Swale Ale Winter 2014 by Swale Ale

Swale Ale THE FREE MAGAZINE OF SWALE CAMRA

Favershamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Micropub Coming Soon?

A Case of Two Swale Page 18 Ales How to safeguard your local Page 24 Beer in World War I Page 35

WINTER 2014/15 1

www.thethreetunsrestaurant.co.uk Taste of Kent Awards Finalists 2014. An open log fire and warm welcome awaits you. Food prepared daily using finest local produce. Kentish real ales & ciders always on offer. The Street, Lower Halstow, Sittingbourne, Kent. ME9 7DY 01795 842840 info@thethreetunsrestaurant.co.uk

Swale Ale © Winter 2014

Editorial

Published by the Swale Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale Ltd (CAMRA). Circulation: 1500 Editorial Committee and Contributors: Les Bailey, Derek Cole, Suzanne Collins, Trevor Duncombe, Mike Harris, Gary Holness, Paul Irving, Andrew Kitney, Colin Mann, Harvey Melia, Keir Stanley, Jeff Waller. Print Liaison: Les Bailey Advertising: Gary Holness ——————————————–—— All correspondence to: Les Bailey 58 Wallers Road Faversham Kent ME13 7PL Email: swaleale@gmail.com www.camra-swale.org.uk www.issuu.com/swaleale Telephone: 01795 538824 ———————————————–— Any opinions expressed within these pages are those of the individual authors only and do not represent those of CAMRA or any of its officials.

his Christmas and New Year the editorial team have decided to ask our readers for a special request, instead of the letter to Santa. In every edition of this magazine we offer the opportunity for a response or views on articles or matters of campaigning and we have been disappointed thus far with the trickle received. Membership of CAMRA is at an all time high both nationally and locally but out of 450 plus members in Swale, only two dozen attend meetings. Is there something you would like to see us doing to make us more appealing to you the drinker? Do have any views on how we should be campaigning or are you just content to receive the What’s Brewing and Wetherspoons vouchers and put your feet up.? Please let us know. However, if you want to do something, whether you are a member or not, then let us have some information on what your pub is doing. Go on to Whatpub.com, check the pub details and if you have a comment at the bottom of the pub entry you will see an ‘email the branch with comments’, please use it. If you are a member then add some beer scores to help determine whether the pub should be a contender for the Good Beer Guide. Enjoy your beer in the new year!

The existence of this publication in a particular outlet does not imply an endorsement of it by Swale CAMRA. ———————————————–— Printed by: Abbey Print, Faversham ———————————————–—— Branch Details Chairman: Paul Irving Secretary: Les Bailey Social Secretary: Doris Munday Treasurer: Les Bailey Pubs Officer: Andrew Kitney

STOP PRESS embership costs increase in January. This is good time to take advantage of the current rates, particularly for Christmas presents. Remember that life membership is excellent value and big savings can be made. If you apply before January please use the membership leaflets in pubs, as Swale Ale is promoting the new rates in this edition.

Chairman’s Chat

t’s been a busy couple of months in Swale and it was great to see so many members visiting us at the Hop Festival stand in late August. Particular thanks to all Swale and Canterbury CAMRA members who made it a success especially Gary Holness and Simon Ing who collected the beer, and were there for both days, and Gill Keay who organised the finances and paper work. Thanks are also due to Carol and Chris at The Three Tuns, Jim at the Elephant and Malcolm and Caoibhe at The Three Hats for sponsoring barrels. I’m hoping we will also get a few new members as a result of all the hard work. The summer also saw the regular, and very successful, Three Tuns Beer and Cider Festival in Lower Halstow. As always there was a great atmosphere, good food and fantastic beer (Caveman Citra was my favourite). Thanks to everyone who supported Carol and Chris. Micropubs continue to do well in Swale. The Paper Mill in Sittingbourne hosted a very enjoyable 1st Anniversary (see the article on page 20) and The Heritage held a well-attended Beer Festival in August. A new micropub is likely to open in Faversham before Christmas. But it is not only micropubs that are doing well – Wetherspoons is expanding the number of pubs in Swale with the Belle and Lion serving some very nice Kent beers and a new pub likely to go ahead in Sittingbourne. What are your views on these developments – are small and large pubs taking trade away from decent medium sized traditional pubs?

As winter approaches it is time to head inside – many of our real ale pubs have log fires – and enjoy some darker beers. I’m particularly looking forward to some Porters. I also have fondness for pumpkin beers and have managed to find some of those. Swale CAMRA events will continue with regular meetings, social events and a Christmas Pub Crawl (14th December) so please do come along. We will start at the Anchor at 12 noon and work our way up the town. As ever any ideas, views and thoughts on what the branch is doing would be welcome. In the meantime hope the build-up to Christmas isn’t too stressful!

Paul Irving

Trading Standards If you believe that you have been treated unfairly in a local pub or bar you should contact your local trading standards department. Trading Standards exist to ensure that customers are treated fairly and neither cheated nor mislead by traders. The Trading Standards organisation in Swale is entitled ‘Environmental and Consumer Protection’ and can be contacted on: Telephone 01233 898825 Email trading.standardseast@kent.gov.uk 4

Festive Winter Fayre served daily 28th November to 24th December

CHRISTMAS PARTIES Menu available on website, or telephone/email for details

BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN Contemporary Pub and Eating House: log fires, comfy arm chairs, dining room, courtyard & garden, set in Conyer which is part of the fabulous Swale walking area with the Saxon Shore Way and Swale Heritage Trail. Footpath to/from Teynham station, 20 minutes walk. Parking. Dogs & children welcome. Great Cuisine: from our light lunch menu to dining Ă la Carte with a wide selection of traditional dishes prepared by our chef from locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Awarded 5 stars for food hygiene.

Food served daily ~ see our website for times FREE HOUSE with good range of cask ale, beer, lager & wine including Adnams, Old Ale, Masterbrew & Red Top Read about us in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide www.shipinnconyer.co.uk e enquiries@shipinnconyer.co.uk TABLE BOOKINGS t 01795 520881

The Ship Inn Conyer Conyer Quay, Teynham Kent ME9 9HR 5

Winner of three local festival awards 2014 ‘Beer of the Festival’ Eastbourne Beer Festival 2014

St.Richard’s Ale joint ‘Beer of the Festival’ South Downs Beer & Cider Festival 2014

Prince of Denmark

‘Best Sussex Beer’ Sussex Beer Festival 2014

‘Time Honoured Beer - Locally Revered’ 6

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17/10/2014 16:00

Swale Brewery News Shepherd Neame Shepherd Neame’s continue to brew a range of seasonal beers: Late Red (4.5%), made with East Kent Goldings and Kentish Cascade hops and dry-hopped with the same two varieties. Mash Tun No 1 (7.4%) which was initially brewed as a trial beer on the pilot brewery. It celebrates the 100th anniversary of the installation of their venerable wooden mash tun. A final brew was made on the main plant using, of course, Mash Tun No 1. It was bottled by Hepworth’s of Horsham and is sold in 750ml embossed bottles encased in a wooden box. It was brewed with 6 different coloured malts plus at least 3 aroma hops and 30 barrels (equal to 120 firkins) will be made. It is not bottle conditioned and is available at the Brewery Shop in Faversham.

