Beer Around 'Ere issue 185

ALSO INSIDE PUB & BREWERY NEWS DIARY DATES JOIN CAMRA

Peterborough & District Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale October / November 2015

185

PBF15 was ascorchingsuccess! 30,534 visitors over 5 days

Read more on page 16-17

Editor: Jane [email protected]

Published by: Peterborough & DistrictBranch of the Campaign for Real Ale.

Produced on behalf of CAMRA by:Orchard House Media LtdEventus Business Centre, Sunderland Rd,Market Deeping. Tel: 01778 382758

Magazine Design & Production: Daniel Speed [email protected]

Advertising Sales Manager:Jane [email protected]: 01778 382718

Distribution:David [email protected] Reading:Bob Melville - 07941 246693Printed By:Precision Colour Print LtdHaldane, Telford, Shropshire TF7 4QQCirculation: 7,000 copies distributed topubs, clubs and members throughout thePeterborough and District CAMRABranch area. A digital version of thismagazine is available to view and download at issuu.com

Cover Image: Photo by John Moore.PBF Photospread: Karl Simpson

Editor’s ramblings |3

Beer Around ‘Ere is publishedby the Peterborough & DistrictBranch of CAMRA Copyright© 2015, The Campaign forReal Ale Ltd.

Views or comments expressedin this publication may not necessarily bethose of the Editor or of CAMRA.

The next issue of Beer Around ‘Ere will beavailable on the 20th November. We must have your stories, news and advertisements by 2nd November. Please send your stories and other copy tothe editor, Jane Brown.

PBF is over for another year, atthe rate this year is going it willsoon be time for the next one.Whilst on the subject of beerfestivals, a message for allPeterborough and Districtlandlords/landladies (well atleast the ones that read this

section!) Please let me have dates for your pub beer festi-vals as soon as they have been arranged if you would likethem to be included in the Diary Dates section whichappears towards the back of this publication.

As Beer Around ‘Ere is only published six times a yearit is imperative to get dates in as soon as possible. I hear mutterings regarding the omission of saidfestivals, however I can only include the ones forwhich I have details. Having said that I do checkthe Peterborough CAMRA website and incorpo-rate any mentioned that fall within relevant dates.Getting a mention could bring in a few extracustomers. You know it makes sense!

As reported earlier in the year there are now twoadditional awards for pubs in the Branch area,Cider Pub of the Year and LocAle Pub of the Year.So if you know of a pub you believe to be worthyof consideration for either of these awards, thenplease send nominations to [email protected] .They can also be posted to the secretary, see page30 for address. Details required are: - pub nameand address, your contact details and your

CAMRA membership number and indicate cate-gory, either Cider or LocAle. You can of course stillnominate pubs for Merit and Gold awards.

NB. LocAle nominations must be accredited tothe LocAle scheme i.e. regularly stock ales brewedwithin a 30 mile radius of the premises. Cider Pubnominations should permanently stock, promoteand encourage the sale of quality real cider. Please get those nominations in!

Cheers JB

IN THIS ISSUEWelcome from the editor 3

Chairman’s corner 5

Pub news 7–11

Brewery news 12–15

PBF 2015 round-up 16-19

Coalies go to Brighton 21-23

Community power 24-27

Entertainment and gig guide 28

Diary dates 29

Contacts & pub merit awards 30

Join CAMRA 31

Visit our web site for up-to-date news: www.real-ale.org.uk OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2015 |BEER AROUND ERE

BEER AROUND ERE | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2015 Visit our web site for up-to-date news: www.real-ale.org.uk

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Chairman’s corner |5

Ole’ to you all. Yup I’ve just got back from a shortbreak in sunny Spain, after another hectic twoweeks toiling and helping at this year’s PBF. Andwhat about this year’s event? Wasn’t it a crackingone, as you virtually drank us dry! There may havebeen the odd pint or two still sloshing about in acask but, from 9pm onwards the ‘sold out’ signswere springing up rapidly until closing time at11pm. It must have been one of our most successfulfestivals for many years, with just over 30,000 visi-tors. We within the Peterborough and Districtbranch of CAMRA thank you all for your support,whether as a visitor or as a volunteer helping to runthe festival.

During my trek around Spain it was refreshing tofind that ‘Craft Brewing’ has a presence in thecountry. The Maier craft brewery is located in thecity of Cadiz, on Calle Cuna Viejal. Web sitewww.cervezamaier.com and is on tripadvisor. Thebeers can be found in several of the city bars, inparticular El Canon bar, on the corner of CalleFeduchy, right opposite where one of the city’soldest sherry Bodega’s originated in 1932.

Back to business at home. We have a number ofcopies of the new Good Beer Guide on offer tomembers at a discount of the cover price. Contactme for a copy.

A recent copy of Beer Around ‘Ere contained anarticle about the procedure for obtaining an ACV(Asset of Community Value) for any pub that wasunder threat of being demolished or faced a

change of use. Our intrepid Pubs Officer haspenned another piece on the same subject to illus-trate how the procedure has been implemented inorder to protect a pub in his native London. Anypub under threat, and their regulars, should beaware of this guidance. Many CAMRA brancheshave already obtained ACVs in order to protectpubs from disappearing. We, within our ownbranch, would like to be seen to be making a strongeffort to do the same. Please contact us if you know ofany pub that is or could be under threat of being lost.

As I’ve just returned from my travels this month’sreport is a bit rushed and short. Great I hear somesay! Cheers for now.

David MurrayBranch Chairman

Chairman’s Corner


This year’s annual Peterborough Beer Festival was one of ourmost successful in years with just over 30,000 visitors!

Bottle CollectionA local bottled beer collector wishes to sell hisextensive bottled beer collection totalling morethan one hundred and fifty bottles featuring JubileeAles, Royal Wedding Ales, Victory, Celebrationand various others. For further details please [email protected]

The Bluebell InnHelpston

Are we the only pub to have two different images on our pub sign?

We’re like to think we’re different for other reasons too – we’re a proper village local with a

really warm welcome to all.

We support local micro breweries stocking greatlocal cask conditioned ales - always a choice of 4

including “10 Woodgate” which is speciallybrewed just for us.

Serving fresh, seasonal, locally sourced produce,our menu offers something for everyone.

The Bluebell, Woodgate, Helpston, Peterborough PE6 7ED Tel: 01733 252394

Email: [email protected]



Pub news |7

Given the popularity of the focus on village pubsin the last issue, I have succumbed once again topublic demand and have decided to present aguide to pubs along the Nene Way. In fact, asthere are only 42 pubs in the city area selling realale compared 262 in the whole branch, I feel thatthis refocusing of our attention into the hinterlandis long overdue. Complaints should be addressedto the Serious Omissions feature which I intend torevive in the next edition.

The Nene WayTo do the whole route east to west you would needto start at the Dog in A Doublet, but as thiswould involve a long walk to the city and acrossthe city, readers may prefer to split the walk up andbegin elsewhere. So I have decided to chunk it andstart with the route from Wansford to Nassington.

