FREE Please take a copy
FULLP NTS Ayrshire & Wigtownshire CAMRA Branch
Branch Pub of the Year 2017: Wellingtons Bar, Ayr SEE PAGE 4
SUMMER 2017
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Just another day at the office... come and visit us
A warm welcome awaits at our brewery visitor centre
Absorb the sights and smells of the traditional beer-making process, and taste samples of some of the finest beers available today. You can purchase a wide range of excellent gifts as well as all of our finest ales.
Tick when you taste - Brewery Tours 01770 302 353 2
GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE www.arranbrewery.com
FULLP NTS
Cover photo: Nan O'Brien, Wellingtons Bar owner with her award. Photo: Ronnie Beveridge
SUMMER 2017
Volume 19, Issue 2
CONTENTS Branch Pub of the Year..........4
WhatPub......................................25
Branch Club of the Year........5
Diary Dates.................................25
Beer/Brewery of the Year.....5
Cider/Perry winners..............26
AGM News....................................5
Travel Info...................................26
SIBA National Winners........... 7
Trading Standards Info........26
Pledge for Pubs...........................9
Northern Ireland CAMRA.. 27
Beer Festival Info.................7/13
Positions Vacant...................... 29
Brewery News........................... 11
Ale Trails........................................31
CBOB Scottish Heats............13
Ray's Round Up....................... 32
Beer of the Festival.................14
Next Generation..................... 35
Outlets News.............................15
Grand National Trip...............37
Liverpool Trip.............................16
House O'Hill Festival............ 39
Members' Website..................19
Wigtownshire News.............40
Mild Trail........................................21
Just for Fun Quiz.....................41
Map/List of Outlets.........22/23
Join CAMRA.......................42/43
Ayrshire and Wigtownshire CAMRA Branch Chairman: Graeme Perry Email: chair@awcamra.org.uk Secretary: Kenneth Middleditch Email: secretary@awcamra.org.uk Minutes of Branch Meetings are available to members from the Secretary. Treasurer: Lindsay Grant Email: treasurer@awcamra.org.uk Editor: Stuart McMahon, 93 Montfode Drive, Ardrossan KA22 7PH Tel: 01294 603848 Email: fullpints@awcamra.org.uk Advertising: Mike Tomlinson Email: advertising@awcamra.org.uk
Full Pints is a free magazine published quarterly by the Ayrshire & Wigtownshire Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). CAMRA is an independent, voluntary, consumer organisation which campaigns for real ale, real pubs and consumer rights. Membership is open to all individuals although corporate entities such as breweries and pubs are not members; CAMRA currently has over 187,000 members. It is governed by a voluntary unpaid national executive, elected by the membership. It has a branch structure which means that all members can join a local CAMRA branch and campaign and socialise locally. Within our Branch, we have four social group areas - namely North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire and Wigtownshire, each of whom organise regular events and meetings (usually monthly). Details of these events are posted on our Facebook page. Members are always encouraged to bring a friend along if they wish - all are welcome to attend.
The next edition of Full Pints will be published in September 2017. Articles, photos and other contributions should be sent to the editor at fullpints@awcamra.org.uk no later than Friday 11th August 2017.
Advertising Rates (2017): Full Page: £80 ½ Page: £45 Yearly rates (in advance): £290 / £160 Websites: www.awcamra.org.uk www.ayrshirebeerfestival.co.uk
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Full Pints is designed by Montfode Design, www.md93.co.uk and printed by Brown Brothers Printers, Irvine, www.brown-bros.com. Around 2,500 copies are published every 3 months and distributed to all Real Ale outlets in our region. The views expressed in this publication are those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the editor or of the Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. © Campaign for Real Ale Ltd 3
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BRANCH PUB OF THE YEAR: WELLINGTONS BAR, AYR After a very close competition, our judges this year chose Wellingtons Bar in Ayr as our overall 2017 Branch Pub of the Year (POTY). The popular basement bar in Wellington Square usually has three ales available, and is popular for its food offerings, live music and long-established quiz night. A social night was organised back in March to make the presentation in the pub, and there was a good turnout of members for it, including some keen members who cycled all the way down from North Ayrshire! Owner, Nan O'Brien was understandably delighted at winning the award, having previously won South Ayrshire POTY twice. Wellingtons now goes forward to the Scottish heats of the national competition where it will be assesed against the other winners from Scottish CAMRA Branches. The result of that stage will be announced later in the summer.
Nan O"Brien (2nd left) with staff after being presented with the Pub of the Year award
North Ayrshire cyclists Stuart Dunbar, Ewan Graham and Stewart Gibb.
Some of the Branch members who attended the presentation 4
FULLP NTS SUMMER 2017
BRANCH CLUB OF THE YEAR Garnock Community Social Club, Kilbirnie and Cambusdoon Sports Club, Alloway were visited recently by a branch judge to assess which of the two clubs should be nominated as our Club of the Year 2017. For the second year running, the Kilbirnie club came out tops, and congratulations are extended to the staff at the club, and to several local CAMRA members, for continuing to promote real ale in the Garnock Valley. There are two handpumps available and four or five ales are usually turned around over the course of a week. All the ales cost just £2.70/pint and many are sourced from smaller, newer or less commonly seen breweries, with recent offerings coming from Beath Brewery, Cowdenbeath; Clockwork, Glasgow and Purple Moose, Wales. Membership of the club is only £5/year and with a main bus stop right outside the club (X36/X34/125), you are guaranteed to have a great time. Opening times are found on their facebook page: www.facebook.com/Garnock-Community-Social-Club-828115257233849 Watch out for details of a possible joint social night in the Club coming soon with the Renfrewshire Branch, along with the Club's annual beer and music festival in November.
NATIONAL AGM: BRANCH BEER AND TURPIE AND FULL PINTS BREWERY OF THE YEAR RAY As you may recall, our Branch vice-chairman, Ray Turpie stood At our AGM held back in March, members present voted for our 2017 Branch Beer and Brewery of the year.
The Beer of the Year competition was won by Kelburn Brewery with their award-winning Jaguar ale. The presentation for this is likely to take place at the Ayrshire Real Ale Festival in October. Inveralmond Brewery in Perth won the Brewery of the Year competition. Watch out for details from our Donald Clark, our social secretary, on a bus trip to the brewery and surrounding area.
as a candidate for CAMRA’s National Executive. The results of the ballot were announced at the National AGM and Members’ Weekend held in Bournemouth back in April - unfortunately on this occasion Ray was unsuccessful. You will recall that at last year’s National AGM, Full Pints won the ‘Best CAMRA Magazine in Britain’ Award. Sadly, we were unable to hold on to the title, with former multi-award winner, Bristol & District’s “Pints West” reclaiming the title for this year.
Branch AGM Summary
Our Branch AGM was held at the end of March in the Abbotsford Hotel, Ayr. The meeting was well attended and business conducted quickly. There were no changes to the committee with all sitting incumbents carrying on their roles. Our Branch campaigning targets for the year ahead are: 1. Continue with strategies to encourage pubs in our beer deserts to offer real ale. 2. Adopt strategies to support rural pubs (including attending bus users group meetings and publishing ale trails) 3. Activate members through greater use of social media. 5
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Arran Real Ale Festival Saturday 26th August 11.30am until 5pm Real Ales Cider Wine Fresh Food Live Music Ticket only event - 500 tickets only!
ÂŁ5 per person - call and book now on 01770 860 444 Tickets WILL NOT be available for purchase on the day.
best location, best service, best value 6
Kinloch Hotel, Blackwaterfoot, Isle of Arran www.bw-kinlochhotel.co.uk Tel: 01770 860444
FULLP NTS SUMMER 2017
SIBA COMPETITION WINNERS The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) held their national competition back in March. Williams Brothers, based in Alloa, took home the much coveted Supreme cask Gold award for their traditional dark mild ‘Black’, whilst Fyne Ales won the bottle and can competition with ‘Mills & Hills’, a hefty imperial stout of almost 10% ABV. Burning Sky Brewery in East Sussex stopped a potential Scottish hat-trick in the Awards, by taking home Gold in the Keg competition with their Easy Answers IPA. Mike Benner, SIBA Managing Director said, “It is fantastic to see such high quality beers across a range of formats in this year’s biggest ever beer competition. With hundreds
of entries across cask, keg, bottle and can this really was the cream of the crop in terms of independent craft beers from the UK and each of the three Supreme Champion Gold Winners should be extremely proud of their achievement. It’s also clear fantastic tasting beer is being produced by our members across the length of Britain, but that Scotland brewers have proved to be a
particular hit with judges in 2017, with both Fyne Ales and Williams Brothers taking home top spots.” It is the second year running that a Scottish brewer has won the best cask beer in the country award, following Loch Lomond taking home the Silverware in 2016 for their Southern Summit pale ale.
ARRAN REAL ALE FESTIVAL
The popular Arran Real Ale Festival at the Kinloch Hotel, Blackwaterfoot is taking place slightly later this year – Saturday 26th August. This year however, there are a couple of notable changes to the event – the festival will be open from 11.30am till 5pm this year, and most notably, that tickets must be purchased in advance and WILL NOT be available on the day at the venue. Tickets are £5 (including a complimentary drink) and can be purchased by contacting 01770 860444. Our branch has organised a social outing to this event the past couple of years, and we are intending to do so again this year. But it is down to individuals to purchase their own tickets in advance and we’ll meet up on the ferry / bus.
