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John Hair & Son, 16 Church Street, Melbourne, Derbyshire.

History
John Hair's was a typical small market town brewery that operated for just over 100 years. Melbourne's population doubled in size during the 19th century, as it became a small manufacturing town. Its growth was mirrored by a plentiful supply of pubs and a brewery (1851-1954) as most people drank beer in preference to a polluted local water supply.

Hair's Brewery was adapted from buildings previously used as a worsted warehouse by the Mills family (dating back to the 1790s). The brewery had its own tiny pub attached, known as the Barm Tub, but space there was at such a premium that in reality it was a private club for a select few. It was reached by the stone steps projecting into Church Street.

Founded in 1851, a partnership of William Dallman and John Hair operated briefly as brewers on Church Street in 1855. William Dallman then moved to Derby Road next to the Alma Inn. Dallman retired by 1891, passing the business to his son, Francis William Dallman, who died in 1896. John Hair & Son acquired Dallman's Derby Road concern in 1898 from John William Dallman, William’s grandson (aged 19).

The attempted sale of 1922
The brewery was first put up for sale on 2 March 1922 at the Melbourne Hotel with Innes and co. of Derby. The auction involved three lots.

Lot 1 – consisted of the freehold brewery with an “on” licence and a brick built store (75 ft by 25ft).

Lot 2 – a piece of garden land with a pigstye fronting Church St.

Lot 3 – the Alma Inn on Derby Road, with a yard, stabling and outhouses. The Alma was previously a “home brewed house”.

The lots were first offered as a whole and if not sold, separately. The advertisement claims that John Hair had a high reputation for its beer and a good trade with clubs, farmers and the public that could be greatly increased with little effort. The brewery was not sold but the Alma was, possibly to raise funds for the brewery.

Sale and closure
On 1 July 1953 it was noted by the Derby brewer, Offilers Ltd, that the brewery was up for sale for £25,000. The trade was given as 80 barrels per week but the Offiler's chairman declined the offer. On 6 May 1954 Hair's brewery was purchased by them for £7000 with one tied house and an off-license trade and immediately closed.

Offilers was bought by Charringtons (1965) whose London brewery was closed down in 1975.

The brewery was converted into a substantial house and is still a prominent and handsome building in the centre of the town.

The owners of the Chip and Pin micropub in Melbourne hope that they can locate the original Hair recipe and bring the beer back into production through a local micro-brewery.

Employees
Carl Dallman, Head Brewer c. 1930-1954

Fred Hastings, 1930s

Bill Hulse, 1930s

Bill Dawson, Driver, 1930s

Les Dawson, 1930s

Outlets
The Barm Tub - a small bar for locals only at the brewery.

The Alma Inn, Derby Road, Melbourne and linked to the Dallman Brewery which was next door. This former "home brewed house" was owned by Hair's until 1922.

The Quarn Tavern, Quarn St Derby was the only tied house at the time of closure.

Several off licences were supplied such as at 11 Blanchcroft, Melbourne and there was a small social club trade including the Melbourne British Legion, the Melbourne Liberal Club and the Carrington Club in Derby

Beers

 * Nut Brown (Mild)


 * Best Bitter Ale


 * Johnny Stout


 * Strong Ale


 * Home Brewed Ale