Darlington Drinker N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E D A R L I N G T O N C A M PA I G N F O R R E A L A L E
E! FRasE e take Ple a copy
ISSUE 187 | SUMMER 2013
THE TAX IS AXED! Chancellor George Osborne axes the beer tax escalator following CAMRA’s year-long campaign against it!
IN THIS ISSUE... • FANCY A BREW? • THE HEALTH ISSUE • THE RED LION AT COTHERSTONE Plus Much More.... www.dar locam r a.or g.uk
Darlington Drinker
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DARLINGTON CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE
ISSUE 187 | SUMMER 2013
DARLINGTON CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE
FROM THE EDITOR
Darlington Drinker
The Buck Inn Thornton Watlass, Bedale
Country Inn Overlooking the Village Green
W
elcome to Issue 187 of Darlington Drinker and our summer edition. Good news! Chancellor George Osborne finally scrapped the Beer Tax Escalator in his March budget, this following CAMRA’s “Save Your Pint!” e-petition campaign which many of you signed resulting in well over 100,000 signatures. This ensured a debate in Parliament and more details of this can be found on page 4. In Issue 186, you may recall there were plans to possibly stage a beer festival later in the year. Provisional plans have been made with Darlington Mowden Park Rugby Club to stage a beer festival at the Arena on Neasham Road during the first weekend in August. Subject to approval, the festival will run from Thursday 1st – Saturday 3rd August, and we will be looking forward to seeing old faces again and hopefully meeting new ones. Meanwhile, Darlington Snooker Club was pipped to the post in winning CAMRA’s National Club of Year 2012 Award by Cheltenham Motor Club in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Peter Everett and all his staff at the snooker club should be rightly proud of what they have achieved in getting so far in this competition, and reaching the final four by beating previous winners of the competition. Judging has begun for CAMRA’s Club of the Year, Cider Pub of the Year and Pub of the Year in both the North East and Yorkshire regions and our best wishes go to Darlington Snooker Club, the Quakerhouse and to the Crown Inn at Manfield as our representatives in these competitions.
Ian Jackson Editor, Darlington Drinker
REACH 6000+ REAL ALE DRINKERS & PUBGOERS FULL PAGE £225.00 +vat HALF PAGE: £125.00 +vat QUARTER PAGE: 65.00 +vat Book 4 editions & receive 10% discount. Free design. To book call Capital Media on 01636 302 302
ISSUE 187 | SUMMER 2013
FIVE REAL ALES ALWAYS ON PUMP
including local independents Quality Home-Cooked Meals Lunch & Evenings 7 Days A Week | Bar Open All Day Beer Garden | Children’s Play Area | Function Room
En-Suite Accommodation
SUNDAY LUNCHTIME JAZZ
May 5th - Maine St. Jazzmen May 19th - Happy Chappies June 9th - Washington Whirligig June 16th - Brian Carrick & the Heritage Hall Stompers June 30th - White Eagles Jazz Band July 14th - Ryedale Jazz Band July 28th - Rendezvous Jazz
Call 01677 422461 or Visit www.buckwatlass.co.uk CONTACT DARLINGTON CAMRA Website: www.darlocamra.org.uk Twitter: @darloCAMRA Facebook: DarloCamra
OTHER CONTACTS 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 Trading Standards t: 01325 388799 • e: tradingstandards@darlington.gov.uk
PUBLISHED BY Capital Media Midlands Limited 2 Halifax Court, Fernwood Business Park, Cross Lane, Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, NG24 3JP. t: 01636 302 302 • e: darlingtondrinker@thisiscapital.com www.thisiscapital.com Disclaimer: The views expressed in articles are those of individual contributors and are not necessarily the views of the Darlington Branch, The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. Darlington 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 Darlington CAMRA. © 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.
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NOT BEFORE TIME...
THE TAX IS AXED!
A
fter CAMRA’s year-long campaign against the beer duty escalator, Chancellor George Osborne has finally announced that the tax will be axed. Having been introduced in 2008, the tax has managed to increase by 42%, raising the cost of a pint of beer and forcing consumers away from their local resulting in almost 6,000 pub closures and many job losses. Following the Budget in 2012, CAMRA launched the “Save Your Pint!” e-petition calling for an end to the tax and volunteers spread the word; a total of 10,000 signatures alone were gathered at the Great British Beer Festival at Olympia in August. By October the magical figure of 100,000 signatures was reached and campaigners lobbied to get a debate in Parliament, with MPs from all sides agreeing the beer duty escalator should be scrapped. The “Save Your Pint” lobby of Parliament on 12th December was attended by around 1,200 CAMRA members where they lobbied their local MPs into asking for the tax to be scrapped. Members also continued campaigning by both meeting and writing to their MPs right up until the Budget on Wednesday 20th March.
