Ale Cry 120

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Ale

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

Cry

issue 120, Autumn 2018 03 05 08 11

Pub of the Season: Continental Riley’s Rambles: Hebdon Bridge Anatomy of a Pint: Part 1 Ale Cry Visits… Garstang

12 Preston Parade 14 Soapbox 16 Historic Preston Pubs: Part 3 19 Chorley Chatter

22 25 27 28

What’s Behind The Plaque?

40 years of Ale Cry 2019 Good Beer Guide South Ribble Scene

CENTRAL LANCASHIRE BRANCH

Chairman’s Welcome

W

elcome to our Autumn 2018 edition of Ale Cry. It’s September already and Autumn is approaching. At least 2018 has had some great weather with long, hot, dry spells for much of the Summer. I hope you all enjoyed some great cask beer in the sun.

I was pleased to read reports in the pub trade press recently that “wet led pubs” – those that don’t sell much food, but concentrate on beer and conversation, are enjoying a revival. The “menu” at these pubs tends to offer crisps, nuts, pork scratchings and maybe a pickled egg from a large glass jar behind the bar and little else. Now, I have nothing against food/ gastropubs, many of which are superb and have great real ale on offer to accompany food, which is often locally sourced and home-cooked, but I also love a traditional ale house with a simple offering of cask ale, ciders and a few cold snacks.

Thinking about this, the recent rise of micropubs is a great phenomenon that must be contributing to this revival. There are now over 300 micropubs in Britain and we have several fantastic micropubs in our branch area with more opening all the time. Typically, they trade from high-street and town-centre units and have a strong cask beer focus and a loyal, local following.

Conversation is king and so there is little to distract from this, so typically, there is no TV or jukebox.

The benefits of the free-of-tie approach to buying beer are helping these local, independent pubs to flourish and become a popular choice for real ale fans and craft ale drinkers alike as they know they will find like minded individuals and be able to put the world to rights over a pint or two.

Recent additions to the micro scene in our branch area have been the Plug & Taps in Preston and the Brig N Barrel in Bamber Bridge, with more promised, on the horizon.

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ISSUE 120 AUTUMN 2018

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 DAVE WOOLCOCK e: treasurer@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

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

Pubs Officer RICHARD LANGFORD t: 07974 799224 e: pubsofficer@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Pub Protection Officer DAVE LINLEY t: 01772 735628 e: pubprotection@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Cider Officer POST VACANT e: cider@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

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. In addition, you can now follow us on Twitter, search for CAMRA Central Lancs.

We also produce 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 DAV E B E L L

Branch Chairman

Autumn is the season for hops, so what better to have on the cover than a picture of a hop field? Unfortunately we don’t have any hop farms in our area, so this picture was kindly provided by the good people from Stocks Farm in Worcestershire. They have over 100 acres of hop fields and are the only grower in this country who specialise in selling hops direct to the home brew market. For contact details, see their advert on page 14. A special thank you goes to Jo Williams for all her help.

Last issue’s cover caused much discussion and speculation as to the location. It is the beer garden at Blue Anchor in Bretherton. We haven’t previously told our readers where the cover pictures have been taken. The intention is not to promote a particular pub but to illustrate an aspect of ‘pub life’ – if possible with a seasonal theme. We’re always looking for new ideas, so if you’d like to see one of your pictures on the cover of a future Ale Cry, please send images for consideration to editor@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

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Branch Contacts

Social Media Officer STEWART GRIEVE e: socialmedia@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

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

Social Secretary SIMON CROWE t: 07852 165024 e: social@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Young Members CATHERINE BEVAN e: youngmembers@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. Design & Layout: Stewart Grieve Design Ltd e: stew@stewartgrieve.co.uk www.stewartgrieve.co.uk Printed by: Printplus, Cocker Avenue, Poulton-le-Fylde, FY6 8JU t: 01253 299620 www.printplusgroup.com

of Pub the season

AUTUMN 2018

Continental Preston

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e are pleased to announce that the CAMRA Central Lancashire branch Pub of the Season for Autumn 2018 is the CONTINENTAL on South Meadow Lane in Preston.

This is an opportune time for the Continental to be recognised with an award as it is exactly 10 years since the pub came under the ownership of Jeremy Rowlands and Ruth Heritage. They had a vision that the Continental could be successful as a pub selling a range of real ales, and providing good food, while also promoting the arts and a variety of other attractions. Prior to this, the pub had been closed for 18 months, with reports that the police had been wanting to acquire the premises for training purposes.

Re-opening in August 2008, the Continental immediately became popular with local CAMRA members. For two years running it was chosen as the branch’s Pub of the Year, and following this for a great many years now has continued to hold down a place in the Good Beer Guide. However, despite all this acclaim, it may come as some surprise to learn that until now it has never had the distinction of being the branch’s Pub of the Season.

Behind the scenes at the Continental there is a sizeable team of people who are involved in the running of the pub. Manager for the last nine years has been Jeremy’s sister, Lisa Rowlands, while carrying out an important role for the beer drinker is Gary Culshaw, who has been Cellarman at the Continental for a similar length of time.

Typically the Continental is selling 8 real ales and one real cider on handpump at any one time. The beers available include the house beer Continental Bitter which is brewed by Fernandes Brewery of Wakefield, plus there is usually a beer on sale from Pictish Brewery. LocAle beers are usually also very much in evidence, with Beer Brothers, Lancaster, and Cross Bay all being represented on a recent visit. Meanwhile for those not wanting a handpumped beer, the Continental does also stock an impressive range of craft ales and bottled beers.

With its location next to the river, and with a spacious beer garden, the pub is a big attraction in the warmer weather and at times it can get very busy. The popularity of the pub is particularly evident for the Beer & Cider Festivals, which the Continental has held regularly over the last 10 years, and which continue to grow in popularity. With the benefit of plenty of room for outdoor drinking, there have now been 18 Beer & Cider Festivals. Usually held in Spring and Autumn, the most recent event boasted a total of 200 cask ales, ciders, and perries.

As previously intimated the Continental is not just a pub renowned for the good beer and good food it provides. It is the place to go for a great variety of arts and musical activities. These include a fortnightly Film Club, a Creative Writing Group, and a Book Club.

It is also the venue for occasional Hand-Crafted Goods Fairs and hosts regular music gigs (often with quite well known acts catering for all tastes – Bridget St John, the Anti-Nowhere League, and the Hawklords are all appearing there this Autumn).

There will be a CAMRA Central Lancashire branch meeting and social at the Continental on Thursday September 20th, with the presentation of the Autumn 2018 Pub of the Season certificate taking place at about 9pm. We are hoping for a good turnout on the night, and it would be great to see some new faces present as we formally recognise this excellent real ale pub.

GORDON SMALL

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

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RIley’s Rambles: Hebden Bridge

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everal years ago, I did a ramble to Sowerby Bridge that involved a change of trains at Hebden Bridge.

I was told of a couple of pubs there, near the station, that were worth a visit while waiting for your connection. Hebden Bridge is worth more than that small mention though; it is worth a visit all of its own, for there are many delights to be found in this market town in this West Yorkshire market town.

Surrounded by breathtaking countryside, Hebden Bridge, among other things has been voted ‘the fourth funkiest town in the world’, the best small market town in the UK and the greatest town in Europe. It has built up a reputation for great little shops and is awash with cafes and tea rooms and, of course, pubs. In this article, I will guide you round the pubs in the town centre, so you will know what to expect.

Walking down from the station, turn left and proceed along New Rd. As you approach the centre, you will see on your right Albert St. where you can visit our first pub, the ALBERT. The pub has been opened out slightly, but retains some of its original

features. There is comfortable seating off the main bar and an interesting ‘wire man’ in an area to the left. Four real ales were available: Purple Moose Snowdonia(3.6%), Jennings Cumberland, Settle Brewery Attemire IPA (4.2%) and Theakstons Old Peculier. It also usually has Wainwrights and Taylors Landlord. It was £3.80 for two halves.

Going back to the main road, we next encounter VOCATION & CO, the tap for the Vocation Brewery. A bright, modern minimalist bar, there are no handpumps as such, the beer being dispensed from a row of wall mounted taps behind the bar. Two of their own beers were on sale, Bread and Butter (3.9%) and Heart and Soul (4.4%) plus two guests, Brew by Numbers Citra Pale Ale (4.2%) and Wild’s Millionaire, a milk stout at 4.7%. It was £3.30 for two halves.

Almost immediately next door is the RAILWAY, a friendly local, much changed

since the floods of 2015 which saw the valley overrun with rainwater that created havoc with the town centre. The main bar serves four drinking areas with two real fires and sports tv. Three beers were available, Wells Bombardier, Oakham Citra (4.2%) and Titanic Plum Porter (4.9%).

Continuing along New St. you will notice on the opposite side of the road, the Picture House. At the side of this is the NIGHTJAR, a microbar opened in 2017 that acts as a brewery tap for the Nightjar Brewery.

Unfortunately it is closed on Mondays and

only opens in the evening on Tues–Thurs.

It is open from 11am on Friday and Sunday and noon on Saturdays. Inside you should find a couple of their beers plus a guest.

