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All of our crisps have won great taste awards Crisps as they should taste. www.piperscrisps.com @Piperscrisps Piperscrisps IA 7_Layout 1 08/05/2013 20:49 Page 3 CONTENTS ISSUE 2 2013
eer Festiv n B al ol 20 c 1 in 3 Lincoln Beer L
Festival Campaign For Real Ale 7 23rd May - 25th May 2013 at the Lincoln Drill Hall Free School Lane, Lincoln LN2 1EY Over 100 Real Ales Ciders, Perries & International Bottled Beers 17
3rd The Regulars 4 7 5 Lincoln News A round up of Local Pub and Brewery News 11 Lincoln Members Page & Branch Diary Also food & live music in the Drill Hall Café Find out what’s going on in the Lincoln CAMRA branch. For more details see:- www.lincolncamra.org.uk 24/25 www.lincolndrillhall.com Recimpes What’s cooking in the CAMRA kitchen? 24/25 Bottled Beer Review 15 A selection of beers from Hobsons Brewery 31 Membership Lincoln Beer Sign up to CAMRA The Guests 17 Festival 2013 Meet the Brewer - Tom Woods Brewery 20 Lincoln Beer Festival 2013 Pull Out Dambusters History
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4 ImpAle LincolnCamra.org.uk IA 7_Layout 1 08/05/2013 20:50 Page 5 Welcome. Hello Again
May is ImpAle’s 2nd birthday and I am exceptionally grateful to the small team of contributors who work hard to put this magazine together. This dedicated team spend their spare time meeting brewers (it’s a hard life), drinking beer (again it’s a hard life), testing recipes (do I need to say it again?). A small network of people go out in all weathers to ensure that 3 times a year over 3000 (that’s over 9000 a year) copies of this magazine are distributed to Jerry Gale Steve Renshaw Steve Richardson Lincolnshire pubs. Please enjoy this issue of ImpAle and as usual if you have any So let’s hear it for some of our regular contributors. comments please send them to me. [email protected] Or tweet me @ImpAleEditor. Or be my friend on Facebook – Lincoln CAMRA ImpAle
Wendy
PS – In January’s issue we printed an article about micro pubs. The article incorrectly states that Health was a licensing objective. This is incorrect and we apologise for the error.
Aaron Joyce Ashley Sewell Greg Richards
Our Twitter account @Lincoln_CAMRA now has over 1480 followers! Our friends on our Facebook account are also increasing at a steady rate! To help keep the success going we need your help! Please email Aaron at [email protected] with your local pub’s events, be it a regular weekly quiz/food night and one off events, it's an easy way to become active within the branch with minimal effort. We are also on Instagram too @Lincoln_CAMRA
ImpAle ImpAle is the magazine of Lincoln CAMRA and Louth CAMRA branches. CAMRA campaigns for real ale, real pubs and consumer Editor rights. It is an independent, voluntary organisation with more than Wendy Margetts 140,000 members nationally. ImpAle magazine is published three Design times a year and is available free through pubs in Lincoln and Louth Matt Richards branch areas. To join CAMRA, help preserve Britain’s brewing and Art of Matelot, Matelot Marketing Limited pub industry, get the campaign’s quarterly newsletter and its monthly newspaper What’s Brewing and a host of other membership benefits – Publisher visit www.camra.org.uk Neil Richards MBE, Matelot Marketing Limited Tel:01536 358670 Mob:07710 281381 CAMRA is a limited company, run at national level by an elected unpaid [email protected] board of directors and at regional level by volunteer regional directors, Front Cover both backed by full time professional staff. Picture by Sean Taylor landlord at The Bluebell, Tattershall Thorpe Consumer Rights With kind help from For complaints about issues such as short measures contact Lincolnshire Trading Standards on 01522 782341 or Consumer Direct Steve Renshaw, Wendy Renshaw, Steve Campaign for Real Ale Richardson, Phil Kempton, Aaron Joyce, on 0845 404 0506. 230 Hatfield Road Ashley Sewell, Jerry Gale, Greg Richards, St Albans, Herts. Richard Banks, Peter Warner, Tony Howkins, Disclaimer AL1 4LW copies/images of Lincoln Library with The views contained within ImpAle do not necessarily represent the Tel: 01727 867201 permission of Lincolnshire County Council: views of CAMRA, the editor, or the Lincoln and Louth branches. Email: [email protected] Lincoln Central Library: Local Studies Collection, Sara Basquill, Lincolnshire Echo. LincolnCamra.org.uk ImpAle 5 IA 7_Layout 1 08/05/2013 20:50 Page 6 NEWS
IN BRIEF