D.D. TEN YEARS AGO... The second brew of “Feethams Farewell” will be reaching local pubs by May, following its launch at the Spring Thing Beer Festival. The idea for the 3.8% beer to mark Darlington Football Club’s move from Feethams after 120 years came from the Darlington Supporters’ Trust, and CAMRA helped commission the beer from Sunderland-based Darwin Brewery. “More than a few fans will be raising a glass to the old ground and so we thought, what’s better
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DARLINGTON CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE
Chancellor George Osborne stated in the Budget that the Government were looking into stopping large discounts of cheap alcohol at retailers, but responsible drinkers and pubs should not be paying the price for problems caused by others. He went on to say, “The sad fact is that we’ve lost 10,000 pubs in the UK over the last decade. I intend to maintain the planned rise for all alcohol duties – with the exception of beer. We will now scrap the beer duty escalator altogether.” “And instead of the 3p rise in beer duty tax planned for this year I am cancelling it altogether. That’s the freeze people have been campaigning for. But I am going to go one step further and I am going to cut beer duty by 1p. We’re taking a penny off a pint.” Beer duty will now no longer rise automatically every year 2% above inflation, keeping down the cost of your pint down the pub. Congratulations must go to all CAMRA members who campaigned either by gathering support, signing the e-petition or attending the mass lobby of Parliament and meeting their local MPs. A resounding success for CAMRA’s biggest ever campaign. And mine’s a pint by the way!
than our own beer?” said Peter Ashmore, chairman of the trust. “We hope Feethams Farewell will be a little bit like the stadium – full of character and something to remember after it’s gone”. Keith Thomas of Darwin Brewery said Feethams Farewell is in the style of a “steam beer”. “It is a bright, hoppy beer with a snappy carbonation and lingering bitterness. The ‘steam’ designation refers to the casks being lively after delivery and ‘steaming’ on opening.” Darlington Drinker Issue 146, May/Jun 2003
ISSUE 187 | SUMMER 2013
Darlington Drinker
DARLINGTON CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE
The Quakerhouse
REAL ALE & ROCK / BLUES BAR - LIVE MUSIC EVERY WEEK
We pride ourselves in the beer, the service and our music. Please check out the events page on our website for further information. • • • •
Acoustic Night - Mondays Rock Night - Wednesdays (Free entry before 8pm - £4 after 8pm) Busk-It - Monthly open mic night on first Tuesday + live backing band Blues Lounge Sessions (hosted by Alex Fawcett & Danny Wragg) Monthly open mic night on a Thursday for blues music • Bluegrass/Skiffle Night (with Willow Creek) - Last Sunday every month Open 7 Days a Week - from 11am. Closing Times Vary - M - 11:30pm / Tu, Th & Su - 11pm / W, F & Sa - Midnight
WWW.QUAKERHOUSE.CO.UK
MAY JUNE
Eric Lewis Dave Cadman & friends Terry Gorman Paul Dannett & friends
1st 8th 15th 22nd 29th
Holly Taymar & Chris Bilton Dave Cadman Midway Arcadia Paul Dannett & friends Glue
M
14th 28th
Busk-It The Quaker Folk Gathering
JN
4th 25th
Busk It The Quaker Folk Gathering
JLY
TUESDAYS
2nd 30th
Busk-It The Quaker Folk Gathering
WEDNESDAY ROCK MAY
Now CAMRA Pub of the Year 2013, for the ninth time, and we were also honoured with a Bronze Award in the Regional Pub Of The Year 2012.
3rd 10th 17th 24th
1st 8th 15th 22nd 29th
Alcatraz The Ballbreakers 101 Krank It Up The Mentulls (£6 ticket event)
JUNE
Fosters, Strongbow, Stella 4, Guinness, Westons ‘Old Rosie Cider’ plus a selection of bottled ciders, lagers, and Vitis Mead also available. Wines and spirits also on offer.
Alan Knights Dave Cadman & friends Marc Atkinson Paul Dannett & friends
5th 12th 19th 26th
The Paul Rodgers Story Dirty Dogz Police Cover Up Stone Idols
JULY
10 hand pulls - 9 real ales & 2 real ciders. A rotating selection from all around the country.
6th 13th 20th 27th
JULY
ACOUSTIC MONDAYS
3rd 10th 17th 24th
Tumbling Dice Animate Eric & The Vikings The Equalisers
THURSDAY BLUES May 16th, June 20th, July 18th
SKIFFLE SUNDAY May 26th, June 30th, July 28th Please note that on Sunday 26th May, we will be having Darlington CAMRA’s Award for Pub of the Year. There will be entertainment from Gilly & Alan Williamson between 3pm – 5pm
2ISSUE Mechanics Yard 2013 | Darlington | DL3 7QF | t: 07783960105 | e: info@quakerhouse.co.uk 187 | SUMMER www.darlocamra.org.uk | 5
Darlington Drinker
DARLINGTON CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE
Beers available in Firkins, Pins, Mini Casks & Bottles
Delivering to pubs around the North of England on a weekly basis. Also available through SIBA DDS.
01388 602144 or 07557 020664 www.blackpawbrewery.co.uk Unit 4, Westgate Rd, Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham, DL14 7AX
DAILY F O O D DE AL S Mon: 20% Off
Eat In Or Take-away
Our menu – including homemade specials.
Tues: Free Dessert
When purchased with a main course from our regular menu.
Weds: 2-for-£10
Choose any two main courses from our regular menu or the daily specials.
Thur: 2-for-1 on all Desserts When purchased with main courses.
