SWALE ALE SPRING 2017
THE FREE MAGAZINE OF SWALE CAMRA
Pub of the Year Winners Accounced A Trip to Karneval Odder Ingredients of Beer
FESTIVAL AWARD FOR BOUTILLIERS
/s p i t f i r e a l e
w w w. s p i t f i r e a l e . c o . u k
DARK AMBER aromas
Toffee & Spice
H O P P Y, B I T T E R F I N I S H
Admiral, Goldings & First Gold Hops T H E B O T T L E O F B R I TA I N
4.2%
CHAIRMAN’S CHOW Spring seems to have finally sprung and the branch remains busy with excellent turnout at our meetings - 25 members on average. Thanks to all who attend. We continue to get out and about and have some interesting rural venues planned for the next six meetings. Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) is in July at the Black Lion. It would be great to see a good turnout and some new volunteers to become more involved in helping to run the branch. At a national level, May is Mild month so do checkout those appearing in your local!
The Paper Mill in Sittingbourne has been crowned Pub of the Year and the Admiral’s Arm in Queenborough is our Cider Pub of the Year. Congratulations to both and all our other finalists. I hope you enjoy this issue of Swale Ale and enjoy Spring!. Paul Irving
BRANCH DIARY Wed 12 April, 2017 - 8pm The Swan, Teynham
Wednesday 14th June, 2017 - 8pm The Freewheel, Graveney
Wed 10 May, 2017 - 8pm The Shipwrights Arms, Hollowshore
Wednesday 12th July, 2017 - 8pm Black Lion, Lynstead
KEEP IN TOUCH Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to be sure that you don’t miss any of the latest news, events and goings-on in Swale.
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Swale Ale © Spring 2017 Published by the Swale Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale Ltd (CAMRA). Circulation: 2,250 Editorial Committee and Contributors: Gary Holness, Paul Irving, Matt Deller, Steve Bennion, Tony Tippins, Mary Cross, Andy Kitney, James Cousins Advertising: Matt Deller 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 Twitter: @CAMRAswale Facebook: CAMRAswale 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. The existence of this publication in a particular outlet does not imply an endorsement of it by Swale CAMRA. Design & Layout: Ascent Creative Printed by: Abbey Print, Faversham Branch Details Chairman: Paul Irving Secretary: Linda Gates Social Secretary: Howard Gates Treasurer: Les Bailey Pubs Officer: James Cousins Press and Publicity Officer: Matt Deller Membership Officer: Alex Earl
SWALE BREWERY NEWS installed around them. They are highly varnished and look superb. Old windows once boarded up are now in use again and the roof is now covered with slates with wood panelling on the inside. The current seasonal beer is Kentish Saison (4.5%). This was first brewed for a Wetherspoons’ Beer Festival. It is not like a typical Belgian Saison beer and is flavoured with Elderflowers. The brewery have confirmed that Early Bird (4.3%) and Dragonfire (4.5%) will not be brewed this year.
SHEPHERD NEAME The second half of 2016 was a period of much change on the brewing side of the company. The mash tuns that dated from the beginning of the 20th Century had to be replaced as an urgent necessity as the metal was discovered to be very thin indeed. This took place throughout the autumn causing considerable disruption to the brewery.
The brewery recently hosted Dan Kopman of the Scafly Brewery in St Louis, Missouri, USA, one of the pioneers in the micro‑brewery revolution there. The odd name of the brewery comes from the surname of one of its founders. Continental IPA (6.5%) was brewed for the recent Wetherspoons’ Spring Beer Festival.
New stainless steel mash tuns are now in place with the original Burmese teak cladding
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BOUTILLIERS
MADCAT
Smoked Oatmeal Stout was recently shortlisted for the Taste of Kent Awards Kent Beer of the Year 2017.
The brewery’s first flavoured beer, Santa Paws with ginger and cinnamon has had good reviews with 30 barrels brewed.
The brewery hopes to launch a revamped online shop soon - including a monthly subscription box scheme. The shop, and the box scheme, will include all their beers, alongside other breweries that are not readily available elsewhere locally.
Ninth Life IPA (6% ABV) has been brewed as a small batch. Outrageous Pale Ale (3.9%) and Buzzwieser Honey beer will be available in the Spring. A new Pilsner style beer made with German Noble Hops will also be produced soon.
The online shop will be followed by a more permanent bottle shop at the brewery itself. This will be a permanent space, unlike their open days, and will be open throughout the week. Opening times to be confirmed.
The good news is Mild Disobedience will stay as part of the regular portfolio, Crispen Pale Ale and Crispen Amber Ale both at 4% are currently best sellers.
One year on and the brewery now operates a core range, which will be brewed regularly. These consist of Smoked Oatmeal Stout (4.4%), 90-Minute Saison (4.9%), Rye Pale Ale (4.3%) and 1848 Porter (5.0%). They are however also planning to continue to produce regular specials. Recent brews include a Kent Kölsch, Winter Berry Saison, and possibly a limited edition of Blood Orange Kölsch.
Peter and Mike are currently working on new beers and old favourites to enjoy throughout 2017.
THANKS FOR HAVING US We offer our thanks to the following for hosting our last four Branch meetings:
The Vaults, Faversham The Golden Hope, Sittingbourne The Admirals Arm, Queenborough The Brown Jug, Upchurch
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HOPDAEMON Recently reported to have brewed a Session Craft Ale at 3.8%.
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Traditional Kentish Country Inn Quality food prepared daily from the finest local produce served in a warm and friendly atmosphere . Kentish Beer & Ciders always available.
The Street, Lower Halstow, Sittingbourne, Kent. ME9 7DY 01795 842840 info@thethreetunsrestaurant.co.uk www.thethreetunsrestaurant.co.uk
CAMRA’S NEW CHAMPION MEMBERSHIP
WINTER RATES BEER OF BRITAIN
CAMRA membership rates increased on 1st April. Rates rise in line with changes to the retail price index since the last change. The most popular membership categories have increased by £1, so annual full single membership paid by direct debit will now be £25 (joint £30.50). Non direct debit prices are £2 higher to reflect the extra administration costs involved. Concession rates go up by just 50p.
CAMRA’s National Winter Ales Festival was held at the historic 16th Century Blackfriars Hall, Norwich in February.
Membership benefits include free or discounted admission to beer festivals, a monthly copy of “What’s Brewing” and a quarterly magazine. Most importantly it makes you part of Europe’s most successful consumer organisation and with that comes the ability to join in with campaigns to promote real ale.
As always, the highlight of the event was the judging for CAMRA’s Champion Winter Beer of Britain. The winner this year was Old Freddy Walker from Bristol based Moor Beer Company.
FESTIVALS & PUB EVENTS
The final judging panel said, “The judges were particularly impressed with the fantastic balance in this brew. It was a strong ale with a rich flavour perfectly balanced between chocolate, honey, dark roasts and a hint of liquorice. It is a beer to sip and enjoy – particularly as a dessert.” The Silver award went to Sulwath’s Black Galloway (4.4% ABV) while Magic Rock’s Dark Arts Stout (6% ABV) took the Bronze award. A full list of the category winners can be found on the CAMRA website. The category winners will all go forward to the main Champion Beer of Britain competition to be held at the Great British Beer Festival at Olympia in August.
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12th Planet Thanet Easter Beer Festival 14-15 April 2017
Winter Gardens, Fort Crescent, Margate, CT9 1HX
12th Bexley Beer Festival 4-6 May 2017
Old Dartfordians Sports Club, War Memorial Club House, Bourne Road, Bexley, DA5 1LW
9th CAMRA Kent & East Sussex Railway Beer & Cider Festival 16-17 June 2017
Kent & East Sussex Railway, Station Road, Tenterden, TN30 6HE
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O
SWALE PUB NEWS BRADLESMERE
ED VERSION The Red Lion has changed hands and on a recent visit had four beers on tap. In a departure from the previous owners, the majority of beers are national brands such as Greene King and London Pride.
