Mad Cow Issue 70

to their cosy English pub and restaurant in the heart of Winkfield.

Jean and Phil Lacey welcome you to their cosy English pub and restaurant in the heart of Winkfield.

Just 4 miles from Windsor Castle and 3 miles from Ascot Racecourse.

Just 4 miles from Windsor Castle and 3 miles from Ascot Racecourse.

Prince, Crowthorne

Prince, Crowthorne

Foundry Bell, Wokingham

Foundry Bell, Wokingham

I made a couple of visits to the Prince in Crowthorne over the Christmas and New Year period, and was pleasantly surprised by the very high standard of the real ales on offer. On my first visit, a fresh cask of Abbot Reserve was being served, which tasted glorious. I expressed my satisfaction to the landlord and he informed me it was given a 5 out of 5 score by the Cask Marque Inspector just that morning. A week later I popped in again and sampled a pint of Hardys & Hansons Olde Trip, which was in equally superb condition.

I made a couple of visits to the Prince in Crowthorne over the Christmas and New Year period, and was pleasantly surprised by the very high standard of the real ales on offer. On my first visit, a fresh cask of Abbot Reserve was being served, which tasted glorious. I expressed my satisfaction to the landlord and he informed me it was given a 5 out of 5 score by the Cask Marque Inspector just that morning A week later I popped in again and sampled a pint of Hardys & Hansons Olde Trip, which was in equally superb condition.

The Prince is a Greene King house, previously named the Prince Alfred after the second son of Queen Victoria, who visited the area as a 12 year old in 1856. Offering up to six cask beers, the staff and regular customers give visitors a friendly welcome. The spacious interior has various different areas in which to sit and relax.

The Prince is a Greene King house, previously named the Prince Alfred after the second son of Queen Victoria, who visited the area as a 12 year old in 1856. Offering up to six cask beers, the staff and regular customers give visitors a friendly welcome. The spacious interior has various different areas in which to sit and relax.

In other positive Greene King news, the Rose and Thistle in Reading has recently reopened. This pub was closed ‘until further notice’ by Greene King in 2020 due to the pandemic, sparking a 900-strong petition to save the Argyle Road venue. Editor.

In other positive Greene King news, the Rose and Thistle in Reading has recently reopened This pub was closed ‘until further notice’ by Greene King in 2020 due to the pandemic, sparking a 900-strong petition to save the Argyle Road venue. Editor.

Following a major three-month renovation project, Wokingham’s newest pub officially opened its doors to customers just before Christmas.

Following a major three-month renovation project, Wokingham’s newest pub officially opened its doors to customers just before Christmas

100 years since the opening of the original public house, The Foundry Bell located on London Road has taken over the site of the former Loch Fyne.

100 years since the opening of the original public house, The Foundry Bell located on London Road has taken over the site of the former Loch Fyne.

Mason Gray, General Manager at The Foundry Bell, said: “After months of renovation, the whole team look forward to welcoming locals dropping in for a pint by the fireplace, friends getting together or families hosting celebrations in our new pub.

Mason Gray, General Manager at The Foundry Bell, said: “After months of renovation, the whole team look forward to welcoming locals dropping in for a pint by the fireplace, friends getting together or families hosting celebrations in our new pub.

“We’ve considered every detail, from our beautiful new interior and exterior, to our hand-picked local suppliers, everything is in place to make sure we can give guests a memorable experience.”

“We’ve considered every detail, from our beautiful new interior and exterior, to our hand-picked local suppliers, everything is in place to make sure we can give guests a memorable experience.”

New interiors include a brand-new bar, wine room housing over 95 bottles of world wines, 14-seat private dining room and an outdoor heated snug and seating.

New interiors include a brand-new bar, wine room housing over 95 bottles of world wines, 14-seat private dining room and an outdoor heated snug and seating.

Focussing on championing seasonal, local produce and suppliers, and seating up to 250 guests at any one time, the new layout accommodates all dining and drinking occasions, including cosy nooks and armchairs by the original working fireplaces to banquet areas for dining parties.

Focussing on championing seasonal, local produce and suppliers, and seating up to 250 guests at any one time, the new layout accommodates all dining and drinking occasions, including cosy nooks and armchairs by the original working fireplaces to banquet areas for dining parties.

Jack O’Newbury, Binfield

include the erection of single storey front and rear extension and a two-storey side extension, in addition to changing of use of land to form additional car parking area. Perhaps this is good news if they intend to keep the property for commercial use Fingers crossed!

Peter Lucey, Pub Protection Officer

The future of one of our favourite traditional pubs in Binfield, the Jack O’Newbury remains in the balance. The original planning application includes a provision for a licenced premises, so we remain optimistic, but the pub is currently shuttered, and an “All Enquiries” sign exists for the entire plot. A new application has been submitted to vary the conditions of the approved plans to

10 Fun Facts about Beer

By Anthony Springall

Are you tired of boring facts found in Christmas crackers, if so, please find below some 10 amazing facts concerning your favourite drink. I hope the following trivia will settle a few arguments.

1. Around 160,000 pints of Guinness are wasted annually, caught on facial hair.

2. Carlsberg Special Brew was first produced in 1950 to celebrate a visit to the brewery by Winston Churchill.

3. The most expensive bottle of beer ever sold for $503,300 being an 1875 bottle of Allsopps Arctic Ale produced for the expedition to the Antarctic led by Sir George Nares

4. Carrying on the theme of expensive beers, the most expensive city to drink beer is Doha, Qatar at a staggering £11.37 per pint. No wonder there was so little trouble at the World Cup.

