6: The large casks, especially when filled with approximately 150 liters of beer,
were difficult to handle when moving them on or off ships. Away from the quays of
towns, as here near Flushing, it was even harder for men to deal with these bulky
items. Z/4, KZGW, Zelandici Illustrata 11-1171 a.
Flushing brewers called for retaliation through higher duties on Holland beer.
Such acts of protection were as common as the outrage and petitioning which
followed. Regardless of any general trends in economic legislation. Zeeland
brewers through the eighteenth century still asked governments for protec
tion from competition. Typically requests were made on the basis of the un
fair advantage of producers elsewhere and the contribution of brewing to the
local economy from both employment and from the tax income generated for
the local government66. Typically such requests came to little and the scant
legislation created in response did not stop the decline in brewing.
When grain prices rose starting in the 1740s the first reaction of Dutch
brewers was almost undoubtedly to thin their beer. Requests for short term
increases in beer prices first appeared in the 1750s. Requests for general in
creases appeared from the 1770s and for pervasive and permanent price in
creases toward the close of the century. The arguments in favour were always
based on the rising cost of grain. A lowering of the duty on English beer in
1761 at Flushing was possible since importers brought in less than 5,000
65. C. Cau ei at., Grooi Pkicaatboek, vol.1. 1694-1759. vol.3. 907. 920-93S. vol.4. 838-839. 848-
855. vol.7. 1285-1303. vol.8, 1043.
66. GAV1. Archieven der gilden: inv.nr. 134 [7 March, 1750]. [c. 175122 April. 1751. 19 Sept.,
1752].
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