Full Measure 136 by Orchard House Media Ltd

CONTENTS News

AGM

6-7

Cross-Keys

WELCOME TO THE SUMMER ISSUE OF FULL MEASURE Hello and welcome to issue #136 of New Full Measure, the Branch newsletter of Leeds CAMRA. We hope you find something interesting and informative within these pages. Well, after three years this is my last issue of New Full Measure. I’m hanging up my editor’s cap after twelve issues in charge and heading on to pastures new. Don’t worry though, we’ve brought Mr Former Editor Ian back to look after the magazine, so it’ll be in safe hands going forward. I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed articles to the magazine over the last three years. I’d especially like to thank the unsung heroes of the magazine, our proof readers, who get the thankless task of making sense of what we are trying to say. This magazine would be a much poorer affair without your efforts and they are much appreciated.

Wetherby Wander

9 10-11

What is Craft Beer?

12th Pendle Beer Festival

Awards

Trans-Pennine Social

20-23

Beer Can Chicken

Great British Beer Festival Konfessions of a Key-Keg Barman

Appointment with Beer

Committee contacts

Diary Dates

Join CAMRA

In this issue we have articles from David Litten, Warren Yabsley, Christine Jopling and Richard Coldwell.

New Full Measure is produced by the Leeds Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the editor, CAMRA Ltd or its branches. Copyright © Leeds CAMRA 2016. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without express permission. NFM Towers Address: Leeds CAMRA c/o 46 West Grange Green, Leeds LS10 3BB. Email: Newsletter@leeds-camra.com Web: www.leeds-camra.com Twitter @LeedsCAMRA

Subscriptions cost £3.20 for six issues; payment by cheque made out to "Leeds CAMRA" and sent to the above address. Back issues are available for £1 an issue by sending a cheque to the same address. Currently all previous issues are available. Contributions are welcome from any CAMRA member, and may be sent to the above email address, or by post. Contributions may be edited for reasons of space, and may be held over for future issues. 5,000 Copies are distributed, free of charge, quarterly to outlets in Leeds and the surrounding areas.

Publication Dates: The next issue of NFM (#137) will be published on 8th September 2016. NFM #137 copy deadline is 5th August 2016 Advertising: For advertising enquiries contact: Jane Michelson Tel: 01778 382718 Email: jane@orchardhousemedia.co.uk Rates: Colour Rates per insertion (exclusive of VAT) are: Quarter page: £70 Half page: £130 Full Page: £240 Inside Front / Inside Back: £275 Outside Back Cover: £300 Discounts available for series bookings.

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NEWS IN BRIEF A new brewery has opened and is producing bottled beer. Wilde Child Brewing Co has set up in Kirkstall and one of the first beers soon to be available is a 9% Bourbon Imperial Stout named Instant Hobo. Look out for the Leeds Digital Ale Trail http://www.digitalaletrail.co.uk/ This commences in July and is a celebration of the historic and cultural pubs in the city.

Support Required For Apprentice Cooper It has been an incredible few months for Kean Hiscock. Just a short while ago he was looking forward to a c areer in teaching sport but the “once in a lifetime” opportunity to apply for the dream job as apprentice to the only Master Cooper in the country, Alastair Simms at the White Rose Cooperage at Thorp Arch near Wetherby, Yorkshire arose. He was successful against several other strong candidates to become the “chosen one” with his attitude and ability to learn the craft. He has now settled into the job and recently gave his first coopering demonstration at Elland Brewery for the West Riding Branch of SPBW (Society for the Preservation of Beers from the Wood). A prop forward with Lock Lane Amateur Rugby League Football Club in Castleford, Kean has now been selected for England Lions U19 Rugby League touring squad to Canada between 22nd August and the 5th September. He needs to raise £1,500 for flights, accommodation, local transport and playing kit and apparel. To that end, his boss Alastair Simms has decided to throw open the doors of the cooperage for tours over the summer. The first two took place on Saturday May 7th and Saturday May 14th. Subsequent tours will take

In Yeadon, what was the Aviator has now been refurbished and is now called the Yard. There are three cask ales on the bar.

BEER FESTIVALS place by prior arrangement for parties on Saturdays between June 11th and August 13th. Tours for groups might also be possible for groups on weekdays, also by prior arrangement. The cost will be £10 per person and will not only include a tour but also coopering demonstrations by both Alastair and Kean and a chance to drink beer from wooden casks, thanks to the generosity of a number of breweries. All monies raised will go to fund Kean’s trip. Please contact the Cooperage should you wish to make a donation or fund in some other way.

JUNE June 2nd – 4th (Thu – Sat) 10th Skipton Beer Festival Ermysted's Grammar School, Gargrave Road, Skipton, BD23 1PL skiptonbeerfestival.camra.org.uk 70+ Real Ales, Cider, Perry, Bottled Beers, English wines June 3rd - 4th, Friday and Saturday. Collingham Real Ale Beer Festival Collingham Memorial Hall. This year showcasing 30 Yorkshire Cask ale and Keg beers along with Yorkshire cider. June 25th, Saturday. Clifford Champion Beer Festival. Clifford Village Hall, Albion Street, Clifford LS23 6HY. Noon until 11pm. 30+ Champion winning real ales, including beers from the wooden cask and key keg real ales from traditional and cutting edge brewers.

AUGUST August 9th -13th Great British Beer Festival Olympia, London

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The AGM is where we shape Leeds CAMRA for the next twelve months and aim to enhance our activities. This was the agenda: A) Update on last year’s objectives B) This year’s objectives C) Motion outcomes (with current award voting updates) D) Outgoing committee members E) Vacant committee positions F) Annual award voting outcomes

Update on Last Year’s Objectives i) List 12 pubs as Assets of Community Value (ACVs). We didn’t quite make it as a few applications are still in progress and a couple of places approached weren’t interested. However, as it’s an important topic we’re keeping it as an extra objective for this year. ii) Have at least 12 Young Members (YMs; aged 18-30) attend branch socials or meetings. Technically, we didn’t achieve this objective unless members from other branches or aged up to 35 are included. However, the long-term aim of YM socials is to show that CAMRA welcomes all age groups in the hope that busy YMs will participate now in ways that don't take much time and become more active later when they have more leisure.

