Taxation Act 1698

XXXI.

Common Brewers using Melasses, &c. in brewing, or receiving Melasses, &c. exceeding Iolbs; Penalty £100; Persons aiding, &c; Penalty £20, and in Default, Imprisonment.

And whereas it is found by Experience that notwithsanding any Law now in force many common Brewers do use great Quantities of Mellasses in the brewing Ale and Beere whereby the Consumption of Malt is very much hindred and His Majesty defrauded of a great Part of the Duties of such Ale and Beere so brewed as aforesaid Be it therefore enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any common Brewer or Retailer of Beer or Ale shall after the said Tenth Day of May One thousand six hundred ninety nine make use of any Mellasses course Sugar Honey or Composition or Extract of Sugar in the brewing makeing or working of any Ale or Beer or if any common Brewer shall receive or take into his Custody or Possession any Quantity of Mellasses course Sugar Honey or Composition or Extract of Sugar exceeding Ten Pounds every such Brewer and Retailer shall forfeit and loose for every such Offence respectively the Sum of One hundred Pounds And every Servant of such Brewer and every other Person who shall be aiding and assisting in the useing any Mellasses course Sugar Honey or Extract of Sugar in the brewing or working of such Ale or Beer or in carrying or conveying the same into the House Brewhouse or other Place belonging to such Brewer shall alsoe forfeite and loose for every such Offence the Sum of Twenty Pounds and in Default of Payment thereof shall suffer Three Months Imprisonment