White House Unveils Obama Beer Recipes
Responding to popular demand from beer enthusiasts, the White House has released the "secret" recipes for two of President Obama's home brews - a honey ale and honey porter.
White House chef Sam Kass posted the instructions on the White House blog after more than 12,200 Americans signed an online petition through the administration's "We the People" portal requesting their release.
"Inspired by home brewers from across the country, last year President Obama bought a home brewing kit for the kitchen," Kass wrote. "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."
The custom ales are the first alcoholic beverages ever brewed on White House grounds, Kass said. They both use honey from the first lady's bee-hives on the south lawn.
"The honey gives the beer a rich aroma and a nice finish," Kass wrote, "but it doesn't sweeten it."
He posted video from inside the White House kitchen documenting the brewing process. You can watch it HERE.
As ABC News has covered before , the honey ale first came to light when Obama served it to his guests at the White House during the 2011 Super Bowl, and then again on St. Patrick's Day. Most recently, it became known that the president carries the beer with him on the campaign trail, where he offered a bottle to a potential voter in Iowa.
The optics of Obama drinking beer and publicizing the fact that he also brews it inside the White House may be aimed at portraying him as an "every man" while subtly highlighting a contrast with GOP rival Mitt Romney, who does not consume alcohol.