Yeovil's Virtual Museum

In the 1891 edition of 'Where to Buy' Joseph Brutton's business was given the following description -

Mr Joseph Brutton
Brewer and Wine Merchant.

The greatest national beverage of England is undoubtedly beer, and it is of national importance that this liquor should be supplied in a sound and wholesome condition.
Among the leading brewers of the West of England, Mr Joseph Brutton, Brewer and Wine Importer, of Yeovil, occupies an honourable position. The business was established in 1825, and since then has continued to hold its own in popular favour throughout the surrounding district, and by the careful selection of the barley, the judicious manufacture of pale malt, and the scrupulous care shown in every detail of the brewing process, has acquired a reputation as a most reliable house.

For many years the business was carried on under the name of Cave and Brutton; the present proprietor has had a long and valuable experience in the trade, and by modernising, when occasion required, the appliances technically called the "plant," by his careful supervision and selection of the ingredients, has fully maintained the high reputation previously acquired. In order to supply the malt, two large malt-houses are kept constantly at work during the season, the most recent improvements having been introduced into every branch of the manufacture. The cisterns in which the barley is steeped are constructed on the best principles, and in the germinating cases the grain is worked and turned by patent machinery. The kilns are provided with self-acting ventilators, and to ensure the utmost efficiency, the kiln floors are double. The malt-crushing mills, the hoists and elevators are worked by engine power, one being a gas engine and the others steam. The Brewery is equipped with two mash-tuns, coppers, backs, coolers and refrigerators, these being of the best and newest character, while the fermenting vessels are provided with attemperators, parachutes, and every appliance to facilitate the work and ensure its being performed in a steady and reliable manner. Storage rooms are provided for malt and hops, and a stock of the best English hops is always kept in reserve.

Attached to the Brewery are large vats and cellars for the storage of beer, while adjoining is the yard for washing and purifying the casks previous to filling them. The water for supplying the brewery is pumped from a artesian well on the premises, and is noted for its purity and perfect suitability for brewing purposes.

The greatest care is taken to time each operation to the requirements of the case, and to preserve the most scrupulous cleanliness throughout. The malt and hops
are of the best quality, and the proportions of same are adjusted with a nicety so as to provide an uniform character in the beverage which it is intended to produce. The result is that Mr Brutton's beers and stout are invariably of a superior quality, and we should say it is extremely rare for a cask to be returned on his hands.

Brewing is now a science, and no greater proof of the success of this manufactory could be adduced than that notwithstanding the extraordinary competition in the trade during recent years, and the immense sums spent in machinery and in procuring skilled scientific managers by the large breweries, Mr Brutton has been able not only to hold his own, but to make advances, and, by offering a superior beer to the public at a moderate price, to practically meet all opposition.

A wine and spirit business is also attached; a long succession of ports of the finest vintages, together with sherries, brandies and champagnes from the most noted shippers, very old Scotch and Irish whiskies, and a choice and varied list of other liqueurs of guaranteed quality being always on hand.

Mr Brutton is also engaged in an undertaking of a far different character; we refer to his model dairy farm, on which over 50 thoroughbred Jersey cows are kept. The dairy is scrupulously clean, one of De Laval's "Separators" being used to separate cream from the milk. This machine is driven by a gas engine, which also supplies the motive power for corn crushing, root and chaff cutting. The greatest care is taken to supply the cattle with pure water, the town water having been laid on to the meadows where they pasture. Mr Brutton's name is well known in the show-yard, exhibits from his herd having been made at the Royal, the Bath and West of England, and other principal meetings. Over 90 prizes, as well as the silver medal of the English-Jersey Cattle Society, the gold, two silver, and bronze medals of the British Dairy Farmers' Association, Thorley's silver cup on two occasions, and a large number of honour certificates, have been awarded to these beautiful animals during the last three years.