History of the Week

Alcohol History Links October 21 - November 4
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No Hand-Pumps for Europe

The folks over at Boak & Bailey's graciously indulged my question as to why "the cask hand-pump system didn’t develop in mainland Europe? Or am I missing something?"  It's something I've always wondered, since its so prolific in England. Yet, as usual, the rabbit hole goes much deeper.
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P. Ballantine & Sons

​Breweries and distillers during the 1800s used to produce books discussing the history and evolution of their business. Although it was simply a marketing tactic, has proved to be an invaluable source of information about brewing history. This takes a look at a book “ from the former P. Ballantine & Sons, now part of Pabst. It has its own twist, however: the theme of revisiting the “inn” or “tap-room” of 1840. That was the year the brewery relocated to larger premises in Newark, NJ from its start in Albany, NY seven years before.”
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Vindolanda Tablets

Your weekly translation! But be sure to check out this ​spontaneous fermented ale write up.

Snug Beer

​Some thoughts on snug bars and winter warmers in the UK.
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Historic Brewing run-through

​18th century demonstration of brewing.
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Jewish Beer Recreation

Write up on the recent efforts to recreate a Jewish beer from Quebec, thanks in part to Gary Gillman!

See another write up here

Beer Revival

Recreating a braggot from residue analysis on a cauldron found in Tuebingen, Germany.
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A Knighthood in Beer

The founders of a bar in Atlanta, USA awarded knighthood by the Brotherhood of the Brewers Paddle in Belgium for promoting Belgian beers.

Norcia's beer monks

Earthquake destroyed historic basilica, which housed a recent monk-run brewery.
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New burton-beer book in the works

The announcement of a new book on the brewing history in Burton from Ian Webster.
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If you have memories of living with and working at Burton's breweries from any time from the 1940s to the 1980s, contact Ian Webster on 01283 343323, email [email protected] or find the groups on social media.
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archaeological dig at Gwynedd quarry

A recent dig at an ancient cemetery uncovered a few complete beakers.
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Baltimore History

A brief look into beer in Baltimore.
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