Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/746412
40 / the tasting panel / november 2016 A irst for Knowledge BOOKS TO "POUR" OVER by Emily Coleman Complete IPA: e Guide to Your vorite Craft Beer by Joshua Bernstein (Sterling Epicure, $19.95) You can't go into a bar that sells beer these days without the option of order- ing an IPA. This incredibly popular style can be difficult to navigate, so Bernstein deciphers the complex fla- vors and profiles the beers, breweries and brewers to seek out the next time you are at the pub or grocery store. Tequila & Mezcal: e Complete Guide by Kobe Desmet & Isabel Boons (Lannoo Publishers, $29.95) For many years, consumers placed tequila and mezcal into a less-than- respectable category, but now agave spirits are finally getting the admira- tion they deserve. Covering everything from types of agave to regulations to how to drink them, Tequila & Mezcal breaks these libations down and celebrates the pride that Mexican distillers pour into every bottle. e Big Man of Jim Beam by Jim Kokoris (Wiley, $24) The man, the myth, the legend: This tale delves into the life of Booker Noe, sixth-generation Beam Master Distiller and Jim Beam's grandson, who brought the world The Small Batch Bourbon Collection. In addition to the stories, it features cocktail and cooking recipes. For more on the Beam family, check out page 38. Bourbon: e Rise, and Rebirth of an American Whiskey by Fred Minnick (Quarto Publishing Group USA, $25) A contributor to The Tasting Panel, Minnick spins a tale for bourbon lovers and novices alike. He studies the history of the spirit and its role in our society. With more people than ever turning to this American classic, it's the perfect education for both bartend- ers and guests. Craft Spirits by Eric Grossman (DK, $22) Exploring 250 craft spirits, this page-turner takes a look at all of the major spirits categories from vodka to Cognac. Grossman also walks the reader through the craft distiller movement and the technical details of the distilling process. A Proper Drink: e Untold Story of How a Band of Bartenders Saved the Civilized Drinking World by Robert Simonsom (Penguin Random House, $27) There's no doubt that we are in a craft cocktail renaissance, but get- ting here wasn't as simple as it may seem. Interviewing more than 200 key players, this book takes the reader on the journey of these characters and their bars and how they changed the way we drink today. It also includes 40 drink recipes vital to this movement.