Our Story
From the North of England to the Heart of Campbell
Five centuries of hospitality and a century of local industry, reborn as Campbell’s modern, family-friendly beer garden and Scottish-Californian kitchen.
The Original Spout House
Our story begins in 1550 in Bilsdale, England, where a farmhouse stood beside a spring — the “spout” that gave it its name. By 1714, it was licensed as the Sun Inn, a welcome stop for travelers crossing the North York Moors. Farmers, merchants, and locals gathered under its oak beams to share food, ale, and stories — barrels hauled in from York and Tadcaster, sometimes rolled uphill by hand when the road grew too steep.
In 1823, William Ainsley became innkeeper, beginning a family tradition of hospitality that would eventually cross the Atlantic.
Ainsley’s Spout House
Ainsley’s Spout House
Ainsley’s Spout House
Ainsley’s Spout House
Ainsley’s Spout House
Ainsley’s Spout House
From the Moors to the Orchard City
The Ainsley Journey to Campbell
In the late 1800s, John Colpitts Ainsley, a British immigrant from the north of England, settled in Campbell, California — then a small agricultural town surrounded by lush orchards.
He founded the J.C. Ainsley Packing Co. in the early 1890s. Starting with just 250,000 cans of fruit in its first year, the cannery grew rapidly into one of the largest operations in the Santa Clara Valley.
By 1918, it produced more than 5.5 million cans annually, employing hundreds of local workers and shipping Campbell’s bounty across the globe.
Campbell’s Cannery Era
A Community Built on
Orchards and Ingenuity
In the early 20th century, Campbell earned the nickname “Orchard City” — famous for prunes, apricots, and cherries.
The Ainsley Cannery stood at the center of it all — a testament to hard work, agricultural excellence, and the vision of an immigrant entrepreneur. Even after its sale in 1934, the Ainsley name remained tied to Campbell’s history and sense of place.
Today’s Spout House
A Modern Beer Garden with Historic Roots
The new Ainsley’s Spout House carries forward both sides of the Ainsley story:
The warmth, community, and timeless charm of the original English alehouse
The entrepreneurial spirit, local sourcing, and agricultural legacy of the Campbell cannery era
Here, Scottish-inspired dishes meet California’s seasonal bounty, served in a relaxed beer garden setting that’s family-friendly, dog-friendly, and perfect for neighbors, travelers, and friends alike.
Whether you’re here for a pint after work, a weekend gathering with the kids, or to enjoy the sunshine with your four-legged friend, the Spout House is a place for everyone to feel at home.
Be Part of the Next Chapter
From Past to Pint – You’re Invited
From the moors of England to the orchards of California, the Ainsley name has stood for quality, hospitality, and community for over 200 years.
Now, we’re building something new — a beer garden and kitchen that celebrates history while embracing the flavors and culture of modern-day Campbell.
Be first to know our opening date, special events, and menu previews.
Get behind-the-scenes updates
as the Spout House comes to life.