beerlines the magazine of the North Hampshire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale ISSUE 2 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013
FREE pleas e take a copy
I n Th i s I s s u e . . . • Longdog Brewery • Poplar Farm
6-7 13
• Congratulations
Jabberwocky 16 • Diary Dates 10 • PLUS... campaigning; beer scoring; beer crawls by foot, cycle and bus; quizzes and a brand new recipe!
WWW.CA M R AHANTSNO RTH.O R G .UK
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
beerlines
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North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 2 | SUMMER 2013
beerlines
North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Branch Contacts Editor and Branch Chairman Jonathan Pain e: beerlines@hotmail.co.uk Branch Secretary & Distribution Manager Jeff Salt e: secretary@camrahantsnorth.org.uk All officers can be contacted securely through our website (see below): Pubs and Clubs Officer - Andy Wootten Membership Secretary - Brenda Cross Branch Contact / Festival Organiser - Phil Myatt Vice Chair/Social Secretary - Helen Casson Branch Treasurer - Doug Cross Webmaster - Ian Butler West of Area (sub-branch) / Regional Director John Buckley
Web: www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk Twitter: @CamRAHantsNorth Facebook: ‘North Hampshire CAMRA’ The Editor reserves the right to amend or shorten contributions for publication. All editorial copyright © North Hampshire CAMRA 2013 Disclaimer: Views expressed in this publication are those of their individual authors and are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor, branch committee or the Campaign for Real Ale nationally. North Hampshire CAMRA accepts no liability in relation to the accuracy of advertisements; readers must rely on their own enquiries. It should also be noted that acceptance of an advertisement in this publication should not be deemed an endorsement of quality by North Hampshire CAMRA.
Trading Standards (Hampshire) Montgomery House, Monarch Way, Winchester SO22 5PW t: 01962 833620 e: tsadvice@hants.gov.uk www.hants.gov.uk Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. 230 Hatfield Road, St. Albans, Herts, AL1 4LW t: 01727 867 201 e: camra@camra.org.uk www.camra.org.uk
PUBLISHED BY
© 2013 Capital Media Group. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be transmitted, reproduced, recorded, photocopied or otherwise without the express written permission of the copyright holder.
Message from the Chairman A warm welcome to you
W
elcome to the second issue of Beer Lines in its new form. Whether you are a CAMRA member or not, we hope that you will take a free copy and take some time to read up on who we are and what we are doing in the local area. If you feel inclined to ‘join up and join in’ please contact myself (or one of the branch officers) using the website or details opposite. Every three months there will be a new edition and we plan to make the magazine, informative, lively and readable. CAMRA has been campaigning for real ale, community pubs and consumer rights since 1971. As a part of the national organisation, which now boasts more than 145,000 members, our Branch aims to: - hold welcome events for new members and encourage involvement in campaigning and Branch activities; - encourage more pubs to offer discounts to CAMRA members and promote beer scoring, leading to an improved annual ‘Good Beer Guide’ - encourage our existing membership to get involved in campaigning through an increase in social events. We encourage you to let us know what you think of the magazine and its content and look forward to hearing your ideas for future articles Cheers! Jonathan Pain
(Branch Chairman and Magazine Editor, North Hampshire CAMRA)
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
Capital Media Group 2 Halifax Court, Fernwood Business Park Cross Lane, Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, NG24 3JP t: 01636 302 302 e: beerlines@thisiscapital.com www.thisiscapital.com
Issue 2 | SUMMER 2013
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beerlines
North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 2 | SUMMER 2013
THE
SWAN HOTEL
KINGSCLERE • A.D.1449
5 Handpumps Serving a Wide Range of Real Ales Contemporary Menu of Homecooked Food 9 Ensuite Bedrooms In the Good Beer Guide since 1991
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
www.swankingsclere.co.uk
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Come and visit our traditional village pub with its open fires, oak beams and warm, friendly welcome. Try our delicious home-cooked food, which uses fresh quality ingredients and is renowned for its excellence. • Child friendly & dog friendly • Selection of real ales from local breweries plus guest ales • Extensive choice of fine wines at affordable prices • Freshly ground coffee • Enclosed beer garden • Open every day from midday
BEER & MUSIC FESTIVAL 24TH & 25TH AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND
Wide selection of Real Ales
The George Inn Vernham Dean, SP11 0JY t: 01264 737279 e: georgeinn@rocketmail.com
www.thegeorge atvernhamdean.co.uk
beerlines
North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 2 | SUMMER 2013
The Armchair Activist What you can do for CAMRA Become A Member • Sign up through the website or complete the form included within this magazine www. camra.org.uk/join
• Suggest any items that you would like to see included in future issues • Help distribute the magazine to your local pubs and/or clubs
Help With The Campaign
Meet Up With Like-Minded People
• Submit beer scores, add or update pub information on WhatPub whatpub.com/ beerscoring
• Visit us at a social event, beer festival or branch meeting (please see the branch website)