At the end of the road, cross over the river and find on your right, the OLD GATE BAR & RESTAURANT, a smart and modern

bar that has the largest range of real ales in town, with nine handpumps on the long copper topped bar. A comfy mix of chairs, benches and settees adds to the atmosphere.

There were two beers from Ilkley, two from Vocation, a Marble beer, one from Squawk plus Kirkstall Pale Ale (4.0% at £3.20), which I had. I could have stayed, gazing out of the large picture windows, but there were still plenty of pubs to visit yet.

Go back over the bridge and left up Bridge Gate to the WHITE SWAN. Note the alleyway on the right that leads to Calan’s Micropub. We will return there later. In the Swan, an ex-Ramsden’s pub, now Heineken, you will find Black Sheep Bitter, Robinson’s Dizzy Blonde plus a guest.

The next pub up is the SHOULDER OF MUTTON, in what was once a row of three cottages. Now semi-open plan, in summer it is popular with both locals and tourists, with its patio which looks out onto the square,

ideal for people watching. Four beers were on sale on our visit, Castle Rock Harvest Pale Ale, Abbeydale Absolution, Exmoor Gold and Theakston’s Old Peculier.

At the top of Bridge Gate you will find the oldest hotel in town, the WHITE LION. A Grade II listed building dating from 1657, it retains some original features and interesting decorations. A lovely warm roaring open fire was welcome as the day was getting increasingly chilly. Five beers were available:- Black Sheep Bitter, Wainwrights, Taylors Boltmaker (4%), Saltaire Blonde also 4%, and Purity Brewery Pure Ubu (4.5%). It was £3.75 for two halves. There was one other pub to investigate before we could retrace our steps to Calan’s.

On Crown St, which runs back down to New Rd. the CROWN INN is located in part of the old Civic Hall and some of the upstairs rooms retain their original features. Only three real ales available on our visit, Dizzy www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

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Blonde, Caledonian Over The Bar, and Bishops Finger. We retraced our steps to Bridge Gate and entered the courtyard to reach CALAN’S Micropub.

The first micropub in the whole of Calderdale, it opened in 2015 and soon gained a reputation for good beer, convivial surroundings and real conversation. It is only small, with seating to the left of the bar and a small lounge area to the right, with extra seating in the courtyard at the front.

There are five handpumps serving real ales from anywhere in the country with an emphasis on rare ales. No kegged beers are sold, but local bottled beers, boxed ciders and wines are. Another victim of the floods,

it has risen again to become a favourite of beer lovers from near and far, and deservedly so. You are always sure of a welcome there. I have heard that it is under new ownership, but the core values of the pub are unchanged.

When we visited, you could choose from Blue Bee Land of the long White Cloud (3.5%) and Hillfoot Best Bitter (4%), North Riding Cascade Pale (4%), Hawkshead Brodies Prime (4.9%) and Dark Star Revelation (5.7%). The beers of all strengths were all only £3.00 a pint, but this might have changed now. Whatever, the prices are still good for this neck of the woods. It was the best place to finish off our visit to Hebden Bridge and we retraced our steps to the railway station for our train home to Preston.

You can easily travel to Hebden Bridge by train from Preston on the Leeds bound service (if Northern Rail have got their act together) which runs hourly around the

quarter to mark, the best time obviously being around the time of the Johnston Press promotion when with vouchers you can go for just £10. If you have a railcard and get a third off, you could go anytime and enjoy the fresh air and fine pubs of this Yorkshire gem.

PAU L R I L E Y Ed: The FOX & GOOSE is also one not to miss – but it’s not in the town centre and about a third of a mile walk west from the Old Gate Bar & Restaurant.

Allan & Kelly welcome you to

THE CROWN

Cask ales and continental lagers Live music every Saturday Good value home made pub grub Massive beer garden Motorhome hookups available

   

● 

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Station Road Croston PR26 9RN

01772 936981

THE POTTERS ARMS BROOK STREET, CHORLEY

Three 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

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

20 years in the Good Beer Guide

FREE

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

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Anatomy of a pint

T

his is the first part of a three part article which is designed to explain exactly what your pint goes through before it ends up in your glass. The first article examines the brewing process, and explains the terminology and a bit of the science behind it. In part two we will consider packaging and dispense methods and will try to explain the differences between the various ways in which beer is made available to the drinker. Finally, in part three we will look at cellarmanship and what the licensee needs to do to serve up the ‘perfect pint’.

Before we look at the brewing process, it’s probably best to consider the four main ingredients that will be used: Water – this is the main ingredient of beer, and is referred to as liquor by brewers.

Many brewers use mains water, but some will be fortunate enough to have their own source such as an artesian well.

Malt – this is roasted barley or wheat.

There are various types and mainly come from UK suppliers. Brewers will select different malts depending on the style of beer being brewed. Roasted malts are added for darker beers. Wheat malts are useful for head retention and crystal malts determine body and mouthfeel.

Hops – there are many varieties of hops, each one adding it’s own characteristics to

A

the beer. Which hop to use is all down to the brewer’s preference – sometimes brewing a single hop beer but more often using a mixture of hops. Many of the names will be familiar to our readers; from traditional British hops such as Goldings or Fuggles to relative newcomers like Citra and Chinook from the USA or Nelson Sauvin from New Zealand. Each one has it’s place and help contribute to the wondrous array of beers we can enjoy today. Hops with high alpha acid content will normally be used to add the bitterness to the beer, while the low alpha acid varieties are used for flavour and aroma.

Yeast – is essential for the fermentation process and contributes about 30% of beer flavours. Brewers will use different yeasts for different beer styles and it comes in 3 distinct forms; dried (which needs to be re-hydrated before use), liquid and live/ cultivated.

So lets start our journey with what might perhaps be described as a ‘generic process’ and may differ slightly between different breweries, but is generally what happens everywhere.

Water is drawn into the Hot Liquor Tank and will be allowed to stand to allow chemicals such as chlorine and chloramine to evaporate. The water is then heated to the required temperature, which will differ depending on which beer is being brewed. This is referred to as the strike temperature and is higher than the actual mashing temperature due to heat loss to the ingredients and during transfer.

The hot liquor is transferred to the mash

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C

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PART 1 A Ingredients for one gallon of beer B Mash tun being emptied C Kettle (left) & mash tun D Loose malt and hops E Fermenters

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tun where it is mixed with the malt to a set ratio. This is now called the mash and is left for between 60 and 90 minutes depending on the brewer, style and individual beer.

At the end of the process the liquid (now called wort) is run off into the kettle. Once the mash tun has been drained down to the grain at the bottom, hot water is sprayed into the vessel to wash out any residual sugars, with the liquid being transferred to the kettle. The process is stopped when either the kettle is full or the required specific gravity has been achieved (this being checked using a hydrometer). The residue in the mash tun, which is wet malt and some proteins will then be dug out and sent away for animal feed.

In the kettle, the liquid is brought to the boil and the required ‘bittering hops’ (which determine how bitter the beer will be) are added. The kettle is boiled for an hour and close to the end of the process a fining ingredient is added which causes the protein content to drop to the bottom of the vessel. Right at the end the flavour and aroma hops are added – if this is done too early hop oil will be lost, and this is what gives the aroma and flavour.

The kettle now contains sterile beer which is at 100ºC which needs to be reduced to 20ºC as soon as possible. The liquid is extracted (leaving the hop sediment behind) and passed through a heat exchanger. The coolant water is recycled back

ThE BrEwInG PrOcEsS WoRt

CoOlEd

MaSh TuN

KeTtLe

FeRmEnTeR

WaTeR & MaLt

HoPs

YeAsT

into the insulated Hot Liquor Tank and is used either for cleaning equipment or for the next brew. This process gives free hot water and helps reduce the carbon footprint of the brew. The cooled beer is now pumped into the fermenter where it is kept at 20ºC. During the filling, yeast is added, ensuring it is well mixed and slightly oxygenated to ensure it works properly.

After 4–5 days the Specific Gravity is taken and the brew is monitored regularly until the correct level is reached. Once a stable level is achieved, the beer is crash

E

We are a microbrewery based in Leyland creating traditional ales inspired by Leyland and its engineering heritage.

Available to the trade in bottle and cask Available to customers direct from the brewery shop Bespoke beers available for special events and corporate gifts

cooled using glycol to 0ºC over a period of about 24 hours. It is kept like this for 7 days, allowing the yeast to floculate (drop to the bottom). Now the brew is finished and the beer is ready for packaging.

In part 2 of ‘Anatomy of a Pint’ we’ll look at the packaging process and try to explain the differences between; craft and keg, real ale and everything else.

With our thanks to Phill and Dave (The Two Who Brew) and Vinnie, at Beer Brothers, for their help in putting this article together.

ADRIAN SMITH

Cann Bridge Ale House A new micropub in Higher Walton 4 handpulls serving an ever rotating selection of the finest cask ales 3 Craft Ale lines, ciders and a house Bavarian Lager A huge selection of gins

Call or email to order or for our current cask and bottle availability.

