Marston's

Infobox Company
company_name = Marston's plc
company_logo =
company_type = Public (lse|MARS)
foundation = 1890
location = Wolverhampton, UK
key_people = David Thompson, Chairman
Ralph Findlay, CEO
industry = Brewing
products =
revenue = £652.8 million (2007)
operating_income = £160.7 million (2007)
net_income = £82.3 million (2007)
num_employees = 12,870 (2007)
parent =
subsid =
homepage = [http://www.marstons.co.uk www.marstons.co.uk]
footnotes =Infobox Brewery
name = Marston's


caption =
location = Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire England
owner = Marston's plc
opened = 1834
production =
active_beers =
seasonal_beers =
other_beers =

Marston's (lse|MARS) is the colloquial name for the brewer and pub operator "Marston's PLC" (formerly known as "Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries plc" until 2007 when it rebranded as Marston's). The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.

Company history

The Company was formed in 1890 as "Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries" by the amalgamation of "Banks & Co." with "George Thompson & Sons" and "Charles Colonel Smith's Brewery". [http://www.marstons.co.uk/about/our_history.asp Marston's History] ] It was first listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1947. It acquired "Camerons Brewery" of Hartlepool in 1992.

In 1999 the Company purchased "Marston, Thompson & Evershed" of Burton upon Trent (including "Marston's Brewery" which had been founded in 1834). Also in 1999 the Company purchased the "Mansfield Brewery Company" of Mansfield.

In 2005 Marston's Brewery took over production under licence from Interbrew of Draught Bass, succeeding Coors. Later, in 2005, the Jennings Brewery of Cockermouth was also purchased and in 2007 Hampshire based Ringwood Brewery, which was established in 1978, and brews Best Bitter, Fortyniner, and Old Thumper, was acquired. [ [http://www.camra.org.uk/page.aspx?o=249565 CAMRA fears “domino effect” following purchase of Ringwood by Marston's] ]

In 2007 the Company changed its name from "Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries plc" to "Marston's plc". [ [http://www.marstons.co.uk/news/articles/changeofname.asp Marston's:Change of Name] ]

Operations

The company now owns and operates three breweries. The Park Brewery in Wolverhampton brews Banks's, Hanson's and Mansfield beers, whilst Marston's Brewery in Burton upon Trent, and the Jennings Brewery in Cockermouth brew the Marston's and Jennings beers respectively. [ [http://www.marstonsbeercompany.co.uk/brands_division/brands_division.asp Marston's: About us] ] Draught Bass is also brewed at Marston's, on behalf of InBev. The company also owns a sizeable chain of pubs, and several hotels. [ [http://www.marstonspubcompany.co.uk/ Marston's Pub Company] ]

Brewing methods

Marston's Brewery makes use of water from the famous Burton Well, [ [http://www.marstons.co.uk/brands/marstons.asp Marston's brands] ] reputedly discovered by Benedictine monks in the 13th century.

Marston's is also the only remaining brewer to use Burton Union Sets; a system whereby fermentation barrels and troughs are linked together by a complex system of copper and brass pipework. The basic principle is one of preventing excessive beer and yeast loss through foaming, but the consequence is that the beer is "both" in contact with more wood "and" in contact with more beer (fermenting in a bigger volume). This results in a vastly more consistent flavour; and very little chance of a whole batch being ruined. All other large-scale brewers have abandoned this method in favour of stainless steel vats, which while they assure (through volume) a consistent flavour, do not permit the use of traditional yeast varieties. They also make selective use of the unusual double dropping process which introduces complex flavors due to a period of accelerated yeast growth. [ [http://www.ianmarchant.com/Images/pages/34-Burton-Union-Set,-Marsto_jpg.htm Burton Union sets] ]

Beers

*Pedigree:Marston's flagship beer is Pedigree, a bitter. Typically Marston's uses the standard combination of Maris Otter barley and Fuggles and Goldings hops.
*Burton Bitter
*Resolution
*Old Empire
*Marston's Smooth
*Double Drop
*Single Malt
*Owd Rodger
*Oyster Stout - Introduced in 1994 as a 4.5% standard stout marketed to accompany oysters.
*Smooth Extra Cold - 2007-2008 sponsor of England's Cricket Team.
*Ringwood Best Bitter
*Jennings Crag Rat

ponsorship

* Wrexham FC - Under the terms, the Mold Road Stand at the Racecourse Ground will be renamed the Marston's Stand, while the brewery will also become the supplier of beers to the club for sale inside the ground and also at the club's function and hospitality rooms. And recently it was revealed that Marstons would be the new sponsors of Cambridge United. Marstons have signed of sponsorship for Abbey Stadium south stand. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wrexham/6919102.stm Dragons receive a brewery boost] ]

* England & Wales Cricket Board - Marstons became the official beer of the England Cricket team after a deal in February of 2007. The three year deal stipulates that Marstons will be the official supplier of beer at all home Test Matches and will have exclusive beer advertising rights. [ [http://www.utalkmarketing.com/Pages/Article.aspx?ArticleID=11272&Title=Marston%E2%80%99s,_Official_Beer_of_England_Cricket_Team Marston's official beer of England cricket team] ]

ee also

*Brewers of Burton

References

External links

* [http://www.marstons.co.uk/ Marston's PLC website]
* [http://www.marstonsbeercompany.co.uk/ Marston's Beer Company divisional website]
* [http://www.marstonstaverns.co.uk/ Marston's Inns & Taverns, the managed pub estate]
* [http://www.marstonspubcompany.co.uk/ Marston's Pub Company, the leased and tenanted estate]
* [http://www.ratebeer.com/Brewers/Brewing-Company-56.htm RateBeer]