History of Lager

Came across this book on Amazon and, for $3, decided it was worth downloading!

I haven't gotten through the whole thing yet, but the first chapter on lager's Bavarian origins is both informative and entertaining. I like how the author weaves in his own personal stories amidst the historical descriptions. For example, when talking about the origins of Oktoberfest, he described his own personal experience as follows: "There's a chance you won't remember the end of the third beer, though, because that one has a way of just disappearing into the music and talking and fun of the festival, but somehow it leaves you thirsty. It's a magic trick how that happens; how you can have had three litres of beer and still want more."

Have you been to Munich Oktoberfest? Would you agree with the author's experience?

From Amazon:

Beer has been brewed and drunk for 10,000 years, but those earliest beers (think dark, soupy and sour) would've been unrecognizable to modern lager drinkers expecting something bright, effervescent and golden. Despite beer's history, which is as old as civilization, lager is a relative newcomer, ostensibly first brewed around 500 years ago, while those pale, lively lagers that we know so well today didn't arrive until the middle of the 19th century and weren't widespread until over a hundred years later.

In this fascinating book, beer expert Mark Dredge dives into the history of this well-loved drink. Discover: what, exactly, a lager is; how it was first brewed and how it would have tasted; what beer was like before the birth of lager; and what role was played by German monks and kings in the creation of the drink we know so well today. From the importance of 500-year-old purity laws to a scrupulously researched exploration of modern beer gardens, Mark has delved deep into the story of the world's favorite beer.

From 16th Century Bavaria to the recent popularity of specialist craft lagers, A Brief History of Lager is an engaging and informative exploration of a classic drink.