North Carolina Triad Beer
A History
Part of the American Palate series
Now centered on Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point, the Triad was home to one of North Carolina's earliest brewery operations in the Moravian community of Bethabara. Easy access by rail and then highways attracted national breweries, and starting in the 1960s, the region began producing beer for companies like Miller and Schlitz. The passage of the "Pop the Cap" legislation led to an explosion of craft beer and brewpubs, and in 2019, three of the top five producing craft breweries in North Carolina were anchored in the area. Local beer historians Richard Cox, David Gwynn and Erin Lawrimore narrate the history of the Triad brewing industry, from early Moravian communities to the operators of nineteenth-century saloons and from Big Beer factories to modern craft breweries.
Classic Restaurants of Des Moines and Their Recipes
by Darcy Dougherty Maulsby
Part of the American Palate series
With Italian steakhouses, the Younkers Tea Room and Stella's Blue Sky Diner, Des Moines's culinary history is tantalizingly diverse. It is filled with colorful characters like bootlegger/"millionaire bus boy" Babe Bisignano, a buxom bar owner named Ruthie and future president of the United States Ronald Reagan. The savory details reveal deeper stories of race relations, women's rights, Iowa caucus politics, the arts, immigration and assimilation. Don't be surprised if you experience sudden cravings for Steak de Burgo, fried pork tenderloin sandwiches and chocolate ambrosia pie, à la Bishop's Buffet. Author Darcy Dougherty Maulsby serves up a feast of Des Moines classics mixed with Iowa history, complete with iconic recipes.
Central Minnesota Beer
A History
Part of the American Palate series
German immigrants settling in Central Minnesota in the early 1800s built a thriving brewing culture. While Prohibition destroyed these early beer empires--like the St. Cloud Brewing Company and New Munich's Pitzl Brewing--the Cold Spring Brewing Company survived various reincarnations and financial crises to brew continually at the same spot since 1874. In recent years, the craft beer boom added medals and new chapters to a saga that includes Prohibition brawls, a New Deal project, the famous Billy Beer, Elvira's personal brand and a multistate brewpub chain. The rise of taproom culture throughout the region has given new identities to St. Cloud, St. Joseph, Annandale, Big Lake and more. Beer writer Jacob Laxen presents this definitive take on the region's rich brewing history.
Classic Restaurants of Evansville
Part of the American Palate series
Nestled in a horseshoe bend along the Ohio River, Evansville bestrides the border between the Mid-South and the Midwest. This location allowed the city to build a culinary tradition all its own. For generations, cherished eateries like Turoni's, House of Como and Hilltop Inn have served delicious and unique local fare like brain sandwiches, cracker-crisp thin crust pizza, Ski slushies, burgoo and more. In recent years, revitalized historic districts have housed cafés, coffeehouses and breweries that hearken back to Evansville's past even as they embrace the present and look to the future. Historian and University of Southern Indiana professor Kristalyn Shefveland explores the historic restaurants and contemporary legends that define two centuries of Evansville's food history.
Nevada Beer
An Intoxicating History
Part of the American Palate series
Nevada's population boomed in the 1800s, ignited by the rush to find gold and silver. Thousands of prospectors, many German immigrants, passed through the up-and-coming mining towns, and breweries popped up in their wake. As the mining slowly wound down, whole towns disappeared, and breweries struggled to survive in the Silver State. Carson Brewing Company was closed in 1948, Reno Brewing Company shut its doors in 1957 and it would be decades before craft brewers like Great Basin, Big Dog's and Revision brought local beer back into the spotlight. Join author Pat Evans as he dives into the rough-and-tumble history of beer making in the Battle Born State and looks ahead to its bright future.
Hamilton County Food
From Casual Grub to Gastropubs
Part of the American Palate series
The food scene in Hamilton County, Indiana, sprang from humble roots. Early restaurateurs made modest livings at mom-and-pop joints like Aunt Bea's Chicken in Noblesville and Brown's Drugstore in Carmel. Teen romances bloomed at the Blue Ribbon Dairy Drive-In and Burger Chef. Then Chef Dieter Puska's elegant eatery the Glass Chimney took dining to a whole new level. Local chefs carry on his legacy with new farm-to-table restaurants featuring ingredients from a multitude of growers and farmers' markets. The craft beer scene is booming, too, with exceptional breweries like Four Day Ray, Mashcraft, Books and Brews and Barley Island. Take a trip down memory lane and embark on a modern-day culinary adventure with local food writer Karen Kennedy as she presents the hardworking restaurant owners and culinary superstars who built and continue to grow Hamilton County's vibrant food culture.
