It is the largest independent brewer in the North East of England, with a brewery capacity of 1.5 million hectolitres (900,000 hl production in 2012) and a tied estate of 75 houses.

The company subsequently struggled as the economy of its trading heartland suffered, and as it underwent a succession of owners with little experience of pub and brewery management.

Camerons lost its independence to Ellerman Lines in 1974, and was acquired by the Barclay Brothers in 1983 and then Brent Walker in 1989.

Brent Walker spun-off the majority of the tied estate as a separate company called Pubmaster, which was acquired by Punch Taverns in 2003.

[5] William Waldon (1805 – 1854), a farmer originally from Gainford, founded the Lion Brewery in the village of Stranton (subsequently a part of West Hartlepool) on land he bought from Ralph Walker for £300 in 1852.

[8] Henry Wilson, of the Phoenix Works in Stockton-on-Tees, built new brewery facilities for John Cameron in 1875.

[14][15] John William Cameron died in 1896, by which time the brewery was one of the largest in the North of England.

[7] Robert Newton Ltd of Newcastle was acquired, with 35 licences, and Plews and Sons Ltd of Darlington, with 100 licensed premises.

[19] Cameron's ale was sold as far north as Newbiggin-by-the-Sea in Northumberland, as far east as Guisborough, as far west as Hawes and as far south as Thirsk by 1938.

[7] In March 1955, Strongarm bitter was introduced, as the industrial workers of West Hartlepool demanded a stronger pint.

[27] Ellerman Lines acquired Camerons for £14 million in 1975, in an attempt to diversify from its declining shipping business.

[31] In 1984, the Barclays attempted to sell Camerons to Scottish & Newcastle for £44 million, but the brothers cancelled the negotiations when the government referred the deal to the Monopolies Commission.

[35] Arkley split the pub and the brewing sides of the company into separate divisions, and divested the low-margin off-licence business.

[14] Brent Walker announced plans to invest £10 million in the tied estate, and to expand distribution in the South of England and Europe.

[40] In an attempt to cut costs Brent Walker began brewing with lower standard ingredients, and Camerons developed a reputation for poor quality beer.

[30] In 1991, the heavily-indebted Brent Walker sold the brewery and 51 pubs to Wolverhampton & Dudley for £18.7 million, beating a rival offer from the management.

[41] Brent Walker retained the bulk of the Cameron's estate, which it spun off as a Hartlepool-headquartered pubco called Pubmaster, which controlled 1,600 pubs and was sold to a syndicate of investment groups for £171.3 million in 1996.

[47] Wolverhampton & Dudley brought a return of top quality malt and hops, and it was widely suggested by customers that the Camerons beers were greatly improved.

[51] By 1997, Cameron's market share in the North East had grown to 10 per cent, supplying pubs from Alnwick to Hull.

[53] In 1999, a further £500,000 was invested in the previously mothballed areas of the brewery to bring it to its full capacity of 400,000 barrels after it won a series of contracts to brew Harp Lager, Heineken and Kronenbourg.

[60] This followed the agreement of a contract with Scottish & Newcastle to supply Kronenbourg 1664, Foster's and John Smith's bitter until 2019.

[60] In 2013, Camerons acquired the Hexham-based Head of Steam craft beer chain, including seven outlets, in a deal financially backed by Carlsberg.

[48] Strongarm is made with 18 per cent crystal malt, which contributes significantly to its distinctive ruby red colour and its roasted, malty flavour.

[68] Although the Dutch brewer Heineken holds a 24 per cent stake in the company, it is a silent partner, with no board representation or managerial control.

[72] There are still a few reminders of lavish opulence; the floor and walls of the brewhouse are furnished with Italian marble that cost £7,000 in 1970.