Flower & Sons Ltd Metal Menu Holder

Flower & Sons Ltd metal menu holder dating from the 1950s.

Foundation of Flower's Brewery

The business was founded by Edward Fordham Flower in 1831. The original brewery was located on Brewery Street, Stratford-upon-Avon.
In 1852 Edward was joined by his son Charles, and later by his younger son, Edgar, and traded as E.F.Flower & Sons. The firm's famous Shakespeare trade mark was first used in the 1850s.
The original site proved too small, and, although it continued to operate, a new brewery was built on Birmingham Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, in 1874.
The Company was registered as Flower & Sons Ltd in 1888.
At this time much of Flower's trade was through the export of its 'India Pale Ale'

20th Century Trading & Takeover

As business continued to grow both home and abroad, the new brewery was continually upgraded, and, through a number of brewery aquisitions, Flowers tied estate increased considerably.
By the turn of the 20th century trading conditions were far more difficult and the ambition to become a national brewer diminished.
After WWI the Company continued to trade as an important provincial brewer and further acquisitions increased the estate to 350 tied houses.
The Company, and its Stratford-upon-Avon brewery, was acquired by J.W.Green Ltd in 1954 which changed the name to Flowers Breweries Ltd.
Flowers Breweries Ltd was responsible for the intoduction of 'Flower's Keg' in 1956.
Flowers Breweries Ltd was acquired by Whitbread & Co. Ltd in 1961.
The Stratford-upon-Avon brewery was closed in 1968 when Whitbread & Co. Ltd merged Flowers with West Country Breweries Ltd to form Whitbread Flowers Ltd.
All brewing was transferred to Cheltenham.
The Flowers IPA brand name is still being used by AB InBev.