What do you think?
Rate this book
Beer Is Proof God Loves Us: Reaching for the Soul of Beer and Brewing
Beer Is Proof God Loves Us is a funny, engaging, and downright joyous examination of the whole world of beer and brewing. Your guide, Charlie Bamforth, may be the world's #1 expert on every aspect of After a worldwide search, he was selected as the first Anheuser-Busch Professor of Brewing Science at the University of California, Davis. Now, he presents the most compelling social history of beer ever where it's come from, where the brewing business stands now, and what the future holds. In this far-reaching book, he reveals The extraordinary complexity and artistry that can be found in great brewing. The factors that impact beer quality and wholesomeness. Centuries-old cultural values embedded in good beer. Bamforth also explains what the rise of new craft breweries means to beer drinkers and what the latest global trends will have on beer consumption. The book concludes with a look to the future, illustrating how environmental issues will change the brewing industry and addressing radical new approaches to brewing, such as Happoshu and malternatives.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
107 people are currently reading
637 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 - 30 of 95 reviews
August 25, 2011
Charlie Bamforth's tribute to beer is a strange mixture of interesting historical tidbits (often including the author) and the author's personal opinions on beer itself.
Unfortunately, my enjoyment of the former was often ruined by the latter. Bamforth's insights into the death of the UK pub culture, his experiences working with Bass and the various unions early in his brewing career, homilies on the absurdities of the temperance movement, and informative comments on the effect of globalization on the beer world are well-told and enjoyable to read.
Bamforth quickly loses me, however, when he touts the high-quality product that his employer, Anheuser-Busch, produces. It is one thing to make the argument that Budweiser is amazingly consistent, regardless of where it produced. That is quite true and their consistency is quite impressive. However, let it lie at that--do not attempt to parlay consistency into drinkability. Fast-food chains make remarkably consistent burgers--that doesn't make them steak.
So, to whom would I recommend this book? It will be enjoyable to anyone who has a true interest in beer, particularly its history and role in society. It is very likely to appeal to a home brewer or someone who frequents brewpubs and perhaps "foodies". It is not likely to appeal to a casual reader otherwise. While it is at times humorous, it is not "funny" in the comedic sense. The potential reader should understand that this is essentially a text book (about half of it is made up by references and footnotes).
Unfortunately, my enjoyment of the former was often ruined by the latter. Bamforth's insights into the death of the UK pub culture, his experiences working with Bass and the various unions early in his brewing career, homilies on the absurdities of the temperance movement, and informative comments on the effect of globalization on the beer world are well-told and enjoyable to read.
Bamforth quickly loses me, however, when he touts the high-quality product that his employer, Anheuser-Busch, produces. It is one thing to make the argument that Budweiser is amazingly consistent, regardless of where it produced. That is quite true and their consistency is quite impressive. However, let it lie at that--do not attempt to parlay consistency into drinkability. Fast-food chains make remarkably consistent burgers--that doesn't make them steak.
So, to whom would I recommend this book? It will be enjoyable to anyone who has a true interest in beer, particularly its history and role in society. It is very likely to appeal to a home brewer or someone who frequents brewpubs and perhaps "foodies". It is not likely to appeal to a casual reader otherwise. While it is at times humorous, it is not "funny" in the comedic sense. The potential reader should understand that this is essentially a text book (about half of it is made up by references and footnotes).
July 27, 2021
I am somewhat grateful that I withstood the arrogance of the author displayed via his inserted personal stories and rants. I learned about the beer industry and the creation process. I appreciate getting all that information within the parameters of one book.
However, the book lacks a narrative backbone. Bamforth attempts to add narratives at times, but they are disjointed. I would have structured this book differently because it reads like an infodump with two sprinkles of story.
Additionally, the author should have talked more about beer and brewing culture and focused more on individuals involved in both. He did little of that. I would have appreciated if he talked about current beer culture instead of just lament about the past. I would have also appreciated if he picked a major brewer and put on display not just the mechanics of how they brew, but the work culture inside the brewery.
Because the book lacks a narrative backbone in addition to a focus on beer and brewing culture, I argue that the book does not live up to its title, which was a major disappointment to me. While I learned some interesting facts, this book gave me nothing else.
However, the book lacks a narrative backbone. Bamforth attempts to add narratives at times, but they are disjointed. I would have structured this book differently because it reads like an infodump with two sprinkles of story.
Additionally, the author should have talked more about beer and brewing culture and focused more on individuals involved in both. He did little of that. I would have appreciated if he talked about current beer culture instead of just lament about the past. I would have also appreciated if he picked a major brewer and put on display not just the mechanics of how they brew, but the work culture inside the brewery.
Because the book lacks a narrative backbone in addition to a focus on beer and brewing culture, I argue that the book does not live up to its title, which was a major disappointment to me. While I learned some interesting facts, this book gave me nothing else.
