Kirkstall beers in 1885

It’s a sign of the increased popularity of Pale Ales that Kirkstall brewed three. The same as the number 0oof Mild Ales.

The brewery was a decant size, with a maximum brew length of around 150 barrels. Not quite in the same league as London or Burton. A decent size for Yorkshire, though. Where much of the beer was still brewed in pubs.

It’s a decent range, spanning eight beers in total. A Stock Ale and a Stout, in addition to the aforementioned Mild and Pale Ales. Or is that everything? An advert from a couple of years later lists three Stouts.

The Stout in the brewing records looks about the right strength for a an 18d per gallon beer. Were there other Stouts for which I have no brewing records, or did they water down some post-fermentation?

The BA and PA, which I assume were the 16d and 18d India Pale Ales in advert, seem a little overpriced for their gravity. But I guess that’s because their Pale Ales, which were often sold at a premium. While, at about 1050º, AK seems pretty good value at 12d per gallon.
It’s a shame KKK doesn’t show up in the price list. It was probably the same price as the strongest Stout, 18d per gallon.

Interesting that the hopping rate per quarter (336 lbs) of malt is highest in AK, the weakest Pale Ale. 25% more than its two stronger siblings. 

Kirkstall beers in 1885
Beer	Style	OG	FG	ABV	App. Atten-uation	lbs hops/ qtr	hops lb/brl	Pitch temp
L	Mild	1049.6				5.03	1.07	58º
X	Mild	1052.6	1013.3	5.20	74.74%	6.50	1.40	57.75º
XXX	Mild	1066.2				8.00	2.22	57.5º
AK	Pale Ale	1049.9				12.42	2.01	58º
BA	Pale Ale	1055.4				10.00	2.33	58º
PA	Pale Ale	1060.9				9.87	3.31	58º
KKK	Stock Ale	1069.3				10.00	2.97	58º
IS	Stout	1071.7				10.35	3.71	58º
Source:
Kirkstall brewing record.

1888 Kirkstall brewery advert
beer	price per barrel (s)	price per gallon (d)
East India Pale Ale	48	16
East India Pale Ale	54	18
AK Light Bitter Ale	36	12
Fine Mild Ale	36	12
Fine Mild Ale	42	14
Fine Mild Ale	48	16
Stout	42	14
Stout	48	16
Stout	54	18
Source:
Yorkshire Gazette - Saturday 30 June 1888, page 3