Random Holes

I mean random stuff about Holes brewery, not holes in socks or the road. A few small items from the newspaper archive connected with the brewery.

The first one is an advert:

"BEER
ABSOLUTELY PURE
COPY OF REPORT.
The Laboratory, 11,. Billiter-square, London. E. C., Dec. 24th. 1900.

Dear Sirs,—

I beg to report to you that I have carefully examined the nine samples of your Malt Beverages which I received from you on Dec. 21st. I am satisfied, as the result of examination, that the whole of the Samples are FREE FROM ARSENICAL CONTAMINATION.

I remain, faithfully yours,
(Signed) OTTO HEHNER.
Messrs. J Hole and Co., Ltd., Castle Brewery. Newark-on-Trent.

PURE WHOLESOME BEER,

From 1/- per Gallon, in 6, 9, 12, and 18 Gallon Casks.

LIBERAL DISCOUNT FOR CASH ORDERS.

INVALID STOUT AND LUNCHEON ALE,

In Pint Bottles (Screw Stoppers).

2/6 per Dozen.

DELIVERED FREE IN TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Branch Office—

11, SILVER-STREET. LINCOLN."
Lincolnshire Echo - Saturday 26 January 1901, page 2.

Personally, I like a little arsenic in my beer. Adds depth to the flavour. This is clearly a reaction to the arsenic in beer scare. There were several deaths in Manchester caused by drinking beer. A sugar manufacturer had used non food-grade acid to invert sugar. The acid was contaminated with arsenic, which, through the sugar, got into beer.

Here's a Holes pub which was still around until quite recently. Never went in it myself. Not sure it ever sold cask beer when I was drinking.

"TO LET, on March 25th, the MIDLAND HOTEL. Newark, opposite the Cattle Market, and adjoining the Midland Station (fully licensed); spacious Vaults, excellent accommodation, and good stabling—Apply, giving references, and full particulars as to past experience, to JAMES HOLE and CO.. Ltd., Castle Brewery. Newark-on-Trent."
Lincolnshire Echo - Monday 18 March 1901, page 1.

This concerns a pub which is both still a pub and one in which I drank. Courage used to have a virtual monopoly in Newark in the 1970's, all but five (four Home Ales and one Watney's) of the town's pubs being tied to them. Then there was a pub swap between some of the Big Six to try and water down local monopolies. The Grove was one of the pubs that was transferred to Bass.

"At the District Brewster Sessions, on Wednesday, Mr. Beevor, solicitor, applied for the renewal of the license granted to Messrs. Hole and Co. last year for the new hotel in course of erection at New Balderton. He also asked for permission to deviate somewhat from the plans, so as to enlarge what was known the jug department.—The license was renewed, and permission granted for the alteration. —Mr. Charles applied for and was granted the transfer of the Crown Inn license at Normanton-on-Trent."
Lincolnshire Chronicle - Friday 30 August 1901, page 8.

As Courage produced no cask beer in their Newark brewery, this was good news for me. The pubs Bass took over started to sell Draught Bass, at the time still brewed in union sets. In the Grove, the Bass was looked after pretty well and could be a cracking pint. It was novelty being able to get decent beer in Balderton, the place I grew up and where some of my family still live.

At that time, there was still a really nice etched window with the Holes name on it. Sadly, it was removed some years later.

I almost forgot. My sister's wedding reception was held in the upstairs function room of the Grove.