SWALE ALE SPRING 2016 THE FREE MAGAZINE OF SWALE CAMRA
The Signs Are Bad The unsavoury history of our favourite pub names Clun... “Where?” Getting to know the Clun Valley Beer Festival Wake up and use our loaves A new and novel way to brew beer CHEERS FOR 40 YEARS!
CONTEMPORARY PUB AND EATING HOUSE With log fires, comfy arm chairs, restaurant & private dining room, courtyard & garden. Set in Conyer which is part of the fabulous Swale walking area with the Saxon Shore Way and Swale Heritage Trail. Dogs & children welcome.
Great Cuisine from our light lunch menu to dining à la Carte with a wide selection of dishes prepared by our chef from locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Always ask if you have any special diet requirements. Awarded 5 stars for food hygiene.
Food served daily ~ see our website for times, menus, Special set menu days, jazz & blues evenings, etc Weekend breakfast menu ~ served 10am to 12:30pm
FREE HOUSE with good range of cask ales, lagers & wines
including Adnams, Masterbrew, Old Dairy Red Top, Guest Ales Read about us in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. CASK MARQUE www.shipinnconyer.co.uk The Ship Inn Conyer email [email protected] Conyer Quay, Teynham TABLE BOOKINGS t 01795 520881 Kent ME9 9HR CHAIRMAN’S CHOW
Welcome to the latest edition of Swale Ale. enormously – who hasn’t had a lifeless pint This year is a very special one for Swale or one which has been served too cold? CAMRA as we celebrate our 40th Anniversary. And pubs are still closing, most recently in We kicked off our celebrations at the Fountain Swale the Railway Tavern in Teynham and in Sittingbourne where a recent open branch The Summoner in Sittingbourne. meeting took place 40 years to the day of the group’s formation. It was great to see so many CAMRA is currently embarking on a familiar faces; including one of our founder “Revitalisation” project and a number of members and one of our newest members. events are being held across the country to engage members. It’s an opportunity to shape Now would be an appropriate time to take the future direction of CAMRA. Keep an eye stock of what CAMRA has achieved and its on our website, Twitter and Facebook sites relevance. With over 176,000 members; nearly for more details and also more information of 1,500 breweries and successful campaigning the event that will be planned for this year to on tax and pub preservation; some have said celebrate 40 years of CAMRA in Swale and that the campaign has achieved its objectives. look forward to the next 40. It strikes me that although a lot has been achieved, there is still much to do. For whilst Cheers! many pubs have real ale, the quality varies Paul Irving KEEP IN TOUCH
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Swale Ale © Spring 2016 Published by the Swale Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale Ltd (CAMRA). Circulation: 2000 Any opinions expressed within these pages Editorial Committee and Contributors: Les are those of the individual authors only and Bailey, Mike Harris, Gary Holness, Bob Gates, do not represent those of CAMRA or any of Paul Irving, Matt Deller, Steve Bennion, Andy its officials. The existence of this publication Kitney, Alex Earl in a particular outlet does not imply an endorsement of it by Swale CAMRA. Advertising: Matt Deller Design & Layout: Ascent Creative All correspondence to: Printed by: Abbey Print, Faversham Les Bailey, 58 Wallers Road, Faversham, Kent, ME13 7PL Branch Details Chairman: Paul Irving Email: [email protected] Secretary: Linda Gates www.camra-swale.org.uk Social Secretary: Howard Gates www.issuu.com/swaleale Treasurer: Les Bailey Twitter: @CAMRAswale Press and Publicity Officer: Matt Deller Facebook: CAMRAswale Pubs Officer: Harvey Melia Telephone: 01795 538824 Membership Officer: Alex Earl SWALE BREWERY NEWS
SHEPHERD NEAME In Spring Shepherd Neame will relaunch some a balanced, yet of its seasonal ales. uncompromising brew. Early Bird (4.3% ABV) takes its name from the Early Bird variety of Shepherd Neame’s In addition to signature East Kent Goldings hops, grown in these there is hop gardens near the Faversham brewery. A an exciting new refreshing pale golden beer with floral aroma, limited edition American-style beer available it is a superb accompaniment for salads and on draught nationwide from March 1 for one fish dishes. month only. Created to commemorate St George’s Day, Hog Island East Coast Pale Ale (4.8% ABV) Dragonfire (4.5% ABV) combines barley, oats, eschews Shepherd Neame’s tradition for rye and wheat with two English hop varieties using Kentish hops, by opting for some of the – Goldings and First Gold – in addition to a most in-vogue hops from across the pond: fiery secret ingredient. Conceived in Shepherd Boadicea, Amarillo and Cascade. These have Neame’s pilot brewery, the gutsy seasonal ale been combined with pale ale and crystal is full bodied and rich with mellow mahogany malts to create a deep golden beer boasting hue. citrus, pine and fruit aromas melded with light caramel notes and a robust bitterness. India Pale Ale (4.5% ABV) hails from the tradition of 18th Century IPAs, which relied on Head brewer Richard Frost said: “Hog Island generous hopping to protect exports during is a really exciting addition to the No.18 Yard arduous journeys overseas. This modern Brewhouse collection. It is a refreshing, zesty incarnation retains the strength, body and beer which retains the malty character of the strong hop character which is synonymous typical East Coast pale ale.” with this beer’s provenance. India Pale Ale delivers potent bitterness, offset with The branch Brewery liaison Officer is generous amounts of pale ale malt to deliver Bob Thompson.
MADCAT HOPDAEMON The brewery is currently Hopdaemon continues undergoing a re-brand to brew to capacity. They and hope to unveil their continue to brew their new look soon, more to core range of ales. A follow in our summer recent addition, Raeven issue. We are also pleased Black IPA (4.8% ABV), to hear that the brewery has re-signed was available for a limited another three year lease at Brogdale. period of time and spotted in the Paper Mill, Sittingbourne and A new special will be released each the Elephant, Faversham. More new beers will month from February and bottling will appear throughout 2016. recommence around Easter although we are told this part of the process will The branch Brewery Liasion Officer is be contracted out. Sales of their Mild Howard Gates. are going very well. Members have recently noted that the White Horse, Sittingbourne has started serving their beers. The branch Brewery Liasion Officer is Doris Munday.
