Reddit mentions of Michael Jackson's Beer Companion: The World's Great Beer Styles, Gastronomy, and Traditions

Michael Jackson's Beer Companion is still regarded as the best and most essential. Looks like the cheapest copy will run you 4.25$ shipped.

Depends what you're looking for.

For the classic, you can't do better than anything by Michael Jackson. This one is very good, as is this. For a more contemporary approach, Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head and Garrett Oliver of Brooklyn Brewery both have very good books. Sam's book focuses mostly on contemporary beers and breweries, and is light of actual process and history. Garrett's does a better job of covering those things; if you get his book and like it, keep an eye out for The Oxford Companion to Beer, of which he is the editor, and which is coming out in 2011.

Sure.

https://www.amazon.com/Tasting-Beer-Insiders-Worlds-Greatest/dp/1603420894/

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Beer-Course-Tasting-Classes/dp/1402797672/

Also since you're talking about aging:

https://www.amazon.com/Vintage-Beer-Tasters-Guide-Improve/dp/161212156X/

Much older but seminal:

https://www.amazon.com/Michael-Jacksons-Beer-Companion-Gastronomy/dp/0762402016/

edit: shorter links

I've been doing this. I'm taking a BJCP class, so each week we are covering a different style. But even then you're drinking maybe 4-6 ounces of a classic beer and moving on, ultimately covering 5-7 different beers in 2 hours.

I've been following up on the in-class tasting with self study. I pick up single bottles of any classic example I can find for a given style. Then, over the course of the week I sit down with the BJCP style guide and Michael Jackson's Beer Companion and drink a single bottle over the course of maybe 30 minutes. I do this almost every night if I can. I will fill out a score sheet to practice, and after that, just enjoy the beer and learn about the history.

You can really start to understand that beer when you're drinking a whole pint of it. You see how it changes from when you first poured it versus after it has warmed up. The subtle flavors are easier to detect. Plus, reading gives your brain an opportunity to connect flavors/aromas/mouthfeel with the descriptive words for the style. I have been able to get more precise with my descriptions.

A big part of it for me is I am exploring styles I never would have tried as a "consumer". Becoming a "student" of beer opens you up, and you start to understand the differences in beer. It's a lot of fun!

For me, it's really all about learning how to describe what you're tasting. For that, just slowing down and methodically working your way through it seems to be pretty effective. it just takes time!