Quotes About Drinking From Presidents and Founding Fathers

Declaring our independence from Britain, carefully crafting the Constitution, and drinking a lot of alcohol… it wasn’t easy being a Founding Father. Seriously though, the average Colonial American consumed 7 gallons of alcohol each year. In comparison, we currently consume about 2 gallons. Kind of hard to believe that Americans consumed more alcohol before the Super Bowl existed, but it’s true.

A country steeped in drinking traditions, the importance isn’t lost on the President. As you’ll see in their quotes about drinking, even presidents who preferred to abstain understood the importance of alcohol in our culture. We are a proud country of people who like to have a good time with a strong drink, or two. Nothing wrong with that. #americathebeautiful

Beer, wine, or whiskey, our Founding Fathers and past presidents have enjoyed it all, and they’ve got a thing or two to say about it. These quotes about drinking from our presidents and founding fathers even come with a complimentary patriotic recipe, advice on running a country, and a really good excuse for a drink.

Quote: “In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is Freedom, and in water there is bacteria.”

Benjamin Franklin was a true Jack of all Trades. His Wiki says he was an author, printer, political theorist, politician, freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, humorist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. Based on this quote, we can add ‘drinking man’ to that list. “In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is Freedom, and in water there is bacteria.” You’ve got to admit, there’s a lot of wisdom in those words… and also in wine. He was definitely on to something there.

Quote: “Beer, if drunk in moderation, softens the temper, cheers the spirit and promotes health.”

I can’t believe this line didn’t make it into the Declaration of Independence; “Thou hast the right to enjoy an ice cold beer; for beer, if drunk in moderation, softens the temper, cheers the spirit and promotes health”. Sounds legit.

Thomas Jefferson was well known for a lot of things; writing the majority of the Declaration Independence, serving two terms as President of the United States, advocating for religious freedom, overseeing the Louisiana Purchase, and enjoying a nice cold beer. In moderation, of course.

Quote: “What can an ex-president of the United States do except get drunk?”

Sounds like Pierce was a bit of a sore loser. After he didn’t get renominated for another term following his first (disastrous) term in office, he simply shrugged and said, “What can an ex-president of the United States do except get drunk?”. You might need a drink too, if you had set the stage for an American Civil War.

You might not need a drink as much as Franklin Pierce, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a Presidential Cocktail.

Statue of Lemonade

Ingredients
1.5 oz Stoli Blueberry
3.5 oz Lemonade
Blueberries for Garnish

Directions: Combine in a glass with ice, stir and garnish with blueberries.

Quote: “I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer.”

Although he wasn’t much of a drinking man himself, ‘ol Honest Abe knew the way to the hearts of his constituents. Beer; well, that and honesty, I guess. I really think he was on to something though. You don’t want your constituents getting Abrahammered, but nothing softens a bit of bad news like a good drink. Sounds like Honest Abe invited America to have a man-to-man chat about the state of union over a brew. I’d definitely accept that invite.

Quote: “Tell me what brand of whiskey that Grant drinks. I would like to send a barrel of it to my other generals.”

For a President who was well known for not drinking, Abe sure did understand how much others liked to drink. Pleased with the bravery of General Grant, Abe wanted to entice his other generals to do their best… by drinking a barrel of whiskey, obviously.

Although we don’t suggest drinking it by the barrel, we can recommend some whiskey if you’re looking for a little bravery.

Quote: “Hugo, I don’t much care for your law, but, by golly, this bourbon is good.”

Sometimes you’ve got to take the high road. And sometimes that high road includes a bottle of bourbon. If you’re lucky, at least. That happened to be the case for President Harry S. Truman, when a Supreme Court Justice made a majority decision that wasn’t in his favor. He allegedly told the Supreme Court Justice, “Hugo, I don’t much care for your law, but, by golly, this bourbon is good.” Sounds like the high road to us. Enjoying a classy drink, acknowledging your dissatisfaction, but due process had been served. What’s left, but to drink?

Quote: “But, then again, there’s never a bad day for a beer and a weisswurst.”

It’s no secret that President Obama’s drink of choice is an ice cold beer. In fact, during his administration, staff members created a custom White House Honey Brew using honey from beehives kept in the First Lady’s garden. So it’s no surprise that when it was suggested they should have the G7 summit in Bavaria, his response was “there’s never a bad day for a beer and a weisswurst.”. We couldn’t agree more!

Quote: “It’s tasty beer… If the presidency thing doesn’t work out, we’ve got a little microbrew thing going on.”

While we’re on the subject of our beloved, beer-drinking, 44th President, indulge me in an alternate reality. Rather than run for a second term as President, Obama leaves politics forever and opens his own brewery. He brings hope and change to the world of microbrews, using his business savvy and inside information to create the perfect beer for the people.

Although it obviously never happened, it sounds like it might have been a part of Obama’s presidential daydreams. During an interview with David Letterman about the White House honey-beer his staff created he said,  “It’s tasty beer… If the presidency thing doesn’t work out, we’ve got a little microbrew thing going on.”. It’s not too late, I’d definitely buy an Obama Brew.

You might not be ready to run for the next election, but that doesn’t mean you should have to buy your own beer. It’s not like Obama ever waited in line with a six-pack. Drink like a president and let us bring the beer to you. We’re no Secret Service, but we can be there in 30 and it won’t cost the taxpayers a penny.