Over the last few years, I’ve noticed a rise in the popularity of craft beer. My husband and I have been fans of craft beer for quite a while and now the rest of the country seems to be joining in and exploring the wonderful and diverse taste of this new, more sophisticated world of fine-crafted beer. The craft beer segment of the beverage market is growing faster than any other. It has what people refer to as a cult following. I recently received a copy of Beer, Food and Flavor: A Guide to Tasting, Pairing, and the Culture of Craft Beer, which is an authoritative guide to exploring the diverse array of flavors found in craft beer—and the joys of pairing those flavors with great food.

This book will truly quench the thirst for knowledge when it comes to the recent developments in the world of craft beer, new breweries and how craft beer can be elevated even further with the right types of food pairings. My husband has this book firmly in hand each evening before bed and loves the format of the book. The book contains beautiful illustrations, detailed sections such as Pairing Beer with Fine Cuisine, Notable American Craft Brewers and Their Art, and our favorite section, Beer and Cheese—Long-Standing Companions. My husband and I often celebrate “wine thirty” with a plate of cheese and glasses of wine, but after learning more about how harmonious beer and cheese can be, we’re going to change things up and celebrate “beer thirty” with some hoppy brews, stouts and delicious cheese.

Whether you want to explore craft beer at home or while dining out, this book will serve as the ultimate resource and guide to the artistry of this new American craft beer movement. Learn about the top craft breweries in your region, seek out new beer styles and specialty brews with confidence, and venture into the foodie zone while pairing craft beer with fine food. Some of the sample menus are truly fabulous and will get your stomach rumbling and your taste buds tantalized just thinking about them. The book even contains some recipes such as Braised Niman Ranch Pork Shoulder (paired with Red Poppy Flanders-Style Red with Cherries) and Marcona Almond Soup (paired with Nut Brown Ale).

Beer, Food and Flavor is available for $19.95, which is an amazing price for such a hardcover book that will pull you into the foamy fabulousness of craft beer with the first few pages. Find out what all the fuss is about and pick up a copy of this book for yourself or give it as a gift. It would be perfect for the beer lover, foodie or cook who wants to elevate their game a bit and really impress friends and family.

Disclaimer: Kristine has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free product to try out so she could evaluate and use it for her review. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.