S
sga
Guest
Could somebody please explain to me what is the difference between a beerhouse keeper. an inn keeper and a licensed victualler.
Cheers for any info. given.
Cheers for any info. given.
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O
O.C.
Guest
Sga, An Inn Keeper rented rooms out as well as sold beer and spirits
Beerhouse keeper was a pub landlord
Licenced Victualler was a shopkeeper who could sell beer etc
Beerhouse keeper was a pub landlord
Licenced Victualler was a shopkeeper who could sell beer etc
Peter Walker
gone but not forgotten
At the risk of being boring, the difference between a beerhouse (or cider house, of which there were some) and a conventional Hotel, Inn, Pub or Tavern, was that it only had a licence to sell beer (or cider), and not wines or spirits. The idea of a Beerhouse goes back to the reaction against the serious effects of widespread gin drinking in the early 19th century, when Parliament made it legal for any householder to open his house for the sale (and consumption) of beer on payment of a modest fee to the licensing magistrate, subject to good conduct. The new Act had its effect, and thousands of beerhouses were opened in the 1830s, regardless of the suitability of the premises. In 1841 there were 396 beerhouses and 450 hotels and pubs listed in the the Pigott's directory of Birmingham. Later Acts gave the magistrates more power to supervise beerhouses and the way they were run. They continued in Brum until after WW2, but many were upgraded into fully-licensed premises, such as the 'Sacks of Potatoes' at Gosta Green, which is more or less unspoiled, and worth visiting.
Until the late 1930s, the directories listed fully-licensed publicans separately from 'beer retailers' or 'retail brewers' as they were called in Victorian times. Unfortunately, beer retailers were normally listed only by their name, without differentiating between off-licences and on-licnces, where customers could drink on the premises. Moreover, a the names of the houses was generally not listed.
The distinction between beerhouse and fully licensed pub had nothing to do with the provision of meals or sleeping accommodation. Going throughn the 1841 census, some beerhouses had far more paying guests staying there than pubs, or even so called 'commercial' of 'family' hotels.
Peter
Until the late 1930s, the directories listed fully-licensed publicans separately from 'beer retailers' or 'retail brewers' as they were called in Victorian times. Unfortunately, beer retailers were normally listed only by their name, without differentiating between off-licences and on-licnces, where customers could drink on the premises. Moreover, a the names of the houses was generally not listed.
The distinction between beerhouse and fully licensed pub had nothing to do with the provision of meals or sleeping accommodation. Going throughn the 1841 census, some beerhouses had far more paying guests staying there than pubs, or even so called 'commercial' of 'family' hotels.
Peter
J
Jerry
Guest
Hi Peter
A very informative reply but can I point out that the original "Sacks of Potatoes" was knocked down some years ago and the name was transferred to another nearby pub, I can't remember what that pub was originally called
Jerry
A very informative reply but can I point out that the original "Sacks of Potatoes" was knocked down some years ago and the name was transferred to another nearby pub, I can't remember what that pub was originally called
Jerry
Di.Poppitt
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Thank you for your esplanation Peter.
My father drank at the Aston, and always insited on its full name - The Aston Hotel.
My father drank at the Aston, and always insited on its full name - The Aston Hotel.
S
sga
Guest
Thank you for explaining,Peter
