I know this is not breaking news. And I know that many other diaries have already been written, but I am going to add my two cents anyway.
As you already know, the White House has a page We the People Your Voice in America Giving all Americans a way to engage their government on the issues that matter to them.
The one petition that caught my attention, and apparently a lot of other people's too, I will talk about below the fold
John L of Washington D.C. ignited the attention of thousands of America who joined him in signing this petition.
Release the recipe for the Honey Ale home brewed at the White House.
Following in the footsteps of great men like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin, Barack Obama has reportedly been enjoying the rewards of home brewed beer. Recent reports from news outlets like the Washington Post (August 15th, 2012) have stated that Obama has been drinking a White House home brew Honey Ale while on the campaign trail.
In keeping with the brewing traditions of the founding fathers, homebrewers across America call on the Obama Administration to release the recipe for the White House home brew so that it may be enjoyed by all.
"I think it’s time for beer” -Franklin D. Roosevelt (March 12, 1933)
Faced with the overwhelming demand from the American people, the White House had to respond. And they did. But we learn from their response that they were never certain of success.
Inspired by home brewers from across the country, last year President Obama bought a home brewing kit for the kitchen. After the few first drafts we landed on some great recipes that came from a local brew shop. We received some tips from a couple of home brewers who work in the White House who helped us amend it and make it our own. To be honest, we were surprised that the beer turned out so well since none of us had brewed beer before.
[Bold text added by me.]
But there was more revealed about dark secrets that have been hidden in the White House for years - potential illegal actives.
As far as we know the White House Honey Brown Ale is the first alcohol brewed or distilled on the White House grounds. George Washington brewed beer and distilled whiskey at Mount Vernon and Thomas Jefferson made wine but there's no evidence that any beer has been brewed in the White House. (Although we do know there was some drinking during prohibition…)
[Yep, that is me with the bold text again.]
If you thought Michelle Obama's arugula garden was outrageous, wait till you read this next bomb. I had no idea such facilities had been set up in OUR White House. I am shocked behind words.
Since our first batch of White House Honey Brown Ale we've added the Honey Porter and have gone even further to add a Honey Blonde this past summer. Like many home brewers who add secret ingredients to make their beer unique, all of our brews have honey that we tapped from the first ever bee-hive on the South Lawn. The honey gives the beer a rich aroma and a nice finish but it doesn't sweeten it.
[Who else do you think would be bolding the text at this point?]
The White House now has its own bee-hive. Did you know that? I didn't know that.
Finally, here is the document that had been kept secret inside the White House until now.
White House Honey Ale
Ingredients
2 (3.3 lb) cans light malt extract
1 lb light dried malt extract
12 oz crushed amber crystal malt
8 oz Biscuit Malt
1 lb White House Honey
1 1/2 oz Kent Goldings Hop Pellets
1 1/2 oz Fuggles Hop pellets
2 tsp gypsum
1 pkg Windsor dry ale yeast
3/4 cup corn sugar for priming
Directions
In an 12 qt pot, steep the grains in a hop bag in 1 1/2 gallons of sterile water at 155 degrees for half an hour. Remove the grains.
Add the 2 cans of the malt extract and the dried extract and bring to a boil.
For the first flavoring, add the 1 1/2 oz Kent Goldings and 2 tsp of gypsum. Boil for 45 minutes.
For the second flavoring, add the 1/2 oz Fuggles hop pellets at the last minute of the boil.
Add the honey and boil for 5 more minutes.
Add 2 gallons chilled sterile water into the primary fermenter and add the hot wort into it. Top with more water to total 5 gallons. There is no need to strain.
Pitch yeast when wort temperature is between 70-80˚. Fill airlock halfway with water.
Ferment at 68-72˚ for about seven days.
Rack to a secondary fermenter after five days and ferment for 14 more days.
To bottle, dissolve the corn sugar into 2 pints of boiling water for 15 minutes. Pour the mixture into an empty bottling bucket. Siphon the beer from the fermenter over it. Distribute priming sugar evenly. Siphon into bottles and cap. Let sit for 2 to 3 weeks at 75˚.
Sam Kass is White House Assistant Chef and the Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives
God bless America. And God bless White House Assistant Chef Sam Kass!