Full measure issue 130

Newsletter of the Leeds Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale

Welcome!

Welcome to issue #130 of New Full Measure, the newsletter for the Leeds Branch of CAMRA. We hope you find something interesting and informative inside.

Just as this magazine was going to press, MPs from all parties voted in favour of a new clause to the Small Business Bill.

This bill will empower PubCo licensees to choose between a tied agreement and a market rent-only agreement that will allow them to buy beer on the open market.

This result shocked the industry and the share prices reflected that. Enterprise Inns led the fall, losing 15.3 per cent in midmorning trade. Punch Taverns also shed 12.5 per cent. Shares in Marston’s and Mitchells & Butlers were down 3.14 per cent and 1.8 per cent respectively.

Articles have already appeared for both sides of the argument with CAMRA calling this a victory and their detractors accusing them of massive naivety. So what happens next? What will the PubCos do to balance the books once they have lost their ‘wet rent’? Rather than saving the industry and preserving the Great British pub, some commentators fear that this is the end of cheap entry in to the market for prospective tenants.

To quote anti-prohibition campaigner Chris Snowdon “PubCos currently own 19,000 pubs in the UK. Enterprise Inns

and Punch Taverns, in particular, are in enormous debt. What do you think they are going to do with their property portfolio now that the government has torn up their contracts and destroyed their business model?”

Elsewhere in this issue we have contributions from Rick Lamb, on his tour of the Isle of Wight and globetrotter Warren Yabsley, with the second part of his report from Asia. Nigel Halton reports on the latest from Wharfedale Brewery; David Litten goes back to University to talk Cider with the Leeds Real Ale Society and this month’s pub of the moment is the Friends of Ham, Leeds.

My thanks to all who contributed this month.

Contents News

4-5

Beer Festival Diary

5

Wharfedale Brewery

7

Leeds Beer Festival 2015

9

Letters Inn

10-11

NWAF

13

Pub of the Moment

15

Isle of Wight Tour

16-19

Leeds University Union

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 2014. 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: editor@newfullmeasure.org.uk Web: www.leeds-camra.com Twitter @LeedsCAMRA Subscriptions cost £3 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.

4,000 Copies are distributed, free of charge, quarterly to outlets in Leeds and the surrounding areas.

Publication Dates: The next issue of NFM (#131) will be published on February 20th 2015.

NFM #131 copy deadline is 15th January 2015.

Advertising: For advertising enquiries contact: Jane Michelson Tel: 01778 382718 Mobile: 07732 393621 Email: jane@orchardhousemedia.co.uk Rates:

Real Ale, Cider and Perry Society

20-21

Branch Contacts

22

Awards

25

Where’s Warren

26-29

Diary Dates

30

Colour Rates per insertion (exclusive of VAT) are: Quarter page £70 Half page £130 Full Page £240 Cover Rates Inside Front / Inside Back £275 Outside Back Cover £300 Discounts available for series bookings.

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News Landmark victory ... ..for beer drinkers, pub goers and licensees as Government defeated in Commons vote.

Tim Page, CAMRA Chief Executive said: "Today's landmark Parliamentary vote helps secure the future of pubs. CAMRA is delighted that, after ten years of our campaigning, MPs have today voted to introduce a market rent only option for licensees tied to the large pub companies - a move that will secure the future of the Great British Pub. “The Government was defeated by 284 votes to 259 with MPs from all parties voting in favour of a new clause to the Small Business Bill that will empower pubco licensees to choose between a tied agreement and a market rent only agreement that will allow them to buy beer on the open market. Allowing over 13,000 pub tenants tied to the large pub companies the option of buying beer on the open market at competitive prices will help keep pubs open and ensure the cost of a pint to consumers remains affordable.

The large pub companies will no longer be able to charge their tenants prices up to 60 pence a pint higher than open market prices.

“This simple choice should spell the end of pubco licensees being forced out of business through high rents and tied product prices.

“Thank you to the 8,000 CAMRA members and campaigners who lobbied their local MP to help make this happen and to those MPs that voted to support pubs. CAMRA are now urging the Government to accept the outcome of the vote.”

In other news The area within close proximity of Leeds rail station is seeing several new pub openings and new interest in existing property.

The Griffin opened on Boar Lane and offers 6 different ales (CAMRA discount) with a menu of fairly priced pub food.

The Friends of Ham on New Station Street is

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News now a much larger venue after the extension, there are numerous bottled beers, 4 real ales and tasty cheeses and hams.

The Black Prince on Boar Lane is the latest to open and is one of the “Sizzling Pub” chain with fairly priced sizzling dishes and a choice of 6 real ales. On Mill Hill, what was Spencers is to become one of the Head of Steam pubs due to open in December. A short distance away from the Station on Call Lane, a new bar called the Black Swan has recently opened. There are some craft keg beers on tap.

Also within walking distance of the Station is the newly opened Northern Monk Brew Co Refectory based above the brewery situated on Marshall Street off Water Lane (just past Midnight Bell). 12 craft keg taps dispense 6 of their beers, 2 of which are cask conditioned and 6 craft ales from guest breweries. Bottled beers and food is available.

The Tarn in Yeadon and the Dog and Gun in Gipton are reported to be closed at the time of going to press.

Sunbeam Ales brewery are now filling 8 casks per week since scaling up production. Look out for their beer in Leeds at Brewery Tap and Mr Foley's this month.

ANDY FEDDEN Andy was a long standing member of the West Riding Branch of SPBW (Society for the Preservation of Beer from the Wood) and had been on the committee for many years.

He worked in the accounts departments at Daleside Brewery for a number of years before joining Kirkstall Brewery in Leeds. He was active in the Harrogate and Ripon CAMRA branch and worked each year at the CAMRA beer festival in Leeds and at many Great British Beer Festivals.

His sudden passing from a pulmonary embolism at the age of 56 in late October came as a great shock to everyone. Our sincere condolences go to his family and many friends. He will be sorely missed.

Graham Hewitt

Beer Festival Diary CAMRA Branches hold beer festivals across the country throughout the year. They are organised and run by volunteers who give up their own time to promote Real Ale and Real Cider to the public. The majority of the beer festivals admit card carrying CAMRA members free of charge or offer discounts.

