all the news, views and more from around issue thirty one | 2013 MEET THE FRANCHISEE PAGE 4 special guest visit by

WORLD’S BIGGEST LIAR PAGE 10 Rockin’ They say music and beer go hand in hand, and this welcome was quite literally the case to our new-look recently in Oxfordshire after all over Status Quo brought their rock ‘n’ roll to Wychwood Brewery. Bringing you Continued on page 4 Wychwood more variety, Front L–R: Wychwood brewers Dave Carter and Jon Tillson meet Rick Parfitt and more often. Francis Rossi from Status Quo. Let us know what you think: [email protected] 2 December 2013 December 2013 3

Marston’s announced its end of year results Heritage mark Onwards to the City at the end and upwards of November. Everyone needs a little help, especially at this time of the year. When it comes With a diary full of media commitments, “Looking forward, we will accelerate our to savings, visit Marston’s R£wards for of success including appearances on BBC Breakfast high–return new–build programme, whilst the perfect tonic. Highlights this year: TV and BBC Radio 5Live, it was a busy increasing the level of disposals from our Having launched early this November 2013, Destination and Premium — strong results day for chief executive officer, lower turnover wet–led pubs. www.marstonsrewards.co.uk provides access for sales and profit growth driven Ralph Findlay. “We have made an encouraging start to all employees to make savings on everyday purchases, by new–build investment, including Ralph said: “Food is now the principal the new financial year and remain confident buying services and entertainment. Simply put, this 22 openings in the year, performing reason for around 80% of customer visits in that our proven strategy is aligned to the means more money in your pocket to spend on what ahead of target. our Destination pubs, this year we served 30 underlying trends in the sector.” you wish by being able to access some amazing million meals. savings and offers! Taverns — H2 profit growth in Sarah Zammit, resourcing & marketing executive managed pubs and 600 pubs converted to franchise. for pub operations, said: “The site also provides information on all of the other benefits available when — revenue and profit up working at Marston’s, and ensures you do really make with increased market share. the most of all that’s on offer.” Acceleration of new–builds — increased planned rate of expansion of new– Two community pubs are boosted builds to 25–30 sites per annum. by extensive makeovers. Disposals of lower turnover wet–led pubs • 130 pubs and other assets sold The Red Hawk in Brough, Yorkshire and the dining, games areas and the bar areas. or exchanged during the year Crow’s Nest in Seaham, County Durham, are Ray continued: “Placing a greater for c. £50 million. two pubs that are reaping the rewards of emphasis on how the pub is sectioned is • Agreement to dispose of 202 significant investment. an important way of helping customers to sites for £90 million at 7.6x Ray Wheeler, regional operations come in and feel relaxed. There are now EBITDA multiple. manager, said: “This is part of our continuing booths with touch screen televisions that New Foundation Agreement group with • Target £60–70 million disposals AOM Andrew Cooper (second from right) development of the Heritage format. Both sites have an interactive element. Patrons can per annum in 2014 and 2015 needed a fresh look to ensure that they had use these facilities, or log on via their from Taverns estate. a broader appeal with the entire communities smart phones to the pub’s hub and find Ralph Findlay discusses the results they serve”. out exactly what the pub has to offer.” The right “The Red Hawk was a popular wet–led pub The two pubs have now adopted changes with sports fans coming into watch Sky Sports. to their food menus. These include lunch However, the food side of the business was deals available from Monday to Saturday Recipients pictured at the evening, front row (left to right) foundation really struggling. The Crow’s Nest was in need with a Carvery served on Sundays. It’s reward and Malcolm Petrie 40 Years maintenance surveyor The Foundation Agreement lasts for of a lift too as the business seemed tired.” working too. Figures from the last week of David Powell 25 Years ePOS trainer five years and involves a refundable The six–week long renovations saw one November saw a 400% uplift in food sales recognition Stephanie Hughes 25 Years payroll supervisor Joanne Phillips 25 Years estates administrator security deposit of £5,000. All wet key development introduced — zoning. This at The Red Hawk compared to the same The Long Service Awards presentation for employees John Beerjeraz 25 Years group health and safety manager products are provided by Marston’s allows clearer boundaries between family week in 2012. from head office and supply chain took place at the John Tilley 40 Years cask operative, cask racking, Wolverhampton with retailers free to source their own training centre in Wolverhampton on 21 November 2013. Graham Marsh 40 Years shift brewer, brewing & fermenting, Wolverhampton dry products. CEO Ralph Findlay was on hand to present