IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BEER OR OTHER BEVERAGES AND EXTRACTS OR PRODUCTS TO BE EMPLOYED "
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Armstrong, of Gauden Road, Clapham in the
County of Surrey, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF BEER OR OTHER BEVERAGES AND EXTRACTS OR PRODUCTS TO BE EMPLOYED
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Armstrong at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th December 1882.
JAMES ARMSTRONG of Gauden Road Clapham in the County of Surrey,
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BEER OR OTHER BEVERAGES AND
EXTRACTS OR PRODUCTS TO BE EMPLOYED IN SUCH MANUFACTURE AND FOR
SIMILAR PURPOSES
"
The chief object of my invention is to improve the quality and reduce the cost,
as compared with the ordinary mode of manufacture, of beer or other liquids
which require to be rendered clear before they are suitable for consumption.
Isinglass has heretofore been largely employed for this purpose; this material is not,
however, so effective or economical as might be desired. But according to one
part of my invention I provide finings greatly superior to, and cheaper than,
isinglass.
This part of my said invention is based upon the discovery that the nuts or
seeds of the plant known to botanists under the name of Sterculia acuminata
possesses properties which render it capable of being converted into "finings" of
great value for cereal and fruit products, more especially beer and wine; it may also
be employed to clarify sugar (the latter being treated during the process of boiling
in the blow-up pan) and as finings for other products or solutions. I extract the
desired portions of the nuts or seeds of the said plant by boiling, infusing or
distilling the said nuts or seeds in a suitable quantity of water or other suitable
liquid for a sufficient period of time, the extract is then drained and is fit for use.
The finings thus produced are introduced into the beer in about the proportions of
from a pint to two quarts to each barrel of beer (or other liquid) to be cleared, the
proportions being varied according to the nature of the said liquid or according to
the judgment of the person using the said finings. The said nuts are, in some

page_text: cases introduced into the beer in a dry state either whole or crushed but I prefer
to employ the extract above described. The said finings may be employed in a
similar manner for rendering other liquids clear.
Another object of my said invention is to produce an ingredient for use with
hops in the manufacture of beer, which will improve the flavor and quality of the
beer. It is sometimes desirable to introduce a portion of the hops directly into the
cask instead of introducing the whole of the desired quantity into the beer at an
earlier stage of its manufacture, but there is an objection to placing dry hops in
the cask because of the difficulty in cleansing it for further use. I obviate this
objection in the following manner, that is, to say, during the manufacture of the
beer, previous to its being placed in the cask, I introduce a certain quantity of
hops and I impart the desired flavor to the beer after, it is in the cask, by intro-
ducing therein a suitable quantity of Alstonia constricta bitters either alone, or
combined with extract of hops, say in about equal proportions, or I add the said
bitters to the hops first introduced into the beer, and, if desired, complete the flavor
thereof by afterwards introducing an additional quantity of the said bitters with
or without extract of hops. In some cases I combine with the said bitters (either
with or without the extract of hops) the finings obtained from the Sterculia
acuminata as above described, and in other cases I combine the said finings with
extract of hops, the ingredients, in such case, being mixed in about equal proportions.
By these means I render the beer brighter and more wholesome and sustaining than
'beer manufactured in the ordinary manner, and I also obviate its liability to become
: sour and thus reduce to a great extent the amount of returns to the Brewer as
(compared with the ordinary modes of manufacture.
I obtain the extract from the Alstonia Constricta by boiling, infusing, or distilling
the plant in a suitable quantity of water to which I sometimes added a small
quantity of acid or spirit
Instead of obtaining the above described extract from the Alstonia Constricta
I obtain a product therefrom which serves a similar purpose, that is to say, I remove
the exterior bark from the stalks and branches of the plant, I then take the rind
within or next to the bark and crush cut or grind the same by any suitable means.
This product is mixed with hops in suitable proportions and is then employed as
an ingredient in the manufacture of beer
A further object of my said. Invention' is to produce wholesome non intoxicating
¡liquors or beverages This object I attain by combining with the extract of the
:nuts or of the Sterculia Acuminata (in proportions varying according to the
nature and quality of the beverage it is desired to produce) an extract of alstonia
constricta bitters, malt tea or coffee and sugar, or. I combine the latter ingredients
with the said nuts or seeds in about equal proportions and grind them either together
or separately; in the latter case the ingredients are mixed after having been ground-
The compound thus obtained may be used in a similar manner to ordinary tea. or
coffee Any other suitable flavouring substance may be added to either of these
compounds.
