Butterbeer may be based on a drink from the 16th century. Buttered beer is referenced in a cookbook from 1588. That recipe included sugar, nutmeg, eggs, beer, cloves and, of course, butter. Steve Jayson is the man behind the 21st-century version available at Universal Studios. As the Corporate Executive Chef of Universal Orlando, Jayson brought the drink to life after the Harry Potter attractions opened at the amusement park.