the...Wight Beer Bus Weekend in October. When we next meet I will have a fresh conversation piece -...

Spring 2020Spring 2020

FREEFREE Please Take OnePlease Take One

The magazine of the The magazine of the Gloucestershire Branches of theGloucestershire Branches of the

Campaign for Real Ale Campaign for Real Ale

Front cover photograph competition sponsored byFront cover photograph competition sponsored by

thethe

The magazine of the Gloucestershire Branches of the Campaign for Real Ale

in this issue:

©The Campaign for Real Ale 2020. Opinions expressed

need not represent those of CAMRA Ltd or its officials

We value feedback and news from around the county, so, if you’ve got something to say, want to make a contribution, compliment or criticise, then get in touch:

The Editor, The Tippler, 23 Theocs Close, Tewkesbury, Glos. GL20 [email protected]

07977 157050

Letters to the Editor page 4

The Hunter’s Column page 8

Gloucester Prize Wordsearch page 11

Cheltenham News page 12

Gloucestershire News page 15

North Cotswolds News page 18

Tewkesbury News page 20

News from around the county page 26

Brewery News page 32

Hillside Front Cover Comp. page 37

Pubs & Young People page 38

A Year in the Life of the Orchard page 42

Competition - Name that Pub page 45

Dodgy Ticker - Technology page 48

WYSIWYG - Georgina Young page 50

Linton Festival Competition page 52

In Search of the Holy Grail page 56

What’s Coming Up? page 60

CAMRA contacts page 62

CONTRIBUTION DEADLINES:CONTRIBUTION DEADLINES:these have now changed tothese have now changed to

SECONDSECOND FRIDAY FRIDAY OF OF FEBRUARY, MAY, AUGUST AND NOVEMBERFEBRUARY, MAY, AUGUST AND NOVEMBER

HILLSIDE BREWERY FRONT COVER COMPETITION WINNER: One thing Wetherspoon is great at: saving beautiful architecture. As a good example, in Gloucester, this wonderful art deco cinema has been saved from the demolition wrecking ball. Stephen Hawkesworth’s image of The Regal wins this edition’s competition.

thethe

3

LETTERS to the

EDITOR

Some of us old codgers are still happy to use the services of the Royal Mail, and we actively encourage all forms of (preferably printable!) communication. So get writing letters, sending emails and get your news, views and comments published!

LETTERS to the EDITOR

The magazine of the Gloucestershire Branches of the Campaign for Real AleThe magazine of the Gloucestershire Branches of the Campaign for Real Alethethe

www.gloucestershire.camra.org.ukwww.gloucestershire.camra.org.uk 54

Dear Chris

Many thanks for the recent prize of three

tickets to Hillside Brewery. This has enthused

me a little more to try again with entries into

the wonderful Tippler.

My curiosity here. I forwarded two photos

taken at the former Cross Keys in Gloucester.

Which one did you make the second prize?

As for Veronica winning - brilliant! The

last time we engaged in banter was the Isle of

Wight Beer Bus Weekend in October. When

we next meet I will have a fresh conversation

piece - photography!

Best wishes

Stephen Hawkesworth

Chris replies:

Hello Stephen,

Many thanks for the email. The second prize was this one, shown right. In the end, the winner was

more easily presented on the page, when you have a look at it (left) you’ll see it fitted better. Images are a funny thing, as a designer who uses them most of the time, I do wonder how

many billion are never looked at, taken on the millions of mobile phones around the world. Having another go at the front cover competition would be brilliant, just take a look at the portrait format (right) and imagine your shot with the title and logos added and you’ll have a good chance at winning. If you can’t win that, don’t forget the Gloucester Brewery Wordsearch, and the newly sponsored Bespoke Brewery ‘Name that Pub’ competition, there’s plenty to get involved with, so I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Hello Chris

It was spooky to receive your email. Shortly before this I was stood outside The Regal in Gloucester and pondering. “That artdeco styling should gain greater recognition.” There is a story in the troubled building process. WW2 intervened so building was abandoned until after 1945 when materials and labour could eventually be sourced. “Sky in the background”. (A title block could be printed over the sky) Then the Cask Marque sign on the wall. Here “the clarity and boldness appealed”. Hence I took photos of both on my phone. I was later sat inside reading your email whilst enjoying a Titanic Plum Porter. I accept that the Regal is “tired”, but Gloucester should do more to promote itself. Hence my decision. I will submit my photos to a man who knows far more than I do! Please tell me if the photos are useless - I will not be offended!

Best wishes

Stephen Hawksworth

Chris replies:

Hello Stephen, Many thanks for the email and the brilliant image, just about perfect, as you’ll see from this issue’s cover! One of the great strength’s of the whole of the Wetherspoon estate management is their brilliant work saving some quite stunning and iconic buildings, I have been in a few and am always delighted to see them being recycled or is that ‘repurposed’ these days? Maybe they should be getting some form of ‘Green’ awards? As for the Regal, as a designer I have always loved art deco this is no exception. So, thanks for the email and well done, a great effort on the photography front!

Dear Chris,

I am just catching up and reading the Autumn edition of the Tippler and noticed the article by Margaret Wilkins concerning half pint price discrimination (page 24). I am a bloke and drink mostly half pints so I can try more different beers and styles. I too have come across places across the country where there is a significant mark up on the price of two half pints versus the cost of a pint. And of course, there may be other places where no price list is displayed and if you only have a half you may not be aware of the mark up. Whilst I agree entirely with the thrust of Margaret’s article, I would like to point out that this affects everyone (male, female or whatever) who enjoy drinking beer in half pints. I think that bringing the sex of the drinker into it dilutes the main message that some pubs are taking the mickey when it comes to half pints. Surely there are enough stereotypes in the beer business that we need to break down? CAMRA beards and beer bellies is one and ladies mostly drinking half pints is another. So,let’s use our energy instead to call out all those pubs who are seriously overcharging the half pint drinker.

CheersChris Walkden (Mr) - Stockport

Winter 2019Winter 2019

FREEFREE Please Take OnePlease Take One

The magazine of the The magazine of the Gloucestershire Branches of the

Gloucestershire Branches of the Campaign for Real Ale Campaign for Real Ale

Front cover photograph competition sponsored by


thethe

Winter 2019

FREE Please Take One

The magazine of the

Gloucestershire Branches of the

Campaign for Real Ale


the

THE TIPPLER Q4 2019.indd 1

22/11/2019 15:26


LETTERS to the EDITOR

6

Chris replies:

Hello Chris,

Many thanks for the email, it’s good to see that the Tippler is making its way across the country and, in particular, up North. An interesting commentary and one I am bound to say I wholeheartedly agree with. I am a fervent believer in eradicating any kind of discrimination, gender, race, colour, religion, half pint drinking et al., an education policy that, if robust, would put the country in a much better place than it is now. I do know that Margaret wrote that piece with a tongue in cheek, and it has at least created some engagement and feedback, so in that sense it has worked admirably, as well as bringing the half pint issue to the fore. Your last sentence is a great rallying call and wholeheartedly supported by me!

Cheers,

Chris Leibbrandt

Hello Chris,

The second Worcester CAMRA festival celebrating the city’s pubs and breweries is set to take place on the 27th and 28th March 2020. Following the success of last year’s festival, the Worcester branch of CAMRA has joined forces with a dozen of the city’s venues to organise Worcester’s first pub and brewery festival. With all 12 venues within a mile of Foregate Street train station and the city’s bus station, there is an opportunity for beer and cider fans from across the Midlands and beyond to visit the city and sample some of the best beers and ciders on offer.The venues that are participating are:The Arch Rivals, The Cardinals Hat, The Dragon Inn, The Swan, The Bull Baiters Inn, The Imperial, The Alma, The Oil Basin, The Paul Pry, The Plough, The Sociable Beer Company and The Worcester Brewing Company. With over 120 beers and ciders, some of which that will never have been seen before in the city available across the 12 venues this is a

weekend not to be missed. Some of the venues will also recommend beers and ciders to go alongside the excellent food they have available, whilst some venues will have live entertainment too. CAMRA volunteers will be meeting and greeting visitors outside Foregate Street station and a special booklet will be available profiling each of the participating venues along with a map to help visitors find them. CAMRA members will get discounts and access to special promotions in many of the venues and there will be opportunities to join the incredibly successful campaign that members waged to get better beer in Britain.For more information visit:

www.worcesterpubbeerfestival.com

Good afternoon Chris,

We wanted to email you to let you know that the Welsh Perry and Cider Society’sannual festival is happening on the Spring Bank Holiday in May (22-25 May 2020) atCaldicot Castle. We are back with a bang for 2020, with the festival showcasing the very best thatWales has to offer in perry and cider. As we are in partnership with CAMRA this yearthere will also be a great variety of real ale available too. There will be live music allweekend, local food and drink and craft stalls. Camping is available on site, with many local B&Bs available if you’re choosing to stay for the weekend. We hope to see you and your members there. As we are operating in partnership withCAMRA this year we would also welcome any volunteers that were looking to help outbehind the bars. One of the WPCS Directors is Chris Charters (CAMRA Director forWales) and he is very keen to get the wider community involved. Tickets for the festival are available through this link:

www.ticketsource.co.uk/welshcider

You can also see : https://www.welshcider.co.uk/ and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WelshPerryAndCider

the marquee opens at 3pm ongood friday with Live music

at 6pm and going on all weekend!!

on easter Sunday its the americana music festival

with our annual chilli cook off

hot food available all weekend!

The crown & sceptre, horns road, Stroud, GL5 1eg

01453 762588 - www.crownandsceptrestroud.com

Festival is FREE ENTRY, LOCATED in the Pubs BEER Garden

In the ‘”Big Marquee”

apr i l 1 0 th- 1 3 th

The Hunter

Between the flooding, our intrepid hero gets down to have a run through the card at the Tewkesbury Winter Ales Festival

AND WE,’LL HAVE PUN, PUN, PUN...

HUNTERHUNTER’’,,SS

COLUMNCOLUMNTHE

8 The magazine of the Gloucestershire Branches of the Campaign for Real AleThe magazine of the Gloucestershire Branches of the Campaign for Real Alethethe


Lots of pun and tuns of fun at the 25th Tewkesbury Winter Ales Festival this year. Held at the beginning of February in the keen to be resuscitated George Watson Memorial Hall, it boasted 80 ales that are brewed nearly exclusively during the winter period and a larger choice of ciders than usual, chosen almost exclusively from around the county of Gloucestershire, where are grown the most a-peeling of all apples. D’ye ken? Winner of the prestigious Beer of the Festival award was, wait for it, Crimea River - a pun that should have some sort of custodial sentence attached to it. The name came back to haunt the historic town however,when after the festival the Mighty Severn and its tributary act, the Shakespeare’s Avon, conspired, with a bit of Teme work, to produce the highest river levels seen in the town since 2007. Again, dramatic pictures of the marooned abbey, looking like a sort of Love Island with its own built-in cemetery, were spread across the media. At the Berkeley Inn they were pumping out the cellar and the White Bear, at the other end of the town, woke up to find itself completelymarooned. Local ale drinkers closed ranks as the siege mentality gripped the town and managed to rise above the surging waters, fleeing to the presentation of the CAMRA National Club of the Year Award to the Cheltenham MotorClub (reaffirming for the third time that tenuous link between drinking and driving). The following day they headed north to the Derby Winter Ale Festival, where 400 ales were on tap to distract them from their watery woes and as a distraction therapy it worked a treat. Fallen Acorn’s Crimea River is a 9% Imperial Stout. The Brewery is located in Gosport, overlooking Portsmouth Harbour and is not

short on pun-foolery. Other ales coming from this multi-award winning, pun-loving brewery are Hole Hearted; Rye Bos (a Rye beer infused with Rooibos); Dankashire Hop Pot (Dank hopped session IPA); Beast From The Yeast (a 7.2% Baltic Porter); These Go Up To 11 (an 11% Double IPA) and, unsurprisingly, Sith (sic) Faced, which

comes in at a relatively modest 5.8%. I take my hat off to the Fallen wordsmith of Clarence Wharf. Festival goers were taking note and uploading their beer comments onto Untappd - a website that allows drinkers to rate beer; share photos etc. - where Crimea River earnt itself a ‘Beyond a Shadow of a Stout’ badge. Fallen Acorn weren’t the only brewers to put a ‘rye’ smile on the faces of discerning TWAF drinkers. No. 1