5. The country with the biggest thirst is the Czech Republic where they drink 142.6 litres per person. The UK comes a modest 27th at 67.7 litres per person.

6. The strongest beer in the world (as at Dec 2022) is Snake Venom at a mind blowing 67.5% ABV, brewed by Brewmeister in Keith, Scotland.

7. The biggest brewer in the world is Anheuser-Busch InBev who produce a staggering 581.7 million hectolitres or to put it a different way around 102 billion pints annually.

8. The oldest brewery in the world is Weihenstephan Brewery in Bavaria, Germany that has been in continuous production since 1040. The oldest commercial brewery in the UK is Shepherd Neame who have been producing beer since 1698.

9. Only five pubs have featured in every CAMRA Good Beer Guide, they are 1) The Queens Head, Newton, Cambs, 2) The Square and Compass, Worth Matravers, Dorset, 3) Star Tavern, Belgravia, London, 4) Buckingham Arms, Westminster, London & 5) Roscoe Head, Liverpool, Merseyside.

10. The first brewery to use brown bottles to prevent harmful UV light spoiling the beer inside was the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Co of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1912.

Brewers of the British Isles 1890 to 2021

Brewers of the British Isles 1890 to 2021

By Anthony Springall

By Anthony Springall

Anyone with even a passing interest in brewers history will find this new edition absolutely fascinating. It lists every known British brewery for the last 130 years (over 10,000) and builds upon previous editions produced by the Brewery History Society and created by Norman Barber. It is a weighty tome of almost 400 pages and covers commercial brewers with a small potted history on each brewer such as date founded, public houses owned, brewery takeovers etc. The scale of research to produce such a comprehensive record cannot be underestimated and will be the bible for researchers for many years to come in a similar way to its predecessors. This is not a book to be read cover to cover but instead to be delved into for information and fact finding. In the Berkshire South East branch of CAMRA we have four current brewers listed being Bond Brews, Siren Craft, Outhouse and Elusive. Historically such brewers as Headington and Sons & Baker Powell both of Wokingham and ALS Sellons of Bracknell are remembered. The Brewery History Society have produced the definitive reference book on the subject and are to be thanked for their hard work. Priced at £19.95 + p&p.

Anyone with even a passing interest in brewers history will find this new edition absolutely fascinating. It lists every known British brewery for the last 130 years (over 10,000) and builds upon previous editions produced by the Brewery History Society and created by Norman Barber. It is a weighty tome of almost 400 pages and covers commercial brewers with a small potted history on each brewer such as date founded, public houses owned, brewery takeovers etc. The scale of research to produce such a comprehensive record cannot be underestimated and will be the bible for researchers for many years to come in a similar way to its predecessors. This is not a book to be read cover to cover but instead to be delved into for information and fact finding. In the Berkshire South East branch of CAMRA we have four current brewers listed being Bond Brews, Siren Craft, Outhouse and Elusive. Historically such brewers as Headington and Sons & Baker Powell both of Wokingham and ALS Sellons of Bracknell are remembered. The Brewery History Society have produced the definitive reference book on the subject and are to be thanked for their hard work. Priced at £19.95 + p&p.

Searching for Prized Old Ale

By Roger Protz

An American friend, Julie Johnson, once told me the difference between our two countries is that the US has a past, but Britain has history. As she writes about beer and lived and worked here for several years, she’s well aware that beer has played an important part in our island’s story. I have been attempting to untangle one element of that story since last autumn when the Dark Star brewery in Sussex launched a new batch of Gale’s Prize Old Ale (POA). The 9 per cent beer had been brewed by Gale’s in Horndean, Hampshire since the 1920s and was a blend of aged ale and a fresh young one.

The recipe for POA was brought to Gale’s by a brewer from Yorkshire and it raises the intriguing question: is it a type of beer known in the north as Yorkshire stingo? It’s a beer with a long pedigree and it has also travelled widely.

Between the 18th and 20th centuries, a large pub with its own brewery in

London’s Marylebone district was called the Yorkshire Stingo. Ex-patriate Yorkshire people, along with locals, would gather in large numbers – often as many as 20,000 – to play games in the pub’s garden and drink stingo. The name is thought to come from the sting or kick that strong alcohol gives. The brewery was bought by the Church Army in 1900 and turned into workshops, and the pub was demolished in 1964 to make way for the Marylebone flyover. The brewery’s recipes have disappeared, but if Gale’s POA is descended from stingo then we can gain an impression of what the original may have tasted like.

Fuller’s in West London bought Gale’s in 2005 and closed the brewery a year later. The final 80-barrel batch of POA was moved to the Chiswick plant and stored in a tank. From time to time, head brewer John Keeling would make a new edition by blending 10 per cent of the old beer with a fresh brew.

John says the aged beer was fermented in vessels made from pine and it was impossible to remove all the yeast and natural bacteria trapped in the wood. As a result, the blended beer had an acidic and slightly musty aroma that brewers call “horse blanket”.

The beer brewed by Dark Star is made with the best pale malt, torrefied wheat (similar to popcorn) and black malt. The hops are traditional English Fuggles and Goldings. It has a musty aroma with dates, raisins and sultana fruit. It’s

acidic on the palate, with rich fruit and peppery and spicy hops. The finish is long and fruity with some sweetness that challenges the acidic notes.

Yorkshire stingo has made a comeback in its native region. Christian Horton, head brewer at Samuel Smith’s in Tadcaster, has brewed an 8 per cent interpretation of the style since 2006. He thinks it may have fallen from favour during World War One when brewers couldn’t afford to make strong beers as a result of punitive levels of duty imposed by the government to help finance the armaments industry. His version is not a blend but is aged for a year in oak vessels, some of which are more than 100 years old. It’s brewed with best British ale malt and darker Munich malt that adds both colour and a touch of sweetness. The hops are Fuggles, Goldings, Phoenix and Styrian Goldings. It’s the brewery’s only bottle-conditioned beer and has delicious aromas and flavours of oak, vanilla, butterscotch, raisin fruit and spicy hops.

acidic on the palate, with rich fruit and peppery and spicy hops. The finish is long and fruity with some sweetness that challenges the acidic notes. Yorkshire stingo has made a comeback in its native region. Christian Horton, head brewer at Samuel Smith’s in Tadcaster, has brewed an 8 per cent interpretation of the style since 2006. He thinks it may have fallen from favour during World War One when brewers couldn’t afford to make strong beers as a result of punitive levels of duty imposed by the government to help finance the armaments industry. His version is not a blend but is aged for a year in oak vessels, some of which are more than 100 years old. It’s brewed with best British ale malt and darker Munich malt that adds both colour and a touch of sweetness. The hops are Fuggles, Goldings, Phoenix and Styrian Goldings. It’s the brewery’s only bottle-conditioned beer and has delicious aromas and flavours of oak, vanilla, butterscotch, raisin fruit and spicy hops.

Stingo travelled south. Two breweries in Northampton, Phipps and NBC, both brewed the style. They had the misfortune to be bought and closed by the London brewer Watney Mann, but their beers have been revived by the Albion brewery that makes a 9.5 per cent stingo. The beer is aged in whisky casks for a year – one version was aged for five years.

The owners claim their Spingo ales are 600 years old when the inn started life as a hospice for monks who brewed on the premises but in fact the first Spingo was brewed in the 1920s to welcome soldiers returning from the Great War. The two regular Spingo ales are Middle (5 per cent) and Special (6.6 per cent). While only pale malt is used, the beers have a tawny colour as a result of a long copper boil with Goldings hops during which time some of the malt sugars turn to caramel. The beers are notably fruity and vinous.

The owners claim their Spingo ales are 600 years old when the inn started life as a hospice for monks who brewed on the premises but in fact the first Spingo was brewed in the 1920s to welcome soldiers returning from the Great War. The two regular Spingo ales are Middle (5 per cent) and Special (6.6 per cent). While only pale malt is used, the beers have a tawny colour as a result of a long copper boil with Goldings hops during which time some of the malt sugars turn to caramel. The beers are notably fruity and vinous.

They are available in bottle-conditioned format as well as on draught. Special versions for Easter and Christmas are blends of the regular beers.

Stingo, Spingo, Prize Old Ale – beers that are part of the rich tapestry of historic ales brewed in Britain.

They are available in bottle-conditioned format as well as on draught. Special versions for Easter and Christmas are blends of the regular beers. Stingo, Spingo, Prize Old Ale – beers that are part of the rich tapestry of historic ales brewed in Britain.

Dark Star and Fuller’s breweries are now owned by Asahi. Last November the Japanese group announced it would close Dark Star and move its beers to Chiswick. But it assures me POA will continue to be brewed.?

Dark Star and Fuller’s breweries are now owned by Asahi. Last November the Japanese group announced it would close Dark Star and move its beers to Chiswick. But it assures me POA will continue to be brewed.?

Stingo travelled south. Two breweries in Northampton, Phipps and NBC, both brewed the style. They had the misfortune to be bought and closed by the London brewer Watney Mann, but their beers have been revived by the Albion brewery that makes a 9.5 per cent stingo. The beer is aged in whisky casks for a year – one version was aged for five years. Did stingo journey

Did stingo journey as far as Cornwall?

as far as Cornwall?

The Blue Anchor brew pub in Helston brews beers called Spingo and it’s tempting to think it’s a corruption of the Yorkshire name.

The Blue Anchor brew pub in Helston brews beers called Spingo and it’s tempting to think it’s a corruption of the Yorkshire name.

The Victoria Arms

Traditional English Pub

Award-winning Fuller's real ales with 10% discount for CAMRA members

Traditional home cooked food

Live Sky and BT sports shown

Comfortable surroundings and friendly atmosphere

Fun & Entertainment

Sunday night quiz and Regular live music

Monday club - 15% off all drinks between 5pm & 7pm

A Warm Welcome

Large garden with heated huts

Large heated marquee, free of charge for functions

Dog friendly!

Landlord’s Witter

Landlord’s Witter

By Barry Fenton

By Barry Fenton

Q. What do you most like about the pub trade?

Q. What do you most like about the pub trade?

An Interview with a landlord from a local pub. This time we welcome Rick Haynes, Manager of the Emmbrook Inn, 51 Emmbrook Road, Wokingham, (Yes, that’s him on the front cover!)

An Interview with a landlord from a local pub. This time we welcome Rick Haynes, Manager of the Emmbrook Inn, 51 Emmbrook Road, Wokingham, (Yes, that’s him on the front cover!)