Burlington Brewing
A History of Craft Beer in the Queen City
Part of the American Palate series
Burlington has welcomed local farms, breweries and distilleries with open arms. The Queen City fosters a unique culture around beer and farm-to-table cuisine. Daniel Standiford established the city's first brewery in 1880. Prohibition ushered in a dry era that remained for more than a century until Greg and Nancy Noonan fought the law and established Vermont Pub & Brewery in the late 1980s. Since then, breweries have popped up, from nationally recognized Magic Hat down to the city's first blendery, House of Fermentology. Authors Adam Krakowski and Jeff S. Baker II explore Burlington's sudsy history from early newspaper clippings to modern-day tastemakers, along with some delicious recipes.
Sacramento Beer
A Craft History
Part of the American Palate series
Historically speaking, Sacramento benefited from a gold rush, an agricultural boom and, more recently, a brewing renaissance. The region's craft beer scene exploded from six to more than sixty breweries in about a decade, and the roots of that culture stretch back more than a century. Before Prohibition, thousands of acres of local hops supplied brewers across the country. Local farms are once again taking advantage of the temperate climate. In 1958, the University of California-Davis started America's foremost brewing science program, producing some of California's top brewers. Rubicon's 1989 award-winning IPA was just the beginning for the current, innovative resurgence. Author Justin Chechourka explores the complexities and nuance of this fermenting heritage.
Akron Beer
A History of Brewing in the Rubber City
by Robert A. Musson, M. D.
Part of the American Palate series
Once known as the Rubber Capital of the World, Akron can also justifiably style itself a beer mecca. More than a century ago, brewers like Renner, Burkhardt and others vied for local supremacy. Although these forerunners disappeared, a beer renaissance blossomed in recent years, with today's craft purveyors serving up some of the nation's finest brews. Several of Thirsty Dog Brewery's beers have won awards, and Hoppin' Frog consistently ranks as one of the top one hundred breweries in the world. Rob Musson presents a chronological look at Akron beer from its origins along the Ohio & Erie Canal in 1845 to the present day, featuring one hundred vintage and contemporary images.
Twin Cities Beer
A Heady History
Part of the American Palate series
The Twin Cities witnessed a recent explosion of craft beer breweries and brewpubs, but the region's beer history reaches back generations. The Minneapolis Brewing Company introduced the iconic Grain Belt beer in 1893, and it remains a local favorite. Fur trapper and bootlegger Pierre "Pig's Eye" Parrant established a St. Paul tavern along the banks of the Mississippi River in the early 1800s. The area has been home to some of the best-known beer brands in America, from Hamm's and Schmidt's to Yoerg's and Olympia. Today, microbreweries such as Bad Weather Brewing, Summit Brewing and more than fifty others are forging new avenues. Join author Scott Carlson as he offers an intriguing history and guide to Twin Cities beer.
Southern Oregon Beer
A Pioneering History
Part of the American Palate series
The origin of brewing in southern Oregon is a lively tale of mid-nineteenth-century gold rushes, brawling German immigrants, irrepressible women and hometown pride. In the boomtown of Jacksonville, two pioneering brewers competed to quench the thirst of miners and ranchers, and soon breweries began popping up elsewhere. But as railroads spread across the West, they brought rival beer brands with them, and the onset of Prohibition stifled the industry altogether. Yet resourceful Oregonians continued to cultivate hops, and by the turn of the twenty-first century, small-town brewers like Caldera Brewing Company in Ashland and Climate City Brewery in Grants Pass were once again stepping into the spotlight. Author Phil Busse, longtime Oregon journalist, traces the pioneering spirit of southern Oregon's first brewers to today.
