John Doleman

John Doleman, The Old Brewery, Anstey, Leicestershire.

The first mention of the Anstey brewery was in 1846. Although Edward Hooke’s property included a brewhouse, this was probably for domestic not commercial purposes. In 1867, William Rowbotham was listed as the brewer, maltster and hop merchant, with a depot at 26 Cank Street Leicester, where Joseph H Bailey was the agent. He may have been brewing from around 1862.

His advertising mentioned the Mild and Strong Ales, from the “celebrated” brewery.

The last mention of Rowbotham was in 1871 and in 1875 Doleman was described as a brewer, maltster and hop merchant. The following year the business was called the Old Brewery, which suggests that it had been operating for some time. A Francis Doleman, who had owned property in Anstey from at least 1852, was at the Stamford Arms, Groby 1862-77, where John Doleman lived.

Kelly’s directory of 1877 lists Doleman as a large brewer and he was still listed in 1880 (F0062). However, the year after saw William Frederick Coupland & Company at the Old Brewery, but they had left the business by 1884. There is some confusion as to the actual site, but it seems likely that it was then used by Daniel Pettifor & Sons. The overlap in the trade directories may be as a result of the information in them often being out-of- date.