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I n Th i s I s s u e . . . • The Welcome Stranger 5 • A Bright Outlook Wild Weather Ales 6-7 • Pub News 8 • Pub Walk • Milestone At
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11 12-13
• Assets Of Community
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North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 4 | WINTER 2014
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 Social Secretary - Dave Newman 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
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© 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 fourth issue of Beer Lines. We have now completed a year using the new format and I would like to thank the staff at Capital Media for all of their support in getting this venture off the ground again. Whether you are a CAMRA member or not, we hope that you will 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 & 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 (please see our ‘Diary Dates’ page for more information). 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. From the next issue, I am handing over the editorship of the magazine to Jim Turner, who originally created Beer Lines in its old form. 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
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North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 4 | WINTER 2014
SAVING THE WORLD FROM MEDIOCRE BEERS Stri ki ng l y G o o d
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
Find out more at www.wildweatherales.com
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Unit 19 Easter Park, Silchester RG7 2PQ.
Tel: (0118) 9701837
Email: enquiries@wildweatherales.com
Visit our Brewery Shop • Shop Online • Trade Welcome
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North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 4 | WINTER 2014
The Welcome Stranger Kimpton
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[This information was found in ‘The Haunted Inns of England’ by Jack Hallam.]
the faint outline of a figure. In the village, some folk believe that the ghost is that of a former landlord’s wife who was locked in the cellar and left to die. Clive Jones
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
his friendly, traditional pub is approximately seven miles west of Andover. Eric Smith has held the licence since August 1954 when the pub was called the Kimpton Down Inn, owned by Strongs of Romsey. After Strongs fell prey to the Whitbread ‘umbrella’ which led to its subsequent closure, Eric purchased the pub. On the thirtieth anniversary of running the pub, Eric and his wife Kath held a party and a competition to rename the pub and the winning entry was ‘Welcome Stranger’. Both Eric and Kath were born in the village - Eric’s grandmother ran the pub in 1902! Although Eric is now 90 years old, you may still be lucky enough to find him behind the bar some lunchtimes. The pub is now run by his son David and his wife. You will always find Wadworth 6X and a guest beer on the hand pumps. During building work in the lounge bar in the mid-1960s, the structural disturbance apparently led to a considerable amount of poltergeist-like activity, including ornaments being knocked off the mantelpiece, bottles of beer being swept off a shelf and smashed on the floor and plates of food being turned upside down. The licensee’s wife and daughter and some customers also reported seeing
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North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
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A Bright Outlook Wild Weather Ales
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ust across the road from AWE Aldermaston is a modern, attractive industrial estate called Easter Park. For the past year, Unit 19 has been home to Wild Weather Ales run by Mike Tempest and his wife Karen. Mike gave up a professional engineering career at Thames Water to start Wild Weather Ales, a venture he had been planning for over 3 years. “I love beer – I LOVE BEER!” he claims enthusiastically. The brewery name is derived from Mike’s own surname. “We couldn’t use ‘Tempest Brewing’, because there is already an excellent brewery with that name in Kelso. Tempest means Wild Weather, so we chose that instead.” One of the most striking things about the brewery is the bright, cheerful logo and branding. This was created by award-winning artist Caroline Downey, from the Black Mountains in Wales. Mike commissioned
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her to create the logo and pump clip designs. The Wild Weather brewery is a 12-barrel plant, installed by Porter Brewing Installations in late 2012. “The first beer we brewed was ‘Stormbringer’, and it went really well,” says Mike. “We literally proved out the brewing plant by making the finished beer. We sampled the very first cask on the day after Boxing Day, and it was lovely!” ‘Stormbringer’ is a premium ale of 4.5% ABV, and was very well received in the local pubs and clubs around Tadley. For his second beer, Mike chose to produce something slightly less powerful, to cater for the rural pub trade: ‘Little Wind’ was introduced at 4.2% ABV, followed by the session beer ‘Big Muddy’ at 3.8%. Next came a golden summer ale ‘Sundowner’ at 3.4%, and then ‘Black Night’ was introduced as the Summer turned into Autumn. “’Black Night’ has been a massive hit,” says Mike. It’s a slightly unusual beer, dark but not completely opaque, and with a fine balance of hop and
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North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
