BOTTOMS UP: “”The pilgrims set out on the Mayflower seeking
religious freedom, economic opportunity and a new life. But on Dec.
19, 1620, they faced a more urgent concern. They were out of
beer.””[neWLine]

We couldn’t resist this bit of historical information provided
by the National Beer Wholesalers Association on, “”Beer’s Role in
Early America.””[neWLine]

We continue:[neWLine]

“”So the pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, and the rest is
American history – a history in which beer has played a starring
role.[neWLine]

“”Of course that history got off to a rocky start. Unfortunately
for the first colonists at Jamestown, Va., there was not a single
brewer among them – though they quickly implored the old country to
send two.[neWLine]

“”In 1612, the first brewery opened in the New World, at the
southern tip of Manhattan. Two years later, the first non-native
American was born in that very brew house.[neWLine]

“”In colonial America, when there were few reliable sources of
clean drinking water, beer was often the beverage of choice. Then,
as now, beer crossed class lines and was consumed by farmers,
workers, merchants and lawyers alike. Taverns were often important
pats of their community – they served as communal areas, commercial
centers and sometimes even courthouses.[neWLine]

“”Beer also played an important role in the Revolutionary War.
Soldiers were given a quart of beer per day. George Washington was
a brewer -ðhis recipe can be found in one of his notebooks from
1754. On the day the British finally left New York in 1783,
Washington enjoyed an ale at the Bull’s Head Tavern.[neWLine]

“”Other Founding Fathers had equally important connections to
beer. Many, including Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, were
brewers, and Jefferson devoted considerable enthusiasm to
perfecting the craft. Franklin famously proclaimed, ‘Beer is proof
that God loves us and wants us to be happy.'[neWLine]

“”With this long history, it’s no surprise that beer today is an
important part of the American economy. There are over 2,200
brewers and beer importers in America today, and 1,900 beer
distributors. The industry employs nearly 1.8 million
Americans.[neWLine]

“”The glorious history of beer in America is one of the reasons
the members of the National Beer Wholesalers Association are proud
to deliver America’s favorite beverage.””[neWLine]

Let’s all raise a glass in their honor!