FREE Magazine Issued by the Medway Branch of CAMRA - the Campaign for Real Ale

FREE Magazine issued by the Medway Branch of CAMRA - The Campaign for Real Ale

FREE Issue No. 75 - SUMMER 2015 FREE

CAMPAIGN FOR www.medway.camra.org.uk REAL ALE 2 MEDWAY BEER BELLY NO 75 In this Issue Page SUMMER 2015 Published Quarterly by the Medway Index / Branch Details...... 3 Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. (CAMRA). Circulation - 2,000 Branch Diary…………………...... 4 © 2015 Medway CAMRA. Editorial...... ………...... 5 Editor: Karl Martin Competition / Advert Prices...... 7 Email : [email protected] When Your Belly Was Thinner...... 8 All Correspondence to: Nelson Brewery / Gemstone Update...... 11 Medway Beer Belly Committee Posts………...... 14 C/O 10 Barleycorn Drive Thanet Micropubs Revisited...... 16 Rainham 1050 from Victoria……………...... 23 Kent ME8 9NA ME Postcode Brewery Challenge...... 26 General News and Corrections...... 31 Any opinions expressed within these Dover Micropub Tour………...... 32 pages are those of the individual authors only and do not represent those of Medway Pub News...... 37 CAMRA or any of its officials. Where to Obtain Your Beer Belly...... 39 Branch Details: Chairman: James Whiteoak Secretary: Mike Thomas Advertisers Treasurer: Kae Mendham Membership Sec: Ian Howard Branch Contact: Anthony Page Barge……………………..…...... 5 01634 571981 Britannia Bar Cafe, Rochester...... 40 Trading Standards Office CAMRA...... 6 If you want to contact the Trading Eagle Tavern, Rochester...... 25 Standards Office, perhaps to report a short measure, or a pub not displaying a price list Elephant, Faversham...... 22 etc., they can be reached at:- Frog & Toad, Gillingham………...... 14 Compass Centre, Chatham Maritime, Firkinale...... 19 Chatham, Kent, ME4 4YH Telephone: 01634 333555 Gardeners Arms...... 20 [email protected] Good Intent, Rochester...... …….…...... 21 CAMRA, 230 Hatfield Road, Horseshoe & Castle, Cooling ……...... 38 St. Albans AL1 4LW Kent Brewery...... 15 Telephone: 01727 867201 King’s Arms, Upper Upnor...... 24 Fax: 01727 867670 Kinlochs & Son...... 2 Website: www.camra.org.uk Medway Beer Festival...... 31 Micropub Adverts…...... 13 Musket Brewery...... 36 Nelson Brewery, Chatham...... 10 Old Dairy Brewery...... 15 Three Tuns, Lower Halstow...... 12 West Kent Green Hop Beer Festival...... 18 Who’d Ha Thought It, Rochester...... 35 3 Medway CAMRA - Branch Diary

Anyone is welcome to join us at any of our varied Socials & Trips. Any changes will be shown in “What’s Brewing” or on our website: www.medway.camra.org.uk

Wednesday 5th August. - Committee meeting - Good Intent, Rochester. 8pm - All members are welcome to attend. Saturday 12th September- Social - Strood Stroll meet at 1pm at the 10:50 Micropub in Strood. Thursday 8th October - Committee Meeting – Conservative Club, Gill- ingham High Street. - All members are welcome to attend. Saturday 17th October - Proposed micro pub tour of S.E. London. For more details see our website and facebook page.

Pub Events and Beer Festivals

Friday 28th - Monday 31st August. - Past and Present, Gillingham - Beer festival. At least 10 real ales, extended opening on the Sunday, badged glasses. Festival in conjunction with the Frog & Toad, Burnt Oak Terrace, who will have 14 ales on offer. Saturday 5th September - CAMRA's East Malling Beer and Cider Fes- tival - The Maidstone and Mid Kent branch's annual showcase event at the East Malling Research Centre. 2nd, 3rd & 4th October - WEST KENT Green Hop Festival - Poacher & Partridge, Tudeley, Nr. Tonbridge. Huge selection of Green Hop beers, entertainment, food, etc. more info at www.musketbrewery.co.uk 12th, 13th and 14th November - Medway Beer Festival - in its usual venue, The Stanley Ballroom, Gundolph Road, Chatham. See the advert in this magazine for more details.

