Allsopp's pale or bitter ale : remarks upon the alleged use of strychnine in the manufacture of pale ale / by Baron Liebig (in a letter to Henry Allsopp, Esq., Burton-on-Trent.).

  • Liebig, Justus, Freiherr von, 1803-1873.
Date:
1852]
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Allsopp's pale or bitter ale : remarks upon the alleged use of strychnine in the manufacture of pale ale / by Baron Liebig (in a letter to Henry Allsopp, Esq., Burton-on-Trent.). Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    BARON LIEBIG ON CERTAIN LATE ANONYMOUS ADVERTISEMENTS. Extract of a Letter dated Munich, 12tli September, 1852, from Baron Liebig to Mr. Henry Allsopp, • Brewery, Burton-on-Trent. “ To my great astonishment and concern, my attention has lately been called to several anonymous articles and advertisements headed by my name, such as in the-, whose author altogether misrepresents the motives of my remarks, and even goes so far as to say ‘ that I had never analysed your beer, nor, perhaps, ever tasted it in my life,’ and to allege a retractation on my part of the original statement. “ I emphatically declare that I had not the slightest knowledge of these anonymous articles, the contents of which I entirely disapprove of; and that in every respect I adhere to the statement made in my letter to you, which certainly you were, ancl are at perfect liberty to publish. (Signed) Justus Liebig. “ Munich, 12th September, 1852. “ Henry Allsopp, Esq.” ■__ ALLSOPP'S PALE ALE AND DR. GLOVER. The circulation given to a statement tending to invalidate the expression of Dr. Glover’s opinion in favour of Pale Ale, compels Messrs. ALLSOPP and SONS to connect this remarkable distribution of a calumny with other insidious attacks upon their firm which they have reason to know proceed from an unworthy and unneighbourly jealousy. Messrs. ALLSOPP and SONS, in reply, deem it their best course to adopt the same line of conduct as in the case of the similar perversion and mutilation of Baron Liebig’s meaning, so indignantly repudiated by that eminent man himself. They publish, therefore, without abridgement, the letter they received from Dr. Glover (having his permission to do so); a letter the more valuable because it was not intended for publication, and is an unpremeditated evidence of that learned chemist’s just appreciation of Pale Ale. DR. GLOVER TO MR. ALLSOPP. “ Sir,—It was not my intention, in writing the hasty note to ‘ The Lancet,’ to cast any reflections upon or to implicate in any way, respectable brewers of Pale Ale. “ When I first saw the statement about the alleged use Of strychnine in Littering ale, I looked upon the assertion as incredible, both on account of the price of the drug and the symptoms it would create; but, on experiment, I found that strychnine possesses such wonderful bitterness, that it might, perhaps, be used as an adjuvant, at least by unprincipled persons. In short, my object was simply to show that the thing was not altogether so impossible as it appeared at first sight to be. “ My opinion is, that hops should not enjoy the exclusive privilege of being used for Littering beer; but I do not pretend to discuss the point with practical men. “ I know there are bitters which might be used beneficially, In a medical point of view. “With regard to analysing your beer, my time is taken up, so far as analysing and chemistry are concerned, with two kinds of inquiries—1st. those which are purely scientific, and 2nd, those which are profitable. If you wish me, in the latter capacity, to analyse and report on your beer, I, of course, can have no objection. “ i have to prepare for an absence of three or four days to-morrow, and so beg you to excuse me replying to the letter of Mr. Bottiuger, for which I am much obliged. “ Newcastle-on-Tyne, April 11. (Signed) R, M. Glover. “ P.S.—I presume you will hardly expect me to write to “ The Lancet.” - However, I shall be at home on Thursday evening, and most assuredly I have no desire to say anything which could weaken the confidence of the public in your beer. But that I am not now in the habit of drinking Bitter Beer, I should be glad to show my confidence by drinking plenty of it. “ Henry Allsopp, Esq.” Messrs. ALLSOPP and SONS beg to refer to the letter of Mr. HENRY ALLSOPP on this subject, in the “ Monthly Journal of Medical Science” for October, in the concluding paragraph of which it is said— “I inserted Dr. Glover’s good-natured remark on my Bitter Beer as an ‘incidental testimonial’—no more. I never called it ‘ a certificate,’ nor did I apply to him, or any other medical gentleman, for one. I am not responsible that such a construction has been placed upon the off-hand expressions of good opinion which have been Sent to me from all quarters.” Messrs. ALLSOPP and SONS, in conclusion, wish to draw the attention of the public and the trade to the fact, that, by this disingenuous system of attack, and the perversions of facts gratuitously adopted, they are unwillingly drawn into that publicity the courting of which is made an accusation against them. Burton-on-Trent, October 8th, 1852, ALLSOPP’S PALE OR BITTER ALE May be obtained in Casks of 18 Gallons and upwards, from the BREWERY, BURTON*ON- TRENT; and from the undermentioned BRANCH ESTABLISHMENTS :— LONDON, at 61, King William Street, City; LIVERPOOL, at Cook Street; MANCHESTER, at Ducie Place; DUDLEY, at Burnt Tree ; GLASGOW, at 115, St. Vincent Street; DUBLIN, at Ulster Chambers, Dame Street ; BIRMINGHAM, at Market Hall; At either of which places a list of respectable parties who supply the Beer in Bottles (and also in Casks at the same prices as from the Brewery), may at any time be seen. London : Bradbury & Evans, Printers, Whltefriars