Beer Guide to the 1970s (part thirty-four)

I told a lie when I said that I was done with independent brewers. I missed some of the new brewers. Especially ones founded after 1977. I'm putting that right now. here will likely be a few more posts to document them all.

Many of the new outfits were pretty ephemeral, lasting no more than a handfull of years. Two of this set had more longevity, clocking in more than 20 years. I'd been intrigued to know which new brewery has stuck around the longest.


Archer
Swindon,
Wiltshire.
Founded:    1979
Closed:            2009
Tied houses:    0

Here’s the new brewery I’m best acquainted with. When I lived in Swindon in the 1980s, I spent many a happy hour in the Glue Pot, an Archer tied house in Swindon’s Railway Village. I thought their beers were prey good. And also in the malty Southwestern style. They didn’t have a bad run, lasting 30 years.

beer	style	format	OG	description
Archer's Best Bitter	Pale Ale	draught	1040
Crusader	Pale Ale	draught	1050

Blackawton
Blackawton,
Devon.
Founded:    1977
Closed:            2001
Tied houses:    0

An early new brewer. Moved to Washourne in 1981. Typical of the first rash of new breweries, they initially only brewed a Bitter.

beer	style	format	OG	description
Blackawton Bitter	Pale Ale	draught	1040	hoppy, well-rounded

Bourne Valley
Andover,
Hampshire.
Founded:    1978
Closed:            1985
Tied houses:    0

I’m surprised that I can remember this brewery, given that it was around for such a short space of time. So I’m guessing that I did try their beer at a festival. Bought by the Hampshire Brewery.

beer	style	format	OG	description
Andover Ale	Pale Ale	draught	1040	hoppy and distinctive
Wallop	Old Ale	draught	1055	strong and dark