Dr. Brewmaster – Necessity vs. Invention

As November rolls around, many reflect on the European discovery of the Americas and the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock. Why Plymouth Rock? After six weeks of exploring different areas to settle, one Mayflower passenger wrote, “We could not now take time for further search…our victuals being much spent, especially our beer…”

Brewing beer in the New World utilized different sources of sugar and flavor since hops and barley from the Old World were in short supply. As necessity is often the mother of invention, everything from maize, pumpkins, molasses, maple syrup, sassafras, pine, spruce tips, bark, and roots made their way into the “beer” of colonial America. Today’s brewers use local and not-so-local “non-traditional” ingredients but do so out of invention, not necessity.

Great seasonal and historically-inspired brews are hitting the local taps this month. Great Basin Brewing Co. returns with the Harvest Ale, a seasonal favorite that is brewed from locally-harvested pine nuts, juniper berries, honey, and sage. BJ’s and Silver Peak both celebrate colonial brewing with an addition of pumpkin to their spice-infused ales, creating history lessons you can imbibe. Also from Silver Peak is a Belgian Saison with an enticing cranberry addition.

Out this month at select locations is a collaborative brew between Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. “Life and Limb” and “Limb and Life” were brewed using hops and barley grown at the Sierra Nevada Brewery and with maple and birch syrup from the family tree farm of the Dogfish Head Brewery.

Our colonists deserve props for the establishment of the pumpkin ale and diverse additions to American beer. But let’s also tip a pint to American microbreweries that keep exciting our palates. Visit your local brewery or bar to indulge the creativity of New World and new school brewers that might challenge your notion of what beer is.

Text by Dr. Monte Sanford