(p. C24) . . . what would beer be without water? . . . New York City, at least until the opening of the Croton Aqueduct in 1842, had no clean, reliable source. In fact, since hops have a preservative quality, and brewing requires boiling, “beer was once considered safer to drink than water.”
For the full review, see:
EDWARD ROTHSTEIN. “EXHIBITION REVIEW; A Tipple or Two? It Was Safer Than Water.” The New York Times (Fri., May 25, 2012): C19 & C24.
(Note: ellipses added.)
(Note: the online version of the review has the date May 24, 2012.)