Marstons Takes the Knock. Whither Draught Bass?

Well, I suppose it was inevitable - but sooner than anyone expected - Carlsberg Britvic announced that Marstons Brewery in Burton on Trent will close.  We used to call Whitbread out for their tour of destruction of British breweries, but this closure is of a different order.  

Carlsberg has already, in various guises closed  a lot of big breweries.  Tetley Walker at Warrington - and that was a big brewery - Joshua Tetley in Leeds - ditto, Banks' in Wolverhampton and now the last large cask brewery in Burton on Trent, Marstons.

The intent of this blog isn't to wonder and postulate as to why this has happened, but to have a look at the consequences.  Suffice it to say that you get into the lion's cage with one of the big boys, expect to be eaten.  

Carlsberg says  “As part of the proposal, we are also considering the long-term future of a number of traditional ale brands currently produced at our Burton upon Trent brewery. We recognise the importance of the traditional ale brands associated with Burton upon Trent and the loyalty they inspire among consumers, publicans and communities. While no final decisions have been made, we are in active engagement with potential partners with the aim of finding suitable long-term custodians who can give these brands the specialist focus and dedicated stewardship they deserve. This proposal does not mean that Carlsberg Britvic is withdrawing from ale. We will continue to sell and support ale brands including Hobgoblin, McEwan’s and Brooklyn, and remain committed to the UK beer and pub sector.” 

Mealy mouthed words.  In the UK, Carlsberg is mainly a lager company first and soft drinks next.  Ale is very much an afterthought.  

In a letter to CAMRA Chairman, Ash Corbett-Collins - a native of Burton, Carlsberg said "  We do not underestimate the brewery’s significance to the town and those who care deeply about Burton upon Trent’s brewing heritage. While it is too early to confirm specific plans for the future of the site, we understand its importance to Burton upon Trent and will give careful consideration to its heritage assets and place within the local community. 

That probably just means they won't knock down the brewhouse, just sell it, allowing it to be converted into posh flats!

But it seems that Carlsberg will consider transferring the brands it will no longer brew to others. I suppose these brands will be at a guess, Banks's, Courage, Brakspear, Ringwood, Eagle (Waggledance etc.), Tetley and I suppose the Marstons brands such as Pedigree. The big questions is who would want them and who has the capacity to brew them?  Is there really much appeal when the brands are twice or more removed from their former heartlands?

Even if they are sold, handed over, contracted out or whatever, that's more difficult than you might think. There aren't many large ale breweries left.  And then there is the question of what happens to Draught Bass which accounts for around 40,000 UK barrels of the current output of the estimated 240,000 barrels being currently produced at Shobnall Road.

So what is the shortlist for Bass?  The list isn't that long assuming the volumes are correct:

Camerons in Hartlepool is a possibility, with a capacity of around 150, 000 barrels a year. They already have the contract to brew Doom Bar and brew other lines for Carlsberg already I believe.

Greene King who have the current capacity, but are moving their brewing to a new site, where the capacity is vastly reduced. Seems an unlikely candidate.

Asahi. The Fullers Brewery could maybe, just about squeeze Bass in, but it would take them to the limit,so unlikely. 

Damm in Bedford. A bit of an outsider. I don't know what their new cask ale facility for the Speckled Hen brands can handle.

Any of these would have to heavily Burtonise their water to mirror the original. Maybe not such a big ask,but who knows?  

There may be others, but it is hard to see who they are, though an outsider might be Molson Coors who would need to instal a cask racking line. Maybe the one from Marstons?  That would solve the water problem, but again is it really likely?

We shall have to wait and see, but it may well be that the Bass revival is coming to an unexpected end. There are huge problems arising from this brewery closure and the ripples for cask brewing in the UK will continue for a while until decisions are made.

In the meantime I suggest you get out and drink Burton Brewed Draught Bass while you still can. Its days may be numbered. 

Of course it leaves Marstons PLC, the pub company, with a problem too. Who is going to brew their brands? I assume there is a supply agreement with Carlsberg. I bet the lawyers are on that case already.

On the above note, I can't remember when I last saw Pedigree on a bar. The figures for output at Burton are vague.

And finally, will this present an opportunity for small brewers to get stuff on the bar? Err. No. 

(More) Bad News and (a little) Good News

Well it didn't take quite as long as most of us would have imagined, but the inevitable has happened. Carsberg Marstons Brewing has decided, after announcing the closure of Banks's Brewery and saying that it would not result in a loss of brands - also known as someone's beloved beers - that they are discontinuing no less than eight cask beers and three others. As Pub Curmudgeon remarked, "it might have been easier if they had just told us what is left." 

Brands such as Bombardier which was once as ubiquitous as Doom Bar is now, the Mansfield range - unless something does remain, but that isn't clear - Jennings Cumberland, and more will cease to be available from the end of the year.   Even iconic beers such as Bank's Mild and Marston's Old Empire (despite its slightly dodgy name) haven't been spared the axe. But don't worry, you can still get McEwan's Export, which nowadays is mainly a beer sold in supermarkets.  That's all right then.

Of course, a cynic might say that these are lacklustre beers which nobody will really miss, but this is surely the thin end of a very predictable wedge which will inevitably result in even more brand loss and further diminishing of choice.  It also gives a clear indication of the simple fact that if Carlsberg says something is safe, be deeply suspicious. Its record speaks for itself. Their total retreat from cask beer is now much more than a blurred and indistinct dot on the horizon.  It is a clear and predictable reality.  It is a pity too, if that is their intention, that they didn't offer the discontinued brands to someone else who might have made a better fist of them.

Now does this matter? Well, not if you don't care for the future of British indigenous beer styles and the fact that foreign ownership does not seem to have brought much stability to the UK beer market. Prepare for more of the same I'd say. Fewer brands means less choice and the restricted nature of  entry to bar counters due to ties and contracts means you can't expect the independent sector to take up the slack- much as they'd like to. Too much of the market simply isn't open to them.  Sadly the cask market in many areas will continue to be dominated by a smaller set of poorly designed beers, brewed as weakly as possible, down to a price.  Seek independent and family brewers while you can.

So what's the good news? I read that Marble Brewery in Manchester has restored Pint to its original 3.9% from 3.4%, apparently in response to customer demand.  Well done for customer power, and it is good to see this small reversal in the march towards weaker beers.  At the same time, I read that Acorn Brewing has returned to the original owners from the business development company that had control.  This is good news for those of us that like Acorn beer and I feel their future is now a little more secure and frankly, any good news in the beer game is worth a mention.

Win some, lose some I suppose, but I've a feeling there will be many more losses than wins coming along the road.

I had the pleasure of two pints of the fantastic Gorlovka Stout at the weekend and at 6% it was glorious.

Of the brands mentioned above, I feel that Banks's Mild could have some kind of future in the right hands, but it isn't going to happen.  If you can completely feck up Tetley Bitter, nothing is impossible.