Beer Lines Understands That the Chef from the Ram Porter and Caledonian XPA

beethe magazine of the North Hampshirer linesbranch of the Campaign for Real Ale

ISSUE 8 JANUARY-MARCH 2015 FREE please C parliament. Pho take a AMRA members d copy to

by emons Harmit Kambo tr ating o utsid . e

In This Issue... • Co-ALE-ition Exposed! • Yew Tree, Lower Wield • West Berkshire Brewery • Isle of Wight Tour • Tadley Pub Walk WWW.CAMRAHANTSNORTH.ORG.UK ... & LOADS MORE beerlines North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA Issue 8 | WINTER 2015

WBBREW.COM WESTBERKBREW www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk

2 www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk 3 WINTER 2015 8 | WINTER Issue (Magazine Editor, North Hampshire CAMRA) North Hampshire (Magazine Editor, ell, we’ve done it. By ‘we’ I mean the it. By ‘we’ I mean ell, we’ve done members asthousands of CAMRA organisations well as the many other The bill should spell the end of the scandalThe bill should spell the needs to be kept up on pressure However, changing *CAMRA membership rates are And nally ﬁ a Hoppy New Beer to all our Editor’s Shout Editor’s you to welcome A warm W including UNITE, Punch licensees’ group and licensees’ group including UNITE, Punch petition to end the Great others who signed the British Pub Scandal. What We have helped we defeat the achieved? government in an amendment to a bill thatParliamentary vote on a crucial British for the Great the future should help secure governmentcoalition The Pub. defeated was votes to 259 as MPs from in November by 284 only a market rent all parties voted to introduce companies. pub big tied to the licensees option for out of business of pubco licensees being forced beer and tied over-the-top high rents through who generally treat prices. The family brewers, will not be affected. their licensees fairly, tothose MPs who supported the bill to continue Lords. of House the from returns it when it support is a lot of disinformation put out There out there, and others with a vested interest by PubCo’s to intended is It status quo. the maintaining in derail the process of reform. We must not let that represent MPs who two Tory happen. Sadly the voted against constituencies in our branch area the amendment. A23. page on ad the see 2015; January from excellent value represents membership year’s as Wetherspoon vouchers with a saving of given to all members. Newly issued per pint are 50p cider as well as Real vouchers will cover real or discounted Ale. CAMRA members get free receive festivals, beer CAMRA to admission a monthly newspaper ‘What’s quarterly magazine ‘BEER’ plus many discounts Brewing’ and a also with other companies. Gift memberships are available. So, why wait? Did I get that right? readers. Cheers! Jim Turner

North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA CAMRA of Branch Hampshire North

PUBLISHED BY Capital Media Group Central Buildings, Middlegate, Newark-on-Trent, NG24 1AG Nottinghamshire, t: 01636 302 302 e: [email protected] www.thisiscapital.com Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. eld Road, St. Albans, Herts, AL1 4LW 230 Hatﬁ [email protected] t: 01727 867 201 e: www.camra.org.uk Reserved. All Rights Media Group. Capital © 2015 may be transmitted, publication No part this of otherwise or photocopied recorded, reproduced, the of permission written express the without holder. copyright Trading Standards (Hampshire) Standards Trading Winchester Way, Montgomery House, Monarch SO22 5PW [email protected] t: 01962 833620 e: www.hants.gov.uk The Editor reserves the right to amend or shorten shorten or amend right to the reserves Editor The © copyright publication. All editorial for contributions 2015 CAMRA Hampshire North publication in this expressed Views Disclaimer: not are and authors individual their of those are committee branch Editor, by the necessarily endorsed Nor Ale nationally. Real for Campaign th the or to in relation no liability accepts CAMRA Hampshire rely must readers advertisements; of accuracy the that be also noted should It enquiries. own their on publication in this advertisement an of acceptance by quality of be endorsement not deemed an should CAMRA. Hampshire North Web: www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk Web: @CamRAHantsNorth Twitter: CAMRA’ Hampshire ‘North Facebook: All officers can be contacted securely through securely through be contacted can All officers below): (see website our – John Buckley Officer Clubs Pubs and Cross – Brenda Secretary Membership Myatt – Phil Contact Branch – currently vacant Social Secretary Cross – Doug Treasurer Branch Butler – Ian Webmaster – John Buckley Regional Director Editor Jim Turner e: [email protected] Chairman Branch post currently vacant Committee Secretary Branch Michael Hodson e: [email protected] Branch Contacts Branch lines beer beerlines North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA Issue 8 | WINTER 2015

Peter, Fran and the team welcome you to The Fur & Feathers. A Victorian pub situated in the Hampshire countryside. You can while away the hours over a great pint complemented by some delicious home made food. Always warm and cosy no matter what the weather does outside with two roaring log burners keeping the winter chills away on the outside and a good selection of lesser known Whisky/Whiskey, Brandy, Gin & Rum for the inside. We have a well stocked Humidor with cuban cigars to be enjoyed in our log lined smoking shelter. • Usually 4 Ales on tap with at least two LocAle selected Ales • Sharp's Orchard Cider • Hazy Hog Cider from Hogs Back Brewery • Becks Vier • Budvar • Peroni

HERRIARD, BASINGSTOKE, HAMPSHIRE, RG25 2PN • 01256 384170 • www.thefurandfeathers.co.uk

Opening Times Food Service times Tues - Thurs: 12 noon - 3pm & 5pm - 11pm Tues - Sat: 12 noon - 2:30pm Fri & Sat: 12 noon - 11pm & 6.30pm - 9pm Sun: 12 noon - 6pm Sun: 12 noon - 3pm www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk

4 www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk 5

WINTER 2015 8 | WINTER Issue (new beer) beer) (new Belgarum Lamplight Porter Porter Lamplight Brewery Longdog Pure Gold and Andwell Gold Muddler. Pure Itchen ValleyItchen (new brewery) (new Porter Cat Mr M’s Red Phil Myatt CAMRA members were invited to register in invited to register CAMRA members were the from see the Tweets And if you didn’t We also ran a ‘beer of the festival’ vote, vote, festival’ the of a ‘beer also ran We had at OctoberFest an everyone where favourite their nominate to opportunity ciders. or beers four were: winners The Black Serious Brewery 1st Betteridge’s (new brewery) cream stout cream brewery) (new 2nd winner) (former 3rd honey with beer - golden 4th an with be presented will All winners next the to go forward will and award finals.Well Year the of Beer Hampshire good luck. all and done one and OctoberFest Winners OctoberFest our raffl e our for raffl a chance to win something from a selection of gifts donated by our generous great and branch members. local brewers rst festival casks the to fi sell out on Friday night Longdog Bunny Chaser at 21.41, followed were Not Bitter, Itchen Believe It’s by Oakleaf I Can’t Valley Bar. This bar can be seen at This Bar. arrived and had Hampshire major events around the Boat Show in Southampton. from direct Bar. This bar can be seen at bar can be seen at This This Bar. Bar. Upham There were were There at Brewery their Punter music and beer event from sponsor a second tent, hosting a full line-up of more changes more year withthis cent, that was dangerously drinkable. Vibrant Forest, Vibrant Forest, our strongest beer at 9.5 per North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA CAMRA of Branch Hampshire North

his year was the 6th year that Northhis year was the 6th with CAMRA has been involved Hampshire year OctoberFest and my 5th Hampshire’s

As before we endeavoured to get every beer we endeavoured As before Andwellincluded highlights my of Some

of getting the beer and cider ordered and readied and readied of getting the beer and cider ordered for the enjoyment. public’s We had a new venue Milestones Museum this time, having moved from of the Basingstoke to a new site in the grounds Sports & Social Club. I hope John May approved with our ‘Bounty’ of Beer. of our efforts producers Hampshire and cider available from for your delight. That included 4 new breweries new beers alongside previous and numerous beers Hampshire different 130 with a favourites, in total. style beerKolsch a casks, oak in King John & Kitchen, beer festival special Brewhouse from and Black Oktober from Irving’s Captain B from

A report from the beers organiser beers the from A report

T OctoberFest 2014 OctoberFest

Hampshire lines beer beerlines North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA Issue 8 | WINTER 2015

CAMRA’s National Winter Ales Festival 2015 The Roundhouse, Derby, DE24 8JE

n 2015 CAMRA’s ﬂ agship National Winter Ales each evening, Festival will return to Derby for the second after which they Iyear running, with over 400 beers available the must leave due Festival will showcase some of the very best ales, to a licencing ciders, perries, bottled world beers and mead in requirement. three separate areas. The feedback from 2014 revealed that Located beside the Pride Park exit of Derby our customers loved the building, the beer quality Railway Station (just 93 minutes from London) and selection as well as the hot and cold food Derby’s historic Roundhouse could not be in a which was available. So why not join them and more convenient location. come and see Derby at its beery best? Four Brewery Bars have been agreed: multi Cheers! award winning Blue Monkey from Nottingham; Gillian Hough innovative North Star from Derbyshire both in the Organiser National Winter Ales Festival Main Hall, Derby’s very own Brunswick Brewing Company in the Music Marquee and Yorkshire’s shining gem Brass Castle in the Carriage Room. Where: The Roundhouse, Derby, DE24 8JE The National Winter Ales Festival is home to When: Open from Wednesday 11th – Saturday CAMRA’s prestigious Champion Winter Beer of 14th February 2015 Britain Competition which sees the four winter- styles of beer (porters, stouts, old ales/strong milds and barley wine/strong old ales) being gathered from across the UK to be judged and a winner declared. The festival itself has lots of pale beers and golden ales to choose from too. The website www.nwaf.org.uk will be updated regularly with details of admission prices, live entertainment, tutored tastings and special hotel rates thanks to our partners at www. visitderby.co.uk. There are no advance tickets as this is a pay on the door event. Well behaved and supervised under 18s are welcomed until 19:00 www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk

6 www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk 7

WINTER 2015 8 | WINTER Issue North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA CAMRA of Branch Hampshire North lines beer beerlines North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA Issue 8 | WINTER 2015

