Ode to the Hogshead“The metric system is the tool of the devil! My car gets 40 rods to the hogshead

Ode to the Hogshead“The metric system is the tool of the devil! My car gets 40 rods to the hogshead and that’s the way I like it!”—- Grandpa SimpsonThe hogshead was an archaic form of measurement in volume generally applied to Wine, Whiskey, Ale, and Cider, as well as tobacco and foodstuffs.  The hogshead was first standardized by the Parliament of England in 1423.  However, measurements different depending on locality and the content.  For example, a hogshead of wine could measure 63 gallons, while a hogshead of beer could be 54 gallons.  The following is a list of different hogshead measuring systems depending on content,Claret (wine): 55 gallons Port: 64 gallons Sherry: 65 Gallons Madeira (wine): 55 gallons Brandy: 57 gallonsHock, Rhine and Moselle (wines): 30 gallonsBeer/Ale: 54 gallons Tobacco: 1,000 - 1,500 poundsThe hogshead would also be used to measure sugar, Molasses, herring, and sardines.  The origin of the term “hogshead” is unknown, but thought to originate from a Germanic unit of measurement known as the “Oxhead”, which only raises more questions.  The hogshead fell out of favor by the 1800’s when people began to measure things in the more common gallons and liters. -- source link

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