4 www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale
Good Pub Guide Awards 2016
WORLD’S WORLD’S BEST BEST MILD ALE BROWN ALE World Beer World Beer Awards 2015 Awards 2015
CHAMPION BOTTLE CONDITIONED BEER CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain Competition, Olympia 2015
BEER OF BEER OF THE THE FESTIVAL FESTIVAL Eastbourne Beer Pendle Beer Festival 2015 Festival 2015
BEER OF SUSSEX THE BEER FESTIVAL OF THE South Downs Beer FESTIVAL & Cider Festival 2015 Worthing Beer Festival 2015 Award Winning Beers Handmade in Lewes Tel: 01273 840 509 • www.harveys.org.uk
A5AwardsAd.indd 1 30/11/2015 16:17 Good Pub Guide Awards 2016 CAMRA NEWS CAMRA in call for further beer tax reduction to help protect pubs The number of pubs closing every week and beer industry and the Government is has fallen slightly to 27, but the industry taking effect and arresting the decline in the still needs help so the “fragile recovery” number of pubs being lost every week. can continue, a new report says. However, it’s a fragile recovery which could The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) called very quickly be reversed if the Government on the Government to cut beer tax, despite fails to build on this positive development and WORLD’S WORLD’S the reduction in pub closures in the last six misses the chance to support the British pub BEST BEST months of 2015 from a weekly figure of 29. and beer industry by reducing tax again. MILD ALE BROWN ALE The group said that more than 1,000 pubs It’s pleasing to see that our campaigning to World Beer World Beer would have closed and 26,000 jobs lost if protect community pubs is having an effect, Awards 2015 Awards 2015 beer tax had not been cut in 2014. with closure numbers reducing. Ministers were urged to continue cutting tax As well as reducing tax, the Government to help keep beer affordable and slow the can continue to support these pubs by number of pub closures. strengthening national planning regulations and supporting local groups seeking to list Tim Page, Chief Executive of CAMRA, said: pubs as Assets of Community Value.” “The latest figures show that the work of campaigners across CAMRA, the wider pub The closure figures for the second half of 2015 compare to the total for the previous six months. A Treasury spokesman said: “The Government FESTIVALS & continues to support the pub and beer CHAMPION BOTTLE industry across the UK. That’s why we took PUB EVENTS action at Budget 2015 to cut the tax on a CONDITIONED BEER typical pint of beer by a penny for the third CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain Sussex Beer Festival - 17–19 March year in a row, to cut duties on spirits and most Competition, Olympia 2015 Brighton Corn Exchange, Church Street, ciders by 2%, and to freeze duty on wine.” Brighton, BN1 1UE. BEER OF 11th Planet Thanet Easter Beer Festival BEER OF THE 25-26 March THE FESTIVAL Winter Gardens, Fort Crescent, Margate, FESTIVAL Eastbourne Beer CT9 1HX Pendle Beer Festival 2015 BRANCH DIARY Festival 2015 CAMRA Members Weekend & 2016 AGM Wed 13 April 2016, 8pm – 9.30pm 1-3 April Open Branch Meeting at Minster Working Liverpool Mens Club SUSSEX BEER OF 11th Bexley Beer Festival - 5-7 May Wed 11 May 2016, 8pm – 9.30pm THE BEER Old Dartfordians Sports Club, War Memorial Open Branch Meeting at The Chequers Inn, FESTIVAL OF THE Club House, Bourne Road, Bexley, DA5 1LW Doddington South Downs Beer FESTIVAL 8th CAMRA Kent & East Sussex Railway Wed 8 June 2016, 8pm – 9.30pm & Cider Festival 2015 Worthing Beer Beer & Cider Festival - 17-18 June Open Branch Meeting at Three Horseshoes, Festival 2015 Kent & East Sussex Railway, Station Road, Staplestreet Tenterden, TN30 6HE Wed 13 July 2016, 8pm – 9.30pm Award Winning Beers Great British Beer Festival - 9-13 August Branch AGM at Shipwright’s Arms, Olympia, London Hollowshore Handmade in Lewes Tel: 01273 840 509 • www.harveys.org.uk www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale 7
A5AwardsAd.indd 1 30/11/2015 16:17
SWALE PUB NEWS BADLESMERE GRAVENEY The Red Lion has launched a new website at The Freewheel continues to host regular www.redlionbadlesmere.co.uk. Recent beers themed evenings, film showings and cycling have included Westerham Spirit of Kent & related events. Canterbury Brewers beer God’s Wallop. They will also be sourcing beers feature frequently. from Romney Marsh Brewery. HERNHILL DODDINGTON The Red Lion has re-opened under new The Chequers Inn has a number of live events management, still focusing on good quality planned details of which can be found on its food and local ales. website. EASTLING LOWER HALSTOW The Three Tuns held a very successful winter The Carpenters Arms has a Reggae Night beer festival which was well attended by on 30th April. Masterbrew being served on CAMRA members. Some great beers were recent visit. available along with a hog roast. Regular quizzes continue to be held (usually first FAVERSHAM Wednesday of the month) and food continues The Limes reopened last year under new to be popular. A CAMRA discount is still management following refurbishment. offered on beer and cider. Regular events are held including music evenings and up to four Shepherd Neame MILTON REGIS beers are available. The Three Hats continues to serve up to The Elephant recent beers include the four beers. Regular themed food evenings, impressive Dark Star Imperial Russian Stout including a Thai evening, are proving popular. at 10.5%. Jim continues to have regular house beers from Hopdaemon and Mad Cat. MILSTEAD Furlongs Ale House continues to go from strength to strength and still offers a The Red Lion is up for sale. CAMRA discount. They celebrated their first anniversary in December with a good turnout MINSTER from regular customers, including many CAMRA members. The Heritage continues to serve a range of real ales, ciders, wines and mead. The Market Inn continues to host regular live music. NEWNHAM The Phoenix - regular events continue to be The George continues to serve a choice of organised (check the website for details) and Shepherd Neame beers and regular events are a range of enterprise beers are served. scheduled throughout the spring. The Vaults Cask & Kitchen hosts a quiz and curry on the 1st Monday of each month and will be hosting St Kevins (cider) and RODMERSHAM St Arnolds (ale) festivals during the year. A The Fruiterers Arms continues to offer 3 CAMRA discount continues to be offered on real ales from the Enterprise range. A recent local ale and cider and a house beer is often visit found London Pride, Moorhouse’s Blond sourced from Mad Cat. Witch and Well & Young’s London Glory available all at £3.40 a pint. A new Micro Pub is likely to be located at the former Able Glass shop in Preston Street. Continued overleaf...
www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale 9 SITTINGBOURNE SELLING The Fountain - new licensee Ricky was The White Lion has opened under new delighted to host our 40th anniversary branch management. Up to two Shepherd Neame meeting on 13th January. Two well-kept beers are served. Shepherd Neame beers were available. Golden Hope - after its first six months is TEYNHAM proving popular amongst locals and serves a The Swan is under new management. They good range of local and national ales. continue to serve local beers. Long Hop is under new management and The Railway Tavern has had approval for continues to serve a range of beer from the change of use to residential and is now Enterprise range. for sale.
Paper Mill continues to feature a wide range Lots of further detail on Swale pubs can be of interesting national and local beers. The found on www.whatpub.com. If you notice pub recently hosted a Chinese New Year anything that is out of date or have any pub week with a tap takeover from Blue Monkey news please let us know. brewery. Regular quizzes, cheese Sunday and other events are held. Park Tavern under new management. The Summoner closed its doors on 14 February after 17 years of trading in the town. White Horse is now selling Mad Cat beer.
