Marston's Brewery is one of England's most historic brewing institutions, with roots stretching back to 1834 when John Marston established J. Marston & Son at the Horninglow Brewery in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The town of Burton upon Trent has long been regarded as the heartland of British brewing, famous for its mineral-rich waters that lend themselves perfectly to producing pale ales. A significant milestone came in 1905 when a merger with Sydney Evershed created Marston, Thompson & Evershed, the name under which the brewery operated for much of the twentieth century. In 1999, the brewery, its beers, and a portfolio of 918 pubs was acquired by Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries for £292 million. Marston's is particularly celebrated for its commitment to traditional British brewing methods. The brewery is strongly associated with cask-conditioned real ale and has played a notable role in developing innovative conditioning techniques, including the so-called "fast cask" method. Its portfolio spans classic British ale styles, and the brewery has also produced beers under licence, including Draught Bass, which it took over from Coors in 2005. Over the years, Marston's expanded its brewing estate through acquisitions, including the Jennings Brewery in 2005. Today, Marston's brewing operations are carried out under the Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company, a joint venture that also includes licensed production of international brands such as San Miguel and Mahou in the United Kingdom.