Beer Around 'Ere 192

192 Peterborough & District Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale December 2016 /January 2017

London drinking establishments of note Exploring London with Mick Slaughter and Roz Fountain.

See page 18-23

ALSO INSIDE PUB & BREWERY NEWS

DIARY DATES

JOIN CAMRA

In the CAMRA GOOD BEER GUIDE!

THE PLOUGHMAN•WERRINGTON Staniland Way, Werrington Centre Tel: 01733 327696 rough Peterbo AMRA C t ic tr & Dis

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Xmas beer fest • 23rd December to 3rd january • 25 ales and 6 real ciders

Nearly that time of year again, excesses of food and drink! Bring it on! My usual call at this time of year don’t forget to visit your local watering hole, they need your patronage throughout the year to remain viable.

Two things to get off my mind. Firstly, often hear drinkers voicing their opinions about pubs becoming too ‘foody’ and more like restaurants than pubs! In this day and age without providing the food side, more pubs would be closing and more villages would be pub-less. Yes it may be more difficult to find a “drinkers only” pub but food and ale in hostelries goes back a long way!

Secondly niggles from landlords/landladies that their establishment does not appear in BAE! I give up, how many times have licensees been asked to get in touch with pubs officer, committee member or even editor of this magazine, if they are planning beer festival, charity event or have any updates. We are not psychic, well most of us aren’t, the majority of the time! Let us know what’s going on and it can be mentioned. OK, I’ll stop moaning now, momentarily at least.

Please don’t forget to cast your vote for the Pub of the Year see page 14-15 for contenders. You know it makes sense!

Editor: Jane Brown bae-editor@real-ale.org.uk

Published by: Peterborough & District Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale.

Produced on behalf of CAMRA by: Orchard House Media Ltd Eventus Business Centre, Sunderland Rd, Market Deeping. Tel: 01778 382758

Magazine Design & Production: Daniel Speed daniel.speed@orchardhousemedia.co.uk

Advertising Sales Manager: Jane Michelson Tel: 01778 382718

Editor’s ramblings | 3

IN THIS ISSUE Welcome from the editor 3 Chairman’s corner 5 Pub news 7–9 CAMRA AGM 11 Brewery news 12–13 Pub of the Year nominations 14–15 Coalies on tour 16–17 Micks Trip around London 18–23 Diary dates 24 Your Branch needs you! 25 Join CAMRA 28 Award presentation 29 Branch contacts 30 Remember when all festivities are over and you have dreary, bleak January ahead of you, don’t forget to visit Whittlesey for Straw Bear Festival 13th-15th January. A fun day out for all family and several good pubs serving real ale and a variety of beers brewed especially for the event. What more could you ask for! I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Cheers JB

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Beer Around ‘Ere is published by the Peterborough & District Branch of CAMRA Copyright © 2016/17, The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd.

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Circulation: 7,000 copies distributed to pubs, clubs and members throughout the Peterborough and District CAMRA Branch area. A digital version of this magazine is available to view and download at issuu.com

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Views or comments expressed in this publication may not necessarily be those of the Editor or of CAMRA. The next issue of Beer Around ‘Ere will be available on the 2nd February.

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Please send your stories and other copy to the editor, Jane Brown.

DECEMBER / JANUARY 2016 | BEER AROUND ERE

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Chairman’s corner |5

Chairman’s Corner As the end of another year draws near and some look forward to the festive season, with all the usual ‘glitter’, we can say that it certainly has been an active one. I’m not just stating the obvious in respect of the Olympic Games, Para-Olympics and Euro footie finals but, our own ‘Brexit’, the Revitalisation Project. Having held one survey, then a second one, now a third is in operation. Are the powers that be waiting for a satisfactory result before making a decision whether to change or not? The results of the second survey indicate that real ale remains a core issue for members with Cider and Perry also having strong support. The majority of members who voted have sent a message that they are in favour of some recognition to ‘other high quality beers’. Pub campaigning should remain at the heart of the Campaign along with support for clubs. The third and final survey is launched to help the group refine its proposals before presenting its vision of CAMRA’s future direction to the National Executive.

We have sent out our annual letter to all our members with details of the pubs that are the contenders for the Pub of The Year, along with an invitation to our Xmas party. Also, members are asked to list the pubs within our branch area that we should consider putting forward as entries in the 2018 Good Beer Guide. I once again stress that only pubs within our branch area are considered as entries. When we count the number of votes for each pub, the ones receiving the highest number are then checked, and borderline pubs are also checked for their beer scores on the CAMRA scoring system. Only CAMRA members can vote and the deadline for entries is the 30th Decembers (please note the earlier deadline of the 1st December for party tickets). I urge all members to submit their votes as this year we have the largest number of contenders for Pub of the Year than we’ve had for many years.

Visit our web site for up-to-date news: www.real-ale.org.uk

The 2017 edition of the Good Beer Guide warns of the possible threats by global brewers making inroads into the success of the buoyant British cask sector. The British real ale market has a record vibrancy with over 1500 breweries now in operation. With the world’s two largest brewers AB InBev and SABMiller merging at a colossal £79 billion and, already having taken over the London craft brewer Meantime for a reported £120 million.

They then had to unload it to meet demands of regulators in the USA and the European Union.

Who did they sell it to? Asahi of Japan!

