BOMBARDIER’ BILLY WELLS
IN 1889, A LEGEND WAS BORN
William Thomas Wells, better known as ‘Bombardier’ Billy Wells was an English heavyweight boxer. He was British and British Empire Champion from 1911 until 1919, defending his title fourteen times. In 1911 he became the first Heavyweight to win the 22 carat gold Lonsdale Belt, which had been introduced for British Champions in 1909.

Bombardier Beer: A Tribute to Tenacity and Tradition

Born in the shadows of giants, Bombardier Beer mirrors the spirited legacy of ‘Bombardier’ Billy Wells, an English boxing legend. Since its debut in 1980, this beer has been a bastion of individuality and resilience. Brewed in the heart of Bedford, each pint is a testament to those who dare to be different.

Crafted with 100% British ingredients, Bombardier is more than just a beer—it’s a celebration of authenticity and determination. Perfect for those who lead, not follow, this beer stands out with its smooth, robust flavor that honors its heritage and the indomitable British spirit.

Join us in raising a glass to the bold, the brave, and the unapologetically unique. Discover Bombardier Beer, a brew that’s true to its roots and true to you.

Marston’s Brewery

Marston’s Brewery stands out in the modern brewing world for its unique commitment to traditional brewing methods, particularly its use of the Burton Union Sets. This rare system connects fermentation barrels and troughs through an intricate network of pipework, designed to minimize the loss of beer and yeast due to foaming during fermentation. The Burton Union method not only reduces waste but also enhances the beer’s contact with wood and increases the volume of beer that ferments together, typically around 100 barrels or 160 hectolitres. This large-scale fermentation process yields a more consistent flavor profile and significantly reduces the risk of spoiling an entire batch.

While most large-scale brewers have shifted to stainless steel fermenting vessels for their durability and consistency in flavor, they often restrict the variety of traditional yeasts that can be used. Marston’s adherence to the Burton Union system allows it to maintain a distinctive brewing tradition that contributes to the unique character of its beers. Additionally, Marston’s occasionally employs the double dropping process, as seen in the production of Brakspear Bitter. This technique promotes a burst of accelerated yeast growth, resulting in the development of complex flavors. By balancing tradition with selective modern techniques, Marston’s Brewery continues to produce distinct and flavorful beers that stand out in the market.

Our Brewing Process

At our brewery, we take pride in crafting our beers with the utmost dedication and quality, starting from the very source of our ingredients. We select our winter malting barley with precision from Stowmarket, emphasizing quality through rigorous audits and nurtured relationships that have stood the test of time.

The Art of Malting
Our malting process begins by steeping the barley grains in water, allowing them to germinate. This critical phase breaks down the essential starches, proteins, and fats within each grain. Post-germination, the malt enters the kiln where it’s gently heated. This not only caramelizes some of the sugars but also enables long-term storage. The duration of heating influences the malt’s color and flavor intensity — the longer it’s kilned, the darker and more caramelized it becomes.

Crafting Unique Blends
Each of our beers features a distinct blend of malts to achieve the perfect balance of color and flavor:
– Hobgoblin Ruby: A rich combination of Chocolate malts for deep, dark caramelization, paired with Crystal malts which provide a medium roast and golden hue.
– Hobgoblin Gold: This blend features Pale Malt and Malted Wheat, creating a full-bodied and smooth flavor profile that’s both refreshing and satisfying.
– Hobgoblin IPA: Crafted for complexity, it merges Pale Malt with Munich and Vienna malts, establishing a biscuity backbone that perfectly complements the generous hops added later in the brewing process.

Explore the distinct character and craftsmanship that go into each pint of our beer, and discover why our meticulous brewing process makes all the difference. Cheers to beers brewed with passion and precision!

WYCHWOOD FIRECATCHER

GOLDEN BEER – 3.5% ABV

Pale, crisp and lightly aromatic. Firecatcher brings together the best of British barley and wheat. Warming hints of honeyed nectar spark the intense and sharp gooseberry flames. Light in body but pleasingly quenching. Catch one and put out the fire.