4 Editorial

The Kent Brewery News pages were getting a bit out of hand. Already stretch- ing to 3 pages, and with a few more Kent breweries popping up, this would have taken us to 4 pages. With the amount of space aside, compiling that much news is not an easy task, and more often than not is just repeating what is con- tained in other newsletters. So we have taken the decision to limit the news to just those that fall within our branch area - We are after all the MEDWAY Beer Belly :) - However if you desperately miss the section, get in touch and let your views be known. This edition we also have a new advertisement page, just for micropubs. To fit in with the micro theme, the ad sizes are also smaller, just ¼ page. Let us know if you want to list your micro. And on that subject, even with a casual glance through this issue, it is fairly obvious that there is a very heavy lean towards micropubs. We all love them, but let’s not forget the full size pubs out there, let’s try and visit them as well. If you’ve visited a pub recently or done a ‘big’ pub crawl, write us an article? If you own one of those pubs, why not let us know what you have coming up.

CAPTION COMPETITION ADVERTISERS Copy deadline for next edition is 15th May. An advertisement in Medway Beer Belly runs for three months and reaches a minimum 2,000 readers.

CURRENT RATES B/W Half Page £35 B/W Full Page £60 Colour Half Page £45 Colour Full Page £75 Colour Back Page £80 Please make cheques payable to Medway CAMRA We asked for your witty captions to Contact the Editor. the photo taken on a micropub crawl Details on Page 3 of Thanet earlier in the year. Only one person bothered to enter - So MEDWAY CAMRA ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE well done Chris of Rainham - you FOR THE CONTENT OR ACCURACY OF ANY are the winner with the entries PUBLISHED ADVERTS OR ARTICLES. below. Having trouble getting hold of your Medway Beer Belly? It is available on Nigel if you want to build a subscription of 4 x 1st Class stamps to sandcastle go ahead, we're go- MBB Subscriptions c/o ing to The Harbour Arms. 94, Third Avenue, Gillingham, Kent, Breaking news. In a World exclu- ME7 2LU sive, Medway CAMRA stay off the ale and head for an after- Medway CAMRA has noon's enjoyment of cultural art 528 members at The Turner Contemporary in- THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS stead. PUBLICATION ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE EDITORS OR THE "Artists" from Medway CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE. CAMRA stagger towards an art gallery. Please remember to tell Landlords that you saw their advert in Medway Beer Belly

7 when your belly was thinner “A look back at Medway Beer Belly Issue 26 with grumpy writer Moaner”

As can be seen in the scanned front cover, issue 26 proudly proclaimed the triumph of the Upper Gillingham Conservative Club being crowned Southern England Area winner in the CAMRA Club of the Year competition 2001. Having already landed the Kent title, the club was now one of 4 finalists going forward to be judged for the overall title. Steward Bob Erridge was suitably impressed with the awards and thanked CAMRA for their support. He has 3 hand pumps, one of which was reserved for Shepherd Neame Master Brew bitter, whilst the other two constantly revolved offering ales from micro breweries and regionals alike, all around the 3.8 – 4.6%ABV mark. One of the other finalists the club was up against was the Labour club in Wakefield known as the “Red shed”. Was this to be a case of the “Red shed” chased by the “Blue Hut”? The club's Committee had penned for MBB an article giving a potted history of the club, showing that they moved into the current building in 1922 and was originally built by the army as a store. Back in 1945, the club used to have a waiter service! Steve Collingwood continued the series on Old Medway Pubs, this time mentioning old Chatham pubs listed from the 1864 Ordinance Survey, Kent sheet X17. Plans were in hand to hold another paddle steamer cruise/beer festival following the huge success of our first venture, with the date of August 18th set. We had also penciled in the dates for our first Medway beer festival which was 15/16 2002 at the Stanley Ballroom, St. George's Hotel, Chatham. The hard

