Beer Ragged Staff

CAMPAIGN Issue 65 FOR November — January 2010 Heart of REAL ALE

Harbury Once Again A Great Success hamshire. This year we fea- to borrow the Harbury village tured more than 60 beers, as Christmas lights, enabling us to well as a good selection of ci- provide illumination for out- der and perry, which also, ac- side drinkers after dark. cording to the festival's theme, were sourced from Eastern Counties.

Presenting the champion beer of Warwickshire This year's Harbury beer festival was, as always, a resounding success. Also, just Drinkers enjoying the mild as CAMRA nationally was weather able to announce at the Great Hereburgh Morris side enter- As well as the beers and ciders British beer festival that its tain drinkers we once again had good enter- membership had now passed Once again the weather was tainment this year. On Satur- the 100,000 mark, so the kind to us this year, and al- day afternoon we were Heart of Warwickshire though the weather was not as entertained by the Hereburgh branch was able to announce warm as last year it was still Morris men, a local Morris side at Harbury that its pleasant for people to take ad- dancing outside the hall. On membership had now passed vantage of the tables outside, Saturday evening we were en- the 400 mark. allowing us to accommodate tertained by Clive John, per- This year's theme was a geo- more people than we would forming Country and Irish graphical one, featuring beers otherwise have been able to. It tunes, including many Johnny from Lincolnshire and Notting- also helped that we were able Continued Page 2 For LOCALE information please see page 18

To contact the Heart of Warwickshire Branch call 07855 644043 www.camrahow.org.uk Cash covers. Clive stars as the  3rd Hog Goblin Slaughter- Cotswold Brewery Man in Black in the Johnny house Brewery Cash Roadshow. An important element of the Another highlight of the beer festival's success were the vol- The beer of the festival results festival was the presentation on untary helpers, of whom there were: Friday of the champion beer of is always a great need. If you Warwickshire by the landlord  1st Windjamer IPA Alcazar feel that you can help next of the Arms. Brewery year, even if it is only for a The results were:  couple of hours, either during 2nd Decadance Brewsters the festival or during set up or  Brewery 1st Darling Buds - take down, please contact us, shire Beer Company  Joint 3rd Screech Owl Castle we will be very grateful for  2nd Enigmatic Variations Rock Brewery your help. IB Church End Brewery Arctic Global Warmer North

Heart of Warwickshire Branch Committee Chairman: Steve Bolton ([email protected]) Treasurer: Tony Cragg ([email protected]) Secretary: David McDermaind ([email protected]) Membership Secretary: Dave Shurrock ([email protected]) Newsletter Editor: Ian Bayliss ([email protected]) Other members: John Crossling, Derek Dent, Frank Redmond

