Category: Yesterday

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Back Bar - Exactly Approximately 3.2%

A poorly designed law that works and an expertly designed drink that sucks.

When Prohibition was repealed in 1933 American drinkers had a lot of catching up to do. Tastes had changed and big brewers took note, cutting costs and striking ingredients until Americans were left with a low ABV bubbly bread soup that tasted vaguely like something they half-remembered. Flash forward to today and Lite Beer is one of the most well-designed products on the planet, while Americans are still untangling an ungainly patchwork of laws leftover from the bad old prohibition days. It begs the question: what does it mean to make something well? Special guests this week are Garret Oliver of Brooklyn Brewing Co., Brandon Skall of DC Brau and Garrett Peck, author of “The Prohibition Hangover.”

Please SUBSCRIBE and RATE the show if you can. Join us every two weeks as we talk about history's favorite drinks and how what we drink shapes history. To see what's coming next follow Greg on instagram @100ProofGreg. #drinkinghistory

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Back Bar by becoming a member!

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Byzantium And The Crusades - The Second Age of the Crusaders Episode 12 “The Lombard Wars”

The Lombard Wars were a period of civil war in the Crusader states between the German Emperor Frederick II's Lombard troops and the Crusader barons in Cyprus and Palestine. Why did the Muslim states not attack the Crusaders when they were weakened by civil war? Find out in this episode.

Please take a look at my website nickholmesauthor.com where you can download a free copy of The Byzantine World War, my book that describes the origins of the First Crusade.

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Curious City - Who Tolls The Bells In Chicago?

If you hear church bells ring in the Chicago-area, it’s likely they’re automated. Some bell systems are pneumatic or electronic. Others pipe digital hymns through amplifiers. But do real people ever ring real bells? That’s the question we’re exploring in this week’s episode. And the answer is yes! We head to five different spots, each with its own sound, unique history and distinct community.
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Byzantium And The Crusades - The Second Age of the Crusaders Episode 11 “The Hollow Victory”

The German Emperor Frederick II has achieved the impossible - the recovery of Jerusalem for Christendom. But is there rejoicing in the West? Not at all. For Frederick has been excommunicated and is reviled both in the West and in Outremer. The next events will reveal how superficial his victory has been.

Please take a look at my website nickholmesauthor.com where you can download a free copy of The Byzantine World War, my book that describes the origins of the First Crusade.

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Curious City - Art, Protest And The Trial Of The Chicago 8

In 1969, Chicago was home to one of history’s most high-profile trials. Known as the Trial of the Chicago 8 — and sometimes the Trial of the Chicago 7 — the trial pitted anti-war protesters against the federal government. Eight men were accused of conspiring to incite a riot during protests that took place in Chicago during the Democratic National Convention of 1968. Outside the courtroom, protesters and onlookers gathered. Some chanted to free the men. Some came with signs and posters of protest and solidarity. In this episode, reporter Arionne Nettles explores the intersection of art and protest movements as she tries to track down the artist behind one of these posters.
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Byzantium And The Crusades - The Second Age of the Crusaders Episode 10 “Frederick and the Recovery of Jerusalem”

The German Emperor Frederick II was an unusual medieval monarch. He shocked contemporaries by keeping a harem in his court at Palermo, and was excommunicated three times by the Pope. Yet he was the only monarch to succeed in recovering Jerusalem.

Please take a look at my website nickholmesauthor.com where you can download a free copy of The Byzantine World War, my book that describes the origins of the First Crusade.

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Back Bar - A Good Fight

A countdown to WWI and a bright, bubbly festive drink named after a killing machine. 

As the great old powers of Europe marched toward war the conflict seemed inevitable. But was it? Was there a way these men could have resolved their differences? Joining us on this journey is the French 75, a bright bubbly little drink named after a fearsome peace of WWI artillery. What can this drink teach us about fighting out our issues, and have we really learned our lesson from the past? Special guests this week are Zahra Bates of Courvoisier Cognac, Keli Rivers of Sipsmith Gin and Angry Staff Officer of the War Stories podcast.

Please SUBSCRIBE and RATE the show if you can. Join us every two weeks as we talk about history's favorite drinks and how what we drink shapes history. To see what's coming next follow Greg on instagram @100ProofGreg. #drinkinghistory

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Back Bar by becoming a member!

Back Bar is Powered by Simplecast.


 

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Byzantium And The Crusades - The Second Age of the Crusaders Episode 9 “The Fifth Crusade: Defeat Snatched from Victory”

The Fifth Crusade is poised for victory in Egypt. But its final offensive ends in catastrophe. Find out what went wrong in this episode.

Please take a look at my website nickholmesauthor.com where you can download a free copy of The Byzantine World War, my book that describes the origins of the First Crusade.

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Curious City - How Bagels Got To Chicago And Where To Eat Them

Curious City reporter Monica Eng and editor Alexandra Salomon try to help one listener who claims NY has better bagels find some good ones in Chicago. Plus, we trace the local history of the donut-shaped bread: From its arrival in the U.S. with Jewish immigrants to mass production to a renaissance of local artisanal bakers who have gone back to the traditional way of making them.