Ardrossan Beer Festival
In another change of timing, the 6th Ardrossan Beer Festival will this year take place in the Accies Clubhouse, Sorbie Road, Ardrossan from Thurs 20- Sat 22 July. Around 12 real ales and cider should be available. There will be a Branch and 2ND ALLOWAY North Ayrshire Social on the Thursday night from 7.30pm. The clubhouse REAL ALE FESTIVAL is just a 5 minute walk from Ardrossan South Beach station and a few minutes more from the bus routes on the shorefont.
Alloway Real Ale Festival
The second Alloway Beer Festival will take place in Cambusdoon Sports Club, Alloway on Saturday 24 June from 12 noon - 11pm. It also will feature 12 real ales and cider, with live music and Mancini's ice cream available! On the field, there will be a WCDU Premier League Cricket Match between Ayr and Kelburne. Admission is £3.
12 Real Ales PLUS Real Cider WDCU Premier League Cricket
AYR vs KELBURNE Live Music • Mancini’s Ice Cream Cambusdoon Sports Club 2 Burns’ Wicket, Alloway KA7 4NH
SATURDAY 24TH JUNE 2017, 12 noon7- 11 pm Admission: £3 includes commemorative glass
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www.awcamra.org.uk
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WIGTOWNSHIRE Pub of the Year
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Family-run village inn located on the harbour in the picturesque fishing village of Isle of Whithorn
F W H IT H O
OUR IN-HOUSE FIVE KINGDOMS BREWERY NOW PRODUCING A RANGE OF QUALITY REAL ALES ⅓ pint beer taster platters available for same price as a pint. Eight cask ales and a selection of real cider available. OPENING HOURS: Mon-Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 12 noon-11pm
Outside seating area on the harbourside. Children and Dogs Welcome. Lunches 12-2pm. Snack Menu 2-6pm (Fri-Sun). Evening Meals 6.30-9pm. Sunday Carvery, 12-3pm: 3 Courses £12 Thursday Steak Night: Galloway Sirloin £12 Selection of local seafood dishes always available All food freshly prepared on the premises. Daily chef ’s specials using the finest fresh produce and local seafood.
2014/15 Countryfile Magazine Rural Pub of the Year
ACCOMMODATION
Comfortable en suite accommodation overlooking the harbour From £30 pppn B&B. Special accommodation offers to CAMRA members.
For bookings: visit our website, or call Alastair on 01988 500334 Email: steampacketinn@btconnect.com
www.thesteampacketinn.biz 8
FULLP NTS SUMMER 2017
Help make beer and pubs a priority in the General Election On the 8th June, the UK will go to the polls for the General Election. CAMRA needs your help to ensure that your local candidates know how important beer and pubs are to you as a potential voter. This election gives us a chance to put forward CAMRA’s specific proposals to better support the UK’s beer drinkers and pub-goers. Together in 2015 we persuaded 1,160 candidates to pledge support for beer and pubs. As a result of this campaigning, we had 211 MPs who had promised to speak up in Parliament on our behalf. Our campaigning efforts paid dividends: we’ve seen successes with a beer duty freeze in 2016, support for pubs facing high business rate bills and most recently on planning protection for pubs in England. But there is more to do. We need to make sure these successes are protected and push the next Government to ensure beer drinkers and pub-goers get a good deal as Britain prepares to leave the EU. CAMRA is asking election candidates to commit to do the following if elected: 1. Beer: Celebrate and promote Britain’s 1,540 breweries 2. Pubs: Support action to help pubs thrive 3. Consumers: Represent the interests of pub-goers, beer and cider drinkers Please visit CAMRA’s website at
www.camra.org.uk/pledgeforpubs to: • • •
View our full manifesto asks Contact your local candidates See a list of which candidates have signed up so far
Want to get more involved? If you’re on social media, make sure to thank your candidates on Twitter and Facebook by using the hashtag #pledgeforpubs and #ge2017 when they confirm support. You can also upload a short video at the pub about why candidates should pull together for beer and pubs this election and tweet @CAMRA_Official. 2015 General Election party results 9
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Our range of Award-winning Real Ales includes:
Hand Crafted, Award Winning, Traditional Cask Conditioned Ale Brewed in the Heart of Burns Country All ales are available in Firkins (72 Pints), Pins (36 Pints) and Mini Casks (8.8 Pints) Visit our shop in the Glen Park Hotel, Ayr Ayr Brewing Company, 5 Racecourse Road, Ayr KA7 2DG Telephone: 01292 263891 Fax: 01292 830450 Mobile: 07834 922142 www.ayrbrewingcompany.com 10
We'd love to hear from breweries and pubs with any news snippets, events, awards etc. Send your info to fullpints@awcamra.org.uk
Brewery News
were on the beer list for the Stockport Beer festival.
KELBURN BREWERY At the time of going to press, there were no further details on the proposed crowdfunding deal at Kelburn Brewery.
PORTPATRICK BREWERY recently supported the launch of the refurbished Fog Horn at the Mull of Galloway lighthouse with their beer of the same name. Over the summer they will be supplying the bars at several special events including the Portpatrick Jazz Festival and Thomas Telford festival in Port Logan.
AYR BREWING COMPANY continues to produce some new beers. In the last edition of Full Pints we reported on their Burning Gull IPA, which has subsequently proved to be extremely popular and has now been bottled. A new beer called Complicated Maisie, based around Mosaic hops, was launched a couple of months ago. Another (as yet un-named) beer is anticipated in June – so keep your eyes and tastebuds peeled! The brewery is now at full capacity with three brews a week, and it is hoped that a planning application to expand the brewery will happen soon. LOCH LOMOND BREWERY has launched several new beers recently include Out of Range, a canned 5.9% ABV East Coast IPA, and Loch, Stock & Barrel, a bottled 4% ABV Session IPA. Southern Summit and Silkie Stout are now also available in Marks & Spencer food outlets. FIVE KINGDOMS BREWERY continues to produce a solid range of ales for the Steam Packet Inn, with the odd casks venturing further afield - some
ARRAN BREWERY The brewery has donated three wildlife cameras to red squirrel charities and is offering financial support for care and maintenance programmes that will help reintroduce red squirrels to their natural habitat throughout the UK. A very small amount from each bottle of Red Squirrel is donated to the charities. Gwen Billson, Arran Brewery’s longest serving sales person, has reluctantly retired due to ill health. Gwen was well known to many in the Ayrshire Branch and we wish her well. ALE HOUSE ROCK BREWERY (we had a couple of their ales at the Troon Beer festival last year) was short-lived in Peebles as the owners were struggling to devote the necessary time to the brewery, and have moved abroad to France. However, they have agreed to sell 80% of the brewery and it has now restarted production as Campbell's Brewery. White Riot will be the only beer kept from the old range.
FULLP NTS SUMMER 2017
In Glasgow, INNIS & GUNN have opened a new threefloor ‘Beer Kitchen’ in Ashton Lane. Despite having several other ‘kitchens’ around the country, this is the first one to have its own in-house microbrewery, the kit having formerly been used in a small brewpub in Edinburgh. The Ashton Lane venue sells cask ales in addition to other craft ales. Innis & Gunn are also the owners of INVERALMOND BREWERY in Perth, and they recently rolled out a subtle rebrand of their logo and new artwork for Ossian and Lia Fail, whilst introducing two new ales – EPA (Edinburgh Pale Ale) and Daracha (an oak matured ruby scotch ale). Finnieston in Glasgow is seeing a remarkable turnaround at present with many food outlets now gracing the area. Several craft beer outlets have also opened, but one to watch out for is a proposed brewpub run by Williams Bros. And whilst the ‘craft’ sector continues to thrive it was somewhat baffling to read recently that the Aberdeenowned six°north Bar in Dumbarton Road, Glasgow, won the Best Cask and Craft Bar title at the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) Scotland Awards – despite having no cask ale for sale in its pubs! 11
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Located in the village of Dundonald, The Auchans is a family run Restaurant - Bar with a fresh modern twist, and a friendly relaxed atmosphere oozing charm & character. We have a great
29 MAIN STREET DUNDONALD, KA2 9HH Telephone: 01563 851472 E-Mail: info@theauchans.co.uk Web: www.theauchans.co.uk
selection of beer & wine including 2 cask ales. The Auchans has been tastefully restored with original stone walls & real oak wood beams. Owned by the Kerr family, from the village, The Auchans is the 2nd addition to the business. The 1st, The Waterfront in Ayr, opened in 2012 is a relaxed, stylish restaurant- bar situated overlooking the River Ayr.
for details of our latest offers & promotions www.facebook.com/theauchansdundonald
The Waterside Bath Street, Largs Tel: 01475 672224
Two Real Ales from Kelburn available
Mondays - Poker Wednesdays - Poker Saturdays - Live Music Sundays - Open Mic Night Fridays - Karaoke
Food available every day except Monday 12
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Scottish CBOB Heats Results At the recent Paisley and Kingdom of Fife CAMRA Beer festivals, several heats of the Scottish rounds for Champion Beer of Britain (CBOB) competition were held. At Paisley, Orkney Red MacGregor won the Bitter category with Loch Lomond Southern Summit 2nd and Cromarty Atlantic Drift in 3rd place. In the Speciality Beers competition Cromarty Red Rocker won the competition, with Williams Seven Giraffes 2nd and Cairngorm Trade Winds coming 3rd. Paisley also hosted the Old Ales / Strong Milds competition with Orkney claiming a second win with Dark Island. Windswept Wolf came 2nd, and Kelburn Dark Moor in 3rd. At the Fife festival in Glenrothes, Black Metal Blood Revenge won the Real Ale in a Bottle (RAIB) competition. Additionally at Fife, they held a Champion Beer of Fife competition at which your editor was privileged to be one of the judges. No fewer than eight breweries submitted entries. Craft Originale Beggars Mantle took the title by just 1 point - a great achievement for this brand new brewery in Markinch run by John Reade, formerly owner of the Abbot House Brewery in Dunfermline. In 2nd place was Beath Brewing's Look What You've Done, with Luckie Ales Yellae Lintie coming 3rd.
