Swapna's Books and Musings
I'm a reader, blogger, writer, editor, book reviewer, traveler, beer enthusiast, and amateur photographer.
See my book reviews at S. Krishna's Books. If you would like to contact me about a reviewing a book or beer, please email me.
Book Title: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Author: Jonathan Safran Foer
Genre: Post-9/11 Literary Fiction
With a subject as heavy and difficult as 9/11, you need a beer that’s comforting, something to curl up with and get you through the darkness as you read this book.
At the same time, though, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close isn’t completely depressing; the lovable Oskar Schell injects some whimsy and fun into this otherwise serious work of literature. The beer you choose needs to reflect that fanciful quality.
Beer pairing: Bitches Brew from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Bitches Brew is a Russian Imperial Stout, and is sold in 750 mL bombers rather than a traditional 4 or 6 pack, so one bottle (approximately two glasses) should get you through the most of the book, should you choose to read it in one sitting. Even better, Bitches Brew is a sipping beer whose complexity will really show as it warms to room temperature, so there’s no hurry to finish it.
The base of Bitches Brew is a dark, roasty stout that smells and tastes of coffee and dark chocolate, just the comfort a reader needs to get through this difficult book. But as the reader finishes that first sip, they will taste the incredible warm honey finish, sweet and delightful. That surprising honey flavor will pair incredibly will with Oskar’s unexpectedly singular (yet endearing) nature.
