Full Pints Volume 16 Issue 2

Ayrshire and Wigtownshire CAMRA Branch

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Summer 2014 *** 2014 MOST IMPROVED CAMRA BRANCH MAGAZINE IN THE UK ***

Wigtownshire Winner

Branch Pub of the Year: The Steam Packet Inn Isle of Whithorn

Summer 2014

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www.awcamra.org.uk

Full Pints wins “Most Improved Magazine” At CAMRA’s National AGM held in Scarborough in April 2014, magazine was voted as the “Most Improved Branch Magazine” in the UK.

Volume 16, Issue 2 Ayrshire and Wigtownshire CAMRA Branch Chairman: Lindsay Grant Email: chair@awcamra.org.uk

This is the second time the magazine has won the Award, previously winning the title in 2011/12 under the editorship of Graeme Watt. Jackie Parker, National director said “The quality of branch magazines remains extremely high, and I thank the editors for their passion and commitment.”

Secretary: Clare Scott Email: secretary@awcamra.org.uk

Having only produced 4 editions under my own editorship (excluding this one!) this was a fantastic result, and my thanks go to everyone who has contributed articles, provided advertising and helped with distribution. Without this help I could not have produced the magazine to the current standard.

Editor: Stuart McMahon, 93 Montfode Drive, Ardrossan KA22 7PH Tel: 01294 603848 Email: fullpints@awcamra.org.uk

The winner of the “Best CAMRA Branch Magazine” award went to the Nottingham Drinker, a large 56pp A4 production that was worthy of the award.

As always, please continue to provide me with articles for inclusion in Full Pints - short summaries of trips you’ve had visiting pubs, breweries, foreign countries etc, funny stories or reminiscences and photos are always welcomed Anything goes, pretty much, as long as it relates to beer. I will always get round to using them.

The photos below shows Branch Chairman, Lindsay Grant (right) receiving the Award from National Director, Jackie Parker, along with Alan Ward (left) from the Nottingham Branch, and at the bottom, Lindsay presenting me with the certificate at the branch meeting held in the Goldberry Arms, Kilmarnock on 14 May. Stuart McMahon, Editor

Minutes of Branch Meetings are available to members from the Secretary.

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 is designed by Montfode Design, www.md93.co.uk and printed by Brown Brothers Printers, Irvine, www.brown-bros.com.

2,000 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

The next edition of will be published in Sept 2014.

Articles, photos and contributions should be sent to the editor no later than Friday 15th August, 2014.

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Summer 2014

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

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BAR OPEN:

Every day from 11am–11pm

Timothy Taylor Landlord plus five guest ales 1/3 pint beer taster platters now available for same price as a pint Outside seating area on the harbourside Children and Dogs Welcome

Lunches 12-2pm. Evening Meals 6.30-9pm.

Sunday Carvery, 12-3pm: 3 Courses £12 Thursday Steak Night: Galloway Sirloin £12 Fish Friday: Selection of seafood dishes available

Wigtown shir CAMRA e

Pub of th e Ye 2013 ar

All food freshly prepared on the premises.

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

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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NEWS

Rabbie’s Porter wins Silver Award Ayr Brewing recently won another well deserved award, this time at the CAMRA National Winter Ales Festival in Derby.

Rabbie’s Porter won the Silver Award for the Porter category in the Champion Winter Beer of Britain competition. Anthony Valenti (left) is pictured opposite receiving the award from CAMRA National Chairman Colin Valentine (right).

Strathaven Ales rebrand

Out with the old, and in with the new – Strathaven Ales are in the process of rebranding all their ales with a bold new style featuring tartan and colour coding.

Fyne Ales’ expansion gathers pace The creation of the new expanded brewery at Achadunan is gathering pace with plenty of visible changes on the site at the head of Loch Fyne.

Work was just starting when I visited in February - but has moved on rapidly with a couple of grain silos and boiler installed and conversion of the old cattle shed almost complete. The brewers hope to be brewing in the new facility by Autumn 2014. FyneFest, rapidly becoming one of the best festivals in Scotland, will also be taking place at the brewery just as is published.

February 2014

May 2014 5

Welcoming Family Atmosphere Summer 2014

Traditional Family Fayre with something for everyone... ...where a great meal doesn’t cost the earth.

Open every day Children welcome until 10pm

NEW MENUS for SUMMER 2014 Special Menu

12noon - 2pm: Mon-Fri, 3pm Sat/Sun 5.00-6.30pm: all week Main course: £8.95; Two courses: £10.95; Three courses: £12.95

Evening Dinner Menu also served from 5pm

Ayrshire & Wigtownshire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2012

Best Pub Grub 2013 Scottish Entertainment Awards

WINNER

RUNNER UP

2 REAL ALES USUALLY AVAILABLE

AMPLE FREE PARKING Special Occasion coming up?

Ensure everything goes smoothly by letting us entertain your guests in either our inviting, yet intimate, Fife Room, or in our bright and welcoming conservatory

Friday Night Steak Night 8oz Sirloin with choice of sauce for £10 Add bottle of Merlot or Sauvignon Blanc for £10 LIVE Music every month with 3-course meal, just £20 per head Quiz Night every Tuesday Outside al-fresco dining area / beer garden FREE

WiFi

UPPER DECK HOLIDAY FLAT For availability see our website: www.holidayflatfairlie.co.uk

Check our website for menus and entertainment programme

46 Bay Street, Fairlie. Tel: 01475 568432 www.villageinnfairlie.co.uk 6

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NEWS

New Breweries

Edinburgh and the Central Belt seem to have had plenty of new breweries opening but it’s been a while since one opened in the west of Scotland, but that’s all about to change - with not one, but two due to start brewing.

DRYGATE First off is the eagerly awaited collaboration between Alloa’s Williams Brothers and C&C Group (which makes Tennents, Magners etc) which is called Drygate Brewing Company, and is based at C&C’s Wellpark Brewery site near to Glasgow Cathedral. The logo reflects the corrugated roof of the building that has been converted into the brewery. The development includes a restaurant, run by the same folks who operate the acclaimed Vintage bistro in Leith. Two separate brewhouses will produce core and ‘experimental’ beers, and a beer hall with up to 24 taps (mix of keg and cask) and a rooftop garden is now open.

