Regimental Brewmeister

Historical Tidbits When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. July 28, 1779 Americans defeated at Penobscot The British sent about 700 men aboard three small warships to land in Penobscot Bay. They intended to establish the province of New Ireland and to hold the coast for Britain.

Historical Tidbits

When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. July 28, 1779 Americans defeated at Penobscot The British sent about 700 men aboard three small warships to land in Penobscot Bay.…

US Marines in the American Revolution — Assault on Penobscot 28 July 1779 In spring of 1779 the British commander-in-chief in North America, General Sir Henry Clinton, directed that a strong outpost be established on the tip of the Bagaduce Peninsula in Penobscot Bay, Maine. Brigadier General Francis McLean, military commander of Nova Scotia, led 700 troops of the 74th Foot (Argyle Highlanders) and 82d Foot (Hamilton Regiment) ashore in mid-June to begin work on what became Fort George .

US Marines in the American Revolution — Assault on Penobscot

28 July 1779 In spring of 1779 the British commander-in-chief in North America, General Sir Henry Clinton, directed that a strong outpost be established on the tip of the Bagaduce Peninsula in Penobscot Bay, Maine. Brigadier General…

Congress establishes the State Department, July 27, 1789

The Constitution of the United States, drafted in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787 and ratified by the states the following year, gave the President responsibility for the conduct of the nation's foreign relations. It soon became clear,…

Birth of the US Post Office On July 26, 1775, the Second Continental Congress declared "...that a Postmaster General be appointed for the United States, who shall hold his office at Philadelphia, and shall be allowed a salary of 1,000 dollars per annum..." Benjamin Franklin was not, however, the first Postmaster in America nor was this the first time he would be responsible for managing mail within the colonies.

Birth of the US Post Office

On July 26, 1775, the Second Continental Congress declared "...that a Postmaster General be appointed for the United States, who shall hold his office at Philadelphia, and shall be allowed a salary of 1,000 dollars per annum..." Benjamin Franklin was not, however, the…

Historical Tidbits — Jacques Cartier Establishes Canada as a French Colony When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. Jacques Cartier Establishes Canada as a French Colony July 24, 1534 Okay, if you have attended one of my spruce beer brewing demos, you undoubtedly have heard the name Jacques Cartier. It was Cartier who was taught by the Hurons to brew spruce tea which would evolve into spruce ale which we all love.

Historical Tidbits — Jacques Cartier Establishes Canada as a French Colony

When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. Jacques Cartier Establishes Canada as a French Colony July 24, 1534 Okay,…

I Need Your Help! I need your help with the Moland House. This will be my second year planning the annual reenactment at Moland House. Last year, I took reins of organizing the event after Jo-Anne Mullen has decided to step down from organizing the event. We've had some growing pains trying to live up to the 15 years of tireless effort and superb leadership, Jo Anne put into this event but we are making sure this event continues uninterrupted.

I Need Your Help!

I need your help with the Moland House. This will be my second year planning the annual reenactment at Moland House. Last year, I took reins of organizing the event after Jo-Anne Mullen has decided to step down from organizing the event. We've had some growing pains trying to…

Basic Colonial Brewing #14 — Period Correct ways to get Yeast I know Reinheitsgebot permits only water, hops, and malt as ingredients in beer but if you want to make beer, mead, cider or any other alcoholic brew, you need to add yeast. In the 21st Century, many homebrewers just rip open an envelope of dried yeast from the local homebrew shop and add it to the wort. This is certainly not how it was done in the 18th Century.

Basic Colonial Brewing #14 — Period Correct ways to get Yeast

I know Reinheitsgebot permits only water, hops, and malt as ingredients in beer but if you want to make beer, mead, cider or any other alcoholic brew, you need to add yeast. In the 21st Century, many homebrewers just rip open an…

Historical Tidbits — Rosetta Stone Found 7/19/1799 When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. The Rosetta Stone was Found July 19, 1799by Napoleon's Army During Napoleon Bonaparte’s Egyptian campaign, a French soldier discovered and unusual stone while tearing down an old wall.  This stone was discovered to be the key to actually reading the inscription in the pyramids.