on the festival beer menu was Double Bastard (10.4%) from 3 Piers Brewery, Poulton-le-Fylde, which is only 3 miles from Blackpool; hence the name – 3 Piers that is, not Double Bastard. We’ve all heard of the devil’s music, we grew up on it, but Brotherhood Brewery from Westbury in Wiltshire actually gave us his piano. Devils Piano is a devilish 6.6% Fudge Porter with chocolate and coffee overtones. It sounds one hell of a drink, I wonder what they serve upstairs? Mangoes Into A Bar is also one of theirs. Figgy Stardust was introduced to us by the New Bristol Brewery – a delicious Ruby Porter with “brandy soaked figs, dates and raisins added, as well as 80 cinnamon quills for that extra festive twist”. I hope they got Chubby Checker to advertise it, in the enforced absence of Mr Bowie. The Stealth Brewing Co. who brew “Unfined and Unashamed” beers in nearby Melksham, unashamedlyserved up a seasonal Mint Spy (say it quick) - maybe they should have been ‘fined’ for that! Not Chubby, not Ziggy, not even The Beach Boys, but there was another music giant that turned up at the festival this year. Known as The Hillybilly Shakespeare and regarded as one of the most significant and influential American singer/songwriters of the 20th century,it’s probably a good idea that he wasn’t booked to play as towards the end of his career “most of his bookings were in beer halls, and his drunkenness was now a serious problem compounded by medication prescribed by a bogus doctor.” He turned up anyway in a conversation with one of the beer-friendly ‘Three Brothers’ from Gloucester. I don’t know how it cropped up but the brothers’ had an aunt who married an American musician Hayward (?) Williams, who had some sort of direct connection to Hank. That was certainly

good enough for me and I was proud to be standing next to a man, who had an aunt, who married a man etc. and if that wasn’t enough, the family knew local music legend Joe Meek too. I nearly bought him a drink! On the Saturday lunchtime, festival-goers were all busy enjoying the highlight of the festival that is the Tewkesbury Town Band, who were playing, literally, on home soil – their practice room adjoins the main hall of the festival and is used as a drinking lounge. From the quieter moments, when you could hear a pun drop (sorry), to the band in full flight pounding out the main theme of The Dam Busters March, this is an experience not to be missed. It would bring a tear to a glass eye. If

we had taken a moment to stare one-eyed into our beer cups and read the runes, all the clues were there - Crimea River; The Beast From The Yeast; The Dam Busters March (OK, they were a month out). Had we just listened a little more closely to Hillside Brewery calling to us from behind the bar, “Severn Surge… Severn Surge…” (named after the seven malts contained within) we

might have been a bit

more prepared. Next year I will definitely be keeping an eye out to see whether Severn Vale’s Severn Sins makes a comeback!

Find the listed Gloucestershire and other breweries (that are pretty close!) in the grid. They can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal, forwards or back. Unused letters spell out a great a way of investing £26.50.

Send your answer in ASAP to: [email protected]

and win ONE of FOUR BREWERY TOUR tickets available to lucky winners.

Gloucester Brewery are proud to sponsor the increasingly popular Tippler word search. You have a chance to win one of 4 brewery tour tickets, a brilliant prize that comes highly recommended. There’s a lot more than you think going on at this truly fascinating dockland brewery.

BespokeCastle CombeCoriniumDeyaDonningtonForceGloucesterGoffsHals AlesHook NortonSevern BrewingInferno

LydbrookPrescottStanwayStroudTileysUleyWickwarWye Valley

Tippler January 2020

Find the listed Gloucestershire breweries in the grid. They can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal, forwards or back. The unused letters

spell out a good way of investing £26.50.

E B M O C E L T S A C C S

F A M R A S S T I N R N E

O G O F F S E O G L E O V

R W E R D L L C C O T T E

C Y M A O Y A S O N S R R

E E E W N D S E R R E O N

D V T K N B L R I E C N B

U A I C I R A P N F U K R

O L L I N O H M I N O O E

R L E W G O B E U I L O W

T E Y Y T K R S M H G H I

S Y S I O B E S P O K E N

P S T A N W A Y A Y E D G

0103

2016

/1

BREWERYTOUR

0103

2016

/1

BREWERYTOUR

0103

2016

/1

BREWERYTOUR

0103

2020

/1

PRIZE WORD SEARCHPRIZE WORD SEARCH

10 www.gloucestershire.camra.org.ukwww.gloucestershire.camra.org.uk 11

www.cheltenhamcamra.org.ukwww.cheltenhamcamra.org.uk 13

NEWS FROM THE CHELTENHAM BRANCHNEWS FROM THE CHELTENHAM BRANCH


in brief...

More than 40 of the Cheltenham Real Ale Festival volunteers were invited to a post-Christmas festival celebration at ‘Balti Walla’ in Cheltenham. Volunteers from across Gloucestershire, and from as far afield as Milton Keynes, were treated to an excellent meal and two firkins of Bristol Beer Factory’s finest. “The branch felt that it was important to reward all the hard-working people who helped to plan, build and run the 2019 festival,” said Branch Chair, John Crossley. “At this time of year, and with unpredictable weather, trips out to breweries are not so appealing. The branch decided this was a good reward option, one that we could finance from the festival profits. Without their dedication, and considerable commitment of time and resources, the festival could not happen. So this is our small way of saying thank you.” The 2020 Cheltenham Real Ale Festival (CRAF20) will take place at the same venue, Cheltenham Ladies’ College. The dates are Friday30th and Saturday 31st of October. A call for volunteers will go out nearer the date, but if anyone is interested in getting involved with the festival planning please send an email to:

[email protected].

Cheltenham Festival CelebrationCheltenham Festival CelebrationThe Beehive, Montpellier, Cheltenham

Winter is a time for sitting in a good pub, in good company, enjoying a pint of real ale in front of a roaring fire. The Winter Pub of the Year aims to recognise pubs that are particularlyappealing, and mood enhancing, during these long and gloomy months. The Beehive is a well known community pub in the heart of Montpellier. It was taken over by John Vidler at the end of October. Having previously run establishments in London, with three pubs under his belt, John moved to Cheltenham for family reasons. As an experienced landlord and chef, John quickly realised that changes needed to be made to improve the pub. “When you walk into a new business, you've got to establish a standard that you previously worked in. We have made Improvements to the kitchen, appointed a new head chef, Chris Herriot, and a general manager. “We are delighted that Cheltenham CAMRA has recognised the hard work my team has put in to make the Beehive a destination pub.” Presentation of the award took place on Tuesday 7th January. “The Beehive has always had a reputation as a welcoming and friendly pub,” said Branch Chair, John Crossley. “It’s cosy and snug and the area around the stove is always popular and welcome during winter.

The improvements John has introduced have made the pub an even more attractive destination, especially during winter. Cheltenham CAMRA are delighted to present this award, and we look forward to seeing how the Beehive will develop during the year.”

Branch Chair, John Crossley, (left) presents the Winter Pub of the Year award to John Vidler and Mary Bednall.

Bath Road Beers, a relatively new beer shop with a small bar, has won the ‘UK’s best independent Beer Retailer of the Year’ award from ‘Drinks Retailing’ at a presentation at the Dorchester in London. This is the award previously won by our Favourite Beers shop. Favourite Beers is one of only five bottle shops to win a 'Best Places for Beer' in England in the RateBeer Best Awards. See https://www.ratebeer.com/ratebeer-best/2019/places-by-country for the full list.

The Beaufort Arms, closed for the past 2-3 years, looks set to re-open as a smaller, possibly micro-pub and as a free house. This was previously a Wadworths pub. A couple of people are aiming to open micro pubs in town in the next month or so, one to be called the Angry Parrot. The Railway and The Swan on High Street are now both ‘free of tie’, with The Vine to follow shortly. The King’s Arms in Prestbury has re-opened as a ‘Raymond Blanc’ bar/restaurant after a major refurbishment and serves a reasonable range of cask ales.

committee for their unswerving support, the local Cheltenham CAMRA Branch for their long-term support, my amazing suppliers and breweries, my fantastic bar staff past and present, my great locals and last but not least my long-suffering wife George who is, without doubt, my rock. Long live great real ale!” The Mayor congratulated Neil and the club but expressed surprise that a Motoring Club should also have a champion bar. Alex Chalk added his congratulations and was very grateful for the sign saying, “No Political talk at the Bar”. The CAMRA Club of the Year competition is run in conjunction with Club Mirror magazine with the simple aim of finding the clubs with the greatest commitment to quality real ale – those which offer a fantastic atmosphere, welcoming

surroundings and most importantly, top quality real ale served in great condition. All nominated clubs in the competition are independently assessed by a panel of CAMRA volunteers throughout the year.


14 www.cheltenhamcamra.org.ukwww.cheltenhamcamra.org.uk

Bath Road Beers, the independent beer shop, in Cheltenham was last week named the Independent Beer Retailer of the Year for the whole of the UK. The prestigious Drinks Retailing Awards’ judging criteria is not only based on the shop’s product offering, but also customer service scored over a 12 month period by mystery shoppers. Bath Road Beers is owned by two former students of the University of Gloucestershire, and now fully adopted Cheltonians, who set up a company that is solely invested in the drinks industry, and also run the prestigious Sandford Park Alehouse. Co-owner, Will Coates said: “In 2017, Andrew Coates, my business partner (and no relation) and I started a marketing consultancy, but I’d had an idea for some time to create an experiential beer venture in Cheltenham. “Our mission was creating a community based business, with exceptional customer service and stand out product, accessible to the take away / gift shopper or someone who was out for a beer with mates. We have over 400 beers, ciders and wines in the shop and we felt the experience of choosing something special to buy needed to be as enjoyable as consuming the product. “We opened in June 2018, and we’ve been blessed with the best customers and suppliers ever since. “We are really lucky to have an amazing, passionate manager and super engaged team who all genuinely care.” The shop manager, Jake Doherty, was placed

through an industry referral, is a great cultural fit. “I’m really pleased with the people we have in the team,” said Jake “It’s important that we brought people who showcase their passion, enthusiasm, and are creative and thoughtful people such as Lee Fraser and Amelia Leonard, who believe in our vision.” For further details visit:

www.bathrdbeers.co.uk

Cheltenham Shop Named Best in the Country

Cheltenham Motor Club named National ‘Club of the Year’ for the third time.

Cheltenham Motor Club and CAMRA members assembled on 19 February, to celebrate the ‘hat trick’ of receiving the prestigious CAMRA ‘Club of the Year’ award for the third time. Having also taken the title in 2013 and 2017, this third win equals the previous best by a club and means that club steward Neil Way is the most successful club steward in the history of the competition. Established in 1906, this friendly and welcoming club is decorated with motoring paraphernalia. With six ever changing real ales, three real ciders on tap, craft keg beers, draught German and Belgian beer, and a bottledBelgian beer range, this is a destination venue beer lovers and those visiting Cheltenham. The annual ‘Wheel Ale Festival’ is a highlight of the local beer scene, whilst the club’s ‘MagicBus’ outings visit local pubs and breweries, oncea month, during summer. The presentation party included Keith Spencer, Chairman of CAMRA’s Clubs Committee,Nik Antona, CAMRA National Chairman, Gareth McDonald, CAMRA Regional Director South West, Cheltenham Mayor Roger Whyborn and the Mayoress, and Cheltenham MP Alex Chalk. Keith Spencer, Chairman of CAMRA’s Clubs Committee said: “Cheltenham Motor Club keeps raising the bar in this competition

- year after year! It is clear that the club is a pivotal fixture in the local community, and you

can see people of all ages and from all backgrounds throwing their support behind it.” Neil Way, (left) Cheltenham Motor Club Manager said: “It came as a profound shock to have won this year's Club of the Year Award. As a long-term member of CAMRA, I am incrediblyproud to have won it again. An awful lot of hard work goes into running a private members’ club, and to have finished ahead of the other three superb clubs in the final is very humbling. I need to thank all the competition judges, my management

15

Neil Way (with award) and members of the award party along with local members of CAMRA celebrate his national success.

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Access to cask ales from all over the country through our network of 15 depots. Last year we listed and sold

over 1500 di�erent cask ales.

Designated cask coordinator at each depot.

O�cial supplier to CAMRA

We are much more than just the UK’s largest and most extensive cask supplier, we are a composite wholesaler of beer, wines and spirits who pride ourselves on our product range (over 5000),

high levels of service and industry knowledge.

To find out more about LWC and our productsplease phone: 01568 616193

or visit our website at:www.lwc-drinks.co.uk

19th SPRINGALE & STEAM

WEEKEND

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North Cotswold CAMRA & GWR

19th to 21st JUNE 2020

10:30 to 18:00 (Fri) 10:30 to 19.00 (Sat) to 16:00 (Sun)

Winchcombe & Toddington Stations

(with new bigger bar)

45 Beers total–15 at Toddington Hot & Cold Food with Soft Drinks

CAMPING near station at WinchcombeCome by Train: Extra trains for this event with Broadway now open!Frequent trains will operate between Cheltenham RC and Broadway.

