Morrells Brewing Company
Encyclopedia
Morrells Brewing Company was a brewery in Oxford
, England, which operated under that name between 1782 and 1998. The brewery was founded in 1743 by Richard Tawney. He formed a partnership in 1782 with Mark and James Morrell, who eventually became the owners. Morrells' range of ales included "Varsity".
Morrells brewed its ales at the Lion Brewery in St Thomas Street. In the 19th century Morrells redeveloped and added to the Lion Brewery a number of times. A large brewing shed was added in 1879, a blacksmith's shop and engine house in 1880, a futther shed and new yard in 1882, stables in 1889, new offices in 1892, a tun room in 1895, further offices in 1897 and a tall octagonal chimney in 1901. All these developments were designed by the local architect Harry Drinkwater
, who also designed a number of public house
s for Morrells. The Lion Brewery was powered by a waterwheel on a backwater of the River Thames
, supplemented by steam engines for which the engine house was built.
After an acrimonious family dispute the brewery was closed in 1998, the beer brand
names being taken over by the Thomas Hardy Burtonwood brewery, while the 132 tied pubs were bought by Michael Cannon, owner of the American hamburger chain Fuddruckers
, through a new company, Morrells of Oxford. The new owner sold most of the pubs on to Greene King in 2002.
The Lion Brewery site was redeveloped for luxury apartments in 2002. The waterwheel and tall, yellow brick chimney were retained but only the façades were retained of the other buildings.
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
, England, which operated under that name between 1782 and 1998. The brewery was founded in 1743 by Richard Tawney. He formed a partnership in 1782 with Mark and James Morrell, who eventually became the owners. Morrells' range of ales included "Varsity".
Morrells brewed its ales at the Lion Brewery in St Thomas Street. In the 19th century Morrells redeveloped and added to the Lion Brewery a number of times. A large brewing shed was added in 1879, a blacksmith's shop and engine house in 1880, a futther shed and new yard in 1882, stables in 1889, new offices in 1892, a tun room in 1895, further offices in 1897 and a tall octagonal chimney in 1901. All these developments were designed by the local architect Harry Drinkwater
Harry Drinkwater
-Career:Drinkwater was a pupil of William C.C. Bramwell in Oxford 1860-65 and then assistant to the Gothic Revival architect G.E. Street 1865-73. After a year as a Royal Academy travelling student Drinkwater began independent practice in Oxford. Drinkwater was made a Fellow of the Royal Institute...
, who also designed a number of public house
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
s for Morrells. The Lion Brewery was powered by a waterwheel on a backwater of the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
, supplemented by steam engines for which the engine house was built.
After an acrimonious family dispute the brewery was closed in 1998, the beer brand
Brand
The American Marketing Association defines a brand as a "Name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller's good or service as distinct from those of other sellers."...
names being taken over by the Thomas Hardy Burtonwood brewery, while the 132 tied pubs were bought by Michael Cannon, owner of the American hamburger chain Fuddruckers
Fuddruckers
Fuddruckers is an American fast casual, franchised, restaurant chain that specializes in hamburgers. In 2011 Fuddruckers had 56 company-operated restaurants and 129 franchises across the United States with one in Saskatchewan, Canada and four in Puerto Rico...
, through a new company, Morrells of Oxford. The new owner sold most of the pubs on to Greene King in 2002.
The Lion Brewery site was redeveloped for luxury apartments in 2002. The waterwheel and tall, yellow brick chimney were retained but only the façades were retained of the other buildings.