Full Pints Volume 19 Issue 3

FREE Please take a copy

FULLP NTS Ayrshire & Wigtownshire CAMRA Branch

Ayrshire Real Ale Festival Preview: 5th - 7th October SEE PAGES 8-9

AUTUMN 2017

www.awcamra.org.uk

Just another day at the office... come and visit us

A warm welcome awaits at our brewery visitor centre

Absorb the sights and smells of the traditional beer-making process, and taste samples of some of the finest beers available today. You can purchase a wide range of excellent gifts as well as all of our finest ales.

Tick when you taste - Brewery Tours 01770 302 353 2

GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE www.arranbrewery.com

arran visitor centre PUMP CLIPS A5.indd 1

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Front cover: Julie Wilson (l) and Claire Penders (r) at the Garnock Community Social Club promoting the Ayrshire Real Ale Festival – #troonbeer

AUTUMN 2017

Volume 19, Issue 3

CONTENTS Champion Beer of Britain........... 4

Capital Wanderings................18/19

Champion Beer of Scotland...... 4

Looking Back 32 Years Ago.....21

Champion Cider of Scotland.... 5

Map/List of Outlets................22-23

Hippo Beers / Garnock Club..... 5

Stockport Trip...........................25-27

Hatches & Matches......................... 7

Obituary: Kenny Broadbent... 28

GRAF/ Ardrossan Beer Fest........ 7

Have you Bein Inn........................ 29

Ayrshire Real Ale Festival........ 8-9

What Pub.............................................31

Brewery News.................................. 11

Trading Standards Info................31

Branch Brewery of Year.............13

Ray's Round Up....................... 32-33

Other Beer Festivals......................13

Branch Social contacts...............33

Forthcoming 2-Pub Socials.....13

Ale Trails in Ayr........................ 36-37

Outlets News....................................15

Wigtownshire News.............38-39

Diary Dates......................................... 17

Just for Fun Quiz............................41

Travel Info........................................... 17

Join CAMRA..............................42/43

Ayrshire and Wigtownshire CAMRA Branch Chairman: Graeme Perry Email: chair@awcamra.org.uk Secretary: Kenneth Middleditch Email: secretary@awcamra.org.uk Minutes of Branch Meetings are available to members from the Secretary.

Treasurer: Lindsay Grant Email: treasurer@awcamra.org.uk Editor: Stuart McMahon, 93 Montfode Drive, Ardrossan KA22 7PH Tel: 01294 603848 Email: fullpints@awcamra.org.uk Advertising: Mike Tomlinson Email: advertising@awcamra.org.uk

Full Pints is a free magazine published quarterly by the Ayrshire & Wigtownshire Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

CAMRA is an independent, voluntary, consumer organisation which campaigns for real ale, real pubs and consumer rights.

Membership is open to all individuals although corporate entities such as breweries and pubs are not members; CAMRA currently has almost 190,000 members. It is governed by a voluntary unpaid national executive, elected by the membership.

It has a branch structure which means that all members can join a local CAMRA branch and campaign and socialise locally.

Within our Branch, we have four social group areas - namely North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire and Wigtownshire, each of whom organise regular events and meetings (usually monthly). Details of these events are listed on page 17 and are also posted on our Facebook page. Members are always encouraged to bring a friend along if they wish - all are welcome to attend.

The next edition of Full Pints will be published in December 2017. Articles, photos and other contributions should be sent to the editor at fullpints@awcamra.org.uk no later than Friday 17th November 2017.

Advertising Rates (2017): Full Page: £80 ½ Page: £45 Yearly rates (in advance): £290 / £160 Websites: www.awcamra.org.uk www.ayrshirebeerfestival.co.uk

Facebook “f ” Logo

Social Media: Ayrshire & Wigtownshire CAMRA Ayrshire Real Ale Festival @awcamra @troonbeerfest CMYK / .eps

Facebook “f ” Logo

CMYK / .eps

Full Pints is designed by Montfode Design, www.md93.co.uk and printed by Brown Brothers Printers, Irvine, www.brown-bros.com. Around 2,500 copies are published every 3 months and distributed to all Real Ale outlets in our region.

The views expressed in this publication are those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the editor or of the Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. © Campaign for Real Ale Ltd 3

www.awcamra.org.uk

CHAMPION BEER OF BRITAIN 2017 A Warwickshire brewery, originally located in an old coffin shop, has won the Campaign for Real Ale's prestigious Champion Beer of Britain award on the opening day of the Great British Beer Festival at Olympia London.

Goat's Milk by Church End Brewery scooped gold in the competition thanks to its blend of pale barley, crystal malt oats and aromatic hops. The award comes after almost a year of local tasting panels and regional heats resulting in the best beers from across the UK being invited to compete at the Great British Beer Festival.

Bishop Nick from Essex took silver with Ridley's Rite, while Welsh brewery Tiny Rebel - former Champion Beer of Britain winner - won bronze with Cwtch.

Nick Boley, CAMRA's National Director responsible for the competition said: "Congratulations to Church End for winning the Champion Beer of Britain award for Goat's Milk, which is the highest beer accolade in the country. Goat's Milk is a stand out beer - it has a lovely balance of malts and hops and a full flavour. It is a very fine example of a bitter and incredibly refreshing." Paul Hamblett, sales manager from Church End said: "Goat's Milk is our biggest selling beer - it's a nicely balanced beer with a hoppy edge. We originally brewed and named it for a festival taking place in the Goat pub, and the beer just caught on. It's the first time we've won the competition, and we expect it to put us on the map."

CHAMPION BEER OF SCOTLAND 2017 At the Scottish Real Ale Festival (SRAF) held back in July, the final round of the Champion Beer of Scotland competition was held, and Loch Lomond’s Silkie Stout (5% ABV) came away with the top award.

Cromarty Rogue Wave came second, with Isle of Skye Young Pretender and Sulwath Black Galloway coming joint third.

Silkie Stout has won numerous awards including CAMRA’s Champion Stout for Scotland and Northern Ireland 2016, and Loch Lomond’s Southern Summit was SIBA’s Supreme Champion Beer of Britain 2016.

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Sarah Bellis, CAMRA’s Director for Scotland and Sarah Bellis (l), SNID, presenting Fiona Maceachern (r) with her award Northern Ireland said: “Congratulations to Loch Lomond brewery for winning Fiona Maceachern, Managing the Champion Beer of Scotland Director at Loch Lomond award for its Silkie Stout, which brewery said: “We are over is one of the highest beer the moon to win the Champion accolades in Scotland.

Beer of Scotland award!

The judges were particularly impressed with the balanced flavours of chocolate and coffee and its drinkability. It truly is a beer for any occasion!”

The Silkie Stout is one of our originals and has been a great beer for us, it has just gone from strength to strength and regularly performs well in Scotland.”

FULLP NTS AUTUMN 2017

CHAMPION CIDER OF SCOTLAND At the Glasgow Real Ale Festival held in the Briggait back in June, a relative newcomer to the Scottish Cider scene won the Champion Cider of Scotland competition.

Steilhead Nuthatch Cider took the Gold medal whilst Waulkmill Mooseheid Perry won the Champion Perry of Scotland competition.

Steilhead are based near to Thornhill, just north of Dumfries, and are producing their range of ciders from their own orchard of 60 trees, along with other locally-sourced apples. Look out for their products, including their Bullfinch and Siskin ciders, at farmers markets in Dumfries and Galloway. We’re also hoping to have some at this year’s Ayrshire Real Ale festival for the first time.

HIPPO NO MORE

At the end of July, a popular Glasgow-based shop and bar announced they had gone into liquidation.

Hippo Beers had a bottle shop in the West End, along with the Hippo Taproom basement bar in Sauchiehall Street which had only been open a couple of years, and was a highly respected business.

Additionally, Hippo’s trade distribution arm Fusion Beer has also ceased trading.

Hippo was also involved in organising the Great Scottish Beer Celebration festival due to be held in Glasgow Art School at the end of August. Initially it was also cancelled, but shortly after the announcement, all the brewers due to attend agreed to resurrect the festival themselves with all profits going to a local foodbank charity.

GARNOCK COMMUNITY SOCIAL CLUB The organisers of the Paisley Beer Festival decided to have their staff ‘outing’ to the club on 15th July, and Ayrshire Branch members were also invited along.

Over 40 folk attended the combined event, and Ian Martin managed to source a fantastic selection of ales for the day which included Northallerton Gun Dog Bitter, Portobello Market Porter, Hop Studio Mosaic, Kelburn Regnitz, Five Kingdoms Dark Storm, and all the way from Sweden, Omnipollo Leon which was available as a key keg. A fantastic afternoon, and all were in agreement that it would be good to try some other joint social events with neighbouring branches.

The club was presented with their Branch Club of the Year Award at the North Ayrshire Social evening on 17th August.

Pictured below (l-r) are Branch Vice-Chair Ian Middleditch, Julie Wilson, Brian Andrew and Claire Penders.

