This is an account of the progress made in the quest for the appreciation of beer, due in no small part to the publication of Michael Jackson's "World Guide to Beer". This new text by Jackson is considered to be the "Bible" for beer connoisseurs, while Jackson is regarded as one of the world's leading authorities on beer - the new "designer" drink. The author's "World Guide to Whisky" won the 1987 Glenfiddich Award. He has written many articles and given lectures on beer and related topics all over the world.