Monday 19 September 2011

Scottish Pale Ale 1925 - 1929

Tables. Lots of lovely tables. (You're supposed to sing that in your head to the tune of "Feelings".) I warned you I'd too much info from the 1920's to fit in a single table. There's really more than enough for three. You'll be getting the final two today.

The Scottish market was quite different from the English one. The biggest difference being the tied house system, which didn't really exist in Scotland. The majority of the pubs were free houses, though I expect many weren't as free as they might appear. On the face of it, there was more scope for direct competition between brewers on quality and price. Perhaps the lack of the guaranteed outlets tied houses represent was why smaller brewers struggled and the trade became dominated by a few large concerns.

Another difference was in the beers brewed. Not that Scottish beers were necessarily of themselves hugely different from their English cousins. It's more the amount of each type brewed. Scotland, like Ireland, seems to have been out of phase with England in terms of style evolution. But the other way around, i.e. Scotland was ahead of the game.

What struck me about both the Gravity Book entries and brewing records is the preponderance of Pale Ales. and the paucity of Mild Ales.In the 1920's Mild accounted for more than 50% of beer sales in the UK. Not in Scotland, though. These are the number of analyses per style from the Thomas Usher Gravity Book:


Amber Ale 7
Barley Wine 4
Brown Ale 12
IPA 16
Lager 4
Mild 15
Pale Ale 434
Pils 2
Scotch Ale 15
Stout 56
Strong Ale 52

As you can see, around two thirds were for Pale Ale. The Whitbread Gravity Book has proportionally far more Milds and Stouts. Note also the poor showing of Scotch Ale in Scotland. Even worse when you consider many of the samples were brewed for the Belgian market.

Mild and Stout seem to have lost popularity more quickly in Scotland. In England both were major styles until well after WW I. Porter seems to have become extinct in Scotland in the 19th century. Of course, the same was to happen in England, but not until WW II. Scotland seems to have been 30 years ahead of England in terms of style evolution. It should also be noted that Lager took off much earlier in Scotland.

I'd love to be able to explain these differences. But I can't. I welcome your suggestions.

Back to the beers themselves. There are four main types of Pale Ale: 60/- at 1039º, 70/- at 1046º, 80/- at 1053 º and 90/- which, perversely, was a similar gravity to 60/-. I know nowadays 90/- is used to denote a Strong Ale. In the 1920's, it had quite a different meaning. Basically a carbonated, light bottled Pale Ale. Light Ale, I suppose, to use the English term.

You can also see how Export was becoming synonymous with 80/- Pale Ale. Though there isn't a single mention of Heavy.

The averages - OG 1040º, FG 1009º, 4% ABV, 77% attenuation - are very similar for all of the 1920's. That's a shade under average gravity for the UK, which was 1043º.

Time for the tables themselves. One last thing. The Thomas Usher Gravity Book includes comments on the flavour of some of the entries. Mostly not very complimentary, though there were a couple of beers praised. Considering the supposed lack of hops in Scottish beers, it's significant how often the level of bitterness is mentioned.

Table 1:


