The guide to becoming a beer connoisseur overnightThe Second Edition of Beer For Dummies features expert picks for the best beer festivals, tastings, and events around the world, along with simple tips for pouring, storing, and drinking beer like an expert brewmaster. The fun and friendly guide to all things beer Beer has always been one of the world's most popular beverages; but recently, people have embraced the rich complexities of beer's many varieties. Foreword xviiIntroduction 1Part I: Getting a Taste of Beer 7Chapter 1: Drink Up! Beginning with Beer Basics 9Chapter 2: From the Sublime to the Ridiculous: Beer Ingredients 17Chapter 3: A Little Brew Magic: Understanding How Beer Is Made 25Part II: Taking a Look at Beer Styles - Old, New, and Revived, Too 35Chapter 4: Getting to Know the Mother Beer Categories: Ales, Lagers, and More 37Chapter 5: Investigating "Real" Ale 59Chapter 6: Exploring Barrel-Aged and Wood-Aged Beer 71Chapter 7: Diving In to Extreme Beer 81Chapter 8: Checking Out Organic, Gluten-Free, and Kosher Beer 93Part III: Buying and Enjoying Beer 105Chapter 9: The Better Way to Buy Beer 107Chapter 10: Looking at Label Lunacy and Marketing Mayhem 119Chapter 11: Serving Beer 133Chapter 12: Making Your Buds Wiser: Tasting and Evaluating Beer 147Chapter 13: Dining with Beer 161Chapter 14: Cooking with Beer 171Part IV: Exploring Beer around the World and at Home 187Chapter 15: Sampling Beer in North America 189Chapter 16: Trying Beer in Europe, Asia, and Elsewhere 209Chapter 17: Embarking on Beer Travel and Tours 231Chapter 18: Brewing Beer at Home 247Part V: The Part of Tens 277Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Grow Your Appreciation of Beer 279Chapter 20: The Ten Best Beer Cities in the World (And a Few Extras) 287Chapter 21: The Ten Best Beer Festivals in the World 295Part VI: Appendixes 301Appendix A: A Quick Guide to Beer Styles and Stats 303Appendix B: A Short History of Beer (For the True Beer Nut) 315Index 325