Page 2 Beer and Ragged Staff The Beer and Ragged Staff Issue No. 65 November 2010 Published by The Heart of Warwickshire Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, 5 Lammas Walk, Warwick. CV34 4UX. Phone: 01926 403423. Email: [email protected] Web site: http://www.camrahow.org.uk CAMRA HQ: 230 Hatfield Road, ST. ALBANS, Herts. AL1 4LW. Phone: 01727 867201. Printed by Geo. E. Cadman, Unit 7D, Jenton Road, Sydenham Industrial Estate, , War- wickshire, CV31 1SF. Phone: 01926 423742. Opinions and views expressed in this newsletter are not nec- essarily official branch or CAMRA policy. All contents, except otherwise indicated, © copyright CAMRA Heart of Warwickshire 2009. The Great British Beer Festival 2009 that you could be quickly punters finally cleared out at spotted if you tried to have 11 o'clock, when we could one. disappear upstairs to drink at the free bar. My accommoda- On Wednesday I was on foy- tion was also good, lodged in er duty, which I enjoyed far Commonwealth Hall of the more, even though I spent a University of London which This year's Great British lot of the day standing in the was an easy tube ride from Beer Festival, at Earl’s foyer Russell Square tube station to Court from the 4th to 8th with my Earl's Court, and then at night August, was once again a little ray we had buses to take us back very great success. A partic- gun (a at half past midnight, after a ular highlight was the fact hand-held that at this Festival CAM- barcode RA was able to announce reader). that it had now reached the Thursday watermark of 100,000 and Sat- members. urday I was on bar duty which I also This particular year your edi- greatly enjoyed, and had the tor was there as a helper dur- added bonus that on both ing all the time that it was days I managed to acquire a session of drinking in the open to the public, and I cer- free T-shirt. Friday I was on Volunteer Arms. It was hard tainly found it a great experi- glass duty, handing out and work but there was also a ence. As a Beer Festival taking back the festival glass- wonderful sense of camarade- virgin, for my first year I was es. I must say that I found the rie, I can quite understand put to work on a selection of festival glasses very attractive why people keep coming jobs. On the first day I was with their logo, and also I back every year, and I cer- put to work stewarding, liked the fact that at this festi- tainly intend to do so. I would which I must admit was my val they were also providing recommend it to anyone, if least favourite. Not only did third of a pint glasses, with you cannot make the full five you simply have to walk stems and with the logo days then why not just work around the Festival trying to etched rather than printed. for one day, you'll get your look attentive, which I must overnight accommodation, so admit I found boring, but you All in all I had a very enjoya- then you can spend the next are also not allowed to drink ble time. It was a long day day just as a visitor to the while on duty, and have to with the doors opening at Beer Festival. IB wear a special orange top so midday, and the last of the November 2009 — January 2010 Page 3 Feedback from Harbury Festival Each year we ask for feedback from up on that page it could be confus- the village hall committee about the the visitors to the festival and al- ing. We will try to make the break possibility of running an extra small- though we get very few comments clearer next time. er winter festival on their behalf to (44 compared to over 1000 visitors) raise funds to take this wall down we take them seriously as without “U USED TO BE CHEAP. NOW and replace it with a folding wall them we can’t find ways to improve. YOURE NOT” which would allow all the beers to Our prices reflect what we have to be seen and easily served. Watch It is pleasing to get many positive out for “Not the Harbury Beer Festi- comments: pay and so vary from year to year – however we are very conscious of val!!” early next year. “Great festival – much better than the typical beer prices in the local “3 beers flat and cloudy” 2009 Earl’s Court” pubs and ensure that we do not over- charge relative to them. This year We try very hard to serve the beers “Great beer selection 10/10” there was a slightly higher propor- in the best condition we can. We are “Entertainment was brilliant” tion of higher gravity beers includ- often not familiar with the beers so ing some that are well above those treat them all the same. Some come “This is a unique festival that is normally found. The prices have to to us full of life and “work” very quintessentially English“ reflect the gravity. hard while we have them settling on the stillage. Others have no life at all “We travelled from London with “Get rid of the tokens, when over- Aussie friend to a real ale festival. and we are unable to add any extra charged there is no way of getting condition to them. It is a balance He was blown away by the quality money back.” of the beer + the friendly atmos- between keeping enough in the beer phere. Thanks” The tokens enable us to serve people and not having too much so that it more quickly but occasionally mis- froths everywhere when trying to “You couldn’t better it. Great choice takes are made when staff are under serve people. With over 60 beers and a really friendly atmosphere. pressure. Just like cash it is impor- generally we do quite well. We do Next year can’t come soon enough” tant to raise any concerns with the occasionally sell a beer that is hazy. The beer will be marked up accord- “We thought the design of the half member of staff at the time. It is not ingly and staff will be instructed to pint glasses was a brilliant compli- easy to clearly indicate when a mis- warn people. Ultimately if the beer ment to the theme of the festival.” take has been made but we will think about issue and see if we can tastes good we will sell it if not we “Always wanted to visit. Came from come up with an improvement. won’t! If anyone has cause to com- Slough – excellent. Friendly and plain about the beer quality the beer helpful staff. Keep it going. See u “Disappointing half measures. 2/3 will be changed without question as next year.” halves were less than half” the customer is always right! “Definitely back next year – still the Once again it is important to raise “Lincoln Imp description not cor- best beer festival in the Midlands” this matter at the time of being rect” served. Sometimes beers are quite “Apart from moving Harbury nearer lively and the head can drop below We make every endeavour to obtain to the rail network, there is not much the line after it has been served. Our the correct beer descriptions to in- which would improve your excellent staff are instructed to serve to the clude in the festival programme. beer festival.” measures but will always top up if These come from the Good Beer they have undersold the beer. It is Guide, the brewers websites or fol- actually illegal to sell over measures lowing conversations with the brew- We can’t please everyone! The – funny how nobody complains ers themselves. As we feature many learning points are in itallics fol- about that!!! beers that as new to us, as well as lowed by our comments in turn: the visitors, we have to publish the “Right hand bar hard to see barrels descriptions in good faith. There is “Confusing programme with left- and prices, making it hard when us- also the slight chance that the beer hand on same page as right” ing tokens” has been wrongly labelled at the brewery!! This year the last part of the beer list We are aware of the problems with for the left hand bar finished at the people seeing the beers in the right “Insufficient space at beer bars.” foot of the first column of the next hand bar. We do put second barrel page. The second column was head- end on the wall for the beers that This comes up as a regular issue. ed up right hand bar but it is accept- can’t be easily seen but not everyone We have now taken the cider out as ed that if you opened the programme notices these. We are talking with a separate bar which has helped take Page 4 Beer and Ragged Staff pressure of the bar area. We moni- Yes, it could be! This is a risk man- “Not aware of the “Ale Trail” tor the situation at the bars closely agement issue. around the village until 2hrs into the putting the maximum number of evening. Needs better advertising” staff on at busy times. Too may “Lunchtime kids on bikes a bit con- staff get in each others way and ac- cerning. Perhaps they could use the This was a new idea this year with tually slows down serving. We be- playing field” the aim of getting people to visit the lieve few people have to wait more pubs and clubs in Harbury to collect This is a concern to us also, but was stickers entitling them to free beer than 3-4 minutes to get served. We not raised at the time. Had it been do the best we can but we can’t tokens on their return to the festival. so, then we would have taken im- We will ensure it is better adver- make the rooms any bigger. We are mediate action. Safety for all at a victim of our own success! tised next time as it seemed to be Harbury is very important. We will popular with those who found out Some people put interesting sug- ensure someone patrols outside on about it! gestions on the feedback forms Saturday lunchtime, when children are allowed. If anyone would like to I hope you appreciate us being open “Use of individual tokens like at help next year who has not to date with the comments we have re- Bromsgrove would be easier” please contact us and we can give ceived, good and bad! you more information - we don’t We are not aware of the token sys- bite! Thanks for the plaudits and apolo- tem used at the Bromsgrove Beer gies to those who had reason to festival. We will investigate and “Could you advertise the festival on complain. As always we will try to see if it would be beneficial in our bus stops on Route 64. Get Stage- do better next time!! situation. (Damn, someone is going coach involved to promote your fes- to have to visit another beer festi- tival. It would be beneficial to both val!) of you.” “Space could be an issue indoors if This is an interesting suggestion – wet” we will take it up with Stagecoach and see if they are interested. NEW INN A traditional stone village pub serving a constantly changing range of JC Church End Beers with a choice of two real ales at weekends Now in Good Beer Guide 2009 Farm Street, Harbury Warwickshire CV33 9LS 01926 614023

