Camerons Brewery

A 250-foot artesian well has been used for brewing on the site since at least 1572.{{cite web|url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/archive/2004/10/20/The+North+East+Archive/6974546.Brewery_plans_to_buy_up_to_200_pubs/|title=Archive news from The Northern Echo|website=thenorthernecho.co.uk}} William Waldon (1805 – 1854), a farmer originally from Gainford, founded the Lion Brewery in the village of Stranton (subsequently a part of West Hartlepool) on land he bought from Ralph Walker for £300 in 1852.{{citation |title=County Durham |page=317 |author=Nikolaus Pevsner, Elizabeth Williamson |year=1983}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.cameronsbrewery.com/time-line/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120801165000/http://www.cameronsbrewery.com/time-line/|url-status=dead|title=Camerons Brewery History | Camerons Brewery|archive-date=1 August 2012}} After Waldon's death in 1854, the brewery passed to his widow, Jane. John William Cameron was recruited to manage the brewery from 1865. In 1872 he took on the brewery and its 16 public houses under a 21-year lease.{{cite book|author1=Lesley Richmond|author2=Alison Turton|title=The Brewing Industry: A Guide to Historical Records|year=1990|publisher=Manchester University Press|isbn=978-0-7190-3032-1|page=92}} Henry Wilson, of the Phoenix Works in Stockton-on-Tees, built new brewery facilities for John Cameron in 1875.{{citation |title=British breweries: an architectural history |page=197 |author=Lynn F. Pearson |year=1999}} Further land for expansion of the brewery was purchased in 1876. Between 1885 and 1890 more land was bought and plans were made to build a new brewery. The present brewery building was completed in 1892.{{cite news|title=Cheers and booze|newspaper=Evening Gazette|date=17 January 2012}} When the lease expired in 1893, Cameron purchased the brewery outright from the Waldons for £34,442.

In 1894 the company went public, valued at £345,000, and owned 119 public houses."Advertisements & Notices." Northern Echo [Darlington, England] 30 November 1894: n.p. 19th Century British Newspapers. Web. 16 April 2014. John William Cameron used this juncture to enter into semi-retirement, and managerial responsibility was devolved to his brother, Watson Cameron (died 1920).Yorkshire Post, Obituary, 29 December 1896

Nixey, Coleclough & Baxter of the Brunswick Brewery in Hartlepool, was acquired in 1895, along with around 80 public houses. It had been the largest competing brewery in Hartlepool.Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, 1 March 1895 The newly acquired brewery was closed in 1898, and Nixey and Baxter were both appointed to the Camerons board.{{citation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NB8NAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA359 |title=The Brewing industry: a guide to historical records |author=Lesley Richmond, Alison Turton |accessdate=2013-09-17|isbn=9780719030321 |year=1990 }}"Multiple Advertisements and Notices." Standard [London, England] 6 December 1897: 9. 19th Century British Newspapers. Web. 16 April 2014.

John William Cameron died in 1896, by which time the brewery was one of the largest in the North of England. John Ellerman became a major shareholder, and was appointed vice chairman.

In 1897, T E Chapman & Son of Sunderland was acquired with 83 public houses, and its managing director, Abel Chapman, joined the Cameron board of directors. That same year, the Lion Brewery was further extended, to a 70 quarter capacity, capable of producing 130,000 barrels a year.{{Cite web |url=https://theses.ncl.ac.uk/dspace/bitstream/10443/199/1/bennison92.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=3 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222095552/https://theses.ncl.ac.uk/dspace/bitstream/10443/199/1/bennison92.pdf |archive-date=22 February 2014 |url-status=dead }} In 1899 Camerons began to bottle mineral water and the company continued to expand. By this time 400 licensed premises were owned, including the majority of Hartlepool's public houses. The company prospered, and by 1907 the share capital of the company was £350,000 with another £350,000 of capital in the form of mortgage debenture stock.{{citation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G7YpAAAAYAAJ |title=The Investors' Review |volume=8 |page=62 |year=1907}}