B) This Year’s Objectives i) Increase the number of regular National Beer Scoring System (NBSS) scorers to 20. A regular scorer is defined as a Leeds member who submits an average (over a year) of 6 scores per month. The current number of scorers is pitiful given there are 2250 branch members. The significance of scoring is increasing because it now has an influence on branch Good Beer Guide nominations. ii) Subject to budgetary constraints, produce a mainly pictorial book to highlight the growth of brewing in Leeds after the closure of Tetley’s in 2011, with contributions from people important to the local beer scene.

C) Motion Outcomes (with current award voting updates) i) Most Improved Pub Award changed from quarterly to annually. ii) Pub of the Season Award changed to Pub of the

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Month Award. iii) Previous Pub of the Year (PotY) Award winner will still be an automatic nomination for current PotY Award. iv) The winner of branch PotY will automatically be put forward for Regional PotY Award. v) A minimum of 3 branch meetings to be held on a day other than Tuesday. vi) A sub-committee will assess the current branch Good Beer Guide (GBG) selection process and if appropriate submit recommendations to be considered for a motion at the 2017 AGM. vii) Any licensed premises that fulfils both of the following criteria over a 12-month period will be automatically included on the next Good Beer Guide nomination list: An average score of 3.5 or above on the National Beer Scoring System. At least 20 entries from a minimum of 10 different people. viii) Online participation for branch business is required (although previously performed it was not a branch requirement). This includes award nominations and voting, committee position nominations and election voting, and proposals for AGM motions and objectives. It excludes voting for AGM motions. ix) Branch will undertake a census of all real ale serving outlets in Leeds city centre every 2 years. x) The beer festival committee will produce a report detailing city centre venues that could host Leeds Beer Festival from 2019 with a vote regarding location at the 2017 AGM. As a result of outcome i), there will be no Most Improved Pub Quarter 2 award; it was at the online nomination stage (month 1 of 3). However, Pub of the Season Summer 2016 will proceed because it is at the final round of voting stage (month 3 of 3).

D) Outgoing Committee Members

A big thank you goes to Charlie (Social Secretary), Tony (New Full Measure Magazine Editor) and Sam (Press & Publicity and Pubs Protection) for all their hard work over the years. For the last 5 years Charlie has always made a point of welcoming members who were new to

socials then introducing and integrating them into the group. His amazing ability to recall names has been a great asset. Pubs all over Leeds have been explored from Rothwell to Wetherby and Ledsham to Otley, unearthing some gems along the way, as well as visiting a wide range in the city centre. Sam has secured valuable coverage of the branch’s activities in the (traditional) media helping to spread the word of what we’re doing. He has also worked tirelessly to preserve the community focused Templar (top of Vicar Lane) from redevelopment, which is now listed as an ACV. Adam is taking over the role and has big boots to fill but will do so with flair. He has already lined up a lot of events. Tony has continued the professionalism and high-quality content associated with New Full Measure during his Editorship over the last 3 years and oversaw the recent fresh, new look as well as creating an online depository of previous issues. Hopefully he will continue to provide beer-inspired recipe articles. The new editor, Ian, worked with Tony on this issue before going solo afterwards. Ian was the editor prior to Tony so we’re definitely in safe hands.

not a requirement to attend branch meetings. Some positions can take very little time but are a great way to gain experience, allow collaboration with a friendly and forward-thinking committee. They also look great on your CV. Example positions include: Press and Publicity Pub Protection Campaigns Officer Without Portfolio (general helper)

Thanks also to the dozen or so committee members, whether new or returning, who keep the branch running, often behind the scenes, and are a pleasure to work alongside. New committee members are always most welcome to join the team.

If you’d like more info about the roles, without commitment, just get in touch. Membership@leeds-camra.com

E) Vacant Committee Positions

Community Pub of the Year Winner = Fleece, Fartown, Pudsey. Runner-Up = Abbey Inn, Newlay.

F) Annual Award Voting Outcomes

Can you help fill a vacant position? Rural Pub of the Year No experience is required, we’ll help Winner = Chequers, Ledsham. guide you in the position and many roles can be performed remotely so it’s

Runner-Up = Thornhill Arms, Calverley. Club of the Year Winner = Gledhow Sports and Social Club. Runner-Up = Guiseley Factory Workers’ Club Pub Of the Year Winner = Kirkstall Bridge Inn, Kirkstall. Runner-Up = Fleece, Fartown, Pudsey Special congratulations to the four award winners and congratulations to the runners-up and all the venues that reached the final vote. Thank you if attended the AGM or voted online.

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PUB HEROES

The Cross Keys at Siddal The Cross Keys in Siddal, near Halifax, has now been open as a freehouse for over three years. In the ownership of Ruth Dunsmore and Hugh Kirby, it has gained a reputation as one of the best pubs in Yorkshire. Ruth and Hugh got to know each other when they were young. In fact, they were childhood sweethearts. However, their lives took different paths until they reunited and decided to take on a pub as a joint business venture, something they had often joked about. With Ruth’s business acumen and Hugh’s vast experience in the licensed trades they saw the opportunity to take over the pub as a totally independent free house. The Cross Keys was a pub group hostelry that had been closed for some time. They saw its potential, an opportunity to create a place with a pubby atmosphere just like pubs used to have. One day Ruth was in Skipton and decided to make an offer there and then and negotiated the deal. No pussyfooting! After just a month, with a pot of magnolia paint and an overhaul of the fire together with extremely hard graft, the pub was reopened on 7th December 2012. As the project took off Hugh took on the day-to-day running of the pub while Ruth continued with her full time job. Hugh made use of his links in the trade and struck supply deals for cask ales with as many local breweries as possible and other suppliers to

