THE BITTERNE BREWERY
128 /130 West End Road Bitterne
AKA the Old Bitterne Brewery,
Brewing started Circa 1852
Brewing ceased Circa 1894
Many of you will remember the ‘Bitterne Brewery’ pub on the roundabout at West End Road Bitterne. The road at the back, Tenby Lane, was previously known as Brewery Lane, and there was a pub in that road, the Star Inn. In 1849, William Gray was in occupation and in 1859, Mrs Rich was described as a beer retailer at the Star Inn. I mention this because of the proximity to the Bitterne Brewery, and whether it was connected at all requires further research.
The brewery was attached to the Bitterne Brewery public house which was surely the ‘tap’ for the brewery, and the buildings seem to have been separate. The buildings were in West End Road, at the junction with Brewery Lane, which was a continuation of Chapel Street and is now Dean Road
George Eden is a ‘Lodging House Keeper at Bitterne in 1851 Directories. In newspapers of 10th April 1852, Ann Eden is shown as ‘residing at Bitterne Brewery”. By 1853, we find ‘Eden G & J Brewers Bitterne’, as we do in the 1855 Kelly’s Directory. I do not know the identity of ‘J Eden’ in the trading name. By the 1857 Kelly’s directory, only G Eden is shown, as he is until 1869. The PO directory for Hants Wilts & Dorset describes George Eden as a brewer at the Bitterne Brewery. In newspapers of January 1867, there is a report concerning the theft of 3 bottles of spirits from George Eden of the Bitterne Brewery. As an example of harsh penalties for what today would perhaps be considered a ‘minor’ crime the defendant was sentenced to two months in prison with hard labour!
In the Hampshire Advertiser of the 14th September 1861, there is reference to George Eden applying for a licence, with the premises being described as a beershop. This licence was granted. In other newspapers the premises are described as the Bitterne Brewery Inn.
From 1871 the entry appears as George Eden & Sons brewers Bitterne Brewery, and by the 1883 Foster & Roud directory, the Bitterne Brewery is at Chapel Street, and George Eden & Son are Licensed brewers there. However, the previous year George Eden Senior died on 15th September 1882 aged 81, and shortly thereafter, his son also George Eden died on 24thOctober aged 38. In the Hampshire Advertiser of 3rd June 1876, there is reference to him being an executor for another deceased, and he is described as a brewer.
In July 1885, the Bitterne Brewery was advertising plant for sale, and also for a servant to help Mrs Eden. She is listed as a brewer in the 1886 Kelly’s directory. It is quite possible that she sold the Bitterne Brewery to William Emanuel Sly, who appears in directories as a brewer here until 1889. Thereafter, the Bitterne Brewery is referred to as a public house, with William Sly in charge until 1892.
In September 1892, William Sly was summoned for having opened his premises for the sale of beer to persons not bona fide travellers, or lodging therein. He pleaded guilty and was fined 20s and 7s costs, but the licence not to be endorsed. The following year, on or around 15th July, William died. His obituary said that he went to London for the Royal Wedding, and he received sunstroke and did not recover. The cause of death was probably heart apoplexy. It was reported that he had 2 brothers, Edward and Alfred.
Directories from 1894 then show Mrs Mary Ann Sly at the Bitterne Brewery, until 1897, again just by reference to a public house, rather than a brewery. The licensing sessions in September 1893 show that objections were raised against her taking over. The police were concerned about the previous conviction of her husband, but the licence was renewed. A year later, in newspapers of 11th September 1894, there appears an advert for auction sale of a quantity of brewery effects, including an Iron tank, lead piping, brass and iron work, a malt crusher and hopper, a 4 pull beer engine, a portable engine, an 8hp vertical engine and a boiler.
A lot of sources I had read say that brewing ceased here before the First World War. I have said above that William Sly only appears to have been listed as a brewer up to 1889. Brewery effects were sold off in 1885 after the death of George Eden and again in 1894. This may suggest a slow decline in brewing, or that some sporadic brews were undertaken, but I suggest brewing finally ceased in or before 1894.
The Brewery History Society website says that in 1909 the Bitterne Brewery was leased to Edwards Brewery of Bishops Waltham, and he probably just wanted another outlet for his beers. Edwards Brewery was taken over by the Winchester Brewery so presumably this pub became one of theirs for a time. According to the Bitterne Local History Society, the pub was also for many years a free house but associated with Courage’s Brewery since 1955. It was bought by Morland Brewery (from Abingdon) in 1999 and renamed The Cat & Mouse. Moreland’s was acquired by Greene King in 2000, and they made it part of their Hungry horse chain and renamed it as The Big Cheese in 2002. The pub has now been demolished and is flats.
I have seen information that suggests Chandlers off licence bottled beer from this brewery, and that the Sly family, i.e. William was involved in that business as well. The Sly family were heavily involved in the Southampton pub and brewing scene. William Sly was at the Oriental Arms (Anchor Inn, Anchor Stores) in 1873. He died in 1874 and the licence transferred to Elizabeth Sly. In 1913, William James Sly (son of the late William Sly of Bitterne Brewery) married Ruby Haysom, daughter of Walter Haysom. The Haysoms were also brewers and pub/beerhouse owners in town.
Bitterne Local History Society have reprinted a brochure produced in 1952 to commemorate the pub’s reopening after rebuilding works. The introduction is by “Mr & Mrs V Sly”. Interestingly, there is also an advert for E Aldridge & Co, Southampton, who supplied beers from numerous breweries (although none from Southampton).