POPULAR BEER FESTIVAL DATES The following CAMRA-organised festivals are planned for this year. Some of our branch members usually attend some or all of them: Glasgow (GRAF), The Briggait, Glasgow 22-24 June SRAF (Edinburgh), Corn Exchange, Slateford 6-9 July Ayrshire, Troon Concert Hall 5-7 October Alloa, Town Hall 27-28 October Carlisle, The Venue, Portland Place 2-4 November Belfast, Ulster Hall 16-18 November
INDEPENDENT LOCAL FESTIVALS: Alloway Beer Festival, Cambusdoon Sports Club, Alloway, Sat 24 June 6th Ardrossan Beer Festival, Ardrossan Accies Clubhouse, Thur 20 July - Sat 22 July Blackwaterfoot Beer Festival, Kinloch Hotel, Arran, Sat 26 August. 11.30am - 5pm. Cove & Kilcreggan Beer Festival, Cove Burgh Hall, Sat 23 Sept
BRANCH 2-PUB SOCIALS These are informal branch social events to which all are welcome to attend. Wed 7 June, Ayr: Chestnuts Hotel (1pm) / Glen Park Hotel (2.30pm) Sat 5 Aug, Irvine: Ship Inn (3pm) / Harbour Lights (4.30pm)
CODE OF CONDUCT
!
Our wish is for everyone to enjoy themselves and have fun on our trips and events. However please remember that trip organisers have only volunteered to arrange times and/or travel arrangements and to provide information about the venue(s). You are responsible for your own safety and wellbeing. If you have an existing medical condition you must bring your own backup/carer with you. CAMRA promotes responsible drinking and so excessive drinking will not be tolerated on CAMRA outings. Any member doing so may be barred from future events. 13
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by Jo Sweden Branch CAMRA Young Members Rep
BEER OF THE FESTIVAL PRESENTATION Way back in October at the 17th Ayrshire Real Ale Festival in Troon, a gorgeously strong oatmeal pale ale by the name of Gates of Valhalla won beer of the festival. So, to present the lads at Black Metal Brewery with their certificate, and let’s face it, any excuse for a beer, we headed off to the East Coast to pay them a visit. The bus set off from Ayr and picked up CAMRA members from all over Ayrshire (and a couple of infiltrators from Glasgow) on a gloriously sunny day. Despite the early start on a Saturday, the crew were in good spirits and looking forward to seeing where the beer of the festival hailed from. Despite a couple of wrong turns in amongst the bedlam that was the M8 roadworks, we managed to arrive in Loanhead, Edinburgh about lunchtime, where a welcoming Jaan Ratsep was waiting for us with outstretched arms and a pint in one hand. We were invited in to the industrial unit, which is essentially a big boy’s playground, guitars, beer and banging tunes – where else could you be but Black Metal Brewery? After a brief meet and greet, and a hunt for glasses for everybody, the cask was tapped and the beer was flowing!
Jaan Ratsep (centre) with his award 14
Unfortunately, there was no Gates of Valhalla available, but instead we got to try something completely new! Battering Ram, which Jaan described as his session ale (it was over 7% ABV!) was very easy on the palate, one would be forgiven for getting a bit too carried away with it. It conformed to the brewery’s ethos that “Black Metal brews have to be strong, true and bold” and it certainly delivered. After a good swally, some great banter, a quick tour next door at Top Out Brewery and a couple of photos, it was time to bid adieu to the eccentric and lovable Jaan whose hospitality knew no bounds. Back on the bus, the spirits were again high (as was the blood alcohol of most of the participants) as we set off on a very scenic
Touring Knops Brewery
We'd love to hear from breweries and pubs with any news snippets, events, awards etc. Send your info to fullpints@awcamra.org.uk
FULLP NTS SUMMER 2017
route to Dirleton, East Lothian to visit Knops Brewery. Set in an idyllic country estate, the pristine brewery looked every bit as inviting as the pie counter in the adjacent farm shop. A very informative tour by owner Robert Knops explained his love of beer history and how each of his brews are based on an old and traditional style of brewing. The influence of this can be Knops Brewery and Visitor Centre seen in the names of his beers such as Black Cork, Musselburgh Broke and California Common, all of which we could taste straight from the conditioning tanks. The beers undoubtedly exceeded our expectations of being “modern interpretations of traditional beer styles that are refreshing and flavourful, satisfying and more-ish but never fatiguing”. Unfortunately, nothing was being bottled at the time, so a demonstration of the high-tech automatic bottling machine wasn’t possible. Nevertheless, a pie and a couple of pints certainly kept the CAMRA crew happy, although by now there were a couple of rumbling stomachs. The final stop was Wetherspoons' Blacksmith’s Forge in Dalkeith, where we made a quick stop for a munch and a pint before the long road home. Bleary eyed we boarded the bus home, and said a fond farewell to the east coast after an absolutely delightful day filled with good beer, good friends and good memories (although the latter may be sparse). Hail the Ale!
OUTLETS NEWS Three new outlets to report in this edition. In Fairlie, the Village Inn has reopened as the Village Bar and Grill and usually has two ales from Kelburn available. The food offerings are also good value. They've also introduced live music every Friday. In Irvine, Lyric's Bar has opened next to the former Forum Shopping Centre, just off Bridgegate. Two handpumps were available initially with Lerwick beers, though none were on the day your editor visited! As Full Pints went to press they were also holding a Battle of the Brewers event between Lerwick, Loch Lomond and Jaw breweries. In Troon, the former Fullartons bar has reopened as Smugglers and will have a house ale and a guest ale available. Initial beer has been Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted. In Irvine, the Harbour Lights is currently selling Doom Bar for just £1.50/pint to encourage sales.
Sadly, there's also been a few losses. Macaulays in Largs has closed down, and the Drift Inn, Lamlash is now confirmed as a closure, despite some initial hope that it may have reopened. Harry's Bar in Ayr have removed their handpump and no longer sell real. Western House Hotel in Ayr had ale for a short period recently, but have also stopped selling it. Fanny by Gaslight in Kilmarnock, a former East Ayrshire Pub of the Year, is seeking a new tenant – several folk have reported that ales aren't always available at present. Recently there have been several reports of various local Wetherspoons outlets having a poor to non-existent selection of guest ales. Let us hear your thoughts if you've found this in a Wetherspoons. Contact fullpints@awcamra. org.uk.
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Cultured in Liverpool
by Allan Merry
On a cold Monday morning in early February, 15 intrepid souls travelled from various parts of Ayrshire up to Glasgow where we all rendezvoused for a Virgin train to Liverpool. On the way down there was a plan for a quiz with fabulous prizes, but as we were in different carriages this was postponed. We changed trains at Wigan and a few minutes later we boarded the link to Liverpool which must be the slowest journey of about 30 miles, stopping at 12 stations on the way. Once in Liverpool Lime Street, we repaired quickly for a well deserved refreshment in the nearby Crown Hotel. There were eight handpumps, including Sharps Doom Bar, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Thwaites Lancaster Bomber and the ale I tried, Ilkley Mary Jane, which was excellent. From there we went to our hotel to check in. Arrangements were made to meet at 6pm in the Vernon, the closest pub to the hotel. Some of us went early where amongst the eight handpumps available I enjoyed a pint of Wadworth Dirty Rucker. The rather quaintly named Gitan Zarah's Rum Porter from Stamps Brewery also went down well. Once all fifteen had gathered, we made our way to the Philharmonic for our evening meal, only getting lost once along the way! This was quite an impressive pub with no fewer than ten handpumps, including Rooster's Little
Bird, Harbour Cornish Bitter and Sharp's Sea Fury. We ate in their upstairs room and the meal was enjoyed by all, especially those who had the steak. After our meal we split with two of us going to the Caledonia where there was live music – a band called Wild Ponies who played bluegrass country music, which was excellent. They played their new track, something about “bones and things”, which I particularly liked. The Caledonia had four handpumps and I enjoyed Liverpool Craft Beer Quokka. Other beers included Stamps Swedish Blond. The rest of the party went home via the Welkin, a Wetherspoon's pub which also had ten handpumps, including Quantock Plastered Pheasant and Peerless Full Whack. Tuesday morning we gathered at the Welkin for breakfast, although some breakfasted at the hotel. We all went to the World Museum, which had sections devoted to Dinosaurs, African Culture, Bugs, Mummies and an Aquarium. A very informative and enjoyable trip which everyone seemed to enjoy. Then we had a short walk to the Roscoe Head, but we did not get lost. This pub is amongst just nine present in every beer guide and was threatened with closure in 2015. It has six handpumps, which included Greenfield Copper
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The Philharmonic
FULLP NTS SUMMER 2017
Cascade, a Tetley's ale and Peerless Langton Spin. After lunch there was a split with some going to the nearby cathedrals, both of which were very impressive. Three of us decided to try to reprise our football orientated trip in Newcastle by visiting both Anfield and Goodison. We hoped to find Liverpool/Everton themed pubs, hopefully with real ale as there was in the Strawberry. On the way we dropped in to the Dispensary partaking of White Rat from the Rat Brewery. Also on offer was the delicious Titanic Plum Porter. At Annfield we paid our respects at the memorial to the 96 Hillsborough victims and did find a Liverpool fan pub, the Park (no real ale). Across Stanley Park to Goodison and another fan-themed pub, the Brick (again no real ale). In the evening we again met in the Vernon where Martland Mill Clogmaker and Brains Rev. James were enjoyed. Once again our party split with four of us going back to Hope Street and an enjoyable Chinese meal at the Big Bowl Noodle Bar, with the others having an equally tasty offering at TSOS Chinese Buffet. On our way back from Hope Street, we dropped into Thomas Rigby's which had six handpumps including Okell's Bitter and Oakham Citra. A nightcap was enjoyed and all returned safely to the hotel. Next morning we all made our way to the waterfront, where we took the Ferry across the Mersey (cue song) disembarking at Birkenhead, where all enjoyed the U-boat Story about U534, which was mostly intact, having been found preserved in mud.
