Carlton Brewery Melbourne Brewing & Malting Poster

Edward Latham is considered by many historians to be the founder of what is now Carlton & United Breweries Ltd. For seventeen years he was identified with one of the most successful concerns in the colony – the Carlton Brewery. 

Latham was said to be ‘a man of unswerving integrity and an ornament to the brewing profession’. Among other deeds of benevolence, Latham founded and financed the Clergymen’s Retreat at Queenscliff.

After running a highly successful business for seventeen years, Edward Latham sold the brewery, which was reformed in January 1881 as the Melbourne Brewing & Malting Co. Ltd. Latham retained a large interest in the new company, and stayed on as managing director until his retirement in 1884. Not content in retirement, he reopened the Southern Brewery in Richmond in 1892. The 1890s, however, were disastrous times for Latham, and he lost his considerable fortune during the depression years through unsuccessful land speculation.

After its formation in 1881 the Melbourne Brewing & Malting Co. Ltd prospered. At the second annual meeting, held at Scott’s Hotel, Collins Street, on 23 May 1883, a dividend of 10 per cent was declared for the previous six months, making a total of 20 per cent for the year. The company owned a wine-and-spirit store, and a bore 1000 feet deep was completed to supply the brewery with water for cooling.

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