Bar Chat News & gossip around the North Hampshire branch area

f you have any information about your pubs The Weyhill Fair has dropped their beer prices. (closures, openings, changes of owner and so Fuller’s Chiswick Bitter is £3.00 pint and Fuller’s Ion), please contact the editor at beerlines@ Traitors Gate £3.50. This represents a 45p drop on camrahantsnorth.org.uk the dearest beer since the last incumbent. These prices were as of November 2014. (PY) The Railway Tavern, Andover, closed at the time of going to press, is now set to become a The Eagle, Abbots Ann had the following beers ‘Restaurant – Pub – Coffee Shop’, well, according on towards the end of November: Skinner’s Betty to social media. At least the word ‘Pub’ is in there. Stogs, Betteridge’s Jenny Wren, Ramsbury Black Beer Lines understands that the chef from the Ram Porter and Caledonian XPA. (PY) Essebourne Manor (Michelin Star) is going to be White Hart Hotel, the head chef. The establishment is due to reopen The Overton, now owned by in February 2015. It is rumoured that it will be Upham Brewery is due to re-open in February this called the ‘Lunar Hare’. The last licensee, ex Lamb, year. (PH) Angel and lately the Tavern, Paul Moorhouse, has Shortly after the closure of the Coronation Arms, moved to the George at Thruxton. (PY/JB/MB) St Mary Bourne in the Bourne Valley, the owners of Hurstbourne The Lamb, Andover is now closed and will the at Hurstbourne Priors applied become the ‘canteen’ for ‘Be Wiser’ Insurance to turn it into a house. (JB) Co. (PY) The Calleva Arms, Silchester, has new tenants The Greyhound, Overton has new licensees. (PH) as of the end of November. Keren and Stuart Spratley - they’re local people, and Keren has worked at the pub in the past, so she knows the regulars well. There’s a new chef and menu and Quick Quiz For answers see page 13 they are looking forward to a successful 2015. (MH) Each clue has a double meaning with the Chris and Karen of the Angel Inn, Andover have same one-word answer. Rearrange the taken a six-year tenancy from Greene King. With first letter of each answer to find a Cornish 15 years’ experience in running pubs, Chris beer drunk in a miserable pub (7 letters). currently has other premises in the Swindon area 1. Mouse and Most and Beer Lines understands his intention is to run 2. Cricket pitch in the round the Angel as a community-focused pub whilst 3. Heavy duty fastening ran off emphasising the many historic features that the suddenly pub possesses. (MB) 4. Rate a bad smell At the recent Wadworth Brewery awards night, 5. Boringly noisy unmanned plane the Town Mills, Andover was presented with a 6. Coming up for more pay Silver Award in the Tenanted Houses Perfect Pint 7. Heart of a musical instrument 2014 category. Congratulations to Licensee Pete and his team, particularly Ian who looks after the Brenda Cross www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk cellar. (JB) 8 www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk 9 WINTER 2015 8 | WINTER Issue After the AGM had been concluded, the What are the plans for the Company? Well, issue, they will move Following their next share Catweazle further share further share issue. It is the intention to this structure to qualify for Enterprise Investment Support. If a you are member of the CAMRA Members Investment Club, you will already as the Club are in this brewery have an interest amongst the new shareholders. brewery the of tour a on taken were shareholders I was lucky enough to be on the in several groups. by Dave Maggs – the founder, taken around group Over the years and original brewer. Life President the but tours, brewery few a quite on been have I knowledge, experience and enthusiasm of Dave made this tour special. run one tied house in a little village. they currently possible it has just not proved Despite all efforts, theyto successfully run this as a tied house, so on aplan to divest themselves of this and take successful, and David town pub. If this proves area, Bruce has plenty of past successes in this then other town pubs will also be acquired and capacity further, to a bigger site and increase have also install a bottling plant, as they currently cant expense to ship around the country at signiﬁ not meanget their beer bottled. This does to sothe draught side will be overlooked however ofpint a enjoying to forward look all still can you Good Old Boy at a pub near you soon! Adapted from an with the kind publication Pint in Hand. Reproduced article rst ﬁ published Roger Jacobson. permission of Editor, in SPBW’s North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA CAMRA of Branch Hampshire North

One of David’s ﬁ rst jobs was to set up the offer offer the up set to was jobs rst ﬁ David’s of One This constant growth means that the current means that the current constant growth This

A neighbouring brewery set to build on its success its on build set to brewery A neighbouring

n 1995 Dave and Helen Maggs establishedn 1995 Dave and Helen Pot Kiln behind the brewery a local Berkshire with the mission Frilsham, Berkshire in pub West Berkshire Brewery Berkshire West various companies over the years by setting up a of raising over £66 million of investments in his plans. He will be bringing to bear his experience description of the Company’s exciting expansion description of the Company’s raised during the meeting and quite a detailed on to give full and frank answers to all questions greeting me enthusiastically on arrival then goingthen arrival on me enthusiastically greeting arrived at 10.30 am. David was on excellent form, more pleasurable by the bar being open before I pleasurable by the bar being open before more interesting and very friendly affair – made all the and very friendly affair interesting whom attended the inaugural AGM. This was anwhom attended the inaugural AGM. This was 278 new shareholders, the vast majority of 278 new shareholders, pub chain. This attracted for sale for part of the Company. Bruce, founder of the original Firkin home-brew Bruce, founder of the original Firkin home-brew selling beer for his entire 47 year career – David 47 year career selling beer for his entire They found someone who has been brewing and They found someone who has been brewing help drive their plans for further development. also wanted an experienced Chairman who would they decided to sell off part of the Company. They of the Company. part sell off to decided they to explore their options. As a result of this review, of this review, their options. As a result to explore ‘their baby’ so it was time for a strategic review ‘their baby’ so it was time for a strategic review intention of selling off and severing their ties with intention of selling off be approaching retirement age. They had no retirement be approaching and the founding shareholders are soon tosoon are shareholders founding the and premises are already becoming a bit cramped already are premises rate of 20 per cent, which is pretty phenomenal. rate of 20 per cent, which is pretty 2001, the Company has an average annual growth 2001, the Company has an average annual growth in Yattendon – a few miles outside Reading. Since – a few miles outside in Yattendon premises at the Flour Barn, Frilsham Home Farmpremises necessitated another move in 2012 to their current in 2012 to their current necessitated another move fi rst fi move to larger premises. Further growth further fi nance into further the fi Company, enabling their friends Helen and Andrew Baum, who injected Baum, friends Helen and Andrew the Company, bringing on board their good bringing on board the Company, too small, so in 1998 they decided to incorporatetoo small, so in 1998 they popularity of their beers, the original site was soonpopularity of their beers, using ingredients as local as feasible. Due to thefeasible. Due as local as using ingredients statement to brew beers of the highest quality beers of statement to brew

