Have you ever fancied owning a slice of brewing history?

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Pick up a slice of history at CAMRA’s 38th National Breweriana Auction on Saturday 19th October 2024

Have you ever fancied owning a slice of brewing history? Then this Auction is just the thing for you. Run by the Campaign for Real Ale, the National Breweriana Auction returns to Burton on Trent’s Town Hall on Saturday 19th October. It will have circa 150 interesting auction lots: everything from mirrors to trays, advertising signs, water jugs, flagons, bottles, books and pump clips as well as a few more unusual items. Plus there will be a number of stands selling brewery memorabilia adding to the atmosphere in this wonderful Victorian venue.

There are all sorts of items from all over the country to decorate your home. What about an advertising sign for your wall? We will be auctioning a selection including one from Guinness and some rarer ones such as from Heginbothams of Stalybridge founded in 1851, acquired by Robinsons of Stockport the following year 1915. Or from Shanklin Brewery, an Isle of Wight brewery established in 1838, bought by Coppin’s Brewery in nearby Newport in 1902 and then H.Hoare & Son, eventually closing in 1953. In the late 1800’s there were around ten breweries on the Island. Now there is half that number with the oldest being Goddard’s, set up in 1993

We will have some pretty unique bottles. Take the Royal Brewery Brentford ‘Commemoration Bottle 1832-1957’. The brewery was registered in 1890 but the site supposedly boasted a brewery since at least 1735. The brewery closed in 1923 but the name existed under various ownership for a further 30+ years. This bottle commemorated the 1827 discovery of the North West Passage. Fractionally older is the 1953 Coronation Taylor Walker bottle. Founded 1730, the brewery eventually got its name in 1826 thanks to a partnership of John Vickeris Taylor, John & Isaac Walker and Samuel Jones. It was acquired by Ind Coope Ltd in 1959 and brewing ceased in 1960. However, the Taylor Walker name is owned by Greene King and exists still on some of their pubs.

But as usual, we’ll have a number of items from Burton including several from the iconic Bass brewery. Founded in 1777, and once the largest brewery in the world, the Bass Pale Ale brand is owned by Interbrew and the beer is all contract brewed. A tape measure dating from Christmas 1965 is one of the more unusual lots.

And that isn’t the only unusual item. What about a push bell from Butler’s if you want to ring for attention? Their Springfield brewery was set up in Wolverhampton in 1840 and taken over by Mitchell & Butler in 1960. The site closed in 1991and is now occupied by the University of Wolverhampton, with some original buildings retained.

You don’t have to be an expert to attend the National Breweriana Auction. The auction is great fun to take part in (or even just to watch) and it’s an opportunity to get some great bargains plus many of the items on sale can appreciate in value. And, of course, like any CAMRA event, there is some good beer on sale all day (from a local brewery).

Burton on Trent is easily accessible by train. It is around 40 minutes by train from Chesterfield; the Town Hall is just a short walk from the railway station. The event starts at 10.30am with the opportunity to view the lots and browse the breweriana stands that will also be there. Bidding starts at noon and is normally finished by 3pm, giving a chance to have a final perusal of the stands before visiting some of Burton’s iconic pubs and heading home.

Entrance is by catalogue (£3.00), available on the day, or in advance by post: £4.55 (first class), £5.40 (first class) from Bill Austin: 07789 900411 or baustin1951@btinternet.com. If you can’t get there, postal bids are accepted, just contact Bill. Similarly contact Bill if you have Breweriana items, you would like to enter into the auction. Wheelchair accessible. For more details see: www.gandc.camra.org.uk.