HOLT BREWERY 

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase”.

Martin Luther King, Jr

Fulford maltsters founded two breweries in Birmingham in the 19th Century.

From humble roots to a beer producing industry with hundreds of associated public houses, selling arguably the best beer and having dominance of the market share throughout the Victorian era and beyond. Theirs is a tale of ‘rags to riches’, wealth and success coupled with loss and misfortune.

In 1818, the earliest recorded Fulford maltster was working as a grocer and maltster in Deritend, the market center of developing Birmingham. 

John Fulford (1785) and Joseph Fulford  (1812-1868), father and son, began as maltsters and progressed to own the first Fulford Brewery, the Minerva on Mott street around 1841.

John (1785)‘s brother Richard Fulford (1789) and his son Henry Charles (1823-1886) were maltsters on Holt street in 1848. Henry Charles (1823-1886) founded the second Fulford Brewery on Holt street around 1872 . Henry’s son Henry Charles (1850-1897), renamed the brewery Holt Brewery after his fathers death in 1887. Holt Brewery acquired over 250 public houses during its 62 year history and  produced around three million pints of pale ale per week.

Around the same time and just prior to the renaming of Fulford Brewery as Holt Brewery, William Henry Fulford  (1844-1909) established the Empress Brewery in Manchester c.1884. William (1844-1909) was son of Joseph Fulford (1812-1868), brewer at the Minerva Brewery who had migrated from Birmingham to Manchester after bankruptcy in 1860. The Empress Brewery had 236 associated public houses.

After his fathers death, Henry Charles Fulford (1850-1897), alongside his brother-in-law Walter Hodgkinson, maintained his role as manager within the Holt Brewery but also became a Liberal politician during a time of great change and social reforms in Birmingham. Sadly his career was doused with a series of unfortunate events and tragedy, whereby he narrowly missed election success. His career was concluded with an untimely death in 1897, aged just 48, from consumption (Tuberculosis) in Cairo, Egypt. Henry had spent a great deal of  his own money trying to establish his position in parliament and passed an enormous fortune to his widow at the time of his death. 

Henry’s obituary gives details of his benevolence and highlights a career recognized and honoured posthumously by the ‘American Brewer’s Review’ and the London Daily Mail Newspaper in 1897. Brother-in-law Walter Hodgkinson continued to operate the Holt Brewery after Henry’s death and until the takeover by Ansells in 1934. The Holt Brewery continued to brew beer until 1974 but under the new management of Ansells. 

The daughter of Henry Fulford (1850-1897), Catherine Fulford (1880-1960) was an Alderman and Conservative Politician who received the highest accolades. She was awarded an M.B.E. (Member of the British Empire) in 1920 for her role as Honorary Member and Secretary of Fulham Local War Pensions Subcommittee. Later in 1953, as part of Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation Honours, Catherine was made a Dame of the British Empire, for political and public services in London.

The original Holt Brewery building still remains with some lasting features and memorabilia. Some of the public houses are still operational and still display signs and signatures of the Holt Brewery history. 

FULFORD’S BREWERY later THE HOLT BREWERY COMPANY LTD, 72-79 HOLT ST, GOSTA GREEN, BIRMINGHAM.

Fulford’s Brewery, often referred to as Aston Brewery, was later renamed Holt Brewery. It was located at 72-79 Holt St, on the corner of Holt and Lister Street. 

The Holt Brewery premises. 

 

 

 

Holt Brewery was prolific throughout the Victorian era with 250 associated public houses and over 300 outlets in Birmingham and the Midlands.(See Holt Public Houses).

Photograph: Jane Fulford 19/8/2023

The Holt Brewery building is still operational today as a non brewing pub, the Gosta Green. 

The building still displays forgotten remnants of the Holt Brewery heritage. The photograph below still displaying the original ‘ghost’ signage of the Holt Brewery;

 

The words were later obscured by further public house signage. 

Faculty and Firkin, now the Gosta Green Public House, with ‘ghost’ signs displaying the clearest view of the original Holt Brewery signage.

 

THE MALTHOUSE, ‘HOLT WORKS’

The Malthouse ‘Holt Works’ (see top left on the 1889 map) was on a separate production site from the Holt Brewery and on the other side of Lister Street.

