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Issue 168 | December - January
‘Vikings’ Return to a
well earned pint!
Full story on Page 19
The Shuckburgh Arms Wins Gold Award See page 11
Also inside Pub News • Gig Guide • Brewery Update Coffee V Beer and more!
Peterborough & District Branch of CAMRA | www.peterborough-camra.org.uk
Chairman’s Corner
Chairman’s Corner | 3
T
is the season to be jolly, fa-la-la-fa and the rest. So are we all going to be jolly for a few hours /days then slump back into a morbid gloom. No I say! Get off your butts and support our local pubs who are probably going to suffer the worst customer trading for many a year over the festive season. Reasons why? First, our political masters still insist on trying to price us out of going to the pub by putting punitive tax increases on alcohol. Also, by turning a blind eye to the undercutting prices that supermarkets are allowed to employ in order to unload cheap booze on the public. The first reason is their answer to the anti-social behaviour of excessive drinking by the less mature section of our society. The second reason indicates they seem unable to grasp that the uncontrolled selling of cheap booze, is one of the causes of anti-social behaviour. Who gets the blame - the pubs! If our ruling masters are really serious in addressing some of the issues on the decline of the pub industry, then why not look at why pubs pay up to 50% tax of one kind or another on beer. The supermarkets on the other hand pay no VAT on food (which pubs have to), allowing them to cross-subsidise their alcohol sales to the detriment of pubs. The message that we seem to be getting from our politicians is they want to be seen to be doing something about binge drinking, so we’ll make it even more expensive to go to the pub. Whilst on the subject of supermarkets, since 2010 over 140 pubs have been turned into supermarkets and more are still under threat. Indeed our own local Ploughman in Werrington is once again being threatened with closure by Tesco. This, in spite of all the promises made by them to extend the lease on the pub. They just want the space for parking more of their lorries! A change in planning laws, to prevent supermarkets from bypassing planning consent allowing pubs to be changed into supermarkets, needs to implemented now. Pub companies also need to
stop giving first choice to supermarkets when they close pubs that are ‘not viable’ thwarting efforts by locals to buy them and keep them open as a going concern. We do not want any more ‘Supermarket Arms’ in place of our pubs.
Those are just two of the reasons why CAMRA has vigorously collected over 100,000 signatures for an e-petition, to be followed up by a mass lobby of parliament on Wednesday 12th December. The Peterborough branch intends to send a number of members down to London for that lobbying. Any member who wishes to attend needs to contact myself or our press officer Karl Simpson as soon as possible (see contacts page 30). One item that will come up for discussion at our AGM on the 10th of December, will be our system of awarding pub licensees certificates of merit in recognition of their achievements whilst in the pub. (Gold and Hop awards). We would like members to attend to discuss this important issue. Invitations have been sent out to all our branch members to send in their selections for the 2014 GBG and vote for our POTY. Returned forms with no name or membership number will be considered invalid. Closing date is the 7th of January 2013. OK, back to being jolly! We learnt at the end of October that our Peterborough Wetherspoons pub, The Drapers Arms in Cowgate, had been awarded the companies Real Ale Pub of The Year. Our congratulations go to manager Chris Parks and his dedicated team for their achievement. The pub has recently been within the top six continually, in sales of real ale within the Wetherspoons chain. It remains one of the most popular pubs within the city centre to a wide spectrum of clientele. I wish all of our readers who are regular pub customers or not, the compliments of the season. Using a well-worn phrase ‘A pub’s not just for Christmas, use it or lose it.’ David Murray, Branch Chairman.
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Pub News
t’s always sad when I see a pub bulldozed and the recent demolition of the Oatsheaf in Whittlesey is another nail in the coffin of the British pub. The Oatsheaf was not a pub I visited on a regular basis but it was always the first port of call when staying with mates in Whittlesey in my younger days. From our temporary floorspace in Stonald Road where we’d start and end our night out, it was merely a quick stroll through waste ground to the Oatsheaf on the main road. In those intervening years the waste ground has been filled with housing and the pub has gone through various owners and managers with varying degrees of success like so many others. So all is now gone and the Oatsheaf is but a memory, as are my younger days.
Pubs also disappear in more subtle ways than a JCB can provide. One minute I’m enjoying a pint of frothing ale in a country pub with roses around the door and ‘Merrie England’ is alive and well and feeding me beer, the next time I look the place is an Indian restaurant. One such occurrence took place recently at the Black Horse in Elton. We all thought it was thriving as a pub with a beer festival or two and several superb ales on the bar inside. But then the signage changes and it’s no longer a pub. I will now have to suffer excellent ale and food just down the hill in the same village and take advantage of the many real ales on offer at the Crown, which is highly recommended. Meanwhile in Peterborough.....it seems that Goodbarn’s Yard has now closed. I assume temporarily but those metal shutters do look a tad permanent. This is a pub next to a housing estate and opposite a shed load of office space. Potential for success in the right conditions I would think. I was delighted to hear from Wayne and Annie of the Carpenter’s Arms in South Street,
Pub News| 5
Stanground who told me they have been in situ for exactly one year now. They are very keen for me to spread the word about the improvements they have made to the place. The pub, they tell me can now be considered family friendly and real ale is on tap. There will normally be entertainment on Saturdays and judging by the ever changing signs outside it’s quite varied. Stanground also has other pubs to try including the Whittle Way which we reviewed several issues ago and the Fenman should also be mentioned. And of course don’t forget my favourite, the Woolpack with its riverside beer garden and abundant real ale on the bar. Bus Citi 3 amongst others will get you to Stanground from Queensgate in a few minutes so a pub crawl of the village can now ensue. Bring it on!