JAW BREW (by Ian ‘you heard it here first’ Martin) During one of my rest times whilst volunteering at Paisley Beer Festival, I had the opportuninty to chat with Mark Hazell who commented on the quality of this publication (“Well Done Again” Stuart for the most improved CAMRA Magazine).... MARK HAZELL I can hear you saying.... who is this person.

Mark is the brains, owner and head brewer of JAW BREW. JAW BREW I can hear you say again, never heard of them. JAW BREW is a new Brewery set to open very soon in Hillington, Glasgow and is set to have two ales available at G-RAF in late June. The first is a Pale Ale at around 3.8% and a Golden Ale at 4.3%. Later this year Mark is intending to produce some Amber & Dark Ales and he will also be producing some bottled versions of his Cask ales to be sold at Farmers’ Markets and is also hoping to have some available at some of the Commonwealth Games corporate events. More information on Twitter at twitter.com/JawBrew. A website will be up and running soon at www.jawbrew.co.uk BLACK WOLF Finally, not a new brewery, but a major rebranding of a long-established one.

Stirling-based Traditional Scottish Ales is no more, having renamed and rebranded themselves as the Black Wolf Brewery. Some of the original TSA ales remain - such as Lomond Gold, Glencoe Wild Oat Stout and William Wallace 80/-, but there are some new contemporary beers, brewed the traditional way but with some surprising and exciting flavours Tundra Wheat Beer and Florida Black Stout. Most of the beers are available as cask as well as in keg and bottles. Look out for them in outlets and supermarkets soon. www.blackwolfbrewery.com 7

Summer 2014

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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NEWS

Kelburn Brewery wins Branch Brewery of the Year Award At the Branch AGM held back in March, the Kelburn Brewery was voted as the Branch’s Brewery of the Year for 2013.

A presentation has been arranged to take place on Saturday 30th August. This will be followed by visits to some other pubs in the region - the Waterside Inn and Cross Stobbs Inn, both in Barrhead, the Uplawmoor Hotel, Uplawmoor and the Canny Man, Lugton. Further details will appear on the branch website, our Facebook page and the CAMRA Calling email newsletter nearer the time.

Meanwhile, the Kelburn Brewery recently launched a new beer, Regnitz (4.4%). It is described as having a subtle blend of German malts infused with a mighty whack of US whole hops, which combine to produce a red tinted beer which flows freely - just like the Regnitz River in Bamberg. So far it has been getting rave reviews from punters and publicans.

Their Tartan Army (4.3%) is also now available in bottles and 10p from every bottle sold will be donated to the TA Sunshine Appeal.

Fyne Ales’ Jarl chosen as Branch Beer of the Year Also at the Branch AGM, Fyne Ales’ mighty Jarl was chosen as our Beer of the Year for 2013.

Jarl is a 3.8% hoppy blonde ale and is currently the overall 2013 Champion Beer of Scotland.

It also came 3rd in the 2013 Champion Beer of Britain competition. A presentation will be made during FyneFest. Well done to both Kelburn and Fyne for these awards.

Branch Outing to Broughton Brewery We will be running a coach outing to the Broughton Brewery in Biggar on Sat 5th July.

The cost of the bus will be around £15 depending on numbers.

The brewery visit will cost an additional £15 but will include a 30 minute tour of the brewery, an inclusive bar featuring 4 different ales, a Broughton pint glass, 1 local pie and other nibbles. Additionally it is hoped to offer a mixed pack of 12 bottles for only £10 (normally £20!). It may also be possible to visit some other outlets in the area depending on time/ weather etc. To book your place on the bus, please contact Donald Clark, Social Secretary at social@awcamra.org.uk or by phoning 01292 476697 or 07886 312454.

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Summer 2014

The Village Inn, Dunlop

The Village Inn, 2-6 Stewarton Road, KA3 4AA. Dunlop Tel: 01560 483130 2-6Just Stewarton Road, Tel: 01560 483130 a two-minute walkKA3 from4AA. railway station

Lounge available for Parties, Meetings etc.facebook E-mail : villageinn98@live.com/ Dogs Welcome “Two minute walk from railway station�

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Dogs Welcome

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NEWS

Arran Brewery submits bid to purchase Bladnoch Distillery The Arran Brewery and partners have submitted a bid to purchase the assets of the Bladnoch Distillery near Wigtown. It is thought that there was considerable interest in the Distillery which is being sold by the Administrator Ernst & Young LLP. The Arran Brewery plc previously had to abandon a bid to purchase the former site of Rosebank Distillery in Falkirk when Falkirk Council decided to classify the site as “Abandoned” and Arran Breweries investor partners consequently withdrew their support for the project.

However, their investor partners are willing to support the brewery in the purchase of Bladnoch distillery which went into administration earlier this year. They will know in the next few weeks whether the bid is going to be taken any further.

Earlier this year the Arran Brewery sold 0.2% of the company for £160,000 valuing the company on paper at least at £80m, in the first round of a fund raising exercise aimed at raising £4m. This combined with other investments saw the company raise £260,000.

The brewery has recently purchased two sites: St Fillans (Loch Earn) where the former hotel is being refurbished as the Loch Earn Brewery, Hotel and Visitor Centre; while the other site in Dreghorn (North Ayrshire) is a former school and is awaiting planning consent to be refurbished as Scotland’s first Sake brewery, a Research and Development Centre and will house a bottling facility.

Gerald Michaluk said, “ We are upgrading the brewery on Arran as well as being fully funded for phase one of the Loch Earn Development and to enter international markets”.

Arran recently launched its brands in London and is seeking distributors in the rest of the UK and overseas. Meanwhile two new Brands are being launched for 2014 including “The King’s Cave” named after the Cave on Arran where Bruce is thought to have encountered the Spider that encouraged him to try once more try to free Scotland and ”Ben Vorlich”, a strong barley wine inspired by the mountain near the new Loch Earn brewery in Perthshire.

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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 12

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FORTHCOMING FESTIVALS The 2014 feast of festivals continues with plenty of choices to tickle your tastebuds over the coming months!