The Brewery, opposite the ‘Great Lister Street Works (Manure)’ would provide an interesting mix of malt and manure aromas (see above). 

Note the Holt Arms Public House converted from the Holt Brewery offices on the corner of Holt and Lister Street.

 

FULFORD/HOLT BREWERY LINEAGE

Details of numerous Fulford’s and their involvement in malting, brewing and selling beer are included in separate and overlapping histories on this website. 

The details of the Fulford family members associated with the Holt Brewery are in a separate chapter ‘Holt Lineage’ but a brief outline is provided below.

THE MALTHOUSES

The Malthouse(s) were operated by a succession of Fulford fathers and their sons. 

Currently the earliest record of a Fulford Maltster dates back to 1818.

@1818 TRADE DIRECTORIES LISTINGS;

Wrightson’s Triennial Directory of Birmingham, Warwickshire, U.K.

> 1818 ‘Fulford John, victualler, Dale-End’ 

> 1818 ‘Fulford, Joseph grocer and maltster, Bradford-Street’

> 1818 ‘Fulford Richard, victualler, Little Charles-Street’ 

JOHN FULFORD (1785)

John Fulford (1785) ‘victualler’, Dale End is recorded on the birth certificate of son Henry Fulford (1818-1889), The Vine, Summer Lane, and accurately establishes his identity and the 1818 time frame of the above Trade Directory Listings. (see John Fulford (1785) Publican, Brewer, Victualler). 

JOSEPH FULFORD (?)

‘Fulford, Joseph ‘Grocer and Maltster, Bradford Street’

Joseph’s identity Is yet to be determined and may be Joseph father of brothers  Thomas (1783), John (1785), William (1786), Richard (1789) or another brother to those aforesaid. Alternatively, this may be Joseph Fulford (1796) at the Darley Mill, Darley Green, Solihull or another new Fulford Maltster yet to be identified. 

 

WILLIAM FULFORD (1786) 

William Fulford (1786), Publican at the Black Swan Public House, Bromsgrove Street married Jane ‘Barker’ (1792-1823) who died on the 20th of October 1823, aged 31 years. Jane’s death certificate records her residence as Holt Street, thereby linking the couple to the Holt Brewery. William (1786) is brother of Thomas (1783), John (1785) and Richard (1789) and son of Joseph and Anne nee ‘Wilson’. (See William, 1786).

 

RICHARD FULFORD (1789 -c.1847)

Richard Fulford (1789), ‘Victualler, Little Charles St’, is the son of Joseph Fulford and Anne ‘nee’ Wilson and brother of Thomas (1783),  John (1785) and William (1786).  The 1848 Rate Book entries show Richard and Sons as ratepayers and owners of Malthouse on Holt Street. Richard (1789) is father of Henry Charles Fulford (1823-1886) who founded Fulford Brewery  (later the Holt Brewery) around 1872.  (See Holt Lineage).

HENRY CHARLES FULFORD (1823-1886)

Son of Richard (1789), Henry Charles Fulford (1823-1886) Maltster and Brewer, founded Fulford Brewery at Holt Street around 1872. This brewery later became Holt Brewery. 

Joseph Mc Kenna in his book Birmingham Breweries, describes how Fulford Brewery at Holt St was founded and established by Henry Charles Fulford (1823-1886) in 1878, “a former Retail Brewer in Acocks Green, between 1875-6“.

“After Henry Charles Fulford (1823-1886) died in 1886 the brewery was reconstructed and renamed the Holt Brewery in February 1887” (Reference: McKenna, Birmingham Breweries).

>1887: February, Fulford Brewery now known as Holt Brewery Co Ltd. 

“Holt Brewery Co Ltd was registered as a limited liability company in February 1887 to acquire the business of the late H C Fulford. The company went into voluntary liquidation on the 18th March 1896 and was reconstructed as a company with the same name the following day”.

Reference; Brewerypedia. Brewery History; Description of Holt operations and progression at Aston Brewery, 76 Holt St.

