Programme One:  Duration 30.00

Opens with a look at the history and development of brewing across England, the North West and Manchester over the past two thousand years. Public houses, inns, taverns and beerhouses, and the effect of licensing regulations.

This is followed by the story of Boddingtons’ Strangeways Brewery, New Bridge Street, Manchester.    Founded in 1778 as Caister & Fry, and was acquired by Henry Boddington in 1853. Taken over by Whitbread & Company Ltd in 1989 with 280 tied houses.

Whitbread promoted nationally Boddington’s Bitter, which has over the years become a feature on most pub bars, but usually keg not cask.  It has now lost all its bitter hoppy character that made it one of the most sort after drinks in the North West.  It is now nearest thing to nothing that you will ever find in your glass.

Also included in Part One of A Brewer’s Tale, there is a collection of traditional songs and readings:

‘I Likes a Drop of Good Beer’ 

‘Bring Us In Good Ale’

‘The British Toper’

‘Andrew Boorde on Ale and Beer’

‘Jolly Good Ale and Old’

‘The Tunnyng of Elynour Rummyng’

‘There’s Comfort in a Drop of Gin’

‘The London Distillery’

‘A Pot of Porter’

‘Meux’s Porter’

‘Excise Ballard’

Programme Two: 28.30

The history of Boddingtons Part Two with researcher Neil Richardson.

Music:  

‘I Likes a Drop of Good Beer’

‘October Brew’

‘The British Toper’

‘Don’t Go Out Tonight Dear Father’

‘Boddington’s Beer’

‘Ale, Ale, Glorious Ale’