The reincarnated Glasgow CAMRA Beer Festival (GRAF) is being held for the first time in almost twenty years, from 26th – 28th June under the glass roof and stunning surroundings of the historic site of the old Glasgow Fish Market at the Briggait.

Over 100 ales are planned, along with ciders and foreign beers. The festival is likely to be very busy and you would be advised to arrive early if you intend going to it. Opening times are 5pm-10.30pm on Thursday 26th; 3pm-10.30pm on Friday 27th; and noon-10.30pm on Sat 28th.

Entrance is £6 (£4 CAMRA). If you are a CAMRA member and would like to volunteer at it, forms are available on the festival website: www.glasgowrealalefestival.co.uk More information also on the facebook site: www.facebook.com/glasgowrealalefestival Moving into July, the Scottish Real Ale Festival will take place once again at the Corn Exchange, Slateford, Edinburgh from Thurs 10th - Sun 13th July, from 12noon to 11pm (4.30pm Sun). This popular festival, as the name suggests, showcases beers from almost every brewery around Scotland. Some AWCAMRA members will be going through on the Friday afternoon if anyone wishes to join in for a social meetup.

The following week, the Kinloch Hotel, Blackwaterfoot, Arran is once again having a beer and food festival on Sat 19th July from midday till 7pm. Last year’s festival featured 14 cask ales with some scorching weather. Fingers crossed for more of the same this year. See advert on p34.

Into August, and Prestwick Cricket Club will be holding their 2nd Beer Festival in the Clubhouse, Main Street, Prestwick from 5pm till midnight on Fri 1st and 11am - 11pm on Sat 2nd. Easily accessible by train or bus, there will be 10 ales available from around the UK plus 4 ciders.

Also on 1st - 3rd August, the Kings Arms, Barr are holding a beer festival weekend with 6 ales available – see advert on the inside front cover.

Sat 27th September sees the Cove and Kilcreggan Real Ale Festival take place with around 18 ales on tap. Just a short hop and walk from the Gourock - Kilcreggan ferry.

Finally, from October 2nd - 4th, the best fest in the west – the 15th Ayrshire Real Ale Festival, featuring over 125 real ales, and this year for the first time, there will be a second bar open on Friday and Saturday in the Walker Hall featuring some special beers! Entrance is £5 (£3 CAMRA). Again, volunteers will be required to help with setting up, taking down, and manning the festival itself. Forms will appear on the website soon: www.ayrshirebeerfestival.org.uk.

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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 Caroline Munro for details.

Email: lou-72@hotmail.co.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

Enjoying a pint on the recent Machars trip Additionally, the Branch also holds social outings and trips on a regular basis – the next trips are to Broughton Brewery, Biggar on 5th July and Kelburn Brewery on 30th August - contact social secretary Donald Clark at social@ awcamra.org.uk for details.

OUTLETS NEWS SUMMER DIARY DATES

The following changes in outlets have occurred since the last . edition of New Outlets:

McCabes, Largs: three handpumps from Belhaven lists including house beer.

Goldberry Arms, Kilmarnock: one handpump, usually Isle of Skye beer.

Kings Arms, Barr: One ale currently from Ayr throughout summer, but hoping to source guest ales. Small beer festival with 6 ales on 1st-3rd August.

Downshire Arms, Portpatrick: One pump noted on a recent visit with Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted.

Losses:

Courtyard Bar, Ayr: closed.

Old Racecourse Hotel, Ayr: closed, and being converted to flats.

Market Inn, Ayr: no longer selling real ale.

Girvans, Troon: no longer selling real ale.

Other news:

Pier Head Tavern, Lamlash: Currently run by Arran Brewery but under threat of closure and conversion to flats by owners Punch Taverns.

Thurs 19th June, North Ayrshire Social, Saltcot, Saltcoats, including a ‘Meet the Brewer’ night with Isle of Skye brewery, 8pm.

Thurs 26th - Sat 28th June, Glasgow Real Ale Festival, The Briggait.

Branch/East Ayrshire Social from 5pm on Thurs.

Mon 30th June, Committee Meeting, Village Inn, Dunlop 8pm.

Sat 5th July, Branch outing to Broughton Brewery.

Thurs 10th - Sun 13th July, Scottish Real Ale Festival, Corn Exchange, Edinburgh. Branch Social from 3pm on Fri 11th.

Sat 19th July, Wigtownshire Social trip to Portpatrick.

Sat 19th July, Kinloch Hotel Beer Festival, Blackwaterfoot, Arran, 11am-7pm.

Thurs 17th July, North Ayrshire Social, Village Inn, Fairlie, 8pm.

Sat 26th July, Branch Social to Millport. Meet McCabes, Largs at 1pm.

Wed 30th July, East Ayrshire Social, Fanny by Gaslight Beer Festival, Kilmarnock, 7.30pm. Festival: 29th July - 10th Aug. See advert on p36.

Fri 1st - Sun 3rd Aug, Beer Festival weekend, Kings Arms, Barr.

Sat 16th Aug, Branch Social and Lunch at Blue Peter, Hotel, Kirkcolm.

Thurs 21st Aug, North Ayrshire Social, McCabes, Largs, 8pm.

Wed 27th Aug, East Ayrshire Social, Weston Tavern, Kilmaurs, 7.30pm.

Please check www.awcamra.org.uk for up-to-date details of all Branch events, including South Ayrshire social events.

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BRITAIN’S LONGEST PUBCRAWL by George Bryden In January and February this year I walked the length of Britain from Land’s End to John o’ Groats, planning my route using the 2014 Good Beer Guide as a drinking aid.

This is a brief description, highlighting the best pubs and beer I encountered.

I was spoilt on the first walking day by having six really good pubs to visit.

In Penzance, the ADMIRAL BENBOW, decorated in nautical theme, was the most interesting, and I kicked off with a pint of very good SHARPS DOOM BAR. In the CROWN, outlet for CORNISH CROWN Brewery ales, the PORTER was exceptional.

