Full Measure magazine issue 121

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Issue 121 | Autumn 2012 | Free, please take one

Brown Cow Brewery www.newfullmeasure.org.uk

– Fifteen Years Old Also inside:

The Great British Beer Festival A volunteer’s diary

Liverpool A city of beer

Leeds Minster The Bishop of Ripon brews a commemorative ale

Time for a Stroll and a Pint Walks around Leeds district

Newsletter of the Leeds Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale

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Welcome! elcome to issue number 121 of New Full Measure. We hope you'll find some items of interest amongst our pages.

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In the previous edition, we raised the issue of the e-petition in opposition to the beer duty escalator which imposes an annual increase in the duty on beer of inflation plus 2%.

We're pleased to report that the target of 100,000 signatures is getting ever closer, at which point Parliament will be obliged to debate this issue. The collection of over 10,000 signatures at the Great British Beer Festival certainly helped to push the petition closer to its goal.

Even once the target is reached, we will still need your help. CAMRA is organising a mass lobby of Parliament on December 12th. If you are unable to attend, you can still help by writing to your MP asking them to pressure the Chancellor of the Exchequer into scrapping this policy which is so damaging to our pubs industry and the people whose livelihoods depend on it.

Thanks to all the contributors to NFM, whether they have written articles, worked with research behind the scenes, assisted with distribution, or simply been quietly supportive. You all know who you are, and this couldn't have happened without you.

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 2012.

NFM Towers Address: Leeds CAMRA, PO Box 215, Calverley, Pudsey, LEEDS, LS28 0BQ. Email: editor@newfullmeasure.org.uk Web: www.leeds-camra.com www.newfullmeasure.org.uk Twitter @LeedsCAMRA Subscriptions may be had at a cost of £3 for six issues by sending a cheque payable to “Leeds CAMRA” 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, or wrapped round a brick and thrown at a Branch Meeting. Contributions may be edited for reasons of space, and may be held over for future issues.

Thousands of copies distributed quarterly to pubs in Leeds and beyond.

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7th East Keswick

Beer Festival Sat 10th November 2012 A celebration of real Yorkshire ales, with the famous “Illingworth” pork pies, and other refreshments with live music.

To be held in East Keswick Village Hall,LS17 9DA, from 12 noon Situated on the 99 bus route from Leeds to Wetherby, and 923 Tadcaster to Otley service £5 entry fee includes commemorative glass, programme, & drinks token For more information and to sponsor this Festival please contact David Wort on Tel: 01937 573082 or e-mail: david.wort@virgin.net

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News

Pub, Brewery and Festival News here is no way to start this section without mentioning the Templar in Leeds City Centre. The problem is that there are so many rumours about its future. We understand that the building has been the victim of a compulsory purchase order, and has also had its listed status removed. Our pubs heritage officer, John Thornton, has been fighting planning applications for its redevelopment. The problem is that no-one is saying what they really want to do with the place.

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with a pronounced fruity, citrus hop character”.

Well done to the person who wrote the tasting notes. I couldn't have described it better myself, except possibly to add the word, delicious.

Keighley was an excellent example of how a CAMRA festival should be run. A friendly set of people, all coming together to enjoy the brewers' art. I found the new venue different, but bright and quite spacious.

Forthcoming CAMRA festivals in the Yorkshire region include:York from September 19th to 22nd.

Huddersfield from October 4th to 6th.

Wakefield from November 8th to 10th.

Rotherham from November 9th to 10th.

If you don’t mind travelling past the “Beyond Be Dragons” sign halfway through Standedge Tunnel, you could even get a train to the SIBA Great Northern Beer Festival (in association with CAMRA) October 25th to 27th in Manchester.

If you don’t know the Templar, it's a beautiful tile-fronted establishment on Templar Street. The frontage isn’t all however. The interior is well laid out too, with many points of interest for even the casual observer. More important though is the sense of community you feel when you walk through the door. It’s a real gem, a traditional pub, and it's at the heart of the city.

We’re fortunate that a hard-working team is on this case with branch stalwart Barrie Pepper (a name synonymous with Leeds CAMRA), Publicity Officer Sam Parker, the Parliamentary All-Party Save the Pub Group and numerous others being on board to keep a close eye on developments for this heritage pub. Further details as they become available.

Moving swiftly on to brewery news and we were recently lucky enough to sample ale from the latest brewery in the Leeds district (they seem to be popping up all over). Collingham Ales are starting to get around a bit and we found a couple at Keighley Beer Festival. I sampled the Artisan Choice which was described as a “Golden ale

Non-CAMRA festivals in the Leeds district:Barwick on October 20th in aid of their maypole.

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Brown Cow brewery, winner of many awards, just celebrated its fifteenth birthday. David Litten tells us the story to date.

How Old Now Brown Cow? The brewery itself is a renovated building behind the Simpson's home (the former Brown Cow Inn) and houses what has grown to be a sixbarrel plant, currently producing its maximum capacity of 17 barrels a week (612 gallons).

Much of the equipment has been purpose-built.

Unique items include the labour saving cask washer and tilting mash tun.

nbelievably, Brown Cow brewery run by Sue and Keith Simpson is now 15 years old. Do you remember 1997? Chelsea won the FA Cup, Pete Sampras was Wimbledon lawn tennis champion, Woolworth’s announced the closure of its remaining stores and after 18 years of Conservative government, Tony Blair became the youngest Prime Minister since 1812 as Labour swept back into power to the anthem of “Things can only get better”. And on the real ale front, it certainly did get better in Yorkshire as Brown Cow brewery was born in Barlow near Selby.