Wines and Spirits

07827 289200 enquiries@crankshaftbrewery.co.uk

Cann Bridge Ale House

CRANKSHAFT BREWERY

47 Cann Bridge Street, Higher Walton PR5 4DJ

Beer made and bottled in small batches in Leyland Crankshaft Brewery

Leyland, Lancashire PR26 7QL | www.crankshaftbrewery.co.uk

CannBridgeAleHs

@crankshaftbrew

Opening end of August 2018! www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

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Community Pub of the Year 2018

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A warm and friendly atmosphere with great beer, no children, and a beautiful beer garden awaits you at …

THE BLACK BULL INN

of Penwortham

In CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2012–18

Enjoy a wide range of drinks • Cask Ale — 2 permanent hand pumps (Theakston’s Best,

Theakston’s Black Bull Bitter), a rotating CAMRA LocAle Lancashire guest ale and national guest ale, and Robinsons Dizzy Blonde • Lagers — Birra Moretti, Kronenbourg 1664, and Fosters • Ciders — Strongbow, Dark Fruit, and Cloudy Apple.

• Guinness • Extensive range of gins, vodkas, and malt whiskys • Range of wines and prosecco • Low/non-alcoholic drinks available • Tea, coffee, and hot chocolate

The ONLY Penwortham pub in the GBG 2018

Enjoy all the big sporting occasions, as well as the horses, on the 3 large HD screens indoors, and a garden screen in good weather

Dogs are welcome!

On Stagecoach route No 3 – Pope Lane

Opening times Monday–Thursday 12–11 • Friday 12–Midnight Saturday 11–11.30 • Sunday 12–11 FREE

20p off a pint for CAMRA card carrying members

@BlackBullPenwor black.bull.penwortham

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Telephone 01772 752953 mail@blackbull-penwortham.co.uk

83 Pope Lane, Penwortham, Preston PR1 9BA www.blackbull-penwortham.co.uk

Ale Cry visits …

Garstang

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arstang last featured in Ale Cry four years ago when I did one of my Riley’s Rambles on this market town to the north of Preston.

The article was so well received that it was republished in the magazine of the local Lunesdale branch of CAMRA. A lot can happen in 4 years so we thought we should investigate further the delights of Garstang, with its seven real ale pubs in a compact area in the centre of town.

Thus, 16 members travelled on Bob’s minibus (it was to be the last journey with Bob, as he has now retired so thanks to him for his excellent service over many years) and alighted at our first venue, The TITHEBARN on Church Street, adjacent to the canal basin. The pub belongs to Mitchells

of Lancaster, who own York brewery, so there should always be at least one of their beers on the bar. On this occasion it was Guzzler, their golden ale at 3.6%. Also three guest beers are normally on sale and on our visit we could choose between Westgate Summer Equinox (3.8%), Hard Knott Neutron Olicana (4.0%) and Tiny Rebel Juicy (4.8%).

There is a CAMRA discount, except for Mondays between 5.30 and 9pm when all real ales are on sale for £2.50 a pint. Housed in an old converted barn, the pub itself has a large dining area with a wood burning stove and is adorned with old farming implements, plus there are two other smaller rooms near the bar that have more of a pub feeling. Outside is an extensive patio overlooking the canal basin making it an attractive place to sit with a beer or two.

By now it was decided that we should all split up into smaller groups to go round the pubs so that we all would not be queuing to get served. My group headed for the nearest pub, which is the FARMERS ARMS on Church St. itself. Tudoresque outside, the privately owned pub has a modern uncluttered contemporary style inside with a central bar and various drinking areas off it.

Two real ales were on offer, both at £2.90 a pint. We had a choice of Farmyard Ales TVO 54 (3.7%) and Lancaster Red

(4.8%). Our branch having recently visited Farmyard Brewery, it was good to see their beers getting out and about.

From here, go the short walk to the main road and turn left and you will soon arrive at the WHEATSHEAF, a Star Inns and Bars (Heineken) owned pub. A comfortable pub with plenty of seating, it attracts a varied clientele of all age groups. It has two permanent beers on sale in Theakston Best Bitter at £2.90, Caledonian XPA (4.3%) for £3.00, plus up to four beers from the Heineken guest list. Unadventurously, that night these were Wainwrights, Moorhouses Blonde Witch, Wychwood Hobgoblin Gold and Holts Two Hoots. I have heard that the Heineken list had been opened up to contain a much increased range of beers, but it does not seem to have reached down to a lot of their pubs yet. All the ‘Guest beers’ seem to be on sale at £3.55 a pint but you get a 20p a pint discount with your CAMRA card.

If you now cut through one of the alleyways on the opposite side of the road, you will come to High Street, where the remaining four pubs are situated. At the extreme left (north) end is the CROWN, a Thwaites tied house where you will find Original and Wainwrights as regulars plus changing seasonal beers. The pub had a revamp in 2017 and is an opened out pub with an area set aside for pool. It still has its bowling green.

Walking back down High St. you will come to two pubs close together, the first of which is the KINGS ARMS. Ex Whitbread and Enterprise Inns it is now (like the New Britannia in Preston) run by the Craft Union Pub Co selling real ale at low prices.

They actually had Greene King Abbot Ale (5.0%) at only £2.20 a pint. I asked them how they managed to do this and was

told that it depended on what they were charged for it! One other real ale was on sale, a seasonal Greene King beer named Bobby, a golden ale at 4.1% costing £2.50 a pint. The pub has a large bar area, but also some good seating.

A very short walk brought us to the EAGLE & CHILD. Another Heineken owned outlet, this former Matthew Brown pub is shown on WhatPub as not selling real ale, but on our visit had Wainwrights available.

It turns out that it is going to be done up

and will be renamed ‘The Posting Inn’. Some major changes are planned with the new development being described as a ‘vibrant, characterful pub attracting individuals seeking something unique and selling a wide range of great drinks, including craft beers, ciders, wines and spirits’. Real ale is supposed to feature, so one to watch.

The last pub (but not least) we come to

on High St. is the Robinsons owned ROYAL OAK. Dating from the 17th Century, it is a pub not to be missed both for its beer and its architecture. Set in the old cobbled market square, the pub retains its three small rooms alongside its main bar and restaurant. It also has a function room, accommodation, and beer gardens. After ordering our drinks, we sat on the outdoor seating in front of the pub. We could choose from Dizzy Blonde, Cumbria Way (£3.25), Unicorn and Trooper from the Robinsons range. No guests like at the Black Horse in Preston, but still a good choice.

Garstang offers a good selection of pubs, even if the beer range was in the main somewhat unadventurous. It is easily reached from Preston and Lancaster by services 40 and 41, but check actual timings before you set off. There is a more limited service between Blackpool and Garstang on service 42.

PAU L R I L E Y www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

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Preston Parade

I

told you that the OLD BLACK BULL was having a makeover in May. This did not come to pass, but as this magazine goes to press, the pub is closed and the work is taking place. We don’t have an exact timescale for reopening but will be keeping a close eye on developments.

What is true is that, after a short while under the guidance of Jeremy from the Continental, he has decided that the MARKET TAVERN ‘is not one for them’ and has decided to hand the keys back to Star Inns and Bars. He will relinquish control on 20th August when the owners of WINGS & BEER CO. on Cannon St.

will take over the running of the pub.

Real ale features at Wings & Beer Co., so it is reasonable to assume that it will also feature at the Market, and that there should be a CAMRA discount of 10% on real ale there as at their other outlet.

Meanwhile, Jeremy’s other baby, The PLAU on Friargate, is now expected to open by the end of September. I actually went in the site recently and saw a joiner working hard on building the bar area, other parts of the pub already having been finished. I think it will have been worth the wait.

Another pub I looked in recently and saw men working feverishly on fitting it out was the HEARTS OF OAK (Variety). By the time you read this it should have reopened as the VINYL TAP. Richard Fisher-Godwin, the landlord of the Moorbrook on North Rd, one of our premier real ale pubs, has

taken it on and has great plans for the pub.

Besides having six cask ale pumps on the bar, it will also home a small independent record store featuring vinyl records including a vinyl jukebox. Opening at 8 a.m. for coffee and breakfast, and with food throughout the day, he hopes that this combination will breathe new life into the pub. I believe it will, and look forward to seeing it thrive in the future.

Just to confirm that our new micropub, the PLUG & TAPS on Lune Street, did eventually open up in June and, after a few problems with the cellar cooling system, has now settled down and is getting rave reviews. It sells four ever changing real ales, with some interesting brews appearing.

Real cider and a range of craft beer is also available. Another welcome addition to the city centre scene.

In late July we held our Summer Pub of the Season presentation at the PLUNGINGTON HOTEL. Despite chaos on the roads, a decent number of local

members turned out to enjoy the evening and Chairman Dave is pictured (wearing his special event T-shirt) presenting the award certificate to Nathan.

Besides the previously mentioned Plau, there are a lot of potential developments going on along Friargate. What was once O’Neill’s and subsequently SHENANIGANS is closed for a makeover. Amber Taverns are taking it on and work is going on inside. A poster in the window says watch this space and opening date to be confirmed, so, unless

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you know anything, we will just have to wait and see what they are doing with it.

It did not previously sell real ale regularly (unlike some Shenanigans in other towns), so it could be a bonus.