Q. How did you get into pub business and how long have you been at the Emmbrook?

Q. How did you get into pub business and how long have you been at the Emmbrook?

A. I’ve been at the Emmbrook for two years. I’ve done many things before this. I started in engineering in the Midlands, I had my own garage, joined the Fire Service for 12 years and had two fishing tackle shops and a Chinese takeaway. I then went to Thailand where I met my wife and became an English teacher. We returned to England, to look after my Mum. I worked in a care home and in the scaffolding business. Then COVID hit and I came to the Emmbrook, initially to prepare for reopening

A. I’ve been at the Emmbrook for two years. I’ve done many things before this. I started in engineering in the Midlands, I had my own garage, joined the Fire Service for 12 years and had two fishing tackle shops and a Chinese takeaway. I then went to Thailand where I met my wife and became an English teacher. We returned to England, to look after my Mum. I worked in a care home and in the scaffolding business. Then COVID hit and I came to the Emmbrook, initially to prepare for reopening

A. Interaction with customers, the social element, meeting characters who have been using the pub for years and serving them well so that they come back for more

A. Interaction with customers, the social element, meeting characters who have been using the pub for years and serving them well so that they come back for more

Q. And the least?

Q. And the least?

A. Having to deal with customers who overdo it and can become aggressive. I’ve managed to deal with this, and people know when they’re not wanted

A. Having to deal with customers who overdo it and can become aggressive. I’ve managed to deal with this, and people know when they’re not wanted.

Q. What real ales are you selling today and how does this change?

Q. What real ales are you selling today and how does this change?

A. St Austell, Tribute (4.2%), Rebellion, Roasted Nuts (4.6%), Rebellion, IPA (3.7%), and Timothy Taylor, Landlord (4.3%).

A. St Austell, Tribute (4.2%), Rebellion, Roasted Nuts (4.6%), Rebellion, IPA (3.7%), and Timothy Taylor, Landlord (4.3%).

The Roasted Nuts is this month’s special. Next month I will get a new special suggested by my supplier, but I can and do sometimes override this.

The Roasted Nuts is this month’s special. Next month I will get a new special suggested by my supplier, but I can and do sometimes override this.

Q. How important are real ales to your Pub?

Q. How important are real ales to your Pub?

A. Very. I wish that I could do more, but space on the bar and in the cellar is limited. Many people come in just for my real ales

A. Very. I wish that I could do more, but space on the bar and in the cellar is limited. Many people come in just for my real ales

Q. What are your impressions of CAMRA in the area?

Q. What are your impressions of CAMRA in the area?

A. The Good Beer Guide is an excellent tool for promoting real ales, but members need to be more proactive in visiting a wider range of pubs to obtain a better understanding of what’s out there

A. The Good Beer Guide is an excellent tool for promoting real ales, but members need to be more proactive in visiting a wider range of pubs to obtain a better understanding of what’s out there

Q. What plans have you got for your pub in the next year?

A. We’re moving the bar to create a more efficient space to dispense drinks and provide a larger seating area. I have the necessary approvals and hope to do the work early in 2023. I am also in negotiations with Wokingham Council to open a better external drinking and dining area.

Q. What would you like to get over to our readers to encourage them to come into your pub?

A. Obviously the quality of our real ales and a warm welcome for a mix of drinkers and diners. We are dog friendly. We are particularly proud of our authentic Thai food, cooked by experienced Thai chefs, with an option of pub classics and Sunday roasts. We have a hotel with 12 rooms, so we do breakfasts from 8 – 11, which must be prebooked. Also, we have a wide selection of wines, lagers, cocktails and coffee.

Q. How has Covid and the last two years affected your business and the drinking habits of your customers?

A. It has been a total disaster for the hospitality industry. We did takeaways, and, when permitted, outside only drinking, then main meals only, then in small groups. Terrible. It has changed customer habits, some forever. Working from home has impacted hard.

Q. What about the economic prospects this winter? How will this impact your pub and your customers’ spending??

A. Energy costs have had a huge impact on the survival of pubs and hotels, as well as the effect on our customers’ money to spend.

Q. What is the price now of a pint of Real Ale and what do you think that it might be in 12 months?

A. A pint of IPA is now £4.30. I have seen the way others are going and increased suppliers’ prices in the pipeline, so I reckon £6. I hope to be proven wrong.

Q. What wrong would you most like to put right in the pub trade?

A. The continued relaxing of tied trade

Q. Which celebrity would you most like to work behind your bar and why?

A. Peter Kay, because he’s an entertainer, a people person

Thanks, Rick. All the best for the future, which we know won’t be easy!

Cheers, Barry Fenton.

Search on for Best Brewers’ Tattoo

Search on for Best Brewers’ Tattoo

The beer industry has awards for many things and now there is one for brewers’ tattoos.

The beer industry has awards for many things and now there is one for brewers’ tattoos.

The American Craft Beer Marketing Awards (CBMAS) has announced a new category at its annual awards for the brewer with the best beer-related tattoo.

The American Craft Beer Marketing Awards (CBMAS) has announced a new category at its annual awards for the brewer with the best beer-related tattoo.

The CBMAS has opened entries for its fourth annual competition and the inspiration for the new award was the popularity of tattoos in the industry.

The CBMAS has opened entries for its fourth annual competition and the inspiration for the new award was the popularity of tattoos in the industry.

CBMAS co-founder Jim McCune said tattoos and craft beer were “synonymous” with brewing.

CBMAS co-founder Jim McCune said tattoos and craft beer were “synonymous” with brewing.

“Tattoos are empowering, they look awesome and they just make life cooler.” he said. “The CBMAS brand is covered in ink – from our judges to our graphics, and Crushie trophy.”

“Tattoos are empowering, they look awesome and they just make life cooler.” he said. “The CBMAS brand is covered in ink – from our judges to our graphics, and Crushie trophy.”

All of the proceeds from its new category (Best Beer/Brewing-related

All of the proceeds from its new category (Best Beer/Brewing-related

Tattoo) will be donated to The Michael James Jackson Foundation (MJF), an organisation which funds scholarship awards to Black, indigenous, and people of colour within the brewing and distilling trades for a more just, equitable, and dynamic future.

