THE STORY BEHIND THE BEER

Doll's Garden was created to honor the enslaved men and women whose knowledge, skill, and labor helped shape early American brewing but whose contributions have too often been overlooked.

An intentional collaboration between the Beer Culture Center, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Funkytown Brewery, and Soul Mega, the project brings together history, scholarship, and craft brewing to tell a story that no one partner could tell alone.

Brewed with persimmons, an ingredient grown at 18th century Mount Vernon, Doll’s Garden blends historical storytelling with contemporary craft brewing. The orchard fruit reflects the gardens, preservation practices, and agricultural knowledge maintained by enslaved workers whose contributions helped sustain daily life at Mount Vernon. The result is a bright, approachable 5.4% ABV blonde ale rooted in history.

This unique collaboration and beverage honors the lives, labor, and knowledge of the enslaved people who helped shape early American brewing. Special thanks to Mike Stein of Lost Lagers for his invaluable contributions to this project.

Every pint of Doll's Garden is an invitation to look beyond the glass and discover the people, places, and stories behind one of America's oldest beverages.