August 6, 2016
This book popped up as free for Kindle one day in 2010 and I downloaded it because it reminded me of this Keith Walters post on alcohol and Scripture. I hadn't thought about it much until we were in Turkey, where we befriended a Lutheran family via our church, the husband of which is an avid home brewer (as is apparently a requirement of Lutheran males). He hosted beer-brewing & NFL-watching nights attended by many expat Christians and curious Turks, good times had by all.
Bamforth is a PhD chemist from the U.K. who holds a chair endowed by Anheuser-Busch at UC Davis. He has worked in research and development in the beer industry and has chronicled its development over the last few decades. To my surprise, the book was nothing about God at all, it's simply a treatise on the art and economics of beer brewing.
Bamforth chronicles the merger/buy-outs of the beer industry as centuries-old companies swallow other centuries-old companies. He discusses the economies of scale and what they mean for brewing. He explains some of the history, the quality control, and health benefits of beer. (Beer has many more potential benefits for you than your Coke, Dr. Pepper, etc.) He also provides some anecdotes from his international travels about the various types of beer being produced abroad.
Beer has been brewed for thousands of years (Bamforth claims the Sumerians were first, but this NY Times article last month put forth even earlier dates) and anthropologists consider it to be important to the development of civilization. Bamforth laments that such a sophisticated drink is now marketed as a juvenile product to college-aged delinquents:
"It certainly has been an uphill battle for me endeavoring to spread messages of moderation and that beer ought to be a beneficial, welcome, and wholesome aspect of an adult’s lifestyle when I am confronted by imagery of flatulent horses and soccer ball juggling turtles as an aide to selling beer." (Loc. 1260)
Bamforth has been annoyed by the neo-prohibitionist culture in the U.S., and does spend a chapter or so defending beer consumption from its critics. He points out the irony that the original colonists migrating from England believed that alcohol consumption was essential for their survival (the title of the book is from a Benjamin Franklin quote). Beer was actually not in the crosshairs of early prohibitionists, seen as not a problem compared to stronger alcohol. (The author would find Kentucky's free-smoking but anti-alcohol laws quite annoying, I'm sure). Bamforth is Episcopalian by upbringing. He offers a quote from C.S. Lewis, who was known to enjoy a pint in his day:
"An individual Christian may see fit to give up all sorts of things for special reasons—marriage, or meat, or beer, or cinema; but the moment he starts saying the things are bad in themselves, or looking down his nose at other people who do use them, he has taken the wrong turning." (Loc. 1741)
But for Dr. Bamforth, beer isn't his passion-- it's his job. I appreciated his candidness that although he is a renowned expert on the subject, he could take it or leave it:
"I work with beer as I do the thing that fills me with joy: teach. In truth, it would not matter what I was teaching. My joy is in the performing, the transfer of information."
I give this book 3.5 stars out of 5. If you want to know a lot more about beer than you currently do, check it out. Alas, it appears it's no longer free for Kindle.
Bamforth is a PhD chemist from the U.K. who holds a chair endowed by Anheuser-Busch at UC Davis. He has worked in research and development in the beer industry and has chronicled its development over the last few decades. To my surprise, the book was nothing about God at all, it's simply a treatise on the art and economics of beer brewing.
Bamforth chronicles the merger/buy-outs of the beer industry as centuries-old companies swallow other centuries-old companies. He discusses the economies of scale and what they mean for brewing. He explains some of the history, the quality control, and health benefits of beer. (Beer has many more potential benefits for you than your Coke, Dr. Pepper, etc.) He also provides some anecdotes from his international travels about the various types of beer being produced abroad.
Beer has been brewed for thousands of years (Bamforth claims the Sumerians were first, but this NY Times article last month put forth even earlier dates) and anthropologists consider it to be important to the development of civilization. Bamforth laments that such a sophisticated drink is now marketed as a juvenile product to college-aged delinquents:
"It certainly has been an uphill battle for me endeavoring to spread messages of moderation and that beer ought to be a beneficial, welcome, and wholesome aspect of an adult’s lifestyle when I am confronted by imagery of flatulent horses and soccer ball juggling turtles as an aide to selling beer." (Loc. 1260)
Bamforth has been annoyed by the neo-prohibitionist culture in the U.S., and does spend a chapter or so defending beer consumption from its critics. He points out the irony that the original colonists migrating from England believed that alcohol consumption was essential for their survival (the title of the book is from a Benjamin Franklin quote). Beer was actually not in the crosshairs of early prohibitionists, seen as not a problem compared to stronger alcohol. (The author would find Kentucky's free-smoking but anti-alcohol laws quite annoying, I'm sure). Bamforth is Episcopalian by upbringing. He offers a quote from C.S. Lewis, who was known to enjoy a pint in his day:
"An individual Christian may see fit to give up all sorts of things for special reasons—marriage, or meat, or beer, or cinema; but the moment he starts saying the things are bad in themselves, or looking down his nose at other people who do use them, he has taken the wrong turning." (Loc. 1741)
But for Dr. Bamforth, beer isn't his passion-- it's his job. I appreciated his candidness that although he is a renowned expert on the subject, he could take it or leave it:
"I work with beer as I do the thing that fills me with joy: teach. In truth, it would not matter what I was teaching. My joy is in the performing, the transfer of information."