On to Crowlas and the STAR INN, brewery tap for Penzance beers. I had very acceptable BRISON’S BITTER and POTION NO. 9.

and I had a few pints of SHARPS CORNISH COASTER. Through Devon, the standout pub was the TOM COBLEY in the small village of Spreyton. A former National Pub of the Year, this place is not to be missed. I had some of the best beer of my entire trip in here, but notes I took on my iPhone have disappeared into the ether along with my memory, and I can’t remember what they were!

The LAMB in Silverton was a great midday stop, and I got there just as another cloudburst started. A great excuse to relax with good food The following day, the CLOCK AND KEY in and superb EXE VALLEY DOBS BEST BITTER on Trispen gave me shelter from a fierce rainstorm, gravity. and allowed me to get stuck into excellent SKINNERS BETTY STOGS. By now my feet were feeling the The highlight pace, but thoughts of a day off in of giving up were Bodmin was delayed by another a visit to the wonderful midday MASONS ARMS, stopover. The LAMB where I was AND FLAG in the shown round small Somerset the premises, village of Blagdon Hill provided much-needed including rest and delightful OTTER BITTER. the cellar, by enthusiastic A painkilling visit to the pharmacy in owners Paul Bridgwater, followed by breakfast in the and Wendy Wetherspoons CARNIVAL INN, accompanied by Hudson. A real a pint of STONE DOUBLE IPA at 8.5%, gave me local, the beer resolve to keep going, and I was rewarded by was excellent, falling upon another gem of a pub, the BLACK

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HORSE in Clapton in Gordano, where the BUTCOMBE BITTER and EXMOOR GOLD were both in excellent nick.

Crossing the Severn Bridge took me onto the Offas Dyke Trail, which I followed as far as Oswestrey. Lunchtime stopovers were now less available, but the BOAT INN near Redbrook on the River Wye was an exception, and provided well kept WYE VALLEY BUTTY BACH and WICKWAR BANKERS DRAFT. In KILVERTS in Hay on Wye, the Brecon Brewery SNOWY BEACONS was excellent, but the highlight of the Offas Dyke section was a visit to the OLDE TAVERN in Kington in Herefordshire, a National Inventory pub selling great HOBSONS MILD, LUDLOW GOLD and THREE TUNS OLD SCROOGE. The conversation was also top class! The other pub worth visiting in Kington is the Royal Oak, where the WYE VALLEY HEREFORDSHIRE PALE ALE was on good form.

In the DRAGON HOTEL in Montgomery, I had good food washed down with lovely MONTYS HILLTOP and WOODS SPECIAL BITTER, and in Oswestry, the OAK INN was top class, selling the STONEHOUSE range of beers. Along the street, YE OLDE VAULTS, brewery tap for OFFAS DYKE ALES, sold all real ales at £1.85 a pint.

Through Cheshire and parts of Lancashire, it was disappointing to see many village pubs closed down, but in Frodsham the HELTER SKELTER was a real mecca. There was a great

choice of ales on offer, but time and daylight were against me, so I settled for a quick pint of PHOENIX WOBBLY BOB. Visits to several pubs in the Newton-le-Willows area yielded nothing but keg, but the following day in Eccleston I found another great midday stop in the ORIGINAL FARMERS ARMS. Good inexpensive food and beautiful GEORGE WRIGHT PIPE DREAM and PHOENIX ARIZONA were just the pick-up needed.

Of the many pubs in Preston, the outstanding Robinsons house the BLACK HORSE is another National Inventory pub. After a long day on the road, the OLD TOM was the perfect nightcap In Lancaster, I visited the WATER WITCH and the WHITE CROSS, both excellent, but the highlight was a visit to the BOROUGH, where they brew their own beer. I had their BITTER, PALE, and DARK, good beers but served too cold for my liking. (It was only when I was leaving that I noticed a sign giving £1 a pint discount to CAMRA members!)

An early morning start the following day took me the twenty miles to my next rest day in one of my favourite pubs in the country, the WATERMILL INN at Ings. Mrs Walker joined me, and we visited several pubs in the area including the nearby HAWKSHEAD BREWERY BEER 17

Summer 2014

HALL and the EAGLE AND CHILD in Staveley.

The WATERMILL itself has good rooms and 16 handpumps,many selling the on-site brewed Watermill range, my favourite being COLLIEWOBBLES. In the ROYAL in Penrith I had really excellent BARNGATES TAG LAG and HAWKSHEAD BRODIES PRIME, and in the KINGS HEAD in Carlisle, one of my all time favourite beers, the YATES BITTER, was superb, the last good pint for several miles.

Into Scotland after more than a month on the road, and I was surprised to find top-class INVERALMOND OSSIAN in the BLACK BULL in Lockerbie.

Publican Ian McLatchie told me he had been doing brisk trade with his ale since he first tried it last September. Well worth a visit.

The long drag up the old A74 eventually brought me to Strathaven and the WEAVERS, a pub well known to local CAMRA members. The enthusiastic owners had STRATHAVEN LINEOUT, ROBINSONS TROOPER, CAMERONS STRONGARM and IND COOPE BURTON ALE on tap, all of which were excellent, my favourite being the BURTON.

80/-. The DROVERS at Inverarnan was our next stop, and what a night it was!

Although the most expensive ale pub on the entire trip, we had a great party – till the DEUCHARS ran out!

The only real ale available between here and Fort William was had in the Bridge of Orchy Hotel and in Kingshouse, where the TRADE WINDS was in fine form. Fort William itself had four pubs selling ale, the best being the GROG and GRUEL with its delectable ORKNEY DARK ISLAND. Real ale was available in the BOTHY in Fort Augustus, but the next highlight was the BENLEVA HOTEL in Drumnadrochit, where I stayed overnight. Home to the Loch Ness Brewery, the Ben Leva had an excellent range of ale on, including two guests, BUTCOMBE BITTER from Somerset and WICKER MAN from the WREN brewery. I particularly enjoyed the in-house brewed DARKNESS. Unfortunately, I found the Ben Leva to be quite an unsociable place, and was pleased to leave in the morning for Dingwall.

