History on Tap Speaker Series at New Magnolia Beer Co.
History on Tap: Dr. Steven Sewell "Choctaw Beer: Tonic or Devil's Brew?" - Thursday, September 11, 6:30 PM
Join us at the New Magnolia Brewing Co. at 1616 Bevis Street for our lecture series on the second Thursday of the month.
Dr. Steven Sewell’s opinion on Choctaw beer is nuanced but clearly positions it as a culturally significant beverage that was sometimes portrayed or marketed as a tonic despite its rough and potent nature. Sewell documents how Choctaw beer, an illegal and homemade brew during Prohibition, was often sold under the guise of a medicinal tonic, with some local doctors attesting to its health benefits, claiming it was healthier than local water. Yet, Sewell also acknowledges its “kick” was enhanced by additives like tobacco and poison berries, making it a “devil’s brew” in terms of potency and effects.
Originally a drink of the Choctaw Indians, Choctaw beer was a concoction composed of hops, barley, tobacco, fishberries, and a small amount of alcohol. When thousands of coal miners found work in the Choctaw Nation in the 1880s, they quickly adopted “choc” as their favorite libation. Miners argued that Choctaw beer was a tonic necessary to maintain their health. Despite the Federal government's repeated attempts in the 1890s to suppress the manufacturing and distribution of “choc,” Choctaw beer remained readily available long after the Choctaw Nation no longer existed. To this day, Choctaw beer remains an important component of the cultural history of Oklahoma. Federal government documents of the era only offer brief references to Choctaw beer. These documents only discuss law enforcement issues related to Choctaw beer, ignoring the rich and colorful culture that developed around Choctaw beer.
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