The Bass archives

Kafka was a brilliant writer. But his world of constant bureaucratic obstacles and frustration is not one I'd choose to live in. Yet I do.

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.