Following this we briefly walked around Hamilton Square, which has the most listed buildings in such a small area, before visiting Gallagher’s Bar and Barbers for lunch. Beers there included Brimstage Brewery Trapper's Hat and Oystercatcher Stout. Burgers were enjoyed sitting in barber's chairs! Beers were very reasonably priced, rivalling Wetherspoons. After lunch we boarded the Ferry again and split once more, but many made it to the Pumphouse in the harbour area. There were ten handpumps, including Timothy Taylor Landlord and Westerham British Bulldog. Others went to the Maritime Museum – a must by popular acclaim – but I missed it due to the many other attractions in Liverpool. On the way back to the hotel two of us enjoyed some more ale and a folk music jam session in the White Horse. The jam session was a regular Wednesday occurrence but we went in as Gil Gray wanted a pint of Bass Ale. Also on offer was Skinner's Splendid Tackle. Again we met at the Vernon, where I enjoyed Red Star Formby Blonde and our evening meal was discussed. After our meal some of us went to the Excelsior, enjoying a pint of Tiny Rebel Hank. Also amongst the nine handpumps was Salopian Lemon Dream. We were supposed to meet up here with our fellow diners, but they had already gone to the Ship and Mitre, famous for it's art deco look. They had an incredible fifteen handpumps and three real ciders on offer. Beers on offer included Millstone
Gallagher’s Bar and Barbers
17
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FULLP NTS SUMMER 2017
Deliverance, Peerless Pale Ale and Titanic First Class. These beers proved to be an excellent end to another good day. On our last morning we had some free time before our train at lunchtime. Some went back to the quayside, but Gil, Richard and myself went to the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral and the nearby Catholic Cathedral. Both were impressive and surprisingly both built in the 20th century. The Anglican Cathedral took 78 years from 1900 and was apparently one of the biggest churches in Europe. The Catholic Cathedral was built between 1962 and 1967. Following that, we met for lunch in the North Western, another Wetherspoons pub within
WHATPUB FEEDBACK
Every effort is made to keep pub descriptions in WhatPub up-to-date but we struggle to regularly visit our 80+ pubs, hotels and bars, and so we do rely upon YOU - licensee or drinker - to let us know if information is missing or out-of-date. All users of WhatPub (CAMRA members and non-members alike) can use the on-line feedback form to let us know when we need to update a pub description.
the station. There were 12 handpumps with Peerless Reed Rocks, Banks & Taylor Shefford Old Dark (SOD) and my favourite, Salopian Darwin's Origin. Also available was Loddom Hullaballoo Best Bitter. After a good lunch, all 15 managed to catch the same train back to Glasgow, via Wigan. We agreed that the trip had been very enjoyable successful, and impeccably organised as usual by Ian. Some discussion on the train took place about where next for the 2018 trip, and all agreed that we had only scratched the surface of Liverpool's attractions and that we would all return sometime, whether with CAMRA or by ourselves.
EMAILS & MEMBERS' AREA ON NATIONAL WEBSITE
Every month we send out a 'What's On' email to all Branch CAMRA members. However, approximately two-thirds of these emails do not appear to be getting opened. Please check your SPAM folders and add "noreply@camra.org. uk" to your senders list to ensure you receive the email. Every CAMRA member has access to a dedicated members area on the national website: www.camra.org.uk > Sign-in. You just need your membership number and there's a link available if you don't know your password. Once logged in you can check that your email address is correct and that other membership details are correct at members.camra.org.uk
> Member Dashboard > My Membership > Edit Membership > Preferences
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FULLP NTS SUMMER 2017
Mild Trail
by Stuart McMahon
Forth Valley CAMRA organised their annual Mild Ale Rail Trail on 5-7 May. This event is a great day out, with local pubs close to the railway line between Linlithgow, Falkirk, Larbert, Stirling, Bridge of Allan and Dunblane each stocking at least one Mild Ale. I’ve been unable to attend this event in previous years, but finally managed to complete some of the trail on Friday 5th May in the company of fellow CAMRA member Ian Martin.
Station Hotel, Larbert We met at Glasgow Queen Street at lunchtime and headed to our first stop in Larbert. The Station Hotel is unsurprisingly right beside the station. We were the first folk to call in as part of the Mild Trail, and we weren’t disappointed with an excellent Loch Lomond 60/- available. We collected our stickers and headed up the railway to Stirling, and after passing by my old student flat, we were soon in No. 2 Baker Street which had Strathaven Craigmill Mild available. It was a struggle to move on
The Riverside, Dunblane
No. 2 Baker Street, Stirling from here as we enjoyed sitting outside in the glorious sunshine. A short walk up the hill towards the Castle saw us also sitting outside in the beer garden of the Portcullis Hotel with an Arran Dark. From there it was downhill to the Settle Inn which had Tetley’s Dark Mild on tap. En-route back to the station we met a small contingent from Forth Valley who were heading in the opposite direction to us. Arriving in Bridge of Allan we headed firstly to the Westerton
Hotel where another Loch Lomond 60/- was available. Just around the corner from it is the Allanwater Brewhouse – my first visit to this quirky little brewpub. They had a Maple Mild, Hazlenut Mild and Tinpot 60/- available along with several other home-produced ales and cider. Finally we then headed up to Dunblane to the Tappit Hen where Belhaven 60/- was available and The Riverside with the strongest ale of the day – Tryst Kinnaird Mild at 5.1% ABV. So I can now say that I’ve been there and got the T-shirt! It was a thoroughly enjoyable day out; the weather was superb, and most, not all, of the beers were in good condition.
Allanwater Brewhouse 21
www.awcamra.org.uk
Jaw
Bute
Largs Lochranza Catacol Arran
Millport
Drygate
Kelburn
Fairlie Gateside
Lugton Dunlop Kilbirnie Stewarton Stevenston Ardrossan Kilwinning Kilmaurs Strathaven Kilmarnock Saltcoats Brodick Irvine Dundonald Lamlash Troon Sorn Prestwick
Blackwaterfoot
Ayr
Alloway
Do you know of a pub or club that sells real ale and isn’t listed? Please let us know by emailing:
Ayr
Lola Rose
Stair
Kirkmichael Kirkoswald
pubs@awcamra.org.uk
Bargrennan Kirkcolm Stranraer
Sulwath
New Luce
Newton Stewart
Portpatrick Portpatrick
Sandhead
Bladnoch Garlieston
KEY:
Breweries producing cask ale Towns & villages where cask ale is available Not to scale. Reproduced from Ordnance Survey map data by permission of the Ordnance Survey Š Crown Copyright 2017
22
Drummore
Isle of Whithorn Five Kingdoms
FULLP NTS SUMMER 2017
AYRSHIRE & WIGTOWNSHIRE REAL ALE OUTLETS NORTH AYRSHIRE ARDROSSAN Ardrossan Rugby Club * Lauriston Hotel * FAIRLIE Village Bar & Grill GATESIDE Gateside Inn IRVINE Harbour Lights Ship Inn The Auld Brig W Lyric's KILBIRNIE Garnock Community Social Club
EAST AYRSHIRE LARGS J G Sharps Largs Sailing Club # Lounge The Paddle Steamer W Three Reasons Waterside
DUNLOP Merito
STEWARTON The Mill House
KILMAURS Weston Tavern
LUGTON
STAIR Stair Inn
KILMARNOCK Braehead Bar Brass & Granite Fanny by Gaslight * First Edition § Wheatsheaf Inn W
Canny Man §
MILLPORT Fraser’s Bar SALTCOATS Salt Cot W STEVENSTON The Red Squirrel
KILWINNING The Corner House
BRODICK Brodick Bar Ormidale Hotel Wine Port
WIGTOWNSHIRE BARGRENNAN House O’ Hill Hotel BLADNOCH Bladnoch Inn DRUMMORE Clashwhannon GARLIESTON Harbour Inn
ISLE OF ARRAN BLACKWATERFOOT Blackwaterfoot Lodge (summer only) Kinloch Hotel
SORN Sorn Inn
CATACOL Catacol Bay Hotel
ISLE OF WHITHORN Steam Packet Inn §
LAMLASH Glenisle Hotel Pierhead Tavern
KIRKCOLM Blue Peter Hotel
LOCHRANZA Lochranza Hotel
NEWTON STEWART Black Horse Hotel Creebridge House Hotel Cree Inn Galloway Arms Hotel PORTPATRICK Crown Hotel Harbour House Hotel SANDHEAD Tigh-na-Mara Hotel STRANRAER Grapes § Ruddicot Hotel
NEW LUCE Kenmuir Arms Hotel
SOUTH AYRSHIRE ALLOWAY Cambusdoon Sports Club AYR Abbotsford Hotel Ayrshire & Galloway Chestnuts Hotel Geordie’s Byre Glen Park Hotel * CAMRA members have noted that real ale is not always available at these pubs. # Weekends only
Smoking Goat Tam o’ Shanter Twa Dugs Wellingtons Bar West Kirk W DUNDONALD The Auchans
W Wetherspoons vouchers
accepted § Special offers for card-carrying CAMRA members
KIRKMICHAEL Kirkmichael Arms KIRKOSWALD Souter’s Inn PRESTWICK Prestwick Pioneer W
TROON Bruce’s Well Cheeky Charlie’s Harbour Bar * McKay’s Marr Rugby Club # South Beach Hotel Smugglers
CAMRA members are encouraged to score ales they drink in their local pub, as it assists the committee in considering outlets for inclusion in the Good Beer Guide. Scores are continually required for the whole Branch area – please take a few moments to score your beers on whatpub.com if you visit them. 23
www.awcamra.org.uk
2017 AIN
F E S T I VA L S P O N S
JULY
O R
THURSDAY 22ND JUNE 3.30PM - 10.30PM FRIDAY 23RD JUNE 12.00PM - 10.30PM SATURDAY 24TH JUNE 12.00PM - 10.30PM
M
THE BRIGGAIT, GLASGOW
6th-8th
ENTRY PER SESSION INCLUDING FESTIVAL GLASS
£6 (£4 FOR CAMRA MEMBERS) DISCOUNTED RATES FOR SUBSEQUENT SESSIONS
SCOTTISH REAL ALE
12 NOON - 10.30PM ADMISSION: £6 £4 (CAMRA Members)
S
h
ho ti s R e w c a sin g 1 8 0 + S c o t r y r al A le s & Cid e r / P e
2 0 1 7
Keep up to date with festival news on our website and social media: @SRAF ScottishRealAleFestival
www.sraf.camra.org.uk FESTIVAL SPONSOR
OVER 150 REAL ALES, CIDERS & FOREIGN BEERS GLASGOWREALALEFESTIVAL
WWW.GLASGOWREALALEFESTIVAL.CO.UK
@GLASREALALEFEST
#SRAF2017
Edinburgh Corn Exchange 11 New Market Road, Slateford, EH14 1RJ 4, 35, 44
Slateford
© Glasgow and West of Scotland CAMRA 2017
1977- 2017
40 years
REAL ALE & OTHER CRAFT BEER,
LIVE MUSIC
CIDER & PERRY
PLUS...
ENGLISH WINE
STREET FOOD
ENTERTAINMENT
GREAT BRITISH
BEER FESTIVAL 2017
8-12 AUGUST
OLYMPIA LONDON
GET YOUR
TICKETS
NOW
24
0844 412 4640
www.gbbf.org.uk/tickets @GBBF
GreatBritishBeerFestival
Two bars 150+ Real Ales Real Cider & Perry Hot & Cold Food ADMISSION (over 18’s only)
CAMRA £4
(with membership card)
Non-Members
£6
SAVE
33%
includes glass & programme
SPECIAL OFFERS THURSDAY ONLY: Under 25’s only £4
SATURDAY: AFTER 7PM
FRIDAY NIGHT SATURDAY AFTERNOON SATURDAY NIGHT Main Festival Sponsor:
Thurs 5th October 12 noon (CAMRA Members’ preview) 2pm – 11pm (Non-Members) Fri 6th / Sat 7th October 11am – 11pm Keep up to date with festival news on our website and social media:
www.ayrshirebeerfestival.co.uk
£3 / £2
Free re-entry with this year’s glass
AyrshireRealAleFestival
@TroonBeerFest #troonbeer
THURS 5TH – SAT 7TH OCTOBER Troon Concert Hall KA10 6EF
FULLP NTS SUMMER 2017
WhatPub.com, Beer Scoring and the Good Beer Guide In every edition of Full Pints, we make a plea for CAMRA members to score their ales that they drink on www.whatpub.com. If you visit a pub with real ale, then log in to WhatPub.com and submit a score. It only takes 30 seconds. If you are unsure of how to log in (you need your CAMRA membership number and password), details on accessing / updating your details can be found on page 19. Just because a pub is in a larger town please don’t assume that we’ll get a lot of scores for it, and pubs outwith the big town centres, in our rural areas and islands always need scores. And we'll welcome low scores as well as high scores.
If half of our members started scoring their beer on whatpub.com, it would be an amazing effort and one which your committee would greatly value. We have around 80 outlets in our area but are only allocated 27 entries by the Good Beer Guide publishers, so only the best pubs with the highest average scores get selected. The more scores there are, the better the overall average will be.
HOW SHOULD I SCORE THE QUALITY OF THE BEER?
0: 0.5 -1: Poor 2: Average
Should only be used if no cask ale is available Beer is anything from barely drinkable to drinkable with considerable resentment. Competently kept, drinkable pint but doesn’t inspire in any way, not worth moving to another pub but you drink the beer without really noticing. 3: Good Good beer in good form. You may cancel plans to move to the next pub. You want to stay for another pint and may seek out the beer again 4: Very Good Excellent beer in excellent condition. You stay put! Probably the best you are ever likely to find. A seasoned drinker will award this score very rarely. 5: Perfect
SUMMER DIARY DATES JUNE
JULY Thurs 6th Sat 8th
Scottish Real Ale Festival (SRAF), The Corn Exchange, Slateford, Edinburgh
Sat 15th
South Ayrshire Social: Rural Pub trip - Sorn Inn, Stair Inn, Kirkmichael Arms, Souters. Times tbc.
Thurs 20th Sat 22nd
Ardrossan Beer Festival (independent), Ardrossan Rugby Club. Branch & North Ayrshire Social on Thurs 20th from 7.30pm.
Wed 26th
East Ayrshire Social: Stair Inn, 7.30pm. Possible minibus.
Fri 28th Sat 29th
Stranraer 400 celebrations. Beer Festival (independent) at The Grapes. Wigtownshire & Branch Social on Fri 28th, 5pm.
Wed 7th
2-Pub Social, Ayr: Chestnuts, 1pm & Glen Park, 2.30pm
Wed 14th
South Ayrshire Social: Prestwick Pioneer, 7.30pm
Thurs 15th
North Ayrshire Social & Branch Meeting: Ship Inn 8pm / Harbour Lights, 9.30pm
Thurs 22nd - Sat 24th
Glasgow Real Ale Festival (GRAF), The Briggait. Branch Social on Fri 23rd, 3pm.
Sat 24th
Wigtownshire Social: Steam Packet Solstice - Real Ale and meal, Isle of Whithorn
Sat 5th
2-Pub Social, Irvine: Ship Inn, 3pm & Harbour Lights, 4.30pm
Sat 24th
Alloway Beer Festival (independent), Cambusdoon Sports Club, from 12 noon
Tues 8th Sat 12th
Great British Beer Festival (GBBF), Olympia, London
Wed 28th
East Ayrshire Social: The Mill House, Stewarton, 7.30pm
Thurs 17th
North Ayrshire Social: Village Inn, Fairlie, 8.00pm
Sat 26th
Arran Beer Festival (independent), Kinloch Hotel, Blackwaterfoot. Tickets required in advance. See p6/7
Wed 30th
East Ayrshire Social: Fanny by Gaslight, Kilmarnock. 7.30pm tbc
Please check www.awcamra.org.uk for up-to-date details of all Branch events.
AUGUST
25
www.awcamra.org.uk
PRODUCERS FROM ACROSS BRITAIN CELEBRATED AT CAMRA'S NATIONAL CIDER AND PERRY CHAMPIONSHIPS Cider and perry producers from the length and breadth of the nation were honoured at CAMRA's prestigious National Cider and Perry Championships at the Reading Beer and Cider Festival. Following more than a year of local tasting panels and regional heats leading up to the finals, Countryman Medium took gold in the cider category after impressing judges with its floral aroma, pleasant sharpness and refreshing taste. Nempnett Piglet's Perry also scooped gold in the perry category, with judges remarking that it had a well-balanced sweet taste with a dry finish. Waulkmill Mooseheid Perry from Langholm, which we usually have available at the Ayrshire Real Ale Festival, came 2nd. It was the first ever Scottish winner at the Championships. The competition featured ciders and perries from across the UK, with each cider and perry judged on its individual taste, aroma, flavour, after-taste and overall appeal. The top awards were selected by a specially chosen panel of both experienced and novice judges.
LOW/NO ALCOHOL BEERS
CAMRA’s Pub Campaigns Group is keen to raise the profile of good quality low and no alcohol beers so that people who are unable to drink full-strength beers, and others such as drivers, are more likely to be able to enjoy a tasty alternative. Unfortunately brewing a tasty beer below the 3.5% abv threshold is generally considered to be a challenge. It has been suggested that CAMRA give consideration to adding a new beer class/style to the Beers-of-the-Year categories and Champion Beer of Britain competitions. Such an initiative may encourage brewers to focus on meeting this challenge.