GRAVENEY The Freewheel continues to draw in many cyclists and is offering workshops, cycle charity rides and quizzes. Serving a selection of Canterbury Ales.
HALFWAY
DODDINGTON The Chequers Inn is changing hands.
The Heritage is holding regular quiz and music nights including an extensive programme of events.
EASTCHURCH
HERNE HILL
The Wheatsheaf has re-opened.
The Red Lion has recently both changed hands and been refurbished.
The Coppice Pub is now offering a selection of Goachers Beers.
EASTLING Carpenters Arms hold a curry night on the last Saturday of each month. Regular beers are Spitfire Gold & Kent’s Best with Masterbrew as an occasional choice.
FAVERSHAM The Corner Tap has opened serving six ales including three from Whitstable. Connected to Whistable Brewery the Tap is run by one of the great friends of Swale Camra, Gary , who has been key to our successful beer festival and stalls. The Crown and Anchor faces an uncertain future following the death of the long serving landlord. The Elephant continues to serve five quality ales. Recent beers have included Dark Star Revelation and Art Of Darkness. Furlongs Ale House continues to serve a range of beers including some interesting national ones from breweries like Arbor and Marble and local ones such as Maidstone Brewing Company. The Phoenix continues to organise regular events (check the website for details) with a range of enterprise beers being served. The Vaults Cask & Kitchen offers a good selection of guest beers and live music.
HOLLOWSHORE Shipwrights Arms continues to offer an excellent beer range and is well worth the walk from Faversham.
LOWER HALSTOW The Three Tuns are stocking a house beer from Kent Brewery and continue to offer Camra discount.
LYNSTED The Black Lion sells a good range of Goacher’s Ales.
MILTON REGIS The Three Hats continues to serve up to four beers. Regular themed food evenings, including a Thai evening, are proving popular.
MILSTEAD The Red Lion remains for sale.
MINSTER The Kings Arms has re-opened serving several real ales, mainly national brands.
NEWINGTON The Bull is now serving a selection of Mad Cat beers. Continued overleaf...
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NEWNHAM
STOCKBURY
The George continues to serve a choice of Shepherd Neame beers and regular events are scheduled throughout the winter.
The Harrow is being sold by Shepherd Neame. Villagers have got together to try to buy it. They are looking for shareholders - £200 a share.
QUEENBOROUGH
TEYNHAM
The Admiral’s Arm goes from strength to strength with a Kent beer week, 15 ciders, regular quizzes and roast potatoes and cheese on Sundays.
The Dover Castle has closed and is reportedly to be turned into a bistro.
The Five Bridges serves a range of Marstons beers.
UPCHURCH
The Flying Dutchman has been tastefully refurbished with an interior designed like the inside of a galley.
The Brown Jug continues to stock Harvey’s beer and some interesting Kent guests
The Old House at Home recently featured on South East TV’s inside out in a programme exploring deadmans island off Queenborough.
The Swan continues to serve local beers.
Lots of further detail on Swale pubs can be found on www.whatpub.com. If you notice anything that is out of date or have any pub news please let us know.
The Rose continues to serve a Old Dairy.
SITTINGBOURNE The Bull has been sold to be converted into a Mexican restaurant The Foresters has reopened with three real ales. A recent visit found two Caledonians and Doom Bar. The new owners also stock some German Beers and hope to have a real cider and serve German food. The Fountain has new tenants. The Golden Hope continues to serve a good selection of local and national ales and recently took part in Weatherspoons’ Spring Beer Festival. The Paper Mill is now offering pork pies made with Goacher’s beer. A recent tap takeover preview weekend featuring Howling Hops proved popular. The Plough and Harrow at Oad Street has closed and is for sale. The Red Lion now offers up to four real ales and is serving highly regarded food.
ADVERTISE WITH SWALE ALE AND REACH OVER 2000 REAL ALE DRINKERS If you own or manage a pub, bar or restaurant and serve real ales, it’s never been easier to get your business in front of more than 2,000 people.
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The Vineyard is serving a range of national ales and now offering a Camra discount.
£70 £40 £30
The White Horse continues to serve a range of Mad Cat ales.
To book your place, email swaleale@gmail.com
The Ypres Tavern is serving two guest beers from national breweries.
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SWALE PUB OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED Our Pub of the Year for 2017 is the Paper Mill in Charlotte Street, Sittingbourne. This well-deserved award recognised the quality and variety of ale, the community focus and the support for CAMRA’s campaigns. Swale’s first Micropub, which opened in October 2013, won from over 80 Swale pubs that serve real ale. This completes a hatrick of wins for the Micropub which has recently hosted a number of brewery tap takeovers including a very popular Howling Hops preview weekend. Commenting on their success, Harvey said: “To win this prestigious award three years in a row is amazing, it’s a very proud day for us all. “Our thanks to all the CAMRA members that voted for us and the support we have had from all of our customers and regulars that have made the pub as successful as it is.” The other finalists in our local competition were The Admiral’s Arm in Queenborough, The Furlongs, Faversham, The Three Tuns in Lower Halstow, The Three Hats in Milton Regis and The Golden Hope in Sittingbourne. The Paper Mill will now go forward to battle it out in the regional heats.
CIDER PUB OF THE YEAR
Husband and wife team Chris and Rachel said: “We think it is a fantastic achievement in such a short time, we would like to thank our family and all of our friends old and new for their continued support. “We would also like to thank all of the people who worked tirelessly to help us build the pub, without whom we would not have been as successful as we have been, and hopefully will continue to be. “And we can’t forget to thank the members of Swale CAMRA for their help and support.”
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 exists 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:
The Admiral’s Arm in Queenborough has been named Swale CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year. The micropub in Trafalgar Court, opened just
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five months ago and is the Island’s second micropub.
Telephone: 01233 898825 Email: trading.standardseast@kent.gov.uk
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1977- 2017
40 years
REAL ALE & OTHER CRAFT BEER, CIDER & PERRY
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ENTERTAINMENT
GREAT BRITISH
BEER FESTIVAL 2017
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OLYMPIA LONDON
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@GBBF GreatBritishBeerFestival www.camra-swale.org.uk swaleale@gmail.com
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SWALE BEER FESTIVAL AWARD Visitors to our 40th anniversary beer festival last October were able to sample many wonderful beers, but a local brewery took the highest accolade, winning beer of the festival. Phil Dodds of Faversham based Boutilliers Brewery explains how the beer came about.
We dug around quite a few old recipes, and were struck by the fact that there was quite a range of different ingredients and approaches. We ended up using each as an inspiration rather than a definitive guide, although the final beer drew most heavily from an 1848 recipe for London Porter. We added brown malt alongside the more common black malt, which just tones down the coffee notes a little and helped to dry out the finish a little. It was hardly a revolutionary idea, but just enough of a twist to bring something a little different to the finish, which is what we’re all about really. We were blown away by the response it received - both at the festival and in bottle afterwards - so we’ve decided to make it part of our core range of beers. We’re calling it 1848 Porter rather than Ruby Anniversary Porter as that seems to make a bit more sense, but it’s the same beer. It’s available on cask now, and in cans very shortly.”
The Green, Lower Halstow, Kent. ME9 7DS Info@thegreenfarmhouse.co.uk
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www.thegreenfarmhouse.co.uk
“Given that the beer was being brewed for CAMRA’s anniversary, the idea of brewing something historical seemed to make a lot of sense. We also knew that there was an appetite amongst CAMRA members for something on the dark side.
