In 1817, Daniel Wheeler patented a method for producing black patent malt, a very dark roasted malt that revolutionized the brewing industry. This innovation allowed brewers to create darker beers, such as porters and stouts, more efficiently and consistently. The introduction of black patent malt marked a significant advancement in brewing technology, influencing beer styles and preferences in the years to come.

Wheeler's patent for black patent malt revolutionized brewing, leading to the emergence of stout and porter in literary references. Poets like James Joyce incorporated these beverages into their narratives, using them as symbols of urban life and cultural identity in 19th-century Ireland.