courtesy of castleg.deviantart.com |
When creating a western historical story, I like to present
something factual from the era, even something as simple as a warming oven. I
also like to have a saloon somewhere in the story. Sometimes, the saloon isn’t
an important part of the story. Other times, it is. In Zanna’s Outlaw, Miller’s saloon provided the perfect setting for Buck
to watch over the main thoroughfare without being detected. And though Buck and
Miller had a love/hate relationship, Miller proved to be a good source for what
Buck needed most—information pertaining to Buck’s enemies. In Lydia’s Gunslinger, Miller’s saloon again
proved a wealthy source for the hero. Roth made a hefty profit at Miller’s, until
Lydia put a stop her gunslinger owning soiled doves. More importantly, the saloon’s
back room was a great place for Roth to spy on Lydia’s enemy. Cooper frequented
Miller’s daily, giving Roth ample opportunity to plot against him.
Sawdust covering a wooden floor, brass spittoons flanking a
scratched bar, a large, plate glass window adorning the front window and slatted
swinging doors thwapping when someone entered or exited; the old west saloon
has always captured my attention. Closing my eyes, I can hear boot heels clicking
across the floor, the murmur of voices around a poker table and the clinking of
glasses. It wasn’t until I wrote the Revolving Point, Texas series did I wonder
about the most important thing in a saloon—beer. Who brewed the beer? How was
it shipped to the saloon? I was somewhat certain I knew the answer to the
latter question, but the author within demanded I know for sure.
courtesy of indianabeer.com |
Nathan Lyman was one of the first men to open a brewery in the
United States, in Rochester, NY, 1819. After him, breweries sprouted up throughout
the century in big cities; Buffalo, Cincinnati, Chicago and Milwaukee to name a
few. Ale was the first type of beer brewed, until the German migration to the
United States introduced lager beer. Lager beer is lighter compared to ale and
Americans liked the taste. They also preferred the new glassware introduced to
saloons over the pewter mugs. Marketing strategies were as big back then as
they are today. Brewers sent reps to saloons to entice saloon owners to only
sell their beer. One of the perks offered was the glassware. Large brewery
owners are also credited with opening saloons, with the intent to only sell
their beer, as competition was fierce.
Beer was stored in wooden barrels and shipped to saloons via
horse-drawn wagons. I have a replica of one of these wagons on my entertainment
center. Two things of interest I didn’t know, and really should put into a
story, was some folks brewed their own beer. Others purchased beer from a local
saloon to drink in the privacy and comfort of their own homes. Beer was carried
in small tin pails known as 'Growlers'. Until now, I had never heard mention of
beer having been consumed in homes. Only whiskey. Or sherry, for the ladies.
While I’m not one who favors beer, the history behind the making of the
drink, the shipping, and the marketing is as fascinating as the saloon
itself.
1 comment:
Hi Julie, I like to use real places in my westerns. Sometimes it creates problems but usually an authors note takes care of any naysayers. Your books sound interesting!
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