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A SOUTH LONDON
MICROPUB TOUR
Seven establishments in one afternoon & evening Anyone who works or regularly drinks in London is all too used to paying anything from £4 - £6 for a pint of cask or keg ale, so the introduction of the much talked about Micro pub, especially in the South East of the capital is certainly a welcome sight to any real ale fan. It’s been about 18 months since I last ventured this way and in that time the number of micros have doubled (and some), so I thought it was time to re-trace my steps. For those of you that haven’t set foot in one of these popular “pint – sized” ale houses micropubs are usually one-room bars that specialise in the fine art of selling real ale from the cask – although a few, certainly in Kent, are now serving using the more traditional method through lines from the cellar. Whatever the option they all adopt the same basic concept of no music, phones on silent, no TVs or electronic games machines and very much promote the art of conversation amongst friends and new-comers alike.
Many micros have also branched out and will sell local fine wines, ciders/perrys, and even the odd Gin and Vodka normally supplied from a local distillery. The popular cheeseboard / roast pots / pork pies are also a familiar sight. Ok so that’s the basics now back to my tour. At the time of writing this article there were seven micro pubs in south east London. Four are linked by the same TFL bus route, making those few hours very pleasurable and ideal for a leisurely afternoon social. I recommend that you do check opening times on each of the micro’s websites if you pick a weekday, as they all vary. This crawl will take you from Petts Wood ending at Eltham all within Zone 1-6. The first job is to buy a one-day off peak travel-card (or you can use Oyster/contactless which is capped around £8). I have suggested times to help you plan your trip.
12.00pm: One Inn The Wood Starting from London Victoria hop aboard a South Eastern train around 11:20 to Petts Wood Station (35 mins direct). Once out of the east side of the station head for station square, past Lloyds and Barclays Bank, left into Petts Wood Road. This pub is a few yards on the left 5-10 mins walk max. Once inside you will notice how appropriate the décor is, lined with hops, pump clips, wall pictures and the shelves littered with CAMRA booklets / info. The name of this Bromley CAMRA multi award winning pub comes from the owners memories of his grandfather, who used to run a pub in Sittingbourne and used to ask regulars to put ‘one in the wood’ when they offered to buy him a drink. Arriving at opening time I had plenty of options to sit
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either side of the main walkway to the bar. I sampled both the Gadds beers on offer and a Pig & Porter. In total there were 6 Kentish ales to wet an appetite. This certainly was a fantastic opening benchmark for the day ahead. One Inn The Wood 209 Petts Wood Rd, Orpington BR5 1LA
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Once back at Petts Wood station catch a lunchtime train to Crayford changing at Hither Green. Journey time is less than 40 mins with the change of trains. Walk up the little path alongside the track towards Station Road, turn left at the roundabout into Crayford Road, walk about 10 mins and you’ll see Cray Gardens on your right. You’ll find this next micro pub facing the green just over the little bridge on Waterside.
1.40pm: The Penny Farthing The Penny Farthing, once a cycle outlet was opened in Sept 2014. The owners once ran the nearby One Bell (now owned by ex-footballer, Jimmy Bullard). Bev, very friendly and welcoming, served me a Mighty Oak IPA and one from Red Willow. Being a Friday afternoon and right on lunchtime this place was buzzing with what I can only assume were locals. All very accommodating and chatty this is one of the common themes in all micropubs.
The Penny Farthing 3a Waterside, Crayford DA1 4JJ
Once finished here, I had two options to get to pub no. 3. Head back to the station and its 3 quick stops (8mins) back up the line to Sidcup or take the 492 bus from stop X on Crayford High St. This option takes considerably longer (45 mins) but if you sit upstairs, take in the views of fields, keeping one ear open for your stop at Church Road, Sidcup.
3.00pm: The Hackney Carriage The Hackney Carriage is the closer of the two micros to Sidcup Station. Come out of the Station Road entrance and turn right. Walk for about 5/10 mins and on the left is the pub or jump on the “Real Ale Express” TFL bus no 51. First impressions are a very modern look both inside and out with café style seating out the front. It was opened in August 2016 by ex-letting agent Liz Twort - the career of her husband Mark, a taxi driver, was the inspiration for the bar’s name. The HC is one of those micros that offer that little bit more with spirits, Prosecco and fine wines to boost the ales and ciders and gives that Gastro feel to the place. Talking to some of the locals,
this place along with The Hopper’s Hut fills a once empty gap for a good pub in Sidcup. My halves in here were the Donald Trunk by Elephant School and Slap in the Face by Totally Brewed. The Hackney Carriage 165 Station Road, Sidcup DA15 7AA
Back on Bus 51, heading past the station up the hill and left into Sidcup High Street past the Travelodge towards the end of the High Street the Hoppers Hut is on the right side of the road. www.camra-swale.org.uk
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4.00pm: The Hopper’s Hut The Hopper’s Hut was opened in October 2016 by Murray East, who founded the bar with Rebecca Tippett, who also helped set up Brew Buddies, a microbrewery in nearby Swanley Village. As you can expect you will find a good range of their beers on offer. This place, as with the last, had a very modern feel with plain grey painted walls (apart from the chalk boards); polished metal stalls around the tables and low hanging modern light shades. When I arrived I was also fortunate enough to meet and have a chat with the Brew Buddies brewer swapping stories of ales tried and tested and talking about their future plans. I stayed at this one a little longer – time was just flying past at this point enjoying
two of the Brew Buddies ales and one from a favorite of mine Brighton Bier. Had I been a week later I could have participated in their tap takeover from Howling Hops Brewery in Hackney. The Hopper’s Hut 1 Sidcup High Street, Sidcup DA14 6ER
So back on that red beer bus No 51 and retrace my steps back past the station and the Hackney Carriage heading for Blackfen (and the busy A2 Rochester Way) to The Broken Drum. This was about a 15/20 min bus ride owing to the time of day with schools and workplaces emptying for the weekend. Jump off before the A2 flyover where there is a parade of shops on the left.
5.30pm: The Broken Drum Opened in April 2015 by Andy Wheeler this ex Nail bar next to the busy A2 flyover gives the feel of drinking in a small café or shop with its white walls and wooden style tables and chairs. It’s was definitely a blink and you will miss it moment owing to the location – I did just that!! However once inside I was welcomed to the bar and ordered my pint of Oakham Bishops Farewell. I learnt from another article that this is where The Hackney Carriage’s owner learned her trade; hence a fantastic reminder that the south east London micropubs are part of a thriving and
supportive community – but this is certainly true across a wider area – Kent very much included. The Broken Drum 308 Westwood Lane, Blackfen DA15 9PT
Once finished back to the bus stop and jump aboard that now famous 51 Bus heading to Bellegrove Road Welling. Walk back down Welling High Street past Morrison’s and The Door Hinge is on the left, just before Barclays Bank.
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7.00pm: The Door Hinge The Door Hinge opened by Ray Hurley in March 2013 is the oldest of the micropubs in south east London. The pub name came about through a family joke; ask the landlord, he’ll be happy to explain it. This lively “locals” pub is in character with what I call the more traditional micro – concentrating solely on beer and cider. It is also very popular with quiz nights, charity events and meat raffles. The timely reminder regarding no mobiles is very much promoted by the scraps of old Nokia phones nailed to the wall - there’s a £1 fine if you take a call inside. Behind the main bar (and cold room) is a very welcoming snug with easy chairs/ sofa.
