This is California Calling

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I had been assisting in writing a short hour-long radio show on KRXA AM 540. Not only developing topics to fit my cousin's format, but calling in and discussing some of said topics for a good portion of the radio show.

My cousin's main topics for the shows each week center around family, faith, fitness and personal finance. He sometimes talks about food, exercise, history and even a few current events and how they relate to the central topics of the show.

We also dig out a few quotes by literary and historical figures. Recently I've been finding ones by the same historical figures and have read them on air. We've been discussing over the past few weeks on whether or not to dedicate the entire hour to either of these important people since they seem to embody not only the main topics behind the radio show, but many ideas we now represent in our culture.

This week we are shooting to have the entire show about former president and all-around interesting man, Thomas Jefferson. Benjamin Franklin is another person we've contemplated talking about as well. The two are among the most interesting in American history, in my opinion. The show is every Wednesday on KRXA 540 and begins at 8 p.m. Pacific Standard time. That's 11 p.m. our time. I know it's late, but if you're not tired feel free to tune in.

This should be the link to stream the station live. I'll also try to fit in Jefferson's love for beer!

Thomas Jefferson and Beer

Photo via Wikipedia

As we continue on our journey through Yards Brewing's Ales of the Revolution sampler pack, our next look into beer history involves Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson is my favorite president in the wide history of our country (I know some of you are surprised that it's not Abraham Lincoln, knowing how much of a Civil War geek I am). Lincoln even thought of Jefferson as one of our most important political figures too!

Jefferson is famous for leading the Louisiana Purchase, which involved big and powerful government. Something that he was strongly against. in essence, he took a major step across the isle. In my opinion, it's one of America's boldest, yet moderate move in political history.

He was also known as bit of an eccentric, which makes him one of my favorite individuals in history as well. He hated his birthday, had somewhat of a clock obsession and even had his bed built into the middle of a wall. Monticello still remains as one of the top tourist attractions on the East Coast, today.

As Benjamin Franklin did, Jefferson actually preferred wine to beer. He actually didn't completely turn to beer until some point in his retirement when he actually ran out of wine and spirits. It was around this time that the War of 1812 was going on. So, embargoes and such meant that winos in the states had less and less of their favorite beverage. Jefferson's wife actually began brewing decades before he did (at least according to what I've read over the years).

Sometime in the early 1800's Jefferson had a beer cellar and brewing room built at Monticello in order to help him produce his beer at a bigger scale. Monticello.org has an entire section devoted to Jefferson and beer. This post simply just doesn't do it justice.

The Tavern Ale that I reviewed yesterday isn't the only Jefferson-related beer out there. Starr Hill Brewery teamed up with Monticello in making Monticello Reserve Ale. This beer is definitely on my list of beers to locate and try. It's a little different from the Tavern Ale recipe since corn and wheat are used in the malting process.

Beer Review: Thomas Jefferson's Tavern Ale

Serving Type: Bottle

ABV: Eight percent

Appearance: Thomas Jefferson's Tavern Ale pours a light copper and honey brown with a fair amount of orange hue elsewhere in the body. It also features a white head that's heavy at first, but settles down and leaves an appetizing and thin layer of foam. There's also plenty of ample lacing as you consume this brew. Altogether, this beer has a thick appearance to it and that's with the body being a lighter shade of copper/brown.

Smell: Initially, this beer smells very dark and toasty. I got a lot of caramel malt and toffee. In essence, it smells like this beer would be farther into dark spectrum given the strong notes I was taking in.

Taste: It's very strong on the front. The harshness was mostly due to the bitterness of the toffee and the strong hop character this beer had. The aftertaste is definitely pleasant, though. There's a subtle, yet sweet honey taste on the finish.

Overall Rating: 

Tavern Ale is very appetizing in terms of look and aroma. I just wasn't expecting the harshness in the taste. Just a little bit too strong in the toffee and hops department for my preferences. Still, this is an excellent beer choice for a history buff.