A Brooklyn brewery has recreated a "small beer" recipe written by George Washington in 1757 [1].
The project allows the public to taste a historical beverage from the first U.S. president as the country prepares for its 250th birthday [2].
Talea Beer Co. developed the brew in partnership with the New York Public Library [1]. The brewery used the original manuscript to bring the recipe back to life, which is now more than 250 years old [3].
The recreation was announced this month to coincide with the upcoming national celebrations on July 4, 2026 [4]. The initiative aims to provide a tangible connection to the colonial era through the medium of craft brewing [2].
By utilizing archival records from the New York Public Library, the brewery was able to approximate the ingredients and methods Washington used in the 18th century [1]. This collaboration blends historical research, and modern brewing techniques to produce a beverage that reflects the tastes of the 1750s [3].
The project follows a trend of using sensory history to engage the public in the lead-up to the 2026 anniversary [4]. The beer serves as a centerpiece for festivities marking the quarter-millennium of the United States [2].
“A Brooklyn brewery has recreated a "small beer" recipe written by George Washington in 1757.”
The recreation of the 1757 recipe transforms a static archival document into a consumer experience. By partnering a public institution like the New York Public Library with a commercial entity, the project demonstrates how historical data can be leveraged for public engagement and tourism during major national milestones.