The Crown in New England is due to open as I scribble this column on the back of an envelope. The Crown was refurbished a couple of years ago and opened to a great fanfare of trumpets and pizzazz. Unfortunately things didn’t go quite to plan and it failed in certain areas which proved to be the start of a downward spiral. We now have John Lawrence in charge who is dedicated to his master plan of creating a ‘locals pub’ (with visitors welcome, obviously!). The pub’s previous guise as a music venue appeared to be a lost cause, so with new ideas (or old ideas done better) we can hope for a secure future for this once venerated boozer. Local beers will be available and John wants to make sure that this is an area of continued interest with his regulars. I’d like to be the first to congratulate the Draper’s Arms in Cowgate for being awarded the title of the Wetherspoon Real Ale pub of the year. Considering that there are about 400 million Wetherspoon pubs in the country it’s no mean feat. Well done. Continued Overleaf
6 |Pub News Continued
Sometimes I tend to miss the obvious as has been pointed out to me with tedious regularity. ‘Where did I put my pen’, is a question I put to Mrs Pubs Officer almost daily to which the answer is usually ‘It’s behind your ear, you feckless goon’. So missing excellent pubs on my doorstep is to be expected. The Ostrich in North Street (behind Westgate House if you didn't know) is a case in point. There’s always a decent clutch of local ales on, live music at the weekends including a residence of musicians doing an acoustic set of Irish tunes on Sunday afternoon. A beer garden is also available for those wishing to become cold and damp during the winter months. Visit now. March is a town that we Peterborians venture to occasionally as it has a few pubs worthy of a visit. I’ve reviewed several boozers in the town over the last couple of years including the Little London Inn, Rose & Crown, Oliver Cromwell Hotel and the excellent award winning Ship. George’s in the High Street is also on our list and we would like to congratulate Nigel Marsh for making the place such a success. The pub now sports 4 ales on handpump plus 8 fed via gravity in the Ale & Cider Shed. Nigel has been busy making sure everyone knows about his pub and he’s come to the attention of the Morning Advertiser who have awarded him a ‘Highly Commended’ in the category of ‘Best Turnaround Pub in East Anglia’. The pub was also a Finalist in Fenland Enterprise Business Awards in two categories, ‘New Business of the Year’ and ‘Small Business of the Year’. Well done to Nigel and his staff for making the pub the success it is. The best way to get to March is by train as the buses grind to a halt about teatime. It’s a charity thing It must have been a few months since I did a look at pubs raising a few quid for charity so I thought I’d change that by mentioning a few around town. Throughout the country our pubs raise £110 Million for good causes and we in Peterborough do a fairly good job ourselves.
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Firstly, the Woolpack in Stanground raised £1,450 through various means including a charity day where the local vicar got pelted with wet sponges whilst secured in stocks. The money will be split between Sailability and the Free Kicks Foundation. The Dragon in Werrington staged their second firewalk for charity in November. Last year some of you may remember I was coaxed into taking part. This year, guess what? I got coaxed again! All this hot footing activity was in aid of the Rudolph Fund which independent councillor John Fox started a few years ago. The charity takes disadvantaged children on a Christmas trip to meet Mickey Mouse and Co in Europe. The charity certainly brought in the crowds. It’s reassuring to have to say excuse me a half dozen times to get to the toilet and the bar! The pub usually has 5 beers, 3 of which will be guests. On the night of tootsie singeing we had a spread of 6 beers with 4 of those being non Chas Wells. Happy to have been of help. Our friend Mick Stewart of the Burghley Club tells me he’ll be growing a moustache for Movember. If you didn’t know anything about this odd activity it’s all about raising awareness of Prostate Cancer and Testicular Cancer. Mick also mentioned that he’s having a beer festival near the end of November but as I pointed out to him it’d be too late for Beer Around 'Ere. He promised to do better in future and would give us more notice next time. The club appears to be doing well with over 700 members and if you haven’t joined and would like to then membership is between £7.50 and £10 with a joining fee of £15 applicable if you’re a stranger in these ‘ ere parts. It's worth joining just to see how Mick is getting on with his moustache. You can make comments about his progress while supping Hopshackle beers which are usually on in one form or another. Northants Intelligence My pub spy Jason Hart tells me that the Shuckburgh Arms in Southwick is selling his ales at the remarkable price of £2. If you haven’t
Pub News continued | 7
visited this superb village pub just a stone’s throw from the local church, you should do. Excellently kept ales on tap and the pub is open Monday Tuesday 4pm -1 1pm, Wedenesday - Friday 10am 11pm and Saturday - Sunday 9am - 11pm. On yer bike Most of the news which I provide is centred around the city with occasional outbursts of pub news in the outlying areas. This foreign news is usually supplied by my modest army of pub spies as I don’t get out a lot. Sometimes though you have to take the initiative yourself and take the bit firmly between the teeth, or in this case the bike clips. A sunny morning in September saw myself and a Texan Membership Secretary embark on a bike ride of truly biblical proportions all in the name of research. As the age old Japanese proverb says ‘a journey of a thousand miles begins with but one step’ so our first step proved to be a full English at the Draper’s Arms. I'm sure that Bradley Wiggins would have done similar before the Tour de France! Heading south to Yaxley with a strategic stop off at Aldi for momentum sustaining wine gums we made good time and arrived at the Admiral Wells just on the brink of opening time. The Admiral Wells has always been an excellent pub and the choice of ales was certainly up to the mark with about 5 or six beers on. The most remarkable feature of the pub is the large collection of photos of the wartime exploits of the 457th Bombardment Group based just over the road. One of the local features, not more that 500 yards from the pub, are the two ‘Holme Fen Posts’, one of which was driven into the shrinking peat in 1852 up to its top and now stands entirely out of the ground indicating the drop in level of the surrounding land. With a refreshing ‘breakfast beer’ consumed it was on the road again, heading for Glatton and the Addison Arms. This is a pub I’ve been trying to get to for the last couple of years but not actually managed it. Trying the beers I should have made the effort earlier! The pub has a house beer which I think is made by Digfield plus a couple of others, Tydd Kiwi and the Grainstore were very nice. Continued Overleaf
