'Legendary' former head brewer at Fuller's dies

Fuller, Smith & Turner PLC, the London brewer and pub company, said it is ‘sad’ to have to announce the death of Reg Drury, aged 76. 

Drury had been ill for some time and passed away peacefully on 7 June.

A spokesman for Fuller’s said Drury was a ‘great leader’.

He was head of Fuller’s brewing and operations team for 40 years and retired from his position as Brewing Director in 1999.

Simon Emeny, chief executive of Fuller’s, said: “Reg was a true gentleman and he will always be synonymous with Fuller’s.

“He was a legendary brewer, a great statesman and a fantastic mentor and will be greatly missed by those that knew him.”

Drury was responsible for the new brewhouse, and the switch from open squares to conical fermenters.

He was the first brewer to use such vessels for brewing ale. Today, the process is common.

Under his tenure, Fuller’s was awarded the Champion Beer of Britain prize, and unbeaten five times with three different beers.

He also trained current head brewer John Keeling, and was a very popular figure around the Brewery and in the wider industry, later as a cask marque assessor.

Drury leaves a wife, Sarah, and two children – Jonathan and Fiona.