In 1910, Heslop's Grange Brewery in Stockton was acquired along with 28 licensed houses. John Ellerman was company chairman by 1913."J. W. Cameron And Company (Limited)." Times [London, England] 12 December 1913: 18. The Times Digital Archive, 1785-2008. Web. 16 April 2014. In 1915 the Lion Brewery was damaged by German shellfire. In 1920 Watson Cameron died, and A. J. Morgan and H. J. Hewlett became joint managing directors of the company. Morgan was in charge of organization and the offices, whilst Hewlett was in charge of brewing. Robert Newton Ltd of Newcastle was acquired, with 35 licences, and Plews and Sons Ltd of Darlington, with 100 licensed premises.

In 1922, Watson's son, John Watson Cameron joined the company, and in 1935 he was made chairman and managing director. The company share price doubled in value between 1933 and 1938.{{cite news |title=£40,000,000 Man Decides To Step Out |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/45975915 |accessdate=29 October 2018 |work=Ottawa Journal |date=30 July 1938}} Cameron's ale was sold as far north as Newbiggin-by-the-Sea in Northumberland, as far east as Guisborough, as far west as Hawes and as far south as Thirsk by 1938.{{cite news|work=Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail|publisher=Johnston Press plc|date=26 September 1938}} Directly and indirectly the company employed 1,500 people. Cameron's owned 46 per cent of all public houses within the Borough of Hartlepool by 1939.

In 1950, John Watson Cameron's wife, Lillian, was appointed to the board, responsible for the furnishings and decoration of Cameron's licensed houses. In 1953, the Stranton bottling facility was opened. In March 1955, Strongarm bitter was introduced, as the industrial workers of West Hartlepool demanded a stronger pint.{{cite news|title=Company Meeting|work=The Times|date=9 January 1956}}

A controlling interest was acquired in John J Hunt, which owned the Ebor Brewery in York and Scarborough & Whitby Breweries along with 221 licensed public houses for around £400,000 in 1953.{{cite news|title=News in Brief|work=The Times|date=11 September 1953}} In 1956 J Fryer & Sons of Brompton-on-Swale was acquired. In 1959 the West Auckland Brewery was acquired with 80 licensed public houses. The company owned around 700 public houses by 1960.{{cite news |last1=Thompson |first1=Harry |title=A boss's son was told: if you don't get on, you're out |work=Sunday Sun |date=3 July 1960}}

In 1961 Russell & Wrangham of Malton, with 90 licensed public houses. was acquired from Tetley Walker. By 1967 the company had a market capitalization of £6.7 million, or £106 million in 2013 prices."The protectors and the protected." Economist 2 December 1967 In 1971, John Watson Cameron retired as managing director, although he remained as executive chairman, and his son, John Martin Cameron, became managing director.{{cite web|url=http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/local/tributes-to-former-brewery-boss-1-1045608|title=Tributes to former brewery boss|website=hartlepoolmail.co.uk|access-date=25 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416180222/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/local/tributes-to-former-brewery-boss-1-1045608|archive-date=16 April 2014|url-status=dead}} Cameron's introduced its own "lager" brand, Icegold, in 1972.{{cite journal|last=Harris|first=Paul|title=Hansa lager: How advertising helped a small regional brewer to establish a strong lager brand in spite of intense promotional activity by national brewing giants|journal=Institute of Practitioners in Advertising: IPA Effectiveness Awards, 1982}} Icegold was top fermented and actually a very pale ale rather than an authentic lager.

In January 1974, Ellerman Lines acquired the 25 per cent stake in Cameron's previously owned by Sir John Ellerman, 2nd Baronet, who had died.{{cite news|title=Ellerman Lines buy 25 pc stake in brewers|work=The Times|date=18 January 1974}} Directors and Cameron family members held a nine per cent stake and Bass Charrington held ten per cent.

