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Ventnor Brewery
Ventnor Brewery was built in 1840, but the earliest known
proprietor was Charles Richard Cundell in 1844. Although records
show that Benjamin Mew owned the Brewery in 1842, he is thought to
have leased the land to C. R. Cundell, speculating that he was, in
fact, the brewer of Ventnor. In 1844, James Corbould is mentioned
as acquiring the brewery from Charles Cundell. This adds confusion
to the actual history of ownership. In 1850, Thomas Page (owner of
the Ventnor Water Company) made an agreement with James Corbould
that water would be supplied to the Brewery for sixpence (2.5
pence) for 1,000 years, in association with the Heirs, Exectors,
Administrators and Assigns. It was the result of a card game
between the two. The water was from the chalky down of St. Boniface
Ventnor, and resulted in a few landslides. This, however, did not
prevent the constant flow of water for brewing purposes. James
Corbould was succeeded by Frederick Corbould and his Partner John
Burt, who was portrayed as being an occupied tenant with a
gentleman called Healey in 1850.
In 1866, the Partners purchased three more pubs, only to have their Partnership dissolved in 1868. John Burt took complete control in 1881. In 1906, Alfred Phillips took over the business of the Brewery, The Stag in Lake, The Star in Wroxall, The Commercial, The Shades, The Wellington, The Walmer Castle and The Terminus. William Arthur Phillips then took control in 1913, until his death in 1943, when The Hare and Hounds in Arreton, The Standard in Freshwater, The Chine in Shanklin and The Volunteer in Ventnor were added.
During the Second World War, the Brewery was hit by one of Hitler's bombs, and was partially destroyed. Members of the Phillips family also lost their lives as a result. The Brewery hit on hard times in the 1960s due to a change with the times, and the beginning of keg beer. In 1990, the Brewery was sold to a small Company from Morecombe, which ended the era for the Phillips family. But after only one year's trading, the owners were forced into receivership.
In 1993, Geoff Hartridge from Hartridge Soft Drinks family took over, and renamed it Burt & Co. after his Burts Brewery in Newport. The idea behind this was to run it as a 25 barrel plant, which was brought down to a 5 barrel plant in 1995. It was sold to Ushers in 1997, bringing an end to Burt & Co. In 1995, the Old Brewery at Ventnor was obtained by investors, who installed a new 10 barrel plant. Although much of the old equipment in the oldd part of the Brewery was retained, the plan was to create a Heritage Centre. But major refurbishment was decided, and the Brewery reopened in 1996, where brewing started again under the name of Ventnor Brewery. In 2001, new management created Ventnor Brewery in the hope of following on the tradition of this historical business.
The Ghosts of Ventnor Brewery
The Brewery is not prticularly well known for its ghosts, but there have been many reports about a particular man. He wears old-fashioned clothing, and has been seen with his shirt-sleeves rolled up. It is thought that he is watching over the making of beer today, and possibly samples the ale and beer at times. This man is thought to have been a brewer in the past. He has been seen at the window on the third floor of the building, in the labelling room, and out in the brewery yard. Whistling has also been heard from rooms which are empty, although no bad feeling is distributed from him. Some modern ale made today has been named in his memory called White Spirit.
In 1866, the Partners purchased three more pubs, only to have their Partnership dissolved in 1868. John Burt took complete control in 1881. In 1906, Alfred Phillips took over the business of the Brewery, The Stag in Lake, The Star in Wroxall, The Commercial, The Shades, The Wellington, The Walmer Castle and The Terminus. William Arthur Phillips then took control in 1913, until his death in 1943, when The Hare and Hounds in Arreton, The Standard in Freshwater, The Chine in Shanklin and The Volunteer in Ventnor were added.
During the Second World War, the Brewery was hit by one of Hitler's bombs, and was partially destroyed. Members of the Phillips family also lost their lives as a result. The Brewery hit on hard times in the 1960s due to a change with the times, and the beginning of keg beer. In 1990, the Brewery was sold to a small Company from Morecombe, which ended the era for the Phillips family. But after only one year's trading, the owners were forced into receivership.
In 1993, Geoff Hartridge from Hartridge Soft Drinks family took over, and renamed it Burt & Co. after his Burts Brewery in Newport. The idea behind this was to run it as a 25 barrel plant, which was brought down to a 5 barrel plant in 1995. It was sold to Ushers in 1997, bringing an end to Burt & Co. In 1995, the Old Brewery at Ventnor was obtained by investors, who installed a new 10 barrel plant. Although much of the old equipment in the oldd part of the Brewery was retained, the plan was to create a Heritage Centre. But major refurbishment was decided, and the Brewery reopened in 1996, where brewing started again under the name of Ventnor Brewery. In 2001, new management created Ventnor Brewery in the hope of following on the tradition of this historical business.
The Ghosts of Ventnor Brewery
The Brewery is not prticularly well known for its ghosts, but there have been many reports about a particular man. He wears old-fashioned clothing, and has been seen with his shirt-sleeves rolled up. It is thought that he is watching over the making of beer today, and possibly samples the ale and beer at times. This man is thought to have been a brewer in the past. He has been seen at the window on the third floor of the building, in the labelling room, and out in the brewery yard. Whistling has also been heard from rooms which are empty, although no bad feeling is distributed from him. Some modern ale made today has been named in his memory called White Spirit.
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