Common Brewer

[Boothlin]

I have just seen your question - I was searching for the same and came across the answer in an English Heritage publication.  A common brewer was one who did not own a pub, therefore brewed for others.  Hope this helped.
Boothlin

[BumbleB]

Sorry folks - seen this topic whilst I was googling for "common brewer".

I've just been updating one of my lines, and have come across father and son who are shown in the parish registers as being "common brewer".  As the family are in Tadcaster - home to a number of breweries - my question is whether a common brewer would have worked at a brewery, or in his own premises?  I am talking about late 1700s/early 1800s.  Any thoughts, anyone?

[stanmapstone]

See  my reply #7

Stan

[BumbleB]

Thanks Stan, I had seen that.

I've also now looked at the 1822 Directory for Tadcaster, and it shows the daughter as both a Brewer and as a Maltster - there being only one Brewer, but 4 Maltsters listed.

[stanmapstone]

Common Brewers made and sold beer on wholesale terms to publicans and to private customers in quantities larger than a cask or gallon. See  http://www.rootschat.com/links/01ejl/  which mentions brewing in Tadcaster.

Stan

[BumbleB]

Thanks again Stan.  One of the Maltsters mentioned in the 1822 Directory was a Smith.  And by looking at John Smith's Brewery on Wiki, I find that Stephen Hartley started brewing in Tadcaster in 1758, and his grand-daughter, Jane, mortgaged the brewery to David Backhouse and John Hartley (I assume her brother, born in 1799) in 1845.  It was Jane's baptism which gave me the occupation, and that also mentions that her grandfather was Stephen.  Stephen had married Mary Cowburn, the daughter of James Cowburn of Tadcaster, a Maltster.  Jane died in 1852 and John Smith acquired the business.

I do like it, when it all comes together 

Added:  I did get it a bit wrong - Jane who sold the business is, I now think, the widow of William Hartley (third wife). My original assumption being Jane, daughter of William Hartley and Mary Archbell (second wife).