Clearly the locals here frequent the previous micros I visited because I ended up talking to punters that recognised me from earlier in the day. The Door Hinge 11 Welling High Street, Welling DA16 1TR
Back on the bus - cross the road and take a B16 from stop R. It only runs every half-hour in the evening, at 25 and 55 past each hour. This takes about 25 mins going through many residential streets of Welling- jump off just past Eltham Park Methodist Church on Westmount Road; the Long Pond is on the left in a parade of shops.
8.30pm: The Long Pond The Long Pond in Eltham opened in December 2014 after quite a battle. Rejections from some neighbours and historic covenants in place against opening pubs on this Edwardian housing estate apparently. Fortunately the local council backed the idea. Situated in a former plumbers’ merchant shop near the entrance to the long closed Eltham Park railway station, this deceptively extensive Micropub is named after the Long Pond in Eltham Park North, a short walk away. According to some of the regulars I talked to it fills a massive geographical gap in the local pub scene. Seating at the front is on high wall mounted benches and high tables. To the left rear is an area of low tables and chairs in an area called The Dorchester Room! The long corridor to the toilets at the rear is always stacked with a large number of full and empty casks. As with many of these micros in the area The Long Pond has been recognised by SE London
CAMRA winning Branch Pub of the Year 2017, and runner-up 2016. If there are seats free, take a seat in the cosy back room and congratulate yourself on finishing the crawl and raise a toast to all the owners of these 7 marvellous micropubs. If you manage to stay here until closing at 11pm Eltham station’s 15-20 minutes’ walk away for trains back to the capital. The Long Pond 110 Westmount Road, Eltham SE9 1UT
All photos by the author Andrew Kitney. I would like to thank Darryl Chamberlain and the Londonist for their kind permission in using some of his words from a recent article. www.camra-swale.org.uk
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BEER STYLE
MILD
Every year CAMRA designate May as mild month. Mild has a long history and was a staple brewery beer for many years. Many of my friends tell me how they used to enjoy a pint of mild. But it very nearly disappeared so CAMRA decided to promote the responsible drinking of this, often dark and chocolatey, beer. As a regular feature in many pubs, it is, in a sense a reflection of the great re-emergence of real ale drinkers and in particular the growth in people drinking real ale in a pub. Many of our branch pubs stock mild either permanently - The Three Tuns in Lower Halstow, The Shipwrights and The Paper Mill for example. Others like the Heritage, the Vaults and The Corner Tap regularly serve a mild. So for May, try a mild - you might like it! Recently I have discovered some interesting variations on the mild theme. At the London Drinker beer festival they had an Imperial Mild coming in at over 6%. With very complex
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flavours you could definitely taste the Imperial! It was brewed by a newish vegan London Brewery - Beerblefish. I will definitely be looking out for their beers as this one was lush!
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Paul Irving
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Cambridge Beer Festival 2016 ‘Joint Beer of the Festival’
Woking Beer Festival 2016 ‘Old Ale of the Festival’
www.harveys.org.uk 01273 480 217
YOU PUT
WHAT IN IT?
A ramble around some of the odder ingredients that have gone into beer. Greetings Gentle Reader. This time Old Obadiah wants to explore some of the stranger things that have found their way into your beer. These include bacon, squid ink, fossils and meteorites!! Honestly, I haven’t completely lost it here and all shall be explained in due course. Let’s start with something close to home, that beguiling little creature, the oyster, which has found its way into stout. They say it was a brave man that first ate an oyster and you can’t blame them for saying it as to some people eating an oyster is akin to eating a salty sneeze so who in their right mind thought ‘I know I’ll put these seashore bivalve molluscs into my stout, that will make it taste better’?. Actually, the first recorded instance of this was in 1938 by the Hammerton Brewery in London, however it may well be well before that as when stouts were emerging in the 18th century oysters were a commonplace food served in pubs due to being cheap and plentiful. Now I want to introduce you to Braggot, Gruit and Purl. No they are not three cutpurses in a Charles Dickens novel nor are they my firm of bookmakers (although there is not a great distance between the two professions!) Firstly Braggot. This is what you get if you mix mead with beer along with a few herbs you may
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have lying around. It was a popular drink in the Dark Ages and must have had a sweetly malty taste with herby under notes. Gruit was not dissimilar with various herbs such as mugwort and horehound used to preserve and flavour beer. Apparently this brew was said to increase sex drive and give the drinker a feeling of euphoria! Purl on the other hand is much more modern being the chosen beverage of the 18th century worker in need of a morning pickme-up. Up being the appropriate word here as originally Purl contained wormwood (you know the stuff they put in Absinthe that allegedly made people go nuts). Latterly the wormwood was replaced with gin, spices and ginger. Here’s a quick question; what went in the beer first the chicken or the egg? (I promise no bad poultry puns in this bit) I am not actually sure of the answer but both have been used to produce beer. Brewers in the West Country would make a batter from eggs and flour and put it into the wort which would start the beer fermenting. The beer was drunk whilst still fermenting and I can only assume tasted and looked like an Advocaat shandy!!
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Continued overleaf...
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If that is not to your taste try Cock Ale. No this is not something served up by Sid James at the Whippet Inn in a Carry On film but a seventeenth century beer made with a whole chicken (presumably called Old Plucker or something). Take one six month old male chicken and boil it in ale with some spices to produce an invigorating ale (or some great stock to make gravy for your Sunday lunch!)
between Lost Rhino Brewing of Ashburn Virginia and Paleo Quest an organisation dedicated to furthering palaeontology. Working on the hypothesis that yeast is and always has been everywhere they scraped a 35-million-year-old whale fossil to see if they could find any. Lo and behold they did and the beer was produced from the cultivated strain.
When my young American nephew Randy Spillage got to hear that I was doing a piece on odd beer ingredients he got on the faxtroller and sent me a few examples from over there. So here goes and hold on to your taste buds (and stomachs).
Even older at 45m years, the Fossil Fuels Brewing Co of Manteca, California extracted yeast from Eocene epoch amber and brewed ale from it. All I can think of is Yabba Dabba Don’t!!
Rogue ales produce a beer called The Sriracha Hot Stout Beer which is brewed with Thai hot sauce. The Black Bottle Brewery in Colorado have made a beer called Holy S**t Double Whit (I really don’t want to know what goes into that!) and a range of beers flavoured with, wait for it, Golden Grahams, Cinnamon Toasts and Count Chocula breakfast cereals. The Southern Tier Brewing Co, Lakewood NY make a Crème Brulee Stout while the Brenner Brewing Co of Milwaukee have concocted an ale called Bacon Bomb Rauchbier. No pigs were harmed when producing this beer as it is flavoured with smoked beech and cherry wood and smoked malt and is suitable for vegans although I am not sure how many will be attracted with a name like Bacon Bomb!
