Comments for http://blog.breweryhistory.com Welcome to the Brewery History Society blog, the forum to discuss British brewery history. We are NOT a campaigning group so no offensive remarks please. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:38:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 Comment on Kidd and Hotblack, Cannon Brewery, Brighton by admin http://blog.breweryhistory.com/2011/01/02/kidd-and-hotblack-cannon-brewery-brighton/#comment-4011 admin Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:46:06 +0000 http://blog.breweryhistory.com/2011/01/02/kidd-and-hotblack-cannon-brewery-brighton/#comment-4011 Simon Packard found this query whilst browsing the web and has sent the following: In January 2011 an Eric Dore was asking for info on Frederick Mills Hotblack who was running the brewery until Taplins purchased it in 1926. A lot of the information I have is from the 1901 and 1911 census so I expect Eric Dore has already got there. In case not here is what I have found. In 1911 Frederick Mills Hotblack was living in Norwich, aged 55, and describing himself as a manufacturer. Married to Mary Elliot Hotblack the mother, presumably, of Gerald Vernon (age 20), Geoffrey Turner Hotblack (age 10). Harold (born 1893) had presumably passed away. Eldest son Frederick was an Army officer who went on to have a good war in Tanks and later lectured on it at the staff college, became military Attache to Germany in 1935 and died in his 90's in the Norwich area. I think Frederick Mills died in 1941. Gerald Vernon died in 1921 as a British Army officer fighting the IRA near Cork. Geoffrey Turner had a career as a schoolteacher at Blundells Private school in Devon. Frederick Mills seems to have owned a lot of property in the area - farms, houses etc which maybe he purchased with the proceeds of the sale of Kidd and Hotblack. I saw some document from the 1930,s which mentioned he was a director of Taplins. Simon Packard found this query whilst browsing the web and has sent the following:

In January 2011 an Eric Dore was asking for info on Frederick Mills Hotblack who was running the brewery until Taplins purchased it in 1926.
A lot of the information I have is from the 1901 and 1911 census so I expect Eric Dore has already got there.
In case not here is what I have found.

In 1911 Frederick Mills Hotblack was living in Norwich, aged 55, and describing himself as a manufacturer. Married to Mary Elliot Hotblack the mother, presumably, of Gerald Vernon (age 20), Geoffrey Turner Hotblack (age 10). Harold (born 1893) had presumably passed away. Eldest son Frederick was an Army officer who went on to have a good war in Tanks and later lectured on it at the staff college, became military Attache to Germany in 1935 and died in his 90’s in the Norwich area. I think Frederick Mills died in 1941. Gerald Vernon died in 1921 as a British Army officer fighting the IRA near Cork. Geoffrey Turner had a career as a schoolteacher at Blundells Private school in Devon.

Frederick Mills seems to have owned a lot of property in the area - farms, houses etc which maybe he purchased with the proceeds of the sale of Kidd and Hotblack. I saw some document from the 1930,s which mentioned he was a director of Taplins.