Lost Restaurants of the Outer Banks and Their Recipes
Part of the American Palate series
Anyone who has lived or vacationed on the Outer Banks has an old favorite restaurant. Hundreds have opened over many decades and then closed thanks to changing tastes and the vagaries of a seasonal business. Manteo locals loved Miss Esther's, and midcentury visitors came to stay at the Sea Ranch and sample Alice Sykes's famed crab bisque. Residents will remember quirky favorites like the Pit and Papagayo's. The Seafare, The Oasis and Kelly's were beloved by generations of families. Join Amy Pollard Gaw as she tells tales and presents classic recipes from gone but not forgotten spots.
New Orleans Rum
A Decadent History
Part of the American Palate series
Like a drunken Mardi Gras parade, the history of New Orleans lurches from electrifying highs to heart-rending lows. Through it all, good drink was a constant--especially rum. The victory at the Battle of New Orleans was sealed with a barrel of rum, and a half-hearted implementation of Prohibition a century later certainly didn't dampen the city's spirits. From priests making tafia to modern delights like Old New Orleans and Bayou, rum has always been an integral part of the funky, sultry, crazy story of the Crescent City. Longtime historian and writer Mikko Macchione presents a witty and informative history of the city and its love affair with the sweetest of liquors. Mix yourself a Hurricane and see New Orleans through a glass of rum.
Distilled in Vermont
A History & Guide with Cocktail Recipes
Part of the American Palate series
Vermont is known as a center of contemporary craft food and beverage production, and the distilled spirits industry is no exception. From a handful of ambitious entrepreneurs a decade ago, the state now boasts more than fifteen distilleries and growing. But getting a product from concept to glass involves more than just trial and error. The ingredients, production processes and marketing techniques are as varied as the distilleries themselves. From SILO Distillery in Windsor to Stonecutter Spirits in Middlebury, each producer reveals its stories as it recounts the trials and tribulations of distilling in the Green Mountain State. Join author and distiller Chris Maggiolo as he reveals the unique and complex journey of taking a product idea to market in a state known for its innovation.
Gottlieb's Bakery
Savannah's Sweetest Tradition
Part of the American Palate series
In 1884, in the basement of a building on the corner of York and Jefferson Streets, something miraculous was happening. Jewish Russian immigrant Isadore Gottlieb had built a bakery that would soon be renowned in Savannah for every tasty morsel pulled from its busy oven, creating the perfect combination of southern and Jewish delicacies. Goods were delivered to citizens and stores by cart, pulled by a horse that knew every stop along the way, cementing the bakery's reputation as a true neighborhood operation. From shiny, egg-brushed challah to Sister Sadie's hazelnut cake to the ever-popular chocolate chewies, customers would crowd the store for a single irresistible bite. Join the next generation of Gottliebs as they recount the heartwarming stories and recipes that forever preserve the bakery's place in Savannah's history.
Richmond Beer
A History of Brewing in the River City
Part of the American Palate series
The story of beer and brewing in Richmond is a reflection of the well-documented and revered place the River City holds in the nation's history. English colonists imbibed together on the banks of the James River. During the Civil War, a brewery was adjacent to a hospital. Beyond historical brews such as the Krueger Brewing Company and Richbrau beer, Richmond is no stranger to the vibrant craft beer culture thriving across the nation. Area brewers, including Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, Legend Brewing Company, Midnight Brewery and Strangeways Brewing, make Richmond a beer lover's paradise. Grab a pint and join author and beer columnist Lee Graves as he recounts the frothy history of Richmond beer.
Vermont Beer
History of a Brewing Revolution
Part of the American Palate series
Vermonters love all things local, so it is no surprise that the Green Mountain State has had a thriving craft beer scene for more than twenty years. Early Vermont brewers, though, faced many obstacles in bringing their beer to the thirsty masses, including a state-imposed prohibition beginning in 1852. Conditions remained unfavorable until Greg Noonan championed brewing legislation that opened the door for breweries and brewpubs in the 1980s. About the same time, beloved Catamount also began brewing, and Vermont's craft beer scene exploded. Years ahead of the rest of the country, local favorites like Hill Farmstead, Long Trail and Rock Art Brewing have provided world-class beers to grateful patrons. From small upstarts to well-recognized national brands like Magic Hat and Harpoon, Vermont boasts more breweries per capita than any other state in the country. With brewer interviews and historic recipes included here, discover the sudsy story of beer in Vermont.