Another London craft brewer Camden Town was bought by AB for £85 million with plans to make it a leading player in the capital’s beer sector and use its marketing muscle to undercut competitors. These companies can make huge savings on production costs as a result of their ability to bulk buy raw materials at enormous discounts. The potential threat to the independent sector of our brewing industry is a cause for concern, if the way in which the global brewers are muscling in on the craft sector is anything to go by. We should constantly be vigilant and not complacent about the actions of these companies. Have we not been here before?

At this year’s Peterborough branch AGM on December 5th, I will be giving notice of my retirement from the post of Branch Chairman. My intention is to stand down at the 2017 AGM. I would like to thank all the members who have given me and the rest of the committee their support over the last year. It just remains for me to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a healthy and Happy New Year.

Cheers.

David Murray Branch Chairman DECEMBER / JANUARY 2016 | BEER AROUND ERE

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BEER AROUND ERE | DECEMBER / JANUARY 2016

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Pub News

Despite rigorous opposition from the distillery interest, the High Court in Scotland has officially sanctioned the introduction of minimum pricing.

This is an important landmark in legal history for, although it will make no difference to prices in public houses, it should at least make the prospect of underpriced alcohol in supermarkets less desirable.

Mintel surveys repeatedly find that prices are not amongst the top priorities for pub users, but this does not tell us anything about non pub users who find supermarket prices so enticing. I am sure that this piece of legislation will work to the benefit of pubs and that it is only a matter of time before it spreads south of the border. Witness the precedent of the smoking ban.

City news It is with great pleasure that I can report the salvation of the Hand and Heart in Millfield.

Regular customers will be gratified to learn that they can look forward again to seeing the friendly faces of Sue and Floyd in the pub. Apparently Bram is also involved. For this relief much thanks.

With the growing popularity of micro pubs in the city (Bumble Inn and Stoneworks) it is also good news to see another project on the horizon.

A planning application has been granted for a change of use from A3 to A4 (Drinking Establishment) specifically a micro pub to be called the Frothblowers Arms in Storrington Way, Werrington, entailing the refurbishment of vacant shop unit, installation of internal accessible toilet and creation of a cool room with associated condenser unit to rear of property. This will be a welcome addition to the pub scene in Werrington but let us hope that the froth does not take up too much of the volume in the glass.

Planning permission has also been confirmed for a new bar in Bridge Street. This bar is to be called Puzzles, “a casual bar designed to fit in with the current night time offering in the city centre”.

I don’t think so, unless they are looking for a higher class of clientele, as this used to be the Peterborough literacy hub.

Visit our web site for up-to-date news: www.real-ale.org.uk

Pub news |7

I can also report a conversation I had with Paul Dickinson, the proprietor of the new micro brewery Angles Ales at the Coalheavers autumn beer festival. Paul mentioned the long term prospect of opening a new micro pub to promote his beer. So the inhabitants of Orton Southgate can look forward to being regaled with beers with the delightful names of Goat Tosser, Doctor’s Orders, Feral Nun and Happy Paranoids.

My Stamford informer, Alun Thomas, has informed me that Dean and Jill are leaving the Jolly Brewer after a ten year tenure, to concentrate on the brewery. They will be a very hard act to follow.

One door shuts And another door opens. And so it is with pubs.

And given the frequency of this occurrence and the frequency of this magazine, I am somewhat cautious to report pub closures, as soon as I have reported it the pub has reopened. However, the Kings Head in Apethorpe has been closed for some months now and it is on the market….as a pub. The last time I was in Harringworth, the White Swan was closed, boarded up and under security control. Never a good sign. Imagine then my sense of elation when I received a phone call from Les Purdey who told me that it reopened in late June and is now serving Doom Bar and a Grainstore guest. The pub also has six letting rooms and has reopened its restaurant. There is still no sign of anyone taking over the Fenman in Stanground, although locals report evidence of activity inside the pub hopefully to complete the refurbishment that was begun two years ago.

As my remit as Pubs Protection Officer has now been extended to include clubs, a part of the market that up to now I have overlooked, I should be interested to hear from readers who would recommend an establishment that they think should be covered in this column. The criterion, as usual, is consistently serving real ale and cider of a high quality, but any other feature making it an attractive venue would be welcome.

F

DECEMBER / JANUARY 2016 | BEER AROUND ERE

8 | Pub news - continued

Return to Wisbech Unfortunately I have to report that on my last visit the Clarkson Arms and the Royal Standard have closed. Whilst there I took the opportunity to revisit Phil in the Globe at the head of Market Square. Phil is still featuring five Greene King Beers at ridiculously low prices but I settled for the governor’s recommendation of Globe 1760 best bitter. Earlier in the month he was offering five pints of a beer called Doosra for a fiver. I just hope that his offer has a spin off. On this occasion I was accompanied by John “Jellied Eels” Walker, a former West ‘Am footballer, who revived my sense of cockney slang by telling me that Ruby Tuesday was curry night and that on Wednesday steak and all the trimmings along with a beer was available for just £7. On weekdays bar snacks, such as sausage and chips, are available for as little as £1.

When not in the Globe, John is a denizen of the Elm Tree in Garton End Road which he tells me has gone through a refit with new seating at the bar. Back in Wisbech I was informed that Marston’s intend to open a pub alongside the Tesco site in Cromwell Road. As this will almost certainly be a typical Marston’s road house, predominantly a food outlet, I wouldn’t hold your breath…

Whilst there I felt obliged to checkout on my friend, Aigars Bulcevics who is still running the Three Tuns, the Angel and the Kings Head.

