Benjamin Franklin’s Beer Quote Is Fake
Bob Skilnik, author of the soon-to-be-released Beer & Food: An American History
His research instead indicates that Franklin waxed lyrical about wine grapes! “Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards; there it enters the roots of the vines, to be changed into wine; a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy,” wrote Franklin in a letter to French economist Andre Mollet circa 1779.
Say it ain’t so! I’ve even included that quote in my rotating random list of quotations that shows up at the bottom of the page. (Congratulations to anyone who spotted that before!) Plus, I’ve seen it on numerous brewery websites. If I were still in school, I’d try digging through the university library for primary texts to support the quote, but well, I’m not so I’m counting on other people…Ahem.
If the quote is fake, then I wonder who originally attributed this quote to Franklin and what his motivation was.
January 4th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
Even if the quote is fake, it has verisimilitude.
It resonates with the true beer fan’s soul.
January 4th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
It definitely does. Furthermore, I still have my doubts about the veracity of Bob’s research. However, if this turns out to be truly fake, then I’ll be disappointed nonetheless, especially since it gives wine drinkers a leg up.
January 5th, 2007 at 12:24 am
When I first heard this quote, I tried to track it down via reputable sources. The best I could get was “attributed to,” and several sources claimed that the attribution was apocryphal. I think we’re OK with the “attributed to” attribution.
January 5th, 2007 at 11:31 am
Damn a friend gave me a plaque for christmas a few years ago that said this on it… Im so dissapointed now. But beer still makes ME HAPPY!
January 5th, 2007 at 11:33 am
Like George said to Jerry on an episode of Seinfeld, “It’s not a lie if you believe it.” I’m hoping the attribution stands, but at least wine falls in the larger category of booze.
January 5th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Doubt the veracity of my research? I gave proof of wear I found tis wine comment. Also, the Benjamin Franklin quote has been refuted by The Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary in Philadelphia which has done a computer search of EVERYTHING Franklin wrote. You can doubt it all you want, but prove then, that he actually said it. Find an actual attribution from Franklin’s writings. There is none. I did my homework.
There’s more on my site at http://www.beerinfood.com
January 5th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Thanks for replying to my comment. I always enjoy hearing from the original source or the subjects of my posts.
While I am sure your research is fine, you did lay down the gauntlet and challenge other people to find the actual quote. I probably don’t have the ability to do it myself (if it’s possible), but I’m hoping someone out there can.
It’s a bit disappointing to discover that this quote may be fake, so forgive me for wanting to hold onto it.
January 5th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
The only eputable sources are the actual writings of Ben Franklin. The Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary in Philadelphia http://www.benfranklin300.com/index.php which organized Franklin’s 300th birthday party last year, says it has computerized nearly everything Franklin ever wrote or was reported to have said. Yet a search for “beer” yields nothing even close.
January 5th, 2007 at 11:59 pm
… so the argument still holds, even though Benjamin Franklin was to0 snockered on wine to to articulate it.
February 27th, 2007 at 8:08 am
Fake, but accurate. Where have I heard that before?
July 14th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
Regardless, it is alcohol the essence of both Wine and Beer. The fact that it is the water that turns into wine…alcohol, is what makes it a gift of God. So even if the quote is fake, it is still true to Ben Franklin’s Character.
January 30th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Whatever…. historical revisionist I say. Beer is proof there is a God and he wants us to be happy! Cheers! BK