Ruddles Beer: Where To Buy And What To Know

If you're looking to buy Ruddles beer, you're in luck! The brand is currently owned by Greene King, which brews beers under the Ruddles name that you can buy from its online shop. You can also find Ruddles County as part of Aldi's 'Inspired Cuisine' line. Originally brewed in Rutland, England, the Ruddles Brewery was established in 1858 and bought by George Ruddle in 1912. The brewery closed in 1999, and the brand changed hands several times before ending up with Greene King, which now brews Ruddles beers in Suffolk.

Ruddles Best and County: brewed with rare Bramling Cross hops

Ruddles Best and County are classic English ales brewed with rare Bramling Cross hops. The beers originated in Rutland, England's smallest county, where the Ruddles Brewery (G. Ruddle & Co) was established in 1858. The brand is now owned by Greene King, which brews beers under the Ruddles name in Suffolk, although the current recipes are not the same as those used at the original brewery.

Ruddles County is a distinctive English ale with notes of dark toffee and caramel, combined with a crisp bitterness derived from the rare Bramling Cross hops. The beer has an ABV of 4.3% and is described as an "all-occasion beer", perfect for enjoying with friends and family. It pairs well with roast lamb with rosemary and redcurrant gravy.

Ruddles Best, a gold medal winner in the ordinary bitter category at the 1996 World Beer Cup, is another classic English ale with hoppy, citrus undertones balanced with bitterness and a light sweetness. The rare Bramling Cross hops add a crisp, dry finish to the beer, which has an aroma packed with soft fruit notes. Like Ruddles County, Ruddles Best uses quality ingredients, including Goldings, Admiral, Pilgrim, Target, and Bramling Cross hops.

You can buy Ruddles Best and County online from the Greene King Shop, although you must be of legal drinking age in the UK to purchase. The beers are also available at select pubs and restaurants, such as The Seal in Selsey, West Sussex.

Online: available at the Greene King Shop

If you're of legal drinking age in the UK, you can buy Ruddles beer online at the Greene King Shop.

The Greene King Shop offers a full range of Ruddles beers, including Ruddles Best and Ruddles County. Ruddles Best is described as a classic English ale with hoppy, citrus undertones balanced with bitterness and a light sweetness. It pairs well with Latin and Cajun-style dishes. Ruddles County, on the other hand, has a distinctive flavour of dark toffee and caramel combined with a crisp bitterness derived from rare Bramling Cross hops. This beer is recommended to be paired with roast lamb with rosemary and redcurrant gravy.

Both beers were originally brewed in Rutland, England's smallest county, and are now brewed by Greene King in Suffolk. The brand was bought by Greene King in 2000, and although the recipes have changed, the beers continue to be popular and well-regarded.

In addition to individual bottles, the Greene King Shop offers the option to build your own mixed case, allowing you to try a variety of Ruddles beers or stock up on your favourites. The website provides detailed descriptions of each beer, including tasting notes, allergens, and nutritional information.

So, if you're a UK resident of legal drinking age and a fan of classic English ales, the Greene King Shop is the perfect online destination to purchase your favourite Ruddles beers.

In-store: sold at Aldi

Ruddles Brewery, established in 1858 in Rutland, England, is regarded as one of England's cheapest beers. The brand is now owned by Greene King, which brews beers under the Ruddles name in Suffolk. You can buy Ruddles beer in-store at Aldi, as part of their 'Inspired Cuisine' line.

Ruddles Best, a classic English ale with hoppy, citrus undertones balanced with bitterness and a light sweetness, is available for purchase. It has an aroma packed with soft fruit notes and a clean, moreish finish. The beer is crafted with the rare Bramling Cross hop, creating a unique and high-quality flavour profile.

Ruddles County is another variety that you can find at Aldi. This robust beer balances bitterness with toffee and caramel notes from the crystal malt, resulting in a crisp, dry finish with less sweetness than Ruddles Best.

In addition to the individual beers, Aldi offers Ruddles beer as part of their Beef-filled Yorkshire Pudding meal in their 'Inspired Cuisine' line. This convenient option combines the flavourful beer with a classic British dish, making it a tasty choice for those seeking a hearty meal.

By offering Ruddles beer and incorporating it into their food options, Aldi provides customers with a chance to enjoy the unique character and history of this classic English brew.

Rutland: the original home of Ruddles Brewery

Rutland is the original home of Ruddles Brewery, which was established in Langham, Rutland, in 1858 by local farmer and landowner Richard Westbrook Baker. The brewery was bought by George Ruddle in 1912, and the company became known as G. Ruddle & Co. Langham remained the home of the brewery until its closure in 1999.

Ruddles Brewery was known for brewing classic English ales using traditional techniques and local ingredients, such as Langham well water, which gave the beer a unique character and enhanced the brewery's reputation. The difficulty in reproducing the taste of the beers elsewhere led to the premier beer being jokingly referred to as "Ruddles Counterfeit".

In 1996, Rutland Bitter became the third British beer to achieve Protected Geographical Indication status, recognising its unique origin and characteristics. Despite this recognition, the brewery faced several changes in ownership and financial challenges over the years. The company lost its independence in 1986 and was sold multiple times before eventually being acquired by Greene King in 2000.

Today, Greene King continues to brew beers under the Ruddles name in Suffolk, but the recipes have been altered, and the original brewery in Rutland no longer exists. However, in 2010, former Ruddles head brewer Tony Davis revived the Rutland Bitter, brewing it at his Grainstore Brewery in Oakham, Rutland, allowing beer enthusiasts to once again enjoy a taste of Rutland's original brew.

Suffolk: where Ruddles is now brewed

Ruddles Brewery (G. Ruddle & Co) was a brewery in Rutland, England, established in 1858 in Langham, Rutland. The brand is now owned by Greene King, which brews beers under the Ruddles name in Suffolk, although the recipes are not the same as those used at the original brewery.

The Ruddles Brewery in Langham, Rutland, was bought by George Ruddle in 1912. Langham remained the home of the brewery until its closure in 1999. The company lost its independence in 1986 and was sold to Watneys. It then passed into the ownership of Grolsch in 1992, and Morland & Co in 1997. Morlands moved production to Abingdon, but this site was closed by Greene King when it took over Morlands in 2000.

The local Langham well water was said to give the beer a unique character and quality, which enhanced the brewery's reputation. The difficulty in reproducing the taste of the beers elsewhere has led to the premier beer being jokingly referred to as "Ruddles Counterfeit".

Greene King has now inverted the horseshoe emblem on Ruddles' branding. The Suffolk-brewed Ruddles Best and County use the rare Bramling Cross hop to create classic English ales brewed using English hops.

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