Tattoo) will be donated to The Michael James Jackson Foundation (MJF), an organisation which funds scholarship awards to Black, indigenous, and people of colour within the brewing and distilling trades for a more just, equitable, and dynamic future.

“We are helping literally change the face of American brewing,” said Garrett Oliver, founder and chair of MJF and brewmaster at the Brooklyn brewery.

“We are helping literally change the face of American brewing,” said Garrett Oliver, founder and chair of MJF and brewmaster at the Brooklyn brewery.

For more information visit https://craftbeermarketingawards.com/

For more information visit https://craftbeermarketingawards.com/

The Queen’s Oak and Bar Billiards

The Queen’s Oak and Bar Billiards

By Kevin Lenton

By Kevin Lenton

The 18th century Queen’s Oak pub, in Finchampstead is famous for two reasons, firstly it is the only pub of that name in England and secondly it was where I first played bar billiards!

The 18th century Queen’s Oak pub, in Finchampstead is famous for two reasons, firstly it is the only pub of that name in England and secondly it was where I first played bar billiards!

As a teenager I lived in Finchampstead (not the posh bit!) and locals told me that the White Horse Lane that runs alongside of the pub was haunted by a woman on a white horse, but I think that copious amounts of Breakspear’s beer may have been an influence.

As a teenager I lived in Finchampstead (not the posh bit!) and locals told me that the White Horse Lane that runs alongside of the pub was haunted by a woman on a white horse, but I think that copious amounts of Breakspear’s beer may have been an influence.

There were other paranormal reported activities including customers seeing dark shadowy figures, and loud unexplained banging sounds. The ghost of a female has been blamed for this and it is said that she was a regular at the pub who lived locally and liked the pub so much that she still visits after her death.

There were other paranormal reported activities including customers seeing dark shadowy figures, and loud unexplained banging sounds. The ghost of a female has been blamed for this and it is said that she was a regular at the pub who lived locally and liked the pub so much that she still visits after her death.

This historic pub was originally called The White Horse, but was renamed after Queen Victoria planted an oak tree opposite the pub.

This historic pub was originally called The White Horse, but was renamed after Queen Victoria planted an oak tree opposite the pub.

The game of bar billiards developed originally from the French billiard, which due to the expensive tables in the fifteenth century was played only by the French monarchy and the very rich. The game was transformed into Billiard Russe during the 16th century for the Russian Tsars and a derivative of Bagatelle played by French royalty.

The game of bar billiards developed originally from the French billiard, which due to the expensive tables in the fifteenth century was played only by the French monarchy and the very rich. The game was transformed into Billiard Russe during the 16th century for the Russian Tsars and a derivative of Bagatelle played by French royalty.

Bar billiards was first imported into the UK during the early 1930s by a David Gill. The game was very popular, particularly in Berkshire but I do not know of anywhere in Berkshire where it still can be played.

Bar billiards was first imported into the UK during the early 1930s by a David Gill. The game was very popular, particularly in Berkshire but I do not know of anywhere in Berkshire where it still can be played.

It was played on a unique table with no side or corner pockets but with nine holes in the playing surface which are assigned various point values ranging from 10 to 200. There are eight balls in all, seven white and one red. Potting the red ball in any hole scores double points. On the playfield are normally placed three pegs or mushrooms. There are two white pegs one either side of the ‘100’ hole, with one black peg in front of the ‘200’ hole.

It was played on a unique table with no side or corner pockets but with nine holes in the playing surface which are assigned various point values ranging from 10 to 200. There are eight balls in all, seven white and one red. Potting the red ball in any hole scores double points. On the playfield are normally placed three pegs or mushrooms. There are two white pegs one either side of the ‘100’ hole, with one black peg in front of the ‘200’ hole.

If a white peg is knocked over then the player's break is ended and all score acquired during that break is discarded. Knocking down the black peg ends the player's break and all points are lost. The rules are more complex than that but I will not bore you with all the details.

I remember once playing in the Queen’s Oak and one of the pins had gone missing and a pepper pot was used instead.

If a white peg is knocked over then the player's break is ended and all score acquired during that break is discarded. Knocking down the black peg ends the player's break and all points are lost. The rules are more complex than that but I will not bore you with all the details I remember once playing in the Queen’s Oak and one of the pins had gone missing and a pepper pot was used instead.

BREWERY NEWS

Hogs Back Brewery

On Saturday November 19th a few friends and I took a trip to the Hogs Back Brewery in Tongham, Surrey, to attend a brewery tour. Hogs Back is of course a well-known Real Ale brewery, famed for many beers including its award-winning Traditional English Ale (TEA) - sold in The Crispin among other pubs.

I’d done the tour a couple of times prior to lockdown, and was keen to see how Hogs Back were doing. To my untutored eye, very well indeed! We took the early 10:30 tour –all others were sold out. The nearest station, Ash, is a direct train from Wokingham. I’d advise a taxi from the station to the Brewery – it’s a longish walk, and by main roads, so not that pleasant. (But you could pop in to The Cricketers if thirsty half-way through.)

The tours are always informative and fun, Bruce, our guide, was an excellent host. Beers are supplied generously throughout the tour: new was a video introduction. Then the brewery itself, then to the new and extended taproom estate. We took in the busy shop, and the ample outdoor seating (more of a summer thing than November!) with views up the hill to the Hogs Back itself.

