Physical and Chemical Characters of Huff

Abstract

AT a recent dinner of the Royal Society Club, Major MacMahon, who represents the Royal Society on the governing body of Winchester College, was so good as to present to the club a quantity of huff—a variety of ale for which the college has long been famous. It is brewed (from malt and hops only) in March of every other year, and is the “duplex visia” or “double beer” of Shakespeare, called “huff cap” in Greene's “Looking Glass for London and England, AD. 1594,” “because,” according to the editor, “it inspirited those who drank it to set their caps in a huffing manner.” The sample offered to the club was stated to have been ten years in bottle. In appearance it was clear and bright, and of a deep brown colour. Its taste was that of a well-hopped ale of high alcoholic strength.