What is the link between this stone beer bottle and Ironville?

[andycadman]

I am working on a local history project and have been struggling to find the history behind a stone bottle that has "Geo. Clayton Ironville" printed on it, I attach a photograph.
The only George Clayton I can find locally was an Ironworks Manager living locally in Codnor Park (next to Ironville) in the 1891 census and in the next door village Jacksdale (Notts) in the 1901 Census. Could this be a link? He is buried in the local church Yard. Or is this a "Red Herring"?
He was listed in the Kelly's trade directory of Derbyshire of 1895 as mineral water manufacturer - also he was a preacher - maybe a lay preacher? He may have traded between 1893 and 1897.
If any one can help me find out more it would be really appreciated.

[emeltom]

I can only find the same details as you. However you may be interested to hear that a stone bottle the same as yours is for sale on ebay for £65.

Emeltom

[KGarrad]

Spruce beer (as named on the bottle) was a Prussian-style porter, called "Sprossen-bier" in it's home language, and came to the UK from Danzig.

See this: http://abetterbeerblog427.com/2008/10/05/httpbeerblog-genx40-comarchive2008octoberjefferyamhersts/

Also this article in "The Penny Cyclopędia of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Information, Volume 22":
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=rJhOFg1yiqUC&pg=PA389&lpg=PA389&dq=spruce+beer+derbyshire&source=bl&ots=bNwFuazUHK&sig=yf4d3EN-jUU8k4kS8FzYANqcx3k&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjImrL-tLTYAhUHBsAKHf54AJ8Q6AEIWTAI#v=onepage&q=spruce%20beer%20derbyshire&f=false

[andycadman]

Many thanks for your help emeltom and KGarrad. 
All of this adds important information to the picture, but how can we link the bottles to Ironville or Codnor Park?

[hanes teulu]

Spruce beer was advertised as "black beer" and a "non intoxicant"! A strength of 3% was mentioned.

Spotted a newspaper snippet of a "Mr Geo Clayton, Ironville", preaching at Ebenezer Primitive Methodist Chapel.

[emeltom]

The link to Ironville is obvious - it says so on the bottle.

The link to Codnor Park is more difficult, particularly as George Clayton is in the Census as working in an ironworks. I can only guess that he started the drinks production after he retired but no proof.

Emeltom

[BumbleB]

Many thanks for your help emeltom and KGarrad. 
All of this adds important information to the picture, but how can we link the bottles to Ironville or Codnor Park?

Other than George Clayton appears to have lived at Codnor Park, and obviously commissioned these bottles specifically labelled for his factory in Ironville by a company who undertook such work     Not sure what else you can do other than search for a bottle manufacturer. 

[BumbleB]

This may be relevant:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langley_Mill_Pottery

Distance from Ironville to Langley Mill is around 5 miles.

[KGarrad]

The photo posted can also be seen on this site?
https://luggysbestbuys.wordpress.com/author/gizmotrogg/

Where it says they are ginger beer bottles?
(Also says the photos are copyrighted?)