The little glass bottle was found in the Holdhurst Farm area, Cranleigh, during November 2005. When it was unearthed it was very dirty but apart from its smashed neck it was complete. The embossed writing says 'Bruford & Co. Limited, Cranleigh' together with a picture of three horseshoes. The aqua-coloured glass bottle may have been a lemonade bottle, as Bruford produced both beer & soft drinks (although in those days they called themselves mineral water manufacturers). It holds ¼ pint and would have cost 9d. The marble-stoppered bottle was sometimes called a pinch-neck bottle. The bottles were often smashed by children to get at the marble.

Mr George Bruford opened his steam brewery in Cranleigh in 1876. It was situated near to 'The Three Horseshoes' public house at the end of Cranleigh High Street. George Bruford was born around 1837 at Cheddon Fitzpaine, Somerset, and at some time left that area and moved to Cranleigh. In the 1871 census it shows us that George had married and was living at 'Hollist', a farm of 530 acres. In the 1881 census he is shown as a farmer, living at 2 Wakehurst, Cranleigh, also a brewer employing five men. Bruford & Co. Ltd brewed ale and stout which could be delivered, with a discount for cash.

By 1901 the Bruford family had left the area and were living in Rickmansworth, Herts. Together with his brother Charles, George was running a hotel. Bruford's steam brewery was acquired by Savill and Co of Shalford in 1912 and in 1913 merged with Cobham United Breweries. This was then acquired by Watney Combe Reid in 1922.