The only ale found the next day was in CONON BRIDGE HOTEL. The TRADEWINDS was just on My next day off was in Glasgow, where my son and in excellent Stuart joined me to accompany me on the West condition. In Highland Way. We visited many of the ‘usual Dornoch in the suspects’ including the BON ACCORD, THREE EAGLE HOTEL I was JUDGES, POT STILL and STATE BAR, before treated to a pint heading up the way to Balmaha and the OAK of ST. AUSTELL TREE INN where we sampled some of the new RUCK AND ROLL, BALMAHA BREWERY range, RED ALERT and like myself all the 18

www.awcamra.org.uk

This is a malt whisky mecca, as is the SUTHERLAND INN in Brora, both well worth a visit if you like malts at £100 and upwards a shot! I had a very good pint of SKYE HEBRIDEAN GOLD in the Sutherland.

The final treat was a lunchtime pint in the SINCLAIR BAY HOTEL in the small village of Keiss, about 10 miles from John o’ Groat’s.

The genial publican had put on ORKNEY CORNCRAKE ale a few hours earlier than he would have liked to celebrate my final day, and although slightly hazy, it was one of the tastiest and memorable pints I’ve ever had in my life!

In the BELGRAVE ARMS in Helmsdale I was surprised to find excellent WHITSTABLE BAY IPA, then it was onto Wick and the ALEXANDER BAIN, a Wetherspoons selling two old friends, QUANTOCK WILLS NECK from Somerset and the STONE DOUBLE IPA, the beer which probably gave me the will to keep walking 700 miles back!

SUMMARY In all, I visited 146 drinking establishments, 61 of which were listed in the 2014 Good Beer Guide. Real Ale was available in 38 of the 45 non-GBG pubs in England and Wales, but only in 21 of the 40 in Scotland, although in both cases some were seasonal or had ale in bottle. The most inexpensive ale was found in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Cheshire and Lancashire. The most expensive was in the Drovers. The best night? The Drovers!

way from Cornwall, and then in the DORNOCH CASTLE HOTEL, a beautiful pint of CROMARTY ATLANTIC DRIFT.

Top Ten Pubs Masons Arms, Bodmin Tom Cobley, Spreyton Lamb and Flag, Blagdon Hill Black Horse, Clapton in Gordano Olde Tavern, Kington Original Farmers Arms, Eccleston Watermill Inn, Ings Weavers, Strathaven Bon Accord, Glasgow Dornoch Castle, Dornoch

Top Ten Beers Sharps Cornish Coaster Skinners Betty Stogs Butcombe Bitter Montys Hilltop George Wright Pipe Dream Robinsons Old Tom Yates Bitter Inveralmond Ossian Cromarty Atlantic Drift Orkney Corncrake

Thanks to those of you who contributed to bring the amount raised for the Ayrshire Hospice to over £5000.

Can’t wait till next January!

George

You can still support George by giving a donation at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GeorgeBryden , or pledge by phone on 01655 750333.

19

Summer 2014

Houston

Largs Millport

Gateside

Lochranza Catacol Arran

Fairlie Beith Ardrossan Kilmaurs

Lugton Dunlop Stewarton

Strathaven

Kilmarnock

Saltcoats Brodick Irvine Troon Lamlash

Blackwaterfoot

Kelburn

Craigie Failford

Prestwick

Sorn

Ayr Stair

Ayr

Kirkmichael Kirkoswald Girvan

Barr

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 2014

20

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

DUNLOP Auld Hoose Village Inn

LAMLASH Drift Inn

AYR Abbotsford Hotel Ayrshire & Galloway Chestnuts Hotel Geordie’s Byre Glen Park Hotel Harry’s Bar Newton Arms Tam O’ Shanter Twa Dugs Wellingtons Bar West Kirk

LOCHRANZA Lochranza Hotel

BARR Kings Arms Hotel

WIGTOWNSHIRE

NORTH AYRSHIRE

CRAIGIE Craigie Inn

BRODICK Brodick Bar Ormidale Hotel Wine Port CATACOL Catacol Bay Hotel

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 McCabes Waterside LUGTON Canny Man § MILLPORT Fraser’s Bar SALTCOATS Salt Cot

FAILFORD Failford Inn GIRVAN Roxy Cafe Bar* KIRKMICHAEL Kirkmichael Arms KIRKOSWALD Souter’s Inn PRESTWICK Eagle Tavern Prestwick Pioneer TROON Bruce’s Well Fullartons Harbour Bar Lonsdale Bar McKay’s Marr Rugby Club (weekends) South Beach Hotel

Do you know of a pub that sells real ale and isn’t listed?

Please let us know.

* CAMRA members have noted that real ale is not always available at these pubs. § Special offers for card-carrying CAMRA members

KILMARNOCK Brass & Granite Fanny by Gaslight First Edition Goldberry Arms Wheatsheaf Inn

BARGRENNAN House O’ Hill Hotel BLADNOCH Bladnoch Inn DRUMMORE Clashwhannon GLENLUCE Kelvin House Hotel ISLE OF WHITHORN Steam Packet Inn § KIRKCOLM Blue Peter Hotel NEW LUCE Kenmuir Arms Hotel

KILMAURS Weston Tavern SORN Sorn Inn STAIR Stair Inn STEWARTON Millhouse Hotel Stewarton Arms

NEWTON STEWART Creebridge House Hotel Galloway Arms Hotel PORTPATRICK Crown Hotel Downshire Arms Harbour House Hotel SANDHEAD Tigh-na-Mara Hotel STRANRAER Grapes § Ruddicot Hotel WIGTOWN Wigtown Ploughman

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: 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.

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.

5 Perfect: Probably the best you are ever likely to find.

A seasoned drinker will award this score very rarely.

