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Winner of SE London CAMRA Pub of the Year 2008 & 2012
Blythe Hill Tavern A South East London Gem
Blythe Hill Tavern is a CAMRA award-winning, traditional Victorian corner pub where you’ll find a warm welcome and a great selection of real ales on tap.
There is always something going on at the Tavern from music to sports The Tavern has three bars and 1930’s interior and is featured in CAMRA’s Regional Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors. 5 real ales always available featuring guest ales from regional breweries. Ciders on tap and a good selection of bottled beers.
“the best inthe y London” b the Society for Beers of PreservationWood from the 2015
• Quiz Nights on Mondays (9.00pm, Sept - April) • Irish Music every Thursday (8.30pm - 11.30pm) • Beer Garden at Rear Opening Times: Mon - Wed: 11am - 11.30pm Thurs - Sun: 11am - Midnight
The best drop of Guinness this side of Dublin
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Only 10 mins walk from Catford/Catford Bridge Stations The Blythe Hill Tavern 319 Stanstead Road, London, SE23 1JB N TH E ST LO A
Check out our new website www.blythehilltavern.org.uk
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ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
WELCOME
BRANCH CHAIRMAN Grace Goodlad BRANCH CONTACT Norman Warner e: contact@bromley.camra.org.uk EDITOR Geraldine Rolfe e: geraldine.rolfe@talktalk.net CIDER REPRESENTATIVE Geraldine Rolfe e: geraldine.rolfe@talktalk.net
www.bromley.camra.org.uk Twitter: Facebook:
@camrabromley BromleyCAMRA
The Editor reserves the right to amend or shorten contributions for publication. All editorial copyright © Bromley CAMRA 2015 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. Bromley 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 Bromley CAMRA. TRADING STANDARDS (Bromley) London Borough of Bromley, Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley BR1 3UH t: 020 8464 3333 www.bromley.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 Capital Media Group First Floor, Central Buildings, Middlegate, newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1AG t: 01636 302 302 e: bromley@thisiscapital.com www.thisiscapital.com © 2015 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.
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W
elcome to the 2nd Mad March Cider Festival. 2 years ago we held the first cider and perry only festival (no real ale), to be held by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), in Greater London, for decades. Now it’s back at the same venue, twice as long with twice the quantity and variety. This event is organised by the Bromley Branch. CAMRA is a not for profit organisation and all the staff are unpaid volunteers. Any surplus we make will all be used to help fund the Campaign. CAMRA also fights for pubs and all drinkers’ rights and of course, real cider (made from apples) and real perry (made from pears) too. Real cider and perry means no filtering, no additives, no carbonation and no ice. Just fermented apple and pear juice, with all its complex flavours, lightly chilled. Please remember that most ciders and perries are about twice the strength of most ale so they need to be consumed with respect. I recommend drinking halves or even better, thirds, so you can sample more varieties of the fantastic range we’ve assembled. If you have any queries, our knowledgeable staff will be pleased to help and don’t be afraid to ask for a sample taste if you’re unsure. It’s very important to us that you enjoy the experience which is part of one of CAMRA’s key campaigns, to encourage drinkers to sample more variety Costs have deliberately been kept as low as possible and we hope you’ll agree, the average price of £3.20 per pint represents great value. Pronto will provide excellent catering, Dave and Scot will provide live songs from the 60s onwards on Saturday afternoon and please support our raffle which helps keep the costs down and we have some great prizes. If you’re not already a CAMRA member, but you like what we do, please consider joining. It would be mad not to! Enjoy! Geraldine
Bromley CAMRA Cider Representative 3
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WASSAILING O
