MEAD, ALE AND BEER
Alehouse Act 1828 and Beerhouse Act 1830
The passing of the Alehouse act in 1828, and subsequently the Beerhouse act in 1830 enabled any rate-payer to brew and sell beer on payment of a licence costing two guineas, the intention was to increase competition between brewers, lowering prices and encouraging people to drink beer instead of strong spirits.
In the mid-19th century, the majority of malthouses across Britain were owned by the large established breweries, through which, they controlled, and in effect monopolised the supply and price of malted barley. Similarly, they indirectly controlled the supply and price of hops, through restrictive contract terms with hop growers which meant that small farmer/brewers like the Jolly Farmer found it difficult to assure the supply of necessary ingredients at affordable prices. Most small brewing beer houses eventually succumbed to the inevitable, having to buy in beer from large local or regional breweries, to the point where many gave up altogether and became simply beer retailers, and eventually transitioning from a beer house to a public house.