I give this book 3.5 stars out of 5. If you want to know a lot more about beer than you currently do, check it out. Alas, it appears it's no longer free for Kindle.
May 10, 2011
The bits about beer and brewery history were extremely interesting and informative, especially for someone who has recently gotten back into homebrewing. I do like some of the personality included in the book, but at times, the author comes across as arrogant, to the distraction of the text. At one point, he recounts ordering a Bud in a sports bar, and tells the reader that he refrained from asking the waitress "Do you know who I am?" when she showed little care that the beer was of low quality. Of COURSE she doesn't know who you are! Most people don't!
Aside from the above, I do have a small beef with this book: certain of the author's opinions are at odds with one another. On the one hand, he laments the gradual disappearance of the smaller, traditional breweries and pubs, but on the other hand, he defends the mass-production breweries that bought them out and shut them down or sold them off. I also found his defense of mass-produced American style beers (aka "industrial beers") like Bud to be thin and unconvincing, as it was seemingly based solely around the idea of quality being dictated by consistent production rather than any more apparent aspects of the beer itself (freshness, taste, aroma, head retention, mouthfeel, etc.). That's like saying Joe Bob is a quality writer because he consistently produces the same kind of writing. But if his writing is consistently full of errors, or if it can't hold the reader's attention, or if it is bland and boring, then he is clearly not creating a quality product, though he may be using a quality SYSTEM.
I also was not expecting such a short text (or such a LENGTHY endnote section!). The actual text makes up less than half of the book (according to my Kindle), and many of the endnotes go on tangents that, while occasionally interesting, are for the most part quite divergent from the main topic. Not that I don't like reading some personal flavor -- I just wasn't expecting so much of it. Some of the individual endnotes were practically chapters by themselves!
Overall, this is really only a worthwhile read if you are into brewing or brewing history. Though the title seems humorous, the book itself is really pretty dry and straightforward, though it is laced here and there with some dry British wit. I really did learn a lot from this book, and despite the differences of opinion on certain topics, this is a book that I will keep in my library and very likely return to again.
Aside from the above, I do have a small beef with this book: certain of the author's opinions are at odds with one another. On the one hand, he laments the gradual disappearance of the smaller, traditional breweries and pubs, but on the other hand, he defends the mass-production breweries that bought them out and shut them down or sold them off. I also found his defense of mass-produced American style beers (aka "industrial beers") like Bud to be thin and unconvincing, as it was seemingly based solely around the idea of quality being dictated by consistent production rather than any more apparent aspects of the beer itself (freshness, taste, aroma, head retention, mouthfeel, etc.). That's like saying Joe Bob is a quality writer because he consistently produces the same kind of writing. But if his writing is consistently full of errors, or if it can't hold the reader's attention, or if it is bland and boring, then he is clearly not creating a quality product, though he may be using a quality SYSTEM.
I also was not expecting such a short text (or such a LENGTHY endnote section!). The actual text makes up less than half of the book (according to my Kindle), and many of the endnotes go on tangents that, while occasionally interesting, are for the most part quite divergent from the main topic. Not that I don't like reading some personal flavor -- I just wasn't expecting so much of it. Some of the individual endnotes were practically chapters by themselves!
Overall, this is really only a worthwhile read if you are into brewing or brewing history. Though the title seems humorous, the book itself is really pretty dry and straightforward, though it is laced here and there with some dry British wit. I really did learn a lot from this book, and despite the differences of opinion on certain topics, this is a book that I will keep in my library and very likely return to again.
March 22, 2025
YEAH! What he said!
Charles Bamforth's "Beer Is Proof God Loves Us: Reaching for the Soul of Beer and Brewing" is more than simply a book—it's a thoughtful exploration of beer's profound impact on culture, history, and human relationships. Bamforth, a respected brewing scientist and a compelling writer, eloquently articulates the delicate balance between beer as an art form and brewing as a precise science.
Having brewed beer professionally in a craft brewery for two decades, homebrewed since 1989, and worked at MolsonCoors for the past fifteen years, I found Bamforth's insights particularly resonant. His deep understanding and balanced perspective bridge the gap often seen between craft brewing aficionados and the larger commercial brewing world. Bamforth has an exceptional ability to elucidate brewing complexities while maintaining a conversational tone, making technical details accessible and engaging.
What makes the book especially compelling to me is how Bamforth addresses the division and occasional snobbery within beer communities. He thoughtfully advocates for appreciation across all beer styles, from intensely hopped IPAs and light-struck bottles emitting skunky aromas to meticulously consistent, mass-produced lagers and comforting, flat ales enjoyed in quaint London pubs.
His concluding words are particularly memorable, almost a prayer that perfectly captures the inclusive philosophy that I deeply respect and share:
"In my beery world, may I tolerate those folks who like their beers smothered in hoppiness just as I would hope they would tolerate the skill devoted by the big brewers to making bland lagers so consistently well. May I tolerate those who rejoice in beer exposed to bright sunlight so that it reeks of skunks while begging them to acknowledge my taste for tepid flat ales in an East End pub in London. And may the wine drinkers of this world know that I am totally tolerant of their preferred beverage just as I want them to allow me to sing the praises of my own."
