George Washington, our nation’s first president, had an affinity for freedom and apparently beer. The New York Public Library is bringing back Mr. Washington’s personal beverage recipe for America’s 250th birthday. *** page from the president’s military notebook shows his beer recipe recorded in 1757. If you want to make it yourself, the library posted his original handwritten instructions online with *** transcript in case you, like me. Can’t read that writing, or you can take the shortcut because the library partnered with Taleaa Beer Company to create *** special brew called Liberty Lager inspired by George Washington’s more than 250 year old instructions, noting in *** post the goal was to brew an approachable beer that nods to George Washington’s original recipe with subtle maltiness and *** hint of hops. It’ll be available around New York City this summer if that’s how you choose to toast the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Brewery brings George Washington’s over 250-year-old beer recipe to life
It’s based on a recipe Washington jotted in a militia journal titled ‘To Make Small Beer’
Updated: 5:53 PM EDT Jun 6, 2026
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Ever wanted to try a historic brew? Now you can.The New York Public Library announced this week that it partnered with a brewery to revive George Washington’s beer recipe for America’s 250th anniversary.”Liberty Lager” will be available from Talea Beer Co. in New York City. The brew is a commercial product inspired by Washington’s recipe, rather than a historically accurate recreation.As a colonel in the Virginia militia, the fastidious Washington kept a journal, and it included a recipe: “To Make Small Beer.”According to historians, “small beer” refers less to the size of the batch than to the type of beverage — in this case, mostly water, hops and molasses, which tastes “a little” like beer. The drink was often used when proper drinking water was not readily available, for its nutritional value. Instead of a social lubrication libation, Washington’s version of the drink was more likely used as sustenance for soldiers out on a long march.Here is the recipe recreated in full by Washington historians at Mount Vernon:”To make Small Beer Take a large Siffer full of Bran Hops to your taste – Boil these 3 hours. Then strain out 30 Gall into a Cooler[.] put in 3 Gall 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 Yest[.] if the Weather is very Cold cover it over with a Blank & 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[.]”Previously, the New York Public Library partnered with a different brewery in 2011 to make a porter version of Washington’s small beer to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the building where the library is housed.
Ever wanted to try a historic brew? Now you can.
The New York Public Library announced this week that it partnered with a brewery to revive George Washington’s beer recipe for America’s 250th anniversary.
“Liberty Lager” will be available from Talea Beer Co. in New York City. The brew is a commercial product inspired by Washington’s recipe, rather than a historically accurate recreation.
As a colonel in the Virginia militia, the fastidious Washington kept a journal, and it included a recipe: “To Make Small Beer.”
According to historians, “small beer” refers less to the size of the batch than to the type of beverage — in this case, mostly water, hops and molasses, which tastes “a little” like beer. The drink was often used when proper drinking water was not readily available, for its nutritional value. Instead of a social lubrication libation, Washington’s version of the drink was more likely used as sustenance for soldiers out on a long march.
Smith Collection/Gado
George Washington, portrait painting by Constable-Hamilton, 1794. From the New York Public Library.
Here is the recipe recreated in full by Washington historians at Mount Vernon:
“To make Small Beer Take a large Siffer full of Bran Hops to your taste – Boil these 3 hours. Then strain out 30 Gall[ons] into a Cooler[.] put in 3 Gall[ons] 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 Ye[a]st[.] if the Weather is very Cold cover it over with a Blank[et] & 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[.]”
Previously, the New York Public Library partnered with a different brewery in 2011 to make a porter version of Washington’s small beer to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the building where the library is housed.
Dining and Cooking