This book started out absolutely wonderful- like Great Kitchens of the Midwest, Stradal’s prior novel. And I was well entertained until probably 1/2 way through when the plot seemed to start wandering. Fortunately it came back together about together about 2/3rds so I suppose it was just a bogging down in the middle. And it did end in fine form.

The Lager Queen of Minnesota
by J. Ryan Stradal
read by Judith Ivy: 11h 13m
rating: 7.5 (liked most of it)

Edith and Helen are sisters growing up on a farm in southeastern Minnesota in the 1950s/’60s. Edith, who is younger, decides she wants to learn how to make beer and Helen decides she’s going to be the best at everything.

They grow up and Edith becomes the guardian of her orphaned granddaughter while Helen gets married to a guy with a brewery and she also gets the farm. Helen always wins – so far.