November 2009 — January 2010 Page 5 The Good Beer Guide 2010 The latest edition of “The Good in the north. This area includes changes or the quality seems to drop Beer Guide” published by CAM- around 160 pubs selling real ale so and sometimes it does not reflect on RA has just been released in good you can see what a small proportion the pub or licensee at all – it may be time to become a great stocking we are able to select. that a new licensee has arrived in the filler for Christmas. Our members visit different sets of area who is doing even better. But you may be asking how pubs are pubs weekly plus their own individu- Competition is very strong between selected to be included in the al visits at other times. Our members the pubs and there are a number of ‘Guide’. Well perhaps the most im- are asked to submit their views on pubs selling good beer which don’t portant point to make is that no pub the beer they have tasted based on a quite get in. It’s healthy and encour- can buy its way in. All entries are scale of 1-5. Each entry is added to aging that it is that close. Having a selected by CAMRA members and an ongoing spreadsheet and the few changes in the ‘Guide’ gives en- are judged on the quality of the beer scores are constantly averaged so couragement to other licensees that alone. pubs are compared against each oth- they can get recognised. If the en- By focusing on beer alone “The er. Each surveyor will have their tries never changed there would be Good Beer Guide” is distinct from own opinion about the quality of the little point in publishing a new similar titles such as “The Good Pub beer and it will vary depending on ‘Guide’ each year. However things Guide”. The latter judges its entries when they have visited and how far are changing so rapidly in the pub on a much wider set of criteria. down the cask the beer was at that industry that there is little chance of Sometimes there can be crossovers time. They are asked to judge that there not being changes each year. It with pubs appearing in both publica- beer as to how good an example of is becoming a problem to keep up tions when a particularly distinctive that particular beer it is – not wheth- and sometimes the situation has pub happens to sell good beer but er they like it better or less than a changed between submitting pubs equally there are plenty of ones in different beer. If it is a beer they for inclusion and the ‘Guide’ being “The Good Beer Guide” that would have not tried before they have to published. not appear in the “The Good Pub vote according to how good a beer Three new pubs were included in the Guide” as their wider criteria would they think it is compared to others. ‘Guide’ from our area this year, The not be met. Individual surveyors may score the Avon at Avon Dassett and the Green CAMRA branches are allocated a beer differently on separate visits to Man and the Two Boats both in number of pubs each year to be sub- the same pub – but overall, most of Long Itchington. The latter two mitted for inclusion. In our case their experiences have to be positive joined the long standing Harvester ‘Heart of Warwickshire’ CAMRA is to be in consideration for the ‘Guide’ resulting in considerable media inter- allocated 10 pubs for selection. To selection. est with three pubs in the ‘Guide’ in put that in context, our branch area You may notice some pubs stay in one small village. covers the four main towns of War- “The Good Beer Guide” for many We try to be objective in our voting wick, Leamington, and years. This is the result of a licensee and not to show favouritism hence Southam together with rural areas staying at the pub for a long time and the changes we see. Who knows going out to Five Ways in the west, keeping beer exceptionally well, which pubs will be in the 2011 Warmington in the south, Priors consistently. Such pubs may drop ‘Guide’ – you’ll just have to wait Marston in the east and Princethorpe out of the ‘Guide’ if the licensee and see! S THE FOX AND HEN BASCOTE HEATH SOUTHAM Over 300 Bottled Beers from around the World Good Food, Real Ales, Warm Welcome THE BEST RANGE IN Open Tues-Sunday, Lunch and Evening & WARWICKSHIRE

Your hosts, Marcelo and Tina, look 112 Berkeley Road South, Earlsdon, Coventry 024 7667 3474 / forward to seeing you soon! [email protected] www.alexanderwines.co.uk Tel: 01926 812498 Monday to Saturday 11.00-14.00 & 17.30-22.30

Page 6 Beer and Ragged Staff Days Cottage Cider During the spring my wife Dave Kaspar and Helen This is our second visit and I undertook another Brent-Smith, whose family now and I think it will be cider-hunting tour, this have owned the smallhold- an annual one. I was able to time south-west into ings since 1794. In addition get a little advice on some Gloucestershire. Our first to the cider and perry fruit issues relating to our first call was at Gotherington the sixteen acres of or- effort at making cider, more near to Winchcombe, chards supply 30,000 bot- of which in the future. home of Tilley's Cider. tles of juice a year from the Situated at Moat Farm in desert and culinary varie- On returning via Chelten- the centre of the village ties, some being unique to ham we called at Prinknash this venture was founded the county and giving off Abbey but were disappoint- over 40 years ago by Pe- flavours unobtainable from ed to find that the brothers ter Tilley, a retired musi- modern commercial fruit. have given up cider mak- cian, but is now run by None of the trees are ing. Indeed they have even his widow and son. The sprayed. vacated the Abbey and now farmhouse provides bed reside in the retreat house and breakfast, a holiday The cidery was all action as in the Abbey grounds. I cottage, and a riding much of the cider and perry wondered what they were school. Two draught ci- made last autumn was now drinking instead. Hopefully ders were on offer, a me- ready for cask and bottle. not Magners! dium and a sweet. The variety of cider apples gives scope to experiment We brought home enough Then it was onwards to with combinations often a different ciders and perries Day's Cottage Cider in Up- two-apple blend. Foxwhelp, to host a private cider festi- ton Lane, Brookthorpe, in Dunkertons late sweet, Yar- val for our daughter and her the Vale of Gloucester and lington Mill, Morgan Sweet family. just a a couple of miles and many others were RH south of the epogenous present. But the greatest city. The southern edge of treat to me was an experi- the Cotswold Hills looms mental batch using large here and the approach the dessert apple Beer and Ragged Staff from Cheltenham is down a Ellison's Orange. Advertising Rates a very steep hill. Satnav What a lovely soft users will have little diffi- delicate flavour. Full Colour per single issue culty in finding Day's Cot- Blakeny Red Perry Standard size (63mm x 53mm) £28.50 Oblong size (128mm x 41mm) £40.00 tage (GL4 0UT) but for was ready but sad- Half page (128mm x 94mm) £68.50 Ordnance Survey users like ly the Brown Bess Full page (128mm x 188mm) £137.00 me (7th series fully revised needed longer. I Single Colour per single issue to 1959) it takes a little think I missed out Standard size (63mm x 53mm) £25.00 Oblong size (128mm x 41mm) £35.00 longer but is more fun. The on this one last Half page (128mm x 94mm) £60.00 cider business is run by year. Full page (128mm x 188mm) £120.00 November 2009 — January 2010 Page 7 Legal Threat to Pub Music Your hosts CAMRA and other concerned special licence Julie and Jeff welcome you to parties have recently rightly been called a tempo- attacking such threats to a lively rary event notice THE RED HOUSE and economically viable pub life (TEN). According as increasing rises in beer tax and to the Musicians' 113 Radford Road, Leamington Spa 01926 881725 the anti-competitive behaviour of Union, small ven- Open all day everyHead- day from 11.30am pub companies. There is however ues have stopped one other factor which is a serious putting on live Freshly made sandwiches at lunchtime a threat to a lively and a success- music because Tuesday special meals inc drink £6 12-9pm ful pub life, which was highlight- they do not need Jamming night Mondays @ 7.30pm ed in an article in the the hassle of fill- Quiz nightLor ondo- Wednesdayst, @ 9pm L m m Independent newspaper on 18th ing out lengthy Karaokeem 1stHead-HeadlineHeadlinelor SaturdayLorHeadlinecon-ip- eachdo- month or ip do July. This refers to the 2003 Li- forms. This has Listed in Goodip- Beersitem Guidesectsum 2008lor and 2009 censing Act and its effects on the the effect of kill- sum ameHeadlineetu-e su lo pub music scene which is an im- ing off pub music, portant part of a lively and suc- as even something like bringing in a Licensing Act by recommending cessful pub life. Like many badly guitar for a pub sing-song would that venues with a capacity of fewer thought-out bits of government now be breaking the law without than 200 people should be exempt. legislation this appears to have applying for a temporary event no- This has now come to nothing how- been rushed through to deal with tice. This in its turn will hurt pub ever as Andy Burnham, gave the a perceived threat with a fair trade even more at a time when Government's reply as it does not amount of scare mongering in- pubs are already closing at an matter how small a venue is, it can volved, in this case teenage vio- alarming rate. still attract trouble. Mr Burnham has lence at musical events. Hopes were raised recently when agreed to revisit the issue, but not What this fact means is that any the Commons Select Committee on for "at least a year", by which time publican who wishes to have live Culture, Media and Sport ended a there could be a different govern- music in the pub must take out a lengthy investigation into the 2003 ment. IB