• Read and support CAMRA’s campaigns www.camra.org.uk/campaigns • Lobby your MP about pub issues that affect your local area www.theyworkforyou.com
Visit Our Branch Website www. camrahantsnorth.org.uk • Vote for your local branch Pub and/or Club of the year • Submit pub news • Find out what is happening within the branch area, including selected beer festivals • Sign up to our Yahoo! mailing list groups yahoo.com/group/camrahantsnorth • Join us on Facebook (North Hampshire CAMRA) www.facebook.com/ groups/80312484117
membership and/or branch secretary who will try to assist in contacting other members within your area)
Jonathan Pain
(Branch Secretary & Newsletter Editor, North Hampshire CAMRA)
Quick Quiz Solve the double clues and take the first letters and rearrange to find the name of a Brewery that a rabbit might choose to return to… 1.
A sausage county
2.
Push a canal boat
3.
Iron porker
4.
A doctor and a home
5.
Spectacular boxing finale
6.
Speak about the Reading shops
Contribute To Our New Publication
7.
Villa and Jay (from JLS)
• Contact the editor with any letters/news from your local area
Brenda Cross For answers see page 15
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
• Join us on Twitter: @CamRAHantsNorth
• Arrange your own local sub-group (contact our
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North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 2 | SUMMER 2013
Longdog Brewery Lurching to success...
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o you have been made redundant and you get your pay off. What would do you do with it? Pay off your mortgage? Have a holiday? When Phil Robins found himself in this situation, he knew in his heart what he wanted to do – make beer and run his own brewery. As a home brewer for 25 years, beer had taken over his life, his garage and his house, so finding premises and scaling up his operation was a new direction. He found an industrial unit formerly occupied by a double glazing company (notably it still has the fancy door in the office) on an anonymous industrial estate in Basingstoke. He planned, bought and commissioned the equipment, ending up with a six-barrel plant with two fermentation vessels capable of producing 3,456 pints of beer per week. But what to call it? Phil’s pet dog, a lurcher called Bob, provided the answer, so ‘Longdog’ was born and Bob is immortalised in the logo. The first brew day was on July 27th 2011 when Brindle Bitter was born, followed soon after by Golden Poacher. All Phil’s brews are made with natural ingredients, but his Lamplight Porter, formulated using an adapted 19th century London porter recipe has been the most acclaimed, having won 9 awards to date, including runner-up in the CAMRA Hampshire Beer Of the Year 2012 as voted for by visitors at the last Hampshire’s Octoberfest. Phil has supplied his beers for Octoberfest for the last two years and hopes to go one better with the top award this year. Doug Cross, the North
Hampshire Branch Treasurer, presented him with the certificate at the brewery. Lamplight Porter was also named Beer of the Festival at both Ascot and Southampton Beer Festivals. Phil tells me he is considering brewing a new seasonal beer soon, so watch this space. As a local branch member himself, Phil has kindly offered the North Hants CAMRA branch use of his premises for a quarterly branch event to try to encourage more members to get involved with the Branch whilst enjoying the fruits of his labours! The first event was held back in March and resulted in a number of people getting more involved with branch volunteering (delivering Beer Lines, doing extra admin etc). The next event is a New Members’ meeting (June 14th) which will have taken place by the time you read this. Hopefully, if you are a new member to the Branch, you will have attended! Our thanks go to Phil for supporting the Branch and being positive agent to help us get stronger. So where can you get Phil’s brews? They are guest beers at a number of pubs, clubs
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North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
and beer festivals locally but you can always get a pint at the Dove at Micheldever. Phil also offers a direct sale of beer from his premises (Friday 2.006.00pm and Saturday 10.00am-1.00pm) so call in, have a chat and get your beer direct from him. He supplies in 2, 4, 8, 18 and 36 pint quantities. If you want casks he supplies beer in Pins (4 and a half gallons), Firkins (9 gallons) and Kilderkins (18 gallons). Beers to look out for are: Bunny Chaser 3.6%, Golden Poacher 3.9%, Brindle Bitter 4.2%, Tinker’s Tipple 4.5% and Lamplight Porter, 5%. Hare of the Dog Mild 3.6% is an occasional brew normally available in May. You can find details of the brewery, beers and current events from Phil’s website at www. longdogbrewery.co.uk, join him on Facebook and Twitter or just pop in and see him Friday afternoon and Saturday morning at the brewery at Unit 1, Moniton Trading Estate, West Ham Lane, Basingstoke RG22 6NQ. All beer lovers welcome! Brenda Cross
Issue 2 | SUMMER 2013
the
Coach & Horses - r othe r w ic k -
A friendly, authentic village alehouse boasting a lovely south-facing garden in the midst of tranquil farmland. Consistently well-kept Hall and Woodhouse ales are always available, served fresh and bright. Classic pub grub is all home cooked, high quality and good value for money. Come and experience the atmosphere of this proper pub, and see why it has once again become beloved of the village and beyond. www.coachandhorses-rotherwick.co.uk
The Street, Rotherwick, Basingstoke, RG27 9BG t: 01256 768976
Grea & a warmt alwee,lcgromeat food, A gem of a pue asb sured.
