The Journal of CAMRA East Hampshire Incorporating GU34 News
Brewery Shop, Off Licence and Pub
Summer 2019
The George, Butts Road, Aton Another award for our collection! (see page 19) Don’t forget our award-winning Beer Festival 20 July. 11 real ales, brilliant wine selection and other beers plus mu- sic entertainment, BBQ and much else. Pub opening hours Go to www.thegeorgealton.co.uk Wed-Thu 5-10pm / Fri 5.30-10.30pm / Sat 12-10.30pm / Sun 12-6pm Off Licence opening hours Mon 9-5 / Tue-Fri 9-7 / Sat 10-5 / Sun Closed Worts & Ale Summer 2019 Worts & Ale Summer 2019
CAMRA East Hampshire Social’s and Open meetings 2019
Date Event Meet Route Time June 20th Minibus Community Centre 3 19 30 July 18th Minibus Community Centre 4 19 30 August 22nd Walkabout French Horn West 20 00 September 19th Minibus Community Centre 2 19 30 October 17th Walkabout White Horse Centre 20 00 November 2nd Minibus Community Centre 7 11 45 December 5th Walkabout Railway Arms GBG 20 00
Trips in red are for CAMRA Members only. Thursday Minibus Trips Depart at 19 30 (Please arrive 19 20) Saturday Minibus Trips Depart at 11 45 (Please arrive 11 35); there will be a lunch stop at one of the pubs visited. Minibus will only be booked if there are 5 (9 for Saturday) or more pas- sengers, if less then trip may be by car. Contact: Mik Potter on 01420 87139 or [email protected] to book minibus places A maximum subscription of £5.00 per head is requested for bus trips to defray costs.
Dates for EHA Committee meetings (only CAMRA Members can vote)
Date Venue Subject Time Thursday 11 July King’s Head Public Bar General Branch meeting 20 00
Thursday 12 September King’s Head Public Bar General Branch meeting 20 00
Thursday 14 November King’s Head Public Bar General Branch meeting 20 00
Thursday 16 January King’s Head Public Bar General Branch and long list 20 00 2020 GBG selection meeting Tuesday 11 February Crown Hotel GBG final selection meeting 20 00 2020 Saturday 7 March Queen’s Head, Holy- Branch AGM 12 00 2020 bourne
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Triple fff—Dave Patey Who to contact in CAMRA East Hampshire The Brewery is as busy as ever and has just had 4 new Fer- Chairman: Paul Hawley 01420-85529 menting vessels installed. The Brewery shop, managed by email: [email protected] Adam, continues to offer an ever-increasing range of bottled Treasurer and webmaster: Mik Potter 01420-87139 and canned beers. Some of them are worth buying just for the artwork on the can or bottle! email: [email protected] “Hallelujah,” a 4.2% Pale Ale using New Zealand hop “Green Bullet” gives a very quaffable Membership: Shirley Hawley 01420-85529 refreshing beer and is currently available around the area. email: [email protected] “Rock Lobster” 4.2% Red Ale has been brewed again and should be available from now Pubs Officer: Tony Davis 01420-543086 throughout June. email: [email protected] “Lady Eleanor”, a 4.6% hoppy pale named after Graham’s daughter, and a song by Lindis- Secretary: Tony Davis 01420-543086 farne, was a huge success when first brewed last year. It is being brewed currently and email: [email protected] should hit the pubs in mid-June. Triple fff BLO: Dave Patey 01420-83962 “Old Dray” a 4.8% ESB made with no less than 5 English hops is making another appear- email: [email protected] ance. It is made from a recipe that originated from the long gone Worldham Brewery, fondly Cider Rep: Sean Urquhart 07495-581773 remembered by the older generation. email: [email protected] Triple fff will again be one of the main sponsors at the Alton Beer Festival to be held on May Technical Officer Kevin Wood 01420-563908 31st and June 1st. There will be 7 beers available: “Alton’s Pride”, “Moondance”, “Old Dray”, email: [email protected] “Rock Lobster”, “Pressed Rat” and Goldfinger (in both Cask and Keg) I recommend every- one to try both versions and taste the difference! © CAMRA East Hampshire 2019 I have it on good authority that the annual open day will take place in August. Details will follow on the website. Worts & Ale is printed and published by Paul & Shirley Hawley for CAMRA East Hampshire. The views expressed are those of the individual contributors and are not necessarily the views of CAMRA East Hampshire or The Campaign for Real Ale. Unless otherwise acknowledged all photographs are by Paul & Shirley Hawley, who Cider Rep—Sean Urquhart can provide copies at vastly inflated prices.
Contact us on: 01420-85529, email: [email protected] Awaiting report. Unhappy with your pint? First complain to the pub staff/Landlord. If they can’t (or won’t ) resolve the issue, then contact Trading Standards, who are part of Citizens Advice, contact details: 03454-040506 or www.adviceguides.org.uk And tell us!
THE AND SUPPLYING OF WORTS & ALE DOES NOT IMPLY CAMRA APPROVAL OF THE OUTLET CONCERNED.