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Originally from the area Sue and Keith returned to live in Barlow in 1984. Having been made redundant in the early 1990s Sue found that she had time to make things instead of buying them.

Of all the things that she turned her hand to, her home brew was the best. With husband Keith passionate about “proper” beer the seeds were sown, largely encouraged by the licensee of the Chequers pub at Ledsham, where the landlord said “You brew it and I will sell it”. Sue did her homework, visited a couple of local breweries, undertook a basic training course and bought a 2.5 barrel plant. On July 17th 1997 the first beer was officially brewed and the Chequers took it.

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First-class ingredients are used – the finest quality malt from the well-respected Yorkshire maltsters Thomas Fawcett's, together with carefully selected hops from America, New Zealand, Europe and England. A complete range of beers from mild to porter is brewed and a new pale beer is generally available every couple of weeks.

Unique beers are made for events such as festivals, anniversaries and charitable events. Over 300 different beers have been produced over the years, many with unusual names. Keith must have an unwritten book in his head waiting to burst out with all of the wondrous stories relating to these unique beer names. The five core beers are equally marvellous and of these Captain Oates Mild and Mrs Simpson’s Vanilla Porter are particular favourites when they appear at festivals.

Sue is firmly in charge of brewing although she receives help with some of the labour intensive jobs. The late Bernard Lindley helped out for a couple of years until his retirement. In 2004 Keith decided that he had done enough to aid the computer revolution and took the plunge to run the business on a full time basis with Sue. Keith has only once brewed a beer and that was due to unusual circumstances. In 2005 They had agreed to brew a special beer for the Rook and Gaskill in York called “Hang ‘em High”.

Unfortunately, Sue was incapacitated due to a fall so Keith stepped into the breach to save the day.

Under strict close supervision, using a new fermenter, Keith brewed the beer which turned out rather well by all accounts.

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brown cow brewery

Today, Sue and Keith Simpson are continuously busy brewing and delivering beer and running local festivals. They are always willing to help other local brewers with such things as distribution and are always prepared to offer advice when asked.

Their fabulous beers can almost always be

found in a number of excellent local pubs including the Wheatsheaf at Burn, the George and Dragon at West Haddlesey, the Boot & Shoe at Barkston Ash, the Ferryboat at Thorganby, the Wadkin Arms at Osgodby, the Nelson Inn in Selby and the New Inn at Cliffe. Of course, Brown Cow beer is still also served at the Chequers pub, Ledsham – where it all began.

Little Valley Brewery produces an inspired range of beers brewed with 100% organic agricultural ingredients.

We carefully select only the best, tastiest organic hops and malts, all brewed with soft Yorkshire water sourced from high in the Pennines.

Little Valley is approved by the Soil Association and the Vegan Society and is also a licensee of the Fairtrade Foundation for Ginger Pale Ale. Ask for it at your Local - or Look out for our Bottled range in selected stores of Booths, Waitrose and Asda.

Tel: 01422 883888 www.littlevalleybrewery.co.uk

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Great British

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to spend a week working at the country’s biggest beer festival? Dave Ansley tells us about his time at GBBF.

Saturday Arrived at Olympia around 9am and signed in, then went down into the main hall to have a look at the area I am working in. It is good to be back at Olympia rather than Earls Court, as it is a more attractive venue with lots of natural light.

Some of the volunteers had already been here several days and the stillages for the beer and the large walk–in fridges were already in place.

Nipped back upstairs for a cup of tea and met up with some of the permanent members of our bar team who had arrived from various parts of the UK. First job of the day was to set up the cooling for the beer that will be on the front stillage - cold water runs through metal saddles which sit on top of the casks. The rest of the casks are stillaged in the walk-in fridges behind the front

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stillage. Whilst the cooling was being set up, other members of the team sorted the casks of beer that had arrived and started to get them in place.

The rest of the day involved getting the beer up on the stillages and into the fridges - there are normally a few that have not arrived by Saturday but it is always a satisfying achievement to get everything we have up and cooling by the end of the day.

Sunday Today everything starts to take shape - the first couple of casks of each beer have been vented, the bar has gone up and handpumps have been attached, the water-cooled lines that take the beer to the pumps have been put in place. At the end of the day the staff bar upstairs was open for a well-deserved drink. Known as the Volunteers’ Arms this bar has more beer than most local beer festivals.

Monday One day to go to opening - everything has to go right. The first casks of each beer have been tapped, the beer lines cleaned and everything made ready for opening. In the evening a few

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Great British Beer Festival

tish Beer Festival Diary beers were consumed in the excellent pubs around Euston Station - just down the road from our digs.

Tuesday Needed to be ready for opening of the trade session at 12 noon. Casks were connected to handpumps and beer checked to make sure it was top quality. Fairly soon it was time for doors to open and the trade customers started flooding in.

Some of the brewers of the beers we were serving attended and we got good compliments on the quality – this really makes all the hard work worthwhile.

During the afternoon was the announcement of the results of the Champion Beer of Britain competition. This year's champion was No 9 Barley Wine from Coniston Brewery in the Lake District.

Saturday Early start as today fest opened at 11am.

Beers ran out steadily through the day; at the end only had 6 or 7 left on our bar. Festival closes at 7pm to allow us all to start clearing down. The cooling equipment was stripped down and the remaining empty casks removed. Finally it was time for the staff party which is welldeserved by the hundreds of volunteers who make the festival possible.

Sunday Time to go home for me, but some will still be on site for several further days to clear the hall.

