Carlsberg accused of ‘wiping out’ UK heritage after axing Bombardier and 11 other British beers

Bombardier, first brewed in 1980 by Charles Wells Brewery, carries a proud British heritage in its name and branding.

The beer was named after Billy Wells, a British heavyweight boxing champion who held both British and British Empire titles from 1911 to 1919.

Wells, born in London's East End, served with distinction in the Royal Artillery, achieving the rank of Bombardier.

The beer became known for its distinctive St George's flag branding and later featured comedian Bob Mortimer as its brand ambassador in 2015.

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has issued a stark warning about the impact of these cuts on British brewing tradition.

Gillian Hough, vice chairman of CAMRA, said: "This is another example of a globally owned business wiping out UK brewing heritage."

"I hope that this change will mean space on the bar for licensees to stock guest beers from local independent breweries, but realistically, I suspect this isn't what CMBC plans," she added.

Hough condemned the decision as "the inevitable outcome of a brewing conglomerate run by accountants and the bottom line," describing it as "sad and disappointing" for British brewing's future.

The cuts come after Carlsberg's full takeover of CMBC in July, when Marstons sold its remaining 40 per cent stake for £206million after brewing beer for 186 years.

CMBC has already shuttered the historic Jennings Brewery in Cumbria and sold the Eagle Brewery to Spanish beer maker Damm.

Most controversially, the company announced the closure of Wolverhampton's Banks's Brewery in its 150th anniversary year.

Despite the Competition and Markets Authority previously approving the Carlsberg-Marstons merger, critics argue the Danish brewer has failed to properly invest in classic British beers.

The pattern mirrors a broader trend of British breweries falling to foreign ownership.

CMBC has defended its decision, citing declining demand for the affected beers.

A CMBC spokesman emphasised the company's commitment to British brewing traditions, stating: "As the UK's largest cask ale brewer, CMBC is passionate about cask ale and delivering a sustainable, successful future for this important part of British beer culture."

The spokesman added that while delisting decisions were difficult, they were necessary where demand had fallen.

The company maintains it will continue to invest in and launch new cask ales, alongside supporting traditional favourites like Banks's Amber Bitter and Marstons Pedigree.

Some of the discontinued beers will remain available in bottles.

The axing of these beloved British beers highlights growing concerns about the future of traditional brewing under foreign ownership.

Recent years have seen several historic British breweries absorbed by international companies, with Fullers selling its brewing business to Asahi in 2019 and Youngs divesting its brewing operations in 2011.

These changes, combined with CMBC's recent decisions, have reignited debate about the preservation of Britain's brewing heritage.

The loss of 11 classic beers, including the patriotically-branded Bombardier, represents more than just a reduction in consumer choice - it signals the continuing erosion of a proud British brewing tradition stretching back generations.