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News
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Find Good Beer Guide pubs
using satellite navigation! |
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CAMRA is pleased to announce the
launch of a Good Beer Guide Points of Interest
(POI) file for satellite navigation systems.
The ‘GBG2008' POI file allows users
of TomTom sat-nav systems to see the locations of all
the 4,500-plus Good Beer Guide 2008 pubs up
and down the country and plan routes to them. So, now,
wherever you are, there is no excuse for not finding
your nearest Good Beer Guide pub!
The file is simple to install and
use and full instructions are provided. Priced
at just £5.00, it is the perfect tool for any
serious pub explorer. No more wasting time thumbing
through road atlases or getting lost down country
lanes. Navigate your way easily, every time, and make
the most of Britain's best pubs.
Link
Good Beer Guide 2008 TomTom POI File
Source CAMRA Website
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CAMRA announces the best pub designs in the country!
Pubs in Cheshire, Lincolnshire and
Leicestershire win CAMRA’S National Pub Design Awards
The
Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has today announced the
winners of its annual Pub Design Awards, which
celebrate the very best in vision, imagination and
restraint in Britain's pubs.
The winners are to be given their awards at a
ceremony in Stamford, Lincolnshire at
The Tobie Norris - winner of the Conversion to Pub
Use award at 1pm on Tuesday 3rd June.
Pub Design Award judge,
architectural historian and writer Steven Parissien
said: “The pub is at the hub of our way of life. And
much of the pub’s importance derives from its
architectural form. Pubs depend not just on their
beer, their food, or their landlord for their
success, but on how they look, both inside and out.
Pub design is an element that can make or break a pub
– and can, in turn, either enhance or injure its
local community. And it is this element that the Pub
Design Awards aims to celebrate and publicise.
Thankfully 2007-8 has been an exceptional year for
pub role-model for the future.”
The
Winners
Refurbishment Award
and CAMRA / English Heritage Conservation Award - The
Weaver Hotel, South Parade, Weston Point, Runcorn,
Cheshire
The
judges said: “Carefully conserved by Maddocks Design
Partnership of Altrincham for Barnsley’s Oakwell
Brewery, this jaunty former commercial hotel and bar
has been through decades of neglect and decline, but
has now been restored to something like its Edwardian
glory.”
"Internal archaeology revealed the original room
plan, which was faithfully reproduced ‘Period’ light
fittings have been installed; genuinely Edwardian
paint colours – and, encouragingly, even wood
graining – applied; superlative stained glass windows
restored; dado tiling and the old column radiators
repaired; a new but harmonious bar counter inserted;
the original ceilings uncovered; the double-leaf
front doors retained, and copied for the former
off-sales entrance; and real fires reintroduced.
Outside, the brickwork and stone dressings have been
sensitively reappointed, and the roof appropriately
re-slated".
“A
pub that just two years ago seemed not long for this
world has been rescued and rejuvenated. Altogether a
highly impressive job, worthy of two awards – and of
the notice of pub owners across the UK.
Here’s a fine example of what can be done to
reinvigorate a pub and its surrounding community,
using relatively meagre resources but a lot of common
sense and well-placed enthusiasm.”
Conversion to Pub
Use Award – The Tobie Norris, St Paul’s Street,
Stamford, Lincolnshire
The
judges said: “Rebuilt by local architect Philip Heath
for owner Michael Thurlby, this building originally
dates back to 1280. The Norrises were local
bell-makers, and several generations of ‘Tobies’ can
be linked to the pub name. Converted from a former
private club, the building’s original room plan has
been largely retained or revived, creating a variety
of enticing spaces, upstairs and down, each with its
own individual ambience.“
"This interior makes full use of the architectural
features uncovered when the 1960s hardboard, which
had been tacked onto nearly all the wall and ceiling
surfaces, was stripped away. The medieval roof in the
main upstairs room is particularly stunning. All
rooms have been carefully conserved, and new
introductions – for example, of fitted seating in one
of the downstairs rooms, plus the new bar counter
itself – have been sympathetically inserted.”
