tidsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drink for thought.

[Andrew Stapley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read one chapter a month for the whole year. Fascinating look at the history of drinking seasonally!

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonny brings something to beer writing that's been vitally lacking in the past: deep dive journalism that couples a technical awareness with fantastic narrative and wonderful photography. Like a cookery book that's more to do with the great stories and people that weave the fabric of the culinary world, A Year in Beer is just as much about the rich and historical culture surrounding beer and the people who make it great.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read. There are lots of us out there enjoying a beer without knowing how many styles there actually are let alone the history of how they got there.
Such a well set out view of beer and the seasonality of it. I now have a lot of beers to hunt out which is amazing since I have been drinking it for the best part of 30 years but I now need to deep dive many breweries, tap rooms and pubs.
If you enjoy a beer then I can't see how this book could not be of use to you. Not to mention a few recipes included.
Having read several books on beer this one nicely sets out towards a more 'everyman' approach.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually read most of my books in 3-4 weeks but I decided to read this one with the passing seasons and I quite enjoyed spreading the book out throughout the year, just dipping into it every couple of months. The book doesn't just explore which beers fit best with which seasons but also looks at food, people and places . It was quite a cosy read that had me craving more human connection and to travel more exploring our country and all it has to offer. Not sure it is something I would necessarily go back to but it was a worthy read for beer lovers all the same.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. A great journey through the year of beer and brewing. Anyone who enjoys good beer would enjoy this book.

[Lana Svitankova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Дуже сподобалося, особливо пасаж про "якщо температура касоковго пива - а це 10С - вам видається теплою, скупайтеся в січні у Ла-Манші, у нього така ж температура". Гарно зібрано, з кількома цікавими рецептами, і неочікуваними порадами на кшталт пити охмеленку в квітні, коли виходить пиво з новим врожаєм пелетів. Єдине, що очі вилазили читати цей дрібний шрифт, особливо білий на кольоровому фоні, дуже тяжко, тому читання розтягнулося на дуже довгий період.