Thomas Trood - Gippsland Cordial and Aerated Water Factory & Gippsland Hop Bitters, Sale, Victoria.

Although Thomas Trood’s Gippsland Hop Bitters is amongst the most sought after of the region’s bottles, there are a number of others associated with his lengthy career in the beverage industry.

Starting out in Sale (Victoria) in partnership with his brother John Trood during the 1860s, Trood Brothers, as the business was known, produced a range of soda, aerated water and cordial products, but in September 1870, advertised that they had dissolved their partnership “…by mutual consent…”

Continuing the business on his own account, his soda, aerated water and cordial market continued to expand to include cordials such as Ginger, Orange and Quinine Wine, Sarsaparilla, Fiji Lime Juice, Lime Juice Cordial, Ginger Brandy, Raspberry Vinegar, Lemon Syrup, Liqueurs and sauces. In 1886 it was reported that “Messrs Thomas Trood and Co., aerated water and cordial manufacturers, have introduced a novelty into this district in the shape of patent bottles for their aerated waters. The invention, which has been in general used in Melbourne for years past, does away altogether with the old-fashioned cork, being provided in some cases with glass, and in others with wooden stoppers, which are easily pushed into the bottles. These bottles, whilst preserving the contents equally as well as those formerly in use, are of special value at race meetings and other large gatherings, where time means money to the publican, as they are easily and quickly opened.”

Thomas Trood, Sale, embossed Hamilton patent.

Taking advantage of public demand, Thomas announced in 1883 that he had installed “…a complete ice-making plant at his factory in Macalister Street…” and commenced production using an abundant supply of water “…by means of a pipe laid on from the artesian well…” With the machinery capable of turning out around two tons per week, the Gippsland Times pointed out that “…Mr Trood, by his enterprise, has thus supplied a great want experienced during the summer months…”

Sketch of a Thomas Trood, Sale, Turner patent

Around July 1884, Thomas added hop bitters to his list of beverages, utilising the locally grown crop and Sale artesian mineral well water. Production was initially carried out at his Raymond Street, Sale, factory (formerly the State School). A report noted that “It is a very short time ago since Mr Thomas Trood, who has carried on the business of a manufacturer of aerated waters and cordials in Sale for many years, decided that there was good reason to believe that the Bop Bitters manufacture would pay if properly carried out…” It was claimed that the factory was larger than any other building in the Victorian colony devoted exclusively to the manufacture of hop bitters.

Advert in the Australasian Sketcher, 1888.

Adding that “We are always glad to notice the introduction and development of new industries…especially when they are of such a character as to benefit workmen in other trades as well as to supply the means of livelihood to those engaged more particularly in the production of the commodity…”, the reporter proudly pointed out that “The certificate of the Government analytical chemist, Mr Johnson, which appears on ever bottle, is sufficient guarantee that nothing deleterious enters into the composition of the company’s bitters…”

Thomas also employed a unique method of recycling in his Sale factory, drying the spent hops to use in packaging between the bottles before transportation to the many outlets. With ten men kept employed at the factory to turn out around 3,000 cases of Gippsland Hop Bitters a month by mid-1885, it was said that the product was to found in every hotel throughout the Colony. Although, by that time, the plant had already been enlarged, it was recognised that “…if the business continues to grow at the present rate [it will] require to be enlarged yet more…”

By August 1885, publications as far away as Perth and Brisbane were promoting Gippsland Hop Bitters, one reporting that “The Gippsland Hop Bitters Company hit the taste of the Victorian and New South Wales public when they introduced their Hop Bitters onto the market. We are assured they are made from pure hops…Messrs Perkins and Co. are the Brisbane agents…”

Aqua cabin shaped Gippsland Hop Bitters showing the "health and purity" trade mark.

Detail of the cabin shaped Gippsland Hop Bitters embossing.

Output increased so dramatically that by 1886, it was found necessary to establish a Melbourne bottling depot, with the Bitters manufactured at Sale and shipped by rail in 60 gallon casks to the city repository. There, the output was bottled at the rate of 300 a day, and after corking, “The bottles are passed over to the labellers, who ornament each one with the very handsome label…bearing the trademark of the firm, in which Fame, represented by a flying hand, is carrying a bottle of Gippsland Hop Bitters, from which issues ‘health’ and purity’ (in the form of vapour); while the sun, placed in the background, stands as an emblem of magnificence…” Additional labels featured a certificate from an analytical chemist stating that he examined the Bitters and found them “…remarkably pleasant to the palate and excellent as a general tonic and promoter of appetite…”; along with another stating that “…the firm enjoys the patronage of His Excellency Sir Henry Broughan Loch, K. C. B., Governor of Victoria…”

In less than a year, production had continued to expand to the extent that the firm needed to build an entirely new and extensive premises on Fitzroy and Cowell Streets, Fitzroy, a feature of which was a central archway running right through the building to allow empty drays to enter at the rear, load their cargo and then leave by the front. At a cost of about £8,000, it laid claim to the best of its kind yet constructed in the Victorian colony.

Impressed stoneware Gippsland Hop Bitters demijohn

Impressed detail of a Gippsland Hop Bitters demijohn.

 By 1887, it was stated that Trood’s Gippsland Hop Bitters was a “…household name, not only in Victoria, but throughout the whole of Australasia, with wholesale agencies in each of the colonies, and others developing in India and South Africa…” and late that year Thomas made the move from Sale to Melbourne, the residents of the town gathering at the Club Hotel to wish him “…continued success in the future…” and present him with “…a valuable marble clock…”

Although production at his Melbourne factory continued, Thomas sold his Gippsland Cordial and Aerated Water Factory in 1889 to Henry France, who advertised that he “…is enabled to supply the choicest Cordials, Soda Water, Lemonades, &c…”

Advert from the Gippsland Times, 1898.

 Thomas lived until 1924, when, at the age of 90 years, he passed away at Prarahan.

© Angela George