Imagine sitting in your favorite pub with a good friend who just happens to have won a TACP Award--a major culinary accolade--for writing the book about beer. Then imagine that he's been spending the years following the first edition exploring all the changes that continue to shape and evolve the brewing world. That's this book, the completely revised and updated bible on beer that covers everything: The History, or how we got from the birth of malting and national traditions to a hazy IPA in 12,000 years. The Variety: dozens of styles and hundreds of brews, along with recommended "Beers to Know." The Curiosity: If beer's your passion, you'll delight in learning what type of hops went into a favorite beer and where to go for beer tourism, as well as profiles of breweries from around the world. And lastly, The Pleasure. Because, ultimately, that's what it's all about.