The celebrated hop field on the east side of the road (“The St.”) has been sold (by the farmer, from whom it was rented) for a new housing development. I think that was always a possibility. However Hogs Back have transplanted their hops to a field on the western side of their estate, where it can be seen from the outdoor area and the Taproom. When I say Taproom, it’s more a major bar, with lots of room for drinking fresh beer and eating their excellent woodfired pizzas. There is also an adjoining huge seating area called the Hangar Bar - note the screen for that afternoon’s Rugby International. As we took an early tour, we didn’t stay for the 16:00 kick off. But the place was filling up, with many enjoying the varied beers, of course direct from the brewery. The bar is open till 11pm Thursday to Saturday, and on Sunday till 6pm: it is in the Good Beer Guide.

We had a great time, and the trip was excellent value. I have added to my collection of Hogs Back glasses (supplied with the tour, of course – I upgraded to the pint this time). My only regret was not having bought a house on the old hop field estate. A very short stroll to the Taproom and also not far to the Cricketers in Tongham village.

Peter Lucey – Pub Protection Officer

Elusive Brewing

Elusive Brewing

The Brewer of the Year title, sponsored by SIBA, was presented to Andy Parker, founder and head brewer at Elusive Brewing, who won the highest number of votes in a poll of Guild members.

The Brewer of the Year title, sponsored by SIBA, was presented to Andy Parker, founder and head brewer at Elusive Brewing, who won the highest number of votes in a poll of Guild members.

Presenting the Award, Guild Chair Emma Inch said: “Andy’s passion for brewing shows in every beer he produces, and what ends up in the glass is always a shining example of its style. He hasn’t forgotten his homebrew roots, running an annual competition that gives the winner a platform to brew their own beer, and benefit from his time and knowledge as a mentor.”

Presenting the Award, Guild Chair Emma Inch said: “Andy’s passion for brewing shows in every beer he produces, and what ends up in the glass is always a shining example of its style. He hasn’t forgotten his homebrew roots, running an annual competition that gives the winner a platform to brew their own beer, and benefit from his time and knowledge as a mentor.”

In other Elusive news…

In other Elusive news…

Its flagship beer Oregon Trail West Coast IPA features in CAMRA’s new book, World’s Greatest Beers which showcases 250 of the best beers from around the world and was compiled by eight award-winning authors.

Its flagship beer Oregon Trail West Coast IPA features in CAMRA’s new book, World’s Greatest Beers which showcases 250 of the best beers from around the world and was compiled by eight award-winning authors.

Also, Elusive’s taproom is officially in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for the first time. Elusive’s I’m Gonne Bee Imperial Honey Stout, has been awarded Best In Show at the National Honey Show. Another prestigious CAMRA award was recently presented to Andy, to recognise Overdrive Lap 28 as the Beer of the Festival at last October’s Ascot Beer Festival. Organiser, Mike Smith made the presentation.

Also, Elusive’s taproom is officially in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for the first time. Elusive’s I’m Gonne Bee Imperial Honey Stout, has been awarded Best In Show at the National Honey Show.

Another prestigious CAMRA award was recently presented to Andy, to recognise Overdrive Lap 28 as the Beer of the Festival at last October’s Ascot Beer Festival. Organiser, Mike Smith made the presentation.

Elusive Brewing’s Overdrive Lap28 is described as “a classic American Pale Ale with a malt base, boosted by crystal malt, providing the track on which high octane US hops are unleashed to provide a beer that’s as dry as asphalt, powerfully aromatic and as bitter as being overtaken on the last bend.”

Elusive Brewing’s Overdrive Lap28 is described as “a classic American Pale Ale with a malt base, boosted by crystal malt, providing the track on which high octane US hops are unleashed to provide a beer that’s as dry as asphalt, powerfully aromatic and as bitter as being overtaken on the last bend.”

The Outhouse Brewery

Wokingham’s only brewpub, The Outhouse Microbrewery and Micropub/Tap Room has become very popular and is now taking the opportunity to expand into the premises next door. The work will be carried out with minimum disruption to the opening hours of the current unit, and the extended tap room is intended to open in early Spring. Those who are regular customers will be delighted to hear there will be a second loo!

All the Outhouse’s own beers are unfiltered, unpasteurised and dispensed via key keg and so meet CAMRA’s definition of real ale.

If you haven’t already paid the Outhouse a visit, do give it a try. Enthusiastic Bar Manager Annie will be happy to talk you through the beers available. You can of course try a paddle board - your choice of three one third glasses of any of the beers on tap.

There are drinks other than beer available, including a range of ciders from Berkshire producer Tutts Clump.

Opening Hours: Monday / Tuesday Closed Wednesday / Thursday 4:30pm to 10:00pm Friday / Saturday 12:00pm to10:00pm Sunday 1:00pm to 8:00pm

See theouthousebrewery.com for further details

Bond Brews

The Bond Brews outdoor tap yard events had a good run in 2022 and will be back for another season this year. The first will be held in April, but at the time of writing, the dates are yet to be announced.

Each Bond Brews Tap Yard event will have up to six ales on draught plus local cider, Prosecco, soft drinks and, of course, food from a variety of local caterers, who will be there in rotation. As before, table service will remain, as will payment by credit card.

For the rugby Six Nations Championship in February, Scrum Five will return for another year.

For St. George's Day (23rd April), Thirst Slayer will be back. This is a Best Bitter, brewed using five types of malted barley and wheat and five hop varieties for bitterness and a fruity aroma.

Throughout the year, the shop at the brewery and the online shop will be open to take orders.

For further details and current beer availability, visit www.bondbrews.co.uk.

