George Washington's Beer Recipe
By: Anthony Adragna
Published: May 5, 2011

In 1757, a member of the Virginia militia named George Washington wrote down a recipe in his notebook for making beer. The New York Public Library has it and has treasured the recipe for years. Now, however, they have formed a partnership with the Coney Island Brewing Co. to recreate Washington's recipe in honor of the main library's 100th Anniversary. Fortitude's Founding Father Brew will be served to craft beer enthusiasts on May 18th and at the anniversary celebration on May 23. Washington's taste for good beer has been long noted and well-documented. Unfortunately, the special beer will not be sold commercially. Take a look at our founding father's favorite beer recipe (via the New York Public Library):
"To Make Small Beer Take a large Siffer [Sifter] full of Bran Hops to your Taste. Boil these 3 hours then strain out 30 Gall[ons] into a cooler put in 3 Gall[ons] Molasses while the Beer is Scalding hot or rather draw the Melasses (sic) into the cooler & St[r]ain the Beer on it while boiling Hot. let this stand till it is little more than Blood warm then put in a quart of Yea[s]t if the Weather is very Cold cover it over with a Blank[et] & let it Work in the Cooler 24 hours then put it into the Cask—leave the bung open till it is almost don[e] Working—Bottle it that day Week it was Brewed."
Photo by cliff1066