Watney, Combe, Reid and Co
Makers of Watneys Brown Ale and Hammerton Oatmeal Stout.
Until 1898 three companies were separate brewers:
- Watney's were at the Stag Brewery near Victoria, which had originally belonged to the Greene family from 1641 to 1787 and was then run by Moore, Elliot and Co until 1843 when the Watney family became involved - Elliot, Watney and Co. In 1889 Watney's took over the Mortlake Brewery owned by Phillips More and Co.
- Combe's were at the Wood Yard Brewery in Castle Street (later Shelton Street) near Long Acre, which had belonged to the Gyfford family from 1739 until 1787 when it was bought by Combe, Shum and Delafield.
- Reid's were at the Griffin Brewery, Liquorpond Street (now Clerkenwell Road), which had belonged to the Meux family from 1763; in 1793 Reid joined them and the Wigram family also became involved from 1809.
1898 The Watney's, Combe's and Reid's operations were merged; Cosmo Orme Bonsor became chairman; the company was not only the largest brewing company of its day, but also the biggest company in British manufacturing.[1]
Further companies were later taken over.
1920 Took over Welch Ale Brewery
1922–5 the company was financially strong enough for further merger activity, acquiring the Cobham, Isleworth, Higgins, and London and Burton breweries in 1923–9
c1928 Cosmo Orme Bonsor retired from the chairmanship
1929 Took over Lion Brewhouse (established c.1768)
1953 Acquired Tamplin and Sons.
1954 Acquired Henty and Constable of Chichester
1958 the Stag Brewery was demolished, the company took over the Albion Brewery in Whitechapel belonging to Mann, Crossman and Paulin and changed their name to Watney Mann.
In 1972 Watney Mann was taken over by Grand Metropolitan
1974 merged with Truman, Hanbury, Buxton and Co. The brewing interests later passed to Scottish and Newcastle but Grand Metropolitan retained the public houses.
1976 Watney Mann (London and Home Counties) Ltd was renamed Watneys London Ltd[2]
1982 Watneys London Ltd was renamed Watney Combe Reid and Co Ltd
1986 Renamed Watney Combe Reid and Truman Ltd
1988 Name changed to Watney Truman Ltd