]]> Comment on GILL BREWERY ULVERSTON. by Tony-Hunt http://blog.breweryhistory.com/2009/06/10/gill-brewery-ulverston/#comment-2980 Tony-Hunt Sun, 23 Oct 2011 22:31:45 +0000 http://blog.breweryhistory.com/2009/06/10/gill-brewery-ulverston/#comment-2980 I am also descended from Robert Robinson, so I was very pleased to see this photo of the Gill Brewery. There are some brief references in the book "The History of Robinson's Brewery" (Frederic Robinson)by Dr Lynn F. Pearson:- "Ulverston was the home of two breweries, the Old Brewery and the Gill Brewery. The Old Brewery was built in 1755 by John Booth and James Machell, while the Gill Brewery had been in existance since at least 1751, when it was owned by the Clore family." "Ulverston's two breweries continued in production, although the ownership of the Gill Brewery passed through the hands of a succession of owners" throughout the ages since 1763, including John Robinson, Rev. Samuel Irton Fell, "Jackson, Benson then Askew, before it was bought by the Yarker family in 1800. It was sold again, to the Robinson family (no relation to Frederic Robinson) in 1834." "It was the 17 July 1896 before the firm of Hartleys came into existance, when Robert and Peter Hartley of Burnley bought the Old Brewery and its eleven fully licensed houses (one on lease), fourteen beerhouses and thirty-one cottages." "Shortly after their purchase of the Old Brewery , the Hartley brothers bought the Gill Brewery from its Leeds-based owners. In early September 1896, the two breweries became fully integrated and Hartleys was born. The family registered the firm as a private company in October 1918, when it became known as Hartleys (Ulverston) Limited (another Hartleys already existed on Humberside), and brewing was rationalised in the Old Brewery." I am puzzled by the reference to Leeds-based owners since the Robinsons were all from the Ulverston area and, following Robert Robinson's death in 1860, the Gill Brewery passed to his widow Margaret (nee Mashiter)and seems to have been run by his son Thomas, who died in 1870, so perhaps there were intermediate owners between the Robinsons and the Hartleys. Does anyone know? Another son, also Robert Robinson, left Ulverston for Burton on Trent and the Bass Brewery where he rose to become the chief brewer in both their Middle Brewery and New Brewery. He is mentioned in Alfred Barnard's "Noted Breweries of Great Britain and Ireland". Tony Hunt. I am also descended from Robert Robinson, so I was very pleased to see this photo of the Gill Brewery. There are some brief references in the book “The History of Robinson’s Brewery” (Frederic Robinson)by Dr Lynn F. Pearson:- “Ulverston was the home of two breweries, the Old Brewery and the Gill Brewery. The Old Brewery was built in 1755 by John Booth and James Machell, while the Gill Brewery had been in existance since at least 1751, when it was owned by the Clore family.” “Ulverston’s two breweries continued in production, although the ownership of the Gill Brewery passed through the hands of a succession of owners” throughout the ages since 1763, including John Robinson, Rev. Samuel Irton Fell, “Jackson, Benson then Askew, before it was bought by the Yarker family in 1800. It was sold again, to the Robinson family (no relation to Frederic Robinson) in 1834.” “It was the 17 July 1896 before the firm of Hartleys came into existance, when Robert and Peter Hartley of Burnley bought the Old Brewery and its eleven fully licensed houses (one on lease), fourteen beerhouses and thirty-one cottages.” “Shortly after their purchase of the Old Brewery , the Hartley brothers bought the Gill Brewery from its Leeds-based owners. In early September 1896, the two breweries became fully integrated and Hartleys was born. The family registered the firm as a private company in October 1918, when it became known as Hartleys (Ulverston) Limited (another Hartleys already existed on Humberside), and brewing was rationalised in the Old Brewery.”

I am puzzled by the reference to Leeds-based owners since the Robinsons were all from the Ulverston area and, following Robert Robinson’s death in 1860, the Gill Brewery passed to his widow Margaret (nee Mashiter)and seems to have been run by his son Thomas, who died in 1870, so perhaps there were intermediate owners between the Robinsons and the Hartleys. Does anyone know?

Another son, also Robert Robinson, left Ulverston for Burton on Trent and the Bass Brewery where he rose to become the chief brewer in both their Middle Brewery and New Brewery. He is mentioned in Alfred Barnard’s “Noted Breweries of Great Britain and Ireland”.
Tony Hunt.

]]> Comment on Floating Brewery - the RN Amenity Ship Menestheus by Mac http://blog.breweryhistory.com/2011/03/18/floating-brewery-the-rn-amenity-ship-menestheus/#comment-2819 Mac Mon, 27 Jun 2011 10:43:29 +0000 http://blog.breweryhistory.com/2011/03/18/floating-brewery-the-rn-amenity-ship-menestheus/#comment-2819 When I spotted this thread I recalled reading that the well known Alloa based brewer, John J.Calder, had bought all the brewing apparatus after the ship was decommissioned, prior to its being returned to its original civilian owners. I checked this out and a knowledgable source confirmed this - apparently Calder had a reputation for bargain buys of pre-owned equipment and could not resist another opportunity. When I spotted this thread I recalled reading that the well known Alloa based brewer, John J.Calder, had bought all the brewing apparatus after the ship was decommissioned, prior to its being returned to its original civilian owners.

I checked this out and a knowledgable source confirmed this - apparently Calder had a reputation for bargain buys of pre-owned equipment and could not resist another opportunity.

