I bought another beer book. I picked up a copy of “Man Walks into a Pub” by Pete Brown on Thursday after noon and it was done by Sunday. Not bad for guy with kiddies. The Guardian said:
So, as well as the irreverent approach Brown takes to beer’s history, he has a refreshingly sensible take on its present.
Sensible is an interesting word. Most beer books are written by nerdy homebrewers or self-appointed gurus like Michael Jackson. Both have a technical interest or at least the desire to impart a reverence for the subject. …I hope the bag of chips are for him…Brown is an advertising executive who has handled both the Heineken and Stella Artois accounts and a someime talking head for TV in the UK on things beery. It shows. He treats fans of real ale as hobbiest and treats them with slightly less contempt than temperence unionists and government regulators. But most of the time not without reason.
That being said, the book is easily accessible, funny and, but for a few factual errors you would only know after having a collection of books and subscriptions to a couple of magazine about beer, a pretty good history of the subject from a 2003 English, rather than even British, perspective. Unlike any other book I have read, Brown focuses on why and how people in England actually drink beer, how they are affected by advertising and changes in pub ownership, and how lager has come to dominate the market while being vapid bubble water – even if from something of a natural apologist’s point of view.
Find a pint of Hook Norton Haymaker or Old Hooky and have a giggle at the expense of lager drinkers.
[Original comments…]
Martyn Cornell – September 11, 2003 12:03 PM
I had better declare a massive interest before I begin, since I’m the author of Beer: The Story of the Pint, which came out two months after Pete Brown’s book. I’ve met Pete, he’s a nice guy, and his book contains, in its second half, an excellent analysis of where the brewing industry in Britain is today. It’s a pity the first half does not seem to have had as much research put into it, as it repeats all the old myths about the history of beer my own book attempts to correct – myths which add up to rather more than “a few” factual errors. I wouldn’t ask you to take my word for it – read both books, and let me know what you think.
Alan – September 11, 2003 4:40 PM
Well, there you go – a direct request from an author for a reader. I will hunt out that book to add to the collection. Thanks very much, Martyn. While I may have you, any other favorite reads? Ales? Tales?
Alan – September 25, 2003 6:37 PM
…and, good as my word, the book Beer: The Story of the Pint arrived today care of amazon.co.uk. Review and comment on charges to follow.
Knut – August 18, 2006 8:37 AM
http://beerblog.motime.com
He has a new book out now – three sheets to the wind.
Alan – August 18, 2006 11:15 AM
Excellent.
Alan – August 31, 2006 12:00 PM
Looking back now, I think this is an awful review. I have implied bad things without substantiating myself and left an impression that I did not like it. I like it. I am now going through Three Sheets to the Wind and am reminded how much I like Pete Brown’s style. This is entirely separate (I am sure) from the fact that I just emailed Pete Brown to ask for an email interview.