Celebrate America: The History of Beer
Celebrate America: The History of Beer
Americans are known for their love for beer and freedom, two things that have been prevalent before America was founded, making the practice of enjoying beer older than America itself. Celebrate America’s Independence by learning about the impact of beer in America and find the perfect beer to celebrate with on Independence Day!
The Mayflower
Surprisingly enough, the Mayflower may* have never landed in Plymouth Rock, MA, if they had not been short of beer and other supplies. The Pilgrims were traveling to America in search for rich farmland and an adequate climate due to the harsh winters and rough soil in New England. They also wanted their freedom from New England’s government to practice ideals they found fit for themselves. William Bradford is quoted to write a passage in his diary stating…
"That night we returned again a-shipboard, with resolution the next morning to settle on some of these places; so in the morning, after we had called on God for direction, we came to this resolution: to go presently ashore again, and to take a better view of two places, which we thought most fitting for us, for we could not now take the time for further search or consideration, our victuals being much spent, especially our beer, and it is now the 19th of December."
*With a combination of various reasons, such as passengers dying on the ship, the crew wanting to return to Europe, and a lack of food and supplies like their beer, the Pilgrims decided to set foot in America to survive. Without the Pilgrim’s love for beer, who knows? America may not be the country it is today!
Founding Fathers
It is widely known that the framers of America’s Independence were men of courage, wisdom, and a vision that helped found the America it is today. Less known is the fact that these men were zealous advocates of beer.
In fact, Thomas Jefferson wrote much of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia’s Indian Queen Tavern. After his two terms of presidency, Jefferson later experimented with brewing techniques during his retirement years at Monticello. George Washington himself also operated a small brewery at Mount Vernon. Moreover, during the Revolutionary War, Washington made sure his troops received a quart of beer each day. His recipe for beer can still be found on display at the New York Public Library. (Heads up- his recipe calls for a generous measure of molasses)
This extreme fondness for beer was an already-established American tradition due to Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams and James Madison all vigorously promoting the brewing industry in the colonies. Shortly after the Pennsylvania, Vermont, and New York colonies were founded, their governors established breweries to provide civilians with refreshment. As settlers first came to America, many participated in home-brewing. This often caused fires inside when bringing everything to boil, so establishing separate breweries became the norm. These breweries brought an economic boost to the area and breweries and taverns were typically the first buildings in a town to be built. This encouraged travelers to stop or travel to another established area, which potentially helped with the growth of America.
Colonial Era & Prohibition
Beers in the colonies were much weaker than what we typically drink today and more often than not never went above 3-4% ABV. During this time, it also wasn’t uncommon for children or women to enjoy beer, or “small beers.” These beverages were beers brewed with a leftover stronger beer to make a weaker one with less than 1% ABV. Although colonists drank much more beer per person than what we do now, these beers are what we consider in the present-day as a session beer or almost a non-alcoholic beer. Thankfully, with the influx of Germans in America came an explosion of brewers making lagers. Lagers were almost virtually nonexistent until the 1840’s due to the various issues it had when traveling across the Atlantic.
The beer industry took a massive hit after Prohibition took effect. While the wine industry still had sacramental wine to produce and the liquor industry was being used for solvents and cleaners, beer only had a couple medicinal scripts that it could be used for. This unfortunately wasn’t enough to sustain the industry. Only about 40% of the breweries that were running in the 1910’s were still operating, with less than 1% of the beer allowed to be brewed. To survive, some brewers made malt extract for bakers while others transitioned into the dairy industry to make cheese or ice cream. It wasn’t until the 1970’s when the beer industry started to pick up again.
Home & Craft Brewing
Homebrewing aided the kickstart of the beer industry once again after Prohibition, with the creation of New Albion Brewing in Sonoma, California. This company inspired and played a pivotal role in the creation of other independent breweries such as Samuel Adams, Sierra Nevada, and Dogfish Head. It wasn’t until 1978 when Congress amended the tax code relating to home brewing, allowing any adult in a home to brew beer tax-free. The relaxation of the restrictions led to more homebrewers trying their hand at craft beer, digging up recipes and trying them out on friends and family.
