WORKINGMAN'S BEER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20990, 29 September 1931, Page 10

WORKINGMAN'S BEER.

ATTITUDE OF PUBLICANS.

DECISION NOT YET REACHED.

growing vogue of home brew.

No notion Jtas boon agreed upon by hotel proprietors in Auckland regarding 11,0 price of draught beer consequent upon the recent increase in the charges by breweries. During the month the situation has caused some concern among licensed victuallers and it is probable that u discussion will yet take place.

Apart from this, developments are being awaited by tho patrons themselves, par ticularly in view of the rumours which have been rife concerning tho possiblo roduction in tho ei/.o of "handles" and "half-handles," or an increased cost for draught beer served over tho bar. Up to tho present, no decision has been made and t lie opinion given by several hotelkeepers yesterday was that any movement to pass on to tho public the added cost was unlikely.

This statement was mado principally from their own personal point of view. They mado no secret of tho decline in the bar trade sinco tho beginning of tho economic depression. At the same time, they were not prepared to say that tho question of tho cost of draught beer to the public would not be the subject of review.

The existing ''handle" contains lGoz. of beer and the "half-handle" Boz. A largo percentage of tho glasses is manufactured in Australia, and tho opinion is held that orders of smaller sizes would involve considerable expenso and delay.

Stores which sell articles needed in tho manufacture of borne-brew beer aro continuing to do a steady trade. The industry, if it can bo called that, is enjoying a considerable vogue in many suburbs, and is by no means confined to thoso who liavo not ready money to purchase beer from holds. It can bo said to liavo become a fashion and there is no small rivalry in producing varied brows and comparing their excellences. The industry has passed the experimental stage, ltecipcs, many of them involved to a dogrec, are eagerly sought and exchanged, their attributes from the points of view of sheer economy and potency discussed. Ordinarily, the cost of manufacture where a sound recipe has been obtained docs not exceed Id or a ljd a but tie.