Beer Scoring To make each years Good Beer Guide more accurate, CAMRA members are requested to score the beers they sup in each pub (inside or outside the Branch Area). This is easily done via the CAMRA “WhatPub” website
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Eight Arch brewery - Stuck on Seven - Mango and Chille IPA - 5.9%, Chairman’s Corner—Paul Hawley Red Cat / Elusive brewing collaboration - RUBIX - West Coast IPA - 6%, Good news, for a change—we’ve had some progress with regard to saving pubs and we’ve …and some Meon Valley Ciders, done some awards to deserving pubs. Chalk Stream - medium - 6%, On the first point some excellent news by EHDC planners (for a change), Tony Davis has Dragonfly - dry - 6%, attended a couple of meetings and reports as follows: “The latest planning application for Brown Trout - medium dry - conversion of the Star at Bentworth to housing shows it was refused. This is a very good 6%, result for local residents and it follows on the recent refusal for the Queens Hotel, Sel- Most beers cost £3.50 per borne in underlining the importance of a robust Local Plan protecting community assets. pint, with some available in Could be the planners are listening to local voices”. bottles. However it was disturbing to read in the 23 May Alton Herald that the planning committee I had: Pyrite, Prowler, Art of has been revised and reduced from 21 to 12 members, only two of which are from Alton . T, Scratch, Sunset Rider, So much for democracy. Doubtless many will recall the outcry when the decision was made and Bravo November plus a (now, thankfully rescinded) not to hold planning meetings at Alton when they referred to couple(?) of Whiskies - Alton and the surrounding area. Apparently the Penn's Place coterie was scared they’d be Auchentoshan, Bunnaha- eaten alive if the stepped into the lions den (i.e. Alton!!!) bhain, Springbank We were extremely pleased to visit the Golden Pheasant, Lower Farringdon; Railway Arms, All very palatable! and George, Alton to present certificates from CAMRA. Photographs on pages 18 & 19. The event was well-attended … and we even had a couple of Shires looking in on us... What a Lotta Bottle – Alastair Gordon I would assume there must have been 150+ people (but I didn’t count them!). Why are our summers so unpredictable? A rhetorical question I know, but Flanders and Red Cat info... Swann really captured the vagaries of the summer months in their “Song of the Weather” as Getting to the Red Cat brew- follows ery is easy - a 64 bus from “June just rains and never stops - Alton to the Broadway (a Thirty days and spoils the crops. new stop outside the bus In July the sun is hot station), then a number 1 (to Is it shining? No, it’s not. Tesco - from the same stop), August, cold and dark and wet, dropping off at the stop at Brings more rain than any yet. Winnall Close (opposite the Bleak September’s mist and mud Post Office sorting office), Is enough to chill the blood.” then walking into Winnall Not a cheery picture I’ll admit, but never mind. So, to lift my spirits I’ve selected from my cel- Close right to the end. lar an assortment of ales that were a pleasure to drink, and hopefully there’s something you Number 1 buses are about may like to try too. Cheers, and good drinking! every 15 minutes - NOTE, Butcombe Brewery Ltd. Wrington, Bristol. “Goram” Avon I.P.A. 5% abv however, that the last bus back from Tesco's Named after Bristol’s very own giant, who was partial to a well-crafted ale, this Avon pale ale is at 15 15 - after that you have to walk further down the road to Imber Road to catch it; or uses a blend of American and Worcestershire hops to achieve the perfect balance between walk right up to the main road and catch the 64 back home. stone fruits, citrus, and spicy hop aromas, together with a note of bitterness too. It is a strong They also have a brewery shop which is open ... full flavoured beer, with the abv of a giant session ale. Therefore, “Goram” to my mind tow- Thursday – 16 00-19 00 ers above other, lesser IPA’s. This tipple is a bright copper coloured ale, huge on aroma, Friday – 12 00-19 00 whilst its taste and flavour were deeply satisfying, and, together with the subtle lasting bitter- Saturday – 11 00-14 00 ness it was the most agreeable of ales. Another winner from this well-established Brewery! - just drop in for a drink/buying.
