What You Didn't Know About George Washington's Favorite Beer

Washington's favorite American brewer

Porter originated by chance. To circumvent increasing taxes on beer ingredients, brewers in London started producing lower-alcohol beers, which required the addition of more hops to prevent souring. They also opted for inexpensive fire-roasted malt, necessitating several months of aging to eliminate the smoky taste. The outcome was a rich, smooth beer that gained popularity not just in England but also across its distant colonies.

Even prior to the American Revolution, George Washington supplemented his imported English porter with brews from John Mercer's brewery in Northern Virginia. After the American colonies severed ties with England, Washington exclusively purchased American-made porters, turning to a brewer in Philadelphia for his supply. Brewer Robert Hare quickly became Washington's preferred choice. Hare, who was born in England, arrived in Philadelphia in 1773 and began brewing his porter two years later, which quickly became a sensation. He supplied the first U.S. president with all the porter he desired until his brewery was destroyed by fire in 1790. However, Washington didn't go without; there is evidence that he brewed his own porter at his estate in Mount Vernon.