Bamforth masterfully conveys the essential truth that brewing—whether craft or commercial—is an art driven by passion, tradition, and meticulous care. Given my personal history and experience in the brewing industry, this book stands out as an especially rewarding read. It affirms the respect and camaraderie among brewers of all types, reflecting beautifully on the universal appreciation of beer.
Charles Bamforth's "Beer Is Proof God Loves Us: Reaching for the Soul of Beer and Brewing" is more than simply a book—it's a thoughtful exploration of beer's profound impact on culture, history, and human relationships. Bamforth, a respected brewing scientist and a compelling writer, eloquently articulates the delicate balance between beer as an art form and brewing as a precise science.
Having brewed beer professionally in a craft brewery for two decades, homebrewed since 1989, and worked at MolsonCoors for the past fifteen years, I found Bamforth's insights particularly resonant. His deep understanding and balanced perspective bridge the gap often seen between craft brewing aficionados and the larger commercial brewing world. Bamforth has an exceptional ability to elucidate brewing complexities while maintaining a conversational tone, making technical details accessible and engaging.
What makes the book especially compelling to me is how Bamforth addresses the division and occasional snobbery within beer communities. He thoughtfully advocates for appreciation across all beer styles, from intensely hopped IPAs and light-struck bottles emitting skunky aromas to meticulously consistent, mass-produced lagers and comforting, flat ales enjoyed in quaint London pubs.
His concluding words are particularly memorable, almost a prayer that perfectly captures the inclusive philosophy that I deeply respect and share:
"In my beery world, may I tolerate those folks who like their beers smothered in hoppiness just as I would hope they would tolerate the skill devoted by the big brewers to making bland lagers so consistently well. May I tolerate those who rejoice in beer exposed to bright sunlight so that it reeks of skunks while begging them to acknowledge my taste for tepid flat ales in an East End pub in London. And may the wine drinkers of this world know that I am totally tolerant of their preferred beverage just as I want them to allow me to sing the praises of my own."
Bamforth masterfully conveys the essential truth that brewing—whether craft or commercial—is an art driven by passion, tradition, and meticulous care. Given my personal history and experience in the brewing industry, this book stands out as an especially rewarding read. It affirms the respect and camaraderie among brewers of all types, reflecting beautifully on the universal appreciation of beer.
January 5, 2012
I was so excited about this book after reading through the first and second chapter even though my wife believed it was lame as nothing caught her eye and the author created a committee to evaluate bubbles. Then I read the rest of the book...
Reading the first chapter I was intrigued. I had high expectations that Charlie would evaluate the culture of beer through pubs (first chapter) and I expected other avenues as well. I thought his experience in the mega brew industry would provide some nice insight, but then I read the rest of the book...
Initially, when I wrote my review I analyzed chapter by chapter but found it to be too much venting on my part. Let me sum up my dislike more concisely, Bamforth leaves much to be desired. Many chapters seem to end abruptly or his ideas are not clearly defined at all. For an industry insider he is very reluctant to offer any predictions, insights, connections or proposals. For example, his anti-alcohol lobby chapter focuses only on the religious right neglecting the nanny-state left’s impact. He offers no information about the alcohol/beer lobby and anti-alcohol lobby’s recent or future proposals or impacts or recent tiffs. It’s a very empty feeling.
His writing is a little pompous or maybe its just the disjointedness. He claims to be moderate and understanding of others tastes, but he makes it abundantly clear in many instances that he dislikes Hophead beers (isn’t once enough) and the recent endeavor for the beer with the highest ABV as it distorts the essence of beer. Yet Bud makes a high quality beer in his opinion only because it is consistent. What an asinine analogy. I can make a house out of cardboard that is consistently made of 6 sides of cardboard of the same dimensions and same amount of duct tape and I can assure you it will not be high quality. I think the megabrewer’s consistency deserves my awe, but don’t tell me its prime stuff.
What’s the deal with the footnotes filling 1/3 of the book?
I have not read many good beer books, but I think Travels with Barley was an enjoyable although not perfect book about beer. It covers some of the topics Bamforth does but with information you can understand and learn from.
Reading the first chapter I was intrigued. I had high expectations that Charlie would evaluate the culture of beer through pubs (first chapter) and I expected other avenues as well. I thought his experience in the mega brew industry would provide some nice insight, but then I read the rest of the book...
Initially, when I wrote my review I analyzed chapter by chapter but found it to be too much venting on my part. Let me sum up my dislike more concisely, Bamforth leaves much to be desired. Many chapters seem to end abruptly or his ideas are not clearly defined at all. For an industry insider he is very reluctant to offer any predictions, insights, connections or proposals. For example, his anti-alcohol lobby chapter focuses only on the religious right neglecting the nanny-state left’s impact. He offers no information about the alcohol/beer lobby and anti-alcohol lobby’s recent or future proposals or impacts or recent tiffs. It’s a very empty feeling.