Ellerman Lines acquired Camerons for £14 million in 1975, in an attempt to diversify from its declining shipping business.Ellerman making £14M bid The Guardian (1959-2003) [London (UK)] 31 July 1975: 12. Camerons owned 500 pubs and 100 off-licences.Ellerman lines up £5.7M for Tolly Michael Baws Financial Staff. The Guardian (1959-2003) [London (UK)] 9 August 1977: 13. Ellerman was accused of treating the brewery as a "cash cow".{{cite book |last1=Protz |first1=Roger |title=The family brewers of Britain |date=2011 |page=574}}

In 1980 Hansa lager was launched, brewed under licence from Dortmunder Actien Brauerei. Camerons spent £2 million to upgrade their brewing facilities in order to brew bottom fermented lager, in what CAMRA described as "the most ambitious [lager-brewing scheme] for a regional brewer yet". The company had sales of £51 million in 1981, and one per cent of the British beer market. Market share in the Tees Valley area was 25 per cent.

In 1983, Ellerman Lines was acquired by the Barclay brothers for £45 million.The Guardian (London) 4 November 1986 Too shy for the secretive twins / Analysis of Gulf Resources bid for Imperial Continental Gas Association, By Geoffrey Gibbs. In 1984, the Barclays attempted to sell Camerons to Scottish & Newcastle for £44 million, but the brothers cancelled the negotiations when the government referred the deal to the Monopolies Commission.Ellerman hangs on to Cameron Gibbs, Geoffrey. The Guardian (1959-2003) [London (UK)] 6 Sep 1984: 20.

John Martin Cameron retired as chairman in 1985, thus ending the family link to the business.

In 1985, Cameron's held five per cent of the UK beer market.{{cite news|title=Newcastle and Brown's ale|newspaper=The Economist|date=6 April 1985}} In 1985, the maltings building was demolished.{{cite web|url=http://hhtandn.org/relatedimages/3123/camerons-maltings-blakelock-rd|title=Hartlepool History Then & Now|website=hhtandn.org}} Alistair Arkley was appointed managing director in 1985.{{cite news|last=Scrase|first=Richard|title=Home Brew|url=http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/26th-may-1988/49/hom-brew|accessdate=6 November 2013|newspaper=Commercial Motor|date=26 May 1988}} Arkley split the pub and the brewing sides of the company into separate divisions, and divested the low-margin off-licence business. In 1986, Cameron's acquired 90 pubs from Mansfield Brewery, including 78 northern pubs and clubs, most of which were former North Country Breweries outlets, for £13 million.{{cite news|title=Mansfield pub sale|newspaper=The Times|date=5 June 1986}} In 1988, the company expanded into the North West for the first time after it acquired 17 pubs in north Lancashire.

Camerons and Tolly Cobbold were sold to Brent Walker for £248 million in 1988.The Times (London). 24 December 1988. Mystery buyer stalks Ultramar. By Michael Clark and Geoffrey Foster. It was suggested that Brent Walker had overpaid for the business.{{cite news |last1=Dawe |first1=Alexandra |title=How I Made It: John Sands, chairman of Pubmaster |work=The Sunday Times |date=16 February 2003}} Camerons controlled 480 licensed public houses and 270 hotels and off-licences. Brent Walker announced plans to invest £10 million in the tied estate, and to expand distribution in the South of England and Europe.{{cite news |last1=Cameron |first1=Ian |title=Walker tells of his £10m plans for Cameron's |work=The Journal |date=28 February 1989}} In 1989 Camerons Brewery was described as one of the most efficient in the country, with a total annual capacity of over 500,000 barrels and production of 400,000.The Sunday Times (London) 4 June 1989, Sunday Time is called for Tolly. By Jeff Randall. In an attempt to cut costs Brent Walker began brewing with lower standard ingredients, and Camerons developed a reputation for poor quality beer.

