Ever wonder what early American colonists drank or how they brewed beer without the modern equipment and ingredients we take for granted today? Understanding the history of brewing offers a fascinating glimpse into America’s past.
And now, some innovative breweries are bringing those old recipes back to life. In this episode, we’ll explore how Lost Lagers (Mike Stein and Peter Jones) and Favio Garcia are unearthing and recreating historic American beers, the challenges behind translating 18th-century recipes into today’s brewing process, and how this movement connects us with our heritage.
Lost Lagers and Favio Garcia are pioneering the revival of America’s ancient ales, often inspired by historical texts and colonial cookbooks. For instance, they’ve tapped into an 18th-century “Rules for Brewing,” documented by women like Hannah Glass, which included recipes for various styles from strong October beers to small, sessionable ales.
These texts provide a treasure trove of brewing knowledge, but translating them into modern ingredients and methods is no small feat.
Mike and Pete from Lost Lagers describe the process of sourcing ingredients that match colonial malts, like six-row barley, and converting old measurements into modern quantities. For example, calculating that a quarter of malt could be roughly equivalent to 336 pounds today demonstrates the meticulous work behind these recreations.
Additionally, sourcing local ingredients such as Virginia malts and special yeasts highlights their effort to produce authentic flavors reflective of colonial America.
Whether you’re a history buff, a craft beer enthusiast, or someone curious about historical recipes, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how these guys are blending tradition with innovation. From recipes found in Martha Washington’s cookbooks to collaborations with Mount Vernon, get ready to see how America’s brewing past is shaping its brewing future.
Full disclosure, both Mike Stein and Brandy Holder have financial relationships with Dynasty Brewing Company.
