A large group of beer aficionados met at Marston’s Sports & Social Club on Monday night to mark the 150th Anniversary of the brewing of Bass, Ratcliff & Gretton’s Ratcliff Ale, which is recognised as the oldest still drinkable beer in the world.
Ratcliff Ale was brewed on 16 December 1869 at the now demolished Bass Old Brewery on High Street. Produced to mark the birth of Richard Henry “Harry” Ratcliff, the son of company Director Richard Ratcliff, it was designed to be consumed on Harry’s 21st birthday.
Along with Ratcliff Ale, numerous bottles of the other five Bass Commemorative Ales, or Bass Corkers, were opened including three bottles of the exceptionally rare 1929 Prince’s Ale, all in aid of the National Brewery Heritage Trust and Cancer Research UK.
“Overall the evening was a huge success,” said Harry. “Approximately ninety people being given the opportunity to taste a unique and very special collection of beers, spanning one hundred and fifty years.”
Gary Summerfield took charge of the job of uncorking the beer along with Netty Webster and Andy Jackson.
“It is rare to have Bass Corkers with complete seals, as over the years the wax becomes very brittle,” observed Gary. “When we chipped the wax off, it was interesting that the lead sealed King’s Ale had the red wax underneath confirming that these were originals. What was surprising was that the older bottle corks came out pretty much intact whilst the later tended to crumble, maybe the corks were better quality back then?”
The assembled enthusiasts enjoyed talks from local Brewing Historian Ian Webster and National Brewery Heritage Trust Chairman / ex-Bass Director Dr Harry White, whilst the unique tasting session was led by renowned International Beer Writer Roger Protz, who along with a panel of Tony Duckworth and Martin Thomas both ex-Directors at Bass, Beer Writer Pete Brown, Harry White and Ian Webster, described the old ales in great detail.
“It was a fascinating and rewarding event, tasting beers from a century or more ago and finding them in perfect drinking condition,” said Roger Protz who had never tried Ratcliff Ale before. “The most memorable was the Ratcliff Ale, 150 years old. There was a frisson of excitement in the room when this beer was sampled. It was clear in the glass and was amazingly complex, as fruity as sherry or Madeira but with a delicate balance of hops.”
“Ratcliff Ale was an over-stamped label of a standard beer of that time: Bass & Co’s, No. 1 Strong Ale, a precursor of what is nowadays called a barley wine,” explains Harry. “That it was still sound in terms of both taste and appearance is a huge testament to the brewing skills and expertise employed in Burton at that time. An era when despite the demand for Burton’s beers worldwide, brewing could still only be carried out during the winter months, because no-one understood the true nature of the fermentation process or was even aware of the existence of micro-organisms!”
“And I was very worried that we wouldn’t have enough beer to go around!” exclaimed a relieved Ian Webster. “As it turned out every bottle we opened was drinkable and each person got to try all six. It was magical to be able to toast with Ratcliff Ale and watch everyone drink it! Afterwards I had people telling me they’d never forgot tonight; it was a unique experience for an amazing beer.”
And as for the 200th Anniversary?
“I doubt I’ll be around to see that one,” laughs Ian. “But if I am, I hope someone invites me to the party.”
Tasting notes 
Gently does it 
An amazing P2 infused fruit cake. 
1982 and 1869 
Three ex-Bass Directors 
Ratcliff and Pedigree! 
Roger Protz 
Pete Brown and Ian Webster 
Ratcliif 
The best of the six? King’s Ale 
Hard at work behind the scenes 
Gary Summerfield’s amazing collection [Credit Gary Summerfield]
Roger Protz’s Tasting Notes
1982 Prince’s Ale a.k.a. Celebration Ale
Marmite, toffee, spicy hops on the nose, rich malty palate with vinous fruit and hops developing. A lot of Marmite notes in the finish with tart fruit and peppery hops.
1978
Princess Ale
Chestnut colour, good condition,
sherry and hops aroma. Bittersweet in the mouth with tart fruit and peppery
hops. The finish is dry with rich fruit and some hop bitterness.
1977
Jubilee Strong Ale
Herbal note on the nose — coriander? Earthy note on the palate from English
hops, dry and fruity like old blood oranges, some hops notes. Tart fruity
finish ending bitter.
1929
Prince’s Ale
Oak on the nose — was this aged in wood? Raisins and sultana fruit. Tart fruit
in the mouth with hop bitterness. Finish has more tart fruit, oak notes and light
hop bitterness.
1902
King’s Ale
Dry vinous fruit on the aroma with toasted malt and a touch of acidity. Rich,
ripe fruit dominate the palate — Dundee Cake fruitiness and ripe malt. Long,
bittersweet finish dominated by fruit and rich malt notes with gentle
bitterness.
1869 Ratcliff Ale
Bright chestnut colour, Massive fruit on the nose — raisins, sultanas, plums. Bitter and slightly acidic in the mouth with burnt fruit. Bitter finish with dark fruit and rich malt. Amazingly complex.