r Singing to the Trees as an old friend puts it. Wassailing means “be in good health” or “be well”. An ancient tradition going back to Pagan times, that undertakes an evening visit to an apple orchard on Old Twelfth night 17th January (or for some New Twelfth night 5th Jan). The assembled sings a Wassail carol, cider is poured on to the roots of the tree, cider soaked toast is laid in the branches and finally a lot of noise is made to waken the Sleeping Tree Spirit All of this to wish for a good bountiful crop in the forthcoming season, keeping the tree safe from any evil spirits until the apples appeared. Finally, for the participants a toast would then be drunk from a wassail cup. This tradition is being revived in a number of parts of England including in an area that isn’t normally known for apple growing - London. About 8 years ago, a neighbour and I decided to hold a wassail on our local allotment in SE London that had a number of apple trees. It seemed a good idea to hold an event, as Christmas and New Year has passed, January is quiet so lets have an gathering to get people together and out in the fresh air. We had to do some adaptations, as there were a number of families who wanted
to come with small children, so decided to hold it during the afternoon of the nearest Saturday to Old Twelfth night. In the countryside shotguns are fired to wake the sleeping spirits, we didn’t want the attention of the Met police finest, so we have used party poppers (there’s often a load left over from New Years Eve). We visit a number of trees in the allotment site each one gets a different wassail carol, locally made London cider poured on its roots and the tree is left decorated with party popper streamers. At the end we retire to gather round a bonfire, consuming jacket potatoes with toppings, washed down with cider, of course apple juice for the youngsters. A few other places in London now do such events. The Two Doves at Bromley Common has a evening wassail with the Ravensbourne Morris men who also enact a traditional Mummers play. Look out for Wassailing, or other traditional activities in your area in January. Of course there are other Cider activities in London over the year, CAMRA Celebrates Cider in May when last years cider is ready to drink and October when Cider is made. If you are interested in joining in, please drop the Regional Cider Coordinator an email london_cider@btinternet.com or text 07712 122402. Wassail! Ian White
Regional Cider Coordinator
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THE CIDER LIST
We aim to have the vast majority of these available at all the sessions. However, the nature of our thirsty customers means that not everything will be available at the end of the festival.
All the ciders, perries are subject to availability and therefore may not be at the festival.
ABRAHALLS 1.
Worcester, Herefordshire Medium 5.5%
Thundering Molly
A well rounded medium cider. Fresh and fruity with a lovely apple aroma. Gorgeous golden colour and a well balanced finish. Made on our farm from 100% cider apples.
DOUBLE VISION
CASTLE
Unfiltered cider using Kentish apples. Good apple character, nicely dry and tart with light tannins.
2.
Chiddingstone, Kent Medium 7.4%
NO NAME
Set up in 1987 from Chiddingstone this is a clear and easy drinkable cider. Very popular at festivals.
CIDERFECT
10. NO NAME
DUDDA’S TUN 11. TUN
Maidstone, Kent Medium 7.3%
Sittingbourne, Kent Medium 7.5%
Organic cider and perry producer based in the Wye Valley.
In 2011 Dudda’s Tun Cider won two CAMRA awards, and was nominated for ‘Best Cider’ in the Taste of Kent Awards 2012, taking its place alongside many well respected cider producers in Kent and the South-East.
CIDERNIKS
GREEN VALLEY
3.
4.
Wye Valley Medium 6.0%
NO NAME
Kintbury, West Berkshire Medium 6.8%
DAB HAND
Exeter, Devon Dry 8.3%
12. VINTAGE
Ciders are made with pure apple juice with nothing else added. Made from a blend of 75% Dabinett and 25% Michelin cider apples grown in Herefordshire. Dab Hand has a softer mouth feel, due to higher tannin levels, and a very different taste to Combe.
Made only from freshly pressed Devon apples. In a county with near perfect conditions for apple-growing.
COTSWOLD CIDER CO.
Set in the rolling hills of the Golden Valley a small, family run business and a working farm. As well as keeping livestock they also have their own apple and pear orchard that supplies the fruit needed to make the cider and Perry. Kingston Black is the most famous apple used in cidermaking. Matured in oak barrels with natural yeasts. Rich apple aroma, sour apple and sulphur notes.
5.
BLOKE ONE SIDEBURN
Coleshill, Oxfordshire Sweet 6.0%
A lightly sparkling, real good “toffee-apple infusion” Celebrating the Sideburns proudly worn by real cider lovers. “Inventor and Ambrose Burnside.”
CROSSMAN 6.
NO NAME
Hewish, Somerset Medium/Sweet 6.0%
Excellent quality cider produced from apples grown in Ben Crossman’s own orchards. Well known traditional unfiltered cider. Using many different varieties of Somerset apples. Very easy drinking.