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
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North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 2 | SUMMER 2013
WhatPub www.whatpub.com
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AMRA is in the process of launching a comprehensive on-line Pub and Club database for the UK. Whilst the data is being collated the site is only open to all CAMRA members, who can assist the build and supply missing data to help make this the No.1 on line Pub guide. Please go in and check it out, if you haven’t already. This is the same site that you use to enter your Beer Surveys and Scores (NBSS). If you live by a Pub and note there is data missing, please provide the missing data and ‘adopt your local’ keeping the site up to date with any changes. If you visit a remote Pub then please get as much information during your visit and a good quality photograph (ideally in daylight). You will need your membership number and password to get in.
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Also, just a quick reminder of the criteria for NBSS (Beer Scoring): 0 - No real ale. No cask-conditioned ale available
Word Search BAR S BARLEY A BELL B GRIST A HEAD R HOPS LAST ORDERS L MALT E MILD Y PORTER F STOUT W YEAST
When searching, there are some tick boxes that can help narrow down what you are searching for. Options include Pubs only, Pubs serving Real Ale and Pubs that serve Real Cider or Perry. A FAQ section explaining how to add data can be found at the top of the page. North Hampshire CAMRA would really appreciate your assistance in getting our region 100% complete. Andy Wootten
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2 - Average. Competently kept, drinkable pint but doesn’t inspire in any way, not worth moving to another pub but you drink the beer without really noticing. 3 - Good. Good beer in good form. You may cancel plans to move to the next pub. You want to stay for another pint and may seek out the beer again. 4 - Very Good. Excellent beer in excellent condition. 5 - Perfect. Probably the best you are ever likely to find. A seasoned drinker will award this score very rarely.
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North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 2 | SUMMER 2013
Peter, Fran and the team welcome you to The Fur & Feathers. A Victorian pub situated in the Hampshire countryside. You can while away the hours over a great pint complemented by some delicious home made food. For a pub lunch, restaurant dinner or a quiet pint or two, The Fur & Feathers is just the place. Relax & enjoy our beautiful large pub garden, open all day Friday, Saturday & Sunday (Sunday close at 6pm) • At least two LocAle selected Ales • Sharps Doom Bar 4% • Sharp's Orchard Cider • • Hazy Hog Cider from Hogs Back Brewery • Becks Vier • Stella Artois • Peroni •
HERRIARD, BASINGSTOKE, HAMPSHIRE, RG25 2PN • 01256 384170 • www.thefurandfeathers.co.uk Opening Times Tues - Thurs: 12 noon - 3pm & 5pm - 11pm Fri & Sat: 12 noon - 11pm Sun: 12 noon - 6pm
Food Service times Tues - Sat: 12 noon - 2:30pm & 6.30pm - 9pm Sun: 12 noon - 3pm
A selection of draught and bottled real ales Ideal for parties, weddings and functions Visit our brewery shop week days 8-4 Online orders and payment (See our website for details)
The Old Sawmill, Nyewood, Nr Petersfield, hants GU31 5HA Telephone: 01730 821 362 www.ballards-brewery.co.uk
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
Free local home delivery!