provide products complementing the style envisaged. Once they were open, word soon spread amongst the local community that its former hub was functioning again and villagers came to try their revitalised local. They liked what they found and began to return to the warmth and comfort of a second home. It did not take long for beer enthusiasts from near and far to discover, via the “hop vine”, the latest addition to the real ale pub scene. Ruth and Hugh’ s efforts were soon recognised and rewarded by CAMRA and SPBW. Ruth and Hugh have supported local charities and always make the most of opportunities which arise day-by-day, through festivals, and by sponsoring local organisations and sports teams. Consistent reinvestment into the pub has enhanced the décor and ambience while added features are the beer garden and letting rooms. Only recently, further sympathetic refurbishment has taken place in the bar area and as with all such adventures there will be more to come. There are always community events. The tap room is an ideal room not only for the darts and domino teams but also for meetings, parties, wedding breakfasts and receptions, and funeral teas. Sunday afternoons see some great music gigs from both local outfits and bands from afar. Even touring bands from America have sought out the venue and had their requests to play at the intimate surroundings granted. Cycling and walking clubs gather use the Cross

Keys as a pre- and post- exertion meeting point. There are many characters at the pub, perhaps most notably the beloved pub dog, Poppy, who patrols the pub vigilantly, making sure that she gets her share of the awardwinning pork pies made by champion producer Barry.

“The pub had been a failed pub group hostelry that been had closed for sometime. Ruth and Hugh, however, saw its potential as an opportunity not to be missed.” Thus the pub is all a great traditional pub for locals and beer enthusiasts should be. There are no TVs, Sky Sports, pool tables, gambling machines or certain bland lagers and bitters, just great beers in a friendly atmosphere. A fine nod to tradition has been the purchase and hanging of a welcoming 3D “style” Cross Keys sign which has replaced the more usually seen board signage. Ruth and Hugh – we raise our glasses to you. Cheers.

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The Way to Wetherby Avid readers of my articles (counting all of them on my fingers leaves plenty of unused digits!) will remember that in the last issue that I covered the pubs in Wetherby and promised to write about those covered by the X98 and X99 buses en route from Leeds this time around. So, here goes. I’ll start at the Wellington in Wellington Hill, known locally as Redhall. This is the first pub that I class as being properly out of Leeds (as a rule of thumb that means it’s separated from housing by fields). This solitary building is a Crown Carvery, one of Mitchells and Butlers’ vast array of brands. Although primarily an eating house there’s plenty of seating so you can feel comfortable while supping a Leeds Pale. 1½ miles further along Wetherby Road brings you to Scarcroft and the New Inn, another Mitchell and Butlers’ venue, this time branded as a Vintage Inn. There’s a short history of the place on the pub’s website. It’s a large, comfortably-furnished building, which has character and a welcoming feel. If you want a general comparison think Roundhay Fox or Calverley Arms, which are also Vintage Inns. Given the pub’s location it majors on food but it’s a pleasant place for a pint with a large seating area opposite the bar that attracts drinkers. 3 ales are available, Leeds Pale being permanent with Black Sheep Bitter, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Brains Reverend James and Wells Bombardier featuring on previous visits. Next, it’s Bardsey where you’ll find Bingley Arms, an 8 to 9 minute walk from the bus stop on the main road. It claims to be the oldest pub in England dating back to AD953 and is built into a hillside so expect a few steps. The building is Grade II listed with two priest holes (hiding places for Catholic priests to avoid capture during the second half of the 16th century) and a fireplace containing a Dutch oven. The traditionally-furnished tap room has TV showing sport and a couple of handpulls on the end of the bar. This extends into the much larger lounge, where you’ll find the full range of 5 beers with Banks’s Tetley’s Cask, Black Sheep Bitter, Timothy Taylor Landlord and Copper Dragon featuring regularly. On one of my visits, which was just after their beer festival, I enjoyed a lovely pint of Maxim Brewery’s Double Maxim. In the lounge, drinkers congregate around the bar and use the nearby tables with

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Transport: The X99 is hourly every day with X98 also running hourly Monday to Saturday until teatime. There is a 30-minute interval between the two First services. Both take 25 minutes to Redhall (Wellington) with another 3035 minutes to Wetherby on X99 during the day but 20 minutes in the evening, the same duration as for X98. There are late services to Leeds every night. The bridge between Collingham and Linton is closed until further notice with the X99 diverted along Collingham Main St. A free shuttle bus connects Linton to Wetherby. Service x99 is diverting via Harewood Road, Main Street (S58), Boston Road (A661) to Wetherby Bus Station and vice versa. Please check with local services before traveling.

diners tending to occupy tables further away. If you’re on the X99 East Keswick is next with its two pubs (X98 heads straight to Collingham). Duke of Wellington is first, an Enterprise Inn that has opened and closed many times in the last few years. The first time I passed there were unsightly metal sheets across the windows that weren’t in keeping with the ambience of the village. These were removed following lobbying from local residents and on my second outing hanging baskets were being erected by people in the village even though the pub was still unoccupied. Thankfully, I was more successful on my third visit and hopefully the current tenants can make the place profitable. There’s a cosy feel and it’s furnished to a very high standard. It seems the outlay on the décor is being recouped from the price of a pint though there were many people, one or two with dogs, enjoying a beer on my visit. On the right as you enter is the bar, which appears small at first but extends beyond the semi-wall to another seating area. A couple of wickets are present on this end of bar with the adjacent blackboard providing tasting notes for all 4 beers, complete with pumpclips: Leeds Pale, Timothy Taylor Landlord and a Theakston seasonal beer were three of those available on my visit. If you go along the entrance corridor you’ll enter the lounge. There are stools around the curving bar with tables and chairs behind and a raised area set aside for dining. A couple of minutes walk brings you to Old Star, a traditional drinking pub. The entrance corridor at the side gives you the choice of the bar to the right, the larger, more comfortable lounge to the left and serving hatch straight ahead. The bar is dog friendly, shows

