The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has pledged to fight to prevent the closure of Gales' brewery in Horndean following Fuller's acquisition of the Hampshire-based brewer.
Fuller's has today agreed a deal to acquire George Gale, which is valued at £91.8m.
Mike Benner, CAMRA's chief executive, said: "The 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."
The brewery has a maximum brewing capacity of 50,000 barrels, meaning its output could be accommodated at Fuller's 260,000-barrel Chiswick site without causing too many production headaches.
CAMRA said it will be seeking assurances from Fuller's that the Horndean brewery will continue to brew the full range of Gales' beers and that Gales' pubs will not lose their identity with the Hampshire brewer.
Mr. Benner added: "There are potential beer portfolio clashes and we don't want to see Gales Butser Bitter or Gales 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, said: "Whilst we clearly oppose the takeover, it does provide some sort of counter balance to the growing domination of W&DB 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 Gales and Fuller's."
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Fuller's agrees £91m deal for George Gale (8 November 2005)