‘Til the next time Toodle-Pip
Obidiah Spillage
New Belgium Brewing from Fort Collins make Salted Caramel Brownie Brown Ale. Wisconsin’s 3 Sheeps Brewing Co have produced a small batch series of beers called Nimble Lips, Noble Tongue one of which is an IPA is flavoured with squid ink. The ink adds a briny flavour and gives the normally golden colour IPA a greyish colour (Why would you!). I think for the weirdest ingredient we must go back to Rogue Ales who have made a beer with human beard hair! Originally an April Fool’s joke nine hairs from the head brewer’s beard were sent to a lab and found to contain a natural yeast which after cultivating was used to produce the beer. It has a hairy, sorry hazy, colour and a flavour of beardy, sorry bready malt. Presumably overall it smells a bit goatee!! (I only promised you no chicken puns!) Finally, if you are still with me and have not fled in disgust two more very strange ingredients sourced from a few years ago. When I say a few years, I mean millennia. Bone Dusters Paleo Ale is a collaboration
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CRASHING THE BREAKWATER
The Unplanned Brewery Tap Room Visit
Well how did this event start? A number of Swale CAMRA regulars and fellow lovers of all things Real Ale followed in the footsteps of those lucky souls who had gotten the Friday off to attend the 2017 White Cliffs Festival of Winter Ales. The Festival which is renowned for the fact that all beers are over 5% ABV and at which The Beer of the Festival is awarded to the first empty firkin of the event. This can leave the offerings on the Saturday to be a little light if they are having a good year. Well as you may be able to guess it was a good year for the festival. Actually it appears to have been a really good year for the festival, which was not such good news for those who travelled down for the Saturday session. So being the ever so resourceful bunch we can be, especially when a little dry in the beer offerings, someone asked “Is there anywhere interesting to try in Dover as we are already here?” There then followed a quick list of recommended Pubs and Micro Pubs that were either well known, on peoples wish lists or had been mentioned in dispatches. Finally someone, I don’t know who to blame but I feel the Chairman was guilty of this one, pipes up “Kitters and Harvey said the new Breakwater Brewery had a Tap Room that’s just opened, it’s only up the road.” – for those who don’t know Kitters is Andy Kitney a staunch member of Swale CAMRA and Harvey Melia is the Landlord of Sittingbourne’s Paper Mill Micro Pub, both of whom had been to the 2017 White Cliffs Festival of Winter Ales on the Friday. Well the movement to the exit was slow beer glasses emptied, tokens were spread out to those who’d used theirs up, halves bought
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and drunk and finally glasses were handed back for the deposit and small groups headed for the door giving no suggestion as to the monster that had been created and released upon a young recently opened brewery (December 2016 I’m told). The group I followed was at the vanguard of the horde and numbered only five as we followed the Google Streetview route as shown on the ubiquitous mobile, like the scouts of Genghis Khan we followed the route before us noting places of interest otherwise known as Pubs and Takeaways for when we would need to refuel later. Finally we found the turning on to Lorne Road as we neared our prey, just a short hop over the River Dour and a nice Scandi wood clad building on the left and we’d found our target. Our arrival was quiet and hardly noted with more than a passing interest from the lone Barman as to a few more customers. Not only were there the Breakwater Brewery’s own beers on offer but a nice selection of beers on tap, the cask beers were clearly marked as such, so we made our first selections and acquired some seating. Still the lone Barman had no Idea what was to follow. In the space of the next pint, which was not drunk that quickly I might add, I think the barman realised exactly what he had on his hands, thankfully one of the drinkers there was “an old mate” of the Brewer and ran his own brewery and stepped behind the gabion that served as a bar to allow the barman to shout for help and to assist in serving beers to the growing thirsty throng. All the while more Swale CAMRA members and friends kept arriving soon the place which had been very quiet was becoming noisier as opinions were past on the beers and orders placed for yet more beers to be poured.
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I’m not sure when the retreat started as it was so casual, slinking away springs to mind though that’s probably not what happened. But the first noticeable signs were the slow thinning of the milling mass of bodies before the gabion as Swale CAMRA Members found seats as those who had been having a quiet pre-Six Nations drink and had now departed. So within the next two beers the invasion was nearly complete and I realised I “knew”, as a nodding acquaintance at least, every drinker in the place. The Barman still looked a little shell shocked and seemed as though he was in the grips of early stages of PTSD and the Brewer, who’d responded to his minions shout for help, was capering around the gabion trying to serve beers, clean lines and connect up new barrels as we’d started to drink the bar dry of its current offerings and all the way through this he was grinning like an idiot as he realised his business was having a good day. Thus Swale CAMRA had its first Brewery Takeover ably supported by Members of Medway CAMRA and Regulars from the Paper Mill, Admirals Arm and Furlongs. Was this unplanned event successful? Oh Yes! For me there’d been three very nice Breakwater Cask beers (Paper Aeroplane Flight, Docker’s
Porter and Test Pale Ale – all scoring 4+) as well as some very nice visitors at the brewery in the shape of DEYA Brewing Company’s “Steady Rolling Man”, Lervig’s “Sverd I Fjell” and Gadds’ The Ramsgate Brewery’s “Helden”. The only reason we left, the need to get to the station for the train home which proved that beer drinkers are as easy to steer as a bunch of cats and people kept disappearing as we got closer to the station, thankfully no one was left behind just a little late for the train. So we had a nice journey back to Sittingbourne/Faversham where only one question was on everyone’s lips “did anyone see what happened to the Chairman?” A list of the missing in action was made with only Ellie and Jimmy raising any worries (Ellie landed up getting left to steer Jimmy back to Paper Mill where legend has it he slept on the benches). Let’s hope our next takeover is as successful. Almost as much fun as a brewery takeover of a pub but the spontaneity of the event was I feel something that made it work. So where next Howling Hops at Hackney Wick after GBBF seems a good idea there’s even a second brewery next door. Tony Tippins
Furlong's Ale House
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PUB ASHTRAYS
REMINDERS OF THE PAST As a result of working for many years in brewery and beer marketing ordering Point of Sale (POS), I’ve developed a little interest in breweriana, which to those who don’t know relates to any article containing a brewery or beer brand name, usually in connection to collecting them as a hobby. I’m a non-smoker but my particular passion is the humble pub ashtray. Rarely seen in-situ now as a result of the smoking law changes, these were once common place and every pub table would feature one. I’ve purchased many over the years for my jobs working for Morland Brewery and St Austell Brewery. The cheaper ones were made of glass or melamine but the classic ashtrays were usually formed in ceramic. One of my alltime favourites was the palette ashtray from Morland and I confess to acquiring a few of this classic piece from various online auctions. This ashtray was not one of my designs, but ordering such items did give me the scope to design a piece in conjunction with the supplier. Normally this was not very innovative and it was common to follow the shape of the pump clip and create an ashtray with the clip design in the centre. Seems bizarre now to think we’d encourage people to stub their cigarettes out on our brand names, but that was what we did! However, as geeky as this interest might be now, saving these items does mean we get to remember the beers and breweries from yesteryear. Plus, we can also see how a brands design and advertising approach may have changed over time as the supporting POS
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reflects this. I think its really important and interesting to keep these things alive but does lead one to reflect on the very lack of such items of the current beers. For example, just how will we remember the craft beers and modern brands of today if brewers rarely produce POS to support them? As people drink more at home and less in pubs the need for POS becomes less. Its also true that pub brands are more common now and they tend to use less POS from supplier brands as the messages within the pub needs to be more consistent with their overall offer. The growth of digital marketing has had a huge negative impact on the need to for POS. It certainly makes brands more accessible and reputations are now built online as opposed to more traditional marketing methods, but there is little need for POS to support this media. So in my view, the once humble and somewhat maligned pub ashtray still has a significant role to play in remembering the beers from the past. If you own such and item, don’t throw it away, it will likely never be worth much but they are part of brewing history and of interest to someone. As for todays brands, hopefully someone will come up with the modern day equivalent of the pub ashtray to help us remember all the current exciting and innovative brands. It would be a great shame if in ten years time we have no physical reminders of the beers we love and currently enjoy. Marc Bishop Beer Sommerlier
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Watergate Bay, Cornwall
BERLIN: MY TOP 5 PUBS I was recently fortunate enough to travel to Berlin. A cosmopolitan, relaxed and welcoming city - a great example, in my opinion, of a top European city. The beer scene in Berlin is dynamic with American IPAs found alongside Weiss, Bock and Dubbel beers. Here’s my top five venues (a difficult choice!).
