Darlington Drinker - Issue 195 - Summer 2015

Darlington DrinkerN E W S L E T T E R O F T H E D A R L I N G T O N C A M P A I G N F O R R E A L A L E

ISSUE 195 | SUMMER 2015

IN THIS ISSUE...• DARLINGTON BEER FESTIVAL• CHAIRSPEAK - GBG THROUGH 21 YEARS• BRITANNIA RULES ON• LESSONS FROM THE SCHOOLHOUSEPlus Much More....

www.darlocamra.org.uk

BRITANNIA RULES OH YEAH!

BRITANNIA RULES OH YEAH!

FREE!Please take

a copy

Carley Woods and Colin Chapman of the Britannia

Darlington Drinker DARLINGTON CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE

ISSUE 195 | SUMMER 20152 | www.darlocamra.org.uk

Darlington DrinkerDARLINGTON CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE

ISSUE 195 | SUMMER 2015 3www.darlocamra.org.uk |

Disclaimer: The views expressed in articles are those of individual contributors and are not necessarily the views of the Darlington Branch, The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. Darlington CAMRA accepts no liability in relation to the accuracy of advertisements; readers must rely on their own enquiries. It should also be noted that acceptance of an advertisement in this publication should not be deemed an endorsement of quality by Darlington CAMRA. © 2015 Capital Media Group. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be transmitted, reproduced, recorded, photocopied or otherwise without the express written permission of the copyright holder.

Welcome to Issue 195 of the Darlington Drinker. It seems that volunteering for something as a

one off, does not debar you from taking on the role again, so the guest editorship, at least for this issue is yours truly.

There has recently been Darlington CAMRA’s Annual General Meeting which required me as Chairman to give an annual report on Darlington’s progress throughout last year in promoting the aims of CAMRA. This issue I hope contains a celebration of that progress as well as encouraging members to be more active in their involvement, and I don’t mean jogging to the pub or weightlifting glasses.

This issue will include reports on a successful beer festival, a young member’s initiative, with focal discussion points on the GBG, new breweries and changes on the pub scene. Importantly What Pub? - the online review of all real ale pubs nationally will be explained and how you can review any pubs beers and facilities, and activity wise, how you beer score.

This magazine does get distributed all over Britain, either by swopping and pubs and festivals, or on organised tours. It gets Darlington CAMRA known. In combination with the GBG it provides tourists with up to date information on where to enjoy the best that this area can offer.

A big thanks to all contributors, sponsors and most of all our readers.

Cheers!

FROM THE EDITOR

Garry HewittChairman and Guest Editor, Darlington Drinker

CONTACT DARLINGTON CAMRAWebsite: www.darlocamra.org.uk

Twitter: @darloCAMRA Facebook: DarloCamra

OTHER CONTACTSCampaign for Real Ale Ltd.

230 Hatfi eld Road, St. Albans, Herts, AL1 4LWt: 01727 867 201 • e: [email protected] • www.camra.org.uk

Trading Standardst: 01325 388799 • e: [email protected]

PUBLISHED BY Capital Media Midlands Limited

First Floor, Central Buildings, Middlegate, Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1AG.

t: 01636 302 302 • e: [email protected]



Well, he did it! In the last issue of Darlington Drinker we looked at the history of the building that houses Darlington Snooker

Club. For its 100th anniversary, Peter Everitt decided to have a beer festival with 100 beers, at 100 pennies (£1 in the present currency) a half pint. By far the most ambitious beer festival to be mounted in the area, it was a bit of a gamble to say the least.

In the event, 95 of the beers sold out in four days, with beer enthusiasts coming from far and wide to support the event, including a couple from Nottingham who came and stayed in Darlington especially for the festival. Drinkers from all over the

north east also showed their support, from Berwick upon Tweed to North Yorkshire.

Thanks to Peter’s staff and a number of volunteers, the festival looked great and ran smoothly. Well done to all concerned.

Correction: The article 100 Not Out in the last issue of Darlington Drinker was written by Vron Burningham and not Garry Hewitt.

100 NOT OUTGOING, GOING, NEARLY ALL GONEby Vron Burningham

MAYFri 15th - 1st Darlington Town Surveying Trip - walking around the town centre pubs. Meet at The Glittering Star at 7pm. Sat 23rd - Langdon Beck Beer Festival, popping to a couple of North Teeside pubs on the way there and the way back. 11.30am from Dolphin Centre.JUNEFri 12th - 2nd Darlington Town Surveying Trip - round the outskirts pubs. 7pm from Dolphin Centre, 6.45pm from Aldbrough. Pubs to be confi rmed.

JULYFri 10th - 1st Teesdale Surveying Trip - Upper Teesdale. 7pm from Dolphin Centre, 7.15pm from Aldbrough. Pubs to be confi rmed.

Fri 24th - Strathmore Arms, Holwick Beer Festival. 7pm from Dolphin Centre, 7.15pm from Aldbrough.AUGUSTFri 3rd - 2nd Teesdale Surveying Trip - Middle Teesdale. 7pm from Dolphin Centre, 7.15pm from Aldbrough. Pubs to be confi rmed.

For details of all trips please call Pete Fenwick on 01325 374817 or 07889 167128

For further updates of events please visit www.darlocamra.org.uk

BRANCH DIARY

All trips: Leave from round the corner from The Dolphin Centre & return there and pick up from Aldbrough St John (by the church) and return there. Open to members new and old, visitors & non members - all made welcome.If you need to cancel, remember if it’s within 48 hours of the Trip then you will still have to pay for your seats in full.



10 FULL SIZE TABLESOPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK• Mon to Thurs: 12 noon - Midnight• Fri: 12 noon - Late • Sat: 11am - Late • Sun: 11am - 11pm

FOUR QUALITY CASK ALESThere’s always something to suit your taste!

Comfortable TV Lounge

Parties Catered For Buffets can be supplied to fit every budget

Junior Classes Sunday 9-11am. No Junior classes on Saturdays.