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North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 2 | SUMMER 2013
Diary Dates Email us for further information Wednesday 3rd July - Newbury Navigation. Meet in Fullers Lock Stock & Barrel 6pm-7pm (will run minibus back to Basingstoke if enough interest).
(contact us to let us know you are coming).
Saturday 13th July - Overton Observations and Scarecrow Festival. Bus Route 76/86 (Overton, Freefolk, etc) Dayrider ticket recommended. Meet in The Greyhound at 12 noon.
Saturday 17th August - Wessex Branches Social & Gathering. Meet at Branksome Railway Hotel at 12 noon.
Wednesday 17th July - Salisbury Wander. Meet in Village 7.00pm or Boat House 8.00pm.
Thursday 12th September - Good Beer Guide 2014 Launch events. Andover lunchtime / Whitchurch evening (details
TBC).
Tuesday 30th July - Branch meeting in The Fur & Feathers, Herriard 8pm
Tuesday 24th September – Branch Meeting & Social at The Way Inn, Basingstoke (close to station) 8pm.
Saturday 3rd August - Salisbury Salutations (details TBC).
Tuesday 13th to Saturday 17th August - Great British Beer Festival at London Olympia. www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
Tuesday 27th August - Branch Meeting & Social at The Maidenhead Inn (Wetherspoons), Basingstoke 8pm.
Saturday 20th July - Alton Bus Rally Pub Running Day. Pick up from Basingstoke bus/rail station am (details TBC).
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Thursday 15th August - Branch visit to GBBF By train, book tickets early online
With over 800 real ales, ciders, perries and foreign beers to choose from we are sure there will be plenty of choice to suit everybody’s taste buds! It is not all about the beer though. There is also plenty of food, live music and pub games to enjoy. Tickets can be bought by calling 0844 412 4640 or visiting www.gbbf.org.uk/tickets If you are feeling lucky then visit www.gbbf.org. uk/competitions where there are plenty of great prizes to win.
For more information please contact: branch-contact@camrahantsnorth.org.uk
6500+ READERS
If you own or manage a pub, bar or restaurant and serve real ales, it’s never been easier to get your business in front of more than 6,000 people! Beer Lines distributes to all branch area pubs in North Hampshire and advertising costs as little as £55 for 3 months..
> CALL 01256 832 832 TODAY
beerlines
North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 2 | SUMMER 2013
LocAle Scheme www.camra.org.uk/locale
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he CAMRA LocAle scheme was created in 2007 by CAMRA’s Nottingham branch, which wanted to help support the tradition of brewing within Nottinghamshire following the demise of local brewer Hardys and Hansons. Everyone benefits from local pubs stocking locally-brewed real ale... • Public Houses as stocking local real ales can increase pub visits. • Consumers who enjoy greater beer choice and diversity. • Local brewers who gain from increased sales. • The local economy due to fewer ‘beer miles’ resulting in less road congestion and pollution. • Tourism due to an increased sense of local identity and pride - let’s celebrate what makes our locality different.
So what’s in it for me? Stocking a local beer can enable you to differentiate yourself from other local pubs, thereby gaining you new customers and increasing your beer sales. Stocking locally brewed real ale will also give your business the edge over supermarkets and off licences selling low-cost mass-market lagers. What’s involved - can any Pub/Club join? If you wish to benefit from participation in the CAMRA LocAle scheme in North Hampshire you must agree to endeavour to ensure that at least one locally-brewed real ale is on sale at all times, i.e. a beer brewed within 25 miles of the location of the pub or serving a beer from a Hampshire brewery. Only real ale can be promoted as CAMRA LocAle. Joining the CAMRA LocAle initiative is free and accreditation is easy. More information for licensees about LocAle is available on the national CAMRA website at www.camra.org.uk/locale Andy Wootten
Current LocAle Pubs in our area Mill House, North Warnborough Overton Memorial Institute (The ‘Stute’) Sun Inn, Dummer Eagle Inn, Abbotts Ann Crown Inn, Upton Leather Bottle, Mattingley, near Hook Fur and Feathers, Herriard Prince Regent, Whitchurch Bounty Inn, Basingstoke White Hart, Hook Woolpack Inn, Totford Red Lion, Overton Swan Hotel, Kingsclere Fox, North Waltham Odiham & Greywell Cricket Club
Visit www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk to see the latest list with a map link
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
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North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 2 | SUMMER 2013
Pub Walk Around Tangley Start/Finish: The Cricketers Arms, Tangley SP110SH (OS Ref SU 327528) Total distance: 3 miles. NB Please ask the landlord for permission to park in the pub car park.