Remember to do your homework and check details before you travel!

Suddabys Winter Beer Festival Thurs December 11th to Mon December 15th Suddabys, 12 Wheelgate, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 7HP See website for details www.suddabys.co.uk/ Manchester Beer & Cider Festival (CAMRA) Weds January 21st - Sat January 24th 2015 National Cycling Centre, Stuart St, Manchester

Over 500 beers, ciders and perries. As well as a massive selection of cask conditioned craft ales and traditional ciders & perries there will bottled and draught beers from around the world and the return of the real ale in a bottle bar to drink at the festival or take home. manchesterbeerfestival.org.uk/ National Winter Ales Festival, Derby (CAMRA) Weds 11th – Sat Feb 14th 2015 The Roundhouse, Roundhouse Road, Derby, DE24 At least 400 Real Ales will be available spanning Mild, Bitters, Best Bitters, Strong Bitters, Golden Ales & Speciality Beers. The UK's very best Winter beer styles will be judged against each other in order to crown CAMRA's Champion Winter Beer of Britiain. nwaf.org.uk/

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The Chequers Inn Ledsham, Leeds LS25 5LP Tel: 01977 683135

Leeds CAMR A Branch Rural Pub of the Year 2014 Beer Garden • Bar Meals Restaurant • Open Sundays Food served 12noon - 9.15pm Real Ales from: Brown Cow, Theakston, Timothy Taylor, John Smiths and now Leeds Brewery

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Permanent beers supplied by Elland and Ridgeside breweries plus a variety of guest beers and ciders Open Fires • Friendly Atmosphere Dog friendly • Quiz Night and Open the Envelope on Weds 8.30-9.45pm • Only 2 mins from the bus and train station

Live bands most Fridays contact us for details OPENING TIMES Monday & Tuesday 2pm to 9pm.

Wednesday & Thursday 2pm to 11pm.

Friday to Sunday 12noon to 11pm.

Tel: 01977 278867 Follow Us on Twitter 6

www.thejunctionpubcastleford.com Postcode: WF10 1EE

Wharfdale Brewery

Visit to Wharfedale Brewery Our group visiting the Wharfedale Brewery was welcomed by Stewart Ross, technical director of the brewery, in the Flying Duck pub in Ilkley. We began the tour by sampling some of the 9 real ales on the bar whilst we waited our turn to look round. Refurbishment of the Grade 2 listed building began in March 2013 and the pub opened in November of that year. Work on constructing the brewery began that year and it was in late Nov 2013 that the first brew from the brewing kit behind the pub appeared on the bar. The brewery can be viewed externally from a gallery via a decked beer garden area upstairs.

The kit was manufactured in Fort William by Oban Ales and is a 2.5 barrel plant. There are 2 fermenters which can yield just under 1,600

pints per week and brewing takes place twice a week. Three permanent beers are brewed by Stewart and his assistant Michael Allan.

These areWharfedale Blonde, which has a blend of Chinook and Cascade hops to give citrus and grapefruit flavours. Blonde is the best selling beer in the Flying Duck, they get through around 10 firkins a week. Blonde is also available in bottles at some outlets.

Wharfedale Best is a traditional Yorkshire Bitter with a floral spicy hoppiness. Wharfedale Black is a dark mild with a blend of seven malts giving hints of chocolate, coffee and liquorice.

Currently there is not enough fermenter space to brew any additional beers but a good strong hoppy IPA would be top of the list if they could.

Having looked round the brewery and eaten some food we made our way round a few of the other pubs in Ilkey. The Crescent, Bar t’at and Lister’s Arms all had a good selection of ales to choose from and rounded out a great afternoon that was enjoyed by all.

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Date for your Diary

Leeds Beer, Cider and Perry Festival 2015 Global Beer Bar featuring a great range of U.S. craft beers, fruity favourites and a world of other styles! The Mild Trail – drink this quintessential English ale and get a freebie!

Don’t forget – we’re now open all day Saturday Glasses lined at one third and two thirds only no half measures!

Local musicians performing, plus some quiet sessions

WHERE Pudsey Civic Hall, Dawson’s Corner, Stanningley, LS28 5TA, (5 minutes walk from New Pudsey BR Station, Caldervale Line which serves Leeds, Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Wakefield, York and Manchester)

Hot & cold food, beery stalls, snack emporium, tombola Full disabled access Over 18s only – please bring ID if you look young!

WHEN

HOW MUCH

Thursday 12th March 11am - 3pm & 5pm - 11pm

Thursday am session FREE; pm session £4.00, FREE to NUS members Friday am session FREE; pm session £5.00 Saturday £5.00 before 17:00 then £3.00

Friday 13th March 11am - 3pm & 5pm - 11pm Saturday 14th March 11am - 11pm

CAMRA members FREE at all times (except Friday evening, £3.00) and can gain admission 15 mins earlier at all sessions

WHAT

HOW TO GET THERE

Nearly 200 Real Ales from Yorkshire and beyond - this year’s theme is rugby. Leeds has a great rugby heritage, and now we have linked it to beer. Look out for the beers with a connection to the game, and prepare yourself for some terrible puns!

Services within 5 minutes’ walk Train: New Pudsey Station, on the Caldervale Line Buses: 9, 16, 16A, 72, 508, X6

Traditional Real Cider and Perry from around the country, including lesser-known producing areas. The best range in the North with something for all tastes.

Staff are most welcome – you’ll get free beer, a glass, food tokens and a staff T-shirt. Please email us at beerfestivalstaffing@gmail.com

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Letters Inn Receiving mail from readers is a rare thing here at NFM Towers, so it was with some excitement that we tore the wax seal from the following missive. Imagine our dismay at reading the subsequent announcement from venerable local author, and friend of NFM, Barrie Pepper;

“Dear Editor It's been a long time since I was in touch - lots of reasons why which I won't bore you with but this note serves two purposes: to tell you that I am no longer taking part in Reuters; well I am 81 and I deserve a rest; and to say thank you for your cooperation in sending me your magazines over the years. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading them all and keeping in touch with what's going on in the Yorkshire region. It's amazing to think that it is 40 years since I was the Regional Organiser!”

reconnect the pipes and we would pull through beer which needed the combined approval of the two of us before we could inflict it on the unsuspecting public.