:
The proportions above stated may in every case be somewhat varied according
to the nature and quality of the product it is desired to obtain or the judgment of
the manufacturer.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Armstrong in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th June
1883.
"
JAMES ARMSTRONG, of Gauden Road, Clapham, in the County of Surrey,
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BEER OR OTHER BEVERAGES AND
EXTRACTS OR PRODUCTS TO BE EMPLOYED IN SUCH MANUFACTURE AND FOR
SIMILAR PURPOSES
"
J
:
My invention relates to the manufacture of beer or other beverages and extracts
or products to be employed in such manufacture and for similar purposes
The chief object of my invention is to improve the quality and reduce the cost
(as compared with other modes of manufacture) of beer or other beverages which
require to be rendered clear before they are suitable for consumption. My said
invention also has for its object to neutralize the intoxicating properties of beer or
other beverages and to render the same less liable to become cloudy and sour.
Another object of my said invention is to provide compounds for use in a similar
manner to tea or coffee.
The first part of my invention is based upon the discovery that the seeds of the
plant known by the name of "Sterculia acuminata," or "Kola nut," possess
properties which render them of great value for use as finings for cereal and fruit
products, more especially beer, wine and spirits, and for neutralizing the intoxicating
properties of fermented liquors.
I obtain an extract of the said seeds in the following manner, that is to say, I
first steep the seeds in hot water in a suitable vessel to thoroughly cleanse them
from all impurities, I then slice, crush or grind the same and extract the desired
properties therefrom by infusing, boiling or distilling them in water, spirit or
other suitable liquid in about the following proportions, that is to say:-When the
seeds are to be boiled, I mix two pounds of the said seeds with one gallon and a
half of water or other liquid and boil this mixture until its volume is reduced to
about one gallon; and when the seeds are to be infused or distilled, I mix two
pounds of the said seeds with one gallon of water or other liquid. I continue the
process of infusing for about from two to three hours according to the strength it
is desired the extract should have. The extract is then drained off and is fit
for use.
In the manufacture of beer according to my invention, I, in some cases, introduce
the aforesaid seeds, either whole, sliced crushed or ground, into the wort during
the process of boiling, in the proportion of about one pound of seeds to one barrel
of wort; or I add part of the said quantity of seeds to the wort during the boiling
and the remainder after the beer is fermented. In other cases, I introduce the
above described extract into the beer in the proportions of about from one pint to
one gallon to each barrel of beer, the proportions being varied according to the
quality of the beer or according to the judgment of the person using the extract.
I sometimes employ the said seeds or extract in a similar manner and in about the
same proportions in the manufacture of other beverages.
The above described extract may be used as a remedy for drunkenness or it
may be made into a liqueur or wine in any well known manner.
'
Another part of my invention is based on the discovery that the rind or bark of
the plant known by the name of "Alstonia constricta" or "Calyso" has properties
which render the same of great value for improving the flavor and quality of beer
and other beverages. This substance gives tonic and preservative properties to
the beer and assists its clarification.

page_text: .
According to this part of my invention, I first remove the lichen from the
Alstonia constricta, I then take off the rind or bark and break, crush, cut or grind
the same by any suitable means. It is not absolutely necessary to remove the
lichen although I prefer to do so as the extract is purer without it and because it
floats on the surface of the liquid. I obtain an extract of the rind or bark of the
Alstonia constricta by infusing, boiling or distilling the same in water, beer, spirit
or other liquid in the proportion of about one pound of the said rind or bark to
one gallon of the liquid; the infusion or boiling being, continued for about three
hours. The extract thus obtained I add to the beer either during the process of
boiling the wort or afterwards, in about the proportions of nine liquid ounces of
the extract to each barrel of beer.
I sometimes introduce about one ounce of the said rind or bark to each barrel
of wort or beer and thus impart the desired flavor and keeping properties to the
same. The Alstonia constricta may be used in the manufacture of beer either
with or without hops.
In some cases I. combine the extract of Alstonia constricta (either with or
without extract of hops) with the extract obtained from the Sterculia acuminata
seeds as above described, and, in other cases, I combine the extract of the Sterculia
acuminata seeds with extract of hops I mix the said extracts in about the
following proportions, that is to say-Six ounces of extract of Alstonia constricta
to four pounds of extract of Sterculia acuminata seeds, or fourteen ounces of extract
of hops to four pounds of extract of Sterculia acuminata seeds. I then introduce
either of the resulting compounds into the beer in the proportion of from one
pint to one gallon to each barrel of beer, the beer being afterwards filtered in any
suitable manner. An excellent tonic wine or liqueur can be made; in any well
known manner from the compound consisting of the extract of Sterculia acuminata
seeds mixed with that obtained from the Alstonia constricta.
