Program 201b: Beer In Europe, Irreverent Curiosity

Get in a festive mood, as Rick invites a few of his friends to compare the beer styles of Europe, and the cultures that go with them, on the next Travel with Rick Steves.

And writer David Farley tells us about an eccentric hill town, not far from Rome. It's home to a generation of bohemian residents, and one of the strangest mysteries in Italy — a centuries-old relic the Vatican would rather not talk about.

• Program #201B is a re-edit of a fun program that last aired in 2012. Thought we could all use a pint, after the stresses of these past couple of years!

• Tour guides Ferdi Menghi (Belgium), Roy Nicholls (England), Stephen McPhilemy (Ireland), and Dave Hoerline (USA/Denmark)
• David Farley, author of "An Irreverent Curiosity: In Search of the Church's Strangest Relic in Italy's Oddest Town" (Gotham Books/Penguin)

• Rick writes about the beers of Europe.
• The organization Roy cites in Britain that promotes microbreweries is called CAMRA, the "Campaign for Real Ale."
• David Farley's website includes a blog and links to his books and published travel articles.   
• David Farley wrote about Calcata, Italy for Transitions Abroad.
• The Vatican posts a virtual tour of the St. John Lateran church in Rome. 
• Information for visiting the Holy Stairs and Sanctum Sanctorum in Rome.

• "No one can make beer like the Europeans. It is naturally brewed, so there are no lasting after-effects, i.e., hangover.  In Germany women in the hospital after having a baby are given a local beer before they are discharged to get their system back in order. Now that's the way to have a baby!" (Mary in Ocean Springs, Mississippi)
• Caller backpacked with boyfriend through Europe and "we made sure to try at least one kind of beer in each country.  Ten countries later, I have come to some conclusions on which are my favorite beers." Found a beer in northern Poland she particularly enjoyed. (Ann in Elmwood Park, Illinois)
• Question about accessing European ingredients for American home brewers. (Carrie in Sioux City, Iowa)

• Nicola Conte, "Arabesque," ESL Soundtracks, Modular Systems / ESL
• Rodach, "Camping," Haus Am Meer (Seaside Home) / Traumton
• Glenn Graham, "Jig Jam," Stepoutside / Bowbeat Records
• Andre Ceccarelli, "I Will Wait For You (Je ne pourrai vivre sans toi - trio version)," Les Parapluies de Cherbourg (soundtrack) / Sony Music Entertainment (France)
• Monks of the New Camaldoni Hermitage, "Vespers 5," O Day of Resurrection / (self-released)
• New World Renaissance Band, "Pastime with Good Company (King Henry VIII)," The Renaissance Album (collection) / Windham Hill
• * Rolley Polley, "Blue Rumba,"  Cocktail Mix: Bachelor's Guide to the Galaxy (collection) / Rhino
• Don Baker Trio, "Dansero," Ultra-Lounge (collection) / Capitol
• Rosie Ledet, "Mo' Beer,"  Sweet Brown Sugar / Maison de Soul
• Diana Krall, "Frim-Fram Sauce," Disc Drive 2 with Jurgen Gothe (collection) / BMG
• Eleanor Kane, "Travelers," From Galway to Dublin: Early Recordings of Irish Traditional Music (collection) / Rounder
• Todd Snider, "Enjoy Yourself," East Nashville Skyline / Oh Boy Records
• Viola Witt, "Enjoy Yourself,"  Enjoy Yourself / Beck Studios
• The Philharmonia, John Wallace, trumpet, "Overture to 'Giardino di Rose' (Scarlatti)," Vivaldi Concerti and Baroque Trumpet Music / Nimbus Records
• * Steve Meisner Band, "Jump River Polka," Deep Polka: Dance Music from the Midwest (collection) / Smithsonian Folkways
• Prague Castle Orchestra, "Maly Myslivecek," Ta nase pisnicka ceska / Bua International (Czech)
• Ex Umbris, "Petit Riense," The Renaissance Album (collection) / Windham Hill
• Andy Narell, "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," The Bach Variations (compilation) / Windham Hill
• Rome Symphony Orchestra, "'Benedictus from 'Messa di gloria' (Pietro Mascagni)," Magnificat: A Musical Celebration of the Great Jubilee Year of the Year 2000 (various) / Amiata Records
• Leonardo di Amicis, "Ubi Caritas," Abbà Pater / Sony
• Rome Symphony Orchestra, "Abbi pieta di me (Stradella)," Magnificat: A Musical Celebration of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 / Amiata Records
• John Martyn, "Sweet Little Mystery," No Little Boy / Mesa
• Silicone Soul, "Right On, Right On," Claude Challe: Nirvana Lounge 2 (collection) / George V (France)

* indicates filler music used during breaks

• At 13:10 in segment A, Roy says small microbreweries are on the increase in England since the 1970s, "even in this economic climate."  He cites the organization CAMRA, the "Campaign for Real Ale."
• At 15:28 Stephen says everywhere in Ireland, except possibly Cork, is dominated by the corporate brewery Guinness, and that he believes Budweiser is now the best selling beer among younger Irish consumers.  At 16:38 Stephen adds that few Irish women actually drink Guiness.
• In a reset at 16:54, Rick notes that the segment is from the show archives.
• Caller Ann reports at 26:12 on a backpacking trip in Europe "two summers ago."
• At 34:00 Stephen says home brewing is not common in Ireland, and that the country is dominated by large corporate breweries. At 35:00 Dave adds that home brewing is done in some Scandinavian countries to combat the high prices.
• David Farley notes that you can still visit the Sancta Sanctorum in Rome at 46:24.  Rick adds that it's at the top of the Holy Steps that Helen brought back from Jerusalem, across the street from the St. John Lateran church. David adds that it costs two euros to view the relics, which include what is said to be a piece of the table where the Last Supper was held.