Watering beer in 1959 (part three)

From the same court session there were multiple prosecutions for watering.

The next landlord admitted that dilution had taken place. Though, of course, he has no idea how it had occurred.

JOSEPH STARKEY, of the Royal Brew Vaults Charles-street, Manchester. admitted the offence.

Mr. Hill said when a sample was taken at the Royal Brew Vaults, Charles-street. Manchester, on November 21 it was found that the gravity was 31.2 per cent. It was 34.3 per cent when sent from the brewery.

It meant the beer was dilated to the extent of 2.1 gallons every 36-gallon barrel showing a dilution of 5.8 per cent.

Mr. J. S. Oakes, defending, said Starkey was the tenant and was dependent upon the profits.

“WIFE ILL"
If he had actively diluted the beer his profits would ultimately have gone down because the house would get the reputation of having “horrible beer.”

Mr. Oakes said Starkey was at the house for three years and left because his wife was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

It was not suggested this had a direct bearing on the reason for the dilution, but being so preoccupied with his wife’s illness Starkey’s supervision might not have been the same.

Mr. Oakes said Starkey had four assistants who had direct access. If an assistant added two gallons of water to the beer the cost of the extra pints could go into their pockets without anyone realising.

ANY WAY?
The magistrate: Is there any way water can get into the beer without a deliberate attempt?

Mr Oakes: It nas been kept a very great secret if there is.

Starkey, he said, was now a waiter at the Royal George, Knutsford.

Starkey was fined £15.
Manchester Evening News - Friday 23 October 1959, page 21.

Perhaps the reason he pleaded guilty was that he was no longer a landlord and wasn't so worried about damaging his reputation. As for being known for “horrible beer”, given that watering seems to have been rife, his beer was more likely to have stood out if it hadn't been diluted.

It looks as if this was the same brewery and the same beer as in the other case, because the real gravity, 1034.3º, is the same. Again, I calculate the quantity of water to be higher - 3.25 gallons, slightly more than in the first case. Which would mean at extra £1.56 per barrel. I make the dilution 9.04%, not the 5.8% quoted.

The only way this could have worked would have been if Mr. Starkey's "assistant" had watered the beer and then taken the equivalent amount of money out of the till. Quite complicated, but not impossible.

Obviously, there was no way water could "accidentally" get into a cask. Though there were landlords who claimed this. As we'll see next time.