History of Hilden Brewery

Hilden Brewing Company was established in 1981 by Seamus and Ann Scullion.  This was somewhat of a revolution in Ireland being the first brewery to reintroduce real ale and is consequently Ireland’s Oldest Independent Brewery. 

Hilden Brewery is a family run microbrewery located in Hilden outside the City of Lisburn, Co. Antrim.  The brewhouse was once the stables of Hilden House, the former residence of the Barbour family.  The brewery is situated behind the old Barbour Threads Linen Mill, one of the last surviving working linen mills in Northern Ireland, an industry that N. Ireland is renowned for.  Sadly this has just stopped production in July 2006.

The brewery is now managed by Seamus and Ann’s son Owen who is a qualified and full time brewer.  The brewery now produces five ales covering the full spectrum of tastes including a porter, a blonde, a premium red and two amber ales.  In addition to these the brewery also produces two bottled beers and is planning to expand to produce the full range.

Trips are made to the mainland UK every other week to personally deliver the beer to the door of the discerning drinker at free houses far and wide. 

The Scullion’s introduced Ireland to its first beer festival and these beer festivals are now undergoing something of a revival.  Now in its 25th year, the brewery is running a beer and music festival on the bank holiday weekend in August.