School Groups WelcomeProfessional coach available

SUPER REGIONAL FINALISTNE CLUB OF THE YEAR 2011-2015Further Accolades:• CAMRA North East Club of the

Year 2004-2008

• Good Beer Guide 2005-2015

• FIRST Snooker Club to be voted CAMRA Club of the Year

• FIRST Snooker Club to appear in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide

• FIRST Snooker Club to have its own major beer festival

CAMRA MEMBERS FREE ENTRY ON PRODUCTION OF MEMBERSHIP CARD

FOR THE BEST VALUE GAME OF SNOOKER IN DARLINGTON

1 CORPORATION ROAD, DARLINGTON, DL3 6AE • t: 01325 241388 • e: [email protected]

SNOOKER CLUBDARLINGTONSNOOKER CLUBDARLINGTON



QUAYSthe5 tubwell row

open 7 days a week

LIVE MUSIC& ENTERTAINMENT

real ales, fine wines, world beers

delicious home cooked food

facebook.com/thequayspubdarlo

twitter.com/thequayspub

thequayspub.com



The Britannia has been over the years a fairly constant entry in the GBG. Those who remember the early days of CAMRA would

recall,some with very fond memories, Pat and Amy Kilfeather. Always keeping his Cameron’s Strongarm in tip-top condition, Pat did not suffer fools gladly, often barring people for chewing gum (after being asked very kindly to put the offending article in the ashtray), laughing too loudly or simply because you were wearing something he didn’t like. However if you were in with him and on Amy’s good side , you know you had friends for life. They built up a strong and consistent number of regulars, who in themselves were there for the fundamental reasons for being part of CAMRA – the excellent quality of ale and friendship.

Fifteen years or so ago, Sue Woods took over the reins and developed an increased range of real ales to fi ve (despite diffi culties with her pubco). A supporter of CAMRA and host to both Committee and branch meetings, the Britannia remained a constant member of Darlington’s Real Ale trail.

In February’s Branch Meeting we were pleased to give to Sue a framed Certifi cate of Thanks on her retirement from The Britannia. At the time of writing she is now in Tenerife with a well earned rest.

After being a public house for over 150 years, The Britannia Inn, Darlington has welcomed it’s 16th licensee. Taking possession in March this year, Carley Woods along with partner Colin Chapman

- both formerly of Number Twenty2 Alehouse, have taken on the task of bringing The Brit’ back on the radar and making

it more accessible to a wider audience. Carley is, in fact the daughter of Sue, the previous licensee.

With the introduction of a wide selection of gins, whiskies, rums and other small batch spirits and liqueurs, wines by the glass, world craft beers, Hoegaarden Wit Bier and a selection of 5 hand pulls, (Camerons Ruby Red is still a constant!) their selection of drinks rivals many of the best in the town.

Not content with just offering refreshment for their patrons - Carley has high hopes for The Britannia to be the perfect destination for food and drink alike. Finding success for herself making and selling pies under the name of Carley’s Kitchen, she plans on providing a small menu of homemade classics, with the obligatory twist that her customers had come to expect; with pie fi llings that included Steak, Black Pud & Blue Cheese and Chicken, Beer, Bacon & Barley! Keeping the integrity of the old fashioned community local with diners in the (much unused) snug and upper seating area; the bar will be the bar.

Still a few months away yet as plans are set for the end of August; with the fi rst meals leaving the kitchen going to the Whitby trippers! (Call the pub for current availability of spaces, £16, August 23rd, 01325 463787).

Back to the present, Carley and Colin are doing their best to put their own stamp on a pub that is in many hearts and memories from years gone by. Any changes will be gradual but already retains that certain something that will always be The Brit. See what you think for yourself, they’re there 12-11pm Monday to Saturday, 12-9pm Sunday.

BRITANNIA RULES ON...by Carley Woods

- both formerly of Number Twenty2 Alehouse, have taken

The Britannia



And so we departed on Saturday 18th April at 9 o’clock-ish from the side of the Dolphin Centre on what I understand to be was the

Quaker tours fi rst trip to Hull and a very pleasant day out in the sun it turned out to be.

We arrived at our car park destination in the delightful Old Hull area (of Hull) at approximately 11 o’clock to be told we’d got 7 hours to spend before the coach journey back.

Several of the team went straight to the Beer Festival held in a local church whilst others went on a tour of the shops...That’s BEER shops, ie Pubs, Inns, Hostelries etc.

The beer festival was held in the Anglican Church in the centre of Hull Old Town. Not open until 12, several of the party went in search of a pub that was open. Ye Old White Harte opened its ancient doors to a selection of Theakston’s Beers plus a decent Caledonian Flying Scotsman. Warned prior to get to the festival early, the queue wound it slow move forward to the token and glass collection point. Impressively set out, the down point was that there were only 50 beers left out of 130.

Myself, Brian Hooper and Marty left the obvious route of going to the nearest Pub fi rst and instead decided to do the furthest one away!

The Whalebone a real ale pub 15 minute walk away from the centre down by the old harbour. Normally doesn’t open until 12 o’clock but rather entrepreneur like decided to open at 11 o’clock “as there was a Beer festival nearby.” There was a choice of 5 Ales to choose and I went for the rather happy sounding ANTHRATS by the Rat Brewery. A 4.5% Stout at £2.80 a pint. A good choice it was to.

On the way back to Town we called in a rather empty looking Batemans Pub, The Bay Horse empty looking because until we three went in the landlord was on his own. As well as the usual John Smiffs muck there were 3 Batemans Ales to choose. Sadly the 4.5 strongest one was currently unavailable. The other choices being a 3.9% and my choice a 3.7 XB. A Bitter. All rather pleasantly priced at just £2.00 a pint as Marty, whose round it became was quite pleased to “fi nd out”!!!!!

Next port of call was The Sailmakers Arms. By now we were on the “offi cial” Hull Ale Trail route. This was a Marstons pub. Doombar, Pedigree, Wells, etc. All pleasant enough but with the other pubs still to come wasn’t the best of the day. A Marstons “Help for Heroes” 4.2% and £3.40 a Pint was partaken.

