Ayrshire and Wigtownshire CAMRA Branch
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Spring 2014
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Spring 2014
Arran
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www.awcamra.org.uk
Beer of the Festival Presentation by Mick Lee Late in the morning of Saturday 15th February four members of the branch assembled at Queen Street station in Glasgow to catch a train to Laurencekirk in Aberdeenshire (formerly Kincardineshire). After a pleasant journey of just over two hours we were met at the station by Dave Metcalfe, one of the two brothers who run Burnside Brewery. He guided us there where we met his brother Gary. For the next two hours we received excellent hospitality in the form of a tasting of their range of beers (Wild Rhino 4.5% ABV on handpump and the rest in bottles, some bottle conditioned), plus a very tasty chicken curry with accompaniments. We had a good natter about various aspects of brewing and beer in general, and the time flew in very quickly. However, the main purpose of the visit was to present them with the certificate for winning the Beer of the Festival at Troon in 2013 for Stealth (6.0% ABV), a full bodied strong black beer. The top picture shows branch and festival committee chairman Lindsay Grant (centre) presenting the award to Dave and Gary (left and right respectively), while the picture below also includes members Charlie Fisher and Ian Middleditch (the fourth member of the party, Mick Lee, took the pictures!). All too soon it was time to head to the station for the train home. This time a half hour change of train was required at Arbroath, so we sought out the nearby Lochlands Bar and enjoyed pints of Hook Norton Lion before continuing the journey to Glasgow, and then home. A big thank you to Dave and Gary for their hospitality and good company, and we wish them continued success.
Volume 16, Issue 1 Ayrshire and Wigtownshire CAMRA Branch Chairman: Lindsay Grant Email: chair@awcamra.org.uk Secretary: Clare Scott Email: secretary@awcamra.org.uk Minutes of Branch Meetings are available to members from the Secretary. Editor: Stuart McMahon, 93 Montfode Drive, Ardrossan KA22 7PH Tel: 01294 603848 Email: fullpints@awcamra.org.uk Advertising: Bob Wallace, Tel: 07929 990972 Email: advertising@awcamra.org.uk Advertising Rates (from Jan 2014): Full Page: £60 1/2 Page: £35 Websites: www.awcamra.org.uk www.ayrshirebeerfestival.co.uk @awcamra; @troonbeerfest
Ayrshire & Wigtownshire CAMRA Ayrshire Real Ale Festival Full Pints: 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
The next edition will be of published in June 2014. Articles, photos and contributions should be sent to the editor no later than Friday 16th May, 2014. 3
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Branch Area Pub of the Year Awards Through our social groups, branch members were asked to submit their area Pub of the Year nominations by the end of December. The four worthy regional winners are now being assessed by judges from each social group and the overal Branch Pub of the Year will be announced shortly after this edition of Full Pints goes to print – full details will be on the branch website and in the next edition. The regional winners were:
North Ayrshire: Frasers Bar, Millport On Wednesday 12th February a group went overseas to the island of Cumbrae to present the North Ayrshire Pub of the Year award to Frasers Bar. All started dry despite the forecast of gales and heavy rain, and it was not until half of the jolly crew were walking over the mountain(!) that the heavens opened with a good dose of refreshing wind and rain. However, onward was the only way and we arrived, damp, in the Millport oasis which is Frasers Bar. The walkers were joined by more CAMRA stalwarts, who used the bus (wise men!), for the official presentation. Alasdair Miller, licensee, is to be congratulated on the award. It is good to see a small oasis of real ale getting public recognition for his beers. The pub is undergoing an internal upgrade but still boasts two handpumps serving, on the day, Kelburn Goldihops and Houston Slainte, both of which were in excellent condition. Good to see Houston back from the brink! Pictured below (left) is Ian Middleditch presenting Alasdair Miller with his award and (right) the intrepid group who ventured over to Millport!
Wigtownshire: The Steam Packet Inn, Isle of Whithorn The Steam Packet Inn has won the Wigtownshire Pub of the Year Award and the presentation will be made to Alastair Scoular during the branch’s Machars bus trip on 5th April. See page 31 for further details. Photos will appear in the next edition of .
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South Ayrshire: Wellingtons Bar, Ayr Congratulations to Wellington’s Bar in Ayr for winning the South Ayrshire award against stiff competition. The photo (above left) shows Ray Turpie presenting the certificate to Nan O’Brien, the landlady and barmaid Rosie. The formal social night for the award was due to take place on 5 March, just after Full Pints went to print. Nan said “I am surprised and delighted with the award and will pick a prominent spot to display the certificate”.
East Ayrshire: The Wheatsheaf, Kilmarnock On Wednesday 12th February the presentation was made to Euan Scott, manager of Wetherspoons’ Wheatsheaf in Kilmarnock. The evening also coincided with a ‘Meet the Brewer’ night where the guest brewery was Isle of Skye. They provided some free samples of their beers and a free bottle of beer for everyone to take home. Pictured below (l-r) are: Sian Paterson (Wheatsheaf ), Robert Smith (Wheatsheaf ), Sandra Beveridge and Euan Scott (Manager at Wheatsheaf ). Sian also created the lovely new CAMRA display which is near the front entrance of the pub.
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Welcoming Family Atmosphere Spring 2014
Traditional Family Fayre with something for everyone... ...where a great meal doesn’t cost the earth.
Open every day Children welcome until 10pm 2 REAL ALES USUALLY AVAILABLE AMPLE FREE PARKING Friday Night Steak Night Two 8oz Sirloins with choice of sauce for £20 Add bottle of Merlot or Sauvignon Blanc for £10 2-Course Menu, Monday - Sunday: £9.99 Available between 12 noon - 2pm, and 5pm - 6.30pm
Ayrshire & Wigtownshire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2012
Best Pub Grub 2013 Scottish Entertainment Awards
WINNER
RUNNER UP
2nd Real Ale Festival, 23rd-25th May. 20+ Ales and Cider. See p8/9 for more info. Mother’s Day – 30th March and Easter Sunday – 20th April Served from 12 noon till 8pm.
Bookings now being taken.