His writing is a little pompous or maybe its just the disjointedness. He claims to be moderate and understanding of others tastes, but he makes it abundantly clear in many instances that he dislikes Hophead beers (isn’t once enough) and the recent endeavor for the beer with the highest ABV as it distorts the essence of beer. Yet Bud makes a high quality beer in his opinion only because it is consistent. What an asinine analogy. I can make a house out of cardboard that is consistently made of 6 sides of cardboard of the same dimensions and same amount of duct tape and I can assure you it will not be high quality. I think the megabrewer’s consistency deserves my awe, but don’t tell me its prime stuff.
What’s the deal with the footnotes filling 1/3 of the book?
I have not read many good beer books, but I think Travels with Barley was an enjoyable although not perfect book about beer. It covers some of the topics Bamforth does but with information you can understand and learn from.
May 3, 2011
Picked this up for free for Amazon Kindle and...well, I'm glad it wasn't priced any higher. This had potential to shed some real insight on beer and brewing, coming from an author with years of experience at a few major international brewers. Unfortunately, it's dragged down by a lot of pointlessly whiny complaints and rants. He resents that people dislike Anheuser Busch and accuse the company of producing bad, industrial beer. I'll concede his point that AB is a skilled brewery and yes, I suppose, there is a certain art to being able to produce remarkably similar tasting products at breweries around the world. And it's true that light lagers are tricky to produce, given that there's not a lot of inherent flavor to mask defects. But, the fact remains that AB, in spite of its skills, chooses to continue to produce a decidedly underwhelming product designed to appeal to the broadest palate. If they also happened to produce a knock-your-socks-off cream stout, for example, I'd be a little more accommodating of Bamforth's defense.
Oh, and he also resents people who don't appreciate British food (anyone for kidney pie?) and gets his feathers ruffled when he's called a Brit (he'd much prefer Briton, thank you). Import beers are bad, apparently universally, because they go bad in the bottle by the time they reach the U.S. He thinks too many microbrews are overhopped. He clearly dislikes Margaret Thatcher's policies, at least as they were applied to the brewing industry, and Mothers Against Drunk Drivers are, apparently, out to destroy the brewing industry.
On top of the griping and ranting, a full fifty percent of the book consists of footnotes — many of which are rambling and irrelevant to the text and just served to elevate my frustration with him. I stuck with him, but it wasn't really worth it.
Oh, and he also resents people who don't appreciate British food (anyone for kidney pie?) and gets his feathers ruffled when he's called a Brit (he'd much prefer Briton, thank you). Import beers are bad, apparently universally, because they go bad in the bottle by the time they reach the U.S. He thinks too many microbrews are overhopped. He clearly dislikes Margaret Thatcher's policies, at least as they were applied to the brewing industry, and Mothers Against Drunk Drivers are, apparently, out to destroy the brewing industry.
On top of the griping and ranting, a full fifty percent of the book consists of footnotes — many of which are rambling and irrelevant to the text and just served to elevate my frustration with him. I stuck with him, but it wasn't really worth it.
July 12, 2011
The title is misleading. It's a quote (attributed, but apparently not actually ever said) by Ben Franklin. It comes across as religious-ish, and is billed as the history of brewing, and it neither: it's more the history of commercial brewing with a bit of beer philosophy thrown in at the end. Which is really interesting, if you're into that sort of thing; you'd just never guess it from the cover. Bamforth's style is easy to read, and having read Papazian's American homebrew perspective, it was interesting to see the British commercial perspective here. It was also short enough to not outstay its welcome, and to read in one sitting if you felt like it... this is mostly because half the book (literally) is in footnotes at the end. And that's my big complaint. I'm not going to flip back and forth every other paragraph to find the poorly designated "footnotes" at the end of the book (mostly anecdotes that corresponded with whatever information he was giving). If they're important enough to include, put them where they're easily read! If not within the actual text, then at least at the foot of the page like a normal person. I skimmed through to see if anything interesting popped out, but when they're all glommed together like that it's pretty much impossible to remember what they referred to or see where one stops and the next begins.
April 8, 2013
I heard Charlie Bamforth speak at the PARC Forum a few years ago & found him to be engaging, passionate & witty, so now that I've been getting into craft beer, I enthusiastically sought out this book thinking it would get me up to speed on the subject. What a disappointment. First off, the book is about half body and half footnotes with the latter being gathered in the second half of pages. This is a mere inconvenience when reading an ebook since you can hyperlink back and forth. But with a hard copy, this would be a real pain in the ass. Secondly, Bamforth himself admits in the footnotes that he's not particularly passionate about beer, considering it merely a vocation. The last book I want to read on a given subject is by an author who isn't passionate about it. The result is a disjointed and not particularly of interest to someone who prefers esoteric small-production beers that push the envelope of the brewer's art. Bamforth is a faculty member at UC Davis, who seem to regard beer as they do wine, churning out graduates poised to mass-produce squeaky-clean, safe and consistent fodder for the masses. The final nail in the coffin is that the poor deluded bastard likes his steaks well-done.
