Description
‘In the black out visit a bright inn.’ So read stickers on the windows of Watney’s pubs all over London. In Brewing for Victory, Brian Glover shows in lively detail how beer and pub culture aided Britain’s community spirit during the Second World War. From ‘Guinness for Strength!’ adverts to women shifting casks and packing coppers with hops, the effect the war had on brewing in England, and the effect brewing had on the war effort, is explored from every angle.
Beginning at home in Britain and London, Glover tracks the course of tuns all the way out to the front line in the army, air force and navy. ‘Brewing under the jackboot’ is also considered, with a chapter on breweries in British territory that had been captured by the Nazis, such as Guernsey. With over 70 illustrations showing war era adverts and bombed out boroughs with their pubs still standing, Brewing for Victory is a remarkable demonstration of the Blitz Spirit in action as the public, pubs and brewers worked together to maintain national social structures in the face of adversity.
About the Author
Brian Glover has a master’s degree in Modern History from the University of Oxford. He has written numerous books on beer and its history and has been awarded for his contributions to publications such as The Times. He has received the Silver and Gold Tankard Award for his column in the Welsh national newspaper, The Western Mail.
Contents
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgements
1. Enemy Behind the Lines
2. Ally on the Home Front
3. Blockhouse on the Home Front
4. Nation’s Liquid Asset
5. The Blitz
6. Pubs in the Front Line
7. Miracle in the Mash Tun
8. No Beer Today
9. Better Than Bullets
10. Davy Jones’ Delight
11. Brewing Under the Jackboot
12. The Pint in Peace
Bibliography
Index
Endorsements and Reviews
An interesting book to read … as well as the excellent subject matter, the book is written in a manner and style which encourages the reader to read through to the end. The combination of factual description, anecdote and narrative is a winning style which makes the book a must for anyone interested in the history of beer, including bottled beer. Mike Peterson, What’s Bottling
Here is a lively history of breweries and public houses during the War, with a serious point to make as well. Forces News
In Brewing for Victory, Brian Glover tells the heady and enlightening tale of how a drop of ale boosted the morale of everyone of drinking age throughout the dark days of 1939-45. Soldier Magazine