Family fun at Pheasantry The Pheasantry Brewery, near East Markham, is holding a beer festival and family weekend from Thursday, 20th June to Sunday 23rd June. Six of their own beers, including Pheasantry Pilsner and the summer special, Dancing Dragonfly, will be available, plus numerous guest ales and ciders. The Pilsner has recently been launched in the Pheasantry bar and is proving to be a great success. It is a smooth but well-hopped pilsner-style lager brewed and conditioned over a 3 month period. The weekend will have Pic - Landlady Emma Chapman celebrates the Brewer’s success. something for everyone, with a barbecue and live music on Friday and Saturday nights, and a bouncy castle and children’s Jolly Brewer is games in the beer garden. Full details can be found on the brewery’s website.
Pub of the Year www.pheasantrybrewery.co.uk
The Jolly Brewer on Broadgate has profile of the pub and we've had a lot of Lincoln CAMRA chairman, Bob Foulger, been selected as the Lincoln CAMRA new custom because of it. So, all in all, said, ‘The branch pub of the year should Branch Pub of the Year for 2013. This we're delighted!’ tick all the boxes. It should offer a range of is the second time in three years that quality real ales, real cider and perry, provide landlady, Emma Chapman, has won the The selection process started with a vote events and services for the local community, award. by local CAMRA members. Then five and have a strong identity that will often judges visited the pubs that topped the reflect the tastes of the licensee. Any of Reacting to the news, Emma said ‘It’s the poll to assess the quality of the beer, the the four finalists would have been a worthy best thing that could have happened for us! atmosphere, service, community focus winner, but the Brewer just edged it this It’s a real honour anyway, but for it to come and value for money. The other finalists year.’ at the end of a very difficult year trade-wise, were Lincoln’s Strugglers Inn, the Butcher is such a boost for morale. The award is and Beast at Heighington, and the very good for trade as well - it raises the Dambusters Inn at Scampton. Lincolnshire’s Best Pubs Here are the finalists in the Lincolnshire round of CAMRA’s Pub of the Year 2013. The Jolly Brewer - Lincoln The Gas Lamp Lounge - Louth The Royal Oak - Snitterby The Five Bells - Claypole The Yarborough Hotel - Grimsby The Half Moon - Willingham by Stow
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News Oldershaw’s lives up to Great Expectations
Oldershaw’s Great Expectations as it is the first of her own took silver in the Best Bitters beer recipes to pick up an section in the Society of award. Independent Brewers (SIBA) National Beer Competition Great Expectations was beaten 2013, which was held as part to the gold by Quantock of SIBA’s first ever BeerX Brewery’s Will Neck (4.3% event in Sheffield. The 4.2% ABV), which went on to be ABV golden ale, featuring named Supreme Champion the Galaxy hop, was first Cask Beer. Quantock Brewery, brewed as a special for last a small, family-run business year’s Leicester Beer Festival. based in Wellington, Somerset, Kathy Britton, who owns the was set up in December Grantham brewery with her 2007. Pic - Kathy Britton receives her SIBA certificate from Neil Morrissey. husband Tim, was delighted,
Finalists, sponsors and guests Sebastopol Inn at Minting was gathered at the DoubleTree highly commended. Lincolnshire by Hilton in Lincoln for the announcement of the winners In the Taste of Excellence of this year’s County Cuisine awards, Lincolnshire Life readers Pub Food Awards Awards. The Select Lincolnshire vote for their favourite café, tea project came together with room, pub, bistro or restaurant Lincolnshire Life magazine to in Lincolnshire. The top three present the Lincolnshire Food nominated establishments in and Drink Awards 2013. each category are visited anonymously by a judging The Village Limits at Woodhall panel between to decide the Spa won the Pub of the overall winners. Year category of the Select Lincolnshire awards. This is The winner of the Best Pub the seventh consecutive year Food category was the Hare that landlords, Billy and and Hounds in Fulbeck. This Sonia Gemmell, have won an family business impressed the award from Select Lincolnshire judges with every dish and (formerly Tastes of Lincolnshire). course served. The runners- Billy said, ‘We owe our success up were the Sebastopol Inn at to our ethos of supporting great Minting and the Carpenter’s local suppliers, coupled with Arms at Fiskerton. our fantastic team of staff.’ The Pic - Bill and Sonia Gemmell of the Village Limits, Woodhall Spa, celebrate their award.
