Charles Wells
Charles Wells is a well known name in the pub trade in the UK with many years in brewing and pub retail across several generations of the Wells family. In 1876 Charles Wells opened a brewery in Bedford in Horne Lane which later moved location to Havelock Street in the form of The Eagle Brewery still in Bedford.
Young Charles Wells and the formation of a brewery
In 1842 Charles Wells was born in Bedford leaving school at age fourteen, which was common in the 19th century, and went to sea aboard a frigate heading for India a complete contrast to the Bedfordshire county he had grown up in. Later Charles Wells wished to marry his girlfriend Josephine Grimbley and as his father-in-law did not agree with his daughter marrying a seaman, although at this time he had risen to Chief Officer, Charles left his life on the sea to set up a brewery providing beer to the locals in Bedfordshire.
Charles Wells Pub Company
Charles Wells Ltd formed Charles Wells Pub Company to incorporate the varied pub estate in the UK with over two hundred pubs. A further pub retail division is John Bull Pub Company with pubs across France such as The Bombardier, Paris, The London Town, Toulouse and The Shakespeare in Montpellier. This split in the company structure was formed when brewing operations were merged with London's Young's Brewery with the formation of Wells & Young Brewery. Charles Wells Pub Company pubs are operated via lease or tenancy agreements with their induction programme assisting in the preparation of licensees learning about all areas of becoming a publican and running their own businesses.
Wells & Young's
The formation of a joint brewing company was the route Charles Wells took in 2006 whereby they joined forces with Young & Co's brewery and formed Wells & Young's Brewing Co Ltd. Later Charles Wells after initially having the larger stake in the venture bought out Young & Co gaining sole ownership.
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Which year did Charles Wells join forces with Young's would be a great pub quiz question If you are planning a pub quiz then take a look at our pub quizzes section... Read More |
McEwan's and Youngers
William McEwan's Edinburgh Foundation Brewery was established in 1856 and swiftly became a significant brewer in the area exporting to the British Empire. McEwan's Fountain Brewery merged with William Younger's, who had Abbey Brewery in Edinburgh, forming Scottish Brewers then later with Newcastle Breweries formed Scottish & Newcastle with Newcastle Brown Ale a favourite with many of their customers alongside McEwan's Export and Younger's Tartan Special. After the closure of the Fountain Brewery due to costs of production being higher than in the Tadcaster brewery the company changed again when Wells & Youngs purchased the McEwan's portfolio.
Is the secret of Charles Wells success in their well?
Beer is made from barley, hops, yeast and water and when Charles Wells sank his own well nearby to his Bedford Brewery with water drawn through Bedfordshire chalk and limestone could this be the secret to their successful beer production?