Buffalo Beer
The History of Brewing in the Nickel City
Part of the American Palate series
Buffalo's appreciation for a frosty pint stretches back more than a century before anyone enjoyed a cold one with a basket of wings. By the middle of the 1800s, the industrial hub counted malt and beer among its most vital and satisfying products. Operations like Simon Pure Beer, Iroquois Beverage and the Magnus Beck Brewing Company brought Buffalo's world-class ales to the rest of the country. Prohibition saw a thriving business in black market hooch, though it all but killed the city's historic breweries. A few survivors struggled to recover. Today, a new batch of breweries like Community Beer Works and Big Ditch Brewing Company are crafting a beer revolution in the Queen City. Historian Michael Rizzo and brewer Ethan Cox explore the sudsy story of Buffalo beer.
Trailer Food Diaries Cookbook: Austin Edition, Volume 3
Part of the American Palate series
In the past few years, Austin has grown--and its appetite has kept up Tiffany Harelik, Austin's resident food truck ambassador and cookbook author, digs into her hometown's vibrant food truck scene for a third helping of local recipes. Meet the chefs behind the trucks and their sweet and savory specialties while gaining an insider's view of local recommendations. From basil spritzers and mint limeades to lomo saltado, chicken in mushroom-caper cream sauce and fried strawberries and everything in between, the recipes within are certain to inspire.
Southeast Louisiana Food
A Seasoned Tradition
Part of the American Palate series
The cuisine of Southeast Louisiana is informed by a unique landscape. Defined by water--Vermillion Bay to the west, marshlands to the east, the Mississippi River to the north and the Gulf Coast to the south--the scenery transitions from verdant swamps to open seas stocked with diverse wildlife. The indigenous Cajun cuisine is a cultural blend three centuries in the making, with traces of American Indian, French, German, Italian and African heritage. To feed themselves and bourgeoning markets, locals built formidable aquaculture empires. Eventually, the area became less isolated, offering more opportunity while threatening traditions. With interviews and family recipes, authors Addie K. and Jeremy Martin present the history behind this enchanting culinary tradition.
The Austin Food Blogger Alliance Cookbook
by The Austin Food Blogger Alliance
Part of the American Palate series
As food communities around the world reinvented themselves through social media, some of the savviest online taste buds of one noted food capital banded together in 2010 to form the Austin Food Blogger Alliance. Through their blogs--and now their first-ever cookbook--these culinary enthusiasts share images of favorite dishes, stories of life in Texas and, of course, recipes. From Persian stew to Czech kolaches, Greek phyllo wraps and good old Texas sheet cake, each dish illustrates the diversity of the city and tempts even the most discerning of palates.
The Rise of Napa Valley Wineries
How the Judgment of Paris Put California Wine on the Map
Part of the American Palate series
A wine country odyssey.
In 1976, the picturesque, agrarian Napa Valley was all but unknown to those who didn't live there. That changed dramatically when Steven Spurrier and Patricia Gallagher decided to host a blind tasting of American and French wines in Paris. When wines from California defeated those of France, the world was shocked, an industry reawakened, and Napa Valley exploded in a frenzy of growth and development. Families who had farmed for generations battled to hang onto their land, and many paid a steep price as the area transformed into one of the world's premier wine-growing regions.
Join author Mark Gudgel as he explores the trials and tribulations of Napa's meteoric rise to prominence.
Distilled in Boston
A History & Guide with Cocktail Recipes
Part of the American Palate series
Boston has a long history with distilled spirits, from Colonial times through Prohibition. More recently, there has been a resurgence in the craft distilling industry from Cape Ann to Cape Cod. Regional standouts such as Boston Harbor Distillery, Bully Boy Distillers and Short Path Distillery have opened up a new era, with more than a dozen new businesses now on the scene. The ingredients, production processes and marketing techniques are as varied as the beverages themselves. Join author Zack Lamothe as he reveals the backstory of the popular craft spirit movement in the greater Boston area.
