William Henry Brakspear joined the family brewery in 1812. When its owners had all died in 1848 William became owner and started trading as W H Brakspear. In 1895 the company became public and bought Greys Brewery in Henley as well as over 54 pubs. In 2002, Brakspear finished brewing which they passed to Refresh UK. In 2007, the company was acquired by J T Davies and turned into a private company 'The Brakspear Pub Company'.