Presidential Pints

When you think of presidential firsts, you might think of signing groundbreaking legislation or traveling to new diplomatic frontiers. But brewing beer? That’s a first we can toast to! In 2011, President Obama brewed beer in the White House. He made history as the first president to craft unique ales with honey from the South Lawn.

Three of President Obamas beer brewed in the White House. Honey Ale, Honey Blonde and Honey PorterThe Birth of White House Brewing

It all started in 2011 when President Obama, using his own funds, purchased a homebrewing kit and enlisted White House chef Sam Kass to help turn the residence into a microbrewery. The key ingredient? Honey from the beehives managed by Michelle Obama in the South Lawn garden. The result was a collection of brews as unique as the administration itself.

The Presidential Lineup

The White House brewing team crafted several signature beers:

  • White House Honey Ale: The very first beer brewed on White House grounds.
  • White House Honey Blonde Ale: A light and refreshing summer beer.
  • White House Honey Porter: A dark beer that packed flavor without being heavy.
  • White House Honey Brown: A rich, malty brew.

President Barack Obama enjoys a beer with Dakota Meyer on the patio outside of the Oval Office, Sept. 14, 2011. The President will present Meyer with the Medal of Honor tomorrow during a ceremony at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.From Super Bowls to Medal of Honor Moments

The beers made appearances at a variety of White House events. Nearly 10 gallons were brewed for a Super Bowl party, and the honey ales even found their way into a Medal of Honor celebration. When former Marine Corps Sergeant Dakota Meyer requested to share a beer with President Obama, the two sipped the White House brew on the patio outside the Oval Office. Talk about a memorable toast!

Brewing Secrets Revealed

In 2012, after a Freedom of Information Act request and public petitions, the Obama administration released the recipes for the White House’s beers. These recipes quickly became a hit with homebrewers across the country, with kits inspired by the brews available for purchase.

A Legacy Worth Sipping

President Obama’s foray into brewing earned him a lifetime membership in the American Homebrewers Association. Beyond the beers themselves, the effort embodied a spirit of creativity, community, and, of course, enjoying a good pint.

So next time you raise a glass, consider this: even the White House can’t resist the allure of craft beer. Cheers to history, honey, and hops!

President Obama’s Brewed Beer Recipes

Below are the recipes President Obama beer brewed in the White House. You may also download a PDF of the recipes by clicking here.

White House Honey Ale Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 2 (3.3 lb) cans of light malt extract
  • 1 lb of light dried malt extract
  • 12 oz crushed amber crystal malt
  • 8 oz Bisquit malt
  • 1 lb white brewing sugar
  • 1 oz Kent Goldings Hop pellets
  • 1 1/2 oz Fuggles Hop pellets
  • 2 tsp gypsum
  • 1/2 tsp Irish moss
  • 2/3 cup honey (from the White House South Lawn beehive)
  • 1 vial of White Labs WLP001 California Ale Yeast

Instructions:

  1. Steep the grains in 2.25 gallons of 168°F water for 45 minutes.
  2. Remove the grains and add the malt extract, honey, and sugar.
  3. Bring to a boil and add hops as per schedule.
  4. Cool the wort and transfer it to a fermenter, topping it to 5 gallons.
  5. Pitch yeast and ferment at 68-72°F.
White House Honey Porter Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 6.6 lbs of light malt extract
  • 3.3 lbs of amber malt extract
  • 1 lb of crystal 60 malt
  • 1 lb of Munich Malt
  • 1 lb of black malt
  • 1 lb of chocolate malt
  • 3 oz of Kent Goldings Hop pellets
  • 1/2 oz of Hallertau Hop pellets
  • 1 lb of honey
  • 1 package of Nottingham dry yeast

Instructions:

  1. Steep the specialty grains in 2.25 gallons of water at 155°F for 45 minutes.
  2. Remove the grains and add malt extracts and honey.
  3. Bring to a boil and follow the hop addition schedule.
  4. Cool, transfer to fermenter, and top up to 5 gallons.
  5. Pitch yeast and ferment at 68-72°F.

Both recipes reflect the creative spirit of the White House brewing team, with a touch of South Lawn honey adding a unique twist to every pint.🍺