Historical Tidbits — Rosetta Stone Found 7/19/1799

When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. The Rosetta Stone was Found July 19, 1799by Napoleon's Army During Napoleon Bonaparte’s Egyptian…

“Rules by which a GREAT EMPIRE may be reduced to a SMALL ONE” Franklin wrote this satirical piece while serving in London as the colonial agent for several colonies. His numerous letters to London newspapers presenting the colonists’ point of view were often reprinted in colonial newspapers. “Rules by which a GREAT EMPIRE may be reduced to a SMALL ONE” ---The Public Advertiser, London, 11 September 1773(as printed in the Pennsylvania Gazette, 15 December 1773)

“Rules by which a GREAT EMPIRE may be reduced to a SMALL ONE”

Franklin wrote this satirical piece while serving in London as the colonial agent for several colonies. His numerous letters to London newspapers presenting the colonists’ point of view were often reprinted in colonial newspapers.…

The Regimental Brewmeister does “Talks” as well as brewing demonstrations. The Regimental Brewmeister is happy to give talks and lectures at your site to audiences of any size. I ask that you provide appropriate auto visual projection equipment and event promotion. I typically come in 18th Century attire and conduct interactive discussions. While I am happy to consider talks on other subjects, I have delivered very successful presentations on the following:

The Regimental Brewmeister does “Talks” as well as brewing demonstrations.

The Regimental Brewmeister is happy to give talks and lectures at your site to audiences of any size. I ask that you provide appropriate auto visual projection equipment and event promotion. I typically come in 18th Century…

Join the Regimental Brewmeister People are always welcome to come to my events and if you come in 18th Century kit, you can be part of the program or just hang out in the tent as you see fit.  However, if you are truly interested in really learning the process, teaching the public, and being the brewer, you should join the team. The Regimental Brewmeister and the Admiral of the Blue Apron Tavern are a non-profit, educational organization created in 2015 to accurately depict the trade of brewing and tavern keeping during the American Revolution. 

Join the Regimental Brewmeister

People are always welcome to come to my events and if you come in 18th Century kit, you can be part of the program or just hang out in the tent as you see fit.  However, if you are truly interested in really learning the process, teaching the public, and being the…

Historical Tidbits — Riot Act When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. July 15, 1715 – The Riot Act took effect in Britain. Assemblies of more than a dozen people could be forcibly dispersed in order to maintain the peace. The Riot Act was often used and abused by merchants and factory owners to maintain control and prevent unionization.

Historical Tidbits — Riot Act

When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. July 15, 1715 – The Riot Act took effect in Britain. Assemblies of more than a dozen people could be forcibly dispersed…

“Beer” Recipe: Whiskey Rebellion Corn Beer Okay, TECHNICALLY this is not a beer. According to Reinheitsgebot, beer must be made with malted BARLEY and this beer uses corn but AMERICAN beer is often made with whatever grain is available. I have dedicated this to the Whiskey Rebellion. During the American Revolution, individual states incurred significant debt. In 1790 Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton pushed for the federal government to take over that debt.

“Beer” Recipe: Whiskey Rebellion Corn Beer

Okay, TECHNICALLY this is not a beer. According to Reinheitsgebot, beer must be made with malted BARLEY and this beer uses corn but AMERICAN beer is often made with whatever grain is available. I have dedicated this to the Whiskey Rebellion. During the…

Historical Tidbits — Stony Point taken by General Wayne When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. July 15, 1779 Stony Point taken by General Wayne In a well planned and executed nighttime attack, a highly trained select group of Continental Army troops under the command of Brigadier General Anthony Wayne defeated British troops in quick and daring assault on their outpost in Stony Point, New York, approximately 30 miles north of New York City.

Historical Tidbits — Stony Point taken by General Wayne

When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. July 15, 1779 Stony Point taken by General Wayne In a well planned and executed nighttime…

Why did the Dutch support the American Revolution? So, this summer while I have been looking for my next corporate role, which I just landed BTW, I have been supporting Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia as one of Historic Philadelphia’s history makers. Not only is this a great way to keep my historical personae sharp, history makers are 1st person interpreters, but you get to interact with tourist from all over the world and discuss history.