GETTING AROUND
d E an E HIRNSHIR W AYRS TO WIG
Listed below are some useful contact details for transport providers in our Branch area. STAGECOACH WEST SCOTLAND www.stagecoachbus.com Tel: 01294 607007 (Ardrossan) 01292 613500 (Ayr) 01776 704484 (Stranraer) 01770 302000 (Arran) 07736 892253 (Disability Helpdesk) SHUTTLE BUSES Tel: 0800 072 0373
www.shuttlebuses.co.uk
SCOTRAIL Tel: 0344 811 0141
www.scotrail.co.uk
CALEDONIAN MACBRAYNE Tel: 0800 066 5000
www.calmac.co.uk
TRAVELINE SCOTLAND 26
www.travelinescotland.com
TRADING STANDARDS If you have any complaint about your beer, such as poor quality or short measure, or there is no price list displayed, you should remain polite and speak to the management of the pub concerned in the first instance. If you need to pursue the complaint further, contact your local Trading Standards office or Citizen’s Advice Bureau and they will guide you to the next appropriate step.
Full contact information can be found on your local authority website:
www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk www.dumgal.gov.uk IRVINE: Tel: 01294 310100 KILMARNOCK: Tel: 01563 576602 AYR: Tel: 01292 616060 STRANRAER: Tel: 03033 333000
FULLP NTS SUMMER 2017
CAMRA NORTHERN IRELAND – VIEWS FROM ACROSS THE NORTH CHANNEL
By Clive Talbot, CAMRA (NI) Branch Chairman
Ed: At the Scotland & Northern Ireland Branches (SNIB) Meeting last autumn in Ayr, I met Clive for the first time and had a great afternoon with him talking about the issues CAMRA faces in Northern Ireland. I offered to print an article from him giving an update from our near neighbours. CAMRA is facing an uphill battle for a place at the beer table here in Northern Ireland. The Global Brewers absolutely dominate the beer world in this place and are constantly making sure that they stay firmly at the top of the table! The emergence and popularity of the craft beer sector continues to attract many of the modern generation who, I think, sense that CAMRA has somehow had its day. CAMRA’s National Revitalisation Project may actually not make very much practical difference for us here in NI! So far, 2017 has not brought the much hoped-for reform to the Northern Ireland licencing laws in relation to our local brewers and cider makers – political instability has seen to that! Unlike the rest of the UK, breweries in NI are excluded from the list of premises that can apply for a license, which means they cannot sell at source either on their website or through brewery tours or sell their products at food and drinks festivals and farmers markets. Our local brewers also face fierce competition when it comes to selling their product in pubs as the majority of pubs here are locked into contracts with global brewers for their beer supply – which effectively squeezes out local producers. Currently there are 30 breweries across Northern Ireland trying to grow their businesses – the reforms were designed to help brewers and cider producers not face as many obstacles selling their locally crafted products. Now, ironically, they actually face more because our neighbours in the Republic of Ireland are passing similar legislation to support their brewers! Part of our DNA is the love and support of well-kept quality cask-conditioned and bottle-conditioned ale, the availability of which has been historically low here in NI compared with other parts of the UK. However, with the recent sell-off of six of the JD Wetherspoon pubs here, it is, now, regrettably, much lower, even non-existent in most counties. Several of our Branch Whilst ‘Business is Business’ we believe there is actually a bigger/ members usually go over wider potential market for such quality product than has been to visit the Belfast Beer & recognised by the Trade here. CAMRA has always promoted choice Cider Festival. Most years so we would not like to see this type of quality product become aroundabout Easter, Stena Line extinct and we have encouraged the sale of cask-conditioned ale do some promotional offers via the key keg/key cask method of dispense showcased at our for passengers with fares as 2016 Belfast Beer & Cider Festival. low as £6 each way. Other offers can be available, which Our 2017 Festival is being arranged for 16-18 November 2017 in the makes it a great excuse to visit splendid setting of the Ulster Hall in central Belfast. Please consider Northern Ireland and support supporting us! The Branch is setting up a new social media the pubs selling cask ales. presence and more details will come online in due course. Contact Malcolm McNeil for more info. Cheers! Clive. 27
www.awcamra.org.uk
T NIGH D AY P M N O 9 M QUIZ K LY WEE ALE T GUES ED S E R V I LY D O FO DA 7PM TILL
THE
THREE
REASONS G d Drink, G d F d, G d Times! FREE HOUSE | BAR & DINER
thethreereasonslargs
14 GALLOWGATE S TREET, LA RGS KA 30 8LX C A L L: 01475 672330 MAIL: enquiries@thethreereasons.co.uk V ISIT: www.thethreereasons.co.uk
FRASERS BAR Millport
Find us just up the road from the pier
Quality Cask Ales Served All Year Meals Served Every Day 12 noon-2.30pm / 5.30pm-7.30pm
“Island Escape” self-catering 4-star luxury accommodation Book at: www.cottages4u.co.uk Ref: 30200
7 Cardiff Street, Millport, Isle of Cumbrae KA28 0AS Tel: 01475 530518 28
FULLP NTS SUMMER 2017
Positions Vacant
Did you know that CAMRA beer festivals are staffed entirely by volunteers? Every single person from the friendly admin team on the front desk, to the enthusiastic bar staff and the pressurised festival organisers, all have given up their free time. Many, like me, even give up their precious annual leave to volunteer at CAMRA beer festivals. But why would someone offer to work, knowing they won’t get paid? Why do I go out of my way, give up my weekend, and volunteer to serve? The first time I volunteered at a CAMRA beer festival, I’ll be honest, I didn’t even know what CAMRA was. I got dragged along by a friend who had volunteered before. It’ll be fun he said, you’ll meet loads of people, and you’ll get a free t-shirt! After my first 4-hour session I was hooked, and you just have to look at my beer festival t-shirt collection to see that. Some women collect shoes, I collect CAMRA t-shirts! I’ve met lots of friends at CAMRA beer festivals over the years, many of whom who have turned out to be very good friends. CAMRA isn’t just the Campaign for Real Ale, for some people, including me, it’s a source of fun, friendship and ultimately belonging.
Photo: nickfairhurstphotographer.com
‘Vacancy for Festival Volunteers – no interview, short application form, would suit enthusiastic people who are willing to get involved, flexible hours, very good conditions and benefits, uniform provided, no experience required as full training will be given, must be member of CAMRA.’
by Sarah Bellis, CAMRA Scotland & Northern Ireland Director Email: rd.scotlandni@camra.org.uk
to suffering from anxiety. She came along volunteering with her husband and had only committed to working 4 hours. When her session ended, she asked me if she could work longer. She came back the following two days and is now looking for full time paid employment. She said the lack of pressure while volunteering gave her the confidence to ‘work’ behind the bar. So why don’t you give it a go, what’s stopping you? Just fill in that staffing form and try. Even if you feel you can only volunteer for 4 hours, then that’s time to give other volunteers break. Its experience of working with the public and you can even put it on your CV. I’m sure if you ask nicely, the staffing manager or festival organiser may even give you a reference – just because its volunteering doesn’t mean it can’t go on your CV!
A famous saying comes to mind, ‘Volunteers are not paid because they are worthless, they are not paid because they are priceless’! See I've worked with some very interesting people at beer festivals. There was a lady I worked with you behind the bar… recently who hasn’t worked for 10 years due If you are a CAMRA member you will be most welcome to volunteer at any CAMRA-organised festivals. Click here for details on how you can help at the Glasgow Real Ale Festival: www.glasgowrealalefestival.co.uk/volunteer/ Contact volunteering@sraf.camra.org.uk for info on how you can help at the Scottish Real Ale Festival in Edinburgh. 29
Traditional Bar Traditional Ales Traditional Music • Ayrshire & Wigtownshire 2016/2017 CAMRA PUB of the Year • Basement bar within yards of beautiful Ayr beach • Three handpumps serving quality ales usually from Fyne Ales, Kelburn and Loch Lomond • Renowned for our promotion of traditional music – sessions every Sunday night and monthly Sunday afternoons • Longest running Quiz night every Wednesday • DJ every Saturday • Small parties very welcome • 35ml measures
17 Wellington Square, Ayr KA7 1EZ
Tel: 01292 262794 Email: welliesayr@hotmail.co.uk www.welliesbar.weebly.com
30
&
townshi Wig re A MR CA
WELLINGTONS BAR
Ayrs hir e
www.awcamra.org.uk
PUB OF THE YEAR
2017
FULLP NTS SUMMER 2017
LOCAL ALE TRAILS using public transport
CAM
RA B US
Local bus services are constantly under pressure and being reviewed, often to the detriment of communities. In Ayrshire we have appointed Tom Parish as our Public Transport Officer, and he will be attending the Ayrshire Bus Users Forum and sharing some of CAMRA’s concerns.
