Bass Beer: Still Available And Where To Buy It

Bass Ale, the world's first pale ale, was discontinued in November 2023. The beer was first brewed in 1777 by William Bass in Burton-upon-Trent, England, and gained popularity for its distinctive malty flavour and deep amber colour. Over the years, Bass Ale became one of the most iconic and respected beer brands in the world, renowned for its red triangle logo. However, with changes in the brewing industry and the ownership of the Bass Brewery, the production of Bass Ale faced challenges. After being acquired by InBev and later by Anheuser-Busch, the brand underwent significant transformations that ultimately led to its discontinuation. Despite its rich history and loyal following, the demand for Bass Ale had steadily declined, and it no longer aligned with the company's strategic growth plans. While it may be challenging to find remaining stock, some enthusiasts may still be able to procure limited quantities from select distributors and collectors.

Bass Ale's discontinuation

Bass Ale, a classic beer brand with a rich history spanning centuries, has been discontinued, much to the dismay of its loyal drinkers. The decision to halt production was made after carefully considering market demand and production costs. This iconic beer, founded in 1777 by William Bass in Burton-upon-Trent, England, gained immense popularity for its distinctive characteristics, including its malty flavour and deep amber colour. However, changes in the brewing industry, acquisitions, and shifts in consumer preferences led to its gradual disappearance.

The Bass Brewery underwent significant transformations after being acquired by InBev and later by Anheuser-Busch, impacting the brand's identity. With the focus shifting towards other beer brands within the portfolio, Bass Ale was slowly phased out. The decline in sales and changing market trends contributed to the decision to discontinue this beloved beverage.

The discontinuation of Bass Ale has sparked mixed reactions among enthusiasts, with many expressing nostalgia and disappointment. The beer held a prominent position in the market for centuries and was renowned for its distinct red triangle logo and full-bodied flavour. Its absence has left a gap that newer craft ales struggle to fill, and its legacy in the beer industry remains significant.

Despite its discontinuation, limited stocks of Bass Ale may still be found through select distributors and collectors. However, it is becoming increasingly rare to come across. The end of Bass Ale marks the conclusion of an era in brewing history, leaving a lasting impact on both the industry and its devoted drinkers.

Bass Ale's history

Bass Ale was founded in 1777 by William Bass in Burton-upon-Trent, England. It quickly became the premier British beer of the 19th century, and by 1877, Bass had become the largest brewery in the world, with an annual output of over one million barrels.

Bass Ale's signature red triangle was the first trademark ever filed under the UK's Trade Mark Registration Act of 1875. The red triangle became famous and was recognised all over the British Empire. Bass Ale was exported throughout the world, from India to Canada to Australia.

In the 1960s, Bass merged with Charrington United Breweries to become the largest brewing company in the UK, known as Bass Charrington. The company continued to grow and even purchased and managed pubs around the UK.

In 2000, Bass decided to focus on the hospitality industry and sold its brewing operations to the Belgian company Interbrew for $3.5 billion. Interbrew later merged with AmBev to become InBev, and Bass became part of the largest brewing company in the world.

Today, Bass Ale is still enjoyed worldwide, and the corporate owners continue to follow the original recipe, using English malts and hops to brew the beer.

Bass Ale's popularity

Bass Ale, the flagship product of Bass Brewery, has had a long and illustrious history, becoming the first global beer brand and the UK's first-ever registered trademark. Its distinctive red triangle logo became famous across the British Empire and beyond.

The brand found fame in the early 19th century as the quintessential IPA, brewed in Burton-on-Trent, and went on to become the largest brewery in the world by 1877, with an annual output of one million barrels. The opening of a railway through Burton in 1839 further bolstered its pre-eminence as a brewing town.

However, by the mid-twentieth century, the allure of IPAs had faded, and Bass faced a period of consolidation and changing ownership. In the 1960s, Bass merged with Charrington United Breweries to become the largest UK brewing company, Bass Charrington. The company's brewing operations were later bought by Interbrew (now Anheuser-Busch InBev) in 2000, while the retail side was renamed Six Continents plc.

Despite changes in the beer market and ownership, Bass Ale remained a popular brand, especially in its heartlands of Burton-upon-Trent and Derbyshire. In 2010, Bass Ale was a top-ten premium canned ale in the UK, with 16,080 hectolitres sold.

In recent years, however, Bass Ale has faced challenges and its production has been impacted by changes in the brewing industry and ownership. After being acquired by InBev and then Anheuser-Busch, the brand was gradually phased out in favour of other beer brands within the portfolio.

In November 2023, it was announced that Bass Ale was discontinued, with the decision being made after careful consideration of market demand and production costs. This news elicited mixed reactions, with many expressing nostalgia and disappointment at the unavailability of this iconic brew.

Despite its discontinuation, Bass Ale continues to hold a significant place in the history of the beer industry and is remembered fondly by beer enthusiasts worldwide.

Bass Ale's taste

Bass Ale is a full-flavoured English Pale Ale with a burnt roast aroma and a high-quality, full-bodied flavour. The beer is brewed according to its original recipe, combining select malts, aromatic hops, and water rich in essential salts and minerals.

The taste of Bass Ale has been described as smooth, with hints of earth and floral notes, and a delicate fruity yeast stain aroma typical of English brews. The malt body plays an important role, with toffee, caramel, and toasty highlights. It is well-balanced, with sweet malts and slightly bitter hops complementing each other. The mouthfeel is light to medium, and the finish is reminiscent of Guinness, without the bitter roasted malt flavour.

The beer has a classic amber colour and a foamy head, with a creamy, carbonated mouthfeel. The aroma is slightly malty and musty, with hints of dried fruit. The taste is malty and sweet, with full flavours of biscuit and a very light bitterness on the finish.

Bass Ale has a long history, dating back to the early 19th century when it was brewed in Burton-on-Trent, England. It became the first global beer brand, famous for its distinctive red triangle logo. However, in recent years, the brand has changed hands multiple times, and there have been concerns about the decline in the quality of the beer. Some drinkers have noticed a difference in taste, with some describing it as "watery" and "dishwater". There have also been reports of difficulties in finding Bass Ale in stores and pubs, with some sources indicating that it may no longer be brewed or distributed by its current owners, Anheuser-Busch InBev.

Bass Ale's availability

Bass Ale, a classic beer that has been a popular brand for centuries, was discontinued in November 2023. The decision was made by the brewing company, Anheuser-Busch InBev, following the acquisition of Bass Brewery and a shift in focus towards other beer brands within its portfolio. The brand was gradually phased out as it was no longer a popular beer and was overshadowed by other brands owned by the company.

Despite its rich history and loyal following, the demand for Bass Ale had been declining in recent years, and it no longer aligned with the company's strategic growth plans. This led to challenges in production and distribution, making it increasingly difficult to find Bass Ale on the market.

However, there are still some options for procuring remaining stocks of Bass Ale. In the United States, some distributors and collectors may still have limited quantities available. Additionally, Bass Ale is brewed locally in Belgium and the United States, and draught Bass (4.4% ABV) has been brewed under contract in Burton by Marston's since 2005. Bottled Bass products are brewed at AB-InBev's own brewery in Samlesbury, Lancashire, for export.

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