Reference Book on American Breweries

I haven't purchased this book yet, but I'm tempted. The Essential Reference of Domestic Brewers and Their Bottled Brands is a comprehensive guide to U.S. breweries. The reference guide lists over 400 U.S. breweries and over 3000 brands produced by those breweries. As noted on the publisher's site, the reference includes:

• State by state availability charts for each brewery


• Beer brand listings grouped by beer style


• Color and Bitterness comparison charts - Individual brand SRM (Color) and IBU (Bitterness) information gives you a good idea of how a beer will look and taste before you buy it


• Brewery listings by geographic location, as well as information about the states that each brewer distributes their brands


• Beer brand by beer brand “How Supplied” information listing each beer brand's availability by can, bottle, and keg sizes (great information for anyone who owns a kegerator)


• In-depth / printable brewery portfolios that utilize beer brand labels


• Alphabetic Brewery listings

Of major concern with an undertaking such as this is keeping the information current. Given the rapid expansion of craft breweries, not to mention the ongoing consolidation of the large factory brewers, this could be no small task. However, the publisher maintains an online database that is updated monthly. This is definitely a beer geek's book, and would seem to be a good reference for beer writers and serious hobbyists. (If any reader cares to donate a copy, I'm sure it would only serve to improve this blog's content!)

Interestingly, "The Essential Reference of Domestic Brewers and Their Bottled Brands" (3rd Edition) has been awarded the 2008 Benjamin Franklin Award by the Independent Book Publishers Association. The book was recognized for the Reference/Directories category.