21

Summer 2014

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

22

www.awcamra.org.uk

BRANCH SOCIAL TRIP TO FRASERS BAR, MILLPORT Saturday 26th July - everyone welcome Logistics of getting to and from Millport mean that a visit to the island isn’t practical for a normal evening social meeting. So the plan is to meet in McCabes, Largs (opposite train station) for pint at 1pm (coincides with train from Kilwinning). Then we’ll get the 2.30pm ferry over to Cumbrae and the bus into Millport where we’ll gather for a social meetup in Frasers Bar, North Ayrshire’s The view from Frasers Bar Pub of the Year, circa 3.00pm. Frasers Bar is just across the road from the bus terminus. Alternatively, the more adventurous may wish to meet on 1.00pm ferry and walk from Cumbrae slip over hill to Millport. The walk takes approx 1½ hours, Or you could take your bike and cycle round island – Frasers has secure parking for bikes round the back. The pub has been completely re-decorated over the winter presenting a comfortable and welcoming feel. It has two ales on tap, usually one from either Houston or Kelburn, plus another guest. Everyone is welcome to come along - why not bring your partners for an enjoyable afternoon overseas on the Costa del Clyde - the more the merrier.

Wetherspoon’s Vouchers In recent weeks there’s been a slight change in using your CAMRA 50p discount vouchers in Wetherspoon’s pubs. In Scotland they have introduced an offer on Mon-Wed discounting guest ales by 30p (Mon only in England & Wales). T&C’s of the CAMRA vouchers are that they cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, and so should not be accepted on those days against guest ales. The full 50p discount will still be available on the premium ales and from Thurs-Sun.

The Auld Brig, Irvine – opening soon The new Wetherspoon’s pub, The Auld Brig, located at the bottom of the Rivergate Shopping Centre, Irvine is scheduled to open on 15th July, and will feature up to 12 handpumps bringing much needed ale to a relative desert in the town. The only other outlet in Irvine that currently sells real ale (and good food) is The Ship Inn located down the Harbourside.

40 Years of CAMRA in Scotland September 2014 sees the 40th Anniversary of CAMRA in Scotland, following the initial meeting in the Golf Inn, Bishopton back in 1974.

Cheer s!

Celebr 40 yearating of C AM s in Scot RA land 19

Additionally, a special 74 - 20 14 40th Anniversary booklet is being produced with contributions from every CAMRA branch in Scotland, along with To mark the event a special meeting is being memories by some held in Callums, Johnstone on Saturday 13th CAMRA members.

September as it is one of the closest outlets to the now closed Golf Inn. Watch the website Copies should be available at CAMRA and facebook for more details nearer the time. meetings and beer festivals by late June.

1

23

The Grand National trip to Wigtownshire in April went very well with a full bus visiting several outlets on the way down to the Steam Packet in the Isle of Whithorn. The opportunity was taken to present the branch Pub of the Year (POTY) certificate to Alistair Scoular, the landlord who provided a very welcome lunch. We stayed for a couple of hours before moving to the Bladnoch Inn to watch the race.

Another couple of outings I enjoyed recently were my visits to the Paisley Beer Festival 2014 27th Paisley Beer Festival and the 16th Kingdom of Fife Real Ale & Cider Festival in Glenrothes. As you will note, both of these have been going for a number of years and it is a credit to all volunteers who contribute to this and other festivals to make them a success. It may seem like a flawless operation when you attend but a lot of work goes into keeping things running smoothly.

My favourite beer at Paisley was Young Pretender from Isle of Skye Brewery closely followed by Highland Orkney Best. At Glenrothes, I was asked to judge the Fife Beer of the Year from 11 entries. The unanimous winner by some margin was CV from Abbot Brewhouse in Dumfermline. This is a strong IPA of 6.5% using 105 different hop varieties.

I spoke to John Reade the brewer afterwards and he said “I believe this is a world record”.

24

P

RAY’S ROUND UP by Ray Turpie

ROUND Y’S U A R

John uses a small brew house attached to Dunfermline Abbey and specialises in old recipes. His product is mainly bottled and sold in the Abbey shop.

On my way south I visited another beer shop at Jennings Brewery in Cockermouth as I was heading for the AGM & National Conference in Scarborough. I spoke to the staff about the flooding a few years ago. They advised that the water was gushing through the yard and reached half way up the shop door. It is a credit to Marstons that they got the brewery back on its feet so quickly. There is a plaque on a building in the main street which indicates the level of the water. I had to reach up to touch the mark.

We stopped for the night at the Agricultural Hotel, Penrith where I enjoyed a few pints of Jennings Cumberland Ale. Regular readers may remember I mentioned this CAMRA pub of the year (POTY) a while ago and suggested it as a good stopping off point. Penrith is an interesting place with many Inns. The cattle market was a popular drovers rest due to its ideal position as a meeting point for all routes.

Agricultural Hotel, Penrith

www.awcamra.org.uk

Jennings Brewery The next day we took the route to Scotch Corner and made our way over to the coast to visit Staithes, birthplace of Captain Cook, a quaint little village with narrow cobbled streets down to the harbour. The weather was not great so we did not linger in Whitby or Robin Hood’s Bay but headed for our hotel overlooking the Spa Complex. A funicular railway takes you down to the venue where we registered and made for the members’ bar.

Once ensconced, I stayed there all evening although trips to various breweries were available if you booked early. Most of the eighty odd beers were from Yorkshire including the Champion Beer of Britain (CBOB), Elland 1872 Porter. My favourites were York’s Yorkshire Terrier and Kelham Island Riders on the Storm.

It is around thirty years since I was last in Scarborough and so after all the debate on motions during the day the only debate on the Saturday night was which of the recommended pubs to visit. We chose the Highlander where we enjoyed a meal and

some Wold Top Bitter, the Cask Inn and Cellars Bar. I never got any further because there was a mini festival and a great band called Heel Sneekers on at the latter as well as Purple Moose Snowdonia Ale. We enjoyed a memorable night out.

Nevertheless, I managed to drag myself in to the Sunday morning session where we were in for a big surprise. Full Pints won the award for the most improved branch magazine.

Well done to Stuart, our editor, for this well deserved recognition. That sent us all home happy. I cannot wait for Nottingham next year from 17-19th April.

There are many things to enjoy before then, however, including the first Glasgow Beer Festival for some years at the Briggait from 26-29th June, the Scottish Real Ale Festival in Edinburgh from 10-13th July, and of course our own Ayrshire Real Ale Festival from 2nd4th October. Also, please pencil in the Super Regional CAMRA Conference in the South Beach Hotel, Troon on Saturday 25th October.

