Anniversary milestones offer the perfect opportunity to look back, and for Wells & Co., that means revisiting some of the beers that have played a part in our story over the decades. Among them was Old Bedford Ale, a much-loved brew first released in the late 20th century.
The original beer featured imagery of the River Great Ouse and Bedford Bridge, capturing the character of the town at the time. Bringing it back for our 150th anniversary has allowed us to celebrate that local heritage once again, while creating a modern interpretation that reflects the Bedford of today.
The relaunch is particularly fitting as we celebrate the birthday of Charles Wells, the Bedford brewer whose vision laid the foundations for the business in 1876.
Five generations after Charles and his wife Josephine established the brewery, Wells & Co. remains proudly independent and continues to brew in Bedford. Old Bedford Vintage Ale is a tribute to that enduring legacy, reflecting both the traditions that have shaped the company and the commitment to quality that continues to guide it today.
Even more remarkably, a small number of bottles from the original Old Bedford Ale still remain in the brewery museum, providing a tangible connection between the beer’s past and present.
While Old Bedford Vintage Ale takes inspiration from the original recipe, it is not an exact recreation.
The brewery team set out to create a beer that honours its heritage while appealing to contemporary tastes. Using exclusively British malts and hops, the recipe has been carefully refined to retain the beer’s traditional character while delivering a more pronounced bitterness and balance that modern ale drinkers expect.
The result is a beer that respects its roots without being trapped by them, capturing the spirit of the original while offering something fresh for a new generation of drinkers.