“The reintroduced panelling is reclaimed 1760s work,
and the new plasterwork has been painstakingly
recreated to an 18th century recipe.
Throughout the pub, open fires, flagstones, old
mix-and-match furniture, and appropriate and
complementary paint colours – from a rich cream to
crimson to leaf green – all create a hugely welcoming
and cosseting atmosphere. The overall feel is
intimate, historic, and innately ‘pubby’: no doubt
that within a few years people will be claiming that
it has been a pub for centuries. Altogether a worthy
and much-praised winner of the Conversion award.”
New
Build Pub Award – The Black Horse Inn, Walcote,
Leicestershire
The
judges said, “For the first time in many years, the
judges are delighted to be be able to present an
award for a New Buildpub. Local architects Twigg and
Associates, working closely with the owner Andy
Clipston, have replaced the pub that originally stood
in this village. The old pub was deemed by the
thoughtless local authority to be ‘too close to the
road’ and in the way of a planned ‘executive housing
estate’ – as blatant an instance of urban vandalism
and detrimental ‘improvement’ as you can get. Then
the White Knight rode in: a former pub regular,
Andrew Clipston, intervened to buy the site and
rebuild the pub – ensuring that the new building was
now a regulation two metres from the main road.”
This pub has had both critics and defenders – but one
which, we feel, on balance deserves an award, if only
to celebrate the Phoenix-like rebirth of the
village’s social focus.”
 Steven Parissien concluded the judges report saying,
“Disappointingly, no submitted entry was deemed
worthy of CAMRA’s Joe Goodwin Award for Best Street
Corner Local this year. However, the judges have
singled out three pubs all of which, in their own
ways, point to a bright –and profitable width='100%'
– future for the traditional British pub. If only
more pub owners would begin to realise this.”
Julian Hough, CAMRA’s Pub Director, was very happy to
see pubs getting some positive exposure at a worrying
time for the pub industry. He said, “Our research
shows that almost 60 pubs are permanently closing
every month. That means they are being bulldozed or
changed into houses and will never be pubs again.”
“Pubs are currently facing a lot of challenges at
this moment in time with having to deal with the
highest beer duty in Europe, some Supermarkets
selling beer cheaper than water and of course the
smoking ban. I am delighted that these awards are
promoting something positive in the pub industry and
I would like to congratulate all the winners on their
pub design work and wish them all the success for the
future. “
CAMRA Press release 2 June 2008. Photo Norman
Hall, Hinckley Branch
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Leicester Beer Festival Brewery
presentations |
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Brampton, Chesterfield
 The
opportunity was taken to meet Chris Radford of
Brampton Brewery at
Barrow Hill Beer Festival, indeed he gave us a lift to the festival
- Cheers Chris! in May 2008 and present him with awards for Impey
Dark and Golden Bud. Keith Satterly presented Chris with his framed
awards and Chris thanked Leicester CAMRA for having his beers at
Leicester Beer Festival and hoped Keith would organise a tour around
the brewery at a future date.
Andy Sales
Milestone Brewery, Newark
 Another
Brewery and another Beer Festival!. The opportunity was taken to
meet Dean Penney, Head Brewer of
Milestone
Brewery at Newark Beer
Festival in May 2008 and present him with awards for Raspberry
Wheat. Keith Satterly presented Dean with his framed awards and Dean
thanked Leicester CAMRA for having their beers at Leicester Beer
Festival. Again we were invited to tour the brewery at a future
date.
Andy Sales
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New Rutland Sub Branch formed |
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On Thursday 22nd
May, Committee Members of Leicester, Peterborough and
Melton Mowbray and District, Branches of CAMRA, met at The
Grainstore in Oakham, to meet members from the Rutland
area. They had previously indicated their desire to operate
their own Branch for their area.
