| Westerham's
Famous Brewery
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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for Historic Westerham
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