Then came The Olde Black Boy. Not PC but the name clearly referred to a chequered part of

the history of this part of the world. Different décor to what you would normally see in Public Houses. Lancaster Blonde 4% and £3.40 was my choice of the 6 beers on offer.

Then we came to possibly the jewel in Hull’s crown. The Lion & Key. 14 hand pulls. (11 of which Marty said he’d never heard of). Three ceilings covered tastefully

TO HELL HULL & BACKby Nigel Waring

John Reed and Marty on a ‘real gem’ of a

fi nd in Hull Old Town

Marty Frieze tries to hale a taxi outside Walters



in Beermats. Good food and nice young females behind the bar! Nottingham Brewery Extra Pale Ale 4.2% £3.30 a pint and clearly in my unbiased view the best beer of the day by a country mile was sampled and then a bit more and again.

Wm. Hawkes bar was next. Décor of album cover posters lead to an interesting memory fi lled all our yesteryears conversation. Boggart Brewery Rum Porter 4.6% and £3.30. Again superb and in my view the runner up in the best beer of the day award.

Walters was our next stop off. Again unusual décor with bits of old industrial tools, cigarette boxes etc etc dangling on wires from the ceiling. Great Newsome Brewery Deep Brown Bitter 4.5% £1.65 a half and Rat Brewery White Rat 4.2% also £1.65 a half were my liquid of choice. Unfortunately by this stage I’d forgotten to count how many other beers were on sale.

Several people then went into the Olde White Harte but I gave this one a miss and instead went to the George Hotel. In here not only did we see possibly the smallest glazed window in England but also found that the chap behind the bar was a Darlingtonian(!). Moorhouses Blond Witch 4.2% and £3.00 a pint was my choice again unfortunately

there is no written or other memory of what other choices were on offer.

By this time it was now time to head back to the Charabanc and my sleep home.

Jokes of going to Hell and back were now just a distant memory. A really pleasant day out was had and a place I would defi nitely go back to.

FRIENDLY, FAMILY-RUN, 18th CENTURY PUB

Hillhouse Lane, Sadberge, DL2 1RU. Tel: (01325) 332080

WWW. TH E TUN S AT S AD B E RG E . CO . U K

Freshly-prepared, Seasonal foodLunches from £4.95, Sunday lunches from £9.90, Early Bird available

Serving Lunch 12 - 2.30pm, Afternoon Tea 2pm - 5pm, Dinner 5:15pm - 8.30pm, Sunday Lunch 12pm - 4pm

New Beer Garden & Kids Play AreaCask Ales, Continental Lagers & WinesLive Music last Sunday of every month

Open all day, Tuesday - Sunday

One of the top new eateries 2014 D&S Times

FESTIVALS COMING TO OUR AREA• May 22nd - 25th: Baydale Beck, Low Coniscliffe, Darlington. Marquee based festival with music provided with local acts. • May 22nd - 25th Cafe 1618, Middleton In Teesdale. Biker friendly.• May 23rd - 25th Langdon Beck Hotel. Selection of ales and ciders. Food available.• July 17th -19th Golden Lion, Barnard Castle.• July 24th - 26th Strathmore Arms , Holwick



ROCKET TOWN - New Brewery to Darlington

Not much is known at this stage, but we understand things at present, we know that the idea has originated from people at 18-20 Horsemarket, Darlington. The fi rst brew has been organized through Schoolhouse Brewery, whilst waiting to acquire premises of their own.

SCHOOLHOUSE BREWERYGraham has provided us with an article on the

more diffi cult aspects of running a brewery. The main problem is securing outlets for his beers, and on that he is making grteat progress in securing deals with Wetherspoons and outlets in Stockton.

NUMBER 22 Still continuing to brew, returning to the fi rst

outing of Brew No.1. At this stage it appeared that consolidation of their excellent start was the name

of the game, however Ralph and Co. have just produced Bramling Gold 4.0% to rave reviews.

GEORGE SAMUEL BREWERY, WELBURYSeveral brews have made their appearance at

The Quakerhouse, Darlington over recent weeks, all appear to be going well, including By George She’s got it, a 3.6% fruity blond, and Challenger, a pale blonde at 4.4%. The brewery have six ales in production at their two barrel plant at Wellbury.

MITHRIL ALESWe came 4th at Darlington’s latest Beer Fest,

with our Forum Spring Frenzy 3.8%. We’ve been asked for the 3rd time to brew a beer for Darlington Art’s Festival - Artistic Brew 3.8% is a golden hoppy bitter.

Beers coming out over the next couple of months are: • Artistic Brew 3.8% golden for Darlington Arts Festival • Goth Pale 3.9% pale for Goth Day • Winners Glory 4.0% brown for FA Cup Final • TT Rider 4.0% amber for Isle of Man TT • Wellington Rules 3.7% golden for 200th Anniversary of Battle of Waterloo • Midsummer Magic 3.8% pale for Midsummer’s Day • Pyramid Stage 3.9% brown for Glastonbury Festival • Tennis Ace 3.7% amber for Wimbledon.

A 3.9% golden beer for Castle Players performance in Bowes Museum grounds - to be named in a Competition.

Pete Fenwick 01325 374817 or 07889 167128

BREWERY NEWS

The following premises were chosen by you as winners of Pub & Clubs of the Year.

TOWN PUB – The QuakerhouseCOUNTRY PUB – The Crown Inn, Manfi eldOVERRALL WINNER – The QuakerhouseCIDER PUB OF THE YEAR – The Old Vic.COUNTRY CIDER PUB – The Crown Inn,, Manfi eld.

PUB OF THE YEAR / CLUB OF THE YEAR COMPETITION 2015

COUNTRY CIDER PUB – The Crown Inn,, Manfi eld. Peter, Cider Offi cer with Berni at The Old Vic.

The Quakerhouse will be forwarded for consideration in the Regional Competition. Whilst The Crown Inn has been forwarded for consideration in Yorkshire’s competition.