October 14, 2011
I picked this up inexpensively for my Kindle after a recommendation on a forum I follow. It's an interesting read about the beer business, covering such topics as the pub laws in England, the rise of smaller brewers in America, and the relentless conglomeration of the larger brewing companies. I learned a lot about beer that I didn't know before, and there are plenty of endnotes that provide lots more detail on various anecdotes from the author, who is a professor of brewing. There is a bit of philosophy here and there, as well as the last chapter, and the author does repeat the point that beer is unfairly demonized by the media and anti-alcohol lobbyists, but it's not out of place or overdone. The book is much shorter than I expected, with the book being complete by about 47% and the footnotes by 60%, and while it was a quick and enjoyable read it's just not special enough to get four stars from me. It's worth the time if you like beer or want to learn a bit about the industry, although I'm glad that I got it inexpensively.
June 2, 2011
I thoroughly enjoyed Bamforth's book, Beer is Proof God Loves Us. It's an excellent, short journey into one man's livelihood, the world's social contract, and history's keen eye on beer and brewing.
He presents this book is something part history lesson from a favorite childhood teacher, to that of an autobiography. It reads much like you are having a conversation with a friend, with who you haven't spoken too in a long time. As a matter of fact, that conversation is with Bamforth; especially if you read the endnotes as you encounter them.
The tone of this book is not to educate the masses on beer and beer production, there are scores of other books out there that accomplish that. This book is merely one man's reflection on a product that he has spent over three decades learning about, working with, educating all, and the societal impacts and impasses he's encountered with beer along the way.
He presents this book is something part history lesson from a favorite childhood teacher, to that of an autobiography. It reads much like you are having a conversation with a friend, with who you haven't spoken too in a long time. As a matter of fact, that conversation is with Bamforth; especially if you read the endnotes as you encounter them.
The tone of this book is not to educate the masses on beer and beer production, there are scores of other books out there that accomplish that. This book is merely one man's reflection on a product that he has spent over three decades learning about, working with, educating all, and the societal impacts and impasses he's encountered with beer along the way.
June 6, 2016
This is a very short book, luckily, as it's not very good. The book is peppered with so many "As we'll discuss in X chapter" and "See chatper X" lines it's ridiculous. I mean, this is a very short, light book, not a long, scholarly work. Add to that fact that the author comes across as somewhat hypocritical, rather smug, and generally unlikeable. He's English and the book mostly uses British terms, but will randomly throw in a chips instead of crisps, which I find to be a really bad sign in a book as it generally means it didn't have a good editor.
If you're looking for a lovely overview of beer and beer-drinking, this is NOT the book for you. It focuses heavily on business management and technology right from the get go (I would have started the book with the lighter more everyday-people chapters and saved the 'which company bought up which other companies' for the end).
I don't really think I'd recommend this to anyone.
If you're looking for a lovely overview of beer and beer-drinking, this is NOT the book for you. It focuses heavily on business management and technology right from the get go (I would have started the book with the lighter more everyday-people chapters and saved the 'which company bought up which other companies' for the end).
I don't really think I'd recommend this to anyone.
May 3, 2013
Gift book from friend. Easy to read, sort of a conversational in tone. The scope of the book is pretty wide: history of the author, history of beer, what makes a good beer?, the worldwide business of beer, the place of beer in society, and some justification of beer through the lens of religion (author is Protestant).
I think that a larger book that delved into each of the various subjects more deeply would be reasonable, but that it would require several authors, with various specialties (historian, sociologist, anthropologist, etc.). Such a book would not be readable by me, and would likely be better as a set of books, making this book the "Readers' Digest" version of the series.
This book provides some basic "101 course" level material, which is appropriate for me at this time in my life. Does it make me want to read more about beer and the various issues around beer? Not so much. While I'm interested to learn some of the history of beer, I don't want to read a history book.
I think that a larger book that delved into each of the various subjects more deeply would be reasonable, but that it would require several authors, with various specialties (historian, sociologist, anthropologist, etc.). Such a book would not be readable by me, and would likely be better as a set of books, making this book the "Readers' Digest" version of the series.
This book provides some basic "101 course" level material, which is appropriate for me at this time in my life. Does it make me want to read more about beer and the various issues around beer? Not so much. While I'm interested to learn some of the history of beer, I don't want to read a history book.
March 31, 2018
Sadly, the title was the best thing about the book! A very short book -- only 4 hours in audio -- which was pretty fortunate, since it was mostly stuff I didn't care about involving the sizes of various beer-producing corporations and how wonderful they are for producing a consistent product, and how evil it was that Thatcher made the big UK beer companies sell off most of their pubs, and how prohibitionists are stupid and evil. I was SO disappointed -- I wanted to hear about beer's long history, about different types of beer and how they're made, and so on. But no! There was very little of that, and I was sad!
AND the audio's producers made the unforgivable sin of recording this book with an AMERICAN narrator even though the first-person narration very clearly states that the author is British and he talks quite a bit about the UK. I was very sad to be cheated out of a northern-Brit accent -- I would probably have enjoyed the book more!
