Tim Webb - known for his Good Beer Guide Begium teams up with Joris Pattyn - expert on Belgian beer and judge in numerous international beer competitions - to bring the world the inspirational 100 Belgian Beers To Try Before You Die!
This book is a great beginners course in Belgian beers. If you don't know where to begin, when it comes to deciphering the hundreds of style and brands out there, then this is a great place to start.
The book covers the basics with the likes of Cantillon and the trappists, along with Duvel etc. then delves deeper into the world of unknown and hard to find Belgian beers. Even the most cultured of beer lovers will find some new favorites listed here.
Without giving too much away, you'll find yourself creating a to-do list in regards to the contents, and if you're truly lucky maybe a shopping list for your next visit to the local beer emporium.
Nearly every page is filled with a photo of the beer in question along with tasting notes and a brief history of the brewery.
Indispensable if you're planning a trip to Belgium, and definitely a worthwhile addition to any beer enthusiast's bookshelf if you have an interest in Belgian beer.
The majority of these beers are absolutely top of the line, others are listed more for what they exemplify than what they taste like. (Your experience may vary, but out of the 60 or so I've gotten through, a handful have been a bit bland.)
The only really negative aspect of the book is that if you truly want to complete the 100 you'll eventually need to book a trip to Belgium to finish off the last 5 or so on your list as they are unavailable anywhere else.
