TRIBUTE TO JOHN RICE Peterborough CAMRA says goodbye to a legend
MIGHTY MICROS Visiting three of our local breweries
COALIES ON TOUR The Coalheavers crew review the Bermondsey Beer Mile
ALSO INSIDE PUB & BREWERY NEWS
READ MORE ON PAGES 14–19 PBF2014 PREVIEW
JOIN CAMRA
Thank you John for helping us to make our pubs great, from all the staff at The Dragon, The Ploughman and The Queens Arms
PETERBOROUGH CAMRA PUB OF THE YEAR 2014 & 2011 CAMRA Gold award 2013
Ten Real Ales from £2.00 a pint Live Satellite Sports • Live Entertainment
Happy Hour Monday - Friday 5-7pm
The Ploughman Staniland Way, Werrington Centre Tel: 01733 327696
PETERBOROUGH CAMRA PUB OF THE YEAR 2014 Runner Up
CAMRA Gold award 2013
Six Real Ales from £2.50 a pint Live Satellite Sports • Live Entertainment
Happy Hour Monday - Friday 5-7pm Cash Quiz every Sunday from 8pm
The Dragon Hodgson Centre, Hodgson Ave PE4 5EG Tel: 01733 578088
Editor’s ramblings | 3
Welcome to the new–look Beer Around ‘Ere! Regular readers may have noticed that BAE has a new look. It was decided that it was time for an update. If you have any comments on changes then contact me at bae-editor@real-ale.org.uk. Feedback is always welcome.
In the last issue there was an article entitled “Disappearing Boozers of Stamford” by Alun Thomas, due to “gremlins” in the email service the last three paragraphs were missing and so the complete article will be included in the next issue.
There have been some very good local pub beer festivals over the last two months and we still have the big one on the embankment to look forward too. Hard work for all volunteers, but definitely worth it!
Fingers crossed for decent weather 19th – 23rd August. Cheers!
I received an email from a reader saying that The Anchor in Bourne (see Pub News p8) “was well worth a visit as now it is stocking a very adventurous range of real ales” and so I decided to pay it a visit, accompanied by my daughter/drinking partner! As it was a sunny day, we sat on the terrace overlooking the river, lovely! We enjoyed the beer, the staff and locals were friendly, what more could you ask for. Well worth the visit. I would urge other readers and landlords to contact the Pubs Officer or other Committee members if you have news or updates on your local hostelry.
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 9a South Street, Crowland, PE6 0AH Tel: 01733 211933
Magazine Design & Production: Daniel Speed daniel.speed@orchardhousemedia.co.uk
Advertising Sales Manager: Jane Michelson jane@orchardhousemedia.co.uk Tel: 01733 211410
JB
IN THIS ISSUE Welcome from the editor 3 Chairman’s corner 5 Tribute to John Rice 7 Pub news 8–9 Brewery news 11–13 Membership matters 14 White Horse, Baston 14 Peterborough beer festival 15–19 Bermondsey beer mile 21–23 Mighty micros three 24–26 Diary and gig dates 29 Join CAMRA 30
Distribution: David Murray chairman@real-ale.org.uk
Beer Around ‘Ere is published by the Peterborough & District Branch of CAMRA Copyright © 2014, The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd.
Proof Reading: Bob Melville - 07941 246693
Printed By: Precision Colour Print Ltd Haldane, Telford, Shropshire TF7 4QQ
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
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 avialable on the 26th September. We must have your stories, news and advertisiements by 2nd September. Please send your stories and other copy to the editor, Jane Brown.
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014 | BEER AROUND ERE
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DRINK • DINE • SLEEP • ENJOY The Collyweston Slater is a traditional coaching inn built in the 17th Century and set in the heart of the village of Collyweston in Northamptonshire. We offer a warm & friendly welcome to all our guests and provide great food which is served all day every day. A large range of hand pulled ales is available alongside fine wines and free wi-fi all in modern and comfortable surroundings. We have a ‘dog friendly’ part of the bar where you and
OPENING TIMES Monday - Saturday: 10:00 – 23:00 Sunday: 12:00 – 22:30
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87 Main Road, Collyweston, Nr Stamford PE9 3PQ Telephone: 01780 444288 Email: enquiries@collywestonslaterpub.co.uk BEER AROUND ERE | AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
Chairman’s corner |5
Chairman’s Corner
Get this date stuck in your minds, Tuesday 19th August, place Peterborough Embankment, event PBF (Peterborough Beer Festival) Get this date stuck in your minds, Tuesday 19th August, place Peterborough Embankment, event PBF (Peterborough Beer Festival). Yes the PBF rolls into town again starting on the 19th through till Saturday 23rd. Full details are in this issue of BAE, which some of you may notice has had a bit of a ‘makeover’. The festival is organised and run by our dedicated team of CAMRA members and unpaid volunteers from the local branch, plus branch members from around the country. Please note that we have introduced a strict policy this year whereby only pre-registered volunteers will be accepted to help. Forms are being sent out to our members, however those who have already signed up online do not need to return forms. We welcome past volunteers and also any newcomers who are willing to help. Our Staffing Officer, Steve Williams, has formed a new team to organise staff. Don’t hold your breath, but at last we should see some reforms to the pub sector by the introduction of a Pubs Adjudicator, who will resolve disputes and crack down on the unfair practices by the pubcos that inflate tenants’ rent and set excessive prices for beer. This was revealed in the Queen’s Speech and is to include new regulations announced by the government. CAMRA have been fighting a tireless campaign for many years, with 8,000 letters sent to MPs and a petition that reached more than 40,000. We hope that this will stem the alarming rate of pub closures, which have been due to the big pub companies squeezing them out of existence with sky high rents and beer prices. In the distribution of the last issue of Beer Around Ere I had to step in to fill a gap within our branch area due to the distributor being incapacitated.
By doing so I had the pleasure of visiting many pubs around the Bourne villages area that I had not been to for many a year. Regrettably due to the fact I was driving no beer was consumed in any of the pubs. I have since discovered that several of these pubs would support us if we managed to pay them a visit more often. Also we are looking for some volunteers who are willing to give up an hour or two once every two months, to deliver Beer Around Ere around some of these pubs. (I advise not on a Monday due to some not opening). The pubs are around the Bourne/ Deepings/ Stamford part of Lincolnshire. Please contact me for further details. We are always willing to welcome any of our members who would like to help in the distribution of our tome. Finally it is with much sadness that we have to report the passing away of our much respected and admired member, John Rice, who many of you will know from the PBF, Coalheavers Arms and Ploughman Beer Festivals. A tribute to John is in this issue, and we all raise a glass to a wonderful person. See you all at the PBF! Cheers. David Murray Branch Chairman
Are you missing out? Get Beer Around Ere delivered to your door! For a year (6 issues) send £3.48 for second class or £4.02 for 1st Class or multiples thereof for multiple years. Please send a cheque/PO payable to “Peterborough CAMRA” and your address to:Daryl Ling, 19 Lidgate Close, Peterborough PE2 7ZA AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014 | BEER AROUND ERE
BEER AROUND ERE | AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
Goodbye John |7
Tribute to John Rice It is with great sadness that the Peterborough Branch of CAMRA reports the death of their good friend and loyal supporter John Rice. He had been battling against cancer for some time and passed away peacefully on June 28th.
