Marston’s Brewery (Part 5)

Hello everyone, I hope you’re keeping well and staying safe during the UK Coronavirus lockdown and I am sad to tell you that today’s post is my penultimate chapter of my Marston’s Brewery adventure.

Without any further or do let’s crack on with the post which is about The Ringwood Brewery.

History

The Ringwood Brewery was founded in 1978 by Peter Austin who firstly started brewing two of the brewery’s iconic beers, Best Bitter and Fortyniner.

The Ringwood Brewery is located in Hampshire in the town of Ringwood, this is primarily how the brewery was named as The Ringwood Brewery.

Then in 1979, the brewery debuted there new beer, Old Thumper which is a traditional strong ale.

Next, in 1988, Old Thumper was voted Champion Beer of Great Britain by The Campaign Of Real Ale.

Furthermore, in 1994, the brewery was going through a tremendous profitable phase, production had risen from 5,000 to 13,000 barrels being distributed around the area.

The brewery had to expand there brew house plant in order to keep up with sales as more customers were determined to buy Ringwood’s beers.

In 1995, when the UK celebrated its 50th Anniversary of VE Day, Ringwood brewed a tribute beer to mark the celebration of the end of The Second World War, the beer was branded as ‘True Glory’.

In 1999, the brewery had to go even further with there expansion, this was so the brewery could brew at least once a day, plus, this was the 21st Anniversary of when Ringwood Brewery started production.

In 2007, David Welsh made the decision to retire after being at the brewery for 30 years and all the production and ownership was handed over to Marston’s Brewery.

Afterwards, in 2013, the brewery underwent a major rebranding of all pump-clips and advertising and also it was announced in 2014 that True Glory would be brewed again to commemorate the 100th Anniversary since the start of The First World War.

2020 and continuing, the brewery is still under ownership with Marston’s Brewery and the beers are still becoming a huge success, even so, there is the potential of new brews which could happen in the future.

You’re probably wondering what the brewery looks like, I have attached a picture below so you can see the scale of the building for yourselves

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It is a relatively small building, but it does come with plenty of perks, like most breweries, there is a Brewery Store on-site which stocks all Ringwood’s Brewery beers.

That concludes the history of The Ringwood Brewery and now it’s time to get into beer galore section of the post.

Ringwood Brewery Beers

Boondoggle – 4.2% ABV – Boondoggle means ‘Work of little value’, Marston’s have interpreted the word for ‘Jolly’ or ‘Any excuse for a pint’.

This beer delivers a hoppy aroma with a citrus punch, this is followed by a moreish fruity taste. A delicious fruity ale.

Circadian – 4.5% ABV – Only available in bottles at the time being. The beer is produced with 5 exotic hops, this leaves a wonderful aroma and refreshing hoppy finish.

Fortyniner – 4.9% ABV – First brewed in 1978! This beer delivers a fresh hop bouquet, which then turns into a malty taste with a strong hop balance with a deep bittersweet finish.

Old Thumper – 5.1% ABV – This was first brewed in late 1979 without a name, which gave the local press to process a competition to consumers to come up with a name and Old Thumper was branded as the new beer.

This beer has a distinctive aroma, with a peppery, spicy aroma and produced with a hint of apples. A complete bittersweet finish with delicate fruit notes.

Razorback – 3.8% ABV – Traditional bitter which is brewed to the exact same recipe as the Best Bitter when the brewery was launched.

An easy drinking thirst quencher which has an ideal balance of hoppy happiness. The beer concludes citrus fruit and has balanced flavouring. This beer is perfectly matched with Pork Scratchings.

What a fantastic selection of real ales that are provided through this brewery, the beers are available in Firkin Casks and Bottles, they’re not hugely available in bottles from my hometown (Burton Upon Trent), but I can guarantee that you can purchase any of these beers from The Brewery Store at Ringwood.

On the other hand, in many pubs some of these beers are on the handpumps, I have seen Fortyniner in one pub before which I visited last year (2019) and to be truthfully honest it did taste absolutely tremendously, so I would hugely recommend you to try Fortyniner.

Ending

This brewery constructively concludes that it has gone from strength to strength, this has been shown through the expansion works that the brewery has done.

I personally think that there is still more to come, particularly the chance of the brewery debuting some new beers.

We will though have to wait and see though!

However, I will conclude here and say if you are from Hampshire or from anywhere else in the UK, why not pop into a Marston’s Pub and try one of the Ringwood Brewery ales, you will be completely satisfied and will leave you wanting more, just like how I wanted more (Haha)!

Thank you for taking the time to read my penultimate chapter of Marston’s Brewery, next week, I will be finishing off my story with the final chapter into my adventure of Marston’s Brewery.

Take care everyone and stay safe!

Luke x