George Washington's Small Beer
By Steve W.
From the web newsletter of the Knights of the Brown Bottle -
Recently I read an historical manuscript on George Washington that had some references to brewing at Mt.Vernon. I then wrote a letter to the author and he directed me to the Mt.Vernons Ladies Association. They sent me copies of Washington's notebook with a copy of his hand written page on brewing.
George Washington's copy of a recipe for making small beer appears as the last page of a manuscript notebook of 1757-1760 now in the collection of the New York Public Library. Both the staff of the Library and the editors of The Papers of George Washington vouch for its authenticity. Attached is a copy of the typescript
"As far as I can tell, Washington never went into production of beer at Mount Vernon in a significant way. Instead his invoices and letters to his London agent in the 1750's and 60's show many orders for beer and "fine old Porter" in bottles ( 12 dozen at a time) or by the hogshead.
After the war, Washington began to buy American and even wrote to Lafayette to brag about the excellent quality of American made porter and cheese. Again in the 1780's and 90's orders to his Philadelphia factor (financing aide) for Porter especially."
Thanks to Mr. Harrison Clark (author of George Washington as Entrepreneur) and
Ms. Barbara McMillan of the Lady's Association of Mt. Vernon.
Take a large sifter full of Bran Hops to your taste. Boil these 3 hours then strain 30 Gallons into a cooler put in 3 Gallons Molasses while beer is scalding hot or draw the Molasses into the Cooler and strain the beer on it while boiling hot.
Let this stand till it is little more than Blood warm then put a quart of Yeast if the weather is very cold cover it over with a blanket & let it work in the cooler 24 hours. Then put it into the cask- leave the bung open till it is almost done working.
Bottle it that day week it was brewed.
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9 lbs Pale Extract
1 lb Molasses
1 ¸ oz Goldings (60 min)
1 oz Goldings Finish
OG 1.060 ferment 10 days primary. 14 days secondary. Bottle. ² cup dextrose
This will make a passable molasses brew, believe me, going heavier on the molasses will make a real toe curler of a brew!!!
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