]]> Comment on Spencer’s Brewery at the Marquis of Granby, Leeds by Don Hopkins http://blog.breweryhistory.com/2009/01/12/spencers-brewery-at-the-marquis-of-granby-leeds/#comment-2801 Don Hopkins Wed, 06 Apr 2011 22:19:24 +0000 http://blog.breweryhistory.com/2009/01/12/spencers-brewery-at-the-marquis-of-granby-leeds/#comment-2801 My Mother was Joan Spencer Granddaughter of John Spencer. Her father was also named John Spencer I believe his brother was Albert making her Albert’s niece. Mother has been dead these past few years so cannot gain further info from her. There were also a couple of divorces and remarriages which upset the applecart re: the history. Some of my earliest memories were of us passing the Marquis of Granby and been told it was the family pub. The Waterloo was also mentioned but I cannot find any reference to this pub. Mother told us tales of visiting the old brewery as a child which was a rickety old place and frightening to her. I am planning to return to England for a visit and would appreciate any further info on where to locate these sites to add some focus for the visit. My Mother was Joan Spencer Granddaughter of John Spencer. Her father was also named John Spencer I believe his brother was Albert making her Albert’s niece. Mother has been dead these past few years so cannot gain further info from her. There were also a couple of divorces and remarriages which upset the applecart re: the history. Some of my earliest memories were of us passing the Marquis of Granby and been told it was the family pub. The Waterloo was also mentioned but I cannot find any reference to this pub. Mother told us tales of visiting the old brewery as a child which was a rickety old place and frightening to her.
I am planning to return to England for a visit and would appreciate any further info on where to locate these sites to add some focus for the visit.

]]> Comment on Friary Brewery, Guildford by Jeff Sechiari http://blog.breweryhistory.com/2010/05/22/friary-brewery-guildford/#comment-2763 Jeff Sechiari Fri, 18 Jun 2010 11:24:17 +0000 http://blog.breweryhistory.com/2010/05/22/friary-brewery-guildford/#comment-2763 A guide produced by Friary for visitors in the 1930s was reproduced for an exhibition on Guildford’s breweries a few years ago and this included these pages on the FV stage of the process pasted into the main query as I can’t see how to add it to the reply). Check with Paul at the BHS bookshop (Books@BreweryHistory.com)to see if he still has copies in stock A guide produced by Friary for visitors in the 1930s was reproduced for an exhibition on Guildford’s breweries a few years ago and this included these pages on the FV stage of the process pasted into the main query as I can’t see how to add it to the reply).

Check with Paul at the BHS bookshop (Books@BreweryHistory.com)to see if he still has copies in stock

]]> Comment on Cannon Brewery, Guildford by Jeff Sechiari http://blog.breweryhistory.com/2010/05/20/cannon-brewery-guildford/#comment-2762 Jeff Sechiari Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:45:15 +0000 http://blog.breweryhistory.com/2010/05/20/cannon-brewery-guildford/#comment-2762 <p><p><p>The guide produced for an exhibition on Guildford's breweries a few years ago included this photograph (pasted into the main query as I can't see how to add it to the reply). Check with Paul at the BHS bookshop (Books@BreweryHistory.com)to see if he still has copies in stock</p></p></p> <p><p>The guide produced for an exhibition on Guildford’s breweries a few years ago included this photograph (pasted into the main query as I can’t see how to add it to the reply).
Check with Paul at the BHS bookshop (Books@BreweryHistory.com)to see if he still has copies in stock</p></p>

]]> Comment on 1958 price list - but which brewery? by Jeff Sechiari http://blog.breweryhistory.com/2010/06/17/1958-price-list-but-which-brewery/#comment-2761 Jeff Sechiari Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:34:15 +0000 http://blog.breweryhistory.com/2010/06/17/1958-price-list-but-which-brewery/#comment-2761 Mick Croxford has dropped a line to confirm it as Wells & Winch - he has a copy in his collection Mick Croxford has dropped a line to confirm it as Wells & Winch - he has a copy in his collection

]]> Comment on 1958 price list - but which brewery? by Jeff Sechiari http://blog.breweryhistory.com/2010/06/17/1958-price-list-but-which-brewery/#comment-2760 Jeff Sechiari Thu, 17 Jun 2010 15:36:13 +0000 http://blog.breweryhistory.com/2010/06/17/1958-price-list-but-which-brewery/#comment-2760 Brian Glover has suggested Wells & Winch, subject to checking his files and Roger thinks he's probably right, sending this link http://www.biggleswadetoday.co.uk/nostalgia/Exhibition-relives-Biggleswade39s-brewing-days.3856812.jp Any other thoughts welcome Jeff Brian Glover has suggested Wells & Winch, subject to checking his files and Roger thinks he’s probably right, sending this link

http://www.biggleswadetoday.co.uk/nostalgia/Exhibition-relives-Biggleswade39s-brewing-days.3856812.jp