As his parting shot across the bar, Barrie has left us a small selection of his favourite writings on his favourite subjects, Pubs and Beer!

‘Not sure about it. A bit yeasty,’ was my comment showing I was picking up the jargon.

In 2003 I wrote a book called The Landlord’s Tale based mainly on my father’s experiences in running a Whitaker’s pub in Sowerby Bridge.

Here’s a short extract: “I was introduced to Norman’s inner sanctum, as he liked to call the cellar, one Saturday morning while he was going through the chore of cleaning the beer lines. It was an essential but tiresome job but one which could be done much easier and quicker with two people. I became a regular. First we would empty the beer lines of their overnight water, then one of us would go upstairs to the bar and pull cleansing solution through them followed by lots of cold water. We had a system and we could move from one handpump to another without verbal contact. Then whoever was downstairs in the cellar would

10

Norman and I enjoyed our Saturday sessions and regarded the pint we drank at the end as just reward for our labours. He took great pleasure on occasions in allowing customers to wait while we gave the various draught beers our nihil obstat.

‘Mild OK, Wilf?’ he would query.

‘OK, Norman,’ I would reply joining in his game.

‘What about the Best?’

‘Well we’ll just pull another through then,’ and so he would while the thirsty punters shuffled their feet and looked daggers at the pair of us.

‘Make the buggers wait,’ he would say and after pulling a pint for a bus conductor he would retort: ‘He always makes me wait for his bus.’

The fact that Norman had not ridden on a bus for ten years or more was not material.”

There is a rumour that if you drink you get drunk.

Whether it is true or not a goodly amount has been written about drunkenness and here are a few examples: John B Keane the Irish author kept a pub in Listowel and used his customers as characters – for example: There was an impecunious old gentleman of my

Readers Letter acquaintance who confessed with utter sincerity: ‘I spent most of my money on porter, and the rest of it foolishly.’

Machine age

by Les Baynton There is an apocryphal story of a former Foreign Secretary who, on a diplomatic visit to Peru, attended a government reception at which he got rather the worse for drink. He approached a tall person and asked if ‘the beautiful lady in red would allow him the pleasure of this waltz?’

He was told: ‘I shall not dance with you for three reasons. First, because you are drunk, second, because this is not a waltz but the Peruvian national anthem and third, because I am not the beautiful lady in red; I am the Cardinal Archbishop of Lima.’

Here are three poems:

The pig got up and slowly walked away

by B Hapgood Burt One evening in October, when I was one-third sober, An’ taking home a load with manly pride; My poor feet began to stutter, so I lay down in the gutter, And a pig came up an’ lay down by my side; Then we sang It’s all fair weather when good fellows get together, Till a lady passing by was heard to say: You can tell a man who boozes by the company he chooses And the pig got up and slowly walked away.

I don’t give a jot About hi-tec computers, Robotic production, Or nuclear motors.

But the simple machine That distributes good cheer, Is the beautiful handpump That brings me my beer.

Birth of a plastic pub

by Dave Dutton First they tore out the original oak beams, And slapped in olde plastic facsimiles.

Then they rooted out the jovial red-faced shire-horse of a landlord, And replaced him with a surly glove-puppet, with a carved-in snarl.

Then they flushed out the good strong draught ale down into the sewers, And piped in what had previously been in the sewers.

Then they booted out the old concertina man, And installed a head-throbbing juke-box (To stop people talking about what was happening).

This forced out all the customers with any character And in their place, came. . .

Well; suffice it to say that one night A member of the new clientele stood too near a lamp And melted.

Thank you, Mr Pepper, enjoy your retirement.

11 1

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CAMRA’s National Winter Ales Festival 2015 Where: The Roundhouse, Derby, DE24 8JE When: Open from Wednesday 11th – Saturday 14th February 2015 In 2015 CAMRA’s flagship National Winter Ales Festival will be held in Derby for the second year running, with over 400 beers available the Festival will showcase some of the very best ales, ciders, perries, bottled world beers and mead in 3 separate areas.

Located beside the Pride Park exit of Derby Railway Station (just 87 minutes from Leeds) Derby’s historic Roundhouse could not be in a more convenient location.

Four Brewery Bars have been agreed: multi award winning Blue Monkey from Nottingham; innovative North Star from Derbyshire, both in the main hall, Derby’s very own Brunswick Brewing Company in the Music Marquee and Yorkshire’s shinning gem Brass Castle in the Carriage Room.

Britain Competition which sees the 4 winter styles of beer (porters, stouts, old ales/strong milds and barley wine/strong old ales) being gathered from across the UK to be judged and a winner declared. The festival itself has lots of pale beers and golden ales to choose from too.

The website www.nwaf.org.uk will be updated regularly with details of admission prices, live entertainment, tutored tastings and special hotel rates thanks to our partners at www.visitderby.co.uk. There are no advance tickets as this is a pay on the door event. Wellbehaved and supervised under 18s are welcomed until 19:00 each evening, after which they must leave due to a licensing requirement.

The feedback from 2014 revealed that our customers loved the building, the beer quality and selection as well as the hot and cold food which was available. So why not join them and come and see Derby at its beery best!!

Cheers!

The National Winter Ales Festival is home to CAMRA’s prestigious Champion Winter Beer of

Gillian Hough Organiser National Winter Ales Festival

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ABBEY INN 99 Pollard Lane, Newlay, Leeds, LS13 1EQ DUCK & DRAKE Kirkgate, Leeds, LS2 7DR HUNTERS INN Harrogate Road, Pool in Wharfedale, LS21 2PS NEW HEADINGLEY CLUB St Micheals Road, Headingley, LS6 3BG

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OTLEY TAVERN Newmarket, Otley, LS21 3A STATION Henshaw Lane, Yeadon LS19 7RZ STICK OR TWIST Merrion Way, Leeds, LS2 8PD THREE HULATS 13 Harrogate Road, Leeds, LS7 3NB

TROYDALE CLUB Troydale Lane, Pudsey, Leeds, LS28 9LD WHITE SWAN High Street, Yeadon, LS19 7TA WOODS 5 Steinbeck Corner, Chapel Allerton, LS7 3PG WOOLPACK 18 New Road, Yeadon, LS19 7SE

pub of the moment

Friends of Ham I remember going to Friends of Ham during the first week trading and thinking “No, this’ll never work, not in Leeds” I may also have said it once or twice (maybe more…) to my fellow drinkers, all whilst sampling the excellent beer on offer.

