Beer, Science, and the 18th Century

 

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When doing some research on ale glasses for my upcoming title – Live And Let Spy – I discovered that 18th century and early 19th-century beer was often served in shaped glasses – not necessarily tankards.

I had wondered why such a relatively complex shape would be employed over something simple and canister-like. It seems science has the answer.

A glass with slanted sides allows bubbles to flow downward – making the pint settle faster. This is particularly so for heavy beer such as stout. A researcher at the University of Limerick (how appropriate!) used a series of mathematical models to confirm his observation.

Lagers contain more carbon dioxide than stouts – which are nitrogen-based – so their bubbles are larger and more likely to resist the downward drag of the liquid. But still, the principle holds true – so that’s something to think about when you raise a glass!

Elizabeth is thrilled to announce a new series called The King’s Rogues with the wonderful Dragonblade Publishing.The King’s Rogues is set around Cornwall 1804-1805.

The hero of the series is Adam Christopher Hardacre a former press-ganged sailor and now an officer. He is asked to put together a group of men in secret service to the crown to thwart French spies rumoured to be in league with smugglers in order to secure intelligence for a planned invasion.

He draws from his own shady past and that of his former comrades-in-arms to defend England.

These men are The King’s Rogues.

Book one, Live and Let Spy is coming soon!

See here for more!

About the Author

Elizabeth Ellen Carter, a fellow Bluestocking Belle, is an award-winning historical romance writer who pens richly detailed historical romantic adventures. A former newspaper journalist, Carter ran an award-winning PR agency for 12 years. The author lives in Australia with her husband and two cats.

You can read about her books here:

http://eecarter.com/about/

https://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Ellen-Carter/e/B00G05CW5K