For more than four decades, Ringwood Brewery was one of the most respected names in British real ale.
Founded in 1978 on the edge of the New Forest National Park, the brewery helped shape the modern British craft brewing movement and produced some of the country’s most beloved beers, including the legendary Old Thumper and Fortyniner.
To many drinkers, Ringwood Brewery was more than a beer producer. It was a symbol of traditional British brewing, a champion of cask ale, and a cornerstone of the pub industry.
Its closure in 2024 marked the end of an era.
The Birth of a Brewing Legend
Ringwood Brewery was founded by Peter Austin, one of the most influential brewers of the twentieth century.
After retiring from the brewing industry, Austin settled in Hampshire, intending to enjoy a quieter life. Retirement, however, did not suit him for long.
In April 1978, he established Ringwood Brewery in a converted bakery at Mintey’s Yard in the centre of Ringwood.
What began as a modest operation soon became one of the most significant independent breweries in Britain.
Austin later became the first chairman of Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), and his innovative brewing systems were used to launch dozens of breweries in the UK and around the world. Many historians credit him as one of the architects of the modern craft beer revolution.
Moving to the Historic Christchurch Road Site
As demand for Ringwood’s beers grew, the brewery quickly outgrew its original premises.
In 1986, the business moved to a larger site on Christchurch Road, Ringwood, where brewing had historical roots dating back to the nineteenth century.
The new brewery became a local landmark and a destination for beer lovers from across the UK.
Visitors could tour the brewery, enjoy a pint in the tap room, and purchase fresh beer directly from the brewery shop.
For many tourists heading to the New Forest and Dorset coast, a stop at Ringwood Brewery became a tradition.
Old Thumper: One of Britain’s Greatest Ales
If one beer defined Ringwood Brewery, it was Old Thumper.
First brewed in the late 1970s, Old Thumper was a powerful, full-bodied strong ale named after the wild boars that once roamed the New Forest. The brewery adopted the boar as its enduring emblem.
In 1988, Old Thumper won the prestigious Champion Beer of Britain award from Campaign for Real Ale, instantly cementing its place among Britain’s finest beers.
The beer became known for its:
- Rich malt character
- Distinctive fruity yeast profile
- Firm bitterness
- Deep amber colour
- Remarkably smooth finish
Even today, many beer enthusiasts regard Old Thumper as one of the greatest traditional English ales ever brewed.
Fortyniner: The Session Favourite
Another flagship beer, Fortyniner, became hugely popular among pub-goers.
Named after the nearby A31 and local history, this golden ale offered a lighter, more approachable style while retaining Ringwood’s trademark fruity yeast character.
Fortyniner was widely stocked in pubs across southern England and developed a loyal following among drinkers seeking a dependable, flavoursome pint.
Peter Austin’s Global Influence
Peter Austin’s impact extended far beyond Hampshire.
His brewing equipment and consultancy helped launch hundreds of breweries worldwide, including many pioneering American craft brewers.
Brewers such as Shipyard Brewing Company trace their roots directly to Austin’s designs and mentoring.
In the United States, he is often referred to as one of the godfathers of modern craft brewing.
Expansion and Success
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Ringwood Brewery flourished.
The company acquired several pubs, increased production and built a strong reputation for quality and consistency.
The introduction of the Beer Orders in the late 1980s opened the market for independent breweries, allowing Ringwood to expand significantly.
Production grew rapidly, and its beers became fixtures in pubs across the country.
Marston’s Acquisition
In 2007, Marston’s acquired Ringwood Brewery for £19.2 million.
At the time, Marston’s pledged to preserve the brewery and continue producing its full range of beers.
For a period, that promise appeared to hold true. Ringwood’s beers remained popular, and the brewery continued to operate from Hampshire.
The Carlsberg Marston’s Era
In 2020, Marston’s brewing operations were merged with Carlsberg UK to form Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company.
This new business later became part of Carlsberg Britvic.
As the UK brewing industry faced rising costs and changing consumer habits, consolidation accelerated and many historic regional breweries came under threat.
Closure in 2024
In December 2023, Carlsberg Marston’s announced that Ringwood Brewery would close.
Production ceased in early 2024, and brewing was transferred to larger facilities elsewhere in England.
The announcement sparked widespread criticism from beer enthusiasts and CAMRA, which described the closure as a devastating loss for British brewing heritage.
For many drinkers, the decision symbolised the decline of Britain’s traditional regional breweries.
The End of the Brewery Site
After standing empty, the historic Christchurch Road site was sold in 2025 to Pennyfarthing Homes.
The company announced plans to redevelop the former brewery into office headquarters, ensuring the site would continue to serve the local community, albeit no longer as a working brewery.
Why Ringwood Brewery Mattered
Ringwood Brewery was important because it represented the best of British brewing:
- Independent spirit
- Traditional brewing methods
- Distinctive house yeast character
- Strong pub connections
- Consistently excellent real ale
It helped inspire generations of brewers and introduced thousands of drinkers to the joys of properly kept cask ale.
Ringwood Beers That Became Classics
Some of the brewery’s most famous beers included:
Each beer carried the unmistakable fruity and slightly nutty character created by Ringwood’s famous yeast strain.
The Legacy of Peter Austin
Peter Austin passed away in 2014, but his influence remains immense.
Without his innovations, Britain’s craft beer revival may have looked very different.
His vision transformed Ringwood Brewery from a small Hampshire start-up into a globally respected institution.
A Personal Connection for Southern Drinkers
For many people across Hampshire, Dorset and the New Forest, Ringwood Brewery was woven into local life.
It was where families visited on summer afternoons, where beer lovers bought fresh casks for parties, and where generations discovered iconic beers like Old Thumper.
The smell of malt and hops drifting over Ringwood became part of the town’s identity.
Final Thoughts
Ringwood Brewery was one of Britain’s great brewing success stories.
From a converted bakery in 1978 to international recognition and award-winning ales, it embodied everything that made British brewing special.
Although the brewhouse has fallen silent, its beers and legacy continue to inspire brewers and drinkers around the world.
Every time someone raises a pint of Old Thumper or Fortyniner, they are tasting a piece of British brewing history.
And that history deserves to be remembered.
