On The Road And Not At Home -- Or On The Blog

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My neglect of the blog isn't intentional. It's just that, well, I'm not here. I've been traveling more than usual (mostly research-related) and I don't own a "wired" device that I could or would use while on the road. So for the moment -- a "moment" that will stretch into June -- I won't be home much, and therefore don't have access to a computer (or to much free time). Translation: I won't be blogging until I'm back home.

Three Pals In the News

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I've been on the road doing a speaking gig and am just now catching up on what's up with the rest of the world, including news about three people I know (and like):

Gilbert King, one of the most decent humans I know, had an op-ed piece in yesterday's New York Times. It relates to the topic of his new book. When he's not busy writing books, he's a professional photographer. (And a husband and dad. Totally unclear to me how he finds the time for all of this. Does he ever sleep?) (Plus, and yes I'm shallow, he's horrifyingly good looking.)

Second, the totally swell Jim Arndorfer is the subject of a front-page feature piece in today's Wall Street Journal. The paper's website is suffering serious Wierd Issues at the moment (it keeps freezing), so I'll simplify things by posting a link to Jim's blog, where's he's posted a workable link to the piece. It's the entry titled "WSJ Covers Beer Blog." Again, I'd send you straight the WSJ piece itself, but their site is suffering serious wonkiness at the moment. [SEE NOTE BELOW]

Finally, I learn that the inimitable Charlie Papazian has taken up blogging. (Charlie! I beg you. Stop now while you can.) Charlie is the most calm guy I know. He's verrrrrrrry caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalm. When I'm around him, I land in the caaaaaaaaaaaaalm zone. (Thanks to Stan for this tip about Charlie's blog.)

NOTE: Addition to original blog entry: Full disclosure. I know Jim only by phone and email. He's called me on numerous occasions to interview me for pieces he's working on for the Miller Brewing magazine titled "Brew." I have no other affiliation with Jim, the blog, the magazine, or Miller Brewing. I am never paid for my insight (such as it is) and I extend to him the same courtesy I show to all the newspaper/magazine reporters who call me on a regular basis: I share my knowledge of the brewing industry's history.

More on Taxes, Beer, and Neo-Prohibitionism

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Amy Mittelman has followed up on the issues and politics of the proposed California beer tax hike. You can read her blog entry here. (I think it's one of those blog format where the entries don't have separate urls, so it's the entry for April 21 titled, appropriately enough, "Fat Taxes.")

As is often the case, tip 'o the mug to David Fahey at the Alcohol and Drugs History society website.

Happy Birthday, Anchor Liberty Ale*

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Anchor Liberty Ale is one of my favorite beers -- and the guy who makes it, Fritz Maytag, is one of my favorite people. (Well, okay, Fritz's brewers actually MAKE the beer.... but let's not quibble...)

And today is Liberty's 33rd birthday (thanks for the tip, Jay.) Fritz is one of those people who knows, and enjoys, history (probably one reason I like the guy so much), and he released the beer on this date because it's the anniversary of Paul Revere's famous (albeit misreported) ride.**

So, here's to Paul Revere, to Fritz, to Liberty Ale -- and to liberty itself, which I hope you all "revere" as much as I do. Without it, we're nothing.

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* Whoops! Original title made it sound like it was Anchor's b-day. It's not... Got so carried away that I lost my typing-train-of-thought. ** Another addition to the original blog entry. If you're interested in a marvelous, thorough take on Revere and his ride, read David Hackett Fischer's book Paul Revere's Ride. Fischer is a terrific historian and one who can, gasp, communicate with a general audience.

We're Gonna Tax That Beer Right Outta Your Mouth....

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To be sung to the tune of "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair."

In the 1880s and 1890s, the prohibitionists attacked drinking in part by going after drinkers' wallets: raising tavern license fees, raising brewer' taxes, etc. Today's prohibs are still at it.

A thoughtful look at a Wisconsin attempt to control/reduce drinking by raising taxes is here at Amy Mittelman's blog. Amy wrote about the late 19th century relationship between the alcohol industry and federal tax policy in a terrific dissertation titled "The Politics of Alcohol Production." She's also the author of a book titled Brewing Battles.

And that reminded me of Jay Brooks's blog on the subject of of beer and taxes.. As always, he's got much to say on the subject, he being one of the staunchest defenders of our right to drink.

Thanks and a tip 'o the mug to David Fahey for alerting me to Amy's blog.