Country House Brewing in England, 1500-1900

Pamela Sambrook's "English Country House Brewing, 1500-1900" delves into a fascinating, often overlooked aspect of rural English life. Until the advent of cheaper, safer alternatives, beer was the ubiquitous drink, a necessity for all social strata. This book meticulously explores the vital role of the country house brewhouse, a common feature of estates, often remaining with its original equipment intact, even as their purpose shifted. Sambrook highlights these distinctive buildings, as integral to the estate as stables or ice-houses, deserving recognition and preservation. The book further illuminates the surprising scale and longevity of country house brewing, extending well into the nineteenth century. Sambrook details the intricate process, from the brewing equipment like coppers and mash tuns to the variety of beers produced, from robust ales to lighter "small beer." Crucially, she also examines the social implications, revealing how beer allowances and "beer money" were woven into the fabric of servants' rewards, with generous provisions for demanding labor and celebratory brews for significant events. This richly illustrated volume stands as an original and significant contribution to the architectural, brewing, and social history of England.