Great British Beer Festival
Following last year’s success, the Great British buds. It is not all about the beer though. Beer Festival will again take place at London There is also plenty of food, live music and Olympia. 55,000 people are expected to pub games to enjoy. attend CAMRA’s premier festival from 13th to 17 th August. Tickets can be bought by calling 0844 412 4640 or visiting www.gbbf.org.uk/tickets. With over 800 real ales, ciders, perries and If you are feeling lucky, visit: foreign beers to choose from, there will be www.gbbf.org.uk/competitions where there plenty of choice to suit everybody’s taste are plenty of great prizes to win.
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News
IN BRIEF
List Your Local Pop-up cinema at the Brewer communities with the power just enough time for pub Having previously branched out to stop the clock when faced campaigners to gather into theatrical productions, the with the pub going up for together a suitable bid to Jolly Brewer on Broadgate is sale, earning valuable time to buy the pub and run as diversifying further by converting explore options for saving the community-owned. the back room into a pop-up pub. cinema. The church pews are Since the Asset of Community being replaced with original, CAMRA has set the challenge Value scheme started in 2012, art-deco cinema seats, freshly of getting 300 pubs listed pub activists have used their removed from an old cinema by the end of the year. new powers to halt the sale near Bristol. They will be set in Increasing numbers of local of their beloved locals. The banks of twos and threes and councils are taking into Ivy House in London was the If you love your local pub and arranged so that they serve as account Assets of Community first pub to be listed as an think it adds lots of value to normal pub seating, but can be Value when considering new ACV and the first which has your community, you now re-positioned in rows when the planning applications against led to a successful buy-out have the opportunity to give room is used as a cinema. Other a pub. Listing your local from the community. it extra protection from enhancements are planned and means property developers developers by listing it with a number of the pub’s regulars who are keen for a hassle- For more information and the local council as an are keen to be involved in putting free purchase are less likely to download the CAMRA Asset of Community Value. it all together. Under the Localism Act 2011, to show interest. Guide to Nominating Pubs as people living in England If a listed pub goes up for Assets of Community Value, Community Pubs can nominate a pub to sale, its ACV status can mean visit www.camra.org.uk/ be listed as an Asset of that the sale is postponed listyourlocal Campaign Community Value. This provides for up to six months. That’s CAMRA’s community pubs campaign aims to raise the profile of pub-going and increase the number of people using pubs Louth News regularly. Following on from April’s Community Pubs Month, we will be focusing on pubs and Keep campaigning, charity in July. Pubs raise millions of pounds for local and national we CAN make a difference! charities and CAMRA will work with the media to raise awareness future looked bleak ever since the owner of of this fantastic achievement. the pub and tenants at the time applied for Pubs will be encouraged to planning permission to change it in to a organise events during July to house in late 2008. Thankfully due to local raise money for charity. support and input from the Louth and District branch the planning application was rejected Summer beer festival by the Council leaving this pub as a business proposition for the right tenant. at Dog & Bone My task as Pubs Officer for Louth and District The Dog and Bone on John branch was to produce a viability report. Street is holding a four-day These documents although long winded are summer beer festival, starting on Pics – The Three Horseshoes on the re-opening night. an effective tool to help save a local pub from Thursday, 1st August. Landlords, Mark Brae, Pubs Officer for Louth and District permanent closure. If you can provide enough Chris and Sarah Sorrell, hope to CAMRA talks about an important campaign evidence that a pub is