I was wrong, I admit it.

However, I also remember going back to Friends of Ham many times since and thinking “It’s just too small!” On this I was right, a view that appears to have been shared by owners Claire and Anthony Kitching. They approached Nicola Moxon at Pure Design Consultancy to assist with the design of the extension and concept development for their bar, a concept drawn from the ‘Jamon Bars’ of Spain, the growing London café culture and the craft beer bars of the USA. After a short closure, this month has seen the reopening of the new and improved Friends of Ham, and what an improvement it is!

Gone is the narrow upstairs bar where the throngs of eager customers would jostle for position at the bar, ever mindful of being in someone’s way. In its place, a sizable space with seating for around 50 patrons, converted from the shop next door (a Cash Store, the loss of which few will miss). The expanded bar area, with its new retail counter, gives the Friends team more room to create lovely platters of meats and cheeses. An extra hand-pull tap (along with another three keg) brings the number of taps to a respectable 14, a mixture of interesting cask and keg beers from all over the UK and beyond.

Recently awarded the Observer Food Monthly Best

Place to Drink 2014, Friends of Ham has beaten off serious competition to show that it’s a destination pub and well worth a visit.

Other local places include Tapped, with its mixture of cask and keg ale it also houses its own microbrewery; Bundobust, no real ale here but a cracking selection of Indian snack food and bottled beers and the newly opened Griffin, Taylor walkers attempt to recreate a London boozer in the heart of Leeds, maybe a little too accurately, I’ll let you be the judge of that.

Friends of Ham 4-8 New Station Street, Leeds LS1 5DL

Photos kindly supplied by Justin Slee

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Isle of Wight

A Whistlestop Tour Of Wight Although based in Shanklin, a couple of tours of the island were included in the holiday. The first saw me head west along the south coast to the southernmost town, Ventnor, one of the steepest and most sheltered towns in Britain and dubbed ‘England’s Madeira’. I followed the coast road across the ‘Back of the Wight’ through Chale, Brightstone, Freshwater, (with the island’s only thatched church, built in 1908,) to Alum Bay for a tea break and view of the West Wight cliffs and the Needles.

The shingle beach and multi-coloured sands of the cliffs of the bay are well worth a detour and accessible by chairlift. From here a short hop to the ferry port and yachting haven of Yarmouth, sitting at the mouth of the river Yar. The town is the island’s oldest, founded in 1135, and was raided a number of times by the French and others until a castle was built in 1547. The pretty harbour contains a 700 foot timber pier as well as the castle. Just off the harbour, on Bridge Road, I found my first pub, the WHEATSHEAF. This is a plain, two-roomed pub with bareboarded floors and simple wooden furniture.

A brick fireplace with iron stove features in the lounge and there is a display of photographs of the town and port. The beers were; Purity Mad Goose, Ringwoods bitter and Goddards Fuggle de Dum. Around the corner in The Square is the multi-roomed old coaching inn, the BUGLE, richly carpeted throughout, with wood and stone walls and lashings of brass and copperware on display. There’s six beers to choose from, mainly Regionals, including; Taylors Landlord, Draught Bass, Brakspeares bitter, Sharps Doom Bar and Ringwoods bitter. Straight across from the Bugle is Quay Street and the KINGS HEAD. This is a character, old harbour-side inn, carpeted, low

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In this issue Rick Lamb concludes his tour of the Isle of Wight.

ceilinged and with stone and wood in profusion and solid wood tables, chairs and benches, and photographs and prints of a maritime and town nature. This was to prove to be my most expensive pint on the island at £4. Three beers; Otter bitter, Sharps Doom Bar and Goddards Fuggle de Dum. There was a fourth pub across the road, the George, but time didn’t permit.

From here it was a drive through Newport, (with a Classic Boat Museum, Bus Museum, Roman villa and Museum of Island Life,) passing Carisbrooke Castle, through the villages of Blackwater and Rookley to the charming village of Godshill, one of the most visited places on the island, with its thatched cottages, medieval hilltop church and numerous tearooms. The first pub here is the GRIFFIN, a large, stone-built, family dining pub with kid’s playground and expansive lawned beer garden to rear. Beyond the beer garden is what must be a unique feature for a pub, its own maze, shaped like a griffin.

I didn't try it out for fear of getting lost and missing the coach. I instead contented myself with a pint of Goddards Ale of Wight (others were Sharps Doom Bar and Ringwood bitter). Passing the Cider Barn and the Old Smithy and numerous other thatched buildings I came to the TAVERNERS. This is a stone-built, multi-roomed pub with stone, flag and brick floor. The bar is an unusual brick and wood style with slate roof and the main lounge contains a brick fireplace with iron grate.

For the reader, there is a small library. Furniture is a combination of rustic tables and chairs, leather armchairs and padded benches. There is a paved beer garden to the side and at the rear is a petanque court. Outside the front door is a coloured tiled pavement. The beers, Sharps Doom Bar, Island Nipper bitter and Yates Taverners Own Ale. From here it was back to base.

Isle of Wight The second day was a free day to explore at will, but as my camera had packed up in Godshill, the previous day, I decided on a trip into Newport, the island’s capital and home of the only retail park on the island where I might buy another camera, so my course for the day was decided. (I know how much you like pictures). Bus riding is not a cheap pastime on the Isle of Wight, with a day ticket costing £10 and there are only about 12 routes. Still, needs must. The Southern Vectis no. 2 is quite a scenic run, hugging the coast, heading as it does into the centre of Ventnor with its narrow, twisting streets, Heritage Museum and botanic gardens. In the centre of the town I spotted an old sign on an unused building bearing the legend ‘Ventnor Brewery,’ once the home of Burts Brewery.

