The Boxer – Red Ale Richard Byrne, an Irish bare-knuckle boxer was exiled to Australia after being found guilty of involvement in the 1798 United Irishmen Rebellion. Soon after arriving in Australia he and three mates tried to seize a ship to sail home. After receiving 500 lashes, the same ship transported them to Norfolk Island where he was involved with another planned uprising. After two of his mates were hanged and another flogging, he went on the straight and narrow, earning his keep as a stonemason in Sydney. The Boxer became the proud owner of one of Sydney’s original pubs, ‘The Ship & Mermaid’ and evolved into a respectable citizen. For 200 years his descendants called The Rocks home, even today some still make their living as publicans. Named
after several early governors who promoted the advancement of beer
brewing in the early colony of Sydney. From Governor Bligh and the
infamous mutiny off HMS Bounty and his controversial resignation as the
NSW Governor after the Rum Rebellion, to Governor Phillip King who was
prompted by Lord Hobart to import brewing materials to try and stem the
rum currency in the early colony. Even
before the first Governors could restrict the future drinking culture
of the young colony, Captain Cook was already brewing beer on his way to
the new country on board the Endeavour in 1770. Beer was always
destined to be the drink of choice for the Australian people.
The Hangman – Pale Ale
Hangings were frequent in the early days
of Sydney Town. The first gaol on George Street, now the Four Seasons
Hotel, was the site of hundreds of hangings. The hill above (where Harts
Pub is situated) was referred to as Gallows Hill, where locals would
gather to watch the hangman work. Alexander Green, a convict in his own right, was appointed
to the position of public executioner in 1828 and during 27 years hung
over 490 people, including 6 women. He was instantly recognisable,
having a livid scar down the side of his face – the result of an axe
attack by a prisoner. In early May 1855 he was committed to a lunatic
asylum for the remainder of his life.
The Governor – Golden Ale
The Butcher – Porter
George
Cribb was a butcher from The Rocks, a bigamist and one shifty
character. He was also one of the biggest producers of sly grog in The
Rocks. When he arrived in Australia, he tied the knot with a female
convict, even though he was already married. He later found out his wife
from England was coming to Australia and subsequently paid his second
wife £300 (about $150,000 today) to disappear. He was caught up in
several dishonest dealings, including an incident with smuggled rum
barrels found on his cart, but always managed to talk his way out of
trouble. The Butcher did a great trade with both businesses and he
bought up large amounts of property in The Rocks and built rows of
tenements on them.