Contents
The contents page will be an illustrated chronology of the brewing
process, across a double page spread. It will go from growing grain
and hops through mashing, boiling, fermenting and dry hopping beer
– through to kegging, pouring and tasting. Each part of the process
will have a chapter title and page number.
Introduction - beer starts with an idea
We introduce the idea of brewing beer being like a recipe. You have
ingredients you add at certain times to achieve a certain flavour.
Every beer starts out in the mind of a brewer – it might be a beer
that tastes like coffee, or grapefruit, or peanut butter. This book
will explain how he achieves that aim.
We then look at the great men who wanted more from beer (Ken
Grossman, Steve Hindy, Evin O’Riorden, and Widmer Bros.).
We also explain the broad styles and geographical spread of them
across the world, looking at who makes them best and who invented
them. All this feeds into how a recipe is interpreted and then
made.
Malt
This chapter will explain what malts are used (barley, wheat, rye,
spelt) and how they are turned into malt, as well as its input into
the final flavour of the beer.
- Interview with a key malt-focused brewer (Fullers)
- Details of the growing and malting process
- Explanation of what it adds to the beer
- Malting process illustration
Water
A look at why good water is so important to brewing, and a
historical look at how it used to be very hard to get hold of. We
look at the brewers who adapted their styles according to what was
available (London Porter, Czech Pils). Nowadays people can treat
the beer, but water is superstitious.
- Interview with Paulaner (about the well that it has to draw the
water from to be part of Oktoberfest [feeds into superstition])
- Details of purification
- Explanation of what it adds to the beer
- Paulaner images
Mashing
Introduction to the first process in brewing, turning the malt and
water into sugary “wort” and extracting all the flavour from the
malt. We talk about how it’s done best, how it can go drastically
wrong, and give a recipe for the Brewer’s Breakfast – a mix of wort
and whisky that kept brewers warm in winter.
- Explanation of the science of mashing
- Explanation of the art of mashing
- Mashing illustration
Hops
A brief history of hops and why they were first used – IPA history
could be used in this. We then look at the ingredient that changed
the way beer was made and thought of in the early 1980s. We also
talk through how hop bitterness, like chilli heat, can be addictive
to some people – hence why beers are getting more and more
bitter!
- Interview with a key hop-focussed brewer like The Alchemist
- what hops are
- Look at lineage and experimental hops
- how they are grown and what makes them like grapes
- Dissection of hops or pictures of the harvest
Boiling
In depth look into the maillard reaction (like the browning of
meat) that is so addictive to human palates, and the way that hops
are added to beer to achieve the desired flavour and
bitterness.
- Pilsner Urquell with the two kettles and open fires
- science of it
- art of it
- Illustration of boiling/convection etc
Yeast
An investigation into how yeast affects the flavour of beer, from
the sour wild yeasts of Belgium, to the clean ale yeasts of the US
and the estery, fruity yeasts of the UK.
- Interview with a key yeast-focussed brewer like Cantillon
- where does it come from
- what does it add
Fermenting
We expose how fermentation is perhaps the most important moment in
a beer’s life – affecting all the flavours that have been put into
it and either making or murdering the beer.
- science of it
- art of it
- talk through the different temperatures and yeasts
Photos of yeast going crazy
Dry hopping
We look at this ultra modern technique for getting big fruity
aromas (Trillium), but also its origins with the Trappist monks of
Belgium in the early 1900s (Orval).
- science of it
- art of it
- Orval photos?
Serving
We dive head first into the emotional (seriously!) topic of how to
best serve beer. We look at CAMRA’s work in the 80s to protect and
campaign for cask ale as the only true beer, then tear their ideas
apart with the new definitions of good beer in keg, bottle and
can.
We conclude by explaining how different beers are best in different
mediums and it’s down to the brewer to decide.
- cask (sparkler or not!)
- draught
- bottles
- cans
- Old CAMRA adverts vs new cans and such
Storing
We break down the different styles of beer and look at how some
should be aged for years and others drunk fresh to get the best
from beers. We also explain how to care for a beer to make sure it
is in the best condition when you come to drink it.
- Photos of really old bottles in wine stores and such (mock up
ourselves?)
Pouring
Looking in depth at how beers are best served leads to how to pour
them best. Belgians believe in large, creamy heads, while the Brits
want as much beer for their buck as possible! We look at the
science of the perfect pour and advise people how to achieve
maximum flavour.
We look at the evidence behind using special craft glassware and
whether it makes a difference. We also look at how the Belgians
serve their beer and give it the reverence it deserves with
chalices, proper bar blades and perfect pours.
- head or no head
- sprinkler or no
- temperature
- glassware
- Belgian bar lifestyle shots, real ale shots
Tasting
Finally, after all the hard work of conceiving, brewing, storing
and serving a beer, we look at how to best enjoy it – whether
straight from the bottle because you deserve it, or from a craft
glass, carefully poured and analysed.
We also explain how professional beer tasters deconstruct beers for
reviewing to testing.
- how to get the most from a glass of beer
- How to train your senses to perceive more flavours.
- Palate diagram
Epilogue – how to enjoy beer
An essay to not overthinking things when you have to. Avoid hype
and over analysis. We learn everything we can about beer so we can
relax and enjoy it at its best. Sure we should talk about and get
excited about beer, but we should never turn into the wine crowd,
coveting things to much, analysing too much, and forgetting that
the joy of beer is in the taste and the company.
National publicity featuring print radio and tv
Major promotions using author's social media platforms and
communities
Galley giveaways
Cross promotions with print and Ebook
Jonny is a writer and now (apparently) filmmaker who has had a short but glittering career in blagging freebies. After an unsuccessful period of being a music journalist, and an even less successful stint as a real journalist, he got a job writing for Jamie Oliver as deputy editor of jamieoliver.com. It was there that his love of food, beer and Youtube collided and he’s never looked back. He is now one of the UK’s most recognisable beer experts, writing for national newspapers, magazines and now his own books. A graduate of Central Saint Martin’s School of Art and Design, Brad has spent over a decade working throughout the creative industries in London as a graphic designer, illustrator, art director, animator and branding expert. His clients have included the BBC, Channel 4, Jamie Oliver, Vice and MTV. With a love of adventure, travel and food, the burgeoning craft beer market in the UK resonated with his experiences in America and he launched the Craft Beer Channel with Jonny to hopefully become a part of the developing scene. Brad hopes to one day pack it all in and open up a cheeky little brew pub, where he can live the good life kicking out the jams and perfecting some stonking IPAs with his mates.
"It's like sitting down with Jonny and Brad and having a few beers
with them! Good fun, funny, interesting and you never quite know
what's coming next." - Mark Dredge, author of Craft Beer World
"Brad and Jonny make understanding beer easy and nearly as fun as
drinking it." - James Watt, founder of Brewdog.
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