awards and certificates Derrick Harding 40 Years group quality assurance manager The first intake of 25 people to the to employees completing 25 and 40 years’ service between Malcolm King 40 Years mechanical engineer, Burton Foundation Agreement took place at the end 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2013. Back row (left to right) of November with an initial training course giving Foundation recruits an introduction Ralph Findlay chief executive officer Sharon Lockley 43 Years treasury administrator to what Marston’s is all about. Colin Harris 46 Years trunker driver, Burton Karen Atherton, people development Barrie Singleton 41 Years distribution operative, St. Helen’s manager, said: “The Foundation Agreement Trevor Williams 42 Years beer quality technician gives a retailer a great opportunity to build Terry Marsh 47 Years beer quality technician a top community pub. Many of the traditional Malcolm Norman 25 Years load planner, Mansfield headaches of running a pub are taken away by John Shepherd 41 Years chief engineer, Wolverhampton the nature of the partnership.” Sandra Tomkys 41 Years payroll supervisor For further information on retail Barry Pearce 42 Years distribution operative, Hull opportunities with Marston’s then please visit Steve Rowlands group human resources director www.marstonscareers.co.uk. 4 December 2013 December 2013 5

...continued from cover: go with Make mine a pint Feeding Back in September Marston’s signed up to take part in Feeding back the quo Britain’s Future — Skills ... Pulling up in a state–of–the–art for Work Month 2013. The scores are in for the tour bus, music legends Francis Rod Grainger, head of 2013 employee Engagement Rossi and Rick Parfitt, made a pit customer support at Marston’s, Survey. The survey collates stop on their UK tour to discover explained: “We had a fantastic the feedback from Marston’s what the home of Hobgoblin beer week and all the candidates and enthusiastic.” taking the opportunity to had to offer. threw themselves into learning Naomi studied International join Marston’s. Her efforts employees on how they feel Chris Keating, marketing about our business. Tourism Management at delighted the company so about working at Marston’s. Caroline Weatherston manager for Wychwood, said: “Naomi Hyman particularly University College Birmingham, much that she was offered had been previously “It was great fun to enjoy a few impressed, showing creativity but was looking to get her first the role of customer support hours with two members of such and flair with her approach to career break after graduating. administrator. Who was employed by Marston’s an iconic British band. You don’t work. She was really engaging She certainly got it after Welcome on board Naomi. engaged by in a variety of roles, have Status Quo pay you a visit the survey? working her way up to every day. Hobgoblin meets Status being a pub manager Quo — two legends together!” The overall score for the whole Status Quo, whose career of Marston’s increased from until she decided spans six decades in the music this year to take her industry, didn’t pull out the exciting first step... guitars for their visit. However, A pearl they did enjoy a few glasses of various Wychwood brews — 77% proving that when you’re a rock last year god ‘whatever you want’ really for De Vere ... INTO does mean good beer. to 81% franchise this year Caroline feels that the experience knowledge required to become a about franchising I was skeptical, Full details, which are relevant to your she gained through working as a franchisee. “I loved it and it fuelled but as I learned more and began area, are being cascaded out in January. pub manager played a big role in my ambition to work for myself,” to gain an understanding of the Action planning meetings will be taking equipping her with the skills and she said. “When I first heard benefits and opportunities it offered, I became very positive. place between January and March. I decided that this was an ideal, low risk way forward for me and An upsurge in craft beer popularity couldn’t wait to get started. Above L-R: Marc Stroobandt, beer sommelier; Robert Cook, “Franchising has enabled me to sees top hotel group switch Guinness CEO De Vere Hotels & Village Urban Resorts; Tom Easom, have my own pub at a young age for Marston’s Oyster Stout. Marston’s senior national account manager and certainly years earlier than I could have even thought about Marston’s Beer Company has won a ahead of the game in recognising a dish or bar snacks such as mince pies.” doing it on my own!” premium listing for Oyster Stout with shift in consumer drinking habits and Marston’s multi–award winning Running the Poverina in hotel group De Vere. has decided to offer the best choice of stout is brewed to deliver a smooth, Normanby, Cleveland is just Oyster Stout will replace Guinness brands to its customers who want a drink easy-drinking experience with a dry the start for Caroline as her at over 60 of De Vere’s hotels around to have more taste and authenticity. finish. Inspired by the style of ambition is to have five pubs the country. These hotels are some of “Craft Beer is