From the New York Times bestselling author of The Essential Scratch and Sniff series—which sold over 100,000 copies of The Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert and over 48,000 copies for The Guide to Becoming a Whiskey Know-It-All—comes a full-bodied look at the world’s most popular alcoholic beverage

There are few things in the world as beloved as beer. Homer Simpson drools, tailgates are flooded, and today over 6,000 microbreweries in the US have elevated the keg party staple into a true art form. By far and away the most popular alcoholic beverage, our traditional view of beer is that of a simple, refreshing drink brought to us by recognizable brand names, but there is so much more to this miracle beverage than we know, and Richard Betts cleverly, fragrantly, and humorously breaks down the history, science, ingredients, and process behind the beloved brew.

What’s the difference between a pilsner and a stout? Why is water so important to beer? What’s the best temperature to serve a lager, ale, or stout in? What the heck is a hop anyway? Betts makes the science and history of beer as refreshing as an ice-cold on a hot summer day and couples accessible information with beautiful illustrations and 16 scratch and sniff scents that everyone from frat bros to the snootiest beer snobs will be raising a glass to!

Richard Betts is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Essential Scratch and Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert and The Essential Scratch and Sniff Guide to Becoming a Whiskey Know-It-All. He is one of fewer than 300 master sommeliers in the world. He has been featured in The New York Times, Food & Wine, Outside, GQ, and Details and speaks frequently throughout the world. He has two wine projects on three different continents, including An Approach to Relaxation, his Australian project with his wife Carla, which has won top praise internationally. He also cofounded Sombra Mezcal and Astral Tequila. Richard makes him home in Amsterdam.

Rotem Raffe is a Brooklyn-based art director, designer, and illustrator. She’s worked in advertising agencies in New York City and is the cofounder and creative director of Short Stack Editions, a series of small-format cookbooks. Her artwork has appeared on many surfaces around the world, including billboards and murals, restaurant walls and menus, maps, and wine bottles.