The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-08-30
Frauds in Beer and Ale.

''Talk about adulteration of whisky"
remarked prominent liquor dealer to
Tribune reporter a few days ago;
"bad as that is, it does not approach
an equality with the frauds that are per-
petrated in the manufacture of ale and
lager beer. In some breweries that |
could name hops and malt are entirely
unknown. Right here in New York
there is company organized with large
capital at command for the preparation
of substitute for hops, which enters
largely into the manufacture of lager"
A further and thorough investigation
revealed the fact that in the largest
breweries the compound referred to is
not used, " because" as one of the pro-
prietors said, /" it would soon be detect
ed by our most formidable rivals and
exposed to the ruin of our trade" In
the course of conversation the same per
son stated that there was no doubt that
small brewers in the city, and larger
ones across the river, resorted to the
use of hop powders, coccalus indtcus,
and other Objectionable ingredients, for
the purpose of making cheap beer.
g Coccul,tS indicuS," said he, " is occa-
sionally used to considerable extent
in certain quarters. Its effect is TO fur
nish stimulating and narcotic qualities.
1t gives bitterness and inebriating pow
er to malt liquors. When the bock-beer
season arrives it is by free use of COO
culuS indicuS that young beer is made
to appear aged, and is palmed off on
drinkers of this beverage as the Simon
pure article"
In Missouri and other Western States
the use of this foreign berry in brewing
beer or ale is made a felony. This penal
statute was enacted because of the
poisonous qualities of the berry, and
/ only after several deaths had been Oc-
casioned by drinking beer which con-
tanned it in excessive quantity. A man
who has spent twenty years in the bust
ness of brewing, but who, after signing
the temperance pledge, abandoned the
traffic, states that the secrets of ale and
beer brewing, if made public, would
startle the community. He expresses
the belief that not one brewery in ten
depends upon malt and hops alone in
the manufacture of beer, ''for, he said,
If hops alone were used in making all
the beer that is offered for sale in this
city and country, the enormous consump-
ton would soon exhaust the crops and
| advance the cost so high as to
place beer and ale in the scale
of prices with whisky and
brandy" He further stated that, in or
der to satisfy those who are pleased with
foaming beverages, chemical prepare
ton is mixed with the beer at the brew
cry, which causes it to froth. This, OF
course, is source of profit, as a key OF
half barrel requires much less quantity
of liquid to fill it if a considerable part
of the space is taken up by foam. alt
is notorious fact" he added, ''that
the beer kept on tap in the vaults for the
employees to drink while at work is the
pure juice of malt and hops, without any
of the stuff as they term it, being adj
ded. This is to prevent intOxication,
the preparation added to the beer that is
sold causing most of the stimulating OF
intoxicating effects"
Beer frequently, from various causes,
becomes sour, and is of no further use
to the lager brewer. 1t is then sold to
ale brewers 10 be used in their establish
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