A History of Howard Johnson's
How a Massachusetts Soda Fountain Became an American Icon
by Anthony Mitchell Sammarco
Part of the American Palate series
The iconic restaurant chain that defined Americana by introducing twenty-eight flavors of ice cream, "tendersweet" clam strips, grilled "frankforts," and more. Popularly known as the "Father of the Franchise Industry," Howard Johnson delivered good food and fair prices-a winning combination that brought appreciative customers back for more. The attractive white Colonial Revival restaurants, with eye-catching porcelain tile roofs, illuminated cupolas, and sea blue shutters, were described in Reader's Digest in 1949 as the epitome of "eating places that look like New England town meeting houses dressed up for Sunday." Learn how Johnson created an orange-roofed empire of ice cream stands and restaurants that stretched from Maine to Florida . . . then all the way across the country.
Trailer Food Diaries Cookbook: Austin Edition, Volume 2
Part of the American Palate series
Austin isn't just the live music capital of the world; it's the trailer food capital of the world too. Tiffany Harelik, Austin's own Trailer Food Queen, offers a road map to exploring "trailer food" within the setting of her hometown's rebel charm. Meet the chefs bringing nostalgia to the al fresco experience as they share their favorite recipes from around the globe. No matter what part of town you are in, and no matter what you are craving, these chefs have you covered with banh mi sliders, avocado sorbets, smoothies, sandwiches, supper, sweets and everything in between.
Prohibition In Sacramento
Moralizers & Bootleggers in the Wettest City in the Nation
Part of the American Palate series
Sacramento's open opposition to Prohibition and ties to rumrunning up and down the California coast caused some to label the capital the wettest city in the nation. The era from World War I until the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment brought Sacramento storied institutions like Mather Field and delightful surprises like a thriving film industry, but it wasn't all pretty. The Ku Klux Klan, ethnic immigrant hatred and open hostility toward Catholics and Jews were dark chapters in the Prohibition era as Sacramento began to shape its modern identity. Join historian Annette Kassis on an exploration of this wet--and dry--snapshot of the River City.
Over-The-Rhine
When Beer Was King
Part of the American Palate series
Over-the-Rhine is a place where a building owner can stumble upon huge caverns underneath a basement floor or find long-forgotten tunnels that travel far below city streets. Its present mysteries are attributable to a past that transcends the common story of how cities change over time: it is the story of how a clash between immigrants and "real Americans" helped rob Cincinnati of its image, its soul and its economy. In the 1870s, OTR was comparable to the cultural hearts of Paris and Vienna. By the turn of the last century, the neighborhood was home to roughly three hundred saloons and had over a dozen breweries within or adjacent to its borders. It was beloved by countless citizens and travelers for the exact reasons that others successfully sought to destroy it. This is the story of how the heart of the "Paris of America" became a time capsule.
Idaho Beer
From Grain to Glass in the Gem State
Part of the American Palate series
In a state famous for producing great potatoes, it's easy to forget about Idaho's barley and hops. Few states can boast the quality barley grown in southern and eastern Idaho or the aromatic hops grown in Treasure Valley. These crops combine to create a beer that is distinctly Idaho--a taste of home. Join author Steve Koonce as he surveys the best brewers from across the state. Koonce tracks the state's storied brewing heritage and offers an in-depth look at Idaho's vibrant modern beer scene. With more than twenty breweries statewide, there's so much to see, and taste, in Idaho. Enjoy a refreshing guide to the best brew the state has on tap.
New Mexico Wine
An Enchanting History
Part of the American Palate series
Every vine has a story, and nearly four hundred years ago, New Mexico's wine journey began when the first Mission grapes were planted in 1629. Taste this rich legacy, the oldest in the United States, in Donna Blake Birchell's account of the turmoil and triumph that shaped today's burgeoning industry. Despite greedy Spanish monarchs, prim teetotalers and the one-hundred-year flood's gift of root rot and alkaline deposits, New Mexico winemakers continue to harvest the fruits of sun-soaked volcanic soils and clear skies, blending their family stories with the vines and traditions of the Old World. Raise a toast and join Birchell on the trail of New Mexico's enchanted wines as she explores the heritage of more than fifty wineries in four distinct wine-growing regions.
Quad Cities Beer
A History
Part of the American Palate series
The Quad Cities have a rich history of brewing that started with the influx of German citizens in the 1800s. Breweries were established on both sides of the Mississippi River. Some of these historic breweries managed to reopen after Prohibition, but national competition ultimately closed the last of these stalwarts in 1956. In 1989, Iowa created a special class "A" brewpub permit, and the first of many brewpubs in the area, Front Street Pub & Eatery, opened in 1992. Blue Cat Brew Pub, on the Illinois side of the river, opened shortly after. The brewing renaissance has helped to establish the Quad Cities as a craft beer destination. Join authors Michael McCarty and Kristin DeMarr as they celebrate the heady heritage of the region.
