W.H.Brakspear & Sons Ltd Round Alloy

W.H.Brakspear & Sons Ltd alloy tray dating from the 1950s. The brewery was founded by Richard Hayward on Bell Street in Henley on Thames in 1756. In 1769, nineteen year old Robert Brakspear, became the pub landlord of the Cross Keys in Witney, where he brewed his first pint of Brakspear Bitter. Due to demand for his beer, Robert joined his uncle, Richard Hayward, at his Bell Street Brewery in 1779. Robert Brakspear became the sole owner of the business in 1803. In 1812 the firm merged with Appleton & Shaw which owned a larger brewery on New Street in Henley. All brewing activities were concentrated at the New Street Brewery and the Bell Street Brewery was closed. When Robert died soon afterwards his second son, William Henry, joined the business and he became a partner in 1825. By 1848 William Henry was the sole proprietor and firm traded as W.H.Brakspear. Under his control the business expanded considerably and his two sons, Archibald and George, joined their father as partners. When William Henry died in 1882, his sons took over and they built a new coopers shop in 1886 and a new brewhouse in 1892. The Company was registered as W.H.Brakspear & Sons Ltd in 1896. Brakspear's local rival, Greys Brewery Ltd with 54 public houses was purchased and closed in 1897. Archibald died in 1909 leaving George to run the business until his death in 1933. George's sons, Ronald and F.G.Brakspear, inherited the firm but, due to lack of interest, the Company began to drift. Fortunately for them John Chalcroft, who had joined the business in 1914, became head brewer then Managing Director in 1928, and he provided stability. He remained as Managing Director for 41 years until 1969 becoming Chairman until 1974. John's son, Michael, joined Brakspears in 1963 where he remained until 1996. By 1979 Brakspear's estate totalled 130 public houses. A new distribution centre was opened in 1986 but by 2002 brewing had ceased at the New Street Brewery. The Company continued to trade as a Pub Company with 100 public houses. In 2006 the London Pub Company J.TDavies, acquired Brakspears. After closure of the Henley brewery, the drinks distributor, Refresh UK, acquired the rights to brew the Brakspears brands, and installed some of the original brewing equipment at Wychwood Brewery in Witney. Brewing began here In 2004. The New Street premises are still standing and were converted into flats and a hotel. In 2013 the Brakspear family started brewing again at the Bell Street Brewery in Henley on Thames.