Ale Cry 114

Cry

THE GEORGE LEE MEMORIAL TROPHY! Page 9

issue 114, Spring 2017 04 07 11 12

Longridge Libations Brewery News Chorley Chatter Riley’s Rambles

15 16 19 21

South Ribble Scene Bucking The Trend Pub of the Season – Bob Inn Preston Parade

22 My Pint of View 24 Cider 27 Two Nights on the (Edinburgh) Tiles

CENTRAL LANCASHIRE BRANCH

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Ale

FIGHTING FOR DRINKERS’ RIGHTS IN THE HEART OF LANCASHIRE SINCE 1973

Branch Contacts Chairman DAVE BELL t: 07900 565281 e: chairman@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Membership Secretary JOHN SINGLETON t: 07456 914048 e: membership@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Treasurer PAUL RILEY t: 01772 709272 e: treasurer@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Secretary & Webmaster GORDON SMALL t: 01772 746118 e: secretary@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Pubs Officer DAVE WOOLCOCK e: pubsofficer@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Pub Protection Officer DAVE LINLEY

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Chairman’s Welcome

elcome to our Spring 2017 edition of Ale Cry. The magazine continues to evolve and now has a new, fresh look and feel. I hope that you like it. What hasn’t changed is the top quality of the content from our contributors and our passion for pubs and drinking great quality real ale.

The UK brewing scene is more dynamic now than at any other time in CAMRA’s 45 year history. The fact that 200 new breweries have opened in the past year alone, bringing the total to 1,540 in the UK proves the vibrancy of the British Real Ale market. Many of these new breweries are relatively small micro-breweries and we now have 13 such micro-breweries within our Branch Area. Of course this is good news, however, just when you thought it was safe to go back into the pub, be aware MEGA Brew is on the march.

Last year, the world’s biggest brewer, AB InBev (not far away in Samlesbury) bought rival SABMiller for $100 billion. As a result, it now owns 400 brands including such global names as Stella, Budweiser, Corona as well as the more home grown Bass and Boddingtons (remember that?) In addition, it now brews 30% of the world’s beer.

So why is this a threat to our thriving brewing scene here in the UK? Well, AB InBev have already moved into the London “craft” sector and now owns Meantime brewery in Greenwich, South London and Camden Town brewery in North London. Their mission is to flood the market, undercut their rivals and if necessary, drive them out of business.

Issue 114 – Spring 2017

t: 01772 735628 e: pubprotection@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Cider Officer LUKE HARRISON e: cider@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Social Media Officer MIKE WOOLCOCK

For them, beer is just a commodity with which they can generate huge profits. Their success comes through reducing costs. They can buy raw materials such as grain and hops with vast discounts as they put the squeeze on suppliers.

For you and I, beer is not a commodity, it is a drink that gives us pleasure, refreshment and forms part of our social life, with time spent enjoying the company of friends and family. So my message is simple, let’s continue to support our local breweries, enjoy the wide variety of quality ale they are producing and be ever vigilant.

As ever, if you have any thoughts, comments or feedback, please get in touch with us via email, you will find a contact list in this magazine, or better still, come along to one of our forthcoming meetings or events. Please also remember to visit our website www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk for all the latest information and local news and if you are on Facebook, please search for CAMRA Central Lancs and like our page.

You can now also follow us on Twitter, search for CAMRA Central Lancs.

We have also started a monthly newsletter which is emailed to Branch members on the 1st of each month. If you are not receiving this, it will be because we do not have an up to date email address for you. Please get in touch and let us have your email address and we will add you to our list of recipients.

Kind Regards

e: socialmedia@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

DAV E B E L L

Front cover photos © Helen Woodward

Branch Chairman

Communications Officer MICK CLARK t: 07984 840486 e: communications@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry Editor ADRIAN SMITH t: 07495 448555 e: editor@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk @CAMRA_CentLancs CAMRA Central Lancashire Branch All material copyright © Central Lancs CAMRA

No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this magazine are those of the individual authors and are not necessarily endorsed by the Editor, Branch Committee or CAMRA nationally. Central Lancs CAMRA accepts no liability in relation to any advertisement or article and recommends the reader make their own enquiries. It should also be noted that inclusion of an advertisement in this magazine should not be deemed an endorsement of quality by Central Lancs CAMRA. The Editor reserves the right to amend or shorten contributions for publication.

Design & Layout: Stewart Grieve Design Ltd e: stew@stewartgrieve.co.uk www.stewartgrieve.co.uk Printed by: N.B. Colour Print Ltd, Fellery Street, Chorley, PR7 1EH t: 01257 265726 www.nbcolourprint.co.uk

Editorial

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elcome to the latest edition of Ale Cry. This is my first magazine as editor and I would like to start by thanking my predecessor, Mick Clark, for his sterling efforts over the previous 7 years and 26 issues. There is a lot of hard work that goes into producing this magazine (something I am only just beginning to discover for myself) and Mick has done this pretty much single handed for a long time.

Fortunately I am not putting the magazine together on my own, as we now have an Editorial Panel, comprising myself, Dave Woolcock, Paul Riley, Steve Jackson and Wes Truran, who have all contributed to the appearance of what you are now reading. We are hugely indebted to Stewart Grieve, a local member who is largely responsible for the layout and design.

Of course, without articles there would be no point producing a magazine, and I would like to thank all our contributors for their past efforts, and hope that they will continue to write for us. If you have an idea for an article, please feel free to contact me to see whether it is something we would like to include in a future issue.

As far as the content goes, we have kept most of the old favourites, with local pub and brewery news and trips to ‘out of branch’ locations heavily featured, along with a mix of campaigning and other articles. Where we have tried to shake things up is

with the appearance of the magazine, bringing a clean, modern layout, which should be both easy to read and visually pleasing.

Hopefully we have got this right and we would welcome your feedback. Please write in, if we get a sufficient response we may even resurrect a “Letters to the Editor” section.

Probably the most noticeable thing about our new look Ale Cry is the front cover. Our intention was to make this more visually appealing, with a large picture (or pictures) dominating the page.

To make this work we need quality pictures and we invite our readers to submit their photographs of anything pub or beer related in the branch area.

If you are a licensee or brewery in our area, and you don’t get a mention, it isn’t because we are ignoring you, it’s simply that with 300 pubs, 13 breweries and about 15 truly active members, we can’t get round you all as often as we would like. If there’s something you would like us to share with our members and readers of this magazine, please get in touch and tell us. Whether it is via the pages of this journal, by social media or through our monthly members e-newsletter, we’ll do our best to get the word out.

Finally to our advertisers, without whose continued support, there would be no Ale Cry. A simple ‘thank you’ doesn’t seem enough, but I’ve run out of room to write more.

ADRIAN SMITH

THE WHEATSHEAF Spendmore Lane, Coppull, Nr Chorley, Lancashire

FREESE HOU

3 ever changing Cask Ales – including Prospect, Bank Top & Blackedge

PR7 4NY

• Free entertainment: Jukebox (Mon), Pool (Tue), Quiz (Wed) • All major sports shown • Saturday night live music • Sunday – Chase the Ace 12-6pm

OPENING TIMES

• Beer garden

Monday – Thursday from 3pm Friday from 2pm Saturday & Sunday from 12pm

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Longridge Libations

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thought it was about time that we brought you some news from Longridge and the vibrant pub scene going on there. Longridge lies 8 miles to the North-East of Preston and is extremely well served by the Number 1 bus from Preston Bus Station. This service runs between Preston and Longridge every 10 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays and every 30minutes in the evenings and on Sundays. Even better, the service runs late into the night on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Longridge is a great day or night out and has a lot to offer in terms of real ale.

If you haven’t been for a while, I suggest you take the opportunity to go soon and see for yourself.

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At the DURHAM OX on Berry Lane, licensee Irene runs a good, traditional, old fashioned pub. The Ox is dog friendly, has traditional pub games and is a great place to watch live sport on Sky or BT Sport.

There are always at least 2 different cask ales available and they are consistently good quality. If you’re hungry, why not try a pickled egg from the jar behind the bar, a bargain at 50p.

Further down Berry Lane is LONGRIDGE CONSERVATIVE CLUB which welcomes non-members. Inside, you will find a nice lounge, function room, snooker tables and TV Sports. There are 4 hand pumps with Wainwright and Banks’s Bitter as ever-presents and the other 2 changing regularly.

At the TOWNELEY ARMS on Berry Lane, licensees Danny and Charlotte have recently signed another 5 year lease and are doing a great job. The pub continues to thrive and is a welcoming, friendly place for a drink and some great food.

Having recently been refurbished, the Towneley looks better than ever and

Issue 114 – Spring 2017

remains at the heart of the community.

The real ale is always good and local breweries Lancaster and Moorhouses feature regularly.

Across the road, on Towneley Parade is relative newcomer the TAP & VENT. Opened in October 2016 by Nickie and Duncan, Longridge’s first micropub is a true freehouse, serving 4 rotating cask ales and a real cider alongside craft beers and lagers from all around the world.

Despite not being open long, the pub is very popular and has established itself as a place to go for quiet conversation and quality cask ale.

Continuing down Berry Lane, BILLY’S WINE BAR can be found close to Booths.

