The Naked Beer

“The industry has abused an otherwise good beer type for many years. Now consumers want the good old pilsner back.”Kevin Davey, Master Brewer, Gold Dot Beer, Oregon, USATHE NAKED BEER is a book about pilsner – the most popular type of beer in the world.While other beer types have come and gone, pilsner has remained a steadfast choice for nearly two centuries. After decades of over-commercialisation, this may be pilsner’s moment, as it undergoes a resurgence among craft beer brewers eager to embrace the challenge of crafting a beer that tests their technique to the full without relying on gimmicks. This book aims to illustrate that pilsner, in all its diversity and quality, deserves a central role in the ongoing beer revolution; indeed, as beer guru Jeff Alworth argues, pilsner is already the “secret weapon” in that revolution.THE NAKED BEER features:• Reports from breweries in the USA, Germany and the Czech Republic• Interviews with the best pilsner brewers in the world• Chapters covering the history, culture and science of pilsner• A deep dive into the aroma and taste of pilsner, with a new and improved tasting scheme• Reviews of 72 pilsner brands• 10 pilsner recipes to try at home!Written by beer expert Christian Andersen and Master Brewer Jens Eiken, THE NAKED BEER is set to become the go-to book for anyone interested in this most poised and subtle of beers.Born in an improbable blend of local culture, foreign espionage, and brewing ingenuity, Pilsner emerged as the ‘killer app’ of beers in 1842. As it raced across Europe and then the world, Pilsner swept aside centuries-old beer styles and established itself as king. Since then it’s been perfected and ruined, celebrated and scorned, industrialised and crafted. Here, discover the story of – and as even many craft brewers will say – the greatest beer style in the world.GARRETT OLIVERMaster Brewer and Editor-in-Chief of The Oxford Companion to Beer– The Brooklyn BreweryPilsner is back where it belongs – in the heart of the beer revolution. Finally, the consumers and the craft brewers appreciate this sleeping giant of a beer style. Only good brewers can, and must, brew a perfect pilsner. (Our dry hopped pilsner ‘Lost Lager’ is an excellent example of this development, and the consumers love it!) The Naked Beer is a thorough book about this beer style, which is full of flavour and potential!JASON PONDGroup Brewmaster– BrewDog

Jens Eiken
Master brewer and MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Former Master Brewer in managerial roles at Carlsberg, the Jacobsen Brewhouse, Molson Coors Brewing Company, Royal Unibrew and Novozymes. At the time of writing, working as the Global Product Manager, Brewing & Distilling, at IFF, Health & Biosciences. Jens has received medals for his beer innovations. He has published numerous articles about beer and is the author of the chapter about Danish beer in the book The Oxford Companion to Beer, edited by Garrett Oliver. Technical editor of the Scandinavian Brewers’ Review for seven years. Judge at the World Beer Cup. Member of the Danish Academy of Gastronomy.

Christian Andersen
Journalist and communications consultant
Beer reviewer, journalist and editor for a range of media, including newspapers and magazines. Blogger on Durst, a blog about beer. Author of Det danske ølsprog (Danish Beer Language) published by the Danish Brewer’s Association. Contributor to several books about beer, editor of the chapter on Danish beer in Pocket Beer Book – The World’s Best Beer by Stephen Beaumont and Tim Webb. A former delegate to the European Beer Consumers’ Union representing the Danish Beer Enthusiasts, a consumer organisation. Initiator of the concept ‘New Nordic Beer’: a network about beer and corresponding terroir among Danish breweries. Recipient of the Danish Beer Award in 2014.