8 When your belly was thinner work was about to begin (even though we had over a year before it took place) seeking budget approval from CAMRA HQ, setting up a festival committee and requesting help from those with vastly more experience than ourselves. On the Bottle Opener page, author George Ansell bemoaned the lack of Christmas / Winter BCA's (Bottle conditioned ales) that could be found locally . He indicated he found only two in supermarkets, these being Ale Mary from RCH brewery 6% ABV and Fuller's Vintage Ale at a whopping 8.5% strength. In National news, results for brewers Greene King and Fullers both reported increased profits, as did the SFI group (the group behind the Slug and Lettuce chain). Ushers of Trowbridge, Wiltshire, was sold after trading for 175 years, to a North Korean investment firm in a deal thought to have cost the Koreans £1.5million. The brewery was to be dismantled and rebuilt on the outskirts of Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, to be used to produce lager for the domestic market. Belgian brewer Interbrew had its acquisition of Bass blocked by Trade Secretary Stephen Byers. Locally, Anchorians Rugby Club (Darland Avenue, Gillingham) Bar manager Leon Simmonds, announced that the club now served real ale on one hand pump in each of the two bars. Choices were between Greene King IPA, Charles Wells Bombardier and Youngs Special. Rochester publicans had relaunched PUBWATCH in a bid to curb trouble in their outlets. Nearly 50 landlords/ladies had signed up which was backed by the local police and licensed Victuallers Association. Pubs would be in contact with one another by use of two way radios, premises would display window stickers and beermats. Shepherd Neame brewery had opened the Ship and Trades in Maritime way, Chatham Maritime, which was their largest development to date. The pub has two bars, a restaurant and 11 ensuite rooms. The pub cost Shepherd Neame £1.5million. It is on the site of the Ship and trades office and engineering workshop. Amongst the many , varied meetings we held were a Medway Beer Belly pick up meeting in the Stone Horse (Why do we not have these nowadays, it would get the MBB out a lot quicker to our outlets if they were collected by distributors at the same time – that’s my moan over for this issue!), a Rochester Rover, trawling through a number of pubs, hosting the Kent Regional Meeting of all the Kent CAMRA branches, attending local pub festivals at the Frog and Toad, Gillingham, and the Tudor Rose, Upper Upnor. Our “out of town” social was a trip to St. Albans for the day, and another event that was always successful, a Barbecue at the Ales of Kent brewery, who always looked after us very well.

9 When your belly was thinner

Whilst mentioning breweries, it was interesting to note, that we always gave a brief synopsis of the Kent breweries operating at the time (10 in total). That was back in 2001, but what an explosion we have had since, with up to 35 breweries now operating in the county. A sad note to end on. The branch contact at the time was Jim Cuckow, who sadly passed away at home on the 23rd April. Jim was a great character, always ready to help out at festivals and events, had a great sense of humour, and was very knowledgeable about Medway pubs and their history. The funeral was held at Bobbing Cemetery, followed by a wake at one of Jim's locals The Cricketers in Rainham. Jim will be sorely missed by all and we send our deepest condolences to Jim's widow, April and the rest of the family. Back next time reporting on MBB issue 27. “Moaner”

10 A NELSON UPDATE

The first of this year's open evenings at the brewery took place on Friday 19th June, running from 6.00pm through to 9.00. One is also planed for July, being held on Friday 24th (same hours). Due to increasing sales, a new part-time employee has been added to the sales team. Mike will work initially for two days a week. The brewery facebook site has had to be changed to a page only, rather than an individual. To obtain further updates you will now need to “like” the page to follow it. The brewery now complies with the E U Allergen Legislation which commenced in December 2014 and means that all casks sold will list any ingredients that might cause allergies, on a cask label. The special Ale brewed for June was GOLDEN GALLEON 4.3% ABV. A new yeast strain was been used on this beer than was used when last produced a year ago. The brewery also now has a “Craft” Keg Ale, a 4.5% ABV NELSON PALE ALE – a nice refreshing drink for these hot summer nights. Specials for July are:-

HELMSMAN 3.5% ABV - Amber ale, balanced taste, smooth finish JAMMIN' JACK 4.3% ABV – Deep Golden ale infused with honey VENGEANCE 4.8% ABV – A Pale straw ale, fruity & hoppy GEMSTONE ALES Valerie now has available a new ale, her first with her take on a Belgian style. It is SUNSTONE GOLD 4.1%ABV, and uses German hops, Northern brewer, Perle and Saaz. The beer is an aptly named summer ale, straw in colour, and nice and smooth on the palate. www.thethreetunsrestaurant.co.uk Kentish Beer & Cider Festival August Bank Holiday 29th, 30th & 31st Over 19 Kentish Ales & Ciders, Live Bands Daily, Hog Roast & BBQ

The Street, Lower Halstow, Sittingbourne, Kent. ME9 7DY 01795 842840 inf o@thethr eetuns r es taur ant.co.uk Advertise your Micropub here For just £19

Following the Medway CAMRA Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Gillingham Conservative Club on Wednesday 15th of July the Following members were elected to form the new committee. Chairman - James Whiteoak Secretary - Mike Thomas Treasurer - Kae Mendham Membership Secretary - Ian Howard Social Secretary - Nigel Batchelor Branch Contact - Tony Page Thank you to all members who attended. We would also like to thank former Chairman Tony Page, who remains on the committee as a General Member and Branch Contact and to Simon Ellwood as former Treasurer (who has managed to produce accounts that I can understand!)

