The New York Times Sunday Book Review published an excerpt of this book on March 10, 2009 which mentions Matt Talbot and the temperance movement during "Ireland's woeful battle with alcohol that worsened during the nineteenth century."
To read this excerpt, click http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/10/books/chapters/chapter-pint.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all or Excerpt: ‘A Pint of Plain, page 8 of 9 or page 56 in the book.
As to the book's title, the refrain of the following poem, "A pint of plain is your only man," has become a famous quotation, meaning a pint of stout will solve all your problems.
"The Workman's Friend"
by Flann O'Brien (1911-1966)
When things go wrong and will not come right,
Though you do the best you can,
When life looks black as the hour of night -
A pint of plain is your only man.
When money's tight and hard to get
And your horse has also ran,
When all you have is a heap of debt -
A pint of plain is your only man.
When health is bad and your heart feels strange,
And your face is pale and wan,
When doctors say you need a change,
A pint of plain is your only man.
When food is scarce and your larder bare
And no rashers grease your pan,
When hunger grows as your meals are rare -
A pint of plain is your only man.
In time of trouble and lousey strife,
You have still got a darlint plan
You still can turn to a brighter life -
A pint of plain is your only man.
Source: http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Poetry/FlannOBrien.html