The Naked Pint: An Unadulterated Guide to Craft Beer

by Christina Perozzi, Hallie Beaune

Read Christina Perozzi and Hallie Beaune's posts on the Penguin Blog.

Move over, Merlot. Craft beer has finally found a place at the fine dining table.

Renowned beer sommeliers Hallie Beaune and Christina Perozzi offer a down-to-earth guide to craft and artisanal brews that celebrates beer for what it truly sophisticated, complex, and flavorful.

Beaune and Perozzi cover everything from beer basics to the science behind beer, food and beer pairings, home brewing, and tips for perfecting one’s palate. This edgy, no-nonsense guide exposes hidden truths, debunks every misconception, and reveals the power that comes with knowing an ale from a lager.

Genres: Nonfiction, Beer, Food, Cooking, Brewing, Food and Drink, Wine

336 pages, Hardcover

First published November 3, 2008

Reviews

[Christie]

I didn't finish this book, but when I got to page 10 and read the following, I couldn't stomach any more of the authors' immature/infantile writing.

"We like to use the analogy that malts are the male part of beer. You have to encourage them to grow; you have to cajole, manipulate, and control them to make them useful. Hops are the female part of beer. They come in many varieties and can easily dominate, can be quite flowery, can be high maintenance, and are often bitter. (Just kidding . . . kind of.)"

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woah, a beer book that's witty and fun rather than dry and technical. Well-written, funny and still terribly informative.

Highly recommended to beer-lovers, beer-likers and beer-doubters - the enthusiasm of the authors is infectious, and they tell you everything that's great about beer. Not only that, they make a great case for the fact that everyone is a beer person, and some just haven't found the right one yet.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an all-encompassing beer primer, "The Naked Pint" is best suited for those interested in craft beer but haven't yet ventured beyond the mass-produced lagers that dominate the American marketplace. Those with more craft beer experience will likely find some parts of the book unnecessary, but as a reference guide, travel companion and cookbook it's nice to have everything collected in one volume (particularly for those interested in home brewing). While the four chapters taking the reader from the tamest Pilsner through the boldest Imperial IPA are definitely the heart of the book, the section on brewing at home had me quivering with delight as I look forward to attempting my own brews in the future. So why only three stars then? The writing. Though I appreciate the authors avoiding an encyclopedic bone-dry approach, their too-clever style quickly wore thin, and I found myself annoyed and hoping for a speedy finish to the book.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book for any beer fans, particularly craft beer fans. I'm definitely one of those, but admittedly, my knowledge of beer was absolutely poor. This book taught me about beer in an entertaining fashion - the history, the various types, the science, pairing it with food and using it in food, etc. I'm definitely more educated and more qualified to call myself a beer nerd now.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me this was a great reference book. It isn't something I read cover to cover, because frankly parts of the book aren't relevant for me but I am glad to have it on my bookshelves. The language may have been a little "dumbed down" but personally thats what I enjoyed about it. There were answers to the questions I had always been afraid to ask for fear of looking "dumb" and it was really accessible for all beer drinkers whether they have drank a lot or not.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good look at the very large and diverse world of craft beer. This really gets me looking forward to going craft beer shopping, comparing notes with others and potentially even brewing my own (some day...). Lots of helpful stuff if you don't know much (like myself) and want to know more about beer.

[Allison Gaddis · Rating 5 out of 5]

PHENOMENAL. It is very information dense, but the witty and relatable commentary throughout made the details easily understood. I’m feeling empowered by my improved knowledge of beer!

[Luiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having started down the craft beer thing for a while now I didn't expect a ton from the beer section. Although I found it really good and have matched my own movement of appreciating any beer for what it is (the 1-page spread of most of the beers and typical flavors is a handy print out). Was more interested in the pairing beer with food- as I recently did that extremely well (Innis and Gunn Saison with salad and chicken)- and there is where it fell a bit short. A nifty bit on beer and cheese and some ideas of matching what you feel like drinking with what you feel like eating. Not super helpful. The planning a beer party was interesting, nothing that I think most people wouldn't come up with on their own. And I didn't really read the homebrewing stuff as much as it interests me- I'm years away from having the time and resources to do that. Some recommendations for further reading at the end too.
Not a bad read, probably better books out there for any “one topic” (Pairing brewing, hosting parties) but most people don't have a vocabulary to describe beer so it is a good starting place to learn some good ways to describe the flavor and mouthfeel and aftertaste.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very approachable!

[Koen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Simple, quirky, introduction to craft beer aimed at the uninitiated. If you're into craft beer for some time already you might not find much of new info in this book. The authors try and be funny in this guide but, despite getting a smile from me once in a while, overall the humor is seems a bit dated and immature to me. Also i thought the book to be incomplete at times and, not surprisingly given it's 7 years old, a bit dated by now. I assume there are better introductions out there but if you happen to pick this up as a novice there's plenty of interesting info in here.

The main part of the book sees the authors guide you to an array of beer styles. They take you by the hand starting with out with 'easier' styles and work their way up to the more extreme beers. There's a little bit of (cultural) history with every style and some examples of representatives of the style.