Julian Tubbs, East
Midlands Regional Director, chaired the meeting, which was
well supported by locals, including Tony Davies, former
brewer with Ruddles and currently, proprietor of The
Grainstore Brewery (Davises Brewing Company). Graham Proud
volunteered to be Chairman and his partner Lisa James, to
be Treasurer. Alan Pickersgill, Licensee of The Crown Hotel
in Uppingham, agreed to be the Branch Secretary.
Rutland-Sub Branch was subsequently created.
Their area will be
LE15 in its entirety, which comprises all of Rutland. With
the three Branches having part of Rutland in their Branch
Area, it was put to the vote to Rutland members, as to
which Branch they wished to be their parent Branch. All of
them chose Leicester. More on Rutland Sub-Branch in the
next Leicester Drinker. |
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Leicester CAMRA Trips programme
finalised for 2008 |
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Our Social Secretary; Keith Satterly has been working hard
to finalise our Social programme for the rest of the year.
12 July 08 - Trip with Loughborough CAMRA to Bishops
Castle.
26 July 08 - Trip by popular demand to Saddleworth,
Huddersfield and Dewsbury.
30 August 08 - Trip to GBG pubs in Bucks and Oxford.
8 November 08 - Day trip to Norwich.
17 Jan 2009 - Day trip to Liverpool .
As always we need your support for these trips to be
successful and an early booking along with a £5 deposit for
each trip would be appreciated. Go to
Diary for more details and booking contact info. |
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CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has
today launched its annual ‘Mild in May' campaign to
encourage pub-goers to try the unique beer style.
Mild is one of Britain's most
traditional beer styles. Milds are typically low in alcohol
with an ABV (Alcohol By Volume) in the 3% to 3.5% range.
Mild is usually dark in colour, due to the use of
well-roasted malt or barley, and is often less hopped than
bitters, having a chocolaty character with nutty burnt
flavours.
Whilst Mild has enjoyed a small revival
in today's real ale market, it still only accounts for an
estimated 3-5% of all real ale sales. Mild has perhaps been
overshadowed in recent years by more fashionable beers like
golden ales as breweries and pubs try to encourage lager
drinkers to move over to real ale.
CAMRA is encouraging pub-goers to
support this endangered beer style by visiting their local
pub and trying a Mild in May, the traditional month for
many Milds to be brewed.
Ian Brocklebank, CAMRA's Light and
Dark Beer Supporters Chairman said, “Mild is one of the
beer styles along with Old Ales, Light Bitters, Stouts and
Porters that CAMRA categorise as ‘endangered'. There has
been a small revival in the drinking of Mild thanks to
breweries putting more money in to the promotion of this
superb style of beer but more needs to be done if Mild is
to survive at the bar. It is important that CAMRA continue
to promote this beer style and we are encouraging all
pub-goers, whether they have tried real ale in the past or
not, to try a Mild in May to find out what a great British
drink this is.”
Mr Brocklebank continued, “If your
licensee doesn't currently have any Milds on sale in his or
her pub then ask them to order some this month. You will
not be disappointed!”
There are a number of Mild brewery
promotions happening throughout May to help support the
Mild campaign. These include:
Everards Brewery, Leicestershire
is launching a 3.3% ABV Chocolate Ale in May. Everards
describe the cask-conditioned mild as ‘more-ish with an
irresistible hint of chocolate.' Erika Hardy, Everards
Marketing Manager said, “This beer is a great first taste
for new ale drinkers and demonstrates that there is great
breadth and innovation within the current real ale market.”
CAMRA Press Release 2 May 2008 |
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CAMRA Real Ale Campaigner of the Year. |
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Steve Westby from Nottingham CAMRA has won CAMRA's
first ever Real Ale Campaigner of the Year Award.
Steve won the award in recognition of his leading role in
establishing the LocAle campaign in Nottingham. The success of
the scheme is such that 2008 will see a national roll out of
the campaign. Support and advice will be offered to CAMRA
branches choosing to adopt their own LocAle schemes.
