Help Wanted

The Regimental Brewmeister needs to recruit one or two people to help with upcoming paid events.  Most events are in the general Philadelphia area but some require travel. Brewers: Learn to brew as an 18th Century Journeyman brewer. Talk to the public about beer, brewing, and sanitation in the 18th Century. Serve samples. Tavern Keepers: …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …