Records of Brewers' Association of Scotland, Trade Association, Edinburgh, Scotland

• Memorandum and articles of association 1961;
• Minute books 1906-1981;
• Records relating to members' meetings, 1950-1976;
• Reports of the Brewers' Association of Scotland 1986-1991;
• Financial records c1930-1980;
• Production records 1931-1936;
• Salaries and wages records dealing with the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU) 1964-1980;
• Industrial relations records 1971-1981;
• Licensed premises records 1971-1980;
• Promotional material 1979-1995;
• Public relations 1955-1997;
• Historical notes 1950-1975.

The Brewers' Association of Scotland (since 1994 Brewers & Licensed Retailers Association of Scotland, from 2002 Scottish Beer & Pub Association) emerged from the Edinburgh Brewers' Association in December 1906. The first General Meeting was held on 3 March 1907 and there were initially 48 members. The aim of the organisation is "to further co-operation among local brewers and to protect, promote and co-ordinate the general interest of Scotland's brewing industry." From its beginnings the Association has been affiliated to the Brewers' Society (later Brewers & Licensed Retailers Association, now British Beer & Pub Association).

The 1961 constitution of the Association states the conditions of membership. Companies that seek full membership need to carry out the business of wholesale brewing in Scotland, the annual subscription being calculated "on the basis of a levy per barrelage brewed" after excise deduction. In 1961 there were four office bearers: the president, two vice-presidents (elected annually at the General Meeting) and a secretary.

In 1989 the Association had three committees; the executive committee as well as a retail, an industrial relations and a public relations committee. The Association has the "power to make recommendations and to influence governing legislative bodies on sensitive issues" and "can alert the Brewer's Society of the United Kingdom about regional concerns which may develop and affect the nation."

From 1908 onwards the Association was involved in industrial relations issues such as workers' pay increases and working hours. However, it was not until 1937 that the Association fully recognised the Transport & General Workers Union as a negotiating body. In 1975 the TGWU withdrew from any disputes procedures with the Association.

Initially the Scottish Brewing Archive, established in 1982, was principally financed through an annual grant from the Association.

Sources: Richmond, Lesley and Turton, Alison (eds). "The Brewing Industry. A Guide to Historical Records" (Manchester and New York: Manchester University Press, 1990)

Brewers' Association of Scotland. Constitution, 1961 (see BAS 1/1/1)

Brewers' Association of Scotland. History since its Inception in 1907 with Regards to Industrial Relations, 1976 (see BAS 8/6/3)

Reports of the Brewers' Association of Scotland 1986 (see BAS 1/10/2/1), 1989 (see BAS 1/10/2/4) and 1991 (see BAS 1/10/2/6).

The material is arranged according to the Scottish Brewing Archive classification scheme used within all SBA collections.

Access to records within this collection is open, however an appointment may be required. Please email Archives and Special Collections for advice: library-asc@glasgow.ac.uk

Brewers' Association of Scotland (Brewers and Licensed Retailers Association, Scottish Beer and Pub Association)

See also University of Glasgow Collections

File level list available in searchroom

No known copies of this material

Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the Archivist Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use and condition of documents

This material has been appraised in line with standard GB 248 procedures

The collection was previously stored with the rest of the Scottish Brewing Archive at Heriot-Watt University. It moved to the University of Glasgow in 1991. Additions to the collection were deposited from the Brewers' Association of Scotland to the Scottish Brewing Archive in 1996. Custody of the Scottish Brewing Archive was transferred to Glasgow University Archive Services in 2008.

Accruals possible

August 2001 – Records of the Brewers and Licensed Retailers Association deposited at the Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick (MSS420); also includes records for the County Brewers’ Society from the 1820s

This material is original