The first edition of the Oxford Companion To Beer has recently hit the shelves [buy it here]. The book takes a deep and historical perspective on the world’s most popular alcoholic beverage. The man at the editorial helm was brewmaster Garrett Oliver, who is known as one of the top brewmasters in America for his work at Brooklyn Brewery.

Earlier this year, we interviewed Garrett Oliver and here’s what he had to say about the book.

Q. Tell us about the Oxford Companion To Beer.

A. It’s published by Oxford University Press. Most wine people will know the Oxford Companion to Wine and this is the beer equivalent. I’m the editor-in-chief and there are over 100 writers from all over the world and about 1170 subjects. Basically almost anything you can possibly think of about beer, whether it is cultural, historical, or technical, it’s all covered like an encyclopedia, A to Z.

Q. What has it been like for you to work on it?
A. It’s been fascinating, enlightening and frankly, very difficult. We’ve been building a brewery at the same time and I’ve had essentially two jobs and so I’m looking forward to soon reacquainting myself with the concept of free time.

Find out more about Garrett Oliver in our Q & A and discover his recommendations for which beers he likes to drink and where he likes to grab a beer in New York City.