In the Three Tuns he had Cambridge bitter at £2.50 in order to attract “the elderly customer”, for which I was thankful. He is planning to uncover the original fireplace in the saloon bar so that we can look forward to an open fire in the winter. He is also planning improvements in the Angel by removing the carpets and sanding and re-varnishing the original parquet flooring. I noticed in the Elgoods pubs the availability of guest beers including Joseph Holt’s Two Hoots at £3.00 a pint and beers from the Flipside breweryall under the auspices of Elgood’s. At the SIBA beer festival, brewer Alan Peyton verified this policy saying that the market is moving towards microbrewery beers. This will provide a considerable attraction for Elgoods customers along with their own dependable range. I am looking forward BEER AROUND ERE | DECEMBER / JANUARY 2016

to seeing some North Brink Porter on the pumps as the cold weather starts to infiltrate my feeble bones.

Alan also advised me that the brewery are planning a refit at the Chequers in Tholomas Drove.

Whilst on the subject of the inevitable permeation of the Eastern European community into the pub trade I should like to draw the readers’ attention to a venture I have recently discovered in Milton Keynes. An establishment called the Draft House will be featuring copper vessels of unpasteurized brewery fresh lager delivered by tanks from Pilsen in the Czech Republic. This will be offered along with local beers such as Concrete Cow and other Buckinghamshire beers. The Draft House rules include “no phoney welcome, no boring conversation, no Top 40, and no cooking lager”. Sounds good to me. I have for a long time felt that the eastern European community is a long unexploited potential and ventures of this kind should do something to redress the balance. City centre publicans, please note.

Concentration span Readers with a concentration span of more than a few issues may recall my report in Issue 187 on the Peacock in London Road. This report covered the heinous episode when Elizabeth Walker, a six year old child who suffers from hereditary multiple exostosis, had her wheelchair stolen and destroyed.

On my last visit I learnt that the new wheelchair has now been purchased but the fund is continuing to support the much needed alterations to the house. Landlady Amanda is now offering a guest beer, on my visit Bombardier Burning Gold, along with Sharpe’s Doom Bar. The Bombardier tastes very much like Bombardier except that I noticed a distinct note of Himalayan hyacinths in the nose and a definite hint of burning gold in the malt.

She has also expanded the food menu with an offer of £10 for two meals, Monday to Friday 12.00 4.00p.m and children’s portions at very moderate prices. I was pleased to notice also that children’s puddings were also reasonably priced as this is the area where bills are surreptitiously bumped up.

With its track record of supporting local charities, and it’s warm and inviting community feel, this pub is definitely a hub.

Visit our web site for up-to-date news: www.real-ale.org.uk

Pub news - continued |9

Even further back, in Issue 181, I reported on the Shoulder of Mutton in Weldon, which continues to be a hive of activity. Brewer Graham Moorhouse has recently written to say that heis currently brewing a special Lemon Ale, and a7.1% Imperial Stout and bottled packs of Weldon Ales will be available for the festive season. On Halloween the pub held a “spooktacular” charity night for the British Heart Foundation. Although the brewery is now located in the Northampton branch, the pub is still ours and I shall endeavour to keep you up to date on all the exciting beer styles Graham is exploring. If you haven’t already visited this pub it really is time you had to enjoy landlord, Bogdan’s excellent hospitality and Serbian cuisine. It is easily accessible on the X4 bus and those of you who are restricted by the same urinary cycle as I am can always jump off at Oundle for relief and refreshment.

ACV Update With upwards of 1,800 pubs now listed across the country, it seems that this procedure is clearly gathering momentum. The pubs listed in our own branch are: Hand and Heart in Millfield, Woolpack in Stanground, the Carpenters Arms in Coates, the Straw Bear in Whittlesey, the Black Horse in Nassington, the Anchor in Wimblington and the Golden Lion in Stonea, but we are clearly lagging behind the national trend. CAMRA is suggesting that we forge links with our local council and councilors to support the process. It is worth bearing in mind that the political programme to support pubs is cross party and I am sure that they are all covetous of our votes.

The Golden Age With the increasing focus on pub closures it has now become customary to look back with nostalgia to a Golden Age of pub building. Most people see this as Victorian and Edwardian period when many of our most treasured pubs were built. And I am continually referring readers back to the 1830 Beerhouse Act which occasioned the opening of 46000 beerhouses within 11 years of its inception.

But the real Golden Age for beer drinkers was surely during the Black Death. As a result of this Visit our web site for up-to-date news: www.real-ale.org.uk

unfortunate episode in our history, one third of our population was wiped out. But I would rather see my glass two thirds full than one third empty. The sharp rise in the death rate caused a shortage of labour on the land, wages spiraled and ale houses proliferated to absorb the increase in expendable income.

Bliss must it have been that dawn to be alive, but to survive was very heaven.* *Apologies to William Wordsworth

John Temple Pubs Officer

Send us your news!

Calling all landlords and landladies! Had a refurb? Got a great event on? Started selling a new range of ales or cider?

Let us know and we will add your news to these pages.

Just email John Temple at pubs-officer@real-ale.org.uk

We are Peterborough CAMRA Pub of the Year 2016!

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12 |

Brewery News Blue Bell Due to an increasing demand, beers are being brewed on a more regular basis.

