James Bain Vinegar Works & Cordial Factory

James Bain commenced distillation of vinegar in Martin Street, Ipswich  in 1872. It appears that he procured an already existing business known as Ipswich Malt Vinegar Works that J. W. Cauper & Co. had been operating since about 1871. That name was still used for a few years.

Malt vinegar could be purchased from Bain's factory and was cheaper if you provided your own cask to hold it. A gallon of malt vinegar cost 2 shillings with own cask,  or 2 shillings and threepence otherwise.

Without delay, Bain began entering his products in local shows and exhibitions. In January 1873 he displayed his wares at Ipswich & West Moreton Agricultural & Horticultural Society's summer show, and, at the Drayton & Toowoomba Agricultural & Horticultural Society's 10th annual exhibition.  James Bain sent samples of his vinegars,  ginger brandy and ginger wine to England for the Colonial & Indian Exhibitions in 1885-1887. He had to send these product samples by boat well in advance in order for them to arrive in time. Bain was awarded a commemorative bronze medal and pictorial souvenir for his efforts on the last occasion. 

in must have made a success of the operation. In 1875 he increased the facilities in Martin Street to large 2 storey premises. Distillation of vinegar was still the company's main focus but now they produced cordials and other products such as essence of peppermint, orange bitters, lemon syrup, ginger wine and raspberry vinegar. Their vinegars included: table vinegar, malt vinegar, and pure white vinegar for pickling. 

At this time, fires were a constant and frequent hazard to timber buildings and factories. On 28 September 1878 a fire caused damage to Bain's vinegar factory but luckily it was not a major setback.

When James Bain died in January 1892, his residence was "The Baths", West Street, Ipswich. It seems that he and his wife Elizabeth leased the public baths from the municipal council as a secondary business from the late 1860s until sometime after James' death. It is unclear whether the vinegar and cordial factory continued following James' demise.

James Bain is buried in the Ipswich Cemetery.