51/853

This is a basketwork strainer for use in the home brewing of beer. It is made of white willow, gone dark in colour, in the shape of a bottle with a flat base and back and a rounded front. The strainer was placed inside the mash tun over the inner end of the tap and acted as a filter when straining the liquid from the mash of steeped malt. The linen tape attached to the rim of the strainer allows its easy removal from the tub. Home brewing was a common practice until 1914 when it became necessary to have a licence.

1 strainer: willow (white), linen

Previous Adlib description – 'The strainer was placed inside the mash tun over the inner end of the tap. This then separated the liquid from the 'mash' when the tap was opened to pour. The linen tape attached to the rim of the strainer allows its easy removal from the tub. Dialect names for the strainer include 'wilsh', 'wilch', 'fead', 'thread' and 'tap hose' from East Anglia, and 'faucet' in Devon. The reason it is dated as simply 'before 1914' is because after this time a licence was required for home brewing.', No Lavinia Smith No. recorded., MERL 'Catalogue of baskets' form – 'NAME: STRAINER (basketwork) Other name – HUCKMUCK // Acc. No.: 51/853 // Group: PROCESSING Hops beer // Collection: Lavinia Smith // Neg. no.: 35/1683 // Place of origin: Unknown // Period in use: Before 1914 after which time a licence was required for home brewing. // DESCRIPTION // Materials: Wood/white willow, linen // Shape and construction: A bottle shape, flat on the bottom & one side. Paired & a 4-behind-1 border round the open rim. 17 stakes. 5 bottom sticks & arch-shaped hoop. 3 rounds of upsett. Linen tape for removal // Dimensions: Bottom 8 1/2” by 6”. Height 10”. Neck 2 1/2” x 1 1/2” // Use: In home-brewing of ale. It acted as a filter when straining the liquid from the “mash” of steeped malt. It fitted over the tap, on the inside of the tub, like a sock. // Source – The Lavinia Smith Collection 1951 // Dialect names: “Wilsh”, “Wilch”, “Fead”, “Thread”. “Taphose” (E. Anglia) “Faucet” in Devon. // Distribution: // Additional notes: Inform. on Home Brewing by Mrs Robt. Savage, Suffolk (Class. Inf.) & from The Brewing Trade Review Feb. 1954. “Grandmother’s Brew”. A. Jobson. (Class. Inf.) // Other obj. (strainer/huckmuck) ref. 51/854'

Strainer, beer, Basketwork

Wood, willow, white, Fibre, flax

Rippon, Miss Dorothy May Lyddon (Agent)
Wright, Dorothy (Recorder)