The United States of beer - Dane Huckelbridge

From the author of Bourbon, the definitive history (Sacramento Bee), comes the rollicking and revealing story of beer in America, in the spirit of Salt or Cod.

In The United States of Beer, Dane Huckelbridge, the author of Bourbon: A History of the American Spirita Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance bestsellercharts the surprisingly fascinating history of Americans' relationship with their most popular alcoholic beverage. Huckelbridge shows how beer has evolved along with the countryfrom a local and regional product (once upon a time every American city has its own brewery and iconic beer brand) to the rise of global mega-brands like Budweiser and Miller that are synonymous with U.S. capitalism.

We learn of George Washington's failed attempt to brew beer at Mount Vernon with molasses instead of barley, of the 19th century Beer Barons like Captain Frederick Pabst, Adolphus Busch, and Joseph Schlitz who revolutionized commercial brewing and built lucrative empiresand the American immigrant experienceand of the advances in brewing and bottling technology that allowed beer to flow in the saloons of the Wild West. Throughout, Huckelbridge draws connections between seemingly remote fragments of the American past, and shares his reports from the frontlines of today's craft-brewing revolution.

Dane Huckelbridge hails from the American Middle West and studied history at Princeton University. His writing has appeared in Tin House, The New Republic, and New Delta Review; he is at work on a new book tracing the history of beer in America.

“An irreverent but informative jaunt through the history of America and beer. ... Cozy up with this book and a cold one, and drink to this nation's proud, hoppy history.”
RedEye Chicago

“Engrossing. … [Huckelbridge] forges riveting details into the story of how beer shaped ‘the regional histories of this country.' … Good reading, fascinating history.”
Booklist

“Huckelbridge shows how beer, the most popular alcoholic drink in America... has been America's essential thirst-quencher throughout our history.”
New York Post

“A lively romp through American history with beer at the center. … A must read for all beer lovers.”
Library Journal

“A relaxing entertaining & informative read.”
Charlie Papazian, author of The Complete Joy of Homebrewing