Ale was brewed on the dockside opposite Castle Park from at least 1567. The site was home to Georges' Brewery from 1788 until 1961, when Courage's took over, but brewing stopped in 1999. Most of the brewery buildings have since been demolished and the site transformed into a development of apartments and offices called Finzel's Reach.

This is one of about 12 drays made by Fivash to carry bottled beer and mineral water in crates to the many pubs and outlets supplied by Georges' - at the time, the largest brewers in Bristol. It remained in use until the early 1960s when it was sold to a farm in Gloucestershire. Since arriving in the museum's collection, it has been completely restored by M & M Horler.