It has a very appetizing cover photo. Brown Ale tends to be a misunderstood style these days, and this book's clarification of its history and present state is a relief. One highlight for me was the proposal of separating the American style of brown ale into the hopped-up Texas-style and then American-style brown ale, which is demonstrated by analyzing a cross-section of samples from across the country. The history goes way back, further than you might guess, and the explanation of malting and brewing techniques from early to modern times is enlightening. Recommended reading, even for extract brewers.

It has a very appetizing cover photo. Brown Ale tends to be a misunderstood style these days, and this book's clarification of its history and present state is a relief. One highlight for me was the proposal of separating the American style of brown ale into the hopped-up Texas-style and then American-style brown ale, which is demonstrated by analyzing a cross-section of samples from across the country. The history goes way back, further than you might guess, and the explanation of malting and brewing techniques from early to modern times is enlightening. Recommended reading, even for extract brewers.