Craft beer is now extremely popular, and is continuing to grow throughout the years. According to the Brewers Association’s Annual Growth Report, craft beer has seen gains across the board, increasing its production volume by 4% and its share of total revenue by 7% in 2018. Additionally, the number of barrels brewed quadrupled from 2008 to 2018.
Our Founding Fathers would be so proud to see how far beer has come in America. Holidays like the 4th of July and Memorial Day wouldn’t be complete without an ice-cold beer to enjoy it with. Beer has been a traditional beverage to enjoy the holidays with, especially America’s freedom. So let’s make a toast to all the people that have made America into what it is today and celebrate our amazing country.
TO-GO Beer/Drink
Recommendations 🍺
TO-GO Beer/Drink Recommendations 🍺
Beer+Drink Recommendations
The deep-rooted history of beer in America has impacted American culture, which eventually kickstarted the creation of Funky Picnic Brewery & Café! Funky Picnic was born in a Fort Worth garage amongst friends brewing and enjoying beer circa 2012. Beer lovers Samantha Glenn and Collin Greet grew their passion from brewing batches for friends, to entering local homebrew competitions, and finally into breaking ground and opening our microbrewery Funky Picnic Brewery & Café in June 2019.
Continue reading below for our recommendations of #FunkyBeer and #FunkyDrinks that you can take TO-GO this upcoming weekend to celebrate the 4th of July!
That Time Was The 80’s and That Place Was Orlando - American IPA
You know what’s fun? When you’re in the middle of a brew day, realize you’ve made a mistake, and have to fix it on the fly. This beer started out as a batch of Pale Ale, but someone got a little heavy-handed on the hops so it turned into an IPA with the toss of some hops. With plenty of late addition hops like Cascade and Styrian Dragon, this fruity and resin-y IPA is both pleasing and powerful. Notes of citrus and pine meet you at the front with herbal spice at the finish. There’s just enough malt sweetness to balance out the hops and bring you back for more. It’s just as a customer once told me, “That Time Was the 80’s and That Place Was Orlando.” - 7% ABV, 60 IBU
If You’re Gonna Be A Bear, Be A Grizzly - DH Hefeweizen
This collaboration with Southern Roots Brewing pours a beautiful straw-colored hazy and fills the air with aromas of red berries and bananas. On the first sip you’re met with more of the same, followed by low hop bitterness and enough spice to balance out all the fruit. It can be tough to find balance when dry-hopping something so singular as a Hefeweizen, but we’re adventurous enough to try it - 6.4% ABV, 32 IBU
Funk Me Up, Zaddy - Gose with Blood Orange
Blood Orange Gose inspired by and brewed by the Funky Picnic restaurant staff ticks so many boxes. It’s got a bright acidity with just a touch of funk, and a huge aroma of spice and citrus. The salt works to keep all these bright notes in check before finishing with a delicate cracker finish. Top to bottom, this beer is very well balanced and worthy of an amazing staff. Here’s to them! - 3.2% ABV, 9 IBU
Rita McEntire
Here’s your one chance, Fancy, don’t let me down! Rumor has it, this drink won’t let you down! We made a raspberry-lime shandy mixed with tequila and simple syrup, and then froze it. This is THE perfect drink to bring along for your Independence Day weekend adventures!
Pineapple Tidbits
A tidbit for your troubles? Beat the head with our Pineapple Tidbits! A frozen pineapple seltzer mixed with chamoy & tajin might just be what you need this weekend celebrating the 4th! With 10% ABV, make sure to get this drink in our new TO-GO pouches to take with you to the lake or beach!
Author: Serena Horvath
Known for her cleanliness and passion for plants, Serena Horvath is one of our summer marketing interns at Funky Picnic! As someone that grew up in Sonoma County, Serena has a love for local businesses, farm-to-table food, and the wine + beer industry. She will continue on this fall as a senior at Texas Christian University and will be the copyeditor for ROXO, TCU’s very own student-run PR and Ad Agency. Catch her at the next farmer’s market in the Fort!