Steffensen, an old brewery owner, has but two passions: brewing – a craft passed down through generations, whose traditions he faithfully upholds – and his daughter, Emma, whose lovely face is the living image of his deceased wife. The brewer asks his brewmaster to a party at his mansion. Having enjoyed a game of tennis, the brewmaster and Emma part to dress for the evening. At the party, the brewmaster seizes the moment to propose to Emma, but in the meantime a young brewery worker has caught her fancy. Embittered, the brewmaster leaves and, following a clash with a former mistress, starts a fire in the brewery, blaming it on the young brewery worker who is his rival.