Many aches and pains, but a satisfied feeling of a job well done.

Business was fairly steady today with a surge when the general public were allowed in at 5pm.

Wednesday All seemed to go smoothly today. The first casks of some of the beers ran out, but we were always ready with the next cask to connect up and keep the beer flowing.

Thursday Today we passed through the halfway mark, only two more days to go. Some of the beers have almost gone. Quality of the beer in the Volunteers’ Arms at the end of the day was excellent and most welcome, however the 35 steps to get upstairs seem to get harder every day.

Friday Always a busy day and quite a few of the beers ran out. Tried to make sure we tidied up as we went along - means less work at the end of the festival.

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The Other S Rick Lamb takes us slightly off the beaten track. uch has been said about the pubs in the centre of Otley. It has long been a favourite place for an evening’s drink, or a full–blown crawl. Over the last few years the town's pub stock has been improved with the additions of a new free house in the Old Cock; Wetherspoons opening the Bowling Green; Market Town Taverns renovating the Three Horse Shoes as the Horse & Farrier and WharfeBank doing similarly at the Fleece. Add these to the other fine drinking establishments and little is lacking on the ale front.

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But Otley isn’t just about the centre. A short stretch of the legs and a walk over the river Wharfe will bring you to two fine pubs. From the river it’s not much more than half an hour’s walk to the further of the two (cross the bridge and continue straight up), but I suggest a more circuitous route.

After crossing the bridge, turn into Wharfemeadows Park, along the river bank, past the weir (most impressive when in full flood), and children’s playground. Turn from the river bank and leave the park through an exit at the end of a short flight of steps. Directly opposite should be a red post-box, inset into a wall.

Turn right on to the main road, Farnley Lane and head up the gentle slope for about threequarters of a mile. Look out for a triangular road sign bearing the picture of a cow and the word FARNLEY. About 200 yards past this, on the left, take the well-marked footpath across the fields (follow the yellow arrows), through a farm and along a rough lane, Copmanroyd, until you reach another main road. Turn right up the hill at a row of cottages named Westroyd for another 200 yards and you come to the ROEBUCK.

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Pubs in Otley

er Side Of The Wharfe National Inventory of Pubs, a classic two-roomed inn with a large lounge/dining area which is divided in two, but with the majority laid out for dining. There is a smaller table near the substantial, highly-varnished bar for a couple of drinkers. It is comfortably furnished with upholstered bench seats and chairs and carpeted throughout and has a homely feel about it. To the left of the entrance is a games/tap room with further seating, pool table and darts board. At the front of the pub is a small beer garden.

The Roebuck For those who don't know this pub it was the Spite. (The Spite was a unique name for a pub as far as I am aware, so why change it for a more commonplace name?) The place has a completely redesigned interior, solid stone walls and wooden floors, in the main, with stone flags around the bar.

Most of the pub is taken up by dining tables, but there are two cosy nooks with benches, buffets and armchairs for the drinker, each with its own stone fireplace and grate. Look out, near the bar, for a picture of two pubs. One is the Roebuck, with a man changing the sign to the Spite; whilst higher up is the Travellers Rest being re-named The Malice. Outside is a curved beer patio, built from creamy Yorkshire sandstone, well-provided with garden furniture. There is also a small grassed area.

A range of 6 Yorkshire beers was on offer: Copper Dragon I.P.A. and Black Gold; Black Sheep Bitter and Golden Sheep; Saltaire Blonde and Abbeydale Moonshine, the I.P.A. and Moonshine both in fine form.

Turn right out of the pub and down the hill for about a mile, passing the Wharfedale General Hospital, and you reach the YEW TREE. This is a relatively modern stone–built pub which is in the

There was a choice of 4 beers: Marstons Tetley bitter; Copper Dragon best bitter; Ilkley Mary Jane (in good order), plus one other which had just run off.

The Yew Tree From here, right down the hill and it's a tenminute walk back into Otley. For those wanting the minimum of walking, Wharfe Connexions bus 940 (hourly Monday-Saturday daytime only) and First 965 (half-hourly all the time) pass the Yew Tree. For the Roebuck, alight at the stop after Wharfedale Hospital and continue straight up the hill.

A couple of pubs, tucked out of the way, but well worth a visit!

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As regular readers will know, we at Leeds CAMRA like to give out awards for excellence.

This quarter was no exception and we at NFM managed to obtain photos on each occasion.

First, we visited the Grove Inn at Holbeck, to present them with their Pub of the Season award for Spring 2012. A great night was had by all.

Moorhouse’s Brewery of Burnley came along and gave a talk and a few tasters. As is often the case, Branch Chairman John Rowe got himself into the photo, but on this occasion it was to receive the accolade instead of presenting it.

In July we were guests at Fernandes Brewery Tap in Wakefield where we were able to present a coveted award from Leeds Beer Cider and Perry Festival for their creation, Malt Shovel Mild, voted as Joint Mild of the Festival by the visitors to this year’s event. Fernandes Brewery is part of the Ossett Brewery group, who are great supporters of CAMRA throughout West Yorkshire. We were even treated to a brief tour of the brewery itself.

Next on the list was the Old Cock at Otley, winners of the Pub of the Year award for the second year running. The pub walls are slowly filling up with plaques and certificates of excellence, so it isn't just Leeds CAMRA who think they are doing a tremendous job. If you haven't visited, I can highly recommend it, and there are plenty more excellent hostelries nearby.