Two main courses plus a bottle of house wine*
*or 2 pints of selected soft drinks (draught Pepsi or Lemonade) or draught beers (any Real Ale or Carlsberg)
Massive Beer Garden
LIVE MUSIC @ COACH & HORSES INN
All Live Music is on Saturday night @ 9pm unless otherwise stated May 11th May 18th June 1st Charity Event June 2nd June 8th
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Ordinary Affair Los Capitanes Abbaretz (ABBA Tribute) & Amy Winehouse Tribute Russ Tippins (Sunday 4.30pm) Spectrum
22 Galgate Barnard Castle County Durham DL12 8BH
Fri: 2 Meals & 2 Drinks Deal £17.50
June 15th Suspect Device June 22nd Fu Fighters June 29th Mojo Hand Blues Band July 6th Bandits July 20th Miss D'Mina July 27th We Steal Flyers (Acoustic duo)
www.darlocamra.org.uk
t: 01833 908179
COACH & HORSES
A traditional local, lots of character & a warm welcome
Traditional Home Cooked Food 3 Rotating Guest Ales
Opening Times Sun - Wed, 12pm-11pm Thur - Sat, 12pm-12am
Pub Games, Quiz Nights & Regular Live Entertainment Accommodation • Beer garden Free WiFi • Family & Pet Friendly
www.marstonspubs.co.uk/thecoachandhorses ISSUE 187 | SUMMER 2013
DARLINGTON CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE
Darlington Drinker
THE HEALTH ISSUE by Annabel Smith
A
t least a couple of times a week, when I listen to the news on the radio, or open the newspaper, there is some doom and gloom story about how alcohol is ruining the health of the nation – and it is usually accompanied by a picture of a pint of hand pulled ale being poured. One of my colleagues once called this ‘lazy journalism’ because it suggests that beer is at the root of all the problems in society. So, I’m going to set the record straight. Any type of alcoholic beverage, when consumed in large quantities is going to start having an impact on health, behaviour and lifestyle, but beer seems to face the harshest criticism. First of all, let’s debunk some myths. Beer, when drunk in moderation is one of the healthiest alcoholic drinks around, known through the ages as ‘liquid bread’. Beer contains zero fat and zero cholesterol. Surprised by this? Well read on, because it may make you feel a bit better about that pint in front of you. Of all the health myths surrounding beer, none is more enduring than that of the link between beer consumption and the ‘beer belly’. However, beer itself has a relatively low calorific value. Let me just compare beer to some of the calories found in other drinks. If I choose to drink half a pint of a 3.8% beer, the calorific value is 85 calories. A single gin and tonic is 121 calories and if I opted for a medium size glass of white wine, the calorific value is 131 calories. So why is beer seen to be associated with weight gain? It has nothing to do with drink of choice, and everything to do with lifestyle. Think of the food you usually crave after having a few drinks. Usually foods packed with carbohydrates, and yes, I’m talking about fish and chips, pizzas, kebabs – and usually after this type of food is eaten, you feel sleepy and bloated. It’s the worst time to lie down and go to sleep!. We are constantly told to hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate by drinking lots of water to keep looking youthful. Drinks with high alcohol content such as wines and spirits are not the best choice to maintain hydration as they increase the amount of water the ISSUE 187 | SUMMER 2013
body loses. However, because normal strength beers are much lower in alcohol, drinking them helps maintain balanced hydration. Remember, beer is around 95% water. Beer is mostly made from barley. When malted, barley is a very rich source of B group vitamins including niacin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, folate. Do you recognise these names? Take a look on a packet of breakfast cereal - yes, they’re there. For the ladies, take a look at your moisturiser or face cream - yes, they’re there again. It is also these vitamins which protect against cardiovascular disease - far more than red wine and spirits. There is a very high concentration of silicon in beer; it is found in the husk of the barley, and is dissolved into the fluid of the beer. What does silicon do? It plays an important part in the synthesis of collagen, the protein found in hair, nails, tendons and skin. More importantly it makes bones denser –fighting the onset of osteoporosis, a disease which affects 3 million Britons. The hops, the plants which give beer it’s dry, bitter taste and aromatic aroma are brimming with healthy properties. They are a natural disinfectant and were used as a medicine in the 17th century to protect and fight off infections. Hops are said to ease constipation and sooth anxieties. And it’s all natural. All in all, it’s time for the media – and all drinkers to re-think beer. From a health and lifestyle perspective, it ticks the boxes we all want to hear. And it gives me a good excuse to order another pint. Annabel Smith is from Horbury, Wakefield and is currently Cask Marque’s only female beer inspector. www.darlocamra.org.uk
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ISSUE 187 | SUMMER 2013
Darlington Drinker
DARLINGTON CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE
FANCY A BREW? by Ian Jackson
R
ooster’s Brewing Co. in Knaresborough, has joined forces with Taylors of Harrogate, the nationally renowned coffee merchant, to create a beer using a blend of coffee. Londinium, a coffee porter, is now available for distribution to shops, pubs and restaurants across the UK in both and cask and bottle form. Londinium is dark beer with a hint of coffee on the finish, brewed using four malts, English hops and the addition of Taylors of Harrogate After Dark coffee. It’s a nod to the beer of yesteryear and, in particular, the style made popular by the street and river porters of London in the 18th century. The two independent, family-owned companies have a combined drinks experience of 146 years, whilst Londinium has been developed over the last six months, which included numerous coffee tastings
Authenticity, Hospitality & Exceptional Ambience
2010 & 2011 OVERALL WINNER
