For decades, Ringwood Brewery stood proudly as a cornerstone of Britain’s cask ale tradition. Founded in 1978 by legendary brewer Peter Austin, the brewery helped shape the UK’s craft beer movement long before it was fashionable. Its distinctive beers — from the smooth Best Bitter to the award-winning Old Thumper — became staples in pubs across the country, and its wild boar logo became one of the most recognisable symbols in British brewing.
Now, the boar has been butchered. In early 2024, Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) announced the closure of the Ringwood site, marking the end of an era for both Hampshire and the wider pub community.
A Pub’s Perspective – The Royal Oak, Fritham
To understand what Ringwood meant, you only need to step into The Royal Oak in Fritham. A quintessential country pub, with a thatched roof, low beams, and an open fire, it was the kind of place where muddy boots and wet dogs were as welcome as locals at the bar.
Here, Neil and Pauline, who ran the pub for decades with their daughter Cathy, poured Ringwood beers for generations of drinkers. Their memories paint a picture of a time when the beer wasn’t just good — it was outstanding.
“The quality of the Best Bitter was just second to none,” Neil recalls. “We’d sell through barrels in no time — people came here just for it.”
The connection between Ringwood and pubs like The Royal Oak was more than business; it was a cultural bond. Drinkers trusted it, landlords relied on it, and communities built memories around it.
From Local Legend to Corporate Casualty
Ringwood’s story began with passion and independence. Peter Austin’s vision was to revive the craft of real ale at a time when bland mass-produced lagers dominated the market. His brewery became a model for countless others, inspiring a new wave of independent brewers at home and abroad.
By the 1990s and early 2000s, Ringwood was thriving. Its beers — Razorback, Fortyniner, Boondoggle, and of course Old Thumper, which won CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain — were widely available and highly respected.
But in 2007, the brewery was bought by Marston’s for £19.2 million. At first, the deal promised stability, but regulars soon noticed subtle changes. According to many, including Neil at The Royal Oak, the beer never quite tasted the same again.
When Carlsberg merged with Marston’s in 2020, Ringwood’s fate was effectively sealed. In December 2023, CMBC admitted it couldn’t find a buyer for the site. The official closure followed in January 2024.
What We Lost
To some, the loss of Ringwood might look like another business story in the drinks industry. To those who drank it, served it, and lived with it, it feels like corporate vandalism.
- Heritage Gone: Peter Austin’s pioneering brewery was more than a brand; it was history in a pint glass.
- Community Broken: Locals tied their stories, friendships, and weekends to Ringwood beers in pubs across the South.
- Flavour Faded: While production of the beers continues at other sites, many fear the soul of the brand has been stripped away.
As Neil put it, the pub is still there, but the beer he once championed is not the same. And for many, that’s the true tragedy.
Why This Matters for Pub Culture
The closure of Ringwood Brewery is more than a sad headline; it’s a warning about the fragility of pub heritage in the face of corporate consolidation.
- Independent breweries bring unique flavours and character that giant firms struggle to replicate.
- Pubs thrive when they serve beer with a story and a soul.
- Communities suffer when historic names are gutted for profit.
For drinkers who grew up with Old Thumper and Razorback, this loss feels personal.
Pub Social Takeaway 🍺
The demise of Ringwood Brewery is a reminder that every pint has a story — and some stories deserve to be protected.
👉 Share your memories: Did you drink your first pint of Old Thumper at a country pub? Did you discover Boondoggle on a summer’s day? Drop your stories in the comments, or tag a mate who remembers drinking Ringwood back in its glory days.
Because even if the brewery is gone, its place in Britain’s pub culture should never be forgotten.