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Brewery News | 9
An uphill struggle opened up before us as we pedalled towards Polebrook and the King’s Arms. Once firmly inside the Digfield ale provided us with some much needed energy as the wine gums had been eaten way way before Yaxley. I’m sure there were 4 handpumps on the bar and food was being served. It was nice to see a representative of Digfield to give us some local knowledge. Thanks to Michael we were able to find a shorter route to the Chequered Skipper in Ashton. I’ve known this pub since my apprentice days when I was ferried around by a fellow, but older, apprentice who was able to show me the sights and take me to country pubs I’d never seen before. If I over indulged in those heady days of the 1980’s, I could always use the excuse that an older boy made me to do it. The Chequered Skipper has been gutted by fire several times and is situated in the idyllic location of what is essentially a model village built by the Rothchild family in the 1880’s. The pub was known as the Three Horseshoes until the 1960’s when it was renamed after a rare butterfly found in the area and is the only pub with that name. Three ales met us on entering including Great Oakley and Brewsters. This was our lunch stop and, as the pub kept ‘traditional hours’, we managed to have a beer and a baguette before moving on. Taking a detour through Warmington and passing the Red Lion which was unfortunately closed, as it also stuck to the old religion of closing between sessions. It was the Crown in Elton that proved our salvation by being open all day. It keeps modern hours by being open from 12 until 11pm, everyday. The Crown is known for its food and ales, and is now the only pub in the village. On the bar we had a choice of Brains IPA, Tydd Kiwi, NBC/ Phipps IPA, something called Golden Crown and, for some reason, Greene King IPA, but I’m not quite sure why. I think there was also a cider on handpump. The Crown was our last port of call before heading back towards Peterborough. The last leg of the journey was a bit tiring and by the time we reached Woodston it was only right and proper that we have a few
more pints to refresh our poor wearied limbs. The Coalheaver’s Arms in Park Street is always a favourite and the rest of the evening was spent in quiet reflection. With the use of technology we were able to track our progress and a couple of days later we discovered that our tour had taken up over 45 miles! Could we have been sustained for such a long distance without copious amounts of real ale? Probably not! TTFN As regular readers will know this is my final Pub News for the magazine. I’ve enjoyed the experience over the years but now it’s time for a change. I’ll still be involved with the local branch as I intend getting more involved with the beer festival and there will be a new brewery in town soon and they’ll need a Brewery Liaison Officer. As a ‘retirement do’ I’d like to visit some of the pubs which I’ve mentioned over the years but I’d like to keep it all fairly local. I think we should also use public transport as it might be a bit dreary for cycling by then. So, if you have nothing better to do on the first Saturday in January then please join me for a ‘farewell pint’ or two.
Itinerary:
Woolpack in Stanground at 1200 followed by the Coalheavers, the Palmerston, Hand & Heart and then towards Werrington and the Ploughman and probably the Dragon. I deliberately haven’t used any precise times as things will undoubtedly go wrong. You can text me on my usual number to find out our whereabouts throughout the day. Thanks to all my Pub Spies and all of you for reading. It's been a blast! Cheers for now.
Steve Williams 0775 6066 503 steve@pubhistorysociety.co.uk
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Real traditional ale house in the heart of the city
5 Regularly Rotating Ales Opening Times :- 11am -11pm Monday to Thursday, 11am -1am Friday to Saturday, 12 - 11pm Sunday,
Live Music Fridays and Saturdays ring or check facebook for details! North Street, behind Westgate House, Peterborough Tel: 01733 746370 www.facebook.com/ostrichinn
IN THE CAMRA GOOD BEER GUIDE 2013
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Tel: 01780 753 598
Shucks! The Shuckburgh Arms Wins an Award
Gold Award | 11
A
party from our Peterborough Branch boarded the usual carriage (bus) in early November, heading out southwest from the city. Our destination was The Shuckburgh Arms at Southwick near Oundle.
First, a couple of tasters on the way. The Chequered Skipper in Ashton a mile from Oundle, has been a well-respected and GBG pub entry for many years. The thatched roofed pub situated on the village green could not be more of an idyllic setting within this quaint preserved hamlet. Brewster’s Hophead with two other guest beers are the norm. A welcoming chat with the landlord was well received. Onward we ventured further afield to The Kings Arms at Polebrook. This pub, also a GBG entry, is the adopted ‘home’ of Digfield Brewery. As expected one of their beers alongside two guest beers were on tap. The pub does a good trade in home cooked food, with an extensive menu. Another stone -built thatched roofed pub, and with a glass roofed extension, popular with families. So to our destination for the evening. On entry to ‘The Shuck’ we were surprised to see a sparse crowd of locals. ’Fireworks in Oundle’ was the explanation given by landlord Dave. Ah well, our party of sixteen soon filled most of the pub. With four beers to choose from nobody went thirsty. Dave took over the pub about two years ago and in that time has built a large covered patio shelter outside with its own bar. An increased range of beers from mainly micro brewers - some local, has enticed customers back to the pub. They even produced their own pub newsletter to keep
customers informed of events. Food also features as a variable menu can testify, and brings visitors from a wide area. On the night the beers were on sale at a reduced £2 a pint, something that Dave likes to do when he can. The award was presented by our member Matt Mace on behalf of Mike Lane, who nominated the pub for an award, but was unable to be present. An enjoyable evening was had by all and, before long the chimes of the clock told us it was time to depart. Congratulations to Dave and all his staff for reviving the Shuckburgh Arms and putting it on the map of must visit pubs within our branch area. DM.