In late August, we had the pleasure of a trip to the Fleece at Pudsey for the well-deserved presentation for Pub of the Season, Summer 2012. It's quite astounding that one establishment out of the many

hundreds in Leeds should be able to collect a seasonal award from the branch for the third time in just four years. Even more so when you realise that they're a bit off the beaten track at Fartown in Pudsey.

We picked an extremely auspicious day to present their Club of the Year award to the Guiseley Factory Workers Club. The club was holding a CAMRA ‘Super Regional’ meeting at the same time. About 60 delegates were in attendance as John Rowe, Branch Chairman, presented the award to Mark Royston, Factory Workers Club Trustee.

The club reached two other notable landmarks the same week. Firstly, after a delay of almost four years, the club has had new signage erected to the front and sides. Secondly, during the meeting, the club achieved the milestone of serving a beer from its 100th different Yorkshire brewery. The brewery was Yorkshire Heart and the beer, Nightlinger Stout.

Nearly 1500 different beers, from 325 different breweries, have been drunk since guest beers made an appearance late in 2003.

Congratulations to all who have featured this quarter. We look forward to the presentations of Good Beer Guide Licensee Packs to representatives of thirty hostelries to be held at the White Swan in Leeds.

Further awards to the Fox & Newt on November 6th during the branch meeting interval (Most Improved Pub), Leeds Brewery (Joint Mild of the Festival) and Chequers, Ledsham (Pub of the Season, Autumn) at dates still to be arranged. We hope to report on those in the next edition of NFM.

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Minster ale Barrie Pepper reports on a Leeds Brewery special ale.

Bishop Blesses Beer He who drinks beer sleeps well; He who sleeps well cannot sin; He who does not sin goes to heaven. he church and brewing have well-established links mainly based on the necessity in ancient days to boil water to make it potable. The monks had a good idea – if we are going to boil water we might as well make beer with it. Examine the plans of any mediaeval monastery, abbey or priory and you’ll find the brew house in a prominent position.

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Blame Henry VIII for the death of the practice in this country. As he dissolved the religious houses so were their breweries razed to the ground.

Yet Henry maintained a personal brewer and his actions saw the naissance of the modern brewing industry in Britain. The connections on mainland Europe however remain until this day. Any beer buff will tell you of the famous Trappist beers from the Low Countries and of other traditions throughout middle Europe.

the high-flying Leeds Brewery and a very limited edition went on sale at the end of last month in its five tied houses along with the church’s neighbours The Palace and the Duck and Drake along with the Templar in Vicar Lane. And, of course, it was served to those who attended the celebratory service on September 2nd.

Appropriately the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, Rt Revd John Packer, started the brew and gave it his blessing and he was one of the first to sample the brew and his own handiwork.

The Regent

Occasionally in this country a brewery looks into history or to an important event and decides, or is prompted, to brew a special beer that may well be connected with a church event.

In this way ten years ago Daleside Brewery of Harrogate brewed Ripon Jewel for Ripon Cathedral which obtained an off-licence to allow it to sell bottles of the strong ale.

Four permanent Real Ales, Deuchars IPA, Leeds Pale, Tetley Bitter and Timothy Taylor Landlord plus a rotating Guest Ale. Handpull Scrumpy now available.

Sky sports and ESPN on Two Screens Beer garden with Plasma screen and Car Park to the rear

Now Leeds Parish Church – more properly known as St Peter at Leeds – has become Leeds Minster, a change of no great import but one which allows it to play a greater part in the civic life of Leeds. So what better event for which to brew a special beer? Minster Ale is a product of

Quiz nights: Monday – General Knowledge Tuesday – Music Thursday – Entertainment

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Main meals - Two for £7.00 We are open Mon-Thurs 12noon-11pm Fri-Sat 12noon-midnight, Sun 12 noon-10.30pm

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

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12 minnlyu

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by train es fro Leeds Sta m tion!!

Based in the heritage village of Saltaire, the pub has won numerous awards: Bradford Pub of the Season Autumn 1997, Summer 2000, 2003, 2008, and this year...

Bradford CAMRA Pub of the Year 2010!

Regular beers are Taylors Landlord, Golden Best and Old Peculier 8 ever changing guest beers always on • Old Peculier now being served from the wood 3 draught ciders and 3 bottled ciders • An array of specialist bottled beers Fanny’s Ale and Cider House

63 Saltaire Road, Shipley, BD18 3JN Tel No. 01274 591419 www.fannysalehouse.com

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Warr day's

A Walk Around Calverley And Farsley

The New Inn, Farsley eer and hiking go hand in hand so what better way is there to explore a few pubs that we don’t often get to than by incorporating them into a walk? Even CAMRA’s chairman, Colin Valentine, likes to go on foot as I found out when I bumped into him on top of a mountain overlooking Ben Nevis after a five hour plod up. Thankfully, Leeds is a bit flatter, in parts anyway.

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‘Ramblers’ Leeds, Volume Two: West of Leeds’ is the book that I’ve been following but before donning my walking boots a bit of homework has been necessary to investigate what pubs there are on, or close to, the route.

My first wandering combined two walks around Farsley, Rodley and Calverley. Within sight of the route in Farsley was The New Inn on the main

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road (Town Street). I was encouraged by the sign outside that stated weekly guest ales were available and Castle Rock Diamond Reign was on the bar (this is a giveaway of when I did the walk) alongside John Smith’s Cask. I was surprised how many people were in the pub for a Sunday afternoon, I counted over 50. Maybe the regular Sunday ‘bingo’ quiz is a big draw?

