International Beer Day

In 2007, a group of friends got together and decided to celebrate their friendship and their favorite beverage: beer. They created a website, and a new holiday was born. This year's celebration will be tomorrow, Friday, August 5th.

Their website suggests ways to celebrate the holiday, but the only requirement is to enjoy a beer with your friends. While drinking beer is not an option at Carnegie-Stout, we do have several books on the topic!

For a history of beer and brewing try:
Ambitious Brew: the story of American beer (663 OGL)

Brewmaster's Art: the history and science of beermaking (CD Audio Book 641.873 BAM)

Guinness: the 250-year quest for the perfect pint (338.766342)

You may also enjoy this online infographic: History Lesson: The Story of Beer


For guides on making your own beer try:
Beer Craft: a simple guide to making great beer (641.873 BOS)

Making Beer (641.873 MAR)

How to Brew: ingredients, methods, recipes, and equipment for brewing beer at home (641.873 PAL)

Homebrewing for Dummies (641.873 NAC)

You may want to stop by the Bluff St Brew Haus, which offers supplies and advice for homebrewing and wine making.


Cooking with Beer & More
Beer-can Chicken: and 74 other offbeat recipes for the grill (641.8784 RAI) From the master of grilling, Steve Raichlen.

Booze Cakes: confections spiked with spirits, wine, and beer (641.8653 CAS) These recipes come highly recommended by several staff members!

He Said Beer, She Said Wine (641.2 OLD) This book provides advice for pairing wine and beer with different meals.

All the Best From the German Beer Garden (CD World)


There are no official events occurring in the Dubuque area this Friday, but you could always head over to the former Dubuque Star Brewery or watch "Take This Job and Shove it" with friends. You might also consider taking a trip up to Potosi, Wisconsin to tour the Potosi Brewery and museum of brewing.

Top Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30928442@N08/3638173772

Atlantis Redeemed by Alyssa Day

This will be my last official book review for Carnegie Stout, as I have accepted a position with the State Library of Iowa, but I have several Read Alike posts coming up on ‘cozy mysteries.’ If you don’t know what cozies are, stay tuned to W. 11th & Bluff.

I realized we haven’t reviewed many romances here, so I thought I would find a newer one to read. I asked a colleague for some suggestions and finally picked Atlantis Redeemed by Alyssa Day. It is number five of the “Warriors of Poseidon” series. One complaint I read about this particular title, was that it was not very well tied to the rest of the series, but as this is the only one I read, that wasn’t an issue. In fact, I felt it was fine as a stand-alone title.

Imagine being cursed by a god, “for all eternity, until such time as you meet your one true mate, you will feel no emotion. Neither sadness nor joy, neither rage nor delight.” Brennan, a warrior of Poseidon, has angered the god and brought down this horrible curse. But when he finally meets Tiernan, all his emotions, stored up over centuries, come flooding back. The second half of the curse: Brennan will forget her, as soon as she is out of his sight. Tiernan’s gift, the ability to detect lies, comes in handy as an investigative reporter. She and Brennan must find out the truth about scientists conducting experiments on humans and shape shifters. Throw in a vampire enclave and you have a fast paced, exciting story.

There are some steamy parts as Brennan and Tiernan explore their relationship, under the restrictions of the curse. It takes all parties: the shape shifters - a wolf pack in Yellowstone, the vampires, the Atlanteans and the human Tiernan working together to defeat the evil scientists. Poseidon finally relents and Brennan and Tiernan get their happily ever after.

"Majesty" is August's Magazine of the Month

Majesty is a monthly magazine that provides coverage of the royal families of the world, with a special focus on the ever fascinating British Royal family. If you too were caught up in the excitement of the recent Royal Wedding, we invite you to stop by and check out Majesty for yourself! You can also check their website to get a preview.

August marks the four-month wedding anniversary for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. I wonder if they'll be taking any hints from this eHow article on celebrating four-month anniversaries? To celebrate in your own home, check out our DVD of the happy day: "The Royal Wedding: William and Catherine" (941.085 ROY)

August 4th will mark the 111th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother's birth. Though she died in 2002, the award-winning "The King's Speech" has drawn greater attention in her direction.

August 11th is the 300th anniversary of the Royal Ascot Racecourse. Yet another location to wear your fanciest of hats!