Further along, on the corner of Heatley Street, in what was once a charity shop, it appears that somebody is planning a major development there. With the tag of Hello Friargate, it seems like music, drinking and eating is coming soon. Whoever it is (and rumours have suggested it has something to with the Baluga Bar), apparently ‘these guys are not messing about and this place has the potential to be the hub of Friargate’.

Another one to keep an eye on.

Meanwhile, on the corner of Friargate and Ringway, in the window of what was once the Bar Censsa and latterly a Chinese restaurant, there has appeared a notice saying that IRAF Dragon Nominee 1 Limited has applied for a premises licence for the sale of alcohol and regulated entertainment. Who they are and what they do I have no idea. Let us know if you have any information.

While on Friargate, there is some good news in that the DOG & PARTRIDGE seems to have had a change of heart. It is now having a changing guest beer instead of sticking just to the same regulars.

A few unusual brews have thus appeared on the bar.

Early August saw the opening of another addition to the real ale scene.

The BISTROT PIERRE was once the prominent Baptist church on Fishergate, and is part of a chain of French

style bistro restaurants. While being predominantly food orientated, there is a large bar area and initial reports are that two handpumps will be serving changing local ales, with Moorhouses being the first on offer.

The SUMNERS in Fulwood seems to have become a lost cause with the latest rumours being that it has been bought to become a ‘Faith’ school. Looks like the thousands of real ale drinkers who are North End fans will have to find somewhere new to have a prematch drink. I think the Moorbrook is probably the nearest pub in walking distance, although it already gets pretty full. An alternative is parking at the ANDERTON ARMS, where the new landlord has overseen a great improvement in the guest beers available (and

even our chairman has started going in again). Unfortunately as we go to press to transpires that the number 14 bus that used to go to the ground has been withdrawn, so it’s back to the drawing board!

PAU L R I L E Y

TRADES HALL CLUB Bamber Bridge

Branch Club of the Year 2018

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.

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

Acts on every Saturday.

Bingo every Wednesday and Saturday.

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

13

SOAPBOX

A

couple of months ago, somebody raised a question on CAMRA’s members forum ‘Discourse’, asking whether the current trend towards beers badged as IPA was going to signal the end of real ale as we know it. The writer was clearly of this opinion, but to me this seemed a strange idea. However it got me thinking and a recent visit to the southwest of England prompted me to write this article.

First, a bit of history. In the 1960s there was a rash of brewery takeovers. Some of those that closed were producing good (possibly even great beer), while some of it was (according to people who were around at the time), absolute rubbish.

Part of the reason for this was beer being produced down to a price and not up to a standard and part was down to poor practice throughout the supply chain.

Breweries looked to find a solution – and what they came up with was keg beer. A generally poor quality, heavily marketed product, it sprung up in pubs across the country. So much so that real ale had all but disappeared in large parts of these islands (i.e. Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Northumberland – and keeping on the N theme – North of the Border).

This of course is where CAMRA came in. Real ale returned, became trendy, breweries sprouted in all corners of the land, and while pub numbers have reduced, availability and variety of real ale is now better than at any time in living memory.

But is it here to stay – or are it’s days numbered? Personally I think we have started down a slippery slope – and it’s nothing to do with IPA style beers.

I’m not sure who or when, but over the last couple of years someone within CAMRA came up with the strap line that “Real Ale is the pinnacle of the brewers art”. Now I’m as big a fan of Real Ale as any of our readers, but this is arrant nonsense. Perhaps in the UK a case can be made for this, but looking at the global brewing scene and some of the terrific beers that are available (that do not conform to CAMRA’s definition of what is real), then it doesn’t really hold water.

A quality real ale, brewed with top quality ingredients and served at the peak of it’s condition is great. The sad fact remains that only a relatively small percentage of the many million pints that are served annually actually come close to this criteria – great beer in great condition.

Let’s look at the beer itself. There are some terrific breweries out there producing some wonderful beers. Full of flavour, full of character and worth seeking out. I won’t name names, that would be unfair, and we will all have our personal favourites. There are also some pretty poor breweries, with

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uninspiring products lacking in pretty much anything. Some of the worst offenders are the ‘new nationals’ who are happy to sell emasculated version of once great ales (at this point I will whisper Pedigree very quietly), will market beers under the names of long closed breweries as if they were still brewing, and foist ‘fast cask’ on the market and promote this as real ale. To make matters worse CAMRA has gone along with this – seemingly having lost the will to campaign over things we once fought so hard for. It’s not just the big breweries, I could set out a long list of smaller outfits who are seemingly content to brew bland inoffensive beers that while they still conform to our definition of real ale, are simply not worth bothering with.

The obvious question must then be asked – why do pubs bother to stock such poor products? A lot of it has to do with price. The vast majority of the pubs in our area are pubco owned. A quick look at the list of beers available to tenants shows a standard range of (mainly) nationally available products at a (relatively) competitive price, with the more interesting guest beers being significantly more expensive. A few issues ago Ale Cry featured a series of articles called ‘The Price of Your Pint’, which illustrated all too clearly how low the margins are on real ale. So it’s hardly surprising that hard pressed licensees chose the cheaper option irrespective of quality. What is more surprising (and even more disappointing) is when the true free houses, run by real ale drinkers and self proclaimed enthusiasts, start selling the same beers. Come on guys, if I want to drink bland, mass produced, nationally available beers, there are plenty of places to find them (and probably cheaper), so give me something different.

Then there are the pubs. Something like 75% of our pubs serve real ale. How many of them serve it well? Really well? We are lucky in our area and we have a good number of outlets that look after real ale the way it needs to be looked after. Unfortunately, for many pubs, real ale is just another revenue stream – given equal (or lesser) status with lager, wine, gin, and food. Not only does this limit their ambition on what beers they sell, but also seems to affect the quality.

I mentioned at the start about my recent visit to the south-west. I can’t recall a week away where I found so many poor quality pints. Beer served too warm, completely flat (and I’m not talking about head size here) and lacking in condition. Given that many of the pubs visited are in the 2018 Good Beer Guide, I was extremely disappointed. At one point I was considering switching to a decent keg/craft beer or even lager – just to get something drinkable! Then I came to my senses and headed back to Lancashire.

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Branch Pub of the Season Summer 2017

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

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HISTORIC PRESTON PUBS

PART 3 University Quarter

S

tarting our tour of this issue’s closed pubs, let’s head off from the city centre down Corporation Street towards the University complex. Our first casualty is what started as the GLOBE TAVERN on the corner of Heatley Street. In the 1960s it was a traditional town centre boozer with an interesting façade and a “turret” type window on one corner of the top floor, which some people have said was reminiscent of a Disney style castle. Once a Catterall & Swarbrick pub, it went through numerous name changes including Pips, the Corner Club, Mercury Flux, Method, Tom’s Tavern, and Nonno’s. Our picture from around 1990 shows the last of those and Bass signage. The pub closed in 2003 and subsequently the building has housed a Chinese restaurant.

Continuing down Corporation Street, the next turning on the left is Marsh Lane. A short way down here was a Matthew Brown pub

originally called the BOATMAN’S ARMS. It is thought that it was built on the site of a former pub (Fly Boat Tavern) and the keystone above the arch to the stable yard had the date 1900 on it. Once owned by Nuttall’s of Blackburn, the name was changed to the FIGHTING COCKS in 1991. It was also briefly known as the Dangerous Sportsman. It

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closed in 2004 and was demolished in about 2006 to allow the building of flats.

Cutting across to Friargate, our next casualty is the DUKE OF YORK, a former Matthew Brown house that stood on the corner of Edward Street.

It had a long history going back over 200 years and back in the 1850s and 1860s, the licensee, William Noblet

was operating a Wine & Spirits warehouse at the premises which was described as the most extensive in Preston. In 1854, Flower’s and Bass’s bitter ales were available for 2s per dozen. William Noblet ran a very successful operation at the Duke of York despite his wife Marjory dying of typhoid in 1863. Changes of name are not uncommon for struggling pubs, so the writing was on the wall as this pub limped through such names as YE OLDE POLITICIAN, FINNIGAN’S WAKE and BASE, before finally closing in 2006. At some point during this time, the pub was extended into the shop next door – the change clearly seen in the two photographs. The building is now a fish & chip shop.

At the bottom of Friargate is one of the latest casualties to the University expansion plans, the LAMB & PACKET. This pub was originally built in 1807 and then rebuilt 12

feet further back from its original position in 1877 so that Friargate could be widened. In the late 80s and early 90s when it was a popular pub that was very busy on Friday and Saturday nights as it was a meeting point for a lot of people who were venturing into Preston for a pub crawl. Reader Tony Wilson has fond memories of this particular pub as he met his wife Eileen there in January 1970. “I first started drinking here in 1969, yes underage, when the pub was tenanted by an Irish landlady called Angela. She knew that my friends and I were underage but allowed us to sit in the snug provided we behaved ourselves. The pub was fairly basic with the snug on the left and the lounge bar on the right. In the 1980s Dennis Carsley and his wife took over the tenancy. They built up the business and increased turnover substantially, year on year.

