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News from April 1995, CAMRA's London Drinker magazine..
McDonnell's of Charlton "Mac Attacks in the Capital"
London is about to get its third regional brewery, complete with
tied estate.
But while Young's and Fuller's are well into three figures with
their estates, McDonnell's in Charlton has just five pubs, all in
South East London.
Free trader John McDonnell used to brew at his headquarters pub,
McDonnells (The "Antigallican") in Charlton, on plant inherited from
the old Chudley's Brewery, and Sledgehammer was very well respected
in the area.
Brewing stopped because of persistent production problems. But now
he has five pubs in the area he describes as a real ale desert. Mr.
McDonnell has decided to start again and is looking for a brewer.
"The market has changed since I stopped brewing and there is
definitely a great opportunity now." he said.
Apart from McDonnell's itself, his mini empire includes the "Village
Blacksmith" in Woolwich, once owned by CAMRA Investments, the "Prince
Albert" (Rose's) in Woolwich which regularly has fourteen real ales
on tap, the "Coopers Arms" (Plaisteds) another ex Midsummer Inns Pub,
and the "Duke of Edinburgh" in Lee Green.
The new brewery should produce up to 30 barrels a week but Mr.
McDonnell promises not to stop stocking guests from other micros in
his pubs."
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