In 1991, the heavily-indebted Brent Walker sold the brewery and 51 pubs to Wolverhampton & Dudley for £18.7 million, beating a rival offer from the management.The Times 19 December 1991, Thursday Brent to sell pubs and brewery. By Matthew Bond Brent Walker retained the bulk of the Cameron's estate, which it spun off as a Hartlepool-headquartered pubco called Pubmaster, which controlled 1,600 pubs and was sold to a syndicate of investment groups for £171.3 million in 1996.The Guardian (London) 8 November 1996 Brent Sells Pubmaster to Syndicte. Dominic Walsh The Guardian City Page, p. 22 Meanwhile, the soft drinks arm was spun off under a management buyout called Orchid Drinks, with brands including Purdey's and Amé (acquired by Britvic in 2000 for £67 million).{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/bunhill-aqua-libra-1441857.html|title=Bunhill: Aqua Libra|website=Independent.co.uk |date=9 October 1994}}{{cite news|title=Britvic buys Orchid Drinks|newspaper=The Independent|date=11 July 2000}}

W&D had acquired a company that was in a "sorry state".{{cite news|title=Safeguarding the Lion's Pride|newspaper=The Northern Echo|date=5 February 1999}} Initially, brewery staff numbers were reduced from 360 to 120, and part of the brewery was mothballed, after W&D ended a contract to brew Labatt lager at the plant.{{cite news|last=Shepherd|first=John|title=Profits get lift at Midlands brewer|newspaper=The Independent|date=5 December 1992}} However, W&D invested heavily in the brewery site and marketing, and the profitability of the brewery greatly improved.{{cite news|last=Tapping|first=Colin|title=Strongarm tactics prove profitable for Camerons|newspaper=The Northern Echo|date=27 May 1995}}{{cite web|url=http://www.beer-pages.com/stories/camerons.htm|title=Home – wine-pages|website=wine-pages|access-date=18 July 2012|archive-date=17 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517130918/http://www.beer-pages.com/stories/camerons.htm|url-status=dead}} By 1995 W&D had doubled the size of the Cameron pub estate they inherited to 101 pubs. Wolverhampton & Dudley brought a return of top quality malt and hops, and it was widely suggested by customers that the Camerons beers were greatly improved.{{cite news|last=Mapplebeck|first=Will|title=Uncertainty hangs over Camerons Lion|newspaper=The Journal (Newcastle, UK)|date=28 August 2000}}{{cite news|title=Best deal brewer is in a glass of its own|newspaper=The Northern Echo|date=4 October 1995}}

In 1997, contract brewing returned to the plant, with a licence to brew Foster's lager.The Journal (Newcastle, UK) 28 November 1997, Friday Edition 1 Camerons' Pours Sparkling Profits Brew For W By 1997, Cameron's market share in the North East had grown to 10 per cent, supplying pubs from Alnwick to Hull.The Northern Echo 28 November 1997 Lion-Hearted Workers Boost Sales at W&D By Anthony Seymour. In 1998, £1 million was spent on a new filtration and fermentation system and a keg plant at the brewery.{{cite news|title=Minister's Toasts Brewery's Upgrade|newspaper=The Northern Echo|date=5 September 1998}} In 1999, a further £500,000 was invested in the previously mothballed areas of the brewery to bring it to its full capacity of 400,000 barrels after it won a series of contracts to brew Harp Lager, Heineken and Kronenbourg.The Northern Echo 27 May 2000 W&D Breweries Profits Froth As It Hits the Acquisition Trail.