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Peak Brewery, Chatsworth, Bakewell, Derbys. “Paxton” Ale 4.4% abv Red Cat Brewery Open Day—Mik Potter. Photos © Mik This is a full-bodied ruby red beer with biscuity malt flavours, and the Bramling Cross and Potter Challenger hops in the recipe suggested earthy, fruity, aromas to my senses, but nothing much else. There was in the finish, some bitterness together with nuances of black currants, A good day for yet another visit to the Red Cat brewery (at Winnall in Winchester) for their but where these Ribena elements came from, I know not. Overall, this ale was quite pleas- first open day of 2019 - and the weather made it another great day out. There was the ant and acceptable, however why it has been so named eludes me. usual Buffalo-burger bar, Derventio Brewery, Darley Abbey, Derbyshire. “Anno X” 6.4% abv and this year there was Produced to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Brewery, this special ale contains some an extra food outlet - a unusual hop varieties. So, I was intrigued if not to say excited to find out what exactly a beer jacket potato bar which that combination of Kazbek, Azacca and Magnum hops was like. As the suspense mounted also sold a “Haggis my hand became a little unsteady at this point, and I had to concentrate hard to avoid spill- Bap” (this was lovely - ing any of the bottle contents as the ale was dispensed into my glass. My word, there were nice and moist unlike some interesting exotic and strange flavours, which really confused my taste buds! There some Haggis’ I have was gherkins, gooseberries, gourds, gorgonzola and almond marzipan, on the tip of my had) - see picture. tongue, as well as an outrageously distinctive sweet/sour taste that rather threw me. You Also in attendance was a may have observed that this ale was a real challenge for my metabolism as well as my “pop-up” whisky bar - mind, and still find it all too confusing to this day, so you will not be surprised if I tell you I’m “Spirit of Scotland” run not in a hurry to try it again. by Rab (see pictures) - Guinness & Co. Dublin, Ireland. “Guinness Extra Stout XX” 4.2% abv and of course I had to try a few (they went with the Haggis very well!). [Incidentally, Rab If you were in a pub between 1821 and 1970, chances are that this is the Guinness you and his bar are for hire if anyone wants to have a tasting session run by him - I have his would have been drinking. It was originally brewed as the “XX” version of Guinness Porter, mobile number if you are interested.] and this is a re-creation of that. I discovered it was pleasingly hoppy, with woody and roast There were 12 cask nuances as well as having a satisfying sweet/bitter finish that really appealed to me. A hy- ales on: Elusive brewing - brid drink, a cross between a Porter and the bottled Guinness one knows today and certain- Sunset Rider - trans- ly worth giving it a try. atlantic Pale Ale - Battledown Brewery, Cheltenham, Glos. “Pale” Ale 3.8% abv 3.8%, This ale has a refreshing aroma and although a little sharpish on my palate I found it a very Kairos - citrus ses- smooth easy drinking tipple with a dry hoppy aftertaste. Verdict: a most satisfying beer. I sion IPA - 4.4%, Pyrite - golden ses- understand that Battledown was never the site of a war, the land many centuries ago was a sion - 3.4%, farm belonging to the Anglo Saxon Baedala, that respected and cherished the fruits of the Bravo November - land. Established in 2005, Battledown Brewery continues to focus on producing ales using Chinook IPA - 4.7%, the finest available ingredients. Tomcat - American pale ale - 4.7%, Sadler’s Brewery, Stourbridge, West Midlands. “Peaky Blinder” I.P.A. 4.4% abv Macavity - Old Ale - This beer is dense black in colour with tremendous volumes of fruit and malt aromas, which 5.3%, made me gasp, such was their intensity. There was smoky bitterness and caramel in the Mr M's Porter - 4.5% taste together with similar flavours too and rather more dryness on my palate than was real- (CAMRA champion ly warranted and certainly detracted from my enjoyment of this ale. Ingredients include Pale, Porter of Britain 2018), Chocolate and Roasted malts, Amarillo, Cascade, Citra, Chinook and Nelson Sauvin hops. Mosaic Pale - APA - 4.9%, Scratch - golden ale - 4%, Apparently, this beer is great in fruit cake, and because it is so dark, delicious and full- Prowler - pale session ale - 3.6%, bodied I reckon you’ll have difficulty moving after drinking three or four bottles of this tipple! Art of T - Earl Grey and Tettnang pale ale - 3.6%, Bude Brewery, Bude, Cornwall. “Sea Pool” Cornish Pale Ale 4% abv Murmuration - Deconstructed Stout - 6%, This is an amber coloured beer that has a bitter aroma, a heart-warming taste and a mild …and a few keg beers... malt flavour. It is a mellow easy drinking session ale capable of quenching the greatest of Beach Town in Paradise - Pineapple and Lime Gose - 4.5%,
Page 20 Issue 34 Issue 34 Page 5 Worts & Ale Summer 2019 Worts & Ale Summer 2019 thirsts, but having said that, it was not an outstanding drink. Bude Brewery I understand is a small outfit that commenced production in 2011. Frederic Robinson Ltd. Stockport, Cheshire. “Unicorn Black” Stout 4.1% abv Rich, full bodied and satisfying, this Black Stout has a taste of roast coffee and peppery hops, together with a robust bitterness. At the same time a note of sweetness gradually de- velops too which adds a delightful piquancy to the tipple. A smooth well-made and most Sampling at the Railway Arms; enjoyable stout. It’s Tony and Martin again! Brampton Brewery, Chesterfield, Derbys. “Speciale” Strong Golden Ale 5.8% abv In 1955 after 130years of brewing the original Brampton Brewery closed. However, fifty-two years later the name was revived by a group of beer enthusiasts who wanted to produce ale once again, in the traditional manner. This strong IPA style beer has traces of grapefruit in the aroma, but these quickly disperse resulting in a beer that is smooth, mellow and with a sweetish finish. An admirable easy drinking ale so I have no hesitation in awarding it top marks. Cheers! Winner 2019—Community Pub of the Year the George, Alton. Coastal Brewery, Redruth, Cornwall. “Cornish Cascade” 5% abv It’s been ages since I’ve come across an ale that has been so lively! I only had to touch the This is a new award for the Branch and the George is a worthy recipient due to the efforts bottle top with the opener and the contents erupted with unbelievable vigour, drenching my they put in to helping the less fortunate in the world, especially the Red Box scheme (full trousers embarrassingly, and my wife giggled with amusement. It was at this point that I lost details on page 9). The award is my composure. However, somehow-or-other, with shaking hands I managed to pour the also in recognition of the excellence remaining beer into my glass. After a while when the violence of the ale had subsided, I ofStudying the pub ambience form in andthe the Railway beer Arms managed to take my first sip. There was a significant bitterness not only in the aroma of this and food served. amber coloured beer, but also in the taste