The pub was refurbished with raised seating areas and an “open plan” design. It became very popular with students as Dennis and his wife were excellent tenants. In the late 80s the brewery started racking up the rent and, eventually, Dennis gave up the tenancy as he and his wife were working very long hours with reducing reward.” This Thwaites house was a Good Beer Guide regular

throughout the 1990s, but despite having money spent on it, closure was announced in early 2017.

Across the large roundabout (currently the site of major roadworks) and up Moor Lane we come to our next closed pub. The NORTH EUSTON HOTEL on the corner of Byron Street was a Whitbread (former Chesters) pub, later renamed as QUEEN VIC. Our Chairman Dave Bell recalls; “what a great pub in the late 80s and early 90s. I used to go in most weekends to see the “entertainment”. Bobby Brush was the star of the show. Not his real name but he worked as a labourer at BAC on Strand Road and I think his job involved a lot of sweeping up, hence the name. Bobby fancied himself as a singer and on Friday and Saturday nights would be in the North Euston, suited and booted complete with Dickie Bow tie and velvet jacket.

His mother and his wife were always there to support, singing and clapping along as Bobby belted out a few songs while imagining that he was on stage on the Las Vegas strip. Accompanied by the piano/keyboards, he sang the same songs every time, as did the guy who sang Rivers of Babylon and Brown Girl in the Ring every Friday and Saturday night.” It closed in 2010, but somehow survived for a further 4 years before reopening as Queen Vic

fish & chip shop.

Our final two pubs in this area stood opposite each other on Lancaster Road North. There have been three pubs called SPINDLEMAKERS ARMS here – the first two at 124–125 Lancaster Road and the later one at number 212–214.

The first recorded licensee in 1849 was one John Dobson (whose father in law was a spindlemaker – and it seems likely this was the origin of the pub name). Whereas the old pubs were traditional design, the new one was mainly single storey with flat roofs and a two storey section in the centre. A Thwaites house, it’s sole entry in the GBG was in 1974. It closed in 1994 and remains boarded up and derelict, although part of the old signage is still visible.

On the opposite corner was the ROYAL LANCASTER BAR, another modern pub. In the 1980’s it was turned into a “fun pub” and called Coconut Grove. There was a disco on several nights a week, with the DJ booth being a large plastic coconut.

Very strange and it didn’t last long before becoming Crystals, which didn’t fare much better. It eventually closed in 1996 and the building is now used as offices.

ADRIAN SMITH

All the excellent photographs used to illustrate this series of articles come from the Jim Holderness collection, and we gratefully acknowledge this and being able to use them. In part 4 we will be looking at the area around Meadow Street. www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

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CHORLEY CHATTER

N

ews from Chorley is in short supply this issue, with quite a few changes of licensee but little of major significance to report.

News that arrived too late for the previous issue of Ale Cry was the sudden closure of the EMPORIUM in Chorley. Rumours had been circulating for a while that all was not well, so it was not exactly a surprise when it happened. We are delighted that a new bar/restaurant has risen from the

ashes, still with a theatre themed name and, more importantly, still serving real ale.

ENCORE is the new establishment, under the ownership of Gareth Tebay and is very much a restaurant with a small bar area. Casual drinkers are made welcome but it is much less of a pub than previously. There are two handpumps although at the moment only one of these has anything on – which is (for the time being at least) a changing beer from Blackedge. The beer is being bought in pins (4.5 gallon barrels), and it’s heartening to find then making the effort to keep a real ale on even when turnover is expected to be low. For

the non real ale drinker, there are also craft beers and lagers from Blackedge as well as the full range of drinks.

Just round the corner on Market Street, we have just had news of an exciting new (as yet unnamed) venue that is planned.

The Toastie Tavern Group have bought the old Yorkshire Bank building and are looking to convert this into a bar with an upstairs restaurant. Certainly the building could do with a facelift and the plans made public in the local paper look interesting. Hopefully this will be approved by the local planning department – and Chorley Council should be applauded in their support of the businesses that have so invigorated the town’s nightlife over the last few years.

Sticking to that little corner of town, the ROSE & CROWN on St. Thomas’s Road closed at the end of July. Licensee Danielle Smith has left and the pub (owned by Star Pubs & Bars) has been taken over by local company Blind Tiger Inns. Investment is planned to improve the technology, cellar

equipment, lighting and seating. The company have confirmed that they will be aiming to bring some freshness to the venue but focus on retaining original features and character. As far as the beer offering is concerned there will be 4 rotating ales sourced both locally and nationally, so it will be interesting to see how things develop.

Probably the most visible change in the area over the last few months has been the new paint job on the CROWN on Chapel Street. When so many pubs are being

repainted externally a dull grey colour, this one certainly stands out and has divided opinion in the town.

In Croston, not exactly current news, but changes at the CROWN from earlier this year. The pub has been taken over by Kelly & Allan Henshaw. The beer range is normally Lancaster Bomber and Wainwrights, with an occasional guest ale from the Thwaites/ Marstons range. A real cider from Weston’s is also available. Good value pub food is available all day and there is live music at weekends.

most Improved Pub of the year Another new award being made for the first time this year is for the pub that has improved the most over the last 12 months. Our members put forward a number of candidates for consideration, but, following an almost unanimous vote, the winner selected by the committee was the MASONS ARMS in Chorley.

The revitalisation of the pub scene in Chorley

in recent years has been well documented in this publication. While much of this improvement has been down to the creation of new micropubs, it is truly heartening to see a pub that appeared to be on borrowed time, being turned into not just a great real ale destination but a friendly and welcoming local.

The Masons closed towards the end of 2016 and I don’t think many of us expected it to reopen. When it did, the somewhat jaded interior had been swept away, to be replaced with a light wood bar, modern lighting, exposed stonework and real fires, a flagged

floor through most parts of the pub and varnished wood in the rear lounge.

More recently the yard at the rear has been given a makeover, with a covered area, plenty of seating and hanging baskets to brighten things up. It is a great suntrap in the afternoon and very popular with the locals.

Better still, from our perspective, was the bank of 6 handpumps in the tap room. The beers have been of excellent quality from day one – even though licensee Nick Reid has no experience in the pub trade (although he does

admit to having spent a lot of time the other side of the bar).

This shows just what can be done with an ailing pub when the right people get hold of it and Nick, Cheryl and the team are worthy winners of this award. Our presentation is on October 25th at about 8.30pm. It’s certain to be a good evening, so why not come along to join us?

ADRIAN SMITH

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

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Finally, we have a report from local member Paul Tate on the first ever Beer Festival at St. Gregory’s RC Church, Weld Bank, Chorley on 13th–14th July.

The new Priest – Father Graeme transferred to the Parish from Liverpool about 18 months ago. He ran the St. Anthoughs Festival for many years in that city. He decided to start a festival in his new Parish – and what a good festival it was! 16 beers from local breweries such as Port O’Call from Bank Top and Ginger from Black Edge.

There were also four ciders including Old Rosie and Raspberry Roller from Westons.

The church is about a mile from Chorley town centre, further on than the Football Club. It is the highest point in Chorley.

Gourmet food was available – Pie and

Peas. There was plenty of seating and three tents – or marquees as posh people call them. There was a small admission charge and a £10 voucher got you eight halves.

Plenty of sponsors and volunteers and lots of satisfied customers.

Then on Sunday morning after the 9:30 Mass, Father Graeme made the best announcement I’ve heard in 67 years of going to church. He thanked everybody involved and said there was plenty of beer left over which would have to be thrown away on Monday. So, he said, please come along this afternoon and help yourselves to Free Beer. Heaven! Being a good Catholic and hating waste – I went along and did my best to finish the supplies. I expected vast crowds – but can you believe, when I got there it was quiet.

In Wheelton, changes are imminent at the RED LION. The pub is now going to be leased out, rather than run directly by Phil Entwistle, with one of the current bar staff, Tara taking over. Given the pubs reputation for quality and range of real ale, we will be keeping a close eye on developments here.

The Trust Inns owned BARONS REST in Astley Village closed on 17th July, and is being refurbished, with quite a bit of building work going on, and re-opening as the ASTLEY VILLAGE INN, in September.

It can only get better, so looking forward to seeing what they make of it.

ADRIAN SMITH

Hoppy Days M I C R O P U B

L O N G R I D G E

• 5 Rotating, Hand-Pulled Real Ales • 3 Natural Still Ciders • Bottled Beers • Wines + Spirits • Juices, Sodas + Snacks Open Hours: Monday : 4-8pm Wednesday + Thursday : 4-9pm Friday : 4-10pm Saturday : 1-10pm Sunday : 1-8pm

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

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PR7 5AN

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 25 cask ales including many local brewers each week • 50p Wetherspoons vouchers now redeemed

• New enlarged outdoor area with large screen TV

• Included in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide

• Outside area now covered and heated

• Upto 20 gins on our new gin menu

• Live music all summer

• Live train arrival and departure times shown

• Sky/BT showing all major sporting events

Fishergate, Preston Opposite Preston Railway Station 01772 828519

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

21

What’s Behind The Plaque?

T

he Cask Marque plaque adorns pubs up and down the country and is a sign of great beer in each one. Have you ever wondered what a pub has to do to earn their accreditation and respected plaque? And indeed, who Cask Marque are?

