BHS on Radio

26/01/2012 by admin.

I was asked to talk on the radio last Sunday (22 Jan) - BBC Radio Solent (not quite Radio 4, but still)

The idea was to do about 25 minutes on the breweries of the Isle of Wight. In the end I didn’t manage to say much at all about the Island’s breweries - I spent about 3 days biting my finger nails and brushing up on facts and figures, really to no avail. Still, it was an experience and we spent much of the time chatting about the BHS, so I am awaiting a flood of new members!

The programme was Bruce Parker’s Magical History Tour and was looking at the South’s pubs, breweries and vineyards - the link is http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00mtshy should you wish to see more, or even listen for a while. As you will hear, having been called by the programme staff, we got off to a terrible start when he couldn’t hear me - presumably a button needed pressing at their end, but it wasn’t good for the nerves.

It also included an interview with Jeremy Pope (of Eldridge Pope), David Jones on Cowes pubs (he has just produced an excellent book on this topic) and Dave Goddard on Southampton’s pubs.

I don’t think I shall be giving up the day job (retirement)

Cheers

Jeff

Posted in Radio & TV, BHS | No Comments »

Another brewery blog

02/01/2012 by Lynn Pearson.

This is just to let you know that I’m writing a new book about the history, heritage and architecture of (mainly) English breweries. It is due for publication towards the end of 2013, and if you’d like to see how things are going and look at a few brewery photos, share in the research results and so on, there’s a little blog about the book that you can follow at http://builtforbrewing.wordpress.com - enjoy!

Lynn Pearson

Posted in Books, architecture, Brewery remains | No Comments »

Brewery Logo

21/11/2011 by admin.

We have had the following query - can you help?

Hi Jeff,

I wonder if I can call on the good nature and knowledge of the membership again.

I’ve picked up another glass for my collection and cannot identify the logo. I’ve attached a couple of pictures again.

Best wishes

Rich

 

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Surphured Hops

13/10/2011 by admin.

John Robinson has raised a query relating to a project, as follows:

I have become involved with a small micro brewery in Warrington , called ‘The Tipsy Angel’. The brewery is located in some out buildings at the rear of the Lower Angel pub in Buttermarket Street , in Warrington.

We are dedicated to producing the old Walkers recipes from the 1960’s, and have had some help from the old Walkers chemist, Stewart Thompson. Ironically Walkers used Marston’s yeast in their beers. And the man accredited with the Burton Union system, was none other than Peter Walker. I will keep you and the BHS informed of progress.

In a follow up message John goes on-

The old recipes made reference to sulphured hops. Is this process still going on, or has the EU banned it? Can you recommend someone who can help?

Walkers was a particularly sulphurous beer with heavy Burtonisation of the water.

Many thanks,

John Robinson

We pointed John to Dr Peter Darby as the leading expert on hops (and member of the BHS editorial board), and he has replied as follows:

John,

No-one in the world now uses sulphur in the kilns during drying of hops. It was prohibited first in the USA and then by the Institute of Brewing and other brewing organisations because of the detrimental effect on yeast function during brewing.

Finding an alternative raises some interesting possibilities. Sulphur is still used during the growing of hops to protect against powdery mildew infection. This is much more a feature of hop growing in the Hereford and Worcester area than any other part of the UK, or indeed elsewhere in the world. It is unlikely that much, if any, residue will carry over from the field – but some might.

Sulphur was used in the kilns to bleach the hops to remove any discoloration due to disease or over-ripeness. As a consequence of its prohibition, hops are now picked much earlier than they would have been 40 years ago to avoid the progressive browning of hops during September as they mature and start to enter senescence. Also to reduce the ingress of disease after the last sprays have been applied in early August. So, the taste and aroma that you seek may have been a result of using hops harvested late in the season, or diseased hops, especially those with powdery mildew.