Winter Comfort 4.4%, a dark beer, has been brewed as the winter seasonal and will appear shortly. The brewery has also introduced other products containing their beers. The first being Tilly’s Golden Tipple relish, which is on sale in the pub, and will be followed by Christmas puddings containing Ingle Dingle Ale. Castor Ales 2016 certainly has been an eventful year, some would say revolutionary and that’s just the beer. So in true Castor spirit we thought we’d support the revolution and aim for a really challenging Christmas ale: a roast turkey and cranberry sauce stout. Needless to say this proved to be a monumental ‘turkey’ so it was quickly dropped in favour of more traditional flavours like hops, plums and liquorice. This has proved to be a winning formula for the Imperial Palace Porter that has been well received in Nottingham, Falmouth and Hinckley along with the usual outlets in Peterborough. The downside is that this cracker will truly be a seasonal brew as the 20 kilos of plums used were handpicked from fruit trees in in Castor. We are holding a few back for Christmas and it’ll be dispatched to the usual outlets with a sprig of mistletoe.

Remember, remember- the 5th of November.

Judging by the amount of Castor Ales drunk at the annual Castor Cricket club bonfire night celebration it’s unlikely that many will remember much about this year’s event. That is a great pity as Roman Gold, Hopping Toad and 12th Man were on top form dispensed straight from the cask, not a sparkler in sight!! The head retention was as impressive as the fireworks.

Anyway as is customary at this time of year, we’d like to thank all our customers and supporters for BEER AROUND ERE | DECEMBER / JANUARY 2016

buying and drinking our beer and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous and peaceful New Year. Keep it Castor!

Digfield Ales Brewers Mike and Paul have been very busy over the last few months.

Fools Nook and Mad Monk represented the brewery at Booze on the Ouse Festival in St Ives. The Nottingham Beer Festival attendees were able to drink Old Crow, Fools Nook and Shackle Bush. Old Crow plus Barnwell Bitter were on offer at the Falmouth Beer Festival.

Elgood’s The recent SIBA beer competition and festival hosted be Elgood’s was a success with a sizeable donation being made to charity.

The current seasonal beers are North Brink Porter and Plum Porter and will be followed by Reinbeer 5% and Winter Warmer 7.5%.

The brewery open weekend on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th December from 11am – 4pm, is to feature brewery tours. Gardens will also be open and crafts and beers will be available to purchase for Christmas.

Hopshackle Brewery Hopshackle cask sales have slowed down slightly, but the slack has been taken up by increased bottle beer sales. The brewery had a presence at Market Deeping Christmas Market which took place on Sunday November 27th.

Gift packs and mixed cases of bottled beers will be available throughout December. The Christmas beer Jingle 5.2% abv is available in cask and bottles. It is dark brown in colour and was made using orange and lemon peel, cinnamon, all spice, nutmeg and ginger.

Visit our web site for up-to-date news: www.real-ale.org.uk

Brewery news |13

Kings Cliffe Brewery The brewery continues to supply three local pubs, namely, Crown, Elton – Cross Keys, Kings Cliffe and Ostrich, Peterborough. They also had beer at Nottingham and Booze on the Ouse beer festivals. P51 Porter is on sale in pubs in St Ives, Cambs. A joint development with Mile Tree brewery to brew a mild, is scheduled for 2017.

Oakham Ales The year end approaches so the final beer in The Oakadamy of Excellence for 2016 will be A Shot in the Dark a tri hopped beer, consisting of two American and one Kiwi to give this 4.1% black beer a hoppy twist. The previous beer in the range a ruby offering called A Study in Scarlet was well received so hopefully it will be seen again.

On the awards front, Green Devil I.P.A. won Champion Beer at the Eastbourne Beer Festival in September, they must like their beers Sussex way as Citra won the award two years ago. For visitors to The Pigs Ear Festival later in the year, three Oakham Ales beers will be featured.

There will be four new seasonals in the range next year starting with New World Order at 4.0% in January. Full details of the 2017 beer range to follow.

On the brewery re-development front, a new delivery and customer entrance will be built. This will enable the main yard to be prepared for the building works that will provide the brewery expansion and enable all bottling and kegging to be done in house alongside the cask beers.

Nene Valley Brewery Egyptian Cream, a milk stout, at 4.5%, is now out in pubs in both cask and nitro form.

Another new brew, an as yet unnamed, hoppy, amber beer, in the mid-4% region should also be available in about two weeks. Lone Star 3.7%, the brewery's Winter Red Ale, will now be available from the end of November.

Visit our web site for up-to-date news: www.real-ale.org.uk

The seven existing fermentation tanks have now been re-located into the new fermentation room at the rear of the brewery, with the eighth soon to be delivered from the fabricator.

Rocket Ales Rocket completed their second brew in mid-September of Atlas IPA 5.8% for which there has been steady sales to local pubs. Vostok, (Russian rocket) a 4.6% stout will be in production for December.

Finally trials continue on a Kolsch style beer Komet 4.3% and named after German ME163 Komet jet plane. Komet will be Rocket’s session beer and so they are looking for a final abv of around 3.8%

Star Brewing Company Beers which are currently available are Galaxy 4.4%, Lightyear 5% and Velocity 3.9% which can be found in local pubs and Wetherspoon’s outlets.

The brewery also supplied beers to the recent Nottingham and Falmouth Beer Festivals.

Xtreme Ales Xtreme are finally operational in their shiny new brew home.

As a thank you to those who helped in the move and installation (a fantastic apprentice for her painting skills!) as well as a few new friends, we held an open day. With some 240 pints being consumed it proves that they can organise a “Piss up in a Brewery”. Master Chef Danny has his work cut out providing burgers for the assembled drinkers.