Discount ales offer at The Ostrich for Peterborough CAMRA Members Liam Scanlon, licensee at the Ostrich, Peterborough is offering a discount scheme for all Peterborough CAMRA Members from January 2013. If a member comes to the bar and displays their Peterborough District CAMRA Membership they will receive a Discount Card containing money-off tokens towards real ale at the Ostrich. The discount card can be used twice a week Sunday to Thursday and is equivalent to £20 over the course of the year. This offer is only open to Peterborough District CAMRA Members. Laim says 'Peterborough CAMRA has supported me in the past so I want to be able to offer something back to the local branch and hopefully get more members to try our well kept ales'. For further information ring Liam on 01733 746370 or better yet pop into the pub on North Street, behind West Gate House.
12 | Brewery News
Brewing returns to Oundle after 50 years
On Friday 21st September, despite an early afternoon downpour, a crowd of locals and invited guests assembled at the new brewery premises of Nene Valley Brewery at Oundle Wharf, Station Road, Oundle, Northamptonshire for its’ official opening. After a few words from Oundle Mayor, Councillor George Higgins, and brewer, Dick Simpson, the floor was given to Jim Irving, the 96-year-old former manager of Smith’s of Oundle which racked its last brew on 19th September 1962, fifty years to the day before Nene Valley’s new brewhouse started its first brew. Jim gave a brief history of brewing in Oundle with particular reference to Smith’s before inviting the assembled company to witness the cutting of the ribbon to officially open the brewery. Having been “cut short” on a previous occasion Jim even provided his own scissors for the ceremony. When congratulating the brewery in winning a silver
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medal in the New Breweries category at the 35th Peterborough Beer Festival, at the end of August, modesty prevented Jim Irving from telling the guests that the beer in question, JIP (Jim Irving Pale), a 5.6% pale bitter, was, in fact, named in his honour.
Top: Jim Irving, former manager of Smith’s of Oundle, officially opens the brewery Above: A sneak peek at the brewery kit
Providing a warm welcome to all our guests, with great beers, fine wines and traditional food in modern and comfortable surroundings.
FIVE HAND PULLED BEERS (three Everards and two changing Guests) Traditional Cask Cider also available
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87-89 Main Road, Collyweston, Lincolnshire PE9 3PQ Telephone 01780 444288 www.collywestonslaterpub.co.uk
Brewery Reports 14 | Brewery News
Blue Bell BLO Report Several local firms from the Spalding area are having bottles of Old Honesty with their own corporate branding for use as Christmas gifts. This is a relatively new but expanding area for the brewery and is helping push along bottled beer sales along with the regular orders from Lincolnshire Co-Op. Emma is now considering bottling other beers from the portfolio including one or two of the stronger beers. The bottling side of the business is going from strength to strength and is helping to underpin sales of cask beers which are stable but not expanding much. Christmas orders for polypins are also taking off. Emma is very positive about the brewery and the future direction is likely to see the emphasis on bottled beers continue. Elgoods BLO Report The September SIBA / Elgoods beer festival was a success with an increase in numbers over the previous year. The Angel in Wisbech now sells two real ales on gravity and is doing well. Also despite continuing gloom in the pub trade, especially among rural pubs, some other Elgoods pubs are performing very well, especially the Chequers at Friday Bridge and the Victory at Clenchwarton. On the beer front, North Brink Porter will be released next week and Black Eagle Imperial Stout will be available in small amounts from the middle of November. The beers that are planned for the Christmas period are Wenceslas at 7.5%, Snicklemas at 5.0% and Tug of War at 3.7%. Pageant has been re-launched as EP but without any changes to the actual beer. The pump clip range for the core beers has also been completely re-vamped with new pump clips appearing in November. www.real-ale.org.uk
The Dog Decathlon series has been judged a success by the brewery, Tai-Kwon Dog was the October beer, followed by Three Dane Eventing. The success of this range has prompted the brewery to develop a range of seasonals for next year. Beers and names will be finalised in the next few weeks. A new strong version of Black Dog Mild is being released as a winter special. The beer will be called Double Dog and will be 6.5% ABV. The beer will be released towards the end of the month and there will only be 20 9’s available on a first come / first served basis. The recent release of Black Eagle Stout has all sold out. Finally, advance orders are now being taken for Straw Beer which will be released for the Whittlesey Straw Bear Festival in January. Elgoods are showing that they may be a traditional family brewery but they are more than prepared to update and innovate in order to thrive in today’s increasingly choosy and competitive market place. Tydd Steam BLO Report Sales are still very strong and the seasonal beer for autumn, Leveller, has already sold out. The Peterborough Beer Festival Beer Chicken Choker is making a comeback and will be available again shortly. It is now part of the brewery’s portfolio of occasional beers. Yooligan will be released for the Christmas period. The normal round of rotational beers are selling well with Dr Fox’s Cunning Linctus being a recent feature and Swedish Blonde coming up soon. Barn Ale sales are very strong and the brewery is running at high capacity due to continuing strong demand. Nothing has been decided on any expansion plans at the moment and there are no new beers in the pipeline just now.
