Object number
68/597
Description
A mash stirrer was used in the home brewing of beer, a common practise until 1914 when it became necessary to have a licence. The stirrer was used to stir the mash of malt and boiling water in the initial stages of brewing before the wort (the liquid containing the sugars that will be fermented to make alcohol) was drained off and the hops were added. The stirrer consists of a wooden pole with a frame at the bottom with spars of wood across it, through which the grains fall when a lump of mash is picked up on the frame and shaken. The owner, Mr Chapman Minister of Thanet, called the stirrer a 'brewing spoon' c.1860/70. However, this stirrer has also been identified as having something to do with feeding livestock.
Archival history
MERL ‘History Artefacts’ card – ‘MASH STIRRER // Livestock // Voysey, A, Langley, Maidstone, Kent // Wood. Given to donor by lady aged over 80 who says that they were used by her grandfather- name Chapman- who farmed in the Isle of Thanet- Minister of Thanet farm- Seven Score Farm- c.1860/70. Condition: wood broken in places. Wood worm. Called by the owver ‘brewing spoons’.
Object name
Associated subject
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_9962.tif - High resolution image
