Ancient beer

Or, at least, pretty old beer. Though, come to think of it, I've drunk beer that was almost twice as old.

There is now in the possession of Mr. James Scott, of Braintree, a bottle, containing part of a hogshead of beer brewed in the year 1741, by Edmund Sally, Esq. of Market Downham, Norfolk, intended to be drunk at the christening of his first-born, which was a son. A part of this beer was bottled and deposited in a vault — there to remain until the father’s death, which happened about 12 years since, at the good old age of 87 - At that time 20 bottles of the liquor were found, and, notwithstanding the length of time it had been brewed, was in high perfection. — Essex Herald.
Public Ledger and Daily Advertiser - Monday 23 June 1828, page 3.

It sounds like a beer brewed by a member of the minor gentry at his own residence. Such people were known for brewing strong beer and sometimes letting it age for decades. Because, well, they could afford to, not having the same financial pressures as a commercial concern.

And when their heir was born, it was common for such gentry to brew a Majority Ale. That is a beer to be drunk when the heir came of age at 21. This is slightly different as it's a Christening Ale. I wonder why some was hoarded away in a vault? Was it purposefully let until after the father's death?

Incidentally, the numbers don't add up. If the father was 87 in 1816, that would mean he was born in 1729 and just 12 years old when his son was born.