Brewery News | 15
Castor Ales BLO Report Castor Ales are reporting a really busy last quarter with a positive increase in sales. Regular beers Roman Gold, Edmund Tyrell Artis and Imperial Palace Ale continue to thrive and plans are now in hand for the Christmas rush with weekly brewing to keep up with demand. PBF “special” brew CorAle has proved extremely popular with three brews since July…and the rather special Falcon Stout is about to make another welcome appearance. So watch this space as Duncan waves his magic wand over the next few weeks. In the meantime Castor Ales take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Oakham Ales BLO Report The December offering for The Oakadamy of Excellence outlets is Winter Wraith a 4.5% spiced stout. We are promised mocca coffee aromas with coffee & chocolate accompaniments to the zest of the orange fruit backdrop. Sounds good. Apparently the food accompaniments for the ale are Zhangcha Chicken or Gouda cheese with Dark Chocolate torte with brandy desert. Wouldn’t be able to fit the beer in if I ate that lot so the beer it is then! For those wishing to venture a bit further for Oakham’s good fare then to Cambridge it is. The Live & Let Live in Mawson Street has taken a full brew of a new beer called Harvester of Souls. The beer is a 6% Black I.P.A. which is already getting top revues. Not sure if it will be on permanently but even if it is they have a fair drop to shift so should be around for a while yet.
5.2% abv, Kinesis 3.8% abv golden and hoppy, and Red Ale 4.3% malty & fruity with a dry finish. Melbourn BLO Report The brewery has added a another beer to its range, making four. The new beer is Apricot. The cost of tours has risen to £6.50 and the number of beers tasted depends on the number in the group. Nene Valley BLO Report The Brewery has been working flat out since the new plant was opened in September. A number of new accounts have been opened along the Nene Valley towards Northampton. The aim is to be delivering to around 60 pubs per week by Christmas and Rupert is confident that this target will be reached. All of the beers have been well received in pubs with DXB proving extremely popular everywhere. There have also been a number of orders from pubs for JIP (5.6%) with 25 firkins ready to be despatched next week. SPA (3.6%) is now to be made available year-round and will make all 5 of the beers available 12 months of the year. Off-sales in the brewery shop are extremely healthy. The 3 beers available, BSA, NVB and DXB, are available either in 500ml bottles or 4 pint carry-kegs with 9 pint mini-casks to be added at a later date. The on-site shop is open on Fridays from 4pm until 7pm, and on Saturdays from 10am until 6pm.
There will be some changes to the brewing programme for 2013 which will feature in the next BAE.
ARE YOU MISSING OUT?
Hopshackle BLO Report The brewery is busy filling bottles ready for Christmas. The full selection of bottle conditioned ales will be available. Check out the web site at www.hopshacklebrewery.co.uk
Get Beer Around Ere delivered to your door! For a year (6 issues) send a £2.46 or £3.06 for 1st Class cheque/PO payable to
Cask beers available now are Smoked Porter
Only the beer-stained copy left?
“Peterborough CAMRA” and your address to:-
Daryl Ling, 19 Lidgate Close, Orton Longueville Peterborough PE2 7ZA www.real-ale.org.uk
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The
Blue Bell
at Maxey Traditional Free House
• CAMRA Gold Award Winners 2005 • CAMRA Pub of the Year 2006 • Cambs Pub of the Year 2007 •
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MERRY XMAS TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS!
High Street, Maxey, Peterborough PE6 9EE Tel: 01778 348182
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Brewery News | 17
Beer V Coffee
Castle Rock Brewery’s Special Offer to Disillusioned Starbucks Customers On the back of recent news that Starbucks have paid a paltry £8m in corporation tax in 14 years, and absolutely nothing in the past 3 years on turnovers of in excess of £3bn a Twitter campaign to boycott Starbucks coffee shops has gone global. Castle Rock Brewery in Nottingham is offering disillusioned Starbucks customers a way out! Colin Wilde MD of Castle Rock Brewery says, “Many people are confused and angered by Starbucks poor demonstration of business ethics towards taxation and I believe a line in the sand should be drawn.”
Mr Wilde contrasts Castle Rock Brewery to Starbucks, “Castle Rock Brewery is a modest regional brewer paying £1.2m a year in beer duty, a duty that has resulted in thousands of pub closures and job losses. The pub trade is relatively speaking one of the most heavily taxed industries in the UK. High beer duty, VAT, business rates and corporation tax make up just some of the heavy calls on the British pub industry; it doesn’t seem fair that a giant business like Starbucks is behaving in this way, nor that it is even allowed to.”
When ordinary people are also paying large sums of tax out of weekly pay packets and with thousands of pubs being forced to close over the last 10 years, it is no wonder that tax payers and the pub industry are furious at the way Starbucks have gained such an advantage. Castle Rock Brewery was quick out of the blocks to offer a solution and immediately implemented a vote with your feet option. Wilde says, “From this morning many of our pubs will be offering deals to attract the disaffected coffee consumer, including free coffee top ups, buy one coffee get one free and even half priced cakes and biscuits offers.” Wilde adds, “Of course we are trying to attract business to our own pubs, but there are much more important issues at stake here and the whole pub industry should be tackling these issues head on. A warm, friendly and welcoming tax paying pub is the ideal surrounding to enjoy a cup of coffee, meet up with friends, have a business meeting or simply enjoy some me time! The trade needs to show want(sic) Starbucks customers are missing out on.”
