George Dalrymple and Co.
GEORGE DALRYMPLE & Co., Home Brewery, Parkhead, Glasgow.
The prosperity which has for so many years followed the great brewing enterprises of the United Kingdom, and the marvellous enterprise and spirit which distinguishes this one of our oldest industries, are fully reflected in the history of the firm of Messrs. George Dalrymple and Co., one of the best and most reputable firms associated with the trade in the Northern Industrial Metropolis.
The enterprise was inaugurated in the year 1860 in Whitevale Street, Glasgow, by Mr. George Dalrymple, the present well-known and influential proprietor, and increased with such rapidity, that greatly extended premises became a necessity. Hence sprung the well-known Home Brewery, at Parkhead, in the extreme East-end of Glasgow, comprising several ranges of substantial brewery buildings and appurtenant stores, workshops, and handsome modern offices, the whole covering a space of three acres. The plant of one leading brewery is very much the same as that of another, but it will be apparent that Messrs. George Dalrymple and Co., enjoying the advantage of their position in the midst of a community which has carried the progress of invention and improvement to the highest point in brewing as in other apparatus, have had facilities for laying down plant of the utmost efficiency which do not fall to the lot of every firm. These facilities, we need not say, have been taken advantage of to the utmost, and the plant, machinery, and appliances of the Home Brewery are worthy of notice, by those interested in the matter, as illustrating the latest ideas in principle and construction. Of the processes followed we do not presume to speak, having no wish to pose as quasi scientific experts in a matter necessarily understood by very few.
One arrangement, however, presents noteworthy features — that of the water-supply. Instead of taking what came first to hand, the firm, as a preliminary, started boring operations, and after carrying an artesian shaft through the several intractable strata of the formation, struck an abundant supply of water at the depth of 400 feet. Having been subjected to a long process of filtration under great pressure at this depth, its absolute purity goes without saying, even if its analysis did not show the absence of organic or inorganic contamination. It is also extremely suitable for brewing, and is, no doubt, one of the main factors in the high repute enjoyed by the productions of the Home Brewery.
Messrs. George Dalrymple and Co. have several classes of beer and stout. Their India Pale Ale, at 60s. per barrel, has a special reputation, and, indeed, the same may be said of their other productions. These include a XXX stout at 50s. per barrel and a XX at 45s. ; Scotch porter at 20s. per barrel net ; table beer, etc., in the brewing of which only the finest malt and hops are employed. The trade connection, we need hardly say, is of the widest and most representative description.
The firm, in conjunction with their brewing business, carry on a large wine and spirit trade. They are large importers of the finest Continental wines and brandies, of which they hold at all times a large and superb stock, including choice and rare ports, sherries, clarets, Burgundies, and champagnes. Their blend of fine Scotch whiskies is a great favourite both with the trade and the public, and is, in itself, quite a feature of their business. No effort has been wanting to maintain and, if possible, to increase the repute of the various goods of the firm. Their trade relations are mainly with Scotch houses : several able travellers attending to the wants of customers all over the country. The established repute of their several classes of goods, and the characteristic enterprise with which the whole business is conducted, give Messrs. George Dalrymple and Co. a commanding position in the trade, and impart a pleasing activity to the work of the several departments. The proprietor, from his long experience and special qualifications, is particularly well qualified to control and direct the operations of the firm. He is well known and highly esteemed both in mercantile and private circles, is an ex-magistrate for Kinning Park, and President of the Scottish Wine, Spirit, and Beer Trade Association — in a word, one of the leading representatives of the trade in North Britain.
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