Ossett/Greene King

I am told that Ossett has done some sort of deal with Greene King - something that was borne out the other day when Old Speckled Hen appeared as a guest in an Ossett pub.

Let's hope that Ossett doesn't go the way of other small breweries like Caledonian and that Silver King doesn't become another Deuchars. Is it just me or does the attempt to replicate a small brewery output on a nationwide scale result in a totally different (and usually far more insipid) brew?

I had fears for Ossett after their takeover of two micros - Riverhead and Fernandes. Yes - they still (for the time being) brew at both sites, but guess what the guests at Ossett pubs often are! And soon, no doubt they'll be joined by Greene King IPA.

Reply to
M Platting
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In message , MPlatting@?.?.invalid wrote

Yep, that's why they have been nicknamed National Blands.

The other problem with a beer going national is that you may find it more difficult to find it served in good condition. For every good landlord who knows how to keep and serve a decent pint there are probably 10 others who lack the training or couldn't care.

Reply to
Alan

Caledonian never were a small brewery. Go to Edinburgh and have a look, or read up a bit on the history.

Reply to
Michael Jones

Remember what happened to Boddington's

Reply to
valeofbelvoirdrinker

Just had a look at their website which suggests that Caledonian was one of 40 breweries in close proximity in Edinburgh. Must almost by definition have been reasonably small.

Changed ownership in 1919 and became part of Vaux.

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Reply to
M Platting

No that does not follow. Other breweries may have been small, Caledonian (Lorimer and Clark) was not. It brewed beer in large quantities which was sent mainly to the North East by rail.

Reply to
Michael Jones

Greene King Fireside was on at Rat & Ratchet, Huddersfield, yesterday.

Reply to
Brian Waine
Reply to
The Submarine Captain

An abomination if ever there was one.

Reply to
Jim Backus

Sadly, Jim, the "Curse of the Greene Thing", seems to have established itself in Ossett brewery owned pubs.

What next? Well hopefully Greene King owned pubs may see the odd 'Silver King' appearing as a guest (no bad thing, that).

After that, the Greene Thing, in its inexorable need to grow, will absorb Ossett (making the existing Ossett directors millionaires) and establish a foothold in Yorkshire. Ossett brewery will close (as of course must Fernandes and Riverhead) and Ossett's flagship brands, Excelsior and Silver King will be brewed in Bury St Edmunds.

And another classic and distinctive range of beers will have bitten the dust...

Reply to
M Platting

Is this just speculation or does someone actually know what is going on?

Reply to
eileen

On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:00:41 +0000, snipped-for-privacy@eileenrobinson.plus.com wro

Pure speculation apart from the fact that Ossett have done a deal with Greene King and Greene King beers are now being sold in Ossett pubs. Such actions are often a prelude to a progressively closer tie-up. Warning bells are ringing.

Reply to
M Platting

This could be a real shame as Ossett gobbled up Riverhead Tap in Marsden which was a wonderful local brewer. Little by little it's all gone. Soon the Bland Blondes will rule.

Reply to
nick

While I do not condone the Greene King link-up, I can tell you that it is a widely held view that Riverhead beers are much improved since Ossett took over and sorted out the well-known problems of poor quality. The brewery is still there and brewing, while the beers are a little easier to find. I have had Butterley Bitter, Sparth Mild and Redbrook Premium since the takeover and all are superb beers and they are neither bland nor blonde.

Reply to
Paul

I had a fantastic day out last easter riding my bike up from Slaithwaite (with a quick stop at the Sair Inn - in fact I needed a couple there after taking up the challenge from the bike shop on the main road that "I wouldn't be riding up that hill"), to Marsden, and I found the Ossett owned Riverhead to be excellent, and the beer was some of the best I had last year. So I'm inclined to believe it's in good hands.

Reply to
Simon Cooper

That's impressive indeed! I've taken to getting the 'Colne Valley Circular' bus from Huddersfield which stops at the top of hill (Linthwaite Church) and then let gravity take me down, first to the Sair, and then onwards and downwards to the A62.

Yes there's nothing wrong with the beer quality at either Riverhead or Fernandes, but that doesn't mean that at some point, some bright spark (probably an accountant!) at Ossett or Bury St Edmunds will come up with an idea about whether they actually need 3 small brewing sites and wouldn't it be better to consolidate all onto one site with the resultant cost savings, economies of scale etc etc.

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Reply to
M Platting

Y'all misunderstand me. I liked Riverhead and I love what Ossett has done upgrading the quality. I'm just afraid of what would happen to a fine pub/brewery if/when GK takes it over. Every Spring we come over to the Holme/Colne valleys and suck up the brews from The Nook, Riverhead, The Sair, The Fleece, Rat and Ratchet, and others and I don't want to lose any.

nick

Reply to
nick

Don't forget the Grove

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in Huddersfield. Well..... it, and the Station Tavern on Huddersfield Station (now curiously called the Kings Head with a pub sign depicting Jimi Hendrix

- probably something to do with the leather-waistcoated landlord Bruce Travis trying to re-create his youth)

Reply to
M Platting

Fabulous place - visited after BICC meeting in Leeds on Jan 12 - Wonderfull!!!!

But ...

The two station bars rather disappointing. One had Irish beers festival and sold out - the other not much choice - so then we tried the Grove!!!!!! Wow!!!

Staying at the George - no real ale that night!

Dewsbury buffet good and/but the Grove totally memorable and commendable...We will return!!

Reply to
Chris de Cordova

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