BREWERIES

Horncastle’s position at the confluence of two rivers, with easy access to water and in a county producing large amounts of barley encouraged several brewers and maltsters to set up in and around the town.

Phoenix Brewery, South Street

Notice for the sale of the Phoenix Brewery, 1906 – one of the several times it was advertised for disposal

Established by Robert Clifton Armstrong around 1860, the brewery remained in his hands until his death in 1890.  The business was then carried on by Armstrong’s wife at which point it consisted of six freehold and five leased pubs, as well as a mineral water business.  It then passed through the hands of several owners: by 1896 it was owned by Theophilus Levett and then it moved on to Charles Howland and finally to Ernest Sharpe.

In 1916 the business was merged with the California Brewery at Kirkstead to form the Horncastle & Kirkstead Brewery Company Ltd.  The company traded fairly successfully until 1933 when it was advertised for auction at the Bull Hotel.  Most of the pubs were bought by Batemans of Wainfleet, and Horncastle’s last brewery was closed down.  The company was wound up in 1934.

The brewery buildings survive, with part of the words “Phoenix Brewery” still visible on the top floor exterior wall.  In 2025 the premises were being renovated for residential use.

The Old Brewery, Conging St/Watermill Rd

As shown in our map extract above, the Old Brewery was situated beside the river Bain, at the junction of Conging Street, Watermill Lane and St Lawrence Street.  It was owned by maltster and brewer John Scott for some 35 years until 1896, when Ronald Prodgers became the proprietor.  

Prodgers was a short-lived owner, and in August 1899 the business was advertised for sale.  By 1900 it had passed to Theophilus Levett of the Phoenix Brewery, and by 1903 it was in the hands of local publican W H Parkins.  Brewing had probably ceased by that point as the building was used as a corn merchant’s store for a couple of years until sold off in 1905.  The Tesco bridge now cuts through the southern end of the site. 

Prospect Street Brewery

By 1851, a small brewery had been established by Edward Priestley at 29 – 31 Prospect Street. The business passed to his son Edward in 1865 on the father’s death.  In 1887 the brewery and a beerhouse on the same property was advertised for sale.  The brewery was then operated by Messrs. Pollexfen and Wilson, who were followed by Walter Horton.

Walter Gaunt, a local farmer’s son, ran the brewery between 1911 and 1913.  Despite frequently advertising his “fine home-brewed ale”, the business seems to have been unsuccessful.  The brewery was sold, apparently in working order, in October 1913, and brewing ceased.

Others

There was also a mineral water factory in Foundry Street, established by Henry Needham in 1905 and taken over by Bellamy Brothers in 1910.  Several of the town’s pubs had brewhouses, including the Admiral Rodney, the Lord Raglan in Foundry Street, the Great Northern Hotel near the railway station, the Alma in South Street and the Ship.  Old Nick’s Tavern, previously the New Inn, started brewing again in 2014.

MORE INDUSTRIAL HISTORY CONTENT TO FOLLOW