John Primrose

John Primrose (1803 – 28 November 1876) was a Scottish distiller and brewer who had a substantial career in the colony of South Australia. He was the founder of the Union Brewery, also known as Primrose's Brewery, in Rundle Street, Adelaide, the colony's first successful brewery.

Early life Primrose was the son of a distiller in Carsebridge, near Alloa, Scotland. He was said to have linked his ancestry to the Earl of Rosebery. in partnership with John Richmond. After carrying it on for about two years he ceased operation because the Government demanded payment of duty upon spirit manufactured in the colony at the same rate as if it had been imported.

Primrose then turned his attention to brewing, and in 1841 he and Richmond took over the Union Brewery on Rundle Street. This brewery had been founded on Robert Cock's Town Acre 80, east corner Rundle Street and James Place (opposite Stephens Place. and put up for sale in 1839.

The brewery was referred to as "Primrose's Brewery" in an article in the South Australian Register in February 1861.

He ran the business until November 1875, when he transferred the management to his nephew William Ross Sawers (c. 1839–1911) and his son-in-law Arthur Rait Malcom. They were able to use the basement of the Academy of Music, Rundle Street, (opened 1879) for cellaring.

Richmond sold his share to Primrose at some point, and the brewery continued into the 1890s. Kent Town Brewery; West End Brewery; Pirie Street Brewery; Hindmarsh Brewery; Morphett Street Brewery; and Walkerville Brewery.