This one just came in:
Marston’s has announced it has acquired Refresh UK which owns the Wychwood Brewery, brewer of Hobgoblin and Brakspear.
The acquisition is consistent with Marston’s strategy of developing a portfolio of premium beer brands to complement the Marston’s range, led by Marston’s Pedigree.
This purchase by Marston’s follows the company’s acquisitions of Jennings in 2005 and Ringwood in 2007.
I don’t get too excited about this, as I have never been very excited about the Wychwood range of beers. (Though I like their ads!) Let’s just hope some of the new British micros grow enough to fill the gaps left by mergers and acquisitions.
God I hate their ads so much. To each their own
I’m bothered, as Refresh already own and produce a few decent brands. Don’t they do the Brakspear ales?
In the town where I live, Marstons have a hotel and pub which have just been refurbished. Popped in the other day and was happy to see four pumps on (2 Pedigree, naturally). The others were 2 Jennings and one other Marston’s brew. And they were all as bland as you can possibly imagine an ale being. Shame!
Don’t care who owns it, as long as they don’t bugger about with the recipe.