Brewing Industry Research Foundation

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In 1946 The Institute of Brewing recommended the setting up of an experimental research station with a full time Director of Research and in 1947 Dr J Masson Gulland (Professor of Organic Chemistry, Nottingham University) was appointed to that position. Sadly Dr Masson Gulland was killed in a train crash before taking up his position and hence Sir Ian Heilbron (Imperial College, London) agreed to become the second Director of Research at the new Brewing Industry Research Foundation (BIRF). In 1948 Lyttel Hall, Nutfield in Surrey was purchased and the main Hall was converted into laboratories, the squash court into a pilot brewery and other new buildings were developed as a workshops and conference facilities. In 1951 HRH The Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip formally opened the site. BIRF later became The Brewing Research Foundation, BRF International, Brewing Research International and today is simply known as BRI.

Initially the BIRF focused on fundamental and applied research for the malting and brewing industries of the UK. Its staff made useful contributions in the areas of barley germination and yeast physiology. Since that time its role has evolved to become more service orientated offering analysis, food safety and information packages to an international client base.