Yesterday the Wall Street Journal tweeted an interesting graph they created to show how things would shake out based on the current terms of the deal, and assuming everything is approved by the relevant regulatory agencies worldwide.
Patent No. 414673A: Process Of Aerating And Purifying Beer Wort Or Beer
Today in 1889, US Patent 414673 A was issued, an invention of Axel Bergh, for his “Process of Aerating and Purifying Beer Wort or Beer.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:
The advantages of my invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it appertains, and it will be particularly seen that the wort is led to the fermenting-house in an absolutely-sterilized condition, while at the same time it is cooled, aerated to the required degree, and freed from impurities, and the losses due to residual wort are avoided.
The herein-described process of freeing wort from suspended particles by simultaneously subjecting the Wort to centrifugal action and a regulated supply of sterilized air, and subsequently cooling the wort preparatory to fermentation, all to be carried out in contact with sterilized air, substantially as described.
Beer In Ads #1736: Munich Lager Beer Brewery
Wednesday’s ad is for the Suffolk Brewing Co., from sometime after 1875. You could be forgiven for thinking this was a German brewery, given the Munich Lager Beer Brewery banner headline, but in fact it was in Boston, Massachusetts, located at 423-443 Eighth Street. Another curiosity, especially given their calling themselves a “Munich Lager Beer Brewery,” is that the sign on the building identifies them as an “Ale & Porter Brewery.”
Patent No. 1078253A: Pipe Cleaner
Today in 1913, US Patent 1078253 A was issued, an invention of James D. Carey and Bernard Goldenthal, for their “Pipe Cleaner.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:
This invention relates to an improvement in pipe cleaners, and while especially adapted for cleaning pipes leading from beer barrels to the faucets, it is equally applicable for cleaning pipes of soda water fountains, boilers or any other pipes which may be coupled in pairs.
Patent No. 440464A: Apparatus For Brewing Beer
Today in 1890, US Patent 440464 A was issued, an invention of Michael Byrne, for his “Apparatus for Brewing Beer.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:
My invention relates to an improvement in what is known as a wort pan or grande employed in the process of brewing beer, and has for its object to so construct the same that the beer-wort will he maintained at a higher and more regular temperature while in the pan than heretofore, and at the same time be effectually protected against scorching or coloration; and a further object of the invent1on is to provide against the wort cooling down as delivered by the taps of the mashtub, and also to draw the wort from the pan without loss and in a convenient and expeditious manner.
Beer In Ads #1735: Heineken Man Table
Tuesday’s ad is for Heineken, from maybe the late 1940s or 1950s. It’s somewhat surreal, showing a man in a suit holding up a table. On the table is a big bottle of Heineken, a full glass of beer and a plate of snacks. Not sure what they’re trying to say. Is it their idea of drinking oneself under the table? Only to become the table? I’m flummoxed.
Patent No. 1112183A1: Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract As Sunscreen Agent
Today in 1981, US Patent 1112183 A1 was issued, an invention of Joe Owades, for a “Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract as Sunscreen Agent.” Here’s the Abstract:
There are provided new sunscreening compositions which are suitable for application to human skin, the compositions comprising as an active sunscreening ingredient, an ultraviolet radiation absorbing extract of hops.
And a Description adds more detail:
This invention relates to novel sunscreening compositions which include an ultraviolet radiation absorbing hop extract as an active sunscreening ingredient. The present sunscreening compositions, which are non-toxic and non-irritating and can be safely applied to human skin, prevent the penetration of harmful erythematogenic radiation while transmitting non-erythematogenic ultraviolet rays which promote tanning or bronzing of human skin.
Joe’s patent appears to have expired in 1998, and I’m not sure if his sunscreen was ever available commercially. I did find at least one brand of sunscreen that contains hops, Paul Penders Herbal Sunscreen SPF 22.
Paul Penders Herbal Sunscreen SPF 22 lists “hops extract” among its ingredients though I’m unsure if that’s the same as what Owades patented. Here’s the ingredient list:
Aqua (Water), Cocos nucifera (Coconut) extract, Organic LevensESSENTIE Gold® {Angelica archangelica (Angelica) extract, Arnica montana (Arnica) flower extract, Calendula officinalis (Calendula) flower extract, Matricaria recutita (Chamomile) flower extract, Sambucus nigra (Elderflower) flower extract, Zingiber officinalis (Ginger) root extract, Panax quinquefolium (Ginseng root) extract, Lonicera japonica (Honeysuckle) extract, Humulus lupulus (Hops) extract, Equeisetum hyemale (Horsetail) extract, Juniperus communis (Juniper) fruit extract, Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) flower extract, Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm) leaf extract, Urtica dioica (Nettle) extract, Centella asiatica (Penny wort) extract, Mentha piperita (Peppermint) leaf extract, Rosemarinus officinalis (Rosemary) extract, Salvia officinalis (Sage) extract, Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort) extract, Curcuma longa (Turmeric) root extract, Hamamelis virginiana (Witch hazel) extract, Archillea millefolium (Yarrow) extract}, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Titanium dioxide, Calendula officinalis (Calendula) flower oil, Cetearyl olivate, Sorbitan olivate, Glycine soja (Soybean) oil, Tocopherol acetate, D-panthenol (Provitamin B5), Citrus grandis (Grapefruit) seed extract, Sorbic acid, Phyto-tocotrienol (Vitamin E), Essential oil of Lavender officinalis (Lavender), Essential oil of Rosemarinus officinalis (Rosemary), Retinyl palmitate, Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10).
Based on finding the one, I’m confident it’s probably not the only one, so maybe…?
Patent No. 330184A: Process Of Brewing Beer
Today in 1885, US Patent 330184 A was issued, an invention of Conrad Zimmer, for his “Process of Brewing Beer.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:
The invention consists in a process of brewing beer which consists in subjecting finely ground malt from which the hulls and germs have been removed and water to the saccharification temperature, then boiling the mash a sufficient length of time to coagulate the albuminous substances and render the same insoluble, then separating the clear wort from the insoluble substances, then directly passing the mash into a centrifugal machine for separating the clear wort from the insoluble substance by centrifugal-force, and finally conducting the clear wort to a hop-kettle and boiling it therein.
Beer In Ads #1734: Rolling Stone Breakthrough Can
Monday’s ad is for Budweiser, from 1982. Today is the anniversary of the first issue of Rolling Stone magazine, so I figured I’d run this ad from the back cover of the music magazine from 1982. It’s a kinda cool ad showing the can breaking through from inside the magazine, and people on the street in the photo surreally looking up at it. They even offered it as a poster you could send in to have sent to you.
Patent No. 3216345A: Continuous Preparation Of Brewers’ Mash
Today in 1965, US Patent 3216345 A was issued, an invention of William Ernest Parker and Francis Lloyd Rigby, assigned to Canadian Breweries Ltd., for their “Continuous Preparation of Brewers’ Mash.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:
The apparatus provides means for forming a continuously flowing mash producing stream of grist and water, causing said stream to flow in a substantially horizontal path, heating said mixture to predetermined processing temperature, agitating said stream in a direction normal to its path of flow to maintain solids in suspension, venting said stream of undesirable volatiles above said path of flow, and continuously discharging matured mash. Preferably the apparatus allows the mash to be processed along its path of flow in a plurality of series-connected processing zones linearly adjustable for variation of treatment as to control the production of dextrins, fermentable sugars and protein degradation products, coupled with varied temperature treatment as between the zones if and when required to achieve the product desired.
