Where will the historic union set move next?

Keeping a close eye on the exact whereabouts of one in three pieces of heritage brewing kit has become a priority for Laura Hadland. Here she explains why we should all stay watchful while pieces of history quietly change hands.

In September 2024, the Carlsberg Marston Brewing Company (CMBC – now Carlsberg Britvic) gifted an historic Burton Union set to Epochal Barrel Fermented Ales in Glasgow.

The news that the fermentation system had been saved, having been retired from brewing CMBC’s Pedigree in January 2024, was roundly celebrated. Now, discussions are underway to move that union to a new home.

The gift to Epochal was announced just two months after the launch of its new taproom at its Payne Street home, which was funded with the support of a £13,000 Crowdfunder project.

The future of the first union in Scotland for around a century looked bright. However, Epochal was able to brew only one beer on the union that saw commercial release. Glasgow Pale was a 4.5% ABV Scottish stock pale ale released in November 2024.

The brewery showed the union off to an illustrious collection of guests from significant Belgian breweries including Cantillon and De La Senne in January this year, and then ceased posting on social media.

The business experienced significant financial distress, despite its recent injection of crowdsourced funds. Gareth Young, the brewery’s founder, has confirmed that Epochal has ceased trading, as efforts over the last six months to find a brewery partner to help revive the brand, have been unsuccessful.

The company from which Epochal rented their Payne Street location, Cairn Business Solutions, reclaimed the unit in April 2025, taking back the keys and claiming ownership of the goods and equipment inside – including the historic union – due to a significant accrual of unpaid rent.

The union itself remains safe inside the warehouse. Despite no longer having access or a commercial interest, Young has been facilitating Cairn Business Solutions’ efforts to find a buyer for the fermentation system, keen to ensure that the heritage kit remains in use in the future.

He confirmed to the drinks business that a number of suitable parties have been approached in recent months and that at least one proposal is currently under consideration by Cairn.

This union system is one of only three original Burton sets in the country. Its sibling, also gifted by CMBC in 2024 and built with barrels from 1990, is in full and successful operation at Thornbridge Brewery in Bakewell.

A further set, taken from the former Bass No.2 brewery in Burton, was on display at the National Brewery Centre in the town before its closure in 2022. It can be seen from Guild Street but is not formally accessible to public view.

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