Special Menu available. Main Course: £10.95 Two courses: £14.95 Three courses: £18.95
Evening Dinner Menu served from 5pm LIVE Music every month with 3-course meal, just £20 per head Outside al-fresco dining area / beer garden
UPPER DECK HOLIDAY FLAT For availability see our website: www.holidayflatfairlie.co.uk
FREE
WiFi
Check our website for menus and entertainment programme
46 Bay Street, Fairlie. Tel: 01475 568432 www.villageinnfairlie.co.uk 6
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Branch Festive Crawl The Branch Festive Crawl was held in Largs for the first time on Friday 27th December 2013. Around 20 folk (some from as far away as Darvel) joined the crawl at some point throughout the day with a different ale being available in each of the establishments visited. We started off in JG Sharps with well conditioned pints of Caledonian Deuchars IPA. The next venue was due to be Charlie Smiths, but as this had temporarily closed for a few months we split the difference in time by staying longer in JG Sharps before moving along to the Waterside. A few more folks joined us there and enjoyed pints of Greene King’s Old Speckled Hen and Abbot Ale. The final Largs venue was another short walk up to Macaulay’s where a very pleasant pint of Inveralmond Lia Fail was on tap. To round the day off, we then jumped on the bus for the 5 minute journey down to the Village Inn in Fairlie. Some of the group ordered food, which was washed down with Orkney Dark Island and Kelburn Pivo Estivo. A great afternoon out and good to talk and socialise with everyone.
National Award for Ayr Brewing Congratulations to Ayr Brewing Company for winning a Silver Medal for Rabbie’s Porter, in the Porter category at the CAMRA National Winter Ales Festival, held at the Roundhouse, Derby on February 19th. It was beaten off the top spot by Dunham Porter by Dunham Massey Brewery in Manchester, which itself went on to win the overall Champion Winter Beer of Britain. Rabbie’s Porter is brewed using Challenger & Pioneer Hops from the U.K. with Crystal and Chocolate Malts produce a robust, full bodied ale. The nose has roast coffee, gingerbread and chocolate. The palate is of currant fruit and molasses becoming creamier towards the long warming finish. There was more Scottish success with both Cairngorm Brewery and Orkney’s Highland Brewery topping up their remarkable run of awards. Cairngorm’s Black Gold took first place in the Stout Category, and came second in the overall Champion Winter Beer of Britain. Highland’s Orkney Porter came joint third in the Barley Wine / Strong Old Ale category. Over 100 breweries and 400 ales and ciders were available to sample at the Festival. The Roundhouse is officially the world’s first and oldest surviving railway roundhouse, being developed in 1839. 7
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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 7 Cardiff Street, Millport, Isle of Cumbrae KA28 0AS Tel: 01475 530518 8
North Ay rsh CAMRA ire
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Forthcoming Festivals 2014 is promising to be one of the best years, if not the best ever, for real ale festivals in south and west Scotland. First off the blocks, Ardrossan Academicals Rugby Club will be holding their 3rd Real Ale Festival on 14-16th March in their clubhouse on Sorbie Road. Supported by CAMRA this year, it will feature up to 16 ales from around the country. This year’s event once again coincides with the final day of the Six Nations Rugby Championships and the games will all be shown on the club’s TVs. Scotland are away to Cardiff, but given recent performances there might be nothing better to do than drown your sorrows with some decent beer! Snacks will include the newly crowned World Champion Scotch Pie from the Kandy Bar. As a special bonus this year the March North Ayrshire CAMRA Social will be held at the Rugby Club on Thursday 13th and will have a special ‘preview’ surprise! Thursday’s CAMRA preview starts from 7.30pm, but the main festival will be open Friday from 5pm till late, Saturday 12.30pm till late, and Sunday 12.30pm till 6pm whilst stocks last. Entrance is just £3 which includes a commemorative glass, and ales will be priced at £2.50/pint. Next up is the 27th Paisley Beer Festival from 23rd – 26th April. Back to its usual springtime slot in Paisley Town Hall, this is currently the largest festival in Scotland featuring over 160 ales. Entrance is £4 for CAMRA members and £6 non-members. Opening times are listed on their website at www.paisleybeerfestival.org. uk where you’ll also find a staffing form should you wish to volunteer at it.
Outwith south and west Scotland, the Kingdom of Fife CAMRA Real Ale and Cider Festival takes place in the Rothes Halls, Glenrothes from 1st – 3rd May featuring around 50 ales. Your editor attended last year and it was very good. Regular buses from Glasgow Buchanan Street are the simplest way to go. Back to the west, Helensburgh Round Table will be holding a non-CAMRA festival on 16th-17th May at Helensburgh Sailing Club. THE The 2nd Village Inn VILLAGE Real Ale Festival in nd INN Fairlie is also being B r Festival supported by CAMRA this year and will run from 23rd-25th May. It is hoped to have up to 20 ales available plus some cider, along with a barbeque. Volunteers will once againbe required to man the bar. More details will appear in CAMRA Calling and the AWCAMRA website nearer the time. Expect some unusual ales!
But the big news for festivals is the reincarnation of a Glasgow CAMRA Beer Festival. Being held for the first time in many years, it will run from 26th – 28th June in The Briggait out in the Merchant City. More details in the next and at www.facebook.com/ glasgowrealalefestival
Other summer dates to note in your diary are the possible Stranraer Festival from 29th-31st May; the Scottish Real Ale Festival in Edinburgh from 10th-13th July; the Kinloch Hotel festival on Arran on 19th July; Prestwick Cricket Club Festival from 1st – 3rd August and of course our own Ayrshire Real Ale Festival in Troon from 2nd-4th October. 9
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Family run village inn located on the harbour in the picturesque fishing village of Isle of Whithorn
BAR OPEN:
Friday to Monday 11am – 11pm Tuesday to Thursday 11am– 2.30pm & 6pm – 11pm Timothy Taylor Landlord plus five guest ales Outside seating area on the harbourside All food freshly prepared on the premises. Daily changing chefs specials using the finest fresh produce and local seafood.