14 15 THANET MICROPUBS REVISITED As I had not managed to visit all the micro pubs on the Isle of Thanet visited by Medway CAMRA members when they undertook their outing in November 2014, I vowed to do so by myself in the summer. However, I also resolved to revisit those that I had been to previously as well. Alighting from the train at Ramsgate railway station, I boarded one of the Loop bus services that link Ramsgate with Broadstairs and Margate. Getting off the bus in Grange Road near the junction with St Mildred’s Road, I headed to the Good Beer Guide listed Conqueror Ale- house. Situated in a former flo- rist, this welcoming establishment contains paddle steamer memorabilia, being named after the paddle steamer Conqueror which used to operate between Ramsgate and Boulogne in France. There were four real ales on offer; I opted for a pint of Gadd’s Old School Mild at 4% ABV. After about half an hour it was time to leave and I re-joined the bus, next time alighting by Ramsgate’s Royal Harbour. Making my way back up York Street, I next entered the Hovelling Boat Inn. Situated in a former pub, this establishment had wooden tables and chairs and was stuffed with books and local tourist information. There was also memorabilia relating to the former Tomson and Wootton and Beer and Rigden breweries. I had a pint of Bank Top Dark Mild at 4% ABV. After a further half hour I got on another bus and headed off to The Four Candles in Sowell Street, Broadsatairs. In a former delicatessen and taking its name from the Two Ronnies television comedy sketch, this claims to be the smallest brewpub in the United Kingdom. I had a pint of the house beer Target 16 THANET MICROPUBS REVISITED Pale ale at 4.5% ABV. This helped to wash down some pork pie with homemade chutney. The moved Harbour Arms This pub is also (Photo from Facebook page) handily on the number 56 bus route. My next bus took me to St Pe- ter’s Railway Bridge where I got off to walk the short distance to the Yard of Ale. Situated in a former stable block, this pub has won the accolades of both Thanet and East Kent pub of the year 2015 and I arrived at the tail end of the presentation of the framed certificates by the local Thanet CAMRA Branch. I sat in the sun drenched open yard and swigged a pint of Skinner’s Ginger Tosser at 3.8% ABV which helped to soak up a sizzling cheeseburger in a bun and a hotdog from the barbecue that was still in full swing. After about three quarters of an hour I re-joined the bus and headed for Margate. The penultimate pub of this outing was the Harbour Arms on Margate’s pier. Since my last visit I found it has moved next door into a larger former fishermen’s store, but fishermen’s nets still hung from the ceiling. As these were larger premises, they could also accommodate a piano as well as the guitars. I had a pint of Pale Ale at 4% ABV from Kent brewery. It was then on to the last pub and I joined a different bus on Margate seafront to take me to Westbrook. I was recognised in The Ales of the Unexpected and invited to sign the visitor’s book. The pub was just starting to fill up with its evening regular customers so I just stayed for a pint of Welton’s Topper Mild at 4% ABV. Regrettably, it was all too soon before I had to get the bus back to Margate where I could get a train home. James Whiteoak

17 18 19 Pub / Restaurant / Accommodation Gardeners Arms Higham

Situated in the heart of the village of Higham close to Charles Dickens last home Gads Hill Place. Enjoy our excellent selection of Shepherd Neame Real Ales, lagers, wines and spirits and an award winning restaurant offering an impressive and high quality menu. The restaurant is an ideal place to celebrate, we can cater for most sized parties and we will always do our best to cater for special needs when requested. Our cuisine is of the highest quality and only sourced from reputable local suppliers. Our food is fresh and cooked on the premises to order. Contact us by email [email protected] or call 01474-823901 or visit: www.gardenersarmshigham.co.uk The Gardeners Arms, Forge Lane, Higham, Rochester, Kent, ME3 7AS.

20 GoodThe Intent Rochester

John Street, Rochester ME1 1YL 01634 843118 - [email protected] Karen & Dal offer you a warm welcome to our pub where we have up to 40 gravity fed real ales throughout each month.