Another half-hours run, through the Downs and quaint tiny villages, brought me into Newport. Newport is built around the river Medina and is bang in the middle of the island. It was founded in 1180 as a port and its favoured position soon made it the island’s main settlement. It is now a mix of bustling streets, narrow lanes and Georgian buildings, (the Guild Hall and Minster being particularly impressive.) There is a fair smattering of pubs, including two Wetherspoons, one recently opened, the Man in the Moon, in a beautifully converted stone church. I only tried one, a large, imposing residential hotel in St Georges Square, adjacent to the Minster. This was the WHEATSHEAF. The internal walls are red brick and pale green plaster with stone flagged and carpeted floors.

Solid wood furniture and leather armchairs surround the brick fireplace in the lounge. At the back of the WHEA lounge is an exquisitely TSHE panelled games room A

F 17

Isle of Wight - continued

House Cowes Ale

Painte rs Arm s

with red baize pool table. The entrance lobby is colourfully tiled. Three beers; Greene King Old Speckled Hen, Sharps Doom Bar and Goddards Wight Squirrel. Taking the no. 3 and a more direct route, I by-passed Shanklin and made for the neighbouring resort of Sandown.

Sandown is situated in the middle of Sandown Bay, with Culver Cliff to the north. A Victorian town with a wide seafront promenade, large villas, gardens and magnificent pier and grand Victorian and Edwardian hotels. I only knew of one pub from reading material of the town and didn’t know where it was, until the bus turned a corner and hurtled past it. I walked back to this mid-terrace pub and entered to find artefacts that echoed the pub’s name - the CASTLE. The bare stone walls were covered with swords and shields, suits of armour and a surprising number of dragons. A stone fireplace, leather sofas and wooden benches added to the feel. On the bar; Hydes Castle Ale, Itchen Valley Pure Gold, Otter bitter and two guests, (the Castle Ale only £2.50 a pint.)

Whilst walking back from the bus stop I had also noted another pub down a side street and exiting the Castle’s beer garden, a short stroll later I entered through the large, lawned and paved beer garden of the OLD COMICAL. This is an old, traditional pub, formerly the Commercial,

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d ht Squa c a Y l a Roy nnons 22 ca

with two rooms. The walls throughout were a combination of half panelled and fuschia washed.

The front bar/ lounge was wood and stone flagged floor, with furniture of a rustic wood style, old benches and beer barrels. The bar was wooden, battered and plain. On the walls were pictures of 2nd World War aircraft and there was a collection of bottles and jugs. Shelving contained a small selection of books. The rear games room, with darts and pool table, was bare -boarded with iron fire range and a stunning collection of porcelain plates. Interesting pub, not such an interesting beer range. Three beers; Greene King Old Speckled Hen and Golden Hen and Sharps Doom Bar. A couple of mile walk along the seafront, with a backdrop of sandy cliffs and verdant flora, brought me back into Shanklin. An early start after breakfast took me up the eastern side of the island, through Lake, Sandown and Brading, then across to Newport and north to Cowes.

Cowes, at the mouth of the Medina river, claims to be the world’s most famous yachting resort and dates back to Tudor times. It is a commercial centre with lively harbour and is home to half a dozen yacht clubs, including the Royal Yacht Squadron, a palatial manor sitting on the Parade.

The 22 golden cannons to the front of the club were being primed ready to signal the start of a race.

dron

Isle of Wight - continued

Griffin maz e

l front bar Old Comica

A walk up Bath Road brought me to the High Street, a narrow, part pedestrianised thoroughfare. As the sun was almost over the yardarm, (12.00pm,) beer was on the agenda. As I slowly sauntered along the High Street I found the Sun Inn, on the corner of Watchouse Lane, then, in a clutch, the Fountain, Vectis Tavern and Pier View Inn, shortly after, the Anchor Inn, behind which is the Painters Arms and 20 yards up Shooters Hill, the Cowes Ale House. For no particular reason I choose the PIER VIEW INN. This is an old, towered, street corner pub with wood being the order of the day; bare floorboards, wooden furniture, huge barrels and tall stools and old wooden bar. Photos and pictures of a nautical theme, yachts and sailing boats adorned the walls. Not the greatest of beer choices with Sharps Doom Bar, Fullers London Pride and Jennings Cocky Blonde. From Cowes we passed by Osborne House, through the villages of Wootton and Fishbourne, Quarr Abbey and entered the town of Ryde.

Pier V iew

arteries. There are a number of pubs on these two streets, including a Wetherspoons, S. Fowler & Co, but after walking to the top and back down I settled in the KING LUD opposite the pier. This is a narrow, black & white timbered, mock Tudor inn. It has one large room, with slightly faded dĂŠcor, a stone fireplace and daffodil-coloured walls. Seating is a combination of padded benches and wooden chairs. Three beers on; Gales HSB, Skinners Cornish Knocker and Yates Golden Bitter. So concludes my tour of the Isle of Wight.

A fine selection of pubs, inns and taverns of varying styles and periods, but, to my mind, unfortunately not complemented by the varieties of beers.

Although not the main town of the island it is the biggest, with a population of 30,000. A true seaside resort with many entertainments for the holidaymaker; putting green, ice rink, ten pin bowling etc. It also has many elegant Georgian and Victorian buildings, especially on the main streets leading from the sea up into the town, Union Street and High Street being the main

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Leeds University Union Real Ale, Cider & Perry Society

Cider Society

An ever-present face on the Yorkshire Beer scene, there aren’t many out there who do more to spread the word of great ale and cider. You may know him as David Litten, we know him as “Bloke from Hull.”

Many moons ago (well mid-April) I received an e-mail message from Alessandro, the new Secretary of the Leeds University Union Real Ale Cider & Perry Society. We had previously met briefly in the Reliance at a gathering for Katie Marriot prior to her departure to northern lands.

He told me that as part of the group’s mission they would like to provide more cider related events in the next year, starting from a “basics” of cider and perry to be hosted in the Union in October to fit in with CAMRA’s cider month activities. The intention was to follow this up in the second term with a visit to the Pure North Cider House.

