Sheffield Free Brewery Co. Ltd Round Alloy

Sheffield Free Brewery Co. Ltd alloy tray dating from the early 1950s.

Rhoden, Freeman & Co.

The brewing partnership was founded in 1899 by Samuel Rhoden and George Freeman on Queen's Road in Sheffield.
From 1900 the Company traded as Rhoden, Freeman & Co.
The firm purchased its first tied house, the Albion Inn, in 1900.
Rhoden, Freeman & Co. was registered as a limited company in 1902.
The business struggled and was voluntarily liquidated in 1905. The Albion Inn had already been sold in 1904.
A new Company was registered a few months later as the Queen's Road Brewery Ltd in which Freeman continued as a director.
The second Company was as unsuccessful as the first, lasting until early 1911 when a receiver was appointed.

The Sheffield Free Brewery Co. Ltd

Later in 1911 a new Company was registered as the Sheffield Free Brewery Co. Ltd with its focus mainly on the club trade.
Between 1927 and 1950 the brewery acquired controlling interest in about 20 clubs in and around Sheffield.
The business was acquired jointly by Tennant Brothers Ltd and William Stones Ltd in 1954, with Tennant Brothers Ltd taking the controlling interest in 1955.
The brewing of the Company's 'Matchless Ales' ceased that year.
The brewery was demolished shortly afterwards.

The manufacturer's mark states - MB 6