Why did the Dutch support the American Revolution?

So, this summer while I have been looking for my next corporate role, which I just landed BTW, I have been supporting Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia as one of Historic Philadelphia’s history makers. Not only is this a great…

Historical Tidbits — BASTILE DAY When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. July 14, 1789 – BASTILE DAY: The crowd gathered outside the Bastille, a medieval armory, fortress, and political prison near the center of Paris, calling for the surrender of the prison, the removal of the cannon and the release of the arms and gunpowder.

Historical Tidbits — BASTILE DAY

When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. July 14, 1789 – BASTILE DAY: The crowd gathered outside the Bastille, a medieval armory, fortress, and political…

Historical Tidbits — NORTHWEST ORDINANCE When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. July 13, 1787 NORTHWEST ORDINANCE The Northwest Ordinance provided for the settlement and sale of lands acquired from Quebec in the Treaty of Paris. The ordinance required the land be divided into geographical miles square.

Historical Tidbits — NORTHWEST ORDINANCE

When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. July 13, 1787 NORTHWEST ORDINANCE The Northwest Ordinance provided for the settlement and sale of lands…

Historical Tidbits — Washington meets with Rochambeau When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. July 11, 1780 Washington meets with Rochambeau in Hartford France supported the American war effort with money and material and formally joined as an ally in 1778. The French wanted to avenge their loss to the British in the French and Indian War and to stop British expansionism.

Historical Tidbits — Washington meets with Rochambeau

When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. July 11, 1780 Washington meets with Rochambeau in Hartford France supported the American war…

Historical Tidbits — French Fleet arrives at Newport When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. July 11, 1780 French Fleet arrives at Newport Approximately 5,000 – 6,000 French soldiers commanded by Rochambeau arrived at Newport, Rhode Island. The code name given by the French government for the plan was “

Historical Tidbits — French Fleet arrives at Newport

When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. July 11, 1780 French Fleet arrives at Newport Approximately 5,000 – 6,000 French soldiers…

Drink of Persecution Perhaps it has something to do with the week I am spending in Texas or perhaps it is the fall-out from having watched The Serpent Queen on STARZ but my mind is stuck on “Bloody Mary.” I’m absolutely talking about the cocktail (I need 3 right now) but also the first Queen of England to rule in her own right -- Mary I of England – also known only as “

Drink of Persecution

Perhaps it has something to do with the week I am spending in Texas or perhaps it is the fall-out from having watched The Serpent Queen on STARZ but my mind is stuck on “Bloody Mary.” I’m absolutely talking about the cocktail (I need 3 right now) but also the first Queen of…

The Great Orrery An orrery is a mechanical model of the Solar System that illustrates or predicts the relative positions and motions of the planets and moons. The first orrery that was a planetarium of the modern era was produced in 1704, and one was presented to Charles Boyle (who penned the Ideal Gas Law), the 4th Earl of Orrery. These models are typically driven by a clockwork mechanism with a globe representing the Sun at the center and planet rotating about that sphere on small arms.

The Great Orrery

An orrery is a mechanical model of the Solar System that illustrates or predicts the relative positions and motions of the planets and moons. The first orrery that was a planetarium of the modern era was produced in 1704, and one was presented to Charles Boyle (who penned the…

Historical Tidbits — RESIDENCE ACT When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. July 9, 1790 – RESIDENCE ACT was passed by Congress creating a new national capital on the Potomac River in a site selected by President George Washington and carved out of lands from and independent from Maryland and Virginia.

Historical Tidbits — RESIDENCE ACT

When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. July 9, 1790 – RESIDENCE ACT was passed by Congress creating a new national capital on the Potomac River in a site…

The Problem of True North vs Compass North Private ownership of land in the British colonies of North America, provided self-sufficiency for many and extravagant wealth for a few. The idea of land as property came from England and accurate descriptions of property and its boundaries are essential. For this reason, surveyors were essential not just in the newly acquired lands of North America (and other British Colonies) be even in the home country.