Steve Westby said “I feel very proud to be honoured as
CAMRA's very first Real Ale Campaigner of the Year. I dreamt up
what became LocAle over a pint one evening whilst mulling over
the impact of the takeover and cynical closure of Nottingham's
last major brewer and it is pleasing that such a simple idea
has become so successful. This success, with over 70 local pubs
now participating, is very much due to the hard work of my
colleagues on the Nottingham CAMRA committee in supporting the
idea and I must also thank my son, Richard, for the clever
design of the very distinctive LocAle logo and for the
supporting artwork that he created.”
Pictured is Steve who is Organiser of Nottingham Beer
Festival and the East Midlands Brewery Liaison Co-ordinator
with Paula Walters. Shame about the jumper!
Source: CAMRA and Andy Sales 26 April 2008 |
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Everards support 'Tackle It' Campaign |
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Leicester Tigers rugby player, Dan Hipkiss and Baz
Desai, licensee of Everards pub, the Marquis Wellington lend
their support to the ‘Tackle It' campaign organised by students
Francesca Gamble and Tallulah Hall.
‘Tackle It' is a regional campaign to raise awareness of
prostate cancer and is supported by Everards, who will feature
campaign posters in the toilets of its whole pub estate,
highlighting the importance of regular testicular examination.
The main aim of ‘Tackle It' is to raise awareness of an
often over-looked condition, but it will also be used to raise
funds for research into the disease. Patron, Dan Hipkiss gives
the following advice, "You can be a fit and healthy young guy,
but remember you are not invincible, testicular cancer can
happen to any one of us. Check yourself regularly lads, or get
your girlfriend or wife to do so, either way it's not anything
to be ashamed of."
On Thursday 8th May sports players such as Ollie
Smith, Sam Vesty, Harry Ellis, Stuart Broad and Paul Nixon to
name but a few, will be taking part in a charity fashion show
to help raise money for testicular cancer. With stunning
visuals, live music and an incredible auction made up of
sporting lots, such as a private tennis lesson with Wimbledon
Champion Pat Cash, it is a night you most certainly won't want
to miss.
Buy your tickets now from
http://www.tackleit.org/ or call Francesca on 07841410823
Pictured: (L-R) Dan Hipkiss, Francesca Gamble and Baz Desai
in the Marquis Wellington.
Source: Everards website. 26 April 2008 |
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Marstons takes over Refresh UK |
Marston's has announced it has acquired Refresh UK which owns
the Wychwood Brewery, brewer of Hobgoblin and Brakspear.
The acquisition is consistent with Marston's strategy of
developing a portfolio of premium beer brands to complement the
Marston's range, led by Marston's Pedigree. This purchase by
Marston's follows the company's acquisitions of Jennings in
2005 and Ringwood in 2007.
Marston's has said it is committed to continuing the operation
of the acquired Wychwood Brewery in Witney. Refresh is the UK's
biggest brewer of organic ales, including Duchy Orginal organic
for the Prince of Wales, and its portfolio also includes
classic brown ale Mann's.
Alistair Darby, managing director of Marston's Beer Company
said: "We are delighted to welcome Refresh to Marston's. We
plan to develop the brand as part of our desire to meet
increasing consumer demand for premium ales with strong
provenance and heritage. "We are looking to repeat the
successes of the acquisitions of Jennings and Ringwood."
Rupert Thompson, managing director of Refresh UK added:
"Refresh has achieved a great deal since it was founded eight
years ago. It is now the number three supplier of premium
bottled ales to supermarkets.
And Hobgoblin is one of the fastest growing premium ales in the
UK."
Refresh UK was formed in 2000 and brews 50,000 barrels of beer
a year. And in the year ending May 31 2007 the business turned
over £24.9m, making a profit of £1.1m.
