Basic Colonial Brewing #16 — Making Sense of the Beer Menu

I am going to deviate from my normal focus on the 18th Century to discuss some brewing terminology that seems to be confusing people in craft brew pubs.  The other day, my wife and I visited a brewery and her questions about the beer menu prompted me to clarify some jargon that are too often …

The Yeast Ring

This year, I am adding a somewhat archaic bit of brewing equipment to the gear brought out by the Regimental Brewmiester.  The yeast ring or gjarkrans is a piece of traditional brewing gear from medieval Sweden and Denmark.  This tool resembles a complicated wreath of small pieces of whittled wood.  Yeast harvested from one batch …

Historical Tidbits — BATTLE OF BROOKLYN

When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. August 27, 1776 – BATTLE OF BROOKLYN – Following the evacuation of Boston by the British, General Washington relocated the Continental Army to New York City.  The British landed …

Historical Tidbits — Battle of Long Island

When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. August 27, 1776                Battle of Long Island After the British evacuation from Boston in March, the British general Lord William Howe moved to occupy New York City under the …

Historical Tidbits — British take possession of New York City

When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. August 26, 1776              British take possession of New York City Having defeated the Continental Army on Long Island and pursuing them into upstate New York, General Howe established a …

Proper Salutes in the British Army

In 1740, the “French salute”, or greeting another by kissing them on the cheek, started to become fashionable in London.  With the Seven Years War (AKA French and Indian War), the “French salute” quickly became controversial, being called unEnglish. Encouraged instead was the “old English” way of “pulling off a Hat. For the British, removing your …

Colonial Surveyor will be in Cheltenham

Sunday, August 25, 20241:00 – 4:00 pmRichard Wall House1 Wall Park DriveElkins Park, PA 19027 The Richard Wall House is hosting Michael Carver in his impression of the noted surveyor David Rittenhouse, to teach 18th Century surveying on August 25 from 1:00 pm to 4:00pm.  The public is invited to participate in a hands-on program …