Our History

1840s

Works at Strangeways

Joseph Holt starts work as a carter at Strangeways brewery.

1849

Brewing starts

After moving into small house in central Manchester, Joseph starts his brewing career at a premises in Oak St.

1855

Ducie Bridge Brewery

In the first major expansion, the Holt's take over Ducie Bridge Brewery on York St, now Cheetham Hill Rd, brewing ales and porters.

1860

Derby Brewery move

Joseph Holt takes out a 999 year lease on a piece of land where he begins work on the brewery we're still in today.

1861

First pub acquired

After just supplying beer to local pubs, the brewery acquires the Wellington Hotel in Eccles - the first pub under Joseph Holt.

Late 1880s

Brewery water well deepened

The deep water well at the brewery site is enlarged to 526ft.

1882

Brewery control passes to 36 year old Edward

After working with his father since 1875, company control passes to Edward Holt.

1884

Holts move to the Woodthorpe

Edward, his wife and young family move to ‘Woodthorpe’, a large Victorian house.

1886

Joseph Holt dies age 73

At the age of 73, Joseph Holt passes away in the comfort of his own home on the 27th February 1886.

1892

Catherine Holt dies

Joseph Holt's wife, Catherine, who was instrumental in setting up the business, dies age 82.

1899

42 tied houses

The late 1880s and 90s saw a dramatic increase in the Joseph Holt pubs in Manchester and Salford.

1900

Business is booming

The brewery now employs around 60 people and brewery output booms to 40,350 barrels.

1901

Bottling plant opens

Edward Holt introduces a bottling plant to the brewery, initially bottled Holt's Bitter, Burton Ale and Dublin Stout.

1908-1909

Edward twice elected Lord Mayor

Edward is elected Lord Mayor of Manchester twice in a row.

1914

Manchester & District Radium Institute

Alongside leading scientists, Edward establishes the new Radium Institute.

1916

Honorary Freeman & Baronet

Edward receives a Baronet for his work on the Haweswater drinking water scheme.

1920

Sir Edward Holt made a CBE

In the new year's honours list, Sir Edward Holt receives a CBE.

1922

Huge Lancashire Boiler installed

A 1900 sq ft boiler replaces the original and stays in operations for 60 years.

1928

Sir Edward Holt dies

After running the brewery for 46 years, Sir Edward dies at MRI aged 78. Control passes to his second son, Edward.

1932

Christie & Holt Radium Institute

The two cancer treating institutes join forces and relocate to Withington.

1951

Joseph Holt goes public

Joseph Holt is officially floated and becomes a PLC.

1955

Woodthorpe Hotel opens

The home of the Holts since 1884, the Woodthorpe opens its doors as a pub.

1960

Bar goes to Coronation St

King William IV in Salford closes but the bar survives and finds itself in the Rover's Return.

1968

Peter Kershaw becomes Chairman

Sir Edward's nephew, who had worked in the brewery since returning from war service, takes over as Chairman.

1968

Sir Edward II dies

After 40 years at the helm and 64 years in total, Sir Edward II passes away at the age of 85.

1973

Original mash tun replaced

Joseph Holt's original mash tun is finally replaced.

1977

Brewery expansion

£500,000 is invested to re-equip and expand the existing brewery, increasing production by 50%.

1980

Richard Kershaw joins

After time as a brewer with Morrell's Brewery and Whitbred, Richard Kershaw joins the family business.

1985

Richard Kershaw becomes Managing Director

1992

Brewery expands again

With demand for Holts beer increasing, brewing capacity is increase by another 50%.

1994

Named one of the UK’s fastest growing public companies

1996

Lady Margaret Holt dies

Lady Margaret, widow of Sir Edward II, dies and leaves £7.5 million to be used for cancer research, continuing her astonishing charity work.

1999

Celebrating 150 years as a family business

2000

£300,000 raised for the Christie

To celebrate our 150 years, £301,056 is raised for the Christie Hospital.

2000

CEO Richard Kershaw

The company is taken back into private ownership and Richard Kershaw takes over the reins as Chief Executive.

