We all have a passion: that one thing that gets us energized and inspired to put in whatever hours it takes to succeed. Patrick Dawson’s passion is beer, and in his newest book, The Beer Geek Handbook, he shows us all the reasons why it should be ours, too. Like a true beer lover, he feels that “the natural path for every gluten-tolerant adult should lead them to falling in love with beer.” And like a true geek, he waxes poetic on the finer points of his favorite liquid. But don’t worry: this is no yawn-inducing dissertation about the merits of quantum mechanics.
Narrated in Dawson’s signature blend of sarcastic humor and well-researched facts, The Beer Geek Handbook will have veteran connoisseurs and newbies alike itching to get out there and crack open a cold brew while postulating on the merits of a good IPA. With essential knowledge about The Ten Beer Geek Commandments and the Beer Geek Hall of Fame, imbibers are sure to be confident and well-qualified to spread the beery gospel. And for those who happen to be paired up with a beer geek, the book can be used as a field guide for understanding the necessity of vacationing in Brussels or why their fridge is full of eisbocks, sours, and porters instead of well, food.
In an interview, Patrick can discuss:
The importance of understanding the difference between a beer geek and a beer snob
What is a beer geek? The book defines this through 10 “commandments” that beer geeks live by, including:
Beer is viewed as not a means to get drunk, but something to be understood, appreciated, and analyze and maybe... eventually drunk.
Taking tasting notes at a bar is a normal thing.
A beer geek gets almost as much enjoyment smelling their beer as they do tasting it.
A Beer Geek sees it as their duty to (tastefully) inform the world about the joys of beer.
An act as simple as stopping a guy from buying bottled Heineken — and letting him know that the canned version won’t have the dreaded “skunky” flavor — very well might convert him to the ranks.
It’s not unusual for them to be mistaken as an employee at their favorite liquor store, or even to have the store’s beer buyer ask their advice.
Beer geeks avoid pint glasses and it’s normal for them to ask for their beer in a wine glass instead.
A Beer Geek is not cheap, at least when it comes to beer
Unfortunately, good beer often comes at a premium, and some degree of disposable income is required to fully revel in the Beer Geek lifestyle. If that disposable income has to come from eating ramen alongside your vintage gueuze, so be it.
Money is still used wisely, though, and metrics like dollars-per-ounce are applied when considering beer purchases.
A Beer Geek’s travel plans revolve around beer
Beer-centric vacations (beercations) — focused on visiting breweries, bars, and general regions that specialize in sought-after beer — are the norm.
A Beer Geek is intimately familiar with their airlines baggage policy.
It’s normal to have to wear two pairs of pants on the flight home to make room for beer.
A Beer Geek has a beer cellar
Whether it’s the crisper drawer of a refrigerator or a 2,000-bottle offsite storage unit, a Beer Geek recognizes that beer is a time-sensitive product that sometimes requires a month or a decade to mature.
Potential houses/apartments are carefully evaluated for their beer storage and temperature control capabilities.
But really, you can tell someone is a beer geek if they can’t answer the question “what is your favorite beer?”
The book also includes a section written by the author’s wife titled, “Patience is a Virtue” that describes how to survive being the spouse or significant other of a beer geek. Please note: The author’s spouse is available during the interview as well
From the difference between a porter and a stout (not much) to what the heck a “sessionable” beer is and why you should never under any circumstances drink from a frosted glass, Dawson cheerfully disseminates knowledge gathered from a distinguished career on the barstool. Filled to the brim with quirky illustrations by Greg Kletsel, dos and don’ts, hilarious quizzes, and plenty of fancy terms, The Beer Geek Handbook will serve as the definitive guide to becoming an expert on and an advocate for good beer, without sinking into snobbery, because nobody likes a know-it-all. And the fun won’t stop there: seasoned geeks will get a laugh out of the apt descriptions of their numerous quirks, customs, and behaviors.
About the author: Patrick Dawson is an award-winning beer writer, an avid homebrewer, a BJCP beer judge, and a general lover of all things beer. He is the author of Vintage Beer, is a columnist for Craft Beer & Brewing magazine, and has written for DRAFT, Zymurgy, All About Beer, CraftBeer.com, and multiple other publications.