DAN Y GRAIG 7.
SURPRISE!
Abergavenny, Wales Medium/Sweet 6.0%
Producer based just inside the Welsh border. We do not know what will be available so it could be any of the following: Llantilio Medium Dry Cider 5.9% , Medium Cider 6% , Old Timer Cider 7%, Whisky Cask Cider 7%.
DAYS COTTAGE 8.
NO NAME
Brookthorpe, Gloucester Sweet 7.5%
Using old varieties of pear from restored orchards. The fruit comes only from unsprayed orchards, and dozens of different varieties are used, some unique to the county.
DORSET NECTAR 9.
ORGANIC MEDIUM
Waytown, Dorset Medium 6.5%
The sun ripened apples are whole crushed and pressed
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at the orchard’s cider barn near Bridport, then patiently nurtured to create a smooth, delicious cider that is fruity in taste and bursting with flavour.
GWATKIN
13. KINGSTON BLACK
GWENT Y DDRAIG 14. WARRIOR
Abbeydore, Herefordshire Dry 7.4%
Pontpridd, Wales Medium 6.0%
Started in 2001, only makes cider using traditional methods and getting a good number of awards. Now Nationwide sales, so their products can be found in certain supermarkets and pubs.
HONEYPOT FARM 15. HONEYPOT
South Petherton, Somerset Sweet 6.0%
Somerset, deeply golden and quite clear cider.
JOHNSON’S FARMHOUSE CIDER 16. SUMMER DAZE
Sheerness, Kent Dry 8.5%
A strong cider from a small producer on the Isle of Sheppy, uses organic apples.
KENT CIDER COMPANY 17. RUSSET/BRAMLEY
Canterbury, Kent Dry 8.0%
100% Kentish apples are used to produce its distinctive range of award-winning, craft ciders. An award-winning blend of nutty and earthy Egremont Russet apples with a dash of Bramley. Full-bodied, grown-up distinctive cider.
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THE CIDER LIST All the ciders, perries are subject to availability and therefore may not be at the festival.
MILLWHITES
Axbridge, Somerset Medium 7.5%
18. RUM CASK
Excellent premium cider aged in barrels from the Jamaican Rum Company. Made from apples grown and hand selected from their orchards in the heart of Somerset, fermented and matured in oak barrels. Made of a unique blend of cider apples free from harmful pesticides and chemicals and, unlike other ciders does not contain any sulphites. Can be obtained from Blackheath farmers market every 3rd Sunday of the month.
NEWTON COURT 19. SURPRISE
This will be surprise on the weeked!
Leominster, Herefordshire Medium/Dry 7.5%
RATHAYS
Sutton St Nicholas, Herefordshire 20. OLD GOAT BLEND Dry 7.2%
Winner of Catford Beer festival cider of the festival 2004 & 2006. The Blackmores been producing cider from their smallholding (complete with Angora Goats) for a few years. SE London CAMRA trip to present the award was very memorable!
ROSIE’S
Llandegla, North Wales Medium 7.0%
21. TRIPLE D
Now in seventh year of cider making they say used to make country wines, but it took another 30 years before they thought making cider would be a good way to combine a number of hobbies.
ROSS-ON-WYE
22. NO NAME
Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire Medium 7.0%
Set up seven years ago by a cider enthusiast. With increasing planting of more orchards for the future.
ROUGH OLD WIFE
23. ROUGH OLD WIFE
Elmsted, Kent Dry 7.5%
Pure Kent traditional hand pressed cider medium, clear with a rich apple bouquet and a hint of aged Scottish whisky and oak barrels”.
TALBOT HARRIS CIDER CO.
combined with natural tannins unlocked during the ageing process give a dry, fiery kick to make the perfect balance of flavours.
TROGGI
26. NO NAME
Earlswood, Monmouthshire Medium 6.5%
Troggi specialises in whole juice dry cider and perry and is developing bottle-conditioned products. If you like your ciders, then this is the one for you: plenty of depth and character.
TWISTED
27. WHISKEY CASK
Longburton, Dorset Dry 6.0%
A Blend of at least 8 varieties of vintage apples locally sourced to reduce the impact on the environment making every mouthful more innocent.