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THE PHOENIX TAVERN Founders and home of Always a great e Timothy Taylor selection of real Appreciation ales on the six Society hand pumps, fi ve lagers, cider and wines from Corney and Barrow. Food served every day lunch and evening, all day Friday and Saturday and Sunday to 4.30pm. All prepared on the premises with care and skill by our team of chefs. Inglenook fi res in winter and lovely garden in summer A S, Cask Marque F, K M B Accredited 01795 591462 • www.thephoenixtavernfaversham.co.uk THE HISTORY OF THE PINT
The recent 800th Anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215 may give the impression that the pint measure originates from the same date. But whilst the Magna Carta did indeed specify that “there shall be one measure of ale throughout the Realm” it defined this measure in very general terms as “the London Quarter” which was the equivalent of 2 pints. In fact it was not until the introduction of the 1824 Weights & Measures Act that the Imperial Pint was defined as 1/8th of an Imperial Gallon (20 fluid ounces). Scientifically it was defined as “the volume of 20 ounces (567 grams) of water at 62 F (16.7 C)”. Interestingly the old Scottish Pint (or “Joug”), which was the equivalent of 3 pints, remained in use until the 19th century, outlasting all other Scottish measures, for obvious reasons! More reassuring is the thought that the UK Pint is 20% larger than The trade off is that from April 2012 draught the USA Pint. So not everything is bigger in beer can only be sold in 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, or 1 pint the States! glasses. Hence we are spared the horror of ordering a 0.56826125 of a litre! The UK’s membership of the European Union briefly threatened the existence of the “pint” On a final note the origin of the word “Pint” with the introduction of the 1980 Weights derives from the French word “Pinte” or and Measures Act which gave precedence the Latin word “Picta” both of which mean to the use of metric units of weights and “painted” referring to a line mark on the side measures for trade and commercial activities. of a glass marking a 1 pint volume of ale. Fortunately the UK negotiated an opt out for So the arguments for using pint to line beer the use of the “pint” for draught beer and glasses, as advocated by CAMRA, have a long cider, initially until 2009 and more recently standing historical basis. the EU has confirmed that it will continue indefinitely. Les Bailey
If you believe that you have been treated unfairly in a local pub or bar you should contact TRADING your local trading standards department. Trading standards exists to ensure that STANDARDS customers are treated fairly and neither cheated nor mislead by traders. The Trading Standards organisation in Swale is entitled ‘Environmental and Consumer Protection’ and can be contacted on: Telephone: 01233 898825 Email: [email protected]
www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale 13 Vaults Advert come and exciting experience an choice extensive of collection of food live music and quality entertainment real ales and all in a fun international friendly beers under festival one roof atmosphere
0844 412 4640 BOOK YOUR www.gbbf.org.uk/tickets TICKETS NOW @GBBF GreatBritishBeerFestival ROCKIN ROBIN BREWERY TRIP A group of Swale CAMRA members were running, but also lucky enough to visit Rockin Robin Brewery brewing out some last year. The current brewery site, a 15 seasonal specials; barrel microbrewery near Maidstone, was set recently Portly up by Robin Smallbone in 2014. The team Robin, Jinglebell (Robin, Michelle and Oz) were excellent Rock and out for St Patrick’s Day we have hosts and supplied us with a number of casks Stoutly Robin. including a nice special beer brewed for the Rugby World Cup. We were joined by other “To push the business further we are now discerning drinkers as part of Robin’s regular going further into London. Our Summer Bash open days. During a tour of the brewery Robin will be held at the brewery on 9th July 2016. explained that after starting from a core range Meanwhile Keep Rockin!!” of beers he is gradually exploring new styles. Robin’s beers can regularly be found in We were lucky enough to try his first porter Furlongs, the Elephant, the Three Tuns which it was pretty good. It was unnamed (Lower Halstow) and Wetherspoons pubs at the time but eventually entitled “Portly across Kent. Robin”. Paul Irving Speaking during our visit, Robin said “We shall continue to keep our core products
On Wednesday 16th January, members returned to The Fountain in Sittingbourne (the scene of the first-ever branch meeting) to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the groups formation in 1976. The celebration saw members past and present reminisce about the early days of the Branch and share memories about local pubs, ales, beer festivals and breweries. Chairman Paul Irving said: “It was great to return to the scene of the very first meeting. Forty years on, it’s heartening to know that our efforts in campaigning for real ale continue to be successful, with CAMRA thriving both nationally and locally. Some pubs that didn’t serve real ale back then now offer a range of beers, with a good selection from the region’s smaller breweries. “We enjoy many social gatherings as a branch, visiting pubs and breweries and we’ll be working very hard in our anniversary year HAPPY to get even more involved with our members.” BIRTHDAY Matt Deller Bob Gates [left] one of the founding members SWALE! enjoys a pint with James Cousins [right], one of the branches newest members
www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale 15 CLUN: ‘WHERE?’ I HEAR YOU SAY
“Clunton and Clunbury, Clungunford and Clun and evening in all the pubs – I can personally are the quietest places under the sun” - A. E. recommend the mixed grill option at The Housman. (and how very true is that! – 110% Crown Inn – it’s not for the faint hearted! I say. Live music from local bands plays in the White Horse and Hundred House. Seven years ago I too had never heard of these places but thanks to the annual Clun Jack thought of everything when staging this Valley Beer Festival it’s a place I now know weekend. Due to the distance between the well – certainly the pubs and one particular pubs a local coach firm is hired all day on the excellent B&B/farmhouse in Clunton Saturday providing a shuttle from 2 - 11pm village! Clun – the biggest of the four (in running two coaches back and forth from the immediate area and mentioned in the Newcastle to Aston on Clun. 2015 was my Doomsday book) is located deep in the 7th consecutive year attending this highly Shropshire hills about 15/20 minutes (by enjoyable weekend normally accompanied by car) from Ludlow (Ludlow Brewery), Bishops 4 other CAMRA members all from different Castle (Three Tuns and Six Bells), Cleobury branches (Stoke on Trent, Bridgenorth, Mortimer (Hobsons) and Wistanstow Reading and West London). Over the years (Woods). Of course a little further afield you we have made a complete weekend of this have the wonderful Salopian in Shrewsbury. opportunity by meeting in Shrewsbury on the Friday sampling their fine pubs. Then on the So the Clun Valley beer festival, now in its Saturday morning, prior to the main event, 15th consecutive year, is held over the 1st we would travel to either Bishops Castle and Fri - Sun in October. Brilliantly masterminded visit the highly rated Three Tuns Brewery, by ex London landlord, and now owner of “which claims to be the oldest working The White Horse pub and Clun Brewery licensed brewery in Britain from 1642!!”, or Jack Lemond, this event visits 6 rural pubs go to Ludlow and visit their brewery plus over a 10 mile radius deep in the Shropshire other fantastic pubs in this beautiful market valley. The pubs that subscribe to this very town! Then we head to the nearest pub on the popular and very well organised weekend festival and start the long afternoon/evening are The Crown Inn, Newcastle, The White working our way along the route. Horse and The Sun Inn, Clun, The Crown Inn, Clunton, The Hundred House, Purslow and the I thoroughly recommend this event. It’s very Kangaroo Inn, Aston on Clun. well organised, heavily supported by CAMRA groups throughout the country, the pubs, Each pub along the route showcases at least their selection of beers and of course this 10 real ales and a couple of cask ciders, the picturesque area of Shropshire. majority being locally sourced from micros in the area - Hobsons, Wye Valley, Three Tuns, See you next year ……. Salopian and Stonehouse to name a few. To complement this a superb range of hot and Andy Kitney cold food is available throughout the day
16 www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale
WAKE UP AND USE OUR LOAVES
Following the success of the Brussels Beer Using just 1.5 Project, established by two maverick beer slices of bread pioneers, Hackney Brewery is now serving up per bottle, a tasty brew whilst combating a growing UK swapping out waste problem. the malt for mashed bread The brewery has teamed up with charity helps hop Feedback to create Toast Ale, made using utilisation so not only is it using less hops but leftover bread from London’s bakeries. also helping to hold onto the flavours more. Bread is the UK’s most wasted food product, So come on brewers, surely there is a better with around 1.5 million tonnes of bakery place for bread than in the bin. If we only products being thrown away in the UK each make a small dent in this waste problem or year worth almost £860m. simply heighten awareness then that’s got to The brewing process is much the same as for be a good thing – right? other beers, except about 30% of the malt Three batches of the ale have been brewed used is replaced by mashed bread. so far and can be bought online at Starches from the bread are converted into www.toastale.com for £3 or from a list of fermentable sugars during the brewing stockists. Proceeds from the beer go to process, creating a pale ale with hints of Feedback charity. Marsh Mash.pdf 1 28/01/2016 12:05 caramel and oats. Matt Deller
Brewery Shop Now Open Fridays 10am - 6.30pm
The first micro pub in Medway selling Real Ales, Ciders and Wines plus soft drinks, snacks & hot drinks.