Source: The Publican |
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Nottingham Beer Festival finds new home |
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After 31 years at the Victoria Leisure Centre the Nottingham
Beer Festival has found a new home. Subject to licensing
approval, the 2008 Festival will be held in the attractive
grounds of Nottingham Castle from Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th
October. To mark this momentous change the festival will be
re-styled as “The Robin Hood Beer Festival”, but rest assured
that it will have all of the key elements of the previous
festivals including well over 400 quality real ales and ciders.
The beers and ciders will be featured in a huge marquee on the
main castle green; however it is planned to stage the musical
entertainment in the magnificent bandstand within the lower
grounds. There will be a bar in a smaller tent positioned
adjacent to slake the thirsts of those enjoying the music.
Nottingham Castle’s General Manager Dave Green expressed his
pleasure at the move, “We are delighted to be able to host this
highly regarded annual event. Not only will the customers enjoy
this new venue, but they will also get the opportunity to
appreciate what a great attraction the castle offers to both
local residents and visitors alike.”
So get those dates in your diary - 9th to 12th October –
it’s going to be the biggest and best Beer Festival that
Nottingham has ever seen. For those who do not know Nottingham
Castle, it is only about 300 yards from the old Market Square
and about a five minute walk from the train station and Broad
Marsh bus station.
Source: Nottingham CAMRA 28 March 08 |
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Leicester Beer Festival 2008 Report
The annual four day
Leicester Beer Festival started off on Wednesday 12th
March 2008 at 5pm at The Charotar Patidar Samaj, the same venue
that has been so successful for the previous 7 years.
The
festival this year featured 87 different breweries and 205
different beers, amounting to a colossal 18536 pints along with
30 perrys and ciders.
Beers were
sourced from all of the Leicestershire & Rutland breweries
which featured on our new LocAle bar,
with some of the newest and smallest micro-breweries from our
neighbouring counties featuring on the Guest Ales bars. Bees Brewery from
Queniborough made
its first ever beer festival appearance and come away winning
the Porter/Stout category with its 5% Wobble Stout.
The Harry
Cragg “Beer
of the Festival” sponsored by The Foxton Locks Inn judging was carried out on the Wednesday night
using tasting panels and invited guests. See results below.
Another
record-breaking attendance saw 4503 people attend during the
duration of the Festival (5% up on last year) and beer
consumption was up slightly on last year. Friday was again the
busiest day with some people having to wait a short while
outside due to our hall capacity being reached. We apologise for
this and are still actively seeking a larger venue despite most
people telling us they want to stay at the Charotar because they
like it so much.
With a
slightly increased beer order again on last year, we opened on Saturday
with a big choice of beers so that we would not run out. Indeed, we
closed with 42 beers left on to maintain choice right to the
end.
Everards
again had their brewery bar at the festival and launched their
new beer ‘Hazy Daze’.
The
improved authentic Indian curries were a real success and our
traditional English food counter manned by CAMRA volunteers was
busy as always. Indeed we got through 600 Pork Pies alone as the
popularity of these from Lanes Butchers on King Richards Road
increases, most people were complimentary about the cobs as well
which were sourced from Ethels Bakery for the first time.
Once again
we collected for LOROS by means of collection buckets - Thank
You.
We would
like to thank everyone who attended for making the event so
successful.
We would
also like to thank our main sponsor, Everards, and all of our
advertisers and brewers of festival specials. Also, The
Leicester Mercury and ITV East Midlands News for their coverage of the event. Also, our main
beer agency suppliers: Boggart, Beer My Guest and Shardlow for
supplying some fantastic beers.
Leicester Mercury article 14 March.
Our Sub Branch - Hinckley & Bosworth Festival Report
The
festival committee would like to thank all the volunteers who
worked throughout the event and made it another complete
success, including the Hinckley & Bosworth sub branch members.
Thanks also to the Red Cross who provided first aid cover for
the festival.
Andy
Sales.