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Out and about Warren Yabsley discovers that it's important to keep taking fluids on board during a day's walking.

The Old Hall Hotel, Farsley

Up the curving road, which is almost opposite, brings you to The Old Hall Hotel after just a few yards, with its traditional bar and lounge layout.

Again, a sign outside said cask ales were available. Only Wychwood Hobgoblin was available, the Mansfield Original Bitter pump clip was turned around, but it was an excellent sup.

Continuing down Town Steet, I arrived at The Fleece (not to be confused with the one at Fartown, Pudsey). This was the first Tetley’s pub purchased outside the brewer’s grounds and still serves the beer today, if the current Wolverhampton brew can be counted as the same product! The large blackboard outside also had Leeds Pale listed so it was obvious what my choice was going to be in this comfortable pub.

Returning up the main road I passed The Bay Horse and Village Wine Bar but had to continue, unfortunately, because I was conscious of time and hadn’t got far on the walk. Does anyone know if either serves real ale?

A little while later I passed through Rodley but had to bypass both The Owl and The Rodley

Continued overleaf 17

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A warm welcome from Neil and Maureen from The Junction SPBWMMER

U ER S AR WINN F THE YE O B n PU ntatio

prese mber Award 0th Septe 3 W y B a P d S Sun fter 1pm a eting. me

We supply an ever changing variety of real ales mainly sourced from local Breweries and award winning beers from Ridgeside Brewery served permanently from the wood. Served through a bank of old Melbourne pumps that have never seen a pint of Tetleys or John Smiths.

Open Fires • Friendly Atmosphere Dog friendly • Quiz Night on Wednesday • Only 2 mins from the bus and train station Opening times Monday to Thursday 2pm until 11.30pm.

Friday to Sunday 12noon until late.

Postcode: WF10 1EE

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Contact us by telephone on: 01977 278867

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Out and about - continued The ivy-clad (or something similar, I’m no green-fingered expert) Stansfield Arms is an extensive and attractive building. Although popular with diners there were many people enjoying a drink and Black Sheep Bitter, Timothy Taylor Landlord and Copper Dragon Golden Pippin were available.

The Railway, Rodley Barge because there were many pubs still to come that I wanted to visit. The lengths some people will go to for the sake of an article! I didn’t have to wait long before I got to The Railway, which is beside the canal, a five-minute walk from the centre of Rodley heading away from Leeds. It’s a quaint-looking pub that’s dog friendly and has a countryside feel inside so you wouldn’t guess it was so close to the ring-road. Four ales were available and I plumped for Greene King Morland Old Speckled Hen. In case you were wondering, I had switched to drinking halves by this point so as to be able to make somewhat coherent notes and not fall into the canal.

Onwards once again along the canal, keeping well away from the edge, brought me to the A658 on the outskirts of Apperley Bridge. I could see The George and Dragon opposite and just a few yards up the road The Stansfield Arms but I was unaware at the time that I was going to step into foreign lands, for the road is the border with Bradford! The George and Dragon is a chain dining-pub which aims to keep ankle-biters happy by way of a large playground. That said, encouraging children into pubs may well convince them to drink good beer when they’re older and be a future CAMRA member, and we need to encourage more younger members. I digress; going back to the pub, there was an area devoted to drinkers and my Black Sheep Bitter was in good form. Greene King IPA was the other beer choice.

Having survived my jaunt “abroad” I passed through the Calverley Cutting, soon arriving at The New Inn in Calverley. The interior was very pleasantly decorated and there was an old punch clock to the side of the bar. Timothy Taylor Landlord, Tetley Bitter and Tring (Hertfordshire) Ridgeway were the beers on offer.

I still had two pubs that I wanted to visit and next on the list was The Thornhill Arms, though I saw the inviting-looking Calverley Conservative Club en route through Victoria Park. Theakston Best Bitter, John Smith’s Cask, Greene King Old Speckled Hen and Caledonian Golden Sun were available on my visit to the somewhat contemporarily-decorated pub. Over 70 local businesses meet here on a monthly basis.

My final (at last) stopping point was The Calverley Arms, which was popular for dining and accommodation. The seasonal beer list provided Skinner’s Cornish Trawler on my visit along with Fuller’s Summer Ale. I retired to the pleasant garden with good views over the Aire Valley knowing my surveying mission was complete. The final leg of the journey took me past Pudsey Civic Hall, home of the Leeds Beer, Cider and Perry Festival, which I thought was quite a fitting end to the walk.

I thoroughly enjoyed the day, made even better through all nine pubs visited having ale available and without exception in very good condition.

Don’t be afraid to pop into any of the establishments if you’re in the area and help support these businesses at a time when many are closing. My rambling, in more ways than one, is complete.

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Good beer guide 2013

It’s That Time of Year! even easier to find a great real ale pub!

As if all this wasn’t enough, there’s even a file that can be linked into the most popular satellite navigation systems, and a new, up-to-date mobile phone app for Apple and Android™ compatible devices. Details for these services are available online at www.camra.org.uk/gbg.

CAMRA really is keeping up with modern technology, and it certainly saves me carrying around the bulky tome when I’m visiting outside my local area. I have used the 2012 edition’s app many times over the course of the year.

ost of our regular readers will know that September means Good Beer Guide launch time.

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The Guide is Britain’s best-selling independent guide to good beer and good pubs and currently lists over 4,500 of the country's top outlets.

There's an informative features section, with articles on pubs, beer and brewing, as well as beer festival listings from around the country, and a brewery section listing all the breweries in the UK - micro, regional and national, that brew real ale, with tasting notes for thousands of their beers written by a trained CAMRA tasting panel.

