Thomas Usher boiling and fermentation in 1914

Time for boiling. Which was quite different for the different types of beer.

The shortest boil times were for the “Br” Shilling Ales. Where the first wort was boiled for just 90 minutes and the second for 150 minutes. Nothing particularly unusual for the 19th century. And far short of boiling the first wort down to syrup, as some would have you believe. 

The Mild Shilling Ales, in the other hand, had a single 120-minute boil. The reason for the single boil was that these beers were produced in relatively small quantities and only one wort was produced.

The Pale Ales all had three boils, mostly of 105, 135 and 165 minutes. With the last boil so long presumably to concentrate the wort. The one exception was PA 60/-, where each of the boils was 15 minutes shorter. For whatever reason.

Longest boils were reserved for the Stouts. Where the single boil was 180 minutes. Why so long? Possibly to darken the wort.

Fermentation temperatures now. Pitching temperatures are remarkably consistent at 60º F for every beer. Usually, you would expect the pitching temperature would be lower for higher gravity beers.

There’s a bit more variation in maximum temperatures. But still only 3º F, between 66º F and 69º F.  With, logically enough, the lowest temperatures for the weakest beer.

One general comment. The maximum temperatures are quite low. In London, they were generally over 70º F. 

Thomas Usher boiling and fermentation in 1914
Beer	Style	boil time (hours)			Pitch temp	max. fermen-tation temp
40/- Br	Ale	1.5	2.5		60º F	66º F
50/- Br	Ale	1.5	2.5		60º F	67º F
60/- Br	Ale	1.5	2.5		60º F	67º F
44/- MA	Mild	2			60º F	68º F
50/- MA	Mild	2			60º F	67º F
60/- MA	Mild	2			60º F	68º F
80/- MA	Mild	2			60º F	67º F
100/- MA	Mild	2			60º F	69º F
X	Pale Ale	1.75	2.25	2.75	60º F	69º F
X 60/-	Pale Ale	1.75	2.25	2.75	60º F	68º F
IP	IPA	1.75	2.25	2.75	60º F	68º F
40/- PA	Pale Ale	1.75	2.25	2.75	60º F	68º F
PA	Pale Ale	1.75	2.25	2.75	60º F	69º F
PA 60/-	Pale Ale	1.5	2	2.5	60º F	69º F
48/-	Stout	3			60º F	69º F
54/-	Stout	3			60º F	69º F
XP	Strong Ale	2	2.25	2.75	60º F	68º F
	Average	1.93	2.30	2.71	60º F	68º F
Source:
Thomas Usher brewing record held at the Scottish Brewing Archives, document number TU/6/1/5.