Beer-money was a peculiar payment to non-commissioned officers and soldiers in the English army. It was established in the year 1800, at the suggestion of the Duke of York, and consisted of one penny per day for troops when on home-service, as a substitute for an issue of beer and spirits. It continued as an addition to the daily pay until 1873, when, the stoppages for rations having been abolished, the opportunity was taken to consolidate beer-money and pay proper.
Beer-money
Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 2: Beaugency to Cataract, p. 37–38
Source scan(s): p. 0046, p. 0047