This is a small bar which, as the name suggests, is more of a wine bar than a pub, although there are 2 hand pumps which serve good quality ale, typically from local breweries. Beers from Bowland Brewery and Goosnargh Brewing Company (you can’t get much more local than that, it is brewed at Ye Horn’s Inn at Goosnargh) feature regularly.

Meanwhile the FORREST ARMS on Derby Road continues to be popular and seems to attract sports fans, particularly football, as live matches are shown on big screens. A wide selection of drinks are available with a couple of hand pumps featuring cask ales from Bank Top and Cumberland Brewery on my last visit.

Heading out towards Chipping the

ALSTON ARMS lies in a prominent position on Inglewhite Road. Another pub that has recently been refurbished, the Alston is now being run by Alex who has created a top quality, friendly pub serving great country pub food alongside some top notch real ale from the 4 hand pumps on the bar. The latest refurbishment has included a substantial new build timber frame barn with sliding doors which open onto a secret garden with festoon lighting, ideal for barbecues. The barn seats up to 40 people on rattan sofas and tables and is suitable for private dining, local club meetings and parties.

Back on Derby Road, HOPPY DAYS is another very welcome, recent addition to the real ale scene in Longridge.

Opened in October 2016 by Peace and Adam, micropub Hoppy Days has 5 hand pulls, all rotating with a dark beer always available plus 3 real ciders with 2 rotating. Bi-monthly Home Brewers Forums are held which are growing in popularity (like and follow Hoppy Days Micropub facebook page for event information). The quality of the ale in here is great and you will find a very friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Please mind your language though as there is a

swear box which I just managed to avoid contributing to on my last visit.

Close by on Derby Road is the BULL & ROYAL, a traditional community pub with a friendly welcome. The Bull is thought of highly by its regulars and the beer is of good quality. Being a Thwaites pub, typically available are beers from their range such as Lancaster Bomber, Original and Nutty Black.

On Preston Road, the OLD OAK is another traditional community local.

With licensees Justine and Dean having been at the helm for a few months now, the pub continues to go from strength to strength and is now supporting pool and darts teams, hosting quiz and games nights, parties and other events including live music and karaoke. Live sport is shown on a 100” projector screen. Theakston cask ales are typically available alongside a regular guest ale. There is always a warm welcome awaiting here.

Whilst strictly speaking, not in Longridge, the CORPORATION ARMS on Lower Road (at Hothersall) continues to provide excellent food and quality real a le. 4 hand pumps offer ales from local breweries such as Bowland and Moorhouses, as well as Timothy Taylor’s and York Brewery, from across the Pennines, on a regular basis as well as more unusual guests given the pub’s free

of tie status. The quality of the ale, like the food, is consistently good. The pub also host an annual beer festival, usually in May. In other news, I hear that the DOG INN at the top of Berry Lane, which has been closed for a few years now is set to reopen around Easter this year as a community pub. I hope this is the case as it has been missed. In addition, the word on the street is that a premises licence application has gone in for a unit on Stanley Street. A wine bar perhaps or could it be Longridge’s 3rd micropub?

Watch this space.

DAV E B E L L

Libation /lʌɪˈbeɪʃ(ə)n/ noun 1 A drink poured out as an offering to a deity

he poured the libation of rum on the ground

2 mass noun The pouring out of a libation gin was poured in libation 3 humorous A drink I had poured myself a nice refill of the evening’s libation

Guild Ale House Lancaster Road - Preston

u Paulaner Münchner Hell u Paulaner Hefe-Weißbier u 7 Real Ales

including the legendary “Bishop’s Crook Two Screws”!!

u Bavo Belgian House Lager

u Brugse Zot u Lindemans Kriek

We also serve a wide range of bottled & canned beers om around the world.

No music & no TV “just a great atmosphere with a great crowd” 5

Open 7 days a week from 12:00 noon www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

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Issue 114 – Spring 2017

BREWERY NEWS The number of breweries in the branch area is steadily growing and we hope to have a regular feature keeping you updated with information about them, their plans, their beers and where to buy them. Links to the brewery websites and Facebook pages can be found on the Local Breweries tab on the branch website: www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Beer Brothers Beer Brothers are currently looking for new premises to accommodate their upcoming and long awaited expansion, but in the meantime are continuing to brew their whole range of nine different beers.

Future plans include a new brand image, as well as possible changes to names of beers and minor adjustments to ABV’s.

Bishop’s Crook To celebrate three years of brewing, Bishop’s Crook had a new beer Grave Danger (4.5%) on sale at the Guild Ale House in Preston. Their beers were once again well represented at local Beer Festivals. Among them, Penwortham Cricket Club had Winding Staircase, New Longton Sports & Social Club had Galaxy, while Broughton & District Club had Initiate. Last year there were three Bishop’s Crook beers available at St Gerard’s Beer Festival in Lostock Hall, these being Initiate, plus two beers appearing under an alias - ‘Life of Riley’ (3.7%) and ‘Champagne for the Nippers’ (3.8%).

Crankshaft Crankshaft Brewery started in late Summer 2016 based in the brewer’s garage at home.

Early production was mainly bottled, selling them at Cuerden Valley Farmers market, Leyland markets, Barrica Wines at Botany Bay and La Corte Italian restaurant in Leyland. There are 5 main beers – Propshaft 3.8% Pale, Ribble Red 5% Red ale, Crankcase 5% Best Bitter, Sumners Steam 6.6% honey ale, Dryveshaft 5.2% Rye Ale. Casks have appeared regularly in the Market Ale House in Leyland (Propshaft, Ribble Red and Crankcase), Shepherds Hall Ale House in Chorley (Sumners Steam honey ale) and the Albion in Standish. They have also supplied the Moorbrook in Preston and Hoppy Days in Longridge.

A couple of 250 litre

Crankshaft

fermenters and a 400 litre fermenter have been acquired but they haven’t got room in their converted garage, so are looking to rent a small premises to increase production steadily from the current 0.5 BBL up to 2.5BBL. They are planning to develop an English IPA hopped beer in the 4% range for the cask market and have also developed a test batch of Porter / Stout which has been well received.

Grill & Grain at the Boatyard Owned by Thwaite’s but run as a stand alone micro brewery, this opened in November 2016.

There is a 36 gallon brew line producing three beers that are only available at the revamped Boatyard pub in Riley Green.

G&G Gold 3.8%. Brewed with Crusader and Savinjski Golden hops, this is a refreshing, clean beer with a citric, sweet palate and a slight spicy aroma.

G&G Ruby 4.2%. Ruby by name, ruby by nature! This ale is full of biscuit and malt loaf flavours, together with hints of black pepper and subtle citrus G&G IPA 4.5%. This fruity IPA packs a powerful punch using Crusader, Citra and Centennial hops at three different stages, to create flavours of lemon, lime and grapefruit.

Preston, Hart founder John Smith, has sold the brewery and is moving abroad. Sad news about a great servant of real ale in our area. The good news is the new owner should by now have taken over and started brewing at the same place in Preston, initially under John’s guidance.

It is a possibility that there may be a subtle change in brewery name, but that will be for marketing and identity purposes only, with the beer range and names being essentially unchanged.

Hopefully we will be able to tell you more next issue.

Hubsters Pete and Dave have been hobby brewing for years on a custom built 100 litre system.

Hubsters was established in 2016 and a 5 barrel set-up from the defunct Best Mates/ Fisher & Co Brewery in Oxford

has been installed at their premises in Clayton Brook. The first brews from the new plant were scheduled for February this year.

There are four core beers all of which are described as hoppy IPA’s: Hopscotch, Hop and Glory, Hop Mama and Hop on the Good Foot.

These have been available during 2016 in bottled form at market events and from their mobile bar, but with the increased capacity we look forward to seeing these in cask form in the near future.

Plans include opening a tap at the brewery which will include a viewing gallery.

Priest Town The home-based commercial brewery which started brewing on 8th January this year on a 2.5 bbl plant. 6 beers are planned including a stout, old ale and a strong

Hart After 22 years of brewing on the Fylde and latterly in

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www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

Cask productions is about 50% of the total. The original core beer Bodacious is still being produced, with a second regular beer Chillen at 4% recently added. There are three additional beers produced annually which are available in both bottle and key keg form: Outrageous, a 5.6% Pale; Radical, a 4.9% Farmhouse style Priest Town and Proper Ace, a 3.7% Grisette.

Further beers in varying styles IPA and three lager variants. are also planned, although There are no immediate plans in common with many small to produce ale in cask form breweries, these are dependent although all the beers will be on being able to get the hop sold ‘bottle conditioned’. varieties required.

They are looking to brew Rivington the house beer for the local After a difficult 2016, with Dressers Arms at Higher extended problems getting the Wheelton described as a 3.8% new plant installed, brewing traditional type bitter. Most of was contracted out to the now the production is cask, with defunct Dub Brewery in Bolton. supply being kept deliberately A new plant has been installed, local. The Yew Tree at Heath comprising the mash tun, Charnock (which is literally copper and liquor tank from across the fields from the the Dub Brewery and 2 new 8 brewery), the Dressers Arms at BBL fermenters. Capacity has Higher Wheelton, Bunbury’s been increased to 4 BBL and in Bolton and the Dub Tap in brewing on site recommenced.

Horwich are regular outlets, Two additional fermenters are with any balance going to the planned, which will allow them Project2_Layout 1 18/01/2017 11:09 Page 1 local micro pubs that have to brew twice a week.