Spanish Tapas, Greek Mezes & other authentic continental dishes HIGH QUALITY CASK ALES, INCLUDING 8 REGULARLY CHANGING GUEST BEERS • A wide selection of spirits, cocktails, wines & bottled beers • Jonny Maracas Bar - Available for private parties • Monthly Music Nights - For more details & dates please contact the bar OPEN 7 DAYS
tapas for 2 - £15.99
EVERY LUNCHTIME & SUNDAY - THURSDAY EVENINGS
98 BONDGATE, DARLINGTON, DL3 7JY • T: 01325 467385 BOOK ONLINE AT WWW.TAPASBAR.CO.UK
ISSUE 187 | SUMMER 2013
and beer sampling sessions, to ensure the final product is a beautifully balanced beer that will appeal to both coffee and beer enthusiasts in equal measure. Tom Fozard, Rooster’s Commercial Manager, comments: “When we first approached Taylors with a view to using their coffee in the beer, we didn’t quite anticipate just how interested they’d be in helping us to find exactly the right blend to use.” Head Brewer Oliver Fozard adds: “We were initially invited to join Rick (Tingley) and his team at Taylors’ coffee tasting room where we sampled a variety of different coffees from all over the world and discussed the best ways in which they could be used. We then brewed trial batches on our 60 litre pilot plant and returned the favour at the brewery, before then sampling one of the trials at a local pub. We’re delighted with the final outcome of the beer.” Rick Tingley, Head of Coffee at Taylors of Harrogate, comments: “Taylors of Harrogate is proud to be working with neighbours, Roosters Brewing Co. on their coffee porter, Londinium. The dark, rich nature of the beer matches flawlessly with the sultry tones of our After Dark blend, which provides a deliciously chocolaty aftertaste – perfect for enjoying long into the evening.” The bottled beer is available in 500ml bottles, and being handled by Beer Paradise, an independent wholesaler based in Tockwith, who supply outlets within both the on and off trade throughout the UK. Beer Paradise is partowned by Zak Avery, a prominent beer writer and commentator, who comments: “We’re delighted to be working with such an influential brewery as Rooster’s, whilst the collaboration with Taylors of Harrogate on Londinium is one I’m sure will capture a lot of people’s imaginations. We look forward to helping deliver the beer to the fridges and shelves of the best beer shops, bars and restaurants all over the country.” A direct-delivery service for home drinkers is available online at www.beerritz.co.uk
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THE RED LION COTHERSTONE by Richard Robinson
T
here are certain moments in time that change the course of history and ignite a catalyst of events that bring us to where we are today. On Saturday 9th February 1980, some 33 years ago did you know the Red Lion in Cotherstone was up for public auction? The Red Lion was a tenanted Cameron’s house and was to be released for freehold sale. The sitting tenants were retiring and the brewery were scaling down their property portfolio. The pub was bought by the tenant’s son and daughter-in-law Jim and Dreda Forster for the princely sum of £44,500. Sadly Jim passed away on 29th December 1997, leaving Dreda to run the Red for a couple of years until I purchased it on 1st March 2002. At 21 I was bright eyed and bushy tailed, fresh with flowing ideas and a passion for cuisine. The years roll on as they say and I’m now 11 years down the road!. I’m still that same bairn and I’ll always have a passion for food but the real love in my life is my little 18th century pub. She is aging well for a 275 year old and still brings a smile to the faces of all who use her. I love all her little scars that each tell a story of different times and show her ongoing reinvention and usefulness within the community. The Red Lion is simplistic and homely, the fire draws you in and chatter fills the once smoke filled room. Cask ale is a welcome sight on the small hatch like bar; the ongoing recovery of local craft microbreweries brings new exciting times for my little house. Gone are the days of keg beer domination; a new generation of discerning drinkers are emerging who look at you in a puzzling manner when you say “Can you remember Watney’s Red Barrel?”. I look forward to the day I can say to a generation, “Can you remember John Smith’s Extra Cold?.” And I now have a new, permanent ale on cask. A quality, locally produced beer which holds all the traditional characteristics of what makes English bitter great and encompasses my values of the type of small brewery beer I’d like to promote: Yorkshire Dales Brewery Best Bitter 3.8% abv. A golden English bitter with a tight creamy white head. It is brewed with Maris Otter malt, sharp Amber malt, a kilo of Carafa Special malt for that 10
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DARLINGTON CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE
bite and English Sovereign hops. This is not a beer you would usually find leaving the doors of Rob Wiltshire’s Yorkshire Dales Brewery, far from it!. There is no high alpha acid hopping and strong sharp citrus flavours. It’s a Yorkshire bitter from years gone by... and made right proper too! There’s still a place on the shelf for the old best bitter Britain was built and raised on it; a staple element of the great British pub lunch, alongside the humble steak pie and spotted dick. This bitter does exactly what is says on the tin. It would seem whatever the style of ale that comes from Yorkshire Dales Brewery you can guarantee it will be full of Rob’s passion, with an emphasis on quality rather than squeezing every last available gallon of liquor out of the mash! As the measure of a great chef may be as simple as cooking the perfect steak, I’d say the measure of a master brewer must be in his Best Bitter! I wildly digress, but it was Saturday 9th February some 33 years ago that’s played its part in bringing me to my home and my passion for traditional pub life and beer!. I wonder what moments in time lay ahead?
ISSUE 187 | SUMMER 2013
DARLINGTON
Darlington Drinker
DARLINGTON CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE
SNOOKER CLUB
FOR THE BEST VALUE GAME OF SNOOKER IN DARLINGTON
10 FULL SIZE TABLES OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
• Mon to Thurs: 12 noon - Midnight • Fri: 12 noon - Late • Sat: 11am - Late • Sun: 11am - 11pm
FOUR QUALITY CASK ALES There’s always something to suit your taste!
