Pure Beer in Army Posts

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 9, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 41.

Pure Beer in Army Posts

One of the arguments for the maintenance of the “canteen” in army posts is that the government deals only in pure beer, and that pure beer is not intoxicating. Another argument is that it keeps soldiers from going to outside saloons to get intoxicating drinks. The two arguments are rather stultifying. It might as well be said that soda water or lemonade would keep them from the saloons, as to claim that an unintoxicating beer would have that effect. Inasmuch as the only demand for beer is because of its stimulating effect, no one wants it for any other purpose. As it was invented and is concocted especially for a stimulant, how could it be “pure beer” without that quality?