The buildings which once contained the original Alnwick Brewery on a site in the town’s Dispensary Street dated back to around 1750. Sadly, before they could be listed, they were pulled down in the early 1990s. From 1963, after the then board decided to quit brewing due to lack of funds for modernisation, the operation concentrated on distribution and, together with its pub estate, became part of
Dryboroughs of Edinburgh in 1979. Thereafter its new owner was acquired by Grand Metropolitan which itself was merged into world drinks giant, Diageo, formerly the Guinness and United Distillers conglomerate. And so it was that big business extinguished the delight of a locally owned and operated enterprise in which the people of Alnwick took pride. In that year Alnwick businessman, Ian Linsley, son of the brewery’s last managing director, John, (and having already resurrected ABC’s legendary Alnwick Rum), realised a long-cherished ambition to bring back Alnwick IPA in bottles. That b**r was expertly crafted for the Alnwick Brewery Company by Daleside of Harrogate and is based on an old ABC recipe. It was followed in 2011 in cask form and subsequently seven other cask ales were introduced. Now, and until the opening of the planned brewery in Alnwick, the entire portfolio of traditional b**rs in cask and bottle is produced with the co-operation of three excellent brewers all from the north of England. In 2012, Ian was formally joined in business by fellow b**r aficionados David Ainsley (a long time CAMRA member) and Chris Walwyn-James, both from Embleton. With Ian having recently elected to retire from the business, David and Chris are continuing with the development of the rum and b**r businesses under operating company Spirit of Northumberland Ltd. BRINGING IT BACK
Fundamental to our business strategy, and consistant with our reputation for the highest quality traditional b**rs, is the restoration of brewing in Alnwick. Right now the right property is being sought in the market town itself. It is hoped that will allow us to create a complex to house a brewery within a restaurant. To be renowned for the quality of its no-nonsense rustic dining the restaurant will major on the traditional recipes of Northumbria featuring the region’s great food. In addition to the brewery and restaurant it is hoped there will be space for a Spirit of Northumberland shop, office, and exhibition space. This will be used to display the history of the brewery and Alnwick Rum as well as local arts and crafts.