AND the audio's producers made the unforgivable sin of recording this book with an AMERICAN narrator even though the first-person narration very clearly states that the author is British and he talks quite a bit about the UK. I was very sad to be cheated out of a northern-Brit accent -- I would probably have enjoyed the book more!
June 1, 2012
The subject matter of this book is near and dear to my heart, I really do love beer and I believe that the author also loves beer. He is extremely knowledgable about the brewing industry and clearly loves his work. The book is packed with information about the history of the brewing industry and the technical methods and factors that go into making beer. However, despite his passion and a wealth of information, a lot of this information is stuffed into awkward and poorly organized endnotes (seriously, endnotes are the WORST). AS a result the book was difficult to read and jumped around a lot. Even for the true beer lover I have a hard time giving this a heartfelt recommendation. He does make an excellent argument regarding how the amazing quality and consistency of mass produced beer should be more widely appreciated.
July 28, 2012
Book was a freebie when I got my Kindle Fire. It gives a brief history of beer and brewing and discusses the beer market today. The author is a well-known authority on beer and brewing and has worked for at least 2 of the biggest brewers in the world. Book is 50% autobiographical in that Bamforth relates how he stumbled upon beer interspersed with his young life as footnotes. The book isn't technical at all, unless you count one of the appendices where he very briefly describes the process of how different beers are made or, should I say, end up as lagers, stouts, pilsens, etc. After reading the book, I realize how beer is more a work of nature perfected by chemists and brewers like Bamforth through the years. The book made me reconsider beer as a social drink as I'm more of a wine drinker.
May 7, 2013
Enjoyable but unfocused short look at beer and brewing. Bamforth is passionate and certainly qualified. One of the main messages of the book is that the big boys haven't completely lost their souls. The footnotes are almost as long as the text of the book, and range from complicated discussions of brewing to rambling reminiscences of the author of the sort that several beers would produce.I'd happily accompany the author to the pub for more of these stories, but the book as a whole loses focus. Bamforth is enlightened episcopalian and buddist-ish, which makes the spiritual aspects of the book seem flat and skunky. If anyone should know good beer, it'd be this guy, but who's to say what good beer is really? There are many ways to God. I mean, beer. Just love each other, cooperate, don't pretend that Anheuser-Busch is evil, and let people drink what they want.
July 31, 2015
Some interesting stuff in here, and some good points as well, but overall the book was meandering and full observations/beliefs I could not get on board with. The point of the book seemed to just be that beer is good, and people should be free to enjoy it as much as any other food or beverage. I agree with this, but this is hardly new or groundbreaking stuff. The other sentiments in the book that were confusing to me, were that there seems to be a longing for a return to prohibition in America, and that the large breweries make quality products, simply because they excel at consistency. The first point I am hard pressed to find any legitimate proof of, and the second one is just a fallacy. Bud light tasting the same in America as it does in Japan may be a marvel of production prowess, but it does nothing to alter the fact that it still tastes awful.
October 29, 2015
"Beer is Proof God Loves Us" is a fantastic read if you are at all interested in beer/brewing. Mr. Bamforth touches on all aspects of brew history - from the origins and ingredients, the Big Business beer companies and the competition in the global marketplace, and the revolution of the new-age craft beer scene. The author draws a ton of example and story material from his career in the world of beer. I am of the impression that he is a true, genuine expert.
Half of the book are end notes that tell a more detailed and intricate story about author's experience - and while I didn't read them all, I did at times felt that they added useful information that would have detracted from the flow had they been included in the novel writing. don't skip!
Overall - engaging, humorous, thorough and informative.
Half of the book are end notes that tell a more detailed and intricate story about author's experience - and while I didn't read them all, I did at times felt that they added useful information that would have detracted from the flow had they been included in the novel writing. don't skip!
Overall - engaging, humorous, thorough and informative.
May 24, 2012
Definitely an interesting read... Mr. Bamforth writes like an old English gentleman (perhaps because he is one) sitting in a pub after a few pints. He rambles, gets off topic, and rarely seems able to finish a thought. Indeed, this is the first book I have ever read that is 40% footnotes because of the various non-sequiters that must be explained to the reader in order to get the author's point... that being said, the book is fascinating. It is chock full of facts, stories, and bizarre tibits about brewing and beer. Highly recommended for anyone who likes to have a few and shoot the whit with a fellow beer lover. Charles Bamforth is a great drinking buddy.
Would not recommend buying, though. Picked up for free on my Kindle Fiya.
Would not recommend buying, though. Picked up for free on my Kindle Fiya.
May 8, 2014
Excellent book about the beer industry. Especially good if you like long, slightly off-topic footnotes.
There are a few points where I don't quite agree with the author though. His background is with the big brewers so he pays a lot more attention to them than to the smaller or craft breweries. This always comes up in that he seems to consider consistency to mean almost the same thing as quality (saying Budwiser makes consistent beer is totally reasonable, but to say that they make quality beer is quite a stretch). He is also very down of the use of adjunct in brewing (popular in the craft world) but then defends the use of adjuncts like rice or corn (popular in the macro breweries like Budwiser).
