West Country brewers in row over Bath name

Bath Ales, based in Bristol, is trying to block plans by Abbey Ales to set up the Bath Brewing Company. Abbey Ales managing director Alan Morgan said the new identity was to make his brewery, which has been based in Bath for 16 years, more synonymous with the City.

Morgan added that the company would be used to make speciality and seasonal beers, the first of which was 3.8% ABV Somerset Ale.

He explained: “We have been brewing in Bath since 1997 and our unique selling point is that you have to be within a 15-mile radius of Bath to have an Abbey Ale beer.

“We decided we wanted to go further without not losing the unique local selling point, so we formed and registered the Bath Brewing Company Limited with Companies House early this year.”

Soon after, Morgan said he received an email from Bath Ales stating that, should he proceed with the move, a ‘cease and desist’ warning will be issued.

Morgan said that while legal advice was being taken, no Bath Brewing Company Beer was being made.

Quick resolution​
“It seems strange to me that a Bath based brewery, brewing beer in Bath, cannot call itself Bath Brewing Company because a brewery that has never brewed in Bath objects!”

Bath Ales managing director Roger Jones was quick to play down the row, stating that he a hoped a “quick and simple resolution” could be reached.

“We have known Alan for a long time so direct communication is the best way to resolve the issue.”

Jones explained that many people will know the story of when Bath Ales were founded in 1995, giving his company Prior Rights.

“At the outset we thought we had secured premises to brew in the city, only for that to fall through at the eleventh hour.

“We purchased the Hop Pole in Bath as long ago as 1997, quickly followed by the Salamander. More recently, we opened the Graze Bar, Brewery and Chophouse – so we have had a presence in the City for many years.”