The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-05-26
Have we Lager Beer Among Usl

This question is becoming serious one
Lager beer few years since, entirely UNI
known in the western country, has suddenly
become immensely popular. Drinking saloons,
high and low, costly and unpretending, have
bsen forced, by popular sentiment, to introduce
the beer mug, and put "lager BEER in blazing
letters over their bars. Whisky, brandy, in
fact all Strong liquors, and even wines, have
experienced discount, while lager beer has
had an upward (probably better say doVnward)
tendency Lager has become the drink, and
the man is looked upon as an old fogy, who
rejects the foaming beverage.
Tnis sudden change in public taste grew out
of the fact, that it is almost impossible to ob-
tain pure liquors at even the best drinking sa-
looms. Drugs are SO extensively used in the
manufacture ofeven imported liquors, that one
who imbibes extensively is sure to find him
self in possession of a shattered constitution in
a very short time. Lager beer, it is contended,
is as good a stimulant as spirtuous liquors and
far more pleasant to the taste, when one be-
comes a little used to it. 1t takes good deal
of it to make man drunk, indeed, experience
ed beer drinkers defy the intoxicating propri-
ties of lager. These facts have caused the
sudden change in the public taste, and have
made lager beer popular.
But now that everybod who drinks, drinks
lager the question comes to uS--"Have we lager
beer among us?' In Germany it requires seve-
raj years to give a ger beer its peculiar qualities
1t is hrewed, put in large casks, prepared for
the purpose, and then slowed in deep cellers,
where it most remain undisturbed for at least
five years. Then, and only then, is it &C
knowledged to be genuine lager. 1t is true
that we are fast people, and IN the way OF
swift movements, can beat the Germans all to
pieces. But then year here is year IN Ger
many, and we cannot make it different. Age
makes the same strides the world over, and it
is just as impossible for brewers to give age to
beer without time, as it is for monkey to lift
an elephant by the ears.
1t is well known there was not a drop Of
lager beer in Cincinnati last fall The coffee
houses had been stripped, the brewries had
been stripped and the lager beer vaults had
been stripped. For months common beer was
the only kind which could be had. All ola
sudden we find the demand for lager beer sup
piled, and now comes to the question-is that
really lager beer which is sold for such? Ger
tainly it cannot be, ii five years is required to
give it its peculiar qualities. 1t must be beer
manufactured torepresent lager, and probably
ingeniously druggeI to give it the peculiar taste
for which 1t is noted At all events there is a
mystery in it which requires explanation
Who will explain, who will answer the ques-
tion--"Have we lager beer among us?''
Gin. Times.
As lager beer is beginning to assume pro
minent position in the affairs of people and
government, and has lately become in the
larger cities fashionable drink it deserve.
serious consideration. Lager beer was only
recently considered the exclusive property and
perquisites of our German population Politi
=, clans became familiar with it in counting III
the German vote, but otherwise it was pretty
much untouched by Americans until recently
Now as our readers will perceive by the abov,
lager beer is a fashionable beverage. We ar
truly glad to hear it is taking the place of tn,
various poisonous compounds which have
heretofore been known as popular drinks
Now it may surprise some of our Cincinnati
friends when we tell them they have preciou
little lager beer in their city, and that in few
weeks they will have actually none at all, ex
cepting small quantities in the hands Of manu-
facturers, or for private use. And it may sur
prise some of our Evansville people when W
5 tell them that no lager beer is made in Evans
l vile. And yet our good people thought the.
t were supplying half of the surrounding crea
t ton with lager beer! Lager beer is made a
: st. Louis and Cincinnati, and the supply neve
equals the demand 1t is only made in tn
e winter season, March being the last month {
: its manufacture. After being made, it
VI placed in deep vaults, where the atmosphere
e not only cool, but even. The longer it is thu
: kept, the better-but the demand being YER
9 brisk,it is notkept stored away very long On
manufacturer in St. Louis had last week enoug
n to supply the demand for probably three weeks
6 The value Of his stored lager was abou
: $4,000! There is only one or perhaps tw
: places in Evansville where lager beer is sole
g We give these facts for the benefit of our fash
5. ianable friends in Cincinnati.