John was a man whose friendly and warm personality had a profound effect on all of those who met him. He was instinctively a people person and was always the first to introduce himself to newcomers. His huge smile welcomed strangers and automatically put them at ease. You could always rely on John as a man you could trust; a man of honour and of his word.
John’s service to the branch was legendary. A member of Peterborough CAMRA for over twenty years, he held many positions including that of Brewery Liaison Officer for Elgoods. However it was his role as LocAle Officer that cemented his reputation as one of the hardest working branch members. It was John who organised this role at the Peterborough branch after Nottingham pioneered the scheme a couple of years earlier. Over 4 years John travelled the length and breadth of the Peterborough and District branch area – one of the biggest in the country – on public transport and he personally inspected and gave the LocAle certificate to over 100 pubs. It was a source of much amusement within the branch that a younger volunteer with the same amount of stamina as John couldn’t be found to take on the role. John was a regular volunteer at numerous beer festivals. He was best known at Peterborough where he was the staff bar manager for eight years. For the volunteers who helped at the festival John was like the father figure; nothing was too much trouble and he was always the calm individual you wanted in charge when things got hectic. At the
One of John’s (centre) favourite beer festivals was Falmouth in Cornwall, here he is with a couple of characters from Skinners brewery. Saturday evening staff party the familiar sight of John in bow tie was the poignant reminder that another year’s festival was coming to an end. The irony, of course, was the sign above the bar declaring “No Tie Required”. John’s brilliant sense of humour, as always, ever present. One of John’s favourite beer festivals was Falmouth in Cornwall and each year he made the long train journey to help out at that event, undoubtedly spurred on by a pint or two of his beloved Cornish ales. John’s heart and soul were always firmly rooted in the local community pub scene and none more so than in Werrington where he spent many years of his life. It was probably this that convinced John to take a look at the Ploughman, the current Peterborough CAMRA pub of the year, at a time when others may have walked away. From his early recommendations, and belief that good things were happening at the pub, his work in raising the profile helped give the local area a complete transformation. The Branch would like to offer their heartfelt condolences to John’s family at this difficult time. He will be sadly missed at this year’s Peterborough Beer Festival, by all of those who knew him. Rest in peace, John Rice. AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014 | BEER AROUND ERE
8 | Pub news
Pub News The Anchor, Eastgate, Bourne. Apparently this is one of the oldest pubs in Bourne and although it is “out of town”, it is only a 10 minute walk from centre. They have 5 real ales, including Bourne Particular, a house beer and 1 real cider on offer. The pub is now in the hands of Taras and Dawn who also have two pubs in Nottingham, The Roundhouse and The Hand and Heart. Taras said that their plan when they took over The Anchor, was to close temporarily, in order to refurbish, but were persuaded otherwise by locals! So refurbishment is on the “back burner”. There is a very pleasant outside area overlooking the river, ideal on a sunny day. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area. The Crown, Uppingham has undergone a refurbishment under new landlords Alan and Glynn. The pub recently was awarded 3 AA stars for its seven rooms which are available for overnight accomodation. Glynn told us ‘the pub has had a new kitchen and we have developed a new, family friendly menu which includes family favourites like pies and burgers. We try and support local businesses by sourcing our bread and meat from local suppliers’. Glynn also says they have made the pub much more female friendly with comfy seating and a great wine, coffee and tea selection. Sunday lunches and breakfasts are also available. Worth a visit! The Hurdler, 93 Cross Road, Stamford. This community pub has undergone a major refurbishment and re-opened at the beginning of June. The Blue Bell, 10 Woodgate, Helpston has reopened, but until middle of August it is open Thursday – Sunday 12noon – 11pm. Landlady Lesley Newitt said that they hoped to get their full licence by mid-August. Beers that were available early to mid- July were Adnams Ghost Ship, Fullers London Pride and two Star Brewing Company beers one of which was Lightyear. A limited menu is also available and includes hot pies and baguettes. BEER AROUND ERE | AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
The Shuckburgh Arms at Southwick re-opened on 25 June following a short closure for refurbishment that included interior re-painting and a garden make-over. The pub is now leased by the local community and sells five real ales. Talbot Hotel, Oundle. Monday 2nd June saw the official launch of Nene Valley Brewery’s “Dick’s Talbot Ale”, a 4.1% light refreshing golden ale, which was commissioned by, and will only be available at, the Talbot Hotel in Oundle. The first pint was pulled by the Mayor of Oundle, Councillor Gwen Radcliffe (pictured). There are further plans for a replacement beer for the winter months. Glastonburghley 16th August 2014 Local band The Lounge are organising a mini festival in Stamford. Glastonburghley will be held this year at The Lord Burghley pub on Broad Street, Stamford on the 16th of August. Inspired by Stephen Sutton’s story The Lounge have gathered local bands together to create a charity event which can be built on year after year. Paul Hemmings from The Lounge said “Stamford is rich in local talent and we have been overwhelmed by the positive response”. Many local businesses are also getting involved generously donating prizes which will be auctioned off in aid of Stephen Sutton's charity, The Teenage Cancer Trust. To find out more follow Glastonburghley on Twitter or The Lord Burghley on Facebook.