outperforming all other stout made popular in the Victorian within the next ten years. She the most iconic in the UK and include categories of the market growing at 77% times to accompany oysters and other says that this is both realistic Cameron House in Loch Lomond, the year on year in a market that is down shellfish. The unique character of and achievable as a franchisee, Belfry in the West Midlands and the by 4.2%. Oyster Stout makes a great this beer comes through using the particularly with Marston’s Grand Hotel in Brighton. premium offer and is a top choice for Marston’s yeast strain collected from encouragement and support. Tom Easom, senior national account winter food matching. It’s the perfect fermentation in the oak barrels of the manager, said: “The De Vere group is accompaniment to a cracking Christmas Burton Unions. 6 December 2013 December 2013 7 ‘Tis the season to be jolly Marston’s new builds gear up for a first festive period and look forward to a prosperous 2014. pays a visit to check in on five of its newest additions... Coaching Halt, Crawley said manager Bryan Major. and other classic surf & Opened: 25th November. Manager: Steve Arnold Chalkhill “Usually Sunday lunchtime turf dishes. Just a few weeks after the opening, the pub is Blue, Andover is our busiest period with “We are so pleased with how our first few weeks already fully booked for Christmas Day and they Opened: 25th November 2013 customers going crazy for have almost reached capacity for Boxing Day! Manager: Bryan Major our Rotisserie chicken. have gone and we are already getting to know the “We have been inundated with seasonal bookings “Business is growing “Our specials boards local community who have and we’re expecting a very busy Christmas Day, steadily at the pub and have also proved really been following the progress serving five courses with a choice for main of we have received a lot of popular with the locals, in of the pub and couldn’t wait either traditional turkey, duck, steak or salmon. passing trade as we’re particular the Hawaiian to get in when we opened.” “Overall we are taking a large number of orders situated just off the A303,” gammon, steak and ribs for our daily specials, and on the front Ringwood Best has been really popular as well as Wychwood’s Hobgoblin and Marston’s Old Pottery Pedigree,” said manager Steve Arnold. Kiln, Witham Opened: 25th November 2013 Manager: Nicola harper The Two for One pub has been welcomed Saxon Penny, “Steaks have been flying with open arms by the out the door especially since locals of Witham. Our Lichfield Opened: 18th November the addition of our new char- ‘build your own burger’ Manager: Michael Ennor griller. Fish dishes are also has been a massive hit The Saxon Penny is gearing up becoming really popular and with customers as well for Christmas with nearly all the are proving to be as the Sunday roast. bookings filled for Christmas a great accompaniment, in “In addition to the Day. The pub’s three course particular Sneck Lifter and food offer, our choice meal on New Year’s Eve is Hobgoblin. We can often go of ales has proved to also receiving a large number through nine gallons a day!” be extremely popular. of bookings. said manager Michael Ennor. Hobgoblin and Pedigree in particular have gone down a storm,” said pub manager Nicola Harper. Dunnichen Stone, steak pie and ale gravy. “We are looking It’s been an extremely busy festive forward to Christmas at Forfar season already. We’ve had over the Old Pottery Kiln and Opened: 11th November. Manager: Bruce Sheridan 1,000 Christmas fayre bookings in we are planning to bring “We’ve had a successful two December and hope to serve 1,700 in the New Year in style weeks. The Rotisserie chicken in total! with live entertainment has been extremely popular as The festivities don’t stop there; throughout the evening.” it’s something different to what’s we have sold 150 tickets for our usually on the menu. Our specials Hogmanay celebrations, which will have also gone down a treat, in include a three course meal and all particular our homemade Scottish night entertainment.” 8 December 2013 December 2013 9 Old Empire tops Angie’s Pub raises vital funds national poll Lifeline for Lily–Mae Morrison A landlady moved by the plight of It’s official, Marston’s Old Empire dominated by juicy malt and a big children living in poverty has begun a The Hawk & Buckle in provided the entertainment is the best tasting cask beer. Cask citrus hop bitterness and the finish campaign to help families this Christmas. Etwall, Derbyshire put and the pub also held a Marque’s Caskfinder app has revealed is long, lingering, quenching and Angela Shortland, landlady of the the fun into fundraiser tombola raffling off a whole the results of its six month survey. beautifully balanced. Nag’s Head in Borrowash, has teamed up with a weekend event host of fantastic prizes With over 150,000 downloads of the app, In picking up the Caskfinder accolade, with the chairman of Borrowash Victoria to help raise money for including an overnight stay beer drinkers rate the cask beer they are Marston’s marketing manager, Gaynor Football Club, Frazer Watson, to