Additional early and late trains on Saturday See timetable on GWR Website. A train ticket on the day is required or you need a

platform ticket for entry. Plenty of car parking at Toddington


The North Cotswold Branch held a recent branch meeting at The Kings Head at Bledington where we met the owner Archie Orr-Ewing. There we presented him with a certificate to celebrate that the Pub has been in the Good Beer Guide for the past 20 years. Archie bought the Kings Head in 2000, beside the village green in Bledington on the Gloucestershire/Oxfordshire border. The pub has undergone extensive work to add dining areas and rooms which led to it winning the Good Pub Guide Pub of the Year in 2018. What has not changed is the original oak beamed

bar area with its open fire, that has four hand pumps serving excellent beer and is frequented by local characters. Archie also owns the Swan at Swinbrook near Burford. Pubs Officer Martin Jones said “The standard of the beer never slackens with a variety of local and regional ale always on offer, it is always one of our top pubs that we are happy to be in the guide” North Cotswold Branch Chairman Roger Price presents Archie Orr-Ewing with a Certificate to mark the Kings Head’s 20 years in the Good Beer Guide.

NEWS FROM NORTH COTSWOLD BRANCH

We have now completed 97

walks around our pubs in the

North Cotswold area. Generally

4 or 5 miles easy walking these are

held monthly on the first Saturday of the

month starting at 10:30 am from the pub car

park returning at 12:30 pm for lunch.

We have 86 pubs in the area and

each one will eventually figure in

the process. Reports on all walks

are available on our website

www.northcotswoldcamra.org.uk

together with the route and photographs.

The next walks are as follows:- call Roger Price on 01451 810305 or just turn up. Dogs welcome on leads.

No 98 – Sat Mar 7th – Royal Oak, Andoversford.

No 99 – Sat Apr 4th- Redesdale Arms, Moreton.

No 100 – Sat May 2nd – Horse and Groom, Bourton on the Hill.

BEER FESTIVALS 2020

19th Ale and Steam Weekend 19th - 21st June

13th Moreton Beer Festival 11th - 12th September

Further information on our website: www.northcotswoldcamra.org.uk

Face Book A link to this site is on our web pagehttps://

www.facebook.com/North-Cotswolds-CAM-

RA-the-Campaign-for-Real-Ale-in-the-North-

Cotswolds-1022351584505679/?fref=nf

Real Ale Trails Planned for Spring Friday 13th March. Details to follow. Bourton on the Water. Mousetrap,

Wellington, Mance, Kingsbridge, Old New Inn.

Spring Cycling Event. Tuesday 7th April Start 10:00hrs at Broadway

loop to Evesham and back. 4 great pubs.

Day Away 2020 Saturday 16th May Visit to Hereford by Train. Tour of the GBG pubs.

Weekend Away Destination is Llandudno on 18th to 21st

September. The weekend is mainly a GBG pub

tour plus walks on Sat and Sun. Most members

are staying at The Bay Marine Hotel. (Coast and

Country, Bay Hotel Group.)

Winter Pub of the Year The seasonal award applies to our branch area’s most improved pub irrespective of whether or not it’s in the current GBG guide.

MONTHLY PUB WALKS MONTHLY PUB WALKS

Kings Head at Bledington20 years in the Good Beer Guide

19

NEWS FROM THE NEWS FROM THE TEWKESBURY BRANCHTEWKESBURY BRANCH


Bill Hunt, Tewkesbury CAMRA’s tour guide shares some of his notes (and sources in italics) of the Pub History Society Tewkesbury Town Walk that he held in October last year.

Tudor House Hotel - “…once called the Old House, was built in 1546, and next to the Abbey it is historically one of the town's most important buildings...The original C16 timber building was refronted in brick at the beginning of the C18th century. The lovely rainwater heads (1701) date from this period. In 1897, again in response to fashion, the Victorians refronted the building with mock-timbering. On the right of the building is the charming stone gateway leading to one of the few remaining English courtyards enclosed with a high wall mostly consisting of the original pinkish orange bricks.” – Tewkesbury History Society Nottingham Arms - One theory: Named after the successful Siege of Nottingham by Robert, the first Earl of Gloucester, son-in-law of Fitzhamon, joint founder of the abbey. More likely, Tewkesbury’s association with the knitting and wool trade, the centre of which was around Nottingham – The Nottingham Arms, A Brief History, Bill & Emma Lopez-Churm 2007 Frontage is a C20 reproduction, rest is C16 or earlier, there being a lintel which is identical with the C15 century cottages restored in Church Street. The building across the court has been dated 1450. First licensed 1869, though pub existed before that date – Public Houses of Tewkesbury Borough, B. Linnell 1972 Berkeley Arms - C16 shop front on a C15 tavern. Barn like structure at the rear circa C13 is possibly the frame of a medieval hall. Amos Webb (tenant 1869-1893) used to nail an oak bough over the doorway on Oak Apple Day - Public Houses of Tewkesbury Borough, B. Linnell 1972. English fare, Sunday roasts, cask ales and live music in a landmark space with C12 roots - Google. Over recent years the Berkeley Arms has been updated to reflect its C11 medieval heritage – www.berkeleyarms.pub Royal British Legion - Grade 1 listed. Formerly an inn, The Mason’s Arms. Late C15, much modified C19 and earlier. Remains of wide C18 fireplace, an outside

panel of wattle and daub under glass frame, and early plank door to cellar. Of outstanding interest as part of a medieval terrace, built as a speculative development for Abbey; the recessed placing of the early door shows extent of the former jettying – britishlisted-buildings.co.uk Bell Hotel - “the Bell Hotel, aka the Angel or the Ring o’Bells, was a pilgrim’s hostel situated safely in the Abbey’s grounds leaving the muddy road to Gloucester via Deerhurst to pass through today’s Victoria Pleasure Gardens by the Abbey Mill” – Tewkesbury History Society. “Seen from Church Street, the Bell, or Bell and Bowling Green or, at an earlier date, the Angel, appears to block the road completely. A closer view reveals that the main road goes to the left, a route it has followed since 1786. Until that time the main road to the south from the town turned right in front of the main door… and went down Mill Street. Above the front entrance is the date 1697 (erratum 1696). The style of the building indicates a slightly earlier construction date and this figure could refer to some major alteration or change of use. A list of monastery buildings in 1594 does not specifically mention… some sortof hostel for travellers, possibly linked to the monastery” – Public Houses of Tewkesbury Borough, B. Linnell 1972

21www.tewkesbury.camra.org.ukwww.tewkesbury.camra.org.uk

This was our first Tewkesbury Winter Ales Festival, we were picked up from the Pear Tree Inn having had a pint of ‘Budding’ from Stroud Brewery, could it get better than that? After doing the rounds and rounding up the waifs and strays, we ended up with 16 CAMRA members from Dursley and District sub-branch, a few of whom had been previously, so they knew the drill. Once inside we got the glass and our free half pint voucher and then it was game on! To our surprise there were around 80 beers, 90% of them appeared to be stouts and porters: not our usual tipple. It was about this time that we realised 'winter' beer festival was describingthe type of ale not the time of year. How naive are we? (You’re not the only one, I hadn’t thought of that! - Ed.) Anyway determined not to be a pale ale stuck in the mud I dived in and got a pint of Cotswold Lion ‘Winter Barley’, my husband, Craig, went for a pale ale ‘Glacier’ by BeartownBrewery which was hoppy, with a good balanceand really nice flavour. Mine was too heavy for me and quite bitter; unable to finish this, but not put off, I then went for Bristol Beer Fac-tory’s ‘Martini Expresso’ which was delightful, it tasted just like the iced coffee at Starbucks, very drinkable and light. Meanwhile we sampled the local pork pie with organic English mustard and home made pickled onions: just the job! Very nice indeed. The place was really filling up now with a good beery atmosphere with people chatting about all the beers and lots of recommendations. Craig then took the plunge and decided to find a beer with a description closest to Guinness, knowing that he can manage Guinness! So he went for ‘Black Cyclone’, this was dark and velvety, but still not to his taste. He then decided to try a stout which had the same US hops used in pale ales. Trying to combine the light with the dark, the choice was ‘Glo in the Dark’ by Treforest Brewery, this did not work at all and was a very confused pint! By this time I was now on ‘Oatmeal Stout’ byStroud Brewery, one of my favourite brewers

and I was not disappointed, this was ace, not too rich, smooth and a very nice flavour. For my last pint I went back on to a pale ale, as many of the stouts had the beers described like mince pie in a glass, chocolate milkshake, or crunchie in a pint or coconut, one was described as a lovely rich full flavoured stout, but then said with peppermint flavour?! I ask you, if I wanted cakes or chocolate I would eat them not put them in a pint! Very odd. I then had a ‘Glacier’ which I too found to be just to my taste in the hoppy IPA category. A quick mention that the ‘Severn Boar’ from the Uley Brewery was available, a rare sighting and in stunning form according to those that had that treat. We ended the evening with some sausage and chips from the chip shop up the road that was very nice indeed. Summing up: a great evening. We did give the stouts a try, but remain light ale drinkers. My husband gave a good description of the beers on show: “We don’t really see them in the pubs, so it’s a bit like going to a London fashion show with designer outfits you never see worn or in the shops, but are OK for that night.” So, like Luke Skywalker, we’re not converts to the dark side, but it really was another great CAMRA night out and many thanks to Pete for organising this trip out.

Wendy Hadfield

25th 25th TewkesburyTewkesburyWWinter inter AAles les FFestivalestival

Thursday 6th February - Saturday 8th February

Thursday 6th February - Saturday 8th FebruaryWatson Hall, Barton Street, GL20 5PX

Watson Hall, Barton Street, GL20 5PXThursday 6th February 7:00pm - 11:00pm

Thursday 6th February 7:00pm - 11:00pm(CAMRA members with card only )

(CAMRA members with card only )Friday 7th February 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

Friday 7th February 11:00 am - 11:00 pm Saturday 8th February 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

Saturday 8th February 11:00 am - 8:00 pmEntry £6.00 per sessionEntry £6.00 per sessionNEW! ALL SESSIONS PASS - £10

NEW! ALL SESSIONS PASS - £10(including souvenir glass)(including souvenir glass)No glass refunds

No glass refunds 80 Winter Ales + Local Ciders & Perriesfreshly made locally sourced foodwww.tewkesbury.camra.org.uk

2020202020202020

TEWX BEER FESTIVAL 2020.indd 1

TEWX BEER FESTIVAL 2020.indd 1

30/01/2020 22:5430/01/2020 22:54


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NEWS FROM THE NEWS FROM THE TEWKESBURY BRANCHTEWKESBURY BRANCH

Well, what a pleasant surprise! At lunchtimeon 8th October we went to the Rose and Crown, Redmarley, to deliver some Tipplers, fully expecting the visit to be short, and with a swift (probably below par) half. We were welcomed by ‘new people’ in the form of Ros Brooks in charge of the kitchen, Nigel Hamer in charge of all thing alcoholic and staff member, Banu, all of whom are welcoming,efficient, chatty, and informative. With a new menu coming shortly, there are two specialities – ‘classy pub fayre’ and ‘Thai cuisine’ where 90% of the food is homemade. Nigel has taken a cellarman’s course and fully understands how “real ale works” – good housekeeping from cellar to bar; ambient temperature in the cellar and at point of sale = good condition ale in the glass. His intention is to have three ales on tap at all times, but this will not always be the case as at slower times he will drop to two, because, quite correctly, he does not want them on the bar more than four days. Over the last two years, the previous licensee went from hero (in the GBG) to zero (as he let the pub go downhill) and the locals voted with their feet going uphill in droves, but word has got around and the customers are coming back down the hill. During the visit the ales available were Young’s ‘London Original’ 3.7%, Hop Shed ‘Wybar Worcestershire Amber’ 3.6%, and Marston’s ‘Pedigree’ 4.5% - all in good

condition, probably 4’s on CAMRA scoring. We decided to double check and returned at lunchtime 7th November. The Hop Shed Brewery offering had changed to ‘Sebright Worcestershire Golden Ale’ 3.8%, and another score of 4! The pub was heaving, which was really pleasing to see, and an extra feather in their cap – still trading efficiently following a flood from the road, through the garden and into the one end of the pub. Plans are afoot to prevent a recurrence, and slight interior modifications will be made at the same time to improve the bar layout and increase the seating area. If you are in the area, call in, whether you’re joining the locals for a pint, or enjoying a more formal occasion in the dining room, you will be warmly welcomed and well looked after – it’s well worth the visit.