HENRY CHARLES (1850-1897) 

Fulford Brewery founded by Henry Charles (1823-1886), later renamed Holt Brewery, was owned and operated by son Henry Charles Fulford (1850-1897), after his fathers death in 1886. 

Henry Charles (1850-1897)

 

>1881 Census records Henry Charles (1850-1897) aged 31 as a ‘‘Brewer’ employing 27 men’. 

>1883 Henry Charles Fulford’s (1850 -1897) business address was Holt street and 152 Dartmouth Street.  

>1891 Census records show that Henry Charles (1850-1897) continued as ‘Manager of the Brewery’ .

In reference to Henry Charles (1850-1897) role within the Holt Brewery he, “maintained his position as a large shareholder and was a member of the Town Council for Nechells and Chairman of the Markets and Fairs Committee.”

He later pursued his career as Liberal Politician.(See Holt Lineage/Henry Charles Fulford (1850-1897). 

> 1897 Henry Charles (1850-1897), Brewer, Maltster and Liberal Politician died and left the equivalent of over 55 million pounds to his widow.

“HENRY CHARLES of Augustus rd, Edgbaston and at 69 Cadogan gardens London, esq died 18 th January 1897, 15th March to Mary Anne Fulford, widow effects, £422,151,11s, 2d.”

The value of £422,151,11s, 2d was equivalent to over £55 million today. 

>1899 The Malt Shovel Public House, 152 Dartmouth Street was listed for sale by Henry Fulford in 1889. The premises also included a Malthouse. 

Courtesy breweryhistory.com

WALTER LOVERIDGE HODGKINSON (1840-1935)

When Henry Charles (1850-1897) died in 1897, brother-in-law Walter Loveridge Hodgkinson (1840-1935), who had married Henry’s (1850-1897) older sister Catherine ‘Kate’ Fulford (1844), continued the operation of the Holt Brewery. The timing of Hodgkinson’s entrance into the management of the brewery and the extent of his involvement prior to Henry (1850-1897) death is unclear although Mc Kenna in his book ‘Birmingham Breweries states;

“Fulford died in 1886, and the business was taken over by his brother-in-law, WL Hodgkinson, who reconstituted it as the Holt Brewery Company Ltd” .
Evidence from both the 1881 and 1891Census Records indicate that Henry Charles Fulford (1850-1897) continued to manage Holt Brewery after his fathers death in 1886. Of note, the Ansells take over in 1934 occurred just prior to Hodgkinson’s death in 1935. 

Also, Walter Loveridge Hodgkinson (1840-1935) was Henry Charles (1823-1866) son-in-law not brother-in-law as stated by both breweryhistory.com and Mc Kenna in his book ‘Birmingham Breweries’. 

Above photographs courtesy of Mc Kenna’s book, Birmingham Breweries, and picturing left Walter Hodgkinson (1840-1935) and right the Holt Brewery premises now the Gosta Green Public House.  

 

CATHERINE FULFORD (1880-1960) M.B.E. (MEMBER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE), D.B.E. (DAME OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)

Henry Fulford (1850-1897) daughter, Catherine Fulford (1881-1960) became a Conservative Politician, renowned for her contribution to the social welfare of post war veterans. Catherine was awarded both an M.B.E. (Member of the British Empire) and D.B.E. (Dame of the British Empire) before her death in 1960 (see Holt Lineage).

SUMMARIES 

Breweryhistory.com provide helpful summaries and confirm that,

“Fulfords established as maltsters in 1819 and Henry C Fulford brewing in 1878 having previously been a retail Brewer (see White Swan, Aston)”.

Courtesy: Breweryhistory.com

Henry Fulford’s (1823-1866) occupation as Retail Brewer at the White Swan, Victoria Rd, Acocks Green in 1878 demonstrates the links between cousin John Fulford (1816) at the The Bulls Head, whose sons, George James (1849) was Maltster and Brewer at the same The White Swan in 1881 and eldest son John Joseph (1847) was Manager from 1891 to 1892. (See John Fulford (1816), Bulls Head.

 

THE WHITE SWAN, VICTORIA RD , ASTON 

Brewerypedia also details the history and the subsequent progression of  Holt Brewery to one of the largest breweries in the Midlands prior to their take over by Ansells in 1934.