I lines beer beerlines North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA Issue 8 | WINTER 2015

A selection of draught and bottled real ales Trade deliveries weekly within 30 miles

Ideal for parties, weddings Come and visit our traditional village and functions pub with its open fires, oak beams MONDAY and warm, friendly welcome. NIGHT SPECIAL Two steaks or fish Visit our brewery shop - Tr y our delicious home-cooked food, dishes plus bottle of week days 8-4 which uses fresh quality ingredients selected wine and is renowned for its excellence. £30 Free local home delivery! • Child friendly & dog friendly • Selection of real ales from local Online orders and payment breweries plus guest ales The George Inn (See our website for details) • Extensive choice of fine wines Vernham Dean, SP11 0JY at affordable prices t: 01264 737279 The Old Sawmill, Nyewood, • Freshly ground coffee e: [email protected] Nr Petersfield, hants GU31 5HA • Enclosed beer garden www.thegeorge Telephone: 01730 821 362 • Open every day from midday atvernhamdean.co.uk www.ballards-brewery.co.uk

Ian, Christine & the Team welcome you to the CARPENTERS ARMS Close to Highclere Castle, the home of Downton Abbey, and with views over Watership Down, settings don’t come much better than this.

Enjoy a warm, friendly welcome and excellent home cooked food in our comfortable bar or conservatory. We also have 7 character rooms in our B&B so why not park up the car and stay the night?

T: 01635 278251 • e:[email protected] www.carpentersarms-burghclere.co.uk www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk

10 www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk 11 The Yew Tree Yew The WINTER 2015 8 | WINTER Issue and has recently and has recently Guide Beer Good On the subject of Tim, it must be said thatOn the subject of Tim, in feature a regular has been Tree The Yew out search and maps the out then to dig Time David Dry he must be the prime reason for visiting the Yew for visiting the Yew he must be the prime reason merrily singing he can often be heard where Tree what he calls away in the kitchen as he prepares price’ for his at a reasonable ‘good pub fare has been and visitors alike. Tim eclectic regulars a for ten years and comes from here the landlord but decided to ‘put his management background, l his dream of money where his mouth is’ and fulﬁ running a successful pub and being his own boss. CAMRA’s graced the pages of Country Life magazine as from well as having the accolade of an award Life magazine. Hampshire pub. Tree Yew the lovely and Tim irrepressible the Simply put: Tim’s budget beer prices Simply put: Tim’s £2.50 per pint! that start at a very reasonable

the ‘small surprise’? an excellent choice. Oh, CAMRA CAMRA so crowd, ﬁ rm favourite ﬁ with the from nowhere nowhere from become ato - a brewery brewery a - has comethat - a brewery brewery brewery a a - - has comethat cent Punter Upham from cent Punter Upham Upham from from visit the choice was the 4 per was the 4 perwas the 4 per North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA CAMRA of Branch Hampshire North idden in the folds of the Wessex countryside Wessex the of folds the in idden , a 300 Tree the Yew is a rural gem of a pub, year old building set in the tiny village of

For the Real Ale crowd there’s a small surprise, there’s For the Real Ale crowd

as The Yew Tree has a policy of both keeping Yew policy of both keeping Yew has a Tree as The Yew Pride) at 3.8 per cent Alton’s fff Bitter (Triple Tree alternative. locally-sourced On our and a rotating

Lower Wield, Hampshire. For a number of reasons reasons of number a For Hampshire. Wield, Lower is worth Tree of The Yew the well-kept secret for the more perhaps seeking out. The drive or, the cycle ride, takes you up through energetic, a Thomas chalk hills carved straight from rolling novel to catch up with the wit and culinary Hardy and his enthusiastic Gray Tim skills of landlord team of helpers.

Tim’s Yew Tree Yew Tim’s

Pub Focus H

Photos: David Dry lines beer beerlines North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA Issue 8 | WINTER 2015