Beer and Brewery Co-ordinator.
The
Harry Cragg "Beer of the Festival" sponsored by the Foxton
Locks Inn
The ninth Leicester Beer Festival
opened on Wednesday
12th March 2008 at 5pm.
Once again, the
opportunity was taken to judge the Harry Cragg “Beer of the
Festival” by using a mixture of experienced tasters and volunteers.
This year the tasters were split over nine tables and tasted 6 beers
each totalling 54 beers. All beers were selected prior to opening
for quality and category grouping by two senior members of the
Leicester Tasting panel. Nearly all of the beers conform to the Champion
Beer of Britain criteria for nomination through the Branch.
Congratulations
to all the winners, we will try and arrange presentations over the
next few months for as many of the winners as we can.
Overall Winner
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Gold |
Grainstore |
Winter Nip |
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Silver |
Poachers |
Hare Repie |
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Bronze |
Milestone |
Raspberry Wheat |
Category Winners
Mild
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1st |
Brampton |
Impey Dark |
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2nd |
Potbelly |
Beijing Black |
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3rd |
Grainstore |
Rutland Panther |
Bitter
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1st |
Barrowden |
Own Gear |
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2nd |
Buntingford |
Western Reliance |
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3rd Joint |
Langton |
Oat Hill Bitter |
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3rd Joint |
Grindleton |
Ribble Bitter |
Best Bitter
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1st |
Grainstore |
Triple B |
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2nd Joint |
Langton |
Inclined Plane |
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2nd Joint |
Castle Rock |
Preservation Ale |
Strong Bitter
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1st |
Tollgate |
Red McAdy |
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2nd |
Thornbridge |
Jaipur |
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3rd |
Digfield |
Mad Monk |
Porter / Stout
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1st |
Bees |
Wobble |
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2nd |
Red Squirrel |
London Porter |
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3rd |
Hopshackle |
Historic Porter |
Golden Ale
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1st |
Poachers |
Hare Repie |
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2nd |
Atomic |
Meltdown |
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3rd |
Brampton |
Golden Bud |
Speciality Beers
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1st |
Milestone |
Raspberry Wheat |
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2nd |
Everards |
Sly Fox |
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3rd Joint |
Little Valley |
Ginger |
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3rd Joint |
Everards |
Sunchaser |
Super Strong
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1st |
Grainstore |
Winter Nip |
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2nd |
Thornbridge |
St Petersburg |
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3rd |
Kinver |
Over the Edge |
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Bass Museum to close |
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Coors Brewers has announced a decision
to close the Coors Visitor Centre (CVC), formerly known as
the Bass Museum, from the end of June 2008, as it focuses
on saving costs.
The areas that will close include the
Museum, The Brewery Tap, the Gift Shop and all meeting
rooms. The White Shield micro-brewery will remain open.
Discussions will continue with East Staffordshire Borough
Council regarding the future of the Tourist Information
Centre, which has its home at the CVC.
Keith Donald, business services director
at Coors, said: "This is a hard decision not only for
our employees but for our commitment to the local
community. The UK beer market is extremely tough for all
brewers, not just Coors and the CVC costs us around £1
million annually, which cannot be sustained."
"We have tried everything to make the CVC
viable (including a revamp last year and free entry to
Burton residents). Despite this, visitor numbers have
continued to fall and the subsidy needed has increased. It
is important for Coors to build the long term future of its
brand portfolio to safeguard its future and Burton's future
as the worlds' brewing capital."
"We are keen to minimise the impact in
the town and every effort will be made to find staff
affected new roles."
All wedding bookings at the CVC confirmed
through until the end of 2008 will be honoured. All events
booked up to the end of June 2008 will continue and anyone
who has queries about their booking should call Peter
Orgill on 01283 513500. Anyone interested in the site for
other uses should contact John Polglass on 01283 513259.
