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Beer & Brewing in Bath
There is much debate about which is the oldest pub in Bath. The answer is inconclusive but pubs are as much a feature of life in Bath and the surrounding area today as they were hundreds of years ago.
The Old Green Tree in Green Street built around 1716 and the Star dating from 1760's are both listed in the Campaign for Real Ale's (CAMRA) guide of the 250 pubs in the UK with interiors of outstanding heritage interest.
The story of brewing and beer in Bath is so beguiling that Kisten Elliot and Andrew Swift established The Great Bath Pub Crawl. This is not necessarily a chance to consume vast quantities of alcohol but more an opportunity for a nostalgic look back at the fascinating history of Bath's pubs. The Great Bath Pub Crawl runs every evening throughout the summer.
The history of brewing in Bath dates back to the time of Ralph Allen, one of the founding fathers of the Georgian city, who owned the Bath stone quarries at Combe Down. He established a large brewery at Widcombe in 1736. A number of other large breweries grew up in Bath during the course of the eighteenth century. Up until that point most of the beer consumed in the inns and alehouses came from small brewhouses in their backyards. The Museum of Bath at Work tells the story of Bath in its industrial heyday.
Abbey Ales is Bath's very own brewery founded in 1997 by Alan Morgan. Many of the finest pubs in the region stock Bellringer Bitter, their award-winning flagship beer which sells more than any other real ale in Bath. Bellringer was among the finalists for the CAMRA "Champion Beer of Britain" in 2001.
Somerset is famous for its cider and many pubs serve speciality ciders. In a quest to keep their brands current, there are now attractive bottled designer ciders. Gaymers Orchard Reserve is made from apples from a single orchard in Stewley, Somerset and has a delicate light flavour. Locally brewed ciders like Black Rat are available at the Volunteer Rifleman's Arms. Broadlands fruit farm between Bath and Box produces draft cider from their own apples which can be purchased in the farm shop.
Bath has a number of pubs with a strong reputation for the quality of their food. Their owners may shun the label but the gastropub has become synonymous with outstanding cooking using seasonal ingredients in a relaxed pub setting.
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