Beer-Drinking Pilgrims: A Historical Perspective

The idea that the Pilgrims were drunk when they landed the Mayflower has been perpetuated by popular myth and advertising campaigns. While it is true that the Pilgrims drank beer, it is unlikely that they were drunk on it at the first Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims drank beer because the water aboard ships often became unsafe to drink, and beer kept well due to its antimicrobial properties. Beer was also crucial to their survival on the long journey across the Atlantic, and it continued to play a role in the colonists' survival as they set off on their new journey.

Beer was safer to drink than water

The Pilgrims were suspicious of the local water, and preferred to drink beer. William Bradford, the colony's governor, wrote that the Pilgrims "were hastened ashore and made to drink water, that the seamen might have the more beer". The Pilgrims were so averse to drinking water that they returned to the ship when harsh weather hit, and on Christmas day they were allowed to drink some of the remaining beer.

The Mayflower had set off with a supply of both beer and water, but the water had become contaminated by the time the ship neared the shores. Beer was safer to drink because of its antimicrobial properties, and it could be stored and ingested for weeks and months without ill effects. The Pilgrims drank "ship's beer", which did not have a high alcohol content, and "small beer", which was even weaker and of which passengers drank a quart per day.

Once the Pilgrims had settled in the New World, they built houses with kitchen breweries for the women to make beer, and they also built taverns and breweries.

Beer was crucial to the Pilgrims' survival

The Pilgrims drank about a gallon of beer per day, and even children drank beer, though it was probably a weaker version of what we know as beer today. "Ship's beer" and "small beer" did not have a high alcohol content. The beer was rationed: one gallon per person per day, with an alcohol content of 6%.

The Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock, rather than its intended destination, because the beer supply was running low. The ship's captain, Christopher Jones, needed to preserve the dwindling beer stocks for his sailors on the return journey. The passengers were encouraged to land near Cape Cod, and the captain and his crew remained anchored in the harbor for the winter.

Once they had settled, the Pilgrims built houses with kitchen breweries for the women to make beer. They also built taverns and breweries.

The Pilgrims drank about a gallon of beer a day

The Pilgrims' love for beer is well-documented, and it is said that they drank about a gallon of beer every day. This was because, at the time, water was often unsafe to drink, especially during sea travel, whereas beer kept well due to its antimicrobial properties. Beer was crucial to their survival on the long journey across the Atlantic, and it continued to be important as they built a new life in America.

The Pilgrims were so fond of beer that it is believed that the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock instead of its intended destination in Virginia because they were running out of beer. The ship's captain, Christopher Jones, needed to preserve the dwindling beer stocks for his sailors on the return journey, so he encouraged the passengers to disembark near Cape Cod. William Bradford, the colony's governor, wrote that he and his companions "were hastened ashore and made to drink water, that the seamen might have the more beer."

Once they settled in the New World, the Pilgrims continued to drink beer, as they were suspicious of the local water sources. They also built taverns and breweries, with Boston leading the colonies in for-profit brewing. Beer played an important role in the daily lives of the colonists, and it was considered safer to drink than water.

The Pilgrims' drinking habits were not limited to beer, as they also consumed cider and other alcoholic beverages. However, it is important to note that they frowned upon excess and did not abstain from drinking completely. While they may have had a reputation for drunkenness, the reality was more nuanced, and they balanced their drinking with their religious beliefs and daily tasks.

In conclusion, the Pilgrims' daily consumption of about a gallon of beer had a significant impact on their journey to the New World and their subsequent settlement. It influenced their landing site, their interactions with local Native Americans, and their daily lives as they built a new society.

Beer was used to bribe voters

The Pilgrims' affinity for beer is well-documented, with records indicating that they drank it regularly and considered it a crucial part of their survival during their voyage to the New World. While the idea that the Mayflower landed in Massachusetts due to a beer shortage is mostly myth, it does contain a kernel of truth.

Now, onto the main topic:

The practice of using alcohol to influence voting outcomes is not a new phenomenon. In fact, it has a long history in American politics, dating back to the country's earliest days. This tactic, often referred to as "treating" or "swilling the planters with bumbo" (bumbo being a type of rum), involved candidates providing free alcohol to voters in an attempt to sway their decisions. While this may seem counterintuitive, there were several reasons behind it.

Firstly, in Colonial times, voting day was a day-long affair that often involved travelling to a distant town centre, which could be arduous. Therefore, it was seen as a festive occasion and serving alcoholic refreshments was a customary part of the voting process. Candidates who refused to provide alcohol often faced defeat, as it was expected and seen as a form of hospitality.

Secondly, alcohol was used as a bribe, with the understanding that voters would support the candidate providing the drinks. This tactic was employed by none other than George Washington during his campaign for the House of Burgesses in Virginia in 1755. After initially refusing to engage in "treating," he lost the election badly. However, he learned from this mistake and, during his next campaign three years later, served a substantial amount of alcohol (rum, punch, hard cider, and beer), ultimately winning the election.

The practice of "treating" or "swilling the planters with bumbo" continued for many years, with various politicians employing it to influence voters. Over time, however, voting laws evolved, and the practice of using alcohol to bribe voters became illegal. In 1811, Maryland passed the first campaign finance reform law, prohibiting candidates from purchasing alcohol for voters. Additionally, many states banned the sale of alcohol on Election Day to prevent its influence on voting outcomes.

While the days of openly bribing voters with beer may be over, the influence of alcohol on politics and voting behaviour remains a topic of interest and debate.

Beer was advertised as the drink of Our Pilgrim Fathers

Beer was advertised as the drink of "Our Pilgrim Fathers" in the early 20th century, but this claim has been disputed by historians. The idea that the Pilgrims drank beer and that it played an important role in their daily lives is not unfounded, however.

The Pilgrims were running out of beer by the time the Mayflower reached the New World in 1620, and this may have influenced their decision to land at Plymouth Rock. Captain Christopher Jones wanted to preserve the remaining beer for his crew during the return journey, so he encouraged the passengers to disembark and find fresh water. The Pilgrims were suspicious of the local water, and it is said that William Bradford complained that he and his companions "were hastened ashore and made to drink water, that the seamen might have the more beer."

The Pilgrims' preference for beer over water was not unusual for the time. Water aboard ships often became brackish and unsafe to drink, whereas beer had antimicrobial properties and could be stored for longer periods without spoiling. Beer was also an important source of hydration and nutrition during a time when water was often unsafe to drink, even on land.

While it is true that beer played a significant role in the lives of the Pilgrims, the notion that they were drunkards or that they landed at Plymouth Rock solely because they ran out of beer is likely an exaggeration. The beer industry, particularly Anheuser-Busch in the early 1900s and Budweiser in the 1930s, played a role in popularising and romanticising this idea.

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