chocolate malt flavours. “I wanted to brew a dark beer that was not a stout, a porter or a mild. Some people call it an Old Ale.” At 3.9% ABV, this beer is becoming a popular session beer. Mike is also very excited about the latest addition to the Wild Weather portfolio: ‘Shepherds Warning’ is a smooth, rich IPA with an ABV of 5.6%, first introduced at the Egham Beer Festival in November. Brewed with the American Citra hops, the flavours are complex and dynamic. “When you get it out of the cask, it is really splendid. It starts off smooth and almost sweet, then you get more of the grapefruit, mango, and peach flavours coming through, and as it subsides on the palate, it bitters off. It’s absolutely lovely!” Mike is currently brewing 8 barrels a week, and the plan is to triple this rate over the next year. The plant is capable of delivering 36 barrels a week without modification, or 48 barrels with the addition of a fourth fermenter vessel. Mike is proud that the brewery is run entirely from Green energy suppliers, and of course he uses only natural ingredients. His barley comes from Warminster Maltings, and the spent grain goes to feed a beef herd in Ashford Hill near Newbury. Mike is meticulous with the new beer creation process. “I think very carefully about the recipes, the hops, and the malt profiles. Then, we’ll brew 6 barrels and test the results. Luckily, every beer has hit the spot so far.” With six excellent beers now in production, Mike is going to focus on quality and growing the sales volume over the coming year. There will probably be only one or two new beers during 2014: a winter ale called ‘Blizzard’, and a beer called ‘Raindancer’ for which Mike is keen to use the Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand. Mike is very serious about the quality of his beers. “All microbreweries are not equal,” he says. “Most of them are good, but I believe what we make here is better than good and if you have
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..
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a superior product, then it will sell.” He is very clear about how to build a successful brewing business. “You need to have an absolute focus on cleanliness and process repeatability. Here we have very clear process stages, and we can reproduce the beers with a very high accuracy every time.” The brewery is spotless, and Mike makes a point of cleaning his casks twice before racking a new brew. The brewery has a West Berkshire 5* hygiene award. At the end of the first trading year, Mike is very positive about the future for Wild Weather. “Our plan was to break even this year, and we have done better than that. The public reception of our beers has been excellent, from the very first cask of ‘Stormbringer’ delivered to the Tadley Rugby Club onwards.” This is a man who is really enjoying his job. “Talking to people about beer is so different to the corporate world. It is a joyful thing to do! The satisfaction of being in a bar with someone drinking your beer, or reading someone tweet that they just had a nice pint of Wild Weather – it’s a brilliant feeling!” Michael Hodson
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.swankingsclere.co.uk
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
6500+ READERS
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North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 4 | WINTER 2014
Pub News ...and other snippets
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f you have any snippets of information about your locals (closures, openings, owner-changes etc) please get in touch to let others know. The pub scene is ever-changing and it is nice to be kept informed about it. Faccombe The Faccombe Estate has taken over the running of The Jack Russell Inn and they source all their produce locally. They have Two Cocks Brewery beers on tap each week and the food is delicious, apparently there is a young chef who is doing really well. (Tim Thomas)
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
Ecchinswell Having reported the closure of the Royal Oak in Ecchinswell in the last edition we are pleased to report it is fully alive and kicking and has been all year. The confusion arose with another pub. So, sorry to the landlord and all the folk who spotted the error, and well done - it shows someone was reading Beerlines! (Brenda Cross)
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Mapledurwell After the recent purchase from Hall & Woodhouse, The Gamekeepers at Mapledurwell is now privately owned by Sandra & Philip Costello. They offer a selection of regularly changing guest ales from local breweries along with their house bitter, Andwell’s ‘Resolute’. We would like to wish them every success for the future. (Pat Hayward) Stockbridge The Greyhound has been announced as winner of the Michelin Pub of the Year. The Vine still remains closed. (Pat Hayward) Nether Wallop The Five Bells at Nether Wallop is still closed but the 21 signatures to list it as an Asset of Community Value will be no problem. (Pat Hayward)
Braishfield On a very sad note, Janet Cook, landlady of the Newport Inn, passed away in October and the pub has since closed. (Pat Hayward) Overton The Old House at Home is well worth a visit. They are tempting us with some unusual beers, which at the time of going to press were: Cross Bay Brewery, Lancashire: NIGHTFALL – 3.8% - This finely balanced session ale sits in the mouth with a robust body. Following through with reasonable bitterness that boasts a huge citrusy/ spicy fruit finish. One is never enough! Brains, Glamorganshire: FIR KING GOOD – 4.0% - An ale full of rich flavours for the festive period. Brewed using aromatic malt and bursting with a medley of spicy hop flavours. ‘Fir King Good’ is a deep amber coloured ale with a warming finish. (Pat Hayward) And finally... With the exception of The Bounty, Basingstoke (who give a free pint of real ale on presentation of a valid Camra membership card accompanied with a token from Beer Lines), I know of no other publicans who support and encourage business for their ‘local’ by offering ANY incentive to CAMRA members or nonmembers. Knowing how much publicans pay per barrel, profit margins and prices are set too high and with the soaring cost of living this is driving business away in these difficult times. Discounts on beers DO work and Landlords should push for it. Advertise your promotions (e.g. Monday club) in Beer Lines and the customer will find you. Let’s hear from all you Landlords out there wanting to increase your turnover! (Pat Hayward)
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North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
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The
CRICKETERS ARMS An old Drover’s pub with a cosy atmosphere, built in the 16th century and set in beautiful countryside.
