06/22/2026
This year we came across an historical beer recipe written by this nation’s founder, General George Washington, who himself was an avid home brewer. Washington wrote the recipe “small beer”, named for its low alcohol content, on the back page of his military journal while serving as a young colonel in Virginia circa 1757, during the Seven Years’ War. This "To Make Small Beer" recipe is preserved in the research collection at the New York Public Library. According to historians, the recipe for this brew was derived from a recipe for middling beer in Hannah Glasse’s The Art of Cookery, a copy of which was owned by Martha Washington and was where the recipe was found, tucked into its pages. The “small beer” is fairly simple and contains barley, hops and molasses. If you cannot read his handwriting, this is what it says:
“To make Small Beer Take a large Siffer full of Bran Hops to your taste - Boil these 3 hours. Then strain out 30 Gallons into a Cooler. Put in 3 Gallons molasses while the Beer is scalding hot or rather draw the molasses into the Cooler & strain the Beer on it while boiling Hot. Let this stand till it is little more than Blood warm then put in 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 B**g open till it is almost done working - Bottle it that day week it was Brewed.”
Washington created this beer to keep troops from getting dysentery, as water back then was not very safe to drink in urban areas. So, troops would drink this instead of water. Unlike modern craft beers that prioritize specific hop profiles for bitterness and aroma, Washington’s “small beer” was designed as a low-alcohol, daily beverage intended for hydration and safe consumption, often served to laborers and guests at Mount Vernon.
Keep in mind, "small beer" is defined as a low alcohol beer sitting at around 3% ABV, much like today’s session beers or perhaps a Belgian "table beer". It would be compared to an amber or Irish red in color with sweetness possibly lingering from the molasses. We can only assume the flavor, since we have never brewed this beer before. It'll likely be quite light given the small grain bill. So excited!
With all that said, we will release this “small beer” on our nation’s birthday, July 4th for just $4.00/pint! Let’s come together for a day to honor this great nation and the start of small craft brewing!