Two separate bars and a large south facing garden. Private functions catered for Traditional pub games and pool table Large TV for sports. Quiz nights, Live gigs last Saturday of the month. Folk Singaround - 1st and 3rd Tuesday, Folk Showcase - 2nd Tuesday, Open Mike - 2nd and 4th Thursday (PA provided)

Medway CAMRA Pub of the Year 2008 Good Beer Guide since 2005 Summer barbeques and Beer Festivals

1050 FROM VICTORIA MICROPUB

Medway's second Micropub officially opened this March in Strood, and has already proved to be massively popular amongst locals and micropub fans alike. Built under one of the many railway arches behind North Street (next to the Strood Vintage & Antique Emporium), the arch provides a general railway theme, however anything vintage looking appears to go down well here, in a seemingly random splattering of plaques, clocks, oil lamps and blow torches. The furniture matches the randomness, especially in the garden area. This has to be the best garden ever found in a micropub, especially this summer, where capacity can far exceed the modest seating inside. The garden is surprisingly quiet, and it’s very easy to forget you are in Strood, whilst soaking up the sun and enjoying a good pint. Winter maybe a problem fitting in the regular crowd, but at least the wood burner will keep the place warm. An ever changing range of ales and ciders get marked up on the micropub tradition of a chalkboard. The pub also serves wine and the usual bar snacks. The pub is a joint venture between three old friends, Bob Jackson, Gary O'Hara and Werner Neumann. Bob is a joiner by trade, and owns the railway arch site. He put his skills to good use and made much of the furniture and fittings himself. Gary came to England from Dublin as a young lad and joined the merchant navy. Most of his working life has been spent as a plasterer. Werner was a master chef and worked on the Olau Line from Sheerness to The Hook of Holland, where he met his wife. They had a restaurant in Hayes at Bromley, then a short spell at Yardling Organic gardens and the East Malling Research Centre. The unusual name came about as the arch is the 1050th from Victoria, which is number one, and fits perfectly with the railway theme. 10.50 from Victoria is open from 4pm to 9pm on Monday to Thursday and from noon to 11pm on Friday and Saturday. They are closed on Sundays. If you don't know Strood you may find yourself getting lost trying to find this place, however its well worth tracking it down, see their website for directions. www.1050fromvictoria.co.uk Picture of the pub on the frontpage (credit to their facebook page) Kings Arms Upnor

Medway CAMRA pub of the year 01634 717490 www.kingsarmsupnor.co.uk GREAT BEER Five hand pumps including a mild or stout A selection of real ciders and a perry British and international lagers ( no commercial brands ) Belgian fruit beer on draught Craft beers on tap Over 100 bottled beers including a selection of German pilsners A selection of GLUTEN FREE beers A selection of low alcohol bottled beers GREAT FOOD Home cooked meals ranging from bar snacks to A La Carte Popular Sunday lunch ( advisable to book ) GREAT BEER GARDEN Large beer garden with children’s play area Semi permanent marquee for functions Regular beer festivals

24 THE EAGLE TAVERN

5 Real Ales Doombar,Tribute,Bombardier,Hobgoblin 1 Guest Ale Food Served Mon-Sat 12PM-8PM

Rochesters Premier Music Venue (Full Listings @ www.theeagletavern.org.uk) 124 High Street, Rochester 01634 409040 The Medway CAMRA ME Postcode Brewery Challenge 2015

On 8 January, to mark his birthday, Colin Maskell hired a coach to take friends, family and CAMRA members on a tour of breweries with an ME postcode, planning to give each a framed certificate emblazoned with the CAMRA logo in recognition of each one's participation in the challenge. Although it was to brighten up later in the day, when we first set out it was dark and gloomy Whitstable and very wet. Consequently, many of the narrow country roads along which our coach passed were awash with deep puddles. Having negotiated these, we arrived first at the Whitstable brewery at Little Telpits Farm, Grafty Green, ME17 2AY. Here we were welcomed with samples of Native Bitter, a session beer at 3.7% ABV. After photographs and the presentation it was time to move on and, after a short but picturesque drive through wooded and undulating countryside, we reached the Musket brewery at Loddington Farm, Linton, ME17 4AG. Rockin Robin Situated in former mushroom sheds, we were able to sample Flintlock, a best bitter at 4.2% ABV. Brewery number three was not far away at the Rockin' Robin brewery at Campfield Farm, Boughton Moncholsea, ME17 4LR. There, in addition to samples of Hopping Robin, another session bitter at 3.7% ABV, we enjoyed freshly made bacon rolls. Brewery