C
Beer garden. M
Y Unit 7 Jacks Park, Cinque Ports Rd,
CM Mountfield Industrial Estate, Opening Times MY New Romney, TN28 8AN CY CMY For other opening time please ca K 12-7 Mon & Tue 01797 362333 12-6 Wed w.romneymarshbrewery.com 12-9 Thu 12-11 Fri & Sat 12-4 Sun 2 Skinner Street, Gillingham, ME7 1HD 07725 072293 VICTORY FOR THE BLACK PRINCE
Black Prince, our mild Kent ale, has won gold in the SIBA regional awards. There’s no stopping him now.
WANTSUM. THE REBEL BREWERY OF KENT Fighting the good fight for real ale, made from the finest ingredients 400,000 years in the making CYPRUS MICROBREWERY GETS THE FINAL GO AHEAD!
The Yorkshire-family-owners of the work later, before our thick dossier of Paphos-based Aphrodite’s Rock documentation was complete. We were Microbrewery & Brewpub, the first licensed assured all was in order and we “…should microbrewery in Cyprus, tell CAMRA the receive the Permit to Brew in a week”. incredible story of the obstacles they had to Imagine our shock on receiving notification overcome to start their brewery. from Nicosia not with our promised Permit to Brew but with further demands, then further Why Did You Decide to Start a Microbrewery and then still further unreasonable and, often, in Cyprus? impossible demands. William Ginn, ‘Bill’, said, “I’m a Chartered It must be said that Jean, my wife, and I were Engineer in the oil industry and have travelled treated very badly during these years and all my life. We wanted to start a family our health undoubtedly suffered. It turned business and saw real potential to establish a out that CIPA was, in fact, powerless to help. microbrewery in beautiful Paphos where we It almost felt as if there was a deliberate had happily settled along with many other attempt by the government to drive us out of British expatriates. Cyprus for some reason! Melanie, our daughter, studied in Sunderland We persevered and met all demands making as one of a growing band of British women it clear we would not just go away. Customs brewers. Then, in 2010, we prepared a full & Excise then dropped their bombshell, business plan for CIPA, the Cyprus Investment never previously mentioned, that should we Promotion Agency, who agreed to assist us. ever receive a Permit to Brew we must pay a We didn’t enter into this lightly nor, knowing €51,000 bond and have a full-time Inspector Cyprus, did we expect things to be easy but on our premises whose salary and all no market research, business plan or MBA expenses would be to our account. The cost could have prepared us for the government could be well over €100,000pa; a crippling nightmare to follow…” sum for a small family business.” What Were the Problems You Encountered in To Brussels and the European Parliament… Cyprus? Bill said “With no options left to us, and “We found an old defunct winery in a lush feeling very alone, we took this to the green valley in the hills above Paphos. The European Parliament in Brussels with the size was perfect plus it was full of charm support of our former Yorkshire MEPs.” and character with all permits as a ‘winery’. Questions put to the European Commission in CIPA said the ‘Change of Use’ application to 2012, were: ‘brewery’, “…should be straightforward”. It was, however, Easter 2012, eighteen months of continuous and largely unnecessary Continued overleaf...
www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale 21 “Will the Commission investigate whether the can also join the highly popular, informative difficulties and very long delays experienced and complimentary Brewery Tour held every by Aphrodite’s Rock Brewing Company in its Monday to Friday after lunch. This is an idyllic attempts to open for business in Cyprus are a and inexpensive Mediterranean venue for function of: birthday parties, anniversaries and wedding receptions with all special arrangements • The existence of non-tariff trading made. barriers • The Cypriot authorities manipulating Aphrodite’s Rock Microbrewery & Brewpub is regulations to prevent or discourage regularly #1 in Tripadvisor “Top 100 Things to competition do in Paphos” with a Certificate of Excellence. • Tacit and potentially illegal bureaucratic Holidaymakers visiting Paphos will enjoy connivance in favour of existing Cypriot a great, low-cost ‘sun, sea & sand’ holiday business on golden beaches beside the crystal-clear • And, whether the brewing sector in Mediterranean Sea as well as experiencing Cyprus is operating in accordance with some amazing historical sites in one of the the requirements of all relevant aspects safest overseas tourist destinations available of EU law” in these troubled times. “After nearly four years of struggles our The family’s tenacity and determination to Permit to Brew was finally granted with the bring this much demanded microbrewery resident Inspector and bond requirements to fruition in Cyprus is to be commended. dropped.” Institutional problems continue for them but they say the support and solidarity shown Bill said, “After all those years of Cyprus by fellow CAMRA members, and friends & bureaucracy, I nearly called our Irish Red Ale family, visiting them in Paphos is a great help. ‘Red Tape’!” He added, “Finally, however, we Our mission is to let it be seen that British can say that a holiday in the ‘Med’ no longer microbreweries overseas that are fighting to condemns CAMRA real ale drinkers to long push back the frontiers of real ale in Europe days of bland, commercial lagers. Cheap are not alone but stand shoulder-to-shoulder flights and low cost accommodation make with 200,000 CAMRA members. Support even a long weekend break possible so come Aphrodite’s Rock Microbrewery & Brewpub! to our little oasis in Paphos in 2016 and have a few great days with us!” Aphrodite’s Rock Microbrewery & Brewpub Today “Aphrodite’s Rock Microbrewery & Brewpub is in a lovely old winery 15 minutes from Paphos surrounded by beautiful olive groves and grape vine terraces. You and your family can take in the views sat in the traditional stone courtyard shaded by walnut, hazelnut and mulberry trees and also enjoy regular live entertainment staged for your pleasure. The kitchen offers delicious, great value-for- money meals plus authentic hand-stretched Italian pizzas baked-to-order in an Italian wood-fired oven. Portions are generous - come hungry, you won’t leave that way!” Bill said. Despite its stunning location, great restaurant and warm ambience, Aphrodite’s Rock Microbrewery & Brewpub is still, first-and- foremost, a microbrewery. Quality real ales and real ciders with real character are brewed by Head Brewer, Melanie, and her team for tourists and residents alike. You
At the rear of 37 North Street, ME2 4SJ, Strood, Rochester, Kent 07941 449137 22 www.camra-swale.org.uk DISTINCTIVE SINCE REAL ALES BRID 2010 N G O MMX E
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B e K l Y R entish A BRID R N G O E O MMX E W E S T B U R L N R O A l O E lc o 4.2% V le I N K A entish T T L D I L E A M B O E BRID P S N G BLONDE O MMX E UNION AMBITION T BRID PALE N G 4.2% O MMX E 4.7% A lc ol T C 3.8% V le K A O entish B P O P N E R A lc l 4.0% Vo e K l entish A COPPERNOB R TRADITIONAL U S T I C 3.8% 3.6% RUSTIC 4.0% 3 New Cask Ales & Our First Keg Ale Being Launched This Spring! Available in steel firkins and pins, and 5L mini casks (All kegs will be 30L non returnable). Contact Paul on: 07962 016286 or Mark on: 07973 381883 Follow us... For all our latest News on Twitter WEBSITE: www.tonbridgebrewery.co.uk EMAIL: [email protected] TELEPHONE: 01622 871239 19 Branbridges, East Peckham, Kent TN12 5HF
Tonbridge Brewery 148mm x 210mm 130115 V5 CMYK.indd 1 14/01/2016 11:29 THE SIGNS ARE BAD! Greetings gentle reader. Following on from last issue’s ‘The Signs are Good’ piece which focussed on pub signs with religious meaning this piece turns to the dark side. There are many pubs named after notorious criminals, ghosts, witches, The Devil and such like. As before I want to explore some of the less obvious meanings and the strange tales behind a few of these pub names. Let’s start with dark deeds on The Kings highway. HIGHWAY ROBBERY Many inns were built along the coaching pea green suit for the routes across the country, in fact they were occasion - that surely the motorway service stations of their was enough to convict day. One of the hazards of travelling by him!!) if he had not coach was the possibility of being robbed been dramatised by by highwaymen (and women) along your the writers of Victorian journey. There are many inns that bear the ‘penny dreadful’ name of these nefarious charactures such magazines. as The Dick Turpin in East Finchley (now closed) and The Black Robin, Kingston near Highway robbery was Canterbury. Here are some others with not the sole preserve interesting stories. of men as The Wicked Lady pub, Nomansland There have been a couple of pubs in Essex near Wheathampton, called The Sixteen String Jack. The name Herefordshire can testify. The lady in question refers to a local highwayman called was Lady Katherine Ferrers who lived in a John Rann who earned the nickname mansion at Markyate in Hertfordshire. It was ‘sixteen string’ because of his flamboyant said that she would dress in male attire and dress including brightly coloured ribbons on a jet black steed rob travellers on the he wore on his breeches. Rann would have road. She was fatally wounded after one such barely made a footnote in the pantheon of attack at Nomansland and her ghost is said to eighteenth century criminals, being hanged haunt the surrounding lanes still riding for his crimes in 1744 (even if he did wear a the black horse.
