Hall & Woodhouse has unveiled a fresh new look for the Badger Brewery, confirming its intention to remain in brewing.
While other regional firms, including Dorset rivals Eldridge Pope, have ceased brewing or been involved in mergers, Hall & Woodhouse intends to keep brewing, and wants to be one of the three top ale brewers in the South of England.
"We are passionate about brewing and if we were to suggest getting out of brewing then I know our shareholders would have something to say about it," said customer service director Mark Woodhouse.
"We see the way forward as staying in brewing and developing our brands."
The firm believes that the badger name and logo, used since 1875, perfectly symbolises the English, rural image of its traditional ales.
The new logo is simpler than previously, with prominent use of the word Badger for the first time. It will be used on all pumpclips and bottled beers.
All employees have been briefed on the firm's outlook for 2000 and beyond, which will also include new products, a fresh wave of advertising and marketing activity and a determination to win Cask Marque status for all 220 of its pubs.
Although a nitro-keg ale, Dempseys, is produced at the Badger Brewery, the cask ale range of IPA, Badger Best and Tanglefoot, plus bottled beers, will be the company's prime focus.
l Sussex brewer King & Barnes (K&B), the object of unwanted takeover attention by Shepherd Neame of Kent, has expanded its portfolio of cask and bottle-conditioned ales.
A different cask beer will be available each month. These include the 2.8 per cent ABV quaffing ale Grafters (April), Rawlinson's Rich Ruby Mild (May) and Amber Malt Ale (August).
K&B has relaunched its Old Porter bottle-conditioned beer, which has not been available for the past year, following demand from retailers in England as well as export markets such as Sweden and the US. Old Porter in 5.5 per cent ABV.
There are now nine bottled beers in the K&B range, which can now be ordered online at www.kingandbarnes.co.uk