Drink Beer, Think Beer

Getting to the Bottom of Every Pint

By: John Holl

Narrated by: John Holl

From an award-winning journalist and beer expert, a thoughtful and witty guide to understanding and enjoying beer

Right here, right now is the best time in the history of mankind to be a beer drinker. America now has more breweries than at any time since prohibition, and globally, beer culture is thriving and constantly innovating. Drinkers can order beer brewed with local yeast or infused with moondust. However, beer drinkers are also faced with uneven quality and misinformation about flavors. And the industry itself is suffering from growing pains, beset by problems such as unequal access to taps, skewed pricing, and sexism.

Drawing on history, economics, and interviews with industry insiders, John Holl provides a complete guide to beer today, allowing readers to think critically about the best beverage in the world. Full of entertaining anecdotes and surprising opinions, Drink Beer, Think Beer is a must-read for beer lovers, from casual enthusiasts to die-hard hop heads.

Critic reviews

"Holl's good-natured and useful handbook offers helpful tips for the novice drinker, and topics of debate for beer connoisseurs. This is an excellent look at contemporary beer making, marketing, and consumption."—Publishers Weekly

"Informative overview of the economic and cultural transformations surrounding the world of beer...The book is clearly written and...will appeal to neophyte beer drinkers and foodies."—Kirkus

"Few people on the planet have spent more time thinking and drinking beer, and as a leading journalist covering the beer industry John Holl has already done much to shape our thinking about the subject. In this must-read book, Holl distills his wisdom and shares everything he's learned."—Jeff Alworth, author of The Beer Bible

"John Holl doesn't just offer an ideal primer on beer--he tells you why you should care about it in the first place, with good humor and insight gained from years of experience. For those who haven't had the pleasure of bellying up to the bar with one of beer's brightest, this is the next best thing."
—Daniel Hartis, editor of All About Beer Magazine

"If you think craft beer is too geeky, too precious, and deeply in need of a reality check...John Holl is way ahead of you. You're ready; buy this book."—Lew Bryson, author of Tasting Whiskey

"John Holl's wonderfully informative yet remarkably fun, approachable, and relatable prose is truly for anyone who enjoys beer-from casual drinkers to full-on beer nerds and everyone in between. Holl hits all the major points for a seriously useful crash-course in glorious beer geekdom. Drink, think, and cheers!"—Lauren Buzzeo, Managing Editor at Wine Enthusiast Magazine

"In his latest book, John Holl invites discerning drinkers to join him in a frank conversation about craft brewing's recent successes and future challenges. Brevity and pithiness are two of its biggest strengths, and the fact that it covers so much ground means you'll finish the last page with, as promised, plenty to think about. I'd pair it with an Old Ale, a style well suited for sipping and contemplation."—Ben Keene, editorial director of Beer Advocate

"Holl's book is a kaleidoscopic look at beer, the making of beer, the drinking of beer, and the culture that has evolved with the craft beer industry. In the act of telling his story, he unveils all the mysterious language of the alchemists who frequent brew pubs across America."


—Roanoke Times

"Drink Beer, Think Beer - released early this month - is a broad and intelligent overview of the current trends, good and bad, that drive the industry of the world's second most popular beverage."

—Marin Independent Journal

"A lovely, quick read that will benefit anyone aspiring to be more critical about their beer drinking."


—The Takeout

Appreciate fundamentals and depth of beer

Learn and appreciate fundamentals of beer whether it’s craft or not, and go deep in some content like taste, aroma, ingredients, glass, kegs etc. The authors is quite critic about some craft beer that is diverted from what beer supposed to be. After listening, I am more conscious, more analytic about the content of beer i drink. Story is fun. Voice reading by the author himself is clear and filled with authentic passion.

SOLID Beer Read

I really enjoyed hearing the Author’s personal findings and point of view as a fellow beer drinker. I appreciated his impartiality. You shouldn’t be disappointed. CHEERS!

Can't miss did beer lovers

I just finished listening to 'Drink Beer, Think Beer' on Audible. It was a thought provoking, refreshing, inspiring, grounded, and REAL listening experience. I enjoyed it over a few pints over a couple weeks... It was an informative trip to breweries, a fun bottle a share, an introspective inspection of beer beyond the contents of the glass... Through earbuds.

The authors narration was authentic and appreciated (I wish more authors would read their work!).

The book appealed to me on so many levels... Beer lover, dad, husband, homebrewer, brewpub frequenter...

I can't recommend it highly enough.

Would recommend

I really enjoyed this. It seems well researched and nuanced. The perspective is great and it is very entertaining. Learned some new things and would definitely recommend it.

Drink Beer, Learn Beer

Incredible book! I learned so much, solidified knowledge I already knew, and cleaned up knowledge I was shaky on. This is a great read/listen for new drinkers, avid nerds, and pros.