Total production of Strongarm surpassed one billion pints (5.7 million hectolitres) in 2000.{{cite news|last=Dant|first=Gareth|title=Camerons shows its pride in the jewel of the town|newspaper=The Northern Echo|date=31 March 2000}} The 2002 Good Beer Guide remarked that the Strongarm was "Now substantially improved and with consistent character".{{cite news|last=Unwin|first=Bruce|title=Strongarm tactics pay off as old favourite named top beer|newspaper=The Northern Echo|date=30 October 2001}}

Castle Eden Brewery, owned by David Soley, acquired Camerons in April 2002 for £35 million, and relocated all operations to Hartlepool and closed down the Castle Eden plant. Soley later recalled, "what we really bought was a dilapidated old brewery that was falling apart".{{cite news |last1=Amos |first1=Mike |title=Glass raised to mark 150th anniversary of Camerons Brewery of Hartlepool |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/opinion/columnists/mikeamos/mikeamos/13843108.glass-raised-mark-150th-anniversary-camerons-brewery-hartlepool/ |access-date=18 January 2023 |work=The Northern Echo |date=13 October 2015}}

The Kronenbourg 1664 contract was renewed by Scottish & Newcastle in December 2002.[http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-26883748_ITM Article: Lager deal gives Camerons more fizz. | AccessMyLibrary – Promoting library advocacy] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055403/http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-26883748_ITM |date=21 September 2013 }} In 2003, £500,000 was spent to build a new bottling line and an on-site microbrewery, The Lion's Den.The Journal (Newcastle, UK) 21 June 2003, Saturday Edition 1 Viewing tidy delights of The Lion's Den. By Alastair Gilmore, The Journal In 2008, Camerons spent £4 million expanding its capacity from 375,000 barrels to around 800,000 barrels.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Camerons+beating+the+failing+market.-a0185600232|title=Camerons beating the failing market|website=thefreelibrary.com}} This followed the agreement of a contract with Scottish & Newcastle to supply Kronenbourg 1664, Foster's and John Smith's bitter until 2019. Previously the brewery had only produced Kronenbourg 1664.

In 2013, Camerons acquired the Hexham-based Head of Steam craft beer chain, including seven outlets, in a deal financially backed by Carlsberg.{{cite news|last1=Brown|first1=Michael|title=The Head of Steam pub chain is sold to Camerons Brewery|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/head-steam-pub-chain-sold-6369602|publisher=The Chronicle|date=4 December 2013}} Camerons acquired the Leeds Brewery estate of seven pubs in 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/northeast/camerons-brewery-snaps-up-well-known-yorkshire-pubs|title=Camerons Brewery snaps up well-known Yorkshire pubs|first=Insider Media|last=Ltd}}

In 2011, the brewery had a capacity of over 1.5 million hectolitres (over 1 million barrels) per annum.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cameronsbrewery.com/news.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620222426/http://www.cameronsbrewery.com/news.php|url-status=dead|title=Welcome to: www.cameronsbrewery.com|archive-date=20 June 2012}} Production in 2012 was 900,000 hectolitres, with around 40,000 hl in own brand sales.{{Cite web|url=http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Company-City-News/Building-the-brand|title=Building the brand}} The bulk of the brewery's own production is cask conditioned ale but it also sells bottled and keg ales.{{citation |url=http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news/2010/04/19/teesside-firms-make-top-100-league-table-51140-26270550/ |title=Teesside firms make top 100 league table |date=19 April 2010 |author=Karen McLauchlan |work=Evening Gazette}} The company's best known beer is Strongarm, a 4% abv bitter that was introduced in 1955. Strongarm is made with 18 per cent crystal malt, which contributes significantly to its distinctive ruby red colour and its roasted, malty flavour.

