Castlemaine Brewery, Western Australia facts for kids
| Industry | Alcoholic beverage |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1896 |
| Founder | Howard Newman Sleigh (Sleigh and Co.) |
| Defunct | 1927 |
| Headquarters |
,
Australia
|
| Products | Beer |
| Owner | Swan Brewery |
The Castlemaine Brewery was a company that made beer in East Fremantle, Western Australia. It opened in 1896 and was started by Howard Norman Sleigh. The brewery was successful for many years. However, in 1927, a bigger company called the Swan Brewery took it over. After that, the Castlemaine Brewery closed down.
Contents
The Story of Castlemaine Brewery
The Castlemaine Brewery started in 1896. It was founded by Howard Norman Sleigh. John Hugh Gracie was the main brewer, the person who made the beer.
Howard Sleigh was born in Bristol, England. He moved to Australia in 1888 with his father, who was also a brewer. Before starting Castlemaine, Sleigh helped set up another brewery. This was the West Australian Brewery, located in Burswood.
John Gracie was born in Tasmania. He was a top brewer at the Cascade Brewery before coming to Western Australia. Howard Sleigh got the brewing machines for Castlemaine from an old brewery in Koondrook, Victoria.
Changes in Ownership
In 1901, Howard Sleigh left the business and moved to Melbourne. John Gracie and Walter Frederick Walkley then bought the Castlemaine Brewery. In 1906, they also bought a nearby company called the Phoenix Brewery.
Walter Walkley returned to South Australia in 1910. In 1912, John Gracie, who was in charge, decided to retire. The Castlemaine Brewery continued to grow. It bought several local hotels, like the Commercial and Beaconsfield Hotels in 1920. They also acquired the Oddfellows Hotel in 1922 and the Richmond Hotel in 1925.
The Brewery Closes
In 1927, the Castlemaine Brewery Co. was bought by the Swan Brewery. Swan Brewery paid £29,065 and gave them 32,500 shares in their own company. After buying it, Swan Brewery closed the Castlemaine Brewery. Most of the workers from Castlemaine found new jobs at Swan Brewery's main operations in Perth.
Later, the old brewery building was pulled down. This made way for the construction of the Stirling Traffic Bridge. This bridge connects Fremantle to North Fremantle.
Beers Made by Castlemaine
The Castlemaine Brewery produced several types of beer. Some of their well-known products included:
- Castlemaine Bitter Ale
- Penguin Pale Ale
- Invalid Stout