Reference; Brewerypedia. Brewery History; Description of Holt operations and progression at Aston Brewery, 76 Holt St.

 

Reference: Map 1839 David Ramsey Map Collection; see Dartmouth Street just to the right of Holt Street, Lister Street and Gosta Green. This map gives an overall perspective of the general area with so many streets and features already discussed on this website, particularly, Dartmouth, Brewery, Legge, Canal, Blews, Price Streets etc. 

 

FULFORD MALTSTERS /VICTUALLERS, BREWERS (HISTORY)

Definition:  Maltster: a maker of malt for use in brewing or distilling beer. Malting is the process in which raw barley or another grain is made ready to become the main ingredient in the brewing process.

 

>1819 “Fulfords established as Maltsters in 1819 ”. Breweryhistory.com

“The family malting business had been founded as early as 1819”, according to the Brewers Journal (15th March 1877)”. Reference: Joseph McKenna, Birmingham Breweries, Chapter 7: A list of Birmingham Breweries 1782-2002.

 

>@ 1820 Fullford Richard, ‘vict. and maltster, Aston rd’.Reference: Midlands and Various UK Trade Directories: Dated @1820

> 1839 Richard Fulford (1789) ‘Victualler’ Aston Rd, Reference: Wrightson’s Triennial Directory of Birmingham, Warwickshire, U.K.

 

> 1841 Census record Richard Fulford (1789), (50), father of Henry Charles (1823- 1886) as ‘Maltser and Publican’ living on Aston Rd. 

 

> 1848 Rate Book entries Holt St; Birmingham, England 1831-1913;

Richard Fullford and Sons owners and ratepayers of Malthouse on Holt St. 
Son; Henry Charles Fulford (1823-1866) alongside his father Richard. 

On the same rate book page, alphabetically listed are; 

John Fulford and Son (poss Jos ‘p.. a Joseph), rate-payers at the Malthouse on Holt St. Owner; Thomas Craggs. Son; Joseph (1812) alongside father John (1785).

John Fullford and Son in the Birmingham, England Rate Books, 1831-1913  

N.B. John Fulford (1785) and son Joseph (1812-1868) were also brewing at the Minerva Brewery, Mott Street at this time.

 

> 1849  ‘Fulford Richard, Aston rd’ 

Reference: BIRMINGHAM HISTORY AND THE GENERAL DIRECTORY OF THE BOROUGH OF BIRMINGHAM WITH BY FRANCIS WHITE AND CO with the Remainder of the Parish of Aston … Being Part of a General History and Directory of the County of Warwick …1849 Birmingham Trade List. 

 

@ 1850 Henry Fulford (1823) Maltster, Holt st. 

>1850 “John and Joseph are recorded as ‘Maltsters ’ Reference: Slater’s Warwickshire Directory for 1850.”

>1850 John & Joseph Fulford, Maltsters, Mott St, 79 Holt St and Summer Lane. Reference: Trade Directory listings 1770-1941

Note; two listings at both Mott st, (The Minerva Brewery) and 17 Great Hampton Row, (The Minerva Inn) 

 

> 1850 Trade Directory listings 1770-1941

Above provides definitive links between the Holt lineage and John (1785) and Joseph (1812), (father and son), and their collective involvement in malting and brewing at Fulford Brewery, 79 Holt Street (later Holt Brewery). Also highlights commencement of operations in Summer Lane (see Fulford chapters, John (1785), Joseph (1812), John (1816), Henry (1818) and Edwin (1820). 

 

FULFORD BREWERIES

The two Fulford Breweries, later named the Minerva Brewery and Holt Brewery were operated by a succession of father and son Fulford Brewers. 

McKenna in his book Birmingham Breweries, describes the two Fulford  Breweries and highlights definitive links between the Fulford relatives brewing at both Mott Street and Holt Street.

 

FULFORD’S BREWERY, MOTT STREET, NEWTOWN  

> 1841 Fulford’s Brewery, Mott Street, Newtown, Birmingham, 

“Founded in 1841 by John and Joseph Fulford.”