WansfordWansford may be reached by the number 9 busfrom the city centre, or if you haven’t grown upyet, you can get a day ticket for the Nene ValleyRailway. The village itself is well worth a visit asmuch of it is protected and it still has three pubs.You alight from the bus alongside No 1 Old NorthRoad and cross the ancient bridge, with its trian-gular stone alcoves protecting you from the traffic,to the Haycock. This is a comfortable hotelwhich is quite evidently a former coaching innfamous for once having lodged Queen Victoriaand Lord Byron. It currently offers one beer fromthe Nene Valley brewery range. With a beautifulgarden on the banks of the Nene, it is an excellentwedding venue. Along the road from the Haycockis the Cross Keys, a limestone building datingback to 1750 with a ridged, pantile roof obviouslyof later addition. It currently sells Adnam’s South-wold as its resident beer.

Just across the road is the Paper Mills, origi-nally a private residence converted in the 1820s.With London Pride and either St. Austell Tributeor Proper Job as regulars, they also place anemphasis on locales; Digfield, Grainstore, NeneValley, Star and Nobby’s amongst them.

Manager Matt informed me that they leave thechoice to the customer. An attractively furnishedfront bar looks out onto the historic buildingsopposite which bear the distinctive hallmark of the“Wansford Look”, a unique style of local architec-ture designed by Samuel Sanders Teulon inVictorian times. The front bar leads into a narrowdining area which naturally folds into the mix ofthe pub and a conservatory area to the rear. Thefood is exceptional with some enticing pasta dishes.I did, however, feel obliged to indulge myself in asubstantial dish of rib eye beef which I only justmanaged to finish before getting to the pudding.

The footpath to Yarwell is well signposted at thecrossroads alongside the church just opposite theold post office. Past the horse stockade andthrough the gate. You cross the field, pass throughanother gate into a beanfield. Follow the telegraphwires and head for the poplar trees until you reacha track. Here you have a choice. Right deviantswill follow the main road. Those inclining to theleft will take the more righteous path along thebank of the river and past the weir. Here you crossthe bridge and turn right through the gate andproceed until you pass through another gate whereyou then follow the diagonal path until you arriveat a walled passage which leads into Main Street.Walking time is about 30 minutes.

YarwellTurn right at Main Street to the Angel Inn. Thepub dates back to 1673, and as you enter you aredrawn into the small well shaded main bar withthe original fireplace to the right. Above the lintelof the fireplace is a cock feeding notice. I did notquite gather its import until I read the text beneathinforming tenants that the feeding of cocks isprohibited in their farmhouses. It goes on to pointout that the damage to fixtures and fittings is incal-culable, not least the awful stench encountered bythe sheriff when he comes to collect the tithe. Itfails, however, to mention the stench exuded by thesheriff. To the left of the main bar you are drawninto a warren of rooms which are mainly devotedto games, and a well furnished beer garden


Pub News

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8 | Pub news - continued

which is often used for charity events. Brewster’sHophead and Decadence were available on myvisit.

NassingtonTurning left out of the pub and along Mill Roadyou can pick up the Nene Way again just along tothe left. The footpath from here onwards is wellmarked and well preserved and will eventually takeyou through a gate and into the slip road leading toYarwell Lock. Cross the bridge and follow the foot-path until you encounter another bridge. At thispoint I must counsel caution as, if the collectiveweight of the group, exceeds 7.5 tons, you will needto find an alternative route. Carry on through thewoods and across the looping path until you crossanother wire fenced bridge until reaching StationRoad. Walking time is again about 30 minutes.

Arriving at Nassington, the first pub you meet isthe Black Horse. Landlord Gary took the pubover in July when it did not enjoy a particularlyhigh reputation. It has since been through acomprehensive renovation. With new toilets, anew kitchen, new flooring and new panelling, thispub is now a very attractive venue. It dates back to1674, but the fireplace in the annex to the mainbar is of much greater antiquity having allegedlybeen rescued from Fotheringay Castle. Gary’sregular beers are Everard’s Tiger and Sharp’sDoombar, and he also features three guest ales.

Fotheringay Castle was, of course, the venue forthe execution of Mary Queen of Scots, afterwhom the Queens Head is named. Whether thename is a reference to the Queen herself or asardonic reference to the head, I am not quite sure,but there is a very fetching portrait of this, whilstpresumably still intact, on the inn sign. The pubhas a roomy main bar, all brick and beams withfour hand pumps serving Greene King IPA,Oakham JHB and rotating guests from local brew-eries: Nobby’s, Nene Valley, Digfield and KingsCliffe. This leads into two restaurant areas; thefirst spartan, cool, and shaded (it was a very hotday when I visited); the second a sumptuous, upmarket area on a mezzanine floor which wasadded about five years ago. Entering the second

my eye was immediately caught by what seemed tobe two genuine oil paintings on the bull fightingtheme reflecting the pub’s accent on Spanish food.

Diners are surrounded by hand decorated platesand this would be ideal for a small function on aspecial occasion. The pub provides a sumptuousand varied menu specialising in steaks cooked in ajosper, a Spanish charcoal oven which owner PaulSmith brought from Spain. For the hungry walkerthere is a bar snack menu offering sandwiches,burgers and salads. To the rear is an elegant func-tion room overlooking a long patio and gardenarea which stretches back over a hundred yards tothe river bank. The garden itself is lit by orna-mental lamp posts and dominated by a hugewillow tree. You can return to Wansford either byretracing you steps, or following the main road,which is footpathed all the way.

Stamford setbackThis is one of the rare occasions when I have toreport bad news from Stamford. My localinformer, Alun Thomas, has advised me that theDrum and Monkey has closed and is beyondhope, and that the Northfields is boarded up andwill probably suffer a similar fate. Mama Liz’s,Peterborough pub of the year 2010, thankfullyallays the curse of the closures and is still goingstrong with Oakham Citra, Lacons Legacy andSalopian Hair of the Dog available on my lastvisit. The Voodoo Lounge nestles beneath the barunder the vaulted ceiling of what was originally awine cellar. Now acoustically proofed for themusic, part of the original stone is covered but thewhole structure is still clearly evident. Dank andmoist, ideal for the maturing of wines, the atmos-phere now lends some authenticity to the voodooand blues music ambience. Even more so whenyou encounter the dark, exploratory passagesleading off and forming a warren of undergroundtunnels which interlink Broad Street and NorthStreet. I thought it advisable, however, to selectthe over ground route, through Nags HeadPassage, to the Pear Tree, where SharpsDoombar is now the resident real ale.

Meanwhile, at the Jolly Brewer, Dean and Jill


Pub news - continued |9

have introduced their own range of beers fromtheir Baker’s Dozen brewery in Ketton: Tentacularat 3.5 abv, Summertime at 4.6, Electric Landlady,Galactic Landlady, both at 5 per cent. Incidentallya baker’s dozen, as every schoolboy knows, is infact thirteen. It became common practice formediaeval bakers to offer the extra loaf to avoidthe huge fines imposed for underweight products,thus providing us with the perfect legal precedentfor the oversize glass. Short measurers please note.

In the suburbsAs you cross the blue bridge by the railway stationinto Thorpe Road you will find yourself in yetanother Peterborough beer desert. It is milesbefore you can stop anywhere for a drink – acalamity which could be offset by the reopening ofthe Sessions House. I am sure the owners ofthis establishment will realize the potential of itsprevious incarnation as a pub/carvery when theproposed, up-market housing development takesoff on the site of the redundant hospital.Although it seems to me that it has a substantialcatchment area as it is.

If you venture further north you are likely tobecome seriously Greene Kinged. Your best bet isto catch the number 2 bus to Thorpe Wood PoliceStation and walk along the road to theWoodman, which is flanked by a golf coursebeautifully landscaped by some judiciously posi-tioned beech trees. As I gazed out at them fromthe pub’s conservatory, the resinous hops of OldeTrippe resonated on my tongue. This is one ofthree beers currently being offered by landlady SueBuddle with the inevitable IPA and Abbot alsoavailable. The pub was closed and went through amajor refurbishment during August, and Sue toldme that Greene King are prepared to open theirbooks on guest ales according to the volume oftheir cask ale sales. So if you want a choice, votewith your throat.

Further back along Thorpe Road is the Fox andHounds, which also went through a major refurblast April. This is a recent Greene King acquisi-tion and I hope they do something to maintain thecurrent beer range. Contrary to some of the views

I have heard expressed recently, this pub is notpurely a food outlet as they have realized that theyalso have a market for the regular drinker. Themanagement here has made the astute decision tooffer free dog treats to lure in local dog walkersand I suspect that this will also offer some welcomerelief to their hard pressed domestic budgets. As with the Woodman, they will be offering a 10%discount to the card carrying CAMRA member.Four real ales were available on my last visitincluding an excellent pint from the Cottagebrewery.

Evidence of this expanding guest beer policywithin the Greene King group was apparent in theBoathouse, just off Thorpe Road on the easternedge of Ferry Meadows. Now run by Darren andLiz, formerly of the Crab and Winkle, I regaledmyself with an excellent pint of Purity Mad Goosewhilst reminiscing on the several times I havevisited this pub in the past when walking my dogs.

“Giving the customers what they want is the wayforward”. Steve Leather took over the Dragonflyin Orton in July and at first sight it was a forbid-ding task. High walls and a sloping terrace make itlook more like a fortress than a pub; a fairly typical1970s custom built pub reflecting the functionalarchitecture of the estate that surrounds it. Hetook some simple decisions to make it more attrac-tive: hanging baskets; wooden patio furniture toreplace the broken plastic: remove the graffiti;make sure there are enough ash trays. I went tosee him in early August and noticed the improve-ment as soon as I ducked to miss a hanging basket.“Sometimes it is just a question of a general spruce- up, make the pub look more inviting”. Steve hasbeen in the trade for more than ten years and hasrun pubs all over the country. He sees the growtharea as real ale and food. “There is no point inopening a bistro in Orton Malborne, but there is amarket for good quality retro food: scampi andchicken in the basket, Sunday roasts”. He intendsto experiment with real ales from the Punch port-folio just to discover what the customers really like.I think he is on a winner.


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Sat 31st Oct The Collaborators

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Pub news - continued |11

The Palmerston Arms in Woodston will berunning an event from 5th – 11th Octoberpromoting up to 40 traditional English bitters.Batemans have now opened up their portfolio toinclude beers from Nene Valley and Kings Cliffe.

Fenland updateOur thanks are due to Simon Brand and hiscolleagues for raising an ACV on the Straw Bearin Whittlesey. This pub is currently on the marketfor £250,000. Interested buyers should apply toEverard Cole and for advice on funding andfinancing issues to the Plunkett Foundation.

A short note on the continuing debate about thevalue of ACVs. My own view is that its chiefeffect in the future will be to provide a disincentiveto apply for change of use. This is in keeping thefindings of the May edition of the MINTELsurvey: “Conversions of pub premises for otheruses are expected to continue slowing down due toincreasing legislation as more sold venues are beingretained as pubs.”

Elsewhere in this edition we have presented anexample of an outstanding success story for ACVsin North London.

The same report foregrounds the growth of foodin the contemporary pub market, a point not loston Peter and Michelle Stead – Davis, who tookover the Ram earlier in the year. Originally threedwellings, it was in the 1930s the property ofHuntingdon Fine Ales. The function room at theback is clearly much later and is currently under-going a major overhaul. It will be called theShepherds Hut to reinforce the ovine theme. Peterand Michelle opened their restaurant on July 16thand with the business expanding, the future of thispub is looking extremely healthy. Two rotatingreal ales and a large garden to the rear, this pubhas retained the atmosphere of a traditional familylocal.

Queensgate-gateHopefully the incorporation of the Brewery Tapinto the proposed Westgate development indicatesthat planners have begun to take a more sensitive

approach to the community value of pubs. But,lest it be forgotten, let us recall the devastationwhich occurred in the city centre in the seventies.For I have the unfortunate duty of informing mysensitive readers that I have been the victim ofsome vitriolic and unjustified criticism regardingmy appraisal of the effects of Queensgate on thecity in Issue 183.

The essence of this criticism is that the saidmonstrosity is a major asset to the city attractingvisitors, revenue and all kinds of desirable things.Whilst respecting the sincerity of these plaintiveremarks, I cannot help thinking that they miss thepoint. Now let me put my cards face upwards onthe table. I have nothing against shoppingprecincts. In fact some of my best friends shop inthem. What I was objecting to was the systematicdemolition of the ancient street pattern, takingwith it several, well- loved pubs in the city centre:The Crown, White Horse, Greyhound, Bell andOak, Elephant and Castle, names that should beon every resident’s lips. Whilst not for one minutedoubting the probity of its authors, what strikes meabout the Public Enquiry* into this venture is thatthere is scant reference to the value of the pubs tothe community and their contribution to the sociallife of the city. “Recommended for demolition” isthe constant refrain running through it and itconcludes with the generous suggestion that “else-where, certain buildings should have their historicroofing materials and occasionally old windowscarefully retained for incorporation elsewhere”.

Where exactly I have failed to notice, but I seemto recall that Frankenstein’s monster eventuallydestroyed itself.

*Public Enquiry into the objections to theCompulsory Purchase Order: 9 October 1973.

