Gloucestershire Pubs 

Stroud Brewery

THE STROUD BREWERY: JOSEPH WATTS

Extracted from 'Notes and Recollections of Stroud' by Paul Hawkins Fisher - Published in 1871

Chapter XXVIII (p.136, 137)

The Stroud Brewery was established toward the end of the last century, by Mr Peter Leversage, of Middle Lypiatt. He was soon joined by Mr. Grazebrook and Mr. Burgh, under the firm of Leversage, Grazebrook and Burgh. Mr Burgh retired from the partnership about the year 1799, and Mr Grazebrook in 1804. Mr Leversage then took Mr Joseph Watts into the business, which was carried on for fourteen years, in the names of Leversage and Watts, but under the active and successful management of Mr. Watts alone. Early in that period Mr Leversage died, leaving his son, Peter, a monor, his representative in the Brewery. On the 5th day of January, 1891, Mr Watts became its sole proprietor, and continued to conduct it for thirty six more years, during which time it became a prosperous concern.

Among the inferior persons who were hangers-on about the brewery, during this latter period, was Edward Wilkins (commonly Teddy Wilkins), who thought himself a poet, and wrote quires of poor  verses under that delusion. His greatest work, as he esteemed it, in that line, was entitled 'Stroud Brewery, a new poem in praise of good beer, etc. ' It consisted of eighty-four stanzas, each of four lines, - all in celebration of the huge brewery casks and their contents, the brewery servants, the horses, and the wagons laden with their thirst-assuaging, or (it might have been) thirst-provoking burdens. The following four lines were reported to be 'of his own composing' and, if genuine, they certainly were (from the bold mataphor and the physiological fact they contain) a lofty poetical flight:-

                "When going, one day, to my employ,

                I met a wagon load of joy:-

                It made me thirsty to see 't - for why, -

                It came from Watts's Brewery."

He seemed to have taken upon himself the office of Poet Laureate of the Brewery, and it was surmised that the strong beer, which he drank to excess, was both the source of his inspiration and the wages of his Laureateship. His beery performances were at their highest about the year 1820, as was also his poetic reputation. He died at Rodborough in 1825, from the effects of hard drinking.

 Among other persons of the same class was Tom Blades, an idle, Scottish fellow of the town. It was said of him that he met Mr Watts returning from the church one Sunday morning, and that, touching his hat with one hand, he held out the other in the act of begging; that Mr Watts gave him sixpence to get rid of him, upon which Blades said, with an arch leer; - "Thank you Sir, it will soon come back to you again", and slunk into the first public house which he came, as a step toward the accomplishment of the prediction.

Mr Watts had a calm and composed manner, with an untiring perseverance in the pursuit of any object on which he set his mind. He was kind and charitable, and in the course of his long life deservedly obtained a high position in the public estimation. He was so influential as to become the acknowledged head of the Whig interest in the Borough, and neighbouring parts of the county: and his brewery counting-house, where he was to be seen almost daily, has often witnessed the presence of high and distinguished personages, friends and acquaintances, in political or other consultations, or familiar conversation. Thus for many years he filled a large space in the political and social history of the neighbourhood.

He died at Stratford House, October 17th 1855, aged eighty-four years; and was buried on the 25th October 1855 in Stroud church-yard. The funeral procession was joined by a long train of persons who had assembled to testify their respect for his memory. At their head was Earl (then Lord John) Russell, who had come from London for the purpose of being present.

Mr Watts bequeathed the brewery, with much other property, including Stratford House and Estate, to Joseph Watts Hallewell, one of his grandsons.

The Brewery was carried on by the partnership of Messrs. Watts Hallewell, Biddell & Stanton; under whose management it became one of the largest establishments of its kind in this part of the Kingdom, and is now known as the 'Stroud Brewery Company Limited'.