Meanwhile, enjoy your summer ales. Cheers.

25

Summer 2014

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 26

www.awcamra.org.uk

Old Racecourse Hotel, Ayr closes by Mick Lee At the end of March 2014 the doors closed for the last time on the Old Racecourse Hotel in Ayr, an outlet that had been selling real ale for at least the last 38 years. Bought by a housebuilder four and a half years ago but kept open and trading until now, it was the subject of a planning application for change of use to residential flats at the end of 2013. Despite an objection from the Ayrshire & Wigtownshire branch of CAMRA, planning permission was granted earlier this year.

Current Branch Pubs Officer Mick Lee first drank Belhaven 80/- there in June 1976, and attended an early committee meeting of the first incarnation of the Ayrshire Branch there later that month. It made its first appearance in the Good Beer Guide in 1981 and went on to appear in 21 more editions, including appearing five years in a row on three occasions. Its last appearance was in 2012, and it would have appeared more often if it were not for strong competition from other Ayr outlets.

Despite having major internal alterations on two occasions since the seventies, including the creation, and later removal, of a circular pot still shaped central fireplace, it sold consistently good real ale throughout. As well as providing good food and accommodation its bar acted as a local for the surrounding residential area.

It hosted many CAMRA meetings and events over the years, and its very appropriate swansong was the Branch AGM on 22 March this year, attended by one of the best turnouts in memory.

Three handpulls were still dispensing a good variety of ales right to the last. The Branch’s best wishes go the staff as they move on to pastures new, and that corner of Ayr will never feel quite the same, especially to those of us who remember it as one of only two real ale outlets in Ayr in the mid-seventies.

Wigtownshire News by Malcolm McNeill

Portpatrick

is published a new beer festival should By the time have taken place in The Grain Store, Hanover Street, Stranraer, after several false starts due to H& S and planning issues, given the age and condition of the venue. Ian Murray, former owner of the Blue Peter Hotel, Kirkcolm is behind the event and also has clear plans to begin a new brewery before the end of the year in Stranraer. www.grainstore.org Some upcoming Wigtownshire Social Events/Outings: Saturday 19th July – Afternoon trip to Portpatrick and Saturday 16th August – Branch Social and Lunch at Blue Peter, Kirkcolm (TBC).

For further information, please contact Malcolm McNeill at wigtownshire@awcamra.org.uk 27

YOU'RE DUE A CHANGE

Summer 2014

R

EDINBURGH’S ORIGINAL PALE ALE www.edinburghbrewing.co.uk

r Mo th

NEW BEERS IN BOTTLE!

UPCOMING SEASONAL BREWS

WHERE REAL SCOTS CRAFT REAL ALE 28

WWW.BROUGHTONALES.CO.UK Tel: +44 (0)1899 830 345 Email: beer@broughtonales.co.uk

Home of the famous Old Jock Ale

Roll up, Roll up to www.awcamra.org.uk

0-=

123456789

j o i n ov e r

900

50,000

Tantalising

Thrill seekers

beers, ciders and perries to try

expected through the door

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re Mo an th

Fun, Food, Live Music & Frolics

350

in a

British Breweries represented at this beer extravaganza

carnival atmosphere

aign for R The Campproudly presents eal Ale

the

12-16th Aug - www.gbbf.org.uk Olympia, London GreatBritishBeerFestival

tickets available from May

GBBF

www.gbbf.org.uk/tickets 0844 412 4640

Details correct at time of print. For up to date information visit www.gbbf.org.uk

29

Summer 2014

MACHARS TRIP, 4th April by Stuart McMahon

Lindsay Grant (l) and Malcolm McNeill (r) present the Pub of the Year certificates to Alastair Scoular, owner of the Steam Packet Inn, Isle of Whithorn.

Starting in Kilwinning, followed by pickups in Kilmarnock and Prestwick, some 40 folk travelled by coach under starter’s orders on a trip down to the Machars area of Wigtownshire on 5th April 2014, the main purpose of which was to present the Branch Pub of the Year award to the Steam Packet Inn at the Isle of Whithorn.

It was lunchtime by the time we arrived at the small pub on the harbourside, and a superb buffet lunch was ready for our arrival. Fed and watered, the presentations took place – firstly by Malcolm McNeill for the Steam Packet winning the Wigtownshire POTY, and then by Lindsay Grant for them winning the overall Branch POTY, having faced stiff competition from 30

Frasers Bar in Millport, the Wheatsheaf in Kilmarnock and Wellingtons Bar in Ayr. Congratulations to Alastair Scoular and his staff on winning the award. The Steam Packet currently has 5 guest handpumps plus Timothy Taylor’s Landlord on permanently and special deals are available for CAMRA members should you wish to stay at the pub.

Mr Glen, owner of Pam and Reg

www.awcamra.org.uk

House o’ Hill The trip, however, started earlier in the morning at Fence number 1 by visiting the House O’ Hill hotel at Bargrennan, Glen Trool in true drizzly, dreich Scottish weather but Wychwood PileDriver, Jennings Lakeland Stunner and a log fire were on offer to brighten our spirits.

With all runners and riders safely back on board the bus, the next stop was the Creebridge House Hotel in Newton Stewart where we met up with the Wigtownshire contingent of members attending the trip. Beers from Houston were available here including Killellan, Blonde Bombshell and their house beer Creebridge Gold.

Creebridge House Hotel

Ronnie hogging the sandwiches – again!

The full bus then headed down to Isle of Whithorn for lunch at the Steam Packet Inn, as described opposite. Beers available at the Steam Packet included Fyne Ales’ Maverick and Avalanche, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Atlas Three Sisters, and Acton Alnmouth.

After the Steam Packet the next stop was to the Bladnoch Inn, Bladnoch where we arrived just in time to watch the Grand National. Sulwath Criffel and Morland Old Speckled Hen were on tap.

Bladnoch Inn

Wigtown Ploughman

Finally, on the home straight, with no fallers, we called in at the Galloway Arms in Newton Stewart where more sandwiches were provided and Sulwath Knockendoch and Belhaven IPA were on offer.

