News
- CMBC to Axe 11 Beer Brands
Tuesday 26 November 2024
Just 48 days after insisting that their decision to close the Banks's Brewery in Wolverhampton would not impact the range of cask beers it brews, Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company (CMBC) announced that eleven beers are to be axed by the end of the year, eight of them cask. Beers to go are: Banks's Mild, Banks's Sunbeam, Bombardier (keg), Eagle IPA, Jennings Cumberland Ale, Mansfield Dark Smooth (keg), Mansfield Original Bitter (keg), Marston's Old Empire, Marston's 61 Deep, Ringwood Boondoggle and Ringwood Old Thumper. This act of corporate vandalism has been widely condemned by CAMRA, beer writers and others.
- Marston's to Close Banks's Brewery in Wolverhampton
Sunday 13 October 2024
Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company (CMBC) has announced that it will close the Banks's Brewery in Wolverhampton next year, citing the lower demand for cask ale and the loss of the contract to brew Sam Miguel to A B Inbev. CMBC say that Banks's beers will continue to be brewed at Marston's Brewery at Burton-on-Trent and that a £6m plus investment at Burton over the next two years will enable a wider range of cask ales in modern hop-forward styles to be brewed. Redeployment of the 97 Banks's staff to elsewhere in the CMBC group is being considered in talks with their union.
- Lincoln Imp Pub Loses Appeal against Change of Use
Thursday 12 September 2024
After a long and determined campaign led by former licensee Lorraine Briggs to prevent change of use of the Lincoln Imp pub in Ashby and despite planning permission twice being rejected by North Lincolnshire Council, the developer Shape & Land Property (who purchased the pub from Admiral Taverns), took their case to the Government Planning Inspectorate on appeal. The Inspectorate have now allowed the appeal and the pub will be demolished and new housing built on the site. Scunthorpe will now lose one of its most iconic pubs, famous for encouraging local musicians and for the promotion of live music. Much praise should go to The Save The Lincoln Imp campaign group for their valiant efforts to save the pub for the benefit of the local community.
- New Owners for Saltaire Brewery
Monday 5 August 2024
Saltaire Brewery has been acquired by a fellow Yorkshire business with interests ranging from confectionery to pet food. Paramount Retail Group, which also owns the Montezuma’s chocolate brand, sees Saltaire as a regional brand with “significant national and international growth potential”. Saltaire Brewery produces a number of well known beers such as Saltaire Blonde and Triple Choc. Its loss of independence is a concern, but reflects the current trend in UK brewing. BEER TODAY
- Marston's Withdraws from Brewing
Friday 2 August 2024
After almost 150 years of brewing, Marston's has sold its 40% stake in its joint brewing venture with Carlsberg to concentrate on its 1,400 strong pub estate. The Marston brewery at Burton-upon-Trent and the Banks brewery in Wolverhampton now pass fully into Carlsberg's control. Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company (CMBC) have closed Jennings, Ringwood and Hobgoblin breweries in the last two years, so the future of the two remaining ale breweries may be uncertain following a planned business review by Carlsberg. CAMRA BEER magazine/PROTZ ON BEER
- Pressure on for Full Pint Law
Friday 2 August 2024
On the 200th anniversary in July of the passing of the Weights & Measures Act 1824, which defined a pint in British and Irish law for the first time, CAMRA is urging all political parties to back a change in the law to guarantee a full liquid pint, not including the foamy head. This comes after studies by the Chartered Institute of Trading Standards found 86% of beer was short measured and the law leaves consumers with no recourse if refused a top up. CAMRA BEER magazine