A selection of draught and bottled real ales Ideal for parties, weddings and functions Visit our brewery shop week days 8-4
• 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
Free local home delivery! (See our website for details)
The Old Sawmill, Nyewood, Nr Petersfield, hants GU31 5HA Telephone: 01730 821 362 www.ballards-brewery.co.uk
Clarke's Ln, Tangley, Andover, SP11 0SH
01264 730283 • www.thecricketers.eu
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
Online orders and payment
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North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
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Diary Dates More info? Email us: social@camrahantsnorth.org.uk Wednesday 1st January Beer and Buses, King Alfred Running Day, Winchester Saturday 11th January Southampton Saunter Wednesday 15th January Good Beer Guide selection meeting, 8pm, Basingstoke Sports & Social Club Tuesday 28th January Branch Meeting, 8pm, The Bell, Whitchurch. Saturday 8th February Wessex Regional Meeting Monday 17th February Andover Amble Tuesday 25th February Branch Meeting, 8pm, White Hart Hotel, Hook
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
Saturday 8th March Tadley / Bus Route 14 walkabout Visiting The Pelican, Wild Weather brewery, Calleva Arms, The Plough, Little London; The Bramley Inn; The Four Horseshoes; and The White Hart, Sherfield on Loddon
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Tuesday 25th March Branch Meeting, 8pm, The Dove, Micheldever Station Friday 28th March Beer Bus - villages around Andover. Meet at Andover Railway Station, 11.30am Saturday 12th April Pub crawl - Odiham and North Warnborough Meet at Basingstoke Bus Station, 11.10am
Saturday 19th April Brodies ‘Bunny Basher’ Leighton Meet at Basingstoke Railway Station, 10.20am For more details/register interest, e: social@camrahantsnorth.org.uk or email Jeff Salt or Phil Myatt (see pg 3 for emails)
Current in our area • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Pubs
Mill House, North Warnborough Overton Memorial Institute (The Stute) Sun Inn, Dummer Eagle Inn, Abbotts Ann The Crown Inn, Upton Leather Bottle, Mattingley, near Hook Fur and Feathers, Herriard Prince Regent, Whitchurch Bounty Inn, Basingstoke White Hart, Hook The Woolpack Inn, Totford Red Lion, Overton Swan Hotel, Kingsclere The Fox, North Waltham Odiham & Greywell Cricket Club Derby, North Warnborough Bourne Valley Inn, St Mary Bourne Watership Down Inn, Freefolk Barley Mow, Oakley White Hart Charter Alley Plough, Grateley
Visit www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk to see the latest list with a map link
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North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
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www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
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Issue 4 | WINTER 2014
A Milestone at Milestones Octoberfest at the Milestones Museum, Basingstoke
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www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
his year saw the fifth anniversary of the Hampshire Octoberfest at the Milestones Museum in Basingstoke. I was there at the first one, desperately trying to keep the beer flowing as what appeared to be everyone in Basingstoke descended upon the bar. All the worries about poor attendance that the advanced ticket sales suggested were soon replaced by frantic phone calls to all our local brewers and cider producers to urgently deliver more supplies. That year, we had around 50 different Hampshire ales available.
