Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-07-06
BOTTLED BEER,
Originated in Ffsherman's Flight
During "BlOody" Mary's Reign.


From the London Globe
A good deal of controversy has been going
on of late regarding the origin of bottled
beer, and the following piece of true his
tory will therefore be interesting, as it Is
little known
In the middle of the sixteenth century
Alexander NOVEL;, DID, was head master
of Westminster school, a prebendary of
the abbey and the posSessor of a charm
ing country residence named Redhall sit
uated near ClitherO, Lancashire, whittier
he was wont to retire during the holidays.
Now, DR.. NOVEL; was a stanch Protestant;
so, when Edward VI died and Queen Mary
succeeded to the throne, he thought it pru-
dent to forsake the cloisters of Westmin-
ster for Redhall Park, having a very
shrewd suspicion that if he did not trou-
BILE might befall. The doctor was an en-
thusiastic and expert angler, and, thanks
to the well-stocked trout streams running
through his Lancashire demesne, he had
every opportunity of INDUCING in his favor
lite pursuit.
One fine May morning, then. saw NOVEL;
preparing his rod and tackle and, as it
promised to be a scorching hot day, he,
before starting out, took the precaution Of
filling a large stone bottle with home
brewed ale. The sun rose higher and
higher in the heavens, the fisherman got
warmer and warmer, and the stone bottle
became more and more of an incumbrance.
He, therefore, determined to leave the
bottle in a safe place until he felt ready to
enjoy Its refreshment, and what could be
more suitable for the purpose than the
hollow of an old pollard tree overhanging
the water, ensconced in which the stream
would gently lave the bottom of the jar
and keep the contents fresh and cool
Hardly had this been done when he heard
voice calling his name, and, looking
Of 10 hit
lures agitated with terror. They've come,
sir! They've Gomez the man cried. who
has Gomez" asked the amazed DOCTOR THE
soldiers of Bloody Mary, sir. They are
searching high and low for you; they are
ransacking your chests; and one varlet
has piece of paper bearing a great seal
and the queens name on it" Has hep
grimly replied NOVEL;, and without further
ado-forgetful Of his fish, forgetful of his
stone bottle-he tucked up his cassock and
fled across the meadows. After some days
of perilous wandering NOVEL; reached
Chester safely, where an old Westminster
boy, named Francis Bowyer, a merchant
Of the city, received him into his house
and eventually Struggled him to the CONT
nent In one of his own trading vessels.
Six years had elapsed: Queen Mary was
dead, Queen Elizabeth was on the throne.
and NOVEL; was back in Lancashire Once
again hot May morning saw him setting
forth to fish, but this time, fortunately,
neglectng to take with him a bottle of ale
AS the day waxed hotter, NOVEL; became
both tired and thirsty. He dropped his
rod and his thoughts drifted back to that
eventful May morning six years ago. and
then ITO the stone bottle which he had SO
carefully slowed away in the hollow Of the
pollard tree Was the bottle still there he
wondered He wandered down the stream
until he picked out that particular root
and, kneeling down. thrust In an arm Out
came the bottle, apparently none the worse
for its long sojourn. NOVEL; was very
thirsty; the Icy GOODNESS of the stone was
most tantaliZing OF course the contents
were undrinkable, thought he; still, he
was very thirsty-just one cautious sip.
The cork, swollen and damp with age, was
extracted and the bottle lifted to the lips
Ye gods and little fishes What was this
heavenly nectar he was tasting? Novel;
threw back his head and took a long, deep
draught.
Could anything be more delicious than
this amber ale, mellowed by time and
cooled to a nicely? What were the vines
of Rhineland. which he had thought so ex-
cellent during his exile in Germany. as
compared with this delectable fluid?
That same night DR.. NOVEL; summoned
his whole household in solemn conclaye.
Every empty pitcher, jar and bottle that
could be found was filled with honest Eng
llsh ale, corked and then consigned to the
cellars. The doctor had "discovered'' bot
tied beer; but for some years it was a still
room secret of Redhall Park, until at la st
the discovery was given to the world and
the popularity of the new LIQUID speedily
established itself