Brewing continues with Route 701 4% being the main seller and a Winter Warmer 6% has been brewed. Beers for the Straw Bear Festival were due to be brewed mid-November. Watch out for those Pigeons popping up over the Festive period!

Merry Xtreme-mas to all, and to all a good pint!

DECEMBER / JANUARY 2016 | BEER AROUND ERE

14 |

Peterborou Pub of t

Cross Keys, Kings Cliffe - Merit Award.

Developing the pub as a hub of the community.

Supporting and serving quality LocAles.

THE GOLDEN FLEECE

Jolly Brewer, Stamford - Merit Award.

Their continued support for LocAle, holding two beer festivals yearly, with exceptional beer lists.

A great community pub welcoming all.

18 Sheepmarket Stamford Tel: 01780 763749

A traditional village pub in the heart of Stamford.

We are a family run pub with a friendly atmosphere and cracking good food. From 9am t0 4pm Monday to Saturday we serve home cooked food prepared on the day. On Sunday we oer a proper home cooked roast dinner from 12pm to 3pm.

Three real ales (including one rotating guest) are available alongside Westons Family Reserve Cider.

For entertainment we oer Karaoke on Thursdays and Sundays and Live Bands on Fri and Sat nights.

BEER AROUND ERE | DECEMBER / JANUARY 2016

Letter B, Whittlesey - Merit Award.

For continuing a well- kept range of real ales and ciders. Also being awarded the Cambridgeshire CPOTY (Cider Pub of the Year) for the second year running.

Visit our web site for up-to-date news: www.real-ale.org.uk

|15

ugh and District CAMRA the Year 2017 Nominees These are the contenders for Peterb orough and District Pub of the Yea r, with citations. All branch members are eligible to vote (forms have been sen t out to all branch members). Closing dat e for votes is 30th December 2016.

Ostrich, Peterborough - Merit Award.

Continually offering a range of LocAles and well-kept Cask Ales. Also its importance as an independent city centre pub.

Rising Sun, Leverington - Gold Award.

Increasing the range of real ales from one to three, vigorous promotion of real ales and a vibrant village hub.

Ploughman, Werrington - Merit Award.

For continually offering well-kept Cask Ales and a range of LocAle. Supporting various charities, live music and continuing to be a community hub pub.

Ship, Chatteris - Merit Award.

Creating a warm, welcoming community pub with a wide range of quality real ales and charity supporting activities.

Not a Branch member but would like to vote next year?

Join CAMRA now from as little as ÂŁ24.00 a year. Check out the form on page 28 or visit join.camra.org.uk for further details.

Visit our web site for up-to-date news: www.real-ale.org.uk

DECEMBER / JANUARY 2016 | BEER AROUND ERE

NEW in YORK Just recently a small but perfectly formed ‘Coalies on Tour’ group went to York which is most definitely one of our favourite destinations. We have been many times as it is such a great place, both historically and for its pubs. We visited the usual favourites such as The York Tap, The Falcon Tap, Brigantes, Pivni and The Maltings (one of my all-time favourite pubs) , but in the last few months three more places have opened up, all with at least eight beers available and all well worth a visit.

First, we went to Sutlers which is on the corner of Fossgate and Pavement. It was an early start for us, catching the 8.15am train which meant no break-

fast at Drapers but no worries as Sutlers opens at 9am and serves a fantastic breakfast using the best local products. Breakfast done, it was time for beer.

Well it was 10.30 after all. Up to eight beers are available from mostly local brewers such as Ilkley, Brass Castle and Roosters and a large range of keg beers though most of them were run of the mill kegs. Sutlers is a large place with a separate eating area, a second smaller bar upstairs and four or five small rooms with tables and chairs that are perfect for small to medium sized groups.

After Sutlers we went just around the corner to The Pavement Vaults which, strangely enough is situated on a road called Pavement. The Vaults opened in November 2015 and is owned by the Pivovar group who also own The Euston Tap, Leeds Tap, York Tap and Pivni. It is also a smokehouse and the smell of meat being barbecued was fantastic. The beer range and quality was pretty fantastic too with offerings from Ilkley, Arbor, BEER AROUND ERE | DECEMBER / JANUARY 2016

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Coalies on Tour - York |17

Electric Bear, Tiny Rebel and Wild Beer Co. and also a decent selection of kegs. The beers here were in really good nick with the only downside being the use of extremely tight sparklers though the staff are happy to remove them if asked.

Probably the newest addition to York’s drinking scene is Brew York, who are a new brewery and featured at this year’s Peterborough Beer Festival picking up a prestigious award. It is a fully functioning fairly large scale brewery who open their doors to the public at the weekend. We only found out about it while we were in another pub in York.

Eight cask beers were on the bar along with a couple of ciders and four keg beers from Brass Castle. Most of the beers were on the slightly strong side but the quality of every one was spot on. There is also a small outside area that backs onto the river. A must visit next time you are in York.

Dave Botton

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DECEMBER / JANUARY 2016 | BEER AROUND ERE

Prospect of Whitby photo by Roz Fountain

|19

Mick’s trip to London before his hip (h)op.

d Photo by Michael Croxfor

Our first stop for refreshment was The Mayflower Pub at Rotherhithe, 117, Rotherhithe Street, SE16 4NF. This place pulled at my heartstrings, as I am a Boston girl, (the original not USA) and The Mayflower sailed from Boston to America, hence the same name over there. The Mayflower Pub took the name as the ship travelled on its journey to America just by and in 1957 had a major refurbishment which re-created a 16th century interior. The deck outside overlooks the Thames which is very nice. Beers they had on were, Dark Star – Hophead, Greene King – Frankenstein 4.2%, Greene King - Mayflower Scurvy Ale 3.9%, Ilkley Brewery – Pale Ale 4.2%, Wold Top – Keeper’s Light 4.5%. All in tip top condition.