HANG ‘EM HIGH The all too frequent result of these despicable It was not only people that came to a sticky deeds on the highway was an appointment end at the end of a rope as The Noose & with the hangman’s noose and there are Monkey in Aberdeen testifies. The pub was many pubs that reflect the harsh treatment renamed by the new landlord who hailed from of these criminals in the past. The Three Hartlepool. There are stories from the 19th Legged Mare in York is an unusual example century of a monkey being hanged in both of the apparatus to dispatch evil doers. On Hartlepool and the costal village of Boddam the face of it you might think that it refers near Aberdeen. The Hartlepool story tells to the type of horse that I seem to bet on of a French warship which sank during the however a three legged mare is a slang Napoleonic wars off the North east coast and term for a gallows with three posts and the only survivor was a monkey. The people crossbeams set in a triangle so several people of Hartlepool took the unfortunate creature to could be hanged at once. Efficiency in the be a French spy and hanged it. The Boddam eighteenth century workplace!! The notorious story refers to another shipwreck in which all highwayman Dick Turpin was sent to meet hands were lost except for a monkey. Under his maker via the famous three legged mare Scottish salvage law a ship with livestock still at Tyburn London. Other pub names such on board was not deemed a wreck so could as Jacob’s Post in Burgess Hill Sussex and not be claimed for salvage so the locals who Canard’s Grave Shepton Mallet in Somerset went out to the ship hanged the poor beast refer to the name of the person executed in to ensure they could claim salvage!! the area. Continued on page 27...
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HIGH SPIRITS Many pubs have been in existence for centuries and it seems that some of the regulars are reluctant to leave and are said to still ‘haunt their old haunts’ so to speak. This is reflected in some of these pub’s names. Here are a couple of examples from Kent. We start in what is believed to be the most haunted village in England, Pluckley at The Blacksmith’s Arms formally known as The Ghost’s Arms and The Spectre’s Arms. Three ghosts reside here, a Tudor maid, a coachman who sits staring thoughtfully at the fire in the public bar and a Cavalier who wanders around upstairs. The pub has now closed so I wonder if time has finally been called on these phantoms. At the nearby village of Biddenden is a pub he was 100 years old. The ghost of the old called The Castleton’s Oak, the sign for which carpenter has been seen in the pub and is shows an old man sitting on a coffin! frequently heard by the tapping sound of his The story goes that an oak tree in the area spectral hammer. was felled by lightening on the 70th birthday of local carpenter Ebenezer Castleton. He took this to be an omen of his impending demise and purchased wood from the tree to make his coffin. It seems this portent of his WITCH PUB? imminent end was somewhat premature as he lived for a further thirty years dying when Throughout history ordinary folk have needed something (or someone) to blame for their misfortunes and the belief that witches were able to malevolently affect a person was widespread. Many areas have become famous for witchcraft and none more so than Lancashire where in the 17th century the most famous witch trials in England were held resulting in the hanging of ten ‘Pendle witches’ for the murder by witchcraft of ten local people. The pub sign of the The Pendle Inn at Barley’s shows the silhouette of a hook nosed, pointy hatted crone astride a broomstick flying by the light of a full moon towards a creepy looking church. Perhaps the other most famous witch in England is Mother Shipton who died in 1561 and was said to be a prophetess who predicted many modern inventions. Unfortunately the best of these that, ‘A carriage without a horse shall go; disaster fill the world with woe. In water iron then shall float, as easy as a wooden boat’ were faked by a chap called Charles Hindley in 1862. Probably the most famous pub bearing Mother Shipton’s name is at Low Bridge, Knaresborough the pub sign for which shows, appropriately, an old woman with a broomstick. Continued overleaf...
