This week, Roy decided he would like to head towards the Southern Highlands to see what is left of the amazing spring blooms. He had been too busy to visit while the blooms were at their best, and was very sad about this, but he discovered something which he thought was even better while he was in the area - the abandoned Tooth's Maltings at Mittagong.
If you would like to visit the old Tooth's Maltings at Mittagong, you will first need to head towards Mittagong. Most people will take the Hume Highway between Sydney and Canberra. We were coming from Sydney. Turn off the Hume Highway and take the Old Hume Highway until you come to Ferguson Crescent in Mittagong. Follow Ferguson Crescent until you reach the large, abandoned buildings (they aren't far along). The buildings are abandoned, and the grounds around them seem to have become a thoroughfare for people passing through or walking their dogs. Just remember, if you plan to look around be careful - the buildings have been abandoned for 30 years, and were abandoned after a fire. Care should be taken!
Tooth and Co were for many years the largest brewer in NSW. John Tooth came to Australia in 1830 and for a time he worked as a general merchant. It wasn't long though before he turned his hand to brewing. Only five years later, in 1835, John Tooth and his Brother in Law, John Newnham, purchased a large brewery in Broadway, Sydney. They called the brewery Kent Brewery. Newnham withdrew from the partnership in 1843 and by 1848 John Tooth was bankrupt. The brewery was mortgaged and this may have been the end for Tooth brewing, if it weren't for John's nephews.
In 1843, Robert and Edwin Tooth leased the brewery from their uncle and in 1853 their brother Frederick joined with them. In 1860 a J S Mitchell also joined the partnership. Over the next years the company name went through minor changes, but essentially it was at this time that 'Tooth And Co' became part of the name. The name was changed officially to Tooth and Co when the final brother, Frederick, retired from the company in 1873. The Tooth brothers weren't just involved in brewing though, but also had pastoral interests, were involved in banking, owned several hotels and other businesses, and even owned Blue Bow Cordials. These other businesses allowed them to support the brewing business throughout turbulant times and made the company a success. The Maltings at Mittagong were acquired from New South Wales Malting Company in 1905 and were not abandoned until 1981. The buildings were not restored because Tooth and Co were taken over by Carlton And United Breweries only 2 years later in 1983. Originally, there were three buildings at the site, but one was destroyed by fire in 1965. The remaining 2 have become a haven for graffitiers and vandals, but are fascinating reminders of Tooths.