10 hand pulls - 10 real ales & 1 real cider. A rotating selection from all around the country.Fosters, Thatchers Gold, Budweiser Budvar, Marstons Oyster Stout, Westons ‘Old Rosie Cider’ plus a selection of bottled ciders and lagers also available. Wines and spirits also on offer.

We are proud to be the Darlington CAMRA Town and Overall Pub of the Year 2015! We are also honoured to have been awarded CAMRA North East Pub of the Year 2013.We pride ourselves in the beer, the service and our music.Check out the events page on our website for further info.• Acoustic Night - Mondays open mic.• Rock Night - Wednesdays (NO COVER CHARGE! FREE ENTRY).• Busk-It - Monthly open mic style with a back-line & in house band on a Tuesday - come & sing, play or just enjoy a listen.• Folk Sessions - Last Thursday of the month (wih members of Steam Radio).• Blues Lounge Sessions - Monthly blues open mic night on a Thursday (hosted by Alex Fawcett & Danny Wragg).• Laid Back Sundays - Guest slots from 5pm. • Bluegrass/Skiffle Night - Last Sunday every month (with Willow Creek).

Open 7 Days a Week - from 11am. Closing Times Vary - M - 11:30pm / Tu, Th & Su - 11pm / W, F & Sa - Midnight

The Quakerhouse

WWW.QUAKERHOUSE.CO.UK

1st American Girl8th The Flying V's15th George Shovlin & the Radars

22nd Giroscope29th Mojo Roller

3rd Damascus10th Animate

17th Born Villains24th Heavy Mod

6th Eric & the Vikings13th Midnite Blue

20th Prognosis27th The Whole Hog

14th May

28th May

25th June

21st May, 18th June, 16th July

10th Marc Atkinson (5pm)24th Darlington Jazz Club - Andy Bennett Quartet (Upstairs, Entry £4/£2)(5pm)31st Lee Maddison (5pm), Willow Creek (9pm)

7th Uncle Gilbert (5pm)14th Darlington Jazz Club - Budtones (Upstairs, Entry £4/£2)(5pm)28th Paul Liddell (5pm) & Willow Creek (9pm)

5th Simon Todd (5pm)12th Darlington Jazz Club - (Upstairs, Entry £4/£2)(5pm)19th Los Capitanes (5pm)26th Willow Creek

ACOUSTIC MONDAYS (Open Mic)

Phil the PipeÊs Musical IntroÊs Quiz (£1pp entry, max 4 in a team)

Busk It! Open mic with in house band

5th May, 2nd June, 2nd July

26th May, 30th June, 28th July

Dave Cadman & Friends: 11th May, 8th June, 6th July

Paul Dannett & Friends: 25th May, 22nd June, 20th July

16th May Irish Session Singaround (Bar)(2pm), Bluegrass with Willow Creek (Upstairs)(8pm)

MAY

JUNE

JULY

MAY

JUN

EJU

LY

TUESDAYS

ROCK WEDNESDAYS

THURSDAYS

LAID BACK SUNDAYS

REAL ALE & MUSIC BAR - LIVE MUSIC EVERY WEEK

@�eQuakerhouse

�e-Quakerhouse

SCAN ME!

2 Mechanics Yard | Darlington | DL3 7QF | e: [email protected]

DARLINGTON FOLK FESTIVAL

The Hendrix Project

Quaker Folk session with members of Steam Radio

Lewis Hamilton Band supported by Tom Killner Band

The Blues Lounge Session hosted by Alex Fawcett & Danny Wragg



The Good Beer Guide for the Darlington CAMRA area. A brief insight to 21 years of GBG entries for Darlington CAMRA.

Earlier this year I was contacted by one of our CAMRA members, Ian MICHIE who offered his collection of GBGs for use by Darlington CAMRA. Unfortunately Ian, for health reasons, can no longer partake of any Real Ale, and although, he still is a member, he uses up to date GBGs for travelling about the country, which he and his wife consider an essential luggage requirement. The guides range from 1994 to 2013 (the odd ones missing) but it got me thinking on how the landscape has changed regarding those pubs that comprised entries in 1994 compared to those included in 2015.

Entries into the Good Beer Guide are decided on by you the members. Selection is made through a voting process allied to the Pub of the Year/Club of the Year organised annually by Pete Fenwick (our Pubs Offi cer). The top 18 entries are included plus up to 5 nominated pubs in the more countrifi ed areas. The total limit on the number of entries in our area has hardly varied, from 21 in 1994 to 23 today.

Over the last 21 years, there have been 75 different premises that have made their appearance in the GBG.

1994 Edition 2015 Edition Date In

Burns Tavern, Thompson Street

Darlington Snooker Club

2005

Central Borough, Hopetown Lane

Number 22, Coniscliffe Rd

1997

Cricketers Hotel, Parkgate

Old Yard Tapas Bar, Bondgate

1998

Golden Cock, Tubwell Row

The Quakerhouse, Mechanics Yard

2000

Pennyweight, Market Place

Tanners Hall, Skinnergate

2003

Red Lion , Priestgate

Crown Inn, Manfi eld 2003

Tap & Spile, Bondgate

Stanwick Arms, Aldborough St John

2012

Travellers Rest, Cockerton

Blacksmiths Arms, Preston le Skerne

1997

1994 Edition 2015 Edition Date In

Bay Horse, Hurworth

George & Dragon, Heighington

2003

Fox & Hounds, Neasham

The County, Aycliffe Village

2000

Duke of Wellington, High

Coniscliffe

BOWES CIU, Bowes

2012

Fighting Cocks, MiddletonSt

George

Foresters Arms, Coatham

Mundeville

1997

King William, Barton

Red Lion, Cotherstone

2007

Voodoo Cafe, Skinnergate

2014

Locomotion No.1, Heighington

Langdon Beck Hotel

2007

The Talbot , Bishopton

Cross Keys, Gainford

2013

Raby Hunt, Summerhouses

Four Alls,Ovington

2005

Kings Head, Barnard Castle

Half Moon, Northgate

2015

Old Well, Barnard Castle

Old Well, Barnard Castle

1994*

The Kirk Inn, Romaldkirk

The Old Vic, Victoria Road

2015

Strathmore Arms, Holwick

Teesdale Hotel, Middleton In

Teesdale

2012

A straightforward comparison shows only one pub, The Old Well on both lists. However that was the only year it appeared until 2013. What should hit everyone, is that both lists are entirely different