JT


Send us your news!Calling all landlords and landladies! Had a refurb? Got agreat event on? Started selling a new range of ales or cider?Let us know and we will add your news to these pages.Just email John Temple at [email protected]

12 |

Bexar CountyBexar County beers were wellreceived at Peterborough BeerFestival. There were six or sevendifferent beers available on theregular bar, the LocAle bar and the

singles bar. Even the beetroot ginger beer sold out!Bexar County beers also appeared, in both caskand keg, at The Coalheavers Beer Festival, Peter-borough, and at the Jolly Brewer’s Festival,Stamford. There will be six different beers headingto the Nottingham Beer Festival in October.

Poquito Pequeno has turned into a placeholding name for a low gravity pale hoppy beer,the latest one being a 3.5% abv beer with Mosaicand Centennial hops. Papa Steve will be brewedagain in time for a Christmas release, plus twomore Christmas-time beers and will include an oak-aged, soured, brown beer.

More collaborations with Three Blind Mice arein the pipeline.

Blue BellSales are still steady and bottled beers are doingwell with the Co-Op being the main customer.Frightened Pheasant is now a seasonal beerand will be available from April/ May to aroundAugust. There are no new beers planned at themoment.

Castor AlesWhat a summer it has been!Clearly we are not talkingweather. Consumption ofCastor Ales has gone off the

Richter scale (the last barrels of NepAle have nowbeen sold, but our thoughts are still very muchwith the people of Nepal).

Since the last edition, Castor Ales has beenconsumed in vast quantities at various placesincluding the Great British Beer festival. A featureon this event will appear in a future edition.

Hot on the heels was the wonderful WaterNewton Music Festival, which served as a ‘warmup’ to the PBF. Pretty much the full range wasavailable and it all went down well.

The Peterborough Beer Festival was anotherroaring success and the NepAle Tweak on theSingles Bar sold out in three hours on trade day!Congratulations to all those involved in putting onanother fantastic festival.

By the time you read this, the Peterborough ArtsFestival will have come and gone, and as keensupporters of this event, Castor Ales hope a goodtime was had by all at this real ale/real art event.

As has been leaked on social media, Castor Aleshave signed a legally binding contract with theSimmospoons’ empire to supply Hopping Toad,so it will be permanently available in all theiroutlets, raising money for great causes.

Castor Ales is also proud of its association withThe Salmon in Leicester, and is supplying some“one off ” beers for a prostate cancer charity pres-entation evening on 2nd October 2015. Thatshould keep the Leicester tickers happy.

Despite being incredibly busy over the last twomonths, the investment programme has continuedunabated with shiny new clips fitted to all ourhoses adding that extra little something to thebrewing process.

Thanks again to all regular customers for theirfantastic support.

Digfield AlesAn enjoyable and successful Peterborough BeerFestival for Digfield Ales with Mad Monkachieving a Gold Award.

This follows two runner up successes for MadMonk and Shacklebush at the NorthamptonDelapre Festival. A special 10th Anniversary brewis planned for later this year.


Brewery News


Brewery news |13

Elgood’sThe seasonal for October willbe called Which Witch isWhich and will be supportedby a competition on Face-

book and Twitter where you can e-mail youranswer to win 10 cases of beer. This will be theirnew Halloween beer.

Oak Aged Winter Warmer which has had aneleven month maturation in Oak barrels will beavailable for December. Pubs which will soonrequire new tenants are the Bell at Murrow, theCock at March and the George at Doddington.

The Blue Bell at Werrington is doing well after itschange of management earlier in the year, but as yetthere is no new tenant for the Blue Bell at Dogsthorpe.

Kings Cliffe BreweryThis was the second year atPeterborough Beer Festival andKings Cliffe P51 won joint

Bronze in the Stout and Porter class which was afantastic result considering P51 has only beenbrewed since January 2015. More good news forP51, it has been selected by Batemans to be aregular at the Palmerston Arms and there are alsorepeat orders for the Aviator Hotel and Bar atSywell Airport. There were two specials on theSingles Bar brewed by KCB, namely, Lemon-grass Ale (KCB 5C with lemongrass) and thebrand new IPA SMaSH 6.5% abv.

A new golden ale, GoldNZ 4.2% abv, using NZMotukea hops was due to be a special at theOstrich, Peterborough, in early September.

Mile Tree BreweryThe brewery had an excel-lent Peterborough BeerFestival receiving two awards

for their beers. Crescent Ale won a Gold awardin the less than 4% abv category and Larksongwon a Bronze in the 4.4% abv to 4.9% abv category.Richard and Karen are extremely pleased with theawards. The Trade Day at the festival went verywell indeed with many customers coming to meetthem and sample their beers. The festival Singles

Bar had the 7.2% abv Double Stout which provedvery popular. The Bottled beer sales are continuingto grow appearing at various farmers markets andfestivals. The brewery continues to have their beersat various beer festivals including the Elgood’sSIBA festival, the Coalheavers, Bedford andNorwich. The full range of beers now includes:-

Adventurer 4% abv, Meadowgold 3.8% abv,Larksong 4.5% abv, Crescent Ale 3.9% abv,Wellstream 4.9% abv, Dark Secret 4% abv,Double Stout 7.2% abv,1850 Porter 5.3% abv,Winter Ale 6% abv.

Nene Valley BreweryThe PBF Cellar Team visitedNene Valley and brewed an IPAfor the 2015 event. Ausome IPAat 5.6% abv is a pale gold IPAwith lots of Galaxy, Mosaic and

Simcoe hops. The brewery has re-badged the beeras Collision, and the remainder has gone into thetrade. Bible Black and Release the Chimpsand the 2015 edition of Double JIP, at 9.9%were also available.

Two dish-bottomed 20 bbl fermenters have beenshoe-horned into the existing brewery. The numberof brew days has increased to three per week.

The brewery participated in the Maris Otter 50Festival, in Norwich, in mid-September. Fiftybreweries each produced a new beer for thefestival, The Nene Valley entrant was a 7.4%rich, candied orange brew; not too dark with lotsof hop and, of course, Maris Otter barley.

Oakham AlesGreen turned to gold again forOakham Ales, this time at the recentPeterborough Beer Festival where

Green Devil I.P.A. won gold in the 5.6% - 6.4%abv category. Further proof of the quality of thisbeer. Let’s hope we see it around more in cask formwhere it should be! Also Black Hole Porter won asilver in the stouts and porters category.

The expansion at the brewery continues, five newbrewing tanks have been installed with more toarrive in the next couple of months. This extra


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Brewery news - continued |15

capacity will enable all the bottling and kegging tobe kept in house.

Some old and new beers are soon to be makingan appearance in the seasonal and aged range.The October seasonal will be Asylum 4.7% abv.During November Atilla 7.5% abv will be back inthe aged range, followed by the December seasonalDeep Thought 4.7% abv. Available at present isDreamcatcher 6.9%abv and a new little dittycalled Bona Nox 8% abv.