THE PRINCE OF WALES AT COWLING 9-11 Cowling Brow Chorley - PR6 0QE Tel: 01257 260815

8 REAL ALES - 4 CHANGING WEEKLY - 10% DISCOUNT FOR CAMRA MEMBERS - BEER FESTIVALS THREE TIMES A YEAR - LIVE MUSIC EVERY WEEKEND - DOG FRIENDLY AND BEER GARDEN

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Proud to sponsor Chorley Football Club

Issue 114 – Spring 2017

Withnell’s at Plungington Hotel

supported the brewery in the early stages. A small amount of key keg goes into Manchester and bottled conditioned beers are regularly available at Barrica Wines in Botany Bay.

Withnell’s This relatively new brewery is owned and run by Paul Rowe (owner of a software company) and Tom Bennett (who ran a refrigeration company) who have been home brewing for over a decade, following in their fathers’ footsteps.

Starting in 2014 with an experimental 60 litre system in Paul’s garage in Withnell, they refined their recipes and last summer began work on a 5bbl system at the old mill

industrial unit in Bamber Bridge, and released their first 3 cask ales to pubs late November last year.

They are: Hoppy Fettler, a 4.3% Pale Ale; Push Iron, a 4.5% Golden Ale and Tin Basher, a 4.7% Ruby Ale. The brewery was custom built

by Paul and Tom, the tanks were bought in new and then fabricated for purpose.

The pubs in our area that have stocked the casks so far include: The Moorbrook, Guild Ale House, and Plungington Hotel, Preston; Shepherds Hall Ale House, Chorley and Hoppy Days, Longridge.

STEVE JAC K S O N – with thanks for the contributions of the brewery liaison officers (BLO)

BREWERS If you read this and you think we have missed something, please let us know. It’s virtually a free advert!

THE RED HERRING STE & MARY WELCOME YOU TO COPPULL’S TOP FREEHOUSE. Guest ales include

Bank Top, Reedley Hallows, Prospect, Wily Fox and many more

Live entertainment last Saturday of the month.

Sunday night quiz.

Ring Mill function room for hire.

OPEN

Monday–Thursday from 3pm Friday–Sunday from 12 noon

MILL LANE, COPPULL, CHORLEY, LANCS 01257 470130

PR7 5AN

MALT‘N’HOPS WINS THE GEORGE LEE

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Lancashire, with occasionally something from further afield.

Locally brewed beers include Bank Top (their Dark Mild is always available), Blackedge, Moorhouse’s, Pictish and Prospect. The Yorkshire beers normally come from Ossett, Rat, Salamander, Fernandes and Elland.

While this is not a food pub, filled rolls and pies are usually available at bargain prices – just what is needed to soak up the beer. There is normally live music on Sunday teatimes. There has been a makeover outside, turning the back yard into a cosy beer garden with a heated smoking shelter and hanging baskets. The front has been redecorated and the pub now looks and feels far more welcoming than it did before John took over.

The presentation of the trophy took place on 26th January in front of a good number from the branch and a strong turn out of locals. Unfortunately our branch chairman was unwell, so it fell to your editor to make the presentation. A thoroughly enjoyable evening all round. The Malt now goes forward as our branch’s Pub of the Year into the national contest and we wish them well.

Chorley pubs haven’t fared too well when it comes to the George Lee with the award coming to Chorley only four times since 1982.

However the blossoming real ale scene in the town has been duly rewarded with wins in consecutive years for Shepherds’ Hall Ale House and now the Malt’n’Hops. Would anyone bet against a hat trick for the town?

Photos: Malt ‘n’ Hops interiors top right © Daniel Derbyshire; Bottom of the page © Helen Woodward

he George Lee Memorial Trophy is the branch’s premier award, being given annually to the pub, individual or organisation that has done the most for real ale over the previous 12 months. As is our custom, voting took place at the branch Christmas social, which this year was held at a packed Shepherds’ Hall Ale House. Five pubs had been put forward, with Chorley’s MALT’N’HOPS winning by a comfortable margin from the other nominations: GUILD ALE HOUSE (Preston), BOB INN (Chorley), MARKET ALE HOUSE (Leyland) and the BLACK BULL (Fulwood).

The Malt has won the George Lee before, way back in 1991.

At that time it was a truly independent free house. In the intervening years it has been sold to Beartown Brewery, under whose ownership it endured a fairly traumatic few years with frequent changes of licensee. When it closed in the summer of 2015 there was considerable local concern that it might be the end. However, things took a sudden turn for the better with the arrival of a new licensee.

John Grainger was already known to us in Chorley, having been at the PRINCE OF WALES on Cowling Brow for a couple of years, getting that pub back into the Good Beer Guide. He had a short spell away from Chorley doing some temporary pub management in Yorkshire. John saw taking on the Malt’n’Hops as the ideal opportunity to run what he wanted – a real ale led Free House.

A lot was needed to make the Malt a going concern again with work being done in the bar, the cellar and in the living quarters above. Despite being burgled twice before the work was finished, the pub duly reopened in early November 2015. It was like turning the clock back, an enthusiastic landlord, friendly staff, a good range of beer in great condition and a guaranteed warm welcome.

The pub tends to showcase beers from both Yorkshire and

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OSSETT CORE RANGE A5 ADVERT.pdf

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CHORLEY CHATTER

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he area covered by this article is not just Chorley, but the whole of the Chorley Council area. This is a large patch, stretching from Hoghton in the east to Mawdesley in the west and down as far as Adlington. With over 100 pubs, it is inevitable that some of them do not often get a mention in these pages. In this issue, let’s have a look at three excellent pubs in the centre of Chorley that haven’t changed much in the last few years, and consequently have barely been given a mention in these pages – despite being Good Beer Guide regulars.

It is almost exactly 3 years since the CROWN on Chapel Street reopened after a lengthy closure. At the time Chorley was not greatly served by good real ale outlets, but this pub seemed to act as a catalyst for the subsequent rush of micropubs and makeovers. From the outset there have been 5 handpumps serving Lancashire brewed beers. The house beer, Golden Crown of Chorley comes from Fuzzy Duck and is frequently supplemented by others from that brewery. Beers from Reedley Hallows and Lancaster are also regularly available.

In recent months, one of the pumps has been given over to real cider. This is a pub that can get very busy, particularly at weekends and you can be guaranteed a warm welcome.

Head towards the station, across the A6 and through the underpass, and you arrive at the RAILWAY on Steeley Lane. This is a Marston’s tied house, with a handsome counter and bar back. 5 handpumps serving a changing selection from the extensive Marston’s range with Wychwood Hobgoblin and Hobgoblin Gold often available. Generally quiet during the day, this is a popular music venue, with some great acts that are well known on the pub circuit appearing. If you like rock and blues and a decent pint (or three), why not try here on a Saturday night, or take pot luck with their Open Mic sessions on a Thursday.

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he improvement in the Chorley drinking scene continues with the Market Tavern in Chorley having reopened following a lengthy closure, under the name FLAT IRON. Run by Ben from the White Bull, it has Henry Linn as manager, who is known to us from his spell as manager at Sir Henry Tate. The pub has had a smart refurbishment and 6 handpumps, serve a changing selection of ales, mainly from local breweries. Coach House Gunpowder Mild is likely to be a fixture, with beers from the likes of Wily Fox, Blackedge and Moorhouse’s appearing regularly.

They have a loyalty card for cask ale – buy 9 pints and get one free.

Having had a brief incarnation as the Fat Bull (Heapey), this venue has now reverted to it’s original name the RED CAT. Although predominantly a food venue, casual drinkers are welcome and there are two changing real ales, normally from smaller breweries.

On a recent resurvey visit it was Lancaster Blonde and Weetwood Cheshire Cat. In the last issue we reported on the refurbishment and rebranding of the GRILL & GRAIN AT THE BOATYARD. The pub now looks a lot smarter, but the main feature is the opening up of the old coffee shop to the right of the main entrance. This is now a pleasant bar area, complete with micro-brewery which is separated from the seating by a low glass

FLAT IRON

screen. The three G&G beers are Gold at 3.8% ABV, Ruby at 4.2% and IPA at 4.5%. Up to 6 real ales are on offer at any one time, with the others being from the main Thwaite’s stable, including the occasional seasonal brews.

Things have been a bit unsettled at the MINSTREL on Eaves Green Lane recently with changing licensees and closures. We now understand that Paul Brackenridge, who until recently had the Cardwell Arms in Adlington is taking over here.

It is very much a homecoming for Paul, as his father had the pub between 1992 and 2000. There was always a decent selection of beers on at the Cardwell under Paul’s stewardship, and we look forward to the same here.

Denise at Potters Arms

A short walk down the A6 and round the corner by Morrison’s and you will be at the POTTERS ARMS. This is a cosy traditional boozer, and has been run by Steve and Denise for 25 years, making them probably the longest serving licensees in the branch area. There is a small central bar, serving a number of drinking areas and three cask beers are served. Black Sheep Best Bitter and Three B’s Doffcocker are usually available with a changing guest. The lounge in front of the bar has a wood burning stove, just right for driving out the cold on a winter’s day. Often quiet during the day, with just the murmur of conversation and the clack of dominoes, it can get quite packed if your visit coincides with a darts and dominoes match.

