GRAY & SONS (CHELMSFORD) LIMITED
FAMILY BUSINESS IN ESSEX. OWNERS OF 50 PUBLIC HOUSES
AND BEER WHOLESALERS
HISTORY
The Gray Family came
into brewing in 1828 at the Springfield Road Brewery in Chelmsford,
Essex. It is thought that there was a brewery at the Black Boy
Coaching Inn and it was this that later became the main brewery.
Springfield Road Brewery
Company Chairman Michael GrayIn
1870 the Maldon Brewery in Gate Street was bought to supply the
growing number of pubs in the area, and was eventually closed in
1954, and the local public houses were supplied from Chelmsford.
Springfield Road Brewery
Stock, Mild and
Bitter were the main brews, but when the Springfield Road Brewery
ceased brewing in 1974, Greene King IPA became the main real ale.
Since then the list of beers available has increased dramatically
and the tenants can now choose from a variety of monthly guest ales
from around the country. There is also a large choice from small
local breweries, Mighty Oak, Farmers Ales and Brentwood Brewery,
plus Adnams. A wide portfolio of lagers and bottled beers are also
available.
Pat Burr packing crates
The
depot,
Galleywood
The move to offices and the warehouse in Rignals Lane, Galleywood in
1974 enabled the company to deliver ales and lager to the public
houses and to continue the long standing family run business.
Springfield Road Brewery
The Phoenix
The Phoenix, now outside the depot in Rignals Lane, stood for many
years in the brewery garden. It was inherited from the Phoenix Fire
Insurance Company who rented a part of the brewery site in
Chelmsford in 1801.
copyright - Gray & Sons (Chelmsford) Ltd