All For Me Grog! (Boddingtons Bitter)

Name: cindy1

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Product:	Boddingtons Bitter
Date:	29.03.01 (881 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great smooth, creamy drink

Disadvantages: Not one

If you're wondering what grog is, it's Australia's slang for alcohol. I started using this word a lot, when I became a Prisoner Cell Block H fan.

I'm a big Boddingtons fan, and I thought it might be interesting to research how Boddingtons came about. Of course, my own personal view will also be included.

The History.

Boddingtons all started in the city of Manchester, Manchester is situated in the Northwest and it's the third largest city in the UK. Before Boddingtons was discovered Manchester was a thriving industrial town, which mostly manufactured textiles.
In the late 1700's, Manchester was booming, and due to this, there was virtually no unemployment.
Two canny grain merchants Thomas Caister and Thomas Fry realised that the workers needed liquid refreshment after a hard day at work. So they decided to build a brewery, they build the brewery on a site, that at the time was outside the city, they did this so they could avoid paying tax on grain, and this was how Strangeways brewery was born.

In 1805 when Nelson won the Battle of Trafalgar, Strangeways brewery had discovered saccharometers and thermometers, which helped them, develop a reputation for quality ale.

Henry Boddington was born in 1813, when he was eighteen he was employed as a traveller at the brewery, he was an ambitious man, and soon became a partner in the business. During the 30's the brewery was struggling, duty on sugar was high, and the Beer House Act of 1830 enabled lower class boozers to begin trading. This would ruin major breweries for many years.

In 1853 Henry took out a massive loan, and became the sole owner, he increased production ten-fold. However, disaster stuck when a fire spread throughout the site, luckily for him, the firemen prevented it being a total disaster.
As Henry got older, his son Henry Junior became involved with the business, and it was renamed to Henry Boddington and Son. When
Henry died his son took over and renamed the brewery to Boddingtons Breweries Ltd. Due to advancements in the brewing trade; Henry kitted out his business with new boiling pans, state tanks and cask hoists.

In 1908, Robert Boddingtons became the chairman; he installed a bottling hall and aluminium vessels, which replaced machinery driven by pulleys.
During the Second World War, the brewery was bombed by the Germans, with resulted in it burning down again.

However, the Boddington family bounced back again, this time Geoffrey Boddington rebuild it, and used the bombing as an excuse to completely modernise the building and equipment.

Because of Boddingtons huge success, other breweries wanted to get in on the act, and Boddingtons signed an agreement with Whitbread. In 1969 Whitbread purchased the brand and the brewery, and designed the new logo, with the barrels and two bees. The bees are supposed to symbolise Manchester reputation of being the "hive of industry" during the industrial revolution.
In 1989, Whitbread completely bought out Boddingtons for 50.7 million.

Interesting Facts.

Boddingtons brewery is situated next door to Strangeways Prison.

The water used to brew Boddingtons is taken directly from the Ardwick fault, which is 200 feet below the brewery.

At one time, the brewery produced Viking Lager.

The brewery employs 120 people.

Malt dust exploded twice inside the brewery.

Almost half a million pints are drunk every day.

Boddingtons is sold in Europe's highest pub.

It takes six weeks to get to New Zealand.

At any one time, a ship will be carrying Boddingtons on the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

Boddingtons is sold in Johnny Depp's Viper room.

The most expensive can of Boddingtons was £10, and this was in Japan.

Boddingtons were the first to introduce the widget.

My Story. <
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I was born and bread in Salford, Manchester. My first taste of Boddingtons was at the tender age of 14, my dad used to take me round the City centres pubs, and I found it was the only bitter I enjoyed.
When I was 14, I looked 18, so know one ever challenged me, although I must say now that I'm 23 now and people ask me for id, went I buy grog, I find this very strange.

I absolutely love Boddingtons, rich creamy taste, in summer I often buy 4 cans of draught bitter, to enjoy with a book on a sunny day. The funny thing is I can't stomach any other bitter, they all make me feel sick, so Boddingtons must be pretty special. It has a widget in it, and this is supposed to make it taste like it's straight from the pump, and it does, I can't tell the difference.

I also feel that Boddingtons has medicinal properties, when I have the flu, I heat a can up, and drink the whole lot, It makes you profusely sweat, and this seems to get you over the worse. I discovered this cure, when someone told me that Guinness does the same, but I don't like Guinness, so I tried Boddingtons instead, and it worked.

The End.

I hope you enjoyed my opinion, I did a lot of research into Boddingtons, I think seeing the category inspired me to find out more about it.

CHEERS.

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