Page 8 Beer and Ragged Staff The New Inn – Your Friendly Local 197 Leam Terrace Four Real Ales Always Leamington Spa Available CV31 1DW Good Food Tel: 01926 422861 Pub Garden Pub Quiz The Three Horseshoes Southam Road, Princethorpe 01926 632345

Fine Ale, En Suite Good Food Accommodation and Beer Garden Open all day Sat & Sun THE OAK 27, Coten End, Warwick Tel 01926 493774 Open Mike Nights – every second Friday each month & Sunday lunch – home cooked with fresh vegetables- choice of 3 meats - only £5.95 Be there ..! Newly re-furbished with heated smoking area - 5 cask ales al- ways available – probably the best ale in Warwick..! Including Timothy Taylor Landlord; Fullers ESB ; Old Hooky and guest ales.

November 2009 — January 2010 Page 9 Good Beer Guide pubs you can only visit in your dreams

Besides listing the best real ale such as Coats Duffle; Jackets Tweed; pubs in the United Kingdom, the Sandals Open-Toed. The description 2010 edition of the Good Beer included “Once the haunt of angry Guide maintains a tradition which young men, now the refuge of the now goes back over 26 years by upwardly-mobile.” Four years later, including details of one pub you the entry used CAMRA's address at can not visit! that time, 34 Alma Road, St. Albans This is the sample entry, on the in- and the description was a neat sum- side front cover, which is used as an mary of CAMRA's aims and policies. example to explain the format and The following year, for the 20 th edi- the hieroglyphical symbols represent- tion the pub was called The Good ing the pub's facilities. Beer Guide and located in Alesbury. The first two editions of the Guide The 1989 edition was the first to be just had a simple key, on page 3 in edited by a female, Andrew Gillies. 1974 and the inside back cover in So not surprisingly the sample entry, 1975. The 1976 edition was the first The Woman's Touch, contained some to have a “sample” entry on the in- feminist references, such as the open- side front cover. This was a duplicate ing times “All day every day (except of a real entry, the Anchor at Penrhyn evenings, weekends, Bank-holidays tional pub as the sample entry. Many in Cornwall. For the next seven edi- and birthday lunchtimes)”. of these include satirical references to tions, this format was repeated. A political events and personalities, The rise of the pub chains has been a lucky pub thus appeared twice – ex- both UK and worldwide, and to hap- topic for quite a few entries. In 1991 cept for some reason in 1981 when penings in the brewing and pub in- at Great Plundering the Harvest the “sample” entry, the Bird Cage at dustry. Some of the earlier entries Roast (formerly Dog & Duck) had an Thame in Oxfordshire, did not appear contained comments which are prob- address of Chain Street, Blandford. as a main entry. ably now a little risque – certainly on In both 1994 and 1996 the featured So we come to 1984, a significant the verge of political correctness. For pub was not quite so imaginary. Both year! 1984 is of course the title of the example, the 1985 entry referenced issues highlighted the wanton de- famous novel by George Orwell. So the Falklands conflict with a beer struction of historic pubs. In 1994 it not surprisingly the sample entry called Dalyell Belgrano which the was theTommy Ducks in Manches- used many names from the repres- description says “goes down a treat”. ter, demolished in the middle of a sive, totalitarian society that Orwell I think that perhaps George Orwell night in 1993 by owners Greenhall describes. The Chestnut Tree was would have approved. Whitley ignoring planning legisla- supposedly based on the Cafe Royal We don't have the space here to re- tion. Two years later it was the John in London, in the novel it is where produce all twenty seven of these im- Bull, a York pub featuring a classic the “dodgy” folk congregated. Inter- aginary pub entries, so I have 1930s interior destroyed to make way estingly one term missing in the GBG selected just a few highlights. for a car park. entry was “Big Brother”. 1984 was The Tied House was the 1997 entry, published in 1949, but three years Nuclear connections dominated the the description referencing the pro- prior to that Orwell had described his late eighties. In 1986 the entry for the posed EU legislation outlawing the vision of a perfect English pub. This Cruise Missile, serving Greenham tied house system. appeared as one of his regular Satur- Wirecutter and where “a dress re- day columns in the London Evening striction operates ... uniform appear- Foreign involvement in the tradition- Standard . The name of this imagi- ance preferred” recalls the Greenham al British brewing industry crops up nary pub was “The Moon Under Wa- Common protests. The next year's several times. In 1998 the satire was ter”; hence the mention of this as a entry took as the theme the Chernob- on the subject of the proliferation of Try Also entry. yl nuclear power plant disaster. It fin- fake Irish pubs in the UK. Located in ished up with “Try also: Sellafield Much Blarney the Grubby O'Reillys As an aside, Tim Martin based many Arms (formerly Windscale [formerly featured a beer called Mick Taker's of the features of his original Wether- Calder Hall {formerly a nice place to Special and was described as spoon pubs on Orwell's ideas. Hence live}]). “genuine as a two-punt note”! Four several Wetherspoon pubs bear this years later the attention turned to the name, so by 1984 The Moon Under Several entries have been pieces of Germans, highlighting that many pub Water was no longer imaginary. self satire, poking fun at the CAMRA image. In 1988 the pub was called groups were then owned by subsidi- Subsequently each edition of the the Old Campaigner, serving beers aries of foreign banks. In this case Good Beer Guide has included a fic- the Alter Roter Lowe was a pretend Page 10 Beer and Ragged Staff Laurel pub with ultimate owners ble at Burnt at the Stake in Great Du- Deutsche Bank. Nearest tube station nover. A similar theme the following was listed as Templehof. In 2009 it year, this time for Hardys and Han- was the turn of the Dutch, following sons in Nottingham. You could find Heineken's acquisition of Scottish & Green King Robin Hood Ale and Fri- Newcastle. Located at Edinburgh- ar Tuck at the Olde Trip to Oblivion, Zeider-Zee you could find My Old whilst in the dungeons beneath the Dutch where you could enjoy Shiny- pub former directors could be seen can beers including Johann Schmidt's counting their loot. Nord Holland Bitter or Rotterdam Young's, once acclaimed annually Bruin Ale whilst partaking in a game with a “last but not least” line in the of Roll the Edam. brewery section of the Guide , was the The millennium edition highlighted subject of the 2008 entry. Following Bass's abandonment of the Burton the move to the Wells brewery at Union brewing system for Draught Bedford, the Golden Fleeced in Bass; amongst the beers on offer in Wandsworth was shown as serving the Cemetery Inn in Graveyard Road, Very Ordinary and Not So Special as Tombstone-on-Trent was Draught two of it's beers. Doss. In the following year Bass was So finally, the 2010 edition. A nice lampooned as Draught Bruges in a mix of Private Eye style political hu- pub called King of the Belgians, lo- mour sprinkled with some comments cated in Rue Chiswell, La Barbacane, on pub groups and national brands. Londres. Interbrew had bought Bass By the way, the phone number is in the summer of 2000. genuine – it is Punch Taverns HQ in Brewery takeovers, and the inevitable Burton on Trent. closures that follow have also been a But it is not the one imaginary entry recurring theme. The 2006 entry that makes the Good Beer Guide mourned the loss of Essex breweries your indispensable guide to UK real dreams (or in some cases your night- Ridleys. Emerald Monarch Ubiqu- ale. It is the other 4,500 real entries. mares!) tious IPA and Old Tinkered Turkey Buy a copy and visit them. And only A L were some of the beers listed availa- go to the imaginary entries in your

