The Beginnings
Cains was founded in 1850 by Robert Cain, an Irishman, when he bought an established brewery. Cain had begun his brewing career aged 24 when he purchased a pub and brewed his own ales.
Cain became one of Liverpool’s most successful businessmen with a passion for using the most modern techniques and equipment. He expanded the brewery several times, most notably in 1887 and in 1900–1902, when the landmark redbrick part of the brewery was constructed. By the time of his death on 19 July 1907 Cain was one of Britain’s richest men.
The company, Robert Cain and Sons, owned over 200 pubs in Liverpool but is most notable for having built some of the most gloriously extravagant pubs in Britain.
From the early 1860s the Cains lived in the affluent enclave of Grassendale Park and later owned mansions on Aigburth Road. In all the Cains had 11 children, including five sons and six daughters. Two of his sons joined the British establishment. William Cain became a baronet while Charles Cains entered the House of Lords in 1933 at the first Baron Brocket, joining several other brewers in what became known somewhat disparagingly as The Beerage.
The Brewery: as it was
In 1850 Cains natural foresight led him to start a small brewery in Limekiln Lane. From the first he was determined to work day and night to establish the business on a firm footing and to adopt for himself the adage, “If you would be well served you must serve yourself.”
At the end of 4 years, he found that the premises in Limekiln Lane were no longer large enough and moved to a larger place in Wilton Street. Here the output was doubled and he stayed at this location only 5 years before he has outgrown the premises again. He went on to purchase an existing brewing site at Stanhope Street. During the first two years of Mr Cains occupancy all the brewing utensils and machinery was replaced with modern appliances. Of course, a further expansion was required, this was effected by purchasing some of the adjoining property called “Cotter’s Terrace” and throwing it into the brewery. From the earliest time in Stanhope Street Cain continually worked on improving the site. We believe that Robert Cain would be proud that the site has yet again transformed and that Cains will once again be brewed in Liverpool and within the original wall of the Stanhope Street site.
Cains in 2022
Mikhail Hotels & Leisure Group are proud to be continuing Cain’s legacy to be brewing on Stanhope Street. The transformed building is spread across 3 floors and offers the perfect synergy between the past and present of Cains. Throughout the venue you will notice the strong links to Robert Cains key milestones. Join us on a Brewery Tour to follow the full story and experience the history of the brewery first hand.