 

Above courtesy:Joseph McKenna, Birmingham Breweries, Chapter 7: A list of Birmingham Breweries 1782-2002

 

>1841 The first Fulford Brewery on Mott Street was named on the 1841 Census as the ‘Minerva Brewery’, operated by Joseph Fulford (1812), son of John Fulford (1785). The 1841 Census records show Joseph (1812-1868), his wife Mary Anne and their children living at the Minerva Brewery, Mott Street/Great Hampton Row. Joseph is listed as a ‘Com’ Brewer (I presume shorthand for ‘Commercial Brewer‘. (See Joseph Fulford (1812).

 

Mc Kenna indicates that ‘John’ is Joseph’s brother who moves on to establish his own business at 1 Price Street (see John Fulford 1816, The Bull) but it is more likely that it is Joseph (1812)’s father John Fulford (1786) who first operated the Brewery with his son Joseph (1812) at Mott St (The Minerva Brewery). 

 

Furthermore, Mc Kenna indicates that John with Joseph at Mott Street is the same John Fulford  at 1 Price St, (The Bulls Head Public House). Evidence is more suggestive that it is John (1785) alongside son Joseph (1812) at the Brewery and not younger brother John at The Bulls Head. 

 

Brewery history initially stated, “Fulfords commenced brewing  on the repeal of the malt  tax in 1880”. 

The 1841 Census and trade directory listings  provide evidence that Fulford’s were brewing @ 40 years before the repeal of the malt tax in 1880 as previously stated and now amended by breweryhistory.com. 

 

Below the Trade Directory listing c. @ 1840-1860 includes Joseph Fulford (1812-1868) GreatGreatGrandfather and  many of the related Fulford Brewers, Publicans, Victuallers and Maltsters.  

 

 

HOLT ARMS PUBLIC HOUSE 

> 1877 John Raybould was recorded as brewing at the Holt Arms, 13 Lister Street. Reference: Breweryhistory.com

1889 Holt Arms Public House is present on the1889 map above .

CONVERSION TO THE HOLT BREWERY OFFICES

The Holt Arms (P.H.) became the Holt Brewery offices in 1906 and were situated on the corner of Lister Street and Holt Street.

1906 “The former brewery offices, on the corner of Holt street and Woodcock Street, were built and dated 1906”.

Photograph: Jane Fulford 19/8/2023

 

FULFORD BREWERY, HOLT STREET 

> 1870’s HOLT BREWERY OPERATIONS AND AQUISITIONS 

“An  economic depression in the 1870s forced many publicans to sell up…..

One of the most economical methods of buying public houses was to acquire the brewery operating them. Birmingham’s emerging breweries initially started buying out the publican brewers who were struggling to compete with the economies of scale that the bigger companies could deploy”.

In Birmingham the Holt Brewery Company was at the forefront of this movement – No doubt helped by the fact that Henry Fulford, a large shareholder, was a member of the Town Council for Nechells and Chairman of the Markets and Fairs Committee.

Courtesy:midlandspubs.co.uk 

 

HOLT BREWERY ACQUISITIONS (1912-1930)

“bought out by the Holt Brewery Company in 1912. It is not clear how many public houses were tied to Grigg & Brettel Ltd. The company must have been supplying a number of properties to attract the attention of the Holt Brewery Company”. Courtesy: midlandspubs.co.uk

 

>1913 Joseph Forrest & Son Ltd, 9 Handsworth New Rd, Winson Green Lane

>1918 George and John Kendrick, Engine Brewery, Brearley Street, Birmingham. 

 

“The Engine Brewery was founded in 1901 and taken over by Holtes in 1918 “

Map and comments  courtesy  of  Mikejee: Birminghamhistory.co.uk

> 1927 Charles Heeley Ltd and Frank Myatt Ltd, West End Brewery, Raglan St, 

Wolverhampton, with 94 Licensed houses. 

 

> 1930 Isaac Bradley, Lower Gornal, Dudley, West Midlands. 

 

> 1934 Holt Brewery closed.

 

HOLT BREWERY / SEVERAL SITES: 

Breweryhistory.com lists several Holt public houses in their ‘defunct breweries’ list. (See Holt public houses). Many public houses would have their own brewing facilities on the premises. Two of these public houses were on Lichfield rd.