Mad Cat Their beers are certainly getting around and the fact that they are busy is why the normal email updates haven’t arrived, so it was fortuitous that while sitting in Whitstable’s new micropub ‘Handsome Sam’ Peter Meaney walked in and gave a quick update.You may have noticed that the Meaney name has virtually disappeared from the latest marketing and this reflects the concentration on using descriptive beer names. The five core beers will remain in their range for next year but the number of specials produced will increase. Currently you will be pleased to see Black Jet Stout back on the pumps and for Christmas there will be Winter Warmer at 5.2%. I asked about bottling of the stout however bottling is problematic at the moment but will be a matter for attention in 2015. One snippet of news is that Rodmersham Squash club has had 45 tubs of Mad Cat beer in the last six months, so if you wanted an excuse for New Year exercise you now have it. The branch Brewery Liaison Officer is Doris Munday.

Rudolph’s Reward (3.7%) will be available from 1st December to 31st December. Until 2013 this was brewed solely for pub-owning companies but now it will also be offered in Shepherd Neame houses. It will have a new recipe making it a true Christmas Ale with a spicy finish. And, of course there is Christmas Ale (5.0%) itself. This is a light coloured yet very full-bodied beer. The branch Brewery Liaison Officer is Bob Thompson.

Hopdaemon In October 2014 a second batch of Anzac ale was brewed and was well received in the pubs. Anzac (4.6%) is golden fruity beer with a smack of New Zealand and Australian hops, as a tribute to the fallen from the New Zealand and Australian forces during the First World War. As we write the brewery is producing their strong ale ‘Dominator’(5.1%) for the Christmas period. The branch Brewery Liaison Officer is Howard Gates. 7

THE THREE HATS T HE T HREE HAT S MILTON REGIS MI LTON REGI S

Ever changing selection of cask ales

Large Beer Garden Mobile Bar and Catering Service Available for Large Beer Garden Weddings, Christenings and Birthdays

Mobile Bar and Catering Ser vice Available for Weddings, Christenings and Birthdays

No function too big or small No Function t oo big or small

Call Malcolm on 07764 842478 Call Malcolm on 07764 842478

T hree Hats,The 93 High Street, Milton Regis,Street, Kent, ME10 2AR Three Hats, 93 High

Milton Regis, Kent, ME10 2AR

SWALE CAM RA PUB OF T HE YEAR 2013

SWALE CAMRA PUB OF THE YEAR 2014 8

Swale Pub News Badlesmere The Red Lion is hosting a number of events in December including: Friday 5th December Live Music with King Size Slim at 8pm; Friday 19th December - Red Lion Christmas Party with Live Music from Under The Wood at 9pm; and Sunday 21st December - Red Lion Grand Christmas Raffle at 5pm. Serves up to four guest ales monthly from local microbreweries. Charing The Bowl – as mentioned in our summer magazine this pub is under new ownership and we are pleased to report that the opening hours are now 12 noon until closing. These extended opening hours mean you can take the 660 bus from Faversham followed by a short walk and get home! Faversham The Bear - has appeared on the front page of a new book ‘Kent Smugglers’ Pubs’. The book has been so popular that copies are now being sold in the pub. It is good to see Bishops Finger featuring lately. The Bull - currently just selling Master Brew. The Brents - on our recent visit it was confirmed that Dark Star APA is on sale at £3.00 a pint, alongside the regular Courage beer. We were very impressed that on our visit the APA was only £2.60 a pint (special offer) which washed down real homemade soup and a cheese sandwich at an amazing £2. The Chimney Boy - has restarted featuring local bands as well as their Burger Bros restaurant. Good to see Double Stout and Christmas Ale on the pumps. The Elephant - Jim has been investing in the interior and exterior of the historic inn, a former Flint of Canterbury house, and now has new barrel tables with decorative paintwork. By the time you read this the new pub sign should be up.

The Furlong is to be Faversham’s first micropub. It opened for business temporarily over the Hop Festival weekend and proved popular, however it is yet to be fully fitted out and opened on a permanent basis. Recent news suggests that plans are being drawn up and work should be well underway before Swale Ale is printed! If all goes to plan (keep everything crossed!) it should be opened in December. Stocking mostly Kent and Sussex beers with occasional surprises from further afield. On the cider front at this time Pennypot is looking likely, either way again they will showcase local artisan suppliers. So after a long wait Faversham will at last have it’s own micropub! The Red Sails Hotel and Restaurant - opened in September and is supplied by Adnams. Marston’s – new acquisition Faversham. Press notice on Kent Online dated 13th October regarding the planning application for one of their ever popular “family focused pub and restaurants” on the former Macknade Garden Centre, Canterbury Road, Faversham. The Vaults Cask and Kitchen - has developed an active pub games community over the past five years. They now have two cribbage teams, a Tuesday night Kent doubles board team, Wednesday night mixed darts team, and a Thursday night men’s darts team. They also have a pub quiz team. The monthly quiz is run for a different charity each time. Last month it was for the combined charities that Grace (daughter, bar staff and student paramedic) ran the dirty dozen race for. 12k and 25 massive and frankly dangerous obstacles! We are all very proud of her. December’s quiz is for Faversham Christmas Lights; the pub also sponsor them and are always happy to make the brilliant volunteers that make our town so pretty a hot cuppa! Since the last issue of Swale Ale they have had around 23 different ales. Nuala is looking forward to a special ale from Mad Cat for Christmas. The Phoenix Tavern - celebrated five years of business under TeamSelves on 20 November 2014 which followed a period of closure. This pub also Page 10▶ 9

◀ Page 9 features a number of alternative groups including French Group 3rd Tuesday, Front Bar Book Club 4th Tuesday and Wool and Wine 3rd Wednesday. The Railway Hotel holds regular blues nights each Wednesday. Eastling The Carpenters Arms has booked a number of local bands during December: 6 Dec 2014 - Where’s my thing? 12 Dec 2014 - Lakota 24 Dec 2014 - Kellys Heroes Lower Halstow The Three Tuns - by the time of publication, the Three Tuns will have hosted their first winter beer festival which will feature beers from Kent and London. They are also now offering 3x 1/3 pint tasters at £3.50 with a 10p discount for CAMRA members. Finally we would like to say congratulations to Carol and Chris for winning Kent Life pub of the year. Milton Regis The Three Hats now has up to four beers on (usually three during the week) and continues to serve a good range of beer including Jail Ale, Proper Job and Bank’s Mild. Real cider is currently not served. A recent charity coffee morning raised £570 for Macmillan. Food continues to be popular with regular Friday and Saturday night ribs and steak nights.

including Thwaites Wainwright’. Wells and Young’s, Fuller’s and Wychwood beers feature heavily. The Queen Phillipa has now been converted into a bed and breakfast whilst the Rose is reported to be serving Doom Bar. Rumours are that Marstons will be opening a new pub (similar to the Jenny Wren, Sittingbourne) near Queenborough corner. The Flying Dutchman - has recently changed hands and was serving Doom Bar and Speckled Hen with a guest beer – off at the time of the visit but had been Tribute. The new landlord is keen to extend the range of beers. Rodmersham The new landlords at the Fruiterers Arms are selling up to three ales including national brands such as Otter and Doom Bar. Selling Sondes Arms - remains closed and the future uncertain. Locals are again protesting about the loss of their pub and the intention to convert into housing

Minster The Heritage – read all about how the micropub is doing after being open for almost a year on page 16.

Sheerness The Belle and Lion. It has been reported through a number of channels that Swale’s newest Wetherspoon pub is experiencing difficulties promoting and selling their real ale. This became more apparent at the national chains recent autumn beer festival where much of the ale ended up either being sold at a very reduced cost or to other pubs in the area. On a recent visit it was disappointing to see both the Kent ales were ‘coming soon’. For more information about the pub see page 28.