The Beer Festival Guide

The Beer Festival Guide

By Simon Grist

By Simon Grist

Updates on our website. Go to bit.ly/MCbeerfests

Updates on our website. Go to bit.ly/MCbeerfests

17th – 18th February 2023: Old Windsor BeerFest

owbeerfest.co.uk

17th – 18th February 2023: Old Windsor BeerFest owbeerfest.co.uk

A second beer festival organised by this community group, now extended to include a Friday evening session. Last year featured 12 ales and 4 draught beers from local breweries plus 4 ciders. Located on the Number 8 bus route between Egham and Slough.

A second beer festival organised by this community group, now extended to include a Friday evening session. Last year featured 12 ales and 4 draught beers from local breweries plus 4 ciders. Located on the Number 8 bus route between Egham and Slough.

15th – 19th March 2023: Happy Man Englefield Green Beer Festival thehappyman.co.uk

15th – 19th March 2023: Happy Man Englefield Green Beer Festival thehappyman.co.uk

The 3rd week in March is famous for 2 things: the Cheltenham Festival of horseracing and the Happy Man Spring Beer Festival! Once again they coincide. Expect around 14 real ales over the festival, plus a few ciders.

The 3rd week in March is famous for 2 things: the Cheltenham Festival of horseracing and the Happy Man Spring Beer Festival! Once again they coincide. Expect around 14 real ales over the festival, plus a few ciders.

17th – 18th March 2023: Wantage Beer Festival

whitehorse.camra.org.uk/viewnode.php?id=179556

17th – 18th March 2023: Wantage Beer Festival whitehorse.camra.org.uk/viewnode.php?id=179556

Information is in short supply at the time of going to press, but it appears that White Horse branch of CAMRA will be resuming their beer festival at the Beacon Wantage after a Covidenforced break. Previous runnings have featured around 28 real ales and 6 ciders/perries.

Information is in short supply at the time of going to press, but it appears that White Horse branch of CAMRA will be resuming their beer festival at the Beacon Wantage after a Covidenforced break. Previous runnings have featured around 28 real ales and 6 ciders/perries.

6th – 8th April 2023: Egham Beer Festival

6th – 8th April 2023: Egham Beer Festival

eghambeerfestival.co.uk

eghambeerfestival.co.uk

The charity beer festivals at Egham United Services Club have become renown amongst the beer “scooping” community for showcasing brand new breweries and beers. Expect around 50 ales, plus a good selection of ciders & perries. Reduced entry for CAMRA members. A short walk from Egham station.

The charity beer festivals at Egham United Services Club have become renown amongst the beer “scooping” community for showcasing brand new breweries and beers. Expect around 50 ales, plus a good selection of ciders & perries. Reduced entry for CAMRA members. A short walk from Egham station.

20th – 22nd April 2023: Farnham BeerEx

20th – 22nd April 2023: Farnham BeerEx

farnhambeerex.org.uk

farnhambeerex.org.uk

First established in 1977, BeerEx is run jointly by the Farnham Lions and Surrey Hants Borders branch of CAMRA at Farnham Maltings. This year, they advertise 60 real ales, 30 ciders & perries, and for the first time a “craft” bar.

First established in 1977, BeerEx is run jointly by the Farnham Lions and Surrey Hants Borders branch of CAMRA at Farnham Maltings. This year, they advertise 60 real ales, 30 ciders & perries, and for the first time a “craft” bar.

A historic pub in Wokingham, The Ship Inn is a wonderful grade -II-listed coaching inn dating back 400 years. It might be old, but it’s never been left behind - and a respectful refurbishment in 2015 means the pub feels every bit as fresh as the fabulous food and beer it serves.

Open for Walk In or Pre Book a table

Berkshire South East CAMRA

Pub of the year 2020

• A large, very popular venue for all age groups, a number of eating and drinking areas.

• Full range of Fullers Real & Craft Ales along with a wide range of other drinks.

• Live sport shown on large screens (Volume turned down)

Low Alcohol Treats

By Christian Gott

If you visit any fancy restaurant you will be swamped with the choices available from the wine list, from the house white to bottles costing a king's ransom but isn't it amazing that you are rarely if ever offered the beer list. Beer is the most popular alcoholic drink in the world but the art of pairing food with a beer is not common. Why have a Chablis with fish or a Cabernet Sauvignon with beef when there are some great alternatives in the brewers repetoire. Like most people I look to kickstart a bit of a detox after the festive season. Who can forget all those epic Christmas ales with their punchy ABVs? So, this got me thinking a little bit about the range of free from beers now available. These are suitable not only if you are looking at low or no alcohol but can also be gluten free and vegan friendly. Alcohol free used to be a nightmare but now there are some excellent brews.

If your palate is a bit jaded after all the Christmas excesses, then beers with plenty of dryhopping and refreshing carbonisation are going to be the number one choice. My first is Adnams Ghost Ship 0.5%. Multiple reviews describe this filtered beer as virtually indistinguishable from the full-fat version and, when you pour it, it certainly looks the part. There are citrus and sweet tropical fruit aromas from the hopping and plenty of body which is often lacking in reduced alcohol beers and a pleasant dry finish. This is a great beer to drink with a curry and as it’s vegan friendly you can partner it with a good lentil dahl with lots of ginger, coriander and chilli. The hoppy notes will really help bring out these flavours and the dahl is vegan and gluten-free like the beer.

