Beer-Drinking Pilgrims: The Mayflower's Alcoholic History

Beer was the staple drink on board the Mayflower. Unlike water, which quickly spoiled when stored in the hold of ships, beer contained no bacteria and kept for longer thanks to the then-recent introduction of hops. It was also a great source of carbohydrates. The men, women, and children drank beer daily, and sailors aboard the Mayflower received a daily ration of a gallon. However, the beer supply started to run out as the ship approached Plymouth Rock. The captain decided to land at Plymouth Rock (rather than sailing further south) and winter there, cutting off the supply to the passengers and leaving more for the crew.

Beer was the staple drink on the Mayflower

Each person aboard the Mayflower was rationed about a gallon of beer per day, amounting to a whopping supply of thousands of gallons. The beer was stored and transported in wooden barrels built and maintained by a young cooper named John Alden. While the beer ration was meant to last for the entire journey, several setbacks, including strong sea weather and being blown off course, strained the supplies.

As the Mayflower approached Plymouth Rock, the passengers found themselves running out of beer. Captain Christopher Jones, concerned about having sufficient beer for his crew's return trip to England, made the quick decision to land at the nearest site, which happened to be Plymouth Rock. The Pilgrims were forced ashore, leaving the remaining beer for the crew. This event highlights the importance of beer to the Pilgrims, who chose to settle in a location with access to good water sources for brewing more beer.

The beer consumed by the Pilgrims likely had an alcohol content of around 6%, although there was also weaker "small beer." The brews were probably made with available ingredients, and spruce and pumpkin beers were known to be common during that time.

Beer was safer to drink than water

The water stored in ships often became contaminated and unsafe to drink, whereas beer could be stored and ingested for weeks or months without ill effects. This made it the ideal beverage for a lengthy journey, as long as there was enough to go around. Beer was also safer to drink than water on land, as fresh water was often unsafe to drink, especially during sea travel.

The Pilgrims on the Mayflower drank beer as their main source of hydration, with each person rationed a gallon per day. The beer they drank had an alcohol content of around 6%, and it was known as "ship's beer" or "small beer". It did not have a high alcohol content, and the even weaker version for children was likely a much milder brew.

The Mayflower's cooper, John Alden, had the important job of building and tending to the wooden barrels that carried the ship's beer. Beer was so important to the Pilgrims that when supplies started to run low, Captain Jones made the decision to land at Plymouth Rock rather than sailing further south. This ensured that the remaining beer could be reserved for the crew's return journey to England.

Beer was rationed at one gallon per person per day

Beer was an essential part of daily life for the Pilgrims on the Mayflower. It was their main source of hydration, as the water aboard was likely to become contaminated and unsafe to drink. Beer, on the other hand, could be stored for long periods without spoiling, thanks to its antimicrobial properties. The Pilgrims, like the English of that time, drank beer like water.

The Pilgrims were each rationed a gallon of beer per day for their journey. This ration was intended to be enough to last the duration of the trip, but due to unforeseen circumstances, including bad weather and being blown off course, the rations on board became strained. The beer was also necessary for the crew's return journey to England, so the captain was concerned about having sufficient quantities for his sailors.

The Pilgrims' daily gallon ration of beer was not solely for hydration. It was also a source of nutrition, providing much-needed carbohydrates for the arduous voyage. The beer they consumed, known as "ship's beer," had a low alcohol content. There was also "small beer," which was even weaker, and of this, the passengers drank a quart per day.

The gallon-per-person-per-day ration of beer was so important to the Pilgrims that when supplies began to run low, it influenced their decision to land at Plymouth Rock. Captain Christopher Jones chose to dock the ship and allow the passengers ashore, thus preserving the remaining beer for his crew. The Pilgrims were forced to drink water, which they regarded with suspicion, and they were unhappy about the situation, with William Bradford complaining about the arrangement.

The Mayflower's beer supply was so crucial that it played a role in determining the location of the new colony. The chosen site in Plymouth had access to a "very sweet brook" and "many delicate springs of as good water as may be drunk," which was essential for future beer production.

The Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock because they were running out of beer

The Mayflower's journey to the New World was not an easy one. The ship set sail on September 6, 1620, with 102 passengers, including 51 "Separatists" and 51 "Strangers". The voyage was a challenging and gruelling one, with the Pilgrims facing seasickness, bad weather, and limited rations. After two months at sea, the ship finally sighted land along the coast of Cape Cod. However, the Pilgrims were not out of the woods yet, as they soon faced another challenge: running out of beer.

Beer was a staple drink on board the Mayflower and played a crucial role in the daily lives of the Pilgrims. Unlike water, which could quickly spoil and become contaminated, beer was considered safer to drink due to its antimicrobial powers. It was also a good source of carbohydrates, making it an essential part of their diet. Each person on board, including men, women, and children, was rationed about a gallon of beer per day. With the long and arduous journey, the beer supply began to dwindle, and the captain, Christopher Jones, faced a difficult decision.

Captain Jones was concerned about preserving the remaining beer for his crew on the return journey to England. So, when the Mayflower approached Plymouth Rock, the captain made the quick decision to land there rather than sailing further south. The passengers were encouraged to go ashore, leaving more beer for the crew. One passenger, William Bradford, complained about the situation, stating that they "were hastened ashore and made to drink water, that the seamen might have the more beer."

The Pilgrims were suspicious of the local water and were not accustomed to drinking fresh water. They preferred beer, which was crucial to their survival during the voyage. The shortage of beer, along with the unsafe drinking water, likely contributed to the decision to land at Plymouth Rock. The site provided a natural harbour, high ground for defence, and access to fresh water sources, which were essential for brewing more beer.

The landing at Plymouth Rock marked a significant moment in the history of the Pilgrims and the founding of America. The beer shortage may have been a contributing factor in the decision to establish their colony at that location. While it is difficult to confirm the exact role of beer in their choice, it is clear that beer played an important and influential role in the daily lives and decisions of the Pilgrims.

The pilgrims preferred beer to water

The Pilgrims drank beer as their main source of hydration, and each person was rationed a gallon per day. Beer was so important to the Pilgrims that, when supplies started to run low, the Mayflower's captain, Christopher Jones, decided to land at Plymouth Rock rather than sailing further south. This cut off the supply to the passengers and left more for the crew for the return journey.

William Bradford, a passenger on the Mayflower, complained that he and his companions "were hastened ashore and made to drink water, that the seamen might have the more beer". Even when the pilgrims discovered clean streams ashore, they were suspicious of the New World liquid and not altogether fond of its taste. As one colonist wrote, "I dare not prefer it before good beer".

The Pilgrims' preference for beer over water was not just a matter of taste, but also of necessity. Stored for long periods, ship's water would become contaminated and unsafe to drink. Beer, on the other hand, could be stored and ingested for weeks and months without ill effect, making it the ideal beverage for a lengthy journey.

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