Originally started in the United States, in Santa Cruz, California to be exact, Beer Day was begun with the purpose of celebrating the craft of brewing. And it was also created with the intention of showing appreciation for those involved in the making of beer. The day then quickly expanded to include celebrations of bartenders and other beer technicians as well. Why not get everyone involved?

Not only did Beer Day expand in scope, but in size as well. It quickly began gaining international recognition and following within only one short year. In between 2007 when it was started in Santa Cruz, and where it currently is no– celebrated in 207 cities, 50 countries and on 6 continents all across the globe!

The founders of the Beer Day had three reasons that they declared for starting the day, and they are as follows:

To gather with friends and enjoy the taste of beer.

To celebrate those responsible for brewing and serving beer.

To unite the world under the banner of beer, by celebrating the beers of all nations together on a single day.

To get in the mood, this International Beer Day, we are delighted to highlight a few books that we have enjoyed on the subject of beer - for today and all year round.

The Greatest Beer Run Ever by John Donohue. Vivid and personal, this rip-roaring account of a Vietnam vet’s quest to bring his former comrades-in-arms a beer from home leads to pertinent political realisations. Living up to its title, it really does read like the greatest beer run ever, and will have readers interested in the human side of history laughing, crying and thinking in equal measure.

A Beer in the Loire by Tommy Barnes is a sharply amusing, oh so entertaining memoir based on the attempt of the author to start a micro-brewery in the heart of the Loire Valley.  And there are several recipes for beer too, how fabulous!

The Sadness of the King George by Shaun Hand. This pub-set coming-of-age comedy reels with poignant honesty as a 20-year-old’s idealism clashes with grim realities.

Comic, characterful, and driven by a cast of larger-than-life characters, Shaun Hand’s The Sadness of the King George is as strongly flavoured as the kind of salt and vinegar crisps a person might purchase in The King George.

For more beer-love, check out our blog post 10 Favourite Drinking Scenes in Books.

Cheers!