Double Maxim Beer Company
Encyclopedia
The Double Maxim Beer Company (founded in 1999) was set up to rescue the famous Double Maxim beer, which had ceased production when the Vaux brewery
was closed in the same year.
The new company was founded by ex-Vaux directors Doug Trotman, Mark Anderson and ex-Vaux head brewer, Jim Murray, and in 2000 re-launched Double Maxim. Brewing of the beer was initially contracted to Robinson's
of Stockport
.
In 2003 the company bought the brand and recipes of former Vaux subsidiary, Wards
, and relaunched Wards Best Bitter, again to be brewed and bottled by Robinson's. A cask version was later launched, initially brewed by Jennings
of Cockermouth
and latterly Robinson's.
A second Vaux ale was resurrected in 2005 in the form of Samson, again sold in 500ml bottles. Its fourth beer, Maximus, was created for (and won) entry in the internationally acclaimed Tesco
Beer Challenge, in 2005. All of its beers are sold in 500ml bottles (except Double Maxim which is 550ml) in the United Kingdom
.
The company achieved its aim of returning brewing to Sunderland in 2008, when the new Maxim Brewery was opened at Houghton Le Spring.
With the closure of Federation Brewery in 2010, the renamed Maxim Brewery was joined by 2 brewers ex Tyne Brewery. Maxim Brewery is now the biggest independent brewery in the North East of England. Along with the famous Double Maxim, Samson, Wards and Lambtons, the company also produces Swedish Blonde a 4.2% IPA style beer and Maximus a 6% strong Ale.
Double Maxim was first brewed in 1901 to celebrate the return of the Maxim Gun detachment from the Boar War. It was commanded by colonel Ernest Vaux and the North East style Brown Ale is one of the oldest surviving beers in the United Kingdom.
Vaux Breweries
Vaux Breweries was a major brewer based in Sunderland. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange.-History:The Company was founded by Cuthbert Vaux in Sunderland in 1837 and for nearly 170 years was a major employer in the town....
was closed in the same year.
The new company was founded by ex-Vaux directors Doug Trotman, Mark Anderson and ex-Vaux head brewer, Jim Murray, and in 2000 re-launched Double Maxim. Brewing of the beer was initially contracted to Robinson's
Robinson's Brewery
Robinsons is a family run regional brewery founded in 1838 by William Robinson at the Unicorn Inn, Stockport, England. The company's brewery is called the Unicorn Brewery....
of Stockport
Stockport
Stockport is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on elevated ground southeast of Manchester city centre, at the point where the rivers Goyt and Tame join and create the River Mersey. Stockport is the largest settlement in the metropolitan borough of the same name...
.
In 2003 the company bought the brand and recipes of former Vaux subsidiary, Wards
Wards Brewing Company
Wards Brewing Company was a brewing company based at Sheaf Brewery on Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, England. Now a subsidiary of Double Maxim Beer Company. The most famous brand produced was Wards Best Bitter.-Early years:...
, and relaunched Wards Best Bitter, again to be brewed and bottled by Robinson's. A cask version was later launched, initially brewed by Jennings
Jennings Brewery
Jennings Brewery was established as a family concern in 1828 in the village of Lorton, between Keswick and Cockermouth in the Lake District, England. The brewery was started by John Jennings Snr, son of William Jennings . Jennings brewed exclusively in Lorton until 1874 when its present home, the...
of Cockermouth
Cockermouth
-History:The Romans created a fort at Derventio, now the adjoining village of Papcastle, to protect the river crossing, which had become located on a major route for troops heading towards Hadrian's Wall....
and latterly Robinson's.
A second Vaux ale was resurrected in 2005 in the form of Samson, again sold in 500ml bottles. Its fourth beer, Maximus, was created for (and won) entry in the internationally acclaimed Tesco
Tesco
Tesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...
Beer Challenge, in 2005. All of its beers are sold in 500ml bottles (except Double Maxim which is 550ml) in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
The company achieved its aim of returning brewing to Sunderland in 2008, when the new Maxim Brewery was opened at Houghton Le Spring.
With the closure of Federation Brewery in 2010, the renamed Maxim Brewery was joined by 2 brewers ex Tyne Brewery. Maxim Brewery is now the biggest independent brewery in the North East of England. Along with the famous Double Maxim, Samson, Wards and Lambtons, the company also produces Swedish Blonde a 4.2% IPA style beer and Maximus a 6% strong Ale.
Double Maxim was first brewed in 1901 to celebrate the return of the Maxim Gun detachment from the Boar War. It was commanded by colonel Ernest Vaux and the North East style Brown Ale is one of the oldest surviving beers in the United Kingdom.