Michael Jackson's Beer Companion: The World's Great Beer Styles, Gastronomy, and Traditions

``Beer deserves to be treated as a civilized drink; it may even have been the cause of civilization.'' Jackson ( The New World Guide to Beer ) here presents a knowledgeable and civilized survey of the various and sundry beers imbibed around the globe. You'll learn, for example, that Ninkasi was a Sumerian goddess of brewing, and that malt-making may be as much as 4000 years old. He explains what fruit beers are (``A beer made with fruit sounds like a contradiction. Surely it is a wine?''), and defines lagers, ales, porters, wheat beers and more; discusses and rates the beers of assorted nations; and suggests what foods go well with which beers. Jackson is excellent at combining historical detail with current information about the beers and brewers in question; his organization is logical and accessible. Beautifully photographed and designed for sustained browsing as well as authoritative reference, this book will appeal to both beer tyros and more sophisticated tipplers. Photos. (Sept.)