Comfortable TV Lounge Parties Catered For
SUPER REGIONAL FINALIST NE CLUB OF THE YEAR 2011/2012 Further Accolades: • CAMRA North East Club of the Year 2004-2008
Buffets can be supplied to fit every budget
• Good Beer Guide 2005-2012
Junior Classes Sunday 9-11am. No Junior
• FIRST Snooker Club to be voted CAMRA Club of the Year
classes on Saturdays.
School Groups Welcome Professional coach available
• FIRST Snooker Club to appear in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide • FIRST Snooker Club to have it’s own major beer festival
CAMRA MEMBERS FREE ENTRY ON PRODUCTION OF MEMBERSHIP CARD
1 CORPORATION DARLINGTON, DL3 6AE • t: 01325 ISSUE 187 | SUMMER ROAD, 2013
241388 •www.darlocamra.org.uk e: peterdsc@yahoo.co.uk | 11
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THE REAL ALE TRAIL, HAVE WE CREATED A MONSTER? by Bob Tomlinson
T
he Transpennine Rail network from Leeds to Manchester and in particular from Dewsbury to Stalybridge has become synonymous with the Rail Ale Trail. Love it or hate it, it has become a popular day out for many social groups and the saviour of many pubs during the current economic climate. To others, it has turned Marsden and Slaithwaite into no-go areas for the local villagers. Likewise, the thought of using the local train service at weekends has become a nightmare with overcrowding, drunkenness and loutish behaviour in the carriages. Like many good ideas, the Rail Ale Trail was dreamt up to promote local beer tourism and the use of the railways. With the region justifiably famous for its brewing heritage supporting both regional Manchester based family brewers such as Lees, Holts and Robinsons and small independent microbreweries such as Golcar, Linfit, Empire, Riverhead, etc on the Yorkshire side, it has highlighted Huddersfield as one of the major brewing capitals of the North. Following the success of the Penistone Line Partnership Pub Trail, Northern sponsored and published its “Explore the Rail Ale Trail on the Huddersfield to Manchester Victoria Railway” guide in 2008. It
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was a great success and was actually promoted in our summer edition of Huddersfield and District CAMRA’s newsletter ‘Ale Talk’. The guide invited you to stop and experience the hospitality of one or all of the great real ale pubs along the line, and a chance to sample the ales and to visit some of the wonderful pubs along the Colne Valley. Originally the trail started at the Kings Head, the Head of Steam and the Grove in Huddersfield. It was then onto Slaithwaite to visit the Swan at Crimble and the Wharfeside Inn. At Marsden there was the Riverhead Brewery Tap and the Tunnel End Inn before heading through Standedge Tunnel onto the famous Stalybridge Buffet Bar, stopping briefly at the Railway at Greenfield and the Britannia Inn at Mossley. Since then, it has expanded to take in more pubs as times changed. So what went wrong? Well, perhaps the visit from Oz Clarke and James May in 2009 which was popularised in their BBC television series had something to do with it? During their drunken spree through Yorkshire in their quest for the perfect pint, they travelled along the Rail Ale Trail calling first at Dewsbury Station. By all accounts after their stop at the West Riding Licensed Refreshment Rooms, they were too inebriated to finish off their beer in the ‘Tavern’ and nearly missed the train to Stalybridge Buffet Bar. However, they did call in at three of the best Real Ale buffet bars along the line so the BBC researchers must have done their homework! Think what you may of Oz and James’ boozy pub crawl but it did put the Rail Ale Trail on the
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map with all the pubs close to the stations reporting increased visits and beer sales. Unfortunately, it also seems to have set the tone of the trail with excessive drinking and drunken behaviour being the norm. What was once a leisurely rail pub crawl by real ale drinkers has now become a frenetic and loutish day out on the lash by large groups of mainly lager drinkers. The Rail Ale Trail appears to have been hi-jacked by stag and hen parties often in fancy dress, birthday revellers and people old enough to know better – all tanked up on cheap lager, wine and alcopops. It is not uncommon to see grown men dressed as schoolgirls or as “Farmer Giles” types in flat caps, wax jackets and green wellies minus the whippet! Even Batman and Robin, Superman, Spiderman, Billy Banana and his bunch have been seen staggering around. Nobody wants to be a killjoy and stifle a fun day out but when it deteriorates into drunkards invading old ladies’ houses, women and men urinating in gardens, dumping half filled pint glasses of lager onto the station platforms, then it’s hard to see the fun in it and of course it benefits no one. Some pubs have resorted to supplying plastic glasses to avoid broken glasses and injury and to
putting up notices reminding revellers to use the toilet before returning to the station. Let’s be clear, real ale drinkers are not the cause. It is the media who have perpetuated this myth that all Rail Ale Trailers are Real Ale drinkers. Any sensible drinker will tell you there’re not. Somehow, Locomotive Lager Trail doesn’t have the same ring to it as Rail Ale Trail. CAMRA supports responsible drinking and all the CAMRA branches along the Rail Ale Trail deplore the action of the minority of irresponsible individuals who have spoilt it for the rest of the sensible law abiding drinkers, whose only wish is to enjoy a decent pint of ale. Our campaign is for a Real Ale Rail Trail which actively promotes Real Ale Pubs along the line and not the behaviour associated with the current Rail Ale Trail. We would ask all Rail Ale Trailers to respect the pubs and villages they visit and enjoy themselves in a reasonable manner. The last thing we want is to see is extra British Transport Police guarding passengers, or street marshals herding people from the pubs to the stations and back, or placing temporary urinals on street corners. So, please THINK before you DRINK.