WHAT IS CASK MARQUE? Founded in 1998, Cask Marque is a not-for-profit organisation set up to promote cask beer, and particularly beer quality.

A team of over 50 beer assessors, most of whom are qualified brewers, make over 21,000 visits to pubs each year, testing in excess of 65,000 samples of beer. Between them, they have over 1,000 years’ industry experience and dutifully carry out their role to ensure drinkers get a great pint of cask ale in every pub!

Twice a year, they visit each pub that applies for the Cask Marque award to check the temperature, appearance, aroma and taste of the cask ales on sale. A minimum score has to be achieved to gain the award, and if just one beer fails the test, the pub will fail the whole inspection. Pubs that pass are awarded the plaque, and a place on the ‘World’s Biggest Ale Trail’ for thousands of beer lovers to visit (although not all at the same time, as they would run out of beer!).

HOW DO PUBS GET ACCREDITED? Once rated in the top 10 greatest jobs of all time by Men’s Health Magazine, sandwiched between a porn star and fighter pilot, the role of a Cask Marque assessor often draws lots of attention (and job applications!).

Turning up at the pub unannounced, they sample a maximum of six different cask ales – five random ones and then the slowest selling beer. This is because cask beer, as a living product, starts to deteriorate quicker than keg beers when touched by air and has to be sold within three days of being opened.

They test the temperature using a professionally calibrated

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thermometer.

The temperature specification worked to is 11–13 degrees Celsius with a 1-degree tolerance either side. This is the temperature that 99% of brewers request their beer to be dispensed at. When served at this temperature cask ale is cool and refreshing.

During the course of drinking a pint, the temperature will normally rise by 2 or 3 degrees, so to ensure the whole pint is enjoyable, it is important to get the temperature spot on.

They then have a good look at the beer, holding it up to the light.

If it is a gloomy day, gloomy pub or dark beer, a torch is shone through the glass to highlight any haze or impurities.

Next, they inhale the wonderful aromas that cask beer offers. When it gets too cold some of the smells can be lost, but at the correct temperature these will all come through and tingle the senses.

Finally, they get to taste the product – just enough to decide if there are any tastes or smells which should not be present in the beer.

Being able to judge beer quality is not about knowing every beer, but is about recognising the flavours

which should not be present and identifying what has caused them.

Where the beer in the glass standard fails, the assessor works to find out why and hopefully resolve the situation. Warm beer is the cause of >80% failed visits. It can occur for a number of reasons, ranging from a warm cellar, beer lines running through a hot kitchen, to ale pythons not being topped up with water by the licensee.

If there is a problem with the taste, appearance or aroma, it can normally be narrowed down to a training issue (as opposed to faulty equipment) and can be resolved by providing some on the spot training and advice.

Cask Marque also inspect the cellars where the beer is stored to ensure perfection behind the scenes, with each pub being given a rating of between 1 and 5 stars. Part of the ‘Grain To Glass’ quality program, the 11-point Scores On The Cellar Doors audit covers stock rotation, beer line cleanliness, equipment maintenance, glasswashing cleanliness and hygiene (http://cask-marque.co.uk/ scores-on-the-cellar-doors/).

Are you wondering why the condition of the cellar is important to the quality of the beer? There is a very strong link between the quality of cellar management and the quality of the beer in the glass. This is clearly illustrated by the graph, which shows those achieving 4 or 5-star cellar ratings also serve a considerably better pint.

Those that pass the whole inspection are given a certificate, plaque, bar runners, pump clips stickers and lots of drip mats to take pride of place and they earn their rightful place on the CaskFinder app!

FINDING GREAT BEER WITH THE FREE CASKFINDER APP Developed for beer lovers and enthusiasts to find pubs serving great beer, the CaskFinder app features all of Cask Marque’s 10,000+ accredited pubs, over 9,000 tasting beer tasting notes, and all of the upcoming beer festivals.

Users are encouraged to join the ‘World’s Biggest Ale Trail’ – a network of ale lovers across the country who visit pubs, scanning the unique QR codes on the certificate issued to each pub and climbing the leader board for the number of pubs visited. Plus, prizes are sent for reaching pub scan milestones, including polo shirts, glasses, fleeces and a special ‘ale ambassador’ day at a brewery where they learn how to become a beer taster.

Cask Marque also recently introduced pump clip recognition technology to the app that can be used on any beer and includes instant information on allergens, alcohol units, calories and food matches

from the brewer. This year will also see the introduction of individual ale trails to share with friends, to join other local ones, or those from breweries and pub groups themselves!

The CaskFinder app is free to download and is available on iPhone and Android.

WHAT ELSE DO CASK MARQUE DO? Cask Marque are also industry leaders in providing training courses for licensees and bar staff, including cellar management qualifications and on site one-toone training. Currently, over 13,500 people have been trained by Cask Marque in the skill of handling cask ale and this is set to grow with the introduction of a ‘one-stop shop’ for Beer Education that covers all beer styles later this year.

Additionally, Cask Marque run their ‘Grain To Glass’ quality program, designed to ensure quality throughout the whole of the supply chain. It is made up of the four key areas which result in the customer receiving the perfect pint of cask ale, every time.

Starting with the brewery itself, their SALSA plus Beer accreditation

(http://cask-marque.co.uk/salsa-plusbeer-2-5/) is a brewery accreditation guaranteeing a safe, legal and consistent product is produced.

Further into the supply chain, Cask Marque ensure that distributors take the care the product deserves, is temperature controlled, and goes through a recognised process before arriving in the pub. Their Distributor Charter (http://cask-marque. co.uk/info-for-pubs/distributorcharter/) is currently held by over 35 companies, including Fullers, Greene King and Carlsberg UK. The final two pieces of the Grain To Glass program is made up of the Scores on the Cellar Doors and beer in the glass accreditation.

Finally, Cask Marque organise the annual ‘Cask Ale Week’ to celebrate Britain’s national drink in pubs up and down the country. Beer festivals, brewery tours, tutored tastings, beer and food matches and many more take place throughout the event.

Cask Ale Week 2018 takes place 20th–30th September.

For more information on Cask Marque, visit their website – www.cask-marque.co.uk or follow them on social media – @caskmarque on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

ST T E R E SA’S PENWORTHAM

BT SPORTS FREE WI FI POOL / SNOOKER LARGE FUNCTION ROOM LAGERS

REAL ALE CIDERS BIG SCREEN TV SKY SPORTS OPEN

SPIRITS WINE GIN BAR SOFT DRINKS

MON–THUR 7–11 • FRI 7–12 • SAT 4–12 • SUN 4–11

34 QUEENSWAY PENWORTHAM PRESTON PR1 0DS TEL 01772 743523 www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

23

Masons Arms 98 HARPERS LANE, CHORLEY PR6 0HU

· · · ·

4 rooms 2 bars 6 rotating cask ales Gin and wine bar

· · · ·

Ciders, lagers and spirits Fresh snacks daily Open everyday Free wifi

LIVE MUSIC 24

Ale Cry

ISSUE 120 AUTUMN 2018

Most Improved Pub of the Year 2018

· · · ·

Sky, BT & Racing Dog friendly Family friendly Monday night quiz

CAMRA CENTRAL LANCASHIRE BRANCH AND …

40 YEARS OF ALE CRY

E

arlier this year Ale Cry quietly celebrated its 40th birthday. Hard to believe, but it was as long ago as 1978 when a fledgling publication called Ale Cry first made an appearance in the pubs and clubs of CAMRA West Lancashire branch (as we then were).

The first Ale Cry came out in April 1978, the title being chosen to echo the name of the Salvation Army newspaper War Cry then often sold in pubs throughout the land. Ale Cry No. 1 was a single page doublesided issue printed on yellow paper, and was priced at 2p. Yes in those days you were expected to pay for your copy of this fine publication. Apparently printed only for people with extremely good eyesight, the first Ale Cry included the news that Whitbread were about to close the former Duttons Brewery in Blackburn. The second edition of Ale Cry came out just two

months later. This time it was tastefully produced on pink paper, and this time it was free – and it has remained to be a free publication to this date.

Ale Cry was initially produced bi-monthly, but particularly in the early days there were to be a great variety of page sizes and production styles. Eventually a logo of sorts was found, and for many years Ale Cry could immediately be recognised by a distinctive beer drinking

character in the masthead. He first appeared in 1981, but with the next issue being a Christmas edition, he was replaced by a beer drinking Santa Claus. ‘Ale Cry Man’ was back for the Spring 1982 edition, and he was to be a permanent identifier of the magazine right through until 2009 when there was a change of editorship. Incidentally that Spring 1982 Ale Cry included an article intriguingly titled ‘Longridge – Munich of the North!’ – well who could argue with that?

The Spring 1985 Ale Cry was sub-titled a ‘Special War Edition’.

It was financed by Matthew Brown Brewery and was produced to help them thwart the unwelcome advances of Scottish & Newcastle Brewery.

