The Brewery History Society

By Mike Brown and Brian Willmott
Published by the Brewery History Society, 102 Ayelands, New Ash Green, Longfield, Kent DA3 8JW.
240 pages with black and white illustrations.

"Phipps's beer is very good
Dulleys' ent amiss
Bedford beer is damnable
And Praeds' is worse than ...."

... Reputedly once written on the wall of a Northampton pub.

A revised and much expanded edition of a popular study of brewing in the county. Additional research, especially on Northampton Brewing Company and the Phillips and Smith families, has changed some of the early story. Going through adverts in the local papers revealed details of many more pubs which brewed in the nineteenth century.

The book focuses on commercial brewing, at the retail level of the pub and the common or wholesale firms, with some coverage of domestic brewing at the country houses.

The two major common brewers associated with the county town, Phipps and Northampton Brewing Company, amalgamated in the 1950s to form one of the largest businesses in the region. Having then disappeared into Watneys and being closed for the construction of the Carlsberg brewery, at least the brands have now been resurrected by PNBC.

Although some sites have been lost since the first edition one at Weldon, surprisingly intact, has been added to the county’s list of industrial architecture. Luckily Ratliffe's Albion brewery is partially intact on Commercial Street and Frog Island is based in an old malting.

The growth of the microbreweries continues apace, with another one locating at Whittlebury in 2010, hence the revision of the dates in the title.

Most people, if asked to associate an industry with the county, would no doubt respond with shoe-making. However, the county also has a proud history of brewing and malting. Hopefully, this second edition will continue to mark that history.

Enquiries to: The BHS Bookshop, Long High Top, Heptonstall, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire HX7 7PF.

Or email books@breweryhistory.com for further information.