will be more secure from aerial Alterations; for in Cellars and Places,
that are most exposed to such Seasons, Malt Liquors are frequently
disturb'd and made unfit for a nice Drinker; therefore if a Cellar is kept
dry and these Doors to it, it is reckoned warm in Winter and cool in
Summer, but the best of Cellars are thought to be those in Chalks, Gravels
or Sands, and particularly in Chalks, which are of a drying quality more
than any other, and consequently dissipates Damps the most of all Earths,
which makes it contribute much to the good keeping of the Drink; for all
damp Cellars are prejudicial to the Preservation of Beers and Ales, and
sooner bring on the rotting of the Casks and Hoops than the dry ones;
Insomuch that in a chalky Cellar near me, their Ashen broad Hoops have
lasted above thirty Years. Besides, in such inclosed Cellars and temperate
Air, the Beers and Ales ripen more kindly, are better digested and
softned, and drink smoother: But when the Air is in a disproportion by the
Cellars letting in Heats and Colds, the Drink will grow Stale and be
disturbed, sooner than when the Air is kept out. From hence it is, that in
some Places their Malt Liquors are exceeding good, because they brew with
Pale or Amber Malts, Chalky Water, and keep their Drinks in close Vaults
or proper dry Cellars, which is of such Importance, that notwithstanding
any Malt Liquor may be truly brewed, yet it may be spoiled in a bad Cellar
that may cause such alternate Fermentations as to make it thick and sour,
tho' it sometimes happens that after such Changes it fines itself again;
and to prevent these Commotions of the Beer, some brew their pale Malt in
_March_ and their brown in _October_, for that the pale Malt, having not
so many fiery Particles in it as the brown, stands more in need of the
Summer's Weather to ripen it, while the brown sort being more hard and dry
is better able to defend itself against the Winter Colds that will help to
smooth its harsh Particles; yet when they happen to be too violent,
Horse-dung should be laid to the Windows as a Fortification against them;
but if there were no Lights at all to a Cellar, it would be better.