Double Blue Plaque Recognition for Historic Priddy’s Hard Buildings and Powder Monkey Brewing Co
Powder Monkey Brewing Co is proud to announce that two historic buildings at Priddy’s Hard—the “E” Magazine and the former Case Store & Rolling Way—have been awarded blue plaques in recognition of their historical and cultural significance.
The plaques, awarded with thanks to The Gosport Society, celebrate not only the heritage of these important listed structures but also their successful restoration and repurposing by Powder Monkey Brewing Co.
Priddy’s Hard was originally developed as a Royal Ordnance Yard following the construction of defensive ramparts around 1760. The site played a vital role in arming the Royal Navy, housing gunpowder and later cordite in purpose-built magazines.
The “E” Magazine, a Grade II* Listed Building constructed circa 1878/79, served as both a powder and cordite magazine. After many years of vacancy and deterioration, the building has been carefully restored and transformed into a working brewery. This restoration has been widely praised as an exemplary reuse of historic infrastructure.
The nearby Case Store and Rolling Way, a Grade II Listed structure dating from the late 19th century, also reflects the evolution of naval ordnance. The Rolling Way once enabled the safe transport of explosives from Camber Harbour to the laboratory complex, while the Case Store supported the transition to shell-based naval weaponry—marking a pivotal shift in naval warfare from the age of sail to the era of Dreadnought battleships.
Powder Monkey Brewing Co draws deep inspiration from Gosport and Portsmouth’s naval heritage. Its beers—such as Monkey’s Fist, Bubblehead, Scuttlebutt, and Mary Rose—celebrate historic naval terms, traditions, and stories. The brewery maintains strong ties with the armed forces community, supporting Royal Navy and Royal Marines charities, and collaborating with institutions including the Mary Rose Museum and Historic Chatham Dockyard.
Since opening its Tap House in 2021, Powder Monkey has served over 270,000 pints brewed on-site in the “E” Magazine—equivalent to more than 158,000 litres—alongside distribution to a wide network of outlets.
This dual blue plaque recognition highlights the importance of preserving heritage while embracing innovation. Powder Monkey Brewing Co’s work has not only safeguarded two significant historic buildings but also contributed to Gosport’s vibrant local economy and cultural identity.
On behalf of the Gosport community, sincere thanks are extended to Powder Monkey Brewing Co for its commitment to restoration, heritage, and local engagement.