Bass, Ratcliff & Gretton Ltd

From Brewery History Society Wiki
Revision as of 11:52, 11 December 2020 by SteveP (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
The registration of Trade Mark No 1 following the introduction of legislation
Pale Ale Label
Bass M&B letterhead 1966
Bass letterheads
Burton Barrel stack
Burton Unions
Burton steam engine
A 1916 Sentinel
Bass artefacts
The old Three Pots Inn on the A5 at Hinckley
Bass lantern from the former Castle Tavern in Hinckley
Kings Arms, Newport Mon, 2010
Golden Cup Hanley "Bass Only" 2008
Golden Cup Hanley "Bass Only" 2008
Letter 1962
Bass lantern at the Sir Richard Steele, London NW3
Bass In Bottle
Courtesy Roy Denison

Bass, Ratcliff & Gretton Ltd, 137 High Street, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire

The Bass family were from Hinckley in Leicestershire, where they brewed beer and operated a carrier's business. William Bass (1717–1787) moved to Burton and founded his brewery there in 1777. When William died, his sons Michael Thomas Bass (1760-1827) and William Bass inherited the business. Michael Thomas took sole control of the business in 1795, and in 1796 he entered into partnership with John Ratcliff. At Michael Thomas's death, his son, a second Michael Thomas Bass (1799-1884) took control of the company. This Michael Thomas Bass was MP for Derby from 1848 to 1883. John Gretton became a partner in the company in 1835.

The second (Middle) brewery opened on the north side of Station Street in 1853 and third (New) brewery on the south side of Station Street 1864. The Old Brewery was rebuilt 1876, but most of this brewery was demolished in 1971; the water tower (1866) and offices (1886) survive on the east side of High Street.

Registered 1880 and was reconstructed 13th January 1888.

  • James Eadie Ltd of Cross Street, Burton-upon-Trent, was taken over in 1933 and closed.

Merged with Mitchells & Butlers Ltd. 1961 to form Bass, Mitchells & Butlers Ltd, which then merged with Charrington United Breweries Ltd in 1967 to become Bass Charrington Ltd.

No 1 brewery opened 1968 and the Old or No 3 brewery demolished in 1971.

Bought by Interbrew in 2000 and sold to Molson-Coors in 2002. Site of Middle brewery still used for brewing in much altered form: the New Brewery site retains more of its original buildings.

References: The Capital of Ale by Keith Osborne (2008).



The brewery features in The Noted Breweries of Great Britain and Ireland by Alfred Barnard published 1890.


An assortment of images of the brewery:


The brewery in the 1960s:


The New Brewery, demolition 1987:


The Bass Museum:


The Crown & Anchor Yard off Castle Street in Hinckley, where the Bass family were brewing in the 18th century:


A plaque commemorating the birth of William Bass is displayed at 67 Castle Street, Hinckley:


Entry in the Trade Mark Registry

Registration No  : 1, 2, 3 & 914
Description  : A red triangle and diamond
Date of Application  : 01/01//1876
Used Prior to 1875?  : Triangle from 1855. Diamond from 1857

Registration No  : 21,701
Description  : Facsimile signature
Date of Application  : 24/12/1879
Used Prior to 1875?  : 37 years

Registration No  : 21,702
Description  : Facsimile signature
Date of Application  : 24/12/1879
Used Prior to 1875?  : 37 years

Registration No  : 383,601
Description  : Mild Ale Label
Date of Application  : 31/05/1918
Used Prior to 1875?  : NO

Registration No  : 492,366
Description  : Salt & Co Label
Date of Application  : 14/06/1928
Used Prior to 1875?  : NO