Wigtown shir CAMRA e
Pub of th e Ye 2013 ar
Lunches 12-2pm. Evening Meals 6.30-9pm. Sunday Carvery: 3 Courses £12 Monday: 3-course meal for £10 ~ Tuesday: Big Mixed Grill £12 Thursday: Steak Night - Rump or Sirloin £10 ~ Friday: Curry Night £7.95 Children and Dogs Welcome
ACCOMMODATION
Comfortable en suite accommodation overlooking the harbour From £30 pppn B&B. Special accommodation offers to CAMRA members.
For bookings, call Alastair on 01988 500334 or e-mail steampacketinn@btconnect.com
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www.awcamra.org.uk
Lancashire Pub judged Best in Britain A sleepy village pub has been thrust into the limelight after being named the best in the UK by CAMRA. In an idyllic setting across from a small stream and surrounded by green fields, The Swan with Two Necks in Pendleton, Lancashire, has beaten off competition from over 57,000 pubs across the UK to be crowned CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year. Steve Dilworth, landlord of The Swan with Two Necks, says the pub is something of a hidden gem and hopes that the award will provide a boost for the surrounding community. “We are delighted and proud to have been judged CAMRA’s National Pub Of The Year. We’ve been at The Swan with Two Necks for 27 years and think of it as our hidden gem. This is a fantastic achievement not only for ourselves but our dedicated staff - and a great boost for Above: CAMRA Chairman Colin Valentine presting the our community.” Pub of the Year Award to Steve and Christine Dilworth. Pubs are judged by CAMRA on a variety of criteria such as atmosphere, level of service, value for money and community focus, with extra weighting of course given to the quality of their real ale, cider and perry. Any landlords looking to make their pub the best in Britain might want to take note of Steve’s somewhat unorthodox advice on getting the best out of his real ale, as he claims “Talking to the barrels has finally paid off!”. CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2014 certainly encourages a visit, “The home-made food here comes in portions ideal for hungry walker. There is outdoor seating in the garden and in front of the pub, looking out onto a small stream running through the beautifully kept village. Cosy open fires blaze in winter months”. As you’d expect the beer is also an important draw, with the house beer Golden Pippin by Copper Dragon alongside guest ales from micro-breweries such as Phoenix, Dark Star and Salamander all worth a try. To win the National Pub of the Year competition The Swan with Two Necks first had to win its local competition, then fight off tough competition at the regional stage, then finally be put forward as one of four finalists – and then of course be named overall winner – a process which takes a full 12 months and hundreds of hours of judging by dedicated CAMRA volunteers and competition judges. The current Scottish Pub of the Year is The Cobbles, in Kelso. The Ayrshire & Wigtownshire Pub of the Year 2014 will be featured in the next edition of Full Pints. 11
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The Village Inn, Dunlop
The Village Inn, 2-6 Stewarton Road, KA3 4AA.Dunlop Tel: 01560 483130 2-6 Stewarton Road, KA3 4AA. Tel: facebook 01560 483130 E-mail : villageinn98@live.com/ “Two minute walk from railway station” E-mail : villageinn98@live.com/ facebook
“Two minuteDogs walkWelcome from railway station” 12
Dogs Welcome
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An Unusual Drinking Place to Hang Out by Ian Martin Dear Drinkers, I have always enjoyed reading my copy of Full Pints and the regular contributers always are there for us. I thought after last year’s mini festivals that were happening across our branch it was about time I wrote a little something for you all. As many of you will know the ‘NATURE’ of my work takes me to many different parts of the UK, where armed with my Good Beer guide, WhatPub App and local advertising I seek out pubs and beers to enjoy whilst away from home during my down time from my busy daily schedules. As Ian Middleditch said in his report in last summer’s edition of Full Pints about the Garnock Valley being a ‘DESERT’, my research hunting for that ‘OASIS’ where I can kick off my shoes, loosen my tie, undo my top button and enjoy a perfectly poured pint as ‘NATURE’ intended it came to an end recently when reading a copy of Hertfordshire’s CAMRA magazine, PINTS of VIEW. There are many fine ‘UPSTANDING’ gentlemen who enjoy a pint or two in the company of ‘LAID BACK’ ladies, so I was very pleased when I came across the PINTS of VIEW advert for an ‘OASIS’ where, thank goodness, the men were not ‘ UPSTANDING’ and the only thing they raised was their glasses. OK, I’ll put you out of your misery... yes you heard it here first... a Naturist club in the quiet of St Albans, Hertfordshire. The Clubhouse of Spielplatz Naturist Club (www.spielplatzoasis.co.uk) is a hub of activity, no matter what the weather. Here, they hold social functions throughout the year, discos, karaoke, quiz nights, themed dances, and pool tournaments. The Clubhouse also features a Licensed Bar, the perfect place for a pint of real ale. Two Tring Brewery Ales, currently Brock Bitter 3.7%, a light brown quaffing ale with a hint of sweetness and caramel on the palate, with Challenger hops imparting a gentle bitterness, which is matched by a late hop aroma from Styrian Goldings; and a Blonde 4.0%, brewed using extra pale malt, a highly refreshing sunshine blonde beer has a wonderfully fruity palate which is balanced by a lingering late hop aroma. Rain or shine, the south-facing Solarium is always warm and inviting. There are more comfy chairs there, as well as books, games, and puzzles to occupy your brain while you wait for the “liquid and the sunshine” to let up! Perhaps you should decide if the Paps of St Albans stand out as well as the Paps of Jura during the Sunset. [Ed - Any photos of Ian ‘hanging out’ at the club will most certainly be censored!] 13
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• • • • • •
A constantly changing choice of real ales Freshly prepared meals using locally sourced produce Fully decked riverside beer garden Families welcome in our dog friendly pub We also cater for private functions Daily fishing permits available for sale at the bar
Failford Inn, Failford, Near Mauchline, Ayrshire KA5 5TF Tel: 01292 540117 Email: info@failfordinn.com
www.failfordinn.com
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BRANCH SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Our Branch has Social Groups covering North, South and East Ayrshire, and Wigtownshire. All CAMRA members are encouraged to attend these informal events, but non-CAMRA members are equally welcome. For more information, please contact the area coordinators listed below: North Ayrshire - usually meets 3rd Thursday of every month. Contact Ian Middleditch. Email: vicechair1@awcamra.org.uk South Ayrshire - contact Lindsay Grant for details. Email: chair@awcamra.org.uk East Ayrshire - meets last Wednesday of every month. Contact Bob Wallace. Email: membership@awcamra.org.uk Wigtownshire - contact Malcolm McNeil for details. Email: wigtownshire@awcamra.org.uk
OUTLETS NEWS The following changes in outlets have occurred since . the last edition of New Outlets:
Saracen’s Head, Beith: two ales from Isle of Skye brewery Souter’s Inn, Kirkoswald: former Souter Johnnies has re-opened after fire with two house beers brewed by Strathaven Ales. Ruddicot Hotel, Stranraer: real ale available during the winter.
