In the 17th century Hull was celebrated for the manufacture of good ale. A proverb, "You has eaten some Hull cheese," meant "you're drunk". The Corporation, from time to time, during the sitting of Parliament, sent its representative one or two barrels of the famous Hull ale. in 1640 Peregrine Pelham, MP for Hull, writing to the Corporation says "I am much importuned for Hull ale, both by Lords and Commons, who are willing to further me in anything that concerns your towne. . . .If it please you to send me a tonne of Hull ale, and leave it to my disposeing, it will not be lost," and in another letter he tells them that the Speaker had asked for "some Hull ale."

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