as well, plus a lingering fruity tang, which I found Photo shows Shirley presenting the to be pleasantly agreeable. Verdict: this beer certainly has the ability to reach the parts of certificate to (l—r) Jason, Susannah me that other beers couldn’t possibly reach. I dare you to try some to see if it has the same and Daisy as the Mona Lisa looks effect! approvingly on. Timothy Taylor Brewery, Keighley, West Yorkshire. “Knowle Spring” 4.2% abv Named after the Knowle Spring, upon which the Brewery sits, this blonde beer has floral and grapefruit aromas, with notes of peppery hops developing as I sipped my ale. The Brewer has used Golden Promise Barley and lots of whole hops in the Ingredients resulting in glori- ously refreshing bitter beer. St. Austell Brewery, St. Austell, Cornwall. “Ruby Jack” Red Ale 4.6% abv This ale is a rich blend of toasted malt and rye plus a little bit of artifice from the Brewer, has created fruity spice flavours and a refined bitterness to this red/brown beer. There was plenty of body too as well as a mellow quality which enhanced its appeal. I certainly would like to try another bottle or two of this admirable ale.Sharp Apparently,’s Brewery the name chosen for this beer celebrates the famous Cornish heavyweight boxer, Ruby Jack (Bob Fitzsimmons). Driftwood Spars Brewery, St. Agnes, Cornwall. “Blackheads” Mild 3.8% abv Staff line-up at the George Traditional mild beer with notes of coffee in the aroma, it is made with roasted dark malts and a selection of hops that have a peppery nature. It has a smooth silky mouth-feel plus a somewhat dry bitter finish, which to my mind makes an enjoyable and satisfying beer. Tintagel Brewery, Tintagel, Cornwall. “Arthur’s Ale” 4.4% abv From the land of mists and legends Tintagel Brewery have created a well-rounded amber ale that I’m sure King Arthur would have appreciated. Made with spring water that obviously the
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CAMRA East Hants Presentations. Piskies have blessed, together with a measure of mystique from the brewer, an immensely satisfying ale has been produced with lots of character and charm, a magical tipple. Arrrh! Pub of the Year 2019—Winner Golden Pheasant, Lower Farringdon Coastal Brewery, Redruth, Cornwall. “Poseidon Adventure” 6% abv Owner David was very pleased to It is a pale gold ale packed with citrus hop and fruity flavours, rounded off by more juicy receive his second East Hants citrus notes and zingy bitterness. However, this particular bottle of beer had a rather odd Pub of the Year award from local sweet taste that lingered unpleasantly on my palate. This was an “Adventure” I shall not be CAMRA Membership Secretary repeating. Shirley Hawley this evening while Harvey’s Brewery, Lewes, Sussex. “Star of Eastbourne” East India Ale 6.5% abv branch members sampled a se- This Gold Medal award winning ale is a strong well hopped beer reminiscent of the IPA’s lection of the as usual very drinka- that were exported across the globe during the 19th century. I quite enjoyed this ale, not ble ales from his seven hand- least because it was such an easy drinking tipple. I was delighted too by its extremely pumps. St. Austell Trelawney, a sweet characteristic and the hints of bitterness that came to the fore as I sipped my rapidly 3.8% full-bodied well-balanced diminishing glass of ale. Verdict: A satisfying brew, well worth a repeat. beer came in for special approval and the Triple fff Moondance was also well received. Bowman's Swift One, Hog's Back TEA and Sharp's Atlantic also on. Other regular ales, Courage Best and Sharp's Doom Bar were in the process of being turned over Branch Area Pubs offering CAMRA discount on real ales while we were there. LocAle stickers for 2019 were also The following pubs offer discounts to CAMRA members on production of handed over. a valid CAMRA membership card: Runner up—Railway Alton: - King’s Head Arms, Alton - George Chloe gets her certificate from Don’t forget to score the beers you get! Shirley. A well deserved award for this “boozers” pub with a top Studying form in the Golden Pheasant class selection of Triple fff and guest beers. We sampled the Moondance, Day is done and Copy dates for next four issues: Goldfffinger. All rated excellent. Meanwhile two committee mem- Autumn = 01 August bers sample an ale or two. Winter = 20 November Spring 2020 = 25 February Summer 2020 = 25 May
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Entire Stout all brewed on the premises. The pub has many small rooms very busy the food looked good as well. We walked back to Dudley and called in to the Lamp Tavern a heritage Pub owned by Batham’s. Still a brewery pub doing their own ales, they had only 2 of 3 beers on, so we had the Best Bitter and the Mild both very good. The floor was tiled, as many of the older pubs. Next food—we went to one of oldest Indian Curry restaurants in Birmingham all food cooked to your liking and very good it was. Tomorrow the Black Country Museum. We walked there via the Dudley Tunnel Canal trust and booked the last trip through the tun- nel, I went there over 40 Years ago, the transformation is fantastic, last time it was full of rubbish, tunnels collapsed or filled with rubbish, its mostly all open now. Only £34M to finish it off. The Black Country Museum is very good they had shops that were originally near Johns pub in Oldbury, tied it all together. We tried the Beers in the Bottle and Glass their own pub on site, sawdust on floor, beers not too bad either, Batham's Alpha and Shaken Steven. In the evening we did a tour of the Dudley pubs first call was the Fellows a Holden’s pub here we tried Black Country Bitter, Black Country Special and Holden’s Golden glow all good beers and at £2.80 a pint. Next call was the Malt Shovel here we had Wye Valley, Butty Bach, Rat brewery, White Rat and Abbeydale, Larceny the beers were £2.80 a pint with a 10% discount for CAMRA just over £2.50 a pint!! We got talking to other CAMRA members and they recommend the Court House it was on our list. They had 11 real ales on we will try them all. We choose 6, 4 from Black Country, Pig on the Wall, Bradleys Finest Golden, Fireside, Plum Pig, Shotover Oxford Porter and Black hole, As- teroid. All very good but at over £3 a pint! We had beers from Oxford, Burton Upon Trent and The Black Country fitted in with John’s travels. Beer done off for some food ended up at the Hungry Horse, tomorrow more family record hunting and a meeting with the historian of Oldbury learnt a lot more, But that’s another story. Tracing your family tree is addictive there are more questions than answers the more you find out the less you know. Sometimes you find wonderful stories, some Jagger’s moved to New Zealand, Isle of Mann and married the owner of the Manx brewery its in the blood you know. Raised successful families, Ran Hotels the Royal in Weymouth and Teignmouth. Also, sadness, John’s first son John Palmer Jaggar died in Gallipoli 1915, age 23. We will remem- ber them. Editors note: back in 1996 we visited the Black Country Museum pub where another visitor was most surprised at finding they didn’t do lager. Well fell about laughing!
