Scan barcode
carroq's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: I received a free ecopy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What exactly is a Trappist beer? Beer nerds likely have a pretty good idea already, but for those that don't, this book answers the question nicely. The writers do a good job of explaining what a Trappist monastery is and why the monks might be interested in brewing beer.
There can be some excitement about these beers because they are highly regarded and available in limited quantities. An aspect of this book that I think is really important, which the writers bring up numerous times, is that the monks aren't brewing to make a profit. There goal is to sustain themselves and support their communities and various organizations. The monks also have a specific lifestyle to maintain that devoting full time to brewing would interrupt. These women are very respectful of the monasteries and their inhabitants throughout this book, which is fantastic to see.
I loved the photos. These show off just how varied the monasteries are. Coupled with some excellent historical information, it gives a good sense of how these different locales are similar and different. There is even a short description of the different beers and how widely available they might be. My only real complaint comes in the writing style. With three creators involved, it made it kind of awkward when they tried to express a collective idea. That may just be my personal take on it though.
Beer lovers should find plenty to enjoy in this book, whether they've had numerous Trappist beers or just find inspiration to pick up their first.
What exactly is a Trappist beer? Beer nerds likely have a pretty good idea already, but for those that don't, this book answers the question nicely. The writers do a good job of explaining what a Trappist monastery is and why the monks might be interested in brewing beer.
There can be some excitement about these beers because they are highly regarded and available in limited quantities. An aspect of this book that I think is really important, which the writers bring up numerous times, is that the monks aren't brewing to make a profit. There goal is to sustain themselves and support their communities and various organizations. The monks also have a specific lifestyle to maintain that devoting full time to brewing would interrupt. These women are very respectful of the monasteries and their inhabitants throughout this book, which is fantastic to see.
I loved the photos. These show off just how varied the monasteries are. Coupled with some excellent historical information, it gives a good sense of how these different locales are similar and different. There is even a short description of the different beers and how widely available they might be. My only real complaint comes in the writing style. With three creators involved, it made it kind of awkward when they tried to express a collective idea. That may just be my personal take on it though.
Beer lovers should find plenty to enjoy in this book, whether they've had numerous Trappist beers or just find inspiration to pick up their first.
kingjason's review
3.0
This a very informative book, it is well structured, each of the 11 abbeys gets their own chapter. It starts off with an illustration of the abbey, followed by it’s history, then info on the brewing process, then a review of each beer and finally finishing of the chapter is info on planning your trip. Each chapter has at least 20 photos to accompany it, including the all important photo of a freshly poured beer.
What’s missing from the book is a bit of character, nothing on their travels, nothing on any incidents crossing borders with a car full of beer, instead it just feels like a information leaflet you could pick up from the abbey. At one point it is mentioned they are very tired and carrying an injury, unless I missed it the injury was never mentioned in the book. One useful thing would be some info at the beginning on the types of beer, how you go about tasting it and picking up on all the flavours, most readers might be aware of all that but I’ve only ever just drunk beer…..so after complaining about too much info I now demand more info. hehe.
Some of the areas the abbeys are located sound amazing, lovely remote places, loads of hiking trails and cycle routes, it is very tempting to go and do a visit, having that extra bit of info at the end about planning your trip is very helpful, some recommended places to stay was great.
I have enjoyed this book and couldn’t resist going beer hunting, I managed to find some Trappist beer and I recommend you read this book whilst drinking Westmalle Dubbel.
Blog post is here. https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2017/09/26/trappist-beer-travels-inside-the-breweries-of-the-monasteries-by-caroline-wallace-sarah-wood-and-jessica-deahl/
What’s missing from the book is a bit of character, nothing on their travels, nothing on any incidents crossing borders with a car full of beer, instead it just feels like a information leaflet you could pick up from the abbey. At one point it is mentioned they are very tired and carrying an injury, unless I missed it the injury was never mentioned in the book. One useful thing would be some info at the beginning on the types of beer, how you go about tasting it and picking up on all the flavours, most readers might be aware of all that but I’ve only ever just drunk beer…..so after complaining about too much info I now demand more info. hehe.
Some of the areas the abbeys are located sound amazing, lovely remote places, loads of hiking trails and cycle routes, it is very tempting to go and do a visit, having that extra bit of info at the end about planning your trip is very helpful, some recommended places to stay was great.
I have enjoyed this book and couldn’t resist going beer hunting, I managed to find some Trappist beer and I recommend you read this book whilst drinking Westmalle Dubbel.
Blog post is here. https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2017/09/26/trappist-beer-travels-inside-the-breweries-of-the-monasteries-by-caroline-wallace-sarah-wood-and-jessica-deahl/
cristy's review
3.0
Part history book, part travel journal, and part guide to drinking Trappist beers. Between the "us" and "we" and the attempt to bridge the past and present I found myself feeling that the narrative voice was a little out of time. It's quite a beautiful book with a textured cover and many photographs of each abbey and its processes.
3.5 stars for really, really trying.
3.5 stars for really, really trying.
More...