Multnomah Whiskey Library Staff Published New Textbook
The 376-page guide details spirits and cocktail creation for home bartenders.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Cocktails
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Staff members from the Multnomah Whiskey Library have released a new book, The Bartender's Library: A Guide to Curating Spirits and Creating Cocktails. Published by Chronicle Books, the guide offers professional insights into distilling and ingredient selection.
Why it matters
The authors developed the text to share the educational framework used by their staff with the public. It serves as a resource for home bar enthusiasts looking to answer technical questions about spirit curation.
The new 376-page book is priced at $30. It draws on the expertise of a library collection containing over 2,600 individual bottles.
The players
Multnomah Whiskey Library
This Portland-based institution maintains a vast collection of over 2,600 unique bottles of spirits.
Brett Adams
He is a co-author of the new book and previously collaborated on the 2022 release Raising the Bar.
Jacob Grier
As a co-author and spirits expert, he leverages his experience from the Multnomah Whiskey Library to educate readers on distillation.
Powell's City of Books
This iconic Portland bookstore is hosting the upcoming public reception and signing for the new release.
Chronicle Books
This publishing company is responsible for the release of the 376-page bartender's guide.
The details
Co-authored by Brett Adams and Jacob Grier, the book adapts internal study guides into a public manual covering spirits like aquavit and genever. The authors emphasize distillation processes and flavor profiles to help readers build their own home bars.
Timeline
The authors published their first book, Raising the Bar, in 2022.
A book reception and signing event takes place at Powell's City of Books on October 15, 2026.
Culture Shift
This release follows the trend of professional-grade cocktail education being made accessible to the home market. It signals a move away from simple recipe collections toward more rigorous, study-based manuals for enthusiasts.
Readers can purchase the book for $30 to upgrade their home bar knowledge. Those interested in meeting the authors can visit the signing event in Portland this October.
The takeaway
Understanding the science behind distillation can significantly improve how you select and balance ingredients at home. Focus on mastering specific base spirits like aquavit to add new dimensions to your cocktail repertoire.
What happens next
The public book reception and signing will take place at Powell's City of Books on October 15, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the local scene by browsing our Cocktails section.
More information
Find event details and book availability on the Powell's City of Books website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Willamette Week.
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