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| The brewery |
Marston's is a national brewery and pub operator with headquarters in Wolverhampton, and five brewery plants across the country, including the
Ringwood Brewery in the New Forest, which it acquired in 2007. Beers from Ringwood are commonly available in Southampton, being either a guest or a regular in at least a third of pubs.
In my
Regional breweries of Britain in 2003 article, when the brewery was calling itself Banks's I said:
"The company was founded in 1890 when three local breweries amalgamated to become Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries, though the beers are sold under the Banks’s name. The brewery bought up Marston, Thompson & Evershed in February 1999, and then Mansfield Brewery later the same year. More of a group of breweries, operating on two separate sites, than a genuine independent regional, it is generally regarded as a true regional so is included here... The Marston site produces the famous Pedigree using the Burton Union system which results in an interesting nose and a dry flavour but little else. Banks’s own over 1,600 pubs.
" Since then, as well as the Ringwood Brewery, the company has acquired Wychwood and Jennings to become what it claims is the world's largest brewer of cask ale. And it now owns 1,700 pubs.
Marston’s Local Pub
Score: 3
Test Lane, Redbridge, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 9BH
Marston's Town Centre Pub
Score: 4
104-108 Above Bar Street, Southampton, SO14 7DT
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| Pitcher & Piano, Ocean Village |
Pitcher & Piano
Unit 1, Block F, Ground Floor, Southampton, Ocean Village, SO14 3JB
Leased Pub
Score: 3 1/2
Hinkler Road, Thornhill, Southampton, SO19 6DA
Marston’s Local Pub
Score: 3 1/2
Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Southampton, SO19 9AF
Marston's beers
Marston pubs may offer any of the beers produced by the
Marston brewery in Burton, the
Banks's brewery in Wolverhampton, the
Ringwood brewery in the New Forest, the
Jennings brewery in the Lake District, the
Brakspear brewery in Witney, or the
Wychwood brewery, also in Witney. There is also a brew pub in Henley-on-Thames, the
Bell Street Brewery.
Marston's main regular beers are
Pedigree 4.5% Best Bitter
A famous beer, brewed used the Burton Union System. Deservedly popular - undeservedly neglected by beer critics. Nothing strong, definite or interesting, but flavours just hovering on the edge - orange, brown sugar, apricot, sulphur and apple juice.
3.1/5.00
The Obelisk.
Oyster Stout 4.1% Stout
Usually available in the bottle or on keg (at 4.5%) but can sometimes be bought on cask. Used to be 4.5%, but is currently 4.1%
Old Empire 5.7% Premium Bitter
Can be variable, but in good condition this is a splendid ale.
Bass 4.4% Best Bitter
Brewed by Marston's and sold in Marston's pubs, but the brand is owned by
AB InBev.
The Obelisk.
Ringwood beers
The brewery has four regulars:
Razorback 3.8% Session Bitter.
This is the first beer that
Peter Austin brewed when he founded Ringwood in 1978. It was originally called Best Bitter, but was re-branded to Razorback in November 2015. It's a little watery with some peat, mineral, oak and fruit notes. OK, but there's usually some other beer I'd prefer.
2.6/5.00
Cricketers Arms, The Obelisk,
Boondoggle 4.2% Blonde Ale.
Pleasant enough blonde with some apple and citric notes, but a little watery.
2.8/5.00
Fortyniner 4.9% Golden Premium Bitter
Brewed since 1978, this is a golden strong bitter. First few times I had this I enjoyed it, but recent experiences have found it a little musty and salty.
2.7/5.00
Bellemoor Tavern,
Old Thumper 5.1% Traditional Premium Bitter
Brewed since 1979, though the abv was dropped from 4.6% in 2013. Darkly malty with sweet oak and sweet orange marmalade notes.
There are also occasional and seasonal beers such as True Glory (Summer), Red Boar (Autumn), XXXX Porter (Winter), Mauler (Spring) and Porker (Spring).
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