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21-01-2013, 08:24
Visit the Shut up about Barclay Perkins site (http://barclayperkins.blogspot.com/2013/01/ind-coope-akk.html)

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9sXjw3kzVhg/UPQpyPj7LCI/AAAAAAAAPyU/D1-UP35rOFo/s400/Ind_Coope_AKK.jpg (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9sXjw3kzVhg/UPQpyPj7LCI/AAAAAAAAPyU/D1-UP35rOFo/s1600/Ind_Coope_AKK.jpg)This has all been inspired by a label that I found. You can it there to the right. Ind Coope AKK Ale.

It's beer names like this that have left me doubting Martyn Cornell's explanation of AK standing for Ankel Koyt. If it did, then what does the extra K stand for in AKK? To me names like this confirm my explanation of AK. That the AK and the K both stand for something.

Though I'll be honest that the usual meaning of K - Keeping - on the face of it makes little sense for the type of Light Bitter that was called AK. It being one of the classic types of 19th-century Running Beers. Let me think a bit more about that one.

I've a few examples of AKK from old brewery price lists. Always alongside an AK. Interesting that. There are plenty of examples of AK without AKK, but not the other way around. I think that makes clear which came first: AK. AKK is usually one step up in price and strength from AK.

Sometimes, like at Fuller's, the strength slot one up from AK is filled by XK. Which works with my explanation of AK. A being an indication of strength, just like X. In the late 19th-century, X implies a gravity of about 1055º, A 1050º. K specifying that it's a Pale Ale rather than a Mild Ale.

Tables. I don't like to leave you without one or two. Some examples from price lists would seem appropriate.

First Ind Coope themselves:




Brewery
Place
year
beer
price per barrel (shillings)
price per gallon (pence)


Ind Coope & Co
Romford
1865
AKK
44
14.6667


Ind Coope & Co
Romford
1865
AK
46
15.3333


Source:


Exeter and Plymouth Gazette - Friday 03 November 1865, page 8



This one shows where AK and AKK fitted into a range of Pale Ales:




Brewery
Place
year
beer
price per barrel (shillings)
price per gallon (pence)


Rogers' Ales
Bristol
1900
AK Bitter Ale
36
12


Rogers' Ales
Bristol
1900
AKK Bitter Ale
42
14


Rogers' Ales
Bristol
1900
PA Pale Ale
48
16


Rogers' Ales
Bristol
1900
IPA India Pale Ale
54
18


Source:


Western Daily Press - Saturday 15 December 1900, page 3



And so does this one, except I've included the brewery's whole set of beers:




Brewery
Place
year
beer
price per barrel (shillings)
price per gallon (pence)


Godsell & Sons
Stroud, Gloucs
1909
X Mild Ale
30
10d


Godsell & Sons
Stroud, Gloucs
1909
XX Mild Ale
36
1s


Godsell & Sons
Stroud, Gloucs
1909
XXXX Mild Ale
48
1s 4d


Godsell & Sons
Stroud, Gloucs
1909
XXX Old Ale
48
1s 4d


Godsell & Sons
Stroud, Gloucs
1909
IPA India Pale Ale
54
1s 6d


Godsell & Sons
Stroud, Gloucs
1909
AK Light Dinner Ale
36
1s


Godsell & Sons
Stroud, Gloucs
1909
AKK Bitter Ale
42
1s 2d


Godsell & Sons
Stroud, Gloucs
1909
AB Pale Ale
48
1s 4d


Godsell & Sons
Stroud, Gloucs
1909
A1 Strong Ale
54
1s 6d


Godsell & Sons
Stroud, Gloucs
1909
XXX Extra Stout
48
1s 4d



You may have spotted something odd. And illogical. Ind Coope's AKK was weaker than its AK. Don't ask me why. It makes absolutely no sense. The more letters, the stronger the beer is the usual rule.

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