2-887-994 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Bobbing the Beer, 1850. 'The adulteration of Beer, technically termed "Bobbing," is, unfortunately for the public health, a practice much resorted to by the sellers of London Porter. It is principally carried on in "cheap neighbourhoods" and may be considered as one of the evils of the Malt-Tax...It is stated to be a common practice for a certain class of publicans to make two or three casks of inferior beer from one genuine cask...Among the ingredients of adulteration are salt and water...'. Sketch of '...the moment when a block of salt is being thrown into the butt; whilst the assistant is mixing a compound called "Black Jack," to which is sometimes added treacle...we hope that this exposure may be the means of lessening such adulteration, by cautioning our readers as to the flavour of the spurious compound, and the price at which it is sold'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.