still viable no council serve 20 real ales plus ciders in issue for CAMRA – fighting pub closure. will accept the conversion. The format is their sheltered garden. They’re March was a month of success this year for readily available on the CAMRA website also planning a barbecue, live the Campaign for Real Ale. Nationally we have (http://www.camra.org.uk/viabilitytest) and music and garden games. finally beaten the hated Beer Duty escalator is not solely for the use of members. I would Check their website and locally after nearly 5 years of waiting and like to thank Ian and Denise for undertaking www.dogandbonelincoln.co.uk fighting, a pub which was threatened with the task of reopening this fine community for details of all their events. permanent closure reopened its doors to the pub and I urge you all who know of a pub in public. The Three Horseshoes in Goulceby, danger to use this tool as any viable pub, is a Lincolnshire reopened on the 1st of March. Its pub worth saving. 8 ImpAle LincolnCamra.org.uk IA 7_Layout 1 08/05/2013 20:50 Page 9
Louth News IN BRIEF Expansion at The Black Sleaford Brewery Sleaford Brewery has installed a new 200 litre plant, with four temperature- Horse Brewing controlled fermenters and an extra- large hot liquor tun. Owner, Chris Smith is running ‘brew days with notes’ Company for people interested in beer or thinking of starting brewing. He hopes to provide a great introduction that gives Tony Howkins from The Black Horse Brewing Company in a foundation for further training. Grainthorpe, Louth tells us a bit about how he got started with his brewery. Welbeck Abbey brewery tap The Grey Horses, at Carlton in Lindrick near Worksop, is now the Welbeck Back in the early 1980s, I started brewing of used, stainless steel barrels, which I Abbey brewery tap. To celebrate this using tinned beer kits and, after a lot of adapted to my design and my all-grain and the third anniversary of taking over effort, I produced plenty of unsatisfactory, brew house was established. the pub, landlords Chris and Sal are poor-tasting beers. I soon progressed to holding a beer and music festival dry-style kits, which produced better results, Whilst I started to achieve reasonable between 7th and 9th June. There will be but I was still not happy. results, I was keen to improve further, so I 12 handpulls, a real cider, and local approached Phil Ellis of Fulstow Brewery food on the barbecue and, of course, I then started to experiment with various and asked whether I could help out at plenty of live music. hops and adjuncts, to create a better beer his brewery. He kindly offered me a couple from the kits. My brewing days came to an of days a week, where I gained more Beer at the Southwell end in the early 1990s when I went to work experience. That helped me with the two abroad. In 2008, my stepson, Jack, hosted things required to move forward with my Folk Festival a garden party and said he was going to brewery - recipes and brewing techniques The Gate to Southwell Folk Festival, the brew cider from a kit; this restored my - and the Black Horse Brewing Company Midlands' premier folk and dance interest in brewing. was born. festival, takes place from 6th to 9th June. The festival’s beer tent will have at least I gathered together all my old brewing The Black Horse free house is the only pub 55 different beers, sourced from micro- equipment from the loft and resurrected my in the small village of Grainthorpe and breweries both local and further afield, hobby. I then spent a whole year learning is owned by my cousin, Charlie Jordan. I plus 16 ciders and perries. Grantham’s how to brew from malt extracts, having lots approached him during July 2012, with Oldershaw Brewery is producing the of success with various beers. Friends thoughts of reopening the pub with a festival beer - Light and Hoppy Pioneer were invited round for garden parties, microbrewery on site. Whilst the building - a 4% ABV pale beer, single-hopped where they sampled a variety of my had operated as a brewery in the past, with the Pioneer hop. Southwell will beers. This was where I found a great re-establishment proved to be challenging. also be showcasing beers from several hop combination and my flagship beer, A half-barrel plant was