THE "CROOKED" BEER.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 11, Issue 793, 27 July 1888, Page 2

THE " CROOKED" BEER.

THE ADULTERATIONS OF FOREIGN 4ND DOMESTIC PRODUCTS. The expression " crooked ," as used in its English sense, " deceitful, rotten," has been introduced into German-Amer-ican papers to an extent that will preclude the above title from being misunderstood, says the Chicago Staats Zeitung. Crooked beer is doctored beer, and crooked brewers are they who doctor ic. Of both it appears we have more than we need. This is certainly shown in the annual report of the Bureau of Agriculture in Washington — and proven. This department had a number of chemical analyses made of foreign and domestic beer, and acnieved results which are certainly astonishing to the beer-drinker. The analysed American beer came from Washington, St Louis, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Ales andria, and Reading — Chicago beer was therefore not included. This is to be regretted, as we are especially anxious about our home article. The investigation proved that in the preparation of crooked beer three things are taken into consideration : — • 1. A substitute for barley malt, through a use of other grains in malting, the addiition of unmalted. Strength-giving stuff and the use of sweetened preparations, such as glucose, sugar cane, &c. 2. A substitute for hops in the use of cheap bitters, which are but rarely to be discovered in chemical investigations, having been found with certainty only in one sample of Philadelphia beer. 3. A substitutefor natural fermentation through the use of a so called fermenting stuff which interferes with the regular process of fermentation, so that it must complete its work in the human stomach. The last mode of doctoring beer is the worst, because it is m.>st injurious to health. Stuff is used in the manufac ture of beer which, after long use, is sure to ruin the inner coating of the stomach, and have an evil effect upon the kidneys. Formerly isinglass was used, which was quite harnalesd, to interrupt the fermentation, so that new beer two or three weeks old looked like old beer three or four months old. But this was too expensive, and a cheaper substitute was found, such as lime and similar articles, all equally unhealthy. In Germany such articles are only used in beer for export purposes, a charming example of the hon-

esty practised toward foreigners in comparison with home consumers. What is dangerous to the native German is good enough for the foreigner. There were made altogether] 33 examinations of beer, among them being five kinds of imported beer. Six American beers contained salicine bitters Among these were two bottles from Milwaukee two from St Louis, one from Alexandia, Va.. and one sample from Philadelphia. In but one sample of Philadelphia beer could any substitute for hops be distinctly detected. One sample of Wshington beer contained sulphur bitters. In the Bremen Kaiser^beer salicine bitters were found. The use of glucose for malt seems to be on the decrease, while the use of other grains, such as barley, seems to have become quite general. In view of the fact that the manufacture of beer is a national industry, taxed by the government, and carefully watched, there ought to be no doubt that the doctoring of beer is punishable. In view of its influence on the health, crooked beer is much worse than crooked butter. How would it do if one of the German representatives to Congress, say Mr Ghienther, of Wisconsin, should interest himself in this matter, and prepare and introduce an act against the doctoring of food and luxuries, such as is in effect in Germany ?