Ind Coope & Samuel Allsopp Breweries: The History Of The Hand charts the
fortunes of two Burton upon Trent brewing giants: Samuel Allsopp,
founded in the town in 1742 by Benjamin Wilson (Senior) and Ind Coope,
who expanded to Burton upon Trent from Romford in 1856. Events detailed
include the early years under the Wilsons, the Baltic Trade, Allsopp's
India Pale Ale, Arctic Ale, prosperity and growth in the mid-Victorian
era, the disastrous stock market floatation of Samuel Allsopp & Sons
Ltd, hardship in the early twentieth century and the merger and rebirth
as Ind Coope & Allsopp Ltd in 1934. The post-war years saw the
development of strong brands including Double Diamond, Long Life and
Skol. Further mergers led to the formation of Ind Coope Tetley Ansells
Ltd in 1961. Renamed Allied Breweries Ltd in 1963, this was followed by
a period of unprecedented growth. In the 1980s the company underwent a
major streamlining reorganisation. In 1990 Draught Burton Ale was CAMRA
Champion Beer of Britain. A merger with Carlsberg in 1992 formed
Carlsberg-Tetley Ltd, and the name Ind Coope was slowly phased-out, the
site eventually being sold to rivals Bass in 1997. Researched from the
extensive company archives and other literature, this book not only
deals in historical fact but brings the story to life, with anecdotes
about brewery life that are often humorous and candid, taken from
numerous interviews with ex-employees ranging from directors and
managers through to operators on the brewery floor.