give Lily–Mae Morrison — in a beautiful Derby hotel, a drinking with a score from 1 — 5. While Old Green said: “We’re thrilled that Old struggling local families a hand. raising a fantastic £850 coffee machine and luxury Empire had fewer votes compared with Empire has received the level of The pair have launched a project in the process. chocolate hampers to name other beers, it’s overall score for quality recommendation by true cask to provide 20 needy families with an Lily–Mae Morrison has made but a few. and taste was much higher, pushing beer enthusiasts and is no less individual Christmas box containing food, national headlines over the past The pub also saw special it into the top slot. than it deserves. Old Empire toys and clothes. year after being diagnosed with guests from Derby County Old Empire comprises all the is a permanent beer in our The project called ‘Angie’s Lifeline’ a rare form of cancer called Football Club in attendance, genuine characteristics of a true portfolio and is available to will see the packages distributed by Neuroblastoma, which affects one including the chairman of the India Pale Ale (IPA). It has a any great cask ale pubs who Erewash Borough Council. in 100,000 children in Ireland. club Sam Rush. tempting aroma of biscuity malt, want to try the original and the Angie said: “We’re convinced that we Managers Dwayne and To date, the charity has floral hops, vanilla and toffee with best of the many India Pale can make a real difference if we reach Janet Field and the Hawk & raised over €430,000. hints of citrus fruit. The palate is Ales available today.” our achievable goal of 20 hampers.” Buckle team hosted a fun For further information fuelled two day extravaganza. about Lily-Mae, please visit: Local artist Richard Clarke www.thesunnimaetrust.ie New campaign for Pedigree Pedi takes the hat trick A new campaign for our flagship Burton brew is to be unveiled in the new year The Pedigree pint glass mascot raced home to take first place in front of a with the marketing team promising that drinkers will have the chance to be record crowd at the Marston’s Beer Festival Raceday at Uttoxeter in November. even closer to their favourite pale ale!

It was the third year running several lengths ahead by the time from all over the region enjoying Beer fans were also able to see Look out for clues on social media for that Pedi has been first past the he sailed past the finishing post. an exciting raceday programme the vintage Marston’s vehicle and the pre–launch chit chat. post in the highly competitive Second was Old Thumper with with a range of Marston’s best Marston’s cooper Mark Newton, line–up that included Uttoxeter Giddy Utch taking third. Banks’s loved beers in the beer festival and his assistant Graham Benford, Racecourse’s own mascot, and Cumberland Ale picked up marquee. Linda Bagnell from demonstrating the centuries–old marstonspedigree ‘Giddy Utch’. fourth and fifth positions with a the Queen’s Head in Congleton art of coopering, otherwise known Pedi was determined to make trailing Brakspear Oxford Gold was out in force with the biggest as barrel–making. it home in style in front of his bringing up the rear. party of the day — 68 staff and Kirsty Polmeer, assistant brand heartland crowd and had spent Cheering them on was a customers — who had travelled manager for Marston’s said: “What @marstonpedigree time limbering up beforehand. He crowd that included hundreds of to Uttoxeter on a double decker a fantastic day the racecourse puts got off to a great start and was local pubs and their customers bus to celebrate Linda’s birthday. on for beer fans and pubs.” Left: Hairy Potter and Pete Moran play at being part of the Stoke City team 10 December 2013 December 2013 11

JENNINGS FINDS THE BIGGEST LIAR IN THE WORLD Take ale home for Christmas Continuing to drive growth Hobgoblin, Marston’s Pedigree, in the take–home market is Manns and Banks’s Mild, along one of Marston’s key long– with seasonal brews Bah Humbug term objectives. from Wychwood and Jennings Staying in line with brand Redbreast which are only available innovation, Marston’s has wrapped for the festive period. up a festive bundle of goodies for ale Jo Wyke, brand manager for drinkers this Yuletide. The Christmas Wychwood and Hobgoblin said: Classic Ales pack features a “We have chosen the ales for selection of tasty seasonal ales, the Christmas Classic Ales pack which will make the perfect as their taste reflects the season Christmas gift for friends and family. — including best sellers such as The six pack collection Hobgoblin, combined with the The Jennings World’s was the perfect pint to to have won this fantastic includes classic favourites such festive flavours of Bah Humbug Biggest Liar competition commemorate the night. competition for the third time; gold by as Wychwood’s ever popular and Red Breast.” has crowned Mike Naylor However, it was Mike who I have been trying for the hat from Wasdale as this stole the show — his story trick for a few years now. It’s year’s winner. regarding Chinook helicopters something which has been going name The sell–out internationally– and clones of Bruce Forsyth