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 Jane Brown at bae-editor@real-ale.org.uk
Pub news |9
Carry on Camping Owners of caravans and motorhomes who appreciate good beer and food now have a new local destination thanks partly to the Pub is the Hub organisation. Hosts John and Jen of the Blue Bell in Whaplode St Catherine are well known locally for the high quality food and drink served at the pub. The pub also acts as the brewery tap for the adjacent Blue Bell Brewery run by Emma Bell. John recently acquired the small field next to the pub, and with help from the Pub is the Hub organisation, has developed this area to help diversify the business. Pub is the Hub, whose patron is Prince Charles, exists to promote the safeguarding of our pub heritage especially in rural areas. The Blue Bell now offers smart new facilities for campers. You won’t find Sid James and the” Carry On Crew” messing around in tents but what you will find is Bluebell Field next to the pub with five
new hard standings and registered as a Caravan Club Certified Location site. It is available for both caravans and motorhomes and the pitches have 16amp hook ups, TV aerial sockets and Wi-Fi B-Link open access. There is a service area and campers have access to the pub toilets (even after hours thanks to a coded key safe) and a shower is also available at certain times. The second site is a night stop for motorhomes only and is situated in the pub car park. There are two spaces with 10 amp hook ups, water and a chemical disposal point. As stated earlier the pub has a very good reputation for food and there is a discount on your pitch fee if a meal is taken at the pub. To encourage visitors there is also the possibility of a free bike loan! I recommend a trip for those intrepid campers amongst you. If you would like to take advantage of these facilities, visit the pubs website www.thebluebell.net or phone 01406 540300. John Hunt Blue Bell BLO
Cuckoo Beer Festival
The Cuckoo in Alwalton held their 4th Cask Ale Festival over the Father’s Day weekend of 13th to 15th June. I was met on the Friday by Luke Richardson the manager, who gave me a tour of the festival site. Twenty barrels of ale, a very good and innovative selection from both local and national brewers were awaiting the visitors. A large marquee was provided just in case of rain and their full menu of food was available to the festival visitors. The festival was doing great business during my visit. The team at the Cuckoo were also collecting for Amazon Children’s Ward at Peterborough City
Hospital, and over £270 was collected during the festival weekend. I look forward to the 5th Festival next year and the beer selection! Cheers to Luke and the Team. Mike Blakesley Press Officer AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014 | BEER AROUND ERE
BEER AROUND ERE | AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
Brewery news|11
Brewery News Bexar County Brewery Bexar have now crossed the international divide with their beers appearing at two beer festivals in Spain, one in Blane and the other in Barcelona. This was a joint effort involving Hand Drawn Monkey of Huddersfield with whom the brewery collaborates regularly. The beers are still appearing at numerous beer festivals around this country too! The much awaited 2014 brewing of the marvellous Papa Steve was released on July 5th at the Hand Drawn Monkey brewery shop in Huddersfield. The brewery also hosted a visit from the local CAMRA branch during the Mighty Micros 3 for which we would like to extend our thanks. Castor Ales It’s been a great summer for the brewery, with beer being featured at the Cambridge Beer Festival, the Peterborough Heritage Festival, the Castor Kyneburgha Festival and we’re looking forward to the Peterborough Beer Festival and the Waternewton Music Festival at the end of August. The Peterborough Beer Festival special will be a hefty 5.3% with a range of hops beginning with the letter C! Sporting themed beers continued with a World Cup special, “They Drink its Ale Over…It is Now” which proved to be the case for our national team, and a Tour de France special which has being going well locally the beer was called “Où Sont Les Montagnes?” (Where are the mountains?). The pump clip featured a cyclist in the King of The Mountains red polka dot shirt scratching his head in the flatlands of Cambridgeshire. 12th Man will make a comeback at the start of the football season. We hope you all have a great Peterborough Beer Festival and a big thanks to all the volunteers that make it happen. Cheers!
Digfield Ales A well timed brewery trip for patrons of The Letter ’B’, Whittlesey, provided the perfect opportunity to sample Digfield’s new brew. Three beers were on offer; Barnwell Bitter, Shacklebush and the latest, Chiffchaff a 3.9% golden- amber ale, which was received with much enthusiasm. After a couple of hours the party adjourned to The Kings Arms, Polebrook, for more Fool’s Nook and Barnwell Bitter. Landlord Justin Capp provided excellent fare, of which the visitors were highly appreciative. Michael and Paul thoroughly enjoyed hosting the visit and thanked Justin and business partner Sharon and Bruce for their continued support. The partners report that the first brew of Chiffchaff sold out very quickly, and feedback has been excellent. At the time of writing, a second brew is due to be racked off. Elgoods Brewery Buzz Light Beer AVB 4% is the current seasonal ale and is selling well. This will be followed in September by Indian Summer. The main news is that Elgoods have stepped in to host the SIBA East Anglia competition and associated beer festival after the previous venue had to pull out. The competition will take place on 25th September with the beer festival running from 25th - 27th. Hopshackle Brewery Hopshackle’s range of traditional beers, Zen 3.8, Legacy 4.3 and Special No.1 Bitter 5.2 are very well received around local pubs and clubs. In particular the session beer Zen goes down really well and people are texting and tweeting when it is on in their local. A lot of people said it was a great alternative to all the golden hoppy beers that seem
F
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014 | BEER AROUND ERE
12 | Brewery news continued
to be so common these days and had loads going on for such a low gravity beer. The third fermenter is going well and Hopshackle is now able to brew 6 times a month. The Double Imperial IPA Fire Belly 7.0 has been bottled for the first time and has been delivered to The Stamford Cheese and Wine Cellar and Beer Hawk in Harrogate.
All Hopshackle bottles are available at The Stamford Cheese and Wine Cellar. Mile Tree Brewery The brewery continues to exert a force for the good on a local level with their profile being raised accordingly. There is a trend towards providing good beers to small festivals including many local community events such as the Botolph Green Festival and Bourne Summer Carnival with further excursions to non-beer festival type events such as the Ely Folk Festival. Small pub type festivals are also requesting their beers including Peterborough Town Sports Club, The Townhouse pub in Ely and the Deeping Beer Festival to name three events that come to mind. Pubs are also keen to showcase Mile Tree brews especially the Prior’s Oven the micro pub in Spalding which has had a few examples over recent months. The King’s Head in Apethorpe and the Rose Tavern in Wisbech have also taken beer. The bottled variety is available from Sacrewell Farm and online via the Ale Room. The Fenland Midsummer Food and Craft Fair which was held at the Secret Garden Touring Park (where the brewery lives) in June, was a great success with over 20 exhibitors in attendance. The weather was excellent and the beers on draught were Meadowgold and Adventurer which were enjoyed by all. We’d also like to thank Mile Tree for their hospitality during the Mighty Micros 3 brewery tour. Nene Valley Brewery The Brewery has appointed a General Manager for the Pub/Restaurant on the site and the task of fitting out the premises will commence in the next week. The provisional opening date is 1st November 2014. BEER AROUND ERE | AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
The brewery is to undergo a re-branding in the next few weeks with a new logo. The beers will no longer be known by their three letter acronyms but by their full names. This should eliminate any confusion about beer names in the eyes of the public. An oat stout, Starless Stout (4.1% 1041 og), was launched at the latest Beer of the Month club and has recently been seen at the beer festival at The Heron in Stanground. It attracted favourable comments from those who tried it, even those who, by their own admission, don't normally drink dark beers. The porter, Starless and Bible Black, which was launched in late 2013, will now be known as Bible Black Porter, but remains otherwise unchanged. Oakham Ales As the summer moves on it is an Endless Summer for Oakham Ales as this is the name of the June to September special. The 3.4% pale ale will quench your thirst through these months as a lighter accompaniment to their other beers. The ever popular Helter Skelter has been a welcome addition for July and now has been added to the aged and vintage range. So expect to see it make appearances once the brew has reached the ripe old age of 6 months. A Christmas cracker methinks! The latest brew in the Oakadamy of Excellence range is a pale gold beer called Improbability abv 3.9%, which is packed with Cascade, Calypso and Savin Goldings hops. The brewery have become a corporate partner with the Cathedral as part of Peterborough Cathedral’s 900 campaign and are selling bottled Bishop’s Farewell in the Cathedral shop. A percentage of the monies taken for each bottle will go towards Cathedral fund raising. It is quite appropriate as you cast your mind back to the launch of the original cask version at Peterborough Beer Festival in 1996, when it was brewed as a Festival Special for the retirement of the then Archbishop of Peterborough Cathedral, Bill Westwood.