www.camra-swale.org.uk 27 HE WHO SUPS WITH THE DEVIL... Lastly we come to Old Nick himself. It will not is remembered by The Devil in the Boot pub come as a surprise that Old Harry has found at Winslow Buckinghamshire. This is the tale himself onto many a pub name over the ages, of a local rector called Sir John Schorne who usually with a tale to tell about how the name conjured The Devil into one of his long boots came into being. Here are a few interesting and imprisoned him there. What he did with ones. There is a pub that sits on the Thames the boot (and The Devil) afterwards is not at Wapping which dates from around 1520. clear. Although known by the name Prospect of Whitby now, renamed after a fire, it was The last devilish pub name I want to recount once called The Devil’s Tavern because of to you is The Devil’s Stone in the village of its reputation for being the drinking hole of Shebbear in Devon. The story goes that the choice of dubious footpads, smugglers and pub gets its name from a huge bolder that such like of the area. However the ‘Hanging lies on the village green which was said to Judge’ Judge Jeffreys once frequented the have fallen out of the Devil’s pocket as he pub and a noose hangs outside to remember was on his way to drop it on the local church. him by. It is also said that nearby convicted The sign shows Lucifer with forked tail, horns pirates were tied to stakes at low tide and… carrying a trident sitting crossed legged on well I leave the rest to your imagination!! the stone. The local bell ringers ring a peal each November 5th and then proceed to turn There are a couple of pubs that are named the stone over to stop the Devil returning. for acts of capturing or causing the Devil to Incidentally the pub is said to be one of the flee.The Devil & Dunstan formally stood in dozen most haunted in Britain the spectral Fleet St London and commemorates the story residents include a coachman seen in the of St Dunstan who was tempted by the Devil restaurant (perhaps the same one who whilst working at his forge. Firstly The Devil frequented the Blacksmith’s Arms in Pluckley tried bawdy and blasphemous talk then when who now prefers the West Country air!), a that failed he changed himself into a beautiful little girl who likes to play hide & seek and young woman. St D was not to be tempted a grumpy old man who inhabits one of the and once his tongs were red hot grabbed Old upstairs rooms (I promise that it is not Old Gooseberry (really!!) by the nose and when Obadiah annoyed at not getting a final pint in he let him go he fled as fast as possible. The before closing time!) second instance of the Devil being thwarted
So there you have it, a short perambulation Green Men & White Swans – The Folklore of around some of the darker pub names British Pub Names by Jacqueline Simpson across the country. At this point I need to and The Old Dog & Duck, The Secret raise a note of caution. It is a sad fact that Meanings of Pub Names by Albert Jack. many pubs have and are in the process of closing across the country so please if you Thanks to the Inn Sign Society for the are feeling brave and want to visit any of the Castleton Oak picture. The Inn Sign Society ones mentioned please check out What Pub are recognised as the leading authority on the to see if they are still around or if they have subject of inn signs and pub names. mysteriously disappeared!! www.innsignsociety.com Lastly I would like to recommend a couple of volumes that I found invaluable when researching this article. Obidiah Spillage SWALE’S WINNING PUBS 2016 We have now selected our Good Beer Guide The Elephant, Faversham 2017 entries. Out of the 17 successful pubs, The Paper Mill, Sittingbourne six were shortlisted for Swale Pub of the Year. The Three Hats, Milton Regis By the time you have read this article we will The Three Tuns, Lower Halstow have chosen our Pub of the Year so keep an Shipwright’s Arms, Hollowshore eye on our website and social media channels. Furlong’s Ale house, Faversham
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Furlong's Ale House
MINE’S A HALF In a recent survey it has been reported that drinking beer in half pint glasses is now the most popular way of drinking a beer. To many of us this will not come as a great shock because at most beer festivals, beer has been served in half pint glasses for a long time. So why are drinkers changing their habits? It option of ordering 3 thirds of a pint beers is probably because drinkers are becoming all presented in appropriate glasses, often more open to trying new beers and moving carried on a small wooden tray. A number away from the mentality of drinking pint- of our branch pubs have already after-pint of the same brew. Particularly for introduced these. stronger, more full flavoured real-ales such as barley wines, or strong porters and stouts, The result of the survey of 2,000 drinkers, a half is a much more sensible option and which was presented at the Great British Beer allows people to try a range of beers without Festival in London last August, showed that drinking past their limits 34% of people would rather drink from a half pint glass, while 25% preferred a pint glass Another up and coming tradition is to and 25% a third of a pint. drink beer in a third of a pint. This trend is also beginning to be seen in pubs with the Matt Deller
30 www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale F A Campaign of Two Halves air dea on beer 7EZI l t &VMXEMR W ax no 4YFW w! Join CAMRA Today Complete the Direct Debit form and you will receive 15 months membership for the price of 12 and a fantastic discount on your membership subscription. Alternatively you can send a cheque payable to CAMRA Ltd with your completed form, visit www.camra.org.uk/joinus or call 01727 867201. All forms should be addressed to the: Membership Department, CAMRA, 230 Hatfield Road, St Albans, AL1 4LW. Your Details Direct Debit Non DD Title Surname Single Membership £24 £26 Forename(s) (UK & EU) Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy) Joint Membership £29.50 £31.50 (Partner at the same address) Address For Young Member and other concessionary rates please visit www.camra.org.uk or call Postcode 01727 867201. Email address I wish to join the Campaign for Real Ale, and agree to abide by the Memorandum and Tel No(s) Articles of Association Partner’s Details (if Joint Membership) I enclose a cheque for Title Surname Signed Date Forename(s) Applications will be processed within 21 days Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy) Email address (if different from main member) 01/15
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Banks and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debit Instructions for some types of account. THE THREE HATS THEMILTON THREE REGIS HATS Ever changingMILTON selection REGIS of cask ales E ver changiLarge ng sel Beer ect Garden i on of cask al es Mobile Bar and Catering Service Available for Weddings,L arChristenings ge Beer Gar and den Birthdays
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SWALE CAM RA PUB OF T HE YEAR 2013 SWALE CAMRA PUB OF THE YEAR 2014
38 BRANCH MEMBERSHIP UPDATE A warm welcome to those who have joined provides news and information on a variety of CAMRA since the last edition, and also to all subjects involving real ale, and also includes existing members who have recently renewed, details of national and local activities, such as or moved into the branch area. beer festivals, campaigning socials and other special events. We hope you will be able to These include: James Sawyer, Martin Holt, come along to one of these occasions in the Lynne Coleman, Matthew Maynard, Michael near future and look forward to meeting you. Resch, Alex Simpson, Julie Simpson, Nick Finley, Scott Clark, Glyn Johnson, Juliet More information about local events and the Cowgill, Benedict McLoughlin, Thomas Addis Swale Branch can be found on our website; Stuart Gill-Banham, Paul Murley, Michael simply visit http://www.camra-swale.org.uk for Turner, Derek Carr, Stephen Pratt, Dawn details, or turn to the ‘Branch Diary’ section of Williams, Paul Godden, Tracey Love, Ian this publication. Broadmore, Dwan Broadmore, David Quigley, Bruce Hickmott, Robin Jamieson, Neil Gridley, New members and visitors are always made Kevin Booth, Susan McKinnell, Ben Jarmyn, welcome at our events and socials, so why John Everingham, Colin Milborrow, Angela not come along? Your input is something we Gladwin, Benedict Tumber, Kim Solly, Bruce value as new people bring in new ideas. Springett, Antony Tippins, Mike Richardson, The Branch itself now has over 500 members, Kevin Roche, Daniel Asekokhai, Ian Pascal, with over 175,000 nationwide. Gill Weathers, Roy Pay, Nicholas Mendham, Sam Matthews, James Cousins, James Dixon, Looking forward to seeing you at a Steven Jarmain and Joe Jarmaine. forthcoming event. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any Thank you for your support. You should have membership enquiries. I can be reached on received a membership pack from head office 07921 928958 or email [email protected] by now, along with an edition of ‘What’s Brewing’, CAMRA’s monthly newspaper. This Alex Earl
Rochester’s First Micropub Local Drinks, Local Food Local ales, ciders and juices. Home cooked, locally sourced cuisine from our resident microchef /KentinCrepe/ /TheFlippin_Frog [email protected] THE PERILS OF DRINKING WITH AN ABRASIVE FRIEND
“Where are we going to go tonight?” “Are you sure?” asked Dave. “I don’t know. Where do you want to go?” “Absolutely!” said Kevin. This was the gist of the conversation that It was settled. Apparently, Dave’s prior my friends and I seemed to repeat, as we misdemeanor was no longer an issue and we sat nursing a pint, every Saturday lunchtime. agreed to meet up that evening at 7:30 at Where would we go that night? the designated pub. At the appointed time, we arrived and made our way inside. It was My friends and I were all between 18 and 23. already fairly busy, but almost immediately, I Some of us were art students, some of us saw the face of a stout, middle-aged woman were gainfully employed, some of us could behind the bar staring at us. She did not look be generously classified as “other.” The one happy. thing we had in common was an enjoyment of the pub atmosphere. In winter, we preferred Seconds later, she had come out from behind somewhere with a crackling fire; in summer the bar and was advancing towards us we wanted a pub where we could sit outside through the throng of customers. Her right as the sun went down. And, of course, a arm was extended, pointing at Dave, decent pint. a ferocious expression on her red face. This was in the late 60s and early 70s. “You! You! You!” she was shouting. Naturally, such other-worldly inventions as “You’re barred!” the Internet and cell phones lay in the distant future, so our endless discussions about As she reached our little group just inside the which hostelries that we should favour with door, Dave, ever the diplomat, turned to Kevin our presence relied entirely on our prior and said, “You told me the old bat was dead.” experiences or simply hearsay. As a result, the Needless to say, we were all turfed out of discussions usually turned to bickering, as one the place. All of us were innocent bystanders or other of us proposed a particular pub as whose only crime was… well, innocently being ideal while someone else was adamant standing by Dave when we probably should that it was a rat-infested dump. have known better. I recall one such lunchtime in particular, I emigrated to the United States a while ago although it was the evening that followed that and I haven’t seen Dave for many years. For made it so memorable. One of our group – I all I know, there might still be a few landlords shall call him “Dave” to protect the not-so- in Kent who keep a faded picture of him innocent – was basically a good chap, but behind the bar. Fortunately, I’ve never been he had a bit of an abrasive personality that barred from any pub, but if Dave is smart, took some getting used to. Unfortunately, he’s using that newfangled Internet thingy to this trait tended to make him a less than ideal keep track of the few pubs where he is still customer to certain landlords. It was not welcome. Now he can use his Pensioner’s Bus uncommon for one of us to suggest a pub Pass to visit them… if he hasn’t been barred only for Dave to say, “Nah. I’ve been barred from the buses, too. from there.” Mike Harris So on this particular Saturday, one of us suggested a pub (I’ll not mention its name) and we were all in agreement. All except Dave, who said he’d been barred from that one by the landlady about a year ago. “A year ago?” said Kevin. “Well, that’s no problem. The landlady died. It was in the newspaper.”