had for so long I feel honoured to be Oxford Gold has been named renowned Cumbrian competition the crowd in hysterics. He claimed named 2013’s winner.” winner of best ale in the Quality Marston’s welcomes didn’t disappoint with the the title by impressing the judges Jennings brewery assistant Drink Awards 2013, which SOMETHING’S STIRRING laughs, as the weird and wacky who picked his elaborate lie above brand manager Sarah Grave said: celebrate Britain’s greatest food tales were told throughout the past winners Jack Harvey, John “What another great event – the and drink producers from around Christmas in course of the evening to over Graham and Howard Christie. World’s Biggest Liar competition the country. DEEP IN THE WOOD Our Burton brewery threw open the gates 200 attendees. Mr Naylor is no stranger to always creates a lot of interest Brakspear assistant brand manager Brewers at the Wychwood Brewery have developed to liberate the taste buds. in December for its annual Christmas Our Jennings World’s the competition with this year with tickets selling out in record Ali Butler said “In such a fiercely three new characterful brews for the off trade. His toasted malt flavour is Extravaganza and Beer Festival to the delight Biggest Liar seasonal ale being his third win, he has time this year! I personally didn’t competitive market it was a great balanced by a pronounced of hundreds of guests. was served up on the evening entered every year since 2005. stop laughing; it was a great honour just to be shortlisted for these Similar to Hobgoblin, these joining the mischievous hop, delivering a robust There were Christmas gift ideas galore with local craft stalls to the thirsty crowd, which Mike said: “I’m delighted evening of entertainment.” awards. To win is absolutely brilliant and brews not only pack a Hobgoblin on the shelves... yet sweet 4.7% abv ale. such as Merry Berry Chocolates, Remarkable Foods, Partylite is testament to the hard work that goes punch in terms of taste, but Candles and Starphoto present. A range of Marston’s beers, hampers in to producing our great beers”. all three have a character Imperial Red is Dr Thirsty’s is a and merchandise were available with the Tutbury Wind Band creating Oxford Gold at 4.6% is a premium at their very essence. Let deep ruby in colour, this shimmering blonde and is a merry Christmas atmosphere. craft brewed beer produced using us introduce the tribe character comes in peace instantly refreshing with Food and drink was plentiful inside the Visitor’s Centre whilst happy 21st to the alyn a blend of English and Continental its concoction of fruits outside in the beer festival tent The Elf Bar served a range of hops and fermented with the unique providing a lush, fragrant Marston’s beers along with a specially brewed barrel of Pedro — In their time at the helm of the Brakspear yeast. Over 200 years of aroma and 4.1% abv. No.4 the famous Pedigree and ‘Owd Roger blend. Marston’s venue, Alex and Andrew brewing tradition are reflected in this blonde is the first of the Our Jennings and Banks’s breweries also put on a number of have seen the pub through some unchallenging flavoursome beer. good Doctor’s elixirs to fun and festive events to the delight of their local communities. interesting times. These include an The judges were so impressed with appear from the depths Santa was even on hand at the Jennings brewery carol concert to extension when the pub doubled in Oxford Gold that some felt they could of his apothecary. What hand out presents to the children in attendance. size and a flood from the river where enjoy a few more pints! Plaudits from happened to the previous Sarah Grave, assistant brand manager for Jennings, said: the pub takes its name from. The the panel included comments like it is three is a mystery to us… “We understand our role of bringing the community together and flood, which happened almost 12 “a good bittersweet beer with a yeasty are committed to keeping these traditions alive and kicking.” L–R: Owners Andrew and Alex Smeaton with Mayor and Mayoress of Wrexham. years ago, swept through the pub combination” and that the ale “would be Black Wych is and took a lot of restoration work great for a hot summer day in ”. an alluring rich dark Alex and Andrew Smeaton The mayor, local councillors and to get it back to its former glory. malt, which allows the have been running The valued customers from the village The Alyn has been extremely bitterness to creep in, but Alyn Riverside Country joined in with the celebrations at lucky to have staff who have been watch out for the caramel Pub, located in the the pub. Live music and canapés with the pub from the very start, with sweetness. Although silky picturesque village of inspired by some of the pub’s Val Davies working at the pub for 21 smooth, this dark and Rossett, since 1992. most–loved dishes from the last years and Helen Delaney for 19 years. mysterious 5% abv This year, 2013, marked 21 years, plus plenty of fizz, Both form part of a very valued front is definitely a force to be its 21st anniversary. really got the party started. of house and kitchen team. reckoned with. 12 December 2013