Overview

The Government of the 1820s and 1830s were keen to promote beer drinking instead of spirits, especially gin. Widespread drunkenness through gin consumption was believed to be detrimental to the working class, and had led to the rise of the Temperance Society which campaigned for closure of the 'gin shops'. The former drink of the working man: beer, was taxed which meant the cost of beer could be prohibitive to the working classes despite that fact that beer was safer to drink than water. Water at this time was untreated and dangerous to drink.

The Beerhouse Act (1 Will. IV, c.64 1830) was introduced by the Duke of Wellington's Tory government. It abolished the beer tax, extended the opening hours of licensed public houses, taverns and alehouses to 18 hours a day. Previously it was 15 hours. These were subject to the control of the local justices, and licensing was required.

The Act also introduced the Beerhouse. Premises which could sell only beer. The opening hours could be from 4am to 10pm. For a small fee of 2 guineas payable to the local excise officer, anyone could brew and sell beer. The excise licence would state whether the beer could be drunk on or off the premises. Supervision of these establishments by local justices was severely curtailed which led to many local complaints by magistrates and local gentry keen to control the working classes in their area.

Within a few months over 24000 beerhouse excise licenses were granted. The beerhouses provided not only beer, but food, games and some even lodging. Beerhouses were also known by the name ''small beer' or 'Tom and Jerry' shops. In villages and towns many shopkeepers opened their own beerhouse and sold beer alongside their shop wares. Beer would be brewed on the premises or purchased from brewers.

Many beerhouses became the haunt of criminals, prostitutes and some even became brothels. Concern over law and order resulted in the excise fee being raised to 3 guineas and property qualifications introduced. But it was not until 1869 that a change in the law brought licensing of the beerhouses back under the control of the local justices. Many then closed, or changed to fully licensed public houses.

Debenham Pubs
    The Pubs