Fermenting Revolution author Christopher O'Brien's mantra is "Drink Beer, Save the World." You see, Chris is a "beer activist", in fact his blog is entitled none other than The Beer Activist. This book will appeal to both beer drinkers and progressive types alike. It covers the beginnings of beer as a female dominated activity that was done in the home (and still is in some countries) all the way through to the modern era.
The main theme in Chris's book is that good beer brings lots of great things together. Beer is something to be enjoyed with conversation, a chance to slow down and catch up with the people around you both in your family and your neighborhood.
One thing that really hit me while reading this book is how sustainability and beer seem to go hand in hand. Microbreweries are becoming increasingly larger players in the drive for better energy usage. Such breweries as New Belgium and Brooklyn are getting their power from wind and others are going solar. Chris does a great job covering why it is that breweries and smart energy seem to be getting better and better acquainted these days. Its not just the small players either. The big boys (AB, Molson/Coors and Miller) all do their share of recycling, reducing and reusing. Its quite commendable and fascinating. They may not be able to brew a beer that appeals to beer snobs but they do a good job with contributing to saving the earth.
Along with doing a lot for the green movement, brewpubs and breweries are bringing communities closer as well. I really enjoyed how Chris explained just how this is being done and how it can make a big difference.
Behind the history and the hopes for the future of both beer and mankind are Chris's ways that, as a beer drinker, you can make a difference. Some examples he uses are:
*Buy local beer! (it doesn't need to be shipped and you are supporting your community)
*Fill a growler! (its a cheap way to transport beer and its nice and fresh!)
*Recycle your empties! (if you aren't doing this you shouldn't be drinking beer)
This is a book that really brings some things to light that most beer drinkers aren't spending too much time thinking about. It was a great look at how beer has been a big part of society for a long time and the function it has played throughout time. If you read this book you will learn something and you will discover at least one way you can do more by drinking beer.
When Chris isn't writing his beer blog and being a beer activist he is also the part owner of Seven Bridges which is a store that sells organic home brewing and coffee roasting supplies.
You can get a copy of this book at:
BEER BOOK FACTS
Author: Christopher Mark O'Brien
Publisher: New Society Publishers, 2006
More: 288 pages how beer breeds change and how you can make a difference!
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