E J Alston & Sons

E J Alston & Sons, Stour Brewery, High Street, Manningtree, Essex.

Founded by 1793.

Acquired by Daniell & Sons Breweries Ltd. 1932 with 23 houses.

From ESSEX BREWERS - The Malting and Hop Industries of the County by Ian P Peaty 1992 now out of print ISBN 978 1 873966 02 4

The earliest record of this brewing concern was by Edward Alston, recorded in 1793 as a maltster and brewer.

By 1826 his son, Daniel Constable Alston was listed as a brewer, but by 1839 he was joined in a partnership with another Edward Alston, both being listed as maltsters. In 1855 the title was Alston and Company, at the High Street, dealing also in coal, corn and wines and spirits. Another change of trading name in 1874 was to Edward Alston and Sons, finally being recorded as Alston and Sons in 1926.

The valuable centre of town site was recognised and the entire brewery buildings demolished. The present Post Office which was built in 1939 now stands on the site. In 1892, Alston and Sons advertised themselves as "Brewers, maltsters, hop, stout and porter merchants, importers of Wines and Spirits, and dealers in British Spirits, Bottled stout and ales of every description".