Ounce of Dye Colours a million gallons Hotel keepers unaware chemist sold drip beer colouring One ounce of methyl violet, costing about 4 shillings, would colour 1,000,000 gallons of beer. Methyl violet is the dye with which hotelkeepers are now… Read More ›
Sydney Beer
Sly grog was auctioned – or in some cases – donated to hospitals!
WHEN Sydney police raided sly-grog shops during the 1920s, the confiscated beer, wine and spirits were usually auctioned, attracting large crowds looking to grab a bargain. In October 1920, 4,000 bottles of beer were sold at an auction “for fairly… Read More ›
Farewell to the wooden beer barrel as steel kegs are rolled-out across Sydney
The introduction of stainless steel beer kegs into the pubs of Sydney, and across Australia, during the early 1950s also meant the demise of the skillful craft of the cooper. The Fairfield Biz reported on an industry that was in… Read More ›
Sydney’s ‘oldest wharfie’ worked the docks at Millers Point at the age of 91
SYDNEY’S oldest wharf laborer, who works at 91, attributes his long life and good health to “plenty work and plenty beer.” He is John ‘Scotty’ Steele, Dargnan-street, Glebe, who was born nine miles from Glasgow in 1855. He presents himself… Read More ›
The Plasto method: How to pull a proper beer
THIS week an American visitor complained of the way beer is served in Sydney hotels – This week 27 barmaids and barmen employed by a well-known Sydney hotelkeeper, received with their pay envelopes, instructions on the art of pulling and… Read More ›
American idea of eggs in beer doesn’t catch on with Aussie drinkers
A SELECTION of Sydney drinkers mixed raw eggs with their beers recently, and most of them enjoyed the flavor. A reporter bought a bag of eggs and asked drinkers in hotel bars if they would like to mix one with… Read More ›
FREE BEER
Hospital Attractions The question of what becomes of beer confiscated by the police in raids upon sly grog shops was raised at Burwood Court yesterday. Mr. Williams S.M., said that he thought that the police sold the liquor. Sergeant Saunders said… Read More ›
Beer on ‘The Hill’
Getting ready for half-time at the football matches. Men dragging barrels of beer yesterday morning up the hill to the bar alongside the scoring board at the Sydney Cricket Ground-Â The Sun (Sydney, NSW) Sunday 22 June 1924.
Snippets from Sydney’s drinking past
THE Sydney Morning Herald’s Column 8, penned by “Granny”, often featured interesting and sometimes amusing snippets of pub information during the 1940s and 50s… Here is a selection… CAN’T WIN. They’re telling this tale around the city of a fellow’s… Read More ›