The pub reviews have been written by hundreds of members across the length and breadth of the country. All the important information you need when searching for a drinking hole is here, such as range of ales, opening times, food, beer gardens, transport links and a brief description, plus features such as open fires and pub games.

The Guide is fully revised and updated each year, and the 2013 edition includes listings for over 1,000 establishments which were not in last year and, of course, a Places Index, enabling the reader to search by town or city, making it

You can buy a copy online at £14.99 for non-members or £12 for members, both prices include postage. Most CAMRA-organised beer festivals throughout the country will be selling editions, usually at discounted rates for members. Leeds Branch members will be able to purchase their copies at the members' rate during the October branch meeting.

Another innovation for 2013 is an e-book edition of the Guide that is available on numerous platforms, including Kindle, iPad and many e-pub compatible devices. The e-book is specially formatted to ensure that all the GBG’s unique features are fully represented in the digital edition and includes a ‘jump-to’ places index and interactive web links (where supported by the e-reader device).

We’re as excited as ever about the new year’s edition. When you’re away from home and looking for a venue that is known for good quality ale, out comes the Guide. Even if you’re closer to home, and need to check the opening hours of a pub you haven’t visited for a while, just reach for the book. My copies are always well-thumbed.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m nipping out somewhere just slightly off the beaten track tonight.

Can somebody pass me my current copy of Good Beer Guide, please?

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LIVERPOOL DOCKLAND Rick Lamb takes us on a tour of the Liverpool Dockland.

LIVERPOOL DOCKLAND iverpool is a beautiful city for beers, (and much else). I have visited a goodly number of the fine pubs and inns of the city, but always during the day. As daughter Victoria and partner Simon, live across from the Anglican cathedral it was decided an evening wander around the pubs close by was in order.

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I know the docks have been rejuvenated and changed into trendy retail experiences, desirable dwellings and eating establishments, but our first port-of-call took us through the old warehouses and dock buildings, deserted factories and vacant lots. Although there were a number of small businesses, in the twilight hours the place is gloomy and a bit eerie. Having negotiated the dark, deserted streets we arrived at the BALTIC FLEET. This is down by the Kings Dock and is the home of the Wapping brewery. This two-roomed pub is shaped like a wedge of cheese. The front bar and lounge is simply furnished, with T.V. for sporting events; on the walls is displayed a collection of ships badges and sailors knots. At the rear is a smaller lounge with an assortment of unrelated furniture and wood-burning stove. At

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the end of this lounge, a couple of steps down brings you to a lower area bowed like the stern of a ship. There is an old pub sign showing that it was once a Bass house, and a series of framed Cunard posters. Half a dozen beers were on sale: four from Wapping brewery, the Summer Ale was very tasty, one from Brimstage, plus one other.

We walked back along the main dock road, and through the old streets which evoke memories of Liverpool’s industrial and maritime past, Jamaica Street and Greenland Street, until we reached our second pub, on Stanhope Street.

CAINS BREWERY TAP, (formerly the Grapes), when visited at 10.30pm was completely deserted. I mean deserted. Victoria and myself were the only signs of life, apart from a barman who was polishing glasses. He was chatty and informative and imparted much about Cains brewery. I think we probably doubled his takings for the evening. It was a great shame as it is a classic pub. One roomed, though originally two, wood predominates throughout. Enormous mirror behind the bar, with immaculately laid out selection of bottled beers on the darkly varnished wooden shelving to either side. The pub and whole brewery complex needs to be viewed from the other side of the road, where you can see how it justifies its name the ‘terracotta palace’.

Beer range was five from Cains, including bitter, Formidable Ale and my choice Raisin Ale. A hundred yards back to the aforementioned

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Greenland Street (connected to the Arctic whaling fleets), to a venue which daughter described as a bit different. We walked down this cul-desac of brick warehouses, no sign of drinking establishments that I could see, until we came to an inset pair of sliding glass doors. No signage to indicate this was the CAMP & FURNACE. The building is an old red-bricked warehouse with bare walls, roof panelled with plywood and criss-crossed with steel girders. The bar and shelving was a solid-looking pine structure. Seating consisted of a combination of sofas and armchairs and a homemade wooden bench strewn with cushions.

cent to two classic touring caravans. Down the centre were three silver birch trees, festooned with blue neon lights.

The Camp & Furnace had only been open a few weeks and had only Liverpool Craft Viking bitter on gravity, which was supplemented by Cains lager. They had a very interesting bottled beer, Brown Bear, which was brewed with birchsmoked wheat (smoked on the premises, I was told) and Wirral honey. Brewing and bottling was done by Cains, which was a handy 100 yards away. Very pleasant it was.

The Camp & Furnace is certainly a bit different. Allegedly, the owner is attempting to create an antidote to the chrome and glass modernness found everywhere. In that he has succeeded. Next time I visit he might have expanded his beer range.

The Reliance Bar & Dining Room Down the centre was a row of canteen-style table and chairs. The centrepiece was a huge brick-built open fire which could easily accommodate the wire baskets containing 3 foot long logs. Also 2 bookcases dominated the walls.

The first, approx. 15’ x 8’, contained consecutive rows of varying coloured hardback books; blue, red, brown, green and back to blue. The second, 10’ x 10’, was filled totally with orange-spined Penguin books, creating a vivid display. (A candidate for the Turner arts prize perhaps?) The place was lit throughout with bare light bulbs, dangling from wires.