CHAIRSPEAKby Garry Hewitt



(apart from The Old Well). Out of the fi rst list, unfortunately there are those who have ceased to exist i.e. The Kings Head, The Raby Hunt (now a licensed restaurant), The Duke of Wellington, and The Cricketers (although there is still hope for The Cricketers). Looking at the beer on offer in 1994, there were 21 different ales, and although some pubs offered guest ales, John Smiths Bitter (5) was the most popular – who says quality doesn’t win through? If I was to say who had the best choice, I would have to say you would have needed to travel to The Kings Head at Barnard Castle.

It is not until 1996 that you fi rst see those immortal words ‘BEER RANGE VARIES’, with the entry for The Railway Tavern, Northgate. Since then it is clear that providing a broader choice of ales has become a signifi cant factor for inclusion to the GBG and rightly so, with more premises better quality ales than ever before. This makes your choice all the more harder but at least you don’t have to suffer for it.

Remembering it’s the beer that counts, the GBG did not only limit itself to pubs. Clubs and, though I don’t know whether their closure also coincided with the rise of the ‘supermarkets’, but there were two ‘bottle’ shops that made their appearance. Who can remember Binns Department Store, included from 1997 to 2007 (now closed)? And the brief appearance of the Ale Cellar in Woodlands Terrace in 2009 (also closed)? I must admit, in today’s conditions and the range you get in bottled beers in supermarkets, it has set a dangerous precedent. I am glad to see a full range of bottled beers at The Half Moon, Northgate, as well as an excellent range of real ales on draught.

There are three Clubs mentioned in the GBG:- Darlington Snooker Club, Darlington Cricket Club and BOWES CIU club. Indeed Peter Everett, of Darlington Snooker Club, has secured 11 entries over the years – a justifi cation for clubs to be included. There are clubs out there that serve real ale, it’s just a matter of fi nding them.

So why the dramatic change? Let’s concentrate on the premises providing initially, the John Smith’s of this world and the arrival of brewery/pubcos. This concerns control of the product on a mass scale and being able to enforce accountably for every pint served in leased or tenanted premises. There are a number of premises in the fi rst list that have become or always were pubcos. A combination of electronic pumps and chillers, with brew line accounting in a lot of ways, led to a supposedly consistent quality

product available throughout the organisation. The removal of hand-pumps and choice led immediately to non-inclusion in the GBG. Additionally it gave the opportunity, certainly in the early ‘noughties’ for ‘free houses’ to take up the challenge of providing choice, quality and ready availability of real ale from the smaller independent brewers. Consequently, the likes of Marstons’ owned pubs and some others, in combination with CAMRA’s anti-beer tie campaign, is pushing those chains into considering what they are offering to the public, without punishing through barrelage charges their tenants and lessees.

So who has been in the beer guide most often? Below is a list of the top entries :-

19 Number 22, Coniscliffe Rd 18 Blacksmiths Arms, Preston le Skerne17 The Britannia, Archer Street Old Yard Tapas Bar, Bondgate 15 The Quakerhouse, Mechanics Yard14 The Kirk Inn, Romaldkirk 13 Crown Inn, Manfi eld 11 Darlington Snooker Club Binns Department, High Row Shoulder of Mutton, Kirby Hill 10 George & Dragon, Heighington

Congratulations to Number 22 for their consistency in range, quality and atmosphere, and supporting Darlington’s CAMRA throughout the years.

Hello to all,It’s nearly a year now since the standardised

Darlington CAMRA website has been up and running Dave Till & Myself (Andy Grainger) now Develop & manage the web site, Our aim is to give CAMRA & Web Site Visitors as much information about the pleasures of real ale in Darlington & surrounding areas, whether it be Breweries, CAMRA Meetings, pubs, Beer Festivals, Days Out or what beers are available etc.

There is a secure member’s area where members can read up on the minutes from all meetings that are held within the branch.

We are also keen to hear from anyone with information relating to CAMRA, Real ale, local beer festivals, news about pubs etc.

Dave & Myself can be contacted at [email protected] and [email protected]

Thanks, Andy G

WWW.DARLO.CAMRA.ORG.UK



While I was doing my research, prior to making the fi nal decision to become a brewer, I came across a quote from the

CEO of a very successful craft brewery based in America, which said

“If you’re thinking about opening a microbrewery, then just do it”

Having never brewed more than a cup of tea before my journey started just two years ago with the purchase of a 50ltr kit from John at the Hop and Grape. I needed to prove to myself, and to my family, that I could actually brew from grain. First attempts with that small kit were successful so, yes, I could brew but the kit was far too small to produce consistent beers, a small variation in temperature, ingredients or length of brew can have a disproportional effect on: Taste, Colour, and ABV and the kit was certainly far too small to be commercial.

We all know that there are risks associated with running your own business but sometimes you have just got to get out of the boat. So in June 2013 I formed Schoolhousebrewery Ltd, started to write my business plan, search for premises and most importantly source the brewery, my background as a Regional Commercial Manager with Debenhams

helped here.At a very

early stage I decided that the company should refl ect an element of social responsibility and support a charity

with its roots embedded in the North East. I chose Hope for Justice, with its mission is to end human traffi cking and slavery in our generation; because it is a cause very relevant to our times.

In February 2014 I signed a fi ve-year lease on a unit on the Cleveland Industrial Estate and commissioned PBC Brewery Installations, led by David Porter, to supply a six-barrel brewery. The period from March to June was frenetic, with builders, electricians, plumbers, painters and decorators all working towards a completion date of June 3rd, the date Dave Porter and his team would arrive to install the brewery.

