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Staffordshire FoodsYou are in: Stoke & Staffordshire > Discover Staffordshire > Local Life > Staffordshire Foods > Burton Beer Brewing History  A tale of two pints! Burton Beer Brewing HistoryRobert Brown Burton-upon-Trent, in East Staffordshire, has been brewing beer since the 11th Century – when Wulfric Spot founded Burton Abbey. Over the years, the town has seen the town’s brewing industry develop from monks’ efforts in a small monastery to a global phenomenon, exporting beer to the likes of India and Russia. They are still brewing beer there today and we explore the history of the industry and reveal the secrets behind their success. The History of Brewing in BurtonThe town has been producing beer since the 11th century when monks first started brewing under the guidance of Wulfric Spot, the Earl of Mercia - who founded Burton Abbey. In the 18th Century, the town thrived on trade with Russia. Russian Empress, Catherine the Great, is reported to have been ‘immoderately fond’ of the ale brewed in Burton. In 1839, with the introduction of national railways, Burton brewers got a massive increase in trade because they could now compete with local breweries in other parts of England. The Key to their SuccessIt is the quality of the local water that has helped make the town a prospering, beer brewing community. The hills surrounding Burton contain minerals that greatly assist the brewing process – which gets added to the water and helps to preserve the beer for longer. This preservative allows them to export the beer around the world. The hard water is pumped around the town by subterranean springs. Samuel Allsopp and SonsOne of the largest beer manufacturers, Samuel Allsopp and Sons, have been producing beer since 1807. The company is famous because it was the first to export Burton Pale Ale to India in 1822. By 1890 their output had reached 460,000 barrels and they had a workforce of 1,750. Throughout the 19th century, Allsopp's brewing business was second only to Bass in size. Still in production todayToday, breweries are still are a major part of Burton. Coors, Marston, Burton Bridge and Black Hole are all brands of beer that Burton still produces. For more information on the history of Marstons Brewery in Burton, see: http://www.marstonsbeercompany.co.uk/brewing_history/burton.asp. last updated: 22/12/2009 at 08:57 Have Your SayTHANKS FOR ALL YOUR COMMENTS. THIS BOARD IS NOW CLOSED. Richard Baynes RB Ellastone man SEE ALSOYou are in: Stoke & Staffordshire > Discover Staffordshire > Local Life > Staffordshire Foods > Burton Beer Brewing History |
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