What’s Happening? North Hampshire Branch Diary & other events

Tuesday 20th January creation of the brewery to the brewing process. CAMRA North Hampshire fi rst Good Beer Basingstoke Discovery Centre (Library) 2.00pm. Guide selection meeting for 2016 publication. £3.00 per person. www.longdogbrewery.co.uk Basingstoke Sports & Social Club 8.00 pm. Friday 20th – Saturday 21st March Saturday 24th January 5th CAMRA Winchester Real Ale & Cider West of branch area fi rst Good Beer Guide Festival, Winchester Guildhall, High Street, selection meeting for 2016 publication. Town Winchester SO23 9GH. Advance notice: Four Mills, Andover, 12.00 noon. sessions Fri. 11:30 – 16:00 & 18:30 – 23:00, Sat. 11:30 – 16:00 & 18:30 – 23:00. Tickets £5, £10, Tuesday 27th January £7 & £8 respectively, available early February. Branch meeting Maidenhead Inn, Basingstoke, 8.00pm Tuesday 31st March Branch meeting, Basingstoke Conservative Club, Friday 30th - Saturday 31st January Bounty Road, 8.00pm. CAMRA Salisbury Winterfest XVIII, Royal British Legion Club, 11 Endless Street, Salisbury SP1 Friday 17th – Sunday 19th April 1DL. Open Friday 18:30 – 23:00, Saturday CAMRA members’ weekend AGM in 11:00 – 15:30 and 18:30 – 23:00. All tickets £5, Nottingham. See www.camraagm.org.uk including glass & souvenir programme. Call Tuesday 28th April 01722 355140 with ticket enquiries. ‘Brewing in Hampshire’, a talk by David Williams Friday 6th – Saturday 7th February from the Brewing History Society. From the start 27th CAMRA Dorchester Beerex, Corn Exchange, of brewing in the Ancient World to the growth North Square, Dorchester DT1 1HF of giant national brewers, the story of brewing in Hampshire has a colourful history. David will Open Friday & Saturday 11:00 – 15:30 and 18:00 lead us on a journey describing how the number – 23:30. All sessions £10. Admission includes and size of breweries have changed over the commemorative glass plus three ½ pints. centuries and of course, there’ll be mention of Wednesday 11th – Saturday 14th February the infamous Basingstoke Riots! Basingstoke National Winter Ales Festival, the Roundhouse, Discovery Centre (Library) 2.00pm. £3.00 per Derby. See page 6. person. Details available at www.breweryhistory.com Tuesday 17th February Good Beer Guide selection 2nd meeting. Events may well have been added to or www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk clarifi ed since Beer Lines went to press. For up-to-date information please contact social@ Wednesday 18th February Beer Lines mop up and publishing meeting. The camrahantsnorth.org.uk or visit our main Bounty, Basingstoke at 7pm. All welcome. website www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk. If you would like to have your real ale-related Tuesday 3rd March event published here please contact the editor Talk by Phil and Lisa Robins of Longdog Brewery. at [email protected] for www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk They will take us on a ‘Real Ale Journey’ from the magazine deadlines. 12 www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk 13 WINTER 2015 8 | WINTER Issue

North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA CAMRA of Branch Hampshire North

We need a North Hampshire CAMRA CAMRA Hampshire a North need We a Saturday organise to willing member public bus perhaps a mid-week or a month. once route tour/drinking to months, maybe summer And, in the bicycle. by pub tours group arrange social other facilitate anyone can Also, lack current The branch? the for events is limiting our a Social Secretary of engage to in relevant opportunities welcome drinking activities. We visits but need people suggestions for them. run to volunteer to Mike Secretary Contact Interested? page inside for Hodson - see front details. contact Wanted... Wanted... [on page Quiz [on Quick to 8] Answers 5. Drone; 4. Rank; 3. Bolted; 1. Mickey; 2. Oval; in a drunk beer ‘Cornish The Organ. 6. Arise; 7. pub’ is Sharp’smiserable DOOMBAR. lines beer beerlines North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA Issue 8 | WINTER 2015

The Cider Binn A bit of cider history

5 BC What have the Romans done for us? Forest Cider. Moving into Berkshire, just over Everyone knows that line from Life of Brian. the border we have Tutts Clump Cider and Well they didn’t bring us cider. Wine yes, Lambourn Valley Cider. 5cider, no. When they invaded, the English cider Tutts Clump Cider are setting up a new cider tradition was in place and it is rumoured that shop at the Travellers Rest Farm in Bradfi eld which Julius Caesar became a cider fan. Under Roman will be worth a visit. rule cider production fl ourished in Britain. Finding any of these ciders on sale in NW 400 AD After the Romans left in the mid Dark Hampshire region pubs is a challenge but they do Ages and Britain was hit by raids from the Danes, appear at our local Beer and Cider festivals. Vikings and Saxons our orchards fell into disuse. Tony Binns And then …? 1066 AD What have the Normans done for us? Well when William of Falaise beat King Harold somewhere in Sussex and became William the Local Pub Update Conqueror he brought the Norman tradition of cider making back into Britain which then Pubs in our region regularly selling real cider Purefoy Arms fl ourished under Norman rule. It started in Kent are still the , Preston Candover, Swan and then moved back into the traditional areas New Inn, Tadley and the in Sherborne of Somerset, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and St John. Hampshire. Our local Wetherspoons pubs haven’t had 18th century cider making as a commercial a real cider available for quite sometime enterprise, rather than being home- or farm- although the John Russell Fox in Andover had based started just after beer brewing. Our oldest Gwynt y Ddraig Black Dragon on sale recently. recorded commercial cider brewer is Aspall Another pub in the Andover area, the Eagle in founded in 1728. Aspall was founded by the Abbots Ann has Old Rosie on tap. Chevallier family from Jersey. There is a tenuous connection between Aspall For those of you who work in London or of Kent and Hampshire. Lord Kitchener, he of the maybe visiting, these cider pubs may be famous ‘England Needs You’ Great War recruiting worth a try:- • Cider Tap, poster was the son of Frances Anne Chevallier. He 190 Euston Road died when the HMS Hampshire struck a German • The Harp, 47 Chandos Place, Covent mine and sank on 5th June 1916. Garden 2014 AD By the time you read this our • Green Man, 36 Riding House Street, UK cider and perry makers will have come to Fitzrovia the end of their pressing season that starts in If you know of a pub in our branch area, October each year and we can look forward to or even just outside it, please email the the fi nished product when it is released to the editor with details. www.beerlines@ market. In Hampshire our cider producers include camrahantsnorth.org.uk www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk Mr Whitehead, 146 Cider Company and New 14 www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk 15 WINTER 2015 8 | WINTER Issue to see www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk Visit Visit the latest list with a map link • Oakley Barley Mow, • Valley Mary Bourne Bourne Inn, St • Inn, Upton Crown The • Warnborough North Derby, • Ann Eagle Inn, Abbotts • Waltham North Fox, The • Herriard Feathers, and Fur • near Hook Mattingley, Bottle, Leather • Warnborough North House, Mill • Arms, East Stratton Northbrook • Club Cricket Odiham & Greywell • Grateley Plough, • near Silchester London Inn, Little Plough • Whitchurch Regent, Prince • Lion, Overton Red • Inn, Dummer Sun • Inn, Freefolk Down Watership • Alley Charter Hart, White • Hook Hart, White • Scotney Sutton Arms, Wonston, Wonston • Inn, Totford Woolpack The • near Hook End Inn, Water Y Knot Current Pubs Current area in our

de l.com phere de ace, mos Pub Gui at ade Food ade Food y Roasts

ved Daily ved the Good Beer Gui Beer Good the gstoke, RG21 7JE gstoke, Queens Arms North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA CAMRA of Branch Hampshire North

