The brewery traces its roots to 1777, when Charles Hall founded the Ansty Brewery in Ansty, Dorset. The Hall & Woodhouse partnership dates from 1847, when Charles' son and successor went into business with George Woodhouse.
In 1875, the firm's logo of a Badger was first introduced, and in 1900, when a new brewery was built to replace the original, it was named after the logo. The logo has evolved over the years. The firm remains a family firm. In 1991 the brewpub Gribble Inn in Oving, West Sussex was acquired. Though it was sold back to the landlord in 2005, Hall & Woodhouse retained the rights to the brand nameFursty Ferret, the brewpub's most well-known beer. In 2000 the King and Barnes brewery business in Horsham was acquired. Hall & Woodhouse retained the King and Barnes chain of pubs and the rights to the brand names of the King and Barnes beers, but the brewery premises were sold.
Beers
Blandford Fly
Blandford Fly is a 5.2% dark bottled ale flavoured with ginger and spices.
Fursty Ferret is an amber ale, 4.1% as a cask ale, and 4.4% as a filtered beer in bottles and cans. Originally brewed at the Gribble Inn, which was bought by Hall & Woodhouse in 1991. The pub was sold back to the landlord in 2005, with Hall & Woodhouse retaining the rights to the brand name Fursty Ferret.
Hopping Hare is a 4.4% abv light coloured pale ale made from a mix of American Amarillo, Cascade hops and English Flagon barley.
Tanglefoot
Tanglefoot is a golden ale, 4.7% as a cask ale, and 5% as a filtered beer in bottles and cans. It is made from a mix of English Flagon barley, Goldings and Challenger hops, with a pear drop taste. According to a story presently written on the bottle, it was given its name when the Head Brewer drank "several tankards" and "fell on" a name for the beer. The cask version is widely available in the south of England, and a pasteurised version is available in bottles and cans in supermarkets nationally.
Wicked Wyvern
Wicked Wyvern is a 5.5% pale ale with an aroma of grapefruit.
Former Beers
Badger Original - was a 3.8% ale.
Daring Diver - Was a 4.7% amber beer with a biscuit malt base.
Firkin Fox - was a 4.6% auburn ale with citrus floral hops.
First Call - was a 4.0% fairly dark ale with orange and spices.
Golden Glory - was 4.5% a premium ale with a peach and melon flavour.
Harvester - was a 2.5% ale.
Leaping Legend - was a 4.8% golden ale with grapefruit hops.
Long Days - was a 4.5% ale.
Old Ansty
Pickled Partridge - was a 4.6% tawny ale with crystal and chocolate malts.
Pumpkin Ale - was a 4.6% ale.
Wandering Woodwose - was a very strong 8.0% ale.
Wild Wader - was a 4.2% amber, refreshing hop with a malty finish.
Seasonal Beers
Brewer's Bee - was a honey beer. It was available in Summer 2013.
Hopeful Hop - was a single hop ale made from Celeia hops, with a citrus aroma. It was available in Autumn 2013.
Twilight Tawny - It was available in Autumn 2014.
Ruby Rustler - It was available in Winter 2014.
Soft drinks
The company also markets soft drinks known as Rio which are canned drinks made from fruit juices and sparkling spring water. Hall and Woodhouse also used to manufacture Panda Pops, but sold the brand to Nichols plc in 2005. They also produced Panda Shandy after discontinuing it.