26 Brewery Challenge number four was Goachers, still in an Goachers industrial unit on the Tovil Green Business Park at ME15 6TA. There we got an informative talk as well as samples of Gold Star at 5.1% ABV. Also on display were samples of different varieties of hops, malt and barley to sniff at. The different aromas were very pleasant. By now the rain had eased off and we then made our way to brewery number five at West Peckham, ME18 5JW. To reach the Swan brewery there we drove through East Farleigh and crossed the river Medway where it is spanned by the medieval pack horse bridge at Teston. West Peckham lies just beyond Mereworth and the brewery was in an coal Swan on the Green shed behind the pub the Swan on the Green. As its name suggests, the pub overlooks the substantial village green and is adjacent to the village church. We had to go inside the pub to sample the beers. Although one side of the pub was packed with diners, there was still plenty of room at the bar and in the other half of the pub. Framed photographs of the village cricket team adorned the walls and the open log fire added to the sense of welcoming. Although Cygnet at 4.2% ABV was on offer, I opted for the rich and dark Christmas Ale at 6.8% ABV. Also of note was the fact that prominently displayed in the bar was the framed CAMRA certificate the brewery had received when it participated in a similar challenge ten years before to the day. Brewery Challenge We were then due next to have visited the Kent brewery at Birling Place Farm, ME19 5JN. Unfortunately because of a misunderstanding, no one from the brewery was there to greet us and open it up. Since we had a tight schedule to keep, we headed to our next brewery. Although we did not get to see the inside of the Kent brewery, we did get to make the drive to its isolated farm location, nestling in stunning scenery at the foot of the North Downs.

To get to the Hopdaemon brewery Hopdaemon at Newnham, ME9 0NA, we had to turn off the A20 near Lenham and follow the route to Doddington. This route took us up over the top of the North Downs and with the clearing of the rain, the improved visibility meant we could see the wind farm out at sea on the Kentish flats. The Hopdaemon brewery was located behind Newnham Church in some substantial outbuildings at Parsonage Farm. Producing some beer for one hundred outlets, we sampled Golden Braid, a refreshing session bitter at 3.7% ABV. On leaving, we made our way over the hill to the Mad Cat brewery at Brogdale Farm, ME13 8XZ. Here we got another informative talk and I bought some bottled Golden India Pale Ale at 4.2% ABV to sample later. The brewery currently outsources its bottling operation to a company in Staffordshire. Shepherd Neame The penultimate brewery on our tour was the Shepherd Neame Brewery in Court Street, Faversham, ME13 7AX. While there, we had tours of the brew house and sampling room and sampled the brewery's seasonal beer Amber Ale at 4.5% ABV. Leaving Faversham we then headed for the Nelson brewery at Chatham's Historic Dockyard, ME4 4TE. While we Brewery Challenge sampled Pressganged at 4.3% ABV the final presentations and photographs took place. Our brewery tour was now complete and the coach dropped the majority of us off at the Past and Present Micro pub near Gillingham High Street where there was a small buffet and a cake so Colin's birthday celebration could continue. While it was disappointing not to have seen the inside all the breweries as planned, a key compensation for me was having a coach ride along roads I do not normally use. It also gave the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the Kent countryside, many of the breweries we visited being 'off the beaten track' in isolated rural locations. James Whiteoak

Top Left - Presenting Rockin’ Robin with their certificate (and thanks for brekkie!) Top Right - Goachers receiving their certificate from Colin. Bottom Left - Swan on the Green - just enough room for us all to get in to the brewery to present theirs. Bottom Right - Outside the Kent Brewery - with Colin presenting to himself. Brewery Challenge

Top Left - Hopdaemon Top Right - Shepherd Neame Middle Left - Nelson Middle Right - Mad Cat Bottom Left - Colin gets his own certificate & birthday brew from Piers at Nelson. (And is still standing !) Apologies to Musket - the pictures were too blurred! 30