Page 8 Issue 34 Issue 34 Page 17 Worts & Ale Summer 2019 Worts & Ale Summer 2019 was there from 1913 to 1918. The building is still there and a pub!!!!!! Now called The Junc- Recycle Up-date and Red Box—Shirley Hawley tion. Yes— I thought, it was time for an up-date on recycling. Plastic straws are gradually disap- With a few days off let’s go to Birmingham. We decided to stay at Dudley near The Black pearing from pubs all over the country although plastic rings on beer can packs are still being Country Museum. We drove to Wolverhampton to the Springfield Brewery; all we could find used and beer and cider companies seem reluctant to do anything about it. The petition to of Cambridge Street was a few bricks however the cooperage is still there. stop this is still on-going. Walker’s crisp packets can be put into an envelope and posted Drove back to Dudley and decided to walk to Oldbury along the Birmingham old canal. Very back to them via a freepost address, which is on the Walker’s website. sad to see so many abandoned factories and massive scrap yards of machine tools, Lathes, I have e-mailed a few companies about they plastic bags that cannot be recycled and ask press’s etc brought it home to see the end of manufacturing in that area. what they are planning to do about it; surprise, surprise they have NOT come back to me We had a coffee at the Wetherspoon’s in Oldbury, good coffee poor selection of beer just the with any comment. basic range, Next door was the Wagon and Horses a heritage pub, the entire downstairs I am planning when the shower gel/crème runs out, it will be back to the bars of soap! was tiled very complicated patterns the rest of the interior has not changed for many a year. Red Box 2 halves’ in here they opened at 11:00 the porter on was 6% miss that out so we had a half This is very important scheme is set up in Alton by Susannah at the George in Alton. Ladies of each of the beers with hand written labels, one was cider! this is for you (although men can help as well) The Red Box is for collecting Sanitary Prod- Next stop the Junction, just opening, no real ale so we had 2 halves of Pravda beer brewed ucts for young girls who are at school or college that cannot afford these products. They are in Burton Upon Trent. At £2.60 a pint bargain. Started chatting to the guy who manages the expensive for what is a necessity. Yes, I know what it was like as I came from a poor house- pub, a very local community pub and grade 2 listed because of the cast Basalt window sills hold and getting sanitary pads were hard to come by. It’s also a pity the government sees fit and lintels. Can’t be demolished but might not be a pub one day. Oldbury had many pubs 12 to charge VAT on these products. The products wanted are sanitary towels of all kinds, tights at least (now 4) The High Street and the town was decimated in the 60’s and 70’s, industry and clean knickers. So please if you are like me of a certain age and got some of these failed, buildings were torn down, The M5 cut through it, in all the town has almost died, For- items left over and like me did not know what to do with them, sort them out and let Susan- tunately the council has made what’s left of the town centre all grade 2 listed. nah have them. Why not when you are next shopping pick up a packet or two and drop them Next stop the Beehive we shall walk along to Oldbury canal Unfortunately the canal towpath in. The Red Box is by the Ladies toilet. I cannot believe that in these days girls are in this sad was closed due to a police incident, back to the road. Got to Langley and saw where we state and then to have to miss lessons at this important time of life. We need to be open think the pub was, just a patch of grass - oh well, from there a short walk to the Old Dispen- about periods; it’s not shameful but part of growing up and should not be a cause of embar- sary, once a chemist now a micro pub. A different choice of Beers we had Wye Valley, Butty rassment to ask for help. Bach, Thornbridge, Chiron and Ma Pardoes, Bumble Hole. All good. The plan is to walk to OTHER NEWS the next unusual pub opened June 2018 in the Tividale area. There was a big hill on route This year we did a Community Pub of the Year Award. New thing for us and we had a very great view of the surrounding area the surprise was how green it all looked. deserving winner. The George in Alton got the award. We arrived at Tivi Ale another I had a long chat with Susannah and let me tell you, she is one busy person! She had set up Micro-Pub this used to be a many things like the Alton Aid in Jan 2017. Lot of people had donated various items and they mini super-market that makes had 11 containers go to Syria to help the refugees. Also, they helped High Wycombe with a change. Three real ales on, their containers. Also helped with the Alton Food Bank, not only with food but clothes men very busy a good community and women’s, so again it is time to do a sort out with your clothes. pub. Holden’s, Golden Glow, Also; the Alton Ladies Networking, which is organize by Caroline Samuda, so if you are need Enville, Ale and Newbridge, of help with networking get in touch. Plus, a Book Club meets here regularly. If I have missed Indian Empire, all good. A anyone out let me know and I will add it the next issue. Susannah and Jason are both kind short walk back to Dudley to and helpful people and I hope they will continue to support Alton’s and other needs. check in to our hotel. Bus out tonight to a brew pub—walked If any other pubs in our area supports or runs a charity, please let me know and if I get over 14 miles so far today. enough items it may become a regular up-date. Short bus ride to the Old Swan in Netherton, a Home Brew pub from 1974 also known as Ma Pardoes. 5 beers on, we had Original, Black Swan and