sports TV and has a pool table in the centre with seating around the perimeter of the room. There was convivial conversation between the landlord and regulars throughout the time I enjoyed a Leeds Pale. John Smith’s Cask is the other ale available. Half Moon at Collingham is the next port of call. Get off the X99 at the start of Linton Road and it’s a 5 minute walk or 1 minute from the X98 stop. Again, it’s a 2 room hostelry with bar and lounge but is a fair bit bigger than Old Star. The bar has sports TV, a darts board and fixed seating against the walls while the brighter lounge has many tables and chairs on a raised level, some set for dining, to the side of the bar area. Collingham Journeyman and Blonde (with LocAle pumpclip toppers displayed) and Banks’s Thwaites Wainwright are the three permanent beers. Opposite was the Old Star Inn (not to be confused with the one in East Keswick), which closed in 2013 and is now a grocery shop. Hop on the X99 or walk 10 minutes beyond the bus stop to the last pub en route, the quaint Windmill Inn at Linton. It has a number of small rooms on different levels that ooze character. Fireplaces with accompanying brass objects, tankards hanging from beams and a slate floor by the entrance add to the charm. 4 beers are available, John Smith’s Cask and Theakston Bitter are permanent and on my visit the guests were Wadworth Dirty Rucker and Young’s Bitter with ales from Robinsons, Theakston and McMullen (Hertfordshire) in the cellar. You’re now less than 2 miles from Wetherby and its many fine pubs so you just might want to extend your journey!

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CRAFT BEER - THE DEBATE RAGES So I think it’s true to say that, whilst the phrase is used with gay abandon by bars and breweries, no-one really knows what it means, but we all have an idea of what it’s trying to say. Time for a proper definition! Our customers were happy to share their thoughts; we had Venn diagrams, cascading diagrams, riddles, rants and righteous indignation. A few thought that Craft Beer could only be brewed by persons sporting Victorian-style whiskers and wielding an unconscionable amount of hops. Some thought it could only be Craft Beer if was also Real Ale, whilst others reckoned Craft Beer could be Real and/or Keg. One quote that sums up how most of us feel: “It’s like jazz music. You can’t define it but you know it when you hear/taste it!” whilst another might be getting closer to the mark: “Whatever Brewdog says it is!” To their credit, Brewdog are pushing for a definition of Craft Beer and recognise the importance of, as they say, protecting a burgeoning brewing movement. At least they can say that they brew ‘Craft Beer for the People’ knowing that they’ve had a go at defining it! Interestingly, their definition of Craft Beer is not of the beer at all, but of the brewery. And so it was with our customers...

At the Leeds CAMRA Beer Festival this March, the Global Beer Bar challenged its customers to come up with a definition of Craft Beer. On the form we stated “You’ll notice that the term ‘Craft Beer’ is distinctly lacking at this beer festival. It’s not that we don’t like it, we may even sell it, but we just don’t know what it is! There is no current definition in the UK for Craft Beer.... What do you think? The UK needs a definition for Craft Beer – and you should come up with one!” Whilst it’s true that the US has a definition for Craft Beer, it’s a lot to do with the brewery rather than the beer – traditional, independent and small. But one ‘small’ US brewery can cater for the drinking needs of the entire UK population, so their definition clearly doesn’t apply here! The Wetherspoons definition says that “Craft brewers are generally small independent breweries which add a ‘twist’ to traditional recipes to create something authentic, unique and quirkier” [Worth noting that this is self-contradictory. If you “add a twist” it's no longer authentic!] – but includes Meantime beers in its Craft list, a brewery owned by the second largest brewery in company in the world.

The vast majority of people who tried to put together a sensible definition of Craft Beer were really defining a Craft Brewery, and the same words kept cropping up: Traditional, Small, Independent, Innovative, Experimental, Passionate. The top requirement for a Craft Brewery was that it be small. How small? No-one knew, but that at least is something that can be defined. Second came Innovative or Experimental – so how do you define that? “Do their beers mention the following terms: Saison, Imperial, Mocha, Elderflower? Tick.” See, it’s not as easy as you think, is it? Third up was Passion. Brewed with Passion .... hmmm.... can you get those Passionometers on Amazon? I think not. Surely a true definition can only use terms that are measurable, or have specific boundaries. The US and Brewdog definitions take that approach and maybe we should adopt it, but then we’re missing something, aren’t we? That human element that makes brewing good beer so exciting. So, we never did get a clear definition. But we pretty much agree that Craft Beer is brewed by a small, independent brewery, using traditional methods but with innovative recipes by brewers with a real love for the final product. Beard optional.

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Over the hill but not too far away Beers from the Wood in Lancashire

The 12th Pendle Beer Festival recently took place at the Muni in Colne, the town probably best known as the birthplace of Wallace Hartley the bandleader on the ill-fated Titanic. It is run by the East Lancs. Branch of CAMRA, and this year's theme was the 200th anniversary of the building of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and around half of the beers featured were from breweries along its length. However, of particular interest to us “woodentops” were the six beers in wooden casks, two each from Worsthorne and Fighting Cocks (both Lancashire) and Elland (God’s Own County). From Worsthorne, Old Trout was a 3.7% ABV smooth full-flavoured red-brown ale and certainly very

drinkable, whilst the Chestnut Mare at 4.0% ABV was lightly bittered and malty and lived up to its name in colour. Fighting Cocks is the latest brewery to open in East Lancashire. Situated behind the Italian Restaurant at the pub near Cliviger it is the brainchild of Carmelo Pillitteri who had been experimenting for a few years before “going for it”. At 3.9% ABV the Blighty was a lovely refreshing golden blonde ale and the Spaghetti Stout (5.9% ABV) was very nice too. From Elland brewery was the single-hopped golden session beer called Chinook at 3.9% ABV. It is the newest addition to their core range and is already a firm favourite

amongst regular customers especially those at the “home of beers from the wood” – the Junction at Castleford. The best was saved until last, quite rightly as it is the strongest at 6.5%. 1872 Porter, named from the date of the recipe, needs no introduction as it is arguably the most decorated beer in recent British brewing history. Rich, complex, and dark ruby in colour, it has won Supreme Champion Beer of Britain once and been National Winter Ales Champion three times. Wowee! All six beers were on top form and East Lancs CAMRA are to be congratulated on sourcing them. The word spreads and the revolution continues! BFH

