Silver Eagle's Letterbox Aerie

Beer has been part of American culture since the days before our nation was founded. In fact, beer has been a staple since civilization began. We know the ancient Babylonians brewed and drank beer over 4,000 years ago. The Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower landed at Plymouth rock in part because, as one colonist wrote in his diary, "We could not now take time for further search... our victuals being much spent, especially our bere." Later, George Washington, an accomplished brewmaster, demanded that the Continental Congress meet its promise of supplying his soldiers a quart of beer daily. This was of utmost importance to the ragged Revolutionaries who were fighting for independence. Today, beer continues to be an integral part of the American way of life. The brewing industry provides beer to more than 80 million people in the U.S. - and all but a minority enjoy their beer responsibly. In fact, beer is so much a part of the American tradition that it is included in the basket of goods the government uses to calculate the Consumer Price Index. Many states have brews they are proud of or are historically interesting, so I decided to dedicate this letterbox series to some of them. So bring along your favorite brew and visit my collection!