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www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
eave the pub and turn right. Walk along road to the T-junction and turn left, then after 50yds turn right onto footpath. Continue on footpath across fields for 600yds to reach lane, then turn right and continue on lane until you reach Lower Chute. At the memorial junction take left-hand road for 50yds to reach The Hatchet Inn, a picturesque thatched pub dating from the 13th century (real ales on the day of the walk were Timothy Taylor Landlord, Otter Bitter, and Triple fff Moondance). On leaving the pub turn left back to memorial junction and go left. Continue on this lane for
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600yds (passing Chute Cadley) until you reach T-junction. Turn left after 20yds and take bridleway on right. Continue up the bridleway for 200yds to reach junction, turn right and continue down bridleway to reach road and return to the Cricketers Arms (closed Monday to Thursday lunchtimes). This is an old Drovers’ pub built in the 16th century (real ales on day of visit were Bowman’s Wallops Wood and Quiver Bitter both served straight from the barrel on gravity and both in excellent condition). Geoff King
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North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 2 | SUMMER 2013
The Poplar Farm The rural charm of The Poplar Farm
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n November 1972, The Poplar Farm Inn at Abbotts Ann (on the A343 south of Andover) was the only entry for what is now the North Hampshire area in the very first Campaign for the Revitalisation of Ale Good Beer Guide. Described as a free house, serving Wadworth Old Timer from the barrel in the Barn Bar, this was (and is) a converted 450-year-old cottage. The cover price for the 1972 guide was 25 pence and had 16 pages, so apart from CAMRA’s name, what else has changed in 40 years? The Poplar Farm is still open as a pub and sits in a nook, just off the main Andover to Salisbury Road on the turning for Little Ann. As you approach, your first
view is of the thatched roof and attractive planted areas. The pub is now owned by Vintage Inns, part of the successful Mitchells and Butler group, and has undergone refurbishment following a fire in 2005. The rural charm from the cottage and barn conversion has not been lost when sitting by the real fire or looking up at the real wooden beams. The cask conditioned ales still occasionally include a Wadworth ale on the guest pump, alongside local Ringwood Best Bitter and St Austell Tribute. Food is available all day from 12.00-10.00pm (9.30pm on Sundays) from a traditional, well presented pub menu, including pies from celebrity chef James Martin. There is a garden, a car park and a regular daily bus service stops outside. The Poplar Farm Inn would make an ideal rest stop if visiting the nearby Museum of Army Flying at Middle Wallop. Phil Myatt
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
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North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 2 | SUMMER 2013
Beers by bus The No. 14 route (Basingstoke to Tadley)
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ountry pubs are often delightful hostelries to visit and can be imaginative, charming and good value. Summer is a great time of year to visit country pubs so why not hop on a bus? The Stagecoach no. 14 bus wends its way on the scenic route from Basingstoke to Tadley and back. It’s an hourly service that runs from Monday to Saturday but you will need to obtain a timetable to ensure you can get back as the service ends late afternoon/early evening (www. traveline.info). On the route there are a number of excellent pubs that are well worth a visit. The first village worth spending time in is Sherfield On Loddon. There are two very different pubs very close to where the bus stops – The Four Horseshoes and The White Hart. I started at The Four Horseshoes which looks the oldest of the two and is a Grade 2 listed building dating
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from the sixteenth century. There is a large car park, skittle alley, a garden and multiple rooms/ bars for drinking or dining. The older parts of the pub still boast original black beams giving a very authentic feel. Recently taken over by local man Scott Miles, the ‘Shoes’ was really buzzing when I visited on a Saturday lunchtime at the end of May. It’s an Enterprise Inns pub offering Courage Best (excellent when I sampled a couple), London Pride and Doombar. The latter was available both on handpump and straight from the cask. Food is clearly an important feature and a blackboard lists daily specials and Sunday Roasts. A very sociable pub that occasionally has live jazz. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. One, I think, to which you will want to return. Across the road from the ‘Shoes’ is The White Hart. This is a large Young’s pub, also dating from the sixteenth century, but has been extensively refurbished and further refurbishment is planned for July. There are still oak beams and a traditional brick fireplace. It is light and airy inside with busy staff serving food and drinks. It’s dogfriendly but dogs are not permitted in the dining room. The dining room overlooks a large garden where a beer festival was planned to take place the day after my visit(!). Another festival is planned for August. The bar is ‘L’-shaped and there is a bay window with comfy seating including cushions! Beers are from the Young’s range, naturally, plus guest beers. On my visit there was a very
beerlines
North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 2 | SUMMER 2013
The White Hart (01256) 882280 www.whitehartsherfield.com
The Bramley Inn (01256) 881580 e: leeandmandy1@aol.com
Answers to Quick Quiz [on page 5] 1. Cumberland; 2. Barge; 3. Pig; 4. House; 5. Knockout; 6. Oracle; 7. Aston.. & the Brewery was ‘HOPBACK’.