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AWARDS In late May, Beer Festival Organiser, David Dixon presented Nigel Poustie of Sunbeam Brewery with the Beer of the Festival award from our annual event held at Pudsey Civic Hall. His ale, Foggy Morning, was a 5.1% unfined wheat beer infused with lemongrass and it was voted for by the festivalgoers who clearly appreciated his work. Our first photo was taken at the recent presentation to the British Oak at Tingley for Most Improved Pub of the Season. Pictured are Andy and Tracey accepting the award with two of the Leeds CAMRA members. They keep three regular ales with a guest from the SIBA list.

sham and the Community Pub of the Year went to the Fleece at Pudsey. Huge congratulations go out to the Gledhow Sports & Social Club for winning our Club of the Year award knocking Guisley Factory Workers off the top spot for the first time in ten years! Well done to all our winners, keep in touch with our Facebook and Twitter pages for details of the presentations.

The big awards were decided upon at our annual AGM with votes being cast online and on the night. The winners were Kirkstall Bridge Inn, taking our Pub of the Year award for the third year in a row despite being flooded out twice in the past year. The Rural Pub of the Year award went to the beautiful Chequers at Led-

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TRANS-PENNINE REAL ALE TRAIL

Did you know there are around 1000 CAMRA members in Yorkshire who are between 18 and 30? I bet that surprised you. 20 New Full Measure SUMMER 2016

SOCIAL

Did you know there are around 1000 CAMRA members in Yorkshire who are between 18 and 30? I bet that surprised you. And in addition to those officially classed as Young Members (YMs), there are another 500 aged 31 to 35 whom I like to include too. Would you not agree that’s pretty good numbers for an organisation perceived as being full of old blokes who wear socks and sandals and have a beard and beer belly? Anyway, as everyone’s spread over a large area (in other words across God’s Own County) and always busy it can be difficult to meet up with other YMs, which is where a Regional YMs’ Social comes in. Let me introduce myself: I’m Warren, Regional YMs’ Coordinator and YMs’ Contact (YMC) for Leeds branch, and every 3 to 4 months (well, we do have lots of other stuff going on) I hold a social. Previous events include a walk along part of the Leeds-Liverpool canal taking in a number of good pubs en route and an ale trail between Wakefield and Sheffield via Barnsley on the Hallam train line. The latest adventure in the ongoing series of events was the infamous Trans Pennine Rail Ale Trail. Most of you will know it runs between Stalybridge and Dewsbury or can be extended to Batley and really took off in popularity

post-2009 after it featured on “Oz and James Drink to Britain”. Although the programme was very well-intentioned by promoting real ale and the pubs in, or close to, the stations on the route, it unfortunately brought the Trail to the attention of large, unruly, non-ale-drinking groups whose sole intention was to get plastered. I’d done the Trail a couple of times with Leeds University Real Ale Society and thoroughly enjoyed it before the numbers partaking exploded. Sadly, I’d been put off for the past few years but after a ban on certain spirits and pints of lager by the pubs most affected there were reports that it was returning to its former glory. When friends suggested the jaunt as a recent Saturday afternoon out it was the perfect opportunity do a recce for a Regional Social. I only visited the Yorkshire pubs that day because I was busy in the evening, but I saw enough to be convinced the majority of people were out to enjoy the pubs and ale as originally intended. An early start on the day of the social meant we had the Stalybridge Buffet Bar almost to ourselves at 11.15, with the chance to chat with the affable bar staff. Probably the most cosy and atmospheric of

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the venues with much Victorian memorabilia on the walls, it was a good way to start the day. The 9 or so ales included a strong brown beer and a dark one so I was in my element and although I’ve never seen Star Wars I could appreciate the name of another beer, Strikes Back from Empire brewery. Although we could easily have stayed for longer that would have meant skipping places on the way. We caught the train to Mossley, not a traditional stop but with 2 Good Beer Guide pubs within as many minutes’ walk of the station it seemed a shame to miss them. Neither Britannia Inn nor Commercial Hotel had the character of Stalybridge Buffet Bar though the ale selections weren’t to be sniffed at and a dark beer (Millstone Stout) was available in the latter. The main thing however, was that the beer quality was equally great which is always of paramount importance,

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again something common to the whole day. I’d always rather have a smaller selection in top quality that appeals to the regulars than a wide choice in mediocre condition. After a half in each pub it was on to Greenfield and Railway Inn. We shared the next train with a stag do, which, unfortunately, led to delays in getting served. Given my predilection for dark beer I favoured Theakston Old Peculiar from the six choices but with the shortened drinking window it was soon time for the next stop. Having learnt our lesson about being behind the large group we were primed when the train doors opened at Marsden and hot-footed it down to the dog-friendly Riverhead Brewery Tap, which is part of the Ossett Brewery stable. This was a favourite among many on the social with a good number of ales available from the on-site

brewery. They use letters to grade all beers available from light to dark, and put samples of the beers in jars next to the pumps. These are simple ways of helping customers find a beer of their preferred style and I'm surprised they are not used more. It can be difficult to read the pumpclips when it's busy at the bar, and inexperienced ale drinkers may be diffident about asking what the beers are like or requesting a taster. CAMRA needs to work with pubs to make it easier for people to find a consistently good pint in a style they will enjoy. In my opinion this lack of confidence about choosing a beer is the biggest block to converting people from the safety of big drinks brands to relatively unknown breweries. I do feel sorry for the Railway next to Marsden station. Without Riverhead Brewery Tap it would more than hold its own as a destination on the Ale Trail and a number of

