Bass Brewery, Burton-upon-Trent
Founded in 1777 by William Bass, the Bass Brewery in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, quickly grew to become a titan of the British brewing industry. Its rise was swift and remarkable—by the 1880s, Bass was the largest brewery in the world, producing over a million barrels annually. The brewery’s distinctive red triangle logo holds the distinction of being the first registered trademark in the United Kingdom, symbolising both its pioneering spirit and commercial success.
Although the official founding year is 1777, William Bass had established brewing operations in Burton even earlier. An advertisement from 1765 refers to a "handsome new-built house" with an accompanying brewhouse on High Street, revealing early signs of his brewing enterprise. Bass’s success was underpinned by Burton’s unique natural resource: its mineral-rich water, exceptionally suited to the production of pale ale. The arrival of the railway in 1839 further cemented Burton’s status as a national brewing hub, facilitating widespread distribution of its beer.
As the company expanded, new facilities were developed to meet growing demand. Among the most significant was the South Brewhouse, also known as the New Brewery, constructed between 1864 and 1865 on Station Street. This impressive red-brick complex epitomised the industrial brewing architecture of the time. A central four-storey brewhouse was flanked by two-storey wings, forming a symmetrical and functional design. One of its most notable features was the inclusion of a traditional "Union" fermentation system—one of only two remaining in Burton—which enabled natural fermentation and helped preserve the building's original internal layout. The site is now protected as a listed historic structure by Historic England.
Despite its achievements, the brewery faced significant challenges in the 20th century. In 2000, Bass sold its brewing operations to Interbrew (now AB InBev), and the Burton site later passed into the hands of Molson Coors. Eventually, brewing operations at the historic site ceased, and in 2020, plans were set in motion to redevelop the area.
The redevelopment of the South Brewhouse and surrounding brewery site aims to transform the area into a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood. Plans include approximately 300 new apartments, a 150-room hotel, as well as retail and leisure spaces. Importantly, the redevelopment is designed with sensitivity toward the site's heritage. Several historic elements—including both listed brewhouses, fermenting towers, and a copper kettle—are being preserved and incorporated into the new design. This approach seeks to blend the old and the new, ensuring that the industrial legacy of Bass remains a visible and celebrated part of Burton’s town centre.
More from the Bass Brewery!
At the rear of the site stands a 60-metre-high industrial chimney. Inside the chimney is a vertical ladder that extends the full height of the structure. This report focuses on that chimney.