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there for best part of 20 years, on Pub Clips the census his father Charles as Selborne Arms, Selborne (19 February—Tony Davis) was his grandfather Henry were First, an important piece of news: after introducing full day opening during the week a few also coopers often the case Father weeks back this has now been put off until Easter when it is expected that full day opening and son trade. His brothers were will run on an annual cycle from Easter until after the Zig-Zag Festival held at the begin- also coopers. From the Bass Mu- ning of October. Outside that period opening times are 11-3 and 6-11. Today as usual five seum archive, I found that John ales were on including the regular offerings Bowman Swift One and Ringwood 49er, both did his apprenticeship at Burton— very palatable. Also available were Big Smoke Solaris 3.8%, a light golden ale from Sur- it took 7 years. Back to 1871 they biton (or perhaps Esher by now), Parkway Cheeky Monkey, 4% a golden ale from Somer- were living in the St Thomas area set and Hog's Back England's Glory, 4.4% a robust dark golden ale with a good balance of of Oxford. In the High Street, from malt and citrus hops. The usual excellent lunchtime menu choices available. From 1 April a map of 1861 there were 5 pubs, the 38-bus route was cut but Alton dwellers can still make a lunchtime session with the 12 Windsor Castle, Turks Head, 45 bus from the railway station arriving in Selborne at 13 13. What will now be the last bus Lamb & Flag, Red Ox and Cheq- of the day returns at 14 31 from just outside the pub, so an hour and a quarter in the pub. uers. Their house was 3 doors No buses at the weekend. down from the Chequers. 4 brew- eries near by, Swan Eagle and George, Alton (19 February—Paul Hawley) Lion plus one other, plenty of work. The family had been in the area from the early 1800, so Called in for a spot of lunch whilst doing a Pubzilla up-date. Had an excellent pint of why the move to Burton then on to Oldbury? Sharp’s Sea Fury, then got stuck in to a first-class sirloin steak (with a Stilton sauce over it. Don’t normally like sauces drenched over my food but can’t resist Stilton!). Shirley had The housing around that area of Oxford was very old some of 200 years plus, no sanitation, ham, egg and chips which she said was also excellent. Ham was a decent thick slice (not the Victorians started to rebuild the area, Henry had 7 children 3 moved to New Zealand to the wafer-thin slices purveyed else ware). Had to have another Sea Fury before tackling a be coopers and start breweries, 3 died before they were 2 years old and one stayed— three-scoop ice cream sweet. Finally had a coffee and staggered back up the hill. Advised Charles. He had 14 children 3 also died before they were 2 years old; at that point they that the July beer festival would be “something special” as it would be the last Bristol RE moved to Burton Upon Trent. On a 1900 map the house where they lived is not shown and running day. Note that The George is the Alton base for the Red Box charity. See Shirley’s others have swapped sides of the road and many were demolished for a new road, Victorian article on previous page. slum clearance, The small breweries were having more competition from the bigger ones as the railways offered quick cheap transport to other towns. The big breweries bought up the Queen’s Head, Holybourne (26 February—TD) smaller ones and moved the cooperage in house the free-lance work dried up. Took advantage of the balmy afternoon sunshine for a walk to the Queen's for Happy Hour, which runs between 4.30 and 6 pm Monday to Friday offering cask ale full pints re- The 1872 Licensing act, started to duced from £3.50 to £3. Tried all three ales on, the permanent Hardy’s & Hanson’s Olde control the opening times of pubs, Trip, the Triple fff guest currently Moondance and the third guest Hog's Back TEA. All very introducing a standard for beer, most drinkable, the TEA particularly so and the garden had even been opened because of the pubs brewed their own, we call them unseasonably warm weather. Micro brew pubs to-day, there was a lot of beer adulterating as there was in Forest Inn, Holt Pound (5 March – PH) bread making, Heavy fines were in Called in to deliver Magazines and have a spot of lunch. Had a very nice steak and chips, place to punish any one whom broke washed down with a rather good Greene King Abbot Ale (the only beer on – was waiting the rules, 10/- (50p) first offence going for the IPA to be delivered). New Manager (Jason) very interested in CAMRA and is a po- up to £100 or prison, it was going to tential recruit. He told us that his sales of cask beers was increasing and if they got to an be a rough ride. From a history book (unspecified) point he would get a third pump and a free choice of beer. on the Pubs of Oldbury I found that Royal Exchange, Lindford (8 March – TD) John and family were at the Wrexham Since 17 February a new bus service, the no.23, supplements the no.13 roughly every two inn later called the Wrexham Hotel He hours running through to Liphook and Haslemere. The 11 12 service out of Alton drops you right outside the Royal Exchange, Lindford about 10 minutes before opening time,
