Celeste Beatty’s Harlem Brew Soul is a delightful journey into the world of beer, history, and food. As the first Black woman to helm a brewery in the United States, Beatty brings a unique approach to this cookbook. Although she could easily centre her own products, she generously shares alternative companies for drink pairings and even highlights a selection of Black owned breweries, reflecting the strong sense of community that she emphasises throughout the book.

What stands out is Beatty’s engaging backstory and her deep knowledge of beer’s roots while incorporating her love of food throughout. This isn’t just a collection of recipes; it’s an education in brewing and food culture, and Beatty’s love for both is evident on every page.

I never thought I’d say that I enjoyed a cookbook, but here I am saying it! This collection offers a wide selection of recipes, ranging from cocktails to hearty dishes to sides, all infused with a touch of beer. Some of the dishes are your popular soul food staples like smothered chicken and fried catfish, along with comforting sides such as peach cobbler, yet with Beatty’s unique twist. Her storytelling is another standout element, weaving her personal story with beer history and cultural sagacity to create a narrative that feels as satisfying as the recipes themselves.

I left this book with a deeper understanding of the different types of beers, ales, and IPAs, as well as their distinct characteristics. I’m excited to try out some of the recipes, and of course, the Beer Smac ‘n’ Cheese is high on my list, but that Down-Home Beer-Smothered Chicken is just calling to me! Beatty also adds a playful, witty touch with her clever wordplay, such as turning "cocktails" into "cocktales" and "hamburger" into "hambrewger."

The illustrations alone make this cookbook a strong visual experience, with vibrant, detailed artwork that enhances each recipe. It would be even better if each recipe had its own image, and real photos of the finished dishes would bring these flavourful creations to life even more vividly.

With almost 100 recipes and even a playlist to set the mood, Harlem Brew Soul is a warm, insightful read that’s as much about celebrating culture and community as it is about beer. I highly recommend this cookbook to anyone interested in the art of brewing or simply enjoying delicious pairings of food and drink. The book strikes a great balance, with recipes that are easy to follow for anyone looking to experiment in the kitchen.

Note: This ARC was provided for free by NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.
Rated 4.5 ⭐ rounded up.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Harlem Brew Soul: A Beer-Infused Soul Food Cookbook by Celeste Beatty is a delightful fusion of culinary creativity and cultural heritage. As a book reviewer, I found this cookbook to be a vibrant celebration of soul food, enriched with the unique twist of beer infusion.

Celeste Beatty, the pioneering founder of Harlem Brewing Company and the first Black woman to own a brewery in the United States, brings her extensive brewing expertise and passion for soul food to the forefront in this collection. The cookbook features over 80 recipes thoughtfully crafted to highlight the complementary flavors of beer and soul food, creating dishes that are both innovative and deeply rooted in tradition.

One of the standout aspects of Harlem Brew Soul is its rich storytelling. Beatty interweaves personal anecdotes and historical notes on African American brewing adding cultural significance to the stories. This narrative approach enhances the culinary experience and pays homage to the heritage and resilience of the African American community.

The recipes themselves are diverse and mouthwatering, ranging from breakfast and brunch options to hearty mains and delectable desserts. The inclusion of beer in these recipes adds a layer of complexity and depth, making each bite a unique culinary adventure.

Visually, the cookbook is a feast for the eyes with vibrant illustrations. While some readers might miss having photographs of the finished dishes, the artwork effectively conveys the spirit and flavor of the recipes.

Harlem Brew Soul is a celebration of culture, history, and community through the lens of food and beer. Celeste Beatty’s passion and expertise shine through in every recipe, making this book a must-have for foodies and beer enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, this cookbook offers something for everyone, inviting you to explore the delicious possibilities of beer-infused souls.

Book Review: Harlem Brew Soul: A Beer-Infused Soul Food Cookbook by Celeste Beatty

Rating: 4 Stars

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing Harlem Brew Soul: A Beer-Infused Soul Food Cookbook by Celeste Beatty, and I have to say, it's a great cookbook! As the founder of Harlem Brewing Company and the first Black woman to own a brewery in the United States, Beatty brings a unique perspective to the world of cooking. This cookbook is not just about food; it’s a celebration of culture, history, and community through the lens of soul food infused with beer.

