Visitors to the New York Public Library (NYPL) will soon have the opportunity to sample a drink inspired by history after the institution partnered with a brewery to recreate a beer recipe written by former U.S. President George Washington in 1757.
The library teamed up with New York-based brewery TALEA Beer Co. to bring the centuries-old recipe back to life. Alongside the historic brew, the brewery also developed a modern version called Liberty Lager to suit contemporary tastes.
According to the library, the original recipe was discovered in Washington’s military journal, which is preserved in its research archives. The notebook, written during his service as a young military officer in the Seven Years’ War, contains military records, notes, and a recipe for what was known as “small beer.”
The beverage earned its name because of its relatively low alcohol content. It was widely consumed at the time and was considered safer than untreated water due to the brewing process.
LeAnn Darland, co-founder and co-CEO of TALEA Beer Co., described the project as a unique opportunity and said the brewery worked closely with the library to recreate the drink as accurately as possible.
She explained that while the recipe itself was fairly simple, some old-fashioned instructions required interpretation. One challenge involved replicating the type of molasses available in the 1700s, since modern versions are more refined than those used during Washington’s era.
Darland revealed that the team experimented with different ingredients before settling on a molasses-based recipe that closely matched the historical version.
Although the brewery initially assumed the drink might not appeal to modern consumers, the response has exceeded expectations. To complement the original recipe, TALEA also introduced Liberty Lager, a more contemporary beer featuring additional hops to balance sweetness and make it more appealing to today’s drinkers.
The Liberty Lager is currently available at TALEA taprooms, while samples of the recreated “small beer” will be offered during NYPL’s America250 celebrations this summer.
Darland, a U.S. Navy veteran, said she hopes the project reminds people of history while bringing communities together through a shared appreciation of culture and tradition.
She noted that beer has long served as a social connector and believes the historic recreation offers people a chance to learn something new while enjoying a unique experience.