In this edition of Full Pints, we’ll highlight the limited options available for travelling around Wigtownshire, where many of the outlets are in remote locations. The graphic and table below shows the main towns and bus services that serve them. Girvan
60, 360, 358
Kirkcolm
359
New Luce 408
Stranraer
500, X75, 430
500, X75 Newton Stewart
367 Portpatrick 407 Sandhead
416
Bargrennan
Bladnoch
415/416 Wigtown
Castle Douglas & Dumfries
Garlieston
407 Drummore
Isle of Whithorn
LOCATION
BUS SERVICES
OPERATOR
FREQUENCY
PUBS SERVED
Portpatrick
367 Stranraer Portpatrick
Stagecoach
Approx hourly (three buses Sunday)
Crown Inn, Harbour House Hotel
Kirkcolm
406 Stranraer Kirkcolm
Stagecoach
Eight daytime buses (not Sundays)
Blue Peter Hotel
Sandhead / Drummore
407 Stranraer Drummore
Stagecoach
Five daytime buses (not Sundays)
Tigh-na-Mara, Sandhead Clashwhannon, Drummore
Newton Stewart
500/X75 Stranraer Dumfries / 430 Stranraer Newton Stewart
Stagecoach
Approx. hourly daytime. Three buses Sunday
Creebridge House Hotel Galloway Arms Hotel Cree Inn Black Horse Hotel
Wigtown / Bladnoch / Garlieston / Isle of Whithorn
415 Newton Stewart - Port William or Isle of Whithorn / 416 to NS to Stranraer
Stagecoach
Regularly throughout the day at different intervals (Four or five buses Sunday)
Craft, Wigtown Bladnoch Inn Harbour Inn, Garlieston Steam Packet Inn, IoW
Bargrennan
359 Newton Stewart - Girvan
Stagecoach
Six buses per day (Two buses Sunday)
House O'Hill Hotel
In Stranraer, pubs available to visit are The Grapes, and the Ruddicot Hotel. Unfortunately, the Kenmuir Arms Hotel in New Luce isn't served by public transport. 31
www.awcamra.org.uk by Ray Turpie, Branch Vice Chairman
Before I update readers on my visit to Bournemouth for the AGM and National Conference, I wanted to mention a trip we had on the new Borders line to Tweedbank. We have been meaning to do this since it opened well over a year ago. The first thing we did on arrival was pop in to the Tempest Brewing Company which is now based in the adjacent industrial estate. Staff member David Playfair was Tempest Brewery on hand to speak to us and he advised that they had moved from the Cobbles in Kelso a few years ago, having outgrown the premises. A good selection of beers was in the brewery shop including their flagship Kiwi inspired Long White Cloud at 5.6%. As the sun was shining, we decided to do the short walk along the Southern Upland Way following the Tweed to Melrose where Ship Inn, Melrose they have some outlets. Unfortunately they were both shut for the afternoon so we settled for a pint of Belhaven IPA at the Ship Inn before heading for Galashiels on the bus to rejoin the train home. Journeying by train is our preferred option now but we took the car to Bournemouth as we wanted to do some visiting. On the way down we stayed at Dursley near Gloucester so that we could revisit the Old Spot, a previous national pub of the year. The Uley Brewery is nearby so I tried some of Old Ric’s Bitter named 32
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RAY’S ROUND UP
ROUND Y’S U A R
after the pub’s owner who died a few years ago. We arrived at the AGM venue on Thursday evening in plenty of time for the reception by Brewhouse and Kitchen, the main sponsors. It was a modern brew-pub having opened recently and I enjoyed a pint of their Lightning. This kicked off the weekend rather nicely and allowed us to meet up with members and old friends. The next day we walked along the coastal path to Poole in Ferdinand with some warm sunshine which Old Ric at the Old Spot continued all weekend. There are some wonderful old pubs along the Quays but we had to give them a miss so that we could get back to register and visit the members’ bar in the evening. A good selection was available but my favourite was local Bowman’s Swift One. As you will have gathered by now, the vote did not go my way so I will skip over the details and concentrate on things which might interest readers. My favourite pub was the Goat and
The Old Spot Inn, Dursely
FULLP NTS SUMMER 2017
The Goat & Tricycle, Bournemouth Tricycle which was conveniently situated on the way back to the hotel. It was owned by Wadworth so I sampled several of the beers on offer and top marks went to their Bishop’s Tipple at 5%. On the way home, we stayed at the Watermill, Ings in the Lake District. We have been trying to get in there for a while but it is always fully booked having only eight rooms. It is well worth the effort as it has a micro brewery and about twelve beers on tap. We sampled their own range and my favourite was Collie Wobble at 3.7%.
The Watermill. Ings All in all it was a very enjoyable extended weekend although a very long way to drive. Next year it is Coventry so that is a bit nearer. The following year the members’ weekend is in Dundee – now that is a bit more like it. However, that is a long way off and the chances are that I will be winding down from CAMRA by then. The festival season has started and I have already managed to attend Glenrothes and Paisley. Why not come along to the next one or you could fill in a staffing form and help out? Whatever you do, enjoy your summer beers. Cheers!
BRANCH SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Our Branch has Social Groups which meet regularly covering North, South and East Ayrshire, and Wigtownshire. All CAMRA members are encouraged to attend these informal events, but non-CAMRA members are always welcome to join us for a couple of hours of friendly chat and socialising. For more information, please contact the area coordinators listed below: North Ayrshire - meets 3rd Thursday of every month. Contact Ian Middleditch. Email: vicechair1@awcamra.org.uk South Ayrshire - contact Caroline Munro for details. Email: south-ayrshire@awcamra.org.uk East Ayrshire - meets last Wednesday of every month. Contact Matt Miller. Email: east-ayrshire@awcamra.org.uk Wigtownshire - contact Malcolm McNeil for details. Email: wigtownshire@awcamra.org.uk
James playing the drum kit at Black Metal Brewery! Additionally, we hold social outings on a regular basis to breweries such as Loch Lomond, Bute, Sulwath, and Inveralmond. See www.awcamra.org.uk for details or contact our social secretary Donald Clark at social@awcamra.org.uk 33
www.awcamra.org.uk
34
FULLP NTS SUMMER 2017
THE NEXT GENERATION OF CAMRA ACTIVISTS by Bob Wallace, Membership Secretary
While meeting up with many old friends, and former Paisley Beer Festival colleagues, at their recent 30th festival it occured to me that we were all young(ish) CAMRA members when the first one was held in 1986 (pictured opposite top). While the fact that we are all still involved, to varying degrees, provides the campaign with a great deal of experience I do wonder why we see fewer members of the age we were then, participating in our activities and in our committees. Is it that these stalwarts are reluctant to move over? I doubt it and will go as far as to suggest that I am actively seeking an apprentice membership secretary that I will happily train to allow me to retire a little further. I spent an hour at Paisley speaking with groups of young (less than half my age) ale drinkers, mainly to invite them to come to Troon in October, and was impressed by their knowledge of the beers on offer and enthusiasm for real ale. I was also taken by the fact that a much larger percentage of this younger age group was female, than we have come to expect at our branch events. How then do we encourage these members, and potential members, to take active roles in the future of CAMRA? I have spoken to two such members, both just over thirty, and will be meeting with them over the next few months with a view to holding specific young members events at the 18th Ayrshire Real Ale Festival. In the meantime can I ask you, as a reader of Full Pints, to share with us any ideas that you may have on this subject. I can be e-mailed at membership@awcamra.org.uk. To get you started might I suggest that you each try to identify a few people in the 18-30 age group(s) that you could invite, or even bring, to the festival.
CAMRA Scotland & Northern Ireland Young Members Contact Jo Sweden at youngmembers@awcamra.org.uk 35
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• Real Food • Real Beer • Real Atmosphere 27 Main Street, Kilmaurs, KA3 2RQ Tel: 01563 538805 www.westontavern.co.uk
Great food and Real Ales from Arran and Kelburn breweries, plus a guest ale Sundays – Ceilidh band sessions House ale brewed by Kelburn Brewery
Tel: 01505 850510 www.thecannyman.co.uk
Find us on the A736 Irvine to Barrhead Road, at Lugton 36
FULLP NTS SUMMER 2017
RHINS GRAND NATIONAL COACH TRIP
By Malcolm McNeil
Saturday 8 April saw the welcome return of this popular event after a few years' absence. 23 members and 3 guests took part including a strong contingent who travelled down by train from Ayrshire. The day began in Stranraer with Wigtownshire members gathering in The Ruddicot Hotel where we enjoyed a nice fresh pint of Strathaven Avondale before being picked up by our coach and travelling to the railway station to pick up the Ayrshire members. The first leg of the trip took us up into the hills to the Kenmuir Arms Hotel, New Luce where we had the choice of two excellent Hadrian & Borders Beers – Tyneside Blonde and Secret Kingdom Best Bitter. The next part of our journey was down to Luce Bay where there was time for another chance to sample Tyneside Blonde in the Tigh-na-Mara Hotel, Sandhead.
A lovely sunny stop in Portpatrick was next where there was just time for a quick pint in a packed Crown Hotel (Portpatrick Fog Horn and Courage Directors Bitter were available) before heading for our final 'country' pub, The Blue Peter Hotel, Kirkcolm to watch the Grand National unfold and to enjoy a good pint of Salamander Spring Chicken Pale Ale. We did miss the start of the race, but as the aim of the day was to get round as many rural pubs as possible, no-one really minded!
The final leg was the scenic drive along the shores of Loch Ryan to The Grapes, Stranraer where we enjoyed a nice buffet, as well as The third stop in our trip involved the short, picturesque two Ayr Brewing Company offerings – Fair Jenny's Jig and run down the shores of Luce Hiphopopotamus. Bay to The Clashwhannon in Drummore where we were The trip was a great success offered a choice of 3 beers: helped by warm sunny Fyne Ales Jarl, Hawkshead weather which allowed us Bitter, and the only Porter to enjoy our beers outside at of the day, Hadrian and Borders Ouseburn, which was several of our stops. Special thanks to Wigtownshire particularly well received. As Community Transport who the trip was also a branch provided the coach and meeting, Graeme Perry, our especially to our unflappable Branch Chairman, held the driver, Wallace, who got us short bit of business at this safely round the 66-mile point of the trip. Special course with no mishaps or thanks too, to Martin and fallers; and to all the publicans Louise for the delicious hot for the quality of their beers snacks they laid on – it was and the warmth of their particularly well received as welcomes. we "turned for home!"
