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Red Hats to Templeton Rye
By Maxine Christensen
Nine members of the Exira Red Hat Firecrackers met at 9:15 at the City Park despite the rain and snow flakes for a tour to see how Templeton Rye was made. Those making the trip were Queen Silva Christensen, Cleo Wiskus, Erma Nelson, Noreen Leigan, Evelyn Nelson, Maxine Christensen, Charlotte Krogh, Shirley Rubel and Elaine Rasmussen. The group were curious to see if samples might be handed out.. .they were!
Arriving at the new large building, they were greeted by a young man who would be their tour guide through the several rooms. There was a faint smell of whiskey in the room, and the guide remarked that (while pointing to a white doctors coat and stethoscope) he had been asked by the “boss” that it might be a good idea to wear these; He declined! He went on to explain that the large containers and many tubes connected to them were the starting of the making of rye whiskey. “It has long been contention that rye whiskey is the world’s only seriously overlooked spirit and is the finest and most flavorsome of all generic whiskey types” Only rye from Minnesota is used for their whiskey.
On to the next room where the whiskey is bottled, labeled, and boxed. A very long assembly line showed the whiskey being poured into the bottles (think of MASH and Hawkeye and B.J. with their homemade still in their army tent) the bottles going along the assembly line where a lone man does nothing but put caps on the bottles. On down the line to five women sitting at a large table. Their job is to put the labels on. Each lady would put the first label on, pass the bottle to the second lady who added another label, and on down the line. The last lady in the group fits a small plastic bag (open at both ends) over the neck of the bottle, hands it to the man at the end of the table, and he,with the help of a dryer (much like a hair dryer) heats the plastic so that it seals over the top of the bottle. Red Hat Maxine Christensen was privileged to hold the dryer and seal a bottle.
Following this, the tour guide led the ladies to a reception room to view a video telling the story about Templeton Rye.
When Prohibition outlawed the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages in 1920, many enterprising residents of a small town in Iowa chose to become outlaws- producing a high caliber and much sought-after whiskey known as Templeton Rye, or “The Good Stuff’ to those in the know.
It was the Jazz Age, a time of speakeasies, gangsters and bathtub whiskey. Railroad cars crossed the country carrying hobos and the occasional load of table grapes with stenciled warnings, “Caution: Grapes - Do not add yeast or fermentation will occur!” The Volstead Act had become law and the nation went dry. On Jan. 16, 1920, the 18th Amendment to the US Constitution was enacted forbidding the manufacture and sale of whiskey and other alcoholic beverages. As the 20’s progressed, more people became involved in the illegal process until it reached its peak in 1930-1931. Large families having mortgage payments to be made saw this as a means of survival.
The going price for a gallon ofTempleton Rye was about $5.50, and it was of the highest caliber. As its reputation grew, the demand increased, until at one time, as many as three truckloads of kegs left Templeton in one week, destined for Des Moines, Denver and Chicago. Al Capone was said to be involved with the Templeton Rye story, but the evidence then and now still indicates that he was never more than a paying customer.
Later legends suggest that a few bottles even found their way inside the walls of Alcatraz to the cell of prisoners.
The nation’s rivers of booze went underground and gave rise to a new industry -bootlegging. Gangsters became rich and powerful running whiskey and operating secret, pass-word protected bars. None became more powerful than the New York born Alphonse Capone.
It was estimated that only three stills of any importance was in the surrounding county. The rest, they say, were wiped out when for a short time authorities destroyed them at the rate of three a day.
A young man with an investigative turn of mind barged into Templeton one day to see what he could drink. In response to his initial inquiry he was informed that finding Templeton Rye these days were like locating a needle in a haystack. The young man reported that “never did I come in contact with a needle so large, or a haystack so small.”
The tour guide stated that “while the process has changed some in the past 80 years, the attention to detail hasn’t budged.”
The copper wash tub used by the original distillers was replaced with charred new oak barrels and Templeton Rye provides a smooth finish. These oak barrels hold the whiskey to age for four years, and cannot be re-used. Costing $150 each they are sold out, usually at a $75 price.
The Federal Agents did their best to enforce the law and the local booze runners did all they could to avoid being caught.
Rye whiskey differs from bourbon and scotch in that by law it has to contain a minimum of 51 percent rye grain. This gives it a spiciness flavor and adds a sort of fruity dryness and a warmth to the finish.
After the video, the tour guide asked if the ladies would like a sample, and all agreed to try it! The glasses were small, but with a bunch of “older” ladies, that was sufficient.
A few people feel that the Templeton Rye era is a skeleton in their closet and should not be exploited. However, many feel that it is a part of history and should be presented. “It is perhaps the most notable thing we have done in Templeton and the one thing that sets us apart. We could have all been bank robbers, you know, or worse!”
Leaving the tour and heading for the door who should the group meet but a dozen Red Hat ladies from Pomeroy getting ready to have their tour.