STROUD BREWERY TIED HOUSES IN 1891 & 1903

Admiral Benbow, 78 Westgate Street, Gloucester

Amberley Inn, Amberley (1903)

Anchor Inn,  44 Sweetbriar Street, Gloucester

Apple Tree, Coombe Road, Wotton under Edge (1891)

Avenue Hotel, Bristol Road, Gloucester

Bear Inn, George Street, Bisley (1891,1903)

Bedford Arms, 51 High Street, Stroud (1891,1903)

Bell and Castle, Parsonage Street, Dursley (1903 lessee)

Bell and Castle, The Cross, Horsley (1903)

Bell Inn, Bisley (1903)

Bell Inn, Wallbridge, Stroud (1891,1903)

Berkeley Arms, Cam (1891,1903)

Bisley House, 47 Middle Street, Stroud (1903)

Black Dog, London Road, Gloucester

Black Horse, Amberley (1903)

Black Horse, Gillingstool, Thornbury (1903)

Black Horse, Tilputs End, Horsley (1891,1903)

Box Inn, Box (1903)

Brewers Arms, Coombe Road, Culverhay, Wotton under Edge (1903)

Bricklayers Arms, Stroud

Bridge Inn, Dudbridge (1891,1903)

British Oak, London Road, Bowbridge, Stroud (1891,1903)

Butchers Arms, Ampney Crucis (1903)

Butchers Arms, Acre Street, Stroud (1891,1903)

Canal Tavern, Bowbridge (1891,1903)

Clothiers Arms, Bath Road, Rodborough (1891,1903)

Companys Arms, Chalford (1891,1903)

Coach and Horses, Westward Road, Ebley (1903)

Coopers Arms, Stroud (1891,1903)

Cross, Avening (1891,1903)

Cross Hands, 2 Summer Street, Stroud (1891,1903)

Cross Keys, High Street, Bream, Lydney

Crown and Anchor, High Street, Stonehouse (1891,1903)

Crown and Sceptre, Horns Road, Stroud (1891,1903)

Crown Hotel, Station Road/Clarence Street, Gloucester

Crown, Long Street, Dursley (1891,1903)

Crown, Cockshut Hill, Kingswood (1891,1903)

Crown, Nailsworth

Crown, Inchbrook, Nailsworth (1891,1903)

Crown, Sheepscombe (1891,1903)

Dial Inn, St. Marys Square, Gloucester

Drovers Arms, Bristol Road, Coaley (1891,1903)

Duke of York, Chalford Hill (1891 lessee, 1903)

Eagle, Pitchcombe (1891 lessee, 1903)

Falcon Hotel, New Street, Painswick (1891,1903)

Fleece, Bisley Street, Painswick (1891,1903)

Fleece, Lightpill, Rodborough (1891,1903)

Foresters Arms, Claypits, Thrupp 1891, 1903 lessee)

Fountain, 27 Slad Road, Uplands, Stroud

Fox and Hounds, Hill Road, Dursley

George, Cambridge

George, Newmarket, Nailsworth (1891,1903)

George, Yorkley (1891,1903)

Globe, Lower Leazes, Stroud (1891,1903)

Golden Cross, Avening

Golden Heart, Tibiwell, Painswick (1891,1903)

Greyhound, Popes Hill, Drybrook (1903)

Half Moon, Hill Street, Stroud (1891,1903)

Haywardsfield Inn, Ryeford, Stonehouse (1891 lessee, 1903)

Hope and Anchor, Uplands, Stroud (1891,1903)

Horse and Farrier, Avening (1891)

Horse and Groom, Upper Leazes, Stroud (1891,1903)

Jovial Forester, Northfield Road, Forest Green, Nailsworth (1903)

Junction Inn, Saul (1891,1903)

Kings Arms, Bourne Lane, Brimscombe (1891,1903)

Kings Arms, Wallbridge, Stroud (1903)

Kings Head, 295 High Street, Cheltenham (1891,1903)

Kings Head, Forwood, Minchinhampton (1903)

Kings Head, Market Street, Nailsworth (1891,1903)

Kings Head, 41 High Street, Stroud (1891,1903)

Kings Head, Kingscourt, Rodborough (1891,1903)

Lamb, Butterow, Rodborough (1891,1903)

Lamb, Church Street, Stroud (1891 lessee)

Leopard, Parliament Street, Stroud (1891,1903)

Llanthony Bridge Inn, Llanthony Road, Gloucester

Lower Crown, Uley (1891,1903)

Marlborough Arms, Sheep Street, Cirencester (1891,1903)

Merryfellow, Church Street, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham

Mitre Inn, Wortley Road, Wotton under Edge (1903 lessee)

Nags Head, Kings Stanley (1903 lessee)

New Inn, 40 Lower Street, Stroud (1891,1903)

New Inn, Kingswood, Wotton under Edge (1903)

New Inn, Viney Hill, Lydney (1891,1903)

New Inn, Whitecroft, Lydney (1891,1903)

Old Crown, Chapel Lane, Ebley (1891,1903)