If you have any brewery or pub news, comments, views or stories contact

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www.gloucestershire.camra.org.ukwww.gloucestershire.camra.org.uk 2524 The magazine of the Gloucestershire Branches of the Campaign for Real AleThe magazine of the Gloucestershire Branches of the Campaign for Real Alethethe

On Friday 17th July to Sunday 19th July, the now legendary Cotswold Beer Festival is returning to its home at Postlip Hall and Barn, and celebrates 44 years of good beer and good company. This unique festival, run entirely by volunteers, gives the warmest of welcomes to beer beginners and beer buffs alike. Remember if you are interested in offering even just a few hours of help behind the bar you will get free access to the entire festival for the weekend! Follow ‘Volunteering’ on our website. It’s a stunning location to enjoy real ales, ciders and local food in the company of good friends and friendly hosts. The beautiful backdrop of Postlip Hall, barn and gardens offers festival-goers a choice of ways to enjoy the weekend. Will you soak up the buzzing atmosphere and live music in the barn, or enjoy a picnic in the gardens, sharing a pint with friends, whilethe children enjoy ice cream and the bouncy castle? The Friday Night ticket is ideal for beer buffs, where connoisseurs and beginners alike can sample the widest range of real ales and ciders that the festival has to offer.

The Saturday All Day ticket (12pm to 9pm), a time to bring all the family – under 18 year olds go free. This proved so popular it regularly sells out, so buy your tickets early to avoid disappointment. For those who want a relaxed summer evening at the Festival there’s a Saturday Evening only ticket (4.30pm - 9pm). Our Sunday session gives you a great value, risk-free introduction to the Cotswold Beer Festival, entry to the Festival and buses are free – although you will need to buy a souvenir glass if you want a pint! The Sunday is a lucky-dip day of beers, ciders and perries it’s a great way to sample the unique atmosphere of this amazing festival. Like last year we have early bird tickets, which give a discount price to those that plan ahead: visit

https://www.postlip.camra.org.uk

The 44th Annual 17 - 19 JULYat POSTLIP HALL 2020

Chairman of the Dursley & District sub-branch, Peter Corfield, making the presentation to the landlord, Pete Tiley.

The Dursley & District Cider Pub of the Year is the Salutation Inn at Ham. A certificate in celebration the award was presented to thelandlord, Pete Tiley on 14th February 2020. The Salutation is well known as a beer pub, being a previous pub of the year, not only locally, but also regionally and as the NationalPub of the Year in 2014. It has always had an eclectic selection of both draught and bottled ciders and perries and has become somewhat of a Mecca for real cider drinkers. As well as the commercially available ciders, the pub makes its own small batch of cider from apples collected by the locals, which is also very popular. It is a shame that so many pubs nowadaysrely on commercially available ciders in keg form. They are quite popular with many cider drinkers, it is always refreshing to come across pubs that have a real selection of good local ciders that cater for good local cider drinkers! Long may they continue to thrive.


26 35www.gloucestershire.camra.org.ukwww.gloucestershire.camra.org.uk 27

from around the county...

News from Dursley...News from Dursley...

The Dursley & District Pub of the Year for 2020 is the Pear Tree Micro Pub in Charfield and an award was made to the owner, WendyTurner, on 7th February. Wendy took on the ailing Pear Tree in 2015 and immediately started to remodel the premises to create the micro pub that we see today. In the course of the renovation process, an original fireplacewas uncovered, and this became one of the main features of the new pub. It’s now the serving point for the (usually) four gravity fed cask ales, normally sourced regionally, but with occasional outsiders appearing. There are also up to four draught ciders available, as well as the usual bottled and keg selection. The pub is decorated throughout with murals, cartoons and sketches all the work of Wendy, often featuring pub regulars. Although the pub can often become crowded because of its size,

there is always a warm welcome for locals and visitors alike.

Chairman of the Dursley & District sub-branch, Peter Corfield, making the presentation to the owner, Wendy Turner.

It is safe to say the multi award winning community pub ‘The Fleece Inn, Hillesley’ has faced its fair share of hardships over the past year; in particular the last few months followingthe very sad passing of its beloved and legendary landlady Karen McGeoch; who sadly lost her battle with cancer on the 2nd January 2020. Karen poured her heart and soul into the pub after taking it on with husband Rod in early September 2016. She was on a mission to get the pub ‘back on its feet’ whilst remaining passionate that community and people were kept at the heart of everything ‘The Fleece Inn’ set out to do. “From the moment a customerwalks through the door they should feel welcome- just a simple smile goes a long way,” said Karen, who continued: “In our strong view community values play an important part in creating a friendly and inclusive environmentwhere customers can simply relax and enjoy themselves.” She certainly accomplished what she set out to achieve. In 2018, with Karen and Rod’s

passionate input and hard work, The Fleece Inn was awarded three CAMRA awards. The earliest coming just 15 months after taking overthe business (Dursley & District, Gloucestershireand The South West pub of the year). Gareth Macdonald, Regional Director for CAMRA South West commented: “In just two years, Karen and Rod have done something here that is nothing short of a miracle.” He continued: “above great beer and cider the most importantthing is the welcome when you walk through the door.” Rod will continue in his role as Landlord; overseeing the running of the pub, with the help of some fresh and also some more familiarfaces. Together, they set out to continue Karen’s great work and hope to provide all its current and future customers with that same warm welcome. The Fleece Inn, Hillesley, hope to welcome you for a pint or a bite to eat as we venture into March; celebrating the start of Spring and new beginnings.

Karen and Rod in happier days with their Gloucestershire Pub of the Year award

News from Dursley...News from Dursley...

Cirencester...Cirencester...

Upcoming events in 2020 will include plans to have more weekend trips using public transport and encourage those that work in the week to attend as well as the usual Tuesday evenings with a view to increasing participants. In pub and brewery news, the application to convert the Nelson Inn in Cirencester into six dwellings has been approved. The Red Lion, Ampney St Peter is still not open for business. The new owners have been reluctant to give any details of their plans. Change of use was refused and therefore it should remain as a pub. A second application for change of use to residential Waggon and Horses, Cirencester was submitted to the planning committee of Cotswold District. Despite efforts from

concerned parties the council voted as per the recommendation of the planning officer and the application was approved. So Cirencester loses another pub. The owner of the Twelve Bells has been granted permission to convert the brewery into B&B and ceased production early August 2019. On the brewery front, Corinium Ales have officially opened their extended tap room at the end of February 2019 with longer opening hours: 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm every Friday, plus the second Saturday of each month. Due to popular demand they then added another, the fourth, Saturday to their tap opening times. It is going very well. The Halfpenny Brewery is up and running

from around the county...

Dursley...Dursley...

A special award was made to the Beaufort Arms in Hawkesbury Upton in recognition of achieving 25 consecutive years in the Good Beer Guide, this is only the second pub in Gloucestershire to achieve this accolade. The pub, originally called the Duke of Beaufort, was purchased from Whitbread in 1994 by the present owner, Mark Steeds and within two years it made its first appearance in the GBG in 1996, at that time under the now defunct Avon Branch. The pub became a part of the Gloucestershire Branch on the demise of Avon, when the boundaries were redrawn between the Bristol and Gloucestershire Branches. We considered it was a homecoming as Hawkesbury Upton was historically a part of Gloucestershire. For local CAMRA purposes it came under the stewardship of the Dursley and District sub-branch

and shortly thereafter it became our Pub of the Year, going on the be the Gloucestershire choice. This was repeated twice more, going on to be the South West Region Pub of the Year. The pub is still as popular as ever with locals and visitors alike, with a good selection of beers always available, and a reputation for good food.

again under new ownership, although details are still sketchy. Big River Brewery is now brewing with Artisan Ales at Aston Down. There is speculation the Old Forge Brewery has moved from the Radnor Arms in Coleshill to the Swan at Lechlade. There is, however, no media or internet information to suggest this is any more than a rumour and no-one has yet made serious enquiries, but the hope is that there is news due soon.

A catalogue of some famous defeats: Chelsea 2 - Bradford 4 (2015), Liverpool 0 - Wimbledon 1 (1998), Hereford 2 - Newcastle 1 (1972), Wrexham 2 - Arsenal 1 (1992) … Dog House Coleford 2, Forest of Dean CAMRA 0 (2020).

Goffs Brewery Beer Geek Challenge

It was all meant to be so easy, the combined expertise and decades of experience of beer drinking, comprehensive brewery knowledge and brewing skills of Forest of Dean CAMRA sub-branch pitted against the regulars of the Dog House Micro Pub in Coleford. The bookies gave odds of 100-1 in favour of the CAMRA branch. This was going to be a massacre of biblical proportions, a walk in the park, and expectations ran high. The first round in the quiz was easy. Questionone: ‘name the four ingredients of beer’ - absolutely no problem. ‘Explain the origins of India Pale Ale’ - yep can do, ‘name four Gloucestershire breweries’ - does that include Brythonic and Lydbrook Valley? Confidence in Forest of Dean CAMRA was running high, we were on a roll. Round two. We were given a selection of pelleted hops to identify. The aroma of the selection gave fruity, earthy and citric notes and we discussed at length the alpha bitterness evident in the hops. We were given a chart to match the hop to the style of beer. It should have been an easy task but we got the biscuity and fruity notes mixed up, and took a long time deliberating the beer styles much to the consternation of our opposing team who had simply guessed it.

Round three. Identifying brewery logos was next. The distinctive design of Bristol Beer Factory labels is unmistakable. We put New Bristol Brewery - total monkees! It got worse. Round four. Malt identification. We were given samples of malted barley ranging in colour from straw to chocolate brown. Question: ‘Match the malted barley to the beer styles.’ Easy peasy! But there was no mention of pale malts or crystal malts. Goffs had used a different terminology and described pale malt as best and crystal malts as amber... or something like that. To cut a long story short, and with our combined expertise in all matters brewing, we got it wrong. Embarrassment reached fever pitch when on the picture round on brewery equipment we mistakenly labelled a fermenting vessel as a mash tun, and a grist mill as a hopper, and a paddle as a malt shovel. Absolutely no excuse. We threw it away and handed victory to the Dog House team. Greg and Vicky, owners of the Dog House, and their team wasted no time in pouring their derision and sarcasm at the thoroughlyhumiliated CAMRA team. We had entered the competition full of optimism with a confidence so empowering that we were invincible. It was like Manchester United being thrashed by Cheltenham Town. Despite our defeat, of which we show no resentment against our rivals whatsoever… allegedly…, we had a fantastic night. Goffs brewery were magnificent and the evening spent sampling their excellent beers was most enjoyable. Greg had put their White Knight and a delicious Blackberry Porter from their Jester Brew selection. Goffs brew superb beer and have the expertise and knowledge to brew it… a virtue apparently in short supply in Forest of Dean CAMRA members. A very big thank you to Goffs. (Memo to ourselves: Encourage Goffs to revisit the Forest for another Beer Geek Challenge, but get them to hold it in a keg and lager pub).

It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening at

the Prince Albert on Friday 24th January when

landlords Lotte Lyster and Miles Connolly were

presented with Stroud CAMRA’s Pub of the

Year 2020 award. The pub was busy and lively

Local chairman, Peter Corfield unveiling the plaque Local chairman, Peter Corfield unveiling the plaque by the front door of the pub, with the landlord, Mark by the front door of the pub, with the landlord, Mark SteedsSteeds..

Forest of Dean...Forest of Dean...



Stroud...Stroud...


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Gloucester...Gloucester...and everyone, whether real ale drinkers or otherwise, rejoiced in the pub’s success and joined together to toast Lotte and Miles. The whole occasion was filmed for a programme about pubs to be broadcast by the BBC later this year. The Albert did us proud on the beer front. Now boasting seven hand pumps and there are usually seven beers on tap at the weekend plus up to three real ciders. Guest beers included Notorious (3.8%) and the toothsome Rich in Paradise (4.2%) from Bristol Beer Factory, plus the exquisite Battledown Black (7.4%). I started with Rich in Paradise before succumbing to the sultry nocturnal charms of Battledown Black, a bona fide Imperial ‘Russian Stout.’ The Albert now goes forward to the next round, competing with the other Gloucestershire CAMRA sub-branch nominations for the title of Gloucestershire CAMRA Pub of the Year. The winner of that round goes on to compete for the prize of CAMRA South West Pub of the Year - and so on until one pub out of a shortlist of four is crowned CAMRA Pub of the Year. The Bell Inn at Aldworth on the Ridgeway in Berkshire was recently proclaimed CAMRA Pub of the Year for 2019. It was praised for its strong community focus, relaxed ambience and (it goes without saying) great beer. It is on CAMRA’s National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors and is one of those pubs where the overused words ‘unspoilt’ and ‘timewarp’ actually apply. So far three Gloucestershire pubs have scooped the title of CAMRA Pub of the Year:

The Sandford Park Alehouse, Cheltenham (2015)The Salutation Inn, Ham (2014)

The Old Spot Inn, Dursley (2007)

The Prince Albert won the Pub of the Year vote by just one point over the Ale House, which has been Stroud CAMRA’s Pub of the Year for the last six years - an unprecedented run. In third place was the Butchers Arms at Sheepscombe. The shortlist pitted a superb town pub with a fantastic range of ales against an immaculate village inn and a lively, charismatic suburban local. The Prince Albert moved up from fourth place in 2017, to third place in 2018 and second place last year to scoop the prize. So it has been a steady rise to the top. The Albert is a Stroud institution with a unique character - managing to be simultaneously bohemian, homely and welcoming, with an eccentric colour scheme and a big reputation for live music. It has strong and long-standing links with the Glastonbury

Festival. Occasionally bands will perform at the Albert on their way back from the festival.

The sound system is a cut above almost every other pub in the country. There is a professional mixing desk, amplifiers and loudspeakers. The pub aims to nurture and support local musicians as well as offering a stage for well-known acts from further afield. It is also home to folk sessions and open mike nights. The L-shaped bar boasts an eclectic mix of furniture, fittings and memorabilia - the walls covered with film and music posters, a motley collection of chandeliers hanging from the ceiling - and a blazing log fire. The Albert is the beating heart of a lively, creative and welcoming community - this is one pub that is indeed the hub. The pub is a collection point for the Stroud Food Bank and home to a wide range of community events. Art exhibitions and themed nights are held, including quizzes, backgammon, crib, scrabble, stand-up comedy, ‘silent cinema’ screenings, a Sunday Sewing Service and even all-party political hustings. There’s almost always something on at the Albert. Food is available on Thursday, Friday and Sat-urday nights from an ever-changing selection of pop-up kitchens offering everything from pizzas to burgers to Caribbean food—and a Sunday roast. Children and dogs are very welcome. If you’ve never ventured up Rodborough Hill to sink a pint in one of the most characterful and idiosyncratic pubs in Gloucestershire, now is surely the time. And when better than at this year’s May Bank Holiday beer festival, which runs from Thursday 7th to Sunday 10th May with over 30 beers on tap. Don’t forget that this year the May Bank Holiday has been moved to Friday 8th May to coincide with VE Day, marking the 75th anniversary of the formal end of World War II. Tim MarsPubs Officer, Stroud CAMRA

Left to right: Miles Connolly landlord,Lotte Lyster landlady, Tony Hill Chair of Stroud CAMRA.

Photo: Bill Hicks

Stroud...Stroud... Dick Whittington’s is an independent public house under the new management of award winning cider maker Tom Bull from Severn Cider and his wife Bonnie. Newly reopened in August 2019, this historic pub and events space is going from strength to strength. Keen to support local producers and breweries, their taps have featured Hillside, North Cotswold, Cotswold Lion, Tiny Rebel, Bespoke Brewery, Gloucester Brewery and GWB with many more to come. Tom an Bonnie are looking forward to being part of Gloucester Brew Week 30 March - 5 April and hosting CAMRA’s social visit on 11th March. Passionate about live music, it’s a unique venue, supporting live music and local musicians. Live music is hosted in the main bar and the Black Cat Basement Venue underneath. The music schedule for 2020 is already jam packed with local, national and internationaltouring bands. Spanning all genres, there truly is something for everyone. There are also Open Mic Nights (the last Sunday of every month), Comedy Nights (the third Thursday of every month) and Gloucester Folk Session and SongClub (the first Sunday of every month), which are proving to be a great success. Additionally, we can offer a space for talks, parties, wedding receptions, private functions, community clubs and for local bands as a practice space. Catering

for small or large groups with bands and DJs if required for your event. A grass roots venue that is work in progress that continues to make improvements by welcoming feed-back, recommendations and suggestions. If you have a favourite beer, ale, band or DJ please get in touch. See www.facebook.com/dickwhittglos for all event listings and more information. For all enquiries please email [email protected] Tom Bull also runs Severn Events that offers a range of bars, marquees, staging and set pieces. The same community ethos runs through the event company which is delighted to be involved once again with the Coleford Music Festival 2020 and looks forward to being involved with the incredible events in Gloucesterincluding Gloucester Retro and Gloucester Re-enactment.For all event enquiries email [email protected] The home of Severn Cider is in the small village of Awre, Newnham-On-Severn, Gloucestershire. Visitors are welcome every day except Sunday to enjoy the cider mill, cider shop and heritage orchard. During your visit you will have the opportunity to sample a wide range of award winning ciders and perry’s and browse our shop stocked with homemade chutneys and pickles. Why not book a group Cider Tasting Experience and Tour, perfect for a special occasion or an enjoyable day out. For more information see:

www.severncider.com

DICK WHITTINGTON’SDICK WHITTINGTON’Swww.facebook.com/dickwhittglos.

email: [email protected]

DICK WHITTINGTON’S100 WESTGATE STREET, GLOUCESTER

Gloucester’s newest independent freehouse, featuring local breweries and cider

OPENING TIMES:

WEDNESDAY 12:00 - 11:00 PMTHURSDAY 12:00 - 11:00 PM

FRIDAY 12:00 - 12:00 MIDNIGHTSATURDAY 12:00 - 12:00 MIDNIGHT

SUNDAY 12:00 - 9:00 PM

live music, folk music, open Mic, Comedy nights, function rooms catering for

parties, weddings, clubs and talks.

qualification, the equivalent of the first year of a bachelor’s degree. The new course, which launched in February 2019, is the first of its kind in the UK. It was founded by a “trailblazer group of passionate brewers”, including Bath Ales’ head brewer, Georgina Young, and the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA). Asked about becoming one of the first apprentices, Ella said: “It’s incredible! I feel so privileged to have been given this opportunity and be working alongside the Bath Ales team. I’m looking forward to learning more about the art of brewing, as well as visiting other breweries and hop farms across the UK.” Georgina Young said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming Rob and Ella to our team. It’s so important that we offer high-quality training opportunities and look to nurture the next generation of talent within the beer industry. “Apprenticeships are a great foot in the door for people wanting to work in brewing, so we’re really happy to be able to offer this opportunity here at Bath Ales.”

Battledown Brewery are now celebrating the return offestival week with

two special brews hitting the pubs. Festival 3.6% ABV is a deep chestnut coloured ale with a rich biscuity aroma and smooth clean taste, ideal for full day of racing. Tipster 4.4% ABV Session IPA is a call back to those first west

coast IPA’s that the US redefined the beer map

with. Jammed with those original pine resin, citrus flavours and hoppy aroma but eschewing the recent trend towards softness and

achieving a clean, assertive bitterness balanced by a

defined malt backbone. Roland Elliott-Berry, owner of Battledown comments on their recent relocation: “We’re starting to feel really settled in our new home at Coxhorne Farm, if you would like to pick up any of our regular beers Original 4.2% and Pale 3.8% they are available in polypins of 5, 10 and 20 ltr sizes from our shop.”

For more details visit:

www.battledownbrewery.com

The new Bespoke Brewery has

continued moving from strength to strength with a big 2020 planned. With plans for great new beers, amazing events and more places to drink great Forest beer, the work hasn’t stopped. The

Brewery’s Spring and Summer Beer and Cider Festivals are fast approaching, with the Spring Festival happening Thurs - Sat 9th - 14th of April and their Summer Beer Festival happening on the Thurs - Sat 16th - 18th of July, coinciding with the Mitcheldean Festival for a great day out. The Bespoke Brewery Tap in the MEWs, Mitcheldean, has had another revamp, a lighter, more contemporary bar, gives way to exceptional drinks, enticing atmosphere, friendly staff, and unbeatable pricing. The Tap philosophy of ‘Honest beer, at an honest price’ still stands strong, with real ale still selling at just £2.50 a pint, and keg products for just £3.00 a pint.With lots to look out for the Bespoke Brewery is excited to get more people drinking great beer.

Clavell & Hind, the Birdlip-based microbrewery,has started 2020 with a big step forward as their beers are being bottled for the first time ever. Blunderbuss (Pale Ale) and Coachman (Golden Ale) are the first two beers that have been committed to bottles, with Wicked Lady (Amber Ale) and Rook Wood (Ruby Ale) being available soon. As well as bottles, there is also a brand-new website from which you soon be able to order the new bottles of beer! The C&H tap room, open every Friday from 4-8pm, had a record number of visits in 2019 and the very popular pop up kitchen events, that take place on the final Friday of each month, will be continuing in 2020. Polypins in 9, 18 and 36 pint sizes are still available for collection from the brewery. Please visit the new website for more details at:

www.clavellandhind.co.uk

Arkell’s Brewery is shining a light on their most loved beer, 3Bs, with a temporary makeover and name, Bittersweet. The 3Bs, Arkell’s most loved beer, which was originally known as Arkell’s

Best Bitter Beer was first brewed in 1910. An ale with a fruity and malty nose, it has a lingering bittersweet flavour of balanced Maris Otter malt and traditional Fuggles and Golding hops. It will be available throughout Valentine’s period in a selection of Arkell’s pubs across the Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Berkshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire areas. “As a business run by close family members, for us Valentine’s Day has a broader meaning; it is not just about celebrating love for your partner, but is a date to appreciate others in your life too; your family, friends, and even colleagues. Real love isn’t always easy to find - and getting there can be bittersweet - so this

year we wanted to celebrate the beauty in the journey to finding our loved ones as well as love itself. So what better way to do that than enjoying a brew with those who have been on that journey with you.” said Head Brewer, Alex Arkell.

Bath Ales, for the first time in its 24-year history, Bath Ales are welcoming two new brewing apprentices to its team.Ella Jones (22) and Rob Alder

(23) overcame some fierce competition to land their roles on

the two-year apprenticeship scheme at Hare Brewery, in Warmley, near Bristol. They were selected for “their creative flair, desire to learn and passion for beer.” The pair - who have both experimented with home brewing in the past - will be learning the craft of brewing and helping to produce Bath Ales favourites, including Gem and Sulis. As well as gaining hands-on experience, the apprentices will develop their technical knowledge attending training sessions at the Nottingham University where they will complete a Level 4

KEEP IT DOWN DOBBIN, I’M

POSING FOR THE TIPPLER…

LISTEN MATE, I’VE GOT SOME

NEWS

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KEEP IT DOWN DOBBIN, I’M

POSING FOR THE TIPPLER…

LISTEN MATE, I’VE GOT SOME

NEWS

PSST! WHAT’S HE SAYING?

straight from the horse’s mouth...

brewery news


brewery news

35www.gloucestershire.camra.org.ukwww.gloucestershire.camra.org.uk 33The magazine of the Gloucestershire Branches of the Campaign for Real AleThe magazine of the Gloucestershire Branches of the Campaign for Real Alethethe

32

There’s a new beer on the way! Hillside have got their hands on a brand new British Hop - ‘Harlequin’. Grown by our friend Mark Andrews from Townend Hop Farm, just 18 miles down the road. This hop has just won Gold at the 2019 IBD National Hop Awards and has Passionfruit, peach and pineapple characteristics. You will be able to enjoy this Pale Ale for the first time at our next Brewery Tap night on Friday the 6th of March. Once a month we open up our Hop Barn and bar as a brewery tap. These range from bar games, pub quizzes, through to live bands and much more. Each month there will be food available and a themed menu featuring a ten pound plate. This is fun for the whole family with games available such as table tennis, table football and a pool table – you can even bring your dog with you. Our brewery tap nights are on the first Friday of every month so be sure to put it in your diary. Dedicated to producing delicious beer consistently means regular maintenance and always looking for ways to improve. Hillside have recently re-cladded all of the brewing tanks and re-insulated them. This has made

them easier to clean and much more efficient at storing and holding the heat within each of the vessels increasing our brewing efficiency. Hillside always have awesome events in the diary, every month there is something to attend, so make sure you check them out and pay them a visit, more details at:

www.hillsidebrewery.com

Uley Brewery have a landmark

to celebrate in 2020 as it

marks their 35th anniversary

Ken Lush, their head brewer

comments: “We’re rebranding

our 4.5% ABV Premium Bitter ‘Laurie Lee’s

Bitter’, from now it’ll be known as ‘Taverner’. I’ll

be brewing ‘Gilt Edge’ (abv 4.5 %), our Spring

Special and it should be available from middle

April. It’s the one brew we make that deviates

from our otherwise exclusive use of English

hops in as much that it has a pretty fair dose

of US cascade in the late (aroma) hop.”

Donnington Brewery, to coincide with the Cheltenham Festival are once again brewing their popular On The Nose. Brewed specially for

the Festival this is a delicious ale with strong hop notes that balance the malty sweetness of the Munich and Caramel malts. Commenting on their pub estate and recent changes, Johnny Arkell, owner of the brewery said: “The Fox and Hounds, Bredon is the latest addition to the Donnington pubs run by Lee Martin. It is a huge success following a stunning refurbishment. “A beautiful conservatory has been built at The Red Lion, Castle Eaton, with stunning views across the River Thames. We are thrilled to have Mark and Rhiannon Stone who took over as tenants in the Autumn. “Finally, we’re looking for a new tenant at the New Inn for June please call the Brewery on 01451 830603 if you’re interested, or visit the website: www.donnington-brewery.com.”