Oad Street The Plough and Harrow should have re-opened by the time you have read this. The new owners hope to sell Master Brew and two guest beers.

Sittingbourne Wetherspoon – new acquisition. Rumous are that Wetherspoon are aquiring the fomer magistrates court in Park Road.

Queenborough A recent branch meeting in Queenborough was well attended and gave an opportunity to visit a couple of pubs.

The Long Hop has reopened after a long period of closure. This Enterprise pub has been refurbished and will be selling up to three real ales including Master Brew and Doom Bar.

The Old House at Home had two guest beers on 10

Page 13▶

Double Stout 4.0% abv November This magniicent example of a classic double stout delivers a velvety-smooth palate of dry, burnt avours complemented by roast, cocoa and coﬀee notes.

Christmas Ale 5.0% abv November - December Grounded on a wholesome grainy malt base, this most luxuriant liquid bulges with spice and a touch of fruity ester sweetness.

Rudolph’s Reward 3.7% abv December A crisp and light, malty ale. Notes of toﬀee and refreshing, bitter hop delight the palate. A warming hoppy nish makes the ideal reward.

Amber Ale 4.5% abv January - March This is a mellow mahogany coloured ale with a fruity aroma and zesty citrus, complementing the full malty palate.

◀ Page 10 Tudor Rose was recently selling three Shepherd Neame ales including the seasonal late red and the hop festival Queen Court Harvest. The Kings Head (Chalkwell Road) has changed hands, although it is not known whether real ale is served. The Kemsley Arms – depite being an asset of community value, the Kemsley Arms is now likely to be converted into flats. The Old Court House near West Street has been brought by Wetherspoon.s The Paper Mill, meanwhile, celebrated their first anniversary (see page 20 for a full report). The New Inn - Sam Drury and Keiron Parrish took on this Shepherd Neame pub in May this year, and teamed up with the brewery for a major refurbishment project totalling £130,000. Teynham The Swan, branch members enjoyed Sam’s Halloween beer festival which featured a number of matured green hop ales, as well as some regional brews from further afield.

Beer Festivals Friday 6 - Saturday 7 February 2015 Dover Winter Real Ale Festival Maison Dieu (Town Hall) Dover. All beers 5% or over. Admission free to CAMRA members. Friday 6th 1pm to 11 pm. Saturday 10:30 am to 6pm. Friday 6 - Saturday 9 February 2015 Juddians Rugby Football Club Beer Festival. The Slade, Tonbridge, TN9 1HR, www.tjrfc.co.uk Featuring 24 real ales. Thursday 19 - 21 March 2015 Sussex CAMRA Beer Festival, Brighton Corn Exchange, BN1 1EE www.sussexbeerfestival.co.uk

For the latest news and information on pubs in the branch (and across the country) don’t forget to check www.whatpub.com regularly. This website is an excellent source of information and is updated by CAMRA volunteers. Around 95% of real ale pubs are now detailed, providing an unrivalled source of information. Nothing is infallible so if you see any errors please let your local branch know. If you are a CAMRA member remember to add your scores and comments to What Pub. Kent Pub of the Year The Windmill Sevenoaks Weald TN14 6PN Congratulations to The Windmill as it has now made it through to the judging for super regionals that is the final four in the country. Greater London Pub of the Year The Door Hinge 11 Welling High Street, DA16 1TR A fine micropub. CAMRA AGM & Members Weekend April 17 - 19 2015 Albert Hall Conference Centre North Circus Street, Nottingham NG1 5AA www.camraagm.org.uk

Branch Diary Wednesday 14 January 2015 Branch Meeting - Three Mariners, Oare Wednesday 11 February 2015 Branch Meeting at the Belle and Lion, Sheerness followed by a social at the Red Lion, Bluetown. Wednesday 11 March 2015 Branch Meeting at the Phoenix, Faversham followed by a social at the Bear, Faversham Branch meetings currently start at 8pm for approximately one hour. Additional details and maps are available on our website: www.camra-swale.org.uk 13

Real Ale and Cider Fans Hail ‘BEST-EVER’ Festival

isitors to CAMRA’s East Malling Beer and Cider Festival held on Saturday 6th September at East Malling Research, the world-famous horticultural research station, have described the event as “the best-ever”, vowing to return in future years in even greater numbers. This year’s festival, the fifth organised by local Real Ale and Cider campaigners, attracted over 1,800 visitors, enticed by the prospect of 75 different Real Ales, many brewed locally, 35 varied ciders, all from Kent producers and live music from popular local bands The Mofos and The Leigh Highwood Band. Jeff Tucker, Chairman of Maidstone and Mid-Kent CAMRA, said: “The bumper numbers at this year’s event prove what a great day out the festival is. Our free shuttle bus service from local rail stations is very popular and the glorious surroundings at East Malling Research make the

Swale CAMRA at the Great British Beer Festival

romoted by CAMRA as the World’s Largest “Pub” the Great British Beer Festival, staged for the 3rd year running at the Olympia Festival Hall near Kensington, impressed many thousands of real ale, cider and continental lager followers from all four corners of the UK and from across the waters. The festival caters for all needs, tastes and age groups. Obviously the 4000+ ales is always a plus point but to complement this there is always a good attendance from some of the long standing UK breweries (including our very own Shepherd Neame), food stalls, CAMRA merchandise, live music and bands throughout the five day extravaganza. Of course the all-important

perfect backdrop. We will be back on September 5 2015 with an even bigger and better event.” Ian Clennett, organiser of CAMRA’s East Malling Beer and Cider Festival, said: “We ordered more beers and ciders than ever before and made a few changes this year to make it easier to select and pay for them, managing to serve the final few pints right on ‘Last Orders’, which means our volunteers did a great job in keeping up with the demand from our thirsty visitors.” ‘Beer of the Festival’ as selected by a panel of Real Ale enthusiasts, was Jarl, brewed by Fyne Ales in the Argyll village of Cairndow, with T.E.A. from Hog’s Back Brewery in Tongham, Surrey as runner-up. A separate panel selected Blushing Old Wife, produced by Rough Old Wife of Old Wives Lees, Canterbury as ‘Cider of the Festival’, with Lisping Cowboy, produced by Big Tree Cider from Meopham in Kent, as runner-up. Jarl was also the fastest-selling beer as drinkers rushed to sample the winning brew. A pledge by Festival organisers to donate a sum equivalent to unused drinks tokens that were returned by visitors raised £275 for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, the national charity that provides dogs to alert deaf people to important sounds and reduce the isolation of deafness. [CM]

Champion Beer of Britain announcement is made during the Tuesday trade day. 2014 was my 10th year both as a CAMRA working volunteer and punter, once again it didn’t fail to impress. It is always one of the favourites on my beer festival calendar because of the gathering with friends and colleagues at the event. If you have yet to visit this annual festival I truly encourage you all to do so, if nothing else it will certainly be an experience. I look forward to seeing some of you at Olympia, London on 11th-15th August 2015. [AK] 15

The Heritage

t the time of print The Heritage will have been open for 11 months, since 25/01/14. Landlords Melvin and Margaret Hopper feel they have come a long way and achieved much success in that time. As you would expect there have been a few hiccups on the way but with those they have learnt a great deal. To date The Heritage has served up over 197 casks of ale with many changing on a daily basis to keep up with supply and demand. A normal week sees between 8-15 casks sold. They are fully supportive to all Kent breweries with most of their stock coming from local micros throughout the county, however they have also sold beers from other counties including Orkney, Somerset, Cornwall, Lancashire, Essex, Surrey, Sussex, Norfolk and London. Cider also proves a big hit and is very