He said “It would be a great pleasure to have you as the speaker of the night, telling us more about cider and perry and leading a tasting session”. Well, flattery will get you everywhere, even though I have never done anything like this before, I agreed. I enlisted the help of Nicola and

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Richard from Craft Cider who just happened to be available for the chosen evening of October 24th. Nicola liaised with Alessandro re the ciders for the tasting session and he also got the University jungle drums up and running to generate interest.

And so the evening eventually arrived and we met in the Old Bar in the Students Union. What an impressive place, I can remember my days drinking rotten old stuff from rubbish plastic drinking vessels in Spartan drinking areas designed for damage limitation. Things have certainly changed. The bar has a pleasant atmosphere, sofas, 7 real ales and a couple of real ciders at good prices. The Old Bar is also open access to the public so I feel a pub crawl around the area coming on.

Having supped a couple of liquid measures of Dutch courage we made our way to meet the students. A roomful (well - around twenty) awaited us. I went first and explained what real cider and perry are according to the current CAMRA definition and why CAMRA supports these traditional products. I also informed the attendees about the Leeds branch of CAMRA and how they

could use the internet to discover where pubs selling real cider could be found via the CAMRA website using the “Cider Pubs near you” section. Following a ripple of applause I then handed over to Nicola and Richard for the tasting section.

The Royal Hotel Station Street, Pudsey LS28 8PR

They began with Burrow Hill Dry cider, a complex 6.0% ABV cider with a fruit finish, good enough to grace any dinner table. This was followed by Westcroft Janet’s Jungle Juice. At 6% ABV this refreshing, medium body thirst quencher got the students going.

Next, was Crossman’s medium dry at 6.0% ABV– a delightful example of a traditional smooth “all-round” cider, being fruity with a slight sweet finish.

Located next to the old Greenside train As the interest and conversation grew, station with a bus stop right outside, this Snails Bank Tumble down Apple Medium CAMRA listed Heritage Pub can serve you a (5.2%ABV) was tasted, a more challenging wide range of both cask ale, continental lagers drink but moreish. The classy easy drinking, on draught and a huge selection of bottled blended Olivers perry (6.5% ABV) was next beers from around the world. with its rich feel and intensity. Yummy indeed.

The clock was sadly against us and it was soon time to bring the session to a close.

Enthusiasm abounded and several people bought some carry-outs. All that was left was to take a team photo and say “thank you” to everyone for attending. Unanimously, the cider of the night was Westcroft Janet’s Jungle Juice – a good choice.

My thanks go to Allesandro for organising the event to spread the word about “Real Cider” and to Nicola and Richard for their expertise in leading the tasting.

A full menu available every Sunday including a traditional roast.

General knowledge quiz every Thursday with a £50 bar tab prize.

Live music every Saturday Function room with private bar available for hire

Wassail!

David Litten (CAMRA's Yorkshire Regional Cider Co-ordinator)

For bookings call: 07923 383 282 thenewroyalhotelpudsey

@alehousepubco 21

Branch Contacts Committee members Chairman: Mike Hampshire 07763274454 Branch Contact: Nigel Halton BranchContact@leeds-camra.com Chairman: Mike Hampshire Chairman@leeds-camra.com Festival Organiser: David Dixon BeerFestivals@leeds-camra.com Locale Coordinator: Steve Staindale Locale@leeds-camra.com Membership Secretary: Mike Hampshire Membership@leeds-camra.com Newsletter Editor: Tony Coltman Newsletter@leeds-camra.com Press and Publicity Officer: Sam Parker Publicity@leeds-camra.com Pub Database Holder: David Ansley WhatPub@leeds-camra.com Pub Preservation: Sam Parker PubPreservation@leeds-camra.com Public Transport Officer: Philip Mullen PublicTransport@leeds-camra.com Secretary: Warren Yabsley Secretary@leeds-camra.com Social Secretary: Charlie Cavaye 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

22

LEEDS CAMRA

The Regent

he Pub of t Season Autumn 2014!

Two permanent ales: Leeds Pale, Tetley Bitter plus FIVE rotating 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 £9.00 We are open Mon-Wed 12noon-11pm Thurs-Sat 12noon-midnight, Sun 11am -11.30pm Quiz nights: Monday – General Knowledge Tuesday – Music Thursday – Entertainment 15/17 Regent Street, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 4PE Tel: 0113 2939395 Email: 6233unit@spiritpubcompany.com

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The Leeds Branch of CAMRA regularly recognises achievements by breweries and licensed premises in the district which are worthy of special mention.

The most improved pub award is a slightly unfortunately named award. The winner of this award hasn’t necessarily been a bad pub, it’s just our way of recognising a special effort or change that has taken place. Whilst we don’t always see the need to present the award, sometimes, as this time, two worthy winners come along at the same time.

Woodies Craft Ale House, Headingley and the Wetherspoons, Leeds Station shared the award this time. Woodies for the new refurb and expansion in its ale offer and the station for it’s continued commitment to serving real ale.

Congratulations to the both of them.

“Just as Chapel Allerton has retained its village atmosphere it has also retained many of its old pubs. And they still have a place in the heart of the community.”

So wrote Barrie Pepper when asked about The Regent, Chapel Allerton, which scooped up our

Pub of the Season award. After narrowly missing out on two previous occasions, Pub general manager Barry McMillan was handed the award by branch treasurer Keith Sunderland. Pub regulars cited quality of the ales kept by Barry and his staff and also the warm friendly feel of the pub.

Two awards to mention just outside of our region. First off the Brown Cow in Keighley which was a runner up in the regional pub of the year competition and the Kelham Island Tavern which won the Yorkshire regional heat for the Pub of the Year. Congratulations to both pubs from all at Leeds CAMRA, and good luck to the Kelham Island Tavern, now in the last 16 for the National Pub of the Year competition.

I only brought a little ‘duty free’...

Where’s Warren? at the pass was the claim that it was the highest in the world.

The first part of my article about beer and cider on an overland trips between Turkey and India and Nepal and Russia appeared in the last edition. I’d got to the point where the truck had just crossed into China from Kyrgyzstan.

Beer in China is very sweet and low in alcohol with 2.8-3.5% the norm (£0.30-0.50). The one exception was Xinjiang (4.3%) but this was only available in the far west around Kashgar. Beer mainly comes in glass bottles, often 620 ml, which are unsuitable for the truck’s fridge.

