I’m seeing some patterns in this data. OK, it may be a little skewed by not being an inclusive list. It seems to have a bias towards the bigger, better-known breweries. But those that ended up as the kernel of the Big Six seem to have been keener on branding than their less expansionist colleagues.
Barclay Perkins were in the game early. Most of these brads were already around before WW II:
Barclay Perkins branded beers in 1954 | ||
Brewery | Beer | Type |
Barclay Perkins | Festival Ale | Very Strong |
Barclay Perkins | Russian Stout | Very strong |
Barclay Perkins | Southwark Ale | Brown Ale |
Barclay Perkins | Victory | Formerly Milk Stout |
Barclay Perkins | Winter Brew | Strong Ale |
Barclay Perkins | Golden Hop | Strong Light |
Source: | ||
Brewery Manual 1953-1954, pages 382 - 394. |
Amazingly one – Russian Stout – has survived, albeit with a 20-year gap at the end of the 20th and start of the 21st centuries.
Here are some more from one of the other key elements of the Courage group:
Simonds branded beers in 1954 | ||
Brewery | Beer | Type |
H. & G. Simonds | Archangel | Stout |
H. & G. Simonds | Berry | Brown Ale |
H. & G. Simonds | Bulldog | Pale Ale |
H. & G. Simonds | Golden Dry | Pale Ale |
H. & G. Simonds | Heavy | Mild |
H. & G. Simonds | London Heavy | Mild |
H. & G. Simonds | Old Berkshire | Strong Ale |
H. & G. Simonds | Reading Pale Ale | Bitter |
H. & G. Simonds | SOS | Winter Brew |
H. & G. Simonds | Tavern | Pale Ale |
H. & G. Simonds | Velvet | Stout |
Source: | ||
Brewery Manual 1953-1954, pages 382 - 394. |
A couple of those might still be knocking about. I think Bulldog is still brewed for export. And Tavern is probably living a zombie existence, brewed god knows where for a few ageing fans. Simonds were also early branders. Their Hop Leaf Pale Ale I believe was introduced in the 19th century. Now that is definitely still around, brewed by Farsons in Malta.
Judging by the length of the list, the whole of Simonds bottled range must have been branded. In its day, Berry Brown Ale was well known and was brewed in several of Simonds breweries.
Lots more of this, obviously. Saves me having to write too many words.
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