In the background I was seeking the various permissions need to operate as a brewer, for example obtaining a Brewery number from HMRC for duty payments, a certifi cate from Northumbrian Water to discharge waste into the fouls system, registering for VAT, ordering barrels, sorting out transport, setting up the offi ce, ordering grain, hops, cleaning materials and all the time thinking about recipes and marketing.

June 5th marked the end of phase 1, the installation, and the beginning of phase 2. No time to waste now, no time to admire the gleaming new brewery, it was time to put theory into practice, time to brew. Without a brewing background this is the point were things could have gone horribly wrong.

The French have a fantastic term “terroir” to describe the completely natural environment in which a particular wine is produced. Having worked on a vineyard in France I chose to draw on this experience, so Schoolhousebrewery blends British barley malts with Northumbrian water (It is Schoolhousebrewery policy not to artifi cially enhance the mineral or acidity content of the water ensuring the beers refl ect the outstanding geology of the North East) coupled with British hop varieties to create our own “terroir”.

SCHOOL HOUSE BREWERY...SO YOU WANT TO OPEN A BREWERY?by Graham Gannaway



The water in this part of the North East is fantastic for brewing Bitters so that is what I do. “Keep it simple,” someone once said.

I am now: • Regularly supplying pubs and clubs across North Yorkshire, County Durham & Cleveland including fi ve branches of Wetherspoons. • Working with publicans to design and brew their own beers • Brewing and bottling beers for special occasions.

The future is already storing up more challenges for me: changes in legislation making it my responsibility to carry out due diligence checks, growing the business without overreaching, employing staff, yet maintaining a personal touch. Let’s leave those in the box for now.

As I refl ect on my fi rst year of trading there are things that I would undoubtedly do differently if I had my time again, but not many. I have received a great deal of advice and guidance from Brewers and Publicans across the region and to whom I am indebted.

I now join the near 800 brewing members of SIBA Society of Independent Brewers across the country searching to brew that perfect pint.

Thinking about opening your own microbrewery? Just do it! There is always room for one more.

If you would like to visit the brewery you will be made very welcome. Please call 01325 461812 to arrange an appointment.

QUAKER TRIPSOrganised by Quakerhouse regulars John Reed, and Gordon Pentland.

FORTHCOMING QUAKER TOURSSaturday 16th MaySkipton - a tour of the historical town.Saturday 20th JuneManchester - Undiscovered pubs.Saturday 18th AugustHawkshead Brewery Staveley Festival.

All trips depart from outside the Dolphin Centre in a luxury coach.

Tour tickets and further details available from Gordon on 07790 534412 or John 07807 321985, e: [email protected]. Gordon & John look forward to seeing faces old and new these ‘not for profi t’ social outings.

Forest-in-Teesdale | Co. Durham | DL12 0XP (On the B6277)

Middleton - 7 miles, High Force & Cauldron Snout waterfalls - 3 miles

Langdon Beck Hotel

A FINE SELECTION OF REAL ALES

Regular beers include Rivet Catcher (Jarrow Brewery’s award winning real ale) & a variety of guest ales

Recommended in the Good Beer Guide from 2007-2015

DELICIOUS HOMEMADE MEALSAvailable: Lunch 12-2pm, Dinner 7-9pm

STUNNING VIEWS OVER THE FELLSACCOMMODATION from £40

CAMPING AVAILABLEOPEN ALL DAY, EVERYDAY

www.langdonbeckhotel.com

BEER FESTIVAL Sat 23rd, Sun 24th &

Mon 25th MAY15+ REAL ALES & CIDER A wide selection of excellent ales from our region & further a�eld.

Call for more info: 01833 622267

• FISH & CHIP TAKE OUT - Wednesdays 5.30pm - 8pm• PIE THURSDAY - Serving our homemade pies

lunch & evening, alongside normal menu• SUNDAY ROAST BAGUETTES - served 2pm - 5pm in bar

Lunch: Monday to Saturday, 12 - 2pmDinner: Mon - Fri, 5.30pm - 9.00pm & Sat, 6.30pm - 9.30pm

Sunday Lunch served all day 12 -5pm

We shall be open once again on Mondays from April 6th

www.thestanwick.co.uk

Country Pub of the Year 2015 - 2nd Place

Overall Pub of the Year 2015 - 3rd Place

Neil, Helen & Sta� welcome you to

Aldbrough St John • Tel: 01325 374258

Serving Food Daily

LOOK OUT FOR OUR SPECIAL EVENTSFollow our latest events & news on our web page

Follow us on Twitter or Find us on Facebookour wn F

r latesn T



The Castle Players, a community theatre company based in Barnard Castle, have been producing major outdoor theatre productions

for over 21 years. The inspiration for starting The Castle Players came during a game of Charades, which took place during a blackout in The Old Well Inn.

This year The Castle Players will be staging Shakespeare’s beloved romp, The Merry Wives of Windsor, directed by Mary Stastny, in the unique setting in the grounds of The Bowes Museum from Tuesday 7th – Saturday 11th July.

The Castle Players are delighted to be able to continue to celebrate their summer production with a special Real Ale produced by local brewery Mithril Ales at Aldbrough St John. Peter Cockerill, Landlord of The Old Well Inn and member of The Castle Players explained, “The Castle Players have always had a connection with The Old Well Inn so what better way to celebrate each summer production than with our own special Real Ale, it is great that we can ask our supporters to name the ale.”

Andrew Harrison from The Castle Players said “After the success of last year’s competition we wanted to do the same again and open it up to the community and ask them to help us name the Real

Ale. This year our production is set in the Edwardian era, with a clash of cultures between the Suffragette movement and the Music Hall as it relates to women in society and with characters such as the foolish Falstaff there should be plenty of exciting possible names for our celebration ale.”

Those who suggest the names we like the most will go into a draw, with the winner being invited along to Mithril Ales to see the beer being brewed on Tuesday June 23rd and to help add the hops, as well as being invited to the launch of the ale at The Old Well Inn and receiving the fi rst 2 pints. Do help us and join in the fun”

Entries can be emailed to [email protected] or posted to The Castle Players, Real Ale Competition, PO BOX 17, Barnard Castle, DL12 9YS. You will need to include your suggestion to name The Castle Players Real Ale, your name, contact details and confi rmation that you are over 18 years of age as entrants must be over 18.

