Fremlins Ltd Ceramic Ashtray

Fremlins Ltd ceramic ashtray dating from the 1930s. The original brewery was founded on Earl Street, Maidstone, in 1790. The brewery was acquired by Ralph Fremlin from the executors of John Heathorn in 1861. Ralph Fremlin rebuilt the premises and expanded the production plant. Fremlin was a religious man who disapproved of public houses and sold his ten drinking premises in order to focus solely on brewing. The famous elephant trademark was used from 1876 onwards. The Company was trading as Fremlin Brothers in the late 19th century and was the first British brewery to mass-produce beer in bottles and jars. The Company was registered as Fremlin Brothers Ltd in 1920 and the name was changed to Fremlins Ltd in 1928. After registration the Company reverted to purchasing public houses and acquired small breweries in Kent. After WWII Fremlins became the largest brewer in Kent and in 1949 it acquired local rival George Beer & Rigden Ltd based in Faversham. The Faversham Brewery was closed in 1954 but reopened in 1961 to meet demand. In 1960 Fremlins purchased Frederick Leney & Sons Phoenix Brewery and its public houses based in Wateringbury. The Pale Ale Brewery, and its 700+ public houses, was acquired by Whitbread & Co. Ltd in 1967 and ceased brewing in 1972. The brewery was used as a depot until 2003 when it was redeveloped as the Fremlins Centre. The Phoenix Brewery in Wateringbury closed in 1981 but reopened as a Whitbread distribution centre and the Faversham Brewery continued to brew Whitbread Trophy until its closure in 1998. The manufacturer's mark states - Mintons England Regicor Fremlins Ltd Brewers & C. Maidstone