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Five years ago, we only had one brewer in our branch area, the fledgling Andwell Brewing Company. They did an excellent job, not only helping us restock the bar with supplies with their three original brews, but also with muscle as brewery owner, Adam Komrower, stuck around to help lift the new full casks onto the racking in double quick time. Further thanks went to Malcolm Irving who was doing a beer and food matching talk on the stage, but still managed to organise extra casks from his base in Portsmouth and also to Angus Whitehead from Mr Whiteheads who delivered on Saturday and again on Sunday. That’s enough for the history! Back to this year and we now have five breweries within our branch area, the newest being
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North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
MASH brewery in East Stratton who supplied five different beers. Andwell celebrated the 5th anniversary of the event with the launch of their 5%, 5th birthday beer ‘Five Little Fishes’. This year the advance tickets for both evenings were sold out and only a few were available on the gate for Saturday daytime, which shows how popular the event has become. Within three hours, the first cask to be emptied was Oakleaf’s ‘I can’t believe it’s not Bitter’ with Andwell Pilsner only ten minutes later. It’s a good job we had more of each for Saturday. This year we showcased 22 Hampshire Brewers and four cider producers, with 104 different ales and 29 ciders and perries, plus six beers from Fullers available to those who came. The total number of casks delivered was 225. Given that we only have space for 176 casks on the length of stillage that we can fit into the marquee, there was some lifting to be done over the weekend, but at least we only had 176 casks to lift on Wednesday evening! Allowing for wastage that means we had around 14,500 pints of beer and 4,000 pints of cider available for the weekend. The furthest travelled beer came from probably the smallest brewery,
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Emsworth: four beers brewed at the back of an antiques shop. Longdog ‘Lamplight Porter’ was voted Beer of the Festival. The runner up was ‘Green Hop IPA’ from Sherfield Village Brewery, summing up what an Octoberfest is all about: local producers showing off the results of this year’s harvest. I am told that the music was also very good. One of these years, I may have time to stop and enjoy it! Phil Myatt
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. Always warm and cosy no matter what the weather does outside with two roaring log burners keeping the winter chills away on the outside and a good selection of Whisky for the inside. We have a well stocked Humidor with cuban cigars to be enjoyed in our log lined smoking shelter. • At least two LocAle selected Ales • Sharps Special 5% • Sharp's Orchard Cider • • Hazy Hog Cider from Hogs Back Brewery • Becks Vier • Warstiener • Peroni •
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
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
HERRIARD, BASINGSTOKE, HAMPSHIRE, RG25 2PN • 01256 384170 • www.thefurandfeathers.co.uk
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New Inn (0118) 9814915 newinntadley@pubtrail.co.uk Heather at the New Inn
Beers by bus Part 3: Approaching Tadley
A
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
s the no. 14 bus draws near to Tadley, it passes through the village of Pamber Heath. Just along from the bus stop is the Pelican, an Enterprise Inns pub run with great aplomb by licensees Lee and Elaine. A spacious hostelry dating from the early nineteenth century and attracting a wide age range of customers, the Pelican has the right balance of beer and food. Cask Marque accredited beers are Courage Best, Doom Bar and one changing guest beer, which was Hobgoblin when I visited in mid-November. There is a separate dining area but if you choose to eat in the bar, as I did, there’s no problem. Food is good, wholesome, home-cooked pub grub and is detailed on a large blackboard to the rear of the bar. There is plenty of space outside the pub – the garden occupies about half an acre and includes a kids’ play area. The pub is popular with family groups, ramblers, cyclists, and motorcycle and
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scooter enthusiasts who enjoy rallies held in the summer. The pub also hosts a beer festival in the summer. A quality pub, highly recommended. The next hostelry en route is no longer a pub but a hotel. Formerly the Treacle Mine, the Broomsquire Hotel, on the Silchester Road, is a charming establishment, the interior of which looks for all the world like it’s in a multiple time warp. Lovingly-cared-for antiques and curios are displayed everywhere, some from the turn of the century. There is little on show that is newer than the 1950s. The Broomsquire is a fascinating place just to visit or to stay as a guest, but if you’re looking for beer, I sampled Wild Weather’s ‘Little Wind’. There was also a real cider straight from the cask – Berkshire ‘Tutt’s Clump’. The owner, Amanda Nash, who is responsible for creating the Broomsquire, told me that the name is by way of tribute to her father who ran the oldest industry in Tadley – Besom broom-making. Amanda’s family has been in the trade for some 300 years and brooms have been supplied to the Queen and to the Harry Potter films. There is a restaurant where cream teas are available in the afternoons (if you don’t fancy a beer!). A sizeable garden to the rear with an outside bar is used to host seasonal events, such as hog roasts, in the summer.