For a time the production of Ale Cry was a little erratic. It was revealed in the Autumn 1986 edition that Matthew Brown were about to close down the Theakston Brewery at Carlisle. Following this readers then had to wait until Spring 1991 for their next helping of

their favourite magazine. By this time things had changed dramatically, with the Matthew Brown Brewery itself now about to be closed by Scottish & Newcastle. At least readers were not left in suspense for four and a half years having to wait for the answers to the quiz questions in that previous issue.

The Winter 1991 Ale Cry was the first to include adverts, but in that edition there were just five advertisers – Gastons, the Malt’n’Hops in Chorley, the Real Ale Shop, St Teresa’s Parish Centre, and AH Signs of Penwortham. Up until this time Ale Cry had been accepted as a loss-making campaigning publication, but this could not continue, and for over 25 years now it has been produced with the intention that costs will be covered by the money received from adverts.

The Winter 1995 Ale Cry was the first to feature a black and white photograph, but by the next edition there were photographs on almost every

page. Ale Cry was settling down to a recognisable appearance, and it was Spring 1996 when the pattern of producing four copies of Ale Cry a year was firmly established. Interestingly in that edition we were informed that a Wetherspoons pub was currently under construction in Preston.

For many years Ale Cry had a strange numbering system.

Quite rightly the first issue had been No. 1, but a year later the then current Ale Cry was identified as Volume 2 No. 1. The numbering system continued to include a volume number for quite some time, although what comprised a volume was never really clear.

In 2005 the volume numbering system was eventually abandoned, with the Autumn 2005 edition being Volume 21 No. 3, but the Winter 2005 edition being Issue 74.

Ale Cry 86 (Spring 2009) was the first to include a full colour photograph. Pictured on the cover was the Golden Cross in Preston then about to re-open, while in the same article it was suggested that the nearby Tithebarn pub would be demolished by February 2010. A little premature as the building is still with us in 2018.

By Ale Cry 89 (Spring 2010) the magazine had progressed to have colour photographs throughout. Following this Ale Cry went through something of a psychedelic period when bright colours and multicoloured backgrounds were often utilised. There was talk that a free pair of sunglasses should be included with every copy of the magazine, but this was not pursued.

Ale Cry 96 (Summer 2012) was at the time a bumper issue, being produced for the 2012 Preston Guild. It comprised 32 pages, and included a four page pull-out containing a free copy of the branch’s ‘Preston Guild 2012 Real Ale Guide’.

Ale Cry 102 (Spring 2014) was a strange one. For some reason invisible ink was used on the

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

25

Cry

Winter 1995 edition Dave Linley and Dave Marsden were billed as joint editors (for 56 issues), with Mick Clark then having a run from Summer 2009 until Winter 2016 (for 27 issues), after which the current editorial team headed by Adrian Smith took over responsibilities.

THE GEORGE LEE MEMORIAL TROPHY Ale Cry 114 (Spring !

Page 9 2017) was the first issue 114, Spring 2017 edition to be produced by the current editorial team, and CEN TRA L LAN CASH IRE BRA NCH the Ale Cry you as well as being the Runner-Up in are currently reading will be the Magazine of the Year category. the seventh issue to have been Ale Cry is considered an produced under this regime. With important campaigning tool the help of professional graphic for CAMRA Central Lancashire designer Stewart Grieve, many branch. We are fortunate that it improvements have been put has prospered in recent years in place, and this year we are while the magazines produced pleased to say that Ale Cry has been recognised with a number of by some other CAMRA branches have struggled to keep going. awards. First it was chosen as the However with so many changes CAMRA West Pennines Regional since 1978, I wonder what it will Magazine of the Year, then it was look like in 2028 when Ale Cry is successful in the CAMRA national celebrating its 50th birthday? awards, being named Most Improved Magazine of the Year GORDON SMALL

8 pages. Subsequently it was to rise to 12 pages, then to 16 pages, and with subsequent increments and adjustments it now appears to have settled down at 32 pages. General feeling at the moment is that this is the optimum size for CAMRA Central Lancashire branch if we are to continue to produce a magazine on a quarterly basis.

front page, which resulted in the magazine being produced without having a name in the masthead. Around this time 6,000 copies of the magazine were being produced, with attempts being made to ensure that copies of Ale Cry were distributed to every real ale pub in the branch area.

During the lifetime of Ale Cry the number of pages in the magazine has steadily grown.

The first 17 editions were all single sheet issues. In 1984 it was increased to 4 pages, then it became 6 pages, and in 1995 a staple was needed for the first time when it reached

04 07 11 12

Longridge Libations Brewery News Chorley Chatter Riley’s Rambles

45623_ALECRY_114

15 South Ribble Scene 16 Bucking The Trend 19 Pub of the Season – Bob Inn 21 Preston Parade

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

FINAL.indd 1

28/02/2017 10:13

The first editor of Ale Cry was Ian Bignell (for 11 issues), with Dave Marsden taking over starting from the 1980–81 Festive Season edition (for 19 issues). Subsequently from the

THE WHEATSHEAF Spendmore Lane, Coppull, Nr Chorley, Lancashire

PR7 4NY

3 ever changing Cask Ales – including Prospect, Bank Top, Blackedge, Martland Mill & Coach House

FREE HOU SE

• Free entertainment: Jukebox — Monday Pool — Monday –Thursday Quiz — Wednesday 9:30pm • Friday/Saturday night live music • Sunday — Chase the Ace 12noon–5.45pm • Beer garden • Dogs & muddy boots welcome • Carling Premier & Strongbow Dark Fruits now being served.

OPENING TIMES

Monday – Thursday from 3pm

26

Ale Cry

ISSUE 120 AUTUMN 2018

EE FR

Ale

FIGHTING FOR DRINK ERS’ HEART OF LANCASHIRE RIGHTS IN THE SINCE 1973

Friday from 2pm

Saturday & Sunday from 12pm

2019 Good Beer Guide

T

he coming of Autumn is always a special time in CAMRA, as we await the issue of a new Good Beer Guide. This year sees us up to issue 46, and with around 4,500 of the best pubs in the country nestled within it’s pages, this is a must have book for the discerning real ale drinker.

The pubs in the guide have been chosen after a rigorous selection process, visits by branch members to check the quality of the beer and much arguing at meetings. The names of the successful pubs is a closely guarded secret, and not to be divulged until the book is actually published. What I can say is that our area will have the usual mix - with old favourites extending their stay in the guide, pubs appearing for the very first time and some making a welcome return. As always of course, there are casualties. Pubs drop out of the guide for a variety of reasons; sometimes due to quality issues at the pub, but often due to changes of licensee. Sometimes there is uncertainty over the pubs future and rather than include a pub that may well see a change of landlord, we will tend to leave it out and replace with a pub where the future seems more certain.

For many years, we have witnessed the closure of traditional pubs, so the selection process became slightly easier each year with less candidates to chose from. However, in the last few years we have seen the rise of the micropub, and while they will not be everybody’s venue of choice, they almost always serve excellent cask ale, with the owner being passionate about this side of things.

This puts pressure on the branch to balance things out, we need a good geographical spread of entries and types of pub.

To give you a taster of what to expect in the new guide, some statistics. 25 of the entries are the same as last year. Of the 10 new entries, 2 of them are making a return after a short absence The Project2_Layout 1 18/01/2017 11:09 Page 1 other 8 are appearing in the GBG for the very first time. While some

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

of the new entries are indeed new pubs, some of them are long established traditional pubs that have never really featured on the real ale drinkers radar. This is really encouraging – while pubs remain open there is always the possibility of a change of ownership or licensee to turn round their fortunes – and as a Campaign, we must continue to fight to save pubs whenever we can. Looking back just 10 years, only 7 of the pubs in the new guide were there in the 2009 one – a measure of how things change in a relatively short time.

In addition to details of where you can find the best quality real ale, there is also an extensive brewery section with details of the beers they brew and accompanying tasting notes. The 2019 Good Beer Guide is scheduled for launch on the 13th September and will be on sale at all good booksellers and direct from CAMRA. The cover price remains at £15.99, although CAMRA members can buy it online for £10 + P&P. There is also an app version – available from Apple and Google Play and via the CAMRA website.

ADRIAN SMITH

10–14 October 2018

Wheelton Beer Festival The Red Lion 50 real ales Real cider Live music food available

all sessions Prosecco bar Opens 12 noon

every day

Return of the Balti Pie 196 Blackburn Road, Wheelton pr6 8eu Proud to sponsor Chorley Football Club

01254 659890

www.theredlionatwheelton.co.uk

www.centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Ale Cry

27

SOUTH RIBBLE SCENE

T

he title of this article may be South Ribble Scene, but perhaps a more appropriate title would be South Ribble Micropub Scene, as this time round the news mainly concerns micropubs and prospective micropubs.

First a micropub that will already be well established by the time you read this article.

The BRIG ‘N’ BARREL on Station Road in Bamber Bridge opened on June 1st. Housed in the former BBTV Television and Video shop premises opposite the large keg-only Pump & Truncheon pub, this micropub has six handpumps and on opening was selling two beers each from local microbreweries Beer Brothers, Hubsters, and Withnells.

