Feedback for Samuel Adams (Fall Variety Pack)...

The Adams Family of his father's generation was prominent and very well off, any domestic chores would've been handled by the servants.

A malthouse was one of the family business interests and the position created for Sam by his father was as a partner, so he showed up at work wearing a business suit rather than shirt sleeves.

 

What you state above may be true.

The fact that Samuel Adams did not own or work at a commercial brewery does not mean that he didn't brew beer.

Cheers!

 

Of course it does, Eighteenth Century gentlemen did not perform manual labor for to do so would diminish their own and their family's standing. They would drink, gamble and ***** around but those were considered leisure activities.

 

Was Thomas Jefferson a non-gentleman?

“Jefferson learned to brew after his presidency Using locally grown hops and malts purchased from his neighbor—and studying “The Theory and Practice of Brewing,” written by Englishman Michael Combrune in 1804—Jefferson bottled his first batch of beer at his Monticello estate in 1812.”

Cheers!

 

That's 18th century speak for the master overseeing a project while slaves or servants performed the actual work. Today we would say Jefferson "produced" his first beer in 1812. George Washington, who also produced beer and whisky, is credited with being one of the early pioneers of crop rotation but he didn't actually get out and plow the ground.

I think it unlikely that Samuel Adams performed any home brewing for the simple reason that all servants gossip and if word got out that Sam himself was making beer in his basement society of the time would conclude he did so because he was too broke to buy any, or hire a servant that could brew, which is the sort of embarrassing rumor that neither Sam nor the family would like having float around.

 

Right. If Old Fezziwig were a year round offering, as much as I love it, I wouldn’t want to see it in the summer pack.

 

You are incorrect here. Thomas Jefferson did indeed brew that beer of 1812.

I now know that you know little about the specifics but instead speak in generalities.

Cheers!

 

Younger beer drinkers are stupid. I know some.

 

Jack I believe you and I agree that a little learning can be a dangerous thing but I don't think that's the case here. It seems historically implausible that Thomas Jefferson, who in 1812 was 69 years old and in poor health, performed the tasks of a brewer while his servants and slaves stood around and watched.

Same implausibility for Samuel Adams whose life and career has been chronologically detailed from first person sources. If you have any verifiable specifics about the brewing activities of these two men I'll be glad to be educated.

 

Yes, I caught that, but men who were grown ups in 1812 were born in the 18th century and still influenced by societal norms which had not changed much.

 

Its a documented fact:

“And so under the direction of Miller, Jefferson became "a brewer for family use."10

10.

Jefferson to Joseph Coppinger, Monticello, April 25, 1815, in PTJ:RS, 8:438. Polygraph copy at the Library of Congress.”

I have learned a valuable lesson today in that it would appear I can’t have enlightened discussion with you.

I won't waste my time in the future.

Cheers!

 

Damn.

 

Aw com'on Jack, It's not fair to demand specifics of others while being unwilling to provide them yourself. Being trained in the practice of brewing doesn't mean Jefferson rolled up his sleeves and actually did it. Had he done so the event would've been so remarkable at least one eye witness would've commented.

Same for Samuel Adams of whom there is no evidence that he ever brewed in any capacity and plenty that he didn't.

 

From what I could gather the part about bottling the beer is derived from this transcribed letter, referenced by the Monticello website:

"On May 12th he instructed his overseer to "bottle the beer."1"

 

Ah go ahead man, I don't care, messing around is an important part of the beer drinking while beer discussing experience.

 

@Squire @davedog_7 @JackHorzempa


Allow me to suggest that you each go to this link where you can read the letter as Jefferson wrote it:

https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/03-08-02-0350

 

Thanks, I had forgotten about the use of corn in Colonial brewing.

 

Take note of what Jefferson says about becoming a family brewer.