Burton-on-Trent, United Kingdom
Bass
The Burton brewery that made pale ale a global product, and whose red triangle was among the first registered trade marks in Britain.
Also known as Bass & Co.
No longer brewing. BeerHQ keeps closed breweries because historical importance does not end when a company does. Anything said here about current products or availability should be treated as needing verification.
At its height Bass was the largest brewery in the world, and its pale ale was exported across the empire and beyond. The red triangle registered in 1876 is generally cited as the first trade mark entered under the UK Trade Marks Registration Act.
Why it matters
Made Burton pale ale an international category and holds a foundational place in the history of trade marks as well as of brewing.
Details
| Founded | 1777 |
|---|---|
| Where | Burton-on-Trent, United Kingdom |
| Status | Closed |
| Ownership | The brewing business was broken up and sold in 2000. The brand persists under other ownership; the independent company does not. Recorded 2026-08-16; ownership changes without announcement. |
Reference beers
BeerHQ carries only the products that anchor something. This is not the brewery’s full range.
Styles it is associated with
- English pale ale — The bottled British pale ale tradition: biscuity malt, earthy and floral English hops, and a firm, dry, mineral finish.
- English IPA — The original IPA: a strong, firmly bitter English pale ale with earthy, floral hop character and a dry, mineral finish.
Traditions
- Burton pale ale brewing — The nineteenth-century Staffordshire pale ale trade built on gypsum-rich well water, high hopping rates and export-stable beer.
Other breweries in United Kingdom
Adnams · Beavertown Brewery · Belhaven Brewery · Big Drop Brewing Co. · Black Sheep Brewery · BrewDog · Caledonian Brewery · Camden Town Brewery
Last reviewed 2026-08-16.