Keith and Lynne-Marie Stebbens at Portpatrick Brewery also kindly supplied a raffle prize and the Grapes sponsored the buffet as well as supplying the Trip prize. The prizewinners in the Grand National Sweepstake were: 1st: Henry Keegans (Grapes Regular) 2nd: Bill Hilton 3rd: Sharon-Leah Waldapfel Portpatrick Brewery Raffle Prize (Brewery, shirt, pint glass and beer): Ken Middleditch Grapes prize for estimation of trip distance (bottles): Linda Dyson Here's to next year! 37
www.awcamra.org.uk
Britain’s biggest beer festival will be returning to London this summer from the 8th-12th August at London Olympia. Do you have your tickets yet? CAMRA is giving away two free tickets to readers who enter by the 21st July 2017 at www.gbbf.org.uk/competitions. A paradise for beer lovers, CAMRA’s Great British Beer Festival is an event not to be missed, with beers to suit all tastes and preferences. To celebrate our 40th year, we will be expanding our drinks offering of real ales and other craft beer, cider and perry to include fruit ciders and fine English wine. This year we are also offering a selection of food, including some long attending favourites and we will have a whole host of entertainment such as rock, pop and alternative bands which appear alongside auctions, traditional pub games and Saturday’s Big Pub Quiz for you to enjoy. If you are looking for some light entertainment, our tutored tastings will allow you to not only sample a selection of beers but also learn how to best taste and appreciate beer. Enter today for your chance to go to this year’s Great British Beer Festival www.gbbf.org.uk/competitions We look forward to seeing you there! Terms and conditions do apply please visit www.gbbf.org.uk/competitions 38more information for
FULLP NTS SUMMER 2017
by Allan and Linda Dyson (Newton Stewart CAMRA members)
HOUSE O'HILL, BARGRENNAN BEER AND MUSIC FESTIVAL House O'Hill hold a bi-annual Beer and Music festival in the Spring and Autumn of most years, and this years 'early' event was held Saturday 5th May at the hotel at Bargrennan. In the past it has been a charitable theme, entrance fee is £5 to include a festival glass, but this year the proceeds were for support of a footpath linking the hotel with Glentrool Caravan Park which is about 0.5 miles north. The hotel is on a minor road off the A714 but it is busy and has a speed limit of 60mph, making safe walking quite challenging. The weather was great for a change and this made all the difference as the visitor turnout was excellent. We took a bus from Newton Stewart which stops right outside the venue and at 2pm the place was busy. The beers on offer were mainly from Scottish brewers and they had 10 racked casks in all plus two hand pumps on the bar, so no complaints at all. The beers available were: • Atlas Meridian • Stewart Ka Pai • Greene King Ale Fresco • Ayr Hiphopopotamus
• • • •
Belhaven Golden Bay Hardy and Hanson Olde Trip Caingorm Buzz Greene King St Edmunds
• •
Loch Lomond West Highland Way Fyne Ales Jarl
We sampled most of these, the Ka Pai was a bit hazy but tasted great and Jarl was it's usual excellence, and Olde Trip was in fine form, the rest came a close fourth! There was a music Marquee outside and an open mike indoors for all comers, but as the weather was good, the outside sessions were most popular. First on was Sureal, a Girvan based singer with a wide variety of rock, folk and traditional music. Following this was a young Glasgow singer songwriter called Caitlin McCormick. She played acoustic guitar and sang some brilliant songs, check her out on youtube (Nickelback cover). Then a session from the Ukaladies, a two piece from Gatehouse singing a variety of standards , working really hard on the Ukes. The Hog Roast was ready and everyone descended on the food tent for the crispy treat. They also had burgers, chicken and selection of Veggie options. Our last bus was 6 20pm and we had to reluctantly depart but still the scene was very busy - the evening music started around 7pm with local bands Chopperhead and Bloodslab playing - the latter 'allegedly' kept the midges at bay for about an hour! Sureal, who played in the afternoon session, finished the festival past 11pm. The 'Hoose' staff work hard and professional to make this event a success and as the weather was so good, it was one of the better festivals we have enjoyed. Roll on September! 39
www.awcamra.org.uk
WIGTOWNSHIRE NEWS
For more info on Wigtownshire events and outlets please contact: Malcolm McNeil (Email: wigtownshire@awcamra.org.uk)
There are loads of events happening in Wigtownshire over the summer months which feature real ale. Hopefully some of our members can support them. Local transport is always an issue, but with a bit of planning, most events can be reached using public transport. Have a good summer. We start with a Social on Saturday 24 June to celebrate the Solstice at the Steam Packet Inn, Isle of Whithorn. So far, confirmed numbers attending are low, so contact Malcolm McNeil (details above) to express an interest in attending. Contact Alastair at the Steam Packet to check accommodation availability and costs if required (details on page 8).
Stranraer 400 Events: Sat 8th July Stranraer FC vs FC Twente Enschede (Holland) Stair Park 3 pm kick-off. Meet at at Ruddicot Hotel before game, then Grapes afterwards for BBQ and more beer.
Other local events this summer: Fri 23 - Sun 25 June First Portpatrick Jazz Festival. Real Ale at Crown and Harbour House. Saturday night Concert in village Hall (bar by Portpatrick Brewery and Magners).
Fri 21-Sun 23 July: Thomas Telford Festival, Port Logan. Beer Tent (run by Clashwhannon, beers from Portpatrick). Entertainment in Village Hall. No details as yet.
Sat 9 July Hamefairin' Festival at Isle of Whithorn (Real Ale at Steam Packet Inn) Fri 7-9 July Scottish Traditional Music Festival, Newton Stewart
40
Fri 28-Sat 29 July: Branch Social at Grapes Beer Festival (as part of the Stranraer 400 celebrations of Stranraer as a Royal Burgh).
Sun 30 July-Sat 5 Aug: Portpatrick Lifeboat Week. Fri 1-Sun 3 Sept: Portpatrick Folk Festival. Sessions in/outside pubs.
FULLP NTS SUMMER 2017
Just For Fun WHERE ARE THE FOLLOWING BREWERIES LOCATED (NAME THE TOWN/VILLAGE)?
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 1.
What is the most northerly brewery in Scotland?
2.
What is the most southerly brewery in Scotland?
3.
Caledonian Brewery is owned by which brewing giant?
4.
Porters died out in the early 70’s when Guinness ceased producing it for the small Northern Ireland market. It was revived in 1978 by the tiny Penrhos brewery in England by which famous comedian?
5.
LOCH LOMOND a. Loch, Stock & Barrel b. Northern Peak c. Ale of Leven d. Space Hopper
Which drinks are more widely consumed than beer?
6.
What is the name of the Sumerian goddess of beer?
7.
What according to Dr Johnson, was eaten by horses in England and people in Scotland?
CROMARTY a. Red Rocker b. Atlantic Drift c. Grumpy Old Man d. Udder Madness
8.
Who was the last monarch to be born in Scotland?
9.
Which footballer made six appearances for Scotland between 1990 and 1994, whilst on the books of Norwich City?
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Fyne Ales Fierce Beer Ferry Brewery Dalrannoch Fallen Craft Originale Inner Bay Jaw Knops Lawman
WHICH OF THESE IS NOT A BEER PRODUCED BY THE NAMED BREWERY?
TOP OUT a. Gingerheid b. The Cone c. Drei Hopped d. Simon Says-On KNOPS a. California Common b. Black Cork c. Prestonpans Broke d. Musselburgh Champion FYNE a. Ragnarok b. Maverick c. Hurricane John d. Razuberi
10. The Irrawaddy is the longest river in which Asian country? 11. What was Inspector Columbo's matter-offact first name? 12. Which Grand National winning horse shared its name with a lighthouse on Jersey?
QUIZ ANSWERS: SPRING 2017 BREWERY LOCATIONS: 1: Cairngorm (Aviemore); 2: (Tempest) Tweedbank; 3: Deeside(Banchory); 4: Inveralmond (Perth); 5: Lola Rose (Wanlockhead); 6: Five Kingdoms (Isle of Whithorn); 7: Valhalla (Shetland); 8: Gallus (Glasgow); 9: Top Out (Loanhead, Edinburgh); 10: Alechemy (Livingston). NOT A BREWERY BEER: Orkney (Head banger); Ayr (Doctor Whitebolt); Kelburn (Derek's Double); Broughton (Black Dougie); Lerwick (Norseman) GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: 1: Tryst Raj IPA. 2: Binghams Vanilla Stout. 3: 144 pints. 4: India Pale Ale. 5: Alcohol by Volume. 6: North and South Utsire. 7: St Kilda. 8: Michael Parkinson and Sue Lawley. 9: Fiona Bruce. 10: Ten. 11: Who Wants to be a Millionaire. 12: The Broons. 41
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43
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At Sulwath Brewery we give you the chance to see the craft of brewing in action, and to taste our real ales at our fully licensed brewery tap visitor centre.
Everybody BREWERY Welcome THE KING STREET OPEN MON-SAT, 10AM-6PM Off-sales also available
CASTLE DOUGLAS DG7 1DT Tel: 01556 504525 www.sulwathbrewers.co.uk