VENTON CYDERS 28. NO NAME
Clyst St Lawrence, Devon Dry 6.5%
Ventons’ methods are as traditional as they get! Handpicked, vintage cider apples are crushed and pressed a ton at a time through straw on a traditional oak twinscrew press, then fermented and matured in oak barrels to produce a clear and clean natural cider.
29. STRAW PRESSED
Medium 6.0%
Enjoy this traditional Devon Cider and appreciate it for what it is, a product of nature derived from nothing but 100% Devon apples.
WESTCROFTS
30. JANETS “JINGLE” JUICE
Highbridge, Somerset Medium 6.0%
Produced by cider maker John Harris this is a firm favourite with his customers. When you try it you will see why it was the CAMRA national award winner in 2008. This medium dry cider is well rounded and fruity with a deep texture and flavour. It is a fantastic starting point for inexperienced cider drinkers as it is so very easy drinking.
WILKINS
31. FARMHOUSE CIDER
Mugdley, Somerset Sweet 6.5%
Talbot Harris Cider is pressed from the finest Dorset cider apples from local orchards around our farm in the beautiful Bride Valley.
Founded in 1917, Roger Wilkins is a well known character, appeared numerous times on TV, has been running since 1966, a pilgrimage to his farm overlooking Westhay Moor Valley is a must for cider lovers. This is Good favourite cider. There is a slight bitterness and tang to it and just a genuine cider taste.
TRICKY
WM WATKINS
24. NO NAME
25. NO NAME
Bridport, Dorset Dry 6.0%
Churchinford, Somerset Medium 6.5%
Started 2004 from a hobby to a commercial operation. A thirst quenching and delicious cider made from 100% apple juice from the Blackdown Hills. The cider apple blend
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32. NO NAME
Grosmont, Gwent Dry 7.0%
Set up in 2003 to make use of the traditional cider orchard on the farm.
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THE PERRY LIST All the ciders, perries are subject to availability and therefore may not be at the festival. We aim to have the vast majority of these available at all the sessions. However, the nature of our thirsty customers means that not everything will be available at the end of the festival.
DOUBLE VISION 1.
IMPEARED VISION
Made from Kentish Conference pears.
DUDDA’S TUN 2.
PEAR O’DUDDA’S
Maidstone, Kent Medium 7.4% Sittingbourne, Kent Medium 5.5%
This slightly hazy, light perry has a smooth finish and soft acidity, with subtle sweet pear and honey notes. The pears are pressed when they are super ripe, but not over the top... thus producing that sweet honey flavour.
GWENT Y DDRAIG 3.
TWO TREES
Pontpridd, Wales Medium 4.5%
This is one for the perry lovers... and everyone else!
HARTLANDS 4.
PERRY
Tirley, Gloucestershire Dry 5.8%
This small family operation, was started by the late Ray Hartland, a local farmer at Flat Farm on the outskirts of Staunton. This award-winning perry is rich and tasty with flavours of pear, wood, spices, mild yeast and some white wine-like notes along with mild sweetness.
KENT CIDER CO 5.
PERRY
Award winning Kentish Perry.
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NEWTON COURT 6.
PERRY
Leominster, Herefordshire Medium 5.5%
Started in 2000, they make Perry using traditional methods from organic orchards, won many awards.
ROSS-ON-WYE 7.
PERRY
Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire Medium 5.5%
All Ross-On-Wye Cider & Perry Co’s produce is made from 100% pure apple and pear juice, pressed at Broome Farm mainly from their own fruit. This is a really good, awardwinning perry - an overall sharp pear taste with an initial sweetness that gives way to a tart, dry finish.
WM WATKINS 8.
PERRY
Grosmont, Gwent Sweet 5.5%
A small Welsh cider, perry and apple juice producer. Fruit from their own and local traditional orchards. Pressed on the farm and matured in oak barrels.
Canterbury, Kent Medium 6%
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WILKINS
CIDER FARM ...proper cider from the heart of Somerset
Wilkins Farmhouse Cider 6% ABV Land's End Farm • Mudgley Wedmore • Somerset • BS28 4TU 01934 712385
w w w.wilk inscider.com
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