550 PRICES OF ALE AND BEER. 



this year quarters were dearest, while in 1555 beer was 8s. %d. 

 the barrel. Had the purchases of beer given (for example at 

 All Souls') quantities as well as price, I should have been able 

 to construct as full an account of the manufactured article, as I 

 have been able to make of the malt from which it was brewed. 

 But it is clear that good ale was very strong, and that the use 

 of hops was a great economy of malt, perhaps a check to in- 

 temperance. 