The Heritage Locals popular – their main ones coming from either Biddenden’s (Bushels) or Dudda’s Tun but in total they have had over 19 different ciders on to date. A very popular event has been introduced for The Heritage customers, which continues to sell-out almost immediately after being advertised, is The Heritage Micropub Bus Trips. Organised by Melvin, a 25 seater mini-coach takes eager “punters” around the ever popular and growing number of micropubs in Kent, sampling all the great beers they have on offer. Three have taken place in the past 6 months and another three have already been planned for the new year. 16

The Heritage Photographs by Andrew Kitney Back in May, The Heritage hosted their first Summer beer festival showcasing over 25 Kent ales during the bank holiday weekend. This proved extremely popular and was all sold out by the last day. Another recent event was the Green Hop fortnight at the end of September. The Heritage did their bit and fully supported many Kent and Sussex breweries by supplying their Green Hop beer. They have also branched out and supplied several customers with casks of ale and ciders, and hiring out the dispensing equipment for their celebrations of weddings, birthdays and anniversaries. The Heritage have also been present with many outside events including three village/ craft/foundation fairs on the Isle of Sheppey and at which, cemented a relationship with the Sheerness Dockyard Preservation Trust. Melvin is currently negotiating on their behalf with several Kent breweries, to supply a generic ale to be sold by The Heritage as 'Dockyard Chapel Ale', with a proportion of each sale to go to the Trust. All in all it has been a very exciting year (nearly) for Swale’s only Sheppey micropub and to quote Melvin “it has been even better than we could have possibly ever imagined”. Both myself and all at Swale CAMRA would like to congratulate them both and I wish them every continued success for many years to come. [AK]

f you like Micropubs Find out more information about micropubs in Kent and around the country have a look at the micropub association website. www.micropubassociation.co.uk

Faversham’s hidden gem

The Shipwright’s Arms, Hollowshore, Faversham A 17th Century traditional creek side free house. Selling up to five real ales from Kentish brewers, and serving good food. Take a trip back in time and savour the delights of a truly traditional pub. Rated by Jamie Oliver as one of the top 100 traditional pubs in the country. Home of the Grumpy Landlord. Please check website or phone to confirm hours of opening. Tel: 01795 590088 www.theshipwrightsarmspub.co.uk Directions: At Davington School turn into Ham Road and follow the signs across the marsh.

Serving quality cask ales and ciders from both Kentish and national brewers. We also have a range of bottled Kent ales available to purchase (or drink). Check Twitter/Facebook for our themed nights and events Location

17–19 Minster Road, Sheerness. Kent ME12 3JE Tel: 01795 664000 www.facebook.com/the heritagemicropub

THE HERITAGE

Sheppey’s 1st Micro Pub

Opening Hours

Mon - Closed Tues -4-9pm (or later) Wed -4-9pm (or later) Thurs - 4-9pm (or later) Friday – 12pm-11pm Sat - 12pm-11pm Sun- 12-8pm

Proud to follow the traditional micro pub formula of no music, lager, spirits, food and TV – just good old fashioned talking.

Pop in for a pint and a chat 17

little tweaks that make them unique. We are concentrating on Cask Ales and so far, it’s going well. We’ve only been going for around 18 months so it’s difficult to say whether things will change in the future, but our ethos for a traditional, local, ecently one of our branch members was given affordable pint certainly won’t a bottle of beer from a friend who had just be changing any time soon. returned from holiday saying to him “Here’s a What are you range of beers and has any beer with a familiar name.” Upon seeing it was proved more popular than others? called Swale Ale he thought, quick call the lawyers, We have three regular beers both in bottle and infringement of copyright! But then being a kindly cask (Station Ale, Stump Cross Ale and Swale Ale) gent he thought he should taste it first before and we try and brew two seasonal beers on top of making a phone call. After tasting the beer* he that in Cask only. This summer we brewed up ‘Dale contacted members of the magazine team and told Strider’ for the first time for the Tour De France us of his discovery. As we are always in search of that came through Yorkshire in July (originally called interesting articles for the magazine we decided to ‘Sacre Bleu’ in homage to the event). It’s a triple contact the brewers of this well named ale to find hopped beer brewed with Amber Malt to balance out more about the beer and the brewery behind the strong hop flavours. It’s gone down a treat it. The brewery in question is The and we have ended up keeping Richmond Brewing Company it all summer and into Autumn. of Richmond, North Yorkshire We are considering putting it in the Swale Valley. The manager into permanent production and of the brewery is Sarah Rice bottling it too next year. Out of and when we contacted her our regular Ales they all seem she had no idea that there was to be popular with different another Swale in the UK and was people, the Station sells the best more than happy to answer our in bottles, Stump Cross sells the questions. The Brewery Photo by Richmond Brewery best in cask and Swale seems to What is the history of the be the favourite with the critics brewery, How did you name it & and wins all the awards! how did you decide on names for your beers? Have you any plans to expand or alter your A brewery has been part of the Station since products in the future? 2008; however, the business was taken over by We’ll keep developing new seasonal beers Pete Loft and Chris Wallace in April 2013. Having and if they’re good, we’ll try and add them to our worked together in brewing for over 25 years, permanent production list. We’ve not got any plans within major brewing companies, they decided to expand the brewery just yet, but who knows, to change direction and turn their dedication, one day we might need to! We’re certainly not passion and experience to a new field for them, averse to doing that in the long run, but for now we Microbrewing. The beers are named after our are happy to continue to make great beers for our surroundings – the brewery and Station sit on the local pubs and shops. banks of the River Swale so Swale Ale was a natural So now we know that not only can you read choice. Swale Ale but you can drink it as well. We would After getting started what was your vision for like to thank Sarah for all of her help in writing this the future and did it go as planned or did your plan article and we wish her and all the staff at their change? brewery best wishes for the future.You can order We aim to cater to our local area, creating beer online by visiting www.richmondbrewing.co.uk. traditional Ales that sit perfectly with the amazing

A case of two Swale Ales

North Yorkshire countryside. Unlike some other micro breweries, we don’t go in for super strength brews, or wild flavours that you only try once. We like to stick to traditional recipes with our 18

[GH]

*Readers should note that while the cask beer is Real ale the bottles are ‘sterile filtered’ and not bottle conditioned.