NUMBER TWENTY2 Traditional Alehouse & Canteen
Enjoy up to 13 REAL ALES plus 9 CONTINENTAL BEERS To compliment our great ale and beers, we offer 20 wines by the glass plus selected malt whiskies and cognac. Campaigning on behalf of lovers of real ale Sandwiches and hot dishes are served lunchtimes,12 - 2pm
22 Coniscliffe Rd, Darlington 01325 354 590
www.villagebrewer.co.uk ISSUE 187 | SUMMER 2013
Open 6 Days A Week: Monday - Saturday
www.darlocamra.org.uk
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ISSUE 187 | SUMMER 2013
Darlington Drinker
DARLINGTON CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE
THE CASTLE PLAYERS by Andrew Harrison
T
he Castle Players, a community theatre company based in Barnard Castle, have been producing major outdoor theatre productions for over 20 years. The inspiration for starting The Castle Players came during a game of Charades, which took place during a blackout in The Old Well Inn. Last year they felt it was apt to celebrate their production of ‘As You Like It’ with a special beer produced by local brewery Mithril Ales at Aldbrough St John named ‘Beer As you Like It’. Peter Cockerill, landlord of The Old Well Inn and a member of The Castle Players explained, “The Castle Players have always had a connection with The Old Well Inn so it was a great idea to have a beer brewed to celebrate their production last summer. It was on sale here and in a number of pubs in the area and was very well received; we are looking forward to another one being brewed again for this year’s production.” This year The Castle Players will be staging ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ in the unique setting in the grounds of The Bowes Museum from Tuesday
BRANCH DIARY MAY Tue 7th - Branch Meeting, 7.30pm Darlington Snooker Club, Corporation Road, Darlington Fri 10th - Outer Darlington Pub of the Season Surveying Trip, 7pm. West Park, Mowden, Haughtonle-Skerne, Springfield, Harrowgate Hill. Sat 25th - Langdon Beck Hotel Beer Festival & Teesdale Pub of the Season (Upper Teesdale) Surveying Trip, 11.30am Sun 26th - Darlington CAMRA Pub of the Year Presentation to the Quakerhouse. The presentation will take place at approx 2.30pm
9th - Saturday 13th July and they plan to have another beer brewed to celebrate what will be their 25th production. Andrew Harrison from The Castle Players said “This year we wanted to open it up to the community and ask them to help us name the beer. There are many characters and incidents in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ which would make great names for a beer. We thought it would be fun to see what suggestions people could come up with. Those who suggest the names we like the most will go into a draw, with the winner being invited along to Mithril Ales to see the brew being produced and to help add the hops, as well as being offered 2 tickets for the first night performance in July. Do help and join in the fun” Entries can be emailed to fred.traice@talktalk.net or posted to The Castle Players, Real Ale Competition, 2 Belford Way, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, DL5 7PT. Closing date for entries is Saturday 1st June 2013. Please include - Ale name suggestion, your name, contact details and confirmation that you are over 18 years of age as entrants must be over 18. JUNE Tue 4th - Branch Meeting, 7.30pm Quakerhouse, Mechanics Yard, Darlington Fri 14th - Darlington Town Centre Pub of the Season Surveying Crawl. Meet at the Glittering Star, Stonebridge at 7pm. Sat 15th - Yorkshire Regional Meeting, 12.30pm Cleveland Bay, Yarm Road, Eaglescliffe JULY Tue 9th - Branch Meeting, 7.30pm Hole In The Wall, Horsemarket, Market Place, Darlington Fri 12th - Upper Teesdale Pub of the Season Surveying Trip, 6.30pm. Pubs to be arranged nearer the time.
All trips: Leave from round the corner from The Dolphin Centre & return there. Open to members & non members. Visitors & new members are always made welcome.
For details of all trips please call Pete Fenwick on 01325 374817 or 07889 167128
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Darlington Drinker
Darlington CAMRA’s ‘Teesdale Pub of the Season Winner’
DARLINGTON CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE
The Old Well Inn Drink well, eat well, sleep well...
Welcoming bar and lounge, separate restaurant, aurant airy conservatory & a lovely enclosed beer garden. 10 en-suite bedrooms are beautifully and individually furnished with character and charm. Well behaved dogs & children welcome
5 Cask Ales always kept in tip top condition
• Acoustic Music Evening - Thursdays from 8.30pm • Quiz night - Tuesdays from 8.30pm • Lunch 12 - 2.30pm & Dinner 6.30pm - 9pm • Don’t miss our famous Sunday Lunch - please book to avoid disappointment
The Old Well Inn | 21 The Bank | Barnard Castle | DL12 8PH | 01833 690130
www. t h e o l d we l l i n n . c o . u k
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INN BRIEF... Just in time for the start of the cricket season, Barnard Castle Cricket Club on Vere Road now stocks two ever changing guest ales; another addition to this market town’s portfolio of real ale outlets after being branded “The Worst Real Ale Town in Britain?” in What’s Brewing’s August 2009 issue! The Brinkburn on Brinkburn Road in Darlington now stocks Thwaites Wainwright and Wells Bombardier. The Croft Hotel, Croft on Tees reopened after a refurbishment with four handpumps and bar manager Peter Martin is looking to stock local beers on a regular basis. The Fox Hall Inn at East Layton on the A66 has reopened and stocks up to three guest beers. The King’s Arms at Great Stainton has reopened and is currently stocking Black Sheep Best Bitter. Nigel and Tracey Temple have returned to run the Black Bull at Great Smeaton, a pub which they previously ran from 2002 to 2006. Their time away has included running The Queen’s Head in Finghall near Leyburn and the Golden Jubilee in Yarm. And finally, there’s a view that trains get you to beer. But what is just as important is getting beer while going to and from the train. The Old Vic on the corner of Victoria Road and Backhouse Street, close to Darlington Station has made this possible! Run by landlady Berni Smith, she took out keg John Smith’s Magnet and Smooth in November last year replacing them with two handpulls. Three more handpulls have now been installed - one more for real ale while the other two will used for cider and perry, making it an ideal place to head for be it either pre or post train - and just to soak up the beer you can get “beer food” in the form of bacon and sausage sandwiches plus burgers and chips.