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Family-run village inn located on the harbour in the picturesque fishing village of Isle of Whithorn

F W H IT H O

OUR IN-HOUSE FIVE KINGDOMS BREWERY NOW PRODUCING A RANGE OF QUALITY REAL ALES ⅓ pint beer taster platters available for same price as a pint.

Eight cask ales and a selection of real cider available.

OPENING HOURS: Mon-Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 12 noon-11pm

Outside seating area on the harbourside.

Children and Dogs Welcome.

Lunches 12-2pm. Snack Menu 2-6pm (Fri-Sun).

Evening Meals 6.30-9pm.

Sunday Carvery, 12-3pm: 3 Courses £12 Thursday Steak Night: Galloway Sirloin £12 Selection of local seafood dishes always available All food freshly prepared on the premises.

Daily chef ’s specials using the finest fresh produce and local seafood.

2014/15 Countryfile Magazine Rural Pub of the Year

ACCOMMODATION

Comfortable en suite accommodation overlooking the harbour From £30 pppn B&B. Special accommodation offers to CAMRA members.

For bookings: visit our website, or call Alastair on 01988 500334 Email: steampacketinn@btconnect.com

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AUTUMN 2017

HATCHES & MATCHES

Congratulations to Tony and Clare Scott on the arrival of their twin girls, Harriet and Annabel, at the end of May. Despite arriving a few weeks early all are doing well.

Along with big brother Alfie, mum and dad are being kept busy! Tony orders the beers for the Ayrshire Real Ale Festival, whilst Clare has managed the Products Stall.

And congratulations to our Branch Chairman Graeme Perry who got married to SharonLeah Waldapfel on Sat 19th August. Graeme organised not one, but two, stag do’s – the first was a pub crawl round Troon, and the second was a visit to the Great British Beer Festival in London! A good selection of ales were available at their wedding venue in the Abbotsford Hotel, Ayr. Graeme and Sharon-Leah send a huge thanks to all their CAMRA friends, as the wedding donations raised £1,565 for Cancer Research and Children 1st charities. In true ‘stop the press’ fashion Full Pints has managed to squeeze in a couple of pictures of the happy couple. We wish them many happy years of marriage.

GLASGOW REAL ALE FESTIVAL Did I mention that it was my birthday when GRAF was on this year?

What better way to celebrate than to enjoy it with a few beers, and some friends - many of whom even bought me a pint! Numbers were steady on the Friday I attended, although by the time I left mid-evening it was obvious that attendance wasn’t as good as previous years, and I’m told that the Saturday session was also quieter. Nonetheless, the beers were good, particularly the ones I tried from the Northern Ireland breweries that were being showcased this year. And the Scotch Eggs were tasty, even if they were a wee bit on the pricey side!

ARDROSSAN ACCIES BEER FESTIVAL This year’s festival was held in the middle of July.

Ten ales were available, six of which were all from the Warrington / Liverpool / Cheshire area, with the other four being supplied by Ayr Brewing Company. With the mini heatwave at the start of the week, concerns were higher about keeping the beers cool, but in true Scottish weather fashion, things change by the Thursday evening to a more changeable and cooler climate, and the beers were just at the right serving temperature.

Around 30 CAMRA members attended on the Thursday night, and there were good Tom Byars and his numbers on Saturday brother Mark enjoying some afternoon. ales at Ardrossan

A silly selfie at GRAF! 7

www.awcamra.org.uk

MAIN FESTIVAL SPONSOR:

Main Bar Themed Bar Cider/Perry Bar 150+ Real Ales 25+ Real Ciders & Perry Tutored Tasting Session ADMISSION (over 18’s only) Non-CAMRA Members

£6 CAMRA £4

(with membership card)

Admission includes glass & programme

SAVE

33%

SPECIAL OFFERS THURSDAY ONLY: Under 25’s only £4

SATURDAY: AFTER 7PM

£3 / £2

Free re-entry with this year’s glass

ENTERTAINMENT:

SLIDER – FRI NIGHT IRVINE & DISTRICT PIPE BAND – SAT AFTERNOON DELTA SMOAK – SAT NIGHT

Keep up to date with festival news on our website and social media:

www.ayrshirebeerfestival.co.uk AyrshireRealAleFestival

@TroonBeerFest #troonbeer

OPENING TIMES

Thurs 5th October 12 noon (CAMRA MEMBERS’ PREVIEW); 2pm – 11pm Fri 6th / Sat 7th October 11am – 11pm

THURS 5TH – SAT 7TH OCTOBER Troon Concert Hall KA10 6EF 8

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AYRSHIRE REAL ALE FESTIVAL P R E V I E W The biggest and best real ale event in Ayrshire returns to Troon Concert Hall from Thursday 5 to Saturday 6 October 2017. CAMRA's Ayrshire Real Ale Festival is taking place for the 18th time and this year there will be three bars available with over 150 real ales on offer as well as award-winning traditional ciders and perry.

Wine and soft drinks will also be available.

Beer festival regulars will now be used to there being a themed bar in the adjoining Walker Hall. This year it will be known as the County Bar – featuring a combination of ales synonymous with a particular county, and other award winning ales from counties around the UK. We will have lots of exciting new beers as well as some old favourites – so please remember to vote for your Beer of the Festival – in addition to the traditional voting slips, it is also hoped to have a roving volunteer with an iPad where you can log your entry. We also have a Tutored Tasting Session on Friday at 5pm – book your place via the website.

Also look for our #troonbeer 3D logo (see front cover) and take a selfie with it and post it to our facebook and twitter pages.

On Friday night music will be provided by festival favourites Slider. Irvine and District Pipe Band will return to create a rousing atmosphere on Saturday afternoon and on Saturday night we have something a wee bit different this year. Delta Smoak are a fully live five piece band who will take you on a musical road trip through the American heartland. Having performed in Nashville, New Orleans and Chicago they recreate classic tracks from The Eagles, Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis and many more legendary acts that will have you dancing the night away.

Doors open to the public at 2pm on Thursday 6 October, with a preview for CAMRA members from mid-day. Admission is just £6 (£4 for CAMRA members). Under 25s will be admitted for £4 on the Thursday, and anyone entering after 7pm on Saturday will get in for half price. For any non-members joining CAMRA at the festival, there will be a prize draw to win a B&B hotel stay.

But, remember, we can only run the festival thanks to the support of our volunteers. Volunteering forms have been emailed out to local CAMRA members, but are also available online on the festival website. The beer and cider lists will appear on the website a couple of weeks beforehand. More details can be found at www.ayrshirebeerfestival.co.uk. We look forward to welcoming you and your friends along in October.

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Our range of Award-winning Real Ales includes:

Hand Crafted, Award Winning, Traditional Cask Conditioned Ale Brewed in the Heart of Burns Country All ales are available in Firkins (72 Pints), Pins (36 Pints) and Mini Casks (8.8 Pints) Visit our shop in the Glen Park Hotel, Ayr Ayr Brewing Company, 5 Racecourse Road, Ayr KA7 2DG Telephone: 01292 263891 Fax: 01292 830450 Mobile: 07834 922142 www.ayrbrewingcompany.com 10

We'd love to hear from breweries and pubs with any news snippets, events, awards etc.

Send your info to fullpints@awcamra.org.uk

Brewery News KELBURN BREWERY The brewery has received a Scottish Government grant of almost ÂŁ55,000 to assist them in expanding to new premises.

Expect more news soon on the relocation plans. Muriel Gem, a new 3.7% ABV golden beer, with citrus and toffee flavours, was launched at the Paisley Beer Festival.

SULWATH BREWERY Black Galloway was a finalist in the Champion Beer of Britain competition, but sadly didn't win any medals.

AUTUMN 2017

FIVE KINGDOMS BREWERY have produced some new smart looking pump clips for their ales. Bottled ales should be available in the autumn.

LOCH LOMOND BREWERY won the Champion Beer of Scotland with Silkie Stout. Lost in Mosaic IPA was available at GBBF in London.

A collaboration with Shilling Brewing Co. in Glasgow saw two new beers being AYR BREWING COMPANY produced – Dr Peppercorn, did a collaboration with Arran described as a traditional Distillery and aged some beer Saison packed with fruity pink in Arran whisky casks. The peppercorns, coriander seed finished product is called A and citrus fruit. Light and Hauf an a Hauf. It's 7.2% ABV refreshing and a deceiving and only available in 330ml at 7% ABV. The second of bottles at the Brewery, the the collab brews launched Distillery and Robbie's Drams, was Mango & Pash, a 5.5% Ayr. Another collaboration ABV mango and passion fruit was with Birra Kasmir in the smoothie packed with fruit region of Molise, Italy. A 4.7% puree resulting in a really juicy ABV session IPA was brewed fruit punch of a beer. Tropical with mosaic and chinook hops. grapefruit, passionfruit, mango The Italian version went to keg and a slight bitterness are and bottle and sold mainly evident in this hazy crazy beer. in Rome and surroundings.