SOCIAL - continued people do split the hour between the two. We didn’t visit on the day but I did pop in there another time after a group walk. Between us we tried most of the 5 ales available from the wide Marston’s stable including a couple of seasonal beers and were very pleased with the quality. Slaithwaite, or Slawit, as this Cornishman learned it was pronounced soon after arriving in Yorkshire, was next. The Commercial is located at the bottom of the hill form the station. It doesn’t take long to it on the way down but it’s essential to allow adequate time to get back up. 8 or 9 beers await in the pub including two from Empire brewery, both priced at an extremely competitive £2 pint/£1 half, one of which is a golden brew while the other is a mild. In addition, one of the other beers is usually a porter or stout with a real cider also normally available. As is to be expected, the YMs were still impeccably behaved and we made it back up the hill with plenty of time for the train to Huddersfield despite the lure of the (quiet) TV showing Saturday afternoon’s final football scores. You could spend the whole day in Huddersfield visiting the pubs but that wouldn’t be true to the Ale Trail. However, there are two in the station: King’s Head and Head of Steam. The former is one I often pop into when changing trains after a long hike with the Huddersfield Ramblers and the wood burner makes it ideal for drying a wet coat while enjoying a pint from the selection of 10 competitively priced beers and 1 or 2 ciders. 4 of the beers are permanent with 2 of the guests’ dark beers, often including a mild. I happened once to visit at early tea-time on both a Saturday and Sunday and every single guest beer had changed in the 24 hours. If you haven’t visited for ages, the

scaffolding has gone and the full height of the ceiling is exposed. Rococo Mild from Geeves Brewery was my choice on the day. At the opposite end of the platform is Head of Steam with its four rooms radiating from the central bar. Again, a couple of dark beers usually feature amongst the wide selection with my tipple being the excellent Sublime Chaos from

bridge Buffet Bar it is part of the small Beerhouses chain. In atmospheric and busy surroundings, I enjoyed the delicious Vamp, described as a “blood orange dark ale”, from the relatively new Ghost Brewing Co. (Baildon) though I was tempted by a number of the other ales and the selection of real ciders. I’ve heard that West Riding was one of the earliest premises in a station

remind your friends, family and colleagues that CAMRA is open and relevant to everyone, irrespective of age. Anarchy Brew Co., a 7.0% stout. We’d planned extra time in Huddersfield for food and decided to eat here. Good value pub grub, including vegetarian options, is available but why you have to collect your own cutlery when the person bringing the food walks past the knives and forks is beyond me. By the time the food order was placed, we realised we’d have to wolf our meals down in time to catch the train to Mirfield and still finish in Dewsbury on time. As a result, it was decided to savour the sustenance and sadly forego Navigation Tavern but this did afford time for a half of Sonnet 43 Bourbon Milk Stout. On the recce trip I called in the aforementioned Mirfield pub. In addition to the 6 permanent beers from Theakston, Caledonian and John Smith’s, there were 6 guest beers. My halves of choice were Theakston Old Peculiar and Great Newsome Frothingham Best. Our final stop of the day was West Riding Refreshment Rooms in Dewsbury. Together with Staly-

to be granted a licence (where it hadn’t been held before) after much legal wrangling. One of the conditions was the small railing on the platform near the door to stop people running onto the train though with one sidestep you can easily negotiate it! This is no longer deemed necessary but the owner insists it remains in place as a memento of the licence battle. So, after 9 pubs and 10 hours the thoroughly enjoyable day drew to a close with all those on the social already looking forward to the next one. Who knows what it’ll be: a pub crawl, beer-themed treasure hunt or brewery trip? Keep checking your branch Facebook and Twitter accounts and other sources for details of YM activities. At the same time, remind your friends, family and colleagues that CAMRA is open and relevant to everyone, irrespective of age. Please feel free to get in touch as thoughts, comments and suggestions are always very welcome. I hope to see you soon. Warren Yabsley YoungMembers@leeds-camra.com

New Full Measure SUMMER 2016 23

ABBEY INN 99 Pollard Lane, Newlay, Leeds, LS13 1EQ

DUCK & DRAKE Kirkgate, Leeds, LS2 7DR

STICK OR TWIST Merrion Way, Leeds, LS2 8PD

BARNLEIGH 118 Swinnow Road, Leeds LS13 4NX

NEW HEADINGLEY CLUB St Micheals Road, Headingley, LS6 3BG

THREE HULATS 13 Harrogate Road, Leeds, LS7 3NB

BIRD IN HAND Springmead Drive, Garforth, LS25 1JW

OTLEY TAVERN Newmarket, Otley, LS21 3A

TROYDALE CLUB Troydale Lane, Pudsey, Leeds, LS28 9LD

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Recipe corner Pleased to say that, as I write this in sunny May, I already have my first BBQ of the year done and dusted. It was, if I may say so myself, a resounding success, and anyone who says I burnt the sausages is a filthy lager drinker and not worthy of your time! Where was I? Of course, great weather, nice beer and the buzz of company, a BBQ is the premier way to get friends and family together. Show off your skills with this complicated looking but simple chicken recipe.

