There are various ways the nation is celebrating the Semiquincentennial this summer, as the US of America turns 250 years young. One of the truest traditional homages we can see is in the brewers of this country putting out their versions of celebratory suds. In many cases (intentional), these are not merely commemorative batch releases, but brewers paying honor to our country’s rich brewing traditions with recipes from the seminal days of our founding.
It was literally one of the first things the early settlers undertook when landing on our pristine shores. I take some pride that the first recognized brewing came from my people, the Dutch, in New Amsterdam. Yes, this was an inevitability, and someone was going to undertake what was regarded as a vital part of life, but still, I raise a tankard to my fore-”beers.” Beer was being brought to the colonies in the first years of the 1600s, and (though possibly apocryphal), it is said the first ever “help-wanted” ad in this country was for help making beer.
Commercial brewing was not a commonly known entity at this time, but the Dutch West India Company recognized that by crafting a beer for the settlers, they could concentrate on other tasks involved with developing the area. Adrian Block and Hans Christiansen began the first commercial brewery in the colonies on what is today Stone Street, in Lower Manhattan, formerly named “Brewer Street.” From that point on, the settlers only grew, and so did our brewing tradition.
Our founders were deeply involved in brewing, and many figures from George Washington, and others were passionate about their brews. The revolution was partially fueled by those revolutionaries hopped up on liquid courage, and also the growing resentment towards England saw growing resistance to buying the imported brew, and locally produced suds became the growing preference. While president, James Madison proposed both a national brewery and appointing a Secretary of Beer to the Presidential Cabinet. (My man!) But, his plans were curtailed by a Puritanical Congress, as if we needed MORE reason to resent that governing body!
In recognition of our carbonated history, many of today’s brewers are crafting versions of a historical nature, based on methods and even recipes culled from our very early days. As we ramp up our celebration, keep an eye out for these versions out there that will deliver some centuries-old variations to properly toast those brazen and brave souls who dared to kick the Red Coats back to Blighty.
Boston Beer Company / Sam Adams – Of course the beer named after a historical figure is going to deliver the goods. While there is a summer “Star Spangled Variety Pack” available nationwide, there is a particularly notable offering for the 250th. The Samuel Adams Brewer Patriot Collection is a four-pack of specialty beers from old recipes and using ingredients from that era.
This includes a George Washington Porter, based on one of his recipes involving molasses and licorice root. Next is the James Madison Dark Wheat Ale, made with smoked barley. Then there is the No. 3 Ginger Honey Ale, inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s preference for the brew, and finally the 1790 Hard Root Beer, a nod to the popular offering of the time. This 4-pack is available for order for the appropriate price of $17.76 through GiveThemBeer.
Brooklyn’s Talea Beer Company has teamed up with the New York City public library to recreate some of the beer George Washington used to power his troops. Based on the First President’s private journals, Talea is crafting what Washington labeled “small beer.” (The library digitized his writings to view his recipe.) It is a simple recipe they could craft while on the march, a low alcohol brew meant to fortify the troops and avoid bacteria-tainted water supplies. It is a basic recipe that is molasses-based and carries a strong taste. Along with this traditional recipe at its pour houses, Talea is also offering up Liberty Lager, a heartier version of this 6.5% brew.
Fort Nonsense Brewing has also come up with its own historic offering, dubbed "Martha’s Small Beer," said to be a colonial style made with a revolution-era recipe. The self-described “nano-brewery has a number of other historical brews, such as Benedict Amber Traitor Ale, Arnold's Tavern Porter, and Arnold's Tavern Porter Coffee Edition.
Glenbrook Brewery has teamed with Laird & Company, the oldest licensed distillery in the nation. It was founded in the late 1600s, its first owner having served under George Washington. Together, they have made “250th Anniversary Ale - Established 1776,” taken from a brew savored by continental troops at Jockey Hollow. Based on the usage of spruce tips, molasses, and yeast, the concoction was then aged in apple brandy barrels from Laird.
In Maryland, Crooked Crab Brewing Co. and Forward Brewing collaborated to come up with a local brew called “Crab Crab Revolution,” with historical elements, if not revolution-era ingredients. The two companies came up with a recipe made from Maryland-grown Bear Branch pale ale, rye, and golden honey malts for a more classic American-style pale ale.
If you want a simpler edition of things, Milwaukee’s flagship brand is rolling out the Pabst Freedom Pack in honor of the holiday. It is a special package of 10 beers in 25-ounce tall boy cans, delivering 250 ounces for the semiquincentennial. Keeping it simple, and yet delivering the honor all the while.