Attached to the bar, through 20’ tall folding wooden doors, was a second warehouse, an entertainment venue which could probably hold 500. A huge furnace stood at the far end adja-

Fine Food & Fine Ales 17 different ales and lagers from the British Isles and Europe.

Guest British Micro brewery ales changing weekly.

Open for lunch & Supper 7 days a week

76-78 North Street, Leeds LS2 7PN

0113 295 6060 www.the-reliance.co.uk

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NEW FOR 2012

RED GOOSE ABV 4.2%

A symbol of 51 Sqn RAF. A rich, ruby, malty beer.

FIRE & BRIMSTONE ABV 3.9% Hubble, bubble, malt, hops and trouble! With a hint of chocolate on the double.

BLONDE BOMBSHELL ABV 4.0% AN AWARD WINNING PERMANENT BEER

A pale barley malt, wheat and bohemian hops makes this a delicate and refreshing fruity beer with a sweet finish.

Real Ales from: Brown Cow, Theakston, Timothy Taylor, John Smiths and now Leeds Brewery

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WHAT IS REAL CIDER? October has been designated as National Cider Month by the Campaign for Real Ale. Mick Lewis explains, for the uninitiated like myself, what the real product is about.

What is Real Cider?

AMRA is an organisation that supports and promotes real ale, cider and perry, and I presume that by now, most beer drinkers have a good idea of what real ale is. But I suspect that most drinkers, including those that drink cider, do not know what constitutes real cider, compared to the keg version. So let me try to explain.

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Cider, and I am giving you the basic version here, is the easiest drink in the world to produce.

You start with apples, crush them, squeeze out the juice and let it ferment using the fruit's own sugars and natural wild yeast. And hey presto it turns into cider. But it's not quite as simple as that, which is why CAMRA has its own definition of what we accept as being real cider. Let me start with explaining about the fizzy, keg ciders that are found in almost every pub in the UK. Most start with apple concentrate, which can be imported from almost anywhere in the world, although a lot of the UK's apples are also turned into concentrate for cider. This product is then heavily diluted with water, and then has a dose of something like sugar or corn syrup added to allow it to ferment way above the legal maximum strength of 8.5%. So it then needs to be diluted down before it can be sold, resulting in a drink with a considerable amount of water and sugar water, with consumers having no idea how much juice is actually in the final product. Then it is filtered, pasteurised and gas is added. Certainly not a naturally-produced drink.

So CAMRA obviously needs it own definition to show what we accept as real cider (and perry) compared to the mass-produced industrial drinks, and this has become even more important now that we are being swamped by a new phenomenon - cider either made or flavoured with other fruit. There is, of course, no legal definition of what cider and perry actually is. The nearest you can get to this is the duty levied by HM Revenue & Customs for various types of alcohol. For these purposes, ciders or perries made or flavoured with fruit other than apples or pears are classed as wines, and have wine duty levied on them. And anyone who thinks that these drinks are traditional ciders should certainly think again. Currently you can get ciders labelled as melon, lychee, peach and the ubiquitous tutti frutti flavour, to name just some of them.

Traditional they ain’t! CAMRA's definition for real cider and perry is fairly straightforward. It should be made from nonpasteurised apple or pear juice with no concentrate to be used. Large amounts of sugar or similar products are not to be used to ferment the juice way above its natural strength.

No added water to increase the volume of juice.

No pasteurisation to take place, no added colourings or flavourings to be used, no artificial carbonation. No micro filtration (which takes out all the yeast).

Finally, a sweetener may be added to the fully fermented drink to make it medium or sweet. It's not complicated at all, is it? We at CAMRA are trying to promote a traditional, natural drink that we are proud to support. Simples!

Thanks Mick. I shall certainly be making an effort to visit some of Leeds’s cider outlets during October. Leeds branch will be organising a cider social as well. For more details, check our website at http://www.leeds-camra.com.

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A Trip Around Harewood And Chapel Allerton

Mustard Pot

Branch Treasurer Warren Yabsley takes us on a Sunday afternoon stroll, calling at a few hostelries en route. or me Sundays are made for hiking and beer but it’s good to have a change so I visited a stately home instead, with a pint or two afterwards obviously! It was off to Harewood House and because I arrived by bus (Transdev 36 Leeds-Harrogate-Ripon) entry was half price. There’s even a cart to take you from the road entrance to the house. Anyway, this is a beer magazine so let's get back to beer: conveniently located by the bus stop is The Harewood Arms Hotel, a Sam Smith’s pub with Old Brewery Bitter available at a bargain price. This was the most sumptuous Sam’s pub that I’ve visited so far with leather-style seating and high-backed comfortable chairs by a fireplace. All too soon it was time to head back to Leeds though a stop en route at Chapel Allerton was planned.

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The area is often mentioned at meetings so I thought it would be a perfect chance to explore

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its venues since I hadn’t got much beyond The Regent previously. Just bear in mind when you’re heading home that the 36 won’t pick up from Chapel Allerton in the direction of Leeds so a MetroDay ticket may offer the best value for money for multiple operator journeys. However, all the establishments mentioned here are easily within walking distance of each other.

Furthest from Leeds on the main Harrogate Road is the large Queens Arms, now a Toby Carvery, with a bowling green behind. Like most people, I expect, I didn’t have high hopes but was pleasantly surprised. The York Yorkshire Terrier was in good condition and Leeds Pale and Banks’s Tetley Bitter were also available. A large section of the pub was devoted to drinking so there was no feeling of needing to eat.