Listing Westvleteren and St. Bernardus without their combined history though seems to me an omission you can't really afford in a book about beer.

Furthermore there's some general beer history, some info on food pairing and recipes for cooking with beer, some guidelines considering glassware, hosting tastings and a chapter with the basics of home-brewing with recipes to get you started.

All-in-all noting new for the beer lover but maybe a nice introduction/work of reference for the craft beer novice. You might be put off by the attempts at humor and/or it's writing style. Given it's age there might be better or funnier books out there and i wouldn't directly recommend it. On the other hand, i finished it in one afternoon so you don't have much to lose.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable book to read. The fist two thirds contain a lot of information about the various styles of craft beer. The layout is a sort of beer journey starting with lighter styles and progressing to more intense styles. Of interest to me, was the idea that a person should not go for the more intense beers until their palate adjusted to the bigger flavor profile of craft beer compared to the mass market adjunct lagers offered here in the USA. This was interesting as I have a friend that doesn't like craft because he did just that - too intense, too soon.

The last third is more of a recipe book - not my favorite reading experience as I skimmed it to know what was there so I could return to it when I needed it. There were food recipes made with beer with celebrity bios for chefs. This was followed by homebrew recipes with their own celebrity bios.

So you have a three hundred page book with about two hundred pages of "reading material" and 100 pages of reference material. If you have an interest in craft beer I think you will find this worthwhile. If you are already well versed on this subject it will probably be too basic for you.

[Molly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Here's the problem with this book: it was written for an obscure demographic and doesn't advertise itself as such. This is a better gift for a beer-lover's girlfriend than it is a book you'd wanna buy for yourself to expand your interest in beer.

It's written with an attempt at witticism and wordplay that reads like an episode of sex in the city. It's written by L.A. barflies and, unfortunately, FOR L.A. barflies. The only redeeming quality in this is that they are actually trying to create converts from the "vodka-cran's" of the world.

But, being a woman who loves beer myself, and feeling unbelievably talked down to by this book (high gravity beers are described as the type that get you dancing in your stilettos on the bar)... I would suggest that just about anybody keep searching for the right book rather than waste time with this one (unless you fancy yourself a Sarah Jessica Parker turned beer matron-type. Wherever that type is?)

That all said, there's some worthwhile info in here. I'd just recommend finding it elsewhere.

[Andres Ruiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some surprisingly sexist humor, specially considering this was written by two women authors. You'd hope they'd go out of their way to break stereotypes, not reinforce them (the drunken blonde who's had too much after two beers and pole dances, calorie counting jokes, etc.) Not sure who or what crowd they were writing for, the style of humor is sophomoric, can only be described as "cute". Usually rolled my eyes at those parts and read on for the meat and bones of this book, the beer.

Overall, it's alright. Not nearly as deep as Id hoped. They give you the general overviews of different beer styles, brewing methods, etc., but at a very layman level. I would have appreciated more depth in these areas.

Overall enjoyable though. Reads quick, isn't snobby or insulting, minus the sexist humor of course.

As this is the first and only beer book I've ever read I can't compare it to anything, but Id imagine it wouldn't be inaccurate to imagine there are better books out there. Pick it up for a light summer read.

[Scott Schluter]

1 star for the horrible writing style and so much incorrect information. Very surprising from so called "experts" in beer. 1 additional star because, aside from the incorrect information, there is a lot of things to learn about beer in the book. The writers spent too much time trying to be cute and not enough time getting things right or just being clear and precise. Just read one of their "you'll like this beer if" statements and you'll see what I mean. Based on their many statements throughout the book, these women think women become instant floozies with too much alcohol in them. They contradict themselves too many times. I question why homebrew recipes were included in the book, they just didn't fit in, imho. The food section was too snobby for my liking, there are plenty of normal foods to pair beer with and you'll gain a broader audience. I expected and had hoped for more from this book but was disappointed.

[Lili · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an otherwise interesting and informative book, but completely tainted by the authors' immature sense of humor and pretentious style of sharing information. Rather than laying out the facts, this is loaded with conceited opinions and surprisingly sexist statements. We get it, you're both so cool because you are women and you like good beer! There was no need to shove that in the reader's face throughout the whole book. Personally being a woman who likes good beer (and there are a ton of us out there so get over yourselves), I found this to be more insulting and embarrassing than cute or whimsical. If you can get through the holier-than-thou writing, there is some decent information in here if you're looking to expand your knowledge on different kinds of beer styles. If you are completely new to the beer world, please don't let this be your first book on the subject or you'll come out thinking all craft beer drinkers are pretentious snobs.

[Justus · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're ready to move beyond, "the mass-produced industrialized fizzy yellow water" then this books is for you. As a long time beer drinker yet relatively uneducated beer aficionado, this book is a great introduction to the world of craft beer. If you don't know the difference between a Dunkel and an Imperial Stout, you will after reading this book.

With a casual style of writing (I consider any type of writing that compares double IPAs to "ass-less chaps" as informal), the authors occasionally become annoying in their use of modern slang and catch phrases - WTF anyone?

Besides this, "The Naked Pint" does a wonderful job of enticing you to drink more beer. Now my only sorrow is I have to wait until September for the Great Lakes Brewfest (http://www.greatlakesbrewfest.com).

