Colonial Brewing Workshop

Join master colonial brewer, Michael Carver, for a full day colonial brewing immersive workshop.

In this class, you will learn

• The general history of beer and brewing in America and how the practice rose from a basic task performed in nearly every household to a profession which fed the various Taverns and Alehouse of our new nation.
• The roles of the Colonial Tavern in the social, political, and civic life of early America.
• Why everyone; men, women, children, and slaves; drank beer all day in order to stay healthy.
• What the difference is between the parti-gyyle, the hoffbrau, and the small beer.  Who drank what and why so many styles from a single batch of malt?
• Why beer was so critical to early life in America and how it fueled the debates that led to revolution.
• How the Royal Navy’s failure to protect Pennsylvania from pirates launched the industry that would create our nation’s oldest professional breweries.
• How beer in the 18th Century was very different than what we call beer today.
• How to make beer with only your five senses and some basic field kitchen equipment including:

1. Mashing the wort
2. Decoctions and extractions
3. Lautering, brewing, and chilling without the benefit of modern
4. appliances.
5. Assessing the progress and quality of your beer without modern instruments like thermometers, hydrometers and clocks.
6. Beer Styles of the 18th Century and how to adapt historical recipes to work with modern supplies.

At the end of this class, you will be given the product of your work. Take home and ferment into the Spruce Beer wort you make in this class to ferment and condition into the beer that saved many 18th Century expeditions into the far north and helped the men avoid scurvy and other ailments.  

This workshop will be held outside on the farm, and we ask participants to dress comfortably for the weather. The minimum age for this workshop is 21 years old. Refreshments will be served. 

Workshop will be held Saturday, June 10 from 10 AM to 4PM at Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation located in Ridley Creek State Park. 

Not a member? Join today!

By registering for and attending this event all partcipants agree that neither Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, nor the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources are liable nor its employees will be held liable or responsible for loss, damage, or injury to persons or property during this event. 

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