The Scottish version will be ARRAN BREWERY brewed in September and will The new bottling line installed go to cask and can. in Brodick continues to cause STRATHAVEN ALES won the SIBA National Gold for small pack (bottled) mild and brown ales back in March.

A new, as yet un-named beer, should be launched before the end of the year. And they are planning to have an axe throwing competition on the 9th September at the brewery!

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some production problems.

There was a small fire in a bathroom extractor fan at the Loch Earn Hotel which has caused some smoke damage and will delay the opening of the hotel accommodation until 2018.

LATE NIGHT HYPE BREWERY is a new brewery opening soon in Clydebank.

With their own substantial brewkit, expect to hear plenty about them in the coming months

PORTPATRICK BREWERY have launched a new beer called Rhins Ruby. This 4% ABV ruby red, single hop ale has a malty caramel flavour with a blackcurrant aroma. Rhins Ruby made it's debut at The Grapes Beer Festival which was part of the Stranraer 400 celebrations.

SPEYSIDE BREWERY has some smart new branding.

The popular Forres-based brewery has updated their logo, including Bottlenose Bitter shown opposite.

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Located in the village of Dundonald, The Auchans is a family run Restaurant - Bar with a fresh modern twist, and a friendly relaxed atmosphere oozing charm & character. We have a great

29 MAIN STREET DUNDONALD, KA2 9HH Telephone: 01563 851472 E-Mail: info@theauchans.co.uk Web: www.theauchans.co.uk

selection of beer & wine including 2 cask ales.

The Auchans has been tastefully restored with original stone walls & real oak wood beams.

Owned by the Kerr family, from the village, The Auchans is the 2nd addition to the business.

The 1st, The Waterfront in Ayr, opened in 2012 is a relaxed, stylish restaurant- bar situated

for details of our latest offers & promotions www.facebook.com/theauchansdundonald

overlooking the River Ayr.

The Waterside Bath Street, Largs Tel: 01475 672224

Two Real Ales from Kelburn available

Mondays - Poker Wednesdays - Poker Fridays - Karaoke

Saturdays - Live Music Sundays - Open Mic Night

Food available every day except Monday 12

FULLP NTS AUTUMN 2017

Branch Brewery of the Year Presentation In the dim and distant past at our AGM, Inveralmond Brewery in Perth won our Branch brewery of the Year 2017 Award. The presentation has been organised for Saturday 16th September. Anyone interested in attending should contact Donald Clark at social@awcamra.org.uk before Friday 8th September. Planned pick-up points are as follows: Town Pick-up Point Kilwinning Railway station at car park Irvine Railway station at Riverway retail park Prestwick Opposite former Co-op supermarket Ayr Railway station at rear car park Kilmarnock Under A71 fly-over on Campbell Street Glasgow Bon Accord

Time 1020 1035 1055 1100 1125 1200

We also intend to visit a couple of pubs on the homeward journey: 3.45-4.45pm The Pitcairngreen Inn, Perth (Scottish Cider Pub of the Year 2017) 5.00-6.00pm Bankfoot Inn, Perth

Drop-off points will be reverse of outward journey. The cost of the bus is anticipated to be £18-£20 per person depending on the number of seats filled. We need a minimum of 25 participants to make the trip viable. For a further £10, the brewery will conduct a tour and provide some snacks.

POPULAR BEER FESTIVAL DATES The following CAMRA-organised festivals are planned for this year. Some of our branch members usually attend some or all of them: Ayrshire, Troon Concert Hall 5-7 October Alloa, Town Hall 27-28 October Carlisle, The Venue, Portland Place 2-4 November Belfast, Ulster Hall 16-18 November

INDEPENDENT LOCAL FESTIVALS: House O'Hill Beer & Music Festival, Bargrennan, Sat 9 Sept Cove & Kilcreggan Beer Festival, Cove Burgh Hall, Sat 23 Sept Fox & Hounds Beer Festival, Houston, Sun 24 Sept, from 12 noon Dean Castle Beer Festival, Kilmarnock, Fri 29th Sept - Sun 1st Oct (in association with CAMRA). Toast the reopening of Dean Castle Country Park Centre at Kilmarnock’s first real ale festival. See page 17 for ticket details.

Holy Loch Inn Beer Festival, Sandbank Village Hall, Sat 14 Oct, from 2pm

BRANCH 2-PUB SOCIALS These are informal branch social events to which all are welcome to attend.

Wed 18 October, Kilmarnock: Wheatsheaf (1pm) / Fanny by Gaslight (2.30pm) Sat 2 December, Troon: Cheeky Charlies (3pm) / McKays (4.30pm)

CODE OF CONDUCT

!

Our wish is for everyone to enjoy themselves and have fun on our trips and events. However please remember that trip organisers have only volunteered to arrange times and/or travel arrangements and to provide information about the venue(s).

You are responsible for your own safety and wellbeing. If you have an existing medical condition you must bring your own backup/carer with you. CAMRA promotes responsible drinking and so excessive drinking will not be tolerated on CAMRA outings. Any member doing so may be barred from future events.

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The Prestwick Pioneer

70 Portland Street, Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, KA11JG

7 Hamilton Street, Saltcoats, NORTH Ayrshire, KA21 5DX

87 Main Street, Prestwick, SOUTH Ayrshire, KA9 1JS

The Auld Brig

The Paddle Steamer

The West Kirk

Units 13-15 Rivergate Shopping Centre, Irvine, NORTH Ayrshire, KA12 8EH

Gallowgate Street Largs, NORTH Ayrshire, KA30 8LX

58a Sandgate, Ayr, SOUTH Ayrshire, KA7 1BX

Subject to local licensing restrictions and availability at participating free houses. Illustration is for guidance only. J D Wetherspoon PLC reserves the right to withdraw/change offers (without notice), at any time. See main menu for additional details of our terms and conditions. *The festival ale price applies to the festival ales only, the full list of which can be seen in the tasting notes.

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WED 11 – SUN 22 oct

We'd love to hear from breweries and pubs with any news snippets, events, awards etc.

Send your info to fullpints@awcamra.org.uk

FULLP NTS AUTUMN 2017

OUTLETS NEWS Several new outlets to report in this edition.

In Irvine, Bar Sport has opened at Irvine Cross, beside the old Townhouse. They currently have two handpumps selling Sharps Doom Bar and Sharps Atlantic for £1.95/pint. The No. 11 bus stops right outside the front door!

In Dreghorn, the former Annick Tavern has been refurbished and re-opened under new management as The Brae. Two ales including one from Stewart Brewing are usually available from the three handpumps. Food is also being served.

In Ayr, the former Carrick Lodge has reopened as The Fox and Willow and is reported to be selling Caledonian Deuchars IPA. In Dalry, The Auld Hoose has opened in the town centre and has one handpump available.

Strathaven Claverhouse Red has been one of the ales available.

Sadly, there's also been a few losses.

The Harbour Lights in Irvine has stopped selling real ales after poor sales.

In Fairlie, the Village Inn had real ales after it re-opened but has also stopped selling them.

In Kilwinning, The Corner House has stopped selling real ales. Buzzworks' other outlets at The Mill House, Stewarton and their new outlet The Coach House in Bridge of Weir continue to sell ale.

In Troon, Smugglers has stopped selling real ales having only tried selling it for a few weeks after it reopened.

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BRANCH EMAILS

OTHER SNIPPETS: In Newton Stewart, the Galloway Arms Hotel public bar has had a major refurbishment to become an excellent sports bar. In addition to the regular Sulwath beers, they are trying out a new supplier and have also had Caledonian Deuchar's IPA and Theakston's Black Bull Bitter available.

In Kilmaurs, the Weston Tavern has changed hands and is now run by John Cairns, who also runs the Braehead Bar in Kilmarnock.

The latter outlet continues to sell great value ales, and has recently changed its supplier to include the likes of Ruddles County and Morland Original Bitter.

In Largs, Largs Bowling Club, Douglas Street often has 'craft' ales available served from KeyCasks and KeyKegs, mainly at weekends in the off season. Some of these are real ales.

Also in Largs, Macaulays has reopened, and whilst the handpump is still available and 'real ale' painted on new signage, availability has still to be checked.

WHATPUB FEEDBACK

Every effort is made to keep pub descriptions in WhatPub up-to-date but we struggle to regularly visit our 80+ pubs, hotels and bars, and so we do rely upon YOU – licensee or drinker – to let us know if information is missing or out-of-date. All users of WhatPub (CAMRA members and non-members alike) can use the on-line feedback form to let us know when we need to update a pub description.

Every month, usually on the 1st of the month, we send an email to all Branch members with 'What's On' dates and other important branch news. However, approximately two-thirds of these emails do not appear to be getting opened. Please check your SPAM folders and add "noreply@camra.org.uk" to your senders list to ensure you receive the email.

