Cool Yule 2012! Beer Book #12.

The 12 Books of Cool Yule!. It's not a comprehensive compendium of the best-of-the-best books about beer published in 2012, but, rather, my proffered selection of twelve recommendations — some personal delights, others of unique or deserved merit, some not published this year but worthy chestnuts, and some, while not on the topic of beer, yet apropos.

Last year, in 2011, I counted down from #12 to #5, but fell off the tracks at that midway stop. So, this year, I'll try again, stoke the coals, and begin 2012 with all of last year's choices as a multiple choice for this year's position #12.

***************

• At position #5 in 2011, a tie between two local-area beer histories.
  • Richmond Beers (Danny Morris and Jeff Johnson)
  • Brewing in Baltimore (Maureen O'Prey)


• Position #6 in 2011.
  Under the Influence:
  The Unauthorized Story of the Anheuser-Busch Dynasty
  (Peter Hernon and Terry Ganey)


• Position #7 in 2011.
  Designing Great Beers (Ray Daniels)


• Position #8 in 2011.
  The Best of American Beer & Food
  Pairing and Cooking with Craft Beer
  (Lucy Saunders)


• Position #9 in 2011.
  Beer & Philosophy:
  The Unexamined Beer Isn't Worth Drinking
  (various; Stephen Hale, editor)


• Position #10 in 2011.
  Evaluating Beer (various; Brewers Publications, editor)


• Position #11 in 2011.
  Windows on the World.
  Complete Wine Course: 25th Anniversary Edition
  (Kevin Zraly)


• Position #12 in 2011.
  The Story of Brewing in Burton on Trent (Roger Protz)