From May 2021 through January 2022, Rhythm Monster worked with legendary Fife & Drum instructor, Dominick Cuccia to create an original curriculum to allow anyone to learn Traditional American Fife & Drum music, drumming, history and culture.

The colossal project culminated in a 9-day film shoot at Rhythm Monster headquarters: The Studio at Beaver Mill in North Adams, MA, USA.

The result was capturing content for two new online instructional series: The Rhythm Monster Fife & Drum Snare Drum Tutor and The Rhythm Monster Fife & Drum Bass Drum Tutor. Nearly 200 classes in total were captured, and the tutors are set to be published by Summer 2022. 

Eager to support these educational efforts, local business and restaurants supplied food and drink for all the performers.

Hotplate Brewing Co. proposed something even greater; a new beer brewed specifically to commemorate the event and honor the musicians who represent the very best the United States has to offer. 

In the Spirit

An American Porter made with Rhythm Monster 

by Hot Plate Brewing Co. 

…& George Washington

In 1757, at the age of 25, George Washington was a colonel of the Virginia militia stationed at Fort Loudon during the French and Indian War. In the notebook he carried during that time, there contained a recipe for a “Small Beer.” The recipe is conspicuously short, but it notably called for a large amount of molasses, which was used to sweeten beer during a time of limited brewing techniques and ingredients. This recipe exists to this day. 

Musicians played an important role in warfare at the time, and Washington was keenly aware of this. He employed many fifers, buglers and drummers during the US Revolutionary War, developing civilians into professionals. His efforts have resulted in the commonplace of public school and university marching bands, concert bands, orchestras and jazz bands throughout the US including a small but sturdy community of musicians preserving the musical history of these founding times. Today, Fife & Drum Corps remains an active music, genre and culture. 

To honor Washington’s role in both the American brewing tradition as well as Fife & Drum, we’ve designed an American Porter that would be recognizable to colonial beer drinkers while benefiting from the quality control offered by modern brewing equipment and techniques. Dark, roasty, and surprisingly sweet, In the Spirit combines the contemporary craft beer community’s passion for experimentation and expression with the vision and steadfast determination of the men and women who built this nation.

We believe music is a reflection of culture, and American culture is best reflected in its craft beer and its drumming; a balance of preserving traditions while paving new paths. Cheers to the many musicians of Fife & Drum Corps. Thank you for reflecting who we are.