Learn beer from scratch & sniff stickers – a beer lover's companion

By Dathan Kazsuk | March 2, 2018
Twitter: TriangleAT | Facebook: Triangle Around Town | 
Instagram: trianglearoundtown | Pinterest: TriangleAT | 
Email: trianglearoundtown@gmail.com
 
It doesn't matter if you are new to the beer world or a veteran, The Scratch & Sniff Guide to Beer is sure to teach you a thing or two about the heavenly suds we all enjoy.

"This book's an easy approach to becoming a well-informed beer drinker," says Master Cicerone Rich Higgins in the forward of this beer lover's companion written by Justin Kennedy.

Starting off with a brief history of beer and how it's brewed to some exciting beer quests around the world, this book has everything you need – from the novice all the way to the professionals.

The Scratch & Sniff Guide to Beer has a series of 10 scratch and sniff stickers scattered throughout the pages. They provide a sensory blast of aromas discussed on the pages within. Hops, Cloves, Pine, Cedar and more.

The author also discusses beer styles, with a little history of each, from original India Pale Ales to traditional porters and stouts. Kennedy helps out by even giving examples of these styles. Want to sample a Saison? Be sure to try Saison Dupont. How about one of the great Trappist Ales out there? Sample a Orval or a Westvleteren 12 (if you can get your hands on one).

You say you like more of the new world beers? Kennedy goes over such favorites as West Coast IPAs, California Commons, American Barleywines and American Sour Ales. 

In one section of the book, he goes into the hops that hail from different countries.
Did you know that two of the biggest hop growing areas of the United Kingdom come from Kent and Herefordshire? That's where you'll find Fuggle and Golding hops. Or in New Zealand they grow a total of sixteen different hop varieties. That is where you'll find the Nelson Sauvin  – a hop that's name is a mash-up of the city of Nelson and the grape, Sauvignon Blanc.

One of the most helpful items in the book turns out to be the Hop Stats. This chart shows a total of 18 popular hops, and tells where they are grown, its alpha and beta acid levels, total oil and its distinct flavors.

The back of this companion features a few pages devoted to cooking with beer. Beer can chicken, beer cheese, beer candied bacon and a flaming Dr. Pepper are some that are shared with the reader. 

The Scratch & Sniff Guide to Beer is 162-pages and published by Harper Design. The book retails for $9.99 through Amazon or Barnes & Noble book stores.