Tetley's cask ale moves to Wolverhampton
Production of Yorkshire's iconic Tetley's cask ale will move from Leeds to Wolverhampton under a new deal struck with Marston's.
Carlsberg UK has agreed a brewing partnership with Marston's to brew Tetley's cask from 2011. Under a separate agreement, Tetley's Smoothflow will be brewed by Molson Coors at its Tadcaster brewery in North Yorkshire.
Production will shift from the Joshua Tetley Brewery in Leeds in 2011 with the expected loss of around 170 jobs.
"We looked at all realistic options in Yorkshire to brew Tetley's cask, however there was not the suitable capacity available," said Leeds brewery director Andy Hume.
"As such we needed to find the best option outside of Yorkshire in terms of quality and processes and Marston's provides this."
Beer expert Roger Protz said: "It is such a shame that a great iconic Yorkshire brand will be brewed outside Yorkshire."
However, Hume said he was "delighted" to have found a partner to brew Tetley's Smoothflow in Yorkshire.
"We have spent the last 18 months, since we announced the closure of the brewery, ensuring that we found the best possible partners.
"Molson Coors has a lot of experience in brewing beers under contract and we are completely confident that they will help us ensure that Tetley's drinkers continue to enjoy the same great tasting, quality beer."
Hume added: "Over the coming months our Tetley's brew masters will work closely with our partners, using the same ingredients and recipe to ensure they deliver the same great beer it always has been."
Condemnation
The Campaign for Real Ale condemned the decision to move Tetley's cask to Wolverhampton.
"Carlsberg don't do geography lessons, but if they did, they'd clearly realise the impact this move will have on the pub-going community in Yorkshire," said Bob Stukins, CAMRA vice-chairman and Yorkshire resident.
"It's unbelievable to think that a long-standing global brewer would make this move at a time when the real ale industry is enjoying year on year growth, and CAMRA's annual research is showing a steep increase in the number of consumers trying real ale for the first time.
"While it is comforting to know that Tetley's iconic cask brand will continue to be brewed by an experienced party, it is difficult to comprehend how this latest move will be received positively by pub-goers when this historic brand is stripped of its provenance and tradition in 2011 and shipped over 100 miles away from its Yorkshire heartland."
