It’s a bright morning on the 22nd of November 1514 and its the very earliest days of production for Mortlake Brewery, a small, discreet but undeniable modern building, in a quiet London suburb probably employing no more than 10 people. Who would have known that it would have taken another half a millennia for its final day of work for the power to finally be switched off? But that's what’s happened, five years after it was originally scheduled Mortlake Stag Brewery has had its water tanks removed, it appears its final honeymoon is now over. But will this huge tower of metal and concrete that pumps out a highly addictive drug be missed?
The simple answer is yes. Admittedly the smell had a somewhat 'marmitey' feel about it, you either loved it or hated it. But without it would Mortlake be what it is today? A charming, hidden riverside gem in one of the richest boroughs in London, again it is a simple answer. No. Both the construction of the brewery and the installation of the railway has formed not just Mortlake, but East Sheen which was formerly part of it. Certainly since the Victorian times there has been great development and prosperity as a result of the brewery, my house in fact was once home to a worker of the Brewery, it has since been refurbished may I add. But in all seriousness Mortlake and the modern day community within it owes a lot to the Brewery.
In reality we specifically owe James Watney & co. because without this company Mortlake Brewery would have closed several decades earlier, it was James Watney that bought the Brewery back from near extinction in 1889. Without him and his rather deep back pocket Mortlake may not have benefited from the industrial revolution in the way it did, and I certainly wouldn't be writing this article in 2014 instead it would have more likely featured in a 1914 newspaper.
It was all a slightly sorry end in reality. To see something that the local scenery will be a bit dull without being lifted away on a huge crane came somewhat unceremoniously and I think without enough recognition. It is only fair that this concrete, metallic, slightly smelly tower receives proper appreciation. So Mortlake Brewery we thank you for your five hundred year’s of service to the community.
Brewer AB InBev asked for this clarification statement to be added to this story by our young reporter.
"As we have previously announced Stag Brewery will remain open until at least the end of 2015. The removal of these tanks is not related to that decision and does not affect our plans. This has been communicated to our employees at the brewery."
