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Taste History: Washington's Beer Recreated
5 Jun
Summary
- NYPL recreated George Washington's 1757 molasses beer recipe.
- The historic brew is a 'small beer' with low alcohol content.
- TALEA Beer Co. also created a modern lager for wider appeal.
The New York Public Library is allowing visitors to "taste history" by recreating a beer recipe from George Washington's 1757 military journal. This historic brew, a "small beer" with a molasses base, was likely served to troops during the Seven Years' War. TALEA Beer Co. partnered with the library to meticulously reconstruct the 18th-century recipe, deciphering archaic brewing terms and using authentic ingredients like molasses.
While the original recipe yielded a "muddy water"-like beverage, TALEA also crafted a modern Liberty Lager. This contemporary version features more hops to balance sweetness and appeals to current tastes. The Liberty Lager is available at TALEA's taprooms, while the library plans to offer samples of the historic small beer at its locations this summer.
