For centuries, brewmasters both professional and homegrown have pursued the perfect pour-a delectable combination of barley, yeast, water, and hops-and few states can claim as devoted a relationship to beer as Minnesota. For a time it seemed that every town had its brewery and a beer garden was a highlight of every local celebration. Dedicated home brewers and casual pub crawlers alike will be amazed by the stories of Minnesota beers and breweries featured in Land of Amber Waters. Starting with the first brewery in 1849, Doug Hoverson tells the story of the state's beer industry from the small