Page 48 - Froghall Drive Our Story

Introduction

In 1830 a series of events began which were to change drastically the production and consumption
of beer in Wokingham. Some events, like the Beer Act and the coming of the railway, were of

national importance; others, such as the enforced sale of Haywardʼs brewing empire were of more
local significance.

The first of these events, the passing of the Beer Act in 1830, was an attempt by the government to
wean the working classes away from gin drinking. It removed the duties on beer and cider so that

once again beer became cheaper than spirits. In addition it allowed any ratepayer who paid two

guineas (£2 2s) to the local excise office to sell beer from his house without having to obtain a
licence from the magistrates. At the time beer was viewed as harmless, nutritious and even healthy.

The total number of beer houses and public houses known to have opened in Wokingham between
1830 and 1900 is 33. It is likely that perhaps half as many again opened and closed after a few

years, all record of them having since been lost. The end of the century brought the total of
licensed premises to 41, but in all the 70 years since the passing of the Beer Act only two new