Malted barley is sourced from Yorkshire and Scotland.{{cite web|url=http://www.drinkbritain.com/destinations/13/camerons-brewery|title=Camerons Brewery – DrinkBritain|website=drinkbritain.com}}

Its arrangements with brewing companies include a contract to produce Kingfisher lager.{{cite book |last1=Protz |first1=Roger |title=The family brewers of Britain |date=2011 |page=554}}

The company owns 75 public houses.{{cite web|url=http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/business/hartlepool-brewery-buys-up-newcastle-pubs-including-the-head-of-steam-and-the-cluny-1-6294946|title=Hartlepool brewery buys up Newcastle pubs including The Head of Steam and The Cluny|website=hartlepoolmail.co.uk|access-date=4 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209215759/http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/business/hartlepool-brewery-buys-up-newcastle-pubs-including-the-head-of-steam-and-the-cluny-1-6294946|archive-date=9 December 2013|url-status=dead}}

Although the Dutch brewer Heineken holds a 24 per cent stake in the company, it is a silent partner, with no board representation or managerial control.{{Cite web|url=https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2016/02/22/Protz-As-family-brewers-struggle-one-shows-the-future|title=Protz: As family brewers struggle, one shows the future|website=morningadvertiser.co.uk}}

The brewery building is called the Lion Brewery.{{cite web |url=http://www.cameronsbrewery.com/visitor-center/ |title=Visitor Centre |publisher=Camerons |location=Hartlepool |accessdate=2013-09-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061826/http://www.cameronsbrewery.com/visitor-center/# |archive-date=21 September 2013 |url-status=dead }} The Lion Brewery has two wells, one of them 250 feet deep.Depths of flavour. The Journal. 23 September 2005 Most of the brewery was built in 1890 when the company had aspirations to supply the whole of the North East.{{Cite web|url=http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Company-City-News/Cameron-s-Lion-King|title=Cameron's Lion King}} There are still a few reminders of lavish opulence; the floor and walls of the brewhouse are furnished with Italian marble that cost £7,000 in 1970. Roger Protz described it as "one of the finest brewhouses in the country".

In 2011, the brewery had a capacity of over 1.5 million hectolitres per annum. It is the ninth largest brewery in the UK.{{Cite web|url=http://cameronsbrewery.com/contract-brewing-bottling/|title=Brewing – Contract Brewing and Bottling – Camerons Brewery}} It has twelve Yorkshire Squares for brewing ale.

In 2013, the brewery building was used as a filming location in the "Prodigal Son" episode of Vera.{{cite news|last1=Price|first1=Kelley|title=Hartlepool brewery starring in episode of Vera|url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/business/business-news/hartlepool-brewery-starring-episode-vera-3667289|accessdate=10 September 2014|work=Gazette Live|date=17 January 2013}}

A £700,000 visitor centre was opened next to the brewery in 2004, in the former Stranton Arms public house.

In 1996, a £500,000 television and radio campaign saw Camerons Strongarm advertised across Yorkshire and the Midlands for the first time.{{cite news|title=£500,000 bitter ads launched|newspaper=The Northern Echo|date=16 November 1996}}

Camerons was one of the first breweries to sponsor football kits, with Middlesbrough FC from 1984 to 1986 and Hartlepool United from 1985 to 1990 and 1993–2000.Gillett, A., Tennent, K., & Hutchinson, F. (2016). Beer and the Boro—A Perfect Match!. In Brewing, Beer and Pubs (pp. 303-320). Palgrave Macmillan UK.{{cite web|url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Middlesbrough/Middlesbrough.htm|title=Middlesbrough – Historical Football Kits|website=historicalkits.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Hartlepool_United/Hartlepool_United.htm|title=Hartlepool United - Historical Football Kits|website=www.historicalkits.co.uk}}

{{reflist}}

• R Wood, The Lion Brewery: A Short History, 1963
• Gillett, A., Tennent, K., & Hutchinson, F. (2016). [https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057/9781137466181_16 Beer and the Boro—A Perfect Match!. In Brewing, Beer and Pubs (pp. 303-320).] Palgrave Macmillan UK.

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150519210936/http://www.cameronsbrewery.com/index.php Brewery website]

Category:Breweries in England

Category:Organisations based in the Borough of Hartlepool

Category:David and Frederick Barclay

Category:1865 establishments in England

Category:British companies established in 1865

Category:Companies based in County Durham

Category:Food and drink companies established in 1865

Category:Hartlepool