HOP BEER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 34, 10 February 1892, Page 5

HOP BEER.

IMPORTANT TO MANUFACTURERS.

Two manufacturers of hop bear appeared at the Police Court this morning before Dr. J. Giles, It.M., to answer , to charges of selling liquor, to wit, hop beer; to Constable Foreman, without having procured the necessary license.

Cyprian Nicholls was first charged, and Mr S. Hosketh, who appeared on his behalf, pleaded not guilty. Inspector Broham appeared on behalf of the prosecution. He stated that pn the 27th of January Constable Foreman purchased two bottles of hop beer from the defendant. It appeared that Mr Nicholla had taken out a brewer's license, and also paid 3d per gallon duty on his hop beer. He contended that showed that defendant was aware that his hop beer was of an intoxicating nature, otherwise he would not pay 3d per gallon duty, and £1 for a license. Under the Amendment Act, 1886, he could nob sell less than two gallons.

Mr S. Heskofch submitted an analysis by Mr J. A. Pond, which, roughly speaking, showed that there was about three and one-third wine-glasses of alcohol to the gallon of beer, so that it could not be considered intoxicating. He quoted a local that had appeared in the Evening Star with referonce to the views of the Collector of Customs on the question.

Dr. Giles said he was not at present prepared to say that because a man took out a brewer'e license it proved that the liquor was intoxicating.

Inspector Broham then obtained an adjournment for the purpose of getting the beer.analysed.

Mr Hesketh said that Mr Nicholls wished to take all the blame, as he made and sold the beer to Mr Knight.

The case was then adjourned until Wednesday week. The other charge against William Knight of selling hop beer was likewise adjourned.