Bunnian Pl Bunnian Ser sin & the Good & the us in Call (01256) 465488 Sunda Great ale in a ale Great oming more could you want? could more Homem ckallen2303@googlemai Ba nd

The e: ni Who is the brewery and what and is brewery Who is the

welc what Also in the next issue... next Also in the newest Hampshire’s on North A feature Hurstbourne of - Betteridge’s brewery Tarrant. April, in available a free copy up Pick local friendly your from May & June pub! ale real the hop strain? Read all about it in our it in our all Read about hop strain? the issue. next A major South of England brewery has brewery A major England of South to decision unprecedented the made their hop field close to its own plant thatis they What is important brewery. a long disappeared reintroduced have that, in its area the from hop variety than hops from popular more time was area. Kent the In Our Next Issue... Issue... Next In Our lines beer beerlines North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA Issue 8 | WINTER 2015

Morris Dancers and punters at the White Lion, Arreton

The Wight Way To The Pub Classic bus weekend on the island

rains, buses, ferries and beer seem to go enjoying almost a dozen different beers. At two well together and the fi rst Isle of Wight adjacent pubs in Arreton we were treated to TClassic Buses, Beer and Walks Weekend Morris dancing displays by the same troupe of confi rmed this. The event was organised jointly ladies! At Shanklin there was just time to look by the local CAMRA branch and the island bus inside the railway station where one of the ex- museum. About twenty vintage buses operated London Underground 1938 design tube trains seven routes accessing in excess of thirty pubs. was resting between duties. The day was blessed So on Saturday 18th October three intrepid North with fair weather enabling the fi ne scenery to be Hampshire Branch members caught a train to admired. As darkness descended we returned to Southampton shortly before 0900, boarded the Newport and enjoyed a couple of beers in the 1015 ferry and disembarked a mere 23 minutes Newport Ale House. Here we met up with old later at West Cowes just in time to catch the friends from the Alton Bus Running Day. By now fi rst classic bus to Newport (a 1969 Bristol RE). we were starting to slow down but still managed Newport Quay was the centre of operations where to enjoy a fi nal drink in the Cowes Ale House a large and colourful contingent of visiting buses before returning to the mainland aboard the complimented home-based vehicles and a bus 2115 ferry. A timely bus connection from the ferry museum. Perusal of the bus timetable revealed an terminal to Southampton railway station enabled almost limitless number of drinking options and us to catch the 2200 back to Basingstoke in time with diffi culty we compiled a basic plan. for last bus home. Thus ended a very pleasant Surprisingly we largely managed to stick to good day out and if the event is repeated next this schedule ultimately visiting seven pubs and year we will make a full weekend of it. Doug Cross

6500+ READERS If you own or manage a pub, bar or restaurant and serve real ales, it’s never been easier to get your business in front of more than 6,000 people! Beer Lines distributes to all branch area pubs in North Hampshire and advertising costs as little as £55 for 3 months. > CALL 01256 832 832 TODAY www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk

16 www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk 17 WINTER 2015 8 | WINTER Issue H s.eu RS ARMS e Th TE • Cask Beers ngley, Andover, SP11 0S • Function Room North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA CAMRA of Branch Hampshire North Ta • Seperate Dining Room & Bar Closed Lunchtime, Monday to Thursday

• Inglenook Fireplace & Wood Burning Stoves • Inglenook Fireplace & Wood

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unfortunately it was closed for refurbishment on the day of the walk and has been for several Pub Walk weeks. Hopefully it will be re-opened by the time this magazine is published as they usually serve a local real ale. Around Tadley On leaving turn left and continue passing a set of traffi c lights, continue to main road, (the A340), turn left, cross road and continue for 200 Start/Finish: Rowan Road, Tadley. RG26 3RG yards to the Fox & Hounds. A large well-furnished (OS Ref. SU 604614) welcoming pub with one large bar containing Total distance: 2 miles. several wide-screen TVs, showing mostly sport. There’s also a pool table, excellent food is served his easy 2-mile walk on pavement & gravel all day and there is a large beer garden. The two is best started from Basingstoke. Catch a handpumps serve two continuously changing number 2 (Baughurst) bus, alight at Rowan T real ales, often local. On the day of walk these Road roundabout, cross road and go right to the were Adnam’s Broadside and Hardy’s & Hanson’s roundabout, turn left on Rowan Road after 100 Rocking Rudolph, (while it was coming up to yards you will fi nd the New Inn which is a friendly Christmas), the cider was Weston’s Rosie’s Pig. On cosy local pub the origins of which can be traced leaving the pub turn right on to main road, cross back to 1806. A one-room bar with TV & darts road, continue for 600 yards to the bus stop at end for entertainment, there’s a real fi re in the winter of Rowan Road and the bus back to Basingstoke, months and a beer garden for the summer, two or better still return back around the corner to the handpumps serve Sharp’s Doom Bar permanently, for another beer. and an ever changing guest ale. On the day of New Inn the walk this was Arundel Sussex Gold and was Geoff King in excellent condition. Weston’s Old Rosie cider is also available. On leaving the pub turn left and after 100 yards turn left up Giles Road. Continue for 200 yards to Stephens Road, turn right continue across playing fi eld. On leaving the playing fi eld turn left heading for Ludlow Place, continue pass Ludlow Place, and James Place onto a gravel track, you are now on Broad Halfpenny Lane. At Y-junction take the right fork still on Broad Halfpenny Lane. On reaching the road the Broomsquires Hotel (formerly the Treacle Mine) is on your left. This hotel has seven en-suite rooms and a restaurant, www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk

18 www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk 19 WINTER 2015 8 | WINTER Issue has beenhas Blizzard Wild Weather Ales Weather Wild 1837 970 0118 www.wildweatherales.com Sherfield Village Brewery Village Sherfield 060429 07906 www.sherfieldvillagebrewery.co.uk , a fi ne session ale at 3.8%. Old Chap, a fi rm has favourite remained despite a beer fi Brewer and owner Mike Tempest has now and owner Mike Tempest Brewer The new beers are now available direct from from now available direct The new beers are A new 8.0% winter ale winter 8.0% new A Ten students, including several freshers, including several freshers, students, Ten Following 2013’s successful collaboration Following 2013’s installed his 4th fermenter vessel, which will during 2015. He is also building come on stream oor in a the mezzanine Silchester fl industrial unit, inventory and cask to cope with the increased storage requirements. the brewery in ‘growler’ 2-litre re-usable glass re-usable 2-litre in ‘growler’ the brewery keg’bottles with ceramic stoppers, and also in ‘key atable casks. infl 30 litre available since the end of November. It is amber in available since the end of November. too sweet or hoppy. very smooth, and not colour, doing very well, especially All the other beers are and the the new 6.0% Cumulo Citrus wheat IPA, . Front 3.6% Warm avoured ginger-fl visited the brewery in November 2014, creating in November 2014, creating visited the brewery not named as a very tasty 3.9% abv best bitter, beerChristmas 6.5% new A press. to went we in pubs in December. appeared with students from Reading University’s Real Ale Reading University’s with students from the exercise. SVB has repeated Society, Ann and the Fox and Hounds in Crawley. Jenny Hounds in Crawley. Ann and the Fox and Wren darker ales during the moving toward preferences The popular house ale, HBT, at the George winter. has been and Dragon in Hurstbourne Tarrant renamed both bottleboth Porter Longdog Brewery Longdog 324286 01256 www.longdogbrewery.co.uk Betteridge’s Brewery Betteridge’s 966058 07771 www.betteridgesbrewery.co.uk North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA CAMRA of Branch Hampshire North Andwell Brewing Company Brewing Andwell 76104401256 www.andwells.com 01962 79502301962 @MashBrewery Twitter www.mashbrewery.com Mash Brewery (MASH Gold) has nowhas Gold) (MASH Mash Monster

Bottled should still Tipple Tinker’s The Christmas brew, Sales are very good with the with very good Sales are The brewery has extended its reach into has extended its reach The brewery

Local brewery updates brewery Local completely sold out. The brewery will have a stall at completely sold out. The brewery 2015 in month a twice Market Farmer’s Winchester and will be at the Romsey Farmers’ once a Market month. Mash is also a regular at the Wednesday Winchester of the South’ market. ‘Produce be available into the New Year. The brewery was, The brewery be available into the New Year. like crazy “… brewing words Phil Robin’s in brewer Newto build up stocks for the Christmas rush.” outpump clips should now be in the pubs, look know your thoughts. for them and let the brewery conditioned and cask doing particularly well. Fiveconditioned and cask doing beer now on sale. TheLittle Fishes is the seasonal is waiting for planning permission forbrewery and a new of the cask store the redevelopment Function Facility. some more free houses in the area including The houses in the area free some more Bedwyn, The Eagle in Abbot’s in Great 3 Tuns

Brewery News Brewery lines beer beerlines North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA Issue 8 | WINTER 2015 Photos: Derrill Carr Photos: Derrill

Co-ALE-ition The facts exposed!

Editor’s note: CAMRA does not condone the election. Phil policy of ‘rebadging’ beers under different was interested and very names. Notwithstanding, I have decided to supportive so work began on designing a pump publish the following article as it features local clip for this new ale which was to be a rebranded breweries and pubs and is therefore of interest version of an existing Longdog ale. After a tasting to local beer drinkers. session at Longdog brewery the excellent award- o-ALE-ition as a brand name fi rst originated winning Brindle Bitter was chosen as the fi rst ever from a social event in July 2013 when Co-ALE-ition ale. The beer was renamed ‘Winning CAMRA member Derrill Carr [author of this Co-ALE-ition’ and successfully launched in mid- C September 2013 at both the Longdog brewery article], Alan (Howling Laud) Hope - Leader of the Offi cial Monster Raving Loony Party (OMRLP) - and the Good Beer Guide listed Prince Arthur in Fleet Phil Robins of Longdog brewery in Basingstoke, at an event attended by more than 300 people. were at a ‘Meet The Brewer’ event. Derrill Longdog’s ‘Winning Co-ALE-ition’ was an suggested to Phil that Longdog should produce outstanding success and a decision was taken in a real ale to commemorate the 30th anniversary November of that year to expand the Co-ALE- of the OMRLP’s fi rst appearance at a general ition range of ales. Other local microbreweries were approached and all were keen to get involved. There was a fun element with the pump clips depicting that the ALE in Co-ALE-ition stood for ‘Another Loony Experience’, IPA stood for ‘Insanity Prevents Austerity’ and GOLD stood for ‘George Osborne Lowers Duty’. There was a fl urry of activity in 2014 with three more Co-ALE-ition ales being successfully launched by local breweries including Wild Weather in Silchester who rebranded their Black Night mild as HowlinGale in April just in time for CAMRA’s Make May a Mild Month campaign. In May the Mash brewery in East Stratton rebranded their 4% golden ale Mash Gold as Monster Mash and this proved to be a Halloween favourite. In www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk

20 www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk 21 WINTER 2015 8 | WINTER Issue el 01256 762675 T sensible price. drop in to see us! doom of pubs closing down. been closed for just about a year. The Y Knot Inn A warm welcome awaits you, So YKnot ater End, Old Basing, Basingstoke, Hants RG24 7BB That makes a change from all the gloom & Our aim is to provide a traditional Pub feel, with good beer, good food & service all at a We are a recently re-opened Pub, which had W

Monsters Anastasia’s Exile Stout Anastasia’s North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA CAMRA of Branch Hampshire North in East Stratton, erected a special in East Stratton, erected , Single Hop IPA , Penguin Porter as Hope & Glory Waggon & Horses, Waggon Hartley Wintney.

There is a dedicated Co-ALE-ition section on There Mike Tempest Mike of Tempest Wild Weather brewery and There have been many rst highlights in the ﬁ from Camberley rebranded Camberley rebranded Ascot Ales from

Derrill Carr for anybody who wants to follow www.omrlp.com this success story which will continue with further beto Bitter new a and Porter new a launches of distributed nationally. • at featured ales have already Co-ALE-ition ale festivals including the Fleet 12 real its Lions Ale Festival in August which had crowds most successful year ever with record and donations made to charities up 40 per Arms of the Northbrook Landlord cent. Jon Coward, at the East Stratton Co-ALE-ition Ale stand different Ale Festival in May when three Mash and HowlinGale. Monster on sale including Co-ALE-ition ales were • ‘Winning Co-ALE-ition’ was Longdog’s in the Strangers Bar in the Houses launched of Parliament in June. Five casks of ‘Winning sold in less than a week. Co-ALE-ition’ were . In the Dark and Ebony & Ivory and • their Dr Graham Turner of Mash brewery, organised organised brewery, of Mash Turner Dr Graham Monster Mash for HowlinGale and launch events of which are: year of Co-ALE-ition, some late July a bottle-conditioned version of Monster version of a bottle-conditioned late July it was - Mash brewery launched by Mash was completely bottles all of which limited to 1000 rst month. the fi sold out in local pubsinvolved visits to several which also ales including selling Co-ALE-ition which were the a special with Niall Scott was presented Landlord six all sell to pub rst fi the becoming for cate certifi Co-ALE-ition ales. lines beer beerlines North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA Issue 8 | WINTER 2015 Beer Scoring A vital part of the Good Beer Guide selection process

ll CAMRA members are urged to ‘score’ the real ales they drink, in whatever pub or Aclub they are in, anywhere in the country. These scores play an important part in the choice of pubs that are included in the Good Beer Guide, year by year. Scores can be input online at www. Scoring should be whatpub.com, a database that lists over 35,000 based on the following table. Remember real ale pubs in this country. Members should that your personal likes or dislikes should not enter their CAMRA membership number and enter into the scoring process. It should reﬂ ect password which is your postcode without any the quality of the beer, regardless of whether or spaces. If you have joint membership it may be not you actually like the taste. your surname. This article has been adapted from one originally You can then search for your pub by name. Be submitted by Sonia James-Henry. careful here as there are many pubs in the country which share the same name. It might be better to search by town name and click on the pub name Scoring Table that appears on a drop-down list. The ‘What Pub’ 0 = UNDRINKABLE smart phone web page also gives you the option No cask ale available or so poor you to search for real ale pubs nearby, very useful if have to take it back or can’t finish it. you are in an unfamiliar town Once you have found your pub a ‘Submit 1 = POOR Beer Scores’ box will appear on the left-hand side Beer that is anything from barely drinkable to drinkable with of the screen. If you are using a smart phone it will considerable resentment. appear on the tab bar underneath the pub photo. Simply ﬁ ll in the date (the default is today’s 2 = AVERAGE date) and your score. As you begin typing the Competently kept, drinkable pint but brewery name it should automatically appear doesn’t inspire in any way, not worth moving to another pub but you drink underneath where you are typing. You do not have the beer without really noticing. to enter the name of the beer your are drinking but if you wish to do so once you have entered 3 = GOOD the brewery name you should be able to click on Good beer in good form. You may the arrow in the Beer box and a drop-down list of cancel plans to move to the next pub. You want to stay for another pint and that brewery’s beers should appear. In some cases may seek out the beer again. the beer you are drinking may be new or a one- off by the brewery so may not appear on the list, 4 = VERY GOOD if this is the case you can simply type in the beer Excellent beer in excellent condition. name. Select the correct one click ‘submit score’ 5 = PERFECT and your score will be entered into the database. Probably the best you are ever likely to It is as simple as that. An added bonus is that find. A seasoned drinker will award this it will keep a record of your scores so you can look score very rarely. back to see what beers you have had and how you Half points can also be awarded. www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk rated them if you want. 22 www.camrahantsnorth.org.uk 23

WINTER 2015 8 | WINTER Issue North Hampshire Branch of CAMRA CAMRA of Branch Hampshire North lines beer