Reproduced from SIBA.co.uk. Originally posted on 16/10/12
www.real-ale.org.uk
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OPENING TIMES Mon - Fri 11.30 - 3pm & 6 - 11.30pm Sat - Sun 11.30am until close FOOD SERVICE TIMES Mon - Fri 12 - 2pm & 6.30 - 9.30pm Sat 12 - 2.30pm & 6.30 - 9.30pm Sun 12 - 3pm & 6.30 - 9pm
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Real Ales always available from many breweries including:- Brewsters, Rockingham, Great Oakley and Oakham Ales. We are the FIRST outlet to stock Brewsters American Pale Ale - come and try some!
Oakham has brewed a special beer - ‘Return of the Vikings’ - to mark the home coming of the Royal Anglian Regiment, who are also known as the Vikings. The returning soldiers handed in their weapons at Peterborough Town Hall on the 9th November and the entire regiment was invited for a free pint of ‘Return of the Vikings’ beer at Charters, the popular riverside bar. ‘Return of the Vikings’ has a 4.8% A.B.V. is dark in colour with a substantial hop aroma and taste. Its sweetness leads to a long, hoppy, bittersweet finish. Returning soldiers relaxed with a pint and chatted with locals. The limited edition ale is on sale at Charters and The Brewery Tap, Westgate as well as selected pubs in Peterborough during the month of November. Oakham Ales and sister company, The Oaka Group which owns Charters, East Restaurant and the Brewery Tap in Peterborough, joins the rest of the community in welcoming home The Royal Anglian regiment.
Oakham Brew News Oakham Ales First Brewery To Use Native American Hop.
Oakham is no stranger to using American hops for the first time in the UK. Oakham Ales was the first brewery to launch a single varietal beer in using the Citra hop in November 2009, then in November 2011 it was the Baby Belma hop. December 2012 heralds the launch of Oakham’s ‘Multihead’ beer (the nickname for the ‘Humulus Lupulus Neomexicanus’ hop), for the first time in the UK. The beer is once again a result of the Brewery’s Production Director, John Bryan, being introduced to the hop on his annual research trip to the USA. The grower, Eric Desmarais, introduced Multihead to John when he was visiting his farm situated near Yakima in Washington state. John’s good working relationship with the growers, built up over the years, has enabled him to have first option on the unusual hop and he has had the whole crop of ‘Multihead’ flown over to Peterborough. He has enough in the brewery to produce 60 barrels of beer which will be available from the first week of December 2012. www.real-ale.org.uk
Caption Competition Winner
20 | Competition winners
The winner of our caption is’ Andrew Cooke with his entry, “Look guys it ‘aint gonna rain this year- I’m even wearing my sunglasses to prove it” Andrew wins a copy of the 2013 Good Beer Guide. Thank you to all who submitted entries.
CAMRA Cricket Report 2012 has been a very successful year for the cricket team with 18 wins from the 24 completed matches. The skipper, Nick Bradbury, has again led from the front scoring over 1,200 runs and taking 19 catches. Neil Wright once again took most wickets (43) with new signings James Hilton Robinson and Ryan Evans making valuable contributions both with bat and ball. A big thank you goes to Orton Park Cricket Club who have allowed us the use of their pitch for home fixtures and all the teams we have played this year who have been very sporting and a load of fun.
Fixtures for next year are being complied including games against locals from the Shuckburgh Arms in Southwick and a four day tour to Worcester. Many thanks also go to Howard Shoebridge who after 14 years is stepping down as our Chairman. If there are any players who want to join us for a game or social events please email mattmace@hotmail.com or call 07809629241.
Matt Mace Club Secretary
Rice on tour 22 | Campaigning
A few weeks ago six members of the Rice Family descended on Devon for a week’s holiday and while there a visit was made to Hunters Brewery in Ipplepen. After a tour to see the new extension to the Brewery, John presented Paul and his wife Eline with a Certificate for the Silver Award won at Peterborough Beer Festival for their beer Black Jack. After a welcome pasty washed down with a pint of Hunters Gold we moved on to spend the rest of the day in Brixham and ending up Quaffing a few beers in Simmospoons South West branch with Chris. John Rice
At the end of October, Kevin and Jackie Fordham and John Rice travelled to Cornwall to help with the Falmouth Beer Festival, and what a Festival it turned out to be. Thursday morning saw 50 volunteers arrive to take part in the Beer Tasting to find the best beers of the festival. This year seven awards came back to this region. Well done to Tydd Steam, for Stargazer,Grainstore for Rutland Panther,Oakham for Green Devil IPA and Bishops Farewell and Brewsters For Decadence,Hophead and Stilton Porter. We certainly showed the Cornish we can brew good beers. Thursday evening was Sponsors Night ( the equivalent of our Trade Session) at which a presentation was made to Rebel Brewing Co for the Gold Award they won at Peterborough for Best Beer from a New Brewery. Well done to all concerned. John Rice
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CHAMPION BEERS OF THE FESTIVAL Falmouth 2012 MILD - Rutland Panther, Grainstore BITTER - Cat Nap, Barngates BEST BITTER - Autumn Red Ale, Sharp’s GOLDEN ALE - Old Moggie, Teignworthy STRONG ALE - Dark Ruby, Sarah HugheS PORTER - Black Rat Porter, Rat SPECIALITY - Powelly’s Pumpkin, Teignworthy OVERALL CHAMPION - Black Rat Porter