ADRIAN SMITH

11 GRILL & GRAIN AT THE BOATYARD

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RILEy’S RAMBLES: CLITHEROE

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or this year’s day out between Christmas and New Year we had chosen Clitheroe as our destination, it being easily accessible by both train and bus from Preston. We chose the train, details of which later.

Alighting at the station we went up King’s St. to reach the WHITE LION. A family run pub, it has bed and breakfast accommodation for those wanting to pass some time in this lovely area. We had a choice of three beers on our visit, Brakspear’s Bitter, Robinson’s Dizzy Blonde and Roosters Three French Hens.

We moved on to Clitheroe’s very own new independent micropub situated in the

Market Place, THE ALE HOUSE. Serving up to six real ales and bottled beers from around the world, plus wholesome bar food, it was very welcoming and comfortable. On our visit the beers ranged from Three Bees Thrifty at 3.4% up to Vocation Brewery’s Life and Death at 6.5% From here we went from this new attraction to one of Clitheroe’s old coaching inns along Castle Street, the SWAN AND ROYAL. It has a large open plan layout and there were 5 handpulls but on our visit only two beers, Banks’s Bitter and Jennings Bitter. The pub is historically important in that over a meal there in 1942, responsibility for the future development of Frank Whittle’s jet engine was decided.

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Issue 114 – Spring 2017

We moved on to that long standing, well known pub of Clitheroe, the NEW INN on Parson Lane, beneath the 12th century castle. This gem of a pub has a number of snug rooms and a cosy bar area plus a large partly covered beer garden at the rear. It serves four regular beers (Coach House Gunpowder Mild and Farriers Best, Moorhouse’s Premier and Pride of Pendle) plus up to seven changing guest beers. On our visit, these included Worsthorne Snow Storm (3.9%), Bowland Winter (3.8%) and Bank Top Bad to the Bone (4%) It was time to move on to the main attraction now in Clitheroe, BOWLAND BREWERY’S BEER HALL on Greenacre St. Opened in July 2016 in a former mill dating back to the 19th century, it claims to have the longest bar in Britain, at 106ft long. It also has 40 handpulls on the bar dispensing seven Bowland beers (Pheasant Plucker 3.7%, Gold 3.8%, Winter 3.8%, Hen Harrier 4.0%, Aonb 4.0%, Buster 4.5% and Ale Elijah also 4.5%) plus guests such as Dunscar Munroe 3.8% and Rooster’s Cogburn 4.3%. They put 24 new beers on every Thursday. It was our misfortune to come on a Wednesday, so the choice was less, but it was still pretty amazing. It was quite busy, with a very mixed clientèle, including some families enjoying a meal. There is plenty to see and do besides admiring the brewing plant, including a steam engine being brought

back to a state of repair. You could easily spend a good few hours there or all day.

Eventually we decided to move on.

On the way back to the railway station, we headed for the BROWN COW on Moor Lane, a popular free house. It generally has three real ales on sale and on our visit you could choose from Bowland Hen Harrier, Doghouse Brewery (a brand new brewery in Darwen) IPA (4.2%) and Tetley’s Christmas Cracker (4.3%), brewed by Carlsberg in Northampton.

We had travelled by train, catching the 11am service to Colne, alighting at Blackburn at 11.26 and joining the train to Clitheroe at 11.51, arriving there at 12.17. Returning, we caught the 18.46, getting to Blackburn at 19.08, changed to the Preston train at 19.30 and arrived safely back at 19.47. The cost was £6.80 return. Of course you could travel by bus, catching the 280 service at 10.55 and arriving at 11.47, especially if you have a free bus pass. You could catch the 18.48 bus back, arriving at 19.36. It would make a very enjoyable day out.

PAU L R I L E Y

BAMBER BRIDGE

FOOTBALL CLUB

CAMRA Central Lancs Club of The Year 2016

- Open 7 days a week serving a fine selection of real ales & ciders - Regular live music and events 4 March 2017 - PIKE 8 April - LOSTHEADS

- Discount on real ales for CAMRA members -

- Room available for hire (parties, celebrations, functions, business meetings)

-

2017 BEER FESTIVAL 14 - 16 April 2017 See BBFC Website for details.

- Home of Bamber Bridge FC (EvoStik NPL) & Blackburn Rovers Ladies FC -

“Up The Brig........Down The Ale” Irongate, Bamber Bridge, Preston PR5 6UU Tel: 01772 909695 www.bamberbridgefc.com

FULWOOD & BROUGHTON CRICKET CLUB Tel: 01772 863003

Cordially invite you to

BEER FESTIVAL VI

Quality local and regional cask ales and ciders, and continental lagers

New for 2017: Gin and Prosecco bar.

SESSIONS

FRIDAY

28 APRIL

6.00 – 11.00PM

SATURDAY

29 APRIL

1.00 – 11.00PM

SUNDAY

30 APRIL

1.00 – 10.30PM

FREE ENTRY

Enjoy your great beer, delicious food, excellent choice of gin, chilled prosecco, exciting cricket and the sunshine.

SATURDAY: F&BCC 2nd XI v HOGHTON CC SUNDAY: JUNIOR MATCH Junction of Garstang Road & Lightfoot Lane MANY THANKS TO ALL OUR ALE SPONSORS AND BEER FESTIVAL SPONSOR

Stanways of Lytham PRESTON ROAD, LYTHAM ST. ANNES, LANCASHIRE. FY8 5BG T: 01253 794700

www.stanways-of-lytham.co.uk

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Ale Cry

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Ale Cry

Issue 114 – Spring 2017

SOUTH RIBBLE SCENE

N

ext some news of pub companies represented in the South Ribble area. First it is now known that the ANCHOR at Hutton has become a managed house being run by Inglenook Inns & Taverns of Darwen, the company which also has an interest in the Grapes at Goosnargh and the Towneley Arms in Longridge. According to their website they are a company specialising in making a success out of ‘distressed sites with huge potential’, and with this we can only hope that things will now improve at this pub which has seen too many changes and too many periods of closure in recent years.

A pub company that has been prominent for a number of years is the Withy Arms Group. They already own the WITHY ARMS and the WALTON ARMS pubs in Bamber Bridge, as well as the WITHY ARMS in Leyland. In the past they have expressed an interest in expanding their pub estate should the right premises become available, and most recently they have been linked with the OLD ORIGINAL SEVEN STARS on Slater Lane in Leyland. This pub was closed for a few weeks during January, but it has since reopened. Rumours are that owners Enterprise were looking to sell the premises with the intention that it cease being a pub and the branch have submitted an application to have the pub registered as an Asset of Community Value.

In Lostock Hall, the PLEASANT RETREAT on Watkin Lane had a couple of lengthy periods of closure in late 2016, but at the beginning of 2017 it is once again open. In Penwortham it has come to light that the SUMPTER HORSE on Leyland Road is yet again under threat of demolition, with owners Bovis wanting to flatten it to build an access road to their new housing development. A public hearing took place in January, and by the time you read this a decision on the pub’s future may have been made.

Finally, in Walton-le-Dale some good news (at least if you are a Boddingtons Bitter drinker), with it being announced that the WHITE BULL on Victoria Road has been chosen as one of the select few places to sell a newly re-vamped version of the former Manchester brewed beer.

GORDON SMALL

Another pubco of particular interest to South Ribble pub goers is Green Crab Pubs, a company which also currently owns three pubs, these being the DOLPHIN and the RAMS HEAD in Longton, plus the Village Inn which is just over the branch boundary at Tarleton. Last year I reported that they were interested in acquiring the GOLDEN BALL, also in Longton, with a view that it be converted into a tapas bar/restaurant or possibly into a fish restaurant. It is now understood that this particular option is no longer being pursued, but there are indications that they will soon be expanding their empire with the acquisition of another country pub in the South Ribble area.

I’ll finish with a few news snippets. Also in Leyland, the BROADFIELD ARMS on Leyland Lane appears to have recently stopped selling real ale, with there no longer being any handpump clips in evidence.

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Ale Cry

CAMRA CENTRAL LANCASHIRE BRANCH AND ...

Bucking the Trend

J

ust as the price of a pint continues to increase, so the number of pubs in the country continues to decrease. A couple of years back the newspapers were telling us that there were as many as 27 pubs closing down each week. More recently things are reported to have got a little better. Now we are being told that there are just 21 pubs closing down each week!

These figures come from CAMRA nationally who for a great many years now have been closely monitoring pub closures and have been feeding the appropriate figures to the British press. CAMRA originally got their information from Pubwatch, a scheme whereby individual CAMRA branches throughout the country would annually provide their local figures so that national totals could be compiled. Nowadays CAMRA get their figures directly from WhatPub, the comprehensive database maintained by all CAMRA branches, which holds largely up-to-date information on all pubs across the country.

Nationally it all appears to be bad news, but locally we seem to be bucking the trend, at least temporarily, as for the second year running we are able to

CLOSED

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Ale Cry

report an increase in the total number of pubs in the CAMRA Central Lancashire branch area. Or to put it another way, in our area through the years 2015 and 2016 we have seen the number of new pubs opening exceeding the number of pubs that are permanently closing.

2015 was a year which saw just one local pub closure. This was the GILLIBRAND ARMS

Issue 114 – Spring 2017

in Chorley, a pub that was sold

by Thwaites Brewery with the intention that it be demolished and replaced by housing. The pub was the subject of a local ‘Save The Gillibrand’ campaign to keep it open, but this proved to be unsuccessful.