3. Stone Brewery
1. Lemke Brewery
4. Kaschk
www.lemke.berlin
www.stonebrewing.eu Now for something completely different. Stone Brewing World is the European branch of the U.S. Brewery. Located on the site of an old gasworks it has a very large seating area, excellent food and fifty beers including many brewed in site.
www.kaschk.com
Four brew pubs can be found in Central Berlin. Each with a similar layout. Generally eight to ten beers on tap including a few extremely hoppy IPA’s and a fantastic Russian Imperial Stout. Taster trays are available (although they don’t include the RIS!).
This modern bar is located close to Alexanderplatz. As well as many local beers, it also some very unusual one - I had my first Serbian beer here! I like the chilled out atmosphere and the balanced bar - IPA’s as well as sour, smoked and wheat beer.
5. Zum Nussbaum 2. Spandau Brewery
www.brauhaus-spandau.de Located next to the mighty Spandau Citadel. A traditional brewery, two principle beers are produced - a dunkel (dark) and helles (light). Both well worth a try
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A traditional German pub located in Am Nussbaum, near museum island. This wood panelled pub has several rooms and five or six beers on tap. The Markischer Landmann Schwarzbier was particular good. Been abroad recently? Then send us your top five pubs/bars. Paul Irving
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AROUND THE WORLD IN AN ALE-Y DAZE! ROUND 1: ALE IN ARGENTINA
Having been brought back to life with a large glass of red wine (there being no decent beers to be had), I was then given the task of carrying the huge, cumbersome and alarmingly fragile-looking Aztec ‘antique’ the two miles back to the station. Sue did her share, mind; she carried the T-shirt.
Flushed with her successful purchases and unconcerned by the fact that the ‘frieze’ was way too large to go onto any plane as hand luggage and way too fragile to go in to the hold, Sue decided to reward me with a trip to my first Argentinian craft beer pub. The pub/bar we chose to go to was Antares San Telmo, a fairly run down area of Buenos Aires that has nevertheless its fair share of bars and restaurants. We had intended to visit the pub on our first night but unfortunately the restaurant we visited beforehand had served us each a steak that had the size, texture and toughness of a walking boot and our stomachs had been off limit even for beer. Tonight, though, we avoided that problem by the simple expedient of drinking first. And the Antares beers were good! I started by sampling their porter, which was very tasty, low on bitterness but with chocolate and toast notes. At 5.5% it was one of the less strong beers. Their IPA, which I tried next, was 6.5% and extremely tasty, with bags of bitterness but not at the expense of other flavours; Sue had a half of this too and we agreed it was the best of the (very good) bunch. I finished with Antares’ cream stout, which modestly bitter, with more than a hint of caramel, though at 7% best drunk in halves. All three beers explicitly advertised their Englishness. After decades in which it was always the Belgian and German beer styles that were the ones that were imitated around the world, it would appear that the time of English beers has finally come.
Somehow we managed to get back to our hotel with T-shirt and ‘frieze’ intact, and there I attempted to give my best impression of a man who had been stranded in a desert without a water bottle for three days.
P.S. The Aztec object was crunched into a dozen pieces by a clumsy steward on an internal flight five days later. Sue has not yet come out of mourning. Michael Hoey
It may have been Argentina’s summer but it looked pretty wintery to me. Sue, my shopaholic wife, had decided that our third day in Argentina should be spent visiting the markets of Tigre, about an hour’s train journey from Buenos Aires. She persuaded me to go by painting a picture of simple stalls lining creeks, along which small boats plied their trade (a bit like 15th century Faversham). Tigre’s market however turned out to be a vast area of craft shops of every conceivable kind, ‘craft’ here being used rather broadly to describe pretty well anything made by humans apart, sadly, from craft beers. Even Sue was taken aback by the scale of the task she faced in inspecting every single item on every single shop and stall. But she was never one to shirk a challenge. After she had had a happy four hours haggling with stallkeepers, I ended up in a state of suspended animation caused by shopping overload and she ended up the proud owner of a T-shirt ornamented with dinosaurs (for our oldest grandson) and an enormous two-foot-square plaster Aztec frieze-like object. (Yes, I know the Aztecs lived a rather long way from Argentina, but it was that kind of craft market.)
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KENT BEERS!!
“There’s more in the barrel”
Musket Brewery is a family owned, Maidstone-based Micro Brewery located at Loddington Farm, Linton, brewing premium REAL ALE at realistic prices. The Musket brewers are CAMRA members, who provide these carefully brewed ales for your enjoyment.
MUZZLELOADER 4.5% Kentish Ale
FLINTLOCK 4.2% Best Bitter
FIFE & DRUM 3.8% Golden Ale
POWDER BURN 5.0% Kentish Porter
MATCHLOCK 3.8% Kentish Mild
FLASH in the PAN 4% Green Hop Ale
(Autumn/Winter brew!)
(Spring/Summer brew!)
(Only available in September!)
TRIGGER 3.6% Pale Ale
BALL PULLER 4% Premier Bitter (New for 2017)
Musket Brewery offers a significant promotion campaign on initial orders, to help increase beer sales for our valued customers. Musket has earned a well-deserved reputation for providing GREAT beers, supported by exemplary customer service!
Contact Musket Brewery to find out more!!
079671 27 27 8 or 01622 – 749931 info@musketbrewery.co.uk
“There’s more in the barrel” at
DDS Scheme
www.musketbrewery.co.uk
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VICTORY FOR THE
BLACK PRINCE Black Prince, our mild Kent ale, has won gold in the SIBA regional awards. There’s no stopping him now.
WANTSUM. THE REBEL BREWERY OF KENT Fighting the good fight for real ale, made from the finest ingredients
CAMRA ANNOUCE
NATIONAL PUB OF THE YEAR A North Yorkshire pub has been named winner of CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year 2016. The accolade marks an incredible turnaround for the George and Dragon which was saved after the community rallied round to raise enough money to buy and refurbish it. Landlord Stuart Miller said the secret of the pub’s success was that it focused on the simple things. “We’re a small, friendly pub that serves good beer. It’s the centre of the village and we get so much support from residents.” Stuart said they usually had Wensleydale Falconer on tap, and rotated four other real ales, often produced by local micro breweries. This story is a great example of what even a small rural community can do. To go from closed doors to winning national Pub of the
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Image Credit: Brian Evans / CAMRA
Year in just a few short years is a fantastic achievement for any pub, and all the more impressive for one that is now cooperatively owned.
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OUR TRIP TO
KARNEVAL! Friday 24th February, 3.45am, car park opposite The Heritage, Halfway, Margaret & Melvin Hopper, owners and licensees of The Heritage, Sheppey’s First Micropub, meet up with 11 of their regulars and head towards the Eurotunnel. Now, think of Germany and you think of German engineering, cars, and of course, their pure beers. Each area of Germany has its own beer, regulated by the Reinheitsgebot, the German Beer Purity Law. Margaret & Melvin Hopper have been visiting the Nord‑Rheinland area for over 20 years where they have local friends. This area includes the main towns and cities of Dusseldorf, Cologne, Leverkusen, Langenfeld, Monheim and Hittdorf. Locally, the two beers that are brewed are Kolsch, a golden pale, brewed in the Cologne area by 26 different breweries, and Altbier, a dark mild-like beer, brewed in the Dusseldorf area by14 breweries. Each area extols the virtue of their local breweries, each of which brews a version of the local beer, and each drinker has favourite brewery, but all conform to the strict purity law, meaning no added chemicals and no gas infused. Every February, on the Thursday 8 weeks before Easter, the whole area indulges in a week long carousing known as Karneval, and for the last two years Margaret and Melvin have taken a group across to join in the fun. Each town has its own Karneval day, whilst Cologne and Dusseldorf have three or four in different areas of the city. Langenfeld, a town the size of Sittingboune midway between the two cities, hold its Karneval on the Saturday. In 2016, 7 Karneval first timers went along not knowing what to expect. They had been told to bring fancy dress, as literally, everyone who attends gets into the swing of it. This
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year, on the back of the previous success, The Heritage group went up to 13, including all from the previous year, back to enjoy the fun again. Now, you may have been to Sittingbourne, Sheerness or even Faversham carnivals and consider them crowded, but for Karneval, every resident gets involved, with even babies dressed in costume, literally thousands of locals and visitors. Businesses vie to get a place in the parade, and a strict vetting takes place. Each participant has to prove they have the means to throw sweets and other goodies to the crowd over the whole 2 kilometre route. Arriving Friday at 11.50am, with hotel rooms allocated, bags deposited in rooms, it’s off to the first pub of the day. Distressingly, the bar that welcomed us all the previous year has become a curry house. No problem, 100 metres further, another bar welcomes us. With most residents of the town off to Karneval in the adjacent town, a group of 13 hardened drinkers were made very welcome.
