Hardy's Kimberley Brewery Ltd.
This Kimberley-based brewery merged with Hanson's in 1930 to form Hardy's and Hanson's, one of the largest breweries in Nottinghamshire. The company was acquired by Greene King in September 2006 and production of the Hardy's and Hanson's brands was switched to Bury St Edmunds. It was in 1832 that Samuel Robinson rented an old bakehouse in Cuckold Alley and established Kimberley’s first commercial brewery. Fourteen years later Stephen Hanson acquired land in Brewery Street and built a rival brewery. Enjoying considerable growth in their business, the Hardy family bought land in Brewery Street in 1861 and erected a modern plant opposite Hanson's. Seven years later the firm acquired their first tied house - the Cricket Player's Arms, which was next to the brewery site. This marked the battle to establish a tied estate to promote further sales and expansion. It was in 1930 that, following secret negotiations, the two rival breweries merged. Apparently, it is not known who first proposed this business deal.
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James-Shipstone and Sons Ltd.
It is with great regret I have to declare that, being from the Black Country, I never did try the beers from this brewery. I say regret because whenever you mention 'Shippo's' to anyone from the city of Nottingham they all say how much they enjoyed the ales. Sad therefore that the much missed large concern should fall victim to another takeover by the despicable Greenhall Whitley who also robbed us Black Country folk of our beloved Simpkiss Brewery. The Star Brewery - which still stands today - operated in New Basford. The firm was founded by James Shipstone in 1852. Visible for miles around, the Red Star of the brewery became a very familiar landmark. Independent status was lost in 1978 when Greenall's of Warrington acquired the company. Just like other Greenhall takeovers, the Star Brewery came under threat from the very beginning. The Warrington firm closed the Wem Brewery in Shropshire, Davenport's in Birmingham and August 31st 1990 the company announced that brewing would cease at Basford. Proof, if any were needed, that they were only really interested in the estate of 280 pubs. The Star Brewery finally closed in 1991.
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“This is grain, which any fool can eat, but for which the Lord intended
 a more divine means of consumption... Beer!”
Friar Tuck - Robin Hood
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