The New York Public Library holds the original recipe for George Washington’s small beer, but America’s first household had more than that in their brewing library.
How about an ale from one of the cookbooks that Martha Washington had?
Intrigued by the potential to reconstruct that beer—while also marking the 250th anniversary of American independence—we joined a multifaceted collaboration that included Virginia’s Chilly Hollow and Dynasty breweries as well as George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Our Lost Lagers team of beer historians—Brian Alberts, Peter Jones, and myself—contributed research and advice.
Our source material is that recipe from a cookbook found among Martha’s Washington’s belongings. It’s for a type of pale ale that was then called a “middling beer.” Because George Washington encouraged Americans to buy local, we also used Virginia malt.
We brewed the beer at Chilly Hollow in Berryville, Virginia, about 70 miles northwest of Washington, D.C. Joining in was the team from Dynasty, who have been working with Lost Lagers over the past five years to make beers for George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
George Washington’s farewell address inspired the beer’s name:
“Citizens, by birth or choice, of a common country… You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together; the independence and liberty you possess are the work of joint counsels, and joint efforts of common dangers, sufferings, and successes.”
But why should that be the end of the story?
Common Country is a “middling” beer, not a “strong October” or a “small beer.” But if you look up the source text, you’ll find all three types mentioned. Pick your favorite and brew freely. Don’t be shy—customize it. Make a version that reflects your local community, culture, and history.
We hope you’ll also choose local ingredients—from your local craft maltster, for example—but it’s a free country.
ALL-GRAIN
Batch size: 5 gallons (19 liters)
Brewhouse efficiency: 72%
OG: 1.053 (13°P)
FG: 1.009 (2.2°P)
IBUs: 40
ABV: 5.8%