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Next stop is the Fox & Hounds at the top of Mulfords Hill. Part of the John Barras Pub Company, this is probably the busiest pub in Tadley and consequently can be quite noisy, especially if there is football on the three large screen televisions that dominate the large, warm comfy interior. Beers are ‘Doom Bar’ plus one guest, which was Adnam’s ‘Christmas Cheer’ when I visited in late November. There is a large range of homecooked food which is very good value. A fenced-off garden and patio is to the rear of the pub alongside the main road. A very popular pub that may not be to everyone’s taste but is certainly one that televised sports lovers and seekers of good value food and beer would appreciate. The final pub on this trip is the New Inn in Rowan Road, Tadley. If you’re looking for a very friendly, dog-friendly community local with plenty of pub banter, you need look no further. There is even the obligatory cheeky barmaid – Heather (pictured) – who, according to one of the regulars, often gives better than she gets! There are two real ales, chosen from the Finest Cask range. On my first visit, I sampled Sunny Republic ‘Guardian Angel’ and there was also Hogs Back ‘T.E.A.’ available. I returned a week later and the pub was serving Coach House ‘Cromwell’ and ‘Doom Bar’. The pub used to be next to a very large coal yard so, appropriately, there was a real fire in one bar. Licensee Linda runs a very welcoming pub that hosts jam sessions on Tuesday nights, a beer festival in the summer and darts and crib nights – everything a good local should do. There are bar snacks available but no full meals – it’s a local, not a restaurant pub. There is a garden with a decked
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area, not used much at this time of year but will be quite pleasant come the spring. I loved going to the New Inn, it sums up for me what a good British pub should be. On my final return trip home to Basingstoke I looked back at all the hostelries I have visited and written about in Beers By Bus and, despite all the pub closures we hear about, I am delighted that there is such a wide variety still surviving, flourishing even, on the no. 14 bus route. Jim Turner
Quick Quiz Decipher the clues and then rearrange the first letter of each of your answers to find the name of a brewery. Feathers below Tangerine of Holland Bother the canine Over and L.B.W. Departed to one side Undiluted and tidy
For answers see page 17
Brenda Cross
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
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Assets of Community Value Nominating pubs
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www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
or many years, communities have been losing local amenities and buildings which they value, such as the village shop, pub, library or parish hall. Nationally, an estimated 300 pubs and 400 local shops are closing each year. However, at the same time local community asset ownership has been growing resulting in real benefits for many. Over 200 communities have bought their village shop and others are looking to take over their pub to prevent closure. The 2011 Localism Act introduced new powers for communities in England to nominate facilities such as pubs as “assets of community value”. Where pubs are listed, this enables local authorities to “stop the clock” for up to six months and, if it is put up for sale, to consider options for saving the pub. With 18 pubs closing every week, CAMRA wants to encourage more people to get involved in listing pubs.
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WHY LIST MY LOCAL? Listing a pub can be hugely beneficial and acts as a marker that the pub is important to the local community. The fact that the community have rallied together to nominate a pub and the local authority have agreed to list it adds a further level of protection. Listed status should be considered in any relevant planning application, such as conversion to residential use. Successful listing may dissuade property developers wishing to avoid a contentious planning application. Most importantly, if the owner decides to sell the pub off, listed status will trigger a moratorium on the sale for up to six months, giving the
community an opportunity to prepare a suitable alternative bid. In March, these powers enabled the first community takeover of a pub using this legislation. HOW DO I LIST A PUB? To list your local as an asset of community value, all you need to do is follow these simple steps: 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Go to your local authority website and look up the section on Assets of Community Value or Right to Bid. Download a nomination form (if this is not available you can download CAMRA’s template form from our website). Complete the form, giving as much detail as possible, justifying the case for classifying the pub as a community asset. Demonstrate that at least 21 people on the relevant electoral roll support the listing of the pub. Check your local authority website for details of how and where to submit the nomination. Many councils have produced guidance on this aspect.
WHAT HAPPENS IF A LISTED PUB IS PUT UP FOR SALE? Listing stops the sale of pubs without the community being made aware. If the owner of a listed pub wishes to sell it, they must inform the local authority. At this point, a six-week interim moratorium commences and the authority will
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notify the community. During this six-week period your local community group must decide whether or not to bid for the pub. Should it wish to proceed then a full moratorium period of six months may be granted giving time to raise finance, develop a business plan and make a bid to buy the asset on the open market. To be eligible to bid your organisation will need to be a community interest group, i.e. a legally constituted organisation such as a charity, community interest company, non-profit limited company, an industrial or provident society or a parish council. The group of 21 (or more) people who made the original nomination will then have two options: 1. 2.