The Paper Mill One Year On

ere at The Paper Mill Micropub we opened our doors to the public on the 12th October 2013. A year on and many feet have passed the threshold to enjoy the excellent beers, cozy atmosphere and friendly banter. We are often asked if running The Paper Mill has exceeded our expectations, but in reality we didn’t have any, all we knew was that we wanted to serve quality beer and to create a friendly, welcoming atmosphere, the kind of place we wanted to drink in ourselves. Our love and knowledge of real ale, along with the support of fantastic customers, has helped us to achieve exactly this. Of course, our dedication doesn’t stop there. Never ending research around the country continues as we travel to beer festivals, other micropubs and breweries in search of new beers for our customers to enjoy. Our beer list consists of one permanent real

ale which is Goacher’s Mild 3.4%, one session ale, often from a local brewery, along with one or two premium or specialist ales from as far north as the Orkney Isles, to as far west as Bodmin Moor, all of which have been of very good quality and distinctively different. Over the course of the year we’ve enjoyed a number of events at The Paper Mill, including the unveiling of Hopdaemon’s Over The Top ale, celebrating the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway with a specially brewed ale from Goacher’s called Superb, successfully completing the Pump Truck challenge along with a group of our regulars for Great Ormond Street Hospital and many more. Looking towards our second year, we have a 20

The Paper Mill Photographs by Swale CAMRA number of events for you to look out for including meet the brewer nights, quarterly charity quiz nights and the ever popular beer and cheese nights. Marianne, Harvey and Simon look forward to welcoming new and old customers in joining them at The Paper Mill in the coming year. [HM]

PHOENIX TAVERN Abbey Street, Faversham

The Beating Heart of Faversham ® SIX REAL ALES Changing regularly, but always Timothy Taylor Landlord, Harvey’s Sussex and a Blond! REAL FOOD prepared freshly on the premises each day REAL ATMOSPHERE Lovely garden and open inglenook log fires REAL TRADITION - 14th century oak beamed pub Five Quality lagers and Quality Wine from Corney and Barrow, Cask and Keg Cider Dogs and children welcome Car park

Good Beer Guide 2015

'Official home of the Timothy Taylor Appreciation Society'. The country pub in the medieval town

@Phoenixfav

The Phoenix Tavern Faversham

www.thephoenixtavernfaversham.co.uk 01795591462 591 642 w w w .thephoenixt avernfaversham .co.uk - -01795 21

Pubco Reform Landmark Victory

or ten years CAMRA has been campaigning on it. Over 45,000 signed a petition calling for an end to the Great British Pub Scandal - then over 8,000 of us emailed our MPs. The vote on Tuesday 20th November was the government’s first defeat on one of their bills since the coalition formed in 2010.

What does it mean? Well it isn’t over yet. CAMRA HQ says; • The amendment only affects pub companies with over 500 pubs - so none of the family brewers will be affected. • 57% of licensees tied to the large pub companies earn less than £10,000 a year. This is not sustainable for the industry. • Having the market Rent Only Option will allow licensees to buy beer on the open market meaning they have a much greater choice and will pay less for the beer itself.

Beer Prices Survey Abandoned

t a recent branch meeting it was announced that CAMRA will no longer be collating and publishing the annual national beer price survey. The reason cited for this was the energy and effort needed to collected this data and sensitivity of price when pubs are struggling. This comes as a surprise as collection and collation of data is now easier with the introduction of What Pub and although pubs might struggling to maintain financial viability, there is clear link between price, supply and demand. Maybe we should focus our emphasis on the excessive price charged to tied pubs by pub chains and breweries. It is interesting to note that 22

• • •

Currently tied licensees pay 50-70% more for their beer than a free of tie licensee does. This amendment is a new option, it is not compulsory. If the current system is as good as BBPA (British Beer & Pub Association) claim and licensees are treated and supported so well by the pub companies, they should not have any issues with Market Rent Only, surely all licensees will simply stick to the status quo!

Toby Perkins speaking for the amendment in Parliament said: ‘I am delighted that a cross-party group of Members has tabled new clause 2. In a time of great cynicism with politics, the fact that Members of four different political parties have added their names to it shows that there are things more important than naked party political advantage. It shows that this House can work in the finest traditions of democracy in a collective voice in support of our pubs, not because there is necessarily party political gain but because it is the right thing to do. I pay tribute to all those who added their names and to everyone from any party who votes for it today’. (Hansard) How did our local MP’s vote? As expected, despite the large number of pub closures, they toed the party line and voted against the amendment. [JW] many Micropubs and free houses are selling beer at lower prices and are not suffering a decline in sales. A final thought relates to maintaining interest in selling a wide selection of different beers. Why are beers on the SIBA (Society of Independent Brewery Association) list so expensive to tied landlords? Maybe it should revert back to the Small Independent Brewers Assocation. In addtion to the national variations in pub prices, the roaming beer drinker will notice vast differences in the price of their pint in both tied and free houses thoughout Kent. Should the reduced price of transportation be reflected in a ‘local’ beer? As a member of CAMRA I am interested in LocALE and alongside freshness and supporting local breweries I would also like to see a price advantage. I am always concerned when I travel vast distances across the UK and find my ‘local’ beer at a much reduced price. We locally will continue to monitor prices. Let us know your views. [KS & JW]

THE BEAR Faversham

The Bear Inn, 3 Market Place, Faversham, Kent ME13 7AG, Tel 01795 532668

Chris & Marie Annand and staff welcome you to this historic 15th Century inn in the heart of Faversham. Immaculately kept Shepherd Neame beers Traditional home made lunches served every day Join us for our popular Quiz Night held on the last Wednesday of every month Find us on Facebook

Assets of Community Value

or many years, communities all over the country have been losing amenities and buildings which they value, such as the village shop, pub, library or parish hall. Nationally, an estimated 300 pubs and 400 local shops are closing each year. However, at the same time local community asset ownership has been growing resulting in real benefits for many. Over 200 communities have bought their village shop and others are looking to take over their pub to prevent closure. The 2011 Localism Act introduced new powers for communities in England to nominate facilities such as pubs as “assets of community value”. Where pubs are listed, this enables local authorities to “stop the clock” for up to six months and, if it’s put up for sale, to consider options for saving the pub. With 18 pubs closing every week across the UK CAMRA wants to encourage more people to get involved in listing pubs. Listing a pub can be hugely beneficial and acts as a marker that the pub is important to the local community. The fact that the community have rallied together to nominate a pub and the local authority have agreed to list it adds a further level of protection. Listed status should be considered in

Kemsley Arms, Ridham Avenue, Sittingbourne

The Chequers Inn, The Street, Doddington.

any relevant planning application, such as conversion to residential use. Successful listing may detract property developers wishing to avoid a problematic planning application. Most importantly, if the owner decides to sell the pub off, listed status will trigger a moratorium on the sale for up to six months, giving the community an opportunity to prepare a suitable alternative bid. In March, these powers enabled the first community takeover of a pub using this legislation. Listing stops the sale of pubs without the community being made aware. If the owner of a listed pub wishes to sell it they must inform the local authority. At this point a six week interim moratorium commences and the authority will notify the community. During this six week period your local community group must decide whether or not to bid for the pub. Should it wish to proceed then a full moratorium period of six months may be granted giving time to raise funds, develop a business plan and make a bid to buy the asset on the open market. To be eligible to bid the organisation will need to be a community interest group, i.e. a legally constituted organisation such as a charity, non-profit limited company, an industrial or provident society or a parish council. The group of 21 (or more) people who made the original nomination will then have two options: • work with an existing constituted organisation which means one of the above criteria; or • set up a “Non for Profit Company” limited by guarantee. During this moratorium, other local businesses and community groups can also put a bid in to buy the pub, but it cannot be sold until after the moratorium is completed. If you put your name to listing a pub you will be under no obligation to bid to buy the pub in the future.

The George Inn, The Street, Newnham. Photograph by Andrew Kitney

Swale currently have three pubs listed under this initiative: • Kemsley Arms, Ridham Avenue, Sittingbourne. • The Chequers Inn, The Street, Doddington. • The George Inn, The Street, Newnham. [AK] More information can be found at www.camra.org.uk/listyourlocal or www.swale.gov.uk/community-right-to-bid/

Remember the best way to keep your local pub alive is to support it! If you don’t like their choice of beer tell them and make a difference.

