Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-07
pERSlMMON BEER FOR TAFT
GEORGIA ANXIOUS LEST FA-
NOUS DRINK GO AWRY.
Connoisseurs Tasting Brew Prepar-
ed-Farmers Object to Near
Beer Drinkers Meddling.

ATLANTA. January All Georgia is
anXiousy watching the daily bulletins
from the barrel Of persimmon beer that
is being brewed for the 'possum supper
to Mr.. Taft next week.
Il is already in process of fermenta-
tiol, under tie prayerf,l guardianship of
the committee on entertainment, and no.
true Georgian VIII breathe easy until
it is announced that the beer is right
The reputation of the state is at stake
on this barrel. as. any Georgia farmer
will say. you never can tel about keg
of persimmon beer until it is ready to
tap.
1t takes time for il to ripen and to
take on the delicate flavor which belongs
TO real persimmon beer and even the best
persimmon beer makers sometimes 20
amss. 1t would be a reflection on the
is to be served to Mr.. Taft next week
instead of champagne should happen to
be not Just right
Connoisseurs Taste It.
The progress of the Taft beer is being
watched with the most minute care. Such
connoisseurs as Col. Harry Fisher, Col.
Albert Howell and Cap Joyner, the
mayor. taste it frequently.
Col. Fisher. the author of the 'possum
supper as u political factor. is relied on
chiefly for suggestions. He has prom
ised not to go back to Coweta county
until the fate of the beer is assured.
Outside OF Atlanta there is much doubt
full shaking of the head The rest OF
the state fears that Georgia's reputation
is to be ruined by lot Of Atlanta near
beer drinkers trying to brew "a key of
real persimmon beer.
Real persimmon beer belongs on the
Georgia farms. After frost falls and
ripens the juicy yellow perslmmons you
will have to go a long way to find
farmhouse or negro cabin that Is with
out its key Of persimmon beer. The ne
groes keep their beer kegs outside the
cabin, next to the chimney.
Genuine persimmon beer is made in
this wise:
A half bushel of ripe persimmons are
placed in the bottom of keg. the head
of which has been knocked in. The
persimmons are mashed and covered with
water.
\ small quantity of molasses is added,
according to taste.
Some GeOrgians contend that the mo-
laSseS is unnecessary.
The mixture is allowed to stand for
three or four days, and Is then ready for
use. II a happy combination has been
made a drink Is produced winch VIII make
Mr. Taft happy that he is to get per-
simmon beer instead of champagne at the
Atlanta dinner.
'Possums Are Caught.
1t is officially announced by the COM
mttee having it in charge that at the
banquet to be rendered Mr.. Taft by the
| Atlanta Chamber of Commerce on the
evening Of January IL 'possum and
taters" and persimmon beer will form a
part of the menu.
| From all sections of Georgia and from
| North Carolina South Carolina, Tennes
see. Florida and ALBANIA have come let
tiers offering fat 'possum for the ban
| duet A request from Worth county
Ga. that that county be permitted to fur
nish the one hundred 'possums necessar!
had previously been accepted by the com
mittee.
Word was received today from Judg
Frank Park head of the Worth count,
'possum hunters, that among the catche
is beyond doubt the biggest postum II
ca ptivty, its weight being given at TWEEN
ty-four pounds.