emphasis on football, it’s definitely worth a visit. In the next issue of Beer Lines I will take you further along the route to The Plough, Little London and The Calleva Arms, Silchester. Jim Turner
SAVING THE WORLD FROM MEDIOCRE BEERS St r iking ly Go o d
Find out more at www.wildweatherales.com Unit 19 Easter Park, Silchester RG7 2PQ.
Tel: (0118) 9701837
Email: enquiries@wildweatherales.com
Visit our Brewery Shop • Shop Online • Trade Welcome
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
palatable Woodforde’s Wherry and Dark Star Hophead. I ended up on one of my all-time favourites, Young’s Bitter, sometimes called ‘Ordinary’ which it most definitely is not. A very extensive range of food, available all day, marks out The White Hart as primarily a food establishment which also serves beer although I guess that view may well be challenged by the management in which case I should apologise in advance. A very comfortable and well run pub that I enjoyed visiting, and like the ‘Shoes’ one to which I will return. Hop on the next no. 14 bus to make your way to The Bramley an old coaching inn owned by Wellington Inns. Exit the bus at the railway station and cross the line when the barrier is raised. The pub is on the right-hand side of the road. There is one main bar with a smaller bar adjoining it that is completely given over to soccer memorabilia. A large screen TV showing Sky Sports (football) dominates the main bar. Beers are Doombar and London Pride and licensee Mandy informed me that they are free of tie so far as beer is concerned. There is a separate Indian restaurant – Turmeric’s Indian Cuisine - situated to the right of the main bar as you enter the pub. A function room is available for hire to the rear and is used for live music and discos. Round the back, there is a sizeable garden with a decked area and I understand beer festivals are held there in the summer. A friendly village pub with an
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North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 2 | SUMMER 2013
Congratulations Jabberwocky! Top award for Triple fff at 2012 OctoberFest
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t last year’s Hampshire’s OctoberFest discerning drinkers voted Triple fff Jabberwocky their favourite tipple. Thus on a wet March Saturday, seven members of North Hampshire CAMRA branch caught the number 13 bus to Alton to present a certificate to the brewery. Two members of East Hampshire branch also joined us. It was my pleasure to give the award to the Brewster, Sara Carter, who had been personally responsible for brewing the winning beer. The usual warm welcome, hospitality and unstinting samples of current beers including Gilbert White and Rock Lobster made for an enjoyable social afternoon. Our thanks go to Graham Trott and his staff for entertaining us so generously. Check them out at www. triplefff.com This year Hampshire’s Octoberfest is being held at Milestones Museum in Basingstoke again, over the weekend of October 11th 13th, showcasing beers from local breweries plus others from further afield. The beer management, but not the dispense or selling, will be a CAMRA function and we are
seeking volunteers to assist us with a variety of tasks. If you are interested in promotion, quality control or general assistance, please contact Jeff Salt at secretary@camrahantsnorth.org.uk. More information about the whole event can be found at www.hampshireoctoberfest.co.uk Doug Cross
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North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 2 | SUMMER 2013
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North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 2 | SUMMER 2013
Rural Rides A cycle trip with good cask beer
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tarting at the White Hart on London Road, Basingstoke (opposite the police station), turn left out of the pub car park and left at lights. Ride straight for about 200m, then take the right fork behind The Lamb. Continue through the cycle subway under the ring road and on to the Golden Lion roundabout. The Golden Lion is straight across, on the right. Leave the Golden Lion car park by turning right into the Viables trading estate. 400m along this road, turn left onto the foot path that leads to the pedestrian bridge over the M3 motorway (this is all cycle-able, but give way to pedestrians). Crossing the bridge, ride down the ramp towards Cliddesden village. About 500m further along is the Jolly Farmer (on the right). This pub boasts Moray’s home cooked food, including his homemade mayonnaise. Continue past the Jolly Farmer to the adjacent pond. Turn left and follow this undulating, twisting road without taking any side turning. This will take you the foot of White Hill - a shortish, reasonably challenging climb. Continue to follow the same road through its twists and turns and down the hill to The Fox at Ellisfield (situated immediately at the bottom of the hill on the right). Leave the Fox and continue through Ellisfield village to the crossroads (slightly staggered) situated at the edge of this spread out village. Cross over the crossroads and follow the road that will take you up another hill, but not so steep as White hill. Beware this road is gritty and involves a sharp left turn where I came off my bike once! From this left turn, proceed up another short
