A History Timeline of Ringwood Brewery

Founded in 1978, Ringwood Brewery is still as passionate as ever about real ale

  • 1978

    Ringwood Brewery signFounded by Peter Austin initially brewing Best Bitter and Fortniner

  • 1979

    Old Thumper glassBrews much stronger ale, Old Thumper

  • 1980

    Porter XXXX clipBrews XXXX Porter, a dark ruby ale.

  • 1986

    Ringwood Brewery illustrationOutgrows Minty's Yard premises, moves to present site

  • 1988

    CAMRA logoOld Thumper voted Champion Beer of Britain by Camra

  • 1994

    BarrelsProduction has risen from 5,000 barrels per annum in 1990 to 13000. Work begins to extend the brew house plant. Old Thumper also gets brewed under licence in the US.

  • 1995

    Union JackTrue Glory brewed to commemorate 50th anniversary of VE day

  • 1997

    Boondoggle clipBoondoggle is brewed.

  • 1999

    Outside Ringwood BreweryFurther work on the brew house is completed in order to produce more than one brew per day. 21 Not out is launched to celebrate Ringwood 21st anniversary

  • 2002

    Huffkin clipAn autumn ale, "Huffkin" is launched

  • 2003

    Bold Forester clipA spring ale, Bold Forester is launched and celebrates Ringwood's 25th birthday with a silver label

  • 2007

    Marston's logoDavid Welsh decides to retire after nearly 30 years at the brewery and hands 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.

  • 2008

    Marston's logoRingwood '78 was brewed to celebrate 30 successful years of brewing