Reg Drury, the longtime leader of Fuller’s brewing and operations team in London, has died.
In the final years before he retired in 1999 and later as an ambassador for Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C. Drury was well known to American brewers and played a key educational role in the growing craft movement.
He was responsible for modernizing the brewhouse at Fuller’s, switching from open squares to conical fermenters. He was the first brewer to use such vessels for brewing ale – and today, the process is common place.
During his tenure, Fuller’s was awarded the Champion Beer of Britain prize five times with three different beers.
Simon Emeny, Chief Executive, said: “Reg was a true gentleman and he will always be synonymous with Fuller’s,” said Simon Emeny, Fuller’s chief executive. “He was a legendary brewer, a great statesman and a fantastic mentor and will be greatly missed by those that knew him.”