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I Like Beer—Nigel Durley (colour photos © Nigel Durley) But why, my father drank cider, the rest of the family I don’t really know. albeit after a rather convoluted journey around Whitehill and Bordon. The pub is part of the Red Mist group and features local ales including as a house beer, Red Mist, a 3.7% well- When I lost my mother, my Father gave me their Birth and marriage certificates’, not just balanced bitter sold throughout the group and which has 20p from each sale donated to local theirs but my grandparents as well. I had all my grandparents’ birth and marriage certifi- good causes. Also available was Hog's Back England's Glory, a 4.4% dark golden ale with a cates some dating back to 1895, wow. quite strong malt taste for the style - very flavoursome. Hog's Back TEA is also usually on, This story only covers my grandma born in 1911. My mother’s mother, she was born in but we were between casks. The very good food was also sampled. The bus back to Alton Oldbury in Birmingham, and she married in 1931 in Bournemouth. Her father (John Jaggar) goes from over the road at 14 43 and town residents should be prepared for another round was a cooper (retired). Great let’s look that up. From the 1911 Census John was the man- trip of Bordon before heading home along the A325 and B3004. This very useful route takes ager and Wet cooper at the Beehive, 47 Henry Street, Langley, part of Oldbury. The Bee- in East Hampshire branch area pubs in East Worldham, Kingsley, Liphook and Grayshott hive’s a Brew pub. In 1921 the Licence was removed, and it became a shop, as were many and looks a practicable way of getting to Headley and Hammer Vale. I hope to produce a others at that time—another complete report on the route's reach for a future Worts & Ale. act of parliament. This is where my grandmother was Hop Poles & George Alton (15 March—TD) born. Sadly, demolished in the Pleased to see that the Hop Poles has reopened (yesterday 14th March apparently) under a 1970’s as most of the area "temporary" manager and gratifyingly busy. Fuller's London Pride and St. Austell Tribute on was (slum clearance). A wet and enjoyed a pint of the former. A rather more interesting bill of fare around the corner in cooper - what’s that? A the George where had St. Austell Proper Job and a very good indeed Hammerpot Bot- Cooper makes barrels for tlewreck Porter. Andwell’s Resolute, Irving Type 42 and the old favourite Sharp's Sea Fury grain etc, a Wet cooper makes were also available here. barrels for liquids a highly Eight Bells, Alton (24 March—TD) skilled job, the barrels were 40 In Church Street is thriving under Phil's hands on management and a lively crowd on Sunday Gallons (320 Pints) and afternoon had as usual five well-kept ales to enjoy. Two Flowerpots offerings, Perridge Pale weighed over 400lbs, (180Kg) and Bitter, both very drinkable and the Pale very good indeed - seem to be becoming fixtures when full. With beer at around due to their popularity. I also tried Goddard's Wight Squirrel 4.3% rich, russet-coloured full £3 a pint that’s about £1000 flavoured traditional best bitter brewed with Crystal Malts giving a smooth caramel taste. worth today. You don’t want Sharp's Doom Bar and Suthwyk Old Dick were also available. © Bev Parker www.historywebsite.co.uk them to leak or break. King’s Head, Alton (24 March—TD) From the 1901 Census the family were at A pleasant walk in the spring sunshine through the St. Lawrence churchyard, down Amery Cambridge Street Wolverhampton, Also cleared away a few years ago. Occupation a Hill and across the community centre car park took me to the garden entrance of the King's cooper, Cambridge Street is opposite Mitchell and Butlers Brewery, sadly it closed a few Head where enjoyed the easy drinking 3.9% Andwell's Gold Muddler and the regularly avail- years ago, suffered two arson attacks, some buildings are left and are being converted to able Courage Best. student accommodation for Ivy House, Alton (3 April—TD) Wolverhampton University. Had three good offerings in the JDW Real Ale Festival today and all tried with benefit of When John worked there it three thirds for price of a pint. In ascending order of strength there was Adnam’s Topaz Gold was Butlers Springfield 4%, a golden ale full of fruitiness, Hook Norton Crafty Fox 4.4%, a smooth black IPA and Brewery, no connection to lastly from Californian brewer Jeff Bagby guesting at Wadworth, Asphalt Jungle 4.5%, an the later owners. easy drinking stout with chocolate and coffee notes. The usual suspects were also available. Going back to 1891 John George, Alton (3 April—TD) was living at Shobnall Tried a couple of interesting beers one unfamiliar, a rare limited edition 3.2 %, deep brown Street, Burton Upon Trent, Vienna Red style beer from Sharp's called Rising Tide. Also had an old favourite Itchen Val- the breweries were ex- ley Watercress Best 4.2%. There is indeed a hint of watercress in the aroma and taste. Irving panding fast because of Type 42, Dark Star Hophead and Sharp's Sea Fury were also on. the good water. He was
