John Courage Beer: Where To Buy And Enjoy

John Courage founded the Courage Brewery in London, England, in 1787. Over the next two centuries, the brewery became one of the best-known names in British brewing. Beers bearing the John Courage name include John Courage, John Courage Amber, John Courage Export Lager, and John Courage Strong Pale Ale. While some of these beers appear to have been retired, you may still be able to purchase them or related memorabilia from sites such as Etsy.

John Courage beer is available on Etsy

For those interested in serving John Courage beer, there are several glassware options available on Etsy. You can find vintage John Courage beer glasses, including the Vintage Clear Heavy Glass John Courage Tankard from London, England, featuring a label from the early 1970s. This large beer mug is perfect for enjoying a generous pour of your favourite beer. Additionally, Etsy offers a vintage John Courage Amber Imported Premium Beer logo pilsner beer glass from Edinburgh, Scotland, ideal for those who appreciate the brand's Scottish roots.

If you're looking for something a bit more unique, Etsy also offers a vintage John Courage Strong Pale Ale steel beer can from 1976. This collectible item is a great addition to any beer memorabilia collection and can be a conversation starter at your next gathering.

For those who want to showcase their love for John Courage beer, there are also clothing items available on Etsy. You can find a John Courage Export Single Stitch T-shirt from the 1970s, perfect for a vintage-inspired outfit.

Etsy also offers a range of vintage coasters, coffee mugs, and bar trays featuring the John Courage Beer logo. These items are excellent for adding a touch of brand history to your at-home bar setup or for displaying as collectibles.

Whether you're a collector of beer memorabilia or simply looking for a unique drinking vessel to enjoy your favourite John Courage beer, Etsy has a variety of options available to suit your needs.

John Courage Brewery was founded in London, England

John Courage Brewery, or Courage & Co Ltd, was founded in London, England, in 1787 by John Courage, a Scottish shipping agent of French Huguenot descent. The brewery was established at the Anchor Brewhouse in Horsleydown, Bermondsey, on the south bank of the Thames. Horsleydown is now a site adjacent to Tower Bridge, London.

John Courage rapidly gained a reputation for quality, and the Courage cockerel remains to this day a mark of good beer. Over more than two centuries, Courage became one of the best-known names in British brewing. The company was inherited by John Courage's grandson, Old Etonian Raymond Courage, Lord of the Manor of Edgcote, in 1866.

In 1797, the business became Courage & Donaldson when John Courage's managing clerk, John Donaldson, took over following the death of Courage's wife, Harriot, who had been running the business since Courage died in 1793. By 1888, the name had been simplified to Courage. In 1955, the company merged with Barclay, Perkins & Co Ltd, becoming Courage, Barclay & Co Ltd.

Courage Brewery changed hands several times over the years, being taken over by companies including the Imperial Tobacco Group Ltd, Elders IXL (renamed the Foster's Group), and Grand Metropolitan. In 1995, Scottish & Newcastle purchased Courage, creating Scottish Courage as its brewing arm. In 2007, the rights to the Courage brands were sold to Wells & Young's Brewing Company, managed by Courage Brands Ltd.

Beers bearing the John Courage name

John Courage, the founder of Courage Brewery, has lent his name to several beers over the years. Here is a list of beers bearing the John Courage name:

John Courage Amber

The Caledonian Brewing Company, based in Scotland, UK, produced John Courage Amber. It was a pasteurised beer exported exclusively to America. It has been described as having the perfect amber colour, more red than copper, with a medium maltiness and a cross between an English straight pale and an American amber. Unfortunately, it seems that this beer is no longer available.

John Courage (Bitter)

Not much information is available about this beer, except that it had an ABV of 4.7%. It appears that this variety is also no longer in production.

John Courage Export Lager

There is limited information on this beer, and it is also no longer available.

John Courage Strong Pale Ale

With an ABV of 4.2%, this strong pale ale is another retired variety bearing the John Courage name.

Courage Best Bitter

While not bearing the John Courage name per se, it is worth mentioning that Courage Best Bitter is one of the brewery's flagship beers. It is described as having a balanced malt character with a hoppy, fruity palate and a crisp finish. It remains one of the top ten ales in the UK.

John Courage beer is exported to America

Over the course of more than two centuries, Courage became one of the best-known names in British brewing. The company was inherited by John Courage's grandson, Raymond Courage, in 1866, and changed hands several times over the years, merging with various other breweries and companies. In 1970, the name was simplified to Courage Ltd.

Beers bearing the John Courage name include John Courage, John Courage Amber, John Courage Export Lager, and John Courage Strong Pale Ale. The John Courage Strong Pale Ale was sold in steel beer cans in 1976. The John Courage Amber, an English pale ale, was rated highly by an Arkansas-based reviewer on BeerAdvocate.com, who said it was the "best session amber ever, IMO. Damn sad to see it is not available."

While John Courage Beer is no longer available in the United States, vintage merchandise can be found for sale on Etsy.

John Courage beer memorabilia

John Courage, a shipping agent, founded the Courage & Co. brewery in 1787 in Horselydown, Southwark, London. Over the course of more than two centuries, Courage was among the best-known names in British brewing. The Courage cockerel remains the mark of a good beer.

• Vintage beer cans and bottles: Collectors may seek out vintage cans or bottles of John Courage beer, featuring the iconic Courage cockerel logo. These cans or bottles may be empty or full, with the latter being more rare and valuable.
• Glassware and mugs: Vintage John Courage beer mugs, tankards, and glasses are sought-after collectibles. These items often feature the Courage logo and may be made of heavy glass or ceramic.
• Barware and bar accessories: Items such as vintage beer trays, coasters, and other bar accessories branded with the John Courage logo are popular among collectors.
• Clothing and merchandise: Vintage John Courage t-shirts, hoodies, and other sportswear are collectible items for fans of the beer.
• Advertisements and promotional items: Vintage advertisements, posters, or other promotional items featuring John Courage beer can be valuable collectibles.

Websites like Etsy are excellent sources for finding John Courage beer memorabilia. Collectors can also check online auction sites, antique stores, and specialist beer memorabilia retailers. When building a collection, it's important to prioritise reputable sellers and authentic items to ensure the value and integrity of your memorabilia.

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