Flying Monk Brewery have just gone into liquidation. The administrators, Monahan’s are looking to sell the brewery

which consists of a 20BBL unit.

Goffs Brewery are officially “thrilled” to win the top two spots at the Tewkesbury CAMRA

Winter Ales festival a few weeks ago. Black Knight Grand Reserve won Best Gloucestershire Beer of the Festival and Jester Brew 12 our 4.5% Blackberry Porter snapped up the 2nd place. Thank you to the judges who blind tasted and clearly

have great taste!

Looking ahead, they’re keeping their beery fingers crossed for the SIBA National Finals in March where White Knight is featuring in the Premium English Bitters category.

Hillside Brewery have a quite a bit of news, not least HRH Prince Charles enjoying ‘Over The Hill’ at the recent launch of the Gilpin Festival celebrating the birthplace of package tourism which started 250

years ago in Ross On Wye, just 7 miles from Hillside Brewery. Prince Charles tried Hillside Brewery’s Over The Hill, 3.5% Dark Mild and said it was a great beer with a good body to it – giving it a Royal Seal of approval! This is great recognition for Hillside brewery who, since opening their doors in 2014, have now won over 45 awards.


34


brewery newsstraight from the horse’s mouth...

brewery news


is he taking a picture of us for the

new competition?

well, if he is, he needs to take

it in portrait format, and high

resolution…

Sponsored bySponsored by HILLSIDE BREWERYHILLSIDE BREWERY

WINNER - 2 x BREWING EXPERIENCE DAYSRUNNER UP - 3 X BREWERY TOUR TICKETS

Send your entries, either email, or old-school prints, to the The Editor at the address below.NOTE: Judges decisions are final and images chosen may not represent venues within the county.

Now, the technical part, most images in cameras that are made for digital work are set in 72dpi (dots per inch) of colour, which is great for Facebook, texts etc. It’s not, however, much use for printing on paper, where you need to use 300dpi. So set your cameras and phones to the biggest number of pixels you can, FHD 1280 x 1080 or WQHD 2560 x 1440

and take your pictures. That’ll give you the best chance of winning and appearing on the Tippler’s front cover.

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The Editor, The Tippler, 23 Theocs Close, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. GL20 5TX

In this fascinating article, author and social commentator, Bob Jeffrey looks at ‘A pub’s supportive role in the process of emerging adulthood.’

Social networks lie at the foundations of most of the social and economic interactions of individuals. Pubs in England play the role of a social networking hotspot as well as having a positive influence on the socio-economic activity of local communities. We carried out a small-scale research project interviewing about 12 young persons aged between 17 and 22 to find out how pubs in which they work have affected their lives and persona and social development. We identified four aspects that feature as part of emerging adulthood and have meaning for these young people: an introduction into working climates and responsibilities; personal development; social relations and lastly, the way in which working in a pub became, for many, a community they

valued and a place in which they felt they belonged. For many of these young people the role of a barperson was the first independent job they had experienced. “At first, I went to a college where I did a catering management course, but you can’t learn how to cook in a classroom, anyone will tell you that. I wasn’t really very happy with what I was learning. I wasn’t really learning at all. I spent the first month just faffing around and watching presentations on a screen. So, I left that college because I liked the look of the apprenticeship scheme. It’s the style of learning, really. I prefer to learn on the job, and it’s better for me,” (Harry). On the job learning in an apprenticeship was a good move for some as it allowed them to gain credits and diplomas while being based in daily practice and real life situations, Wayne started in the kitchen of the pub where his dad was a regular, “I started in the kitchen just washing up when I was 15 years old and


38 39www.gloucestershire.camra.org.ukwww.gloucestershire.camra.org.uk

A pub’s supportive role in the process A pub’s supportive role in the process of emerging adulthoodof emerging adulthood

one day the chef didn’t turn up and we were fully booked and it was just me and the head chef and he said: ‘right, you’re going to have to just do what you can and give me a hand’.” Wayne continued working in the pub itself for many years in between travelling and doing other work. He still organises a pizza night once a week to go along with his two other jobs. The varied activities and the relaxed culture meant an opportunity to learn all the time, “Obviously you learn from experience, you also learn from watching. I am obviously taught to do things, but a lot of it is using your initiative. I think there's a good amount of guidance, but also enough room for you to figure it out for yourself, to learn the ropes as it were,” (Winston). Given time, young people will gain confidence and it becomes “second nature for me now. I know it very well. I find it quite easy to settle here now, even coping with 40 walkers. You know you can serve two or three people at the same time,” (Andrea). “Running a bar involved many service aspectsand being left alone to do it is an effective way to take control as a responsible adult, I’ve neveroverseen a till before and now I am handlingmoney and I’ve had to learn to deal with that because if I am on my own its down to me if something goes wrong. However, the flip side is that the publican has put his trust in me and knows that he can go away and trust me to do the right thing. So, being left alone by the publican instils independence and at the same time makes me feel good that he trusts me. I’ve gained management skills. I like being front of house, being in charge and being organised. I’d do it again,” (Althea). New situations had to be dealt with and working behind the bar soon enabled a young person to take on roles they might not have encountered in other jobs with less customer interface, “You get curve balls every day, for example I had a bloke come in one lunch time and his mother had died the previous evening. The was the first place he had come to after that event and bought a pint. I chatted to him and suddenly I found myself talking to someone who was literally drowning his sorrows and I

had to empathise and build a bond as a sympathetic listener for over an hour while working a quiet shift. I had never met this fellah but there we were talking about memories of his mother. I had also lost my parents when quite young and so I was quite happy to talk about that,” (Andy). The pub maybe the first place where young people find independence, becoming an adult with responsibilities faced with new decision making situations as a worker and also acting in a role of confident, “There are regulars who have helped me along; it’s definitely different from working on a till in a supermarket. They don’t even acknowledge you as human beings. Whereas, in a pub environment you form relationships and maintain them. You very quickly find out what kind of drinks they’re going to like, and you get to know what’s been going on with their week. It’s very nice to have that kind of personal level of relationship with so many people, it’s quite a nice release,”(Andrea). These types of encounter were all part of developing quickly a young person’s journey as an emerging adult. Young people’s engagement often resulted from the culture of the place and they developed a sustained commitment, “I’m here all the time and even when I’m not working, I’m here, sat with those people, so I do spend most of my time here, to be honest. But I enjoy it. It’s not like work. I love coming to the pub so it’s a bonus that I get to work here and be a bigger part of it. I would come here anyway even if I didn’t work here but being able to feel like I belong here because I work here, is nice. I’d never thought I’d say it, but I love coming to work, it’s so strange,” (Helen). The status passage from teenager to adulthood was one of personal development as well as gaining knowledge about the world and of work experience. They took on new responsibilities related to the world of work and at the same time adapted their personalities to manage these new experiences. We noted characteristics

such as confidence, pride and achievement

and emotional connections.

“The customers reassured me, and they

would say, ‘don’t, get yourself lost in your

head’. My co-workers and customers helped


40

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me find my footing. It was challenging having to interact with so many people and different kinds of people and, speaking over loud music and having to shout things like ‘last orders’ in front of a room full of 30 people. A year and a half ago I wouldn’t be so confident. I can see the,difference in myself to my friends who haven’t, worked in this kind of social environment,” (Andrea). Apparently, the domination of social media meant that young people may well not be engaging face to face as previous generations did and working in a pub aided personal engagement, “In these days of social media speaking to someone face to face or over the phone is quite rare. If I wasn’t here I would rarely do it. The job has given me the confidence to know how to speak to adults and learning politeness. In the past I would much prefer to deal with life online rather than face to face such as going to a bank. Now I am more confident about doing that because here you cannot shy away from people because you don’t want to talk to them. It builds your confidence in a low-pressure situation and supportive environment,” (Bertram). Gradually, these young people developed into caring adults and taking on responsibilities for others welfare: another large step across that status passage. The social relationships sometimes benefitedthe young person in ways that they didn’t expect, “I once poured out my troubles one day and then apologised but the guy was very supportive and made me feel very comfortable and said it was OK for him to listen to me for once as it was normally the other way round as a bar person,” (Althea). The culture of these pubs was one of caring and supporting the development of young people. They acted as responsible adults assisting young people in their journey from family into the wider world of work and social relations. Young people enjoyed the culture of pub where trust, respect and safety were key factors, “Everyone has respect for each other. The locals have respect that I know what they want, and they trust me, and I trust them that if they set up a tab with their card, I know that they’re not going to run off with it. There are

so many locals, but we all trust each other. You don’t have any fear, everyone who comes here is safe,” (Andrea). Most smaller pubs, where young people felt happiest, had their own history and culture which they joined and respected, “This is the sort of, pub you find yourself visiting again and again; somewhere you feel welcome; some where you feel you matter. Above the bar there are photographs of regulars and publicans whoare deceased; honoured on the wall above the bar. As a worker you see like little things like moaner’s corners, in jokes and jibes from past landlords against locals and vice versa. It's little things in the corners that draw your eye in, and they all have a story behind the artefacts,” (Winston). Belonging meant never wanting to leave the place, “even if it’s busy, it’s nice because you see the locals and you have conversations at the tables with them and everyone at the bar. They all know you and you know them and the staff; you get along with them all. After my shift I hang around; I never want to just go,” (Helen).

The pubs in this research made every effort to ensure these young people’s work experiencewas enjoyable, and developmental. They developedtheir understanding of the world of work, becameconnected to a wider social world and developed personal skills, competencies and knowledge. The publicans provided a safe environment for their status passage as emerging adults and they learnt to value, respect and live, sometimes briefly in these warm, friendly cultures and environments. These pubs and their publicans made a major contribution to the development of young people as they do local economies and communities. They are places of work thatcentre on people both as workers and customersand as social places where people spend some time. They are ideal gateways for young people to the adult world of work and social interaction. To read the full article go to:

www.villagepubsurvival.org.uk or [email protected]

Bob Jeffrey


42

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learn about Norfolk’s apples for Norfolk’s orchards, apples such as London Pearmain and Dutch Mignonne or, rather more obviously, Norfolk Beauty, Norfolk Dumpling and Norfolk Biffin, this last giving its name to the Norfolk biffin, a baked apple treat popular in the 19th century, to which Charles Dickens made several references: “Cobbs, do you think you could bring a biffin, please? I think a Norfolk biffin would rouse her, Cobbs. She is very fond of them.” The names of apple varieties in Norfolk, as elsewhere, cry out for attention, have their own history and tell their own stories; Vicar of Beighton, Jordan’s Weeping, Harling Hero. It’s common knowledge that since the 1950s Gloucestershire has lost over 70% of its orchards and whenever we stray into neighbouring counties, particularly Herefordshire, we’re struck by their abundance. It’s almost asthough there is a demarcation line, corresponding to the county boundary, that marks where orchards are and where they aren’t. Given that Gloucestershire was once a major fruit-growing

county that represents something of a tragedy, and it’s one of the reasons we became

cider-makers; no matter how big or small Bushel+Peck becomes, it’ll make a positive contribution to the survival and revival of Gloucestershire’s orchards. An excursion to Kent to help plant 300 apple trees was an even starker reminder of the demise of orchards in Gloucestershire, as there seemed to be an orchard on every road and around every corner. Healthy, well-maintained orchards, with people at work within them,

and plenty of variety; some with hundreds and hundreds of trees, others much smaller and intimate, almost back-gardens put to productive use; some with free-standing trees, others espaliered, a few fan-trained, but all designed for fruit to be easily picked by hand for eating. Commercial orchards, clearly, but still creating the impression of a verdant, vibrant landscape. And whilst we recognise and respect the traditions Kent and Norfolk – and everywhere else – home is where the heart is and with this in mind, we’re pleased that we have a couple of small batches of single variety Ashmead’s Kernel developing nicely. It’s Gloucestershire’s most famous apple, dating back to the early 1700s, and there are early signs are that some of its unique and complex flavours are have migrated nicely into the cider. We also have a small blend of cider made exclusively from other, rarer, Gloucestershire apple varieties, including Cambridge Quoining, Hunt’s Duke of Gloucester, Hagloe Crab and Puckrup Pippin, which has a refreshing steeliness. So, when we’re not in orchards over the winter, we’re in the barn checking on the cider and perry we pressed last autumn. And althoughyou’d be hard pressed to find a colder cider

barn, the occasional ‘plop’ of an airlock reminds us that fermentation is still happening, so thereare measurements to take and progress to monitor. There is also quite a lot of sipping to do. The batches of Dabinett are pleasingly robust, whereas the Yarlington Mill is more mysterious and intriguing; a batch of early season perry, made with Moorcroft perry pears, is coming along nicely, maturing in an oak barrel that has found its way to Gloucestershire from a bourbon distillery in Kentucky; another barrel is full of single variety Tremlett’s Bitter, an experiment to see if the oak can complement that apple’s tannic sharpness. And whilst we enjoy all this sipping of cider, we’re also making notes and thinking about how best to package the cider. Drain, Keg, Bottle, Cask or Special? (Fortunately, the first category is a rarity.) Blend or Single Variety? Now or Later? If later, how much later? The challenge is to determine when is the best time to capture what the fruit has to offer. Should we let the flavours soften and develop for another month or so, or is this the best it can get? Time – as well as our customers – will tell if we’ve made the right decisions.

