of the former excise officers. The land was sold to developers who demolished most of it to make way for luxury apartments. It was revealed later that the price achieved was several million pounds less than the buyout that would have saved this much-loved brewer. Resurrection The Wards brand was bought by the Double Maxim Beer Company in 2003 and is run as a subsidiary called Wards Brewing Company. After a successful launch of the bottled version (first brewed again by Robinson's of Stockport), and cask (originally re-brewed by Jennings of Cockermouth) all variants are now brewed by Maxim. The branding still states Wards Sheaf Brewery Sheffield. Brands Wards Best Bitter (bottled 4.5% abv) Wards Best Bitter (cask 4% abv) Wards 1840 (4.5 abv) References History of Wards Best Bitter Defunct breweries of the United Kingdom Beer and breweries in Sheffield Manufacturing companies based in Sheffield Defunct companies based in Sheffield British companies established in 1837 Food and drink companies established in 1837