hill and then downhill to another crossroad. Go straight across the road here and continue onto another twisting lane through to the village of Bradley. This road climbs up to Lower Wield, twisting and turning among some pot holes. The lane ends at a T-junction; turn right here and over a slight rise. The Yew Tree is on the left. Stop here and eat Tim’s home prepared food and drink his cask beer at £2.20 per pint! Leave the Yew Tree car park and turn right. This road is practically downhill all the way to Preston Candover and passes through some sublime scenery - enjoy! At Preston Candover, turn right at the junction and ride towards Axford. Sadly, the Crown at Axford is no more, having been converted into residential accommodation, so take the next left towards Dummer. Avoiding the first right turn, climb the hill and, just the other side of the brow of the hill, there is a right turning into Dummer village. This lane climbs and turns to the left and terminates at a T-junction at the top of the hill. Turn right. The Queen at Dummer is along this village road, off to the left near the church. The Queen is renowned for its food - fine dining at a reasonable price. Leave the Queen’s car park and turn right, then take the left turning in front of the church. This lane is known locally as ‘the staircase’, as it ventures uphill in a series of rises and ends at a T-junction at the top of Farleigh Hill. Turn left and follow Farleigh hill back down to the Jolly Farmer. Retrace the original route back from Cliddesden to Basingstoke. David Dry
beerlines
North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 2 | SUMMER 2013
RECIPE: Cider Apple Sponge Pudding INGREDIENTS: 200g sultanas 200g grated apple 225ml cider 2tsp mixed spice 50g butter 2 eggs 100g light brown sugar 225g self raising flower 1tsp baking powder 50g demerara sugar
Soak apple and sultanas in cider for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. Preheat oven to 180c, gas 4 then line a 10” square tin. Beat eggs, sugar, butter, mixed spice, baking powder and flour together. Stir in wet sultanas and apple, reserving some of the cider. Stir together adding remaining cider until drops easily off spoon (might not need all of the liquid). Spoon into baking tin , level and sprinkle with demerara sugar. Bake for 45 mins to an hour or until an inserted skewer comes out hot and clean. Enjoy with custard. ENJOY! Helen Casson
The
CRICKETERS ARMS An old Drover’s pub with a cosy atmosphere, built in the 16th century and set in beautiful countryside. • Good Quality Home Made Traditional English Food • Cask Beers • Inglenook Fireplace & Wood Burning Stoves • Seperate Dining Room & Bar • Function Room • Scandinavian Timber Style En-Suite Chalets Available Closed Lunchtime, Monday to Thursday
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
Clarke's Ln, Tangley, Andover, SP11 0SH
01264 730283 • www.thecricketers.eu
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beerlines
North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 2 | SUMMER 2013
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beerlines
North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 2 | SUMMER 2013
Brewery News Your local brewery update Andwell Brewing Company
Sherfield Village Brewery
01256 761044 www.andwells.com
07906 060429 www.sherfieldvillagebrewery.co.uk
Alongside the regular portfolio of beers, Andwell’s seasonal brews continue to impress with Sovereign, Porter no.2 and Golden IPA, being popular last year. Crouch, Hold and Engage, a new rich malty amber ale, starts the year to be followed by Spring Twist. The shop and brewery tours continue to be popular.
Longdog Brewery 01256 324286 www.longdogbrewery.co.uk
Wild Weather Ales 0118 970 1837 www.wildweatherales.com A new brewery based in Easter Park, just north of Silchester. Brewing started in December 2012, with Stormbringer, a 4.5% deep amber copper coloured ale available in 9gln casks and 500ml bottles. Two further beers, Little Wind and Black Night are available from the end of February and March respectively.
