The New York Public Library (NYPL) is giving visitors a chance to "taste history" by recreating George Washington's beer recipe from the first president's 1757 military journal, which is housed in the library's research collections.The library collaborated with New York City-based TALEA Beer Co.to recreate the brew, along with a Liberty Lager to appeal to modern palates."The initial response to [the library] reaching out was obviously awe," LeAnn Darland, TALEA co-founder and co-CEO, told Fox News Digital.
"Just to be considered to work with the New York Public Library is huge for us."HOW TAVERNS, ALE AND HEARTY MEALS FUELED AMERICA'S FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE AMID CONTINENTAL CONGRESSWashington's beer recipe was written in a journal he kept as a young colonel in charge of the Virginia militia during the Seven Years' War, the library's website says, adding that he likely served it to his troops while stationed at Fort Loudon, Virginia.The "notebook, mostly in Washington's handwriting, contains the daily notes of the military commander: outlines for letters and orders, a list of officers' commissions, the names of wagon horses and a recipe for 'small beer.'"George Washington's beer recipe from 1757 has been recreated with the help of the New York Public Library and TALEA Beer Co.(iStock; Heritage Images/Contributor)"Small beer," according to the library, derives its name from the small amount of alcohol it contains.It was quick to make, safer to drink because the brewing process helped eliminate bacteria in the water — and it was an "everyday, mainstay beverage," according to Darland. ANCIENT DRINKING HABITS REVEALED AS RESEARCHERS UNCOVER 4,000-YEAR-OLD BEER RECEIPTThe recipe is fairly straightforward "and not far off from what a first-time home brewer would do," Darland said. There were some archaic phrases the brewers had to decipher, though, such as "a quart of yeast."George Washington recorded a beer recipe in his military journal.
Now, a New York City brewer...