Oh, brother! What a crafty tribute to work at Market Drayton brewery

And now the men who have helped turn Market Drayton-based Joule's into one of the county's biggest businesses are being recognised for their efforts.

Pictures of monks are appearing on the walls of the Red Lion pub at the brewery in Great Hales Street which represent the craftsmen.

As part of a project to celebrate the roots of the business, they are depicted in ceremonial dress as the brewery's ale was first produced by monks.

Andrew Tift, an artist who has created portraits of the likes of Tony Benn and Ken Livingstone, has been creating the images displayed on the panelled walls of the pub.

So far, the brewery has portraits of bricklayer Chris Blase, Anthony Heeley, who worked in the old brewery, and Daren Harding, the bank manager.

The fourth picture to be commissioned, of electrician Josh Walmsley, was unveiled at a presentation evening on Friday.

Another four pictures are set to be introduced in the future.

Trudie Meredith, from the brewery, said: "Our monk portraits take on average two months each to complete.

"The commission is titled 'Monks' as Andrew has each in a monk habit as a nod to the origins of our beer, first brewed by monks which is the origin of Joules' trademark – a simple cross.

"Andrew accepted the commission on the condition that the work would be on public display.

"The monks are an unusual commission as a collection of portraits; they are linked by their common endeavours, an idea that really appealed to Andrew.

"Andrew's work always has a narrative reference, clues which hint towards what lies behind the subject. The whole commission will be done over several years unveiling the monks one by one as they are completed.

"The first to be completed was Chris Blase, a bricklayer, the second, Anthony Heeley, who worked in the old Joule's brewery in Stone before it closed, which can be seen portrayed as the 'slumbering' monk.

"The third monk is Daren Harding, Joule's bank manager, who can be seen depicted flicking a coin up in the air.

"The artist has selected the subjects to symbolise the local community who form part of the creation of the brewery."

Joule's is now one of the biggest breweries in Shropshire, producing about 70 barrels – or more than 20,000 pints – every week at its purpose-built £1.5 million home in Market Drayton.

The building, with a famous 30-metre tower, was completed in July 2010. The brewery has more than 20 pubs in its estate and about 25 employees on its books.

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