Mash Brewery Twitter - @MashBrewery or visit shop.mashbrewery.com We are excited to announce that a new brewery intends to open up in our area in the next few weeks, located in East Stratton, near Winchester. We will give out more information through our website and mailing lists when we have it.
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
Bunny Chaser and Brindle Bitter continue to be the most popular at the bar amongst the pub trade and Lamplight Porter continues to win awards at beer festivals, adding Southampton and Ascot to the list in 2012. Golden Poacher is still available and Tinkers Tinsel that was launched at Christmas has been tweaked and renamed a less seasonal Tinkers Tipple. Fingers crossed that Hare of the Dog Mild will be available again in May. Off Sales at the Brewery are available Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings.
As well as traditional British bitters and stouts, Sherfield make extensive use of New World hop varieties like Motueka, Pacific Jade, Nelson Sauvin and Riwaka. Mellivora (the Honey Badger) is a new 5.4% dark ruby honey beer that was available from early 2013, and the five hop Hoppy Harrington is available for spring. The brewery is not open to the public, but special events advertised on the website do take place at the nearby Village Hall.
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beerlines
North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 2 | SUMMER 2013
Family Ties Independent Family Brewers
W
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
e hear lots of talk about the PubCo’s and of the many micro brewers that we have in the UK, but we don’t hear that much about one very important group, the independent family brewer. The family brewer not only brews, but generally has a pub estate from which their own beers are sold, “the tied houseâ€?. Once seen as a bad thing that limited choice, the family brewer tied house now has seasonal and collaboration brews that are not always freely available outside of the tie. There are 30 Independent Family Brewers in Britain (IFBB) and North Hampshire can boast ďŹ ve that have estates in our area: Arkell’s, Fuller Smith & Turner, Hall & Woodhouse, Young’s and Wadworth’s. Some will be managed outlets, some will be tenanted, but all will be worth popping in for a pint or two. For a while, Hall & Woodhouse have offered a
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selection of bottled Badger Ales designed to complement food and recently Wadworth’s have launched their Beer Kitchen range of ďŹ ve bottles that include a Wheat Beer, an Orange Peel Beer and an Espresso Stout together with tasting notes and food matching suggestions. A recent visit to our Young’s pub - The White Hart, SherďŹ eld - found a Wells/DogďŹ sh Head New World IPA that was a real treat and tasting events with Beer Sommelier Melissa Cole are also hosted. Phil Myatt For more information about independent family brewers go to www.familybrewers.co.uk
Fully ref rbished with ex ensive bar area Conser ator , ter ace & large gardens Excellent locally sourced menu ~ Good selection of wines Real ales Â?om within 30 miles of the pub Private dining room for par ies & meetings Two en suite Bed & Breakfast rooms (01256) 892254 Freefolk Priors | Freefolk | Whitchurch | RG28 7NJ
beerlines
THE
North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 2 | SUMMER 2013
• UP TO 7 REAL ALES AVAILABLE DAILY DURING THE SUMMER
BOUNTY INN
• WATCH OUT FOR OUR NEXT BEER FESTIVAL
BASINGSTOKE
• HOMEMADE PUB FOOD WITH WEEKLY SPECIALS
A warm welcome awaits you at THE BOUNTY INN a traditional pub in the heart of Basingstoke Quiz Night
every Tuesday at 8.30pm
Sunday Lunch £7.95
Free Pint of Real Ale on presentation of this coupon and your valid CAMRA membership card
T&C’s: Limit one coupon per person. Coupon must be presented on ordering. Cannot be combined with any other offers coupons or specials.
• WI-FI AVAILABLE • REAL FIRE • DOGS WELCOME • REGULAR MUSIC EVENTS • OPEN ALL DAY • FOOD AVAILABLE MON - FRI: 12-2.30pm SAT: 12-5.30pm & SUN: 12-4pm
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
HAVE YOUR FIRST PINT ON ME!
• BEER GARDEN WITH COVERED AREA
Bounty Rd Basingstoke Hampshire RG21 3BZ t: 01256 320071 e: sueleecondron@googlemail.com
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EAT
OPENING SOON
DRINK STAY
FRESH LOCALLY SOURCED MENU
SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS thederbyinn.co.uk
REAL ALE, WINE & WORLD LAGERS ACCOMMODATION
ANDWELL’S
thederbyinn.co.uk
DERBYINN
BARTLEY HEATH NORTH WARNBOROUGH HOOK HAMPSHIRE RG29 1HD TEL 01256 766844