Houston Beer
A Heady History of Brewing in the Bayou City
Part of the American Palate series
From the early days, and long before Americans had ever heard the term "craft beer," settlers in the Bayou City excelled in the art of ales, stouts and lagers. In 1913, it was a Houston brewery that claimed the distinction of "the world's finest bottled beer" after winning an international competition in Belgium. The unfortunate rise of Prohibition put the industry on hold, but recent years have seen a strong resurgence. At the beginning of 2008, Saint Arnold Brewing Company was the only craft brewery in Houston. Just a few years later, there are five and counting within an hour's drive of downtown. Journalist and "Beer, TX" blogger Ronnie Crocker chronicles Houston's long and surprising history of brewing, tracing everything from the grand legacy of Anheuser-Busch to the up-and-coming craft beer makers and those brewing it right at home.
Maryland Wine
A Full-Bodied History
Part of the American Palate series
The roots of Maryland winemaking are surprisingly deep. The state's first known vines were planted in 1648, and a later Marylander, John Adlum, established his place as the father of American viticulture. In the twentieth century, post-Prohibition pioneers like Philip Wagner and Ham Mowbray nurtured a new crop of daring and innovative winemakers who have made the state an up-and-coming wine region. Author Regina Mc Carthy travels through the red tobacco barns of southern Maryland and the breezy vineyards of the Eastern Shore all the way to the Piedmont Plateau and the cool mountain cellars of the west in search of the state's finest wines and their stories. Join Mc Carthy as she traces over 350 years of the remarkable and robust history of Maryland wines.
New Jersey Wine
A Remarkable History
Part of the American Palate series
The finely aged story of New Jersey wine is older than the United States itself. As early as 1767, the colony's wines were garnering awards from London's Royal Society of the Arts. The vineyards continued to grow through some of the country's most turbulent times. In 1864, at the height of the Civil War, Renault Winery was founded, and it continues to operate today. While Prohibition nearly destroyed the industry, in 1933, the founding of Tomasello's Winery in Hammonton helped revive it. In 1980, only seven wineries were in operation, but by 2011, the state boasted over thirty-four - many of which are winning awards in some of the world's most respected wine competitions. So grab a glass and join winemaking expert Sal Westrich as he tracks the history of New Jersey wine, accompanied by photos by John Muth.
Charlotte Beer
A History of Brewing in the Queen City
Part of the American Palate series
Charlotte has entered a golden age of craft brewing, and while this fermented frenzy may feel altogether new, it evokes a forgotten heritage that dates back to colonial days. Beginning with Captain James Jack, whose tavern was a Patriot haven burned by the British during the Revolution, local beer writer Daniel Hartis follows a frothy trail through the highs and lows of this sudsy story. Grab a pint and discover how Prohibition took hold of Charlotteans. Ruminate over odes to beer by the Brew Pub Poets Society, and sample the personality and spirit on tap today around the Queen City.
Hoosier Beer
Tapping into Indiana Brewing History
Part of the American Palate series
Crack open a bottle of Champagne Velvet and dive into the first complete history of brewing in Indiana, where the beer history is as old as the state itself. More than three hundred breweries have churned out the good stuff for thirsty Hoosiers, and this city-by-city guide gives readers a sample of every spot, allowing time to savor the flavor while sharing the hidden aspects, like the brave and hearty brewers who assisted the Underground Railroad and survived Prohibition. The unmistakable Hoosier personality and spirit shine in the classic labels and advertisements, many of which are displayed here in vibrant color. Join Indiana beer enthusiasts Bob Ostrander and Derrick Morris of hoosierbeerstory.com on a pub crawl through this state's proud beer history.
A History of North Carolina Wine
From Scuppernong to Syrah
Part of the American Palate series
Take a journey through the long and exciting history of North Carolina grapes and vines. The state's native grapes grew with a wild abandon that uniformly impressed early explorers. Wine production, however, is another story--one with peaks and valleys and switchbacks. Alexia Jones Helsley recounts a tale of promise that was long unfulfilled, of disappointments and success and of competing visions and grapes. These pages speak to those intrigued by the romance of the native muscadines, appreciative of the complex varieties of North Carolina wine and fascinated by the enduring drama of human beings and their dreams. In the Old North State, the highly acclaimed vineyards of today have deep roots in the state's past.
