Pub snacks before peanuts and crisps

Saanen · Mar 15, 2008

I'm revising a story set in an alternate world where the Americas haven't been formally discovered or settled by Europeans, set in about the 1920s. Before peanuts and potato chips, what did rural pubs offer as pub snacks? My MC needs to drink another guy under the table without the guy realizing what's happening, so MC's going to eat in advance and only offer the other man pub snacks so he'll get drunk faster. I just don't know what to serve him.

Thanks! Hmm, I could probably use some information about typical pub drinks too, pre-brand-name days. My MC drinks bitters, but I don't know if that's how it'd be termed. Thanks! Oh, and would there be a milder drink that he could switch to that would keep him from getting tipsy as fast as his drinking partner?

ETA: I used pickled eggs and pretzels--does that sound right?

Priene · Mar 15, 2008

Pork scratchings. You have to be drunk before eating those things.

Mild was the name for a beer weaker than bitter.

Pretzels are an American variant of a German bread, and (if your story is set in the UK) unknown in Britain until quite recently.

Saanen · Mar 15, 2008

Oh, I didn't realize those were eaten as snacks outside of the U.S. Thanks!

Mr Flibble · Mar 15, 2008

mmm Pork scratchimgs -- originally stocked in pubs for dogs apparantly.

Also pickled eggs and gherkins used to be very popular -- my gran ran a pub and there were always jars of them on the bar.

endless rewrite · Mar 15, 2008

pork pies

waylander · Mar 15, 2008

Pickled eggs and gherkins yes, in some places. Pork Scratchings, not in southern pubs.
I think a lot of pubs just didn't sell snack foods at all

IceCreamEmpress · Mar 15, 2008

In Shakespeare's time, taverns served bread and cheese, meat pies, and pickled vegetables. Oh, and pig's ear.

#1Pencil · Mar 15, 2008

pub food

bread, cheese, cold meat pies, bangers (sausage), fried potatoes,hard boiled eggs, pints and half pints of ale, cider, etc.

Kenny · Mar 16, 2008

KP may be the answer to your prayers!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KP_Snacks

and their parent company

http://www.kpsnacks.com/80256C1A0047922E/vWeb/pcTSTT5EPFXF

all have snacks which do not contain potatoes!

If no peanuts then there are lots of other types of nuts to be eaten...

dirtsider · Mar 16, 2008

Potatoes and tomatoes are "New World" plants as well as maize (commonly called corn, at least here in the US). So if they're not going to have peanuts, they probably won't have popcorn, potatoes, and any tomato based dishes. That is, if your setting is outside the US.

Your setting sounds interesting.

Saanen · Mar 16, 2008

Thanks, everyone! I went with pickled eggs (ugh), gherkins, and pork pies.

Sandi LeFaucheur · Mar 16, 2008

Please remember that in England (unlike the States), cider is alcoholic. Sometimes wildly so! "Scrumpy". Was incredibly disappointed to find in Canada that cider is only apple juice. I'm assuming this holds true for the States, too.

I'd go for bread and cheese as being served in pubs. Blimey, I could use some half-decent cheddar and a half of cider right now...

Mr Flibble · Mar 16, 2008

*hands over can of Scrumpy Jack and lump of Extra Mature Cheddar*

Ahh scrumpy. Legless but smiling

Craig Gosse · Mar 16, 2008

Sandi LeFaucheur said:
Was incredibly disappointed to find in Canada that cider is only apple juice.

Well, that's probably because you were silly enough to simply ask for 'cider'. Ask for 'hard cider' next time...

waylander · Mar 16, 2008

Cider: Depends where they are in the country.
In 1920s era cider would not have been as widely available as it is now

And yes, it can be very strong!

williemeikle · Mar 16, 2008

Something that hasn't been mentioned yet.. in seaside taverns they would have a lot of whelks/cockles/prawns as snacks... as well as possibly dried kelp, crab sticks, whitebait, sardines etc...

There are still many places in the UK where you can get a pint of prawns with your pint of beer.

Willie

Pub snacks before peanuts and crisps

Saanen

Priene

Out to lunch

Saanen

Mr Flibble

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble

endless rewrite

waylander

Who's going for a beer?

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago

#1Pencil

Kenny

dirtsider

Not so new, really

Saanen

Sandi LeFaucheur

Mr Flibble

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble

Craig Gosse

Bored fanatic

waylander

Who's going for a beer?

williemeikle

The force is strong in this one.