Beer on NPR

The first segment I heard was Beer Tasting: The World’s Best, and Priciest where the All Things Considered hosts Michele Norris and Robert Siegel join with beer expert Michael Jackson to take stock, and taste, of some of the world’s finest (and most expensive) beers.

“I think the whole idea that beer should taste of something is alien to many drinkers,” says Jackson, author of Ultimate Beer and the Great Beer Guide. “Many drinkers have been trained by the big mainstream beers to expect beer to taste of nothing at all.”

There were a few on the list they tasted that sounded interesting (and within my budget). The top dog, and one I am sure I will never taste is

Samuel Adams’ Utopias. Delivered in a brew-kettle shaped copper bottle, this beer is one of the world’s strongest (25 percent alcohol), but with a fine sherry-like taste. $100 / bottle

The second segment I heard was Looking at the World Through Beer Glasses.

Robert Siegel talks about the history of beer with Tom Standage, technology editor at The Economist. A History of the World in Six Glasses is Standage’s new book that traces the history of civilization through beer, wine, distilled spirits, coffee, tea and coca cola. Beer was first produced at the end of the ice age and became popular with the Sumarians.

You can hear the segments on their respective pages:

• Looking at the World Through Beer Glasses
• Beer Tasting: The World’s Best, and Priciest