“Litchfield Road at Erdington became a favorite place of residence for the Brewers” Ref midlandspubs.co.uk

Referring to the The Golden Cross on the corner of Litchfield Road and Rocky Lane  “Over the Rocky Lane entrance a splendid terracotta roundel with a squirrel at the center encircled by ‘THE HOLT BREWERY COMPy PTY’. The pub later became O’Reilly’s but was converted to flats by 2012.”

Reference; Breweryhistory.com 

 

Interestingly in breweryhistory.com, ‘List of defunct breweries/Midlands’ they refer to 11 HOLT ‘breweries’ (not public houses) !

See Holt Public Houses for details of the pubs/ breweries below). 

Golden Cross corner of Lichfield rd and Rocky Lane

Swan and Mitre (formerly Swanpool) 305 Lichfield Rd

Holte Hotel, Witton Lane, corner of Trinity Rd

Gosta Green (featured above)

Red Lion, Handsworth, 270 Soho Rd

Farcroft hotel, Rookery Rd, Handsworth

Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath High St

Fighting Cocks, 1 St Marys Row, Moseley 

Dog Pool Hotel, 1065 Pershore Selly Park

Bournbrook Hotel, Selly Oak (now The Goose at the OVT)

Sherwood, Yardley Wood, 327 Highfield Rd 

“Included in Holts, 155 tied houses was the Hop Pole Beer House in Lawley Street it was owned by the Alchester Brewery, Alcester, but was held by Holts on a 75 year lease.”Reference: Mc Kenna, Birmingham Breweries.

 

HOLT BEER

The water used by Holt Brewery was deemed to be superior and derived from an underground well  which gave the beer its unique taste.

“Pure Artesian Well Water.Recent Analyses prove the Ales to be of extreme Purity and free from all deleterious matter”.

Courtesy: breweryhistory.com

 

“The beer was made from water pumped out of the ground and deemed of a superior taste by the local tipplers/drinkers” 

“The water was pumped out of the ground and had a different taste from Ansells of Aston the locals preferred to drink it and were most upset when taken over by big brother “ References: Birminghamhistoryforum. 

 

HOLT BREWERY BOTTLES 

Courtesy: photobucket

 

TRADE MARK REGISTRY : SQUIRRELS 🐿 

‘Squirrel holding branch’ Did someone have a sense of humor ?

 

Entry in the Trade Mark Registry

 

THE HOLT SQUIRRE/ EMBLEM

HOLT ‘S SQUIRREL CLOCK IN HOLTS HARE AND HOUNDS PUBLIC HOUSE

 

HOLTS: NEW DOGPOOL HOTEL

 

THE SWAN AND MITRE, SWANPOOL

Etched into the glass in the Holt public house.  

 

SQUIRREL ASHTRAY 

Squirrel Emblem Holt 🐿 As found and advertised on eBay.

 

HOLT BREWERY COASTERS 

For sale today online ! 

 

 

 

 

THE HOLT BLACK LIST OF WAYWARD CHARACTERS or ‘HABITUAL DRUNKARDS

Courtesy: Article 8th August 1902. The Rolling English Drunkard. Made the Rolling English Road.   

 

Courtesy: midlandspubs.co.uk

Courtesy: midlandspubs.co.uk

Listed on the 1871 CENSUS  are  ‘SAMUEL J.(1842) (29) Publican, SARAH E (1848) wife 23, James F (1870) son 12 mnths  at ‘The Why Not’ 162 Springfield St. Samuel (1842) is likely to be the son of Joseph Fulford (1796) and wife Sarah ( see Joseph (1796) at the Darley Mill).

 

 

Courtesy: midlandspubs.co.uk

 

ADVERTISEMENTS

 

Courtesy: Birmingham.history.co.Uk

Advertising  ‘Holt Ales’ alongside The Barrell (a Holt Brewery public house on Summer Lane and Tower street, See Henry 1818 The  Vine Public House, Summer Lane). 

 

> 1934 ANSELLS TAKEOVER

Holt Brewery was acquired by Ansell’s Brewery Ltd in 1934.

