In 1905, iron puddler (worker) Thomas Fentiman collected on a debt owed by a fellow tradesman. The loan had been secured by a recipe for ginger beer, and since the borrower couldn’t repay, Thomas started on his way to becoming the Ginger Beer Baron.

Thomas Fentiman’s beverages were originally distributed in stone vessels, called “grey hens,” commonly used in England. Since they were carbonated and not pasteurized, the threaded top and screwed on porcelain cap allowed pressure to be released. Still, one would occasionally blow up on the back of the horse-drawn delivery wagon on a hot day.

Fentimans was delivered door-to-door to individual customers into the 1950’s. But in the 60’s and 70’s the major soda companies made it difficult for smaller producers to compete. The large number of Thomas’s descendants and their disagreements on the future of the company led to the brand slowly shrinking. The last factory closed in the mid-70’s.

In 1992, Eldon Robson, the great grandson of Thomas Fentiman, resurrected the brand and introduced the present bottle and label. While expanding the line beyond ginger beer, he remained true to the original time-honored tradition of handcrafted beverages made with natural ingredients. As a nod to that tradition, all the beverages contain ginger from the base, fermented brew, except the Shandy and tonic water. They hearken back to a time when the pace of life was slower and beverages tasted authentic.

Robson’s timing for re-introducing Fentimans was perfect. Products with similar backgrounds were enjoying a renaissance in the late 80’s and 90’s. People were looking for simplicity and originality and willing to pay a premium for a quality product.

“Everything we do goes from the brewery, right into the bottle,” explains Greg Warwick. “Fresh, real ingredients, that are all natural. The visual homage to the heritage in the packaging, the tactile sensation of holding the heavy custom-made bottle, the aroma, and then the amazing taste, are all part of the total experience. The result is Botanically Brewed Beverages that are curiously stimulating!”

Mixed drinks are also back in fashion, and “mixologists” are wowed by the authenticity and potential of Fentimans products. As they become more discriminating and graduate from the soda or cola “gun” at the bar to major name bottled mixers, the next step is either to make their own mixers or to use Fentimans Cola, Tonic or Ginger Beer, a combination of both super-premium quality and convenience. The distinctiveness of Fentimans is a perfect match for the artisan spirits and fresh ingredients that are more widely available in fine bars and restaurants today.

All the Fentimans products are singular in their taste and presentation. For instance, the Cola tastes like one from an apothecary early in the century, with a nice little bite at the end. Made by craftsmen in small batches with an artisanal approach and traditional recipes, there is continuity with the past.

“Eldon and everyone at Fentimans have a great deal of pride in the origins of the brand and the heritage behind it.”