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. 

Two Pints of Draught Bass

A couple of Saturdays ago I was out and about in Manchester with E and the erstwhile landlady, now a staffer at a local JDW and her husband, a manager with JDW. Both are old friends and having just started a couple of weeks off, were enjoying a beer or two. We joined them after they'd made a reasonable start on the ale and had a decent little crawl through parts of the Northern quarter, the sole criteria, stipulated by herself, being that the Landlady hadn't visited it before.

We started in 57 Thomas St, Marble Brewery's outlet in this trendy part of town. I hadn't been since they did up the upstairs and made that a cask bar. Nicely done, but I was surprised - not in a good way - to find the beers served by gravity behind a glass partition. Very micro pub.  My pint of Pint was completely knackered, my experience not enhanced by the barman tilting the cask forward by hand to give me a full pint. Surprisingly after that it was clear, but unsurprisingly, totally flat. I had it exchanged for another, but somehow I feel that gravity pours rarely work that well unless turnover is mighty fast.  I also wondered why they hadn't reversed their refurbishment by putting the keg upstairs and the cask on handpump below. To me, this way round, it didn't work.

Moving on we discovered that on a warm late Saturday afternoon, cellars were obviously not working to their optimum. We had disappointingly too warm beers in the Soup Kitchen and the Allotment Bar, but the side was held up by Pie and Ale which was spot on.  Resisting the blandishments and blatant pleading from one of our party to move on to Spinningfields and ruling out of hand a visit to Lees Millstone, which was packed to the rafters and a bit rough and ready, even for me - and I'm not that choosy - we compromised by heading to the Unicorn for that rarest of beasts, Draught Bass. Our JDW manager doubted its existence (he may have thought it a Robinsons House) and still muttering about the Millstone - he has managed quite a few Lees pubs in his time - we entered to the usual mayhem. The place was packed four deep at the bar, every seat was taken and the hubbub of conversation took us all back to pubs of many years ago, this time without the fug of cigarette smoke. All types were represented here. Middle aged couples arriving for a night out, a hen party, gaga with booze, but adding shriekingly to the already vibrant atmosphere, ne'er do wells in corners conspiring over Carling, well dressed gents having one before moving on, locals standing at the bar, guarding their usual spot with pained defiance and practised ease, despite the mob behind baying for beer.  It was all rather marvellous.

The staff bustled about dispensing lager and Worthington Smooth at top speed.  Unknown beer from the wicket was seen being cranked up and down and dispensed at speed. From our place in the crowd we could just about see the rear of the handpumps in the circular bar. Our JDW man glumly bawled to me above the merry din "Bet the Bass isn't on."  I caught a barman's eye and shouted out that rarely heard order "Two pints of Draught Bass please."

Not only was the Bass on, it was superb. In this time capsule, it seemed just the thing to drink. We had two pints each.

The Unicorn was a Bass House and Bass is still one of the permanent beers. The presence of Worthington Smooth is another clue. I wrote about it and Bass here a couple of years ago, but I liked the Bass less then. I wonder why?

Our JDW man will enquire if he can procure a trial cask of Bass for his pub. I do hope he obtains it. I reckon it will sell.

I squeezed through the crowd for the photo. Wouldn't want to do that twice.