September, 1649
[12 September, 1649.]
After 1 Oct., 1649, none to brew beer, etc., for sale at above 10s. per barrel, besides Excise.; Penalty.; Penalty for second offence.; One moiety of fines to poor of parish the other to informer.; Brewers may sell ale or beer at 10s. per barrel besides Excise.; Act to be in force one year only.
Be it Enacted by this present Parliament, and by Authority
thereof, That no Brewer or other person that breweth to put to
sale, shall after the First day of October, One thousand six hundred
forty nine, brew to sell, directly or indirectly, any Beer or Ale,
or other Drink, wherein Mault shall be used, any Barrel of Beer,
Ale, or other drink as aforesaid, or greater or lesser quantity
proportionably, above the rate of Ten shillings the Barrel, over
and above the Excize payable, accompting Thirty six Gallons to
the Barrel for Beer, and Thirty two gallons for Ale, Upon the
pain and forfeiture for every Barrel the sum of Five pounds, and
so proportionably for a greater or lesser quantity, to be levyed
by Distress and sale of the Offendors goods, being thereof convicted
by the Oathes of two Witnesses, before any one Justice of the
Peace; which Oath the said Justice hath hereby power to administer, and to grant Warrant for distress and sale of goods as
aforesaid; And in default of sufficient Distress then the said Justice
shall send such person to the Gaol, there to remain for the space
of three Moneths without Bail or Mainprize: And if such person
shall offend the second time, and be thereof convicted, as aforesaid,
Then such Justice of the Peace shall cause such Offender to be
sent to the House of Correction, and there to get his or her livelyhood by labor for the space of Six Moneths, without he or she
shall pay down Ten pounds for every Barrel, or other greater
or lesser quantity so brewed and Sold (over and above the price
or rate of Ten shillings as aforesaid) The one moyety of which
several fines, the said Justice shall give to the poor of the
Parish where the offence shall be committed, and the other
moyety to the Party that shall make discovery and prosecute the
same. And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid,
That it shall and may be lawful for the said Justice, to examine
upon Oath any Victualler, Seller or Retailer of Beer, Ale, or Drink
as aforesaid, or other person whatsoever (other than the said
Brewer himself) what price or prices, directly or indirectly have
been made, or other indirect practice hath been used with or by
the said Brewer, or other person to delude this Act, and the good
intended thereby, to the end the said Brewer or other person may
be brought to condign punishment as aforesaid. And be it further
Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That it shall and may be
lawful for any Brewer of Ale or Beer, to sell Ale or Beer at Ten
shillings the Barrel (over and above the Excize) and so proportionably a greater or lesser quantity, Any Law, Statute, or Usage
to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding. Provided always,
That this Act be in full force for the space of one whole year, from
and after the First day of October, One thousand six hundred
forty nine, and no longer.