2016 was not quite so kind, with six pubs in the Central Lancashire branch area apparently closing their doors for the last time. These pubs were the ANGEL in Preston; the BOARS HEAD at Barton; the LEIGH ARMS & STATION

D

SE CLO

in Chorley; the MOOR INN in Chorley; the MYERSCOUGH at Balderstone; and the TITHEBARN in Preston.

However looking on the bright side, it is still early days and it is possible that some of these pubs may yet re-open. There have been both promising and not so promising rumours about the Angel; there has been a local campaign launched to stop the Boars Head from being demolished; while the future of the up for sale but once popular Myerscough still remains a mystery.

In contrast to these seven pub closures, over the same two year period we have seen the opening of 14 new pubs in the CAMRA Central Lancashire branch area. In the sequence that they opened, these are the new pubs: TWELVE TELLERS, Preston.

A new pub opened in January 2015. This was Preston’s second Wetherspoons pub opened in the long-closed former Preston Savings Bank premises.

HARVESTER BUCKSHAW, Buckshaw Village. A newly built pub opened in September

2015, this became the third pub purposely built for the growing number of Buckshaw Village residents. It is located opposite the War Horse, a pub which only just misses out on appearing on this list by a month, as it opened in December 2014.

COCK T’ALEHOUSE, Eccleston. A micropub opened in October 2015 in a former grocer’s shop. The owners also run the Good Beer Guide listed Victoria pub in Aspull.

WALTON ARMS, Bamber Bridge. Opened as a pub in November 2015 by the Withy Arms Group people. Their third pub, but perhaps not strictly speaking new as it had formerly operated as the School Lane Club.

GUILD ALE HOUSE, Preston.

Opened in February 2016 in former Charity Shop premises, this became Preston’s first micropub. A great success, but at the time of writing we are still waiting for Preston’s second micropub.

MILL AT CHARNOCK FARM, Leyland. A pub opened in April 2016 within the Charnock Farm Garden Centre complex. In a picturesque setting and a little isolated, but not too far from some of the Buckshaw Village housing.

GOLDEN TAP ALE HOUSE, Leyland. Opening in April 2016 in former second-hand shop premises, this became Leyland’s second micropub.

Recently recognised by CAMRA Central Lancashire branch with a Pub of the Season award.

ALE STATION, Chorley.

Previously a sandwich bar, this became Chorley’s third micropub when it opened in July 2016. Handy for Chorley railway station, and with a departures screen to make sure you don’t miss your train.

BOOTLEGGERS, Chorley.

Continuing the trend for micropubs in Chorley, this bar opened in August 2016 just weeks after the Ale Station had appeared. Soon after we were told that the owner had plans for other new bars in the Chorley/Adlington area.

HAIGHTON MANOR, Haighton Green. Opened in September 2016, this is a pub created in a former hotel, restaurant, and wedding venue.

Out of town and certainly upmarket, it is owned by Brunning & Price, who have many similar properties across the country.

D’OWD INN, Chorley. Yet

another micropub for Chorley, this establishment opened in October 2016 in a former nail care shop. Originally operating as a café in the mornings, this has now changed and it is a conventional micropub.

TAP & VENT, Longridge.

Opened in October 2016 in premises previously housing a clothes boutique, the licensee has connections with Shepherd Neame brewery. Very briefly this had the distinction of being Longridge’s first and only micropub.

HOPPY DAYS, Longridge.

Opened just a few days after the Tap & Vent, Longridge had very quickly become a two micropub town. Not large by micropub standards, the premises had previously been a photography shop.

FILLING FACTORY NO. 1, Buckshaw Village. Opened as recently as November 2016, this is a bar located within the Morrow Brothers Bottling Plant premises. Limited opening hours, but it is very convenient for people alighting at Buckshaw Parkway railway station.

During 2015 and 2016 there

has also been an increase in the number of pubs that are perhaps better described as wine bars or cocktail bars.

Newly opened during this period are the Review Bar in Preston, Winedown in Preston, Latch bars both in Chorley and Preston, and the Speakeasy in Chorley. Those to have closed down are Brown’s Bar and the Korova Arts & Cafe Bar, both in Preston, although there is a possibility that the latter may yet re-open once suitable premises have been found.

If an increase in the number of pubs is a fair measure, then 2015 and 2016 could be considered good years for pub goers in the CAMRA Central Lancashire branch area. Looking ahead, there are already whispers of one or two more new pubs possibly appearing on the scene, while on the down side, this year we have already seen a few pub closures (hopefully only temporary). Perhaps it is too much to ask that 2017 will once again see an increase in the number of pubs in the CAMRA Central Lancashire branch area?

GORDON SMALL

Trades Hall Club Bamber Bridge

3 Handpumps for real ale Other drinks at bargain prices inc. San Miguel and Warsteiner.

CAMRA members welcome.

(Discounted prices on production of valid membership card)

Membership available all year round.

Acts on every Saturday and Sunday.

Bingo every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

154c Station Road, Bamber Bridge, Preston, Lancs. PR5 6TP http://www.trades-hall.co.uk

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

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Ale Cry

Leyland Beer Festival 2017 A choice of over 30 quality Ales.

A Prosecco Bar. Live music from local bands.

In the unique surroundings of a great transport museum.

Friday 31st March 6.00pm - 10.30pm Saturday 1st April 1.00pm - 10.30pm Sunday 2nd April 1.00pm - 9.30pm at the British Commercial Vehicle Museum King Street, Leyland PR25 2LE Entry is £10 per person which includes a £5 voucher for drinks, a pint glass souvenir & a programme.

Pay at the door.

Snacks available to purchase.

Tel: 01772 451011 www.britishcommercialvehiclemuseum.com

The Market Ale House CIDER PUB OF THE YEAR 2016 CAMRA Central Lancashire’s first micro-pub has a lot to offer, including: 



 



Mon-Thurs open from 2 Fri-Sat open from 12 Sun open from 1

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Ale Cry

 

Six constantly changing cask pumps Two changing craft keg pumps, bottled and canned beers A variety of changing real ciders A wide selection of gin, whisky and wine Bar snacks including cheese boards and pork pies Outside seating area Dog friendly

FRIDAY MEAT RAFFLE 7PM

33 Hough Lane, Leyland, Lancashire, PR25 2SB

Issue 114 – Spring 2017

01772 623363

of Pub the season 

Spring 2017

Bob Inn, Chorley

O

ur pub of the season for Spring 2017 is the Bob Inn, which is situated within the covered market in Chorley.

The Bob Inn opened in October 2014 and is owned and operated by Steve Cooney and his family. Comprising one market stall measuring just 9ft x 11ft it was by far the smallest pub in the branch, yet still managed to have room for three hand pumps; two for beer and one for cider.

Steve Cooney

A second unit was acquired in November 2015, which has been used for the beer cellar/store and a small lounge.

The units are not adjacent, but on opposite sides of one of the market walkways, making this the only walk through pub in the branch!

There are now five hand pumps: three being used for an ever changing range of beers and the other two for cider or sometimes a perry. Steve tends to serve beers not normally found in other pubs in town, with Dunham Massey, Lytham, Red Star and Wily Fox often appearing. Where possible there will be one dark beer, one pale and one somewhere in the middle, so there’s normally something for everyone.

There are two Czech lagers available (currently Kozel and Pilsner Urquell), a wide range of (mainly Belgian) bottled beers and a full range of spirits, while in summer additional ciders are often to be found.

BOB INN LOunge

Trading hours are limited by the market opening, but the pub does a roaring trade from 10-6 every day apart from Wednesday and Sunday when the market is closed. There is no food, but you are welcome to bring your own or get a take out from one of the many food franchises on the market. Card carrying CAMRA members can get a 20p a pint discount. The pub is frequented by market personnel, shoppers and real ale tickers alike and is often busy. A warm welcome is guaranteed whatever the weather.

The presentation to Steve and his team will take place on Saturday 22nd April at 2.30, so why not come along and see what makes this little pub so special.

ADRIAN SMITH

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Ale Cry

THE

OLD VIC

SUNDAY NIGHT QUIZ WITH CASH JACKPOT

Serving breakfasts, lunchtime specials and all traditional pub food. Also sandwiches, salads and delicious home made pies.

Parties catered for.

7 Handpumps revolving up to 20 cask ales each week 50p Wetherspoons vouchers now redeemed Sky/BT showing all major sporting events New enlarged outdoor area with large screen TV Fishergate, Preston Opposite Preston Railway Station 20

Ale Cry

01772 828519 Issue 114 – Spring 2017

PRESTON PARADE

T

here is a new face at THE OLD BLACK BULL on Friargate.

George has taken up the reins, initially for a few weeks, to help sort out various problems at the pub. He has said that he hopes to be put in charge on a permanent basis eventually and is looking forward to making sure the Old Black Bull remains a go-to place for real ales. The pub now comes under the auspices of Midland Taverns, a company that also has a couple of pubs in Blackpool and eight other pubs in the Midlands in their portfolio.

Nearby, the old Assembly/Corn Exchange on Lune St. has now reopened as BAR 1842 and we are pleased to report it is selling real ale. Four handpumps on the bar and I enjoyed a great New Years Eve there with some live music. Beers were Wainwright, Marstons 61 Deep, and 1842 Pale Ale, specially brewed for them by Marstons.

