Shamrock Brewery ‘Royal Visit 1901’ Poster

Henry Boyd and Francis Head had sold their Crown Brewery in Fitzroy, and in 1874 they took over Graham’s Brewery Collingwood and changed the name to the Shamrock Brewery. For thirteen years Boyd & Head ran a very successful business, and when Francis Head retired in 1887 the business was floated as the Shamrock Brewing & Malting Co. Ltd with a capital of £10,000.

Business improved, and by the turn of the century the Shamrock Brewery had become one of the most solvent and progressive breweries in Melbourne.

Henry Boyd was the man who guided the business through the difficult years, and it was a shock to the company and a loss to the brewing industry when he died suddenly in 1904. His son, Lt C. J. K. (Charles) Boyd, a Boer War veteran, then became the head brewer. He put out two very popular beers, Pilot Ale and Anchor Stout.

In 1907 the Shamrock Brewery, together with five other Melbourne breweries, amalgamated to form Carlton & United Breweries Pty Ltd. The Shamrock ceased to operate, and in December 1907 the plant and equipment were auctioned. Within a few years the premises were being used as a factory for the manufacture of compressed yeast. As a reminder of the brewery’s former glory, Shamrock Street remains near the site of the old brewery.