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CHAMPION SCOTLAND 2008

BEER THEOF YEAR

BITTERS & PALE ALES UP TO 4%

SUPREME CHAMPION SCOTLAND 2008

PREMIUM BITTERS 2012

PAISLEY

SMALL PACK BEER COMPETITION 2016

SMALL PACK BEER COMPETITION 2015

2006

STANDARD MILDS & BROWN ALES

STANDARD MILDS & BROWN ALES

BEER FESTIVAL

BRONZE

REGIONAL WIN NER

R EGIONAL WIN NER

NATIONAL WINNER 2014 STANDARD MILD ALES

2006

CASK ALES COMPETITION 2015

CASK ALES COMPETITION 2013

SKIPTON

SPECIALITY BEERS 2012

SPECIALITY BEERS 2009

BEER FESTIVAL

2008

BEER OF THE FESTIVAL

KEIGHLY

NATIONAL WINNER 2009 BEST BITTERS 4.1 - 4.5%

BEER FESTIVAL

2007

JOINT BEER OF THE FESTIVAL

CASK ALES COMPETITION 2011

R EGIO NAL WIN NER

R EGIONAL WIN NER

R EGIONAL WIN NER

STANDARD MILD & BROWN CASK ALES

STANDARD MILD & BROWN CASK ALES

STANDARD MILD & BROWN CASK ALES

GLOW POT STILL

THE

SPECIALITY CASK ALE 2016

EMAIL: SALES@STRATHAVENALES.COM 16

PERFECT PINT 2013

TEL. 01357 520419 WWW.STRATHAVENALES.COM

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AUTUMN

NOVEMBER

Mon 13

Ayrshire Real Ale Festival Wash-Up Meeting – Wheatsheaf Inn, Kilmarnock, 8pm Thurs 16 - Belfast Beer Festival organised by CAMRA Sat 18 Northern Ireland, Ulster Hall, Belfast Thurs 16 Wigtownshire Social to Belfast Beer Festival (Passenger day returns approx £10 from Stena Line) Thurs 16 North Ayrshire Social – Venue tbc

DIARY DATES Please check www.awcamra.org.uk for up-todate details of all our Branch events.

A monthly email is sent at the start of each month to our members listing forthcoming events - if you don't receive this, please check your email Junk/Spam mailbox and confirm your email address at www.camra.org.uk.

Sat 18 Wed 29

SEPTEMBER

Sat 2 / Sun 3 Sat 9 Sat 9 Mon 11 Tues 12 Sat 16 Mon 18 Thurs 21 Wed 27 Sat 29 Sun 1st Oct

Portpatrick Folk Festival West Scotland CAMRA Tasting Panel Course, Geordie's Byre, Ayr 2pm. Contact Lindsay Grant: treasurer@awcamra.org/uk for details Wigtownshire Social at Real Ale & Music Festival, House O' Hill Hotel, Bargrennan Beer Festival Planning Meeting, Geordie's Byre, Ayr, 8pm South Ayrshire Social – West Kirk, Ayr, 7pm Branch Brewery of the Year Presentation to Inveralmond Brewery, Perth. See page 13 for details.

Committee Meeting, First Edition, Kilmarnock, 8pm North Ayrshire Social – Salt Cot, Saltcoats, 8pm East Ayrshire Social – Brass & Granite, Kilmarnock, 7.30pm Dean Castle Beer Festival, in association with CAMRA. Fri / Sat 6pm-11pm; Sun 1.30pm-5pm.

Tickets £5 (£3 CAMRA - code CAM17) from www.eastayrshireleisure.com

OCTOBER

Thurs 5 - 18th Ayrshire Real Ale Festival, Troon Concert Sat 7 Hall. www.ayrshirebeerfestival.co.uk for details Wed 18 2-Pub Social: Kilmarnock – Wheatsheaf (1pm) & Fanny by Gaslight (2.30pm) Thurs 19 North Ayrshire Social / Branch Meeting – The Three Reasons, Largs, 8pm Wed 25 East Ayrshire Social – Merito, Dunlop, 7.30pm Fri 27 / Alloa Real Ale Festival organised by Forth Sat 28 Valley CAMRA. Sat 28 Ayrshire Real Ale Festival staff outing to Alloa Beer Festival. Sign up at volunteer stand at Troon.

Scotland & Northern Ireland CAMRA Branches Meeting (SNIB), Edinburgh – Venue TBC, 1pm East Ayrshire Social – Wheatsheaf, Kilmarnock, 7.30pm

DECEMBER

Sat 2

2-Pub Social, Troon – Cheeky Charlies (3pm) & McKays (4.30pm) Branch Festive Crawl – Ayr. Times and Venues will be confirmed in next edition of Full Pints.

Wed 27

Details are also emailed to members, and published on our facebook and twitter pages: Facebook “f ” Logo

CMYK / .eps

Facebook “f ” Logo

CMYK / .eps

Ayrshire & Wigtownshire CAMRA Ayrshire Real Ale Festival @awcamra @troonbeerfest

GETTING AROUND

d E an E HIRNSHIR W AYRS TO WIG

Listed below are some useful contact details for transport providers in our Branch area.

STAGECOACH WEST SCOTLAND w ww.stagecoachbus.com Tel: 01294 607007 (Ardrossan)

01292 613500 (Ayr)

01776 704484 (Stranraer)

01770 302000 (Arran)

07736 892253 (Disability Helpdesk) SHUTTLE BUSES Tel: 0800 072 0373

www.shuttlebuses.co.uk

SCOTRAIL Tel: 0344 811 0141

www.scotrail.co.uk

CALEDONIAN MACBRAYNE Tel: 0800 066 5000

www.calmac.co.uk

TRAVELINE SCOTLAND

www.travelinescotland.com 17

www.awcamra.org.uk

Capital Wanderings

by Stuart McMahon, Editor

Back in July, I enjoyed volunteering for the first time at the Scottish Real Ale Festival in Edinburgh for two days, followed by a day exploring Edinburgh.

Having disembarked the train at Haymarket on the Thursday, a couple of quick beers were had in pubs near to the station – Ryries (Stewart Edinburgh Gold) and Monty’s (Timothy Taylor Landlord). After a short bus ride along to the Corn Exchange, the first day started with me assisting as a judge for one of the Champion Beer of Britain heats being held at the festival – an interesting experience, and a great way of comparing the differences between beers of the same style.

18

After that was completed, it was assisting on the main bar, and was very similar to working at Troon. The main difference is that the SRAF beers are just alphabetic by brewery and aren’t numbered, so you need to memorise the brewery/beer combinations and where they are located.

And the fact that they are all Scottish means that some are on gravity and some on the handpumps (whereas at Troon, all the Scottish beers are on handpumps). Several new breweries were represented

and of those that I tried, Arbroath-based Redcastle Brewery’s Nobleman and Two Thirsty Men No.74 were both very good. Friday, as expected, was pretty busy throughout, and it was a relief to finish my shift at 10pm after an exhausting, yet still enjoyable day. Well worth the effort in attending/assisting next year if you are able.

I wasn’t working at the festival on the Saturday, so had decided to visit a few ‘new’ pubs that I had yet to

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Champion Beer of Scotland, which ran out at SRAF before I was able to try it) and Swannay Pale Ale.

David MacBeth Moir try in the Edinburgh area.

After a hearty Wetherspoons breakfast in the Booking Office outside Waverley Station, I caught a bus to head out to Musselburgh where the first visit was to another Wetherspoons outlet, the David MacBeth Moir, a former cinema now converted to a typical JDW outlet. Here I tried Sulwath Tri-Ball Tribute.

A short walk across the road to the opposite side of the Brunton Theatre leads to the Volunteeer Arms, or Staggs Bar as it is better known. This was the Scottish CAMRA Pub of the Year last year. They have up to eight handpumps available and I was able to try Loch Lomond’s Silkie Stout (the newly crowned

Staggs Bar / Volunteer Arms

From there, it was back on the bus to the city centre, and Stockbridge Tap a quick change on enjoyed in this tiny, but very to another bus to go down busy little pub. to Stockbridge, and a visit to the Stockbridge Tap. Here I As an aside, two of the pubs had hoped to get a Cromarty Rogue Wave, but unfortunately I visited used an autovac system where beer that goes it was the last pint out of the into the drip tray is returned cask and had to be changed, so I ended up with a Swannay to the beer line (not the cask). I only became aware of Island Hopping and Weird this practice recently, and it Beard Little Things That Kill. seems to be confined to the Edinburgh area and north On leaving the Tap I walked east England. Most places back up the road towards the where it is employed you’ll see city centre and took a lane up into a row of tenement houses. the bar person give a couple of short pulls on the pump Half way up this residential first before putting the glass area is the well hidden Kay’s Bar, an interesting and friendly underneath. On this occasion I can’t say that I noticed any wee pub with 6 handpumps. I sampled Redcastle Norseman great difference in the quality of the beer being served, but I and Cross Borders BRAW know of instances where folk here before heading off to have. There was an interesting catch another bus back to the discussion on CAMRA’s city centre.