Beer Can Chicken Ingredients For The Rub:

1 tsp wholegrain mustard 1 tsp powdered celery salt 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp sea salt ½ tsp garlic puree ½ tsp ground coriander ½ tsp ground cumin ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper 1 whole chicken, 1.8kg 2 tsp vegetable oil 1 can beer (500ml is the ideal size) First, combine all the ingredients except the beer and chicken in a bowl. Mix well. Coat the chicken in the marinade and pop back into the fridge for an hour to allow the flavours to infuse. While you are doing this ensure that there’s no giblet bag hiding up inside the cavity! Crack open the beer and pour yourself a small glass. Stand the bird upright and insert the can where the sun doesn’t shine. This should enable the bird to stand on its own. Transfer to the grill, keeping the bird in an upright position. Grill over a medium heat, this should take 1¼ to 1½ hours. See ‘Preparing Your Grill’ for grill advice.

Using a heat probe (you’re a serious cook aren’t you? You should have this kit.), check the internal temperature in the thickest part of the bird, the breast. We are looking for upwards of 72C (160F). At this point check the thigh, the juices should run clear when pierced. Take the chicken from the grill and remove its can. This beer will be hot so don’t drink it. Place the bird breast side down and cover with tin foil to rest for 15 minutes. Cut the chicken into serving pieces.

Preparing your grill

First off you should be doing this on a proper BBQ. The small disposable foil one isn’t going to get the job done this time. Think about your cooking time, you’ll need enough coals to keep the heat going for about two hours. Light up your coals and allow them to burn till they go white. At this point remove the wire grill and rake the coals over to one side of the grill. Replace your wire grill. Sitting your food above the empty part of the grill will allow you to control how much heat it receives and prevent it from burning. If your grill has a lid, use it to promote an even heat within the grill.

Nervous about cooking a whole chicken?

Place the whole raw chicken on a chopping board and using a large knife, remove the back bone by cutting approx. half an inch either side. This is called Spatchcock, Google it for instructions. Flatten the chicken out and proceed with the rest of the marinade. When grilling, omit the beer can and cook, flat, breast side down, turning the chicken over every 30 mins.

Make sure you have a safe BBQ! Do wash your hands before you

handle raw meat, and afterwards. Don’t wash chicken, you just splash germs around! Do use tongs to transfer the meat onto the grill. Don’t use the same tongs to put cooked meat onto a plate! Do check to see if your meat is cooked through. Don’t assume charred means cooked! See food.gov.uk for more tips on safe BBQing.

New Full Measure SUMMER 2016 25

The Regent Three permanent ales: Greene King IPA, Prince Regent, Leeds Pale, Tetley Bitter plus FOUR guest ales. Sky Sports and BT Sports on Four Screens Beer garden with Plasma Screen and Car Park to the rear

Main meals - Two for £11

Award winning home of beers from the wood. Telephone 01977 277750 for opening times. Web: www.thejunctionpubcastleford.com

We are open Mon-Wed 12noon-11pm Thurs-Sat 12noon-midnight, Sun 11am -11.30pm

Events: www.facebook.com/JunctionPubCas

Quiz nights: Monday: General Knowledge and Pop a Cherry Thursday: Rock and Roll Bingo

Open fires • Dog friendly Wednesday night quiz

15/17 Regent Street, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 4PE Tel: 0113 2939395 Email: 6233unit@spiritpubcompany.com

26 New Full Measure SUMMER 2016

Carlton St, Castleford WF10 1EE

KEG KEG DEBATE

Konfessions of a Key-Keg Barman at a CAMRA Beer Festival ING WARNay find

some m ews i these v sial! ver contro

Firstly, despite the belief of one irate gentleman who carried on like a spoilt nine-year old for well over an hour, I was not the person responsible for inventing key-kegs. I did not make the decisions a) at CAMRA national level that key-keg beers may be real ales, b) to have them at Leeds CAMRA beer fest or c) about which beers to have. No, all I did was volunteer to supervise the bar. I am 100% certain that there were people at Leeds beer fest who didn’t

even venture out of the main hall to have a look at the separate keykeg/cider/global beer bar - ‘Nowt for us up there mate, just a load of rubbish!’ A lot of people did come for a look though, some out of curiosity about this key-keg thing, some for the wonderful ciders and perries or for the superb bottled beers on sale. Fair enough, there were many people I spoke to who thought that key-keg beers had no place at a CAMRA beer festival. We discussed it, debated it, they formulated their own opinion and I respect that. I have no problem with that; different isn’t wrong and what’s right for one person isn’t right for another. We are all entitled to our own views and I enjoyed the stimulating discourse on the subject. Over three days I sort of became a key-keg expert and I’m not going to bore you with the many fascinating facts and the argument, but I must point out that ALL the key-keg beers on sale at Leeds beer fest were ‘real ales’. That means they were relatively unfiltered, or not at all in the case of Brass Castle Brewery whose beers are also unfined, and definitely not pasteurised. You really do have to let the key-kegs stand for the sediment to settle out and when a

28 New Full Measure Summer 2016

keg runs off all the rubbish at the bottom comes up the line, just like cask beer. Any carbonation in the beer is there solely from the natural action of live yeast in the beer and nothing else. The pressurised carbon-dioxide never touches the beer and you can actually dispense them using compressed air. Some people had never tasted real ale dispensed from key-kegs and many were instantly converted, others were more sceptical; at least they had a go. Strangely, the people who headed directly for the key-keg bar tended to be the younger, more open-minded visitors. Whatever people thought, I think that this experiment by Leeds CAMRA was a resounding success. The key-keg bar was closed by late afternoon on Saturday after fourteen key-kegs of ten different beers had been sold.There was a standby stock, but with plenty of cask ale left, we decided not to broach any more kegs. This suited me because it meant I could stand down from official duties, listen to the bands and sample the excellent real ales in the main hall. Believe me, there were some crackers, just the same as there were some cracking real ales on the key-keg bar - they just got served up a different way! What is the difference then, I hear you say? Well, along with others whose experience I value, I did a side-by-side tasting of both the Ridgeside Brewery Nautilus and Brass Castle Sunshine from cask and key-keg. Both were excellent beers, Sunshine a particular favourite. The consensus was that they tasted the same but the key-keg dispensed ale is colder and has more carbonation. One chap came up with the theory of the cask ale being like the pork pie you buy fresh and still warm from the butchers, while the key-keg was the