Work with an existing constituted organisation which meets one of the above criteria; or Set up a “Not for Profit Company” limited by guarantee. Completing the forms on-line takes just a couple of hours.
During the moratorium, other local businesses and community groups can also put a bid in to buy the pub, but it cannot be sold until after the moratorium is completed. It’s important to stress that if you put your name to listing a pub, you will be under absolutely no obligation to bid to buy the pub in the future. WHERE CAN I GO FOR MORE ADVICE AND SUPPORT? •
Government Funded “My Community Rights” service provided by Locality. www.mycommunityrights.org.uk/communityright-to-bid Helpline: 0845 345 4564
•
www.basingstoke.gov.uk/browse/communityand-living/community-right-to-bid.htm
•
www.camra.org.uk/listyourlocal
Do not delay – list your local today! Otherwise, you may find it is too late… Derek Craze & Doug Cross
Answers to Quick Quiz [on page 15] 1. Down; 2. Orange; 3. Dog; 4. Out; 5. Left; 6. Neat; The Brewery was ‘LODDON’.
- 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
Article taken from the ‘CAMRA guide for nominating pubs as Assets of Community Value’
the
Coach & Horses
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Issue 4 | WINTER 2014
National Winter Ales Festival A look back at the 2013 Festival
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
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he NWAF or National Winter Ales Festival 2013 was held in Manchester, but in 2014 the host city changes to Derby. Here is a report from the group that attended last year’s event from North Hampshire branch… Arriving late on Wednesday evening, we made our way to the nearest Wetherspoon’s on Piccadilly to grab some food and a pint. The 3B’s ‘Knocker Up’ porter really hit the spot after the three-and-a-half hour train journey. After checking into the hotel and dumping the luggage, we headed to find another hostelry. The Castle – a pleasant Robinson’s pub – was open until 1am, giving us plenty of time for a Roosters ‘Black Math’, an Ossett ‘Big Red’ and ‘Build a Rocket Boys’, a collaboration brew with the band, Elbow. Thursday morning started with a plan to visit the Micro Bar in the Arndale Centre by 11am and then head to the festival. We went to find breakfast, over which plans changed and we decided to walk out to Salford first. Arriving at the New Oxford, we were greeted by two beer lists, 19 handpumps on the bar and a notepad and pen if we would like something from the 12 available from the cellar. We got chatting to a young couple at the bar who had decided to make a similar detour to ourselves. During our chat, we discovered that we were with the brewer for Elland’s of Leeds who had just scooped the award for overall National Champion Winter Ale. Our new friends suggested a visit to a pub just around the corner with a famous owner, the name above the door of the Kings Head read ‘Paul _ eaton’ (with a missing H). Unfortunately, it wasn’t Happy Hour and the owner wasn’t about (he was
probably in the Beautiful South!). At 5pm, we finally made it to the Micro Bar, owned by brewer and wholesaler Boggart Hole Clough and run by the lovely Stephanie. This is a market stall similar to Uto Beer in Borough Market with a small bar and off sales of bottled beers but, for the NWAF, they had erected stillage and had 35 cask ales available. This distraction did mean that it was nearly 8pm by the time we arrived at the NWAF! The Champions Bar was starting to show signs of abuse, but I did manage to get the Barley Wine Bronze medal winner, Kinver ‘Over the Edge’, to start with. After another few choice halves, I finished the evening with a beer that I’ve had my eye on since my first Good Beer Guide in 1992, Parish Brewery’s ‘Baz’s Bonce Blower’. A nice walk back to town ended a very pleasant day. Friday started with the threat of snow in the early afternoon. So, after breakfast, we set off for the Castlefield area. We were too early for the bars that we wanted to visit so we filled the time with a walk around the Power Hall of the excellent Science Museum and the Bridgewater Canal Basin before arriving at the Knott Bar, under a railway arch on the Liverpool Line. Thornbridge ‘Sequoia’ and Hardknott ‘Cool Fusion’ got the day off to a great start. Next stop was CASK, an unimposing shop front with a narrow corner door that we had walked straight past earlier. Inside, we found four handpumps and a large selection of bottled beers all cared for and served by knowledgeable and enthusiastic bar staff. After pie & chips from the Fish Bar next door, we headed for the new, but designer distressed, Brew Dog bar on Peter Street where draught ‘Cocoa Psycho’ was
beerlines