The Problem of True North vs Compass North

Private ownership of land in the British colonies of North America, provided self-sufficiency for many and extravagant wealth for a few. The idea of land as property came from England and accurate descriptions of property and its boundaries are essential.…

Historical Tidbits — DELAWARE WANTED FREEDOM FROM BOTH ENGLAND AND PENNSYLVANIA When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. Last week, we celebrated Ceasar Rodney’s infamous ride to Philadelphia so that he could vote for independence in July 2. We take it for granted that Delaware was a sovereign colony in its own right before the American Revolution but that was not always true.

Historical Tidbits — DELAWARE WANTED FREEDOM FROM BOTH ENGLAND AND PENNSYLVANIA

When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. Last week, we celebrated Ceasar Rodney’s infamous ride to…

Historical Tidbits — American and French forces join at Dobbs Ferry When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. July 8, 1780 American and French forces join at Dobbs Ferry Expédition Particulière was the code name given by the French government for the plan to sail French land forces to North America to support the American rebel forces against Britain in the American Revolutionary War.

Historical Tidbits — American and French forces join at Dobbs Ferry

When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. July 8, 1780 American and French forces join at Dobbs Ferry Expédition…

Historical Tidbits — John Nixon publicly read the Declaration of Independence. When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. July 8, 1776 -- The citizens of Philadelphia were summoned to the State House Yard by the bells of the city. At noon, Colonel John Nixon publicly read the Declaration of Independence. Following the reading he ordered his men to remove all public signs and seals of King George, including the Royal Coat of Arms in the Philadelphia State House (aka Independence Hall) which was hauled up Market Street and burned.

Historical Tidbits — John Nixon publicly read the Declaration of Independence.

When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. July 8, 1776 -- The citizens of Philadelphia were summoned to the…

The Wussification of America Okay, we are now 167 days since the worst president in American history officially took office. While literally tons of ink have been spilled explaining the political disaster of Donald Trump, I will spare you my analysis of him as a failed politician other than to say we are in for a huge series of disasters over the next three and a half years.

The Wussification of America

Okay, we are now 167 days since the worst president in American history officially took office. While literally tons of ink have been spilled explaining the political disaster of Donald Trump, I will spare you my analysis of him as a failed politician other than to say…

Medical Ketchup Medical Ketchup During the 1800's ketchup was used for medicinal purposes. Ketchup was "brewed" as a cure for diarrhea, jaundice, indigestion, and rheumatism. Originally, ketchup was prepared with mushrooms as a primary ingredient, instead of tomato. So, the next time you’re at the dinner table in one of the 97% of American households that have a bottle of ketchup, you can share the fun fact that ketchup used to be sold as medicine.

Medical Ketchup

Medical Ketchup During the 1800's ketchup was used for medicinal purposes. Ketchup was "brewed" as a cure for diarrhea, jaundice, indigestion, and rheumatism. Originally, ketchup was prepared with mushrooms as a primary ingredient, instead of tomato. So, the next time you’re at the…

Historical Tidbits — Vice Admiralty Court Act When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. July 6, 1768-- The Vice Admiralty Court Act -- gave Royal naval courts, rather than colonial courts, jurisdiction over all matters concerning customs violations and smuggling. The Vice-Admiralty Court Act added three new royal admiralty courts in Boston, Philadelphia and Charleston to aid in more effective prosecutions.

Historical Tidbits — Vice Admiralty Court Act

When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. July 6, 1768-- The Vice Admiralty Court Act -- gave Royal naval courts, rather than colonial courts,…

Historical Tidbits — Fairfield and Norwalk burnt When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. July 6, 1779 Fairfield and Norwalk burnt In July 1779 during the American Revolutionary War, British Major General William Tryon and 2600 men raided the Connecticut ports of New Haven, Fairfield and Norwalk. They destroyed military and public stores, supply houses, and ships, as well as private homes, churches and other public buildings.

Historical Tidbits — Fairfield and Norwalk burnt

When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. July 6, 1779 Fairfield and Norwalk burnt In July 1779 during the American Revolutionary War, British…