The Three Tuns Kent Beer and Music Festival

ugust Bank Holiday weekend saw the Three Tuns regular Kent Beer and Music Festival. Amongst the list of nearly 20 beers, the Caveman Citra and Gadds’ No. 5 proved particularly popular. Canterbury’s Brewers’ Itzamna packed a punch at over 9% and was a tasty chocolate porter. The music included the legendary Jumbo Gumbo, fresh from the Broadstairs and Sidmouth Folk Festival. Landlords Carol and Chris said that the festival exceeded all expectations with real ale drinkers getting through 27 firkins of beer over the three days. Drinkers also got through 360 litres of real Kent cider. Commenting, Chris and Carol said “The support of our Kentish Beer and Cider festival by CAMRA members was exceptional; we met members from branches all over Kent including many from our own Swale Branch some of whom

Chris and Carol Photograph by Swale CAMRA visited every day of the festival. As well as the real ales going down well, real cider sales also increased significantly. We would like to thank everyone for their help and support of this event; which means we can continue to run it for years to come. We are now looking forward to planning our first ever Winter Beer Festival on the 28th, 29th and 30th November”. [PI]

Come with friends, come with family, bring the children – and bring the dog! The Red Lion country pub is your ‘home from home’, providing superb homemade food, delicious real ales and inspired events throughout the year. Look no further for the perfect venue to host your Parties & Celebration Events, Business Meetings, Coffee Mornings or Weddings.

Open All Day - Family Friendly - Daily Changing Menu

Green Hop Festival Canterbury

f you were fortunate enough to be in Canterbury over the weekend of the 26th September 2014 you will no doubt have ‘stumbled’ on the Kent Green Hop Beer Festival at the Dane John Gardens. The annual fortnightly celebration being part of the Canterbury Food and Drink Festival was the only occasion and location when all (or nearly all) Kent Green Hop Beers were available in the same place at the same time. To complement the beer there was also local ciders, meads and English wines along with plenty of local Kent food produce and craft stalls in marquees across the former Roman cemetery ground. Almost every brewery in Kent produced at least one beer for the occasion. There are more than 20 breweries in the county so the choice was very impressive – more than 30 for this year. Of course they were all very different as each brewer created their own recipe with the variety of green hops. Kent Green Hop Beers are made with fresh, or green, Kentish hops – instead of using hops that have been dried as is more traditional in brewing. The beers have a characteristic fresh taste because the hops used contain many of the oils that are normally lost when hops are dried. The hops are used within 12 hours of being picked. Perennial plants, every spring hop shoots reappear and are guided by string upwards supported by their iconic hop poles and harvested at the end of the summer. As has been featured in prevous articles in Swale Ale individual hop varieties give beer bitterness and differing characteristic aroma. Traditionally hops are taken directly from field to the oast house (kiln) to be dried and then packed. More modern kiln buildings have replaced Kent’s famous oast houses. In the process of drying

The Beers Photographs by Andrew Kitney some oils which otherwise contribute towards the beer's taste and aroma are lost. The idea of Green Hop beers is that the hops are wet and therefore retain all oils and aromas in a different form, thus creating a unique and seasonal product. Brewers work closely with the hop growers to quickly havest the hops and get them into the mash tun, ideally within twelve hours. We have heard of some achieving this in only three. Obviously the hops are not dried and so a vast quantity is required for each brew. During the festival and for a few weeks after the event I had the immense pleasure of tasting a few. Gadds’ Green Hop Ale, full of grassy, spicy fresh hops, with the lemon fragrance of EKG (East Kent Goldings). Kent Brewery use more hops than most in their Green Giant IPA (6%), a bitter and aromatic brew. The Foundry Brewpub again brewed four green-hopped beers: Simply Saison (4.5%), Le Petit Belge (4.4%), Single Hopped Pale Ale (3.6%), Harvest Night (5.6%), an unusual black IPA, hopped with EKG and Challenger. Of course there were many more quality ales available from Wantsum, Goacher’s and Mad Cat to name just a few. All were wonderful in their own right. Unless you are lucky to have a landlord who stores and conditions these beers thoughout the year, (like The Swan, Teynham and The Elephant, Faversham) make a date in your diary for next year’s event. [AK] 27

Belle and Lion Sheerness

etherspoon recently opened their third pub in Swale – the Belle and Lion in Sheerness – on 22nd July 2014. The Mayor of Sheerness and the local MP visited on opening day. Named after one of the first pubs in Sheerness, this is a smart conversion of an old electrical appliances shop. The conversion has cost £1.2 million and has created around 60 jobs. The managers, Kelly and Chris Smith, previously managed the Paper Moon in Dartford – a regular entry in the Good Beer Guide. Kelly and Chris plan to bring their expertise and commitment to real ale to Sheerness. Early visits by CAMRA members have found the beer to be of good quality with two house beers usually available both produced by Kent Brewery. [PI]

The Belle and Lion Photograph by Paul Irving

The Bowl Inn Under New Ownership Open from 12pm all day, everyday This 16th Century free house is situated on top of the North Downs in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Come and enjoy our newly refurbished inn and warm yourself by the open fire. We are now serving our hearty winter menu, including steaks, braised lamb shoulder, 12 hour slow roasted pulled pork, griddled pork loin, homemade pies and many more winter warmers. Why not treat yourself to a traditional Sunday roast. Choose from succulent Roast Lamb, beef or chicken for only £9.50.

Sample some of Kent's award winning local real ales from brewery's such as Hopdaemon, Old Dairy, Gadds, Whitstable Brewery and more. Available for functions.

5 En-suite rooms (4 Star)

The Bowl Inn, Egg Hill Road, Charing, Ashford, TN27 0HG 01233 712256 bowlinncharing@outlook.com

Hop Festival 2014

aversham's Hop Festival this year was held over the weekend of 30th & 31st August which attracted around 30,000 people, down on last year's estimate of 40,000. That may well have been due to the organising committee having to change the date. Network Rail informed them that there would be engineering work which meant no trains! So the date was changed to the last weekend in August but unfortunately advertising and printing was already done with the dates for the following weekend. The Hop Festival Committee led by the new chairman David Thompson had to work very hard to publicise the change of date which most people became aware of. We ran our stall again this year in its now customary place in East Street serving ales and ciders produced locally by small independent producers. As in past years Saturday is the busiest day with sales starting from around 10am and going through to just after 5pm. Our first beer to sell

Swale Branch Beer Stall

Photograph by Swale CAMRA

out was Ramsgate Brewery Gadds’ Rye Pale Ale closely followed by Goacher's Best Dark. On the cider front first to go was Kent Cider Co. Toffee Apple cider which proved very popular. On Sunday trade was brisk due to the warm sunny weather and we finally ran out of beer at 4pm which happily coincided with the end of the festival. [GH] It is good fun networking whilst working on our stall and Gary would welcome seeing some new faces ‘drawing pints’ next year. If you fancy helping out let us know.

Enjoy your garden? But don’t enjoy the maintenance?