Distilled in Washington
A History
Part of the American Palate series
Stories to Savor
Washington has a tortured history with liquor. Efforts to ban or restrict it date back to1854, before the region even attained statehood, with blue laws remaining on the books well into the twentieth century. From Jimmie Durkin, an enterprising saloon owner, to Roy Olmstead, a former Seattle cop turned gentleman bootlegger, the business of liquor has inspired both trouble and innovation.
Join author and journalist Becky Garrison as she traces the history of the barrel and the bottle from early settlement to the modern craft distilling boom in the Evergreen State.
A History of Philadelphia Sandwiches
Steaks, Hoagies, Iconic Eateries & More
Part of the American Palate series
Take a Bite of Philadelphia's Storied Sandwich History
Philadelphia boasts some of the most delicious original sandwiches and passionate sandwich aficionados. From the classic cheesesteak to the delectable roast pork, the city's cultural and ethnic diversity has resulted in many of America's most established meals between bread. Join author and bona fide sandwich obsessive Mike Madaio as he journeys through the history and eateries behind Philadelphia's most iconic sandwiches and discovers some unsung heroes along the way.
Michigan Beer
A Heady History
Part of the American Palate series
Michigan's beer history is as diverse as the breweries themselves, and the stories behind them are as fascinating as their tasty concoctions. A few enterprising women found themselves at the forefront of early brewing in the state, and several early Detroit brewers also served as mayor. Pfeiffer's mascot was designed by Walt Disney Studios. Jackson's Eberle Brewing Company took its fight against local prohibition all the way to the Supreme Court, and the Silver Foam trademark embroiled disputants in a different legal fight. Renowned modern craft brewers grew from humble beginnings, often staving off financial disaster, to establish themselves as local, or even national, juggernauts. Grab your favorite brew and join author Patti F. Smith for a look at Michigan's distant brewing past and its recent triumphs.
A Culinary Tour Through Alabama History
Part of the American Palate series
One of the surest ways to connect with the past is to sample what was on its plate. That's the goal with this gustatory journey through Alabama history. Sweetmeats with the governor's lonely, oft-depressed wife in 1832 Greensboro. Shrimp and crabmeat casserole at a long-departed preacher's house at the Gaines Ridge Dinner Club in Camden. Pimento cheese and tea with notes of cinnamon and citrus at the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion in Mobile. Poundcake from Georgia Gilmore's kitchen in Montgomery, where workaday freedom fighters and luminaries of the civil rights movement sought sustenance. Author Monica Tapper serves up a stick-to-your-ribs trek through Alabama history, providing classic recipes modified for the modern kitchen along the way.
Columbia Food
A History of Cuisine in the Famously Hot City
Part of the American Palate series
Eating is a pleasure in the South Carolina capital these days, thanks to chefs, farmers and artisanal purveyors who feed an insatiable hunger for anything fresh, local and delicious. Columbia offers a bounty for enthusiasts--places like the urban farm City Roots, the all-local farmers' market Soda City and the array of community supported agriculture options. For exquisite dining, the city's options are as variable as its influences. The locally focused menu at Terra, the intense and alluring ambiance at Rosso, the vegetarian-inspired fare at Rosewood's Market Deli and the flair of self-taught chef Ricky Mollohan give the city a unique palate. Grab a reservation with author Laura Aboyan as she details the delectable history of Columbia cuisine.
Grand Rapids Food
A Culinary Revolution
Part of the American Palate series
Grand Rapids' food scene is bursting with local flavor. Farmers, teachers, chefs and activists are taking back their foodways and serving up the fresh, healthful fruits of their labor. Author Lisa Rose Starner captures the essence of the growing food movement in Grand Rapids and the rugged individuals who are tilling the soil, growing food and launching successful food businesses while powering community change--one garden, one backyard, one block, one store, one plate of food, cup of coffee and mug of beer at a time.