As the town is midway between the two cities, both Alt and Kolsch are served and downed in equal measures, with Fruh and Frankenheim proving the most popular. It is worth mentioning here that another Karneval
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tradition is the consumption of a schnapps shot between ales. Far be it from us to break local custom so........... I am sure you can imagine how we were by 4.30pm as we made our circuitous way back to the hotel. The evening session revolved around a meal and meeting up with our German friends to discuss Karneval on the next day. So Saturday. 13 of us, plus 18 Germans, meet at the small brauhaus in Langenfeld at 12.30pm, all dressed up and ready to go for it. Alt or Kolsch with shots in between, well it was always going to be messy. Traditionally, Karneval begins at 2.11pm, because that is the time Germany was informed of the German surrender (it seems they celebrate their surrender, honest!). Anyway, come 4pm, Karneval is over and we all head to the main Brauhaus. Experience over many years has taught that you buy tickets which you then exchange for drinks. Having bought them earlier, all 30 plus of our group were shown straight in and somehow we got a couple of tables.
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Now the real party could begin. Music, blasted through the huge sound system assaulted the senses with traditional oompah music, interlaced with local Karneval favourites. Dancing is insisted upon, even if, like one of our party, you never dance (she did, and it was caught on video for posterity). Midnight, the 11 hours of imbibing start to take their toll. The group begins to part company, with both the Brits and the Germans leaving in twos and threes. Four of the Germans, regular visitors to Sheppey and to The Heritage convince others to visit early in the summer, and we look forward to welcoming them all again. As for 2018, the Hotel is already booked, and an even bigger group of 16 have reserved their space. A reserve list is running in case any drop out. Oh yes, the group split 7-6 in favour of the Altbier over the Kolsch.
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Melvin Hopper The Heritage Micropub
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FIRST ALE STARS FESTIVAL SATURDAY 20TH MAY 2017 12PM – 10PM Star Meadow Sports Club, Darland Avenue Gillingham, ME7 2AN
MUSIC *
REAL ALES * CIDERS * FOOD
RATSKO *
Justin & the Argonauts *
Hobo Jones & the Junkyard Dogs
SPECIAL OFFER ADVANCED TICKETS: £15 = 5 Pints & 1 Burger or 1 Hot Dog
TICKETS AVAILABLE IN ADVANCE FROM EACH OF THE SPONSORING OUTLETS www.camra-swale.org.uk
@alestarsfestival
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THE BERRY WALMER Multi-award Winning Pub Where You Will Find: Real Ale, Real Cider and a Real Fire! Up to 11 Cask Ales Plus 6 Key Keg Ales. Always 6 Ciders Available Also serving “Si’s Pies,” Delicious Hand Made Pork Pies and Scotch Eggs
10 years at the Berry! Upcoming Events You are invited to our Quiz Nights: 2nd Friday of each month Opening Times: Mon: 11:00 - 23:30 Tues: 14:00 - 23:30 Wed: 11:00 - 23:30 Thurs: 12:00 - 23:30 Fri-Sat: 11:00 - 23:30 Sun: 11:30 - 23:00
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter www.theberrywalmer.co.uk Tel: 01304362411 23 Canada Road, Walmer, Kent CT14 7EQ 38
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Quinten Taylor attempts to drink in each of the top 250 pub names in Britain I’m someone who likes pubs. I’m someone who likes a challenge. I’m someone who likes lists. So for the last few years I’ve undertaken an annual pub-based challenge. From sensible beginnings (a new pub for every day in a year) to rather more adventurous (to complete every ale pub in Berkshire) to cricket-themed (a ‘Lara’), 2016 saw me took on the king of the challenges – to have drunk in at least one of each of the top 250 pub names in Britain. To make the task even more far-fetched, those pubs had to be ones I’d never done before. Initially, it sounded like it should probably be fine. 250 isn’t that many compared to a year’s worth (365) a ‘Lara’ (501) or completing the county of Berkshire (around 300 of the 650 total). 21 or so pubs a month. Easy, right? I asked the friendly folks at the Pubs Galore review website (who have supported me in other challenges) to knock me up a list of the top 250 pub names in Britain, where those pubs were, and a tick-box to mark-off when I’d done them. That was duly completed (www.pubsgalore.co.uk/stats/challenge/ quinno/2016/) and, after a bit of datacleansing (‘Arms’ and ‘Heads’ being separated out, but ‘Inn’, ‘Tavern’ etc. being grouped together and chain pub names being omitted) I was ready to start. At first, things were simple. I’d go to a conurbation I’ve never really ‘done’ before and it seemed that half the pubs were tickable, I was almost falling over them. Plus, I could afford to be fussy. Required pub looks a bit rough? Doesn’t matter, there’s a betterlooking one with the same name in the next train stop along! I easily got up to 150. Then things started to get a bit trickier.
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The Railway, Teddington You see, it began to dawn on me that I’d done my challenges the wrong way round. By doing all of Berks previously, I’d cut off all my home county pubs. And by doing ‘the Lara’, many easy-to-access pubs via public transport had also gone. And as I scanned the lists in more depth I started to realise just how highly regionalized certain pub names were. For example, there are just over 80 Bay Horses in the UK. But looking at the list, almost every single one was well-north of Birmingham. A major planning overhaul was required, as the scattergun approach was clearly not sustainable. It was time for a pivot table! After plenty of poring over the table, we targeted a few places which looked promising, name-wise (if not exactly tourist wise!) – Plymouth, Northampton and Staffordshire. However, quite a few of the pubs were in suburbs, small towns and villages – a lot of driving would be required in order to meet
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the deadline of December. Step up Marc ‘Desmond’ Turner. As someone who loves my pub challenges, he pitched in and selflessly offered his chauffeuring skills to help me hit the target. During those trips Queens Arms, Plymouth it’s fair to say we sampled the whole spectrum of the Great British Public House – from posh to rough via country inns, estate boozers and historic interiors, some of which (shock!) didn’t have any ale. I re-acquainted myself with Guinness a few times on the tour. And once, even John Smiths Smooth and Stella (shudder). We also discovered that purported opening times on pub websites were not necessarily to be relied upon. And that certain CAMRA branches should have their Good Beer Guide allocation reduced … The final pub (somehow, we managed to have just one left that required a special trip) was now on. So on a grey day towards the end of November we motored down the M4 and over to Pontlliw in South Wales to bag a Buck. Would there be media present? Would there be dancing girls? No, just a so-so Greene King Rockin’ Rudolf and an immense
The Sun Inn, Romsey Of course, doing this challenge took me out of my comfort zone a few times and we did our fair share of more ‘challenging’ boozers. Perhaps my favourite story came from one of these - the Foresters Arms in Melksham. There were Euro 2016 nation flags strung above the bar and we noticed that Canada was subbed in for Germany. Overhearing us clocking this, one of the locals piped up “we’re not anti-Semitic!” We tried to explain that antiSemitism was being anti-Jewish rather than anti-German but I’m not sure the concept was grasped. There was also the one time I felt genuinely uneasy in a Challenge pub being stuck in a pub for an uncomfortable 10 minutes with Angry Young Man on a Knife Edge, Yellow Mac & Tiny Shorts Man, Toothless Grinning Man and Dancing to the Jukebox Man. So if you ever find yourself near the Stag in Lake, Isle of Wight, bear that in mind … Quinten Taylor Quinno’s favourite 250 Challenge pubs
Jubilee, Winshill, Staffs
1. Black Swan, Devizes (Wilts)
sense of satisfaction. Still, the Challenge was completed – 4 weeks ahead of schedule.
