Hops & Glory

In the world or "beer" writing there is the late Michael Jackson aka the Beer Hunter, and then there is everyone else. Since Jackson's death in 2007, the dearth of talented writers on the subject of beer has been painfully felt. The truth of the matter is, good "drinks" writers are few and far between. Pete Brown has changed all that, and has set the bar to "Jacksonian" heights with his latest book Hops and Glory. This book is not only a tale about one of the most beloved and cherished beer styles, India Pale Ale (IPA) but a history lesson on 19th Century Burton on Trent brewing, the all powerful East India Company, the history of the Raj, and a personal odyssey.Brown is a masterful story teller, and he weaves the history of his search for the beer that built the British Empire and love affair with beer into an adventure story anyone would enjoy reading, beer drinker or not. The meticulous research Brown puts into Hops and Glory is amazing. This is a powerful story. Brown put words into action in this book and the reader learns at his own personal expense. The fact that he actually convinced a Burton brewer to brew up an authentic IPA recipe from 1800's for him? The fact he takes said IPA from Burton on Trent via canal to London, and then on the sea voyage route to India the way it went in the days of the East India Company to the Raj? The fact that he just did not talk about it, speculate "what it must have been like" but he actually did it? One has to admire this, and the pay off the reader is you are along for the ride when you read Hops and Glory. Brown makes you live it, breath it, you are there with him.No more tall tales or yarns here about India Pale Ale. The story of the history of IPA needed to be told, and what a way to tell it. There are some bumps along the way, and why this book is so awesome is, its not just about the beer and its history, but the reader is living the adventure with Brown. We get the good, the bad, the ugly.Hops and Glory is a history lesson, travel guide, and adventure story all rolled into one. I literally could not put this book down. It is an enjoyable, informative read, and I'm still amazed that Brown actually made the journey that many have talked about, turn into reality. A journey that will most likely never be repeated by anyone. This is "beer" writing at its very best.

Good reading

Excellent item arrived right on schedule!

This book was a real treat - truly a hybid of sorts. The author did a splendid job at transitioning between his modern day journey, his knowledge of beer itself, and his own historical perspective on colonial India. Brown uses interesting vernacular and his sense of humor (especially the ability to laugh at himself) is evident throughout this read. I was giggling out loud on a few occasions. Furthermore, I even also found myself researching (Goggle Earth rocks!) destinations or items of interest mentioned in the story. I bought the book because of love everything IPA and the book clearly does a nice job of detailing that style - but I learned so much more...ships, port of calls, the East India Company, etc. I really enjoyed sitting down at night, drinking a good IPA (or two), and reading this, a story about it. This is the first Amazon item I've ever taken the time to review - that's how much I enjoyed this book. Great job, Mr. Brown!

High seas adventure, history, and beer - what more could you want? This is my favorite Pete Brown book, well-written and entertaining. I recommend having a selection of IPAs on hand to accompany the prose.

Great story, fun beerfacts.

If your into beer and enjoy a Pale Ale then this is a must read. Very entertaining read. Living in Burton on Trent for half my life (now in the states) and with a mother who worked for Bass I was glued to this book from start to finish. Highly recommend it.

I was thoroughly engaged throughout this book. I delighted at the adventure and was impressed that anyone would dare such a voyage without knowing what they were getting into. Thoroughly entertaining.

As a real ale drinker with a penchant for strong, hoppy IPAs, this was, admittedly, right up my street - and that of my son, who'll be getting it for Xmas! I'd heard of Pete Brown via CAMRA membership, but this was the first book I've read, and I'm sure I'll move on to the others. Even in the more boring sections of his voyage he manages to hold the reader's interest as he attempts to take a specially-brewed barrel of IPA from the UK to India, largely by sea. The text is aided by the unusual use of frequent footnotes. "Some strong language", as they say, but never gratuitous; the combination of historical research, pathos & humour is a winner.

Well written, easy reading & enjoyable story about a beer lover exploring the world of beer through a sometimes precarious adventure

Pete Brown is in love with beer - particularly India Pale Ale - and this book tells the (often fascinating) story of its history and his quest to revisit its historical journey from Burton on Trent to India. A mixture of traveller`s tale, anecdote and history, this is a thoroughly enjoyable book that doesn`t require you to have a large beard, bad hair and a recondite knowledge of real ales. Funny, knowledgable and insightful. Recommended.

This book Hops and Glory: One man's search for the beer that built the British Empire is a superb and light-hearted history which takes you on the journey that beer had to take to slake the thirst of the colonisers in the British Empire. Pete Brown [the author] is at his best and I had difficulty in puting the book down when I started reading it. A 'must' for Beer Lovers

Funny and informative, written in the Pete Brown fashion, if you like to read a book as if someone's talking to you, with relevant side stories, then you'll enjoy this.