Darlington Drinker
NEWS & EVENTS The first ever Darlington Arts Festival is taking place in May with over seventy events at a number of venues in the town. To add to the enjoyment of the occasion Mithril Ales will be producing a festival ale entitled ‘Arts for Arts Sake’. This will be available from the week commencing Monday May 13th. The festival is being co-ordinated by Darlington for Culture (DfC), the group which speaks for arts and culture in the area. John Dean, DfC Chair, said: “The festival promises to be an exciting celebration of what this borough has to offer and the news that a beer will be produced is excellent. We are absolutely delighted.” Contact Pete Fenwick at Mithril Ales on 01325 374817 or 07889 167128 or via the website at www. mithrilales.co.uk if you wish to order Arts for Arts Sake for your event.
Quaker Tours • Saturday 15th June - Trip to the “Valley of Beer” in Sheffield. Depart Dolphin Centre at 9am, £16 per person. • Saturday 20th July - Trip to Hawkshead Summer Beer Festival, Beer Hall, Staveley, Cumbria. Depart Dolphin Centre at 9.30am, £15 per person. Tours arrive back at Houndgate, Darlington no later than 7.45pm Gordon Pentland & John Reed look forward to seeing faces old and new on our ‘not for profit’ social outings. Contact John via email: john.reed263@ ntlworld.com or Gordon on 07790 534412 for bookings/enquiries.
BRANCH WHO’S WHO?
Darlington Drinker Editor: Ian Jackson e: newsletter@darlocamra.org.uk
Chairman: Peter Everett t: 01325 241388, e: peterdsc@yahoo.co.uk
Social Secretary, Pubs Officer & Cider Officer: Pete Fenwick t: 01325 374817, 07889 167128 e: mithril58@btinternet.com
Secretary & Branch Contact: John Magson e: john.magson@ntlworld.com Membership Secretary: Angus Gair e: angusgair@ntlworld.com
ISSUE 187 | SUMMER 2013
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Darlington Drinker
DARLINGTON CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE
2013 Darlington CAMRA Country Pub of the Year Darlington CAMRA Country Pub of the Year 2002 - 2008 & 2010 - 2012 Winner of Yorkshire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2005 also National finalists
A welcoming, 18th-century inn with a friendly atmosphere, situated in the quiet village of Manfield.
• Up to 6 Guest Beers (from micro-breweries countrywide) • Monthly Quiz • Monthly Open Mic Night (1st Friday of the month) Bar Meals Served: Mon - Fri: 5pm - 9pm, Sat: 12pm - 6pm, Sun: 12pm - 4pm
BEST OF BRITISH
OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS
MAY 3RD - 6TH
JUNE 15TH
BEER FESTIVAL 16+ Ales & 6 Ciders FRIDAY - Open 5pm Food 5pm - 9.30pm - Carleys Kitchen Pie & Peas Music 8.30pm - Open Mic With Tony & Geoff SATURDAY - Open noon Food 12 - 4pm Beef or Pork Buns & 4pm - 9.30pm Mr Chippy (Fish & Chip Van). Afternoon Craft Stalls. Music 8.30pm - Smoking Spitfires SUNDAY - Open noon Food 12 - 9.30pm - Beef or Pork Buns Music 2pm – Vintage Belles & 8.30pm – Ben & Eric MONDAY - Open noon
The Hurworth Concert Band plays movies & musicals. £4 per ticket.
AUGUST 17TH Ska band SKABOOM will be in marquees. £6 per ticket.
The Crown Inn Vicars Lane, Manfield, Darlington
T: 01325 374 243
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Darlington Drinker
Langdon Beck Hotel Forest-in-Teesdale | Co. Durham | DL12 0XP (On the B6277)
BEER FESTIVAL
25th, 26th & 27th MAY 18+ REAL ALES & CIDER
A wide selection of excellent ales from our region & further afield. Call for more info: 01833 622267
A FINE SELECTION OF REAL ALES
Regular beers include Rivet Catcher (Jarrow Brewery’s award winning real ale) & a variety of guest ales
Recommended in the Good Beer Guide from 2007-2013
DELICIOUS HOMEMADE MEALS Available: Lunch 12-2pm, Dinner 7-9pm
STUNNING VIEWS OVER THE FELLS ACCOMMODATION from £40 OPEN ALL DAY, EVERYDAY Middleton - 7 miles, High Force & Cauldron Snout waterfalls - 3 miles
w ww.langdonbe ck h ote l. com
Real Ales - We have a range of guest ales from breweries around the country.
Perfectly situated on the beautiful village green of Aycliffe Village we serve great fresh food and real ales in a friendly, relaxed environment.
We serve great food with only the freshest ingredients, locally sourced when possible. Our menus capture our local suppliers superb range of seasonal produce. Each of our seven luxury, individually designed rooms include en-suite facilities, comfy thick duvets, fluffy towels, toiletries, tea and coffee making facilities, Wi-Fi connectivity and flat-screen TVs.