The Brewery are launching a new beer brewed on a first come, first served basis alongside a new beer related App launch of the same name, which is, Pint Please. The App launch will be at The Great British Beer Festival, with the beer launch soon afterwards. Therefore if you can’t find it elsewhere it will be on at The Peterborough Beer Festival a week later. The Italian distributor, Diffusion Beer S.R.L, loves Oakham’s Green Devil IPA so much that they have emblazoned its distinctive imagery all over their trucks (pictured).
Brewery news continued |13
The Ruddy Duck 12 St Pegas Road, Peakirk Tel: 01733 252426
www.theruddyduck.co.uk
DUCKFEST Saturday 9th August 2pm til late
10 Real Ales, Ciders & BBQ Live Music FROM 3pm
Circa 73 Retrolux DB5 From Peking to Peakirk, Ruddy hell its a DUCKFEST !!! Star Brewing Company The demand for their core beers is still high and they sell all that they brew. The guest beer 3 Lions a 3.7% pale ale was a disaster, but through no fault of the beer. It was another side effect of the England football team’s poor and short-lived performance! However all is not lost as it has been renamed “Asteroid”, which to me, is more in keeping with the Star brand. Due to popular demand they will continue to produce Lightyear and Astral throughout the summer. Tydd Steam Brewery Latest news from Tydd Steam is that Will is planning a beer for the Peterborough Beer Festival provisionally called Dr Fox's Snake Oil!
Glyn and Alan would like to welcome you to their recently modified real ale community pub. Now with a re-fitted kitchen, we are serving a new family friendly menu full of pub classics with ingredients sourced, where possible, from local suppliers. We also offer a great range of real ales, ciders and wines and have 3 Star AA rated accommodation.
Open from 10am for Breakfast, we serve food until 7pm every day with roasts available for Sunday lunch.
For further information on live events or for room reservations please call 01572 822302 14 High St East, Uppingham, Rutland LE15 9PY AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014 | BEER AROUND ERE
14 | Membership matters
Membership Matters One of the most used benefits of CAMRA membership is the free or discounted entry to CAMRA organised beer festivals. To obtain this discount you must be able to produce a valid membership card at the entrance to the festival. With the Great British Beer Festival and our own Peterborough Beer Festival taking place in August, and many other CAMRA beer festivals taking place all over the country, it is a good time to check where you put your membership card. Is it lurking at the back of a drawer, or did you put it away in a safe place (so safe that you can't remember where)?
If so, then now is the time to act. You should, ideally, have your membership number to hand when contacting HQ in St Albans, although this is not necessary. The direct dial number for membership is 01727 798440. The membership team should be able to sort out any difficulties in a timely fashion. I look forward to seeing you on the Embankment in August. Bob Melville Membership Secretary
White Horse Baston The White Horse at Baston, has been accredited into the “LocAle Scheme”. The award was presented on the Friday evening of their recent 1st Beer Festival, to Ben Larter & his partner Jermaine, who are doing a great job selling and promoting local beers and breweries at this busy little establishment. The award is well deserved, as the pub (formerly The Spinning Wheel), has been selling LocAle since it was taken over by the current owners. They normally run with 4 beers, 3 of them LocAle. The restaurant also prides itself on local produce and is usually very busy. Evidently this is the sign that they are going the right way about things. The beer festival itself was in full flow and well supported, with 20 beers on show. Again a large proportion were LocAle, plus ciders, also made locally. An impressive effort for a first beer festival, I'm sure you will agree?
BEER AROUND ERE | AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
A local micro-brewery had supplied and set up the stillage for the event. We sincerely hope that the White Horse continues in the same vein, the pub seems to be flourishing and if you haven’t been yet, then it is well worth the visit. Dave McLennan LocAle Officer
16 |Peterborough Beer Festival 2014
The Peterborough Beer Fest is on it’s way! Our five day event aims to showcase the best real ales from the UK, all kept in tip-top condition by our expert cellar team. Add to that our location on the embankment of the River Nene in the heart of the city with live music playing every day and you have the perfect festival atmosphere. We believe in getting the best selection of beers that people will enjoy and will continue to talk about long after they have finished drinking. Our attitude to promoting real ale means we get many festival specials produced and this loyalty extends to our visitors who return year after year. So for a truly memorable and unique beer festival experience welcome to Peterborough – the biggest, the brightest and the best! Beers We will be serving more than 400 draught real ales including favourites, beers from very small micros, many from new breweries, some produced specially for the festival and beers from our LocAle breweries. Almost all of the beers will be served by gravity – straight from the cask. Our aim is always to have every beer ready and available from the opening session – we do not hold any beers back. As always we will be serving beers of many styles including milds, bitters, porters, stouts, speciality flavoured beers and a few real lagers. We regularly get asked for a beer list ahead of the festival – this will be available to view on the website from around July onwards. Glasses Commemorative pint sleeve glasses and half pint tankards bearing the festival logo will be available and all will be oversized so that we can guarantee that you get a full measure when the glasses are filled to the line. Festival wine and bottle glasses will also be available at the same price.
BEER AROUND ERE | AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
Cider & Perry The cider bar is with us, as always, serving one of the best selections of traditional cider and perry to be found anywhere. This year we will have around 60 varieties. Wine Bar The wine bar will be selling traditional country wines and still and sparkling grape wines from English vineyards.
Bottled Beers The popular bottled beer bar will be selling an extended range of traditionally made bottled beers from around the world. Soft Drinks Our soft drinks bar, the Escape Bar, will be selling a range of soft drinks, crisps, ice cream, sweets and cigarettes. We will also be selling children’s drinks at a mere 50p. Food There will be a wide selection of foods available including German sausages, French crepes, hog roast, doughnuts, toasties, oriental, biltong, Australian, olives, burgers, bacon rolls, pasta, hot dogs, Cornish pasties, pittas, pork pies, waffles, seafood, fruit smoothies, tea & coffee. The Workers The Festival is organised and run by members of CAMRA who are all unpaid volunteers. We always need more help so why not give us a few hours of your time if you are a member. Children at the Festival Lunchtime or early evening is the ideal time to bring the family, as there is always an easy going, friendly atmosphere. You can bring the dog (on a lead), the picnic table, food and soft drinks but you must not bring your own alcohol.
