Building
Alehouse
An alehouse was an ordinary dwelling where the householder, very often a woman, sold home-brewed ale, with at most floor space or a barn for lodging. When a brew was ready the alewife put out a pole or broom, the ale-stake, to advertise it. Ale spoiled quickly, so small batches were brewed and sold often. Official regulation of ale price and quality through local courts is documented mainly from the 13th century onward.
Caveats (confidence: medium)
Direct 12th-century evidence for alehouses is thin; the picture is drawn largely from 13th- and 14th-century records.
Sources: buildinghistory.org · museumofoxford.org
Built from
- Alehouse
Made here
- Brew (alehouse, half batch)