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Friday 11 November 2011

Drink Up! - Thematic Photography

Finding something to post for Carmi's theme this week was driving me to drink until I found this:
Tankard finds new use as receptacle for pens
This tankard commemorating brewery tradition usually sits on the bottom shelf of my desk unit and as you can see it has acquired a new use.

The six breweries on it had '"Together 1000 years of Brewing Tradition." Alas many of them are no longer in existence - the victims of takeovers and demolition,

In the 1800s Edinburgh was known as 'Auld Reekie' due the number of breweries in the city.
Lorimer & Clark, Edinburgh
In 1869 George Lorimer and Robert Clarke opened the Caledonian Brewery. In 1919 it was taken over by Vaux Breweries in Sunderland but fortunately was subject to a management buy-out in 1987.

The second badge on the tankard hails from Belgium.
Liefmans, Oudenaarde, Belgium
Liefmans has been one of Belgium's cult breweries since 1679.

But Belgium is not the only country outside the UK to figure on the tankard.
Fred Koch Brewery, New York State
Fred Koch Brewery produced beer and ale in Dunkirk, New York  from the late 1880s to 1985. 

We are back in England for the last three firms on the tankard, all linked together in the story of their demise.
Vaux Brewery,  Sunderland
The Vaux family had been involved in the brewery business since 1806 but Vaux did not establish their own brewery until 1837. The first Vaux brewery was named after the founder Cuthbert Vaux, C. Vaux & Co. and would become one of Sunderland's most successful businesses.

By the 1990s the Vaux Group had expanded into hotels. Despite the brewing business being profitable and an offer to buy it having been received from management, in March 1999 the Board closed both its Sundeland breweries. The brewery was later demolished.

Vaux also figured in the demise of our next famous brewery.
Wards Sheaf Brewery, Sheffield
In 1837, William Roper and John Kiby started a brewery on Effingham Street. Roper died in 1842 leaving John Kiby in sole control. Septimus Henry Ward joined the company in 1868 when it ran into financial trouble. Due to the substantial amount he invested the primary brand was renamed Wards Best Bitter. . The business continued to expand buying up other breweries. In 1876 they bought the SOHO Brewery and made it their main premises, renaming it to Sheaf Brewery. It was made a limited company called S.H. Wards & Company Limited in 1896.

In 1972 the company was acquired by Vaux and continued to brew bitter as a subsidiary. Despite still being profitable the brewery was closed in 1999 as the Vaux company was broken up. The land was sold to developers who demolished most of it to make way for apartments. Ironically, it was revealed later that the price achieved was several £million less than the buyout that would have saved this much-loved brewer.

Darley's, Thorne, Doncaster
 
The Darley family were closely connected with the town of Thorne for many generations.  W.M. Darley operated a small firm with a few pubs in and around Thorne. His son, C.W. Darley assumed control of the firm in 1892 on the death of his father, when the brewery was enlarged and improved. The brewery remained in the family until October 1978 when it was acquired by Vaux Breweries of Sunderland. Brewing continued until 1986 when the brewery was closed and production transferred to Wards Brewery in Sheffield, also part of the Vaux group. And you know what happened to them.

If you haven't drunk up by now then I suggest you visit the other drinkers at Carmi's Thematic Photographic 170


 

7 comments:

Kalei's Best Friend said...

I think we all have a cup holding pens and pencils... I like the history you posted here... btw, my kitty has jumped in the toilet.. by accident.. she jumped out as fast as she jumped in! lol

21 Wits said...

So happy to see it didn't drive you to drink too bad...because what a great and informative drink up post this is! I like the puppet too, if it is a hand puppet, but whatever he sure is darling! Great post for this thirsty of all themes!...Your writing or computing space there looks quite enjoyable too! Thanks Bob!

Little Nell said...

All that on one mug! And what an attracticve mug it is. I like the colours and I have to say I would have found a use for it too. Far too nice to be sitting on the bottom shelf!

Rosalind Adam said...

I've just raced through your post about the mug waiting to find out more about that darling puppet. Don't get me wrong. The mug and all the information about breweries is interesting but I'm in love with that puppet! More information, please.

Bob Scotney said...

Karen and Rosalind, that's no puppet. His name is Samwin and he's the headcover for my golf driver!

Arabella said...

Love all the historic information, Bob....and Samwin is adorable LOL!

Hope you are enjoying a lovely weekend.

Hugs,
Marie

Alfandi said...

wow..beautiful piece of history..wonder if there's anything on coffee..