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Mercer’s brew: Ale made from personal recipe of Moravian Tile Works founder

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Henry Chapman Mercer was back in Doylestown this week, and this time he was pouring beer made using his personal recipe.

One of Bucks County’s most famous citizens and the creator of the Moravian Tile Works and Mercer Museum, Mercer passed away in 1930. But his spirit lives on in the portrayal by Jamie Bradley, who has been dressing up as the famous collector for the past 14 years.

Mercer showed up at Geronimo Brewing at Lilly’s Jury Room in Doylestown to draw the first glass of Mercer’s Plus Ultra Historic Ale made from his personal recipe. This was the first public opportunity to try the beer after Saturday’s debut at the Fonthill Castle Beer Fest last weekend.

Bradley clearly enjoyed the portrayal, smiling as he presented customers with glasses at Geronimo.

“I happen to look very much like Henry Mercer,” he said, “and genetics blessed me with this wonderful mustache.”

Festival officials wanted something special to offer at the beer festival, and research turned up Henry Mercer’s beer recipe, although he was known to prefer champagne. Bucks County Historical Society officials approached Drew Scott, brewmaster and owner of Geronimo, who said he would be happy to make the beer. Special requests “help to keep the job fun,” he said.

“It’s a very simple beer,” Scott said, containing molasses, grain, hops, water and yeast.

His first batch consisted of three barrels and produced a beverage he described as “not like any other modern-day beer.”

He described the taste as “a very dry English bitter” with some spruce flavoring.

Proceeds from sales of the Mercer beer benefit the Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle, which are operated by the Bucks County Historical Society.

Scott has been brewing beer for the past 21 years; he opened Geronimo Brewing in 2018 in the heart of Doylestown, offering only Pennsylvania products, including his beers. Mercer Plus Ultra Historic Ale currently is being offered among the tavern’s 10 taps. It was the 80th variety of beer he has brewed on his Geronimo system.


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