Since then licensee Graham Roberts has continued to support local produce with Lancashire breweries like Crankshaft, Farm Yard Ales, and Three B’s also having their beers make an appearance on the

bar. Keeping the local theme going it is selling gins from the Brindle-based Cuckoo distillery and also Fiddler’s Lancashire Crisps. The Brig ‘n’ Barrel has an outside drinking area in front of the pub, and certainly would appear to have greatly benefited from the extremely hot weather this Summer.

Another micropub likely to be open by the time you read this article is the CANN BRIDGE ALE HOUSE in Higher Walton.

Located at the corner of Cann Bridge Street and Kittlingbourne Brow, and opposite the Mill Tavern, the host building has a most interesting history. It was originally built in 1883 for local mill workers as the

COMMUNITY PUB OF THE YEAR After much discussion the CAMRA Central Lancashire committee have decided that the branch’s inaugural Community Pub of the Year award should go to the BLACK BULL at Penwortham.

The explanatory wording for the Community Pub of the Year is ‘a pub that does that little bit extra for the local community’. Regular visitors to the Black Bull will recognise that this is a pub that certainly qualifies in this respect. It is a pub that has resisted the attractions of piped music, and although there are televisions for the sports aficionados, these are not a distraction for customers going there for a quiet read of a newspaper or a chat.

The Black Bull has a good record for raising money for local charities, with about £15,000 to £20,000 being donated each year. A major event in recent years has been an annual ‘Big Charity Weekend’ organised in conjunction with fellow Penwortham institution

28

Ale Cry

ISSUE 120 AUTUMN 2018

Godwin’s Fish & Chip Shop. Held in memory of former Black Bull landlord Graham Skeoch, and former chip shop owner Pat Johnson, money is raised for St Catherine’s Hospice. Another annual event which helps to raise money is a popular Golf Competition held at Penwortham Golf Club.

The owner of the Black Bull is John Isles, whose sister Anne-Marie was also involved in running the pub for several years. Ian Robinson is the General Manager and Licensee, while Carol Millen is the Manager who can usually be found pulling the pints most afternoons.

The Black Bull has long been considered a great real ale pub by local CAMRA members. It was one of the candidates for CAMRA Central Lancashire 2018 Pub of the Year award, and although not the winner, it was the out-of-town pub to receive the most votes from local CAMRA members.

GORDON SMALL

Higher Walton Institute, and at one time had facilities including a billiard room, newspaper reading room, and men’s bathhouse. For many years it was then a hardware shop, and most recently it has been a café and takeaway. The Cann Bridge Ale House is the creation of Haydn and Angela Williams, the owners of Crankshaft Brewery which is located in Leyland. As I write it is due to open in late August, and as well as selling a selection of Crankshaft Brewery beers it will be selling beers from other local microbreweries.

Hot on the heels of the Cann Bridge Ale House getting planning permission to proceed, it was announced that South Ribble Borough Council had also given approval for a Longton micropub to be established. To be called WILKINS & PYE it is due to open in the first week in September. It will be located on Liverpool Road in the former Tipsy Toad off-licence premises at the corner of Grove Avenue. A licence has been granted, but there have been a number of conditions imposed.

These include that it will not be allowed to play live or recorded music, which perhaps seems a little odd as the Red Lion opposite is renowned for its live music. This will be something new for the area and like all these new ventures, we wish them well.

The GOLDEN BALL has been under Chris Buckley’s stewardship for 12 months on the 1st of September and they are celebrating with some special events (although probably too late by the time you read this magazine).

Back to Bamber Bridge, and in July a second micropub was given the go ahead, being granted both a premises licence and planning permission for change of use. Located on Station Road just opposite the Withy Arms, the BEER BOX is to occupy one of the units within a row of shops and eateries. Located in what was previously a domestic appliances repair shop, outside appearances are that this will be a comparatively small micropub. It is owned by three friends who have a common interest that they want to run their own bar.

On the same day that the Beer Box got the nod, another proposed micropub in Bamber Bridge was controversially refused planning permission by the Council. The WEAVERS ARMS was a micropub proposed to be located in the former Gone Fishing premises on Spinners Square just off Station Road. This was to be another outlet for the Withy Arms Group estate, and in anticipation for its creation plans had been drawn up for an impressive conversion of the semi-derelict building. With this rejection, for the time being the micropub will not be going ahead, but the Withy Arms people are looking at their options regarding the Gone Fishing premises and possibly may be appealing the decision.

Finally this time on possible micropubs, there is the former Walton-le-Dale Conservative Club at the junction of Chorley Road and Victoria Road. This building was sold by auction in April, and there have been rumours that the new owner may be looking at creating a micropub in the premises. Interesting – could this be the first micropub with its own snooker room?

After all this, I have one piece of news from South Ribble that does not involve a micropub. In the last Ale Cry it was announced that the Old Original Seven Stars on Slater Lane in Leyland would be re-opening in May under the new ownership of the Holt Pub Company.

This did take place, but not quite as had been envisaged. Now re-painted in a distinctive shade of grey, the pub has had a slight name change, now being known as TH’OWD SEVEN STARS, a name which

connects it with another of their pubs, Th’Owd Smithy Inn at Much Hoole. By all accounts the pub has been revitalised by its refurbishment and change of ownership. It has four handpumps, and

has been selling a good range of cask ales, including beers from LocAle breweries like Bank Top, Beer Brothers, and Lancaster.

Also within weeks of opening landlord Sam Carter was able to gain Cask Marque accreditation for the pub.

Just before going to press, we heard the news that the PEAR TREE in Bamber Bridge is to close on 17th August. The pub has already been sold by Ei (Enterprise) and it appears it will become a restaurant.

It appears that licensee Michael Hopkins was only told after the event and he and his staff given just a few weeks notice.

Disgraceful way to treat people, but sadly what has become commonplace from some of the major pubcos.

GORDON SMALL

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Ale Cry

29

Branch Diary Monday 10th September EGM followed by Committee Meeting at Ale Station, Chorley (7.30) Thursday 20th September Branch Social and Pub of the Season Presentation at Continental, Preston

Discount Pubs 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.

Adelphi, Preston

10%

Ancient Oak, Cottam

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

Bob Inn, Chorley

20p per pint

Broughton Inn, Broughton

20p per pint

Fleece, Penwortham

10%

Grey Friar, Preston

50p per pint using a Wetherspoon’s token

Guild (Fylde Rd), Preston

25p per pint

Lane Ends, Ashton

10%

Leyland Lion, Leyland

50p per pint using a Wetherspoon’s token

Thursday 13th December Christmas Social at Black Horse, Preston

Nabs Head, Samlesbury

20p per pint

Old Black Bull, Preston

20p per pint off guest beers

All meetings start at 8pm unless shown.

Old Vic, Preston

Trips For further details and to book, contact Simon Crowe on 07852 165024 or email simonpdcrowe@gmail.com

50p per pint using a Wetherspoon’s token except Thu when real ale is discounted for all customers

Pear Tree, Penwortham

20p per pint

Plough, Grimsargh

20p per pint, 10p per half pint

Poachers, Bamber Bridge

10%

Preston Grasshoppers RFC

10%

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

Tap & Vine @ 69, Penwortham

10%

Trades Hall Club & Institute, Bamber Bridge

10%

Twelve Tellers, Preston

50p per pint using a Wetherspoon’s token

Walton Fox, Bamber Bridge

20p per pint

Wellington, Ashton

Up to 25p per pint

Thursday 27th September Ale Cry Distribution Trip to Longton & Much Hoole area.

Minibus from Preston 7.15, return for 10.45 Monday 8th October Committee Meeting at Plug & Taps, Preston Thursday 25th October Branch Social and Most Improved Pub Award Presentation at Masons Arms, Chorley (7.30) Monday 12th November Committee Meeting at Leyland Lion, Leyland (7.30) Thursday 22nd November Branch Social Pub Crawl starting Brig & Barrel, Bamber Bridge (7.30) Monday 3rd December Committee meeting at Shepherd’s Hall Ale House, Chorley (7.30)

Advertising

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.

Advert prices Quarter page: £55 Half page: £95 Full page: £175 Back page: £195 (not currently available) For further details contact: editor@centrallancs.camra.org.uk

Publication Dates

The next issue of Ale Cry will be published on 1st December 2018.

Deadline for copy and advert submission is 1st November 2018.

Trading Standards

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

30

CAMRA

Ale Cry

ISSUE 120 AUTUMN 2018

Wellington (Glovers Ct.), Preston 10% Wings & Beer Co., Preston

10%

Yates, Preston

10%

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

Join up, join in, join the campaign From as little as

£25†

a year. That’s less than a pint a month!

Or enter your details and complete the Direct Debit form below and you will receive 15 months membership for the price of 12 and save £2 on your membership subscription

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Protect the traditions of great British pubs and everything that goes with them by joining today at www.camra.org.uk/joinup

Alternatively you can send a cheque payable to CAMRA Ltd with your completed form, visit www.camra.org.uk/joinus, or call 01727 798440.* All forms should be addressed to Membership Department, CAMRA, 230 Hatfield Road, St Albans, AL1 4LW.

Your details:

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For concessionary rates please visit www.camra.org.uk .................................................................................. Postcode .............................................. or call 01727 798440.

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