Embedded Files
Symington's Braeside Brewery at Hopetoun
The photograph was taken between 1862 and 1867. The brewery is in the foreground with the brewery tap to the rear. From left of picture are local resident Mr. Griffith and William Symington 1840-1929. Obverse of picture: P. Robertson, Bacchus Marsh. Size 3 3/4 by 2 3/8 inches.
Symington's Braeside brewery at Hopetoun 1877
William Symington (1840-1929) and his wife Annie are in the yard of the brewery with his mother Eliza and another relative. Two young girls are in the cow paddock behind the house.
William Symington (1802-1867) arrived at Bacchus Marsh in 1858 and built the family home, Braeside, at Hopetoun. He was granted a brewer's licence on 30th December 1862 for twelve months from 1stJanuary to 31st December 1863. The last licence was issued in 1885. Symington's Braeside Brewery was situated on the Melbourne Road as it approached Bacchus at Hopetoun. The wooden cellar, built into the hillside measured 30 feet by 20 feet. The output of the brewery was 16 hogsheads per month.
The recipe: 200 gallons wort; 200 lb sugar, 100 bushels malt, 90 lbs hops. [1]
The brew was distributed only to local hotels. [2] According to an old resident of Coimadai, Anders Hjorth, Symington's brewery ran a weekly cart to businesses in Coimadai on the Gisborne road,10 km. North of Bacchus Marsh, supplying Bennet's shop and a wine shop owned by Charles Everett. [3] Allegedly William Symington did not regard the occupation of a brewer as congenial but public opinion was that he produced a "good article." [4]
In 1952, William Symington's grand-daughters, the "misses Symington", Eliza and Nancy, sold the Braeside property, the house on five acres of land, for £3,100. [5]
[1] From Nancy Symington
[2] Bacchus Marsh Express Thursday 18 October 1979
[3] Bacchus Marsh Express 25 November 1916 page 3
[4] History of Bacchus Marsh page 105
[5] Bacchus Marsh Express 9 August 1952 page 2
Carte de Visite c.1883 105x65mm by Stevenson & McNicoll Elizabeth Street, Melbourne
Symington's Brewery 1932
SLV Accession No- H19874 Image a13442
Malthouse circa 1949
These photographs were kept in an envelope postmarked 1949
Hopetoun Mill at Bacchus Marsh with the Symington house and malthouse in the foreground.
Undated colourised postcard labelled "Vals Own. 4."
Hopetoun in 1877 looking Eastward towards Anthony's Cutting
In the foreground is Charlie Carter's dwelling; Athorn's Hopetoun Hotel is beside the road. On a rise behind the mill are John Leahy's house and hotel.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse