Monday 11 February 2013

Kirkstall Brewery beer in Australia

I had imagined just knocking up a quick post about the Kirkstall Brewery's brewing records and leaving it at that. But as so often, I've been sucked in much deeper.

Searching the web for images relating to the Kirkstall Brewery I found a blue plaque which is presumably on one of its walls. It mentions that the brewery exported beer to Australia.This is it:


I couldn't resist a quick search of the Australian newspaper archive. This is what I found:


The Argus (Melbourne), Friday 13th February 1874, page 2.

Looks like they really did export beer all the way to Australia. I would never have guessed that.

Now there's just one question: which beer was it? A beer specially brewed for the purpose of one of their standard rang?

6 comments:

Stott Noble said...

APA, perhaps?

leigh said...

Hi there. I asked the same question in 2010 when the new brewery launched. yes, the plaque is on the wall of the old brewery, which is now student accommodation. You can read my post here, but to be honest it's pretty light.
http://goodfoodgoodbeer.wordpress.com/2010/04/18/kirkstall-brewery-remembered/

Ron Pattinson said...

Leigh, at least I was able to confirm that Kirkstall beer went all the way to Australia.

I was surprised by how little I found about the Kirkstall Brewery. Perhaps it's because it lost its independence so early.

Ron Pattinson said...

As to the type of beer, my money would be on a No. 3 Burton or a Pale Ale. They're the beers I've seen other breweries export to Australia.

kiwijude said...

My 3rd Great grandfather owned what was known as Kirkstall Brewery. His name was John Dawson. His three sons, Edwin, Benjamin and John, owned and operated the brewery. It was known as Benjamin Dawson & Co. Brewers of Kirkstall. They also sent beer to New Zealand.
I have just completed a booklet about the brewery and their ownership.
Judith Gardiner
Wellington, New Zealand

Ron Pattinson said...

Kiwijude,

would it be possible to get hold of a copy of your booklet? I'm always interested in brewery history.

Cheers,

Ron.