Scottish Pale Ale 1925 - 1929
Year Brewer Beer Price size package FG OG colour ABV App. Atten-uation
1925 Aitken ?? pint bottled 1010 1039 3.76 74.36%
1925 Ballingall Pale Ale carbonated pint bottled 1011.5 1046 40 4.48 75.00%
1925 Bernard Pale Ale 4d half pint bottled 1010 1038 39 3.63 73.68%
1925 Deucher, J. Montrose Ale pint bottled 1010 1041 4.02 75.61%
1925 McEwan Pale Ale 4d half pint bottled 1007 1034 38 3.51 79.41%
1925 Murray Strong Pale Ale pint bottled 1015 1034.5 25 2.51 56.52%
1925 Murray Pale Ale 4d half pint bottled 1010.5 1039.5 25 3.76 73.42%
1925 Murray Strong PA pint bottled 1014 1060 5.99 76.67%
1925 Murray Strong PA 6d half pint bottled 1015 1060 5.86 75.00%
1925 Usher PA 60/- pint bottled 1006 1038 4.17 84.21%
1925 Younger, Wm Pale Ale 4d half pint bottled 1007.5 1039 28 4.10 80.77%
1926 Aitken Sparkling Ale pint bottled 1005 1034 40 3.77 85.29%
1926 Bernard Pale Ale pint bottled 1009 1040 40 4.03 77.50%
1926 Deucher, J. Lochside Beer pint bottled 1008.5 1040.5 4.16 79.01%
1926 Dryborough Pale Ale 4d half pint bottled 1009 1032 50 2.98 71.88%
1926 Dryborough Pale Ale pint bottled 1007.5 1035.5 3.64 78.87%
1926 Dryborough Pale Ale pint bottled 1008 1038 3.90 78.95%
1926 Jeffrey & Co Pale Ale pint bottled 1006 1032 35 3.38 81.25%
1926 McEwan Pale Ale 4d half pint bottled 1007 1035 40 3.64 80.00%
1926 McEwan Pale Ale 4d half pint bottled 1006 1034 40 3.64 82.35%
1926 Murray Pale Ale 4d half pint bottled 1010 1035 30 3.24 71.43%
1926 Murray Pale Ale 4d half pint bottled 1008 1034 20 3.37 76.47%
1926 Tennent  90/- pint bottled 1005 1035 40 3.91 85.71%
1926 Younger, Wm Sparkling Ale pint bottled 1007 1038 28 4.03 81.58%
1926 Younger, Wm Sparkling Ale pint bottled 1006 1038 30 4.17 84.21%
1927 Aitchison Pale Ale pint bottled 1006.3 1035.3 3.77 82.27%
1927 Aitchison Pale Ale pint bottled 1006 1035 3.77 82.86%
1927 Bernard Pale Ale pint bottled 1007 1040 4.29 82.50%
1927 Campbell, Hope & King Pale Ale pint bottled 1006 1038.3 4.20 84.31%
1927 Dryborough Pale Ale pint bottled 1006.3 1038.8 4.23 83.85%
1927 Jeffrey & Co Pale Ale pint bottled 1004.8 1037.8 4.30 87.42%
1927 McEwan Pale Ale pint bottled 1008.3 1040.3 4.16 79.50%
1927 McKay Pale Ale pint bottled 1006.3 1039.3 4.30 84.08%
1927 Murray Pale Ale pint bottled 1007 1039 4.16 82.05%
1927 Steel Coulson Pale Ale pint bottled 1010 1041 4.02 75.61%
1927 Steel Coulson Pale Ale pint bottled 1006 1039 4.30 84.62%
1927 Usher Pale Ale pint bottled 1007.3 1040.3 4.29 81.99%
1927 Younger, Robert Pale Ale pint bottled 1010 1038.5 3.70 74.03%
1927 Younger, Wm Pale Ale pint bottled 1006.5 1038.5 4.16 83.12%
1927 Younger, Wm Pale Ale pint bottled 1008.5 1040 4.09 78.75%
1928 Aitchison 60/- Pale Ale pint bottled 1007 1039.5 4.23 82.28%
1928 Calder Alloa Pale Ale pint bottled 1008 1037 3.77 78.38%
1928 Deucher, J. Pale Ale pint bottled 1007 1038.5 4.10 81.82%
1928 Deucher, J. 70/- Beer pint bottled 1013 1056 5.60 76.79%
1928 Deucher, J. Pale Ale pint bottled 1008 1040 4.16 80.00%
1928 Lorimer & Clark Pale Ale pint bottled 1008 1038.3 3.93 79.08%
1928 Lorimer & Clark 80/- Beer pint bottled 1010 1052.5 5.54 80.95%
1928 Maclay Pale Ale pint bottled 1012 1038.8 3.46 69.03%
1928 Maclay 70/- Beer pint bottled 1014.5 1047 4.21 69.15%
1928 McEwan 70/- Ale pint bottled 1012.5 1047 4.48 73.40%
1928 Steel Coulson 80/- Beer pint bottled 1010 1055 5.87 81.82%
1928 Usher PA 60/- 1014 1041 3.57 65.85%
1928 Usher PA 1013 1035 2.91 62.86%
1928 Usher PA 60/- 1014 1041 3.57 65.85%
1928 Usher PA 60/- 1013 1041 3.70 68.29%
1928 Usher PA 80/- 1015 1055 5.29 72.73%
1928 Usher PA 70/- 1014.5 1048 4.43 69.79%
1928 Usher PA 60/- 1014 1041 3.57 65.85%
1928 Usher PA 60/- 1013.5 1041 3.64 67.07%
Average 1009.2 1040.4 4.06 77.24%
Sources:
Thomas Usher Gravity Book document TU/6/11 held at the Scottish Brewing Archive
Younger, Wm. & Co Gravity Book document WY/6/1/1/19 held at the Scottish Brewing Archive
Thomas Usher brewing record document TU/6/6 held at the Scottish Brewing Archive





