Page 17 - Closed Pubs and Breweries issue 2

Continue along Peach Street and opposite is: -

20. Eagle Brewery, 7 Peach Street, 1820 to 1863, now Happy Snaps.

The small Eagle Brewery at 7 Peach
Street opened in about 1820. The
1830 Beer Act allowed it to sell its
own beer, so it obtained an off-
licence. In 1854 the brewery was
bought by Hewett's Brewery of
Waltham St. Lawrence but appears to
have closed by 1863, although it
continued as a beer and spirits retailer
until 1982 when the off-licence was
owned by Breakspear’s.

The Beer Act liberalised the
regulations governing the brewing and
sale of beer. It was passed in response
to the problem of drunkenness in
England among the working

classes caused by cheap gin. The Act allowed virtually anyone able to afford
it to obtain a licence to brew and serve beer but not wines and spirits in their
home. The Act was repealed in 1993.

At the end of Peach Street turn right into the Market Place, with the town hall
opposite you.

To the right is: -

17