Shoulder of Mutton BreweryThis month’s special bitter is called Rosy Cheeksmade to commemorate a special customer's bigbirthday. There have been appearances at severalbeer festivals, including Peterborough, for which aone-off citrus beer called X4 (named after the busroute to Weldon from Peterborough) was brewed.Festival specials were also made for MeltonMowbray and Brigstock. Staff and customersenjoyed a visit to Pot Belly brewery in Kettering.

Star Brewing CompanySimon confirmed that Helios4.3% abv, has been brewed anddistributed including an appear-ance at the Fat Cat Beer Festivalin Sheffield. There will be a beer

specially brewed for the Rugby World Cup calledJerusalem 4.4% abv, a golden best bitter. FinalFrontier 4.3% abv, was brewed for the Peterbor-ough Beer Festival, plus some local outlets and hassold well. The organisers of Nottingham BeerFestival have made an enquiry with regard tohaving Star beers at their festival. Lightyear5.0% abv, will reappear in the near future along-side the regular beers Comet and Meteor.

Tydd SteamRecent beers Ratcatcherand Mind Bomb have bothsold very well. Following

Yeovil Ales patenting Stargazer, brewer Willrealised that he couldn’t afford to lose the nameBarn Ale and has therefore patented the name.Scoundrel will be released for the Rugby WorldCup and re-badged as Sweet Chariot.

Roadhouse has made a return and is currentlyavailable. Amnesiac will also be returning soon.

Xtreme AlesThis year Xtreme had 8 beers atPeterborough beer Festival,which included two collaboration

brews with Bexar County brewery. Beer festivalscontinue to be a big part of sales currently. Festi-vals coming up featuring Xtreme beers are:Bedford Beer Festival 7th – 10th October;Nottingham Beer Festival 7th – 10th October andfinally the Half Moon Hitchin Beer Festival 22nd -25th October.

There will be a new cherry beer released soon aswell as a new single hop range of beers. PigeonAle and Evil Pigeon continue to do well.


Following on from the Oakham Village Festival,Charters Bar held their first cider festival. Thefestival was set up and run by Natasha Gollings,Assistant Manager, and longest serving employee,Kirsten England, who rose to the challenge afterrecognising the growth in popularity and sales ofreal cider. The festival was well received and it wasgreat to see CAMRA cider representative,Bernidette Gilbert, and regular patron, BernieMason, take an active role in serving on the festivalbar. The festival showcased 20+ ciders andamongst those proving most popular were,Fynbury’s Blackberry & Nettle, Sandford’sBumbleberry and Gwynt Y Ddraig Happy Daze.Look out for the festival’s return next year.

Appley ‘appenings!

16 |

The 38th Peterborough Beer Festival which tookplace between 25-29th August proved to beanother big success with a total of 30,564 real alefans making their way to the annual event. Thenumbers visiting this year were once again up onthe previous year with both Friday and Saturdayshowing a rise of almost a thousand additionalpeople attending on each day. With over 33 newbreweries featured at the festival and almost 170represented in total the offerings proved a big drawfor beer drinkers from far and wide.

The event got off to a great start on the Tuesdaywith the opening of the Trade Session. As well asthe invited members of the beer and pub trade theMayor of Peterborough, Councillor John Peachand Mayoress Ms Janet Martin were the first toarrive when the doors opened at 3pm. Prior to thisthe crowds waiting to pour in were alreadystretching way back across the Embankment andeven the most ominous looking grey clouds wereinsufficient to deter those eager to come in.

For the most part the weather remained kind andwith the exception of a few showers during theweek (the now clichéd expression: “It’s raining, itmust be the Peterborough Beer Festival!” washeard once or twice) the weather stayed on ourside. Friday and Saturday in particular hadglorious sunshine for long periods and no doubtencouraged many to come along to revel.

Champion Beer judging took place from 11amWednesday with an assembled panel of ‘tasters’including publicans, CAMRA regulars and a fewassorted local journalists for good measure. Theresults were made available by late afternoon. For the ‘Overall Champion’ category, in markedcontrast to last year’s winners, the trend wastowards lighter rather than dark beers. In orderthey were:

Gold – Bullards No.1 East Coast PaleSilver – Nobby’s APABronze – Son of Sid Muck Cart Mild

Once the results were announced of course theinevitable happened – the winners started sellingout rapidly. Efforts were made to replenish stocksof the Bullard’s beer and attempts were made tomake contact the happy brewers who, understand-ably, were busy having a few celebratory pintsthemselves. After a few phones calls and a bit ofpersuasion (and a little bit of publicity!) wemanaged to get David Jones and Tom Allen overfrom Norwich and they arrived with two caskswhich we managed to have settled and back on intime for Saturday afternoon.

On the LocAle front Kings Cliffe, Milton, MileTree and Oakham all enjoyed success and provedonce again that Peterborough and District is wellrepresented by acclaimed breweries. Full details ofall the winning beer categories can be found on the‘Champion Beers’ page of the PeterboroughCAMRA website at www.beer-fest.org.uk.

Peterborough Beer Festival is also renowned forputting on a great display of live entertainmentand 2015 was exceptional. Open Mic night hasbeen running for three years and according toorganiser Stacey, this year the standard ofperformance was the best it’s been. Not only didthe acts raise the bar but the festival setting isgaining a reputation as a place to perform; oneyoung duo travelled over 60 miles to play on stageon a Tuesday night.

As the week continued the variety of live musicproved a major attraction as the music marqueepacked out night after night. Everything from hardrock, punk, reggae, ska, new wave to a stringquartet playing classic songs, could be heard on

Peterborough Beer Festival2015 Round-Up


Peterborough Beer Festival Round-up |17

the music stage during the week. We weredelighted also to have the talents of Hereward TVrecording and broadcasting the entertainmentthroughout the week. Watching the bandsstreamed live online and seeing all the positivefeedback particularly on social media, gives greatencouragement and goes to show that all the hardwork put in by the huge number of volunteers overthe year was well worth it.

In terms of enduring memories from Peterbor-ough Beer Festival 2015, there were a few standoutmoments. On the Thursday afternoon we weretreated to the spectacular sight and sound of theVulcan XH558 fly past on route from Clacton toDoncaster. Numerous pictures of this were sharedon the festival Facebook page. The image of asleeping dog (from a dogs eye view) probablybecame the most ‘liked’ post with over 5,000 views;proof if it were needed that it is a family friendlybeer festival. Then there was the group of aroundten who arrived on the Saturday, each carrying ahandmade cake to be tried by all members of theirparty. As they settled down on the Embankmentwith their picnic blanket, cakes and ale, it wasperhaps the most novel pairing of booze and cakesince the classic scene in the film Withnail and I.

Roll on next year!

Karl SimpsonPBF Publicity Team




29 North Street, Stanground PE2 8HR.

Tel: 01733 753544Friendly village pub with

riverside mooring.

Up to 4 Real Ales available Large Garden

Dogs Welcome • BT Sport

Food Served: Tues to Sun 12 - 2.30pm Mon to Sat 6pm - 8pm 9 High Street, Easton on the Hill, PE9 3LR.

