Worksop & Retford Ltd

The Dukes of Portland were major land owners in the brewery's geographical area, hence the name Portland for the whiskey blend

Letterhead 1879

Letterhead 1951

Courtesy Andrew Martin

James Ainslie Whisky

Worksop & Retford Brewery Co. Ltd, Prior Well Brewery, Kilton Road, Worksop, Nottinghamshire.

Operated as Garside & Alderson until 1877. Registered September 1881 to acquire the Prior Well Brewery Co. and Smith & Nephew, Cresswell Holme Brewery, Worksop.

Acquired by Tennant Brothers Ltd of Sheffield in 1959 with 192 public houses. Brewing ceased at Worksop in 1960.

• List of Smith & Nephew, Worksop pubs
• List of Worksop & Retford Brewery Co Ltd pubs

The Retford site

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Images of the brewery

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  Brewery van

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  Half Moon, Retford

The remains of the brewery

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  The brewery in 2009. Courtesy "Bank House Kennels"

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  The brewery in 2009. Courtesy "Bank House Kennels"

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  The brewery in 2011. Courtesy Dave

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  The brewery in 2011. Courtesy Dave

Labels etc

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  Courtesy Roy Denison

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  Courtesy Roy Denison

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  Courtesy Roy Denison

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  Courtesy Roy Denison

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  Courtesy Roy Denison

Adverts

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  An advert from 1895

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  The significance of the "Donovan" name for the Xmas strong ale is that Donovan was the Duke of Portland's horse that won both the Derby and the St Leger in 1889

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Entry in the Trade Mark Registry Registration No  : 38,587 Description  : A cross Date of Application  : 15/7/1884 Used Prior to 1875?  : 6 years Registration No  : 76,659 Description  : Label design TM for whisky Date of Application  : 28/5/1888 Used Prior to 1875?  : NO Registration No  : unknown Description  : Tree with Maltese Cross Date of Application  : Used Prior to 1875?  :