Shropshire Star

Shropshire real ale pioneer Bill Bainbridge dies, aged 63

A key figure in the resurgence of real ale in the UK, who saved an ancient Shropshire brewery from being turned into flats, has died aged 63.

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Bill Bainbridge rescued the Three Tuns Brewery in Bishop's Castle in 2003, at a time when cask ale was on the decline.

The brewery had closed and was lying empty until Mr Bainbridge bought it - and under his directorship the micro-brewery became a beacon that led the way for a new boom in traditionally brewed ales that continues to this day.

Mr Bainbridge, a former lawyer who moved to Bishop's Castle in the 1990s, died of a heart attack on Tuesday.

The Three Tuns Brewery expects to achieve sales of £1 million this year, and more than 500 pubs stock the company's beers such as flagship ales XXX, 1642 Bitter and Cleric's Cure across the region.

John Russell, Mr Bainbridge's co-director at the Three Tuns, said he had lost his dearest colleague and greatest and most loyal friend.

He said: "It was Bill who had the nerve to buy a decaying building, housing outdated and broken brewing equipment and a brewery that was failed and shut.

"Bill bought the brewery because there was a planning application lodged to convert it to housing. Bill simply wouldn't permit this to happen."

The Three Tuns is thought to be the oldest brewery in England, originally being granted a license by King Charles I in 1642, but was defunct when Mr Bainbridge stepped in to buy it.

Mr Russell said: "Only after Bill had rescued the brewery did we set up the company that operates the brewery today.

"In the early years Bill researched and set a plan to replicate a brewing system and method that is unique to The Three Tuns Brewery.

"He worked tirelessly and ultimately replicated the original brewery design plan. An eight-year project followed resulting in an ultra-modern upgrade that was completed in 2010.

"As well as his work on the brewery plant Bill was also head brewer at the brewery until 2011.

"During his time in that role he again worked zealously researching the original Three Tuns XXX and Cleric's Cure recipes from books and notes handed to him by The Roberts family, custodians of the brewery through three generations dating back to the mid 19th century.

"He also created many of his own beers. He loved them all but was particularly proud of his Stout, RANTIPOLE and Solstice brews.

"He'll be deeply missed on many levels but one things guaranteed, he'll never be forgotten," he said.

Norrie Porter, Shrewsbury and West Shropshire branch chairman of the Campaign for Real Ale said: "The Three Tuns Brewery, under Bill's directorship, became a beacon to the cask ale movement across Great Britain."

"His big contribution was keeping the Three Tuns brewery operating during a very difficult time for small brewers and cask brewers, who were under big pressure from the nationals and multinationals.

"Their lagers were on the rise and they made a proper mess of cask brewing in this country.

"He continued the Three Tuns ales and re-established other traditional ales, expanding the range.

"He promoted real ale in pubs in the area and around the rest of south Shropshire, and persuaded pubs that had given up on real ale to put it back on, which eventually, by his example, spread across the rest of Britain."

Andy Boddington, Shropshire councillor for Ludlow North, said: "I was lucky enough to spend some time with Bill while researching an article on beer back in 2008. He had a tremendous warmth and almost schoolboy enthusiasm for the brewery and for beer.

"He told me that he rescued the Three Tuns brewery because he loved the building and he loved the beer. He was a former solicitor and knew nothing about brewing. But he was lucky enough to win a day at the Six Bells brewery down the road at a promise auction. That day with Nev Richards convinced Bill that he wanted to be a brewer."

He said he asked Mr Bainbridge how he felt to have abandoned his early retirement to save one of Britain's great little breweries, and Mr Bainbridge told him "No regrets, not at all. I intend to be involved with this brewery for the rest of my life."

Mr Bainbridge was also a keen rower, cyclist and hill walker who made many trips from Land's End to John O'Groats. He was a member of Staines Boat Club and latterly a coach and friend of Pengwern Boat Club in Shrewsbury.

His funeral will be held on May 23 at Shrewsbury Crematorium at 11am, with a service at St John the Baptist Church in Bishop's Castle at 2pm.

A wake will be held at the Three Tuns Brewery afterwards.

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