Synopses & Reviews
In 1975, there was a single craft brewery in the United States; today there are more than 2,000. A once-fledgling, clumsy movement, craft beer has become ubiquitous nationwide and even includes a honey ale brewed at the White House. Powered by millions of savvy, devoted consumers and raking in billions of dollars annually for producers and retailers, the movement has changed the industry landscape and the international reputation of American beer, upended the big beer giants that once seemed untouchable, and altered forever drinking habits, closet hobbies, and bar conversation. But the epic narrative of this class of brew has never been chronicled in one volume — until now.
Based on interviews with all of the biggest and most influential names in craft brewing since the 1970s — including brewers, critics, and marketers — The Audacity of Hops brims with charming, remarkable stories, which together weave a very American business tale, one of formidable odds and refreshing success.
The Audacity of Hops will be the holiday and birthday gift for every craft beer lover. Entertaining, informative, and accessible, this book is the first of its kind: the definitive history of the other American revolution.
Review
“This is the story of how the ‘Kingdom of Beer' was returned to the drinker. Its about the nurturing of the beer epiphany in a time when word of a revolution in the making was passed on one glass of brew at a time. The Audacity of Hops is an absorbing reflection on what goes into every professional craft-brewed beer in America. Impassioned millions have taken the kingdom back.” Charlie Papazian, founder of the American Homebrewer's Association and author of The Complete Joy of Homebrewing
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“Everyone who cares about good beer owes Tom Acitelli a huge thanks: his history of American craft beer is lively, substantive, and thoughtful.” Maureen Ogle, author of Ambitious Brew: The Story of American Beer
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“The Audacity of Hops chronicles the rich history of Americas craft brewing revolution with deft portraits of the resourceful pioneers, the innovative brewers, and the intrepid entrepreneurs who are changing the way the world thinks about beer.” Steve Hindy, cofounder of Brooklyn Brewery and coauthor of Beer School
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“This book is a delightful read, painstakingly researched, often humorous, and filled with stories that breathe life into the birth of our industry.” David L. Geary, president of D. L. Geary Brewing Company
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“Highly quaffable and enjoyable. You can crack open a section or two, pore over it for an hour or so, and familiarize yourself with the moments and luminaries who contributed heavily to the American brewing renaissance. Heady stuff.” —Sam Calagione, president and founder of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery and author of Brewing Up a Business
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“[Tom Acitelli]'s thorough research into the craft beer revolution tells a great story and shows how a ragtag yet purposeful group of passionate individuals can build an industry. He did an amazing job capturing the characters, improbable tales, and astounding passion that make up the craft brewing community.” Ken Grossman, founder, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
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“All of us in the business have tales to tell about the American craft beer revolution. Tom Acitelli has woven them together into a fascinating history/adventure story where good beer is the hero. This is an exciting telling with a happily-ever-after ending for beer lovers all over the world.” Jim Koch, Founder and Brewer of The Boston Beer Company, brewer of Samuel Adams Boston Lager
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"An invaluable resource for connoisseurs." Kirkus Reviews
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"A lot of beer books come across my desk, but few are as thorough, well-researched and approachable as The Audacity of Hops. Author Tom Acitelli takes a reporter's approach to telling the story of the rise of craft beer in America." Evan S. Benn, Esquire magazine beer columnist
Synopsis
Charting the birth and growth of craft beer across the United States, Tom Acitelli offers an epic, story-driven account of one of the most inspiring and surprising American grassroots movements. In 1975, there was a single craft brewery in the United States; today there are more than 2,000. Now this once-fledgling movement has become ubiquitous nationwide — there's even a honey ale brewed at the White House. This book not only tells the stories of the major figures and businesses within the movement, but it also ties in the movement with larger American culinary developments. It also charts the explosion of the mass-market craft beer culture, including magazines, festivals, home brewing, and more. This entertaining and informative history brims with charming, remarkable stories, which together weave a very American business tale of formidable odds and refreshing success.
About the Author
Tom Acitelli has written widely about beer, including as a regular contributor to All About Beer, the brewing industrys leading trade magazine. He was a senior editor at the New York Observer, New York Citys leading weekly newspaper, for five years. Acitelli has also written for the New York Times, the New York Post, Town & Country, and Redbook.