The Holly Bush Pub North east Leamington’s friendly local pub - recently refurbished and now under the control of new landlords Alan and Sally Wareing London Pride ~ John Smiths ~ Banks’s & Setanta The Holly Bush, Holly Street, Leamington Spa, CV32 4TN 01926 744830 www.the-holly-bush-pub.co.uk The Old Fourpenny Shop Hotel Serving a fine selection of six Real Ales and offering an interesting menu of freshly prepared food cooked to order. Well over 1500 different Real Ales served in last Seventeen Consecutive years whilst in the Good Beer Guide Traditional inn accommodation - eleven rooms Crompton Street, Warwick 01926 491360 CAMRA Heart of Warwickshire Pub of the Year 2007 & 2008

November 2009 — January 2010 Page 11 Big Beer Quiz The brand new 2010 Good Beer Guide (value £ 15.99) and a couple of bottled beers await the winner of our Big Beer Quiz. Where answer options are provided, circle the appropriate letter. Some questions require a written answer and a bit more investigation! Once complete, enter your contact details, remove the page, and mail it to The Editor, Beer & Ragged Staff, 5 Lammas Walk, Warwick CV34 4UX to arrive by 18 December. Enjoy the quiz, and good luck!

1. Which is a beer brewed by Everards in Leicestershire? a) Eagle b) Barn Owl c) Tiger.

2. Marston’s; Kinver; Titanic and Enville Breweries are all to found in: a) South Yorkshire b) Staffordshire c) Cheshire.

3. What is the name of the hard and soft graded pegs which are placed into the shrive hole in the side of a beer barrel to help regulate the condition of the beer? a) Cotter b) Spile c) Dowel

4. Believed to be the world’s oldest trademark, a red triangle was registered in 1876 by which UK brewer? a) Bass b) Tetley c) Theakstons.

5. Which Cornish brewer is the producer of Tribute ? a) Sharps b) St Austell c) Skinners.

6. The Smith’s Arms (Godmanstone); The Signal Box (Cleethorpes) and The Nutshell (Bury St.Edmunds) have all laid claim to which title? ……………………………………………………………………….………

7. A Cockney in need of a beer might be heard to ask for: a) A pig’s ear b) A nice idea c) A far and near.

8. A brewer in Wiltshire might be identified using WHAT WORD ? (anag.) ______

9. Nonik, tulip and dimple are examples of what? …………………….……….

10. The logo of the Ansells Beer Co features.. a) Brown bear b) Black bull c) Red squirrel

11. Which craftsman traditionally made beer barrels from wood and steel hoops? ______

12. At an end of season knees-up for local sports teams, the venue had ordered three firkins of ale. Table 1 , the rugby players, downed a whole firkin save 12 pints. The darts teams were seated at Table 2 ; they had ordered their beer in pitchers. A pitcher held 4 pints and they were charged for 12 of them. The golfers on Table 3 ordered in the usual manner and their tally was 39 pints and 30 halves in all. Table 4 , the footballers, between them had drunk 8 pitchers, 12 single pints; 6 halves; and in addition their manager had won the raffle – a yard of ale (3 pints). Which table accounted for the most beer consumed? 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

How much beer was left? …………… pints.

Page 12 Beer and Ragged Staff 13. The Tan Hill Inn in the Yorkshire Dales claims… a. To be the highest pub above sea level in Great Britain. b. To have the longest bar of any pub in UK. c. To be the oldest continuously-licensed premises in the world.

14. Complete the proverb “Life’s not all beer and ……….” a) Potting sheds b) Morris dancing c) Skittles.

15. Adnam’s, brewer of Broadside and Explorer , are based in… a) Southport b) Southwold c) Southend

16. Referring to the strength of a beer: what do the letters ABV stand for? ……………………..………………

17. What is the interest of a tegestologist? a) Collecting beer mats b) Home brewing c) Blind-fold beer tasting

18. IPA is a popular beer style. What do the letters stand for? ……………… …………………..

19. A hogshead was a barrel containing 432 pints. These days firkins are the regular cask size for most pubs. How many firkins hold the same as one Hogshead? a) 6 b) 10 c) 18

20 Before lorries, barrels of beer would be delivered to a pub on a horse-drawn cart or wagon. What is the preferred name for a brewery cart? _ _ _ _

21. What is the recommended temperature for a pub cellar? (Deg. Centigrade) a) 7 deg. b) 9 deg. c) 12 deg.

22. What was the average price for a pint of bitter in Warwickshire ten years ago (1999)? a) £ 1.82 b) £ 1.98 c) £ 2.20

23. A sufferer of cenosillicaphobia probably helps to bolster the profitability of their chosen hostelry… Is this said to be.. a) Fear of an empty glass b) Fear that the pub will run out of beer c) Fear of dehydration.