 

“In 1934 the rival Holt Brewery Company was acquired, along with a tied estate of 250 pubs. This established Ansells as one of the largest regional breweries in the UK”. Birminghammail.co.uk 

 

Ansell’s founded in 1857 by Joseph Ansell operating their brewery at Aston Cross take over the rival Holt brewery in 1934 and 250 associated tied estate public houses but Holt brewery was not closed until 1974. This takeover resulted in ANSELLS becoming one of the largest regional breweries in the UK.

 

“ they were keen to contest the race to win the majority of Birmingham’s tied house domain, a battle they were fighting with Mitchells and Butlers and the Holt Brewery company”..Courtesy: midlandspubs.co.uk

 

Ansell’s Brewery Yard c. 1927 Aston with drays.

Courtesy:birminghammail.co.uk

 

Referring to the growth of Ansell’s;

“In 1934 the rival Holt Brewery Company was acquired, along with a tied estate of 250 pubs. This established ANSELLS as one of the largest regional breweries in the UK”. Courtesy:birminghammail.co.uk

 

Above: Aston cross and Ansells brewery.c. 1960’s. The brewery was knocked down in the 1980’s.

Ansells adopted the squirrel trademark of the Holt Brewery Company, incorporating it into their own advertising.

Holt squirrel trademark 

Courtesy: carolineld.blogspot.com 

 

The ANSELLS  Aston Cross Brewery closed in 1981 due to an industrial dispute with recently merged Coope and Allsop and Tetley Walker ANSELLS but continued to brew their mild and bitter which became famous for its unique  flavor leading to the famous advertisement slogan “ For the men of the Midlands”  Courtesy: Ansells website 

Courtesy: Birmingham history.co.uk

1974 : Holt Brewery/ Aston Brewery Closed.

Acquired by Ansells Brewery Ltd with 250 public houses in 1934  but not closed until 1974.

 

THE STORY CONTINUED….

THE POT OF BEER PUBLIC HOUSE

The Holt Brewery offices on the corner of Holt St and Great Lister Street later became the Pot of Beer, then the Faculty and Firkin Public House and now a student pub the Gosta Green.

Courtesy Breweryhistory.com. The Paul Gunnell archive.

 

>1965  “A lot of Birmingham’s beer came from inside the semi-automatic brew house at Ansell’s No. 2 brewery, Gosta Green. This was the old Holts brewery, rebuilt in 1965 but closed just seven years later (the offices becoming the Pot of Beer pub”.

 

The Pot of Beer was described as a; “Popular pub used by workers after long hours of hard work in nearby industries. 
References: Birminghamhistorysociety

 

Ref pubsthenandnow.blogspot.com

“Almost on the Aston university campus”.

 

 

FACULTY AND FIRKIN 

1997- 1999 The former brewery offices on the corner of Holt Street  and Woodcock Street became a pub with a microbrewery: Faculty and Firkin. 

The Faculty and Firkin: 6/9/1995 ref pubs then and now blogspot.com

 

Courtesy: Brewerypedia 

“Holt Street is named after the brewery”  This is not the case as Holt Street is on on Pyes 1795/6 maps and the Holt Brewery  was not named until 1887.  It is more likely that the Holt Brewery was named after Holt Street. 

 

There is a Holt squirrel in terracotta on this building, and faded painted brewery signs  on the south elevation. 

 

GOSTA GREEN PUBLIC HOUSE

Courtesy image: Graham Young

Photo digital art view from Lister Street

 

Enjoying the discussion of the wonderful folks at the Birmingham history forum, bringing together those public houses afore mentioned, namely  The Bull, Price Street, The Barton Arms, and ‘the Old Holt Arms’ later the Pot of Beer’.

 

SACKS OF POTATOES (Not a Holt pub)

Photograph: Jane Fulford 19/8/2023

 

Courtesy: Richard:  ‘The Friday Photo’ Gosta Green 

 

Photo Gallery

Photograph: Jane Fulford 19/8/2023

Photograph: Jane Fulford 19/8/2023

Photograph: Jane Fulford 19/8/2023

Photograph: Jane Fulford 19/8/2023