I hope that this gives an explanation of some of the factors which might have made the hops used in the old recipes of Walkers at the Tipsy Angel Brewery different from today’s hops. To reproduce them, I would suggest you seek low alpha hops from Herefordshire or Worcestershire which have been harvested as late as possible in September, or even early October, and which are not of the highest grade, indicating that they have a small amount of powdery mildew infection. This is only a suggestion. The effects you are talking about are more likely the result of the yeast strain used and the water rather than any contribution from the hops.

Best regards,

Peter

John then circulated a couple of example pages from a Walker’s Brewing Book, which Peter looked at –

Looking at the page from the Walkers book that you attached to the mail below, I see that the hops used had been in store for over a year – the mix used in 1961 had hops mostly from the 1959 harvest of Fuggles in the West Midlands, supplemented by a few hops from Kent from the 1960 harvest. I also note that not all the hops had been sulphured. So, I would add using old stored hops to my suggestion of using lower grade; low alpha hops from the West Midlands.

It is difficult to read the writing to try and find the farms which supplied the hops. The Kent farm is clearly Ladysden Farm and is labelled EK. This is a bit of a contradiction because the farm is most likely to be at Ladysden, Winchet Hill near Goudhurst which is not in East Kent. I would guess, therefore that the EK refers to the variety and is likely to be East Kent Goldings. The Hereford farms are less obvious but could just be read as Pomona and Dormington. These were part of the same estate in 1959 and were certainly growing Fuggles.

Best regards,

Peter

What a fascinating exchange. My thanks to both Peter and John – hopefully it will encourage other similar discussions on this forum.

Posted in Hop industry | No Comments »

Worksop & Retford Brewery

12/09/2011 by admin.

I met a chap at the GBBF recently and we discussed his research into the  - See below. He would love to hear from anyone with information. I have pointed him towards David Parry’s ‘South Yorkshire Stingo’ for passing references and the history of Sheffield’s Old Albion Brewery as they bought this.

24 Whitwell Lane, Stocksbridge, Sheffield S36 1GE   - 0114 288 5238

dave@stksbge.demon.co.uk

Dear Jeff,

We met at the GBBF earlier this week - as discussed, myself and a colleague are currently researching the Worksop and Retford Brewery, which was demolished in 1962, as background for a novel. We would love to hear from anyone who worked for the company in the late 1950’s or early 60’s. We are particularly interested in finding an original recipe for Worksop Ale, and in speaking to anyone who can remember the taste, or the experience, of drinking this, or any of, their beers.

The Worksop and Retford Brewery was a large employer and a landmark enterprise for the whole of Bassetlaw. Worksop malt was critical to the success of brewing operations in Manchester and the Midlands.

Photographs provide an indication of the sheer size of the operation. Ornate wrought iron gates opened out onto a large eye-catching and decorative five storey building, built from bricks of different colour in a style in favour at the time.

The brewery was acquired by Tennant Brothers of Sheffield, in 1958 and demolished in 1962 when Tennants were taken over by Whitbread. The company was voluntarily wound up by a Special Resolution passed at an Extraordinary General Meeting held at the Exchange Brewery, Sheffield in April 1970.

We have received detailed information/photos from a visit to Bassetlaw Museum and from Mike Richards, Head Brewer at Thorne Brewery, whose father worked for WRB. We had a useful conversation with Frank Greaves who worked at the bonded warehouse and packaging plant built on the site of the Brewery by Tennants (Manager from 1974 until his retirement in 1993). We have also come across some interesting photographs of the brewery insignia: the Half Moon (Retford) and the Langold Hotel (now demolished).

If you could provide any other pointers, I would be very grateful,

thanks,

Dave

Posted in Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire | No Comments »

Researching Brewery and Publican Ancestors

08/09/2011 by admin.

Simon Fowler, BHS member, former editor of various family history magazines and employee at The National Archives (TNA) for many years, tells me he has unearthed some nice new material relating to our passion and will be giving a talk on the subject at:

The National Archives, Kew TW9 4DU details at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Date: 13 October 2-3pm. Free. “You are supposed to get a ticket on the day, but I can’t imagine it will be over-subscribed, so just turn up.”

