Straightforward and opinionated, <em>Short Course in Beer </em>is designed to turn thenovice beer lover into an expert imbiber and the casual drinker into an enthusiast.Readers will come to understand the beauty of beer and the sources of itsflavor, as well as learn which beers are worth our time and which are not. Withtongue in cheek, the author examines beer's historical connections to the Crusades,the Hundred Years War, and modern-day soccer riots. He talks frankly(and joyfully) about the effects of alcohol on the body and brain, he defendsbeer from its enemies, and ushers it out of the frat house and into the diningroom. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter are designed to stimulatelively conversations, presumably over a glass of equally lively beer. At last—a beercourse for smarties!