The London Beer Flood was a catastrophic event that occurred on October 17, 1814, at the Meux & Co’s Horse Shoe Brewery in London. The disaster began when one of the 22-foot-tall wooden vats of fermenting porter burst, releasing a massive amount of beer into the streets.
What Happened: The London Beer Flood
On that fateful day, George Crick, the storehouse clerk, noticed that one of the 700-pound iron bands around a vat had slipped. The vat was filled to within four inches of the top with 3,555 imperial barrels of ten-month-old porter. Crick informed his supervisor, who assured him that no harm would come from the slipped band. However, an hour later, the vat burst without warning, releasing a massive amount of beer into the streets.
The force of the liquid’s release was immense, knocking the stopcock from a neighboring vat, which also began discharging its contents. Several hogsheads of porter were destroyed, and their contents added to the flood. Between 128,000 and 323,000 imperial gallons of beer were released, destroying the rear wall of the brewery and sweeping into the nearby streets.
The wave of porter, estimated to be around 15 feet high, destroyed two houses in New Street and badly damaged two others. One of the houses belonged to an Irish family, who were holding a wake for their two-year-old son. Five of the mourners were among the eight people killed in the disaster.
The London Beer Flood: Historical Context
In the early 19th century, the Meux Brewery was one of the largest in London, along with Whitbread. The brewery was owned by Sir Henry Meux, who had purchased the Horse Shoe Brewery in 1809. Meux’s father, Sir Richard Meux, had previously co-owned the Griffin Brewery, where he had constructed the largest vat in London. Henry Meux followed in his father’s footsteps, building a massive wooden vessel capable of holding 18,000 imperial barrels of beer.
The St Giles rookery, where the brewery was located, was a notorious slum area in the heart of London. The area was known for its poverty, crime, and overcrowding, and was often described as a “perpetually decaying slum” by social reformers. The rookery was also home to many Irish immigrants, who had come to London seeking work and a better life.
Impact and Aftermath of the London Beer Flood
The London Beer Flood had a significant impact on the city and the brewing industry. The disaster led to a change in brewing practices, with the industry gradually moving away from using large wooden vats. The brewery itself was nearly bankrupted by the event, but managed to avoid collapse after receiving a rebate from HM Excise on the lost beer.
The disaster also led to a reevaluation of safety measures in the brewing industry. The coroner’s inquest into the disaster returned a verdict of “casually, accidentally and by misfortune,” but the incident highlighted the need for greater safety precautions in the industry.
Modern Perspective on the London Beer Flood
Today, the London Beer Flood is remembered as one of the most bizarre and tragic disasters in London’s history. The incident is often cited as an example of the dangers of industrial accidents and the importance of safety measures in the workplace. The disaster also serves as a reminder of the complexities of urban life in the 19th century, where poverty, overcrowding, and industrial development often existed side by side.
The London Beer Flood may seem like a quaint and amusing anecdote from history, but it highlights the importance of learning from the past and taking safety precautions seriously. As we continue to urbanize and industrialize, it is essential that we remember the lessons of the past and work towards creating a safer and more sustainable future.
The phenomenon of the London Beer Flood parallels earlier industrial accidents that emerged during the Industrial Revolution, highlighting the need for greater regulation and safety measures in the workplace. This occurred during the Victorian era, when the city was undergoing rapid industrialization and urbanization.