In the 18th century, there were over two dozen breweries in and around Dunbar. Most were small operations with one or two staff, so called ‘craft brewers’, who supplied a single inn or a few local customers.
West Barns Brewery survived longest and for most of the 19th century it was the largest in the district. Eventually it ran into financial difficulties and the owners went bankrupt in 1883. Only Dudgeon and Company of Belhaven Brewery survived to see the 20th century.
Elevation of West Barns Distillery, 1838. The Distillery is the large building to the right of the image.
Both men and women ran breweries. The female brewers were called Brewsters. Notable names in 1751 Dunbar included Isobel Christie, Elizabeth Skirven, Jean Purves, Jean Gibb and Robina Young. Sometimes a wife inherited a business once run or managed by her spouse, while others appear to have made their living by brewing over many years. At the same time, six or seven of the larger breweries were owned by Dunbar merchants. These breweries usually employed three or four people and had associated maltings. Their produce was often exported.
Only four of the larger breweries survived into the 19th century. In March 1865 the Dunbar Brewery in Lamer Street closed. The Haddingtonshire Courier advertised a clearance sale of its stock.
Images courtesy of Belhaven Brewery Company Limited & East Lothian Courier