Losses:
Charlie Smith’s, Largs: closed temporarily. Hollybush Inn, Hollybush: has replaced cask beer with keg Arran Blonde. Kildonan House Hotel, Barrhill: closed until at least Easter. Downshire Arms, Portpatrick: stopped selling real ale for the winter. Masonic Arms, Beith: has stopped selling real ale.
Other news:
JG Sharps, Largs has added a second handpump and should have a guest beer by the time we go to press. McCabes, Largs is installing three handpumps - Belhaven IPA and 2 guests. Planning permission has been granted for change of use and conversion of the Old Racecourse Hotel, Ayr into flats. The branch AGM is scheduled to be held there on 22nd March. Roxy, Girvan is reported as not always having real ale available. Pier Head Tavern, Lamlash: Taken over by Arran Brewery and open Friday and Saturday evenings, but Arran cask ale does not yet appear to available.
Over 30 folk recently enjoyed a Social Night in the Saltcot Additionally, the Branch also holds social outings on a regular basis to places such as Strathaven or Fyne Ales breweries - contact social secretary Donald Clark at social@awcamra.org.uk for details of these trips.
SPRING DIARY DATES
Thurs 13 March, North Ayrshire Social, from 7.30pm - Ardrossan Accies Real Ale Festival Preview with special discounts for CAMRA members. Fri 14th - Sun 16th March, Ardrossan Accies Real Ale Festival. See p7/8 for details. Sat 22nd March, Branch AGM Old Racecourse Hotel, Ayr at 2pm. Wed 26 March, East Ayrshire Social, Village Inn, Dunlop from 7.30pm Mon 31st March, Beer Festival planning meeting, JG Sharps, Largs, 8pm Sat 5th April, Machars Grand National Bus Trip - see p31 Sat 5th April, Wigtownshire Pub of the Year Presentation, Steam Packet Inn, Isle of Whithorn, 2.30pm Thurs 17th April, North Ayrshire Social, Largs, JG Sharps, 8pm Wed 23rd April, East Ayrshire Social Wheatsheaf, Kilmarnock, 7.30pm Wed 23rd - Sat 26th April, Paisley Beer Festival. Branch Social on Fri 25th from 2.30pm.
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Doing Ale-right in Argyll by Stuart McMahon
In early February, myself and my wife Jennifer went to the Argyll Hotel in Inveraray for 2 nights, having purchased an online offer via the LivingSocial website. The deal was the usual dinner, bed and breakfast on the first night, bottle of wine on the 2nd night if you ate in the restaurant, but the deal clincher was the inclusion of a trip to the Fyne Ales brewery at Cairndow, about 9 miles north of the picturesque Argyll town! We’d arranged to visit the Brewery on our way over to Inveraray on the Friday afternoon. Whilst this was the 4th tour of the day, we were the only 2 folk on it. I’d previously visited the 10 barrel-brewery on a CAMRA trip in 2012 when the branch presented them with their Brewery of the Year certificate, and to be honest very little has changed at Achadunan. Well, not much has changed with the existing brewery which goes from strength to strength and keeps winning awards - including having the overall Champion Beer of Britain 2013 (Jarl), but work has recently started on converting an old farm shed next to the car park into a new £2m 40-barrel plant which should be operating by August this year – quite an expansion. The existing brewery is currently brewing around 9 times a week in order to keep up with demand and has simply run out of capacity and space. After the tour, our guide gave us small samples of three ales from the Brewery Tap’s pumps: Jarl (3.8%) and Sanda Blonde IPA (5.5%), both on cask, and 48 Miles Later (6%) on keg. The latter ale was a collaboration between Fyne Ales and Brewdog and is a rich, dark and smooth Smoked Chilli Black Ale – certainly smokey and different! The name relates to the distance between Brewdog’s Glasgow bar and the Fyne Ales brewery. The tour included a free gift of a bottle and a glass each, but I also came away with the last minicask of Nebula (4%), a brand 16
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new pale ale brewed to commemorate the Island of Coll receiving “dark sky” status. One fact I didn’t know – their delicious Superior IPA (7.1%) is actually conditioned in the cask for over six months before it’s ready to be sold.
Once back at the Argyll Hotel I was surprised to see a pumpclip for Fyne Avalanche (4.5%) in the lounge bar as WhatPub and other online guides showed the Argyll as having no ale. They have apparently had ale for about 6 months and have one handpump in the public bar. The beer was in excellent condition, although a bit pricey at £3.95/pint.