built to our members of the Project Venus group. Pleasant Blonde (4.2% ABV), was born. specification and installed by us, giving a production capability of four barrels per day. Cider makers welcome cold weather The two beers currently being produced While most of us bemoaned the coldest are Pleasant Blonde (4.2% ABV) and March in half a century, the nation’s Black Horse IPA (4.6% ABV). The latter cider makers have been quietly was brewed at the request of the local celebrating the prospect of a bumper customers, who seem to favour a darker apple harvest. Orchards bloomed early beer. The pub always has three cask ales last year, after March temperatures on offer, along with a selection of other soared above 20oC. However, sharp beers, wines and spirits. The kitchen will frosts and rain in April prevented fruit soon be open, serving a selection of hot forming on the trees, resulting in the meals and desserts. worst apple crop in decades. Growers In June 2012, I entered Pleasant Blonde were delighted to welcome the biting into the Brown Cow Beer Festival and easterly winds that have delayed this was awarded joint first place. I was [email protected] year’s blossoms and protected the delighted to receive the news whilst on The Black Horse - 01472 388989 buds until later in the year. holiday. Eventually, I purchased a number
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WHAT’SBREWING NATIONALLY
ImpAle rounds up CAMRA’s news from the last three months
November April > Business Secretary, Vince Cable, has announced a clamp-down on > CAMRA members were thanked for the part they played in persuading unfair practices by pubcos. He plans to introduce a statutory code, Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, to scrap the beer duty enforceable by a new adjudicator, governing the relationship between escalator in his budget. The escalator would have automatically added the companies and publicans 3p to the duty on a pint of beer. Osborne went a step further by reducing > The BBC has investigated the closure of pubs in our region by beer duty by 1p. supermarket chains. The East Midlands Politics Show followed up > CAMRA’s annual prices survey revealed that the average price of a pint the CAMRA campaign by interviewing members about the conversion of real ale across the UK has topped £3 for the first time. The average of the Galaxy pub in Hinkley into a Co-op supermarket. price in February was £3.03, a 3.9% increase on 2012. The average price > A survey by the Independent Family Brewers of Britain found that its of a pint of standard lager was £3.21. members grew cask sales from 45.5% to 47.7% of their production. IFBB > Marston’s has identified over 400 pubs it wants to sell over the next members include some of the country’s oldest breweries. few years, with the majority likely to go for alternative use. CAMRA maintains that there are many pubs which were written off by big March pub companies and breweries but which have been turned round to > The Baum in Rochdale has been crowned CAMRA’s National Pub profitability once set free of tie. of the Year. Tucked away on a cobbled street, the family-run pub was converted from a hardware store in the 1980s. If you’re not a CAMRA member, you won’t be getting all the latest > The British Hop Association has produced a logo which brewers real ale, pub and brewing news delivered to your door every month. can add to pump clips, bottle labels and marketing material to let Join, using the application form on page 31 and get What’s customers know beers contain British hops. The initiative aims to Brewing and Beer delivered free, plus a host of other membership reverse the decline in the British hop industry. benefits. > According to the British Beer and Pub Association, beer sales in pubs are continuing to fall. In the last three months of 2012, sales were down 4.8% compared to 2011. Off-trade sales were down 7.5% in the same period.
We asked our Facebook friends and Twitter followers to tell us about their favourite pub. ImpAle Editor - Well it looks lovely and sunny out Here’s a selection of the replies. there. Dreaming of summer and beer gardens! @hh93 replied What is your favourite beer garden and why? @ImpAleEditor @Lincoln_CAMRA strugglers - It's quaint!