Source - Morning Advertiser 18 March 08 |
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New Brewery opens in Leicester |
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With a new microbrewery opening somewhere in the UK almost
every week and after a period of 3 years in Leicestershire
without a new brewery opening, Alec Brackenbury has opened
Bees Brewery in Queniborough. The brewery is a 5 Barrel
kit manufactured from converted food vessels and is in one
of the Industrial Units behind Branston's Garage on the
main Melton Road between Syston and Queniborough. The
installation and consultancy work has been done by the
famous Barrie Parish of Bonce Blower fame.
The first brew was done on Monday 25th February 2008 and
is called Navigator at 4.5. Alec says the name Bees is
basically derived from the first letter his surname. Alec
has been a lorry mechanic for the last 10 years and has
produced wine but beer is a new venture.
A second brew called Wobble, a 5.0% Stout is to be
brewed on 27th Feb. Both beers have been brewed close
together to push them into the Leicester Beer Festival 2008
where they will be launched.
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The first brew on 25 Feb 2008. Pictures Andy
Sales. |
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Leicester CAMRA Pub of the Year 2008 - The
Criterion |
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The votes have been counted and once again the Criterion is
the Leicester CAMRA Pub of the Year 2008. See
Pub of the Year |
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CAMRA National Pub of the Year - The
Old Spot |
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 The
Old Spot, Hill Road, Dursley, Gloucestershire. GL11 4JQ has
been crowned National Pub of the Year, as voted for by
CAMRA members and regional judges.Steve Herbert,
licensee of the Old Spot Inn, said “I am overwhelmed at
winning the National Pub of the Year award. To be judged
the best pub in Britain is a dream come true." CAMRA Pubs
Director Julian Hough commented "The Old Spot Inn is a
great example of how successful a well-run community pub
can be."
Runners up were:-
Turks Head, St Helen's, 49-51 Morley Street,
St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 2DQ.
Land of Liberty, Peace and Plenty, Long Lane,
Heronsgate, Hertfordshire.
Blue Peter Hotel, Kirkcolm, Dumfries &
Galloway. DG9 0NL.
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Scottish & Newcastle Takeover |
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CAMRA claims consumer choice and competition
will be hit |
The announcement today that Scottish and Newcastle
(S&N) is to be acquired and divided between Carlsberg
and Heineken has been condemned by the Campaign for
Real Ale (CAMRA). S&N's UK activities are set to be
acquired by Heineken and CAMRA will be seeking urgent
reassurances over the future of S&N's real ale
interests.
Mike Benner, CAMRA's Chief Executive, said, “The
relentless obsession with pushing global lager brands
is a failing strategy in the UK beer market and this is
fueling consolidation and hitting profits hard. The
inevitable result of consolidation is brewery closures,
brand losses and less choice for Britain's consumers.”
Mr. Benner added, “The deal raises many questions
for real ale drinkers in the UK. What impact will this
have on traditional real ales such as John Smiths and
smaller regional brands such as Magnet? We will be
seeking reassurances from the new owners that they will
invest in their real ale brands and breweries to meet
the demands of today's beer drinkers who are
increasingly demanding real ale.”
CAMRA is concerned about the impact the takeover
could have on Waverley TBS, a major distributor of real
ales, the contract brewing of Theakston's Best Bitter
and the partnership with the Caledonian Brewing
Company.
It is expected that the takeover will be considered
by the European Commission and CAMRA is calling for an
in-depth review of competition and consumer choice in
the EU beer market.
Mike Benner continued: “The lager-led approach of
the global brewers has been flawed for years and
consumers demand choice, quality and provenance.
Fortunately the increasing number of small and
independent real ale breweries in the UK are rising up
to fill the void in the market where demand for local
and regional beer continues to grow.”
Bob Stukins, CAMRA's Director of Breweries
Campaigning said, “This is a sad day for British
brewing. S&N was the last remaining major brewer in
British hands and the deal is unlikely to show any
benefits for consumers.”