Everyone made it past the finishing post and had enjoyed a thoroughly good day and, on the whole, the beers were all in very good condition. Thanks go to all the outlets for their hospitality and to Donald Clark for organising the day.

With two fences to go, our penultimate stop was at the Wigtown Ploughman, which has recently undergone an amazing transformation. Some Galloway Arms more nibbles were provided and beers on offer were Speckled Hen, Belhaven St Andrew’s, Harvieston Bitter & twisted, Inveralmond Ossian and a welcome surprise of a gravity poured cask sitting on the bar of Belhaven / Herok & Howells Festival Ale. 31

Summer 2014

32

www.awcamra.org.uk

GETTING AROUND

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

Stagecoach West Scotland www.stagecoachbus.com

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 Kilmarnock: 01563 521502 Irvine: 01294 324900 Stranraer: 01776 703260 Email addresses can be found on your local authority website.

Why should I score beers?

Every CAMRA member can score ales they drink in their local pub using the WhatPub app and website, www.whatpub.com.

But what are the benefits? Well, all scores go towards whether an outlet is considered for inclusion in the Good Beer Guide, and, if there is a trend of low scores for any outlet, it can alert the committee to possible problems.

Scores are continually required for the whole Branch area but, in particular, Arran outlets receive very few scores - if you’re visiting the island this summer, then why not take a few moments to score your beers on whatpub.com? Scoring criteria are listed on the outlets page on p21.

33

BEST WESTERN Summer 2014

Isle of Arran

Blackwaterfoot Beer Festival Isle of Arran

Real Ales!

Saturday 19th July mid-day until 7pm

• real ales • craft ciders • wine tastings • seafood tent • jazz band • blue grass band • home made bakery pizzas • blue skies & sunshine!

BEST WESTERN Kinloch Hotel, Blackwaterfoot, The Isle of Arran 34 www.bw-kinlochhotel.co.uk Tel: 01770 860444

ran

www.awcamra.org.uk

Ardrossan Accies Beer Festival Ardrossan Academicals Rugby Club held their 3rd beer festival back in March, and it was their best one yet.

With 12 ales available, the North Ayrshire CAMRA Social Group held a ‘preview’ night on Thursday 13th March which was well attended. Despite a large number of Accies players being absent, having travelled down to Cardiff to watch Scotland lose to Wales, attendance on the Saturday was good and it was decided to open a lucky 13th cask. By close on Sunday there was very little beer left.

Ales available were Alechemy 10 Storey Malt Bomb and Starlaw, Windswept Blonde, Loch Ness 80/- and DarkNESS, Houston Warlock Stout, Strathaven Line Out and Craigmill Mild, Atom Blonde, Fallen 1703, Skye Young Pretender and Orkney Northern Light.

The first beer to sell out was Alechemy Starlaw.

Comments on the catering (or lack of!) have been noted and will be fed back.

Village Inn, Fairlie Beer Festival The Village Inn, Fairlie held their 2nd Beer Festival on 23-25 May. The beer was great even if the weather was changeable!

Hot dog, anyone?

With up to 24 ales available, plus cider (including the CAMRA recognised ‘Jaggy Thistle’ from Thistly Cross) there was something for everyone.

The weather held up well on Friday and Saturday, though Sunday had some sharp showers, but that didn’t stop over 350 folk turning up and sampling a very good selection of unusual beers including Atom brewery’s Camomile Tea Beer and Bunsen American Brown ale, Alechemy Amarillo Burst and Rye O’ Rye, and

Not one, but two Charlie Fisher’s Valhalla’s Simmer Dim and White Wife. First beer to run out was Beeches Blonde Bi’ere from Lochgelly in Fife.

A big thank you to Mark Maclean for hosting the festival and for providing some excellent food including Wild Boar and Kangaroo burgers (for added hoppiness!)

35

Summer 2014

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

36

www.awcamra.org.uk 2014

ALE

ersary v i n n A 40th A Scotland CAMR

30th Anniv CAMRA Br ersary anch

2 0 14

15th Ayrshire REAL ALE Festival

Over 125 Real Ales PLUS Cider & Perry

2nd - 4th October Troon Concert Hall

Thurs 2nd: 12 noon-2pm (CAMRA preview) 2pm – 11pm (Public) Fri 3rd: 11am – 11pm Music evening only Sat 4th: 11am – 11pm Music afternoon and evening

Admission (over 18s only)

Public: £5, CAMRA: £3 (includes glass and programme)

www.ayrshirebeerfestival.co.uk 37

Summer 2014

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 38

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.

Last edition, Mr Beer Surfer was frustrated at some out-of-date CAMRA-related websites. Two such websites have thankfully now been revamped well done Kingdom of Fife and Aberdeen branches.

Fife’s site (www.kingdomoffife.camra.org.uk) is a bit on the red side, but at least the content (for now) is up-to-date. Aberdeen’s site (www.aberdeencamra. org.uk) is nice and clean with good use of graphics.

SUMMER ALE

Maybe by the time is printed the Scottish Real Ale festival website (www. scottishbeerfestival.org.uk) will have been updated properly with this year’s dates and information for its own festival in July!

But, back to good websites, Edinburgh’s Stewart Brewing site (www.stewartbrewing.co.uk) is pretty extensive, listing all their beers, forthcoming events and their new Craft Beer Kitchen where you can brew your own recipes. Closer to home you can try a similar venture in Ayr where Anthony (of Ayr Brewing fame) will help you concoct some unique brews - On the Brew (www.facebook.com/ayrbrew).

Loch Lomond Brewery has recently updated their website (www.lochlomondbrewery.com) - Mr Beer Surfer really loves the branding on their beers. And Isle of Skye’s new website (www.skyeale.com) featuring their newly rebranded look is equally smart. Well done, guys.

And finally, on the blogging front, have a look at Glasgow-based “I might have a glass of beer” (www.refreshingbeer.blogspot.co.uk) written

by Robsterowski. Plenty of up-to-date news from the west (the quiet launch of McEwan’s IPA on cask caught my eye today). Rob is also very active on Twitter). In my opinion, though, the blog’s not quite as good as Richard from TheBeerCast featured last issue - sorry Rob!

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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