34. The myth of the Pilgrim’s beer
It has been alleged that because of a reference to a shortage of beer the Pilgrim’s landed at Plymouth Rock rather than continue on to Virginia. In fact the beer was running short, noted in the log, and the drinking water aboard ship was clogged with living things after months of being stored in wooden casks. Hence beer was the preferred source of hydration aboard ship. Once ashore the Pilgrims did not immediately turn to the task of brewing more beer, instead they built a common shelter, finding plenty of sources of clean drinking water ashore. The remaining beer aboard ship was preserved for the consumption of the crew on the return voyage to England.