What is a Beefeater?
A beefeater is a member of the Yeoman Warders, a ceremonial guard which oversees the Tower of London in England. Technically, the polite term is “Yeoman Warder,” although most people know the members of the iconic guard by their nickname. In order to serve as a Yeoman Warder, an applicant must have 22 years of service in the British armed forces, along with awards for distinction and good conduct. Positions among this historic body are very coveted, and competition for open positions can be fierce. The beefeaters were founded in 1485 under the reign of Henry VII. They are charged with the duty of guarding prisoners in the Tower of London, along with supervising the safety of the Crown Jewels. The modern Yeoman Warders also offer information and tours to visitors, and they care for the ravens which are housed at the Tower of London. Tourists readily identify the beefeaters by their distinctive uniforms, which are modeled on those used by the Yeoman Warders in the Tudor era. The origins
Beefeater Gin- is a brand of gin bottled, and distributed in the United Kingdom, by the company of James Burrough. It is a 47% alcohol product (94 proof) in the US and a 40% alcohol product (80 proof) elsewhere in the world (including the UK). This gin is distilled from “100% grain spirit”. The bottle bears an image of a Yeomen Warder. The manufacturer has been in business since 1820 and is located in Kennington, London, England. According to the Beefeater website, Beefeater Gin contains 9 different botanicals: Juniper, Angelica Root, Angelica Seeds, Coriander Seeds, Liquorice, Almonds, Orris Root, Seville Oranges, and Lemon Peel. These botanicals are steeped for 24 hours prior to distillation. Distillation takes 8 hours to complete. Beefeaters Yeomen of the Guard in the royal household, appointed, in 1485, by Henry VII., to form part of the royal train in banquets and other grand occasions.
In 1485, under the reign of King Henry VII, the Yeoman Warders were founded. Theirs was a prestigious post which required years of prior military service and their nickname was Beefeater. The Warders were tasked with guarding the prisoners of the Tower of London and protecting the Crown Jewels. Where the term Beefeater actually originated from is one of debate and historical speculation. Some say the Warders may have received partial payment in chunks of meat while others propose they were fortunate to be allowed to eat beef in the Royal Kitchens. Whatever the truth about how the name came to be, Beefeater London Dry Gin certainly captures the tradition and splendor of London, and with each and every bottle shares these characteristics with gin lovers in all corners of the world.