Tel: 01780 763003 Email: [email protected] us on Facebook: The Blue Bell

3 real ales, 1 real cider and 6 draught beersGame room, Sky & BT sport

Freshly prepared food Tuesday to Sunday.Our garden, bars and restaurants are available

for your Wedding, office or birthday party.

RUGBY WORLD CUP

All matches shown live in our bar

|21


F

The latest episode in our quest for great pubs andbeer took us to sunny Brighton, only it wasn’tsunny and it wasn’t bright. It was wet with galeforce winds which made it very difficult walking upBrighton’s very steep hills.

Peterborough to Brighton is a fair distance andone or two regulars were a bit put off by this butthe journey went really quickly. Just an hour toLondon and then 54 minutes from Victoria toBrighton. A ticket from Peterborough to Brightonis about £34 including a third off for groups but ifyou get group tickets to Huntingdon and thengroup tickets from Huntingdon to Brighton it is£21.60, a big saving just by splitting your tickets.

Due to the early start we were unable to havebreakfast as usual at the Drapers Arms but we hada 30 minute wait at Victoria which gave us time tograb some food, or, as some did, visit the Wether-spoons at the station for an early pint. It was after9.30am after all. We were not sure if the train wasto split on its way down to Brighton so it wassuggested that we go to the front of the train butthis took ages as the train consisted of at least 20

coaches, all of which were spotlessly clean andvirtually empty. It seemed as though, in no time,we were pulling into Brighton station.

Our first stop was Dark Star Brewery’s EveningStar which, according to their website, and theGood Beer Guide, opens at 11am. No, it doesn’t, itopens at 11.30am and it was now only 11.02am.We needed to find a pub that was open before thecrew died of thirst as nearly an hour had passedsince the pint at Victoria. The Brighton Belle wasour salvation even though we had to pay £3.95 fora sub-standard pint of St. Austell Tribute. At leastthe rugby 7’s were on TV so we had something towatch. We left at 11.28am for the 2 minute walkback to the Evening Star.

What a great little pub. Four of their own beerswere on plus another four local guest beers and afew craft keg beers. Again, the cost was around the£4 mark but we knew before we went it was goingto be expensive.

Pub number two, The Cow, was a short walk awayat least it looked short on the map and probablywould have only been about five minutes if it werenot for the incredibly steep hills. The five minutewalk was almost like a five mile walk. The Cowwas ok but only had two cask beers on even thoughthey have four pumps. I had a keg Fransiscan WellIPA at 5.5% which was really good. Others hadthe cask ales and some had the keg beers and theywere all good even though the choice was limited.Time to move on.

Coalies goto Brighton



Coalies go to Brighton - continued |23

Next pub was the excellent Brighton BeerDispensary. A bit on the small side but provided alarge range of cask ales and craft kegs and alsocans. I’ve never liked beer out of a can but themodern day craft type beers taste fantastic out of acan. If you didn’t see it poured you would think itwas a draught beer. I had Beavertown Black Betty,a Black IPA at 10% and out of a can, but it wasbrilliant, even at £5 per can. Brighton BeerDispensary is a joint venture between Late Knightsbrewery and Brighton Bier Company and most ofthe beers are from those two breweries althoughthere were some other guest beers available. At theend of the day it was a toss-up between this placeand The Evening Star as best pub of the day. Theother big hit here were the battered gherkins orbeerkins as they were called. Pretty disgusting inmy eyes but apparently went really well with beer.

Quite often when I do these write-ups, by the timeit gets to the last pub the memory becomes a bitsketchy. I can remember the last pubs but for somereason I have a mental block about the next pubwhich was The Craft Beer Co. pub. I know I wentthere as I have photographs but no recollection.

It’s not just me, a lot of the others can’tremember it either but we were definitely all there.I had to look at their website to jog my memory.They have up to 10 cask ales on and at least 12

craft beers and the prices are not too bad. What Ido remember is about four of the crew who weredesperate for the loo all piled into the kitchen bymistake only to be chased out by the chef. Made usall laugh!

Next stop was North Laine Brewery Tap, a hugepub, even bigger than Peterborough’s BreweryTap. It was really busy inside though we wereprobably 20 years older than most of the clientele.Quite a lot of beers were available including fourof their own beers. Not too bad but I wish I hadone of the guest beers instead. It was also a bitloud in there, we don’t do loud!

From there we went to The Prince Albert closeto the station. Not a bad place, nothing too specialbut worth a visit. It was quite busy and a bit loudbut at least the loud music was good music. Sixbeers were on, mostly local and in good nick. Wenow had a choice, one more here or back to theEvening Star. Two minutes later we were back inThe Evening Star. It was considerably busier thanit was at 11.30 in the morning and a couple morebeers were on. You would really like this pub asyour local.

All in all, a good day despite the weather. Willneed to do a bit of overtime now to pay for it.

Dave Botton


A recent issue of Beer Around ‘ere presented a point-by-point process for raising Assets of CommunityValue and there is now a major push within thebranch to increase them. It may be that we arelulling ourselves into a false sense of optimism bythinking that this is a panacea for all of the prob-lems within the trade, but it is surely something thatwe cannot ignore. I am suggesting that the wayforward is to research the experience of otherbranches through case studies. Happily, I have asuccess story to relate.

One of the most vibrant thoroughfares in NorthLondon is the road running from Seven SistersStation, past the Spurs’ football ground, toEdmonton Green. Tottenham High Road isadorned with some imposing Victorian, red brickbuildings and punctuated with several public houses.Although of no singular architectural merit, thesebuildings and the pubs, some of which haveinevitably disappeared, are etched into myemotional memory, for I have been a TottenhamHotspur supporter since 1958. Imagine then myanger and frustration when a couple of years ago awild contagion of a sense of injustice erupted into a

riot which wrought destruction on some of thebuildings and, apparently, the community spirit. Sothis is also a story of recovery.

The Antwerp Arms is situated to the left of theHigh Road, along Church Street, opposite BruceCastle Park, like a green oasis in an urban waste-land. I thought I had drunk in every pub in theWhite Hart Lane hinterland over the years yet I hadnever been in ‘Annies’. I finally discovered it aboutten years ago and it quickly became a favouritevenue before home games. But there were serpentsin the garden. It was sold by Enterprise Inns to adeveloper and destined to be turned into housing.Except that the locals didn’t see it that way and agroup of determined people gathered together anddecided to do something about it.

Mav Highsted is a retired communication skillsteacher and now the Communications Director forthe Antwerp Arms Association. I met her recentlyto discuss the pub’s recovery. She firmly believesthat the regeneration of the area was a definingcontext for the regeneration of the pub. Part ofbuilding up a heritage area, with the church and the

Community PowerACVs rule?