The book features over 80 tantalizing recipes that range from food to cocktails, all incorporating different types of beer like lager, stout, IPA, and wheat. What I found particularly fascinating were the historical notes on African brewing traditions that Beatty sprinkled throughout the pages. It’s like she’s giving us a little taste of history with each recipe! The personal stories she shares about her journey in establishing Harlem Brewing Company add depth and warmth, making it feel like you’re having a conversation with a friend rather than just reading a cookbook.

Let’s talk about the visuals for a moment. The cover alone is stunning! The vibrant illustrations capture the spirit of Harlem and its rich cultural tapestry. While there aren’t actual photos of the finished dishes (which some might miss), the artwork more than makes up for it, drawing you into the book's essence.

I can’t wait to try the Brewlicious Chicken Barley Soup—it sounds incredible! Each recipe is laid out clearly, making them easy to follow, which is great for someone like me who enjoys experimenting in the kitchen but isn’t exactly a professional chef.

Overall, I’d give Harlem Brew Soul four out of five stars. It’s a fantastic resource for foodies who also love their beer. Whether you’re looking to spice up family dinners or impress friends at your next gathering, this cookbook has something for everyone. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to dive into the flavors and traditions of African American cuisine while enjoying a nice cold one! Cheers! 🍻

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Some interesting recipes, all using various Harlem Brewery products.
A book for foodies who like their beer. From snacks, appetisers, main meals and even soups!.

Thanks to #HarlemBrewSoul #NetGalley #QuartoPublishingGroup

Free from Netgalley

A perfectly average cookbook. Beer and food go well together usually, but some of these recipes just seem to be adding beer for the sake of adding beer.

This was a really fun cook book, with lots of great information and unique recipes. Not something you find in other cook books which is great and gives so much insightful information about how to improve your cooking. Would definitely recommend to those looking for something a little different and wanting to explore new flavours.

This is a gorgeous cook book with great illustrations and design. It was a pleasure to read.

Everything looks absolutely delicious and I want to eat and drink everything.

The only quibble is that the recipes are obviously a tie in for this specific brewery which makes them a little inaccessible.

My partner adn I don't mind a good cold brew and to cook with it as well as drink it is fine by us. That is what drew my attention to this book and I was looking forward to getting stuck in to trying some of the recipes.

There are some great recipes here and this book is a lot of fun just to read and drool over. There is some wonderful information and illustrations which make this a bit different from other cookbooks. I have picked out a few recipes to start with but will be coming back for more once I have tried them. YUM! Time for a cold beer and a cook-up in the kitchen.

Thank you NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Even non-beer drinkers will be flocking to the grocery store to purchase a case or two as soon as they pick up Harlem Brew Soul: A Beer-Infused Soul Food Cookbook , a cookbook by Celeste Beatty, who founded the Harlem Brewing Company. Beatty has used her special beers in dozens of mouthwatering recipes that may convince cooks that cooking with beer is the best way to prepare good dishes. The book includes an introduction with a quick primer on beer for those who aren’t familiar.

The recipes are written in the traditional style with the ingredients listed first, followed by step-by-step instructions. There are also comments on the top of each recipe that are interesting and helpful. The author has taken well-loved soul food dishes and transformed them into delicious dishes with nuances of her specialty beers.

The cookbook includes cute and colorful illustrations of every dish; they almost look like the real thing. It is unfortunate that real photographs aren’t included, and that is the only drawback to the book. Illustrations are great, but they are not a big enough enticement to make all of the dishes. However, there are enough good things in the book, that even without photos, cooks will be tempted to make most.
All told, this is an excellent cookbook with unique soul food dishes. My queue gets longer every time I pick up the book and I find that I’ll be cooking soul food non-stop from this cookbook.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.