Old Crown, St. Briavels (1903)

Old Fleece, Ronksmoor, Rodborough (1891,1903)

Old Red Lion, Chalford (1903)

Orange Tree, Hill Street, Stroud (1891,1903)

Pear Tree, Charfield (1903)

Pheonix, Thrupp (1891,1903)

Plough, Minchinhampton (1891,1903)

Plough, Stratton, Cirencester (1891 lessee, 1903)

Plough, Union Street, Stroud (1891,1903)

Post Office Inn, 17 George Street, Stroud

Prince Albert, Rodborough Hill (1891,1903)

Princess Royal, Butterow, Rodborough (1891,1903)

Queens Head, Longford, Gloucester (1891,1903)

Railway Hotel, Ambrose Street, Cheltenham (1891,1903)

Railway Hotel, Russell Street, Stroud (1891 lessee,1903)

Railway, 97 Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham

Railway, Dudbridge Road, Rodborough

Railway Tavern, St. Mary’s Way, Brownshill, Chalford (1903)

Ram, Market Place, Minchinhampton (1903)

Ram, Station Road, South Woodchester (1891,1903)

Red Lion, Eastcombe (1891,1903)

Red Lion, Market Street, Nailsworth (1903)

Rising Sun, Shortwood, Nailsworth (1903)

Rising Sun, Randwick

Rising Sun, Nelson Street, Stroud (1891)

Rose, Paganhill (1891,1903)

Royal Arms, Burdett Road, Stonehouse (1891 lessee, 1903)

Royal Oak, Well Lane, Minchinhampton (1903)

Royal Standard, Swindon Road, Cheltenham (1891 lessee)

Salutation, Tetbury Street, Minchinhampton (1891,1903)

Sawyers Arms, Avening (1903)

Shearmans Arms, The Steep, Wotton under Edge (1891,1903)

Shears, Watledge, Nailsworth 1903)

Ship, Brimscombe (1891,1903)

Ship, Framilode (1891,1903)

Ship, High Street, Newnham on Severn (1891,1903)

Ship, Bristol Road, Stonehouse (1891,1903)

Ship, Wallbridge (1891)

Spread Eagle, Harescombe (1891,1903)

Spread Eagle, Newport (1891)

Spring Inn, Cainscross (1891,1903)

Star, Silver Street, Dursley (1891,1903)

Star, Kings Stanley (1891,1903)

Star, Forest Green, Nailsworth (1891,1903)

Star, Buddings, Slad (1891,1903)

Star, Tower Hill, Stroud (1891,1903)

Star, Market Place, Wotton under Edge (1891 lessee)

Sudeley Arms, Winchcombe Street, Cheltenham (1891 lessee)

Swan, George Street, Stroud (1903)

Ten Bells, Frogmarsh, Woodchester (1891 lessee, 1903 lessee)

Trout, St. Johns Street, Lechlade (1891 lessee)

True Heart, Newnham on Severn (1891,1903)

Trumpet, West End, Minchinhampton (1903)

Tump House, New Road, Blakeney (1903)

Victoria Tap, Stroud (1891,1903)

Vine Tree, Randwick (1891,1903)

Waggon and Horses, London Road, Thrupp (1903)

Washington Head, Bradley Street, Wotton under Edge (1891,1903)

Weavers Arms, Middleyard, Kings Stanley (1891,1903)

Weighbridge, Iron Mills, Longford (1903 lessee)

Wheatsheaf, Chalford Hill (1891,1903)

Wheatsheaf, Chapel Street, Thornbury (1903)

White Hart, Bisley (1891lessee)

White Hart, High Street, Minchinhampton (1891 lessee, 1903 lessee)

White Hart, Broad Oak, Newnham on Severn (1891,1903)

White Hart, North Nibley (1891 lessee, 1903 lessee)

White Horse, Westwood Road, Cainscross (1891,1903)

White Horse, Downend, Horsley (1903)

Wiltshire Brewery, Hewlett Place, Cheltenham (1903)

Woodcutters Arms, Whiteshill (1891,1903)

Woolpack, Butterow (1891,1903)

Woolpack, Slad (1903)

Ye Old Painswick Inn, 17 Gloucester Street, Stroud (1891,1903)

Ye Old Robin Hood Inn, Hopewell Street, Gloucester

Yew Tree, Walls Quarry, Brimscombe (1891,1903)

Yew Tree, Woodchester (1891,1903)