Virginia?s history is vast and varied, as is her dynamic craft beer story. From colonial times to today?s exploding beer scene, Lee captures the essence of the Commonwealth?s unique beer heritage and place in the modern craft movement, as well as the state?s rise to a national destination for craft beer lovers.
Bill Butcher, Founder, Port City Brewing Company
Lee Graves is a first-rate writer?engaging and erudite?and his book is both an ideal introduction for newcomers to the basics of beer making and an indispensable addition to any beer aficionado?s library. Graves shows us the importance of Virginia in the history of American beer and in the current scene, and he offers the most useful manual for anyone planning to visit the state?s breweries.
Taylor Smack, Owner, Blue Mountain Brewery
Lee Graves relays the deep, rich history of brewing in the Old Dominion as never before, from the early colonists to the modern-day craft brewer. A great deal of research by the author is evident throughout the book, with direct quotes from many brewers, to lend insight into the current state of this vibrant industry.
Bill Madden, CEO/Brewer, Mad Fox Brewing Company
[A] useful point of reference for beer exploration: setting the context of each region and giving a backstory on top breweries, plus a map and listings of events, beer trails, groups, tours, publications and breweries.
Boomer Magazine
Graves takes us on a complex and fascinating journey from Roanoke to Richmond, Charlottesville to Tidewater, Northern Virginia and Loudoun County. It reminds us of where and why it all began. He delves into the unexpected role of women and slaves in the brewing of beer, and that of newly arriving immigrants ? from Europe.
Virginia Craft Beer Magazine
The explosion in craft-beer brewing and consumption is not limited to hipster locales like Seattle, Portland, and Brooklyn, as Lee Graves illustrates... Virginia Beer shows how the Old Dominion?s central role in the current beer craze is no accident, given that America?s beer tradition began in Virginia with the settlers at Jamestown, who brought the first beer to the American continent in 1607. The book is extensively illustrated and suggests numerous brewery tours that will point you in the right direction for a statewide beer crawl.
Publishers Weekly
Known as the Beer Guy... Graves suggests several origin stories of Virginia beer?ranging from the beginning of civilization when people first started to making alcohol to a gathering of brewers in Richmond in 2012?unraveling the rest of the history from there and interweaving stories from personal experiences with Virginia breweries, instructions on tasting and appreciating beer, and descriptions of the vibrant craft beer culture.
Virginia Living