However, we found a suitable number of cans.

In western China, the small shops often keep beer and soft drinks together in chest freezers. In some cities they were ineffective, while in others the drinks were almost frozen. In a large supermarket I found some dark beers including Sinkiang plus, in a smaller shop, Stout Beer from Yellow River brewery (£1.00; dark beers generally being more expensive). I was not able to store the beers in the truck’s fridge so I waited for a cold day to try them. Crossing a high pass in Tibet presented the ideal chance. Additionally, at 5,231 m/17161ft., I thought it was going to be the highest point on the trip so I was planning on a celebratory drink anyway. A couple of days later we crossed an even higher pass at 5,248 m/ 17217ft., so another beer was in order. This was an honest mistake and not just an excuse for a beer! Written on the somewhat grim toilet block

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Lhasa, Tibet’s capital, is situated at a height of around 3,500-3,650 m/11,500-12,000ft. and the Lhasa Brewery has been reported to be the highest brewery in the world. I liked the slogan on the oddly-sized 628ml bottles of Lhasa beer: “Beer from the roof of the world. At our final camp in Tibet I followed the example of our guides in Kyrgyrstan and dammed the river to cool my last couple of beers, then sampled the Stout Beer, which was delicious with tastes of vanilla and burnt toffee that went down well with others who had a sip. The breweries behind all four beers mentioned have, in variable proportions, Carlsberg, which has a very large “behind the scenes” presence in the west of the country, as a major shareholder. Where I mention the multi-nationals, it is not meant to be derogatory but to highlight the extent of their international businesses.

Next was Nepal, a vastly different country in terms of culture and scenery. I walked 16 km/10 miles back to the Tibet border the next day to absorb the local lifestyle then caught a packed local bus to where we were staying. A man also got off with a large sack of beer from Tibet to supply the local shops/bars. It was a fair bit cheaper than Nepalese beer (£1.10-£1.50 for 650 ml bottle) anywhere in the country so I presumed the tax was a lot higher in Nepal. I much preferred the local beer, however, because it was stronger, less gassy and bitterer. Typical strengths were 5-7% with names labels and wording aimed very much at the male market, though I’ve read that electronic advertising is banned. Mount Everest (Everest and Golden

Warren continues his trip through China, Nepal and India Tiger), Chaudhary Group (Nepal Ice) and Himalayan (Iceberg, Commando and Kathmandu) are the three main Nepalese breweries. I found it amusing that Everest labels still state “Special Limited Edition”, 10 years after it was first launched.

Apples ready for sorting near Manali, India On my previous visit I trekked the three-week mountainous Annapurna Circuit where the beer price went up by about 10p each day the higher you got because goods were carried by mules or if awkwardly shaped, such as a wardrobe, by men. The locals, however, preferred the milletbased spirit of rakshi. After the summit (5,416 m/17,769ft.), in the area around Marpha homemade cider was available in the local “teahouses” (very simple B & B accommodation) and it was some of the best I’ve ever had. The taste varied with each place and one cider was almost liqueur-like; tasty apple brandy was also available. I would like to have bought more cider than I did but it had to carried for many miles. As it was winter piles of apples were stored just inside the building entrances and naturally kept just above freezing point during the day and a little below at night. I was surprised that apples grew at 2,650 m/8,700 ft because of the temperature but further down the valley at Tatopani, where oranges were grown, it was like a summer’s day and it wasn’t anywhere near the -30oC (with wind-chill) at the summit.

Throughout India state law strongly affects beer availability and price (typically £1.00-£1.30 for 650 ml bottle) with bottles often labelled “Not for sale in XXX state”. Labels also have on them the slightly curiously worded “Consumption of liquor is injurious to health”. Due to how tax is applied spirits are very popular and strong beers (commonly 7.5-8%) have a much greater market share than standard ones (around 5%); Beer is too expensive for many people. Kingfisher is both the dominant standard (white label) and strong (red label) brand with other beers widely available in certain areas whilst many were specific to one or two states.

Kingfisher along with Kalyani Black Label, Zingaro and Bullet are part of United Breweries Group’s portfolio giving it approximately 50% of the market share. The Chairman of the company, Vijay Mallya, who owns a substantial share of Formula 1’s Force India team, was the largest shareholder of the brewery but it is now Heineken. Many other international breweries have entered the market in the last 15 years, largely through acquisitions, as in many quicklydeveloping nations with SABMiller (Haywards 5000, Haywards Black [a stout], Royal Challenge, Knock Out, Fosters, etc.) having approximately 25% of the country’s market share and smaller amounts taken by Carlsberg and Anheuser-Busch Inbev.

Mohan Meakin (Meakins 10000, Black Knight Super Strong, etc.) is a long established Indian brewery but according to a few reports seems to be in financial difficulty. Similar branding to that which is common in Nepal permeates the country. However, in some large cities, new stylish, modern bars are brewing their own beers aimed at the growing middle class, as I was first told by Bloke from Hull (David Litten). Delhi is a prime example but the bars are primarily situated in the southern suburbs and unfortunately time did not permit me to visit when I was in the city.

In Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), Oly Bar is a longestablished institution where the air is smoky, women are not allowed in the downstairs bar and Continued overleaf >

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Where’s Warren - continued prices are dependent on whether you drink in the cheaper fan-cooled or more expensive air-conditioned rooms. As is common in many city bars service is provided by smartly dressed if somewhat gruff waiters who expect a reasonable tip.

Agra is home to the Taj Mahal but alcohol is restricted in many restaurants. A few of us went to a local eatery where you could eat on the rooftop and the owner agreed to get some beer in from the off-licence but he had to carry it concealed it under his top. A similar story applied to Jaisalmer in Rajasthan state.

Before going on a boat to tour the ‘backwaters’ of Kerala state we visited an off-licence; a metalbarred window down a ginnel littered with broken glass, where bottles were wrapped in paper bags. Surprisingly, given the covertness of sales, this was one of the cheapest states for beer.

In Chennai (formerly Madras) I visited a local outdoor bar that was concealed behind a concrete wall where sachets of cold water (2p) were used as a spirit mixer. Whilst chatting to the locals they said water was used because it was much cheaper than carbonated (fizzy) mixers.

