Philadelphia pepper pot is a colonial era stew with an interesting story. It’s said that during the winter of 1777-1778 the Continental Army was holed up at Valley Forge, and foodstuffs were hard to find. General Washington ordered cooks to throw together what ingredients they had on hand to make a stew to feed the …
Category Archives: General history
David Rittenhouse wrote an almanac in 1747
David Rittenhouse had a long and varied career. He was, of course, Philadelphia’s most celebrated astronomer but he was also a clockmaker, an inventor, the treasurer of the Continental Congress, City Surveyor of Philadelphia, and founder of the US Mint. His masterful 1771 Orrery was the state of the art in teaching celestial mechanics for first half …
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Getting Paid to Drink Beer… The Ale Conner
Imagine getting DRAFTED into office where your job is to drink beer. Well, that is exactly what happened in medieval England. Ale conners (also known as ale-tasters or ale-cunners) were local officials appointed by a baron or marquis to ensure the quality and fairness of ale and beer production in their county. Their job was …
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2026 Brewmeister Merchandise
For a couple of years, I have been selling books at my events. I will continue to offer copies of the following books at events in 2026: Beers and Beer Stories by the Regimental Brewmeister $15 Admiral of the Blue Apron’s Bartender Guide Book: A View into Colonial Era Spirits and Cocktails $15 George Washington’s …
The Patriot’s Paradox
Every once in a while, you are struck by how truly strange our political world has become. I am not referring to the disfunction in our US government (directly) but rather our day-to-day interactions between seemingly normal, patriotic Americans. Case in point: I had a very interesting interaction with my SAR compatriots, on Washington’s Birthday …
Tonight is Purim
Purim is celebrated every year on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar (late winter/early spring). This year is a poignant celebration given that Israel is at war with Iran (historic Persia). In the 4th century BCE, Persian King Ahasuerus had his wife, Vashti, executed for failing to follow his orders, then he arranged a beauty pageant to find a …
Siege Weekend @ Fort Mifflin
Well its official, the Regimental Brewmeister will be returning to Fort Mifflin’s Siege Weekend this year on November 14. Want to have the Regimental Brewmeister at your site or event? You can hire me. https://colonialbrewer.com/yes-you-can-hire-me-for-your-event-or-site/
The Tavern Sign
Because of their abundance, the names pubs take were designed to be memorable—but more than that, they were designed to be visual. Outside any traditional pub worthy of its title, you’ll find a hanging signboard with a unique illustration that represents the name of the business. The first British pub signs were created in the …
Help Wanted — Immersion Weekend in New York
I am looking for 10 solid tavern goers who are interested in an immersion weekend and willing to travel to Albany, NY. On August 8, the Admiral of the Blue Apron will be hosting an immersion weekend on 18th Century beverages and tavern culture. The program will include a full tavern in a fully restored …
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A Yiddish Version of the Declaration of Independence
British officers were stunned to find the Declaration of Independence together with an unintelligible document – a Yiddish translation. Just as the Torah is intended to be read aloud, a practice that continues in synagogues to this day, the Continental Congress ordered that copies of the Declaration be sent “to the several Assemblies, Conventions, and …
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Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 