Beer Review: Yards: Ales of the Revolution

Been a while.

Okay Beer review.

A co-worker recently announced that he had been drinking some “Ales of the Revolution”. Beer and the Revolutionary War … this of course piqued my interest. It seems that a local Philly brewery (Yards Brewing Company) did the historical research into some old beer recipes. All three of the released Ales of the Revolution have a tie in to Philadelphia during the period of the Revolution.

The three ales are a porter, tavern ale, and a spruce beer. Understand that during this time period trade on both land and sea was difficult, and subject to interdiction and disruption. There was a lack of hops and barley to make beer with but because of the change in trade there was a surplus of molasses.

George Washington apparently liked the porters he drank while in Philadelphia. He concocted his own recipe for Porter based on what he tasted and commissioned some to be brewed for issue at his table. The porter brewed by Yards uses the original George Washington devised recipe. It is a very dark porter, solid and smooth. The use of molasses mellows it a bit. In my opinion it is the best beer of the three being offered.

The tavern ale being sold is from a recipe written by Thomas Jefferson. The ale is what I would call typical British style tavern ale. Slightly metallic, smooth, not especially remarkable. I have had this ale many times in many places. Like good British tavern ale it is less carbonated than most American beers. It drinks smooth and unnoticeable.

The final entry is a spruce beer. The recipe for this beer was devised by Benjamin Franklin. Spruce beer was much beloved by the Continental Soldier. Soldiers could expect about a quart of this beer a day with no deduction to their rations. It was not always available but it was a nice ration addition. The spruce beer itself did more than quench thirst it also fought scurvy. Vitamin C from the spruce essence was not lost during the brewing process. The taste of this spruce beer is a bit like a molasses based tavern ale with a hint of spruce or pine resin taste. The taste of the resin is subtle and no where near as pronounced as Retsina wine. It makes great compliment to Mexican dishes with cilantro.

To enhance the tasting experience I drank all beers at cellar temperature, about 55F. These ales provide a nice insight into the experience of history.

Justinian