Farrah speaks to Dr. Patrick E. McGovern, the Scientific Director of the Biomolecular Archaeology Project for Cuisine, Fermented Beverages, and Health at the University of Pennsylvania Museum in Philadelphia. He's the author of many books including Ancient Wine: The Search for the Origins of Viniculture and Uncorking the Past: The Quest for Wine, B…

After a long hiatus, the podcast returns with the first episode of the long-awaited Season 3. This time, host Farrah Berrou is the interviewee and fellow writer, historian, and Twitter friend, N.A. Mansour, is the interviewer. They discuss the beginnings, the shifts, and the motivations behind the platform and podcast. Some work by N.A Mansour: Wha…

A Better Beirut have teamed up with MOSAIC for a special Arabic feature that highlights their advocacy work with the support of @actedlebanon & @sidc.lebanon that aims to raise awareness on s orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics as well as promote human rights and inclusion of LGBTQI+ communities in Lebanon.This episode was produced…

Farrah shares some updates on Season 3 (returning in October!). Plus, she reads an article from a 1970 issue of National Geographic Magazine titled, "Lebanon, Little Bible Land in the Crossfire of History" by William S. Ellis. Discuss the episode with listeners here. Subscribe B for Bacchus on Patreon…

Months after its release online, Farrah discusses the documentary Wine and War with Lebanese wine writer, Michael Karam, who was part of the project. The documentary tells the story of Lebanese wine "seen through the lens of war and instability." The Beirut Banyan with Michael Karam #230 Lebanon's 'Wine and War': An interview with filmmakers Mark J…

Samir and Farrah met with Omar Badr from Sawti, an initiative from Impact Lebanon. Sawti, or my voice/vote in Arabic, hopes to equip voters with the information needed for the upcoming elections.By Nicolas Dahan

Impact Lebanon is a non-profit grassroots organisation that raised millions to help Lebanon's recovery. Sibylle George, one of the co-founders, tells us the story of how it happened, what they are funding and what is next.By Nicolas Dahan

Back in July, Farrah had breakfast with Christiane Issa Nahas of Domaine des Tourelles. They discuss how one of the oldest Lebanese wineries was established by a French engineer, what it was like for her to work with her dad as the eldest and first of the 2nd generation to join the crew, AND who the artisans of Beit Chabeb are. L'Atelier du Miel Gr…

Over Zoom, Farrah speaks to Joseph and Marwan El Asmar about arak. Joseph, calling in from South Lebanon's Jezzine, is the author of The Milk of Lions, a book about the history of alcohol in the Middle East. Meanwhile, his son Marwan is based in NYC and continues his father's research on arak now that the book has been published. The second half of…

In this episode, Farrah chats with Joumana Medlej, a French-Lebanese artist based in London. They discuss Joumana's book, Inks & Paints of the Middle East, and whether or not she came across wine/grapes as an ingredient for such things. Joumana’s Illustrated Books Annals of the Caliph’s Kitchens by Nawal Nasrallah Folio from the Blue Qur’an Viticul…

After exactly one year since the launch of the podcast, we're back with Season 2! For the first episode, Farrah speaks to Dr. Helene Sader from the American University of Beirut about the Tell el Burak Archeological Project and the Phoenician wine press discovered there. Some references: 2,600-year-old wine 'factory' unearthed in Lebanon by Tom Met…

Farrah, Samir and Nico get together and talk about their experience after the blast. They talk about what the future could hold and vent about the daily realities of living in a post-blast Beirut.By Nicolas Dahan

A quick update from Farrah on the status of the podcast, Patreon, and the upcoming Season Two. Translation of "Li Beirut" taken from Why must every Lebanese generation endure violent chaos—and its aftermath? by Rania Abouzeid

On Tuesday, an explosion of 2750 TONS of ammonium nitrate shattered the entire country (and neighboring ones). Rhea, Marilyn, and Farrah had planned this crossover episode before the tragedy. Instead of rescheduling, they decided to talk about where they're heads are at 36 hours after the blasts. To donate: Lebanese Red Cross Impact Lebanon Arcenci…

JUST A DROP: Less than 10 minutes about a wine topic, some news, and updates. Once again, Farrah went a little over the 10-minute mark for this one. After stumbling upon 1924's lost silent film "WINE," Farrah investigated if there are any wine films from this side of the world and she visited Abboudi Abou Jaoude for some help. This is what she disc…

Bob, founder of theworldsucks has been filming good deeds being done in the hope to see them replicated. His videos went viral and got millions of views. He tells us about his experience and why he's doing it.https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXDY4M3ivJ3hJgTLe-sVaSwhttps://www.Instagram.com/theworldsucks.lbhttps://www.patreon.com/theworldsucks…

JUST A DROP: Less than 10 minutes about a wine topic, some news, and updates. This one's about the microbe that gives us so many of our favorite foods & drinks: Yeast. Farrah talks about the fermentation process and the significance of yeast in winemaking. Yeast Fermentation and the Making of Beer Synthetic Yeast & Designer Yeast Jancis Robinson's …

JUST A DROP: Less than 10 minutes about a wine topic, some news, and updates. Disclaimer - this one’s a little over 10 minutes but it’s worth it! In this short episode, Farrah goes over the origins of coffee and why it was called “the wine of the Arabs.” Support B for Bacchus on Patreon References: Hammam Radio Oxford Symposium on Food and Cookery …

JUST A DROP: Less than 10 minutes about a wine topic, some news, and updates. Back with another short episode this week on the story of Bacchus' wife, Ariadne, and the Corona Borealis. Support B for Bacchus on Patreon

