Information

History

Adnams brewery began as the brewhouse of Southwolds oldest inn, the Swan, more than 650 years ago. Weve come a long way since Johanna de Corby was fined for selling ale in unmarked measures, in 1345, or since George and Ernest Adnams arrived here in 1872 - but we remain strongly attached to our roots and proud of our traditions. And the beer is better than ever.

• 1345 - Ale wife Johanna de Corby is fined by the manorial court for serving ale in unmarked measures.
• 1489 - Southwold is granted its town charter.
• 1659 - Southwold is burnt to the ground in the Great Fire.
• 1660 - The Swan is rebuilt following the great fire of 1659 by John Rous, and the brew house moved from the inn to its present site at the rear of the Swan yard.
• 1700s - For most of the 18th century the Swan, home of the Sole Bay brewery, is owned by the Thompson family, who gain a fine reputation for their ales.
• 1825 - Thomas Bokenham, owner of the Swan, which houses the brew house, sells it to local maltster William Crisp for £350. Under his ownership the Sole Bay Brewery becomes famous.
• 1844 - Owner of the Sole Bay Brewery William Crisp dies, the brewery is sold and passes through a succession of owners.
• 1872 - the Adnams brothers, George and Ernest, buy the Sole Bay Brewery. George finds he is not cut out for country life and goes to Africa, where he is tragically eaten by a crocodile. Ernest stays and forms a partnership with brewer Thomas Sargeant.
• 1890 - Adnams is established as a limited company and the Sole Bay Brewery is rebuilt.
• 1902 - Brothers Jack and Pierse Loftus arrive in Southwold and acquire a stake in the Sole Bay Brewery… Pierse eventually takes control.
• 1970-80s - The Sole Bay Brewery is enlarged and modernised.
• 1999/2000 - Adnams launches its new look and is distributed nationwide.
• 2000/1 - Adnams becomes the UKs fastest-growing beer brand.
• 2001 - We invest £1.8m in a new fermentation room, increasing brewing capacity by 50%.
• 2002 - The launch of our new bottle design helps gain national distribution for Adnams bottled beers, while more investment in the brewhouse allows us to increase production.
• 2003 - Adnams launches bottled beers into selected export markets. The fourth generation of the Adnams family, and the grandson of Pierse Loftus still lead the company, working with a diverse team of highly motivated people, proud of the way we do business.

Source: www.adnams.co.uk>