Washington's Beer is a historical recreation of a 1757 recipe written by George Washington when he was a young colonel in the Virginia militia. TALEA Beer Co., a women-owned Brooklyn brewery, partnered with the New York Public Library to bring this 269-year-old formula back to life.

This small beer is brewed following the original method: water, yeast, hops, and a substantial amount of molasses. The result is cloudy and dark amber in color, intended to be served at room temperature. It tastes less like conventional beer and more like a funky, sweet syrup with sour notes.

Small beer served a practical purpose in the 18th century: its low alcohol content made it safe for soldiers when clean water was unavailable. Boiling the water and the antiseptic properties of hops helped prevent diseases like dysentery.