Gales Brewery
Established in 1847[1] Gales Brewery (George Gale & Co. Ltd) was an old brewery situated in Horndean, on the edge of Waterlooville, near Portsmouth in Hampshire, England. It made the nutty HSB (Horndean Special Bitter) and the newer Gales Bitter. It took its water from its own well situated under the brewery which is fed from the South Downs, and the yeast and 'liquor' (local water used for brewing), coupled with the local brewing style, produce beers with a sparse head, quite dark in colour.
In late 2005 Fuller's Brewery bought Gales for £92 million.[2] It raised fears as to the future of Gales' Horndean brewery and some of its beers, and the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) launched a campaign to encourage Fullers to continue production of the full Gales line at Horndean. However, in January 2006, Fuller's began cutting jobs at the Horndean brewery, and it was announced on 27 February 2006 that the brewery would close at the end of March 2006, although distribution and warehousing would continue in the area.
At that point, production of the Gales brands moved to Fullers' Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, London, with the exception of Gales Bitter which was one of the few beers that were discontinued.
Brews
- Gales HSB = First brewed in 1959, HSB (Horndean Special Bitter) is an award-winning, distinctive, high quality premium bitter. HSB was the flagship brew of Horndean's Gales brewery. Brewed to 4.8% (Cask and Bottle)
- Gales Butser = A medium strength bitter with a pleasant lightness of touch and good balance. Previously known as BBB, Butser was given its current identity in 1991. Brewed to 3.4% (Cask and bottle)
- Gales Prize Old Ale = A Very special and much acclaimed beer that gains its unique, fruity flavour from a prolonged maturation and a special brewing process. All of the Prize Old Ales are brewed to 9.0%.
- Gales Festival Mild = This ale was originally produced in the early 1990s when the North Hants and Surrey division of CAMRA asked Gales to develop a mild ale for their beer festival. Such was the success of the brew that small quantities became available commercially and Gales Festival Mild went on to win numerous CAMRA beer awards. This beer is brewed to 4.8% (cask and bottle).
- Gales Seafarers Ale =Introduced in 2009, Seafarers is an extraordinary cask ale. It was originally developed as a tribute to Gales' close association with all who sail the seas and, indeed, for every pint that is bought. Fuller's makes a donation to Seafarers UK, the leading maritime charity. Brewed to 3.6% (Cask) or 4.2% (Bottle)
- Gales Spring Sprinter = Introduced in 2011, Spring Sprinter is A light zesty ale with a real spring in its step. This Ale is cask only and is brewed to 3.8%.
- Gales Winter Brew = A rich, warm and satisfying winter ale which owes much of its delicious taste to Prize Old Ale. Brewed to 4.2% (Cask and Bottle)
- Gales Swing Low = A classic English ale Brewed for the Rugby Season. Brewed to 3.8% (cask and bottle)
- Gales Summer Breeze = A classic, golden, summer ale brewed in the summertime. This ale is only Available in bottles and is brewed to 3.8%.
- Gales Best Bitter = In the early 2000s, this beer was given a makeover. it was later discontinued in 2006 due to it having a very similar taste to Fuller's London Pride. Brewed to 4.0%.
- Gales GB
- Gales Light Ale
Limited Edition Brews
- Gales Last Drop = This Ale was the last Gales beer to be brewed at the Gales Brewery before it's closure in 2006.
- Gales Trafalgar 200 = This Ale was first brewed in 2005 to celebrate the bicentenary of Nelson’s famous victory.
- Gales Clubhouse Bitter =
- Gales Crowning Glory = A Brew made for the queen's golden jubilee in 2002
- Gales Millennium Brew
- Gales Conquest Ale
- Gales D-Day Ale =
- Gales Silver Jubilee Ale = a Brew only made in 1977 to celebrate the queens silver jubilee.
- Gales Royal Wedding Ale = Ale Celebrating a royal Wedding
- Gales Portsmouth 800 Ale = A Brew celebrating the 800th anniversary of Portsmouth in 1994.
- Gales Golden Jubilee Ale = A Brew made only in 2002 for the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
- Gales Victory Ale
- Gales Vanguard Ale
References
Links
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