Fuller's makes move for Gale's

November 8, 2005: Hampshire brewer George Gale & Co is set to be purchased by Fuller's, of London, following an announcement by the two companies' boards.

In a press statement, the firms said: "The move will see the coming together of two great regional brewers under one management team.

"Fuller's and Gales are both family companies and have similar values. They share a culture of quality, excellence and caring, and a commitment to offering consistently high standards in their pubs and products.

Both companies have well-invested, well-managed and well-sited pubs, and the joining of Gales and Fuller's will create one of the highest quality pub estates in the UK, as well as an unrivaled beer brands portfolio."

Charles Brims, chairman of Gales said: "This is an attractive proposal for Gales shareholders. Although it is always sad when a long-established family business decides to sell, I am confident that this decision is right for Gales shareholders and right for the business.”

The statement does not, however, make any mention of the future of the Gale's brewery, which naturally concerns press group the Campaign for Real Ale.

Mike Benner, CAMRA chief executive, said: “Gale’s is a brewing landmark in Hampshire, brewing award-winning beers such as HSB and Festival Mild.

"Today’s announcement by Fuller’s makes no promises to keep the Horndean brewery open and it is clearly under threat. We will campaign to protect this unique Victorian tower brewery from closure.

“CAMRA has a good relationship with Fuller’s and it has demonstrated its commitment to an interesting range of quality cask beers. We will be pressing Fuller’s to continue this tradition and ensure Gale's beers continue to be brewed in their Horndean heartland.

"There are potential beer portfolio clashes and we don’t want to see Gale’s Butser Bitter or Gale’s Best handpumps replaced with Fuller’s Chiswick or London Pride. Drinkers in Hampshire will not take kindly to the loss of their favourite beers.”

John Cryne, CAMRA’s brewery liaison officer and former national chairman, said: "While we clearly oppose the takeover, it does provide some sort of counter-balance to the growing domination of [Wolverhampton & Dudley Brewery] and Greene King.

"Hopefully, the fact that a family-owned brewery has this time found shelter with another member of the Independent Family Brewers of Britain, rather than joining the ‘big two’ where its identity would quickly be subsumed, will result in a future for both Gale’s and Fuller’s.”

The deal will leave Fuller's with around 360 pubs and access to a good number of new free trade accounts.