Driven for Drink

This publication looks at some of the vehicles involved in the alcoholic drinks industry. Transport is needed at all stages, from growing and harvesting raw materials to production, bottling and distribution. Road vehicles have also been used to promote drinks, often in novelty shapes of bottles or barrels. It is arranged by types of alcoholic drink, categories include fermented drinks, distilled spirits, wine and aperitifs/digestifs. Consolidations in the drinks industry meant that hundreds of brews and brands which were still available in Britain in the 1950s and early 1960s had disappeared by the end of the 20th century. Road vehicles were seen as a convenient way to advertise. This tradition began with smartly turned out and decorated horse-drawn brewery drays delivering to licensed premises. Some breweries retained horse teams in the 21st century for local deliveries, as well as for promotional purposes, but most had been replaced by the mid-20th century.