2. Boars Head, Tyla Garw (Mid Glamorgan)
Pub highlights? Probably watching Wales win their opening Euro 2016 match against Slovakia in one of Britain’s finest alehouses – the Malt Shovel in Northampton. Although getting an unofficial (and rather hefty) “local’s discount” at the Two Brewers in WC2 (after the barmaid heard us discussing the Challenge) ran it close, as did the two halves of Sam Smiths mild which clocked in at an astonishingly low £1.34 at the Manor in Maltby.
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3. Brewer’s Arms, South Petherton (Somerset)
Quinno in the Buck in Pontlliw, the final tick of the Challenge
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4. Malt Shovel, Northampton (Northants) 5. Sportsman’s, Ivybridge (Devon)
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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
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CAMRAswale
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BRANCH MEMBERSHIP UPDATE A warm welcome to those who have joined CAMRA over the past year, and also to all existing members who have recently renewed, or moved into the branch area. These include: Samuel Bancroft, Rafik Abidi, Roger Kitney, Paul Symkiss, Julian East, Richard Sands, Colin Ayling, Graham Priaulx, Jane Priaulx, Amy Organ, Nicholas Harden, Tyla Clements, James Read, Danielle Georgiou-Read, Chris Collier, Rachel Collier, Steven Tillett, Helene Tillett, Chris Shenton, Kevin Rains, James Clarke, Jeremy Samuels, Mara Ferrari, Barrie Duce, Lisa Duce, Karl Clifton, Steve Blandford, Suraya Blandford, Darren Breiner, Andrew Stead, Sam Ithell, Steve Walker-Manuell, Ian Grant, Geoffrey Watts, Stuart Steers, Vicki Steers, Tim Shaw, Nathan Wilson, Emma Munday, Andy Jeffery, Danny Gaze, Michelle Gaze, Ronald Ingleby, Christopher Simpson, Steve Rood, Stephen Michael, Chay Wilson, Matt Organ, Matt Eynon, Ken Flanagan, Rachael Shepher, Sam Figgess, Glen Russell, Robert Mendham, Neil McKenzie, Alma Myatt, Mike Lee, Catherine Lee, Paul Byrne, Richard Collins, Luke Young, Gemma Shaw-Mackie, Barry Wiles, Angus Nicol, Peter Reynolds, Cynthia Swade, Robert Swade, Amy Kortegas, John Kent, Graham Weatherley, Matt Maynard, Peter Hutchinson
Thank you for your support. You should have received a membership pack from head office by now, along with an edition of ‘What’s Brewing’, CAMRA’s monthly newspaper. This provides news and information on a variety of subjects involving real ale, and also includes details of national and local activities, such as beer festivals, campaigning socials and other special events. We hope you will be able to come along to one of these occasions in the near future and look forward to meeting you. More information about local events and the Swale Branch can be found on our website; simply visit http://www.camra-swale.org.uk for details, or turn to the ‘Branch Diary’ section of this publication. New members and visitors are always made welcome at our events and socials, so why not come along? Your input is something we value as new people bring in new ideas. The Branch itself now has over 500 members, with over 175,000 nationwide. Looking forward to seeing you at a forthcoming event. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any membership enquiries. I can be reached on 07921 928958 or email qagold@yahoo.co.uk Alex Earl
WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT OUR STEAM & BEER WEEKEND will be on 1st & 2nd July 2017 Steam trains, real ales, ciders, food, live music (Saturday) and entertainment (Sunday) All you could possibly want. Trains from 11am until late (Saturday) And 11am – 5pm Sunday
(Special Fares Apply – Discount for CAMRA Members) See www.sklr.net for details. Registered Charity No: 1057079
Fai r on dea b tax eer l now !
A Campaign
of Two Halves
7EZI &VMXEMR W 4YFW
Join CAMRA Today Complete the Direct Debit form and you will receive 15 months membership for the price of 12 and a fantastic discount on your membership subscription. Alternatively you can send a cheque payable to CAMRA Ltd with your completed form, visit www.camra.org.uk/joinus or call 01727 867201. All forms should be addressed to the: Membership Department, CAMRA, 230 Hatfield Road, St Albans, AL1 4LW.
Your Details Title
Direct Debit Surname
£25 Single Membership £24 (UK & EU)
Forename(s)
£28 £26
Joint Membership £29.50 £31.50 £30.50 £33.50 (Partner at the same address)
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For Young Member and other concessionary rates please visit www.camra.org.uk or call 01727 867201.
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Partner’s Details (if Joint Membership) Title
Non DD
Surname
I wish to join the Campaign for Real Ale, and agree to abide by the Memorandum and Articles of Association I enclose a cheque for Signed
Forename(s)
Date
Applications will be processed within 21 days
Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy) Email address (if different from main member)
Campaigning for Pub Goers & Beer Drinkers
01/15
Enjoying Real Ale & Pubs
Join CAMRA today – www.camra.org.uk/joinus Instruction to your Bank or Building Society to pay by Direct Debit Please fill in the whole form using a ball point pen and send to: Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. 230 Hatfield Road, St.Albans, Herts AL1 4LW Name and full postal address of your Bank or Building Society Service User Number To the Manager
9 2 6 1 2 9
Bank or Building Society
Address
FOR CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE LTD OFFICIAL USE ONLY
This is not part of the instruction to your Bank or Building Society Membership Number Postcode Name
Name(s) of Account Holder
Postcode
Instructions to your Bank or Building Society
Bank or Building Society Account Number Branch Sort Code
Please pay Campaign For Real Ale Limited Direct Debits from the account detailed on this instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this instruction may remain with Campaign For Real Ale Limited and, if so will be passed electronically to my Bank/Building Society.
Signature(s)
Reference
Date
Banks and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debit Instructions for some types of account.
This Guarantee should be detached and retained by the payer.
The Direct Debit Guarantee
This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay by Direct Debits. If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd will notify you 10 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit by The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd or your bank or building society, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society - If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when The Campaign For Real Ale Ltd asks you to You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society.Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us.
CONTEMPORARY PUB AND EATING HOUSE With log fires, comfy arm chairs, restaurant & private 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. Dogs & children welcome.
Great Cuisine from our light lunch menu to dining Ă la Carte with a wide selection of dishes prepared by our chef from locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Always ask if you have any special diet requirements. Awarded 5 stars for food hygiene.
Food served daily ~ see our website for times, menus, Special set menu days, jazz & blues evenings, etc Weekend breakfast menu ~ served 10am to 12:30pm
FREE HOUSE with good range of cask ales, lagers & wines including Adnams, Masterbrew, Old Dairy Red Top, Guest Ales Read about us in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. CASK MARQUE www.shipinnconyer.co.uk email enquiries@shipinnconyer.co.uk TABLE BOOKINGS t 01795 520881
The Ship Inn Conyer Conyer Quay, Teynham Kent ME9 9HR