Peterborough Beer Festival 2014 |17
Venue The 37th Peterborough CAMRA Beer Festival will be held in massive marquees on the River Embankment, Bishops Road, Peterborough PE1 1EF and as it proved popular in 2013 we are retaining the traditional horseshoe layout. The site is only a few minutes walk from the city centre, bus, rail and coach stations. A taxi rank will be provided to enable you to get home without driving. Beer festivals and cars don’t mix. Disabled Access The site is on one level on grass and disabled toilets are provided at the front and back of the site. Wheelchairs can be sourced but we do need advance warning. Taxis and cars carrying disabled passengers are permitted to cross the Embankment and drop off at the festival entrance. Other Stalls On site you will find tombola, pub games, our lunchtime pub quiz, the CAMRA shop, a T-shirt stand, beer and brewing books, glass engraving and the RNLI will be at the front gate asking for your small change.
CAMRA Members CAMRA members get FREE entry to the festival for all of the early sessions and reduced entry prices at all evening sessions. There are many other benefits too including free or reduced entry to over 160 beer festivals throughout the UK. To find out more or to join online visit www.camra.org.uk/benefits.If you’re not a member you can also join or find out more at our membership and information area or simply have a chat about what we do, ask about beer, pubs, brewing and more.
More information Tel: 01733 896555
Email: info@beer-fest.org.uk Web: www.beer-fest.org.uk @BoroBeerFest facebook.com/PeterboroughBeerFestival
Prices and Times Tuesday 19th August*
5.30 - 11pm
Non-CAMRA £5 CAMRA & EBCU £2 • The Trade-only session starts at 3pm
Wednesday 20th August Non-CAMRA CAMRA & EBCU
Thursday 21st August Non-CAMRA CAMRA & EBCU
Friday 22nd August Non-CAMRA CAMRA & EBCU
Saturday 23rd August Non-CAMRA CAMRA & EBCU
Noon - 3pm
3pm - 11pm
£1 FREE
£5 £2
Noon - 3pm
3pm - 11pm
£1 FREE
£6 £2
Noon - 3pm
3pm - 11pm
£1 FREE
£6 £2
Noon - 3pm
3pm - 11pm
£1 FREE
£6 £2
Pictures by B. Ferguson & J. Moore
18 | Peterborough Beer Festival bands
The Beer Fest Bands Tuesday 19th August
7pm Open Mic Night Following the remarkable success of the Open Mic opening night last year, we simply have to give another opportunity to some of our less well known individuals to show off their unique talents on the Peterborough Beer Festival Stage. This event will again be hosted by Stacy, so if you would like the opportunity to appear, do please contact her IN ADVANCE to register your interest. Stacy can be reached at vocalsoulmate@hotmail.co.uk
Wednesday 20th August
8pm Rocket Dogs After a busy 2013 that included several festival appearances, two live radio slots including Live from the Willow Festival and 60 plus gigs, The Rocket Dogs continue to build on that success with their blend of energetic live performances and unique take on anthemic rock/pop and punk covers. Truly something for all music fans. www.therocketdogs.com Expected on stage 8.00pm to 9.00pm and 9.30pm to 10.45pm
Thursday 21st August (sponsored by The Willow Festival)
7.30pm Opaque With one foot always planted firmly in the festival fields they have played at Secret Garden, Bestival, GrassRoots, Strawberry Fair, Small World, Fire Gathering, Blissfields, City Roots, along with many extensive tours of the UK and Europe, playing support for The Kooks, Biffy Clyro, The Future Heads, Hamfatter, The Bluetones, Jamie Woon and many other up and coming artists. www.bandopaque.com Expected on stage 7.30pm to 9.00pm
9.15pm Burning Codes Burning Codes is the solo collaborative project of Belfast born singer and songwriter Paul Archer and the project has supported Elbow, Lisa Hannigan, Duke Special and James Walsh. BEER AROUND ERE | AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
Burning Codes have also supported Snow Patrol at the Odyssey Arena, Belfast. Paul contributed vocals to Snow Patrol’s multi-platinum “Eyes Open” album and was asked in August 2012 to sing live with Snow Patrol at both of their 2012 V Festival appearances. www.burningcodes.co.uk Expected on stage 9.15pm to 10.45pm
Friday 22nd August
4pm - Palmy Ukulele Band This is a bunch of guys and gals from the Palmerston Arms who just formed up for a bit of fun and have gone from strength to strength. After last year's spectacularly popular performance, we had to have them back. www.palmerstonukeband.co.uk Expected on stage from about 4.00pm
7.30pm Psych-O-Bombs Arguably one of the finest local bands, this quintet were formed in 2006 specifically to play the music that inspired them, the treasured garage/psychedelic sounds from the 1960’s! These guys will play the songs you know you love - along with ones you DON'T KNOW you love... YET! www.thepsychobombs.weebly.com/index.html Expected on stage 7.30pm to 9.00pm
9.15pm Rotten Hill Gang Featuring a well-travelled collective of musicians, the versatility of this cool reggae inspired, funky hip-hop posse licenses them to venture comfortably amongst subtle guitar rock, dance grooves and even punk. Rotten Hill Gang was formed around Gary McPherson (ex. Big Audio Dynamite II) and longstanding accomplice - Reds (the band’s Street Poet). Other musicians include Gus Robertson (from Razorlight); Jim Dobson (Hollie Cook band); Annie Bea (Hypnotic Eye); solo artist Fjokra; Mallett (Transvision Vamp) and Hami (Transglobal Underground). www.facebook.com/rottenhillgang Expected on stage 9.15pm to 10.45pm
Saturday 23rd August (sponsored by Attica Live)
2pm Tribal Misfits An Alternative Rock originals trio from Peterborough. Inspired by bands such as Foo Fighters, Manic Street Preachers and Biffy Clyro.
3pm Closed Circuit Closed Circuit are an original Rock band from Peterborough and Stamford. Their style is a cross between Alter Bridge and alestorm.
4pm Lexie Green Becoming increasingly well known around the UK live music circuit for her infectious eclectic sets of international award winning original Americana, Rock, Folk and Blues influenced songs.
5pm Tin Pigeons Combining scrappy traditional folk instruments, tight pop rhythms and soulful vocal harmonies, The Tin Pigeons produce an exciting brand of acoustic merriment.
7pm Tom Wright Tom is a professional singer / songwriter / guitarist from Peterborough, UK. Only nineteen years old, he has been playing guitar since he was seven. For the Beer Festival, Tom will be performing a set comprising mainly of his own original material. Promises to be a huge treat… not to be missed.