North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Swan with Two Necks, lovingly preserved with oak panelled walls. We had half a dark mild and moved on to the Crown. Standing in the shadows of the railway viaduct that boasts the title of most bricks used in a single structure, this is a pub with a huge selection of ales and a shortage of empty seats because of its welcoming social atmosphere. The walk back to the hotel was uneventful as The Hop brewpub was closed for refurbishment and time had been called in the Magnet. All that was left to do was to have a good night’s sleep and not miss the next morning’s train home. Overall, the trip opened my eyes to how well-run community pubs, with good ale, can create a wonderful social atmosphere where people can gather to enjoy each other’s company. Good public transport was an important part of getting around, but the main thing that we noticed was what was missing: shouting, swearing, loud music, shots, pitchers, energy drinks and, in a word, drunkenness. The final tally for the three-and-a-half days was 46 different beers (mostly halves), 14 at the festival and 32 in the pubs and bars. Thank you, Manchester! Phil Myatt
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
too good to miss. It was at this point that we remembered that the admission price at NWAF went up at 4.30pm, so we hotfooted it across town before giving in and hopping on a bus to arrive at the venue with 5 minutes to spare. As we arrived, the snow was just starting to fall. We were happy to be in the warmth of the Sheridan Suite for the next few hours. Highlights of this session were ‘XT9’ porter from the wood and the restocked Champion ‘Elland 1872’ porter and a long conversation with Trafford & Hulme’s Heather about beer temperature monitoring and her nifty Infrared temperature gun. We decided not to wait for last orders and left with the intention of having a couple more in town, but the snow had certainly stuck and after waiting for a while we decided the bus wasn’t coming and so enjoyed a lovely wintery walk down to the Marble Arch on the Rochdale Road. This bar is in a lovely old wines & spirits wholesale building with a disconcertingly sloped floor towards the bar. Here I made a big mistake. In a hurry to choose my tipple I pointed to Marble’s ‘Decadence’. This turned out to be an 8.7% Imperial Russian Stout and it took me an hour to drink the half. We headed back to the hotel through the snow. Saturday morning, time to check out of central Manchester and move to the cheaper outskirts. So, after breakfast at the Paramount, we took a tram to the suburb of Chorlton-Cum-Hardy. This area has suffered the loss of half of its pubs and the remainder mainly stocked brand keg. However, the 19 bars that have sprung up from other shops were all serving real ale, craft keg and bottled ales. Our second stop, the very smart Beagle that had previously been a restaurant, had six local real ales, real cider and a beer font similar to the Euston Tap serving American, Belgian, German and English craft beer all served in branded glassware. The menu on the tables explained the different beer styles and also had food pairing suggestions. Next up was the Parlour in Chorlton Village. Saturday lunchtime and it was rammed with families and friends enjoying probably the warmest, most social atmosphere I can remember. Two more contrasting pubs followed, both with a good beer selection and community involvement, before we had to hop on a bus to Stockport for the final evening of our trip. After checking in to our caskless Toby/ Innkeepers, we walked the mile or so back to the edge of town and the Magnet, which had a list of ten handpumps. Then, we headed down the hill into the town centre. We entered Robinson’s
Issue 4 | WINTER 2014
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North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 4 | WINTER 2014
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North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 4 | WINTER 2014
Brewery News Your local brewery update Andwell Brewing Company
Sherfield Village Brewery
01256 761044 www.andwells.com
07906 060429 www.sherfieldvillagebrewery.co.uk
Andwell Brewing Company have taken on their first pub. They have leased the Lord Derby at North Warnborough. It reopened at the end of July 2013 with five handpumps (3 Andwell and 2 guest beers) and a rotating selection of World Beers (kegs).
Longdog Brewery 01256 324286 www.longdogbrewery.co.uk Longdog currently brews 4 year-round beers: Bunny Chaser, Golden Poacher, Brindle Bitter and Lamplight Porter. In response to an increase in demand, Longdog Brewery has doubled its workforce. Phil’s wife Lisa is now responsible for sales and administration, leaving him to concentrate on brewing and delivery. The beer range remains unchanged.
