[BEER] Caution to victuallers and retailers of beer … Hastings, 5th Dec., 1848.

Hastings [UK] : printed by H. Winter, 59 George Street, 1848. Broadside, 335 x 210 mm, printed on letterpress recto only; some very light toning, but an extremely well preserved example.

This early Victorian broadside reminds purveyors of beer, spirits and wine of the recently passed Parliamentary Act of 14 August 1848, regulating the sale of beer, spirits and wine. Among other things, the Act stipulated that no alcohol be sold, in any part of Great Britain, either before 12.30 pm, or prior to the termination of the local Divine service if on the Sabbath, Christmas Day or Good Friday, or ‘any day appointed for a public Fast or Thanksgiving’. An exception to this law was made in the case of ‘travellers’, who were permitted to be served alcohol as ‘refreshments’. Furthermore, the broadside warns owners of public houses, inns and taverns that, under the Act, ‘Any Constable shall have admission into any such house at any time, and any person refusing such Constable admission, will be liable to the penalty imposed by the Act….’ (i.e. £5).