9pm Motor City Vipers There has always been a strong soul-scene within Peterborough, so it seems particularly bizarre that the city hasn’t before given rise to a dedicated live soul band… until now! Motor City Vipers are an electrifying eight-piece band who lovingly recreate some of the greatest Northern Soul and Motown floor-fillers from the 60s and 70s, we’re very pleased to welcome them to the 37th Peterborough Beer Festival. www.MotorCityVipers.co.uk Expected on stage 9.00pm to 10.45pm
29 North Street, Stanground PE2 8HR. 01733 753544
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
Now showing BT Sport AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014 | BEER AROUND ERE
Coalies do the Bermondsey Beer Mile
lightning and we were stuck in a tunnel for half an hour so. Though it seemed much longer. The latest instalment in The Coalheavers crew’s quest for great beer took us to South East London to try out the Bermondsey Beer Mile. The Bermondsey Beer Mile is actually a mile and a quarter and has no pubs at all. What it does have however are five fully functional breweries that open their doors every Saturday to sell their wares.
As far as I know it started with one, The Kernel Brewery, and was quickly joined by Fourpure, Partizan and Brew by Numbers, and much more recently, I think February, Anspach and Hobday. As these breweries only open on a Saturday the only beers available are bottled beers and key keg, but don’t let this put you off, even if you are a real ale purist, as the beers were all superb. All the bottles were unfiltered, unpasteurised real ales in a bottle, and as far as keykegs are concerned, the gas is used purely to draw the beer from the keg. If you don’t like the idea of that, then this trip is not for you. If though, you just like good quality beer, then this trip definitely is for you.
Following the obligatory breakfast at The Drapers we caught the 9.46 train which meant we would be at our first port of call around 11.30. Unfortunately, due to heavy storms that morning, the overhead cables near Finsbury Park were hit by
If you want to do all 5 breweries it is probably best to start with Fourpure which is at the eastern end of The Mile. The best way to get there is to take the over ground line to Surrey Quays and after a 10 minute walk you will be there. Fourpure is the only place that is not within the archways of
the overhead train line. It is on a small industrial park, unit 22 in fact and really is a great place to start. Eight beers were available in half pint, two thirds or a full pint. You need to remember that London is expensive and so are bottled beers and also keykegs. But considering that, the prices were not too bad, around £3 for two thirds and about £4 for a pint which is about a quid less than they would be in the pubs. Fourpure had 6 of their regular beers on, a session ale, a pale, an amber, a stout, an IPA and a Pils and 3 slightly different ones, a fruit beer and two saison type beers, all
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AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014 | BEER AROUND ERE
22 | Bermonsdsey beer mile - continued
top quality. After the train delay we were all gasping for a beer when we got there and the first one went down so quickly we decided to have another. Up until the end of May all the breweries were open from 11 to 5 but now Kernel opens from 9 to 2 so with the tunnel delay we were a bit behind schedule so it was to be just a quick one at Partizan. Partizan is a 10 minute walk from Fourpure, assuming you go the right way of course, which not everyone did, even with a map. Fourpure was a good sized brewery with ample seating and room to spare, Partizan was not. It occupies just one smallish arch and if it rains and you have to go inside, there is room for about 10 people only. Do not let this put you off as Partizan is really worth a visit. The 6.2 porter that I had was superb, one of the best beers of the day for me. I had been to Partizan twice before and it was bottles only but they now have 3 draught beers as well, though I think the chiller unit they pour from was probably from the early 70’s. Saying that, the black IPA and the wheat beer that came out of it were absolutely gorgeous. Partizan is by far the smallest of the five but you really don’t want to miss it. P.S. it is fairly well hidden. Next stop was to be Kernel. This is one busy, busy place. You can expect a queue of 30 to 40 people but with 4 or 5 staff on you do get served fairly quickly. Due to our tunnel adventure we were slightly behind schedule so we all got 2 beers when we did get served. For me, the best beer of the day was here, an 8.2% stout, out of this world! The majority of the beers on this route are quite strong, but the measures are only half pint or two thirds so that makes it okay. Kernel started with just 1 archway and they now occupy 4 and are looking to expand even further. They must take thousands on a Saturday and they do not make a bad beer, every one is exceptional. If you only had an hour or two in Bermondsey, you could quite easily just stay at Kernel. I cannot praise it enough and we could have stayed there all day, actually, no, we couldn’t, it closes at 2! There were still 2 more to do. BEER AROUND ERE | AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
As you leave Kernel, and, unfortunately we had to, head to your right and walk for 2 to 3 minutes and you will arrive at Brew by Numbers. The last couple of times I came here it was fairly quiet and we got served straight away. All changed now. This place too was busy, busy, busy, both inside and outside. Four or five beers, all keykeg, were available here and, once again all top notch. There must have been a hundred or so people outside and plenty inside as well. By this time the sun was out and it was glorious, hence the large crowds outside. The beers here were similar to the others with a session beer, a wheat beer, a saison, a stout and 1 or 2 others, again all really outstanding. They even paid for a singer to entertain the crowd. Fantastic atmosphere. Leaving there, turn right yet again, walk for 3 mins, go underneath the arches ( no singing please) and you arrive at the newest of the breweries, Anspach and Hobday. Though the brewery involved here is actually called Bullfinch and not surprisingly, they make great beer. I have also visited this place twice before and both times they were brewing just behind the servery. The smell was unbelievable. Sadly, on our visit they were not brewing but the beers available were on par with all the others we had tried earlier. When I first did this trip it was fairly quiet, when I went for the second time it was twice as busy, when the Coalies crew visited it was probably twice as busy again. I would suggest that if you want to do this trip, do so sooner rather than later as it is becoming unbelievably popular.