Discourse forum recently As a farewell to my three days about this practice – worth in Edinburgh, a quick visit was having a look at it if you get the chance. https://discourse. fitted in to the Halfway House in Fleshmarket Close, where a Sulwath Knockendoch was

camra.org.uk/t/autovac-its-stillalive/2884

Kay's Bar 19

Traditional Bar Traditional Ales Traditional Music

&

townshi Wig re A MR CA

WELLINGTONS BAR

Ayrs hir e

www.awcamra.org.uk

PUB OF THE YEAR

2017

• Ayrshire & Wigtownshire 2016/2017 CAMRA PUB of the Year • Basement bar within yards of beautiful Ayr beach • Three handpumps serving quality ales usually from Fyne Ales, Kelburn and Loch Lomond • Renowned for our promotion of traditional music – sessions every Sunday night and monthly Sunday afternoons • Longest running Quiz night every Wednesday • DJ every Saturday • Small parties very welcome • 35ml measures

17 Wellington Square, Ayr KA7 1EZ Tel: 01292 262794 Email: welliesayr@hotmail.co.uk www.welliesbar.weebly.com

CASK ALES MEALS DAILY 12:00 - 21:00 TUESDAY – 2 FOR 1 BURGER NIGHT | THURSDAY – STEAK NIGHT WEDNESDAY – TRADITIONAL QUIZ | FRIDAY – KARAOKE | SUNDAY – SMARTPHONE QUIZ CON TAC T : IAIN & E MMA M A S O N 2 6 TOWNF O OT | DRE GH O RN | IR V I N E | K A11 4 E G T EL : 012 94 5 37 7 2 0

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Looking back.... 32 years ago Long time CAMRA and Branch member George English was tidying up recently and came across this old list of real ale outlets in Ayrshire and Scottish Brewers from 1985, very few of which are still in existence today. As you can see, the choice of ales back then was very limited, unlike today's offerings from the 140+ breweries active in Scotland.

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Bute

Lochranza Catacol Arran

Millport

Jaw

Largs

Drygate

Kelburn

Gateside

Lugton Dunlop Stewarton Stevenston Ardrossan Kilmaurs Strathaven Dreghorn Kilmarnock Saltcoats Brodick Irvine Dundonald Lamlash Troon Sorn Prestwick

Blackwaterfoot

Kilbirnie Dalry

Ayr

Alloway

Do you know of a pub or club that sells real ale and isn’t listed? Please let us know by emailing:

Ayr

Lola Rose

Stair

Kirkmichael Kirkoswald

pubs@awcamra.org.uk

Bargrennan Kirkcolm Stranraer

Sulwath

New Luce

Portpatrick Portpatrick

Sandhead

Newton Stewart Wigtown Bladnoch Garlieston

KEY:

Breweries producing cask ale Towns & villages where cask ale is available Not to scale. Reproduced from Ordnance Survey map data by permission of the Ordnance Survey Š Crown Copyright 2017

22

Drummore

Isle of Whithorn Five Kingdoms

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AYRSHIRE & WIGTOWNSHIRE REAL ALE OUTLETS NORTH AYRSHIRE ARDROSSAN Ardrossan Rugby Club * Lauriston Hotel * DALRY The Auld Hoose DREGHORN The Brae

EAST AYRSHIRE LARGS Bowling Club * J G Sharps Largs Sailing Club # Lounge * The Paddle Steamer W Three Reasons Waterside

DUNLOP Merito

STEWARTON The Mill House

KILMAURS Weston Tavern

KILMARNOCK Braehead Bar Brass & Granite Fanny by Gaslight * First Edition § Wheatsheaf Inn W

SORN Sorn Inn

GATESIDE Gateside Inn

LUGTON

STAIR Stair Inn

IRVINE The Auld Brig W Bar Sport Lyric's Ship Inn

MILLPORT Fraser’s Bar

WIGTOWNSHIRE

SALTCOATS Salt Cot W

BARGRENNAN House O’ Hill Hotel

KILBIRNIE Garnock Community Social Club

Canny Man §

STEVENSTON The Red Squirrel

DRUMMORE Clashwhannon GARLIESTON Harbour Inn

ISLE OF ARRAN BLACKWATERFOOT Blackwaterfoot Lodge (summer only) Kinloch Hotel BRODICK Brodick Bar Ormidale Hotel Wine Port

BLADNOCH Bladnoch Inn

NEWTON STEWART Black Horse Hotel Creebridge House Hotel Cree Inn Galloway Arms Hotel PORTPATRICK Crown Hotel Harbour House Hotel SANDHEAD Tigh-na-Mara Hotel

CATACOL Catacol Bay Hotel

ISLE OF WHITHORN Steam Packet Inn §

LAMLASH Glenisle Hotel Pierhead Tavern

KIRKCOLM Blue Peter Hotel

STRANRAER Grapes § Ruddicot Hotel

NEW LUCE Kenmuir Arms Hotel

WIGTOWN Craft

KIRKMICHAEL Kirkmichael Arms

TROON Bruce’s Well Cheeky Charlie’s Harbour Bar * McKay’s Marr Rugby Club #

LOCHRANZA Lochranza Hotel

SOUTH AYRSHIRE ALLOWAY Cambusdoon Sports Club AYR Abbotsford Hotel Ayrshire & Galloway Chestnuts Hotel Fox & Willow Geordie’s Byre * CAMRA members have noted that real ale is not always available at these outlets. # Weekends only

Glen Park Hotel Smoking Goat Tam o’ Shanter Twa Dugs Wellingtons Bar West Kirk W DUNDONALD The Auchans W Wetherspoons vouchers

accepted § Special offers for card-carrying CAMRA members

KIRKOSWALD Souter’s Inn PRESTWICK Prestwick Pioneer W

South Beach Hotel *

CAMRA members are encouraged to score ales they drink in their local pub, as it assists the committee in considering outlets for inclusion in the Good Beer Guide. Scores are continually required for the whole Branch area – please take a few moments to score your beers on whatpub.com if you visit them.

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www.awcamra.org.uk

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Stockport Market.

Photo: Tom Heyes, via Flickr

AUTUMN 2017

WISE MEN FROM THE EAST HEAD SOUTH

by Matt Miller, East Ayrshire Social Co-ordinator

On Thursday 1 June, 8 members of the East Ayrshire CAMRA social group set off by train for a 3-night stay at Stockport Travelodge. The plan was to visit Manchester pubs but Stockport was chosen as a more economical location for accommodation. The fact that the 31st Stockport Beer & Cider Festival was being held that weekend was a bonus!

After check-in at our hotel, we agreed to rendezvous at the nearby Crown Inn which is the brewery tap for the Stockport Brewing Company and a former runner-up for CAMRA’S National Pub of the Year. Among the beers sampled at the outside tables were Burning Sky Pale Ale, Facers North Star Porter,

Facers Mountain Mild and the gloriously named Froth Blowers Piffle Snonker.

Afterwards, most of the group headed to Edgeley Park football ground to experience the first evening of the beer festival. CAMRA members are admitted free, although you have to pay for a programme and a glass. A vast range of over 200 beers, ciders & perries were available for sale over the weekend. One of the bars only sold new ales which had never been available elsewhere. There were certainly no shortage of seats with thousands available in the football stands.

Two of our group decided to forego a visit to the festival and enjoy the local pubs instead. The Robinsons-owned Arden Arms, with its historic

interior, offered Robinsons Wizard and Pint of Thrones.

The Railway is another CAMRA award-winning pub which is well worth a visit.

However, our explorers’ favourite pub was the Hope Inn & micro-brewery which was turned from a failing pub into a real ale mecca. Amongst the many ales available were Elland Eden and the pub’s own Fool Hardy Reckless Danger.

On Friday morning the group returned to Stockport station and caught one of the frequent trains into Manchester Piccadilly. The plan was to experience the Transpennine Rail Ale Trail. A return ticket to Dewsbury or Batley allows you to make as many stops as you want to include in your itinerary. Our first stop was the wonderful (and well 25

www.awcamra.org.uk

West Riding Refreshment Rooms

Stalybridge Buffet Bar known) Stalybridge Buffet Bar. Sitting amongst lots of railway memorabilia we tried Brass Castle Bad Kitty, Thornbridge Black Harry, Squawk Oat Pale Ale, Millstone Tiger Rut and Torrside Snap Decisions.

However tempting it was to stay at Stalybridge watching the trains and enjoying the food & ales, we moved on to Marsden missing out a possible stop at Greenfield.

Due to a lack of adequate research, we found ourselves at the Swan Inn which was a friendly Thwaites pub selling Moorhouses Stray Dog, Heritage Brewing Co. St. Modwen and Thwaites Wainwright. However, we were supposed to be at the Riverhead Brewery Tap, a situation which was soon corrected. This pub and microbrewery is part of the Ossett Brewery estate and occupies a delightful riverside location.

From their own range, we sampled Butterley Bitter, Brown Ale and Black Corsair, a 7.4% imperial stout!

Back at Marsden station, we took a train to Huddersfield and then another to Dewsbury.

On Dewsbury station are the West Riding Refreshment 26

Rooms where we stayed for some food and more Yorkshire ales. Wilde Child The Expatriate, Black Sheep Bitter and Special Ale, plus 3 beers from Brew York – Viking DNA, Centenary Stout and Brew York.

We were now heading back to Stockport (slowly) and our next stop was Mirfield where we walked along to the canalside Navigation Tavern.

Caledonian Deuchars was available here but we settled for the more local Theakstons XB, Lightfoot and Old Peculier.

Catching the next train to Huddersfield, one of our (sober) party confused the toilet flush with the alarm handle much to the amusement of the train guard [Ed - not a unique event!]. A town as large as Huddersfield deserves a much longer visit than we could manage but, after trying Elland Nettle Thrasher, Pictish Black Diamond, Thornbridge Cocoa Wonderland and Pheonix Spotland Gold at the Kings Head in the station, we split up again.

The majority went to the Sportsman and two tried the highly recommended Grove which has up to 19 cask ales! Returning to Stockport, another visit was made to the Crown Inn and

Riverhead Brewery Tap yet more new beers to try.

Osset Jester, Pictish Brewers Gold, Oakham MK Ultra and Stockport Brewing Co. Spring.

After a good night’s sleep, it was Saturday and time to visit Manchester city centre.

Travelling by bus this time, our first port of call was the Grade 2 listed Crown & Kettle which is over 200 years old.

Scottish beers were a rarity during our trip but here we tried Stewart Ka Pai along with Great Heck Voodoo Mild, Squawk Marching Stout, Tickety Brew Marmalade Pale Ale, Revolutions Candidate Session Pale plus Swoon, a milk stout.

Next stop was the Marble Arch Inn where all of the beers on offer were from their own Marble Brewery. We enjoyed Earl Grey IPA, Piwarawaka, Manchester Bitter as well as the simply-named Mild and Pint. Enjoying the sunshine in the beer yard, it was decided to order some food

Marble Arch Inn, Manchester

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advantage of the fact that the bus passed the wonderful Hope Inn in Stockport and stopped here for a last ale of the day. Luckily, it is downhill from here to the hotel.

The Angel, Manchester which proved to be of a high standard.

A short walk to our next pub which was the Angel where, during our visit, we sampled some local Brightside Red Beer’d and Manchester Magic Mild as well as Slightly Foxed Bengal Fox and Howard Town Angel Ale. On Swan Street is the Smithfield Market Tavern run by Blackjack Brewery of Manchester. During our visit, we tried Squawk Oat Pale Ale, Siren Craft Soundwave, Six O’Clock P45 and Blackjack Snip Snap Snorum.

Our next pub was the Port Street Beer House which is a craft beer house probably aimed at the younger clientele but still had an impressive selection of ales which we hadn’t seen anywhere else including Blackjack Bramling Cross, Fell OPA Mosaic, Track Sonoma and Northern Monk/

Other Half Imperial Porter.

We made a slight diversion at this point to visit a rare localtype pub called the Jolly Angler in Ducie Street. It is owned by the large Hydes Brewery and during our visit had Hydes Original and Solstice available.

After visiting this interesting little pub, the group split into fit / unfit to head across the city centre to the next bar.

Some travelled by taxi and some walked to reach the well-known Britons Protection on Great Bridgewater Street.

Here we sampled Robinsons Unicorn and Britons Protection Best Bitter which is brewed by Thwaites. Our last pub in Manchester was further along Great Bridgewater Street and was the Manchester institution called Peveril Of The Peak. This historic pub has a tiled exterior which dates from 1900. We managed to get seats outside and enjoyed some Titanic Plum Porter and Brightside Odin blond ale.

After going for a meal in Manchester, we headed back to Stockport by bus. Some took

Peveril of the Peak

Sunday was our travelling home day but, as it involved a lengthy wait in Manchester for our connecting train, the time was usefully spent checking out the ales available at the Piccadilly Tap. This unlikely looking pub was a former shop and has only been open as a pub for about 2 years. There are no handpumps here as ales are dispensed via taps connected to an upstairs cellar. We tried the Bristol Beer Factory Nova, Gun Brewery Parabellum Stout, Kirkstall Three Swords, Okells Castletown, Blackjack First Deal and Adnams Ghost Ship.

Despite our best efforts, no one missed the train back to Glasgow and everyone agreed that it had been a most enjoyable few days.

We visited a large number of mainly excellent pubs but everyone was able to drink at their own pace or miss out pubs if preferred. It is hoped that another outing will be organised in 2018. The East Ayrshire group would like to thank CAMRA members Malcolm Booth & Dave Sheldon who, when they knew we were visiting, offered their local knowledge and advice to help plan our trip.

Piccadilly Tap, Manchester

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www.awcamra.org.uk

Obituary – Kenny Broadbent Scottish members were saddened by the passing of Kenny Broadbent on Tuesday 8th August at the Victoria Hospice, Kirkcaldy. Kenny was a former chairman of the Kingdom of Fife CAMRA branch and was active at Scotland and Northern Ireland Branches (SNIB) level for many years.

He also helped to get the Fife Beer Festival in Glenrothes off the ground and despite his poor health, managed to attend the Rothes Hall for a short period in April for a beer or two. In July he was presented with a Special Award in recognition of his many years of campaigning for CAMRA. In 2012, Kenny set up and ran the Beeches Brewery in Lochgelly with help from family members, producing award winning beers from a tiny brewkit in his garage.

Some of them were available at the 2014 Ayrshire Real Ale Festival along with the beer festival at the Village Inn, Fairlie the same year. He enjoyed occasional trips in the camper van when time allowed which often tied in with beer festivals.

Kenny with Provost Jim Leishman at the 2013 Fife Beer Festival

He is survived by his wife Moira, and was a loving dad to Sharon, Gavin and Neil, much loved step-dad to Emma and Grant, and a loving grandad. Kenny will be sadly missed by all.

Ray Turpie / Stuart McMahon

28

Kenny being presented with his Special Award in July 2017

17

AUTUMN 2017

Have you been in the Bein Inn?

by Sarah Bellis, CAMRA Scotland & Northern Ireland Regional Director Email: rd.scotlandni@camra.org.uk Tel: 07846 856 930

I live in Kirkcaldy and work in Perth. My commute takes me forty five minutes through various landscapes, from the A92 dual carriageway, through. little villages and onto the M90. Every day I pass a pub, the Bein Inn. The chalk boards outside call to passing trade, with phrases like "Don't drive past, come in" and "Quality Real Ale Sold Here".

In the morning I can see the cleaner hard at work. By the time I'm passing at night the pub is all lit up and welcoming in customers.

'The Famous Bein Inn' was originally built as a resting place for travellers on the traditional route north from Edinburgh to the Highlands. It enjoys a peaceful, rural location in picturesque, wooded Glen Farg, on the A912 not far south of Perth. Sounds lovely I know... but still it is a pub I've never been in. I always seem to be in rush to get home when I pass. I have things to do at home and I never seem to have time to go in. I've been passing the place for months and always said, I will pop in when I get time.

Maybe it's not that I don't have time. Maybe because I know that if i go in, on my way home, that my car is outside and because of the drink driving laws here in Scotland I can't have a pint and still drive home. Since the new laws were introduced in December 2014, reducing the alcohol limit for drivers from 80mg to 50mg of alcohol in every 100ml of blood, early

Photo: nickfairhurstphotographer.com

man

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indications have shown that it has contributed to a change in people's drinking habits. Many people are now opting to drink at home rather than going out, which has had a significant impact on pubs particularity in rural areas.

Pubs play an important role in bringing communities together and thus improving people's wellbeing. For some people, who live alone, or in rural areas, its generally the only place they can meet people socially. That's why CAMRA is calling on the Scottish Government to commission work into developing proposals to help support affected pubs, such as improving transport in rural areas.

Is there a pub like the Bein Inn that you pass on a regular basis? Why don't you pop in and enjoy a drink next time your passing? I promise that I will too!

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www.awcamra.org.uk

FRASERS BAR Millport

Find us just up the road from the pier

Quality Cask Ales Served All Year Meals Served Every Day 12 noon-2.30pm / 5.30pm-7.30pm

“Island Escape” self-catering 4-star luxury accommodation Book at: www.cottages4u.co.uk Ref: 30200

7 Cardiff Street, Millport, Isle of Cumbrae KA28 0AS Tel: 01475 530518 30

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WhatPub.com, Beer Scoring and the Good Beer Guide

In every edition of Full Pints, we make a plea for CAMRA members to score their ales that they drink on www.whatpub.com.

If you visit a pub with real ale, then log in to WhatPub.com and submit a score. It only takes 30 seconds.

Here are some stats for the first seven months of 2017: We have received 1,671 scores covering 76 outlets which is excellent. 37 Branch members (5.7%) have submitted 1,455 scores, whilst 50 CAMRA members from other branches have submitted 215 scores. So here's the challenge - we have over 640 branch members – WE REALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE OF YOU SUBMITTING SCORES! At the time of printing, outlets with 6 or fewer scores at present were: Blackwaterfoot Lodge; Blue Peter Hotel, Kirkcolm; The Brae, Dreghorn; Brodick Bar; Catacol Bay Hotel; Craft, Wigtown; Fanny By Gaslight, Kilmarnock; Fraser's Bar, Millport; Glenisle Hotel, Lamlash;

Harbour House Hotel, Portpatrick; Harbour Inn, Garlieston; Kinloch Hotel, Blaclwaterfoot; Lochranza Hotel; Lyrics Bar, Irvine; Merito, Dunlop; Souter's Inn, Kirkoswald; Tam O'Shanter Inn, Ayr; and Twa Dugs, Ayr. Just because a pub is in a larger town please don’t assume that we’ll get a lot of scores for it, and pubs outwith the big town centres, in our rural areas and islands always need scores. Low scores (if warranted) are just as important as high scores.

HOW SHOULD I SCORE THE QUALITY OF THE BEER? 0: 0.5 -1: Poor 2: Average

Should only be used if no cask ale is available Beer is anything from barely drinkable to drinkable with considerable resentment.

Competently kept, drinkable pint but doesn’t inspire in any way, not worth moving to another pub but you drink the beer without really noticing.

3: Good Good beer in good form. You may cancel plans to move to the next pub. You want to stay for another pint and may seek out the beer again 4: Very Good Excellent beer in excellent condition. You stay put!

5: Perfect Probably the best you are ever likely to find. A seasoned drinker will award this score very rarely.

TRADING STANDARDS If you have any complaint about your beer, such as poor quality or short measure, or there is no price list displayed, you should remain polite and speak to the management of the pub concerned in the first instance.

If you need to pursue the complaint further, contact your local Trading Standards office or Citizen’s Advice Bureau and they will guide you to the next appropriate step.

Full contact information can be found on your local authority website: www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk AYR: IRVINE: www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk Tel: 01292 616060 Tel: 01294 310100

www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk www.dumgal.gov.uk

KILMARNOCK: Tel: 01563 576602

STRANRAER: Tel: 03033 333000 31

www.awcamra.org.uk

by Ray Turpie, Branch Vice Chairman

Readers may be aware that Hull is the City of Culture for 2017 which seemed like a good reason to me for a visit.

Having consulted my Yorkshire Pub Walks, I discovered there are two recommended in the book; Hull City Centre and nearby Beverley.

Now Beverley is a really interesting and picturesque place having a Racecourse and a Minster. Apparently, many years ago it used to be the tenth biggest town in England. After settling in to our hotel and getting our bearings, we decided to spend the next day there exploring its attractions. As well as the Minster, the church of St Mary next to the market square was also worth visiting, if only for the decorative ceiling.

By lunchtime I was flagging so we stopped off in the Dog and Duck for a York Terrier and some lunch. Mrs Roundup wanted to look at the shops so I headed for the White Horse, better known locally as Nellie’s after an old landlady. This is a Sam Smith’s pub, where Old Brewery Bitter was on sale at £2/pint. I could have stayed there the rest of the day admiring the historic interior and enjoying the local chitchat but we had to head back for the train.

Dog & Duck, York 32

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RAY’S ROUND UP

ROUND Y’S U A R

Besides its well known cream coloured phone boxes, Hull has many attractions and museums as well as pubs. It is the birthplace of William Wilberforce, who was credited with ending the slave trade, poet Philip Larkin, and of course our own branch chairman, Graeme Perry. There is also an interesting fish trail around the old town with 41 different species to find built into the footway on slabs. It took us the whole afternoon to complete the route but we made it, interspersed with a few stops here and there for refreshment.

The most interesting of these was the Minerva Hotel which boasts the smallest pub room in the world where I enjoyed a pint of Docker’s Mild, closely followed by a Black Sheep Bitter Minerva Hotel and the Smallest Pub Room in the World in Ye Old White Harte.

It is alleged that this is where the Civil War started in 1642 but it is now better known for its picturesque and peaceful beer garden. It is hard to find however, up a narrow alley, so you need to keep your eye open for a pub sign on the main street.

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Ferdinand enjoying a beer

The Whalebone, Hull

There are too many other good pubs to mention along the Hull Ale Trail but the best for me was a recent CAMRA pub of the Year, the Whalebone out towards Wincolmlee which was the old centre for the whaling trade. Continually licensed since 1791, it had a good selection of local ales and was a typical friendly community pub, although like us, some I spoke to had travelled a few miles to get there. My favourite beer there was Great Newsome Frothingham Best closely

followed by Abbeydale Plum Porter.

I always look forward to visiting Yorkshire and its many wonderful pubs. We are off to York again soon to meet up with American friends but before then there are lots of CAMRA events to enjoy including our own beer festival at Troon Concert Hall from 5-7th October.

If you have not joined us before, please come along and say hello. There are over 150

ales and ciders to choose from along with good pub grub and entertainment. If you have not already done so, joining CAMRA at the festival is a nobrainer. You get a discount on your entry and around twenty pounds worth of incentives plus an extra three months membership free. You can sign up at the membership stall or contact any member with a festival staff shirt who will point you in the right direction.

I am doing the tutored beer tasting again this year. Like most things in CAMRA it is all about having fun so please come along and take part. But most of all enjoy the selection of ales or ciders at your own pace. Your free commemorative glass on entry gets you back in to the next session. Look forward to seeing you there.

Cheers!

BRANCH SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Our Branch has Social Groups which meet regularly covering North, South and East Ayrshire, and Wigtownshire. All CAMRA members are encouraged to attend these informal events, but non-CAMRA members are always welcome to join us for a couple of hours of friendly chat and socialising.

For more information, please contact the area coordinators listed below: North Ayrshire - meets 3rd Thursday of every month.

Contact Ian Middleditch. Email: vicechair1@awcamra.org.uk South Ayrshire - contact Caroline Munro for details.

Email: south-ayrshire@awcamra.org.uk East Ayrshire - meets last Wednesday of every month.

Contact Matt Miller. Email: east-ayrshire@awcamra.org.uk Wigtownshire - contact Malcolm McNeil for details.

Email: wigtownshire@awcamra.org.uk

Social event in Garnock Community Social Club, Kilbirnie Additionally, we hold social outings on a regular basis to breweries such as Loch Lomond, Bute, Sulwath, and Inveralmond.

See www.awcamra.org.uk for details or contact our social secretary Donald Clark at social@awcamra.org.uk 33

www.awcamra.org.uk

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FULLP NTS AUTUMN 2017

35

Geordie’s Byre

www.awcamra.org.uk

The Smoking Goat West Kirk Ayr Bus Station

Tam o’ Shanter Inn

Wellingtons Twa Dugs

Ayrshire & Galloway Hotel Ayr Rail Station

Glen Park Hotel

Fox & Willow Chestnuts Hotel Abbotsford Hotel © OpenStreetMap contributors

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FULLP NTS AUTUMN 2017

LOCAL ALE TRAILS Local bus services are constantly under pressure and being reviewed, often to the detriment of communities. In Ayrshire we have appointed Tom Parish as our Public Transport Officer, and he will be attending the Ayrshire Bus Users Forum and sharing some of CAMRA’s concerns. If you have any concerns, or examples of poor bus services, Tom would love to hear from you at publictransport@awcamra.org.uk.

CAM RA B US

Over the past few editions of Full Pints, we've highlighted some possible ale trails that are possible to do using buses, starting in North and East Ayrshire, then the options available for visiting the rural pubs of East and South Ayrshire. Last edition, we featured the bus services catering for the towns and villages in Wigtownshire. In this edition, we're simply going to feature a couple of trails you can do on foot in Ayr (having travelled there by bus or train of course!) - they are shown on the map opposite.

The first trail starts in the south of Ayr at the Abbotsford Hotel (nearest various bus stops are just 5 mins walk away). Here you'll find 3 ales available, often including Fyne Ales Jarl and Thwaites Wainwright. The former Carrick Lodge has reopened as the Fox & Willow, and is reported to be selling Caledonian Deuchar's IPA, though this has still to be confirmed by CAMRA Members. If walking from Ayr Station to the Abbotsford, this could become a starting point for the first trail.

On leaving the Abbotsford, turn right and head towards the sea for 5 minutes and you'll find the Chestnuts Hotel at the set of traffic lights. This hotel is popular for its food offerings, but also has a range of three guest ales, often including Ruddles County and something from Kelburn brewery.

From here, turn left along Racecourse Road heading back to the town centre. After a 10 minute walk you'll reach the Glen Park Hotel, home to Ayr Brewing Company. A selection of their ales will always be available, with an occasional guest ale making an appearance. From here, you then continue in the same direction until the next set of traffic lights, where you turn left into Wellington Square. Wellingtons Bar is on the left and easily identified by the large Wellington Boot on the street! Wellingtons is our Branch Pub of the Year for 2017 and has three ales available, usually from Kelburn, Loch Lomond or Fyne Ales. You can finish this trail by heading back up to the traffic lights and turning left and walking along to the Sandgate where you'll find Wetherspoons' West Kirk, a converted church which has the usual selection of JDW ales & food.