Welcome news about THE ANGEL on Lune Street. After looking like it would be loss to the pub scene of Preston, we are delighted to hear that the plans are for it to reopen in the next few weeks as a real ale pub with Bishop’s Crook beers being one of the feature beers to be on sale. We can look forward to that.

On Glovers Court, THE WELLINGTON has a new manager in Ed Hoare and he has told us that he intends to put on changing beers from the entire Marstons range and has increased the number of beers from 3 to 4.

Good news from the UNICORN on North Rd. Real ale has been reintroduced by manager Mark Ackers He has been in the trade for a few years and is a cask ale drinker. He is free of tie and hopes to improve trade especially with the Moorbrook being so close nearby. Three

handpumps and well priced at £2.40. We wish him well.

At the WELLINGTON on Tulketh Road, Ashton we have had confirmation that partners Mark Dignam and Sharon Forber are the new licensees at the Dorbiere pub.

Mark has had experience in pubs around Warrington and Sharon may be familiar to Chorley drinkers after previously being at the Seven Stars on Eaves Lane.

Both say they are committed to continue the good work of previous manager, Alan Chester who raised the standard by getting the pub into the Good Beer Guide in 2016 and 2017 and achieving Branch Pub of the Season in Winter 2015/16. The CAMRA discount still applies with cask selling at £2.40 a pint on production of the card.

The BOARS HEAD at Barton has been confirmed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) following a local campaign backed by local MP Ben Wallace. This offers the pub a degree of protection and certainly has put

a halt to the new owners plans to demolish the building. We wait to see what plans the new owners now have for this pub.

Just across the road, better news about the SPARLING. It has been sold to the owners of the Red Cat at Heapey and they are committed to real ale. Recently Bowland Sparrowhawk and Hen Harrier have been seen with the promise of more to come. They welcome real ale drinkers and a discount card has been introduced for regulars.

Two pubs that have closed for refurbishment in January are the STAGS HEAD at Whittingham and the SHERWOOD in Fulwood. We do not have details of what they are selling yet, we will let you know next time.

Finally, we are pleased to announce that the Branch Club of the Year award has gone to the BROUGHTON & DISTRICT CLUB on Whittingham Lane. The trophy will be presented at the branch social/games evening on 25th May. PAUL RILEY

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Ale Cry

My Pint of View

T

his is the first in what we hope will be a series of articles where we talk to pub owners, licensees and brewers across the area about a wide range of issues.

To kick things off, Ale Cry talks to Alan Burdett and Lee Forshaw of the Withy Arms Group to get their views on beers, pubs, CAMRA and South Ribble council.

AC I’m glad you mentioned that. Ribble Brewery has been talked about for some time – what is happening?

WA The hold up is the council. Planning has been passed, but they now want us

withy arms, Bamber Bridge

22 Alan, Lee, & Eric, Morecambe

Ale Cry

Issue 114 – Spring 2017

withy arms, Bamber Bridge

to have an archaeological dig on the site before we can build. It’s a bit of waste ground behind the pub – I’ve no idea what they expect to find there. It’s more expense and more delay – we’re appealing the decision, but to say the council are not being helpful would be an understatement.

AC A recent report said that Café Culture was taking over from the pub. What do you think of that, and what can pubs do to turn the tide?

WA Pubs offer a different experience to a café or coffee bar, so it’s hard to see a valid comparison. We try to vary our offering, with a wider range of drinks, good food, an attractive atmosphere, outside drinking areas and special deals and events. The good pubs will adapt and thrive, the poor ones will struggle. One thing pubs don’t do is stick together. There are great opportunities for joint marketing and promotion, shared events and pub trails, but pubs tend to see their neighbours as competition, so getting anything off the ground is difficult.

AC The micropub revolution has arrived in our area – how do you view them?

WA We have doubts over their long term profitability. They are very much a labour of love for the owner operator and they do fill a niche in the market. By design they tend to have a limited product range, so while they appeal to the dedicated cask ale drinker, anybody wanting a wider range of drinks (or food) has to look elsewhere.

We have two micropubs in Leyland and don’t believe that they have impacted significantly on our cask sales.

AC As a pubco committed to real ale, what is your view on craft keg?

WA It’s a fad. The products are overpriced, certainly when compared to cask ale.

We see craft keg drinkers moving on to

Alan & Lee

premium lagers, which we can sell cheaper.

We stock them, but we don’t sell a huge amount, and certainly not to the detriment of cask sales.

AC Finally, what about CAMRA? What are we getting right, and what could we do better?

WA CAMRA has been great for real ale, and generally good for pubs. Over the years you’ve increased public awareness about real ale, been generally supportive of the pubs who serve good ale and your magazine enables us to deliver targeted advertising. But (there’s always one of those isn’t there – ed.) I’m not sure where you go from here. There doesn’t seem to be any youth appeal and you’re very much a middle aged ‘club’. You seem to be trying to promote everybody and that means you spread yourself too thin. Ale Cry is a classic example: lots of news about pubs all over the area, but many of them are not committed to real ale. Sometimes there is even coverage of changes at a keg only pub, yet good pubs that have flown the flag for real ale for years tend to get ignored – if there’s nothing new to report they don’t get any press. That can’t be right.

Photos: All © Withy Arms Group

AC You operate three true free houses (Withy Arms in Leyland, Withy Arms and Walton Arms in Bamber Bridge) – how do you select which cask ales to sell, given the huge numbers available to you?

WA Our business model is based on a quality environment at good value pricing.

We have a limit of how much we will pay for cask ale, and to some extent this dictates what we serve. Some of the micro breweries are charging unrealistic prices for their products and we’re not always convinced of the quality. That is one of the reasons we are planning on having our own brewery.

At the moment the beers are being brewed

by Wall’s Brewery in Northallerton while we try to get ours going.

The Rotary Club of South Ribble brings you…

16th, 17th & 18th June, 2017 Friday 4pm – 11.30pm, Saturday 1pm – 11.30pm, Sunday 1pm – 8pm

Walmer Bridge Village Hall Gill Lane, Walmer Bridge, Nr Longton, PR4 5GN

Main sponsor: Martin Edwards THE Reclamation Yard, PR5 6BP, 01772 334868 edwardsrbm@btinternet.com

£5 entry includes glass + programme

50 Real Ales Beers + Ciders, Wines + Prosecco

In aid of charities St Catherine’s Hospice, Tender Nursing Care, Heartbeat, Rosemere Cancer Foundation & Rotary Good Causes

www.walmerbridgebeerfest.org.uk Contacts: Kerry Williamson 01772 433589, Chris Marsden 07811 660454

Winners of Central Lancashire’s CAMRA Autumn 2014 pub of the season.

Privately owned free-house

The Crown Hotel

One of Chorley’s few genuine free houses with 5 hand pulled Real Ales & Ciders, usually including a mild, which are generally sourced from local micro brewers.

Football fans welcome for pre and post match refreshments.

CHAPEL STREET, CHORLEY

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

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Ale Cry

CIDERMAN

T

o start off my name is Luke Harrison, I am the cider representative of CAMRA’s Central Lancashire Branch, but you can call me CIDERMAN. For my first article, let’s look at what is Real Cider – and just as importantly what isn’t.

Real cider is made from 100% fermented apple juice (plus yeast of course) and importantly from apples that have been grown in the same area where the cider is produced – so no foreign imports here. The apples do not have to be of a single type – most ciders are blends of several varieties of apple, with each cidermaker having their own secret mix.

Real cider is produced when the apples are ripe and using the traditional methods below with no additional preservatives.

If extra sugar or sweeteners are added to speed up the process and/or alter the taste, it isn’t real.

There are four stages to traditional cider production:

So what is mainstream cider then?

It is mass produced cider made from a little bit of filtered and pasteurized apple juice fermented with a large quantity of sugar water. Cider sold in the UK is mostly made from imported apple concentrate, artificial colourings, sweeteners, and preservatives that are added to make up for the apple flavour that isn’t there. The liquid is then filtered, pasteurized to kill the yeast (including other bacteria and bugs); finally it is kept and served under carbon dioxide pressure.

If you have never tried the real thing and are looking for somewhere to start, there are 32 pubs in our area that we understand sell real cider. To view this list go to the branch website and click the Real Cider tab on the left. Armed with fresh knowledge you can now make sure you are being sold 100% real cider and not an imitation (providing you haven’t been misinformed). In addition to these pubs, many beer festivals also sell real cider and details of local festivals can also be found on our site.

LU K E H A R R I S O N

1 Preparation The first process is to prepare the apples, orchard debris is removed to leave just the apples (e.g. twigs, leaves etc.). They are then washed (surface sterilized) and rotten apples are removed.

2 Pulping At this stage apples are mashed, mechanically, using a scratter or by hand to create a pulp which is put into the cider press.

3 Pressing The cider press extracts the juice from the apples, which is then poured into (plastic) fermentation barrels.

STOP PRESS Just before this magazine went to press, SHEPHERDS’ HALL ALE HOUSE in Chorley was voted as the branch Cider Pub of the Year for 2017.

The presentation will be made on Saturday 22nd April at about 3.30pm.

Strawberry Gardens Poulton Road, Fleetwood, FY7 6TF Tel 01253 771991

4 Fermentation It may not actually be necessary to add yeast as it grows naturally on the skin and in the flesh of the apple.

The fermentation process varies with temperature with a higher temperature producing the cider sooner.

