The Historic Town of Ringwood
Beer has been brewed in Ringwood for centuries ever since mediaeval man first mixed the crystal water of the River Avon with the malted barley harvested from the surrounding fertile fields of Hampshire.
The market town was a magnet for merchants and dusty drovers who needed their thirst slaked and whistles wetted before they could get down to the business of bargaining and bartering and many a deal was sealed over a draught and a noggin in one of the many taverns, inns and ale houses that gave Ringwood one of the highest pubs per head of population in olde England.
Ringwood Brewery
Ringwood Brewery was founded by Peter Austin in 1978, a man who is revered as "the father of British Micro-brewing".
Ringwood Brewery's first brewhouse was in a former bakery in the old station yard brewing Best Bitter and Fortyniner for a handful of local customers. 1979 saw the production of Old Thumper, which has since become the flagship brew. Old Thumper was voted Champion Beer of Britain by CAMRA in 1988.
In 1986, having outgrown the Minty's yard premises, the brewery moved to its present site, ironically the location of the old Tunks' Brewery which ceased trading in 1821.
Today the brewery is able to produce circa 40,000 barrels of its renowned and distinctive beers. In addition to Best, Fortyniner, and Old Thumper, we now brew the blonde Boondoggle, our autumn brew Huffkin, the deliciously warming XXXX Porter, and new for 2010 will be Showman's Tipple.
Ringwood's on-site store
Ringwood Brewery also boasts its own Brewery Store on site selling a full range of its beers as well as a wines, cider and souvenir merchandise. These goods including our bottled beers are available from our online shop. The Store welcomes thousands of visitors each year.
The company's commitment to continuous improvement by investing in plant and equipment and training and development of staff has been recognised by a number of local and national business awards.
Marston's
In July 2007, David Welsh decided to retire after nearly 30 years at the brewery and handed the baton over to Marston's Brewery. Marston's are determined to continue the Ringwood success story in the premium cask ale market and share the same passion as Ringwood do for real ale.
Although Ringwood is a relatively small brewery it has built an enviable reputation for the quality of beer and service and is now the leading Free Trade ale brewer in the Solent area.
It is committed to a process of continuous improvement by investing in plant and equipment as well as in the training and development of staff.