The closing date for entries is Saturday 6th June 2015.

WINDSOR CASTLE NAMES BEER?by Corinne & Peter Fenwick

BRANCH WHO’S WHO?Chairman: Garry Hewitt e: [email protected] Secretary: Judith Betts e: [email protected] Membership Secretary: Fred Lawton e: [email protected] Treasurer: Dave Till e: [email protected]

D.D. Editor (this edition): Garry Hewitt e: [email protected] Social Secretary, Pubs Offi cer & Cider Offi cer: Pete Fenwickt: 01325 374817, 07889 167128e: [email protected] Website Admin: Dave Till & Andy Graingere: [email protected] & [email protected] www.darlocamra.org.uk Twitter: @darloCAMRA Facebook: DarloCAMRA



Thursday March 19th saw the start of second Darlington CAMRA Beer Festival to be located at The Forum, Darlington. Lasting over three

days, the festival combined the quality and variation of 30 ales, plus ciders and perries, with the very best of local music.

The success of the festival depends on those volunteers who do their bit behind the bar, setting up and taking down the equipment and casks, on the admission and membership desks and the continued working partnership with the management and staff at The Forum. One very pleasant piece of Festival news was the volunteering of Steve and Ali ..soon to be Davies, featured on the front cover. Five years ago they met at the Festival when it was at The Darlington Arts Centre and have been attending ever since. However this year they announced their intention to marry in August and saw volunteering behind the bar as a way of saying thank you for the reason they met in the fi rst place. We wish them the very best of futures.

The festival attracts people from far and wide including Belgium and London, and big thanks go to Pete Fenwick for obtaining a selection of ales from differing breweries which in itself provided a magnet for those with the moniker ‘tickers’. The aim for most festivals is to sell as much ale as we can, and it has been a recent adoption that the fi rst beer to run out became the ‘Beer of the Festival’. This time the honour belonged to Stockton Brewing Company for their Black Swann Oatmeal Stout 5.0%.

Friday night saw music in the main hall provided by Prognosis, a Prog Rock group who have perfected their versions of classic progressive music from the likes of Genesis, King Crimson, Porcupine Tree, Pink Floyd and Yes. However we were treated to an extra, involving some members of Prognosis, in the form of a 10.c.c. tribute act’ Rubber Bullets’. Brilliant made more so with a good real ale in your hand.

Saturday night saw the arrival of Deep Purple in Rock, headed by the fantastic voice of Alan ’Blitzkreig’ Ross, and with a chronological set comprising of all the classic numbers plus a few

numbers not heard before in public and certainly not in Darlington, created a night of sublime ‘purple daze’.

Keep a look out for our next one, hopefully later in the year, and PLEASE help if you can by getting involved in as many of Darlington CAMRA’s activities as you can.

THE SECOND FESTIVALby Garry Hewitt



I admit it. In the words of our esteemed Young Members Offi cer, I am a complete noob. I like to think my tastes are quite eclectic; I’ve dabbled

with cider - even scrumpy, with Mexican lagers and American lights, with beautifully crafted cocktails and those from a mix, with the horrible concoctions only ever found in student bars and even with foul-smelling local spirits made from suspicious herbs. And with wine. It’s always back to the wine. But beer? Not so much. The odd taste here and there, followed by a pained expression and a quick gulp of merlot to wash away the taste. Like I said, my name is Katherine, and I am a noob.

So, when my sister asked me to come along to a CAMRA event she was organising at the Quakers in Darlington on the 23rd April, I thought why not. She was nervous about turnout, and my fi ancée doesn’t need much encouragement to spend the night in a pub, so I thought we’d just make up the numbers and help quarter a few pork pies for the buffet. And maybe even try a bit of beer and do some learning of an evening.

And I’m so glad we did! The event turned out to be a huge success. Despite Lib’s misgivings, a good 20-odd young members and members-to-be turned up, eager to learn more about CAMRA, to meet a few new people, and, well, to drink - obviously. The evening kicked off with an informative talk from Darlington CAMRA chairman, Garry, on the general aims of CAMRA and the current state of the British

pub industry. We’ve all heard talk of the closing of pubs but I hadn’t realised how serious it was,

something like 30 pubs closing across the UK every week. What is more surprising is that many of these pubs are viable businesses, popular locals for some. Just maybe not the money-making machines they could be, and certainly not with the big brewers squeezing their profi t margins for no other reason but that they can. Garry’s talk highlighted the importance of building up the numbers of small, local breweries, more for the love of good, varied beers, but also to make sure that our pubs stay open. And, he hastened to add, CAMRA isn’t just old men ticking boxes in their little black books, telling us what beer we should drink and where we should drink it. It seems that we can all add our own opinions; just download the WhatPub! app to rate your local(s) and you never know, you could help secure them a place in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide! Better yet, aside from their regular meetings, Darlington CAMRA organises two beer festivals, and host tasting trips to pubs that are a little further afi eld to see what they have to offer. Serious research, of course, and not at all an excuse for a bit of a social gathering.

After a quick break for some refreshment and to dig into the food, craft brewer Pete Fenwick took to the fl oor (slightly reluctantly!) to share his vast experience of the brewing process. I’m sure Pete’s microbrewery, Mithril Ales, is well-known to all the regular readers, and you’ll probably have sampled some of his beers in the local pubs. Now, I had always assumed beer-making was a relatively straightforward process, I mean, it must be! You just buy those starter kits and knock some up in your kitchen should you wish to. But hearing Pete talk us through the process, and the obvious craftsmanship that goes into creating each of his beers, the artistry of selecting the right combination of hops and malts, his understanding of exactly what taste he is going for, and what he needs to create it, I was left with a newfound respect for the craft. Pete’s engaging talk

YOUNG MEMBERS NIGHTby Katherine Andrews

pub industry. We’ve all

Libby drawing the winning ticket.



inspired lots of questions, and he was only too happy share his knowledge with the less experienced in the room. After we fi nally let him sit down, it wasn’t long before he was surrounded by people sniffi ng his tubs of hops, happily comparing fragrances with fellow sniffees and debating the virtues of hoppy versus malty beers.

