I Really Miss Young's

As I sit here early on a Friday evening sipping a pint of Wells' Bombardier I can't help but lament the loss of a variety of Young's (of London) beers on the shelves in my locality. Obviously, I like Bombardier. It is a wonderful, classic English bitter. But why does it make me think of Young's? Well...

We used to have a regular supply of bottled Young's Ram Rod, Winter Warmer, Dirty Dick's, and the fabulous bottle-conditioned Special London Ale. Today, however, only Double Chocolate Stout adorns the beer section of the local supermarkets and beer mega-marts. It all seemed to end sometime in 2007. I don't know if this is how it is in other locations in the US, but it certainly is here. So, what might have happened?

Merger! That's what. A little background. In 2004, Young's Brewery in London began a "review" of their brewing operations at the historic Ram Brewery in Wandsworth, South London. Humphrey Langridge first started brewing at the site in 1581 with Young's acquiring the brewery in 1831. After a 2 1/2 year period of review, the decision was made in May of 2006 to sell the Ram Brewery site as it was deemed too outdated and too cramped to warrant further improvement or expansion. In addition to this decision, Young's entered into a partnership with Charles Wells of Bedford creating Wells & Young's Brewing Company Limited. The brewing of Young's beers was then transferred to Wells' Eagle Brewery thus ending over 400 years of brewing at the historic site in London. Additionally, it left only Fullers as the only major sized quality beer producer in the city. The new firm is partitioned with Wells having a 60% stake and Young's the other 40%. Brewing of Young's beers has been transferred and seems to have been successful but it doesn't remove the sense of loss of the once great London brewery.

So, shortly after this merger I noticed a surge of Wells' Bombardier and Banana Bread beers on the shelves with the Young's beers disappearing literally over night. I do not know reason for this. International beer importing, distribution and sales in the US - and especially in Texas - is difficult and strange in its structure. I will never understand it. Even Guinness' Pub Draft cans were not allowed into Texas until the company created a special can for the Texas market. Antiquated prohibition-era nonsense but somehow still in place.

I can only hope that the scene will change back again one day. I'm thrilled that Bombardier showed up here and has stayed but, I really miss Young's beers.

Yours Aye!
Neil