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Nov 3, 2026
Did you know that Hanover Tavern has a Civil War-era connection with eggnog? It DOES and here’s the rest of the story…
January 1863 was extremely cold in central Virginia. Camped for the winter near Fredericksburg, Corporal Sam Pickens of the 5th Alabama Infantry Regiment was suffering with a bad cold and severe chest and back pains. The regimental surgeon feared pneumonia and recommended that Sam find a private home that would take him in, offering warmth, care, and better food. It had been just a few weeks since the Battle of Fredericksburg and the homes, for miles around, were full of wounded soldiers. Sam could find no place to go until he travelled much further and arrived at Hanover Tavern. The Chisholm’s took him in; he wrote that he had “a comfortable room and good bed; and the fare here is excellent for these hard times”. As he recuperated, Sam spent his time reading, strolling around the courthouse community, writing in his diary, and sending letters to friends and family members. He also had a penchant for eggnog and numerous times records obtaining the needed ingredients to make a batch. “I invited our host Mr. Chisholm in to join us and sent a glass to Mrs. C.”
In an appreciative gesture to Sam, here at Hanover Tavern, we are having an eggnog contest. Beginning in early November, send us your favorite recipes for this creamy drink and our staff will evaluate, reducing the submittals to the best 4. We will then invite the public to taste and vote on their favorites. The winning recipe will be served at our restaurant for the month of December.
Submit your favorite eggnog recipe by November 14th. You may email it to badams@hanovertavern.org, mail to P.O. Box 487, Hanover, VA 23069, or drop off at the Tavern. Your recipe may contain spirits or be virgin.
Staff will make and rate submitted recipes, narrowing the choices down to 4. Guests are invited to request a tasting flight of the 4 finalists beginning November 18th and continuing throughout the month.
The winning recipe will be announced and featured on the Hanover Tavern menu, by the glass and in special dessert recipes, on December 2nd and available until the end of the year.
We look forward to receiving (and tasting!) your submissions.