While Adnams uses a clever bit of kit to remove the alcohol from a conventionally brewed beer, my next choice is made by a brewery set up to brew low and no-alcohol beer. The Big Drop Brewing Company from Ipswich, Suffolk produces a full range of styles with a naturally low ABV. This means there is no need to remove the alcohol and potentially reduce the flavour of the finished product. Its Uptime Lager is full flavoured but lighter in its use of hops than Ghost Ship. Light floral aromas are followed by an almost biscuity maltiness and a hint of spice, caramel, and orange. It is gluten-free, vegan and get this, it’s around a third the calories of a full alcohol lager. This is a great session beer and perfect with pretty much any

There is a beer for that! (or pairing food with beer)

If you visit any fancy restaurant you will be swamped with the choices available from the wine list, from the house white to bottles costing a king's ransom but isn't it amazing that you are rarely if ever offered the beer list. Beer is the most popular alcoholic drink in the world but the art of pairing food with a beer is not common. Why have a Chablis with fish or a Cabernet Sauvignon with beef when there are some great alternatives in the brewers repetoire.

or light? High carbonation or low? You’ll see in a moment why this is so important.

It’s easy to get caught up in individual flavours, but take a step back and think about the overall balance of the beer. What ingredient dominates? Hops, malt, yeast, or some specialty ingredient?

2. Find common ground

Beer is more like food than you might realize. Because there are over 100 beer styles, almost every flavour you can find in food you can also find in beer. Tropical fruit, smokey, salt, bread – beer has it all. It’s really the all purpose beverage.

Look for flavours that complement one another, like the chocolate flavours in a vanilla stout (Binghams ?) with those in a piece of chocolate cake. Or the citrus flavours in smoked salmon with those in a US West Coast style pale ale (Oakham's Citra ?).

3. Don’t let one dominate

There are a number of simple rules to apply and you can then enjoy a wide variety of beers with different foods from the starter, through the mains and onto desserts and the cheese board.

1. Use your senses

It’s hard to pair when you don’t know what your beer tastes like. Start out by taking a couple short sniffs of your beer. What do you smell? Fruit? Roast? Grass? Your nose is actually a better tool than your palate when it comes to picking up ingredients.

When you’re done getting a feel for the aroma, go ahead and take a sip. When your goal is food pairings, pay special attention to the mouthfeel of the beer. Is it full-bodied

Intensity is crucial in pairing beer with food. Think “delicate food, delicate beer” and “bold food, bold beer”. Here’s an example of doing it wrong. Pair smoked ribs drenched in BBQ sauce with a light session golden ale and the poor, delicate ale doesn’t stand a chance.

Intensely flavoured food will cover up lighter beers, and intensely flavoured beers will cover up lighter foods. You want to achieve a harmony. The alcohol percentage is a good guideline because the higher the alcohol, the stronger the flavours need to be to balance it out. If a beer is above 6%, don’t pair it with lighter foods like fish, salad, and eggs.

Oktoberfest – Plan Early!

By Anthony Springall

recognise today. On the centenary in 1910 the total beer consumed was a modest 210,000 pints and a tradition was already in place that Oktoberfest beers would be stronger than the normal offering at around 6% ABV. The beers themselves are either a darker Marzen style or the lighter Festbier but these will have been brewed by one of the six breweries represented at the festival. The breweries are:

• Augustiner-Brau

Anyone who enjoys beer cannot have failed to know about Oktoberfest, held annually in the city of Munich, Germany where huge quantities of beer are consumed accompanied by Oompah bands, Bratwurst sausages and comely waitresses in traditional costume. It runs from mid September till the first Sunday in October and is between 16 to 18 days long. In that period around 10+ million pints of beer will be served (the record in 2014 was 13.6 million pints) and all the beer will have come from local Munich brewers.

The first Oktoberfest was in 1811 as an agricultural show with horse racing, a funfair and it slowly grew until the late 19th century when it became the show piece we would

• Hacker-Pschorr-Brau

• Lowenbrau

• Paulaner

• Spatenbrau

• Hofbrau-Munchen

Each brewery has a number of tents of varying sizes where its beers will be served in the traditional litre steins. The larger tents can accommodate up to 7000 guests seated plus a further 4000 outside whilst even the small tents will generally hold around 400 guests. Around 6 million guests will visit during the festival with the vast majority coming from Bavaria whilst around 15% will have come from abroad. Prices for a litre of beer are high at around 13 Euro and these do not vary much between tents

LocAle is a nationwide CAMRA campaign to encourage pubs to stock at least one locallybrewed real ale, of acceptable quality.

Here in Berkshire South-East, we have a number of breweries which, although not right on our doorstep, we can easily classify as local. For our branch purposes, we have defined “local” to mean within 25 miles driving distance from the centre of our branch in Bracknell.

We now have an increasing number of pubs in our area regularly selling beers from these local brewers. But there are still plenty more yet to participate in the LocAle campaign.

Accredited LocAle Outlets

Your CAMRA Branch would love to receive your comments about the pubs you visit either by email to: madcow@seberks.camra.org.uk alternatively submit an update at:

LocAle Breweries

* Supplied in Key Keg Only

We wish to accredit more pubs under the LocAle scheme that are selling locally-brewed beers, of good quality. We want to help promote LocAle, by campaigning for pubs to stock a local beer, and to provide point of sale material in support of this.

But it is also down to you, the drinker, to make your voice known about local beers. Ask the licensee at your local to try and obtain a beer from one of the breweries listed on this page – many will be very pleased to supply if they are allowed! And, if your local pub DOES put one of these fine ales on, please let us know. The best way to do this is to contact the Branch LocAle Coordinator. We can then publicise it on our website and in this branch magazine