Tetleys Bitter to be brewed under contract

Carlsberg has called time on two hundred years of brewing history with the announcement that Tetley’s Bitter will no longer be brewed in Yorkshire.

The iconic bitter, which has been brewed in Leeds city centre since 1822, will be brewed under contract by Marston’s in Wolverhampton when Carlsberg closes the Leeds operation next year.

Locals and bitter drinkers have reacted angrily to the decision with several MPs expressing their disquiet. Greg Mulholland, Liberal Democrat MP for Leeds North West, has put down an early day motion condemning the decision and called on Leeds to boycott the beer.

“This is a complete betrayal of the 180 years of brewing history in the city,” he said. “I’m calling on the good people of Leeds to boycott Carlsberg lager to show this huge company what we think of their attitude towards our famous beer."

Fellow Yorkshire MP John Grogan said cricket legend Freddie Trueman – who used to be the face of Tetley’s bitter – would be "spinning in his grave" at the announcement.

John Grogan, MP for Selby and chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group, said the beer will never be the same again. "I just cannot believe that there was no viable option to produce cask ale in God’s own county,” he said. “Carlsberg has always been very protective of its own heritage but rather careless of other people’s."

Andy Hume, Brewery Director at the Leeds Brewery, said: "We looked at all realistic options in Yorkshire to brew Tetley’s cask, however there was not the suitable capacity available.

"As such we needed to find the best option outside of Yorkshire in terms of quality and processes and Marston’s provides this. Marston’s are passionate about brewing great quality cask ale, using traditional methods and are one of the biggest cask ale brewers in the country.

"They have a lot of experience in brewing many different cask ales, both their own and other brewers’ brands and we are fully confident that they will deliver the same great tasting, quality cask beer that our drinkers currently enjoy.

"Over the coming months our Tetley’s brew masters will work closely with our partners, using the same ingredients and recipe to ensure they deliver the same great beer it always has been". ‘

While the cask version of Tetley’s Bitter and Mild have been annexed, Tetley’s Smoothflow will continue to be made in Yorkshire after Carlsberg UK agreed a long term brewing partnership with Molson Coors Brewing Ltd.

The deal will see Tetley’s Smoothflow being brewed at Molson’s Tadcaster brewery in North Yorkshire from 2011.

Ben McFarland, 09.03.2010