Alaska Beer
Liquid Gold in the Land of the Midnight Sun
Part of the American Palate series
Alaska's fermented legacy retains the fiercely independent spirit that propelled the state's beer drinkers through the gold rush and sustained them through Prohibition. Today, craft brewers produce outstanding suds in some of the harshest and most remote locations on the planet. And while the beer scene in Alaska has roots that trace back to days when spirits had to have "medicinal, mechanical, and scientific purposes," the contemporary crop of breweries can thank industry pioneers like the Alaskan Brewing Company for staying on the cutting edge of beer-making technology. Join beer columnist and historian Bill Howell on an exploration through this hop-filled history of the Last Frontier.
North Alabama Beer
An Intoxicating History
Part of the American Palate series
North Alabama built its first commercial brewery in Huntsville in 1819, three months before the state joined the Union. Before Prohibition in 1915, the region was peppered with numerous saloons, taverns and dance halls. Locals still found ways to get their booze during Prohibition using Tennessee River steamboats and secret tunnels for smuggling. Alabama re-legalized beer in 1937, but it wasn't until 2004, when the grass-roots organization Free the Hops took on the state's harsh beer laws, that the craft beer scene really began to flourish. Authors Sarah B'Langer and Kamara Bowling Davis trace the history of beer in North Alabama from the early saloon days to the craft beer explosion.
PEZ
From Austrian Invention to American Icon
Part of the American Palate series
PEZ is an American classic and a staple of many childhood memories. Yet it originated in Austria, where PEZ began in 1927 as compressed peppermint tablets marketed as an alternative to smoking. Upon arrival in the United States in 1952, PEZ quickly took a new direction, adding fruit flavors and three-dimensional character heads to top the dispensers. Now produced in Orange, Connecticut, the iconic PEZ brand is available in over eighty countries, selling more than sixty-five million dispensers annually and inspiring collectors and fans worldwide. Join the world's first and only official PEZ historian, Shawn Peterson, on a journey of sweet proportions for an inside look at the world's most cherished interactive candy.
A History of Howard Johnson's
How a Massachusetts Soda Fountain Became an American Icon
by Anthony Mitchell Sammarco
Part of the American Palate series
Howard Johnson created an orange-roofed empire of ice cream stands and restaurants that stretched from Maine to Florida and all the way to the West Coast. Popularly known as the "Father of the Franchise Industry," Johnson delivered good food and prices that brought appreciative customers back for more. The attractive white Colonial Revival restaurants, with eye-catching porcelain tile roofs, illuminated cupolas and sea blue shutters, were described in "Reader's Digest" in 1949 as the epitome of "eating places that look like New England town meeting houses dressed up for Sunday." Boston historian and author Anthony M. Sammarco recounts how Howard Johnson introduced twenty-eight flavors of ice cream, the "Tendersweet" clam strips, grilled frankforts and a menu of delicious and traditional foods that families eagerly enjoyed when they traveled.
Western North Carolina Beer
A Mountain Brew History
Part of the American Palate series
Over the past two hundred years, Western North Carolina has evolved from a mountainous frontier known for illicit moonshine production into a renowned destination for craft beer. Follow its story from the wild days of saloons and the first breweries of the 1870s through one of the longest Prohibitions in the nation. Eventually, a few bold entrepreneurs started the first modern breweries in Asheville, and formerly dry towns and counties throughout the region started to embrace the industry. The business of beer attracts jobs, tourists and dollars, as well as mixed emotions, legal conundrums and entrepreneurial challenges. Join award-winning beer writer Anne Fitten Glenn as she narrates the storied history of brewing in Western North Carolina.
Lost Restaurants of Walla Walla
Part of the American Palate series
Dining in Walla Walla blossomed from an influx of mining transplants in the late 1800s. Within decades, a roadhouse called the Oasis boasted a seventy-two-ounce slab of beef, and the old Pastime Café opened at 5:30 a.m. with white toast and whiskey for breakfast. In the early 1950s, Ysidro Berrones opened one of the valley's first Mexican restaurants, the El Sombrero Tortilla Factory and Café. Owner of Denney's Hi-Spot for two decades, Joe Denney also satisfied locals with his morning crooning to piano on KTEL. Native and local wine writer Catie McIntyre Walker celebrates this rich heritage with decades of departed, beloved establishments and the people behind them.