Brewing in Westerham dates back to the early 1600’s. In 1841 Robert Day established The Black Eagle Brewery in Westerham to brew pale bitter ales while he continued to brew Porters in Bermondsey, using London’s softer water.

In 1862 Ben Bushell joined the partnership and for the next 40 years he was to drive the growth in the business. Such was the success of The Black Eagle Brewery that in 1881 a branch line from Sevenoaks to Westerham was constructed to carry beer to and from London. By the turn of the century the brewery was the largest employer in Westerham.

The Second World War could not put a stop to one of Kent’s finest breweries, and Westerham’s ales were popular with young airmen stationed at nearby RAF Biggin Hill. Indeed, following the D-Day landings, Westerham Ales were exported to troops in Normandy inside the auxiliary fuel tanks of Spitfires!

By the 1950’s, Westerham’s Audit Ale was supplied to Clarence House for the beginning of the oyster season, and to Winston Churchill at Chartwell Manor.

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