Beer Triumphs and Food and Drink Awards

21 March 2012

Oxford companion to beer
Garrett Oliver Andre Simon order

The André Simon Memorial Awards commemorate the charismatic bon viveur who was one of London’s leading champagne shippers and was the active president of the Wine & Food Society. The books must contain original research, be educational, pleasurable to read and well produced. The awards have been presented every year since 1978.

A ground breaking and original work, The Oxford Companion to Beer is the most comprehensive reference book ever published about the most popular and diverse beverage in the world today. In excess of 160 beer experts from more than a dozen countries contribute to more than 1,100 entries.

The Oxford Companion to Beer covers why craft beer is not a fad; craft brewers sourcing ingredients locally; why craft beer is a new affordable luxury; craft beer and food pairing; home brewing; health benefits; beer politics; differences between beer’s ‘appellations controlee’; and why beer is no longer just ‘a man’s drink’.

David Gleave (Master of Wine), Managing Director of Liberty Wines, assessed the drinks category and comments: “Garrett Oliver worked with 166 contributors to compile what is the first serious reference book on beer. In addition to his contributors, he assembled an Advisory Panel to peer review each piece submitted before it was forwarded to him. The result is a book that is easy to read yet one that will remain a serious reference book for years to come.”

Ian Clay of Managing Director of James Clay agrees: “This book demonstrates not just the eloquence and authority of Garrett Oliver, but also the new-found confidence of brewers to place our wonderful array of beer styles on the pedestal they deserve. Brewers are innovating as never before and in the midst of all his brewing, Garrett finds the time to piece together this game changing book that underlines his position as one of the foremost authorities in world beer.”

If you're in the beer industry this is the reference book - get yourself a copy here.

*Michael Jackson’s Beer Companion was the first in 1993.