Some breweries follow trends, and some quietly endure, adapting when necessary, but never quite surrendering their identity. McMullen’s of Hertford belongs firmly to the latter camp. Founded in 1827 in Railway Street, the brewery has moved, reshaped, and nearly vanished altogether, yet somehow continues to pour pints that feel rooted in a much older idea of brewing. A Brewery That Refused to Disappear The story begins in Hertford, with early moves from Railway Street (1827) to Mill Bridge (1832) and later to Old Cross (1891) , where the brewery would establish a more lasting presence. Like many regional brewers, McMullen’s adapted across the twentieth century, even investing in a modern brewhouse in 1984 . But survival was far from guaranteed. By the mid-2000s, the company stood on uncertain ground. A divide emerged between shareholders, those seeking stronger dividends and those committed to reinvesting in the brewery’s future. An attempted management buyout failed, and long-stand...
The notebook of a renegade bartender and amateur drinking enthusiast with a passion for real ale, beer festivals, microbrewing, and pubs. Relentless rants on what to drink, while quaffing, scoffing and reviewing from both sides of the bar.