Tel: 01325 312273
Aycliffe Village, Co. Durham, DL5 6LX
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Darlington Drinker
A CHICHESTER CRAWL by John Magson
T
aking up an invitation to attend a friend’s child being christened near Chichester in West Sussex gave me an opportunity to visit its 2013 Good Beer Guide pubs, and to also see if the northern conception of beers in the south having no head existed. Chichester is based on a Roman plan with streets which radiate from north to south from the central market place and so is very easy to navigate around. So armed with the guide the first stop was the Chichester Inn on West Street. This is a grade II listed building dating back to 1785 and the interior reflects this with two bars, a front lounge with a log fire and a larger public bar at the rear. Warmly greeted by the landlord, the beer range consisted of Oakleaf Hole Hearted, Oakleaf I Can’t Believe It’s Not Bitter, Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter and Dark Star Hophead, which I chose and was in fine condition. He mentioned a forthcoming festival he was hosting and asked my advice on a list of northern beers he had so I picked some of my favourites. The pub is also a live music venue with all styles of music to suit all tastes. Further down West Street was the Dolphin & Anchor, a Wetherspoons outlet that had six beers on handpump. Originally two pubs stood on the site, the Dolphin which dated back to 1649 and the Anchor dating back to 1760; in 1910 they were combined into a single pub. After walking down East Street and into The Hornet which is an unusual name for a street, I found the Eastgate, a town pub dating back to the 1850s which had originally been a brewery. Beers were Gales Seafarers Ale, Gales HSB, Castle Rock Preservation Fine Ale and Fullers London Pride but I tried the Fullers Front Row whilst watching the Wales v Ireland rugby match on the television. Down Oving Road to The Four Chesnuts which was serving Taylor Landlord, 20
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DARLINGTON CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE
Sharps Doombar and Ballards Midhurst Mild which I sampled. This is a community pub with a single bar and a skittle alley, which doubles as a dining room and where beer festivals are held. A long walk to the north of the city brought me to The Bell, which to my surprise on a Saturday afternoon was closed. Retracing my steps I found my way to the Bull Inn on Market Road to enter the bar which was festooned with beer mats from all over the country. The landlord informed me that he had served over 300 different beers and usually he has up to eight on sale. Today on offer was Havant Herd, Hammerpot HPA, Dark Star Partridge and the one I drank was W J King Brighton Blonde, a crisp and dry citrus ale. The pub sells the famous O’Hagan’s sausages either in bar meals or to take away from the butcher’s counter. On the way back to the hotel I dropped in to the Gatehouse, a Lloyds No 1 pub with three beers on handpull. The pub was so named as it stood on the site of the gateway to the medieval city. In conclusion, all the pubs I visited deserve an entry in the GBG and there were others serving real ale that were not. I’m sure that the high standards of well kept beer is due to the keen competition to be included in the guide - and all served with a head! An historic 17th century coaching inn located in beautiful Teesdale & the Durham Dales
A Warm Welcome Awaits... • Real Ales • Award winning home-cooked food • Lovely en-suite B&B rooms • Weddings & Functions Market Place, Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham, DL12 OQG
01833 640264
www. t e e sd al e h otel.co.u k ISSUE 187 | SUMMER 2013
We awa Boa
Darlington Drinker
DARLINGTON CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE
Scotties At
The Lord Nelson
GREENBANK HOTEL
In the lovely village of Gainford
• Opening Hours: Mon & Tues - Bookings Only Wed - Sat 12-2pm & 6-9pm Sun 12-4pm Carvery • Sunday Carvery: Small £5.95, Medium £7.95 & Large £8.95 • Beer Garden & Live Music • CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2012
CURRY NIGHT WEDNESDAY
Choice of 3 curries for £6 from 6pm - 9pm
STEAK NIGHT SATURDAY
8oz Sirloin £10.95, 8oz Fillet £14.95, Mixed Grill £11.95 from 6pm-9pm
Main Street,, Gainford, DL2 3DY • Tel : 01325 733233 Scotties At The Lord Nelson Booking Advisable
WWW.GREENBANKHOTEL.CO.UK A family run Hotel/B&B, based only 5 mins stroll from the historic town centre. We have 27 very comfortable bedrooms with some superior themed rooms. A welcoming atmosphere awaits. Enjoy an amazing display of militaria whilst relaxing in our well stocked bar.
90 Greenbank Rd Darlington DL3 6EL t: 01325 462624
• Cask Ales from Yard of Ale & Guests • Home-cooked Sunday Lunches, Log Fire • Big-Screen Sports • GBG & Cask Marque listed
Coming Soon: Big Quiz, Barbecues, Live Entertainment and much more… See Facebook/Website for more.. Supplying beers to regional pubs, clubs, beer fests Award-Winning on-site brewery Group Tours available SIBA listed
Chilton Lane, Ferryhill, Co Durham, DL14 0DH 01740 655724 or 07540 733513
www.thesurteesarms.co.uk
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Darlington Drinker
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ISSUE 187 | SUMMER 2013
Darlington Drinker
DARLINGTON CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE
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The Direct Debit Guarantee • This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay by Direct Debits. • If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. will notify you 10 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. • If you request The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request. • If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit by The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. or your bank or building society, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society. - If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when The Campaign For Real Ale Ltd. asks you to. • You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us. www.darlocamra.org.uk | 23