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Lord Raglan, Smithfield, London (3 April—PH) hough must be nearing the end of its season and an intriguing new one for me was Day is Went to the “Smoke” to renew our Privi- Done 4%, described as a golden ale which is quite correct: there is much of the character of lege Oyster Cards and visit the Museum such beers with Amarillo and Simcoe hops imparting the expected resinous and citrus aroma of London. Found this Greene King pub and flavour but also a balancing body from Munich and Crystal malts. Very nice beer. Only half-way between the Museum and St. Alton's Pride not tried. Pauls Cathedral. Quite a decent place Sun Inn, Bentworth (24 April—TD) with plenty of space with a reasonable Five of the six handpumps in use at this attractive rural pub on a busy weekday lunchtime menu, however the ham, egg and chips which is now accredited to the CAMRA LocAle scheme for East Hampshire. The regular ale, weren’t a patch on that served by the Palmer's Copper Ale (not local) was well received as were the four others, all Hampshire George when we visited in February. As beers. Andwell's Resolute, Bowman Swift One, Flack Manor Flack's Double Drop and Itchen well as the usual GK offerings, they had Valley Hampshire Rose. Four of us covered all the ales between us and the Hampshire Sharp’s Doom Bar and Sambrook’s Wan- Rose was judged to be the best of the bunch. dle; had the latter which was quite good Queen's Head, Holybourne (25 April—Mik Potter) and well served BUT it was £4.80 per pint Dropped in for a quick one today. Three beers on - H&H Olde Trip; Skinner's Betty Stoggs; as was the Doom Bar. Next time we’ll look out for a Wetherspoon’s. and Triple fff Moondance - although I thought the latter two were off because the pump clips “Bus” trip (4 April—TD) were upside-down! This was quickly corrected. I had the Olde Trip and the Stoggs - both Just three of us set out on a cold, wet and windy evening to visit the village pubs in the excellent. north-west quadrant of the branch area. We were supposed to start at the Gliding Socie- Alton walk (3 April—TD) ty Club, Lasham but found it closed at around 7.45 pm. We should have heeded the Had an excellent new beer from Andwell’s, Spring Magic, in the King's Head, Alton; a 4.4% warning on WhatPub to "check in advance for evening opening hours”, especially as we golden ale with marmalade flavour. Broke the habit of a lifetime and had another one on the got drowned running from the car to the (locked) doors and back again. There was a trot! Up Amery Hill to the Eight Bells and a good selection here, the usual two, Perridge warmer welcome at the Royal Oak, Lasham where Andwell's Gold Muddler and Hog's Pale and Bitter from Flowerpots together with Dartmoor IPA. All in god condition: Doom Bar Back TEA were on offer and found to be in good order. A decision was made there and also on. then to reinstate LocAle accreditation for this friendly village local. An even warmer wel- Eastern Approaches (4 April—TD) come - a roaring open fire - was available at the Sun Inn, Bentworth. Here there were no Got the 65 bus out to Star Bentley for a decent pint of Butcombe Bitter and a good half of less than six ales on offer. Bowman's Swift One and Itchen Valley Hampshire Rose were Triple fff Moondance with a light lunch before bus back to the outskirts of Holybourne and a very drinkable, and we regretfully had to leave the Andwell's King John, Flack Manor Flack pleasant walk to the White Hart where had halves of Skinner's Betty Stoggs and Timothy Catcher, Hog's Back TEA and Palmer's Copper Ale for another time. Last port of call was Taylor Landlord. A good guest policy in this Greene King pub where Morland Original also the Castle of Comfort, Medstead, a very dog-friendly pub with a large stove belting out available. A short walk to the Queen's Head revealed what I was assured was a temporary heat in the cosy right-hand bar and three ales available, Courage Best, Greene King IPA aberration, no Moondance. However, did have Betty Stoggs for second time today. Stood up and Sharp's Doom Bar. The first two were tried and found to be in good condition. well against the White Hart offering. Skipped the regular Olde Trip to make for final port of Eight Bells, Alton (12 April—TD) call, the Railway Arms near Alton Station where had best Moondance of the day and (just a Flowerpots ales continue to move well here and today the Flowerpots Bitter and Perridge half) of the powerful Comfortably Numb, at 5% a beautifully balanced and dangerously drink- pale were on good form as was Bowman's Wallop's Wood making a welcome return. In able strong ale. A good spread of other Triple fff beers available and I was assured that addition, the Goddard's Fuggle-dee-Dum a fine ale was just about reaching the end of its guest ales such as Adnam's Ghost Ship waiting in the cellar. natural life but still drinkable. Sharp's Doom Bar also on. The Flowerpots drayman was making a delivery and we chatted about the impending sale of the Brewery and Flowerpots Inn. The proprietors are retiring and want to see it sold as a going concern. The other two tied houses, the Wheatsheaf, Shedfield and one of my personal favourites, the Albion in Winchester, will apparently not be affected as run by independent owners and can contin- ue under their own steam. Railway Arms, Alton (13 April—TD) All five ales on today were Triple fff products and all on good to very good form including old favourites Hallelujah and Moondance. The Winter Oatmeal Stout was also good alt-
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