Burton’s Bass beer put up for sale by owners

MIDLANDS brewer Bass is being put up for sale for £10m-£15m, according to reports.

The company, which is based in Burton-upon-Trent, is owned by the world’s largest beer producer AB InBev, the Belgian firm behind globally recognised drinks such as Budweiser, Beck’s and Stella Artois.

It is understood that both Boddingtons and Flowers could also be sold off by AB InBev in due course.

Bass has been brewed in Burton since the reign of George III and was a top-selling beer until the 80s when it began to lose sales.

The Times reports that the sale process excludes the international rights of the beer and the Bass red triangle.

The famous logo has the distinction of being the first trademark registered in the UK.

Bass is brewed under contract by rival Midlands company Martson’s, which also has a factory in Wolverhampton and owns Pedigree ale, although reports say it has ruled itself out of any purchase.

Companies such as Molson Coors, Wells and Young’s and C&C Group are also understood to have ruled themselves out.

AB InBev has so far made no comment on the reports.