Best Answer # 1: from Gerald W. Edwards:
Extra Information from Quiz Committee: "Stephen Collens (1801-1878) moved from England to Hamilton, Ont, in 1836, where he worked in
a brewery for a few years. He decided he wanted his own brewery, so after borrowing money from
his employer, he moved to Woodstock, Ont. and built a brewery on the corner of Dundas St and
Norwich Ave.
The building was made of white brick and his name was built into the Norwich side of the
building in red brick. After Stephen's death, the brewery was run by his sons who later sold
the business to a Mr P. Bernhart who in turn sold it to a Mr Otterbein, who converted part of
the building into a foundry - hence burned the building down. End of brewery. Stephen Collens
was my great grandfather." Source:
Mr Larry Collens, the great grandson of the first proprietor, Stephen Collens (the correct
spelling) sent us interesting extra details:
- Larry Collens, grandson of the original brewery's founder.