Beer was almost certainly brewed in Newbury before it was Newbury, but the business of the Common Brewer – brewing beer for wholesale to homes and drinking establishments – is more recent. Evidence of such businesses in Newbury is sketchy at best until the 18th Century, and the number of brewers was small. However, in the 1860s there were thirteen such establishments of various size within the town … but by the end of the 1930s they were all gone. This talk looks at their histories and at the surviving remnants of their premises, and it celebrates the return of brewing to the town in 2024.
Our speaker, Phil Wood, served as President or Vice-President of the Newbury District Field Club (Newbury’s local history society) for 16 years before standing down in 2023. He has researched many elements of the town’s past, most notably the men recorded on the town’s WWI war memorial and Newbury’s pubs and breweries. He gives talks on these and a range of topics from the history of Newbury ironmongers, The House of Toomer, though to British post boxes, as well as a number of ‘how to’ topics covering local, military and family history research. At the Field Club’s annual History Day in October his topic will be Newbury Racecourse at War – covering both world wars.
Non-members are welcome, but a small charge of £3.00 is payable to defray costs such as tea and biscuits.