Saturday dawned wet. And stayed wet. Very wet! We had decided to go to Oban for the day, but the incessant deluge meant that Arriving in Inveraray late afternoon, we checked by lunchtime we were both soggy, hungry and had had enough! Our obvious choice for in to the Argyll Hotel and then went for a wander up the main street. At the top end of it lunch was the Corryvreckan – a newly opened sits the George Hotel, a Good Beer Guide listed JD Wetherspoons right down on the pier next to Calmac’s ferry terminal. Looking very hotel. On smart with a nautical theme, it was very busy arrival there was only 1 of with young families and travellers awaiting 2 handpumps their ferries coming in. I only had a pint of Caledonian’s Auld Acquaintance (4.4%) which on – serving was in very good condition. A welcome Cromlech from the new addition for real ale in Oban. Thorn Dhu Brewery at Lochgair, near to Lochgilphead. Sadly I’ve yet to taste it as it ran out whilst being poured and there’s very little information available about the brewery at present! It transpired via the wonders of Facebook that fellow Ayrshire CAMRA member Mick Lee was also staying in Inveraray at the Loch Fyne Hotel (no ale, bottles only) but that Jarl had been on in the George earlier in the afternoon and ran out whilst he was there. So, 2 bottles of Jarl were purchased Beer-wise that was all we whilst the busy staff cleaned the lines, and sampled on our fresh casks of Jarl and Fyne Highlander (4.8%) were soon pouring again. The Highlander was short stay – we in particularly good condition, at a reasonable had a bar meal in The George on £3.35/pint. Saturday night which still had Jarl and Highlander on, and the place was really busy, particularly for food – good to see on a mid-winter’s day. The journey home on Sunday was also wet and dreich. And ended with a meal out with my parents in Saltcoats where the liquid offering was Belhaven Best! Enough said! 17
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The Waterside Bath Street, Largs Tel: 01475 672224
One Real Ale available throughout the winter
Tuesdays - Quiz Night Wednesdays - Poker Saturdays - Live Music Fridays - Karaoke Sundays - Open Mic Night
Food available every day except Monday
• • • •
Great rooms Fantastic food Ever changing real ales Function suites
4 DEAN STREET, STEWARTON, KA3 5EQ Tel: 01560 482255
www.millhousehotelayrshire.co.uk
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Double Dutch by Nigel Armstrong, Isle of Arran As my wife and I perused the Winter 2013 edition of Full Pints in a rain-lashed Catacol Bay Hotel over Christmas, imagine our surprise to find ourselves reading, and heartily endorsing, Matt Miller’s recommendation of the Arendsnest pub at Herengracht 90, Amsterdam. We had just returned from that and other watering holes in the Low Countries. The Arendsnest is a treasure trove of Dutch drinks (not that common in the Netherlands where many pubs seem to focus on Belgian beers) and an extremely knowledgeable barman. Anne, as the Scot, had to sample the jenever that had matured in an Islay Malt (Bruichladdich?) cask. As here on Arran, once again I found myself a stranger in a foreign land (you can tell a Yorkshireman, but you can’t tell him much...). But I strayed bravely out of my comfort zone of light, hoppy session beers and found a number of darker, stronger 25cl glass-fulls that hit the spot. And a footnote from further south, in Antwerp (no doubt unnecessary for a Full Pints’ readership highly educated in such matters): the gutteral Flemish accent seemed keen, repeatedly, that I got myself a “bolleking.” I don’t usually have to try, but it appears that the city’s most popular beer seems to be known simply by the brewery’s name (De Koninck) and the 25cl glass it’s served in is a “bolleke.” Another great drop, once my prejudices were cast aside.
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Houston
Largs Millport
Gateside
Lochranza Catacol Arran
Fairlie Beith Ardrossan Kilmaurs
Lugton Dunlop Stewarton Craigie Failford
Prestwick Ayr
Strathaven
Kilmarnock
Saltcoats Brodick Irvine Troon Lamlash
Blackwaterfoot
Kelburn
Sorn
Ayr Stair
Kirkmichael Kirkoswald Girvan
Bargrennan Kirkcolm Stranraer
Sulwath
New Luce Glenluce
Portpatrick
Sandhead
Newton Stewart Wigtown Bladnoch
Reproduced from Ordnance Survey map data by permission of the Ordnance Survey Š Crown Copyright 2013
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Drummore
Isle of Whithorn
www.awcamra.org.uk
AYRSHIRE & WIGTOWNSHIRE REAL ALE OUTLETS ISLE OF ARRAN
SOUTH AYRSHIRE
EAST AYRSHIRE
BLACKWATERFOOT Blackwaterfoot Lodge* Kinloch Hotel
AYR Abbotsford Hotel Ayrshire & Galloway Chestnuts Hotel Courtyard Bar Geordie’s Byre Glen Park Hotel Harry’s Bar Market Inn Newton Arms Old Racecourse Hotel Tam O’ Shanter Twa Dugs Wellingtons Bar West Kirk
DUNLOP Auld Hoose Village Inn
BRODICK Brodick Bar Ormidale Hotel Wine Port CATACOL Catacol Bay Hotel LAMLASH Drift Inn LOCHRANZA Lochranza Hotel NORTH AYRSHIRE ARDROSSAN Ardrossan Rugby Club (weekends) Lauriston Hotel BEITH Saracen’s Head FAIRLIE Village Inn GATESIDE Gateside Inn IRVINE Ship Inn LARGS J G Sharps Largs Sailing Club (weekends) Lounge MacAulays Waterside LUGTON Canny Man § MILLPORT Fraser’s Bar SALTCOATS Salt Cot
CRAIGIE Craigie Inn FAILFORD Failford Inn GIRVAN Roxy Cafe Bar* KIRKMICHAEL Kirkmichael Arms KIRKOSWALD Souter’s Inn PRESTWICK Eagle Tavern Prestwick Pioneer
KILMARNOCK Brass & Granite Fanny by Gaslight First Edition Wheatsheaf Inn
KILMAURS Weston Tavern SORN Sorn Inn STAIR Stair Inn STEWARTON Millhouse Hotel Stewarton Hotel
WIGTOWNSHIRE BARGRENNAN House O’ Hill Hotel BLADNOCH Bladnoch Inn
NEWTON STEWART Creebridge House Hotel Galloway Arms Hotel
DRUMMORE Clashwhannon
PORTPATRICK Crown Hotel Harbour House Hotel
GLENLUCE Kelvin House Hotel
SANDHEAD Tigh-na-Mara Hotel
ISLE OF WHITHORN Steam Packet Inn §
STRANRAER Grapes § Ruddicot Hotel
KIRKCOLM Blue Peter Hotel NEW LUCE Kenmuir Arms Hotel
WIGTOWN Wigtown Ploughman
TROON Bruce’s Well Fullartons Girvans Harbour Bar Lonsdale Bar McKay’s Marr Rugby Club (weekends) South Beach Hotel
CAMRA members can now score beers for any pubs visited at www.whatpub.com. These scores help the branch choose its entries for the Good Beer Guide. Scoring guidelines are:
Do you know of a pub that sells real ale and isn’t listed? Please let us know.
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.
* CAMRA members have noted that real ale is not always available at these pubs. § Special offers for card-carrying CAMRA members
0 No cask ale available 1 Poor: Beer that is anything from barely drinkable to drinkable with considerable resentment. 2 Average: 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.