Then please call ‘Dave the Gardener’ on 07952031292

for all your garden maintenance needs. 29

Kent Smugglers’ Pubs

HALSGROVE TITLE INFORMATION

readers of Swale Ale. Sections are devoted to geographic areas such as ‘North Kent & Coast proportions. People‘North from As the centuries progressed smuggling grew to massive Marshes,’ every walk of life became involved in financing, transporting, hiding and marketing Foreland,’ contraband goods. It has been estimated that from 1700 to& around 1850 a quarter of‘Channel the country’s import/export trade was illegal. Smuggling flourished because the majority of people did not consider it a crime. It provided a Ports,’ life-line for those living in etc. poverty and an opportunity to get back at an unjust and unfair society. Terry Townsend’s Because of its proximity to France and its large number of suitable landing places, Kent became established as the main gateway for contraband. In many cases the local for an book makes inn became the smugglers’ centre of operations where plots were hatched, arrangements made and runs commissioned. The smugglers’ pub served as a meeting place, intriguing read for recruitment centre, secret storage facility, distribution depot and valued customer. anyone interested in This guide willby lead you to a significant number of authentic smugglers’ pubs Book review Mike Harris distributed throughout Kent. These wonderful old buildings with their low-beamed of Kent’s ceilings, flag stone floors, inglenook fire-places and secretthe hiding history places are where you can get a real feel for the desperate days of the free traders. The events which unique oldbitpubs and actually occurred during the heyday of smuggling provide us with stories every as that can be imagined. n any given lunch hourwildinas those a Kent pub, you their connection with could probably see couples or families the smuggling trade. THE AUTHOR enjoying a pleasant meal and a glassABOUT of wine or The captivating stories Retired graphic designer Terry Townsend spent most of his working life in Kent. became immersed and has written numerous a local ale. Oak beams, comfortableHearticles chairs, a in the history of the countyDorset Format: Hardback, 128 pages, 210x148mm, accompanied by scores of high quality colour for county magazines. Terry now lives in are with his wife Carol and profusely illustrated in colour throughout their cat Smudge. previous book for Halsgrove Once Upon a Pint, is a guide welcoming fireplace. It seems to reflect theHisepitome Price: £9.99 to the literary inns of Dorset and Somerset. photos of the pubs and some of the secret places ISBN: 978 0 85710 085 6 of civilized British life. Imprint: PiXZ Books where landlords would conceal their illegal bounty. Published: May 2014 It might surprise some of those For apatrons full listingthat of allthe Halsgrove titles, This is the ideal gift for the pub-loving history buff please visit our website at www.halsgrove.com pub in which they are enjoying their filet mignon au Halsgrove Publishing, Halsgrove House, Ryelands Business Park, Bagley Road, on your list… or a treat for yourself. Wellington, Somerset TA21 9PZ Tel: 01823 653777 Fax: 01823 216796 poivre and pinot noir probably wasn’t always quite www.halsgrove.com e-mail: sales@halsgrove.com so respectable. In fact, chances are that a couple of “Kent Smugglers’ Pubs” hundred years ago, that very spot was occupied by Terry Townsend a gang of murderous cutthroats. They would have PiXZ Books. £9.99 been planning their next illegal venture or dividing up the spoils of their previous one. Due to its close proximity to France and the many suitable landing places along its coast, Kent became the main gateway for contraband that soon found its way to London and beyond. According to author Terry Townsend, in most cases the local inn became the centre of operations n addition to the Good Beer for generations of smugglers. Townsend’s new Guide CAMRA pubslish a book, “Kent Smugglers’ Pubs,” presents a fascinating number of local and national history, not only of the smuggling trade, but also of books that make excelelnt the pubs that were so closely associated with the birthday and Christmas gifts. nefarious commerce. Popular titles include Britain’s What adds to the fascination is that so many Best Real Heritage Pubs, of those pubs are still in existence and – allowing LambicLand, The Bottled Beer for a few modernizations such as indoor plumbing Guide now in its eighth edition – would be easily recognized by the ghosts of any and many regiional beer guides. smuggler who might return to haunt his old place Remember another of business. excellent gift for every beer As Townsend points out, pub landlords were lover is CAMRA membership. not only complicit in the smuggling trade, they were December 2014 is an excellent frequently ringleaders, able to muster a hundred or time to take out membership more men with access to pack horses, carts and as this is just before a small established hiding places. Often well-armed and price increase. highly motivated by the potential profits of their CAMRA books can be enterprise, these gangs engaged in bloody battles brought via the national with customs officers and squads of dragoons. CAMRA website www.camra. “Kent Smugglers’ Pubs” features more than org.uk or via good book shops. thirty pubs, many of which will be familiar to Terry Townsend

Smuggling once thrived around Kent pubs

The figure of the smuggler has provided material for innumerable fictional tales of intrigue and high adventure. In reality the law-makers, who first imposed duties on exported and imported goods, unwittingly created a climate in the country for the establishment of serious organised crime. From the moment taxes were imposed they were evaded and so began the delicious deception of smuggling.

The Halsgrove Group includes DAA Halsgrove Ltd., Halsgrove Ltd. & Halstar Ltd. Registered in England & Wales Nos. 4136732, 6029724 & 6472636 at Halsgrove House, Wellington TA21 9PZ. Imprints: Halsgrove, Ryelands, Halstar, PiXZ Books & Halswood Journals. Halsgrove® is a registered trademark. Copyright© 2014

CAMRA Books

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Happy Chirstmas from all at the

Three Hats, Milton Regis

93 High Street, Milton Regis, Sittingbourne. Kent ME10 2AR For all enquiries call Malcolm on 07764 842 478 32

National Distribution for Harveys Revival

arveys Revival Ale was launched with folk band Bellowhead on Tuesday 28th October 2014. Band members Jon Boden, John Spiers, Andy Mellon and Brendan Kelly took part in the festivities, held in front of the historic brewery. The band then helped with delivering Revival Ale around Lewes on the breweries own horse drawn dray cart. The band visited the brewery on Tuesday 14th October to participate in the first brew of Revival Ale. The beer was ready for delivery at the start of November. It will also be available in bottles via the Harveys webshop. Harveys Sales and Marketing Manager Bob Trimm commented: ‘There is a long and established

connection between beer and folk music and specifically with Harveys in the Sussex area. We’re delighted to be able to link up with Bellowhead to provide not just great beer, but a fantastic reason to go to pubs’. Revival also marks a milestone in Harveys 224 year history. Previously, the draught beers have been restricted to distribution within an 80 mile radius of the brewery, the quality of their beers and their general unavailability meaning there was much untapped demand throughout the country. Revival is the first draught Harveys beer that will be on extended distribution via selected national wholesalers. I hope to drink some....... [KS]

FINE ALES FROM THE GARDEN OF ENGLAND Brewed using the finest malt and hops in a range of scrumptious beers including Red Top Best Bitter. You won’t want any udder bitter!

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Strong Beer

Beer in WW1 G

reetings gentle reader. This time you find Obadiah in reflective mood. I have been reading much about 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War and this got me thinking about what part beer played in the lives of soldiers on the Western Front. There are lots of references on the internet however I thought that these recollections by a soldier called Frank Richards who experienced the Christmas truce of 1914 summed up the simple camaraderie shown by opposing soldiers which demonstrated that even enemies can come together over a beer. ‘The German Company-Commander asked Buffalo Bill (The Company Commander) if he would accept a couple of barrels of beer and assured him that they would not make his men drunk. They had plenty of it in the brewery. He accepted the offer with thanks and a couple of their men rolled the barrels over and we took them into our trench. The German officer sent one of his men back to the trench, who appeared shortly after carrying a tray with bottles and glasses on it. Officers of both sides clinked glasses and drunk one another's health. Buffalo Bill had presented them with a plum pudding just before. The officers came to an understanding that the unofficial truce would end at midnight. At dusk we went back to our respective trenches....The two barrels of beer were drunk, and the German officer was right: if it was possible for a man to have drunk the two barrels himself he would have bursted before he had got drunk. French beer was rotten stuff.’ [Christmas in the Trenches, 1914," EyeWitness to History, www. eyewitnesstohistory.com (2006).] I also decided to re-visit some of the poetry that I learnt as a schoolboy. Whilst reading some of the better known poems such as Dulce et Decorum Est, by Wilfred Owen and The Soldier, by Rupert Brooke I came across one that I had not read before. Its title was Strong Beer by Robert Graves and I will leave you with it.

