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Beer/Bottling Magnifier

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Question
I have a magnifying glass that came from a brewery that was established in 1820 in N.S. CANADA .It measures 15 inches in diameter and three inches thick.I been told that it was used to check the clarification of the wort.I would like to know if any body has heard or seen of this type of magnifying glass from old breweries.Also what period it might have used ? Any info to confirm would be appreciated; referrals to other web sites, books, or persons with knowledge of early brewing .

 Michael

Answer
1940s Beer Magnifier
1940s Beer Magnifier  

Beer Magnifier (date unknown, but apparently modern day)
Beer Magnifier (date u  
Hi Michael,

My research indicates that this type of magnifier was used primarily from the 20s (possibly earlier), to the 60s (though apparently, some breweries still use them today). Apparently a QC (quality checking) fixture to the bottling lines of large production breweries, they were used to either note the contents of empty bottles as they exited the bottle-washer...

http://bit.ly/oXuob1

...or to view post-filled bottles for clarity (finished beer - not wort), or to inspect them for possible unwanted debris (see attached pictures).

I hope this helps some!


Best,

Matt

--
Matt Simpson
The Beer Sommelier®, LLC
www.TheBeerExpert.com
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Matt Simpson

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I can answer all questions about beer, the brewing process, ingredients, history, styles, glassware & serving temperatures, beer & food pairing, cellaring, the craft beer industry and much more. The only area in which I'm wholly unfamiliar (but still able to find out through direct, personal inquiry) is the purchasing of large-brewery equipment.

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I've been involved with craft beer, in one regard or another, for almost 2 decades. I've taught craft beer courses at Emory University, I'm a BJCP Certified Judge, an Administrator for RateBeer.com (arguably, the largest beer website/database in the world, with over 100,000 members) and have been interviewed by ABC News, CNN, NPR, the Washington Post, FOX Business’s Cavuto Show, TheStreet.com, the Associated Press, the Houston Chronicle and many others. I'm an award-winning homebrewer, with multiple ribbons won (including the AHA’s National Homebrew Competition), and owner of one of the largest, most robust and comprehensive beer cellars in the world. I write the “Ask Beer” column for Beer magazine, “Beer Talk...From the Wings,” for Hooters Magazine, the quarterly beer column for In The Mix magazine, a beverage-oriented publication that reaches such hospitality industry establishments as The Four Seasons and Four Points Sheraton, and “Ask the Beer Sommelier,” for Atlanta’s Finest Dining magazine as well. I've been hosting craft beer tastings since the 90’s, and am truly privileged to call some of the most accomplished brewers and beer aficionados in the world, friends.

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BJCP, RateBeer.com (as an Administrator), GA Craft Brewers Guild, Final Gravity Craft Brewers.

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BEER Magazine, Hooters Magazine, In The Mix Magazine, Atlanta's Finest Dining magazine, TheBeerCellar.com.

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I'm BJCP Certified, taught "From Grain to Glass, a Comprehensive Study of Beer," at Emory University and a Rutgers University graduate.

Awards and Honors
Multiple blue ribbons for homebrewing, including a second-place in the National Homebrew Competition.

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http://www.thebeerexpert.com/testimony.shtml

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