24. Who is the producer of Bombardier best bitter? a) Charles Wells b) Fullers c) Greene King

25. Beer only has four ingredients and two of them come in TOY SHAPES. (anag.) _ _ _ _ and _ _ _ _ _

Your name ……………………………. Tel. no. ……………………………….

Address …………………………………………………………………………………

JB

November 2009 — January 2010 Page 13 Somerville Arms Campion Terrace, Leamington Spa 01926 426746 Your Traditional Friendly Local Seven Cask Ales always available www.somervillearms.co.uk Abound In Hops All Ye Who Enter Here Cask Marque Accredited

‘The Cape of Good Hope’ 66 Lower Cape, Warwick 01926 498138 ‘Warwick’s Best Kept Secret’ (Find us beside the canal) Real home Cooked Food - 7 Days a Week, all day Sunday Ever changing range of six traditional ales Home of ‘Two LLocks’ and ‘Keystone Hops’ CAMRA Heart of Warwickshire Pub of the Year 2004

Supporting Warwickshire's Brewers including Church End Two LLocks (Beer of the Festival, Harbury 2004)

The Boars Head @ Hampton Lucy

Offering fantastic home cooked food & ever changing cask ales Extensive Wine List Food served every day Seasonal Menus available plus special boards Functions and Private Dining catered for, in house or at a venue of your choice. Ring and speak to Sue or Angela on 01789 840533 Wifi available www.theboarsheadhamptonlucy4food.co.uk

Page 14 Beer and Ragged Staff BMA Call for Alcohol Advertising Ban Warwick Lions The British Medical Association the legislation was fully implement- has recently called for a total ban ed there could be some worrying Beer Festival on alcohol advertising. Although side-effects. It could easily result The Warwick Lions Club held their first there are many things in their state- in much of CAMRA's publicity, beer festival on the weekend of 17 and ment that seem sensible, such as a such as beer festivals, and promo- 18th July 2009. The festival was held in a marquee on . The minimum alcohol price and opposi- tion of local pubs and breweries, evening was wet and windy, but every- tion to the promotion of sweet becoming illegal. The law of unin- one was well sheltered in the marquee. drinks to appeal to young drinkers, tended consequences could very There was a total of a 15 beers on offer there are troubling possibilities. If well work against us here, and from four local breweries, Purity, the CAMRA and its Warwickshire Beer Company, Slaugh- Pat and family welcome you to members should terhouse Brewery, and Church End keep a close eye Brewery. Unfortunately however there on this to ensure was only one cider, Hogan's medium. The that bad legisla- The food consisted of burgers and hot tion is not dogs from a van parked outside,which brought in which meant that anyone wanting a bite to eat Crown would have the or to go to the toilet had to brave the outside weather. There was good enter- effect of severely Stockton tainment laid on in the form of a singer 01926 812255 restricting our and keyboard artist. Lunches Tuesday to Sunday activities. IB It seemed very well attended, and proba- Evening meals Tuesday to Saturday bly could have been even more so if it Ansells Bitter & Two Changing Guest Beers! had been a fine evening so that people could spill outside. However, I do not Petanque piste available for beer & boules events think that Harbury has any serious com- 'Folk at the Barn’ last Tuesday of the month petition for the time being. Room available for hire

CAMRA Heart of Warwickshire Pub of the Year 2009

November 2009 — January 2010 Page 15 Miller Brands joins SIBA September 17th, 2009 Miller members have to brew less than of sales Mike Edwards. Julian Gro- Brands UK, part of SAB Miller, 200,000 hectolitres a year. cock, SIBA chief executive, added: has joined the Society of Inde- Associate members can engage “The fact that we can now accept pendent Brewers (SIBA) as an with SIBA in the same way as full very sizeable brewers as associate associate member. members but are not eligible to members reinforces our commit- Miller, which brews Pilsner Ur- vote or stand as trustees. ment to make SIBA the only trade quell and Peroni Nastro Azzurro, “We look forward to working with association exclusively represent- joins Caledonian, Fullers and fellow SIBA members in pursuit of ing the broad spectrum of quality Marston’s in the new membership our shared goal of a brighter future brewing. We’re here to promote category for Britain’s thriving quality beer the values and defend the interests introduced earlier this year. Full sector,” said Miller Brands director of quality brewers of all sizes as full or associate members — as long as they commit to our aims and ambitions by signing our Members’ Charter.” In the last six months, 23 small brewers have joined SIBA. New members are granted provisional status with full brewing member- ship confirmed after 12 months. New members include the Ayr Brewery in Ayr- shire, the Topsham Brewery in Ex- eter, Harwich Town Brewery in Norfolk and Waen Beer company in Powys.

Page 16 Beer and Ragged Staff Long Itchington hits both ITV Central news and Midlands Today. In such publicised difficult All six pubs were shown, if come all and who take a times for pubs and the only briefly; and the licen- pride in the beer they sell. pub trade in general; “how sees of the three Good Finally, a banner could Long Itchington sup- Beer Guide pubs inter- produced by an unnamed port six pubs, getting three viewed, along with some licensee, and of them into the CAMRA of their customers. The photographed in “The 2010 Good Beer”, that key seems to be a very Courier” proclaimed that was the question the tele- supportive local communi- “Long Itchington is now vision reporters came to ty and licensees who wel- the Real Ale capitol of discover. England”???. The Two Boats Inn, Southam Road, Long Itchington A traditional canalside inn on the Grand Union Canal. Minimum of three real ales always available. Good Beer Guide 2010 Cask Marque Accredited Good honest pub food. Tel: 01926 812640 www.2boats.co.uk Come and see village life in a village pub With a restaurant and bar snacks available everyday, including Sunday evenings, Hook Norton and two Guest Beers and a visit to THE HaRvester is worthwhile any day of the week. Every day is a HaRvester Day We are not a Harvester Restaurant! We are a true free house. Check for our guest beers on www.theharvesterinn.co.uk Imported Budvar Light & Budvar Dark on draught - see web site for details 22 years in the Good Beer Guide WiFi hotspot available Credit cards welcome The Harvester, Church Road, Long Itchington 01926 812698 THE GREEN MAN TRADITIONAL VILLAGE PUB