NOW SERVING SIX REAL ALES plus Ciders and Perries. Over 30 Malt Whiskies
• Food served daily • 12-3pm Monday - Sunday 6-9pm Friday & Saturday • Sky HD and 3D showing Football and Rugby •
t. 01780 755141 w. jollybrewer.com Foundry Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 2PP
Rhythm and Booze GIG GUIDE
22 Dec - Live Band ‘Miscellaneous’ - Lord Burghley, Stamford
2 Dec - 3.30pm - Identity Crisis - Charters, P’boro 7 Dec Children of the Revolution - Prince of Wales
22 Dec - 10.30pm - The Covers - Charters, P’boro 28 Dec - The High Rollers - Charters, P’boro 29 Dec - Live Band ‘7Storeysoul’ - Lord Burghley,
Feathers, Castor
Stamford
7 Dec - 10.30pm - Kurmujun - Charters, P’boro 8 Dec - 10.30pm - Isiah - Charters, P’boro 9 Dec Steve Bean Plays Classical Guitar - 4pm
P’boro
- Woolpack, Stanground 8 Dec - Kickback - Blue Boar, Eye 9 Dec - 3.30pm - Pennyless - Charters, P’boro 9 Dec - 9pm - Steve Bean - Woolpack, Stanground 14 Dec - The Dizzy Miss Lizzy’s - Charters, P’boro 15 Dec - Kickback - Ostrich, P’boro 15 Dec - 10.30pm - Jessie’s Ghost - Charters, P’boro 16 Dec - 3.30pm - Kerry Devine - Charters, P’boro 21 Dec - 10.30pm - Marmite & The Pussy Ratz -
29 Dec - 10pm - The Brown Stripes - Brewery Tap, New Year’s Eve Events
DJ Pete Ford - Lord Burghley, Stamford Children of the Revolution - Charters, P’boro Nuggets (Ticket only) - Dragon, Werrington Trevor Smith (Ticket only) - Ploughman, Werrington Send any details for February / March gigs to info@orchardhousemedia.co.uk before 5th January it’s FREE to list your gigs here!
Charters, P’boro
The Jolly Sailor, 43 Great Whyte, Ramsey PE26 1HH Tel 01487 813388
Five Real Ales and Stowford Press Cider Including Abbot, Tribute, Bombardier and two changing guest ales
Good Sized Car Park • Heated Smoking Shelter Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our Customers old and new
JOLLY SAILOR RAMSEY Now Serving Freshly prepared food Monday to Friday 12 to 2.30pm and 6 to 9pm Saturday 12am to 9pm Sunday 12 to 4pm Booking is advisable
Christmas menu available from 6th December
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The Prince of Wales Feathers
© Mick Slaughter 2009
Castor, Peterborough Tel: 01733 380222
Up to 4 Real Ales available • Friendly village pub with riverside mooring • Large garden • Dogs welcome Food served: Tues to Sun 12 - 2.30pm, Mon to Sat 6pm - 9pm
LIVE MUSIC Sunday December 9 - 4pm STEVE BEAN PLAYS CLASSICAL GUITAR
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Award winning village local in historic Castor. Close to the Nene Valley Railway & Ferry Meadows.
Serves 5 guest ales & real cider. Walker & dog friendly.
Home cooked food lunchtime & midweek evenings
Christmas menu now available Pre-booking required
Diary Dates DECEMBER Friday 7th December: Xmas Party at Peterborough Rugby Club
Diary Dates | 27
JANUARY Monday 14th Jan: Committee Meeting at Palmerston Arms, 8-30pm.
Monday 10th December: AGM at Brewery Tap, 8-30pm. Saturday 15th December: Fenland Festive Tour. Meet Queensgate Bus Station 10-50 am for 11-05 bus.
Socials DECEMBER
Saturday 15th December: 'Festive Fenland' crawl to Whittlesey, March and Wisbech. Meet at Queensgate bus station at 10.50am for the 11.05 bus to Whittlesey. There are various options for return times from Wisbech. Cost for those that do not have passes will be in the region of £12.00 for the various fares, (three tickets will be required for the day). Please let John Hunt know if you intend to come so that we will be looking out for you at Peterborough. Monday 21st January 2013: Mid-Winter Pie Night at the Letter B, Whittlesey The evening will consist of a pie meal with a dessert. Cost to include minibus from the Brewery Tap will be £17.00 Depart the Brewery Tap at 7pm and return by 11pm. There will be six places available to local members not requiring transport at £10.00. Please book places through John Hunt. Bamberg 2 Finally John Hunt is proposing to organise 'Bamberg 2' in 2013. This will be a four or five day visit to Bamberg including other Franconian breweries. Please let John know if
you are interested, what month out of the following selection, April, May or June you would like to go and if you would prefer Wednesday to Sunday or Thursday to Sunday. He needs your responses by the end of November. Fassla room prices are currently 45 euros for a single and 60 euros for a double or 70 euros for a comfort double including breakfast. Easy Jet flights will be in the region of £80.00 to Munich not including luggage. A Bayern ticket for up to five people will be approximately 7 euros per person. This will get you from Munich to Bamberg.
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Freehouse
3 Cask Ale pumps with at least 1 LocAle and others from far and wide Food served every day • Sunday Carvery Function rooms available to hire for all occasions
Quiz Night every Wednesday 8.30pm start
Christmas Day Lunch £37.95 per person £14.95 under 14’s Call for further details and booking London Street, Whittlesey PE7 1BH Tel: 01733 351001
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Logo Design Competition PBF2013 - Logo Competition | 29
Thank you to all who sent in designs for the logo in 2012. Now it’s time to try again. We will need a logo for the 36th Peterborough Beer Festival which opens on 20th August 2013. If you have an artistic bent – or even if you haven’t – hunt out those old wax crayons and have a go.