Mash Brewery Twitter - @MashBrewery shop.mashbrewery.com
Wild Weather Ales 0118 970 1837 www.wildweatherales.com It was a busy quarter for Wild Weather Ales, with new beer introductions and a brewery presence at many of the local fairs and beer festivals. On the beer front, ‘Black Night’ is now in full production: this is a dark ale that blends a smooth malty, hoppy taste with a modest strength of 3.9% ABV, which means it fits neatly into the ‘session’ category and can be enjoyed to the full. In the pipeline, so to speak, is a new IPA with the working title ‘Shepherd’s Warning’ that went into the mash tun for the first time in October. Brewer Mike Tempest is looking for a 5.6% ABV, with ‘a wonderful hit of hoppy grapefruit, peach and mango flavours.’ Top events of the past quarter included the Ascot Beer Festival, very successful again this year, with the unique blend of real ale and horse racing. The Hampshire Octoberfest in Basingstoke was also an excellent event; Wild Weather shifted 11 firkins!
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
They began to brew on their one barrel plant in June and have five main offerings, brewing in rotation, and bottling to order. A new 10 barrel plant is on order from Elite of Swindon and was still due to be delivered and installed in November. He has had beer around in festivals. Notably, he had all five core beers at Hampshire’s Octoberfest in Basingstoke and the Amber was well received. However, he confirmed that he has not been able to get his beer into any pubs on a regular basis yet. Please email info@ mashbrewery.com for more information.
The brewery has been successfully represented at various beer festivals: Sherfield Village; Hampshire’s Octoberfest; and Ascot. Beers included ‘Pioneer Stout’, ‘Green Bullet’, ‘Green Hop IPA’ and ‘SSB’ to name a few. The new, and fifth IPA to be brewed by Pete, ‘iPa 5’ has recently been launched. Bottled beers are still available at ‘The Village Shop’ and some selected farm shops in the local area.
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beerlines
North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 4 | WINTER 2014
Pub Walk Around Rotherwick Start/Finish: Rotherwick Parish Church, The Street, RG27 9BG (OS Ref SU 712563) Total distance: 2.5 miles. NB Please ask the landlord for permission to park in the pub car park.
P
ark outside church, with your back to the church turn right. After 50yds, take the bridle path on the left. After reaching the road turning left, take the footpath 20yds further on the left and go diagonally across field. On reaching the other side of the field, turn left onto a track, passing the 10mph signs. Ignore the footpaths on the left and the right and continue on the track to the road, turn left and continue into Rotherwick. At the crossroads, turn left into The Street. After 200 yards, you will find The Falcon. Ales that were available on the day of the walk were Hogs Back ‘T.E.A.’ and Sharp’s ‘Doom Bar’. On leaving the pub, turn left back to the crossroads, then turn left again. After 200yds, turn left following the footpath sign down Wedmans Lane. As the lane turns sharp right, continue ahead to the kissing gate next to a steel gate and head
across the field to the next kissing gate. Continue down the right-hand side of the next field under the trees. Continue into the wood, go through the kissing gate and turn left, heading for another pair of kissing gates. After the second one, turn sharp left down past a barn and continue around track, passing another barn. Continue down the lane to the road and The Coach and Horses, a Hall and Woodhouse pub. The ales on the day of the walk were Badger ‘First Gold’ and Badger ‘Hopeful Hop’. On leaving the pub, turn left back to the church and car. Geoff King
Members Weekend & AGM
www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk
25th - 27th April 2014
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CAMRA Members’ Weekend, featuring the National AGM and Conference, is where our members discuss our future policy and direction. The weekend also offers the opportunity to members to socialise with friends, visit recommended pubs and go on organised trips. The Members’ Weekend is open to all CAMRA members and will be held at The Spa Complex, Scarborough. Pre-register your interest today 1. Visit the Members’ Weekend website: www.camraagm.org.uk 2. Select “Member Login” at the top right hand corner to log in. 3. Once logged in, click “Register” on the home page or on the navigation bar located in the top right hand corner. 4. Once clicked, you should receive on-screen confirmation that your registration has been successful. Please note that joint members will need to login and register individually. Closing date for pre-registration is Friday 28th March 2014. As a pre-registered member you will receive the Members’ Weekend Handbook before the event. This will be sent out the week following the cut off for pre-registration. Members’ Conference packs will be available at the venue.
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THE
North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA
Issue 4 | WINTER 2014
• 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 £8.95
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
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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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