Hardys & Hansons

In message , David Thornhill writes

Which of course they'll sell, if the price suits them. I'm afraid George Bateman is atypical, to say very the least...

It saddens me that so many family brewers have sold out, apparently without a thought for their history, their tradition, their place in local communities, and all that old-fashioned stuff. I guess I belong in earlier times :-(

Why do the same posters pop up in uk.food+drink.real-ale and uk.railway? I think we should be told :-)

Dave

I've noticed that too Dave! Perhaps the state of UK's rail system drives you to drink!

David

The message from "David Thornhill" contains these words:

I was brought up on Hardys & Hansons Kimberley bitter. Regularly turned out of the Druids Tavern in Arnold, Notts. (40yrs ago), for being under age too - by the ploice, not the landlord & Landlady; who were damned decent folk, by the name of Eric and Hilda ;)

I believe that H&H once owned the Nottingham Evening Post too, but perhaps someone will tell me I'm mistaken.

Bugger!

I hope they hang on to them.

Which they now have :-(

From the Publican:

"Greene King has agreed to buy Nottingham-based brewer Hardys & Hansons for £270m.

Announcing the agreed takeover today, Rooney Anand, chief executive of Greene King said: “We believe this is a fair offer for Hardys & Hansons, a company we have long admired for its high quality estate, strong management team, dedicated staff and heritage.”

The offer was consistent with Greene King’s strategy to deliver shareholder value by “augmenting our organic growth with selective acquisitions that improve the overall quality of the group”, he added.

James Muir, chairman of Hardys & Hansons, said the offer “represents excellent value for our shareholders and Greene King represents an excellent home for the business.”

The future of Hardys & Hansons has been the subject of debate for some months and earlier this week the group was forced to announce to the Stock Exchange it had received a number of approaches."

John B

In message , John B writes

Sometimes, there is absolutely *no* pleasure in being proved right :-(

I suppose that's the end of the brewery (which I've never seen, regrettably), and all that tradition stuff that I've already ranted about so I won't bore you again. It is a pity, though. Despite my grumping about micros in another thread, may they live long and prosper because if they don't, we'll all have a choice - take it or leave it.

Dave

Agh! Please, please don't let it be GK!

What's this about Punch being a possible bidder? Are they allowed to own a brewery? Sounds b*ll*cks to me.

SD

So another one bites the dust.

I've been boycotting GK since the Ridley's debacle, and this puts paid to my desire for a return visit to the Ship in Sheffield, too.

Ba*tard*

Yes, seems the deal is done. No more visits to Ye Olde Trip for me then :(((

How long before the whole country is GK, W&D or Fullers? :(((((

SD

In message , Mike Roebuck wrote

I've been avoiding GK for many years because I cannot find a decent pint of Ale they produce :)

In message , Secret Drinker wrote

In some parts of the country every 'freehouse' seems to be tied in some way to GK.

In message , Alan writes

Not in Shropshire, mercifully. We only ever seem to see the IPA and even that's not very often. But then again we have W&D to contend with, once the brewers of a legendary mild and quite a decent refreshing bitter. Nowadays I'd rate Banks's with 6X, Bombardier and all those other overproduced has-beens. Sad, and they do seem to have quite a strong, though by no means exclusive grip on the free trade.

Yes, and I'll bet their 'guest' ales are Old Speckled Hen, Ridley's Old Bob, or Ruddle's County. Still, they'll no doubt be selling Olde Trip as a 'guest' soon.

:(((((

SD