24 | Community power

whole terrace alongside the Antwerp locally listed.Were the riots then a catalyst? “Of course, you donot keep people off the streets by closing pubs andgiving them nowhere to go.” As a long-standing resi-dent of the area who witnessed the dreadful scenes acouple of years ago, she sees the Association as part ofa new entrepreneurial spirit for which the pub hasbecome an emblem. There are now two breweries inthe area, Redemption and Beavertown at TottenhamHale, an artisan baker and a cheese maker to namejust a few.

I have been tracking the progress of ‘Annies’ since.As soon as I heard that it had definitely reopened Iarranged a meeting with Ian McLaren who is Secre-tary of the North London CAMRA branch andFinance Director of the Association. This is a sort ofco-operative, a local social enterprise which eventu-ally turned itself into a business. Ian recalls how theydecided to call in some experts. One of them was thePlunkett Foundation, a charity that helps communi-ties to buy local assets and run businesses. It wasoriginally formed to preserve local shops but is nowbeing drawn into preserving pubs. The question theyput to him was “would you be prepared to buy it tosave it”. This was a huge imponderable if it were notfor the commitment of the organisation and theamount of publicity and support that they managedto engender in the local area.

Funding then became the key issue. They wereadvised to set up a Community Enterprise Societyand applied for a grant to the Social Investment Busi-ness. This is a government fund created to raisecapital with the express intention of having a socialimpact in deprived areas. To get the grant they hadto establish what they are doing for the local commu-nity. So they set out their stall by explaining that theyintended to attract all kinds of groups, from toddlersto pensioners. So be it, but what struck me assurprising was the growing awareness of the socialimportance pubs in an area of public life where therewas previously considered to be some inherent biasagainst them. In addition, there was a feeling withinthe North London branch that there were councilsthat were for some reason anti-pub and that this hadimpeded the ACV registration process.


F

Community power - continued |27


The money started to arrive from all kinds ofsources. I spoke to Operations Director, LindsayFowler. Tottenham born and bred, she has a keeninterest in saving local pubs. She told me that twothirds of the investors are local people and somehave come from former residents of the area, manyof them now living abroad. She managed toharness the support of local M.P., David Lammy,who wrote a letter of support for the initial applica-tion. Former Spurs captain Gary Mabbutt ralliedto the cause. The local brewery Redemption hasmade a major investment and has made it theirbrewery tap. Tottenham Hotspur Football Club,which is making a major contribution to the regen-eration of the area by building a brand newstadium, has also shown an interest in the project, ashas the Spurs Supporters Club. But to save a pubcan be an arduous task. She is currently raising ashare issue for a further £50,000, which is still open,for further improvements.

The initial Asset of Community Value was raisedin June 2013. Clearly, they had a mountain toclimb, as they were pioneering what was in effectnew legislation. There were problems with theACV process itself. Ian recalls that the councilsdidn’t really understand it. There was a generalfeeling within the North London Branch that someboroughs turn them down on spurious grounds,which is precisely why it was essential to raise theprofile and widen the publicity.

For if you listen to the current wisdom, this is anarea where the preservation of pubs is least likely.Haringey is reputed to have the widest ethnic mix ofany borough in the country. But I am amongstthose who are determined to challenge the assump-tion that demographic change necessarily augursthe extinction of the local (I fondly remember manyof the Caribbeans I worked with in South Londonwho were committed Young’s Special drinkers).And they were also up against the gangrenousinsensitivity of property developers who think that apub is merely a building, which has no value to the

community. But then, as the Gospel tells us, it iseasier for property developers to get through the eyeof a needle than it is for them to challenge theirown values.

The ACV was finally successful in September2013, after the buyers realised that they would notget the required planning permission. Oncepurchased, the Association set about producingtheir own business plans and prospectuses. Most ofthe work has been done by volunteers: solicitors,accountants, electricians, plumbers, cleaners;anyone who was prepared to lend a hand.

All of the above testifies to a conspicuous successfor the Assets of Community Value programme. It is not only an example of how the work of anumber of courageous people succeeded in keepingtheir pub open but also a reflection of the grit ofthe local populace who wanted to see their commu-nity restored. It is an inspiration to all those insimilar circumstances across the country. And oncean idea gathers momentum, there is no sayingwhere it will go. As Lindsay says:” It’s very excitingto be part of something like this and although it hasbecome practically a full time job for me, I amhoping once we get the new manger in, we can allrelax and maybe move on to the next pub!”

We should not be deterred by the fact that thenegotiations to save the Antwerp lasted for morethan a couple of years and we are completelydependent on your active support to ensure that ourown projects succeed. For this is truly our domainand truly CAMRA’s prerogative; as now we appearto have won the argument over real ale the focus ofthe movement will increasingly settle upon savingpubs. I am confident that we are witnessing thegrowth of a movement that once it gathersmomentum will be irresistible. The law and publicfeeling are on our side.

John Temple

OctoberFri 2nd Tom Seals Trio Charters, PeterboroughSat 3rd Porky Pig Prince of Wales Feathers, CastorSun 4th Mic Night Brewery Tap, Peterborough

The Verzions Charters, PeterboroughThu 8th Captain Backwash Hand and Heart,Peterborough

Fri 9th The Tinderbox Charters, PeterboroughSat 10th The Unknown 3 Horseshoes, Werrington

Greg McDonald Prince of Wales Feathers, Castor

Sat 17th The Unknown The Heron, StangroundMistreated Prince of Wales

Feathers, CastorTallawah Charters, Peterborough

Mon 19th Open Mic Charters, PeterboroughFri 23rd Stone Pony Charters, PeterboroughSat 24th Hush Prince of Wales Feathers, Castor

Fri 30th Club Recall Beat Cancer CharityHalloween Ball Brewery Tap, PeterboroughSat 31st Grounded + Sci Fi Halloween Party Charters, Peterborough

NovemberFri 6th Acousticats Charters, PeterboroughSat 7th The Unknown Ploughman, Werrington

The Claimed Prince of Wales FeathersTin Pigeons Charters, Peterborough

Fri 13th Children of the Revolution Charters,Peterborough

Sat 14th Jessica White Prince of Wales Feathers

DecemberFri 18th Children of the Revolution Prince ofWales Feathers, Castor

Sat 19th C J Hatt Prince of Wales Feathers, Castor

Gig guide

28 | Live Music in October and November

Saturdays, you gotta love them, and with no workthe following day it usually means a few beers aremost definitely on the cards! So without so muchas glance at any gig guides, I ventured downOundle Road to the Cherry Tree. My excuse tothe other half was a little transparent, as isnormally the case, but a pass out was duly issuedso off to the ‘Tree’ at double pace it was.

