Theme Songs & Founding Fathers

And now the latest dispatch...

Theme Songs – Is it just me, or are theme songs for live sporting events and their pre-game broadcasts now ubiquitous? Monday Night Football and Hank Williams Jr.’s “All My Rowdy Friends,” is certainly the gold standard and thus, the target of much imitation. NBC’s Sunday Night Football features Pink in a low-cut dress singing to a Joan Jett tune. While that one is serviceable, more and more I see some random show featuring an “up and coming” band playing to a backdrop of assorted highlights. The problem? Most of the tunes are awful. They simply don’t match the tempo of the action. You need a heavy beat and the cuts of the band need to have a near circus / P.T. Barnum /showmanship feel to it. It must be spectacular in presentation. What’s the best one out there right now? ESPN College Gameday and Big and Rich’s “Coming to Your City.” It flat out rocks. Blends country with a hip-hop flare thanks to Cowboy Troy. No questions, hands down. It’s the gold standard for the genre. Many will imitate, but few, if any, will match “Coming to Your City” and college football.

Brewing – Fantastic show on History Channel the other night. Modern Marvels: Brewing. If you have any interest in beer, or our Founding Fathers, it’s well worth your time. Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, all brewers of beer. James Madison even proposed a national brewery. Yes, taxes going toward the brewing of this wonderful beverage. Just think if the government tried it nowadays, what great brand names and slogans the editorials would come up with. The new rallying cry for revolutionaries around the world could be “No taxation without fermentation!”

Other great stories from Modern Marvels: Brewing and a quick online search revealed Washington’s very own recipe for porter. Yes, soldiers fighting for our very independence brewed their own out in the field. Yards Brewing Company in Philadelphia actually brews and sells (if you’re ever in Philly, pick some up for me) an Ales of the Revolution selection.

Here’s a great question for you, which came first, beer or bread? Experts aren’t sure. In Ancient Mesopotamia beer was a way to preserve grain. There’s other wonderful history in the show too re: the Pilgrims, King Midas, Medieval monks in monasteries, imports, and microbrews. So next time you crack open an ale, lager, porter, or stout, give a toast to our Ancient brethren, our Founding Fathers, and brewers old and new. There’s history, health, and wisdom in every drop. Cheers!

Cigar – Recently tried the Padron 6000, a Nicaraguan Figurado. Rated one of the 50 best cigars by Cigar Aficionado. Earned a 91 rating. Fantastic if you’re giving yourself a treat, but too expensive to fill your humidor with. Personal choice for the price/taste equation is still the Belinda Black robusto. But for a special occasion, such as braving the lunacy of a shopping mall this time of year, the Padron is an excellent choice.