About Blackfriars Brewery

Blackfriars was founded in 2004 by Yorkshireman Bill Russell.

After a successful career as a teacher, headteacher and schools inspector – including 15 years in Great Yarmouth – Bill embarked on a complete change of direction and trained as a brewer.

His strong connections with the town fired an ambition to see a resumption of brewing in Great Yarmouth, whose famous Lacons Brewery closed its doors in 1968.

Only two years after filling his first cask, Bill’s beers were winning awards. At the 2006 Norfolk and Norwich Beer Festival Blackfriars’ Sygnus Bitter Gold was awarded silver in the best bitter category and Yarmouth Bitter was crowned overall champion beer.

Blackfriars beers are popular in pubs, clubs, guest houses and hotels throughout the Great Yarmouth area and their reputation is spreading rapidly. Three kegs of Yarmouth Bitter ordered as a guest beer for the members’ bar at the House of Commons sold out in just two days!