From a book titled "WHERE TO BUY AT DOVER" circa 1900.

Kindly sent to me by Lorraine Sencicle, 8 October 2009.

Messrs. Gardner and Co., Ash Brewery, near Sandwich; Dover Stores and Offices, near Priory Station.

Nearing the Priory Station we come upon the stores and offices of Messrs. Gardner and Co., the well-known brewers of Ash, near Sandwich, which firm claims to have been the originators of pale ale brewing in East Kent more than half a century ago. The brewery, situated some 12 miles from Dover, which we visited a short time since, is of considerable extent with a plant on the most approved principle. The whole is a model of perfect cleanliness and system, and we found that Messrs. Gardner and Co. were their own engineers, smiths, wagon builders, coopers, carpenters, and painters, for each of which departments there are well-fitted shops. The special quality of the ales for which the Ash Brewery is so deservedly celebrated we think, must be attributed to the perfect nature of the water, which is obtained from an artesian well 220ft. deep, containing all the necessary properties for brewing as well as the necessary properties for brewing as well as to the advantage of being situated in the centre of the East Kent hop district, enabling the firm to take the earliest opportunity of purchasing hops from the choicest growths in the neighbourhood, direct from the grower, East Kent hops being well-known and much sought after, all the heat in England. Probably the natural position of the brewery has had no little to do with the success the proprietors have attained, placed as it is in the midst of a pure and invigorating atmosphere. Standing in the moat elevated part of the premises, where the natural aeration of the beers goes on, there is a splendid view of the country for miles around, and the Isles of Thanet and coast can be distinctly seen. The business of Messrs. Gardner and Co. forms a very unique instance of the progress of the times in bringing science to bear on commercial transactions, for by the aid of the telephone and the use of traction engines they, with their brewery situated in a village remote from a railway station are brought into direct touch with the consumers in the whole of East Kent, and a portion of Sussex. At Canterbury, Dover, Ashford, Sittingbourne, Ramsgate, and Hastings they have stores and offices, and are on the telephone circuit; it is from these depots that their wagons a make an early start each morning, and find their way into the smallest villages and hamlets, covering, in the aggregate, an area of nearly 40 miles square.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 18 February, 1881. 1d. Messrs. Gardner, brewers, of Ash, have secured the square plot of land adjoining the “Priory Hotel” on which they propose to erect an ale and beer store.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 10 July, 1931. Price 1½d.

The subject of our view is Messrs. Gardner and Co.'s Dover stores and offices; the cellarage extends over a considerable area in which there is always a large stock in small and large casks, ready to serve the needs of their many customers. We noticed, just as we were leaving the premises, the arrival of a train of loaded trucks drawn by a powerful traction engine on springs - quite a novelty on the road; we understand that two, and sometimes three, journeys are made weekly from Ash to Dover, and that the engine is capable of drawing 20 tons with the greatest ease. Messrs. Gardner and Co., claim to have originated the brewing of pale ale in East Kent, and therefore, taking this fact into account, we must look to the firm as public benefactors, inasmuch as this particular beverage has gained a strong hold on the popular taste in those localities in which Ash Brewery Ales are known. Other parts of the country may have their own particular brewings, but we very much doubt if, in the long run, they can compare with those obtainable in East Kent. The names of Gardner and Co. and Ash Brewery will, doubtless, come familiarly to our readers, as the ales are very generally to be found in private houses, as well as in most of the hotels and public houses in the locality, where the proprietors are free to make a choice; we, therefore, think this slight review of the business will not be uninteresting, and afford some idea of the industries carried on in Kent.

Above two photographs 2009, taken by Alan Sencicle and kindly sent by Lorraine. Top one shows the buildings today, bottom one shows the logo still above the doorway.