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04-09-2012, 09:02
Visit the Shut up about Barclay Perkins site (http://barclayperkins.blogspot.com/2012/09/first-draught-british-lager.html)
It's certainly the earlist one I've found. 1881 is right at the beginning of British Lager brewing.
As so often, the non-intoxicating character of Lager is highlighted. Considering it was probably at least 5% ABV, that's a little misleading. That's enough alcohol to get anyone pissed, if they drink enough.
Anyway, here's the ad:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WCqZaKCehLk/UERsyl2kI3I/AAAAAAAAKwE/l2vF_1Hyy5E/s640/St_Annes_Well_Draught_Lager_1881_a.jpg (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WCqZaKCehLk/UERsyl2kI3I/AAAAAAAAKwE/l2vF_1Hyy5E/s1600/St_Annes_Well_Draught_Lager_1881_a.jpg)
And here's the text:
"ST. ANNE'S LAGER BEER.
THE modern requirement of a light, agreeable, and comparatively non-intoxicating Beverage is supplied by the
ST. ANNE'S LAGER BEER.
Orders may be sent through Agents; or direct to
ST. ANNE'S WELL BREWERY, EXETER.
FIRKINS, KILDERKINS,
13/6 27/-
These prices are at least one-third less than Foreign Lager Beer. The above Beer was shown the recent National Brewers' Exhibition, Agricultural Hall, Islington, and received flattering Notices in the London Press. "
Western Times - Wednesday 26 October 1881, page 2. First thing I noticed was the small cask sizes. Only firkin (9 gallons) and kilderkin (18 gallons). At a time when most beer was sold in either barrels (36 gallon) or hogshead (54 gallon) casks. It's a sure sign that Lager wasn't a huge seller.
Then there's the price. "At least one third less than Foreign Lager Beer." As St. Anne's Well Lager was 54/- a barrel, that would make foreing Lager at least 81/- per barrel. That's a good bit less than the 106s 6d quoted in 1869 as the price of imported Vienna Beer (http://barclayperkins.blogspot.nl/2012/09/the-price-of-vienna-beer.html). Presumably the price had come down.
You can see the attraction of Lager for an ambitious British brewery. Lager was no stronger than X Ale (standard Mild), yet sold for 50% more (X Ale was 36/- a barrel). I'm sure that Lager didn't cost 50% more to brew than X Ale, so the profit margin was higher.
I'm not quite done with St. Anne's Lager Beer yet. One more report to go.https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5445569787371915337-2790739597635090470?l=barclayperkins.blogspot.com
More... (http://barclayperkins.blogspot.com/2012/09/first-draught-british-lager.html)
It's certainly the earlist one I've found. 1881 is right at the beginning of British Lager brewing.
As so often, the non-intoxicating character of Lager is highlighted. Considering it was probably at least 5% ABV, that's a little misleading. That's enough alcohol to get anyone pissed, if they drink enough.
Anyway, here's the ad:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WCqZaKCehLk/UERsyl2kI3I/AAAAAAAAKwE/l2vF_1Hyy5E/s640/St_Annes_Well_Draught_Lager_1881_a.jpg (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WCqZaKCehLk/UERsyl2kI3I/AAAAAAAAKwE/l2vF_1Hyy5E/s1600/St_Annes_Well_Draught_Lager_1881_a.jpg)
And here's the text:
"ST. ANNE'S LAGER BEER.
THE modern requirement of a light, agreeable, and comparatively non-intoxicating Beverage is supplied by the
ST. ANNE'S LAGER BEER.
Orders may be sent through Agents; or direct to
ST. ANNE'S WELL BREWERY, EXETER.
FIRKINS, KILDERKINS,
13/6 27/-
These prices are at least one-third less than Foreign Lager Beer. The above Beer was shown the recent National Brewers' Exhibition, Agricultural Hall, Islington, and received flattering Notices in the London Press. "
Western Times - Wednesday 26 October 1881, page 2. First thing I noticed was the small cask sizes. Only firkin (9 gallons) and kilderkin (18 gallons). At a time when most beer was sold in either barrels (36 gallon) or hogshead (54 gallon) casks. It's a sure sign that Lager wasn't a huge seller.
Then there's the price. "At least one third less than Foreign Lager Beer." As St. Anne's Well Lager was 54/- a barrel, that would make foreing Lager at least 81/- per barrel. That's a good bit less than the 106s 6d quoted in 1869 as the price of imported Vienna Beer (http://barclayperkins.blogspot.nl/2012/09/the-price-of-vienna-beer.html). Presumably the price had come down.
You can see the attraction of Lager for an ambitious British brewery. Lager was no stronger than X Ale (standard Mild), yet sold for 50% more (X Ale was 36/- a barrel). I'm sure that Lager didn't cost 50% more to brew than X Ale, so the profit margin was higher.
I'm not quite done with St. Anne's Lager Beer yet. One more report to go.https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5445569787371915337-2790739597635090470?l=barclayperkins.blogspot.com
More... (http://barclayperkins.blogspot.com/2012/09/first-draught-british-lager.html)