Introduction

The bottles, the labels, the nanes of the beer can be more challenging than that of wine. Labeling laws for beer are not as strict as wine. Often times unless one knows what they are looking for, it can be a bit overwhelming.
In addition to the above is the general attitude to beer over the decades. The lack of collective attitude, cohesiveness, and education does little for the beer industry.

Most publications about beer are tongue-in-cheek, conversational or focus more on style and origin rather than encompassing beer as a whole subject.

Very few publications discuss beer as a subject with the sobriety that reflect the growth of civilizations, agriculture, or the process of beer.

Beer styles are factored by many influences. Exporting and market. Availability of crops. Migration of cultures..

Beer is a beverage in itself requires several activities to be appreciated as a whole. There is the understanding of our olfactory nerves, visual clues, tasting, tactile and auditory sensory.

In addition to these must come the acquaintance of the ingredients in themselves. There are also physiological factors which can alter perceptions and psychotically factors which can influence our perceptions.

Beer appreciation also encompasses proper storage, serving, and glassware issues. These subjects are hardly respected by restaurants, local pubs or saloons. By educating the consumer, perhaps we may educate the establishments which we go to. These guidelines will serve as guidelines for which you frequent as you learn which ones treat your beverage of choice for the evening with respect.

It is the intention of this Guide to Beer Appreciation that you as the consumer become more educated and sophisticated about your preferences and your choices as you learn to appreciate and respect your beer.

Hopefully, beer as a beverage throughout all aspects of the industry will take notice and put beer on its rightful pedestal alongside wine as it were in the tombs of the pharaohs.

Virginia Jamison
image is a grecian amporae.  A common storage and shipping vessel used to transport wine, beer and other goods.  Wooden barrels would take it's place in the 7th AD.  The discovery of these items is a valuable clue to archeaologists in dating excavation sites.