David Lindgren

For us, winter begins not at the start of December but when the last apples of the harvest have been milled and pressed, when the ferments slow down (or stop altogether if it gets too cold) and when a welcome stillness and silence settles over the barn. But rather than put our feet up, it’s a sign that it’s time to head out into blasting winds and horizontal rain to maintain existing orchards and plant new ones. This year our orchard work took us to unfamiliar territory, including a Victorian walled garden in Norfolk as well as Kent, the ‘Garden of England’. Having spent the last few years promoting Gloucestershire’s apples for Gloucestershire’s orchards, there’s sudden need to

45

[email protected]

The Editor, The Tippler, 23 Theocs Close, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. GL20 5TX

WINNER - brewery tour for 2 people to visit the brewery and a case of 12 bottles.

RUNNER UP - brewery tour for 2 people

Send your entries, either email, or old-school post, to The Editor at the address below

This fine carpet is found in one of the county’s J.D. Wetherspoons...

but which one?

Spoon’s Carpets - An Appreciation by Kit CalessIs a book in praise of Wetherspoon’s carpets.

There are currently 875 Wetherspoon pubs and 58 hotels across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Every outlethas its own carpet design costing between £20,000 and £30,000 each. They are partly hand-made by the famous firm Axminster. Make sure you wipe your feet!

www.gloucestershire.camra.org.ukwww.gloucestershire.camra.org.uk

In this edition our hero considers - TECHNOILOGY - LOL!

DODGY TICKERDODGY TICKER?? The continuing tales of a

beer collector

When I told my son I was going to write about technology for the Tippler, his response was to laugh out loud. This, to be fair, is probably a valid response, since I have always shunned most forms of social media and would struggle every two years without his help in upgrading my phone. So, perhaps if you are underthirty-five you had better just skip this article in case you get frustrated at the old guy’s obvious lack of any realunderstanding of the connected world of today. There is an alternative, of course, you could read it and then send in your own article about how you use technology at the pub or beer festival – I’ be veryinterested to hear from you. First of all, I should remind you that as a beer collector, keeping a record of the beers I drink is essential. When I first started keeping records, back in the 1990s, the only convenient way to do this was to use pen and paper. Today, being a creature of habit and someone from the generationthat simply does not trust that I won’t lose everything one day when my computersimply implodes, I still keep a hand-writtenbeer book. However, I will be the first to admit that it is so much easier to do in 2019 than it was 25 years ago. For a start, I no longer have to write things down on whatever scrap of paper I happen to have handy at the bar – I simply keep a note

as a memo on my phone. I know that a great many beer drinkers use the free app ‘Untappd’ to note their beers and see no need in doing anything more than this. I too have Untappd on my phone, but as I am a little more obsessive than most, it doesn’t quite do exactly what I want, so I have happily stuck with my homemade spreadsheet (below) as the

ultimate keeper of my beer list. I do find Untappd useful for perusing live beer lists at pubs who are on their system and for finding out what is being drunk locally at any point in time. A quick look on Untappd can result in a detour to a particular pub, which is currently serving something interesting and collectable. The next huge advantage to having the computing power in your pocket that is the modern mobile phone, is the ability to get online and search in seconds. This is particularly useful when faced with a new or unfamiliar brewery or a beer that is poorly labelled in a pub (sadly this still

happens quite a lot). Even taking a quick photo of a pump clip can be enough to clarify where the beer is from and what it is called. I am always very keen to get online straight away to find out about newbies, the new breweries for the growing collection, as I record on the spreadsheet where the brewery is and when it started brewing – this information is these days usually quick and easy to find. I am not, however, someone who routinely scores the beers I drink (and never have been), so I do not use Untappd (right) or Ratebeer or any other beer scoring web site to give beers ratings. Nor do I look at (or indeed, even care about) other people’s ratings. This seems a bit harsh, perhaps, but I have learnt over the years that everyone has such differing expectations and tastes that it is better to just try a new beer and find out for yourself what it is like.By far the most useful way in which technology has helped me in the pub or at the beer festival is by allowing me to look through my spreadsheet on my phone whenever I am unsure about a beer that is in front of me. It takes no time at all to search through to see if a beer is a new brew or not. Even better, these days many beer festivals publish their beer lists

online ahead of the doors opening, so I will spend an enjoyable hour or so going through the list and highlighting the ones I would like to collect. I often create my own list on a mini spreadsheet specifically for that festival, (see below, listing fro the Cheltenham Real Ale Festival 2019), which I can then use while at the event to tick beers off simply by filling cells a particular colour. Other systems would work just as well of course, but I have been a fan of spreadsheets for many years and use them a lot in my teaching, so they are always the first choice for me. I also use The Good Beer Guide app while out and about. This is particularly useful when in unfamiliar surroundings to search out good pubs locally, but I also use it to find out about new breweries as it has a good list of breweries built in. Another useful web site is, of course, Whatpub – particularly for pubs which are new or under new management, as they will not be eligible for inclusion in the Good Beer Guide straight away, so could easily fly under the radar. I made

good use of Whatpub recently in Dolgellau, North Wales, finding a great pub called the Unicorn, which has only recently become the tap for Cader Ales, which isDolgellau’s only micro-brewery. I would expect the Unicorn to appear in the Guide soon as it



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DODGY TICKERDODGY TICKER??

The continuing tales of a beer collector

was a great place to enjoy a pint of locally brewed real ale after fish and chips eaten by the river – three hand pumps with two more ready to come into use when the time is right. The social media frenzy has mostly passed me by. I have never been on Facebook and know nothing about Instagram or Snapchat, so I will have to leave it to others to explain how these canbe used to the beer drinker’s advantage. I perhaps should spend time exploringhow I can become better informed through following the right people on Twitter or reading various beer bloggers,but unless those writing are local to Gloucestershire, I suspect I would just get frustrated that they were raving about a particular brewery or beer that was simply not available to me here in Gloucester at the moment. Beer-finding web sites are only useful if they are local, so to this end the Beerspotter tab on the Cheltenham CAMRA web site is worth keeping an eye on, although I must admit I am very poor at adding my own beers – I must try harder to remember to add to this useful live list. I have, however, recently been converted to WhatsApp (right) and now have a beer group set up where my beer-drinking friends and I can all share information easily with each other. This is a really good way of sharingyour own local beer information with people who you know will be interested. I also use it to quickly share details about beer events that I am planning to attendor ones that I am organising for my friends – it is certainly a lot easier than texting a whole range of different people

and trying to keep up with all their various replies. Being a fifty-something oldie, I am clearly not up with all the latest technology, but I am always ready to make use of things that will help my beer collecting or make my life easier. If any readers make use of their technology in other interestingways when in a pub or at a beer festival, please take the time to write in and tell me about it.Cheers!

Peter Searle

With International Women’s Day being celebrated on the 8th March this year, it seemed like a good time to talk to a woman all about her career in the brewing industry...

Women and the brewing industry have not traditionally gone hand in hand – at least not since the 17th century. So to find ‘George’, as Georgina Young, Head Brewer at Bath Ales prefers to be called, in charge of a £multi-million brewing plant would be a surprise– if were not that ‘George’ brings an impressive track record of previously being appointed in 2017 as the first-ever female Head Brewer at renowned London brewers Fullers, having entered the sector nearly 30 years ago. Since March 2019, she has been the first everfemale Head Brewer at Bath Ales, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and part of the St. Austell Brewery Group since 2017. We asked ‘George’ why more women haven’t seen it as an opportunity. She has a well deserved reputation for ‘calling a spade a spade’, as she acknowledges, and she didn’t hesitate to home in on the biggest single reason. “It’s a very demanding physical job, especially in a smaller brewery. Loading a tonne of malt by hand from 50kg sacks isn’t easy – or digging out a mash tun!” The last comment is a reference to her first job, as a native Bristolian, at the now-defunct Smiles Brewery. “I lasted less than a year there,” she recalls. “I decided that I really had to get more experience.” Luckily, she was hired by the Brewing Research Institute, where she was able to acquire what she terms ‘wider scientific experience’ running its pilot brewery.

Inspiring respect key to acceptance Moving to Fullers as a Production Brewer in 1999, ‘George’ found the shift work on the shop floor equally physical and sometimes stressful: “When I was dragging hoses around, some men helped, some didn’t.” However, she persevered and, as she puts it, ‘got stuck in’. “I needed to understand the process and found there was a lot of teamwork and bouncing ideas around, if I was to be accepted as the boss.” ‘George’s’ achievements at Fullers are ample vindication of this dedication. “I am very proud ofthe beers I produced there,” she says. “Consistency over time is crucial to success, not just producing great one-offs. That way, you do secure respect.” She decided to leave the sector when her children arrived, a gap of some seven years, then ‘busted

a gut’ to get a Master’s degree qualification at the Heriot-Watt University and become a Master Brewer of the Institute of Brewing & Distilling. We asked her if she had gone public with her experiences to encourage other women to considerthe opportunities offered by the sector. “I did give a talk at my daughter’s school several years ago,” she reminiscences. “I am also very pleased that we now have two apprentices at Bath Ales, one of whom is a woman. I started an apprenticeship scheme at Fullers, and we now have one at Bath Ales.”

Changes needed at point of sale Perhaps not surprisingly, we returned to the theme of barriers to women and beer, specifically in regard to women and pubs. “The pint glass is the biggest single obstacle,” she states emphatically. “If we can shift to a third-of-a-pint measure, a ‘schooner’, and sampling trays in tap rooms, it would help a lot.” Also, ‘George’ adds, “Women don’t always like walking into pubs alone – lounges and café-style interiors are much more friendly.” She added, “a wider range of beer styles would help, as well as a return to ‘small beers’, the lowalcohol ones.”

Retrospect, prospect We asked ‘George’ if she had any tips and comments which could provide useful pointers for



What You See Is What You Get –What You See Is What You Get – George Young, Head Brewer, Bath Ales George Young, Head Brewer, Bath Aleswomen considering the brewing sector as a career. “It’s a very hands-on vocation, even in a major brewery. You certainly have to use all your senses, sight, hearing and smell to the full,” she says. “It’s really about knowing the whole process. It’s a great career, but you do need to know what you are getting into! It’s also really important to look at getting a qualification.” “Brewing these days does offer more room for experimentation than ever before,” she adds. “In particular, seasonal beers are something we’re keen to expand at Bath Ales – I’ve literally been asked to respond to the question, ‘What would you like to do?’” However, she stresses, it is very much a team-based decision-making operation rather than an individual opportunity. This thinking extends beyond the brewing process to marketing and promotion. “We’ve set up a project for ‘Beer Champions’ in our pubs, drawing inspiration from the US-originating Cicerone quali-fication, as a means of promoting an understanding of quality in beers. The goal is to ensure that each pub that sells our beers has one ‘champion’ who is a enxpert in beer, beer styles and matching those to food and snacks.” ‘George’ will be supervising major developments at Bath Ales in the near future. “We’re doubling our capacity to 250k barrels, and installing a new kegging line,” she says. “It will

make life quite busy.” “We’re also going for green, so to speak, with a business plan to improve our sustainability ratings. We are reducing our carbon footprint through a whole range of measures – solar panels on the brewery roof, but an immediate improvement has been to stop using pallets and cling film in our deliveries.”

The best of the best… Finally, we asked ‘George’ what she personally considers as her favourite beer style, a bit of a ;eading question. “Extra Special Bitter, ESB,” (couldn’t agree more - Ed.) she unhesitatingly replies. “It’s rich, strong and decadent, and best sipped and savoured.” She is surprised when we suggest it is an ‘old style’ beer, and firmly says: “We must not lose it … in fact, it is now being copied all over the USA.” Happily, Bath Ales is now producing an Extra Special Bitter under ‘George’s’ guidance. And a final comment for thirsty Tippler readers: “I like The Tippler most because it fits very nicely into my handbag.” Now there’s a clear case of ‘market focus’.

Cheers, George!

Nick Waloff & Chris Leibbrandt

The Tippler has a pair of weekend tickets (worth £180) to give away. To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize, answer the following question by 20th June at the very latest:

Question: Which band will be headlining on Saturday 4 July 2020?SEND YOUR ANSWERS TO

[email protected] 30th JUNE AT THE LATEST

Celebrating 20 years of great music and beerCelebrating 20 years of great music and beer Sunday will see One Night of Queen being performed by Gary Mullen and the Works (winner of ‘Stars in their Eyes’), as well as a host of other amazing bands and artists.