DOVER MICROPUB TOUR

Medway CAMRA’s Dover Micropub Tour, Saturday, 13 June 2015 On a fine Saturday morning, and following a typical rushed march to Rainham Station from Parkwood, I boarded the 1050 to Dover, having bumped into Chris Strachan a couple of minutes earlier. I had been gratified by his cheerful greeting, which I returned, I hope. We were greeted immediately by Tony Page in a high-visibility orange T-shirt, and an already surprisingly large group of fellow would-be revellers, occupying at least two whole seating bays. The recently-revised timeta- ble avoided joining another train at Faversham, plus allowing running fast from Canterbury. As a result, we were in Dover after 45 minutes. Various other cheerful worthies attached themselves to the party, including a family with a young lad, aged 3.5 years. He was as distinguished, by his taking the subsequent proceedings nonchalantly in his stride, as he was by his shock of platinum-blonde hair. A short delay ensued as the hungry elements lined their stomachs with massive bacon baguettes from the handy take-away just off the station plaza. By now, or shortly afterwards, the group had reached an amazing eighteen members. I quipped that, next time, a maximum limit would have to be imposed, with a scramble to claim places in advance being anticipated. It turned out that the tour leader would, in fact, be Ian Howard, clad in stealth- bomber near-black for low conspicuity. Fortunately, he was silhouetted against all the light-coloured, sunlit buildings, so we had no trouble in following him. He led the party with patience and assurance to each of the longed-for venues, thanks to his diligent reconnaissance two weeks earlier. Turning left out of the station, then right, along the dual carriageway, we were treated to a prolonged enjoyment (not) of Dover’s loveliest concrete wasteland and vista of dereliction. Fortunately, by 1155 we arrived outside the ‘Arlington’, which faces out across the western harbour, and so enjoys a somewhat better view. It had what seemed to me a fairly typical, traditional pub exterior. Minutes later, we were enjoying its attractive but unpretentious interior, which could serve equally well as a pub, a restaurant or a wine bar. Thirst things came first, though, so we queued patiently for beer. I had a half of each of the three beers on offer, light ‘Snifter’, bitter Ripple ‘Steam’, each at £1.50, and Hop Fuzz‘Zinger’, a tangy blonde session beer. According to my notes’ ‘tick’ DOVER MICROPUB TOUR rating, it seems that I enjoyed the last one best, though all were crisp and well-presented, as were all the beers I experienced on this trip. I found all these enterprises to be reassuringly competent in their beer presentation. If that assessment needs any qualification, the experts in the party will have to provide it. The various premises offered a range of furnishing styles and ambiences, from cheerfully basic bare wood, suited to hearty quaffing and lively chat, to genteel plush, with actual framed pictures on the walls, and so encouraging a more reflective style of relaxation. As a sweeping generalisation, they tended more to the former, which was perfectly OK. By 1300, we had retraced our steps part-way along the dual carriageway to the light-controlled pedestrian crossing, which responded with the ‘little green man’ amazingly quickly for those used to the A2. Bearing right on the other side, we came to the Mash Tun, which was middling regarding decor. A lively crowd was already inside, as a presentation by Dover CAMRA was due at 1400. Drinks were ordered at a strange little curved counter, which could almost have served as a pulpit. Some of us spilled out into the sun-trap beer garden, which was perhaps more of a yard due to limited greenery. A pint of Prince Bishop at 4.8% belied its disconcerting pale yellow colour by delivering a very tasty, hoppy experience. By 1400, some rebels had detoured a short distance to an unscheduled call, into The Lanes, 15 Worthington Street, CT17 9AQ, a street corner location. This had the classiest interior seen today. A genial welcome was provided by Debbie and Keith Lane. A pint of Rockin’ Robin Deb’s Delight provided effective delight to this Peter. As I have always found so far, the products of my erstwhile Delphi colleague Robin Smallbone’s brewing enterprise, delivered a very enjoy- able, smooth taste, with perhaps a little caramel in the flavour this time? I noted that it was a tasty pale ale, and excellent value at £2.80. Astound- ingly, we mostly managed to be aboard the 1449 to Folkestone Central, then into the Firkin Alehouse, just beyond the bus station, by 1511. I found this one easy to miss, as the name appeared only in the window patterns. Functionality marked the interior of the quite small bar, with barrels serving as tables. Again, this pub was busy and buzzy. I sampled a half of lkley at 3.9%, lightish and tasty (my shorthand for hoppy, fragrant and slightly citrussy), then another half of Tiny rebel, 4.8%, a DOVER MICROPUB TOUR sweet New Zealand pale ale. A less rushed visit here than at some earlier stops, nevertheless saw us arriving in Hythe by bus (pay again) and a walk of 200-300m back along a parallel road (wish I’d noted the stop), to the Potting Shed, which was similarly identified by inconspicuous window patterns. This was stated to be the smallest premises which we would visit today, but I was slightly disappointed that it was not more rustic. Apparently, there are bollards outside. A half of Whitstable ‘She Sells Sea Shells’ impressed enough for me to go back for another. This was maybe the brew which I enjoyed most on this trip. A half of 6X seemed dull by comparison, and failed to renew the delights of my student youth, though perhaps I had not prepared my palate suitably. By then it was about 1733, which may have been the departure time of the bus back to Folkestone. The stop was conveniently close, just a little further along the same pavement and round the bend. Waiting time was measured in seconds, as the bus was already filling as we approached. Back on the gentleman’s transport mode saw us heading out of Central at 1830, direct to Deal. The walk to the Just Reproach, arriving at 1910, provided a reasonable stretch of the legs, but was along a fairly straight line apart from left-then-right turns along the High Street. To find this pub again, it might be best to locate the landward end of the pier, then, facing landward, turn right, then left down the first street. The pub’s about 50m along. I don’t have a report about this one, as, by then, I had had enough, but the style was similar to several of the others, with a less improvised look than some. It seemed to be doing good business. I think we all had a good day out, helped by the weather and the company. I’ll definitely try to visit some of these pubs again, if I find myself anywhere near them. Many thanks to Ian for such an excellent tour. Peter Collingborn

Great British Beer Festival This annual event is fast approaching, this years it runs from the 11th to the 15th of August at Olympia - details can be found on www.gbbf.org.uk.