To round the evening off, Lib arranged some tasting of two very different beers, 4T’s Pale Ale 3.7% (I may have found myself at the bar downstairs ordering a sneaky half of this one) and Rudgate Volsung 5%. It was a great opportunity to mingle and meet some new people. Many of the faces were familiar to the Quakers, but there were a few newbies, like me, who had turned up to see what the fuss was about, and would be going home with CAMRA application forms stuffed in their back pockets. And, certainly in my case, with a newfound interest in beer. Who knew the fl avour could vary so widely? Well, everyone in that room for a kick-off but it was defi nitely news to me.

But that’s the great thing about CAMRA Young Members events - how often, in your late twenties, early thirties, do you get to go out and meet new people? And such a great mix of people, whose shared interest is in having a nice sit down and a

chat over a lovely pint of beer? I’d say, not that often, and I’m defi nitely going to be keeping an eye out for the next event.

From Libby: Just want to say a huge Thank You to everyone who came along to make our fi rst Young Members social a success! Thanks also to Garry and Pete for their informative talks, Fred, Andy, John and Judith for their support, and fi nally Katherine, Paul and Chris for their buffet prep skills! It was a really good night and I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did! And congratulations to Ken Dillon for winning the 1 bottle of beer! (The rest were eventually tracked down and passed on to him!) Hopefully see you all at the next one. Lib x

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You are probably aware of the ‘Good Beer Guide’, CAMRA’s fl agship publication which lists the best pubs in the UK. However, what

you may not know is how those pubs are selected to appear in the Guide. The answer is that it is largely via beer scores submitted by CAMRA members from all over the country. So if you are a CAMRA member you can send in beer scores. If you’ve ever wondered why your favourite pub isn’t in the Guide, this may well be because you, and others, haven’t entered scores rating the quality of beer there. By beer scoring, you can contribute to the process of selection of pubs that go in the Good Beer Guide.

So How Do I Score The Quality Of The Beer?You don’t have to be an ‘expert’ to begin

scoring your beer. However, it is not about your personal favourite beer receiving the highest scores! You may try a beer that isn’t to your normal taste but what you need to consider is the quality of that beer, how well the pub has kept it and served it, and score it according to the general guide below. It is a simple system of a ten point range from 0 to 5, with half points being used if your opinion of the beer falls between two categories.

0. No cask ale available.1. Poor. Beer is anything from barely drinkable to drinkable with considerable resentment.2. Average. Competently kept, drinkable pint but doesn’t inspire in any way, not worth moving to another pub but you drink the beer without really noticing.3. Good. Good beer in good form. You may cancel plans to move to the next pub. You want to stay for another pint and may seek out the beer again.4. Very Good. Excellent beer in excellent condition. You stay put!5. Perfect. Probably the best you are ever likely to fi nd. A seasoned drinker will award this score very rarely.

How Do I Submit My Scores?Visit CAMRA’s online pub guide www.

whatpub.com either on a computer or by smart phone. Here you will fi nd a list of over 35,800 real ale pubs from all over the UK; these are not all Good Beer Guide pubs, merely pubs that serve real ale. In order to start submitting scores via WhatPub? you need to:-

1. LOGIN. To do this you need your membership number and your CAMRA password.

2. You can then search for your pub by name. Be careful here as there are many pubs in the country which share the same name. The advice is to search by the pub name and the town. The What Pub smart phone web page also gives you the option to search for real ale pubs nearby, very useful if you are in an unfamiliar town.

3. Once you have found your pub a ‘Submit Beer Scores’ box will appear on the left hand side of the screen (or on the tab bar underneath the pub photo if you are using a smart phone).

4. Simply fi ll in the date and your score then as you begin typing the brewery name should automatically appear underneath were you are typing. You do not have to enter the name of the beer your are drinking but if you wish to do so once you have entered the brewery name you should be able to click on the arrow in the Beer box and a drop down list of that brewery’s beers should appear. In some cases the beer you are drinking may be new or a one off by the Brewery so may not appear on the list, if this is the case you can simply type in the beer name. Select the correct one click ‘submit score’ and your score will be entered into the database. It is as simple as that. An added bonus is that it will keep a record of your scores so you can look back to see what beers you have had and how you rated them if you want.

So come on take part in supporting and championing your favourite local, whenever you pay a visit to the pub give the what pub website a go and start rating our pubs. WhatPub? can also be used as a search tool to fi nd where rated pubs are within the designated area. www.whatpub.com

WHATPUB?, BEER SCORING & THE GOOD BEER GUIDE





A family run Hotel/B&B, based only 5 mins stroll from the historic town centre.

We have 27 very comfortable bedrooms with some superior themed rooms. A welcoming atmosphere awaits.

Enjoy an amazing display of militaria whilst relaxing in our well stocked bar.

90 Greenbank RdDarlingtonDL3 6EL

t: 01325 462624

GREENBANK HOTEL

WWW.GREENBANKHOTEL.CO.UK

�e Old Well Inn | 21 �e Bank | Barnard Castle | DL12 8PH | 01833 690130

www.theoldwell inn.co.uk

The Old Well InnDrink well, eat well, sleep well...

Welcoming bar and lounge, private dining room,airy conservatory & a lovely enclosed beer garden.10 en-suite bedrooms are beautifully andindividually furnished with character and charm.Well behaved dogs & children welcome

g room

Darlington CAMRA’s ‘Teesdale Pub of the Season Winner 2011, 2012 & 2014’

5 Cask Ales always kept

in tip top condition

• Open Mic Night - �ursdays from 8.30pm• Quiz night - Tuesdays from 8.30pm

• Real Ale & Music Festival - Every Easter & Late October



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Documents

Darlington Drinker - Issue 195 - Summer 2015