The Original Ilkley brewery, named The Ilkley Brewery and Aerated Water Company, was founded in 1873 in Brewery Road. Supplying its trademark ‘Olicana’ branded beers and waters (the old Roman name for Ilkley) It grew into one of the largest breweries in Yorkshire before being taken over by Hammond's Bradford Brewery Co in 1923.

Parts of the old brewery building still stand today and shadows of the Olicana trademark can still be seen in some of the town’s pubs.

Like the new Ilkley Brewery, its predecessor built its reputation on the quality of its ingredients, an article published in 1893 stated "From time immemorial the purity of the Ilkley water has been extolled as one of the greatest gifts bestowed by beneficient nature on this highly-flavoured district of beautiful Wharfedale…..the Messrs Middlebrook are gentlemen of much experience and it is partly due to to their careful attention to the affairs of the Brewery, and partly due to the combination of fine malt and hops with the famous Ilkley water, that the brewings of the company are held in such high estimation"

A guide book to Ilkley published in 1882 refers to "The Ilkley Bottled Beer – with the well known trademark of Olicana on the labels – has long been a general favourite , and the Ilkley Extra Stout for invalids will be found to possess, besides a delicious flavour, all the strengthening and health giving qualities of the finest English Malt and hops"