same pie that had been taken home and chilled; an interesting one that. I’ve also done a side-by-side tasting with Bad Co Wild Gravity before and it’s clear that some modern styles of beer are far superior from a keg than a cask and probably vice versa with other more traditional styles. I couldn’t ever see the point of Timmy Taylor’s Landlord in key-keg. The point I was trying to make to my erstwhile friend on Friday morning was, you’ve been fighting for real ale for forty years, and do you know what? You’ve won! Just look at all the superb beers available from myriad small, medium and larger breweries. In fact you won years ago and

preferably a wooden one, better still if it's been conditioned for some time. But I would much rather have it in a key-keg than a fizzy-Fosterslager-style keg, though I’d have it from one of those rather than not at all. Looking ahead we need to realise there are many fantastic tasting beers available; some might be real ale, others not. There are also lots of beers out there that fulfil the CAMRA criteria of being real ale, yet which frankly, are of mediocre quality, and often poorly kept. Sadly, this seems to be the type of beer served in the pub which is doomed to close down. In life we all have to make our own minds up and I know what choices I want to make. In a time of

“There are also lots of beers out there that fulfil the CAMRA criteria of being real ale, yet which frankly, are of mediocre quality, and often poorly kept”. it’s now time to move forward. Of course there will always be a place for real ale, the centre piece, the jewel in CAMRA’s crown, but there’s room for something else too. Why do you think Elland are doing 1872 Porter in keg? I’ll tell you, because despite being an outstanding ale, unless you have a really big turnover, a lot of pubs will struggle to sell it before it turns. Put it in a keg and it has a much longer cellar life and more places can afford to stock it and more people can taste it and the brewery will sell more beer; it’s a win-win situation for everyone. Okay, I like to have it in a cask,

potential changes for CAMRA I don’t think anyone can afford to sit there with their eyes wide shut. NB: Please note all views are those of the author and not of Leeds CAMRA.

New Full Measure Summer 2016 29

Appointment with Beer Leeds CAMRA holds a business-style meeting on the first Tuesday of most months, with the occasional other day for those who can’t make Tuesdays. The meeting starts at 7:30pm and has an approximate finishing time of 9:00pm. CAMRA members are advised to check "What's Brewing" for confirmation of meeting locations and for details of other events. A full listing of events is also published at http://www.leeds-camra.com/ where it is regularly updated. Leeds CAMRA is organised and run entirely by unpaid volunteers. All members are always welcome at meetings and socials. The New George, 2-4 Commercial Road, Kirkstall, Leeds LS5 3AQ Bus: First 33/33A, 49, 91, 508; Flying Tiger 757; TransDev 760 (1 to 3 min). Train: Headingley (9 min)

JUNE

Thursday 2nd June 7:30 PM Open Branch Meeting The Brown Cow, Selby Road, Whitkirk, Leeds LS15 7AY FirstBus 19/19A Saturday 4th June 1.00PM Collingham Social. Collingham Real Ale Festival (Memorial Hall) Proceeds to charity: Prader-Willi Syndrome Association UK Bus: First X98 (outside) and X99 (7 min) Tuesday 14th June 7:30 PM Most Improved Pub of the Season Presentation

Wednesday 15th June 7.30PM Social (Beer Day Britain) City Centre and Hunslet - Adelphi then Garden Gate. Beer Day Britain is a nationwide concept that encourages people to drink beer, raise its profile, be proud of Britain’s pubs, breweries and beer heritage and have a fantastic time! Sign up to Ale Delight, our monthly branch email, for regular local news. Info: Membership@leeds-camra.com Contact: socialsecretary@leeds-camra.com

Follow @LeedsCAMRA on Twitter or “like” our Leeds-CAMRA Facebook page for up-to-date information about socials, meetings and pubs info in and around Leeds.

Leeds-CAMRA @LeedsCAMRA West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service 0113 253 0241 Po Box 5, Po Box, Nepshaw Lane South, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS27 0QP

Thank You for Having Us! Thank you to the Ridgeside Brewery (Meanwood), Phoenix (City Centre), Midnight Bell (Holbeck), Adelphi (City Centre) and Original Oak (Headingley) for hosting recent Branch Meetings. It's much appreciated.

Don't be a Wazzock! Don't Drink and Drive.

Public transport information for the Leeds area is available from Metro offices and at wymetro.com There really is no excuse.

30 New Full Measure SUMMER 2016

Branch contacts Leeds CAMRA c/o 46 West Grange Green Leeds, LS10 3BB

Committee members

Chairman: Mike Hampshire Chairman@leeds-camra.com 07763274454 Branch Contact: Nigel Halton BranchContact@leeds-camra.com Festival Organiser: David Dixon BeerFestivals@leeds-camra.com Locale Coordinator: Steve Staindale Locale@leeds-camra.com Membership Secretary: Warren Yabsley Membership@leeds-camra.com Newsletter Editor: Ian Smith Newsletter@leeds-camra.com Pub Database Holder: David Ansley WhatPub@leeds-camra.com Pub Preservation: Sam Parker PubPreservation@leeds-camra.com Public Transport Officer: Tony Jenkins PublicTransport@leeds-camra.com Secretary: Carole Taylor Secretary@leeds-camra.com Social Secretary: Adam Wilson SocialSecretary@leeds-camra.com Tasting Panel Coordinator: David Dixon TastingPanel@leeds-camra.com Treasurer: Keith Sunderland Treasurer@leeds-camra.com Webmaster: Christine Jopling Webmaster@leeds-camra.com Young Members: Waren Yabsley YoungMembers@leeds-camra.com