Scottish Pale Ale 1925 - 1929
Year Brewer Beer Price size package FG OG colour ABV App. Atten-uation Flavour
1928 Usher Pale Ale pint draught 1014 1040.8 3.46 65.64%
1928 Usher Pale Ale pint bottled 1012 1040.5 3.69 70.37%
1928 Usher 70/- Ale pint draught 1014.5 1047 4.21 69.15%
1928 Usher 90/- Sparkling Pale Ale pint bottled 1009 1037 no. 10 - 11 (Newcastle dark) 3.63 75.68%
1928 Usher 90/- Sparkling Pale Ale pint bottled 1009 1038 no. 10 - 11 3.76 76.32%
1928 Younger, Geo No. 1 Alloa Pale Ale pint bottled 1008 1043.5 no. 9 (standard colour) 4.62 81.61%
1928 Younger, Wm Pale Ale pint bottled 1010.3 1040.3 3.89 74.53%
1929 ?? Sparkling Ale pint bottled 1006 1032 3.38 81.25%
1929 Aitchison 60/- Beer pint bottled 1009.8 1038.8 3.76 74.84%
1929 Aitchison 60/- Beer pint bottled 1009.8 1040.3 Pale no. 1 2 glass paler than standard 3.96 75.78% thin sweetish flavour with after bitter. Possibly indicates addition of priming.
1929 Aitchison 70/- Beer pint bottled 1008 1045 Pale no. 2 half glass paler than our Newcastle 70/- 4.82 82.22% Does not drink its gravity.
1929 Aitchison 60/- (pale) pint bottled 1008 1045.5 Between 1 - 2. Same as our standard 4.89 82.42% Thin sweetish flavour, but after bitter not so prounced as sample from ???
1929 Ballingall 90/- pint bottled 1008 1040.5 No. 9 Same as our standard. 4.23 80.25% Bad nose and unpleasant flavour.
1929 Ballingall Imperial Hopped pint bottled 1009 1036 No. 10 Same as our medium standard. 3.50 75.00%
1929 Bernard Crown Brand Export (carbonated) pint bottled 1005.3 1049 No. 00 XX Pale 5.72 89.29%
1929 Bernard 90/- (carbonated) pint bottled 1008.5 1038.5 No. 10 Same as our medium standard. 3.90 77.92%
1929 Blair Pale Ale pint bottled 1008 1038 3.90 78.95%
1929 Deuchar, R 60/- pint bottled 1009.5 1038.5 No. 4 1.5 glass paler than our standard. 3.76 75.32% Full, but with rather harsh bitter flavour.
1929 Deuchar, R 60/- pint bottled 1009.5 1038.5 No.6 1 glass paler than our standard. 3.76 75.32% Sweet, but cleansing harsh bitter.
1929 Deucher, J. 60/- pint bottled 1005 1039.5 Between 8 - 9. Almost same as our standard 4.50 87.34% Fairly full, but bitter and not very clean palate.
1929 Jeffrey & Co Pale Ale (carbonated) pint bottled 1007.5 1034 Between 7 - 8. 3.44 77.94%
1929 Maclay Pale Ale pint bottled 1012.5 1039 3.43 67.95%
1929 McEwan Pale Ale 8d pint bottled 1008.2 1041 4.27 80.00%
1929 McEwan Export PA 6d pint bottled 1011.4 1056 5.82 79.64%
1929 McEwan Blue Label Ale 4d half pint bottled 1008.2 1038 3.87 78.42%
1929 McEwan Pale Ale pint bottled 1009 1039 3.90 76.92%
1929 McEwan 80/- Beer pint bottled 1011 1053 5.47 79.25%
1929 McEwan 60/- Beer (Pale) pint bottled 1007.5 1040 0.75 glass lower than our pale. 1.5 lower than standard. 4.23 81.25%
1929 McEwan 70/- pint bottled 1009 1045.5 No. 6 Same as our standard for Newcastle. 4.75 80.22%
1929 McEwan 60/- pint bottled 1006 1039.5 No.4 1.5 glass paler than our standard. 4.36 84.81% Mildest so far received from Newcastle. Cleaner palate than 70/-.
1929 McEwan Pale Ale (carbonated) pint bottled 1012 1041 Between 7 - 8. Same as our Newcastle Pale. 3.76 70.73% Sweet. Heavily primed & lightly hopped. Characterless.
1929 McEwan Export Ale (carbonated) pint bottled 1013 1053.5 Between 1 - 2. Extra pale. 5.27 75.70% Extremely good - highly hopped.
1929 McEwan 90/- (carbonated) pint bottled 1008 1039 No. 10 Same as our medium darkened. 4.03 79.49% Aromatic and rather bitter.
1929 McEwan Blue Laberl Fourpenny Ale (carbonated) pint bottled 1005.5 1038 No. 3 Same as our ordinary pale. 4.23 85.53% Going off.