As is the norm on a sultry summer’s night, thepub’s beer garden was fairly busy, as were the resi-dent gnats and mozzies. I was prepared for themthis time though: insect repellent! It’s no Brut ForMen, but if, like me, you get nibbled, that littlespray of repellent makes for a more comfortingsession on the ale, especially when in the open air.Mission accomplished with my alfresco friends itwas back to the bar for a pint of Ginger Pig andsome live music. Tonight’s band were new to meand very good. Velocity by name and seemingly bynature too. This vibrant trio of twenty somethingsplayed a good spread of guitar based anthems thatcrossed decades and genres. Their boundless energyinfusing a growing crowd of punters to their cause.

Say what you like about local music, and inparticular bands who do covers, but quite franklywe should support them and embrace the varietyof choice on offer. They can make a visit to thepub so much better. With that in mind, which isoften the case in this part of Peterborough, morelive music was on offer, and in close proximity. Sowith a hop, not so much a skip and a jump, it wasoff to the Palmerston Arms.

Ramshackle Serenade were in fine form, withdancers and shape-shifters aplenty to their eclecticmix of double bass rockabilly and jive. As alwaysthe band delivered the goods, even chucking someDepeche Mode in along the way. Elsie Mo was ontap, for me one of the best that the Castle Rockbrewery produce. Oddly it made the walk home abit wobbly, which made my “sure I will be back bymidnight” pledge a bit of a tough one.

Woodston pubs and live music a plenty. Trypopping by, you might just find a surprise or two.

Pimlico

Two Bands, One Night

Diary dates |29


Diary dates CAMRA meetings, socials and beer festivals in the coming months

OctoberMonday 5th at 8.30pmBranch Committee Meeting atthe Sir Henry Royce, 1-3Broadway, Peterborough PE11TA. All members welcome,please bring membership card.

Saturday 17thGold and Cider Awards inCoates and Whittlesey.Presentation of Gold Award toVine, Coates and County Cider Pub of the Year to Letter B,Whittlesey. Depart Brewery Tapat 6pm and return by 11pm. Cost£7. Please book places throughJohn Hunt, Social Secretary.

Monday 19th at 8.30pmPeterborough Beer Festival“Wash up” Open Meeting atCherry Tree, Oundle Road,Peterborough, PE2 9PB. Allmembers welcome, please bringmembership card.

NovemberSaturday 7thJoint social hosting HuntingdonBranch on a visit to Stamford.Meet at P’boro Railway Stationat 11.30am. Return approx 5pmPlease book places through JohnHunt, Social Secretary.

Tuesday 10th at 8.30pmBranch Committee Meeting,venue to be confirmed. Allmembers welcome, please bringmembership card.

Saturday 21st Crowland and Spalding Crawl.Meet at Queensgate bus stationat 10.45am for 10.55am bus toCrowland then on to Spalding.Last bus returns by 9pm.Dayrider ticket required.

Thursday 26th- Sunday 29th Winter Beer Festival at thePloughman, Werrington 24+ ales.

DecemberSunday 20th Christmas Mystery Tour.Depart Brewery Tap at 11amreturn by 8pm. Cost TBC.Please book places through JohnHunt, Social Secretary

Gold AwardPresentationOn Friday 14th August the Woolpack in Stangroundwas presented with a Gold Award for the quality ofbeers served. Unfortunately landlady Linda was inhospital and so was unable to receive her award.However, partner Pete was on hand to accept on herbehalf. Congratulations Linda!

LocAle ReportI am pleased to report that the LocAle bar, introduced to the Peterborough Beer Festival 2015,was a huge success. All the LocAle beer sold outbefore the end of the festival. This shows thatlocally brewed beers are hugely popular with thegeneral public and CAMRA members alike. Agreat effort was made by staff on the LocAle bar topromote and serve beer of the highest quality andencourage customers to search out local brews.This in turn will hopefully persuade our branchoutlets to stock more and more LocAles. Here’shoping that the bar becomes a permanent featureat future festivals.

It is also pleasing to report that the number ofPeterborough and District Branch area publichouses stocking one or more locally brewed ales ison the increase. Long may it continue.

Dave McLennanLocAle OfficerSteve Williams (nomination sponsor) presenting Pete with award.

Branch CommitteeSecretary: Dickie Bird4 Cissbury Ring,WerringtonPeterborough, PE4 6QH01733 574226 (tel & fax)07731 993896 [email protected]

Chairman: David Murray01733 [email protected]

Treasurer: Paul Beecham01733 31198107710 [email protected]

Vice Chair:Matthew Mace07809 [email protected]

Social Sec: John Hunt07923 [email protected]

Pubs Officer: John Temple07905 051 [email protected]

Press Officer:Mike Blakesley01733 390828 (h) 07747 617527 (m)[email protected]

Cider Officer: Bernidette [email protected]

Young Members: Kara [email protected]: Bob Melville07941 [email protected] Org:Mike Lane07850 [email protected]

LocAle Officer: Dave McLennan01733 346059 (h) 07854 642773 (m)[email protected]

Webmaster: Harry [email protected]

Brewery Liaison OfficersBlue Bell: John Hunt07923 489917Bexar County Brewery: Dave Botton01733 345475Castor Ales:Mike Lane07850 334203Digfield: Dave Waller07821 912605

Elgood’s: John Hunt07923 489917

Hopshackle: Noel Ryland07944 869656Kings Cliffe Brewery:Mike Blakesley07747 617527Melbourn: Don Rudd07806 731765Mile Tree Brewery:Steve Williams07756 066503Nene Valley: Bob Melville07941 246693Oakham Ales: Dave Allett07966 344417Tydd Steam: John Hunt07923 489917Shoulder of Mutton Brewery:John Temple07905 051 312Star Brewing Company: Don Rudd 07806 731765Xtreme Ales:Matt Mace07809 629241

Trading Standards08545 040506www.consumerdirect.gov.ukCheck out our website at:www.real-ale.org.uk

Pub Merit Awards & Gold AwardsDoes your local pub have excellent beer, friendly staff, a great atmosphere/ community spirit, orhave they introduced additional hand pumps? If so nominate them for Gold or Merit Award. Thenew Merit Award is for pubs that are continuously outstanding, so if you know of a deserving pubwithin the branch area, please complete the form below indicating Gold or Merit Award and post tothe secretary or email nominations to [email protected]. Pub name:

Pub address/town/village:

Reason for award:

Your name:

Your phone number or e-mail address:

Your membership number:

A great welcome awaits you at The Farmers, Yaxley. We are famous for our fresh vegetables and great carverymeats, succulent and served with all the trimmings, then finished off with a tantalising hot or cold dessert!

Check out our lunch-time grill menus and our ever-changing specials boards. Put it all together with three fine cask ales and you have the perfect place to enjoy dinner with friends or a family celebration. We have a self-contained function suite which is ideal for parties, weddings and all of life’s celebrations.

So if you’ve not been before give us a try and you’ll bepleasantly surprised.

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Midday - 2:30pm Carvery & Specials Menu5:00pm - Late Carvery & Grill MenuSunday Open From 12 Noon - 9pm

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Documents

Beer Around 'Ere issue 185