Sir, Various have been the conjectures concerning the ingredients made use of in the composition of that species of malt liquor called porter. It has been falsely imagined by some, that Thames water was essential in the making of good porter. But this notion has been long since refuted – it being well known, that divers porter-brewers use the New River water only, and to as good effect – add to which, excellent porter has been long since been brewed, not only in towns in this country, distant from the Thames and New-river, but at Philadelphia in North-America.
Kentish Gazette 1783 (from Brewery History Society)
Fuller, Smith & Turner (now owned by Asahi brewery wise) dates back to 1845 but given the Chiswick brewery is based by the Thames its likely that at least originally Thames Water was used
Kmflett's Blog 
Leave a comment