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Next it was just a short walk to The Ship, 39 St. Marychurch Street, Rotherhithe SE16 4JE. The pub was originally a Taylor Walker’s pub, with photos inside of the original frontage and signage.

They had three entrances, snug door, (now blocked off) saloon door, still used, and the front bar door, which once was the off sales entrance, but now the interior is one large horseshoe bar. Sells Young’s beer – Bitter 3.7%, Special 4.5%.

London transport buses then took us to our next stop, via a diversion that we missed, so we had to walk back through a park to The Blacksmiths

F

Photo by Michael Slaughter

Twenty of us set off to London for a day of merriment and fun, (oh and a few pints) with a list of 16 plus drinking establishments of note with beer of some standard along the way. We used nine modes of transport for the day - train, underground, DLR Overground, ferry, MBNA fastcat ferry, cable car, bus and walking (10 for the folks who used a taxi!).

Mayflower Pub at Rotherhithe (above) and snug (left) DECEMBER / JANUARY 2016 | BEER AROUND ERE

20 | Mick’s trip - continued

Arms, 257, Rotherhithe Street, Rotherhithe SE16 5EJ. The black and white Tudor exterior is covered with hanging baskets. Not a lot to say about the beer here as they had Fullers London Pride and Gales Seafarers, couldn’t fault the beer.

at Sundays, 3 Cumbergate, Peterborough PE1 1YR Bookings on bbq.nights@yahoo.com Tel: 01733 554 334

Great local ingredients, cooked low ‘n slow over wood in our multi-award winning Cookshack Smoker, imported from the USA. Beef Brisket, Pulled Pork, Ribs & more.

Good Meat+Rub+Smoke+Time=BBQ

Our trip then got tricky as Mick had to go and get tickets for the trip across the Thames, these are purchased from the Doubletrees Dockland hotel, 50 yards back along the street. Mick, tickets, coins and machines don’t always mix, but he managed 20 at a cost of £2.80 per person for a single journey (the London Travel Card train ticket discount price). To access the ferry you walk through the reception of the Doubletrees Dockland Hotel, out the back doors and down to the pier. Our ferry awaited and across the Thames we sailed to Canary Wharf.

The Blacksmiths Arms. Photo by Michael Croxford

We then waited for the fast catamaran that took us to Greenwich. Some of the party walked along the Thames path to the Trafalgar Tavern (really we should have kept going and missed this one out). Outside is a wonderful statue of Lord Nelson

BEER AROUND ERE | DECEMBER / JANUARY 2016

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Mick’s trip - continued |21

overlooking the Thames which is the best thing I can say about the pub! As we walked in there was an overwhelming smell of food and on the bar was Nelson Trafalgar 4.1%, Nelson Admiral IPA 4.0% and Adnams Ghost Ship 4.5%, all at £4.80 pint.

We ordered Trafalgar and Admiral, took it outside, due to the smell, only to find both beers were off.

Bad show, bad beer, bad visit. Another day it may be totally different.

Our journey was now on for a good beer, so we walked through The Old Royal Naval College grounds has and some of us visited the Old Brewery, (used to be Meantime Beer, now Young’s.)

We kept walking to the Spanish Galleon, 48 Greenwich Church Street, Greenwich SE10 9BL. This pub is close to the Cutty Sark and Greenwich market and has inside its own fish and chip shop, fish and chips are cooked upstairs, sorry to spoil the illusion, then brought down and placed in the fryer to keep warm, and cost £10.95, and they looked wonderful. It is a Shepherd Neame pub and had on Spitfire and Whitstable Bay. A great find and a great pub to visit and stay for lunch but our journey took us on.

Our next pub was Gate Clock (Weatherspoon’s).

As usual a great selection of beers. We imbibed By the Horns, The Mayor Garrett 4.3%, Windsor & Eton, Conqueror Black IPA 5%. Lunch was also partaken here, but I hasten to add that on each table there was a notice “Warning, Watch Your Bag” with a symbol of a hand taking a bag, and the sign of our times was that 10 people where sat at a table and an American visitor had just had her bag taken form their table with passports and cards etc inside.

Onward and upwards we had a Supercat to catch, so off we went using our single ticket again and disembarked at the North Greenwich O2 pier for our connection on the Emirates Air Line Cable car over the Thames. Our London Travel Card train ticket gave us discount here so the single journey across was £3.50. Although a little overcast it is well worth the money and the view.

The next water hole we were looking for was Fox @ Excel, Warehouse ‘K’, Mace Gateway, Canning Visit our web site for up-to-date news: www.real-ale.org.uk

Town, E16 1DR. This is a large airy old converted tobacco warehouse. It must buzz evenings and lunchtimes but very empty and quiet when we went in. The beers are Caledonian Deuchars and Fullers London Pride. Halves drank we were ready and on the DLR Station and away again.

