Hull Brewery
Hull Brewery were prolific in their output of beer in bottles, and so this first selection is just edited highlights of my collection of their bottle labels. What's nice for me, is the thought that a real human artist working on behalf of the brewery actually sat and created the designs by hand - no computers - no C.A.D. I was lucky enough to find a collection of the original artwork for their labels, some of which was used and some that was not and I will feature both here in the coming weeks, as the whole forms an evocative reminder of a better time. Other items of Hull Brewery ephemera will follow - come back soon ...
These are in roughly alphabetical order, with beers they bottled for other people, as well as wines and spirits, at the bottom of the page eventually. The dates are taken from a hand-written 'label history' that I have in my collection, which is not complete, but gives a good idea of the majority of their labels. I'd welcome any additions if any has ones that are not featured here. Click on any image for a closer look - Cheers!
introduced in November 1928
small wartime label (paper rationing) in use from 1939 until 1946
introduced in 1948
introduced in 1963, with later versions have 'minimum contents' details
introduced 1949, discontinued 1953
introduced 1953, discontinued 1954
introduced 1954, discontinued 1955
introduced in 1955 as a glossy label, discontinued 1956
first introduced in round corner form in 1956 (this one discontinued in 1960). I have eight variants of this label, each with differing wording, issued up until 1963
introduced October 1971, half pints only
large wrap around label for ring pull cans issued in 1971, and larger size in 1972
introduced in 1957, and ran until at least 1967 - latterly in cans
introduced in 1963
introduced August 1972
for Queen Elizabeth II coronation in 1953
introduced in May 1925, discontinued in May 1941
introduced early 1900s and discontinued in 1940 (smaller but identical version issued until 1945)
introduced 1946, discontinued 1953
introduced 1953 and replaced in 1955
'extra strong' version, introduced in March 1955 and discontinued in 1962
introduced in June 1962, discontinued in 1965. Further three versions available with gilt background
introduced October 1971 ('nips only')
introduced 1890s, discontinued 1932
introduced 1950, discontinued 1955
introduced 1955 and known as 'the meet', discontinued 1956. At least two sizes issued.
export version, introduced in April 1956
introduced in 1969; three versions available
introduced post 1969, not certain of dates for this style of label, with the repeated words
these arched labels were introduced in August 1972 to celebrate the new white illuminated signs at Hull Brewery pubs
no dates for this one - lovely name -
was it a type of hop, or a family name? Same style as other 1920s labels
self explanatory celebratory ale
introduced c.1900, discontinued 1925
introduced 1925
'war economy' label, 1939-1946
introduced in 1946
introduced in 1963, with at least five variations such as minimum contents etc
introduced August 1972, and kept on under the 'Hull Brewery Mild Ale' name by North Country Breweries following their take-over
one of the last Hull Brewery ales, and introducing the name of their new parent company in 1972
introduced 'about 1932', discontinued 1941
introduced 1953
introduced in 1963, with at least five variants
again, not sure when these repeated word labels came in - but post 1969
introduced c.1900, discontinued 1920s
introduced 1920s, unsure of dates for discontinuation
no idea where this one fits in, but I suspect 1920s or early 1930s
'war economy' label, 1939-1946
introduced in 1946
introduced in July 1962 ('dumpy' only)
introduced 1963 with four differing versions at least
post 1969? - who knows?
introduced August 1972
not sure about this one, certainly post 1965, as it has minimum contents noted
introduced early 1900s, discontinued c.1940
Top Score lager was introduced in half pint bottles in August 1972. Hateful stuff
taken from a 'miniature' -
1950s I guess
Guinness's stout was one of many ales bottled and sold by the company.
This is one of the earliest labels.
Hull Brewery's own stout was discontinued in 1932, so this may be a possible date for the introduction of the dark stuff
... however, the brewery's own label history (authors collection) states this label was introduced 'early 1900s' and 'discontinued in 1932, so is this the earliest known Hull Brewery Guinness label? I guarantee someone will tell me ... this example is pin stamped July 1929
introduced 'about 1932', discontinued 'about 1941'. I have at least four other designs of Guinness label for the Hull Brewery, all pre-1960, but I'm sure there will be more
Bi-centenary label - 1959
possibly the last Guinness label for Hull Brewery, issued in 1965
archived by
the British Library