A beer first produced in 1978 by a former Bristol brewery boss after he struck out on his own has become one of the UK’s top 10 cask ales nearly 45 years later.
Butcombe Original was the first – and for many years only – beer made by micro-brewery Butcombe following its launch by ex-Courage Western director Simon Whitmore. 
Having run the Courage Brewery in Bristol, he decided to produce his own beer on a vastly smaller scale in converted farm buildings near the village of Butcombe.
At the time, few breweries were making what became known as ‘real ale’ and Butcombe built up a loyal following of beer lovers in the Bristol area.
Now Original, which has an abv of 4%, has officially become one of the most sought-after beers in the country, breaking into the UK’s Top 10 on-trade cask ales, according to market research group CGA.
It used figures from sales in pubs, bars and restaurants in the UK over the past 12 months to produce its report. 
Butcombe, which today brews a wide range of beers and also owns a chain of pubs and inns, describes Original as “meticulously crafted before ‘craft’ was even a thing”.
The brewery, now based in Wrington, was bought five years ago by Channel Island-based beer, wine and pub group Liberation.
Liberation Group MD, brewing & distribution, Marc McGuigan said: “We’re delighted that Butcombe Original has been recognised as one of the most popular beers in the country.
“Original has long been a favourite in the South West and has a very loyal following, but it’s great to see that it’s now being drunk in pubs across the country.
“Our brewing team, mixing traditional and tried and tested techniques, works tirelessly to produce a high-quality range of cask ales.
“From speaking to our customers, we know that Original travels well so it’s great to see customers across the country enjoying it more and more.”
Butcombe recently achieved a 9.5% increase in sales between 21 May and 3 September as beer drinkers continued to turn to craft beer. The year-on-year increase in volume had been driven by strong demand for its keg portfolio of ales and lagers, it said.
Butcombe owns around 60 pubs – many of them gastropubs or inns with accommodation – in an area stretching from Bristol to the South, South West and the West Midlands.
In Bristol it owns The Cottage Inn at Baltic Wharf, The Ostrich on Lower Guinea Street and The Whitmore Tap on Whiteladies Road, which it converted last year to become Butcombe’s first taproom and named after Simon Whitmore, who died in 2012.
Its range of beers also include Underfall Lager, Rarebreed Pale Ale, Golden Ale and its award-winning alcohol-free Goram IPA Zero.