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

An essential guide to the greatest stuff on Earth. The authors are witty and approachable, and they makes reading about beer nearly as fun as drinking it. Nearly. I spent several enjoyable evenings curled up with a delicious beer and this book; it has also provided some outstanding recommendations. It has certainly reinvigorated an already vigorous beer passion. I find it a niggling issue that they're tilted West Coast for beer recommendations. And the book doesn't go deep, which I thought was great, since there's a lot of ground to cover. But if you're looking for a beer encyclopedia this isn't it. The other problem is that the book makes me very thirsty, and not so much for milk, or water, or soda...

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

7/2013 Picked this up since my true love has begun brewing his own beer, and I wanted to refresh my memories of this helpful book.

3/2010 Fun, breezy, informative and entirely irreverent. I learned a great deal about different kinds of beer. I'm also relieved to learn that I'm not crazy to think that really hoppy beer smells like skunky marijuana. Apparently that's a good thing in the hop-head world. There's beer made like Champagne, beer which is supposed to be aged in cellars... like any topic, the deeper one delves, the more the topic broadens out and becomes more complex, arcane, and delightful. Recommended.

[steen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource for those who are new to beer (and I don't mean the kind you buy in an 18-pack) or wish to learn more about it! I'm a huge fan of craft beers and have had the opportunity to drink some rare and brilliant beer but The Naked Pint was a great resource to actually learn more about the different styles of beer, why they should be served in certain glasses, and what makes beer truly special. There's even a section about homebrewing and cooking with beer, featuring beer recipes and meal recipes from top notch names in the business. I highly recommend this for craft beer drinkers at any level!

[Jaimie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really solid book on beer. Written by two women (whoo!) who are seriously dedicated to knowledge of all things beer related. It gives you a good idea of all different types of beer, beer from different countries, rare beer, suggestions on good beers. I skimmed over the end of the book, which is really just how to home brew and how to cook with beer. I did like it a lot, but felt as though there were too many types for me to really learn all the differences. I'll just have to get out there and try them all for myself!

[Lis · Rating 4 out of 5]

It attempts to be a funny, easy read, which I do think many will appreciate, but I just wanted the facts and it didn't disappoint me either. It is largely aimed towards someone who knows very little to nothing about beer, or at least the world of craft beer, but even those who do know some could learn a lot. The book spends a lot of time going through each type of beer, how it tastes, how it's brewed, its history, etc. Even if you know your ales from your lagers, it's interesting to read how the yeasts affect the tastes in lambics or hefeweizens, for example.

[William Graney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very entertaining and educational book that covers the whole gamut of the craft beer world. I've read quite a few books on craft beer, home brewing, beer/food pairings, etc., but I picked up this one because I thought it would be interesting to get the female perspective. As it turned out, in addition to it being a lot of fun to read, I found myself bookmarking several sections for reference.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for ladies that want to know more about what they are ordering at Hopcat. An easy read, there isn't a ton of complicated science about the beer. Just what it tastes like and how to know if you'll like it once it's served to you. You can also read about why certain beers come in certain glasses, how to host a beer party, and, if you are so inclined, how to make your own beer. The authors use humor and just tell you what you need to know.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is clearly aimed at the beer beginner, however there are lots of good recommendations and profiles for the experienced craft beer seeker also. In either case, I almost wouldn't recommend reading cover to cover, there are many sub-chapters and side-bars making skimming and skipping easy. The authors use a very informal tone, mixing humor into almost every paragraph, so as to keep in line with their mantra that there's no need for snobbery in craft beer!

[Riley Haas · Rating 4 out of 5]

"This is a very interesting and informative book, even for someone who knows a little bit about beer (as I like to think I do). It is clearly geared towards the neophyte, but only the first chapter and a half are really, really meant for people who don't like/know beer. Though the style is pretty trendy (and likely to date very badly) and not great on the whole, and though they matronize the reader a little, there is so much good information in the book that it is really worth the time."

[Nathan Meunier · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever and humorous walk through the mouthwatering world of craft beer. Well written and funny, this book has covers a broad spectrum of beer nerd knowledge. It's a bit attuned to newcomers to the craft beer world, but still has some interesting info in here for folks who've had their fair share of malty, hoppy pints.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very enjoyable to read and I learned a lot. I like that there are food recipes included to pair with beer as well as home brew recipes. Many fun beers are recommended that I will keep an eye out for.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beer! In the chapter on glassware I learned that my favorite beers (pale ales, brown ales) should be drunk out of my favorite beer glass (pint glass). Good, now I don't feel obligated to buy fancy glasses just to be a beer snob. The ones I already own are pre-qualified. Yes!

[Matty McG · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written by two beer sommelier's. It's very informative, but doesn't take itself too seriously. It's a fun, down-to-earth read. I consider this book required reading for the craft-beer aficionado.

[Peter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Normally a 3 star book, the edition I got from the library was missing about 30 pages. Not torn out, but missing as it came from the publisher. The binding was intact, the page numbers just skipped up by 30 and cut half-way through the beer recipes.