The brewing of beer has a long history in Burton and it remains an important aspect of industry in the town today. The River Trent was a vital transport route enabling the product to be transported across Britain and beyond.

The 7th century St Modwen’s origins are clouded in mystery but she is believed to have lived on Andressy Isle on the Burton Washlands, and discovered a clear, sweet spring of ‘holy’ water there. She established a church on the island which she dedicated to St Andrew. She was later canonised as St Modwen and is the patron saint of the town’s church. The monks who inhabited the monastery used the spring water to brew beer. The beer has a distinct flavour thanks to the minerals dissolved in the water from the surrounding hills. These minerals also help to preserve the beer, enabling it to be transported further afield. It is said that Catherine the Great, Queen of Russia, was fond of a Burton beer!

Over time, the brewing industry grew and in 1868 there were 26 breweries operating in Burton-upon-Trent. Today, only a small number of companies continue to take water directly from the wells on the Washlands, which are protected by law to prevent contamination. Because of its preservative properties, the brewing industry today mimics Burton spring water by adding minerals to it in a process known as Burtonisation.

The video shows a 360° artistic interpretation of the landscape from the Washlands in Burton-upon-Trent (images taken courtesy of East Staffordshire Borough Council). View the reimagined Printon’s brewery, established circa 1708, at the western end of Trent Bridge alongside the river and listen to the sounds of the workers as they carry out their business.