From Wapping Station, we went along to Prospect of Whitby, 57 Wapping Wall, Shadwell, E1W 3TJ. I have been here before with our daughter who lived around the corner from the pub, I knew this was good and well known for good beer selection. Again there is a great outside area and upstairs all overlooking the Thames and if you stand outside look right up the Thames there is a “gibbet” or “hangman’s gallows” in the water. The choice of beer was, Truman’s Zephyr 4.4%, (brought on whilst there), Greene King 1730 4% and Greene King IPA, ELB Cowcatcher 4.8%, Ringwood Forty Niner 4.0%.

Another pub well worth a visit is the Town of Ramsgate, 62 Wapping High Street, Wapping E1W 2PN, which dates from the 18th century.

The unusual name relates to the fishermen of Ramsgate who would land their catch at nearby Wapping Old Stairs to avoid river taxes at Billingsgate. The pubs claim to fame is that Judge Jeffreys was reputedly captured here. It was subject to extensive alterations in 1937 and apart from the loss of the room divisions (was three now one) the interior fittings have barely changed since 1937.

The pub sells five real ales as well as real draught cider/perry.

Also visited was Turner’s Old Star, 14 Watts Street, Wapping E1W 2QG which is the Good Beer Guide and sell three real ales including Redemption Trinity on our visit.

Another pub on the list to visit was the Wilton’s Music Hall Mahogany Bar in Stepney. A Georgian building dating from as early as 1690. Originally an ale house. In 1828 it was furnished with a magnificent mahogany bar. Sadly, the famous fixtures and fittings are long gone. The bar spent the last half of the 20th century derelict. The Wilton's Music Hall Trust reopened it in 2009

F

DECEMBER / JANUARY 2016 | BEER AROUND ERE

22 | Please support our advertisers

The

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ARMS POLEBROOK

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Monday to Friday: 12 to 2.30, 6 to 9pm Saturday: 12 to 9pm Sunday: 12 to 4pm

Happy Christmas and New Year to you all.

Some Bookings still available for: Christmas Parties Boxing Day New Years Eve BEER AROUND ERE | DECEMBER / JANUARY 2016

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Mick’s trip - continued |23

and final repairs were completed September 2015.

The bar sells three real ales and those of the party that visited the pub were able to take a quick look at the renovated theatre just before the evening’s performance. Well worth seeking out but note it only opens at 5pm.

As the day and time was getting on we had a choice to make here, of the three left on our list what/where should we go as the beer had been ok today but nothing really out the ordinary that we had not tried or seen before. Our decision was to go by tube to East Aldgate and visit the Dispensary, 19A Leman Street, Aldgate, E1 8EN. Our faith was in the beer gods and they were with us.

The Dispensary does not normally open on a Saturday or Sunday, as they get their trade from the City during the week, but beer gods were with us as they had a beer festival on - “Featuring 25 selections hand-picked by our team of beer fanatics (and advised by our in-house dog, BB…)” the beer list/tasting notes stated.

“This beautiful building was once the Eastern Dispensary Hospital, built in 1859 to provide healthcare for the poorest Eastenders.”

The choice of beers was wonderful and my choice being: Dark Star Hylder Blonde 4.2% and West Berkshire Maggs’ Magnificent Mild 3.8%.

Robert choice: One Mile End Hospital Porter

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5.2% and Red Squirrel London Porter 5.0%.

Enjoyed by the two Ray’s: Shiny Brewery Pail Comet Peako 4.0%; also nice to see there Oakham Ales Citra 4.2%.

To end this piece I would just like to add the tasting notes from the pub dog BB, top 5.

Dog’s Back – This one’s a favourite of mine, as my back is “always” in need of a scratch (hint hint…)

West Barkshire – Sounds like a great place to go! Woof !

Red Squirrel – For chasing?! Can I please chase this beer? The ultimate dream for a pub dog! Let me at ‘em!

Kenntish Pup – Ah, this one takes me back to my youth. I’m not actually from Kent, but a splash of this in my bowl sends me into a nostalgic reverie - maybe it works on humans too!

Home James now and please hope the train is on time. Not for the first time some of the party didn’t get to Kings Cross in time for the 21.22 so came back on the 21.35 slow train!

Thank you Mick for all your hard work on this one and hope the hip hop goes well. I trust you will be recovered in time to lead us on the trip to Manchester in November.

Roz Fountain

DECEMBER / JANUARY 2016 | BEER AROUND ERE

24 | Diary dates

Diary Dates December

Monday 5th at 8.30pm Annual General Meeting of Peterborough and District Branch of CAMRA at the Brewery Tap, PE1 2AA. All members welcome to attend, bring your membership card.

Saturday 10th from 7pm CAMRA Branch Christmas Party at the Heron, Stanground PE2 8QB (tbc).

Saturday 17th Christmas Crawl, Alwalton to town via Oundle Road. Meet at Cuckoo, Alwalton PE7 3UP at 11am. Please contact John Hunt on 07923 489917 for update.

CAMRA meetings, socials and beer festivals in the coming months

January

Wednesday 4th at 8.30pm Branch Monthly Meeting at Hand and Heart, Highbury Street, Peterborough, PE1 3BE. All members welcome, please bring membership card.

Friday 13th to Sunday 15th Whittlesea Straw Beer Festival. http://www.strawbear.org.uk.

Thursday 19th to Saturday 21st 21st Cambridge Winter Ale Festival (CAMRA) University Social Club, Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1RX. www.cambridgebeerfestival.com

BEER AROUND ERE | DECEMBER / JANUARY 2016

Friday 27th to Saturday 28th 21st Cambridge Winter Ale Festival (CAMRA) University Social Club, Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1RX. www.cambridgebeerfestival.com Saturday 28th Suasage and mash night at Letter B, cost ÂŁ17.00. For booking, contact John Hunt, Social Secretary.

