BEER FROM HEATHER

Evening Star, Issue 18160, 28 December 1922, Page 2

BEER FROM HEATHER

A SCOTCH LEGEND. Scottish historians- tell ns that long ago the Highlanders browed an excellent beer from heather, but the secret of how they did it has been lost for ages. It was said to bo a sort of halfway house between Scotch whisky and Bass ale. If so, it is a. national calamity for Scotland that the industry cannot bo revived. An interesting story is told regarding Wie last holder of the secret. Two prisoners of Kenneth M‘Alpin { King of the Scots, were the test skilled in the browing of heath beer. They were father and eon, and both stoutly refused to divnlgo their knowledge though offered liberal rewards and advancements to do so. Finally, however, after much coaxing and' threatenings, tho old- man promised he would show them how it could bo done. But he made this on© stipulation—they must first slay his son. This most unnatural request instantly called, even in a barbarous age, for some explanation, which was as readily forthcoming. ‘‘ My son,” he said, “when he learns of my admissions, will bo very wrath, and my life will bo endangered." Tho Scots wore only too ready to acknowledge the reasonableness of the old man’s contention, but after they had killed his eon and brought the dead body to the father in evidence he very cunningly refused toi fulfil his promise. “ I am now,” he said, “the sole holder of the secret, which must die with mo.” .Remonstrances were unavailing, and the King finally had him led out to execution, and with him perished tho secret of the brewing of heath beer.