St Austell Brewery Marks 175 Years With New History Book

A new book lifting the lid on 175 years of St Austell Brewery has just landed, and it tells a story far stranger and richer than most pint drinkers would guess. Handwritten recipe books, a daughter who took the reins when women rarely did, and a beer originally brewed for a solar eclipse all sit inside its pages.

Written by the brewery’s archivist Paul Holden, A History of St Austell Brewery charts the evolution of one of the South West’s leading independent, family-run brewing, hospitality and wholesale businesses.

From the Seven Stars to Trevarthian Road

The story begins in 1851 with founder Walter Hicks, who started out brewing at the Seven Stars Inn in St Austell. By 1893 the business had grown enough to warrant the construction of the Trevarthian Road brewhouse, where the brewery’s beers are still made today.

Designed around a gravity-fed system rather than pumps, the Victorian brewhouse reflects traditional brewing methods of the time and remains part of the working brewery. It’s a rare and much-cherished link between past and present.

📷History book - credit Milly Fletcher

The Woman Who Kept It Going

One of the book’s standout chapters explores the role of Walter’s daughter, Hester Parnall, who took over the business following her father’s death. At a time when women were rarely involved in brewing or hospitality, Hester led the brewery through periods of expansion and change. She travelled across Cornwall and beyond to grow the pub estate, and helped to secure the brewery’s independence for future generations.

Brewing by Instinct

Paul drew on meticulously kept handwritten brewing logs and recipe books dating back to the 1800s. They reveal how beer was once brewed using instinct, experience and taste alone. Many of these rediscovered records have since inspired heritage beers brewed especially to mark the 175th anniversary.

The book also details how the brewery adapted through some of the most challenging moments in its history, including both World Wars, when recipes were adjusted during rationing and buildings and labour were repurposed to keep the business running.

Readers are also offered glimpses into a time when beer was delivered by horse and cart to local pubs, with ledgers detailing delivery routes, volumes and even the impact of the weather.

The Stories Behind the Pumps

Alongside the rich history, the book explores the stories behind modern favourites such as Tribute, originally brewed as Daylight Robbery for the 1999 solar eclipse, as well as Proper Job and Korev.

Paul Holden, Archivist at St Austell Brewery and author of the book, said: “This book is about the details as much as the big moments – the handwritten notes, the delivery ledgers and the people whose decisions shaped the brewery. It’s a story rooted firmly in the South West, but also one of resilience, change and a long-standing pride in brewing great beer and building a thriving hospitality business across the region. This is a must-have for fans of St Austell Brewery, lovers of history and anyone with a passion for beer and brewing.”

A History of St Austell Brewery is available to buy now via the St Austell Brewery online shop.