British troops and Indian-brewed beer

One thing the British were really good at in the 19th century was commissioning reports. Reports into all sorts of things, most not of much interest to me. Occasionally some aspect of the brewing industry was the focus. More often beer is just mentioned in passing.

"Report of the Commissioners Appointed to Inquire Into the Sanitary State of the Army in India" belongs in the latter category. Various military officers seerving in India were asked about all sorts of things pertaining to sanitation and the well-being of the soldiers. One topic was the canteens where soldiers ate and drank. The answers reveal much about the drinking habits of the ordinary soldiers.

One recurring theme is the harmful effect of spirits and the preference for having the men drink beer instead. It seems spirits were only sold in canteens to stop the men buying them  outside their barracks.

Judging by the replies, they had been specifically asked about locally brewed beer. The topic comes up several times, though opinions were split as to its quality.

This isn't exactly a ringing endorsement:

"Sir R. Martin— . . . Malt liquor would be preferable, and it has been brewed at some of the hill stations with tolerable success."
"Report of the Commissioners Appointed to Inquire Into the Sanitary State of the Army in India", 1863, page 224.

Some inisited that Indian-brewed beer would not keep:

"Colonel Swatman—, . . . Beer brewed in India will not keep."
"Report of the Commissioners Appointed to Inquire Into the Sanitary State of the Army in India", 1863, page 224.

"Sir John Lawrence—, . . . . Thinks very fair beer is brewed in the hills, but that it would not keep any length of time in the plains."
"Report of the Commissioners Appointed to Inquire Into the Sanitary State of the Army in India", 1863, page 226.

While others reported it to have excellent keeping properties:

"Dr. Dempster—, . . . .  Had examined and tested beer made in the hills at Mussourie by Mr. Mackinnon. It was much liked and in good demand. Pronounced by special committee to be good and wholesome. Some put aside in bottle through the hot season was afterwards found perfectly good and quite transparent, after standing in the glass 12 hours."
"Report of the Commissioners Appointed to Inquire Into the Sanitary State of the Army in India", 1863, page 229.

The men weren't that keen on beer brewed in India and preferred that imported from Britain:

"Col. Greathed—, . . . . The English beer is better than that brewed at Mussourie."
"Report of the Commissioners Appointed to Inquire Into the Sanitary State of the Army in India", 1863, page 226.

Though not always with good reason:

Colonel Campbell—, . . . . . Beer was brewed at Meerut by an officer to great advantage; but as a matter of pride this was not approved, and it was discontinued. The beer was not liked so well as the English.
"Report of the Commissioners Appointed to Inquire Into the Sanitary State of the Army in India", 1863, page 227.

One reason some in authority were keen in locally-brewed beer waas that it was cheaper and would save them money:

Dr. R. D. Thompson— . . . .Beer is sent from England. There are breweries at Kussowlie and Mussourie, but the men do not like the beer so well as English, though it is cheaper. Beer is sold to the soldier by the Government at a loss amounting probably last year to 25 lacs of rupees (or £300,000)
"Report of the Commissioners Appointed to Inquire Into the Sanitary State of the Army in India", 1863, page 228.

Dr. McCosh—, . . . Very good ale is brewed in the hills, and the whole army might thus be supplied if a heavy contract were insured by Government, by which a quarter of a million annually might be saved on ale alone.
"Report of the Commissioners Appointed to Inquire Into the Sanitary State of the Army in India", 1863, page 226

The reason for the savings was that beer was sold at a loss to troops to try to encourage them to drink beer instead of spirits.

This short report about experiments in brewing in India caught my eye:

Lieut.-Col. Ouchterlony—, gives results of his experiments in brewing on the Neilgherries, the beer having been approved by those who tried it; so that the trade would pay professional brewers if supported by Government. Adds return of loss by getting beer from England.
"Report of the Commissioners Appointed to Inquire Into the Sanitary State of the Army in India", 1863, page 229.

A quick search reveals that Lieut.-Col. Ouchterlony wrote at length about his attempts at brewing. We'll be returning to that soon.