The scent of hops and barley hangs heavy in the air. Clinch’s. The very name evokes a bygone era. Here before you stands the former home of Clinch’s Brewery a piece of Manx history.
This isn’t just any old brewery. Clinch’s has a fascinating story. It began not here in Douglas but with a family whose name echoed across generations. The Clinch family history is deeply rooted in England. Their surname originates from the Old English word Clenc meaning lump or hill. They settled near a low hill in Wiltshire. Over time they spread to Lincolnshire Suffolk and even Kent.
John Williams Clinch III a key figure in Clinch’s legacy is central to this story. He missed inheriting the Witney Oxfordshire brewery. His father died early leaving it to his uncle instead. Undeterred John moved to the Isle of Man. There he acquired the Lake Brewery a site established in 1779. The brewery’s motto Glen as Lajer Clean and Strong and Troor Duirn Three Fists reflected Manx pride.
Clinch’s flourished under his guidance. John was a prominent Manx figure. He served on the Douglas town council and led the Manx Natural History and Antiquarian Society. He even attempted to enter the House of Keys though unsuccessfully. The brewery’s success continued after his death in 1905 thriving until World War II. Post-war challenges proved too difficult to overcome. Ultimately Clinch’s was absorbed by Castletown Brewery.
Despite its closure the building remains. A silent testament to a brewing empire. It stands as a reminder of the Clinch family’s entrepreneurial spirit and the rich history of brewing on the Isle of Man. Clinch’s legacy continues in the very stones of this building a tangible link to a fascinating past. The building still stands today a quiet yet evocative reminder of Clinch’s once vibrant presence.