It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. Dickens was busy promoting his newly published book "David Copperfield," Marx's Political Manifesto revolutionised political thinking, Darwin was formulating his seminal theories on the Evolution of Man and Dr William Okell opened his astonishing Steam Brewery in the Isle of Man.
During the following few years Dr Okell set about procuring various Public Houses throughout the Island and promptly began supplying them with the magnificent Celtic Beer from his new but small brewery.
With an insufficient supply however, for the many Public Houses the development of a new larger premises was decided upon. Construction of the new brewery began in 1874 being built to a detailed specification drawn up by Dr Okell himself. These plans are also laid out in his book.
Up until this time, using steam to operate a brewery was almost unheard of. Dr Okell, however, a man of extraordinary talent and vision, understood the tremendous potential of steam and built what was, at the time, possibly the most sophisticated brewery in the world. The Isle of Man can therefore proudly take its place in the world as an important location of scientific and technological advancement - a tradition that our current Head Brewer, Dr Mike Cowborne continues to this day.
The oldest established Brewery on the Isle of Man. Brewing since 1850. All beers pure brewed to the Manx Beer Purity Law of 1874
