Lost Beers

[oldboots]

I think I lament more the loss of decent versions of beers, some of which are still about in bowdlerised form, than beers from long dead breweries.

Draught Bass is probably the prime example but Gales HSB in its pre -1980 form and Pedigree in its pre circa 2000 form would fit the bill. The inclusion of HSB pre Fullers reminds me that Boddingtons was dumbed down before they sold out to Whitbread. Ruddles County was an early example of a beer destroyed by big brewery accountants who fell for the myth that the brand was more important than the product. Jennings Cumberland seems to be another. Pub Curmudgeon mentioned Gales 5X, which he didn't know was actually a blend of BBB and Prize Old Ale, gorgeous stuff it was too; I miss that as much as Prize Old Ale, decent White Shield (although it's not bad these days) and Courage Imperial Russian Stout.

[sheffield hatter]

I think I lament more the loss of decent versions of beers, some of which are still about in bowdlerised form, than beers from long dead breweries.

Draught Bass is probably the prime example but Gales HSB in its pre -1980 form and Pedigree in its pre circa 2000 form would fit the bill. The inclusion of HSB pre Fullers reminds me that Boddingtons was dumbed down before they sold out to Whitbread. Ruddles County was an early example of a beer destroyed by big brewery accountants who fell for the myth that the brand was more important than the product. Jennings Cumberland seems to be another.

Yes, all those of course. Especially Boddies.

Tandleman mentions Tetleys, but being from the wrong side of the Pennines he was referring to Warrington Tetleys rather than the, to my taste, superior Leeds Tetleys. (He says Warrington was "lighter and more complex in taste than the Leeds version ... [with a] slightly sourish finish".) Well, each to their own, of course, but Leeds Tetleys, served with a tight sparkler through an autovac was a tremendous beer.

Your mention of Jennings Cumberland reminds me of the mess Marstons have been making of their Jennings beers in recent years. First the Bitter was emasculated, then given a different name; then Sneck Lifter was made with inferior malt with added caramel (I don't know this for sure, it's just what my taste buds told me) and has now been relegated to a seasonal, apparently; and going back to Cumberland Ale, it used to be a decent enough bitter, though I was never a huge fan, but is now approaching the insipidity of Wainwright. This is all because brands, money and shareholder value are seen as more important than providing a well-loved product to a discerning public.

[Maldenman]

Yes, all those of course. Especially Boddies.

Tandleman mentions Tetleys, but being from the wrong side of the Pennines he was referring to Warrington Tetleys rather than the, to my taste, superior Leeds Tetleys. (He says Warrington was "lighter and more complex in taste than the Leeds version ... [with a] slightly sourish finish".) Well, each to their own, of course, but Leeds Tetleys, served with a tight sparkler through an autovac was a tremendous beer.

Your mention of Jennings Cumberland reminds me of the mess Marstons have been making of their Jennings beers in recent years. First the Bitter was emasculated, then given a different name; then Sneck Lifter was made with inferior malt with added caramel (I don't know this for sure, it's just what my taste buds told me) and has now been relegated to a seasonal, apparently; and going back to Cumberland Ale, it used to be a decent enough bitter, though I was never a huge fan, but is now approaching the insipidity of Wainwright. This is all because brands, money and shareholder value are seen as more important than providing a well-loved product to a discerning public.

I visited the GBBF in Leeds in oh I'd say 1981, they voted Tetley Bitter as the Champion Beer of Britain, bizarre Yorkshire jingoism at its finest!

[sheffield hatter]

I visited the GBBF in Leeds in oh I'd say 1981, they voted Tetley Bitter as the Champion Beer of Britain, bizarre Yorkshire jingoism at its finest!

If it's the best, you wouldn't expect Yorkshiremen to be shy about saying so! Bizarre is not a problem, when you consider how long we've put up with Geoffrey Boycott.