Full camping facilities are available next to the festival site and a team of volunteers serve up a tasty cooked breakfast in the village hall over the weekend.

Herefordshire’s premier music, real ale and cider festival is back, and this year it will be celebrating its 20th anniversary. Taking place from 3 – 5 July 2020, Linton Festival will feature an international selection of artists from across the UK, Germany, Ireland and the US, making the event one to remember. Set in the grounds of The Alma Inn, winnerof CAMRA’s Herefordshire pub of the year 2018, in the pretty village of Linton, this year’s festival will feature a fantastic fourteen acts across the three days, not to mention forty real ales and ciders waiting to be sampled. A little-known fact about the festival is that it is entirely volunteer run and raises thousands of pounds for charity each year.

Dave Lambert, Linton Festival chair, said: “Linton Festival is a not-for-profit community event run by band of volunteers who want to share their love of beer and music. Since we started the festival in 2000 we’ve raised over £120,000 and last year our nominated charities benefited from a whopping £16,000. “I am really excited about our 20th anniversary event. We have a fantastic line-up with something for everyone – whether it’s rock, pop or our favourite, rhythm ‘n blues.” Headline acts for 20th anniversary festival include The Counterfeit Stones on Friday night – described by Sir Mick Jagger himself as “the most famous Stones band in England”. Accomplished contemporary blues artist Walter Trout on Saturday, and

A weekend pass costs £90 (camping from £12) and day tickets are available for £22.

See www.lintonfestival.org for full details.


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carefully poured, pulsating and swirling until it majestically cleared to reveal a crisp clear pint with a tight creamy head… “Oh, and a packet of pork scratchings.Thanks.” The weary travellers also feasted on the finest black pudding, cheese and onion cobs. All was Great and reassuringly Western, and the Forest of Dean CAMRA branch were greeted by a sign. A brown sign that proclaimed, “Parcels and Left Luggage.” The Great Western is owned by Holdens, a truly legendary family brewery who celebrated their centenary in 2015. They now own 21 pubs scattered around the Black Country. Their superb ales includingthe delicious Black Country Mild, Bitter and Golden Glow are highly regarded by real ale aficionados. Yet the Great Western’sbiggest seller is Bathams Bitter. It is perhaps surprising that in this harsh and often cruel economic competitive world that we have become accustomed to, that two rival Black Country brewers should co-operate with each other for the benefit of the local beer drinker. In factthe Great Western has such a throughput of beer it can support guest beers from other brewers. There was no sign of Sharps Doombar on the list though. Tempting as it was for the thirsty band of Foresters to remain steadfastly and resolutely in suppingdistance of the Bathams at the Great Western a decision was made to walk back to the station and into the centre of Wolverhampton.The Lynch Gate Tavern in Queens Square is a Black Country Ales pub. Not so long ago this fine 16th Century building, that was originally the Bird in Hand Inn, was on a critical list, suffering from severe wet rot in the main

oak frames and the entire building was so misaligned it was in danger of collapsing. Saved by a £71,000 investment the sensitively restored building is now in the care of Black Country Ales and their excellent Pig on the Wall, BFG and Fireside were all on tap. Guest beers on offer included Dent Kamikaze, Boson’s Mocha Stout fromWakefield and another local beer - Sadler’s Peaky Blinder Black IPA. Not far away is the impressive and largely unspoilt Posada in Lichfield Street.

It is a Grade II listed building featuring the original front with small paned bowed windows between twin recessed entrances with half-glazed doors, tile

decoration and name panels. The interior has original bar fittings including rare snob screens. A truly fine unspoilt interior which, on our visit, was totally spoilt by

In this story of their epic quest, Geoff Sandles recounts how some intrepid Foresters make for the Black Country in search of the Holy Grail...

“Alexa. Where can I find the Holy Grail?”. The blue and green lights whirl in circles and then she answers, “The holy grail is a mythical Arthurian tale of English folklore and doesn’t exist.” A pause. “Some wise people say that Bathams Bitter is the Holy Grail of beer drinkers. It can be found in the Black Country. I suggest looking at the CAMRA Good Beer Guide… West Midlands section page 492. Try the Great Western in Wolverhampton.” The swirling lights stops. Oh, thanks Alexa. And so a merry band of Forest of Dean CAMRA members courageously opt to miss England’s defeat in the Rugby

World Cup final to embark on their journey, travelling on buses through the luscious if wet autumn coloured hues of the Forest, to meet at Gloucester Railway Station to board their train to

the City of Birmingham. An epic journey that involved negotiating the hills of the Lickey and bravely transferring from one platform to the other in the rather strange subterranean world that is known as New Street to catch the next available train to Wolverhampton. Through industrialscarred landscapes they travelled alongside colourful graffitied bricks fronting the canal and the railway. Their quest was near. Just a matter of heading out of the station across the concourse and following the cobbled glistening street down under the dark tunnel to see their destination shining like a beacon in front of them. And then… “Pint of Bathams Bitter please”. The elixir that Alexa referred to was not so much in a shape of a grail than a plain pint glass of which the liquid gold was

I THINK IT’S FREE

BEER?

PSST…IS THIS THE QUEUE

FOR THE BATHAM’S?



IN SEARCH OF THE IN SEARCH OF THE

HOLY GRAILHOLY GRAIL

ABOVE: Members of the Great Depression and Peaky Blinders Appreciation Society queueing aimlessly in hope of free beer.

LEFT: Holden’s The Great Western framed by a picturesque railway bridge.

IN SEARCH OF THE IN SEARCH OF THE HOLY GRAILHOLY GRAIL

garish Halloween decorations with an excessive exuberance of false cobwebs. Blame the Americans. Holdens Golden Glow, Hobsons Town Crier, Ossett BreweryBlonde and Wye Valley HPA were the beers of choice, and the consensus was that they were all in excellent condition. Almost inevitably it was decided that a final pilgrimage should be made back to the Great Western for the opportunity to savour and rejoice in the delights of the rare Bathams Bitter. Well worthy of its legendary status as the discerning beer drinkers ‘Holy Ale’. For the uninitiated I will try to explain why Bathams ales are held in such high regard and loved by so many seasoned beer drinkers. The brewery in Brierley Hill is behind the magnificent Vine Inn, of which is known to everyone as the Bull & Bladder. A traditional Victorian unspoilt gem. Bathams have a small tied estate of only 10 pubs, all thoroughly wet-led simple characterful boozers, and they supply their ales to a very limited number of free houses. The popularity of their beers mean that Bathams can supply pubs in huge 54 gallon hogsheads. The

beer is quite sweet, and the brewery are not ashamed to admit that invert sugar is used in the brewing process therefore by definition not being a ‘full mash’ beer. In these days of fruit infused beers and indeed Milkshake IPA’s, a little bit of sugar seems perfectly acceptable. Savouring the delicious aftertaste after the last drop of Bathams has been drunk, it is almost shameful to taint the taste buds with any other beer; a bit like shaking the hands of your ultimate hero and not wishing to wash your hands. There may be a medical term for the dreaded affliction – OBD - Obsessive Bathams Disorder. There is only one known cure – head back to the Black Country to rediscover the elixir of the back-street Brierley Hill brewery.Something that the Forest of Dean CAMRA branch are intending to do as a matter of urgency. And on the subject of urgency it is wise to remember that the bus journey back to the Forest takes a considerable time. It is highly recommended that excess fluids be discharged before the journey.

Geoff Sandles


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events: what’s coming up Cheltenham Branch - Email: [email protected] on second Wednesday or Thursday of the month at 8.00 pm. Call: Rob Coldwell 07752 740488 For more details see website www.cheltenhamcamra.org.uk

3rd March 8:00 pm - Pub of the Year/Club of the Year selection meeting at The Old Courthouse17th March 8:00 pm - Business Meeting – The Strand24th March TBA - Ale Amble to Bristol24th March TBA - Cheltenham Real Ale Festival 2020 planning meeting – Sandford Park Alehouse8th April 8:00 pm - Business Meeting – Venue TBC

Cirencester Sub-Branch - Email: [email protected] on second Tuesday of the month at 8.00 pm. Call: Rob Tough on 01285 851194

14th April 8:00 pm - Evening social to Oldspot Dursley, Fleece Hillesley, and Salutation at Ham.2nd May TBA - Day trip to Bristol via train from Kemble/Swindon visiting Barley Mow which is Bristol Beer Factory brewery pub behind Temple Meads, The Bridge, The Good Measure (Good Chemistry pub), Left Handed Giant brew pub . All within walking distance, final choice to be made on day.12th May 8:00 pm - Evening social destination TBC.9th June TBA - Day trip to London for mystery pub crawl organised by one of our members. Catch 9.00am National Express from Beeches car park, Return 19.30 Victoria27th June TBA - Day cycle to Stroud Brewery (out through Cherington and Minchinhampton) for lunch then cycle back possibly via Crown at Frampton Mansell then call in at Corinium Ales for final pint (by Public transport is possible via train out and bus back with a nice canal walk from Stroud station)

Dursley Sub-Branch - Email: [email protected] on last Tuesday of the month at 8.00 pm. Call: Peter Corfield, Chair, on 01453 844952.

Forest of Dean Sub-Branch - Email: [email protected] every Thursday night for a social at 8.00 pm. Please check on Forest of Dean CAMRA Facebook page. Call: Dave Fleming on 01594 543856

28th March TBC - Worcester Pubs Festival on the 11.38 train from Gloucester9th April TBC - Bespoke Brewery Beer and Cider Festival.

Gloucester Sub-Branch - Email: [email protected] on second Wednesday of the month at 8.00 pm. Where bookings are essential or for further details please contact Margaret on 07908 699809 or 01452 551400; by email on: [email protected] or visit the website www.camraingloucester.org.uk

11th March 8:00 pm - Social meeting - Start at Dick Whittington8th April 8:00 pm - Social meeting - Start at the Linden Tree15th - 16th May 11:30 am - 11:00 pm - 8th Gloucester Beer & Cider Festival, Blackfriars

Stroud Sub-Branch - Email: [email protected] on third Wednesday of the month at 8.00 pm at the Ale House, 9 John Street, Stroud,GL5 2HA in the function room at the rear. Call: Richard Taylor on 07917 661746Contact us by email on [email protected] and get added to our email list.

Tewkesbury Branch - Email: [email protected] on third Thursday of the month at 8.00 pm. For further details please contact Steve on 07583 740986 or Bill by email on: [email protected] or visit the website www.tewkesbury.camra.org.uk

60 53

CAMRA GLOUCESTER BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL

8TH

FRIDAY 15th MAY - SATURDAY 16th MAYFRIDAY 15th MAY - SATURDAY 16th MAY20202020

90 BEERS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY 90 BEERS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY DEDICATED CIDER BAR WITH 30+ CIDERS AND PERRIES DEDICATED CIDER BAR WITH 30+ CIDERS AND PERRIES

AND GLOUCESTERSHIRE CHEESESAND GLOUCESTERSHIRE CHEESESHOT AND COLD FOOD, SOFT DRINKS AVAILABLEHOT AND COLD FOOD, SOFT DRINKS AVAILABLE

LIVE ENTERTAINMENTLIVE ENTERTAINMENTAT THE HISTORIC BLACKFRIARS PRIORYAT THE HISTORIC BLACKFRIARS PRIORY

OFF LADYBELLEGATE STREET, OFF LADYBELLEGATE STREET, OFF COMMERCIAL ROAD - CENTRAL GLOUCESTEROFF COMMERCIAL ROAD - CENTRAL GLOUCESTER


Chair Margaret Wilkins01452 [email protected]

Branch Secretary & Branch Contact Richard Holt07847 [email protected] [email protected]

Chair: John [email protected]

Secretary and Branch Contact:Rob Coldwell - 07752 [email protected]

Chair and Branch Contact: 07583 [email protected]

Secretary:Ian [email protected]

Chair: Roger Price01451 810305 and 07850 [email protected]

Secretary and Branch Contact:Chris Knight (Mickleton)07890 [email protected]

TRADING STANDARD DEPARTMENTGloucestershire Trading Standards, Hillfield House, Denmark Rd., Gloucester. GL1 3LDTelephone: 01452 426201 email: [email protected]

GLOUCESTERSHIRE

CAMPAIGNFOR

REAL ALE

TEWKESBURY CAMRA Branch

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CAMRA Branch www.gloucestershire.camra.org.uk

NORTH COTSWOLD CAMRA Branch

www.northcotswoldcamra.org.uk

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STROUD

PUB OF THEYEAR 2020

the...Wight Beer Bus Weekend in October. When we next meet I will have a fresh conversation piece -...

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