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Learn to COOK - Farmhouse Ales: Culture and Craftsmanship in the Belgian Tradition
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List Price: $17.95
Our Price: $12.21
Your Save: $ 5.74 ( 32% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Brewers Publications
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 641.23094931
EAN: 9780937381847
ISBN: 0937381845
Label: Brewers Publications
Manufacturer: Brewers Publications
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 256
Publication Date: 2004-12-25
Publisher: Brewers Publications
Studio: Brewers Publications
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Editorial Reviews:
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Farmhouse Ales defines the results of years of evolution, refinement, of simple rustic ales in modern and historical terms, while guiding today's brewers toward credible--and enjoyable--reproductions of these old world classics.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: A liberating experience of endless possibilities
Comment: An introduction to farmhouse ales is a liberating experience for those who live by the rules of endless possibilities. In Farmhouse Ales: Culture and Craftsmanship in the Belgian Tradition, Phil Markowski provides a vivid literary experience by clearly defining the elusive quality that holds such allure for the beer enthusiast, whether as a brewer, historian, or beerficionado. Enhanced by a superb historical essay on Saison by Yvan DeBaets and a well-grounded foreword by Tomme Arthur, this volume stands as a comprehensive guide to the brewing traditions that so clearly define France and Belgium.
Traditional Farmhouse Ales comprise the family of beers known as Biere de Garde and Saison, although the line that separates the two styles is often blurred by traditions that have struggled to endure, despite the upheavals of changing borders and paradigms, World Wars, and industrialization that led to the closure of countless small farmhouse breweries.
My personal experience has consisted of esoteric discussions that seek to delineate the differences between Bieres de Garde and Saisons. Our conclusions echo the subtle intangibles that Markowski so clearly defines. In his observation about Saison, he states, "These vague and varied descriptions will frustrate anyone foolish or stubborn enough to try to pin down these wildly complex, deceptively simple rustic ales," and of Biere de Garde, he says "If there is any accepted physical or sensory standard, French brewers may quietly acknowledge it, but will put their own spin on it to make it their own."
Markowski pushes onward, however, seeking to define them by presenting their historical significance and the conditions under which they developed. He examines the terroir, including the climatic conditions that led to their development, the geology that affects the water of the region, European grain profiles, Belgian and specialty hops, adjuncts, spices, and the complex nature of yeasts that stray wildly from (or may include) the single-strain traditions of lager brewing. His discussions include technical details on decoction, infusion and step infusion mashing, and the results of storage or "garding" under a variety of conditions.
Not only does he present detailed information for the seasoned brewer, but also encourages creativity on one's own terms. His descriptions are so vivid that even a non-brewer can envision working in his own simple farmhouse brewery, with mash tuns and hoses, cool ships and vats, replicating the delicate nuances of these distinctive beers.
Markowski's proficiencies in chemistry and math define the scientific art that makes the crafting of these beers possible, even for one who does not have the advantage of living in Hainaut, Nord or Pas de Calais. His descriptions present visuals for the mind's eye and paint the palate with flavors so intense they become real. With your senses fully piqued, he stimulates action by providing sources for ingredients so you, too, can create your own magical interpretation of these beers.
He inspires by providing full details of examples that define each style, noting a full description of each brewery and technical specifications that comprise each beer: Plato readings, ingredients used, temperatures, and storage or garding. He follows each with clear tasting notes that serve to illustrate the broad range of possibilities in these refreshing beers. In the words of Markowski, "...almost anything goes."
Customer Rating:
Summary: I bought it, I use it, I love it
Comment: These are some of my favorite beers: I like to brew them and I like to drink them. This is an excellent book that has helped improve my beer. It's also alerted me to the tyranny of the idea of 'beer styles'. Not every family of beers can be described by referring to the standard beer judge criteria-sometimes history and culture are just more important.
Well-written and fun to read, this is one of the best books for advanced home-brewers.
Lynn Hoffman, author ofThe New Short Course in Wine
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Rich Resource For Brewers and Drinkers Alike
Comment: This is what every beer book should aspire to be. Farmhouse Ales presents the state of the art in knowledge about the history, ingredients, and brewing techniques of two fascinating and delightful styles of Belgian Ale. Much of the information presented here has not appeared anywhere else in easily accessible form. And the authors have done an outstanding job in being thorough in their presentation of information while at the same time writing in a style that makes this book a pleasure to read. Whether you plan to brew saisons and biere de gardes professionally or on a homebrew level, or whether you just want to enhance your appreciation of two neglected but rich and complicated styles, this book is a must-read. I myself especially treasured the comprehensive information on the yeast strain utilized by Saison Dupont, and on the historical origins of the style. If youre a brewer, this book will make you a better one, and if youre a beer lover, this book will make you love it more.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Fun and Informative
Comment: I found this book to be fun and informative to read. I am an avid homebrewer that loves to experiment. This book gives a useful account about how the beers of rural Belgium came to be. In particular, the author explores how culture and geography combined to create the beers of the region.
For me the best chapter was "A Word on Style". The quote "Perhaps no other family of beers can frustrate the style police like farmhouse ales..." gives an idea of the attitude of this book. The point is made that "style" is sometimes over defined and stifles creativity. The point is to make good beer.
The book does not set out to prescribe what a farmhouse ale should be. Rather it describes the history of the farmhouse ales and their modern successors. The book does give some recipes and suggestions, but makes the point that these are starting points for experimentation.
As a brewer who views style very broadly and loves to learn new techniques and experiment, I greatly enjoyed this book. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys beer and brewing.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Farm House Ales Review
Comment: The book is very formal about the subject.
I would like to see added to the book, comparisons of this beers with others (similar in taste but not in the same style).
The book did not surprised me, but it has some local brewers information, which is valuable.
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