4 Very Good: Excellent beer in excellent condition. 5 Perfect: Probably the best you are ever likely to find. A seasoned drinker will award this score very rarely. 21
Just before the last edition went to press, I attended a Scotland & Northern Ireland Branches (SNIB) Social in Edinburgh. I always look forward to a trip to the capital as it has so many interesting pubs and other attractions. The main purpose of these bi-annual socials is for members to gather with their partners and primarily socialise with other branches rather than talk business. They are always most enjoyable and are spread around the regions so that they are within striking distance of most branches. You can find dates on the website www.awcamra.org.uk or in the . diary section of This time the theme was heritage pubs. After meeting at the Café Royal near both the train and bus station we headed for the Abbotsford just along Rose Street. These two pubs have beautiful interiors and you can see why they are heritage pubs. Thereafter we visited Milnes, Kay’s Bar and the Stockbridge Tap, all lovely pubs in their own way. There is a section on Heritage Pubs in CAMRA’s “Edinburgh Pub Walks” by Bob Steel.
P
RAY’S ROUND UP by Ray Turpie
ROUND Y’S U A R
Some time ago, I bought a copy of this publication and have been working my way through them, a few of which are in the hinterland. Last year I did part of Kirkcaldy, the Lang Toun, where Adam Smith was born, famous for his treatise on “The Wealth of Nations”. I managed visits to the local ‘Spoons, the Robert Nairn, named after the son of local linoleum magnate Michael and also the Harbour Bar where I enjoyed an excellent pint of Castle Rock Harvest Pale. They are mainly fairly short walks to include places of interest but always indicate the best real ale pubs on the route. On a recent visit to the capital we did Holyrood Park to Duddingston Loch via Arthur’s Seat returning by the Innocent Railway Path to St Leonard’s. For me, that is another box ticked but the climb was worth it, if only for a pint of Copper Dragon’s Golden Pippin in the Sheep Heid Inn at the Duddingston end. We also dropped in to the Cask and Barrel (Southside), the local branch Pub of the Year (POTY) for an excellent pint of Highland Orkney Best before heading back. We managed to fit in another short winter break down south in between storms and stayed with relations in Heathfield (the one in East Sussex) for a few days. It was close to Lewes (pronounced Lewis) so we took the
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On the way back north we stopped in Leeds for a few days to check out the “Tour de France” which starts there next July. A West Yorkshire Day Ticket on the bus for £5.75 is a good way to get around. We took the opportunity to visit Halifax for a last tango and the first place I spotted was the Sir Percy Shaw ‘Spoons outlet. Mrs R wanted a cup of tea but I settled for a pint of excellent North Riding Stout. Full marks if you can guess who Percy Shaw was by the way*. On reflection, a sharp eye will pick up a clue in the name of the town which is also famous for Mackintosh’s Toffee and Quality Street.
Halifax is a lovely place set in Calderdale and famous for the wool trade. The wool barons obviously invested a lot of their wealth in the architecture of the buildings. The town’s Piece Hall was the old wool market and the buildings round the cobbled square are now shops and a museum. On our return journey we went through many famous towns such as Elland where the current Champion Beer of Britain (CBOB) is brewed; Brighouse and Rastrick home of the world brass band champions and Wakefield where we enjoyed a pint of Partners Ghost in GBG pub the Black Rock before retiring to the digs. I cannot wait to get back in July but there are a few things to look forward to before then. There is the Grand National trip to Wigtownshire in April, the Mild Trail by Rail in May and quite a few beer festivals including the Scottish Real Ale Festival. Happy days!
*he invented the Halifax Road Stud, better known as the cat’s eye
opportunity to visit Harvey’s Brewery and Shop in the centre if this historic town. Some Winter Ales were still available so I bought a few to take home as I was driving. In the evening, however, I managed some Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter and Shepherd Neame Kentish Mild in the local Star Inn.
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REAL ALES SERVED HERE Meals Served Daily 12-2pm and 6-9pm Traditional Roast Served every Sunday Extensive Bar Menu Award-winning Table D’Hôte and À La Carte Dining Available
Telephone: 01671 402121 Fax: 01671 403258
www.creebridge.co.uk Email: info@creebridge.co.uk
Creebridge House Hotel, Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire DG8 6NP
Great food and local Real Ales from Arran, Houston and Kelburn breweries Sundays – Ceilidh band sessions
Tel: 01505 850510 www.thecannyman.co.uk
Find us on the A736 Irvine to Barrhead Road, at Lugton 24
www.awcamra.org.uk
skye advert
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Fun Corner
Who said pubs weren’t dog friendly?
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How many words of 4 letters or more can you make from FULL PINTS? 20: Easy 30: Not bad 40: Good 50: Very Good 60: Expert 70+: Wordsmith
www.awcamra.org.uk
History of the Morris Dance by Ian Martin Morris Dancing is considered to be part of my English heritage and one of the most ancient of our customs still surviving. Scotland has a variety of traditional dances, where drinking copious amounts of Ale and Whisky helps the dancer with the delicate footwork required when dancing across crossed swords. This traditionally was performed prior to going into battle. In England however, the legend associates Morris Dancing with fertility (and Drinking Ale and Cider), the Spring (and Drinking Ale and Cider) and good luck (and Drinking Ale and Cider); and there is evidence that Morris dancers were paid (with Ale and Cider) to perform at events that occurred during Spring, as well as at other times. Whether Morris was ever danced to improve fertility I cannot say and there is no evidence to support the idea especially after quite a few pints and having your hands smashed by your fellow dancers with large sticks. The oldest historical reference is the accounts of the Goldsmiths Guild in London in 16th May1448 that records a payment to the Morris Dancers for their annual feast on St Dunstan’s Day. It has been suggested that Morris has a European origin, and there is evidence around the mid 15th century that Morris was being danced in France, Germany and Switzerland, as well as Wales and Scotland. Sadly there is no diary entry that states “Who Invented Morris Dancing” or “Who Brought Morris Dancers to teach the English” So for answers we are only left with – How old is Morris Dancing? At least by 1448. Where did it come? It was a pannorthern European dance, including Britain, that survived and still can be seen in Traditional Pubs across England. Spot the ‘Martin’ Morris Dancer!
15th Ayrshire Real Ale Festival This year’s Ayrshire Real Ale Festival runs from 2nd - 4th October and will be celebrating the 30th Anniversary of our CAMRA branch, and the 40th Anniversary of CAMRA in Scotland. It’s still early stages in planning for the festival but we’re hoping to have a 2nd bar in the Walker Hall this year featuring former Champion Beers of Britain. We’re also registered as an official Homecoming Scotland 2014 event. As always we’ll be looking for volunteers to help man the festival. Staffing forms will be available later in the summer. Keep an eye on www.ayrshirebeerfestival.org.uk for the latest information.
2014
Late News
Admission is £4 for the weekend with proceeds House O’ Hill, Bargrennan have just announced going to a local cancer charity. They are putting they are running a Spring Beer and Music on up to 20 ales and food will also be available. Festival on the 12th and 13th April. Music will be on all sessions. 27
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Wigtownshire CAMRA
Pub of the Year 2012
Now offering 20p discount on a pint of real ale for card-carrying CAMRA members.
If you are ever in Stranraer, a visit to The Grapes is one you won’t regret. The Grapes was originally a coaching inn which was erected in 1862. The gantry in the bar is over 100 years old and the bar still has an original working bell-box for the pub. The present owners, Billy and Sally, are only the 5th in line since the pub was built. The bar has a warm, friendly and welcoming atmosphere and has had visits from people from various parts of the world. Upstairs the pub divides into two rooms - the quiet room which was said to be the first cocktail lounge in Stranraer is now the ladies powder room, and on the other side is a lounge and snug room which has been refurbished with the 1940’s style of the pub. • Accordion band most Fridays from 5 – 8pm • Real ale on draught • Over 40 malt whiskies - one for each region in Scotland • Occasional Live Music
The Grapes, 4-6 Bridge Street, Stranraer Tel: 01776 703386 www.thegrapesbar.co.uk
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Scottish Breweries, Feb 2014 1. Abbot House Brewery, www.awcamra.org.uk Dunfermline 2. Alechemy Brewery, Livingston 3. Andrews Ales, Cummertrees 4. An Teallach Brewery, Dundonnell 5. Arran Brewery, Brodick 6. Ayr Brewing Company Limited 7. Balmaha Brewery 8. Barneys Beer, Edinburgh 9. Beeches Brewery, Lochgelly 10. Belhaven Brewery, Dunbar 11. Black Isle Brewery, Munlochy 12. BrewDog, Fraserburgh & Ellon 34 13. Brewmeister, Keith 14. Broughton Ales, Biggar 15. Burnside Brewery, Laurencekirk 16. Cairngorm Brewery, Aviemore 17. Caledonian Brewery, Edinburgh 18. Clockwork Brewery, Glasgow 19. Colonsay Brewery 20. Cromarty Brewing 21. Cuillin Brewery, Sligachan 39 22. Deeside Brewery, Lumphanan
36. Houston Brewing Company, Houston 37. Inveralmond Brewery, Perth 38. Islay Ales 39. Isle of Skye Brewery, Uig 40. Kelburn Brewing Company, Barrhead 41. Kinneil Brew Hoose, Bo’ness 42. Knops Beer Company, Dirleton 43. Lerwick Brewing Company 44. Loch Leven Brewery, Kelty 45. Loch Lomond Brewery Ltd, Alexandria 46. Loch Ness Brewery, Drumnadrochit 47. Luckie Ales, Auchtermuchty 48. Madcap Brewery, Ecclefechan 49. Moulin Inn & Brewery, Pitlochry 50. MòR Brewery, Kellas 51. Natural Selection Brewing, Edinburgh
23. De Brus Brewery, Dunfermline 24. DemonBrew, Prestonpans 25. Devon Ales, Sauchie 26. Eden Brewery St Andrews, Guardbridge 27. Elixir, Livingston (with Alechemy) 28. Fowler's Ale (Prestoungrange) Limited, Prestonpans 29. Fallen Brewery, Kippen 30. Fyfe Brewing Company, Kirkcaldy 31. Fyne Ales, Cairndow 32. Glenfinnan Brewery Co Ltd, Glenfinnan 33. Harviestoun Brewery, Alva 34. Hebridean Brewing Company, Stornoway 35. Highland Brewing Company, Swannay 4 53
20
35 54
74
43
77
61
11
56
13, 62 12
46
21
16 22 32
15 57
49 65
52
7
69
45 36 40
38
2, 27
18, 75
64
5
26
47 44 25, 33 68, 73 9, 59 30 76 1, 23 72 41
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52. Oban Bay Brewery, Oban 53. The Old Inn, Gairloch, 54. Orkney Brewery, Quoyloo 55. Pilot Beer, Leith 56. Plockton Brewery 57. River Leven Ales, Kinlochleven 58. Six Degrees North, Stonehaven 59. St Andrews Brewing Company, Glenrothes 60. Scottish Borders Brewery, Jedburgh 61. Speyside Craft Brewery, Forres 62. Spey Valley Brewery, Keith 63. Stewart Brewing, Edinburgh 64. Strathaven Ales
50 37
31
19
58
10
8, 17, 51, 55, 63, 70
14
71
6
65. Strathbraan Brewery, Amulree 66. Sulwath Brewers, Castle Douglas 67. Tempest Brewery, Kelso 68. Tinpot Brewery, Bridge of Allan 69. Thorn Dhu, Lochgair, Lochgilphead 70. Top Out Brewery, Loanhead, Edinburgh 71. Traquair House Brewery, Peebles 72. Tryst Brewery, Falkirk
42 24,28
67 60
48 66 73. Traditional Scottish Ales, Throsk, Stirling 74. Valhalla Brewery, Shetland 75. WEST, Glasgow 76. Williams Brothers, Alloa 77. Windswept Brewing Co., Lossiemouth
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Base map: © Wikimedia Commons user: Sting
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GETTING AROUND
Listed below are some useful contact details for transport providers in our Branch area.