I copy the flyer below and hope to see you there

Jeff

“Brewers and Barmaids”: Researching Brewery and Publican Ancestors

There is perhaps nothing more English than the public house. Once every village had an alehouse, while towns offered licensed premises to suit every taste and pocket. The trade employed large numbers of workers in a variety of roles. In 1901 the number of licensees alone peaked at more than 100,000. As a result many of us have ancestors who worked behind the bar or made the beer which was enjoyed by all social classes and travelled around the world. Using material at The National Archives and county record offices this talk will tell the story of Britain’s pubs and breweries and describe the key sources which can be used to trace ancestors who ran pubs or worked in breweries.

Simon Fowler has worked at The National Archives on and off for over thirty years and is now a freelance writer and historian and recently wrote a guide to pub and brewery records for the Family History Partnership. At present he is organising the annual conference of the Pub History Society which will take place on 26 November.

Posted in Archives, Talks | No Comments »

Does brewing history really matter to you?

08/09/2011 by admin.

Our editor Tim Holt, an avid Blog fan, pointed out Alan McLeod’s Blog of this title today

See http://beerblog.genx40.com/archive/2011/september/doesbrewing

Alan, in turn, was commenting on Des De Moor’s Blog entitled ‘Brewing’s disputed histories’ - See http://desdemoor.co.uk/brewings-disputed-histories/

Worth a look, and possibly a response

Happy researching

Jeff

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

The gold hand of Allied

30/08/2011 by admin.

We have had the following query, and reply

Hi there
I’ve been asked to investigate a pub sign (harrow area) for a pub that has now closed and the land is up for redevelopment.

I am trying to track down something about the history of it and I’m trying to track down some information about the gold hand insignia and date of 1856 on the sign.

I have attached a couple of images of it.

What we are trying to work out is whether the sign itself is from 1856 (which I feel it probably wasn’t) or if it’s the date of the brewery and the gold hand is the insignia for the brewery.

I wondered if you may be able to help please. Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks!

Best regards
Steven Gregory

Ray Anderson has replied as follows:

Dear Steve, 

The gold hand insignia and the date 1856 were associated with Ind Coope Burton Brewery Ltd of Burton-on-Trent. This was the name taken by the Burton brewery of the brewing conglomerate Allied Breweries in c. 1977. The date 1856 comes from when Ind Coope & Co., of Romford opened a second brewery in Burton. The inn sign cannot be earlier than the late 1970s. The gold hand was until the mid 1970s a red hand and the device been used by Samuel Allsopp and Sons from c. 1850. The colour was changed in the 70s because of association with the red hand of Ulster. 

Allsopp’s was another Burton brewery which joined up with Ind Coope in 1934 to form Ind Coope & Allsopp Ltd, and merged with Joshua Tetley & Son of Leeds and Ansells Ltd of Birmingham in 1961 to form a company which took the name Allied Breweries in 1963. Allied sold 50% of its beer business to Carlsberg in 1993 and the rest in 1997. Carlsberg in turn sold the Burton brewery to Bass in 1998. Bass was taken over by Interbrew of Belgium in 2000 and was sold on to Coors of the USA in 2002. The old Allied and Bass breweries in Burton are still operating in Burton today to form the country’s biggest brewery complex. It is run by what is now Molson Coors.

Cheers

Ray Anderson

Posted in Allied | No Comments »

Invitation to ABBC AGM at Windsor and Eton brewery

01/08/2011 by Jeff Sechiari.

The ABBC have kindly invited BHS members to join them at their forthcoming AGM -

Hi Jeff we are trying to attract members of other organisations connected with similar interests to ours to join us at meetings.
Our AGM is taking place at Windsor and Eton brewery on Saturday 24th September from 11am and we would like to invite members of BHS to join us.
cheers David Taylor

If you would like to go I would suggest dropping David a line at - david.deraled@talktalk.net

Posted in Visits & walks, Breweriana | No Comments »

Forthcoming BHS visits

01/08/2011 by Jeff Sechiari.

