Demographics: Brewer

A person whose occupation was brewing beer.

Beer was of tremendous importance to the Dutch.  It was safer to drink than water, a source of vitamin B (although that terminology was not known at the time), and a good source of calories. 

For Food and Drink of the Dutch Colonies see a recent publication by Peter G. Rose:  http://www.amazon.com/Drink-Celebrations-Hudson-Valley-Dutch/dp/1596295953

Also see Peter G. Rose, ed. & translator, The Sensible Cook: Dutch Foodways in the Old and the New World (Syracuse, 1989).