Beer bottle labels started to replace the traditional embossed bottles in about 1855 but were not in general use till the 1880’s. ‘Top Straps’ or stopper labels, fitted over the screw top and were early ‘tamper evident’ labels which were introduced soon after screw tops in the 1880’s.

Simonds were prolific designers and producers of labels, it seems perhaps even more so than other brewers.  This collection has taken decades to assemble and over time I would like to better categorise and date them.  Any Labologist with the skills to help – please do make contact!

There is one conundrum that continues to puzzle me.  Some very early labels show the brand as Simonds’ Beer, with a strange apostrophe at the end. See for example the old Oatmeal Stout, Reading Stout and Strong Ale labels. In the smaller & later Oatmeal Stout label, it is clear from the spacing that the apostrophe has just been erased and no attempt made to centre the position of the name. So – when did this change occur please?

These are in my collection. No apologies for any apparent duplication but some will also be minor variants or have different finishes.

Album of Simonds labels, 1920’s to 1950’s
This historic archive allows us to trace the origin of labels and the development of each brand over 30 pivotal years.

Brewery labels album

Brown Ale Narberth
Brown stopper
Christmas Stout 1930's
East African Brew [part]
East India Pale Ale 1930's
Farsons Coronation Ale 1953
Guinness by Hedges&Hedges
Hop Leaf Neck
Royal Cruise
SBA stopper label
SBA stopper label
Tavern stopper