Once fermentation has taken place, there it is. Three important things that do not happen to real cider are:

1 Not filtered This is removing the “bits” that are contained

24

Ale Cry

Real Ales, Real Ciders & Continental Beers Food available Daily

6th Beer & Cider Festival

in the apple juice that is produced during the ‘Pressing’ process described above.

2 Not pasteurized One word “Taste”. Just like with milk this heat treatment affects the natural flavour of the cider and so can’t be done at any point during the production process to keep it real. This process of course kills the yeast.

3 Not carbonated Real cider is still, sometimes cloudy and served at room temperature. Carbon dioxide shouldn’t be added during any of the production process or to seal the fermentation barrels.

50+ Real Ales, Real Ciders and Continental Beers

Real cider will contain live yeast because it hasn’t been pasteurized or filtered.

Occasionally you will find perry available. This is made from pears, but in exactly the same way – so for it to be real perry, the same considerations must also apply.

Places that have been confirmed by CAMRA cider coordinators as selling real cider & perry are provided with a ‘real cider & perry’ sticker. At the present time there are over 780 pubs nationwide awarded with the accreditation window sticker.

Thur 25th to Mon 29th May

Issue 114 – Spring 2017

Live Entertainment

Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre CAMRA Runner up Pub of the Year 2014 Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre CAMRA Pub of the Year 2013 Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year 2012 www.strawberrygardensfleetwood.co.uk

Our Lady & St. Gerards Brownedge Road, Lostock Hall, Preston PR5 5AA Telephone: 01772 339459

Welcomes you to

‘a modern club with traditional values’ • 3 regularly changing guest ales

• Live entertainment & function room

• Sky & BT Sport

• Quiz Nights every Sunday & Tuesday

• Snooker table

• Memberships available

Monday–Thursday 7pm–11pm Friday 5pm–11.30pm Saturday 3pm–Midnight Sunday 12noon–11.30pm

THE POTTERS ARMS BROOK STREET, CHORLEY

Thee Bs Doff Cocker Black Sheep Best Bitter + Guest ales from local breweries

Don’t miss Tuesday: All cask ales £1.99 A real pub with darts, dominoes, pool and a real fire

Hoppy Days M I C R O P U B

L O N G R I D G E

36A Derby Rd, Longridge, Preston PR3 3JT

• 5 Rotating, Hand-Pulled Real Ales • 3 Natural Still Ciders • Continental + ‘Craft’ Bottled Beers • Wines + Spirits • Juices, Sodas + Snacks Open Hours: Wednesday + Thursday : 3-9pm Friday + Saturday : 1-10pm Sunday : 1-7pm

Stephen and Denise have been glad to welcome good beer lovers for over 25 years at the POTTERS.

FREE

‘Fantastic place made us feel very welcome, the beer was fab, well worth a visit.’ Rob G. ‘Exactly how a pub should be, jolly fine beer and good company.’

Peter W.

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

25

Ale Cry

Leyland Old Town ☎ 01772 301969

OUTSIDE BARS & HEATED HUTS ALL OPEN

BEER & FOOD FESTIVALS AT LEYLAND

BEER & FOOD FESTIVALS AT BAMBER BRIDGE

MARCH - Fri 17 St PATRICK’S DAY Guinness & Irish Food

MARCH - Fri 17 St PATRICK’S DAY Guinness & Irish Food

MARCH - Sun 26 - MOTHER’S DAY Live Music from 6pm

MARCH - Sun 26 - MOTHER’S DAY Live Music from 6pm

APRIL - Fri 14 - Mon 17 - EASTER Fish & Beer Weekend Festival Live Music Every Night

APRIL - Fri 14 - Mon 17 - EASTER Curry & Beer Weekend Festival Live Music Every Night

APRIL - 23 Sun St GEORGE’S DAY Good Old English Beer & Food

APRIL - 23 Sun St GEORGE’S DAY Good Old English Beer with Stew & Dumplings

MAY - Fri 26 - Mon 29 SPRING HOLIDAY Dirty Burgers & Beer Weekend Festival Live Music Every Night plus BBQ Every Day till late

Cry

MAY - Fri 26 - Mon 29 - SPRING HOLIDAY Chinese Food & Beer Weekend Festival Live Music Every Night plus BBQ Every Day till late

www.withyarms.com

26

Ale

Bamber Bridge ☎ 01772 697706

Issue 114 – Spring 2017

Two nights on the (Edinburgh) tiles

H

ave you ever had that feeling when you walk into a pub that ‘This is something special’?

It may be the range of beer offered, it may be the people, it may be the music, it may be a whole host of things. We all have our likes and dislikes. For me one of those reasons is the interior of the pub itself. Since I studied architecture at school I’ve always been interested in buildings even though the subject was never part of my working life. When I walk down the high street my wife sees the shops but I’m looking at the upper floors – unless it’s a pub of course!

On a trip to London this year we went in the Old Bank of England pub on Fleet Street and were amazed at the gloriously preserved interior of it. It got me thinking about other pubs with beautifully preserved interiors already visited – the Philharmonic Dining Rooms in Liverpool and Manchester’s Peveril of the Peak and Britons Protection for example.

This year CAMRA issued a new edition of Britain’s Best Real Heritage Pubs and I was given a copy for my birthday and a great book it is.

In it are some of the most stunning preserved pub interiors you could ever wish to see, complete with superb photographs and descriptions. When I opened the present I thought “That looks familiar” and indeed the front cover is of the Black Horse in Preston, a little gem known to most of us even though we may not all appreciate it’s national importance.

Next time you go in, have a look at the floor and wall tiles, the wood and glasswork, and the ornate ceiling. You may find that previously you have looked but never seen what is actually there. The importance of it is emphasised by the fact that there are only 3 in Lancashire with Ye Horns Inn at Goosnargh in our branch area and the Victoria at Great Harwood.

The book explains about the important work CAMRA does to preserve these sites, listings of pubs by counties, interesting anecdotes on pub room names, bellpushes, pub games and tall tales and is an interesting read as well as an informative one. The book is available through the CAMRA shop for £7.99.

Anyway, a return weekend trip to Edinburgh was in the offing with my wife wanting to see the Christmas markets

and Holyrood house (the Queen’s official residence in the Scottish capital) which we had not seen on a previous visit some years ago. “What would you like to see?” she says.

Well! Having the book it was obvious as there are at least 6 pubs in the book within a very short stagger from the city centre.

If you have never been to Edinburgh, go.

It’s quite compact and there is plenty to see and do from castles and historic houses, shops, museums, rugby, football, street entertainers, and all kinds of festivals throughout the year – oh, and pubs.

The centre of Edinburgh is in 2 main parts split by a central park and valley with the railway station and lines. On one side is the historic part with the castle and the Royal Mile leading down to Holyrood and the new Scottish Parliament building.

This part is the main tourist part with squares linked by cobbled streets, winding steep back alleys with historic names like Grassmarket, Lawnmarket and eerily, Fleshmarket. Here you’ll find the old buildings full of the usual tourist fleecing shops selling everything tartan, bagpipes, haggis, shortbread and whisky miniatures; amongst the cafes and backstreet bars and pubs, some of which are well worth exploring.

The other part or “New town” i.e. only about 250 years old, has a mixture of classical architecture, grand squares and terraces, gardens and secluded lanes from the elegant Georgian period, set in neat parallel lines and this area proved to be the main concentration of pubs I wanted to see.

The nearest ‘heritage’ pub to Waverley station is the GUILDFORD ARMS on West Register Street although it doesn’t appear in the book. Entrance is through a revolving door, although exiting after

Guildford Arms

having had a few caused problems to some people, and amusement to onlookers. ‘This is something special’ we both said as we walked in. Late Victorian opulence type special with high ornate ceilings, hanging candelabra, tiled walls, carved wood and glass and a stunning minstrel’s gallery where a mezzanine level dining area is situated. With a choice of 9 hand-pulled beers, mainly from local micros most of which I had never heard of, a couple were tried and enjoyed slowly. At those prices there is no rush – Edinburgh is a tourist destination and these pubs are in the busiest area so ‘it isnae cheap’. So sit back,

Cafe Royal

relax and enjoy the stunning surroundings while you come to terms with the shock to the wallet.

Round the corner is Edinburgh’s flagship Heritage pub – the CAFE ROYAL – with much on show dating from around 1900.

The centrepiece is the typically Scottish ‘island bar’ which you can walk right round. A more open and brighter feel than the Guildford it feels classy, less ornate but no less impressive. A row of 6 large tiled paintings line one wall depicting great British Inventors, and beyond an ornate screen is an upmarket restaurant section with stained glass windows depicting sportsmen of the day. A couple of the 7 unknown ales were sampled whilst sitting in one of the semi-circular booths around the outside wall. There’s no point listing the beers as they change regularly, suffice to say enough for most tastes.

5 minutes walk took us to St Andrews Square and a pub recommended in conversation earlier in the Guildford. It’s called TILES BISTRO BAR and looks and feels just like a heritage pub but was

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

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Ale Cry

1 2 3 4 5

Guildford Arms Cafe Royal Tiles Bistro Bar The Kenilworth The Abbotsford

EDINBURGH QUEEN

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STREE

REET

HILL ST

5

ET E STRE

3

2

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GEORG

STREET

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OUND THE M

EDINBURGH WAVERLEY

Tiles Bistro Bar

until 1980 a Prudential Insurance office, when the interior was ripped out and replaced by – tiles. High ornate ceilings, wood, more tiles and an island bar, they made a fantastic job of it. Careful here though. In some Scottish bars they use a different type of beer dispense system which you suspect to be craft or keg and to make matters worse, one of them here is, but others are cask ales. We asked the landlord and then tried a stout and a wheat beer for a change and were happy with the choices.

