BURTON ON TRENT

Burton on Trent, once the brewing capital of the world. Now just a shadow of its former glory and a salutory lesson in losing one's heritage.

Once upon a time you couldn't cross the street in Burton without tripping over a brewery, now they are all gone or ruined. Ind Coope is no more, that magnificent company Bass is now owned by Belgian brewers, Corrs. Marstons is a branch of Woverhampton and Dudley Breweries and now all the town is left with, is a handful of craft brewers. Big business rules, accountants make the decisions and you and I have to suffer the consequences.

Let's face it, that once marvellous beer, Draught Bass, is, at its very best, now a mediocre pint. It has lost that distinctive sulphery smelland its well balanced full flavour and is living on reputation alone. Marston's have effectively destroyed, what was in the seventies, the best beer in the country, Marston's Pedigree now rarely lives up to the hype. All brewed on the Burton Union System? Don't make me laugh!

What has happened in Burton is a potential template for the rest of the country. However all is not lost, while the big brewers amalgamate and are run by accountants small breweries have sprung up producing quality cask beer, Burton Bridge, Tower and more recently the Black Hole Brewery. There are people out there who still believe in quality, in flavour and choice. Read on...