BS: punkfolkrocker says SORRY..

Subject: RE: BS: punkfolkrocker says SORRY..
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 04:04 AM

When I was about 18 (late 1960's) I used to go in this pub in Exmouth where cider was on draught at 1/2d a pint (bitter was 1/3d).

This old guy came in with a cherry red face - I bet he was about my age now.

I asked my mates, why is his face like that?
Oh that's the cider does that, they said.

I wonder if they were right. You just accept things when you're a kid.

That cider was bloody powerful stuff. The local saying was that no one could be held accountable after two pints of the stuff

Subject: RE: BS: punkfolkrocker says SORRY..
From: GUEST, Topsie
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 04:19 AM

Drinking cider from a pewter tankard can be a VERY bad idea if it is old pewter containing lead.

Subject: RE: BS: punkfolkrocker says SORRY..
From: Gurney
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 04:34 AM

....She had a little line across the bridge of her nose.
She said "That line you're looking at,
was caused by glasses, my dear."
I said "Why don't you use contact lenses?"
She said "They don't hold enough beer!"

Part verse from a Benny Hill song.

Subject: RE: BS: punkfolkrocker says SORRY..
From: MBSLynne
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 07:20 AM

Yes, drinking cider from pewter is a no-no. Even modern pewter, which I believe contains antimony rather than lead, is still dodgy. Antimony is still poisonous but harder so doesn't generally leach into the drink as much as lead but because cider is so acidic it will dissolve some of the antimony. That's what I'm told anyway.

In my earlier cider drinking days I had an old pewter tankard that I'd bought at a second hand shop. I was at Sidmouth, where my consumption of cider over the week (in my young, free and single days) I once worked out to be something like six gallons. On about the third or fourth day I went down into town and was complaining in the pub that my head felt dizzy and my fingers and toes were tingling. someone said "What are you drinking in that tankard?" I said "Scrumpy" and he or she said "You've got lead poisoning!" I gave up the tankard immediately and the symptoms went away. Now I always drink it out of pottery tankards or glasses.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: BS: punkfolkrocker says SORRY..
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 11:05 AM

Makes you wonder about those poor old lead miners - btreathing in that crap all the time.

is pewter dangerous for every drink then, they must all be a bit acidic?

Subject: RE: BS: punkfolkrocker says SORRY..
From: MBSLynne
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 01:01 PM

As far as I know, modern pewter is fine for everything but cider. While the other drinks are a bit acidic, cider is VERY acid. It's probably why it disagrees with some people's insides.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: BS: punkfolkrocker says SORRY..
From: Gurney
Date: 27 Jun 07 - 01:21 AM

Some pottery is also dangerous for acidic drinks. Or rather, poor glaze can be leached of poisons. There's lead in some glazes, too.
Buy your pottery drinking vessels from a reputable maker.

I bought a plant-pot which seemed to be glazed, but the thing was varnished!




No, I didn't try to drink from it. I can't drink faster than the hole at the bottom leaks. Before anyone asks.

Subject: RE: BS: punkfolkrocker says SORRY..
From: MBSLynne
Date: 27 Jun 07 - 04:00 AM

Lol!

You're right about glazes, though I believe that a pottery glaze, though it may contain lead, is a lot harder, or more stable or something, than pewter so with less chance of the lead being leached into the drink. I don't think modern pottery glazes do contain lead do they?

I think we need some input from Micca here. As a chemist, he should know about these things.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: BS: punkfolkrocker says SORRY..
From: Megan L
Date: 27 Jun 07 - 04:03 AM

Gurney yev no got the idea at all ye get someone tae pour the stuff in the top while you lie down comfortably underneath and swallow. Rapidly if you dont want to drown.

of course if you are really posh you fit a plastic pipe to the bottom of the pot :)