@Mr William replied @aaronjoyce replied @ImpAleEditor We need more proper children friendly beer As well as the @GoldenEaglePub beer garden I find the gardens in Lincoln. @DogBoneLincoln is a great sun trap in the summer, both great venues! @BozzerHogshead replied @mrwilliam @ImpAleEditor @lincoln_camra Brown cow not @colinbrown1968 replied too bad, Lincolnshire poacher quite good. Both fenced in play @ImpAleEditor Lincoln Green, N Hykeham. Huge with access to areas Glebe Park directly behind. At least 3 ales on as well. get there by 27 bus. @loftyimp replied @ImpAleEditor @Lincoln_CAMRA dogs welcome, covered BBQ Find Lincoln CAMRA ImpAle on Facebook. Follow us on area, marque, children welcome. I know of nothing as good as Twitter @ImpAleEditor alternatively, you can email @GoldenEaglePub garden [email protected] or write to ImpAle, 4 Squires Place, Nettleham, Lincoln, LN2 2WH 10 ImpAle LincolnCamra.org.uk IA 7_Layout 1 08/05/2013 20:50 Page 11
Lincoln CAMRA Members’ News WhatPub needs YOU CAMRA’s new pub website WhatPub now lists around 32,000 pubs serving real ale. The website aims to become the best, most comprehensive online pub listing which all pub-lovers can use and enjoy. While 86% of all the pubs in the UK serving real ale are listed, we need your help to ensure these listings are as complete and accurate as possible.
You can log in to whatpub.com with same details you use to visit the Members Area of CAMRA’s national website. If you have not visited the Members Area of CAMRA’s national website before, then try your CAMRA membership number (which will be 6 digits – if it is less, use leading zeros, e.g. 001234) and the postcode when you joined the Campaign (upper case, no spaces e.g. AL44LW). If neither of these seem to work, email [email protected] with an email titled ‘Membership Password for WhatPub’, your name and membership number (152986) and HQ will get back to you as soon as we can. Members enjoying the sunshine on a recent trip to Peterborough
You can search for pubs by name, town, station, post code etc, e.g. Mermaid St Albans. If there is some information missing, or you feel needs updating then click on the red button ‘Add/Edit Details’ at the top right of the page. You will be taken to a Pub Feedback form that will allow you to submit additional information and recommend changes. This information will be sent to the appropriate CAMRA branch and updated. Please be patient as these branch officials are volunteers and will try their best to update the site with your suggestions as soon as they can. If you cannot find a particular pub, this is because it has not yet been entered on to the system by the local branch.
We hope you will enjoy using WhatPub and we look forward to your help in developing the site. Once we are happy we have the best pub website in Britain, we will launch to the public but, for the time being, this is for members only.
CAMRA discount at Pheasantry Brewery The Pheasantry Brewery bar, off the A57 at East Markham, now gives 20p off the price of a pint of real ale, on production of your CAMRA membership card. At their website (www.pheasantrybrewery.co.uk), you can also find a voucher for a free pint of beer when you have an evening meal.
And a trip to the brewery Our young members are hoping to arrange a brewery tour at Pheasantry in June. Look out for details on Facebook and Twitter.
Keep your personal details up to date If you move house, or change your phone number or e-mail address, please let CAMRA headquarters know. The HQ membership database is our only means of staying in contact with you. You can update your personal details via the CAMRA website (www.camra.org.uk) or by calling membership enquiries on 01727 798440.
Branch Diary May Thursday 9th Branch Meeting - Magna Carta, Lincoln - 8pm. 23rd - 25th Lincoln Beer Festival.
June Saturday 1st East Midlands Regional Meeting - Derby. Sunday 2nd Committee Meeting - Red Lion, Dunston - 8pm. Tuesday 4th Branch Meeting - Chase, Market Rasen - 8pm. Sunday 30th Committee Meeting - Bottle & Glass, Normanby by Spital - 8pm.
July Tuesday 2nd Branch Meeting - Coach & Horses, Hemingby - 8pm.
Check out the branch website for up-to-date details of trips and socials.
LincolnCamra.org.uk ImpAle 11 IA 7_Layout 1 08/05/2013 20:50 Page 12 Meet the B To Wendy Margetts visits Tom Wood at his brewery in Melton Ross.
Many Lincolnshire (and beyond) ale drinkers and pub landlords will think they know about Tom Wood, Highwood Brewery and Tom Wood’s Brewery. Highwood Brewery was founded in 1995 by Tom, the brewery was situated in some buildings on the farm that Tom grew up on and has been in his family for generations. Highwood Brewery went into administration in February 2011 in what Tom calls a ‘Perfect Storm’, Tom Wood’s brewery rose from the ashes in April 2011 and has been going from strength to strength.