The next day after more sightseeing we continued MY quest and went to THE KENILWORTH on Rose Street which has an island bar with a superb wooden ‘gantry’ (optic, bottle and glass storage unit to you and me). Another grand high ceiling of patterned plasterwork in the bar with tiled walls and a collection of pub mirrors with adverts for long gone once popular drinks.

Now Edinburgh centre is busy most of the time but on a Saturday lunchtime before an international rugby match at Murrayfield, space is at a premium in the Kenilworth but I happily picked

a recognisable favourite, Harviestoun Bitter and Twisted and we chatted away with the fans like we knew some of the 648 ways of committing a foul in a maul.

They will catch up with the fast flowing, open, less kick reliant game of rugby league eventually!

Anyway after sampling a bit of ‘gluhwein’ on the Christmas market we went back to Rose Street and THE ABBOTSFORD. Another great example of a preserved pub interior from 1902 with a high plasterwork ceiling but a curiously low island bar. The counter height feels right but you feel compelled to duck down under the gantry to give your order – maybe we have grown taller since it was built. Rip it out and start again! Never say I. There were 6 cask ales from Cromarty Brewing Co on offer, but I was told that other brewery beers do appear. The beers all come out of A Beer fount beer founts (don’t

pronounce the ‘u’) and are a surprise if you haven’t seen them before. They just open a tap and it pours out, no pumping, no sprinkler but they came out nice and tasted great. After ordering you can sit and study the blackboards high on the back wall to possibly choose one of up to 104 whiskies on offer if that’s your thing, or like us explored more of the Cromarty range.

In the book there are 3 more pubs with historic interiors within the city centre but I’m saving those for next time as I think you’ve always got to have a reason to return when you find somewhere good.

Abbotsford

28 Kenilworth

Ale Cry

Issue 114 – Spring 2017

Edinburgh is a bustling bright place with lots going on. You’ve got that city feel but physically it’s not that big and getting around is very easy. Anyone with any sense of history will find much to do and plenty to see and when you’ve done all that, you can relax in one of the many pubs where you can enjoy some more of that history and even drink some beer while you’re doing it.

S T E V E JAC K S O N

Photos: Kenilworth © Jon Aspinall; Abbotsford © Ruth Aspinall

ROSE

IDGE LEY BR WAVER

4

THE

As featured in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2017

BOB INN

Voted Central Lancashire’s Pub of the Season Spring 2017

CHORLEY A family friendly micro-pub

serving real ales, ciders and Belgian beers

Opening Times: Monday to Saturday 10am until 6pm (excluding Wednesday) Chorley Market, Market Place, Chorley, PR7 1DA thebobinn

Beer Guide ACAMRA’s Good Good Beer Guide 2012, 13, 14, 15 & regular 2012! in the newsince 2016 Guide Cask Marque award holder

uests pplus rotating gguests three rotating Ales––three lus CaskAles FiveCask Five King IPA eene Bitter GrBest ghtfoot & & heakston’s LiLightfoot TTheakston’s uinness nd G ild aand Fosters, M Kronenbourg, Fosters, Moretti,Kronenbourg, BirraMoretti, Birra Mild Guinness See our website for this month’s ales Try out our very popular weekly Quiz Night every Thursday – starts prompt at 9pm 20p off a pint for CAMRA card carrying members

Great beer, great team of staff and a warm and friendly welcome Saturday Music Theme Nights once a month – see facebook www.blackbull-penwortham.co.uk or facebook 83 Pope Lane, Penwortham – 01772 752953

29

11-11 Monday to Thursday / 11 to 12.30 Friday & Saturday / 12 to 11 Sunday unless we decide to stay open later !

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

Branch Diary All meetings start at 8pm unless shown and all are welcome. Please see website for further details.

Monday 6th March

Committee Meeting at Anchor, Lostock Hall (7:30) Thursday 23rd March

Ale Cry Distribution Crawl to Poulton-le-Fylde By train: Depart – Chorley 1903, Leyland 1915, Preston 1924 arr. Poulton 1942 Return – Poulton dep. 2229 arr. Preston 2249, Leyland 2256, return to Chorley by rail replacement bus from Preston Fare (from Preston): £6.80 return

10% 20p per pint, except Mon when discount is for all customers

Anderton Arms, Fulwood

20p per pint, except Mon when discount is for all customers

Bamber Bridge Football Club

20p per pint

Bay Horse, Euxton

10%

Black Bull, Fulwood

20p per pint, except Mon when discount is for all customers

Black Bull, Penwortham

20p per pint

Committee Meeting at Guild Ale House, Preston

Bob Inn, Chorley

20p per pint

Crown, Croston

20p per pint

Saturday 22nd April

Fleece, Penwortham

10%

Grey Friar, Preston

50p per pint using a Wetherspoon’s token

Grill & Grain At The Boatyard, Riley Green

10%

Hartwood Hall, Chorley

10%

Horns, Goosnargh

50p per pint on Goosnargh Brewery beers

Lane Ends, Ashton

10%

Leyland Lion, Leyland

50p per pint using a Wetherspoon’s token

Malthouse Farm, Whittle-le-Woods

10%

Nabs Head, Samlesbury

20p per pint

Old Black Bull, Preston

20p per pint off guest beers

Old Leyland Gates, Leyland

10%

Old Vic, Preston

50p per pint using a Wetherspoon’s token

Pear Tree, Penwortham

20p per pint

Phantom Winger, Broughton

10%

Plough, Grimsargh

Lancashire Branches Social. A pub crawl around Chorley – please check our website for details

20p per pint Sun-Tues, 10p per pint WedSat

Poachers, Bamber Bridge

10%

Preston Grasshoppers RFC

10%

Thursday 22nd June

Prince of Wales, Cowling Brow, Chorley

10%

Prince Of Wales New Market Street, Chorley

10%

Roper Hall, Preston

10%

Sir Henry Tate, Chorley

50p per pint using a Wetherspoon’s token

Smiths Arms, Lea Town

20p per pint, 10p per half pint

With a print run of 6,000 and magazines available in pubs and clubs across the area and beyond, an advert in Ale Cry is probably the best value targeted advertising around.

For further details contact: Adrian – editor@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Trades Hall Club & Institute, Bamber Bridge

10%

Twelve Tellers, Preston

50p per pint using a Wetherspoon’s token

Wellington, Ashton

Up to 25p per pint

Woodsman, Clayton-le-Woods

10p per pint Mon-Thu only

Publication Dates

Yarrow Bridge, Chorley

10%

Yates, Preston

10%

Monday 10th April

Pub of the Season Presentation at Bob Inn, Chorley (2:30) Cider Pub of the Year Presentation at Shepherds’ Hall Ale House, Chorley (3:30) Thursday 27 April th

Branch Meeting at Withy Arms, Bamber Bridge Monday 8th May

Committee Meeting at Crown, Chorley (7:30) Thursday 25th May

Branch Meeting at Broughton & District Club, Broughton (7:00) Monday 5th June

Committee Meeting at Withy Arms, Leyland Saturday 17 June th

Annual General Meeting at Guild Ale House, Preston

Advertising

The next issue of Ale Cry (115) will be published on 1st June 2017.

Copy deadline is 1st May 2017.

Trading Standards

Cry

All over the country, hundreds of pubs are offering a discount to card carrying CAMRA members. These pubs deserve your support and listed below are the ones in our branch area that we believe are offering a discount.

Ancient Oak, Cottam

Branch Meeting at Old Vic, Preston

Ale

Discount Pubs

Adelphi, Preston

Thursday 30th March

30

CAMRA

For complaints about issues such as short measures, contact: Lancashire County Council Trading Standards County Hall, Pitt Street Preston, PR1 0LD. T: 0345 404 0506

Issue 114 – Spring 2017

If you know of a pub offering a discount that is not listed here, or one is listed that no longer offers a discount, please let us know.

If you are a licensee and are interested in joining the scheme then please contact editor@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

70

S T E WA RT G R I E V E DESIGN GRAPHIC DESIGN FOR PRINT

w w w . stewar tgri eve . co. u k s tew @ s tewa r tgri eve . co. u k 07761 3 3 5 8 47

A Campaign

Fai r on dea b tax eer l now !

of Two Halves

7EZI &VMXEMR W 4YFW

Instruction to your Bank or Building Society to pay by Direct Debit Please fill in the whole form using a ball point pen and send to: Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. 230 Hatfield Road, St.Albans, Herts AL1 4LW

Name and full postal address of your Bank or Building Society To the Manager

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Join CAMRA Today

Complete the Direct Debit form and you will receive 15 months membership for the price of 12 and a fantastic discount on your membership subscription.

Alternatively you can send a cheque payable to CAMRA Ltd with your completed form, visit www.camra.org.uk/joinus or call 01727 867201. All forms should be addressed to the: Membership Department, CAMRA, 230 Hatfield Road, St Albans, AL1 4LW.

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Enjoying Real Ale & Pubs

Join CAMRA today – www.camra.org.uk/joinus

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