Towards the end of the 19th century, the breweries began to create their own clubs, with specific aim of providing “social intercourse among its members by the establishment of an orderly and agreeable place of rest combining the advantages of reading, dining, billiards, chess and smoking rooms”. There were eventually inter-brewery competitions for many sports, including football, rowing, rugby and cricket. However, today the companies, sports and social clubs no longer exist in their earlier form and many are now private concerns.
