The Use of Alcohol in Colonial America (approx. 1600-1800`s)

Candice Youngblood

December 3 , 2006

History Research

Alcohol in Colonial America

The first settlers arrived to the Americas and staked their claim on this new discovery . Something else was waiting for the settlers , a beverage of intoxication . Almost as quickly as they began to organize and sub-divide the land , the immigrants , and true natives to North America shared their beloved drink : alcohol . Cultures of varied races arrived and shared in this most cherished drink . There were uses for alcohol in the earliest colonial times that went beyond a beverage to

br drink in festive gatherings . There are varied beliefs surrounding the conception of alcohol consumption and its effects on British Colonies Some are true , others are false . I will construct an investigation surrounding the history of alcohol in Colonial America with persuasive evidence to support my findings

Alcohol , also commonly referred to as spirits in Colonial America had many uses . Alcohol , of course , was used in festive times , but it was also used in religious ceremonies as well and providing medicinal properties to aid in curing ailments

The initial impact of alcohol on the settlers led them to accept it for its varied uses . Although moderate use of alcohol was accepted society , from its inception into the Americas , frowned upon individuals becoming overly intoxicated . In other words , drunkenness was viewed negatively

Since alcohol was considered a gift from the gods ' to the natives the settlers , too , accepted its mind-altering properties as something almost sacred . The growing communities treasured it , just as the natives did . Time and abuse were two components that led to problems for alcohol consumption . Due to its success in the minds of settlers they partook in alcohol consumption for all three meals of the day : beer with breakfast , hard cider with lunch , beer with supper . In fact , beer and hard cider were the most popular drinks for colonists . As the drinking continued , they wanted to learn how to brew beer

One of the initial problems - aside from increasing abuse of alcoholic drunkenness - was the lack of sufficient ingredients . Barley , grains hops , and yeast were the main ingredients in a brewing beer . The colonies did not have an ample selection of hops and grains . Harvesting of barley and hops was not a common crop among farmers of this era Many colonists tried different ingredients , but nothing satisfied the perfect blend of hops , barley , yeast , and grain

By the late 1600 's , cider became a top choice among colonists , mainly due the apple crops that were prevalent in colonial times . Mass production through efficient farming and harvesting by colonists was seen . Thanks again to England for the apples . Farmers increased their work load mainly due to the reward of the final product : cider matured into hard cider (which included alcohol

With the increasing popularity of beer and cider , the settlers discovered a need to increase their selection . The settlers started to import inexpensive yields of sugar cane and molasses to brew another popular drink : rum . Rum quickly gained in...