To complete my ridiculously detailed looked at late 19-th century UK brewing, I really need to look at Bass. One of the classic Burton Pale Ale brewers. It's a key part of UK brewing of the period.
With all the records at the London Metroplitan Archives, I've a pretty good idea of what was going on in the capital from 1800 onwards. That's only a part of UK brewing history. After 1830, what's happening in Burton is of particular interest. The story of IPA. And Barley Wine, as a side quest.
Because of all sorts of weird shit that I neither understand, nor appreciate, I can't look at this material. For no fucking good reason.
I can grasp why Guinness won't let me look at their records. They're still a going concern with some commercial interest in their old records. It pisses me off, but I can see their point of view.
Totally different with the Bass records. The brewery no longer exists. The people with the rights to the old Bass beers - AB Inbev - are happy for me to look at the old records.
So why the fuck can't I? Someone please explain why.
Surely they can give you a reason why you can't view them?
ReplyDeleteLast time it was some bullshit about them not being organised. I walked through the room where they were stored and I could see ones that I wanted to look at.
DeleteIf there's more to this story, it would be interesting to hear. Can nobody find the records? Are they classified as MI-5 secrets? Does somebody just not pick up the phone?
ReplyDeleteThe recorsa are there. They just won't let anyone look at them. It's so annoying.
DeleteWho holds the rights to the records? MolsonCoors?
ReplyDeleteYes. If ABInbev did there would be no problem.
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