RECORDED BEFORE CORONAVIRUS. Farrah speaks to Joe Saade of Terre Joie, the home of vineyards that sit on the vertex of 3 tectonic plates in the Bekaa Valley. From Saddam Hussein to Amal Clooney, this episode is jam-packed with info on what makes the wines of Lebanon so special and what needs to be done so people all around the world know that. Joe'…

JUST A DROP: Less than 10 minutes about a wine topic, some news, and updates. The Levant Fault System, or the Dead Sea Transform, is a network of fault lines that lie under and through Lebanon. The 3 main ones have caused catastrophic earthquakes in the past but they also gave Lebanon rich topography and soils great for grape-growing. Farrah talks …

RECORDED BEFORE CORONAVIRUS. Elie Maamari, export manager of Chateau Ksara, Lebanon’s oldest and largest winery, talks to Farrah about his 40-year career in wine. From winemaker to pushing Ksara wines abroad, they discuss making wine during the war, opportunities in the market, and memories of the Ksara Observatory. WSJ: A Winery Survives in Lebano…

Guillaume Credoz, our guest, is the founder of Bits to Atoms and Beirut Makers. He's an architect, designer and lecturer. We talk design.www.bitstoatoms.xyz@beirutmakers@bitstoatoms.xyzBy Nicolas Dahan

JUST A DROP: Less than 10 minutes about a wine topic, some news, and updates. Obeidy (also spelled Obaideh, Obeideh, Obeidi - you get the point) and Merwah are two indigenous white grapes of Lebanon but how do they differ? Farrah breaks it down in a short clip. Phylloxera makes a cameo too.

Farrah talks to Alia Fares, a German-Lebanese archaeologist & tour guide who’s very, very familiar with the ancient UNESCO World Heritage Site of Baalbeck, home to the Temple of Bacchus. Alia breaks down the architecture and historical significance of the temple complex and the city itself. German Archeological Institute The Myth of the Megalith - …

We're back with Alex Rowell again for a bonus clip on Abu Nuwas' work and whether or not he ever wrote about Lebanon. In this short episode, we talk about Al Ferzol, the Mu'allaqat, and how wine descriptors have evolved.

Joseph Bechara from the Lebanon Reforestation Initiative talks to us about their work helping communities manage their forest.www.lri-lb.orgBy Nicolas Dahan

Our first episode of 2020 is with Alex Rowell, author of Vintage Humor: The Islamic Wine Poetry of Abu Nuwas. Farrah talks to Alex about who Abu Nuwas was and what his poetry meant to Arabic literature, Islam, and wine. Don't miss the announcements at the end. Encyclopedia Britannica: Arabic Literature The Trip Podcast…

Mounia Akl, film director and writer, tells us her story. From a home made video on YouTube that went viral to major international success, Mounia explains her life's decisions and relationship with Lebanon.http://www.mouniaakl.com/Instagram: @mounia.aklBy Nicolas Dahan

SPECIAL NYE RELEASE: Today marks the 5th anniversary of Serge Hochar’s passing. This episode is dedicated to the wine legend. Farrah speaks to his son, Marc Hochar, about the philosophy of Chateau Musar and what it means to believe. GQ: A Wine Worth Fighting For Decanter: Remembering Serge NYTimes: Eric Asimov on Chateau Musar…

Marwan Zouein is the architect behind the renovation of the Massad stairs at the beginning of Mar Mikhael. Marwan explains the importance of public spaces and why renovating stairs can be more tricky than it seems.By Nicolas Dahan

For a special Christmas release, B for Bacchus leaves Lebanon for the first time and talks to Fadi Batarseh of Cremisan, a West Bank winery near Bethlehem. Farrah asks Fadi about his thesis on the area’s indigenous grapes and what it’s like to be part of the first winery in Palestine. Grapevine training & pruning, illustrated Haaretz 2014 article: …

Part 2 of 2 episodes where Farrah talks to brother-sister duos from two Bekaa Valley wineries. In both episodes/wineries, the older sister handles marketing & sales while the younger brother is in charge of winemaking. They've got a lot in common but the main similarity for both teams is that they came back to Lebanon for one thing: to build a wine…

Part 1 of 2 episodes where Farrah talks to brother-sister duos from two Bekaa Valley wineries. In both episodes/wineries, the older sister handles marketing & sales while the younger brother is in charge of winemaking. They've got a lot in common but the main similarity for both teams is that they came back to Lebanon for one thing: to build a wine…

Badri Meouchi, president of the Lebanese Transparency Association, talks to us about corruption in the country and how the association is fighting it.Helpline: 03/868303http://www.transparency-lebanon.org/By Nicolas Dahan

A special 3-in-1 this time around: Thouraya Karam of Karam Wines, Joanna Gerges of Chateau Cana, and Andrea Geara of Aurora Winery. Each of these three young women represents a family-run winery in a different region of Lebanon and they are each important members of their wineries' 2nd generation. Over a bottle of Karam's Arcenciel rosé, the ladies…

Maher Harb, the winemaker at the young Sept Winery in the small Batroun village of Nahla, is the only biodynamic winemaker in Lebanon. Farrah talks to him to find out what that means and what it took to start Sept, a project that's a tribute to his late father. Sept Winery Sept on Instagram

Samer Makarem, member of Muwatin Lebnene, tells us about the movement that cleaned up after the protests and their later developments.https://www.instagram.com/muwatinlebnene/By Nicolas Dahan

Mira Abdel Malak is part of a women's activist group who write special chants during the recent protests. Most of their songs go viral in an instant either because they are loved or because they are hated. Mira tells us her story.By Nicolas Dahan