We are offering £200 for the design or idea that we use. The final design will need the words, “Peterborough Beer Festival” and “36th” and will need to include the CAMRA logo. However, if you don’t think that you can do all that then don’t worry. It is the idea that is important. We can always get an artist to create a design using your idea.
We are not declaring a closing date since we can’t close the competition until we have a suitable design BUT we would like to start using the logo on our website and on posters by the end of April. Send your designs with your name and address to Logo Competition, 205 High Street, Old Fletton, Peterborough, PE2 8DY or to logo@beer-fest.org.uk.
30 | Contact Details
Branch Committee
Beer Around ’Ere
Secretary: Dickie Bird 4 Cissbury Ring,Werrington Peterborough, PE4 6QH 01733 574226 (tel & fax) 07731 993896 info@real-ale.org.uk
Editor: Jane Flew bae-editor@real-ale.org.uk Distribution: David Murray (See Chairman on the left) Advertising: Jane Michelson
Chairman: David Murray 01733 560453 chairman@real-ale.org.uk
01778 420888 Mobile: 07732 393621 jane@shillingmedia.co.uk
Treasurer: Paul Beecham 01733 311981 07710 008693 0870 7620848 (fax) treasurer@real-ale.org.uk
Magazine & Advertising Production: Daniel Speed 0845 838 7581 info@orchardhousemedia.co.uk
Vice Chair: John Hunt 07923 489917 vice-chair@real-ale.org.uk Social Sec: John Hunt 07923 489917 social-sec@real-ale.org.uk Pubs Officer: Steve Williams 07756 066503 pubs-officer@real-ale.org.uk Press Officer: Karl Simpson 07737 297072 press-officer@real-ale.org.uk Young Members: Katie Barrett 07951 919451 young-members@real-ale.org.uk Membership: Steve Saldana 07988 067260 membership@real-ale.org.uk Festival Org: Mike Lane 07850 334203 festival-organiser@real-ale.org.uk LocAle Officer: John Rice 07759 342702 locale@real-ale.org.uk Webmaster: Harry Morten webmaster@real-ale.org.uk
Postal Distr: Daryl Ling 01733 235881 Brewery Liaison Officers Blue Bell: John Hunt 07923 489917 Castor Ales: Mike Lane 07850 334203 Digfield: Dave Waller 07821 912605 Elgoods: John Hunt 07923 489917 Hopshackle: Noel Ryland 07944 869656 Melbourn: Lew Clayton 01780 765063 Nene Valley: Bob Melville 07941 246693 Oakham Ales: Dave Allett 07966 344417 Tydd Steam: John Hunt 07923 489917 Trading Standards 08545 040506 www.consumerdirect.gov.uk Check out our websites at: www.real-ale.org.uk www.beer-fest.org.uk
The next issue of BAE will be available on: 31st January We must have your stories, news and advertisements by: 7th January Late copy cannot be guaranteed entry. Please contact Chris Shilling 01778 421550 Mobile: 07736 635 916 or Jane Michelson 01778 420888 Mobile: 07732 393621 jane@shillingmedia.co.uk for all of your advertising needs. Steve Williams steve.williams@beeraroundere. org.uk or 0775 6066 503 is always looking for pub news. Please send stories and other copy to bae-editor@real-ale.org.uk Beer Around ‘Ere is published by Peterborough & District Branch of CAMRA Copyright © 2013, The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. Views or comments expressed in this publication may not necessarily be those of the Editor or of CAMRA.
CAMRA Pub of the Year 2011 www.savetheploughman.com SEVEN Real Ales from £2.00 a Pint! Sky Sports Happy Hour Mon - Fri, 5-7pm Live Entertainment Karaoke every Sunday with Mighty Mouth Trev Join our Facebook group The Ploughman
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£2.20 a pint
New Years Eve Party with live “through the Decades’ Show with
TREVOR SMITH (from Hooker) and a free light buffet (£10 TICKET)
FRI 21st Dec Hooker SAT 22nd Dec Motor City Vipers Xmas Eve One Eyed Cats
New Years Eve Party
with live entertainment from THE NUGGETS and a free light buffet (£10 TICKET)
THE PLOUGHMAN Staniland Way, Werrington centre PE4 6NA Tel: 01733 327696 THE DRAGON Hodgson Centre, Hodgson Ave PE4 5EG Tel: 01733 578088
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More than just a Carvery! A great welcome awaits you at The Farmers, Yaxley. We are famous for our fresh vegetables and great carvery meats, succulent and served with all the trimmings, then finished off with a tantalising hot or cold dessert!
Open Every Day 10am - 5.30pm All Day Menu & Coffee Midday - 2:30pm Carvery & Specials Menu 5:30pm - LATE Carvery & Grill Menu Sunday Open From 12 Noon - 9pm All Day Carvery
Check out our lunch time grill menus and our ever changing specials boards. Put it all together with three fine cask ales and you have the perfect place to enjoy dinner with friends or a family celebration. We have a self contained function suite which is ideal for parties, weddings and all of life’s celebrations. So if you’ve not been before give us a try and you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Now taking bookings for Christmas and New Year, great festive party nights with food, for families and companies! 200 Broadway, Yaxley Tel: 01733 244885 Email: thefarmers@btconnect.com www.thefarmersyaxley.co.uk