...Back to Main Page

Ale in Prose and Verse

Look Inside...

Larger View

Ale in Prose and Verse By Barry Gray and John Savage This item is not currently in stock. » Notify me when this item is available... Enter your email address below, and we'll notify you as soon as this item becomes available. [read more] Your email: ... See shipping rates for this item ... Email a friend about this item ... Link to this page

More Information...

Publisher: John Taylors' Sons, Albany, New York, 1866.
Soft Cover, 96 pages, 7.00 x 10.50.
Item #1757

In 1863, the largest brewer in America, John Taylor, died in Albany. Shortly afterward, his two surviving sons commissioned the publishing of this book. It is a tribute to the Taylor Brewery, to John Taylor himself, and to ale in general. Includes many illustrations. Book has a light woven cover with gilt-stamped titles.

This particular copy is autographed by son John B. Taylor. The inscription reads "Senator Folger, Compliments of J. B. Taylor, New York, March 12th, 1867." The fact that this copy was given to a Senator highlights one of the reasons why breweries published such books: to help place beer and ale in a positive light among lawmakers who were constantly being lobbied by the prohibitionists to enact ever-stricter anti-alcohol laws.

The bulk of the book consists of two parts:

1. "Ale: Antiquarian, Historical and Literary." A indepth look at ale's role in society throughout history.

2. "John Taylor's Sons' Brewery." A very detailed history and description of the Taylor Brewery, including a general history of ale brewing in Albany. Woven throughout the history is biographical information about John Taylor and his sons. Includes several illustrations of brewery interior and exterior.