Brewing in Cheshire

Cheshire at one time was an important contributor to the brewing industry, with the epicentre being Warrington. From old photographs we see that many northern pubs (especially those in Liverpool) bore the words’ Walkers Warrington Ales’ in large letters, the company later becoming Tetley Walker.

Then there was G & J Greenall, the famous Warrington distillery with those iconic advertisements spoken with a Russian accent: Vladivar Wodka from Varrington. Their brewing arm was Greenall Whitley Ltd, which was founded by Thomas Greenall in 1762. The company went from strength to strength, adding surrounding brewing companies to its portfolio. In 1991 they ceased brewing, concentrating on running pubs and hotels under the De Vere and Village Leisure names.

Another well-loved Warrington brewery was Burtonwood, with its famous Burtonwood ales. This year, they were taken over by the huge US and Canadian brewing conglomerate Molson Coors. Greenall ales are still brewed by Molson Coors at their recently acquired Burtonwood brewery and distributed by Carlsberg.

Chester once had a successful company, the Northgate Brewery that finally closed its doors in 1969. Then there is the Guinness plant at Runcorn. Cheshire still has many excellent small breweries, and pubs with their own micro-breweries, so plenty to enjoy here.