Bermonsdsey beer mile - continued |23
Well, that’s the beer mile done but just around the corner is the wonderful Maltby Street or Ropewalk market. This place is great, food and drink only, but what food! There is a beer stall, a gin stall, gourmet burger stalls, and I do mean proper burgers, along with African food, South American food and loads of others. Plus a truly brilliant Greek stall where you can get some really good Greek cava-like fizz. Didn’t know the Greeks made it but they do and its superb, problem is my missus keeps on buying it and its not cheap, (nice though). The mile itself completed, time to go to the pub. Thought we would try The Craft Beer Co. but there were no northbound trains so had to have a rethink. Some went to The Euston Tap, others went to The Greyfriars which is a lovely pub and the rest of us who were on the over ground thought it would be a bit of a sin not to go to The Southampton Arms at Gospel Oak, definitely one the absolute best pubs in London. So good in fact we missed one train to stay a bit longer. Overall, a great trip. Several of our crew say it was the best Coalheavers trip yet which sets the bar very high for future trips. Once again, I will stress that you need to do this trip sooner rather than later. By this time next year I think it will be just too busy but I do urge you to go. Dave Botton
Home cooked Sunday lunches Pub lunches served Tuesday to Friday Bands & Discos at weekends Functions & parties catered for Conference room available for business use Four real ales, Three changing regularly Six draught lagers Large beer garden with children’s play area Large car park Sky & BT Sports (Two TV’s) Pool and Darts Monthly Quiz Nights
Blue Boar, Eye
blueboareye
PALMERSTON ARMS 82 Oundle Rd www.palmerston-arms.co.uk
14 Ever-changing, gravity fed real ales Wood burner for winter
VINYL NIGHT Bring down your favourite records Check Facebook for next event
UKELELE NIGHT Every Thursday from 7.30pm
PHILOSOPHY NIGHT Check Facebook for next event
LAZY SUNDAYS
Opening Times Mon - Thurs 3-12pm Fri and Sat 12 - midnight Sun 12-11.30pm
from 4pm
For information on live entertainment go to:
Palmerston Arms
from 4pm
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014 | BEER AROUND ERE
24 | Brewery tour
Mighty Micros 3 When they asked if I wanted to go on a brewery trip I must admit I had trouble thinking of a reason not to go, so I answered in the affirmative and looked forward to what may very well be a pleasant afternoon. Mighty Micros 3 is as you might have surmised the third in a series of tours around our local breweries which have taken place over the last few years, all organised by our Social Secretary John Hunt. There were 34 brave and hardy souls who boarded the coach that day, all in pursuit of a pleasant afternoon. As many of you will know, we in the local CAMRA branch have a system of looking after our local brewers. Each brewery is allocated a Brewery Liaison Officer which you’ll see written down as BLO in magazines and which explains absolutely nothing about the duties involved! The job of a BLO is a truly arduous one and involves visiting a local brewery, reporting on the activities therein and of course generally helping promote the beers produced. Occasionally a beer or two is sampled (no, really!).
decided to breakfast in a well-known budget chain Inn on the morning of a “Posh” play-off, thus forcing us all to resynchronise our watches. No harm done. So off we go to Market Deeping champing at the bit with anticipation. No more delays, although we did stop off to pick up a couple of the oldies en route! When we finally arrived we were greeted by Star Brewer Mr Simon Raines, who had kindly laid on a couple of 9 gallon casks for our disposal. These were Comet and Meteor and were much appreciated by all.
There were three breweries involved in our little soiree and the BLOs on duty were yours truly (Steve Williams) and Dave McLennan. Between the two of us we do a fabulous job of promoting our breweries even if I do say so myself !
Upon the arrival of Simon’s business partner Tom Marriot we were all treated to an educational and interesting tour of the Brewery including a talk on the brewing process before our leader called time and ushered us all back onto the coach.
As Star Brewery of Market Deeping, was first on our list and is looked after by Dave, I’ll leave him to start the proceedings. I'll take over after he’s rambled on a bit.
Many thanks to Simon and Tom for the welcome and hospitality shown and of course John Hunt for getting it all organised. It was very much appreciated and I would recommend you try some of their fine ales if you haven’t already done so. Back to Steve!
Star Brewery (Dave’s bit). On Saturday the 10th of May, my wife Tracy and I went along on the very well attended tour, taking in three of our fantastic local Micro Breweries. The trip was organised by our Social Secretary John Hunt and was of course organised with military precision. Well, you have to if you’re required to take in all three whilst giving participants enough time to overindulge in the fantastic hospitality shown. A large coach load of us embarked from Peterborough almost on time, as several members BEER AROUND ERE | AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
Mile Tree Brewery (Steve’s bit) Suitably refreshed we headed eastwards to Wisbech St Mary and the Secret Garden Touring Park, which is the home of Mile Tree Brewery. The park, true to its name was a bit of a bugger to find but with perseverance, a bit of reversing and directions from two passing squirrels we found our destination. The park has been in operation for a number of years and must be one of Cambridgeshire’s best kept secrets. Here you can pitch a tent, bring a caravan or rent a ‘pod’ which turns
Brewery tour |25
out to be a sort of a gypsy caravan minus the wheels and is a nice halfway house between canvas and caravan. Richard and Karen Matthews started the brewery in 2012 and have been spreading their wares far and wide with their beers appearing at many local beer festivals. Their bottled versions also prove to be popular and sell very well at venues such as Sacrewell Farm. We disembarked in an orderly fashion and were shown into the brewery where Richard was busy slaving away pouring pints of Dark Secret Mild and Meadowgold, his pale and golden summer beer. Both beers are just under 4% making them perfect for the sensible drinkers amongst us. A full guided tour of the brewery followed but as it is run from what can only be described as a shed with ambitions, it was a bit of a tight squeeze so we all took turns to stand on each other’s toes. Richard told us how the idea of the brewery began and why he joined forces with the touring park in the first place. Essentially it was the coming together of two complementary businesses. A caravan park gains a brewery, a brewery provides beer to visitors and between them they promote local food, local beer and give people a nice pleasant place to stay. A marriage made in heaven, or Wisbech at least. In addition to the nibbles they provided for us we were lucky enough to have a BBQ hosted by Neil Pollington the owner of the park who introduced us to the very excellent sausages from Bramblebee Farm. As we all enjoyed the sausages so much we all traipsed over to the park shop to stock up on more of the same for future use! After a good look around the park and the obligatory photographing of pigs, the pointing at chickens and a quick run up and down Hobbit Hill we got back on the bus and headed back to Peterborough and our last brewery of the day. Bexar County Bexar County Brewery is like no other. As BLO to Steve Saldana’s brewery I constantly tell him he should brew a standard boring beer that will be widely accepted about the town and we can all enjoy.
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AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014 | BEER AROUND ERE
26 | Brewery tour - continued
Mighty Micros - continued
However, despite my protestations he continues to brew beers that are interesting and unusual and appears to be doing very nicely for himself which proves the point that I know nothing about beer, breweries or business. Over the last couple of years he’s created some miraculous brews which have appeared at festivals all over the place, my personal favourite being Papa Steve (named after his Dad) and weighs in at a massive 9%. A world classic as far as I’m concerned but unfortunately not available during our visit so I may have to nip back later! Steve had arranged a trio of beers from other breweries to compliment his house beers of Prospect and Pecan Coffee Mild and we were privileged to try beers by Three Blind Mice Brewery of Ely, Xtreme of Turves and Revolutions of Castleford in Yorkshire. Our guided tour consisted of our brewer standing and pointing which suited us just fine. We all had time to chat to him and enquire what beers he’d be brewing next as there is rarely a repeat performance and every brew is a new idea. The beer was nicely soaked up by the pulled pork butties hand crafted by Steve’s better half, Vanesa. By early evening everybody was sufficiently but respectfully lubricated and it was time to say our goodbyes. Mighty Micros 3 was a huge success with everybody enjoying themselves as would be expected and we’re all looking forward to Mighty Micros 4 sometime next year. Steve Williams and Dave McLennan
BEER AROUND ERE | AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
ANNUAL BEER FESTIVAL
18th - 21st September 70+ Real Ales, Ciders and Craft Keg Beers Live Music and BBQ available throughout the festival Foundry Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 2PP 01780 755141 www.jollybrewer.com
Pe
GO C terbo W LD AMR roug IN AW A h NE A R RD 20 13 Real traditional ale house in the heart of the city
5 Regularly Rotating Ales Opening Times :- Sunday to Thursday 12noon - 11pm Friday to Saturday 11am - 1.30am
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 2014
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014 | BEER AROUND ERE
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BEER AROUND ERE | AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
Events and gigs |29
Diary dates August
Sunday 3rd Peterborough Conservative Club, Broadway, Peterborough. 9 Ales, 3 Ciders, European Bottles, food, music and stalls. Open from 10:30am everyone welcome. Monday 4th Committee meeting. The Hand and Heart, Highbury Street, Peterborough (tbc) 8.30pm. All branch members welcome, please bring membership card. Friday 22nd - Monday 25th Smiths of Bourne 2nd Cider and Sausage Festival. 40+ real ciders + bottled. Live music and great sausages.
