Ansells axe makes mild men bitter
By: JimOldfield
June 24th, 2012
Midlands mild fans have launched a furious protest after giant brewer Carlsberg decided to axe the famous Ansells Mild, after 131 years of tastebud-tickling.
While a small keg production run is still in existence, mainly for the social club trade, Wolverhampton-based Marston’s – which makes the ale for Carlsberg – has halted cask production.
Carlsberg says say that production has ceased because there is not enough demand across the country for the 3.4 per cent ale – adding that quality cannot be guaranteed if the mild is brewed in small volumes.
It says it will consider restarting production only if there were to be sufficient demand from landlords wanting to stock the beer.
But the move has been slammed by CAMRA and real ale lovers across the Midlands, who are demanding that Carlsberg thinks again.
Angry Ansells ale fan Jeremy Twomey lashed: “Carlsberg has allowed the product to die. A vital piece of our heritage has been allowed to disappear”.
His protest is being backed by ale lovers across the city – along with CAMRA – who are calling for a U-turn from Carlsberg
A CAMRA spokesman said: “We are incredibly disappointed. It is a short-sighted decision to abandon a brand that has huge potential for a return to growth”.
CAMRA holds a Mild in May promotion every spring, to champion the cause of a beer style that has gone out of fashion in many areas of the country – though ironically, not the Midlands.
Founded by Joseph Ansell in 1857, Ansells moved from malt and hops into brewing, in 1881, and began production of the famous mild.
By 1934 it was one of the country’s biggest regional brewers – but the name disappeared in 1961 when Ansells merged with Ind Coope and Tetley Walker to form Allied Breweries.
● Do you love Ansells Mild? Do you think it’s end is yet another bit of heritage vandalism by the big brewers? Click here to have your say
