Offilers' Brewery Ltd Round Black Backed Steel

Offilers' Brewery Ltd black backed steel tray dating from the 1920s. The business was founded in 1876 when George Offiler acquired the Vine Inn brewery on Whitaker Street, Derby. From here he supplied his local brew to a few outlets in Derby. Offiler acquired the Star Tea Warehouse on nearby Ambrose Street, Normanton Road, Derby in 1884 and converted it into a larger Vine Brewery. The Company was registered in 1890 as Offilers' Brewery Ltd and a reconstructured business was formed in 1892. The chess piece trademark was first used in 1895. Most of Offilers' business was centred in and around Derby so when trade increased, the Company decided to purchase the Cavendish Bridge Brewery of George Trussell Eaton in 1896. The purchase enabled the Company to widen its distribution into Leicestershire and this became Offilers' second brewery operating at Cavendish Bridge until its closure in 1923. After World War II the family business traded profitably if not spectacularly. There were no major expansion plans, although the Company did acquire local brewer James Hair & Son of Melbourne in 1954. The Vine Brewery and 238 public houses were acquired by Charrington United Breweries Ltd in 1965. Brewing ceased in 1966 although the premises were used as a distribution depot until 1968. The manufacturer's mark states - B.A.T.Co.Ltd Smethwick