S&N's main real ale brand is John Smith's cask.
However it also brews Theakston's Best Bitter on behalf
of T&R Theakston, and owns 30% of Scottish brewery
Caledonian's brands. CAMRA will be seeking assurances
from the new owners that these enterprises will be
preserved.
Source: CAMRA press release 25 Jan 08 |
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The Queen Vic re-opens
The Queen
Victoria pub, 28 Southampton St, Leicester, LE1 1SJ
reopened on Friday January 18th. The pub is
located near to the Leicester Mercury offices and has had
mixed fortunes in the past.
The pub has
been taken on by Tony Francis, owner of “Ales of the
Unexpected” beer agency and is on a five year lease from
Punch Taverns. However, in a new move for Punch, Tony is
allowed to have any real ales he likes and is free of tie. The
Manager is Lee Bale.
On the opening
day, I visited in the evening and found an interesting
range of beers available through the 7 handpumps. The house
beer is Sam Smiths OBB which is from wooden casks - Tony
says he is a massive fan of beers from the wood.
Also available
were Mystery Tor 3.8 and Hedge Monkey 4.6 from Glastonbury
Brewery, Frostbite 5.5 from Shardlow, Queen Bee 4.2 from
Slaters and Joules Bitter 4.1 from Tower Brewery. The last
beer was Boadicea’s Revenge 4.3 from Ales of the Unexpected
which is also brewed at Glastonbury. I tried the
Glastonbury beers and found them to be in very good
condition - it made it even sweeter that all beers were £2
a pint for the opening weekend!
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L - R. The Queen Vic Sign, Manager
Lee Bale, Sam Smiths OBB racked in the Cellar.
All pictures Andy Sales |
Tony aims to
have 7 beers on every weekend which may drop down to 4
during mid-week depending on how trade is. One thing for
sure is his passion for Sam Smiths, which should be in
cracking form. Tony will be having some very interesting
beers through the pumps and plans to have a beer festival
in April already.
The pub opens
from 12 noon until 11pm Mon - Sat and 12 - 5 on Sundays.
Limited food is available until the kitchen area has been
refurbished.
Leicester
CAMRA wish Tony and Lee every success, it’s great to be able to
write an article about a real ale pub opening in Leicester.
Andy Sales. |
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Supreme CAMRA Champion Winter Beer
of Britain
'Station Porter' steams in to
be voted best winter beer in the land!
Wickwar Station Porter from Gloucestershire was
named as the Supreme Champion Winter Beer of Britain
2008 by a panel of judges at CAMRA's National Winter
Ales Festival in Manchester.
The 6.1% abv porter is described in CAMRA's 2008
Good Beer Guide as “A rich, smooth, dark ruby-brown
ale. Starts with a roast malt; coffee, chocolate and
dark fruit then develops a complex, spicy, bittersweet
taste and a long roast finish.”
 At the announcement, Steve Prescott, Organiser of
the National Winter Ales Festival congratulated Wickwar
on its victory. He said, "It's great to see a porter
winning the Supreme Champion Winter Beer of Britain
competition as this beer style has been in danger from
disappearing from the British pub. I sincerely hope
people will be inspired to try more porter on the back
of Wickwar's victory.”
On hearing the news, Kevin Newbould, Wickwar's Key
Accounts Director said, “We are very pleased to have
been voted the best winter beer in Britain and
delighted that everybody feels the same way about this
wonderful beer as we do. Let's hope we see a resurgence
in people trying more porters in the near future.”
The Silver award went to Robinson's Old Tom and the
Bronze to Hop Back Entire Stout.
A panel of CAMRA experts and beer writers at the
National Winter Ales Festival (New Century Hall,
Manchester) judged the competition. Drinkers at the
festival, which opened yesterday and will run until
January 19th, can sample the winners as well as try
over 200 old ales, milds, stouts, porters, barley wines
and bitters.
Source: CAMRA Press release 17 Jan 08 |
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