HOBGOBLIN GOLD

A solid gold legend. The combination of four hop varieties infused with malted barley and a touch of wheat give this easy drinking golden beer tropical aromas of citrus and passion fruit. A biscuit-like malt base gives way to heaps of fresh lemon and lime zest. A hop kick riot of rascally refreshment.

BREWED SINCE 1845

OUR HERITAGE

The Fuller’s Griffin Brewery is aspecial place. Not just to us, but to anyone who has ever enjoyed a pint of Pride. It’s where the magic happens, where the malt meets the hops.

1845: A Legacy Brewed with Excellence

Our Origins

Nestled in the heart of the capital, our brewing heritage spans over 350 years, dating back to the era of Oliver Cromwell. Originally, brewing was a household endeavor, with notable early operations like Thomas Urlin’s humble cottage brewery. After Urlin’s passing, Thomas Mawson transformed these early efforts into a foundational brewing enterprise, setting the stage for greatness with strategic acquisitions including The George public house.

The Griffin Era

The Griffin, a symbol of brewing prestige, was adopted in 1816 under the management of the Thompson brothers after the fall of Meux and Reid’s Brewery. This emblem has endured through centuries, representing our unwavering commitment to quality and tradition.

Fuller, Smith and Turner

The pivotal year of 1845 marked a new chapter when John Bird Fuller took helm, alongside John Smith and John Turner, forming the powerhouse trio of Fuller, Smith & Turner. Their visionary leadership propelled our brewery into a new era of brewing excellence.

Setting the Standard

With the introduction of iconic beers like Chiswick Bitter, London Pride, and ESB, our brewery has not only set but continually raised the bar for quality brewing. Our commitment to excellence was recognized when we became the first brewery to win the CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain award with three different brews.

A Bright Future

As part of Asahi UK Ltd., we continue to innovate and uphold our proud brewing traditions, always looking forward to crafting the next chapter of our storied history. Our past is rich, and our future is promising, filled with the same passion and quality that started it all.

Experience 1845 — a testament to our heritage and a beacon of our brewing prowess.

FULLER’S ESB                     500ML BOTTLE

FULLER’S LONDON PRIDE 500ML BOTTLE

Welcome to Greene King at Westgate Brewery

Discover Our Heritage

For over two centuries, Greene King has proudly brewed exceptional cask ales at the historic Westgate Brewery, nestled in the heart of Bury St Edmunds. Our brewing legacy stretches even further back, with the site’s origins as a brewery dating to 1700, and the town’s brewing traditions traceable to the era of the Doomsday Book in 1086.

Traditional Brewing, Timeless Quality

Built in 1938, our gravity-fed brewhouse remains a testament to enduring craftsmanship. Engineered to the highest standards of its time, this Victorian architectural gem is not only a visual marvel but a fully operational facility where we continue to produce all our beers. Leveraging gravity, we efficiently transfer ingredients from one floor to another, adhering to age-old brewing techniques that have stood the test of time.

Natural Ingredients, Sustainable Practices

At Greene King, we believe in the power of natural brewing. Our beers are crafted using only the finest natural ingredients, including water drawn from ancient chalk wells beneath the brewery. These wells have been an integral part of local brewing for nearly a millennium, once serving the Benedictine monks of St Edmunds. Today, they continue to provide the pristine water that is vital to our distinctive brews.

Abbot Ale

Abbot has been in the Greene King stable since 1951. The Head Brewer, Bernard Tickner, created a fabulous new brew and a competition was launched to name it. We have Mr L F Whitehead from the King’s Arms, Haughley, Suffolk to thank for coming up with ‘Abbot Ale’. His idea was inspired by the famous Abbey which sits in the heart of our home town, Bury St Edmunds.

OLD SPECKLED HEN

DRINK CURIOUS

Old Speckled Hen is popular with ale drinkers up and down the country and renowned for its unique character and consistent quality.

The great British ale was first brewed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the MG car factory in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. It was even named after the factory’s old run around car which was often parked outside the paint shop. Spattered in paint, the car became known as the “Owld Speckl’d Un”. The eagle-eyed might even see the resemblance between MG’s logo and the Old Speckled Hen label!