February

Tuesday 7th at 8.30pm.

Branch Monthly Meeting at Palmerston Arms, 82 Oundle Road, Peterborough, PE2 9PA. All members welcome, please bring membership card..

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|25

It’s that time of the year to make your resolutions, so consider this one please? We are looking for CAMRA members to join the Peterborough & District CAMRA committee. We meet once a month at various locations throughout Peterborough and with nearly 3,000 members it is one of the largest CAMRA branches.

If you can spare a couple of hours each month we can offer you a very interesting time. For example we have a number of Brewery Liaison Officer (BLO) roles which involve liaising with one of our 15 Local brewers and reporting back to committee each month what ‘your’ brewery has planned. This could involve you visiting the Brewery for a sample! ‘I know a difficult job but someone has to do it’. This is just one example of how being on the committee can broaden your horizons, so please give it some thought for 2017.

Why no come along to one of our meetings (You must be a CAMRA member) and meet the team.

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Please email our secretary for further information info@peterborough-camra.org.uk or phone 07731993896.

My second call is for volunteers for our Beer Festival which in 2017 will be our 40th and we want to make it the biggest and best Peterborough Beer Festival yet. Our volunteer list will be vast for PBF2017, and we need not only bar staff, so if you fancy trying your hand at project management, logistics, site services, front of house, retail etc.

Please email Mike Lane on festivalorganiser@real-ale.org.uk

Whichever route you choose I am sure you will find it very rewarding. I have been press officer for three years now and bar manager at PBF and it’s always a proud moment for me and the team to represent Peterborough and CAMRA. Mike Blakesley Press Officer DECEMBER / JANUARY 2016 | BEER AROUND ERE

whatpub.com Featuring over 35,000 real ale pubs

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The Bluebell Inn Helpston The Bluebell, Woodgate, Helpston, Peterborough PE6 7ED Tel: 01733 252394 www.bluebellhelpston.co.uk

Wishing all our customers a

Happy Christmas

7,000 PRINTED COPIES Distributed in pubs and directly posted to subscribing CAMRA members throughout the larger Peterborough area.

and we look forward to serving you soon!

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ADVERTISE FROM ONLY £60 For more information about advertising opportunities with Beer Around ‘Ere magazine call 01778 382781

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DECEMBER / JANUARY 2016 | BEER AROUND ERE

|29

Award Presentation

Licensees Jill and Dean of the Jolly Brewer, Stamford were presented with Merit Award on Friday 11th November by Branch chairman, Dave Murray. A small contingent of branch members travelled to Stamford for the presentation.

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DECEMBER / JANUARY 2016 | BEER AROUND ERE

30 | Contacts Branch Committee Secretary: Dickie Bird 74 Ellwood Avenue, Peterborough PE2 9BZ 07731993896 info@real-ale.org.uk

Chairman: David Murray 01733 560453 chairman@real-ale.org.uk

Treasurer: Paul Beecham 01733 311981 07710 008693 treasurer@real-ale.org.uk

Vice Chair: Matthew Mace 07809 629241 vice-chair@real-ale.org.uk Social Sec: John Hunt 07923 489917 social-sec@real-ale.org.uk

Pubs Officer: John Temple 07905 051 312 pubs-officer@real-ale.org.uk

Press Officer: Mike Blakesley 01733 390828 (h) 07747 617527 (m) press-officer@real-ale.org.uk

cider@real-ale.org.uk

Elgood’s: John Hunt 07923 489917

Membership: Bob Melville 07941 246693 membership@real-ale.org.uk

Kings Cliffe Brewery: Mike Blakesley 07747 617527

Cider Officer: Bernidette Gilbert Young Members: Kara Williams young-members@real-ale.org.uk

Festival Org: Mike Lane 07850 334203 festival-organiser@real-ale.org.uk

LocAle Officer: Mark Wroe locale@real-ale.org.uk 07595 549388 Webmaster: Harry Morten webmaster@real-ale.org.uk

Brewery Liaison Officers Blue Bell: John Hunt 07923 489917

Bexar County Brewery: Dave Botton 01733 345475 Castor Ales: Mike Lane 07850 334203 Digfield: Dave Waller 07821 912605

Hopshackle: Noel Ryland 07944 869656

Melbourn: Don Rudd 07806 731765

Mile Tree Brewery: Steve Williams 07756 066503

Nene Valley: Bob Melville 07941 246693

Oakham Ales: Dave Allett 07966 344417 Tydd Steam: John Hunt 07923 489917

Star Brewing Company: Don Rudd 07806 731765 Xtreme Ales: Katie Barrett xtreme-blo@real-ale.org.uk

08545 040506 www.consumerdirect.gov.uk Check out our website at: www.real-ale.org.uk

Trading Standards

Pub Merit Awards & Gold Awards Does your local pub have excellent beer, friendly staff, a great atmosphere, community spirit, or have they introduced additional hand pumps? If so, nominate them for an award. Gold Awards are for pubs that make exceptional efforts to improve. The Merit Award is for pubs that continue to maintain high standards. If you know of a deserving pub within the branch area, please complete the form below indicating Gold or Merit Award and post to the secretary or email nominations to info@real-ale.org.uk.

Pub name: Pub address/town/village: Reason for award: Your name: Your phone number or e-mail address: Your membership number: BEER AROUND ERE | DECEMBER / JANUARY 2016

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