There are a few points where I don't quite agree with the author though. His background is with the big brewers so he pays a lot more attention to them than to the smaller or craft breweries. This always comes up in that he seems to consider consistency to mean almost the same thing as quality (saying Budwiser makes consistent beer is totally reasonable, but to say that they make quality beer is quite a stretch). He is also very down of the use of adjunct in brewing (popular in the craft world) but then defends the use of adjuncts like rice or corn (popular in the macro breweries like Budwiser).
March 13, 2017
I was a bit disappointed in this book. Part of it was the writing, which was so-so. Not poor, but not overly engaging, either. That's not to say that the book didn't have its moments. It did. I enjoyed many of the author's observations and his anecdotes, which brings me to my next point. Half of the book is endnotes, and it annoyed me to have to keep flipping back and forth to the back. I wondered why he didn't use footnotes like Mary Roach does. I soon found out it's because some of his endnotes are several pages long, which definitely wouldn't work as a footnote. In any case, some of the topics I found interesting, and some were too basic or just a snoozer for me.
December 17, 2012
The main part of this book consisted of 112 pages about beer: the evolution of the business, the elements of high quality beer, psychology of taste, health impacts, and social forces affecting beer drinking. And then there were 65 pages of end notes, some expanding on themes in the main text, and many running off on tangents about anecdotes from the author's life. I read this on a Nook, and was profoundly grateful for the hyperlinks that let me bounce back and forth between the end notes and the main text. But I enjoyed both parts, as well as the shorter appendices detailing the brewing process and different beer styles.
February 17, 2011
I was a little disappointed in that I thought this book would be about the history of beer; rather, it was more about the history of the brewing industry. Oh, well - it was a free book, so I really shouldn't complain. Nonetheless, I did enjoy it as Mr. Bamforth's writing style is carefree and humorous. He is frequently tangential, going off on things that have nothing to do with beer or brewing, but thankfully these tangents are usually relayed as endnotes and are easy to skip over (unless you are interested in sifting through his random meanderings).
March 18, 2011
The title of this one grabbed my attention, and while he does discuss the "spiritual aspects" of beer, this is mostly a long, rambling read about beer, the modern history of beer, breweries, and some ruminations on the nature of the beverage.
The book is probably mostly footnotes, many of which are quite entertaining, but it causes the book to be very disjointed.
Overall an okay read. Beer drinkers will probably find enough here to make it worth the read, but, like me, they'll probably get antsy throughout the book.
The book is probably mostly footnotes, many of which are quite entertaining, but it causes the book to be very disjointed.
Overall an okay read. Beer drinkers will probably find enough here to make it worth the read, but, like me, they'll probably get antsy throughout the book.
June 22, 2011
This wasn't a bad read, he does have quite a few stories to tell, although the use of an index made for a rather tedious hither and dither approach to reading, I would have much preferred the use of footnotes.
There's a good bit of of writing on the industry, although a far too cosy relationship with the likes of Bud and Coors. Which I suppose is to be expected since he was a brewer for those firms, I also take issue with him equating anyone who thinks such beers are not worthwhile with being snobs.
There's a good bit of of writing on the industry, although a far too cosy relationship with the likes of Bud and Coors. Which I suppose is to be expected since he was a brewer for those firms, I also take issue with him equating anyone who thinks such beers are not worthwhile with being snobs.
January 2, 2025
I felt this book was in appropriately named. The author didn't give me a lot of "reaching for the Soul of Beer and Brewing" but instead gave a history of the big brewers and showed macro concerns of the industry. I also don't feel like him and I see eye to eye on a lot overall issues. Finally, the book was 1/2 notes, and many of the notes were stories about the author's life (love for sports, family growing up). It was odd to constantly be flipping back and forth, and then to read all this non-beer related info. I was expecting something different, and was very disappointed.
May 27, 2011
This is an entertaining book about both personal experiences of the author and his own thoughts on beer and its future. With a very humorous style the author talks about the benefits of beer from his perspective as an authority in the field. Easy to read, the book also briefly describes the process of brewing. This book is another good reason to enjoy a pint, as if we needed yet another excuse to pour a cold one.
June 12, 2011
Rambling in a not entirely unpleasant way. Sort of like sitting at a bar next to someone who has had a few. Bamforth is really into the business of beer and gives more love to the much maligned big brewers than I would, but I do share his views on the beauty of an English pint and kind of enjoyed bouncing around all the different aspects of beer with him. Wheat and chaff in equal measure. Footnoted like craaazzyyyy.
January 30, 2012
An autobiography of a UC Davis professor who teaches brewing. The author previously had worked for Bass Brewing in the UK. The author describes the beers of his youth, which were much more unique than the modern beers made by the big international conglomerates. The author truly admires the large beer companies due to the consistency of the product created, yet you can see that he loves the art of brewing, not the art of bean counting. Overall an interesting read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews