Pick up a slice of history – for the last time!
CAMRA’s 40th National Breweriana Auction; Saturday 24th October 2026
Have you ever fancied owning a slice of brewing history? Then this Auction is just the thing for you. Run by the Campaign for Real Ale, the National Breweriana Auction returns to Burton on Trent’s Town Hall on Saturday 24th October but sadly, after 40 events, this will be the very last national one so don’t miss it!
It will have circa 150 interesting auction lots; everything from mirrors to trays; advertising signs, water jugs, flagons, bottles, books and pump clips as well as a few more unusual items. Plus there will be a number of stands selling brewery memorabilia adding to the atmosphere in this wonderful Victorian venue.
There are all sorts of items from all over the country to decorate your home. What about a flagon from Wadworths? Wadworths is based in Devizes, Wiltshire. They were founded in 1875 and remarkably are still owned and run by the descendants of John Smith Bartholomew, the co-founder of the brewery.
Or what about a limited-edition commemorative Millennium Ale set comprising of an unopened bottle, glass and bottle opener in a lovely metal container. This is from Mansfield Brewery, who first started brewing in 1855 in North Nottinghamshire, taken over by Wolverhampton and Dudley in 1999 and closed in 2002. Wolverhampton & Dudley then took over Marston’s and adopted that name. Sadly, following acquisition by Carlsberg, the Wolverhampton Brewery was closed in 2026.
There are numerous items that you can either use, or more likely display. What about a tray from Bass and there are a number of lots from Worthington including an ashtray (well used!), a match holder and the famous Worthington Mayor jug. And straddling the two brewers is a trio of leaflets listing their bottlers . These two Burton on Trent breweries were founded in the mid/late 1700’s with Worthington 16 years older. By the late 1800’s, Bass was the biggest brewery in the world and merged with Worthington in 1927. Bass sold the brand to Coors (now Molson Coors) in 2002. Maybe their best known brand was Worthington White Shield; an iconic British style IPA, which ceased production in 2023 but you can still purchase it in Norway and the Netherlands! Included in the lots is an unusual display card advising customers to order their last bottle at last orders ‘to allow for the care necessary in pouring the last rush of orders for Worthington White Shield”.
And the Auction wouldn’t be the Auction without a Guinness item or two. This year we have a mug and a display stand among the lots.
These are just a few of the items on sale, each with a history to tell. You don’t have to be an expert to attend the National Breweriana Auction. The Auction is great fun to take part in (or even just to watch) and it’s an opportunity to get some great bargains plus many of the items on sale can appreciate in value. And, of course, like any CAMRA event, there is some good beer on sale all day (from a local brewery).
Burton on Trent is less than an hour by train from Sheffield and the Town Hall is just a short walk from the railway station. The event starts at 10.30am with the opportunity to view the lots and browse the breweriana stands that will also be there. Bidding starts at noon and is normally finished by 3pm, giving a chance to have a final perusal of the stands before visiting some of Burton’s iconic pubs and heading home.
Entrance is by catalogue (£3.00), available on the day, or in advance by post: £6.45 (first class) via https://tckty.camra.org.uk/e/559/national-breweriana-auction. If you can’t get there, postal bids are accepted, just contact Bill Austin: 07831 688276 or baustin1951@btinternet.com. Wheelchair accessible. For more details, see: www.gandc.camra.org.uk.
Christine Cryne