Trail Two starts at Ayr Station. Exit on to Burns Statue Square, and a few doors along from the Miller Road junction you'll find The Twa Dugs, which usually has 1 guest ale available. A few doors along at the junction you'll find the Ayrshire & Galloway Hotel which has 1 guest ale, often from a Scottish Brewery such as Born in the Borders.

Continue along Alloway Street and down into the semi-pedestrianised High Street, where you'll find the Tam O' Shanter Inn with its thatched roof on the right. An Ayr Brewing Company ale is usually on offer here. Walking to the bottom of the high street, turn left onto Sandgate and the Smoking Goat, a basement pub, is on the right, with the entrance easily missed at the entrance to a cobbled lane. Beers from Ayr and Fyne Ales usually feature here. Finally, from here head over the bridge over the River Ayr and just past the Aldi supermarket you'll find Geordie's Byre, a former Scottish CAMRA Pub of the Year. Geordie's features 3 or 4 guest ales from around the country, all of which are served from the increasingly rare to find tall founts. You can also do this trail in reverse by initially getting off the train at Newton-on-Ayr, a 10 minute walk away. Many of the main bus routes into Ayr also stop near to Geordie's Byre.

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WIGTOWNSHIRE NEWS

For more info on Wigtownshire events and outlets please contact: Malcolm McNeil (Email: wigtownshire@awcamra.org.uk)

The summer months have seen the Social Group visiting Newton Stewart in late May to visit all four real ale outlets in the town, Isle of Whithorn (Steam Packet) to celebrate mid-summer in late June and two Socials in July in Stranraer which were linked to the Stranraer400 celebrations to mark 400 years as a Royal Burgh.

Early July saw the visit of FC Twente Enschede of the Dutch Eredivisie, along with approximately 400 of their fans for a challenge match against Stranraer FC. The Dutch squeezed home 5-0 but we enjoyed a couple of pints at The Ruddicot before the game and several more in (and outside!) a packed and raucous Grapes afterwards, where Billy and Sally laid on complementary burgers. The whole town enjoyed the visit of the fans and the weather allowed them to see Stranraer at its best. A terrific weekend all round. A few facts about the Dutch team: • Their nickname is "The Tukkers" and Enschede is a town on the Dutch / German border • Enschede is the home of the giant Dutch brewery which produces Grolsch products and their stadium is called de Grolsch veste • They are the 4th best supported team in Holland with average attendance over 25,000 behind Ajax Amsterdam, Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven • True Tukkers will not drink Amstel lager as it is seen as an inferior Amsterdam beer!

The last weekend in July saw a Branch Social at the Stranraer400 Beer Festival, again in

Enjoying some beers at the Stranraer400 beer festival 38

The Grapes, where Portpatrick Brewery's new beer Rhins Ruby and Irving Brewery's Stranraer 400 "special brew" went down particularly well. Seven quality ales were on offer over the two days and the sun again shone throughout. Billy and Sally were delighted with the weekend and thought it was their best ever Festival.

There were no Socials planned for August, but we are holding one on the afternoon of Saturday 2nd September at Portpatrick Folk Festival and a second one at the Beer and Music Festival at the House o'Hill Hotel, Bargrennan on Saturday 9th.

The entrance fee for "The Hoose" this time is £7.50 which includes a shuttle bus service to and from Newton Stewart as well as in support of a local charity. Check their website for details. The idea is that members who live in the west can access Portpatrick easily while the House o' Hill Festival suits those in the east.

FULLP NTS AUTUMN 2017

Special mention too, of the first Stranraer Oyster Festival over the weekend of 15th17th September where Portpatrick Brewery will feature, as will Crafty Distillery Gin of Newton Stewart who will be showcasing their gin range. The food and drink festival is fully licensed and there is a full programme of events. Stena Line are sponsoring the event with low cost day trips from Belfast on the Saturday. Check the Festival website/local press for details.

Finally in September, Wigtown Book Festival again takes place over 10 days from 22nd September until 1st October. Real ale is available in both Wigtown Craft and Bladnoch Inn, so if books and authors are your thing, a wee trip 'down The Machars' is a must.

Bladnoch Inn

October 5th-7th sees our own Branch's Ayrshire Real Ale Festival in Troon; November 16th features a Social Group trip to Belfast Beer Festival (ÂŁ10 day returns are available online from Stena.) Six members are travelling at time of writing and plans for our Christmas Night will be announced shortly.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you want any more information on any of the above.

IGHT AY N M D N MO UIZ 9P Q K LY WEE ALE T GUES ED S E R V I LY D O O A F D 7PM TILL

thethreereasonslargs

THE

THREE

REASONS G d Drink, G d F d, G d Times!

FREE HOUSE | BAR & DINER

1 4 G A L L OW G AT E S T R E E T, L A R G S K A 3 0 8 L X C A L L : 0 1 4 7 5 6 7 2 3 3 0 M A I L : e n q u i r i e s @ t h e t h re e re a s o n s . c o. u k V I S I T: w w w. t h e t h re e re a s o n s . c o. u k

39

www.awcamra.org.uk

• Real Food • Real Beer • Real Atmosphere 27 Main Street, Kilmaurs, KA3 2RQ Tel: 01563 538805 www.westontavern.co.uk

Great food and Real Ales from Arran and Kelburn breweries, plus a guest ale Sundays – Ceilidh band sessions House ale brewed by Kelburn Brewery

Tel: 01505 850510 www.thecannyman.co.uk

Find us on the A736 Irvine to Barrhead Road, at Lugton 40

FULLP NTS AUTUMN 2017

Just For Fun WHERE ARE THE FOLLOWING BREWERIES LOCATED? (NAME THE TOWN/VILLAGE) 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Law Andrews Ales An Teallach Beath Burnside Eden Mill Hawk Hill Park Brew Out of Town Sulwath

STRATHBRAAN a. Look West b. Head East c. Due South d. Up North JAW a. Fathom b. Catch c. Surf d. Wave STEWART a. Festival Gold b. Jack Back c. Cross Fire d. Radical Road DRYGATE a. Crossing the Rubicon b. Gladeye IPA c. Dark Duchess d. Seven Peaks

1.

Sugared Ambulances

2.

No Handy Car

3.

Pinch His Fads

4.

A Legal Title

5.

Use Kilo Tits

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

WHICH OF THESE IS NOT A BEER PRODUCED BY THE NAMED BREWERY? SULWATH a. Black Galloway b. The Grace c. Crumple d. Cuil Hill

FOOD/DRINK ANAGRAMS

1.

Which actor became Doctor Who after Sylvester McCoy?

2.

Magnesium sulfate is more commonly known as what?

3.

As of 2016, 20 Football World Cup competitions have been contested, but how many nations have won the cup?

4.

What was Popeye's adopted baby called?

5.

Which country has the wine making region known as the Barossa Valley?

6.

In Olympic boxing, which weight comes between Lightweight and Middleweight?

7.

Which cricketer took 6 for 46 in the final of the Womens Cricket World Cup

8.

Which town was Paul Weller born in and used it as his inspiration for the song "A Town Called Malice"?

9.

Brookwood, situated near Woking, was once the largest of its type in the world, now the largest in the UK. What is it?

10. Out of which city were the band Aerosmith formed?

QUIZ ANSWERS: SUMMER 2017 BREWERY LOCATIONS: 1: Fyne (Cairndow); 2: Fierce (Dyce); 3: Ferry (South Queensferry); 4: Dalrannoch (Meikleour); 5: Fallen (Kippen); 6: Craft Originale (Markinch); 7: Inner Bay (Inverkeithing); 8: Jaw (Hillington); 9: Knops (Dirleton); 10: Lawman (Cumbernauld) NOT A BREWERY BEER: Loch Lomond (Northern Peak); Cromarty (Grumpy Old Man); Top Out (Gingerheid); Knops (Prestonpans Broke); Fyne (Hurricane John) GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: 1: Hebridean, Stornoway 2: Five Kingdoms 3: Heineken 4: Terry Jones 5: Water and Tea 6: Ninkasi 7: Oats 8: Charles I 9: Bryan Gunn 10: Myanmar/Burma 11: Frank 12: Corbiere 41

Join up, join in, join the campaign

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From as little as

£25*

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a year. That’s less than a pint a month!

Join us, and together we can protect the traditions of great British pubs and everything that goes with them.

Become part of the CAMRA community today – enjoy discounted entry to beer festivals and exclusive member offers. Learn about brewing and beer and join like-minded people supporting our campaigns to save pubs, clubs, your pint and more.

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43

12:05

CHAMPION PORTER OF SCOTLAND 2016 FINALIST: CHAMPION BEER OF BRITAIN 2017

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At Sulwath Brewery we give you the chance to see the craft of brewing in action, and to taste our real ales at our fully licensed brewery tap visitor centre.

Everybody BREWERY Welcome THE KING STREET OPEN MON-SAT, 10AM-6PM Off-sales also available

CASTLE DOUGLAS DG7 1DT Tel: 01556 504525 www.sulwathbrewers.co.uk