Church Rd Three Real Ales Always Long Itchington On Tap

01926 812 208 Free meeting rooms available [email protected] Function room available

November 2009 — January 2010 Page 17 Another 5 pubs join Heart of Warwickshire LocAle The Heart of Warwickshire LocAle scheme recognises pubs which regularly stock at least one real ale which is brewed by a local brewery, one that is within 25 miles’driving distance.The geographical shape of the Heart of Warwickshire Branch area, means that some breweries are within 25 miles of parts of the branch area and others’ not White Lion, Radford rear, and a small car park at the A busy traditional street-corner Local beer Beer miles side pub, opposite Royal Leamington The Porridge Pot, Warwick Spa Bowling Club. Family friend- Warwickshire 4.0 Local beer Beer miles ly with a Beer Garden, and free Purity 21.0 WiFi. Food sourced locally thro’ Slaughterhouse 3.0 Aubrey Allen where possible. En- route between the station and town centre. Newbold Comyn Arms, Leamington Spa Local beer Beer miles A thatched village-pub, part of Slaughterhouse 2.5 theChef and Brewer chain. Has much original timberwork with Warwickshire 4.0 numerous little nooks and cran- A large open-plan pub, close to Purity 18.0 nies. Large garden, and regular “Stonebridge” Island. It caters for quizzes locals and travellers alike, serving The Millwright Arms, War- food all day. Now being supplied wick. with different Slaughterhouse Local beer Beer miles beers on a regular basis. The Cricketers, Leamington Hook Norton 25.0 Spa

Local beer Beer miles Now based in the Stables Bar, it Slaughterhouse 1.5 has a cosy atmosphere with real fires during the winter months. Check out the numerous activities on newboldcomynarms.co.uk

A half-timbered 16thC Tudor coaching Inn, featuring a multi- room interior with exposed beams. It has a large garden at the

Leamington’s Best Kept Secret The Green Man Lovely Courtyard garden & Smoking area Friendly family welcome Pool & Darts available Quiz night Tuesdays Wells Bombardier & guests

114 Tachbrook Street Leamington Spa 01926 316298

Page 18 Beer and Ragged Staff Existing Real Ale Pubs and Clubs Local Beer Beer Miles

Harbury Village Warwickshire 8 Club, Harbury Hook Norton 25

Antelope, Warwick Slaughterhouse 2

The Wharf, Fenny Hook Norton 18 Compton

Antelope, Light- Hook Norton 17 horne

Fox & Hen, Bascote Hook Norton 22 Heath

Case is Altered, Slaughterhouse 7 Fiveways Warwickshire 12 Church End 19 Waterman, Hatton Slaughterhouse 4

Cape of Good Hope, Weatheroak 20 Warwick Church End 25 Woodland Slaughterhouse 1 Tavern,Leamington

Harvester, Long Hook Norton 24 Itchington

Buck and Bell, Long Church End 25 Itchington

Olde Mint, Southam Purity 22

Market Tavern, Warwickshire 6 Southam

November 2009 — January 2010 Page 19 Local Pub and Brewery News Newbold Tavern, Leamington The Crown and Castle in War- Woodloes Tavern, Warwick The Newbold Tavern in Leam- wick, which closed in May, has With the end of negotiations ington Spa has reopened. It had now reopened. It has been taken with Punch Taverns, licensee two real ales, Shepherd Neame over by the company London Rob Twigger is hopeful that the Spitfire, and Hook Norton Old Town, which is running a suc- Woodloes Tavern (formerly the Hookey. The new management cessful campaign of reopening Sarah Siddons) will reopen on will concentrate on the food ele- pubs throughout the country, October 29th. Rob gave up his ment of the business, but is run and has reopened some 160 job as a car salesman to reopen by the same people as the since last December. The the pub along with his fiancee Plough Inn at , so Crown and Castle is being run Melanie Cooknell. He plans to standards are likely to be high. by manager Sarah Newman, create a family atmosphere, who has extensive pub manage- with a carvery on Sunday and Unicorn, Chase Meadow, ment experience. Rob Suret, traditional meals available eve- Warwick London Town's senior opera- ry day. Plans for the site include Beer range has significantly in- tions manager, said "the eco- a landscaped garden with new creased in recent months. Often nomic downturn and changing paving, turf lawn, and smokers’ there is five and some times six drinking habits in the United shelter. The interior will also be real ales on offer. Jennings Kingdom, not least the increase completely refurbished. Cumberland and Marston's Ped- in ridiculously cheap supermar- igree are regulars, Wychwood Walnut Tree, Lillington ket alcohol, means that we are Hobgoblin is very often on. The Lillington residents have failed in danger of losing wonderful guests come from the Jennings to keep local pub the Walnut pubs such as the Crown and and Wychwood seasonal lists. Tree from being taken over by Castle. Many pubs which are Also customers are being wel- Tesco to turn into a new Tesco closing these days are the very comed to help choose the beers Express store, now however hub of the community, especial- for coming weeks - only restric- council planners have recom- ly communities such as the tion is that they are from the mended the plan for approval, Coventry Road in Warwick, and Marstons portfolio. subject to certain conditions. we are delighted to have been This is despite loal residents’ Cottage Tavern, Ashorne able to provide the means for Save The Walnut Tree cam- The Cottage Tavern changed the Crown and Castle to once paign, with some 2,500 signa- hands with Chris Goudie being again playing its full part in lo- tures opposing the plan. replaced by Peter Fitzpatick on cal life." Monday the 17th August.. Peter Coventry & Warwickshire I believe worked at the Plough, Food and Drink Awards Warmington. Amongst the winners in the Crown and Castle, Warwick Coventry & Warwickshire Food and Drink Awards, announced Good Beer Guide 2010 updates There are too many corrections to list here. They can be found on the CAMRA Website fhttp://www.camra.org.uk/page.aspx?o=corrections2010 Do you have any interesting news about local pubs? If so the please send it to our pub news coordinator Tina Jones at [email protected] .

