Not Just Milk Stout

This is the story of how the Mackeson brothers of Deal bought a brewery in the small Kent town of Hythe and transformed it into a producer of one of the biggest brewing success stories of the twentieth century - milk stout. The drink was a favourite in pubs and shops across the country and famously found its way into the snug in Coronation Street's 'Rover's Return'. The family's journey was not a smooth one. From 1801, four generations struggled with economic depression and recession; war; a suicide; bankruptcies; lawsuits; wastrel and importunate relatives; and premature deaths. But there were triumphs along the way, too: transporting the Koh-i-Noor diamond to Queen Victoria, discovering a new dinosaur and finally the reward of a baronetcy.

ANNE PETRIE has an MA in History and has been chair of Hythe Local History Group for many years. She enjoys sharing her work via her popular blog, which has an international readership, and through her books and contributions to local publications. Her particular interests are in social and family history.