34 www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale www.thethreetunsrestaurant.co.uk
Produce & Craft Fair - 30th May Bank Holiday Monday (12 - 4pm) Stalls include: Meats, Veg, Kentish Ales & Ciders, Cheese & Chutneys, Oils & More. Hog Roast available The Street, Lower Halstow, Sittingbourne, Kent. ME9 7DY 01795 842840 [email protected] THE CHEQUERS INN The Street, Doddington, ME9 0BG - 01795 886366
A warm welcome awaits at this charming 14th Century listed Coaching Inn. This historic pub has recently been refurbished and with its oak beams and mullion windows is an inviting place to eat. There is also a large family garden for those warmer days. Food is served Tuesday to Friday: 12 - 2.30pm, 6 - 9pm, Saturdays 12 - 9pm and Sundays 12 - 6pm. Sunday Lunch Menu: 1 Course £9.95 / 2 Courses £12.95 (Cheeseboard: £1.50 supplement) Child’s roast (includes ice cream dessert): £4.95 We serve roast topside of beef or roast free range chicken from our award-winning local butcher. Vegetarian and gluten free options are also available, please specify any dietary requirements when booking. The full menu is also available on a Sunday. Lunchtime is often busy so advance booking is advisable. [email protected] NEVER MIND WINE...... THERE’S BEER IN CAPE TOWN
Given South Africa’s well-deserved reputation beer brands on tap and 99 different bottles for fine wine, I was somewhat surprised to of beer on the wall was too much. They are discover, on a recent business trip that the pretty much a tasting room for the South Western Cape is also awash with beer. And African beer industry, with their already not just big-name brands like Castle Lager; legendary beer-o-clock taster platter Cape Town is also home to a busy industry of (12 different 120ml beers), I couldn’t leave smaller-scale craft beers. without sampling. As early as my arrival taxi ride from the And Cape Town doesn’t lack a good beer airport I quickly spotted the large Newlands festival. The blossoming craft beer industry Brewery, overlooking the famous cricket has brought with it the idea that beer isn’t just ground, which has been in operation since something you drink when you’re watching 1820. However, beer has been brewed in that sport on a Saturday afternoon. Of the many neighbourhood since 1658. festivals to emerge, two are especially notable. The Cape Town Festival of Beer and Craft brewing really took off in Cape Town the Durbanville Beer Fest, both of which about five or six years ago, when younger celebrated their sixth year last November, male capetonians started noticing that there feature almost 100 different brands. It’s a real was a local market willing to pay them to blessing for beer fans, seeing as so many craft brew – and drink – their own ale and thus a beers can be frustratingly hard to get hold of, new industry was born. particularly those from South Africa’s other Situated close to my hotel I found Mitchell’s regions. brewery, which was the first South African Such is the rise in popularity for new beer micro-brewery to really make a name for that even some wine estates are getting in itself. Mitchell’s started out in 1983 before on the act. One winery is now using spring opening a second brewery in the now popular water from its own farm and a self-taught V&A Waterfront in 1989, and their Forester’s brew master to create its own micro-brewed Lager and Bosun’s Bitter are as close as any offerings. micro-brewery beer gets to being household names in Cape Town. Sadly my trip was short but it is very clear that something is brewing in South Africa… Another popular spot I visited during my brief visit was the Beerhouse. The lure of 20/25 Matt Deller
www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale 37
th 11 BEXLEY
BEER FESTIVAL th th 5 – 7 May 2016
NOTE CHANGE OF DATES AGAIN THIS YEAR
Old Dartfordians Sports Club
War Memorial Club House Bourne Road Bexley Kent DA5 1LW
75+ Beers & Ciders
In large Marquee, not squashed into small hall like 2013
Souvenir glass, Hot & Cold Meals, (snacks & soft drinks available at Club bar)
Updates available nearer the date on www.bexley.camra.org.uk
Admission: Thursday 5th May 5pm-11pm £2.50, CAMRA members £1.50 Friday 6 May 11am-5pm £2.50, CAMRA members Free 5pm-11pm £2.50, CAMRA members £1.50 Saturday 7th May 11am-11pm £2.50, CAMRA members £1.50 (While stock lasts) Concessions for under 25s – To be confirmed All rights of admission reserved
THE BEAR Faversham
The Bear Inn, 3 Market Place, Faversham, Kent ME13 7AG, Tel 01795 532668
Chris & Marie Annand and staff welcome you to this historic 15th Century inn in the heart of Faversham.
