From the dawn of civilization, human beings have bent elbows together to consume beer. The stonecutters and laborers who built the Egyptian pyramids did it - and even today, what is more thirst quenching than a good beer at the end of a hard day? Beer is the most democratic of all beverages, making it an excellent vehicle for examining everyday life. Beer & Philosophy is written for beer lovers who want to think while they drink. It playfully explores a multitude of philosophical questions: What is the definition of an authentic beer and is its goodness context-dependent? Is it preferable to drink large quantities of Pabst Blue Ribbon or better to consume smaller amounts of Chimay Blue Grande Réserve? Can the existence of high quality brew be used to prove the theory of Intelligent Design? The contributors to this volume present intriguing and often humorous arguments for how complex philosophical concerns are intrinsically linked to something as prosaic as quaffing a pint with friends.