2000

Peter Kershaw passes away

With over 50 years of service at the company, Peter Kershaw passes away at the age of 85.

2011

Gold for Crystal Lager

Crystal Lager wins Gold at the International Brewing Awards.

2012

Horse & Jockey pub & microbrewery

The brewery purchases this Chorlton pub and Bootleg microbrewery.

2013

Diamond Lager’s turn for Gold

Diamond wins best premium lager at the International Brewing Awards.

2014

Honoured with Heart of the Community Award

Awarded a national Heart of the Community award by BBPA.

2015

Black takes international beer gold

Our brewery completes a rate hat-trick of 3 international golds.

2015

Christie centenary appeal raises £402,000

2016

National Heart of the Community winner

The first UK company to win the award twice.

2017

Francis House charity appeal raises £92,000

2017

Diamond wins 2nd Gold

We become just one of three breweries in the world to win four consecutive gold medals.

2017

National Pub Aid Award

Judged by the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group, we receive the award for our charity and community work.

2017

Two Hoots on sale in Parliament

Two Hoots goes on sale in Stranger's Bar.

2017

6th generation Jane Kershaw joins

Jane Kershaw, daughter of Richard, joins the family business as our sixth generation.

2018

Rebrand of our core lager range

Our three core lagers - Diamond, Crystal and Crystal Gold are rebranded.

2018

Slattery & Holts create unique beer

We team up with fellow Manchester family business, 3rd gen chocolatier Slattery, to create Dark Delight.

2018

Hat-trick of Heart of the Community awards

After raising £113,000 for Maggie's cancer centre, we're awarded our 3rd Heart of the Community award.

2019

170 Cask Ale Club

To celebrate our 170th year, we launch a special six beer series of cask ales - one for each of our six generations so far.

2019

Jane Kershaw named Brewer of the Year

In Westminster, Jane is awarded Brewer of the Year as voted for by the Institute of Brewing and Distilling.

2019

Manchester Bee Glass launched

Combining two of Manchester's most treasured icons - beer and the bee - the Manchester Bee Glass is launched.

2019

Andrew Kershaw joins

Andrew Kershaw joins his father and sister at Joseph Holt, making it the first time in our 170 year history that siblings from the Holt line have worked together.

2020

Holts at Home Online Beer Shop opened

A Joseph Holt online beer shop launched for people across the UK.

2020

Trailblazer Stout launched

Trailblazer Stout - a premium, northern stout - launched across the whole Joseph Holt pub estate to resounding success!

2020

National Pub Closures

For the first time in our history, all of our pubs forced to close their doors.

2020

£174,000 raised for The Christie

Continuing our 106 year partnership, £174,507 is raised for the CT redevelopment.

2021

Sixex Gold at International Awards

Century old Sixex claims a gold medal at the International Brewing Awards.

2022

Pubs Raise Over £20,000 for Ukraine

£20,000 for the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

2022

£130k donated to North West Food Banks

Customers, pubs and brewery teams donated £130k+ to six North West foodbanks in charity appeal.

2022

25th Manchester Food & Drink Festival

Joseph Holt is the official partner of the Manchester Beer Bar.

2022

Licenced Trade Charity Staff Wellbeing Award

The brewery is extremely proud to have won this prestigious award.

2023

Joseph Holt partners with H.M.Pasties

A local bakery based in Bolton who are committed to helping ex-offenders find employment.

2023

Defibrillator Appeal

We raised an incredible £53,126 to purchase and install 33 defibrillators across our pubs.

2023

Woodthorpe Beer Festival

On the weekend of the 24th November, we hosted our first ever beer festival at The Woodthorpe in Prestwich.

2024

Joseph Holt turns 175 Years Old

Joseph Holt turns 175 and celebrates with a commemorative logo.

2024

International Brewing Awards 2024

Black and Spin Doctor win Gold Medals at the IBA's 2024 in Manchester.

2024

Our Bitter gets a new look

Our first and original beer, Bitter, gets a full rebrand.