In another very local bar my range of experience was extended to include witnessing one brutal effect of severe poverty. I may be the only white person ever to have been in there given the curiosity I generated among the locals. But a few who came in and sat opposite did not even notice me as they knocked back a quarter-bottle of whisky, neat, more or less straight off. These people work long hours at menial low-paid jobs and I expect it cost nearly all their day’s wages.

For many of them what began as a release had now become a compulsion before facing another night sleeping on the streets with little chance of escape whatever use they made of their money.

Sadly, a similar situation occurs across the world and often it’s very close to our own doorstep.

Sikkim, in the north and bordering Nepal’s eastern edge, has a different feel to the Indian plains and is populated by many with Nepalese origins.

I went as far west as possible to the Buddhistprayer-flag-fringed Khecheopalri Lake. In the

28

Tongpa, alcoholic millet drink homestay where I settled for the night I drank tongpa, a traditional Nepalese and Tibetan milletbased drink served in an enclosed wooden vessel kept topped-up with boiing water. You drink it through a straw. Despite its sour, yeasty taste I quite liked it in small amounts.

Tongpa was also available in laid-back Ladakh, an area in the far north where there are many Tibetans who fled when China invaded Tibet in the 1950s. Godfather Strong (Devans Modern Brewery; less than 8%) was the main beer in these parts and one of my favourite Indian beers.

I’ve read that it’s increasing its prominence in neighbouring states and is fermented for 25 days compared to the normal 12-15 days.

Availability of Godfather lessened heading west on stunningly scenic roads to friendly Kashmir, a predominantly Muslim area. The disputed and volatile border with Pakistan is close by but the crossing point is much further south. On my previous trip we ventured into Pakistan and made

Where’s Warren - continued our way to Rawalpindi. Here our driver bought some beer for the truck fridge and the local guide accompanied him in a tuk-tuk to the off-licence.

The police spotted the beer so stopped the vehicle because alcohol sales to Muslims were banned in 1977 and said to the guide that he could go to prison for buying the beer, not seeing our driver in the corner who stated that he’d bought it, which settled the issue as nonMuslims can legally buy alcohol. Heading north along the mountain-lined, superlative Karakoram Highway a traditional music and dancing group performed for us and they had surprisingly smooth home-distilled ‘moonshine’ whisky.

Mandi, which was extremely sweet initially followed by a drier aftertaste, not dissimilar to Babycham. (That’s one word I never thought I'd see grace a CAMRA publication! –ed.) The sparkling apple wines were Santori Reserve (£3.20 for 750 ml; up to 12%) from Green Valley Cider of Shimla and Jolly Maker (£1.20 for 275 ml; less than 11.4%) from Hygeia Fruit and Vegetable Processors of Mandi. The latter had a strong apple smell and followed the same tasting pattern as the cider but not as pronounced. I was not surprised by the sweetness of the products given the amount of sugar in Indian sweets and deserts.

Whilst in Ladakh I hiked to the summit of Stok Kangri (6,120 m/20,078ft.) arriving around sunrise and, in keeping with tradition, had a drink. At that altitude there was less than 50% of the oxygen available at sea level so it was just a couple of sips of apple wine bought in Manali.

On a day walk from Manali I went through many orchards that were being harvested with the apples carried by men and women of Nepalese origin in large baskets on their back but with the weight taken by the head, the normal carrying technique in their home country. The apples were unloaded then sorted and boxed either in bare rooms of houses underneath the living quarters or under a large tarpaulin outside. One traditional village was a hive of activity with its apple sorting. Fully laden tractors or vans would take the boxes to small depots on the main road where iconic Ashok Leyland or Tata (owners of Jaguar Land Rover, Corus steel and Tetley tea) lorries would be loaded to breaking point and make the slow onward journey.

This seems an appropriate point to wind up my rambling beer and cider voyage.

The road between Manali in Himachal Pradesh (HP) and Leh, Ladakh’s capital, is regularly described as the best in the world and I can see why but I think you need a strong stomach to enjoy the exhilaration without fear of the bus (I travelled independently in the north of India hence no overland-company truck) hurtling off the road and plunging into the valley hundreds of metres below. HP is in the hills, for example Manali is situated at 2050 m/6725ft., and is apple growing country with thousands of acres devoted to commercial orchards.

The size of trees is typically between that of modern and traditional sizes found in UK orchards. Apples are an important money earner for the state with 500,000 tonnes grown annually, nearly of all which goes for eating. A couple of carbonated ciders and apple wines were available in Manali but only in a specialist off-licence. One cider was Gold Home (£1.20; up to 8%) by Gold Wine of

Two positive features were common to all the countries, the friendliness and hospitality of the people, and the small difference in the price of beer in shops, bars and eateries.

However, there was no real ale so the first thing I did on getting back to the UK was to settle down in a pub with a decent pint and think of all the absolutely fantastic times from the previous six months.

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diary dates

Appointment with Beer Leeds CAMRA holds a formal business-style meeting on the first Tuesday of every month. 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.

Thank You for Having Us! First off a big thanks to Veritas for hosting our launch of the Good Beer Guide 2015, a great evening was had by all. Thanks also to the Garden Gate, Hunslet and the Headly Verity, Leeds for hosting this month’s Open 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.

December 2014 Tue 2nd Dec Open branch committee meeting, Mr Foley’s Cask Ale House, 159 The Headrow, Leeds. 7.30pm – 9.00pm Sat 27th Dec Get the Turkey out of your system Social, The Palace, Kirkgate, Leeds. From 7.30pm

January 2015

West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service Tel: 0113 253 0241 PO Box 5, Nepshaw Lane South, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS27 0QP

Tue 6th Jan Open branch committee meeting, The West Riding, 38 Wellington Street, City Centre, Leeds. 7.30pm – 9.00pm

Feb 2015 Tues 3rd Feb Open branch committee Meeting, venue to be confirmed. Check website for details.

Tues 10th Feb City Centre Social, North Bar, New Briggate 8.00pm, Templar 9.00pm Sat 21st Feb Oakwood Social, Preston 2.00pm, Stew and Oyster 4pm

Leeds CAMRA Members' Noticeboard 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 30