Obadiah Spillage

“What do you think The bravest drink Under the sky?” “Strong beer,” said I. “There’s a place for everything, Everything, anything, There’s a place for everything Where it ought to be: For a chicken, the hen’s wing; For poison, the bee’s sting; For almond-blossom, Spring; A beerhouse for me.” “There’s a prize for every one Every one, any one, There’s a prize for every one, Whoever he may be: Crags for the mountaineer, Flags for the Fusilier, For English poets, beer! Strong beer for me!” “Tell us, now, how and when We may find the bravest men?” “A sure test, an easy test: Those that drink beer are the best, Brown beer strongly brewed, English drink and English food.” Oh, never choose as Gideon chose By the cold well, but rather those Who look on beer when it is brown, Smack their lips and gulp it down. Leave the lads who tamely drink With Gideon by the water brink, But search the benches of the Plough, The Tun, the Sun, the Spotted Cow, For jolly rascal lads who pray, Pewter in hand, at close of day, “Teach me to live that I may fear The grave as little as my beer.” This item is from The First World War Poetry Digital Archive, University of Oxford www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ww1lit © The Robert Graves Literary Estate)

Swale Mail

Real Ale in Spain at Last

t was with some considerable interest that I read an advertisement in a magazine in the south of Spain for a beer tasting of Golden Pig Vintage Real Ales on 18th October. I had at this point been in Spain for seven weeks surviving on a diet of wine and brandy and the advert in question really appealed to me. Beer drinking in Spain has always in the past been more like an obstacle course for me and I have rarely been able to even swallow a pint due to the excess of gas, absence of hops and the distinct lack of flavour. There are exceptions to everything in life and I do find the Victoria beers from Malaga acceptable. I also discovered a bottled beer in the local supermarket called “Voll Damm” Doble Malta, which I trust even the non linguist can translate, to be absolutely super, weighing in at 7.2% with a generous quantity of malt yet coming up light in colour and costing around £1 per pint. However these were exceptions to the rule as most of the beers are distinctively bad news from my viewpoint. So on the 18th October I went along to the tasting in a bar in Nerja in the south of Spain. Upon arrival I was disappointed that the real ale, Golden Pig, was only available in bottles as I had been having visions of a pint with a lovely frothy head on it for days in advance. I was however pleasantly surprised with the product offering. It had a good, pleasant, distinctive flavour and a really superb regusto - after taste. The brewer’s name is Peter Wallbridge, a young, articulate and presentable man who hails from Bournemouth and who was weaned on his local Ringwood Brewery beers. He is actually a professional oenologist who has travelled the world making wine. I asked Peter initially what market he was aiming at given that the beer is brewed at 4.3% and that Spanish beer rarely falls below 5%. His reply was that it a “session beer” - not exactly my favourite expression!! The target market is the British expat of whom there are thousands in Spain. It crossed my mind that it could also be used as an instant cure for home sickness for the British

Peter Wallbridge and I Photographs by Trevor Duncombe holidaymaker on an extended break. The beer is brewed in an established brewery which has a history of real ale brewing, therefore limiting Peter’s initial capital outlay. Peter is using Fuggles hops in the main but Goldings were also mentioned. He plans to use “Key Keg” 30 litre plasic containers for the draught beer which he assures me stops the carbon dioxide getting into the beer. The water used in the brewing process is subjected to additional salt and gypsum in order to replicate the British flavour. The beer is conditioned for six weeks giving it a slightly better head retention. Peter intends in the fullness of time to introduce a stronger darker ale but he seemed well happy with his Golden Pig which he suggested tasted like a combination of Boondoggle (Ringwood) and Timothy Taylor’s Landlord. I wish Peter all the best and trust that Swale Ale readers will look out for his beers in Spain. Although he has a captive market I have seen so many real ale brewers fail in the past from not having a commercially viable business plan. To find out more information the website is www.vintagepigrealales.com. Trevor Duncombe

If you would like to write to or contribute for Swale Ale please contact swaleale@googlemail.com 37

CAMRA East Kent Pub of the Year 2014

10 Real Ales & 4 Real Ciders *Time and Tide Brewing

Opening Hours Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 11am to 11:30 pm Tuesday 2:00 pm to 11:30 pm Thursday 12 noon to 11:30 pm Sunday 11:30 am to 11pm

The Grumpy Landlord on Seasonal Cheer

ow you may well expect someone of my known grumpiness to be a definite ‘Bah Humbug’ when it comes to Christmas. The truth is that I actually enjoy Christmas, but hate the commercialised lead up to it that starts in August and climaxes on Christmas Eve. We went down to Eastbourne at the beginning of October for a few days break, and imagine my reaction when we spotted that the hotel next door was fully kitted out for the ‘Tinsel and Turkey’ season, complete with ten foot tree and enough flashing lights to cover Blackpool Tower. Their only saving grace was that they had Harvey’s Best on hand pump. Being cajoled to buy ‘jolly socks, the ideal present’ in the middle of a heat wave is sure to set me off on one, and as for mince pies in September, well it just isn’t right. Give me the old fashioned Christmas that started the week before and ended on Boxing night – but I have to admit that four pint take outs of real ale are a definite improvement on the ‘Party Sevens’ of Watneys Red Barrel. Obviously being in the pub trade one would expect the average landlord to be rubbing their hands with glee and polishing up the mulled wines glasses in readiness for the festive season. The truth is that over the past few years I’ve noticed a steady decline in the office ‘do’s’ that used to be the mainstay of the Christmas period. The family get togethers still happen, but to a far lesser degree and the demand for the traditional Christmas dinner has also dropped, with people looking for more standard fare and saving the turkey for the day itself. The brewers are all hard at it of course, with ‘Xmas Ales’, ‘winter warmers’ and ‘Randy Reindeer’ suddenly appearing on their product list, with the diehard CAMRA members rushing around from pub to pub to ensure that they don’t miss a single Christmas treat. Me, I’m sticking to Goacher’s ‘Old Ale’, a fine winter ale that if over indulged in can lead to the imbiber waking up the next day to discover that he can’t remember drinking it. I well recall a certain ‘Trevor the car’ going out to have a little sleep in his car after a few pints of old ale at lunchtime, so that

he could return for a couple more in the evening – imagine his chagrin when he finally woke up just as we were calling last orders that night. This year has been pretty traumatic for us, with flood, fire, storm damage and illness making it one we would rather forget, the only thing we’ve missed is the plague of locusts, but there is still time yet. To look on the bright side, things can only improve, so here’s wishing everyone a great Christmas and a better New Year. Derek, Grumpy Landlord of the Shipwright’s Arms

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The Elephant Faversham

31 The Mall, Faversham, Kent ME13 8JN

PURVEYORS OF QUALITY Golden ALES, Mild, Bitter PORTERS AND STOUTs Award winning CAMRA pub

Opening Hours Closed Mon Tue - Fri 3-11 Sat 12-11; Sun 12-7

EST. 1952 Faversham Kent

Proper Beer in a Proper Pub Just outside the ‘Heart’ of Faversham 40