our story
About our building
brewing with history
Our story begins in 1858 when Frank Jones arrived in Portsmouth with a dream of brewing ale. Within three decades, The Frank Jones Brewery became the largest ale producer in the country.
As ale production expanded, the brewery added a cooperage and scald house to clean the barrels. Workers used scalding hot rocks to sanitize barrels because soap and water would cause them to warp. Once cleaned, the barrels were filled with Jones’ signature ales. The Hawthorn now occupies this Scald House, retaining its original red-brick walls, towering beams, and industrial windows.
“Cheers,” then, has a whole new meaning at The Hawthorn. When you raise your glass at your event, you’ll be toasting in a place that’s positively brewing with Portsmouth ale-making heritage and local history.
romance is just in our nature
According to lore, in the Middle Ages, a man proposed by leaving a hawthorn branch at the door of his intended on the first of May. By leaving the branch at the door she accepted his proposal; she made known her refusal by replacing the hawthorn branch with … a cauliflower.
There are more romantic nods to the hawthorn, as well (and not as many to the humble cauliflower). In ancient Greece, hawthorn wood was used to fuel the marriage torch and brides wore wreaths of hawthorn on their heads. Blooming in May, it’s long been associated with courtship and blossoming unions, and was the wood used to crown maypoles during May Day celebrations.
Consider our name, The Hawthorn, yet another romantic nod — one we hope will become a part of your own love story.
let's craft the perfect event together
Planning something worth doing right? Let’s talk. Whether you’re hosting a wedding, corporate event, or private celebration, our team is here to bring it together with polish and a seamless sense of flow. Reach out to schedule a tour, check availability, or begin shaping something unforgettable at The Hawthorn.