Saturday 30th - Sunday 31st White Swan, Woodnewton.
CAMRA meetings, socials and beer festivals in the coming months
BEER & MUSIC FESTIVAL. Real Ales & Ciders. Live Music from Local Bands on the Saturday. Tel 01780 470944.
Sunday 31st Merit Award Presentation to Jolly Sailor, Ramsey and Letter B, Whittlesey. Depart the Brewery Tap at 12.00 for 1pm presentation, then on to Letter B for 4pm presentation. Return to Brewery Tap by 8pm. Cost £8. Book places through Social Secretary John Hunt.
September
Thursday 4th Coalheavers Arms, Park Street, Woodston. Presentation of Gold Award 8.30pm.
Sunday 7th Peterborough Conservative Club, Broadway, Peterborough. 9 Ales, 3 Ciders, European bottles, food,
music and stalls. Open from 10:30am everyone welcome.
Tuesday 9th Committee meeting. Charters, Town Bridge, Peterborough (tbc) 8.30pm. All branch members welcome, please bring membership card.
Thursday 27th Hand and Heart, Highbury Street, Peterborough. Presentation of Gold Award 8.30pm.
October
Monday 6th Coalheavers Arms Park Street, Woodston (tbc) 8.30pm. All branch members welcome, please bring membership card. Friday 30th Halloween Beer & music festival at The Dragon, Werrington
Gig guide August
September
Sat 2nd Collaborators Straw Bear, Whittlesey The Relics Blue Boar, Eye Dukes of Bordello Iron Horse, Deeping Sun 3rd Open mic night Crown, Uppingham The Gangsters 2pm Charters, P’boro Thur 7th Open Mic, 8pm Mama Liz, Stamford Sun 10th Steve Bean Mama Liz, Stamford CJ Hatt 2pm Charters, P’boro Fri 15th The Guards Blue Boar, Eye Mad Scatters Party Set
Mon 1st Charters Unplugged Charters, P’boro Thur 4th Open Mic, 8pm Mama Liz, Stamford Fri 5th Code Red Iron Horse, Deeping Sat 6th Subway 77 Blue Boar, Eye Scary Clown Punk Night
Mama Liz, Stamford
Grumpy Old Men Iron Horse, Deeping Sat 16th Second Chance Straw Bear, Whittlesey Pat Unwin Mama Liz, Stamford Lizzy on the Loose Iron Horse, Deeping Fri 22nd High Fidelity Mama Liz, Stamford Sat 23rd Front Cover Blue Boar, Eye Standby Banana Mama Liz, Stamford Sun 24th Mod Story Crown, Uppingham Mod Scooter Show Charters, P’boro Fri 29th The Steradents Blue Boar, Eye Tom Wright Band Iron Horse, Deeping Sat 30th Mainstreet Straw Bear, Whittlesey Sun 31st Dan Perrin, 4pm Mama Liz, Stamford
Mama Liz, Stamford
Captain Obvious Charters, P’boro The Tunnel Iron Horse, Deeping Fri 12th The Rock n Blues Covers Band Iron Horse, Deeping
Sat 13th The Relics Straw Bear, Whittlesey Rapture Blue Boar, Eye Tom Seals Trio Charters, P’boro Fri 19th Grounded Iron Horse, Deeping Sat 20th Hooker Blue Boar, Eye The Rezillos Mama Liz, Stamford Steelyard Blues Band Charters, P’boro Skyfight Iron Horse, Deeping Fri 26th Skullduggery Iron Horse, Deeping Sat 27th Triple 7 Blue Boar, Eye The Lurkers Mama Liz, Stamford Kamikaze Hotshots Straw Bear, Whittlesey
The Fedz Iron Horse, Deeping Sun 28th Roadrunner Crown, Uppingham
30 | CAMRA Contacts Branch Committee Secretary: Dickie Bird 4 Cissbury Ring,Werrington Peterborough, PE4 6QH 01733 574226 (tel & fax) 07731 993896 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: Neil Holmes 07474 758194 pubs-officer@real-ale.org.uk
Press Officer: Mike Blakesley 01733 390828 (h) 07747 617527 (m) press-officer@real-ale.org.uk
Young Members: Kara Williams young-members@real-ale.org.uk
Membership: Bob Melville 07941 246693 membership@real-ale.org.uk
Festival Org: Mike Lane 07850 334203 festival-organiser@real-ale.org.uk
LocAle Officer: Dave McLennan 01733 346059 (h) 07854 642773 (m) locale@real-ale.org.uk Webmaster: Harry Morten webmaster@real-ale.org.uk
Brewery Liaison Officers Blue Bell: John Hunt 07923 489917 Bexar County Brewery & Mile Tree Brewery: Steve Williams 07756 066503 Castor Ales: Mike Lane 07850 334203 Digfield: Dave Waller 07821 912605
Elgoods: John Hunt 07923 489917
Hopshackle: Noel Ryland 07944 869656
Kings Cliffe Brewery: Mike Blakesley 07747 617527
Melbourn: Lew Clayton 01780 765063
Nene Valley: Bob Melville 07941 246693
Oakham Ales: Dave Allett 07966 344417 Tydd Steam: John Hunt 07923 489917
Star Brewing Company: Dave McLennan 07854 642773. Xtreme Ales: Matt Mace 07809 629241
Trading Standards
08545 040506 www.consumerdirect.gov.uk Check out our website at: www.real-ale.org.uk
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Real Ales!
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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.
Planning a wedding or special family event? We have lots of packages available including our new Green Room facility. Please call for further details. 200 Broadway, Yaxley Tel: 01733 244885 Email: thefarmers@btconnect.com
www.thefarmersyaxley.co.uk