Close Alert Banner
Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.
Skip to Content
City of Waterloo Museum
Home
City of Waterloo Neighbourhoods
  • Dive in to the Collection
    • Collection
      • Donations
      • Explore the Collection
    • Exhibits
      • Exhibits at Home
      • Past Exhibits
      • What's Next
      • What's On
  • Explore Our Programs
    • Community Programs
      • Presentations
      • Remembrance Reflection
      • Tours
      • Visit Us
    • School Programs
      • At the Museum
      • In the Classroom
      • On Location
      • Through the Computer
      • Visit Us
  • Get to Know Us
    • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Donations
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Indigenous Resources
      • Volunteering
    • Visit Us
      • Accessibility
      • Admission, Location and Hours
      • Community Programs
      • School Programs
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • Upcoming Events

Museum

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Sherry Spirit Barrel

1850 to 1890

A few hundred years back, British tavern owners could only buy alcohol in large wooden barrels or jugs. Not very easy to pour a drink out of. For easier handling, barkeeps transferred spirits into smaller ceramic containers called spirit barrels. Spirit barrels lined the shelves behind the bar. The size of a barrel ranged from one to three gallons (about 4 to 12 litres). Lots of drinking meant many trips down to the cellar for refills. Spirit barrels came with a label and a spigot for easy pouring. They also added a little decoration to an otherwise dreary tavern. Animals, birds, coat of arms, knights, and flowers were popular spirit barrel images. Staffordshire, once the centre of ceramic production in England, was the home of spirit barrel manufacturing.

A transfer print scene of a white swan swimming in a pond filled with bull rushes and pink water lilies, four wide gilt bands, and the word SHERRY in gold lettering decorate the porcelain spirit barrel. 

Sherry Spirit Barrel

Sherry Spirit Barrel

City of Waterloo logo

  • Accessibility
  • Admission, Location and Hours
  • Website Feedback
  • Contact Us
  • Indigenous Resources
  • View our Twitter Page
  • View our Facebook Page
  • View our LinkedIn Page
  • View our Vimeo page