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Medway Pub News By Various Contributors

The North Foreland, Chatham - A planning application has been lodged - Proposal for Listed building consent for alterations to listed public house and construction of new residential development for 6 one bedroomed flats and associated parking (revised application) Alexandra Hotel, Chatham - Closed but rumours it is due to reopen. The Bell, Bredhurst - Still closed, it was due to reopen “early in the new year” - Any one have any news on this? The Alma, Strood - Formerly the Cricketeers, this Shepherd Neame pub went to auction at the end of June with Clive Emson - it sold for £272,000 - the buyer and their intentions are currently unknown. Medway Queen, Chatham - Although now turned into yet another supermar- ket, the pub sign has been save d by the preservation group of the actual Paddle Steamer - The Medway Queen Preservation Society have found the signwriter who originally painted the sign and he is currently in the process of restoring it. Hopping Frog , Rochester - News of a possible new micropub to open later on in the year. Waggon at Hale, Chatham held a very successful beer festival, with 12 real ales including Rocking Robin and Westerham and 3 ciders. Beers on inside the pub were Black Sheep and Goody Ales. Wheatsheaf , Chatham (Capstone Road). Has changed its name back to its original one (from Mossy’s Tavern) . Has been selling Courage Best Bitter. Past and Present, Gillingham - Reached their first birthday in August.

Smiths Arms, Chatham - Planning application for demolition of existing building and construction of a four storey block comprising three 1-bedroomed and seven 2-bedroomed apartments together with associated parking, amenity space and hard and soft landscaping. Thanks to the various Medway CAMRA members and others who have supplied the above information. If you have any pub news, please let us know (details on Page 3). If you are a real ale pub landlord, please let us know of changes to your pub. We rely on people contacting us with information. All news was believed to be correct at the time of publication - changes may have occurred since. 37 38 Where to obtain your ‘Belly’ The Following Outlets all receive Medway Beer Belly - If you would like to be added please email us. Borstal Past and Present Hales & Moore Three Crutches White Horse Scruffy Duck Fish Bar 1050 from Victoria Medway Marina Sturdee Avenue Mackland Arms Upnor Burham WM Club Rainham Social Kings Arms Toastmasters Upper Con. Club Club Tudor Rose Windmill Will Adams Three Sisters Ship Bredhurst Halling United Services Wouldham Bell (soon !) Homeward Bound Club Medway Inn Chatham Higham Rochester OFF LICENCES Nelson Brewery Gardeners Arms Britannia Ace Wines, Strood Prince of Wales Stonehorse Coopers’ Arms Outside Medway Ship & Trades High Halstow Crown Faversham Waggon at Hale Red Dog Eagle The Elephant Cliffe Lower Halstow Golden Lion Pheonix Six Bells Three Tuns Good Intent Railway Cooling Hoo Granville Arms Swan & Harlequin Horseshoe & Hoo Institute Kings Head Gravesend Castle Windmill Man of Kent Crown & Thistle Cuxton Lidsing Medway Rugby Jolly Drayman White Hart Harrow Club Compass Ale Gillingham Rainham Ship House Conservative Club Angel Two Brewers Maidstone Cricketers Concorde What The Flower Pot Dog & Bone Cricketers Dickinns Milton Regis Frog & Toad Dewdrop Who’d Ha The Paper Mill Hastings Arms Green Lion Thought It Micropub King George V White Horse Strood Three Hats Marquis of Lorne Rose Royal Oak Upchurch Napier Arms Sportsman Brown Jug

Gillingham, Higham & Rochester Libraries Visitor’s Information Centre - Rochester Medway Archives Centre, Stood

The 2015 edition of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide is out and would make a perfect present for a friend! It costs £10 for CAMRA members or £12.99 for non members - RRP: £15.99 Buy direct from CAMRA rather than other retailers and we make more profit which we can invest directly into campaigning for real ale, community pubs and drinkers' rights. To order your copy go to: www.camra.org.uk

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