Following the recent quite exceptional visits and walks to parts of London, Burton, the West Midlands, Dublin and Nottingham, I attach details below from Chris Marchbanks on the next two BHS days out.
My thanks to Chris, Colin Bridgeland and George Crutcher for all their work preparing these trips.

1 )   September  Friday 16/9/2011-    A walking visit of the Newark Malting & Brewery Sites planned

by BHS member Colin Bridgeland using the local town trail as basis

( http://www.newarkcivictrust.org.uk/downloads/MaltingBrewingTrail.pdf ) and lots more.

10.15 assemble in Northgate Retail Car Park ( next to  Warwick and Richardson’s brewery - now
converted)

10.30 visit Maltsters Association of GB ( The maltsters trade association founded

in 1827 )more info www.ukmalt.com - with brief introduction on the

Maltsters of Newark by CE - Colin West - 31B Castlegate - NG24 1AZ

followed by walk to Millgate and the south side of Newark,
- Lunch  break at Fox and Crown  NG24 1JY ( own arrangements ) more info

http://www.castlerockbrewery.co.uk/site/?page_id=10

followed by the central and north parts of Newark in the afternoon.

The  visit will cover sites of 8 breweries (including Trent Brewery, Holes,

Town Wharf Brewery, Warwicks & Richardson), about 26 maltings

(many with remains) and a few other associated sites.

So  a lot of sites to visit and quite a lot walking - see trailmap-

so wear stout shoes and  appropriate  weather ware.

17.30/18.00 - close at a nearby hostelry/northgate carpark

  2)  October  Thursday 20/10/11 -The visit to Vale of Aylesbury and Tring ( Bucks & Herts)

Tour by minibus with lots of stops at defunct brewery and malting sites in the

eastern part of  the Vale & Tring. Much has disappeared but there are still

some remains to be seen at: Fenny Stratford, Rowsham, Aston Clinton to

                      Tring in the morning
09.45 assemble  at Leighton Buzzard Rail Station  - pick up mini bus

visiting Holdom’s/Cave’s solid beer syndicate/Lucas/Gurney, Pullen

Browns Brewery and Maltings, Rodwell Brewery, Graces malting et al

- lunch at The Kings Arms Tring ( HP23 6BE)  - make own arrangements

(more info  http://www.kingsarmstring.co.uk/find.html)

-  afternoon - to Ivinghoe, Dagnall, Slapton, Mentmore and Linslade visiting

the sites of Roberts and Wilson, Batchelor, Mott and Cross Keys,

Gurney, Monson et al

With lots to see please wear stout shoes and  appropriate  weather ware.

17.30 /18.00 return Leighton Buzzard - for maybe refreshment before disperse at The Hare Inn,

Southcott. LU7 7PR.

The trip is limited to 20 persons because of the capacity of the vehicle and there will be a small charge of £6.00 / person to cover this and the document pack - which I will collect on the day
Please Note: That it is the responsibility of members and their guests taking a BHS arranged visit to organise their own insurance cover. Wear suitable footwear for maltings and brewery visits. The buildings may be several storey’s high with no lifts.

Floors are often wet and uneven. Town walks and touring such premises is not recommended for any persons with disabilities or heart conditions.

The BHS supports  sensible drinkaware policies

For planning and number control - please let me know if you are interested in attending any or all of these visits by e mail to - cjmarchbanks@aol.com or  01283 561626 or mail to me at
18 Brizlincote Lane, Burton upon Trent, Staffs, DE15 0PR.
Final details for all visits will be confirmed to those who have expressed interest 2 weeks before the visit.

The number is restricted for both visits to 20 people for each - so they will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Cut off dates are  4 weeks before each visit

Posted in Visits & walks | No Comments »