James Key was involved in the Crail Brewery from at least 1823, following the death of John Key. In 1851 he employed one man, and in 1858 he expanded the business through the acquisition of the Anstruther Brewery of John Russell & Co for £1,150.
He put his eldest son, John Melville Key, in charge of the Anstruther Brewery until John's death in 1874. The Anstruther Brewery was then managed by a second son, William. James took a third son, Thomas, into partnership trading as James Key & Son, at the Crail Brewery, from around 1877.
Location: Crail
Active: 1823 - 1877
Status: Transferred
The Crail Brewery was situated on the High Street and consisted of a group of buildings organised around a courtyard.
The Anstruther Brewery was on Burial Brae, and consisted of a group of buildings organised around a courtyard.
Books and periodicals
Gibb, F. The brewers and breweries of Fife. Stirling: Lomax Press, 2012.
