The 18th-century American tavern was far more than a mere drinking establishment; it was a cornerstone of colonial life, embodying a diverse "craft" of hospitality, community management, and information exchange. The innkeeper's craft involved not only providing food, drink, and lodging but also maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for a diverse clientele, from weary travelers and merchants to local farmers and politicians. They managed complex logistics, from procuring provisions and brewing beer to stabling horses and maintaining guest rooms. The importance of taverns cannot be overstated: they served as vital communication hubs where news, letters, and political discussions were exchanged; they often functioned as post offices, general stores, and even courts; and they were crucial meeting places for social gatherings, business transactions, and revolutionary organizing. In a society with limited public spaces, the tavern was the indispensable public square, fueling both the practical necessities and the burgeoning social and political life of early America.