Eventually, two small adjacent industrial units were found on the Rose Business Estate in Marlow Bottom. The surrounding chalky Chiltern hills providing water high in minerals and salts essential for producing high quality and distinctive real ale. The landlords of the premises however, would only consider a two or three-year lease as plans to redevelop the site had all ready been proposed. The Rebellion Beer Company plan was, therefore, to become established over a couple of years before relocating and expanding the brewery into larger, long-term premises.
The first commercial beers were brewed and tasted in April 1993 and the company soon developed a good local following for its cask conditioned ales. Sales grew to 25 barrels per week (1 barrel = 36 gallons), with a turnover of £250,000 in 1994. By spring 1995 the brewery was running at it’s full capacity of 50 barrels per week, with turnover now in the region of £500,000.
Tim and Mark now embarked on what transpired to be an epic voyage to find new, larger premises to accommodate the expansion of the brewery. They continued to purchase new and second hand, larger capacity equipment in anticipation of the relocation.
Much of 1996 and ’97 were spent searching local industrial estates and speaking to local landowners. After being gazumped once and unable to complete a deal three further times they were reluctantly considering moving the operation out of Marlow. Towards the end of ’97 they managed to purchase the development brewery that Courage had been using at their Reading plant. Fortunately, after discussions with a local farmer, they were able to store all of their recently acquired equipment at a site very close to the original brewery. Shortly after this stroke of luck came the news that if planning permission could be obtained, they were welcome to move the operation to there permanently. This is exactly what they did, and at the beginning of January ’99, almost two years later, after the extensive renovation of two barns, the first brew was completed at the new site, Bencombe Farm in Marlow Bottom, 1 month after the closure of the old site.
Since then the business has grown considerably, now brewing on average 90 barrels per week, with plenty of room still for expansion. We now have a greater scope for producing seasonal, and monthly ales, as well different styles of beer from around the globe, whilst maintaining the quality and consistency of the existing brands, IPA Smuggler and Mutiny.
Our range of distinctive real ales include: Three beers available all year round, a seasonal; beer and an ever changing monthly beer. All monthly ales are individually crafted using different types of malts and hops.
All of the above we are delivering weekly to over 100 pubs within a 70-mile radius of Marlow, as well as using nationwide wholesalers. Two of our draught beers have been finalists at the Great British Beer Festival and we are now producing three bottled beers, all of which have won medals in competition. We also have a guest brewers beer range available which changes weekly.
