The beer flood: the incident at the Meux and Company Brewery

On October 17, 1814, there was a beer flood in London. The incident occurred at the brewery Meux and Company Brewery, where there was an explosion of the tank. First, a container with a foam drink with a volume of 610 thousand liters exploded, and this led to a chain reaction and the explosion of the remaining tanks. About 1.5 million liters of intoxicating liquid poured into the city streets. The wave was so strong that it washed away several buildings and damaged the walls of the Tavistock Arms pub.

The explosion killed several Londoners. Many choked on beer, which quickly spread through the slums, filling the basements where the poor lived. This incident went to court, but during the proceedings, the judge and jury were not able to determine who was responsible. The incident was classified as the result of force majeure. The company obtained financial assistance from the state, and lasted until 1922. Today, the dominion theater is located here.