1929 McEwan Bleu Label (fourpenny / carbonated) pint bottled 1008 1039.5 No. 9 Same as our standard. 4.09 79.75%
1929 McEwan Pale Ale pint bottled 1009.8 1043 Between 9 - 10. 4.32 77.33%
1929 McLauchlin 60/- pint bottled 1005 1033 Between 7 - 8. Same as our Newcastle Pale. 3.64 84.85% a harsh bitter
1929 McLennan & Urquhart Dalkeith Ale (carbonated) pint bottled 1015 1041 No. 11 Same as our dark. 3.36 63.41%
1929 Murray Pale Ale pint bottled 1009 1038.5 3.83 76.62%
1929 Murray 90/- pint bottled 1007.3 1040 Between 9 - 10. Half glass darker than our standard. 4.26 81.88% Soft, but leaving harsh flavour on palate.
1929 Murray 4d Pale Ale (carbonated) 4d half pint bottled 1011 1035.5 No. 7 One glass paler than our standard. 3.17 69.01%
1929 Murray 4d Pale Ale (carbonated) pint bottled 1011 1037 No 7 One glass darker than our standard. 3.37 70.27%
1929 Murray Export Strong Pale Ale (carbonated) pint bottled 1013.5 1056 Between 5 - 6. 5.53 75.89%
1929 Tennent 90/- Glasgow Pale Ale pint bottled 1008 1039.3 No. 9 Same as our standard. 4.06 79.62%
1929 Tennent 90/- Glasgow Pale Ale pint bottled 1008.5 1039.5 Between 9 - 10. 4.03 78.48%
1929 Usher Pale Ale (carbonated) pint bottled 1012 1040 3.63 70.00%
1929 Usher 90/- Sparkling Pale Ale (carbonated) pint bottled 1011.3 1040.5 Between 11 - 12 3.79 72.22%
1929 Usher 90/- Sparkling Pale Ale (natural condition) pint bottled 1009 1040.5 4.09 77.78%
1929 Usher 90/- Sparkling Pale Ale (carbonated) pint bottled 1011 1040.5 Between 11 - 12 3.82 72.84%
1929 Usher 120/- Strong Pale Ale (carbonated) pint bottled 1013.3 1051.5 Between 14 - 15. 4.97 74.27%
1929 Williamson, Broxburn Pale Ale pint bottled 1012 1048 4.68 75.00%
1929 Wright (Perth) Dinner Ale (Extra Hopped) pint bottled 1005.8 1027 No. 10 Same as our medium standard. 2.76 78.70%
1929 Younger, Geo 90/- PA pint bottled 1009 1039 3.90 76.92%
1929 Younger, Geo PA pint bottled 1002 1035 4.31 94.29%
1929 Younger, Geo PA 60/- pint bottled 1008 1037 3.77 78.38%
1929 Younger, Geo Sparkling Pale Ale (carbonated) pint bottled 1004 1033.3 Between 7 - 8. Same as our Newcastle Pale. 3.80 87.85% Thin & characterless
1929 Younger, Geo Sparkling Pale Ale (carbonated) pint bottled 1007 1034 Between 7 - 8. Same as our Newcastle Pale. 3.51 79.41%
1929 Younger, Geo Sparkling Pale Ale (carbonated) pint bottled 1008 1035.5 Between 8 - 9. Shade paler than our standard 3.57 77.46%
1929 Younger, Geo Heavy Export Ale (carbonated) pint bottled 1013 1049 Between 11 – 12 4.67 73.47%
1929 Younger, Geo Sparkling Pale Ale (carbonated) pint bottled 1007.8 1038 Between 7 - 8. 3.93 79.61%
1929 Younger, Geo No. 1 Alloa Pale Ale (carbonated) pint bottled 1011 1044.8 No. 9. 4.38 75.42%
1929 Younger, Wm 90/- pint bottled 1008 1040.3 Betwwn 9 - 10 Half glass lighter than our standard. Half glass lighter than ours for Dundee. 4.19 80.12% Soft, but slightly harsh.
1929 Younger, Wm 90/- pint bottled 1008 1039.5 Betwwn 9 - 10 Half glass lighter than our standard. Half glass lighter than ours for Dundee. 4.09 79.75% Soft, but slightly harsh.
Average 1009.1 1040.6 4.09 77.58%
Sources:
Thomas Usher Gravity Book document TU/6/11 held at the Scottish Brewing Archive
Whitbread Gravity Book document LMA/4453/D/02/001 held at the London Metropolitan Archives

2 comments:

Thomas Barnes said...

Yowzer! Loads of lovely tables! Thanks, Ron! I particularly like the flavour notes.

Any plans on discussing late 20th century shilling ales and the hash that Michael Jackson and Greg Noonan made of them?

Ron Pattinson said...

Thomas Barnes, yes, I'll be looking at shilling Ales. I'm still trying to work out exactly what they are and where they came from.