The inspiring story behind today's craft beer revolution is the subject of this lively memoir by Frank Appleton, the English-trained brewmaster who is considered by many to be the father of Canada's craft-brewing movement. Appleton chronicles fifty years in the brewing business, from his early years working for one of the major breweries, to his part in establishing the first cottage brewery in Canada, to a forward look at the craft-beer industry in an ever more competitive market.

Disillusioned with the Canadian brewing scene in the early 1970s, when three huge companies controlled 90 percent of the market and marketers and accountants made the decisions on what products to make, not the brewmasters, Appleton decided to "drop out" and brew his own beer while homesteading in the interior of British Columbia. He made a meagre living as a freelance writer, and his article entitled "The Underground Brewmaster" sparked the interest of John Mitchell, co-founder of the Troller Pub in Horseshoe Bay, BC. Their partnership launched the Horseshoe Bay Brewery in June 1982, the first of its kind in the country, serving the iconic Bay Ale brewed from Appleton's recipe.

Covering a range of topics, such as the difficulty of steering beer drinkers away from the "Big Boys" breweries and struggles with the BC Liquor Control Board, as well as brewing plant design and the complexities of the malting process, Brewing Revolution touches upon the foundation of what shaped the craft-beer industry in Canada. Appleton's passion and innovation opened the gates for the scores of brewpubs and microbreweries that were to follow in both Canada and the US, and his story is of interest to anyone excited by today's craft-beer revival.

Frank Appleton (1941-2021) was consultant brewmaster to twenty brewing operations, including consulting in brewery design, startup and brewer training. In 2009, Appleton received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Leadership in Craft Brewing from CAMRA Chapter Victoria.

Frank Appleton's profile page

• Short-listed, National Business Book Award

“Each turn in the story is captivating and informative. Appleton includes scientific information, technical pointers for those interested in starting up a new brewery, and even a recommended reading list.”

Booklist

“Frank Appleton’s new book Brewing Revolution has immediately become a must-read for fans of BC craft beer. Aside from the simple fact that this story from the pioneer days of BC craft beer needed to be told in greater depth than before, Appleton provides the tale with intelligence, knowledge and personality…. From the first page to the last, Appleton surpasses the reader’s expectations with a personal recounting of the craft beer movement both inside and outside of BC… Appleton comes across as that intelligent and thoughtful friend who can explain complex subjects in easy terms with almost no ego. He seems like the beer nerd we all wished we knew.”

What’s Brewing Magazine

“As a history of a movement and a personal memoir brimming with zeal, Brewing Revolution is educational, entertaining and, perhaps most of all, thirst-inducing.”

pagesofjulia

“The book takes readers on a fascinating journey with a wonderfully personal account of Appleton’s contributions to the brewing revolution, the brew pub phenomenon, and the art of beer making.”

Publisher’s Weekly

“While Brewing Revolution is certainly an engaging read for anyone who likes beer, it is also filled with technical suggestions and tricks of the trade that will be especially interesting for home brewers or those aspiring to be professional brewers themselves. Throughout, Appleton’s style is entertaining and easy to read. He is especially deft at handling dialogue, bringing to life scenes from his past with a cinematic clarity. All in all, it would be a welcome addition to any beer lover’s library.”

The Vancouver Sun

"Appleton has a warm, often subtly humorous approach to his memoir and this is emblematic of how much the craft-beer industry has meant to him over the years. There is an intimate passion with which he remembers amazingly minute details... Brewing Revolution is a great, fun read and one that you won't mind spending the money on."
~Malcolm Wilkins, Ubyssey, September 2016

"While Brewing Revolution is certainly an engaging read for anyone who likes beer, it is also filled with technical suggestions and tricks of the trade that will be especially interesting for home brewers or those aspiring to be professional brewers themselves. Throughout, Appleton's style is entertaining and easy to read. He is especially deft at handling dialogue, bringing to life scenes from his past with a cinematic clarity. All in all, it would be a welcome addition to any beer lover's library."
~ Joe Wiebe, The Vancouver Sun, October 14, 2016

"The book takes readers on a fascinating journey with a wonderfully personal account of Appleton's contributions to the brewing revolution, the brew pub phenomenon, and the art of beer making."
--Publisher's Weekly, December 2016

"Each turn in the story is captivating and informative. Appleton includes scientific information, technical pointers for those interested in starting up a new brewery, and even a recommended reading list."
-- Becca Smith, Booklist, December 2016

"Frank Appleton's new book Brewing Revolution has immediately become a must-read for fans of BC craft beer. Aside from the simple fact that this story from the pioneer days of BC craft beer needed to be told in greater depth than before, Appleton provides the tale with intelligence, knowledge and personality... From the first page to the last, Appleton surpasses the reader's expectations with a personal recounting of the craft beer movement both inside and outside of BC."
-- Ted Child, What's Brewing Magazine, Winter 2016-17

“Appleton's efforts inspired a wealth of microbreweries in Canada and the US, and his story is a ‘must-read’ for anyone interested in craft-beer revival. Highly recommended!”

Midwest Book Review