Historical Virginia-Style Small Batch Beer
A homebrew inspired by George Washington’s 1757 militia beer recipe, featuring malted barley and corn for a smooth, rustic flavor. This American Colonial-inspired recipe, ready in about 160 minutes, brings together malted barley, dry cornmeal, water for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 6, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs malted barley
- 1 lb dry cornmeal
- 1 gallon water
- 1 packet (7 g) brewers yeast
- 0.5 oz hops
- 0.25 cup brown sugar
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 gallon of water in a large pot to 165°F. Add 2 lbs malted barley and 1 lb dry cornmeal, stirring thoroughly to create a mash. Maintain temperature between 150°F and 160°F for 60 minutes to convert starches to sugars.
- Step 2: After mashing, raise the temperature to 170°F and strain the mash through a fine mesh or cheesecloth into a clean vessel, collecting the wort.
- Step 3: Return the wort to a boil and add 0.5 oz hops. Boil for 60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces slightly and gains a floral bitterness.
- Step 4: Remove from heat, cool wort quickly in an ice bath to 70°F, then stir in 0.25 cup brown sugar until dissolved.
- Step 5: Transfer the cooled wort to a sanitized fermenter, pitch 1 packet (7 g) brewers yeast, and seal with an airlock. Ferment at 68°F for 7-10 days until bubbling stops.
- Step 6: Bottle the beer and let age for 2 weeks before chilling and serving with rustic bread or hearty stews.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Historical Virginia-Style Small Batch Beer take to make?
Total time is about 160 minutes (90 min prep + 70 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Historical Virginia-Style Small Batch Beer?
Refrigerate any leftover historical virginia-style small batch beer in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Historical Virginia-Style Small Batch Beer?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Historical Virginia-Style Small Batch Beer for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Historical Virginia-Style Small Batch Beer?
American Colonial cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