Any other thoughts welcome
Jeff

]]> Comment on Stoney Lane Brewery, Southwark by admin http://blog.breweryhistory.com/2010/03/12/stoney-lane-brewery-southwark/#comment-2743 admin Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:53:53 +0000 http://blog.breweryhistory.com/2010/03/12/stoney-lane-brewery-southwark/#comment-2743 Stephen Humphrey of the Southwark Local History Library has replied as follows: Dear Jeff, This subject happens to have come up already, because of the Brewery History Society’s walk last Saturday. I pointed out that the large Phoenix Brewery stood in Stoney Lane in the 19th century. All the sources I have seen name it as the property of Barclay and Perkins. This is a surprise, because Stoney Lane is fairly close to Courage’s by Tower Bridge, but is well away from Park Street. In the absence of further information, I have assumed that Barclay and Perkins took over a brewery that had been founded by someone else. Careful checking last week in various directories and on early maps failed to find the name of an earlier proprietor, although in the end I am sure that this will emerge. Your correspondent’s reference to the Waterman family may provide a helpful clue. It is astonishing to find Barclay and Perkins running another large brewery so close to their original one, when you take into account the proximity of Courage’s Anchor Brewhouse, plus Noakes & Co.’s Black Eagle Brewery only a little to the south, plus William Holcombe’s Black Horse Brewery on part of the present site of Guy’s Hospital and, last but perhaps not least, an obscure establishment in Weston Street known as the Public Porter Brewhouse, whose building of 1809 was grand enough to boast a named architect [one T. Hatton]. If I find any more, I will let you know. The library’s move back to 211 Borough High Street takes place next Monday. Re-opening to the public is scheduled for March 22nd. With best wishes, Stephen. Stephen Humphrey of the Southwark Local History Library has replied as follows:

Dear Jeff,
This subject happens to have come up already, because of the Brewery History Society’s walk last Saturday. I pointed out that the large Phoenix Brewery stood in Stoney Lane in the 19th century. All the sources I have seen name it as the property of Barclay and Perkins. This is a surprise, because Stoney Lane is fairly close to Courage’s by Tower Bridge, but is well away from Park Street. In the absence of further information, I have assumed that Barclay and Perkins took over a brewery that had been founded by someone else. Careful checking last week in various directories and on early maps failed to find the name of an earlier proprietor, although in the end I am sure that this will emerge. Your correspondent’s reference to the Waterman family may provide a helpful clue.

It is astonishing to find Barclay and Perkins running another large brewery so close to their original one, when you take into account the proximity of Courage’s Anchor Brewhouse, plus Noakes & Co.’s Black Eagle Brewery only a little to the south, plus William Holcombe’s Black Horse Brewery on part of the present site of Guy’s Hospital and, last but perhaps not least, an obscure establishment in Weston Street known as the Public Porter Brewhouse, whose building of 1809 was grand enough to boast a named architect [one T. Hatton]. If I find any more, I will let you know.

The library’s move back to 211 Borough High Street takes place next Monday. Re-opening to the public is scheduled for March 22nd.

With best wishes,
Stephen.

]]> Comment on ACBC stone jar by Jeff Sechiari http://blog.breweryhistory.com/2010/01/14/acbc-stone-jar/#comment-2721 Jeff Sechiari Thu, 14 Jan 2010 01:02:03 +0000 http://blog.breweryhistory.com/2010/01/14/acbc-stone-jar/#comment-2721 I replied as follows: Thank you for your query I am copying it to two colleagues who know far more than I do, but I am pretty sure it is from the Alton Court Brewery Co Ltd, Station Road Ross on Wye Founded 1846, registered 1865. Acquired by the Stroud Brewery co Ltd 1956 and was closed. Liquidated May 1961. In 2005 the buildings were part of a supermarket The Stroud Brewery co was eventually subsumed into the Whitbread empire. There archive has closed and records were returned to the appropriate local record offices. Would you mind if I uploaded your query on to our Blog in case other members can add more? Kind regards Jeff (Information from A Century of British Brewers, Plus. BHS Publications) I replied as follows:

Thank you for your query
I am copying it to two colleagues who know far more than I do, but I am pretty sure it is from the Alton Court Brewery Co Ltd, Station Road Ross on Wye
Founded 1846, registered 1865. Acquired by the Stroud Brewery co Ltd 1956 and was closed. Liquidated May 1961. In 2005 the buildings were part of a supermarket

The Stroud Brewery co was eventually subsumed into the Whitbread empire. There archive has closed and records were returned to the appropriate local record offices.

Would you mind if I uploaded your query on to our Blog in case other members can add more?
Kind regards
Jeff
(Information from A Century of British Brewers, Plus. BHS Publications)

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