"Offramp" wrote

On Thursday, 17 April 2014 13:34:55 UTC+1, CJB wrote:

[...]

Years ago ago miners used to be allowed about ten pints of "small beer" a
day to replace lost liquids. But STRONG lager would have a very deleterious
effect.

Small beer was only 2-3% ABV, like a Mackeson.


There was no standardisation and before Gay-Lussac no measurement but
probably not even 'near beer' strength unless the brewer used spent malt and
you got lucky.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_beer


--
Mike D