Page 20 Beer and Ragged Staff Local Pub and Brewery News (continued) 23 Sept are: pen again after a very short when he will have been at the Best dining inn/pub closure, the new licensees are pub for 20 years. Winner: Blue Bell - Henley Scott and Adel. White Horse, Highly commended - Red Lion, Somerville Arms, Leaming- The White Horse at Radford ton Champion of customer service Semele is ordering Warwick- Lizzie King, The Stag at Off- Has been taken over by Ever- shire - Godiva direct from church ards brewery, existing landlord brewery. Also Punch have done is still there. Guest beers will a deal with "Hobsons" for their Black Dog, Southam be available. bitter and "Purity" for their John Wilsher ex of the Bull at Mad Goose. All the above in- Montgomery of Alamain, Southam, and latterly of “The formation has come from the Hampton Magna Duke” in Kempston, is taking deputy manager - Jason. A on the lease of The Black Dog Taken over by couple who run sign is outside the pub stating from 26 th October. He hopes to Queens Head at , 2 that House Real Ale is £2.50 be open for customers by the real ales on recently. per pint. end of November. Sun (formerly Sun in Splen- The White Hart, Ufton dour), Leamington Punchbowl, Warwick This has re-opened after being The Punchbowl has recently Now reopen, but no real ales. closed for a short time, follow- held a disco in aid of Help For ing a change in ownership. The Leopard Inn, Bishops Heroes, this is as well as its They have refurbished the inte- Tachbrook regular events for Breast Can- rior, and are now doing home cer. It is planning a fancy-dress Has been reopened, by a team cooked food too. disco with pig roast for Hallow- of three who own pubs in the Bowling Green, Leamington een, and a fancy dress disco for Worcestershire area. Christmas Eve, as well as its This has re-opened on Friday The Cottage Tavern, Leam- regular Thursday night music 25th September after major ington sessions. renovations. The previous own- Old Olive Bush, Flecknoe The Cottage Tavern will ers were forced to close earlier change licenscee. From Chris this year as the growing finan- Handpulls in operation, 2 Goudie to Peter Fitzpatick on cial pressure of running a pub Church End beers and 1 Green Monday the 17th August, Peter became too much. But new king worked at the Plough, Warm- landlord and landlady, Brian Weatheroak Brewery ington Hegarty and Ellie Leacroft, are convinced they can make it a The Coventry Arms, Leam- The Weatheroak Brewery has success. moved into Studley. Bigger ington Spa King’s Head, Napton premises were required. Their The landlord is giving up after website is yet to be updated, 23 years there. So this pub may The new licensee is Roger Con- but several reports on the inter- have an uncertain future stable ex of the Cuttle Long net confirm this. Itchington. They now have Lord Nelson, Warwick Crown, Harbury Hooky Dark on as well as Bit- The landlord at the Lord Nel- ter and Old Hooky. Change in licensee, new land- son (Micky) is holding a grand lord is called Dean. Pub is reo- party in October, November 2009 — January 2010 Page 21 Diary of events: November 2009 — January 2010 Everyone is welcome to join us at any of these events, you don’t have to be a CAMRA member. Most Tuesday eve- nings we visit one or more pubs in the area to check out the real ale. These “crawls” start at 8.30pm, unless stated other- wise. We operate a lift sharing arrangement to avoid drinking and driving, just call 07855 644043 to arrange your lift. Heart of Warwickshire Branch events in bold text. Other CAMRA events in plain text. Non CAMRA events in italic. Wishing all our readers a very merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

November Hatton; Case is Altered, Hunningham; Plough, Eath- Fiveways orpe; Three Horseshoes, Tuesday 3rd: 8.30pm. Coun- Princethorpe try crawl: Boat, Blue Lias, Tuesday 8th: 8.30pm. Branch Stockton; Bowling Green, Meeting: Punch Bowl, War- Tuesday 12th: 8.30pm. GBG Old Mint, Southam wick 2011 minibus survey. Details to be advised. Contact Derek Tuesday 10th: 8.30pm. War- Friday 11th: 8.30pm. Branch Dent, wick crawl: Tudor House, Christmas meal at The [email protected] Vine, Warwick Arms, Lord Crown, Stockton at 7.30p.m. Leycester Hotel, Thomas Three courses plus first pint Tuesday 19th: 8.30pm. Lloyd £20 per person. Bookings to B&RS distribution, War- Derek Dent, 01926 496535 or wick: start at Millwright Tuesday 17th: 8.30pm. [email protected]. Arms Leamington crawl: Green £10 deposit required with Man, Somerville, Clarendon, booking. Tuesday 26th : 8.30pm. Woodland Tavern B&RS distribution, Leam- Tuesday 15th: 8.30pm. ington: start Talbot and fin- Tuesday 24th: 8.30pm. GBG Leamington crawl: Dukes, ish at Red House 2011 minibus survey. Details Willoughby, Bar Code, to be advised. Contact Derek Lounge, Benjamin Satchwell February 2010 Dent, [email protected] Tuesday 22nd : 8.30pm. Tuesday 2nd: 8.30pm. GBG Warwick crawl: Kings 2011 minibus survey. Details Friday 27th: 8.30pm. Day Head, Globe, Rose & Crown, to be advised. Contact Derek trip to Dudley Winter Ales Tilted Wig Dent, festival. For details and to [email protected] book a place, contact John Tuesday 29th: 8.30pm. Southam crawl: Bull, Court- Crossling 01926 613256 or Tuesday 9th: 8.30pm. Branch yard, Market Tavern, Ston- 07925 633173 by 17th No- meeting, inc GBG selection. eythorpe vember Village Club, Harbury. December January 2010

Tuesday 1st: 8.30pm. Coun- Tuesday 5th: 8.30pm. Coun- Press day for next issue try crawl: New Inn, Norton try crawl: Stags Head, Off- (February 2010) is Monday Lindsey; Waterman, Falcon, church; Red Lion, 11th January. Page 22 Beer and Ragged Staff BeerBeer and and Ragged Ragged Staff Staff (Heart (Heart of of Warwickshire Warwickshire Branch Branch) )

November 2009 — January 2010 Page 23 CAMRA Champion Beer of Warwickshire 2009 - 4% Golden

Or Try our Seasonal Autumn Bliss 4.2% Amber

Nearer Christmas look out for Berry Nice Beer, 4.2% Amber - YULE ENJOY

Call Paul or Jerry 01926 450747 Or email [email protected]

The Brewery, Queen Street, Cubbington, Leamington Spa CV32 7NA

www.warwickshirebeer.co.uk