Medal of Honor recipient, Marine Corps Sergeant Dakota Meyer, enjoying a beer with the President of the United States. (White House photo/video)
I am sure that most of our readers have read or heard about the excitement surrounding the recipes for the White House’s home brewed Honey Ale and Honey Porter beers. There was even a petition on We the People, the White House’s online petition platform, for the White House to “release” the recipes.
Well, the recipes were released during this labor Day weekend under the heading, “Ale to the Chief: White House Beer Recipe.”
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My only surprise is that they have not yet been posted here at TMV.
But first, a message from Sam Kass, the White House Chef.
“With public excitement about White House beer fermenting such a buzz, we decided we better hop right to it.
Inspired by home brewers from across the country, last year President Obama bought a home brewing kit for the kitchen. After the few first drafts we landed on some great recipes that came from a local brew shop. We received some tips from a couple of home brewers who work in the White House who helped us amend it and make it our own. To be honest, we were surprised that the beer turned out so well since none of us had brewed beer before.
As far as we know the White House Honey Brown Ale is the first alcohol brewed or distilled on the White House grounds. George Washington brewed beer and distilled whiskey at Mount Vernon and Thomas Jefferson made wine but there’s no evidence that any beer has been brewed in the White House. (Although we do know there was some drinking during prohibition…)
Since our first batch of White House Honey Brown Ale we’ve added the Honey Porter and have gone even further to add a Honey Blonde this past summer. Like many home brewers who add secret ingredients to make their beer unique, all of our brews have honey that we tapped from the first ever bee-hive on the South Lawn. The honey gives the beer a rich aroma and a nice finish but it doesn’t sweeten it.
If you want a behind the scenes look at our home-brewing process, this video offers some proof.” (Above)
But now to the beer recipes:
First the White House Honey Ale:
And the White House Honey Porter:
ENJOY!!
Beer mugs image: www.shutterstock.com
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.