Free beer-making demonstration at Hempsted Houses Sunday

How did they make beer in colonial times? The Hempsted Houses are offering a free demonstration with Michael Langois on Sunday, Aug. 16 at 2 p.m.

Langlois, an experienced homebrewer, will be working over an open fire to make the wort for a beer he will share during the Hempsted Houses’ Oct. 3 Tavern Night (https://goo.gl/DjxWKY). Wort is the grain-infused liquid that is fermented to become beer.

Visitors can talk with Langois about brewing in colonial times and in current days, and see the hops that grow at the historic site in New London (just like they did in the 1700s when Joshua Hempsted lived there). Langlois is in the process of reviving the plantings for future use.

Visitors also can see some of the site’s colonial tankards and pewterware, and browse through entries in Joshua Hempsted’s colonial diary about hops, beer, cider and rum.

Langlois gained attention this summer for launching a popular home-brew program at StoneRidge in Mystic. http://goo.gl/dSxSd2.

The Hempsted Houses are at 11 Hempstead St. in New London. There is no charge for Sunday’s program and reservations are not necessary.

More information is at https://goo.gl/52dSDq.