The Brewery History Society’s gift of beer advertising and marketing books, journals and ephemera to The History of Advertising Trust will be officially celebrated at its archive centre in Raveningham, Norfolk today. The collection that spans over 80 years comes from brewing companies across the UK and includes bottles, cans, labels, posters, pump clips, beer mats, press advertising and company histories. Its new accommodation at HAT has been made possible by a generous donation by the Institute of Brewing & Distilling’s Grants Committee

Mike Brown, archivist for the Brewery History Society, said “Brewing plays a pivotal role in the UK’s culture and economy. The Brewery History Society’s collection provides a unique insight into how the marketing of our national drink has evolved and we are delighted that it is now available to researchers from the industry, historians and beer lovers.”

Chloe Veale, Archive and Library Collections Manager at The History of Advertising Trust said “As the largest archive of British advertising in the world, it is a real coup for us to have received this unique collection concerning that most quintessentially British product – beer. Brewers have created some of the most memorable advertising for over a century and this wonderful material will enable researchers to study how beer brands have become part of our national heritage.”

Simon Jackson, the Chief Executive of the Institute of Brewing & Distilling, said “Marketing plays a vital role in the brewing process. The enormous skill and experience that brewers dedicate to making beer would be pointless if people don’t get the chance to find out about the fruits of their hard work. What is so striking from this fascinating collection is just how often marketers draw on the rich provenance of beer’s natural raw materials and the brewer’s art when promoting their brands.