By these means I render the beer brighter than when, manufactured in the
ordinary manner, and I also diminish its liability to become sour and thus reduce
to a great extent the amount of returns to the brewer as compared with the
ordinary modes of manufacture. Should the wort or beer not be so bright as
desired or should it contain too much gluten, I pass it through any suitable filter
and then introduce into it a small quantity of liquid finings, in suitable proportions
according to the nature of the beer, and I force into it, by means of any suitable
apparatus, purified carbonic acid gas, either in the fermenting tun, the vat, the
cask, or the bottle; in order to expel the atmospheric air. By these means I ensure
the retention of the flavor of the beer and prevent its acidification.
The purified carbonic acid gas may, with great advantage, be introduced into the
beer in combination with either or both of the above described extracts.
According to another part of my invention I manufacture a temperance beer
in the following manner, that is to say, I introduce into the wort, at the
commencement of the boiling, the following proportions of Cola or Kola nuts
which have been properly cleansed and sliced, crushed or, ground, and of the
material known as Calyso, with or without a small portion of. hops or other
suitable flavoring substance, that is to say;-About from one to two pounds of the
said nuts and from one to two ounces of, Calyso for each barrel of wort. These
proportions being somewhat varied according to the nature and strength of the said
wort. I then filter the boiled wort by any suitable means.
Should the intoxicating properties of the beer not be sufficiently neutralized, a
further quantity of the said nuts may be added after the beer..is fermented. At
this stage of the manufacture I pass the beer through any suitable filter previous
to its being put into the cask. I sometimes introduce into the wort or beer a
sufficient quantity of purified carbonic acid gas to expel the atmospheric air, so as
to preserve the flavor of the beer and prevent its acidification. This beer is purer
and more refreshing and sustaining than beer manufactured in the ordinary
manner.
:
According to another part of my said invention. I provide compounds which can
1+

page_text: be used in a similar manner to tea or coffee for making wholesome non-intoxicating
liquors or beverages.
For this purpose I combine with the seeds of the Sterculia acuminata, after they
have been cleaned and sliced, crushed or ground as above described, the rind or
bark of the Alstonia constricta, malt, bran, and sugar. These materials with
the exception of the Alstonia constricta are roasted either together or separately.
I combine the said materials in about the proportion of one part of Alstonia
constricta to two hundred parts of the other ingredients combined in about equal
proportions, and I grind the said materials either together or separately; when
they are ground separately they are roasted previous to being mixed. The
compounds thus obtained may be used in a similar manner to tea or coffee and any
suitable flavoring substance may be added to either of these compounds.
Having thus fully described my said invention and the manner of performing
the same I wish it understood that I claim :-
First. The extract of the Sterculia acuminata seeds obtained by cleansing the
said seeds, then slicing, crushing or grinding the same, and infusing boiling or
distilling them, substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Second. In the manufacture of beer or other beverages, the employment of the
Sterculia acuminata seeds or an extract thereof (with or without carbonic acid gas),
substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Third. The extract of the rind or bark of Alstonia constricta obtained by
crushing, cutting or grinding the same, and then infusing, boiling or distilling it in
water or other liquid, substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Fourth. In the manufacture of beer or other beverages, the employment of the
rind or bark of the Alstonia constricta or an extract thereof (with or without
hops), substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Fifth. The compound consisting of the extract of the Sterculia acuminata seeds
mixed with the extract of the rind. or bark of the Alstonia constricta or with
extract of hops or with both of the last named extracts, substantially as, and for
the purposes, set forth.
Sixth. In the manufacture of beer, the introduction of Cola or Kola nuts and
Calyso into the wort, in or about in the proportions above stated, the wort or beer
being afterwards filtered by any suitable means, substantially as, and for the
purposes, set forth.
Seventh. The manufacture of a compound to be used for making non-intoxicating
liquors or beverages, by combining with the Sterculia acuminata seeds, the rind or
bark of the Alstonia constricta, malt, bran, and sugar, substantially as set forth.
In Witness whereof I the said James Armstrong have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Eighth day of June in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty three.
JAMES ARMSTRONG (L.S.)