The Culverden Brewery was first purchased by the Kelsey family in 1851. The Company was registered as E & H Kelsey in 1920 to amalgamate the Culverden Brewery with Thomas Phillips of West Malling. Acquired by J W Green in 1948, ceased brewing in 1955/6 and demolished in the 1960s.
Special Club Ale pre-1920 v2
Special Club Ale pre-1920 v1
Light Bitter No 1 1920s
Dinner Ale 1920s
Strong Ale No 4 1920s
XXX Special Winter Ale 1920s
Oatmalt Stout cap seal
Nut Brown Ale cap seal
Dinner Ale 1930s
Light Bitter No 1 1930s
Nut Brown Ale 1930s pint
Nut Brown Ale 1930s half pint
Oatmeal Stout No 7 1930s
Stout No 5 1930s
Strong Ale no 4 1930s
Home Brewed Bitter Ale 1940s
Burton Ale 1940s
Club Ale 1940s
Culverden All Malt Stout 1940s
Culverden Burton Ale 1951/2
Culverden Milk Stout 1951/2
Culverden Nut Brown Ale 1951/2
Culverden Oatmeal Stout 1951/2
Culverden Pale Ale 1951/2 half pint
Culverden Pale Ale 1951/2 pint
Culverden Strong Ale 1951/2
All Malt Stout 1952
Burton Ale 1952
Nut Brown Ale 1952
hi there. The old Kelsey brewery , by then part of Flowers (Southern), ceased brewing and closed in 1962, after being bought by Whitbreads. My Dad worked there from 1936 until 1962. I was 10 when it closed, and remember it well.
Hi R Brown loved your comment. I am trying to complete a monologue on Kelseys and would welcome any comments. pictures etc.. Guy Sankey. Tunbridge Wells
Hello Guy. Am getting a bit confused as to who is doing the research on Kelsey’s. I’ve already sent some stuff to the “E&H Kelseys, Culverden Brewery, Tunbridge Wells” facebook page. Is that you? There has also been some discussion on the “RTW Past and Present” facebook site.
Could you send me your email address? Then I’ll be happy to tell you what I know about the company with stories and pics etc.
Hope to hear from you soon, Roger
Hi Roger, thanks and yes that is me!! Have been off the case for the winter but researches starting now I am back in Tunbridge Wells. my email is grmsankey@aol.com or 07817407552 thanks Guy Sankey
It appears that Kelsey built a pub/house at Charcott (now the Greyhound) in 1854. A surprising decision as there was little habitation and no well used through route at that time. Were they growing hops or barley there? Wonder whether you have any info. John Stevens,