The Exira Red Hat Firecrackers drove on to Maiming to have dinner at the Generations Tea Room followed by (remember they like to spend money) a trip to Duckwall, Pharmacy, and a small antique store. Of course they looked for bargains and found they could buy an extra nice, birthday, wedding, etc card plus the envelope for 25 cents - what a bargain! The trip home was enjoyable watching the snow fall, but glad that it was melting quickly.
The next outing will be Dec. 5 when they will have their Christmas party at the home of Dick and Charlotte Smetana. A gift exchange will be held and secret pals will be revealed.
Arriving at the new large building, they were greeted by a young man who would be their tour guide through the several rooms. There was a faint smell of whiskey in the room, and the guide remarked that (while pointing to a white doctors coat and stethoscope) he had been asked by the “boss” that it might be a good idea to wear these; He declined! He went on to explain that the large containers and many tubes connected to them were the starting of the making of rye whiskey. “It has long been contention that rye whiskey is the world’s only seriously overlooked spirit and is the finest and most flavorsome of all generic whiskey types” Only rye from Minnesota is used for their whiskey.
On to the next room where the whiskey is bottled, labeled, and boxed. A very long assembly line showed the whiskey being poured into the bottles (think of MASH and Hawkeye and B.J. with their homemade still in their army tent) the bottles going along the assembly line where a lone man does nothing but put caps on the bottles. On down the line to five women sitting at a large table. Their job is to put the labels on. Each lady would put the first label on, pass the bottle to the second lady who added another label, and on down the line. The last lady in the group fits a small plastic bag (open at both ends) over the neck of the bottle, hands it to the man at the end of the table, and he,with the help of a dryer (much like a hair dryer) heats the plastic so that it seals over the top of the bottle. Red Hat Maxine Christensen was privileged to hold the dryer and seal a bottle.
Following this, the tour guide led the ladies to a reception room to view a video telling the story about Templeton Rye.
When Prohibition outlawed the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages in 1920, many enterprising residents of a small town in Iowa chose to become outlaws- producing a high caliber and much sought-after whiskey known as Templeton Rye, or “The Good Stuff’ to those in the know.
It was the Jazz Age, a time of speakeasies, gangsters and bathtub whiskey. Railroad cars crossed the country carrying hobos and the occasional load of table grapes with stenciled warnings, “Caution: Grapes - Do not add yeast or fermentation will occur!” The Volstead Act had become law and the nation went dry. On Jan. 16, 1920, the 18th Amendment to the US Constitution was enacted forbidding the manufacture and sale of whiskey and other alcoholic beverages. As the 20’s progressed, more people became involved in the illegal process until it reached its peak in 1930-1931. Large families having mortgage payments to be made saw this as a means of survival.
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Later legends suggest that a few bottles even found their way inside the walls of Alcatraz to the cell of prisoners.
The nation’s rivers of booze went underground and gave rise to a new industry -bootlegging. Gangsters became rich and powerful running whiskey and operating secret, pass-word protected bars. None became more powerful than the New York born Alphonse Capone.
It was estimated that only three stills of any importance was in the surrounding county. The rest, they say, were wiped out when for a short time authorities destroyed them at the rate of three a day.
A young man with an investigative turn of mind barged into Templeton one day to see what he could drink. In response to his initial inquiry he was informed that finding Templeton Rye these days were like locating a needle in a haystack. The young man reported that “never did I come in contact with a needle so large, or a haystack so small.”
The tour guide stated that “while the process has changed some in the past 80 years, the attention to detail hasn’t budged.”
The copper wash tub used by the original distillers was replaced with charred new oak barrels and Templeton Rye provides a smooth finish. These oak barrels hold the whiskey to age for four years, and cannot be re-used. Costing $150 each they are sold out, usually at a $75 price.
The Federal Agents did their best to enforce the law and the local booze runners did all they could to avoid being caught.
Rye whiskey differs from bourbon and scotch in that by law it has to contain a minimum of 51 percent rye grain. This gives it a spiciness flavor and adds a sort of fruity dryness and a warmth to the finish.
After the video, the tour guide asked if the ladies would like a sample, and all agreed to try it! The glasses were small, but with a bunch of “older” ladies, that was sufficient.
A few people feel that the Templeton Rye era is a skeleton in their closet and should not be exploited. However, many feel that it is a part of history and should be presented. “It is perhaps the most notable thing we have done in Templeton and the one thing that sets us apart. We could have all been bank robbers, you know, or worse!”
Leaving the tour and heading for the door who should the group meet but a dozen Red Hat ladies from Pomeroy getting ready to have their tour.
The Exira Red Hat Firecrackers drove on to Maiming to have dinner at the Generations Tea Room followed by (remember they like to spend money) a trip to Duckwall, Pharmacy, and a small antique store. Of course they looked for bargains and found they could buy an extra nice, birthday, wedding, etc card plus the envelope for 25 cents - what a bargain! The trip home was enjoyable watching the snow fall, but glad that it was melting quickly.
The next outing will be Dec. 5 when they will have their Christmas party at the home of Dick and Charlotte Smetana. A gift exchange will be held and secret pals will be revealed.
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