The Red Lion Brewery

It is not known exactly when the brewery was founded, but it is believed to date back to the 'beerhouses' referred to in John Stow's Survey of England (1597). It is understood to be the beerhouse referred to as 'the Lyon' in a license given to the brewer John Merchant in 1492, for the export of 'ale'.[2]

Through the Elizabethan era the brewery appears to have been part owned by the Crown, as well as at various times, the Poine, Long, Harrison, and Deane families, before being gifted by Elizabeth I to her favourite Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester. After Dudley's death the brewery was eventually consolidated into the ownership of James Desmaistres.[3]

James Desmaistres would employ a brewer named John Parsons, a member of the Worshipful Company of Brewers. Parsons would rent the brewery from Desmaistres for 39 years for £44 per annum, leasing The Red Lion Brewery premises, but owning The Red Lion Brewery business. Desmaistres would pass on his share in the brewery premises to the Hoste family via inheritance through a daughter.[4]

Four generations of the Parsons family would brew at The Red Lion brewery. John's son, John Parsons Jr, would leverage his position to become commissioner of victualling for the Royal Navy. He would also become master of the Worshipful Company of Brewers and later Lord Mayor of the City of London. He would be knighted by James II.[5]

John Parson Jr's son, Humphrey Parsons, would take over the brewing business in 1717. Humphrey Parson would obtain the patronage of Louis XV of France, whom he supplied with his Porter known as "Parsons' Black Champagne". The porter obtained fame all over London, and was mentioned in Oliver Goldsmith's poem, Description Of An Author's Bedchamber.[6] Humphrey would become a Member of Parliament and twice Lord Mayor of the City of London.

The Goodwyne family became owners of The Red Lion Brewery business around 1779, having acquired it from the Parsons family. However, the Hoare family became co-owners of the business in 1802, as the junior partners. The Hoare family were bankers, and owners of C. Hoare & Co. At the time it was fashionable for banks to own breweries as a means of stabilising income (for example, Guinness beer, and Guinness Bank).

In 1825 the Hoare family were sole owners of The Red Lion Brewery business, and by 1833, the Hoare family co-owned The Red Lion Brewery premises with Frederick Woodbridge.[7] At various times the brewery would trade under the name Hoare & Co. and use the Toby Jug as their trademark.[8]

In 1933 Charrington & Co. would purchase Hoare and Co.'s The Red Lion Brewery and cease production a year later in 1934.[9]