Brewer George Bateman dies

George Bateman, the head of Lincolnshire family brewer George Bateman & Son, has died.

Mr George, as he was affectionately known at the Wainfleet-based firm, is perhaps best known for fighting doggedly for three years in the 1980s to safeguard the future of the brewery.

John and Helen Bateman, George's brother and sister, decided to sell their 60% stake in the business to the best bid. Mr George launched what the Bateman family calls "Battle for Independence". The best offer made for the company was 20% higher than could be afforded by Mr George.George was one of the nicest people I've met in the brewing industry in 30 years​Roger Protz, Beer Writer.

The purchaser set about a long process of negotiating the purchase price down. Eventually, he negotiated the price so far down it fell back in line with the sum that Mr George had put on the table. Tired by a three-year wait to sell their shares, Mr George's siblings agreed to sell to him.

Even so, the sum of money still meant that a substantial sell-off in the pub estate ­ - around 50 of its 100 pubs -­ would be needed once the family had been paid off.

The property boom of the late 1980s came along and pubs that were worth £40,000 were selling for three or four times that amount - and Mr George only had to sell 20 pubs.

The majority of the shares in Batemans have since been placed in trust for son Stuart and his daughter, Jacquie, who is head of marketing. Remembering his father's determination to save the brewery, son Stuart recalled a few years ago: "Dad became known as Mr Ah But. Every time we were told by the solicitor that it was all over, dad's reaction was, 'Yes, ah, but, if we tried this'.​

"Each time our lawyers said, 'I'm sorry you won't be able to do that, you risk bankruptcy', dad would change the lawyers until he found a lawyer who realised we were determined to continue."

Beer writer Roger Protz said: "George was one of the nicest people I've met in the brewing industry in 30 years. He was funny, passionate and committed to brewing - a benchmark for family brewing in this country. ​

"I wish other family brewers had a similar commitment. It was a tremendous victory for him to save the brewery. I will remember him with tremendous warmth and affection."

There will be a private funeral followed with a memorial service in Boston, Lincolnshire to be announced later. Mr George's wife, Patricia, died in 2005.