Reffells Bexley Brewery Ltd Round Alloy

Reffells Bexley Brewery Ltd alloy tray dating from the early 1950s. Henry Reffell founded the Bexley Brewery in 1876 and upon his death in1886, it passed to his three sons. The firm traded as the Reffell Brothers Brewery. William Robert Reffell ran the brewing arm, Arthur Henry Reffell managed the offices and wine & spirit business, and John Reffell also worked in the brewery until his retirement in 1891. The firm experienced initial sales growth and a reputation for the quality of its ales which was reflected in the award of medals from Brewers' Exhibitions in London and Ghent in the 1890s. The need for expansion resulted in the registration of Reffells Bexley Brewery Ltd in 1898 to acquire Reffells Brothers and the London properties of Showell's Brewery Co. Ltd. The newly formed Company struggled financially and between 1903 and 1904 it went into receivership. In 1904 Percy Hugh Waistell was appointed Head Brewer and soon after the Reffell family connections were lost. Under Percy Waistell's leadership the Company recovered and prospered and a futher ten London Brewers' Exhibition medals were awarded betweem 1904 and 1938. In 1931 the firm acquired the Hampstead Brewery Co' Ltd, By the time Percy died in 1944 his son, John Kipling Waistell, had become the Managing Director. After World War II further financial pressures saw the business become a target for a takeover from larger brewers. This eventually happened in 1955 when the Company with 19 public houses was acquired by Courage & Co. Ltd and brewing ceased in 1956. The buildings have remained as industrial units.