At the top of the hill is the small and quirky Further North. The name gives away what group it belongs to (the one that includes North Bar in case you’re new to the area or reading from further afield). Two handpumps were serving

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A trip around harewood and chapel allerton Kirkstall’s Prototype No. 4 and High Wire from Magic Rock. I spent a lot of time wondering how staff reached the top tankards of locals given some were almost at ceiling level and assumed the more you frequented the bar, the more accessible your vessel.

Heading down the hill on the other side, Regent Street is soon encountered on the left and a little way along is the very busy Regent. The attractive stone building dates back to the 19th century and is decorated with a number of colourful hanging baskets. Six ales were on offer including a number from Yorkshire breweries (don't forget to show your CAMRA membership card for a 10% discount on their already competitive prices) plus a Weston’s cider.

Back to the main road and Stainbeck Lane with its triangular ending appears on the right after only a few yards. Here there are a number of bars and pubs within a minute's walk. The modernstyle Zed Bar offers WharfeBank Tether Blond whilst the attractive Mustard Pot, complete with proper beer garden, had three ales available in contemporary surroundings. An unusual feature is the small vegetable-growing area and chicken coop to the left of the garden area.

Opposite is The Manor but unfortunately no handpumps adorned the bar. Heading back to Harrogate Road, Hummingbird Bar and Kitchen is encountered. Two ales are usually available but the Copper Dragon Golden Pippin pumpclip was turned around on my visit; I had London Calling Regent, Chapel Allerton

Nag’s Head from Revolutions. Town Street is on the opposite side of Harrogate Road and here you will find The Nag’s Head. Allegedly, the original innkeepers in the late 18th century were in cahoots with highwaymen. It’s a Sam Smith’s house so love ‘em or hate ‘em you know what you’re going to get beerwise, Old Brewery Bitter at the usual low price, so you can’t complain of daylight robbery now (I promise it won’t get any cheesier!), (That's a relief. Ed).

Back on the main road is Seven, a not-for-profit arts and community centre with a glass-fronted bar area. I went for a Ridgeside brew; according to the venue’s website, this brewery always provides their guest beer. The permanent brew is Timothy Taylor Landlord. Having got accustomed to just seconds' walk between the last few venues it was a surprise to have to go a couple of minutes downhill to my final venue, The Three Hulats. Some of you may remember this as The Mexborough Arms and according to that wellknown website associated with W, Wetherspoon’s obviously, the hulats are owls and there are three of them on the arms of the Earl of Mexborough. A good selection of ales was available including a house ‘Chapel Allerton’-badged brew.

Thus concluded my convivial tour of Chapel Allerton and Harewood with a very healthy ten places that I found offering real ale and one with real cider. Be sure to pop in for a pint (or maybe halves as I did if you’re planning to visit the majority) if you’re in the vicinity. There’s venues for whatever your taste, whether you’re looking for a traditional pub, a value-for-money pint, a modern bar or somewhere you can get a good pint with your food.

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Leeds CAMRA Members' Noticeboard Do you know of anywhere that offers discounts for CAMRA members?

We, at NFM Towers, have been asked to compile a list of all pubs or clubs within the Leeds district which offer a permanent discount to CAMRA members with a view to promoting both the business and the Campaign for Real Ale. So far, we understand that the following businesses are operating a “pub discount scheme”:Brown Cow, Whitkirk • Eldon, Woodhouse • Owl, Rodley • Regent, Chapel Allerton • Station, Guiseley • Tyke Bar, City Centre, subject to membership, which is free.

If you know of other venues which we can confirm offer such a discount, or if you believe we have made an error with the ones we have named, please e-mail us at editor@newfullmeasure.org.uk or use the postal address on page 3 of this newsletter.

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

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diary dates

Appointment with Beer from 2pm. Dexter, Wigton Lane from 4pm. Bus 7S from Infirmary Street at 13:15 and 13:45.

November 2012 Tue 6th Branch Meeting. Fox & Newt. 7.30pm.

Including presentation of the Most Improved Pub award.

Tue 20th Great George Street Social. Victoria Family & Commercial from 8pm. Veritas from 9:15pm

Leeds CAMRA holds a formal business-style meeting in a closed room (one with a door, not an area of a bar) on the first Tuesday of every month. The meeting starts at 7:30pm and has an approximate finishing time of 9:30pm.

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CAMRA members are advised to check “What’s Brewing” for confirmation of meeting locations and for details of other events; alternatively call 07981 297962. 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.

September 2012 Thu 27th Briggate Alleys Crawl. Whitelocks 7.30pm, then visit Ship, White Swan, Pack Horse and Angel. Please note the early start. There’s a lot to fit in.

October 2012 Tue 2nd Branch Meeting. Ridgeside Brewery, Meanwood. 7:30pm.

Wed 17th City Centre Social. Reliance, North Street from 8pm. Templar, Templar Street from 9:15pm.

Sat 27th Shadwell Social. Red Lion, Main Street

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December 2012 Sat 1st Wetherby Social. Windmill, Main Street, Linton then Muse, Main Street, Wetherby from 4:30pm. Meet on 99 bus from Infirmary Street departing at 13:45 to arrive in Linton at 14:30.

Tue 4th Branch Meeting. Whitelocks, City Centre. 7:30pm.

Thank You for Having Us! Pack Horse at Woodhouse, Grove at Holbeck and Garden Gate at Hunslet for hosting Branch meetings, the Stick or Twist for finding space for a subcommittee meeting and Guiseley Factory Workers Club for holding the inaugural Super Regional meeting..

Don’t be a Wazzock!

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

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