Immaculately kept Shepherd Neame beers
Traditional home made lunches served every day
Join us for our popular Quiz Night held on the last Wednesday of every month
Find us on Facebook
23 FROM OLD KENT ROAD TO MAYFAIR
Monopoly’s exact origins are disputed, selection on the vast and varied options when but 2015 marked the 80th anniversary of drinking Real Ale / Craft beer in London these when the Parker Brothers, having bought days. It also means that the particular pub out various other rights holders, started might not be on the street / road from the marketing the iconic game as we know and game and could involve a little walk – but that love today. But what if this famous board all adds to the excitement and anticipation. were to be redesigned to incorporate the best real ale pubs/bars ... wouldn’t it look a little The list is planned out by the route from the different. Certainly be great to try it. original Monopoly board – obviously not the most user friendly when using the London AZ Please appreciate this is certainly not the or underground tube map. definitive list it’s just my take and personal
Old Kent Road: Oaka (Kennington Park Rd) Fleet Street: Ye Old Cheshire Cheese (Fleet St) and the Blackfriar (Queen Victoria St) Whitechapel Road: The Blind Beggar – famous for Krays gangland killing in the early Trafalgar Square: The Harp (Chandos Place) 1960s. and The Admiralty (off Trafalgar Square) Kings Cross: The Queens Head (Acton St) Fenchurch Street: Craft Beer Co (Mitre St), and The Parcel Yard (Kings Cross Stn) Draft House (Seething La) and Pelt Trader (Dowgate Hill) The Angel Islington: Charles Lamb (Elia St) and The Tap Room (Upper St) Leicester Square: Lamb and Flag (Rose St) and The Salisbury (St Martin’s La) Euston Road: Euston Tap / Cider Tap (opp Euston Stn) and Bree Louise (Coubourg St) Coventry Street: Moon Under Water (Leicester Square) Pentonville Road: Craft Beer Company (White Lion St) and The Lexington Piccadilly: Lyric (37 Gt Windmill St) (Pentonville Rd) and Queens Head (Denman St) Pall Mall: Red Lion (Crown Passage) Regent Street: Whyte and Brown (off Carnaby St) Whitehall: Red Lion (Whitehall) Oxford Street: Argyll Arms (Argyll St) Northumberland Avenue: Ship & Shovell (Crown Passage) Bond Street: Running Horse (Davies St) Marylebone Station: Gunmakers (Aybrook St) Liverpool Street: Williams Ale & Cider House (Artillery La) and Crosse Keys Bow Street: The Cross Keys (Endell St) (Gracechurch St) Marlborough Street: Old Coffee House Park Lane: Market Tavern (Shepherd St) (Beak St) and The Red Lion (Waverton St) Vine Street: The Red Lion (Duke of York St) Mayfair: Coach & Horses (Hill St) The Strand: Temple Brew House (Essex St), Andy Kitney Edgar Wallace (Essex St) and The Coal Hole (The Strand)
40 www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale Fancy a beer delivered to you? Int�oducing the Scott ish Beer Shop! Take the cap off a Scott ish Beer at www.Scott ishBeerShop.co.uk Visit us today to ex�lore the largest range of qualit� Scott ish beer and brewers online - delivered throughout mainland UK. Build a bespoke order fr om our vast range whatpub.com or pickup a selection biox - add a message at Featuring over 35,000 real ale pubs checkout to send as a giſt .
Suppor�ing the campaig� for real ale by aiming Information Created by Over 96% updated by CAMRA who of Britain’s to stock ever� craſt Scott ish beer fr om ever� thousands produce the real ale pubs of CAMRA UK’s best beer featured The countrysideScott ish brewer.is a living place and for this reason many of the paths, fences andvolunteers natural features& pub in guide this guide may be subject to change. All details were correct at the time of publication and follow signposted public rights of way. The author and Swale Ale cannot, of course, be held responsible for any diversion orders, inaccuracies in the text or maps which may result fromIt’s your changes round! to the landscape or for any damage which may be caused by walkers trespassing on Thousands of pubs at your fingertips! Order today at www.Scott ishBeerShop.co.ukprivate property.
Serving quality cask ales and ciders from both Kentish and national brewers. We also have a range of bottled Kent ales available to purchase (or drink). Saloon Bar, The Freewheel, Graveney Check Twitter/Facebook for Photograph by Keir Stanley our themed nights and events
Continue along this path until you drop down Location Opening Hours into a field with the path bearing left until it 17–19 Minster Road, Mon - Closed reaches the railway line. Cross carefully following Sheerness. Kent THE Tues -4-9pm (or later) the country code and then follow the path across ME12 3JE Wed -4-9pm (or later) the field until you reach the hop fields. Continue Tel: 01795 664000 Thurs - 4-9pm (or later) straight on and after a few different fields including Friday – 12pm-11pm www.facebook.com/the strawberries under polytunnels you will reach HERITAGE Sat - 12pm-11pm heritagemicropub St Bartholomew Church. Continue through the Sun- 12-8pm Sheppey’s 1st Micro Pub church yard and walk until you reach the main Head Hill Road. Turn left and follow the road carefully until you reach the Freewheel pub. It is Proud to follow the traditional possible to return to Faversham the same way as micro pub formula of no music, you came or, instead, take a left as you leave the lager, spirits, food and TV – pub and make this into a circular walk going down Sandbanks Road which links (after a long walk) to just good old fashioned talking. the national cycle route back to Faversham via the creek and the Saxon Shore Way. Pop in for a pint and a chat [KS] 27 NEW BREWERS Based at Macknade Fine Foods, Boutilliers is a seasonal brewery offering ON THE BLOCK a constantly changing range of beers.
As one of the branches newest brewers, we their on site beer range, with the aim of asked founders Phil and Richard to tell us transforming it in a real craft beer destination about their exciting plans for Boutilliers that offers our beers alongside the most exciting beers being produced around the “We see the flexibility of small scale UK, as well as some very special offering from production as one our biggest strengths around the world. compared with larger breweries. For us, beer and great food go hand in hand, and we aim In the summer, we will offer a subscription to produce a range that shows off the great service whereby subscribers can receive produce on offer locally, either in the beer a monthly box of mixed Boutilliers beers itself or as an accompaniment. delivered directly to their door for a monthly fee.” We’re proud to be Kentish and we want to establish a sense of terroir. This will be Boutilliers was founded by Phil Dodd and supported by a range of food and beer tasting Richard Bennett, who have known each other events. We will be making a range of styles, for many years after meeting each other at from traditional English pale ales, bitters and the University of Liverpool - where their beer porters, to more adventurous styles such consumption was possibly not as refined as New World IPAs, smoked beers, dubbels, as it is now. Their skills were developed, tripels, wheat beers, and barleywines. We independently, through home brewing. are keen to use local ingredients wherever possible, and in particular to make good use Phil Dodd of the wide range of excellent fruit in the county, offering a uniquely Kentish take on Belgian-style krieks, geuzes and lambics. Our beers will predominantly be available as Barrel of Knowledge short run, hand-crafted, bottle-conditioned ales. A small proportion will be available on He is a DIY Lexic cask. While our focus is initially on producing He really is no good great beers consistently, we have plans to When it comes to working open a small tap room-style area on site at With plaster board or wood the brewery as soon as possible, enabling He cannot change a plug customers to visit us to see how the beer is Or even mend a fuse made, before sitting down to sample it in a But he’s a walking encyclopedia friendly, intimate environment. When it comes to booze In the longer term we hope to open a He can name two hundred brewers dedicated bar nearby that showcases the And near a thousand beers best of local breweries but also our favourite Yet knowledge does not come easy breweries from around the UK and further I’ve studied hard for years afield. We are also in discussion with Bob Gates Macknade Fine Foods about developing
42 www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale What constitutes THE BERRY
10 years at the Berry! WALMER Upcoming Events
Multi-award Winning Pub Where You are invited to our You Will Find: Real Ale, Real Cider Quiz Night s: 2nd Friday of each and a Real Fire! month
Up to 11 Cask Ales Plus 6 Key Keg
Ales. Always 6 Ciders Available Opening Times: Mon: 11:00 - 23:30
Tues: 14:00 - 23:30 Also serving “Si’s Pies,” Delicious Wed: 11:00 - 23:30 Hand Made Pork Pies and Scotch Thurs: 12:00 - 23:30 Eggs Fri-Sat: 11:00 - 23:30 Sun: 11:30 - 23:00
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www.theberrywalmer.co.uk Tel: 01304362411
23 Canada Road, Walmer, Kent CT14 7EQ
14 Watergate Bay, Cornwall
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