Founding tasters: Thomas Jefferson Craft Beer Tasting returns

To Thomas Jefferson and his fellow countrymen beer was among the “necessaries” of life — rural households brewed their own, city-folk purchased malt liquor from breweries and travelers stocked up at taverns along the way. Thomas Jefferson, himself, ventured into a scientific pursuit of brewing beer using local hops and malt and served his brews with meals. Today’s resurgence of craft beers, ales and ciders would undoubtedly please the president, to whom the 1804 tome American Distiller was dedicated. In this spirit, the Thomas Jefferson Craft Beer Tasting returns for its second year at Poplar Forest.

The event will feature 11 craft breweries and  beer education classes. Participating breweries include Angry Orchard ; Apocalypse Ale Works ; Blue Mountain Brewery; Bold Rock Hard Cider; Devils Backbone Brewing Co.; Foothills Brewing; Old Bust Head (OBH) Brew Co.; Parkway (PKY) Brewing Co.; Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.; South Street Brewery; and Wild Wolf Brewing Co.

The Thomas Jefferson Craft Beer Tasting is held on the south lawn of the Poplar Forest plantation, Thomas Jefferson’s personal retreat. It is one of only two homes Thomas Jefferson designed and created for his own use. Designated a National Historic Landmark by the Secretary of the Interior, today it is an exciting opportunity to “be there at the beginning” — to experience the award-winning rescue, archaeological exploration and restoration of one of America’s most important national landmarks. Be sure to visit the Thomas Jefferson Craft Beer Tasting website for all the details, and you could grab a beer while taking in the history.