J.C. & R.H.Palmer Square Tin

J.C. & R.H.Palmer tin tray dating from the 1970s.

Foundation of The Old Brewery

The Old Brewery was established on the banks of the River Brit in Bridport, by maltster Samuel Gundry, in 1794.
By the 1850s, the brewery was being run by a partnership which included Samuel Bowden Gundry and George Templar.
In 1862 twelve ales were recorded as being brewed at the Old Brewery for markets home and abroad. Beers were exported to Australia, India and Canada.
In 1864 the Bridport Old Brewery Co. Ltd, 70% of its shareholders living in London, took over the running of the Company, and the business underwent a short period of investment and expansion.
The tenure of the Bridport Old Brewery Co. Ltd was short-lived and in 1866 the business was liquidated. The Old Brewery was then purchased by the Legg family in 1867.
The Leggs installed the brewery's waterwheel in 1879.

The Palmer Family Take Control

The Old Brewery, with its public houses, was acquired by two Palmer brothers, John Cleeves and Robert Henry in 1896.
The business traded as J.C. & R.H.Palmer and was run by John.
The Company ordered its first motorised dray in 1920, with the result that only one horse drawn dray remained in service by 1923. This practice continued until 1949.
Following the deaths of Cleeves and Robert, Cleeve's son Bob, became the sole owner of the business in 1935.
In 1939 Tony Palmer joined the firm as a brewer and he was responsible for upgrading the brewhouse that year.

Post-War History

In 1949 Palmer's launched its famous Tally Ho Dark Strong Ale, followed by IPA in 1953.
During the rest of the 20th century the Company traded successfully and was registered as J.C. & R.H.Palmer Ltd in 1976.
John Palmer, who had joined the firm in 1969, became its Managing Director in 1983.
In 1985 Palmers diversified its business when it opened its Wine Store on the brewery site.
In 2024 Britain's only thatched brewery celebrated 230 years of continuous operation.
The Company is still brewing independently with an estate totalling 53 public houses, located across Dorset, Somerset & Devon.