Miracle Brew: Hops, Barley, Water, Yeast and the Nature of Beer

By: Pete Brown

Narrated by: Pete Brown

Most people know that wine is created by fermenting pressed grape juice and cider by pressing apples. But although it's the most popular alcoholic drink on the planet, few people know what beer is made of. In lively and witty fashion, Miracle Brew dives into traditional beer's four natural ingredients: malted barley, hops, yeast, and water, each of which has an incredible story to tell. From the Lambic breweries of Belgium, where beer is fermented with wild yeasts drawn down from the air around the brewery, to the aquifers below Burton-on-Trent, where the brewing water is rumored to contain life-giving qualities, Miracle Brew tells the full story behind the amazing role each of these fantastic four?a grass, a weed, a fungus, and water?has to play. Celebrated U.K. beer writer Pete Brown travels from the surreal madness of drink-sodden hop-blessings in the Czech Republic to Bamberg in the heart of Bavaria, where malt smoked over an open flame creates beer that tastes like liquid bacon. He explores the origins of fermentation, the lost age of hallucinogenic gruit beers, and the evolution of modern hop varieties that now challenge wine grapes in the extent to which they are discussed and revered. Along the way, listeners will meet and drink with a cast of characters who reveal the magic of beer and celebrate the joy of drinking it. And almost without noticing we'll learn the naked truth about the world's greatest beverage.©2017 Pete Brown (P)2017 Chelsea Green Publishing

I was ready to hate this book, but wow...

So glad I listened past the first chapter. I almost pulled the plug on this book when I realized it was the author reading it in his Yorkshire accent, which was going to make it even harder for me to listen to as he explained how most people don't even know that beer is made out of barley, and think it's all just made out of "chemicals." Really?

As someone with a chemistry and biology background who has home-brewed for decades, this didn't bode well for me. Boy, was I wrong. First, this is an excellent overview of art, science, and history of brewing from the perspective of the Big 4 ingredients. I certainly learned a lot. Secondly, I don't think any of it would have been nearly as engaging or entertaining if it had been narrated by anyone else. Simply put, he tells a great story. Something about his enthusiasm for the subject, his journey and discoveries along the way, and the people he met would surely have been lost.

So, I am almost done with it now and already planning to listen to it again. I was also moved to order a copy of the book to add to my brewing library. If that's not criteria for a five-star review, I don't know what is.

Whoa!

There is a whole lot more severe than I ever imagined. I appreciate the depth, detail, and even some of the chemistry.

great for a bit of history and culture

The historical and agricultural aspects of this book are a fantastic read. The science is surface level, but that is not the focus of this book. I enjoyed it a lot.

possibly the best beer book out there

miracle Brew is a book I bought innumerable times for friends and colleagues. so glad to see an audio version read by Pete and he does an amazing job bringing it to life, full of passion and humor. one of the most engaging and important for your books in my opinion and one surely with the widest appeal. five stars

educational and entertaining

A great read for those with beginner as well as novice knowledge of beer and brew

10 STARS

Loved every minute! The author makes me want to speak in a British accent.

His use of analogy and descriptive words make me want to listen over and over.

Anyone who enjoys beer or history would appreciate this book.