The Whiskey Rebels

We discuss the history of rum and the rebellion it inspired in colonial Australia, along with a long tangent on monetary theory that I swear is more interesting than it sounds. How did this sugary liquor first originate? How did it play a major role in a military coup in Australia? And why should you be stockpiling alcohol for the coming apocalypse?

We discuss the history and regulation of British beers. What's the difference between cask and keg beers? How does British regulation differ from other European countries like Germany? Did we just use this as an excuse to talk about our favorite bar?

In this joint episode with Greg Pulscher of Free to Brew, we talk about the modern state of alcohol policy in America, and what the past can teach us about the present. How have the affects of Prohibition carried forward into current policy? How do many alcohol regulations hurt the poorest the worst? And will we ever get tired of talking trash about Alexander Hamilton?

We discuss the history and regulation of French wine, and mangle lots of beautiful French words in the process. How did wine take on such a prominent place in French culture? How do French and EU regulations intertwine to make a complicated mess? And is there any drink-based problem Louis Pasteur can't solve?

We discuss how different religions from throughout history and around the world have viewed alcohol, both ceremonially and culturally. How have religious teachings on alcohol changed over time? Why was Christian support for Prohibition in America such a big break from past doctrine? And why is Josh so bad at pronouncing things?

We discuss absinthe, one of the more controversial liquors in history. While once popular among writers and artists, the drink, which is so strong it's usually served diluted and/or set on fire, has only recently started to regain popularity after a ban lasting roughly a century. Why was absinthe illegal in the US until just a few years ago? Does it really cause hallucinations? And is it basically just old timey Four Loko?

We discuss the development of whiskey, from the earliest origins of distillation to the modern variations around the world. How did King Henry VIII accidentally kickstart the whiskey industry? Does bourbon really come from Bourbon County? And how did something that tastes like a campfire become such a popular drink?

Dylan White joins the show to discuss the role of beer in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. How did beer help build the pyramids? Why do archaeologists think Egyptian beer contained some of the earliest antibiotics? And why does an ancient Mesopotamian beer goddess need guard dogs?

We discuss the Reinheitsgebot, the 500-year-old German law that, according to its supporters, is responsible for Germany's consistently high quality beer. Why does Germany enforce an extremely tight limit on what can legally be called beer? How is it impacting the German craft brewing scene? And how do you pronounce "Reinheitsgebot" anyway?

Today, we discuss Prohibition in America. How did the government impose a blanket ban on alcohol? Why was it such a disaster? And what does it have to do with the birth of NASCAR?