Branch Outing Grand National Machars Bus Trip
Stagecoach West Scotland - www.stagecoachbus.com On Aintree Grand National day, Saturday Tel: 01292 613500 / 01294 607007 / Disability Helpdesk 07736 892253
James King Bus Services (Stranraer Area) www.kingscoachhire.com Tel: 01671 830284 ScotRail - www.scotrail.co.uk Tel: 0845 601 5929
Caledonian MacBrayne www.calmac.co.uk Tel: 0800 066 5000
Traveline Scotland - www.travelinescotland.com
Other Useful Numbers Trading Standards Offices for issues such as consistent short measures or no visible price lists Ayr: 01292 616060 Irvine: 01294 324900 Kilmarnock: 01563 521502 Stranraer: 01776 703260 Email addresses can be found on your local authority website.
Branch AGM
5th April, the branch is running a bus to visit pubs in the Machars area of Wigtownshire. Anyone still wishing to go should contact our Social Secretary Donald Clark as soon as possible, social@awcamra.org.uk or 01292 476697, as the bus is almost full and a waiting list may be in operation. The cost for the bus will be approx £15. The main pick-up times are: 09.30 Kilwinning Train Station 09.50 Kilmarnock, Campbell Street 10.10 Prestwick Cross, opposite the Co-op. Thereafter the bus will travel down via Girvan for the first stop at the House O’ Hill Hotel at Bargrennan. We then hope to pick up Wigtownshire members at the Creebridge House Hotel, before heading down to the Wigtown Ploughman, Wigtown, followed by the Steam Packet Inn, Isle of Whithorn where the Wigtownshire Pub of the Year Presentation will be made at around 2.30pm. We’ll then head back up the road to the Bladnoch Inn where we hope to arrive in time to watch the Grand National, before calling at the Galloway Arms in Newton Stewart for our final stop before heading home.
Our Branch AGM will be held on Sat 22nd March in the Old Racecourse Hotel, Ayr at 2pm. Anyone may come along to this meeting and hear about the good and varied work that has been happening within the Branch but only Ayrshire & Wigtownshire CAMRA members may vote at the AGM. If anyone wishes to raise a motion at the AGM it should be sent to the Secretary prior to the meeting. The Old Racecourse Hotel has featured in a majority of editions of the Good Beer Guide but it recently had a planning application granted to convert the premises into residential accommodation. 31
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• Real Food • Real Beer • Real Atmosphere 27 Main Street, Kilmaurs, KA3 2RQ Tel: 01563 538805 www.westontavern.co.uk
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Sponsored Walk - Lands End to John O’Groats Last edition we featured Kirkmichael-based CAMRA member George Bryden’s plan to walk from Lands End to John O’ Groats whilst visiting Good Beer Guide pubs along the way, raising money for The Ayrshire Hospice. By the time this edition of is published George should have completed this mammoth task, and a full report should appear in the next edition. However, by mid February and 34 days into the challenge he had reached Balmaha on the shores of Loch Lomond and was enjoying a well deserved pint of Balmaha 80/-. He almost packed it in after day 6, but regular infusions of ale, paracetamol and ibuprofen, and not least the encouragement from staff and customers from the many pubs he’s visited have kept him going. You can still support George by giving a donation at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GeorgeBryden , or pledge by phone on 01655 750333, where more information can be obtained. Online, he has raised over £2,000, but the total is considerably more as he’s been unable to update it whilst completing the challenge.
Great Community Pubs the perfect blend for everyone.
A great community pub is adaptable to the needs of its locals offering the perfect social environment for all to enjoy. Please support your local in Community Pubs Month, April 2014.
www.communitypubsmonth.org.uk
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Our range of 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) Ayr Brewing Company, 5 Racecourse Road, Ayr KA7 2DG Telephone: 01292 263891 Fax: 01292 830450 Mobile: 07834 922142 www.ayrbrewingcompany.com 34
www.awcamra.org.uk
Mr Beer Surfer is connected, some would say wired, to the internet and enjoys nothing better than drinking his bottled conditioned ales in front of his computer. One of Mr Beer Surfer’s pet hates is finding websites that are out-of-date, and he is sad to report that many CAMRA branch sites fall into this category. He’ll save the naming and shaming for a future edition! One of the better sites though is that of the Highlands and Western Isles CAMRA Branch (www.highlandcamra.org.uk). This flashbased site contains current branch news and events, and best of all, copies of their award-winning “What’s Yours Then?” magazine – the winter edition being a hefty 52 pages!
MILD MAY
Staying within the Highland region, the website for Cromarty Brewing is pretty good: www.cromartybrewing.co.uk. The brewery is just 2 years old, yet has won many awards and the quality of their beers is outstanding. A few miles down the road is the Black Isle Brewery (www.blackislebrewery.com), although their website appears to be more focused on recent international ventures and outlets (a truck recently left to go to Russia with bottles of their ales). For good, honest, ear to the ground beery news, then a must-have bookmark is for The BeerCast (www.thebeercast.com). Written by Richard Taylor, a member of the British Guild of Beer Writers, this Edinburgh-based site publishes the Edinburgh Beer Weekly, and consistently provides well-written articles and topical news from the Scottish and UK beer scene (not just Edinburgh). Recent ventures at Christmas also saw Richard take part in a brewing collaboration venture with the new Tyne Bank brewery in Newcastle. You’ll also find Richard very active on Twitter as @TheBeerCast For beer quality though, Cask Marque (www.cask-marque.co.uk) vets pubs around the UK and issues certificates if the quality is up to scratch. They also have the good CaskFinder app for smartphones where you can search for Cask Marque accredited pubs, and a cool little extra is the ability to scan a barcode in said pubs to win prizes in the World’s Biggest Ale Trail. 25 unique barcodes gets you a free fridge magnet bottle opener, and 50 barcodes gets you a t-shirt. 100 barcodes and you become a Cask Marque Ambassador and will get invited to regional events and Cask Marque’s beer appreciation course!
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At Sulwath Brewers we give you the chance to see the craft of brewing in action, and to taste our speciality ales at our fully licensed brewery tap visitor centre.
Open Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm Off-sales also available
The Brewery, King Street Castle Douglas, DG7 1DT www.sulwathbrewers.co.uk
Telephone: 01556 504525