Tom comes from an agricultural background and has worked as a grain merchant prior to returning to the area he grew up in. In 1995 he decided he wanted to do something for himself and as his passions lay with food and drink the obvious answer appeared to be brewing. So after a word with his
12 ImpAle LincolnCamra.org.uk IA 7_Layout 1 08/05/2013 20:50 Page 13 e Brewer Tom Woods
brothers to use the derelict buildings smoking ban came into effect and fuel on the family farm Highwood Brewery prices started to rise. As Tom states was born. Originally it was just Tom, he ‘the drinks pie was getting smaller’ and undertook the Brew Lab course in the margins were squeezed. By February same year and using a brand new brew 2011 Highwood Brewery went into kit, off he went! Tom admits brewing was administration. (and is) a difficult business to be in.
wanted him to brew. ‘The first few months were difficult, it was hard to be told what beers I should or shouldn’t brew’. He tells me that it was also difficult to get back out to pubs and call old customers but the majority of people have been really good to him.
Tom is a brewer who is proud to be Tom tells me he didn’t see it coming until English, all of his beers are brewed solely it did. He was made bankrupt; he has a with English ingredients, and he believes family, a wife and children and people who in the perfect English pint. ‘I want to brew invested time and money into Highwood sessionable beers, a beer that that you Brewery. I tell him that I have heard many can drink more than 1 pint of. My beer isn’t pubs were left without beer that had been massively flavoured but it is my belief that promised to them and that this had cre- most people like to find a good beer and ated a bad feeling. He acknowledges this stick to it’ he tells me. Tom Wood Brewery and tells me he did all he could to try and now brews three main beers – Best, sort out alternative products for customers Lincoln Gold and Bomber County. Lincoln who did not receive orders. He rang other Gold and Bomber County are also brewers in the local area and asked them available bottled. There are occasional There are many barriers to getting beer to deliver at competitive prices to ensure guests and one of them Bouncing Bomb into pubs, especially those that are not a continuation in supply to pubs. (6%ABV) will be available at Lincoln Beer freehouses and have their beer list Festival. dictated by large Pubcos. He chased the guest beer market, which encouraged him The Beers to brew as many different beers as he Bomber County (4.8% ABV) could, always trying to ensure that when a Ruby in colour. A deep red pub ended with one guest beer he had premium bitter with earthy hops another different beer to replace it. and fruity malt notes. Some citrus notes emerge in the mouth, with a In 2002, Tom took on a wholesale drinks teasing roasted bitterness playing on the company and had 8 pubs that covered an tongue. area from Derbyshire up to Leeds and across to Hull. He had increased brewing By April 2011, a new company Tom Wood Lincoln Gold (4% ABV) Golden hued to a 30 barrel plant and become heavily Beers Ltd had been founded. This is the hoppy beer with gentle maltiness and a involved with SIBA. In hindsight it was at brewery Tom now runs. It is owned by a refreshingly dry aftertaste. A mellow beer, this time he can see the drinks industry group of 6-7 people who purchased the pale amber in colour with a subtle hint of had started to change, consumption of brew plant from the liquidator and asked Lincolnshire honey. drinks in pubs and clubs that he delivered Tom to come and work for them. Tom to through the drinks company had started admits this was a blessing but also Best (3.5% ABV) An easy to decline. Whilst small brewers were difficult. He was used to running his own drinking bitter with a fresh dry fairly well cocooned, national brewers had company and now he had people telling hoppy flavour combined with a started to see a decline in sales. The him what to do including what beers they fruity aftertaste and heady aroma. LincolnCamra.org.uk ImpAle 13 IA 7_Layout 1 08/05/2013 20:50 Page 14
Dambusters Beers L
In the 1990s, two television advertisements were made for Carling Black Label which played on the theme of the Dambusters. The first showed a German guard on top of a dam catching a bouncing bomb as if he were a goalkeeper. The second showed a British tourist skimming a red, white and blue towel across a swimming pool to reserve a sun-lounger before German tourists could get there. Although we may have chuckled, the commercials were criticised by the Independent Television Commission for being anti-German and, more significantly, for trivialising the heavy loss of life during the famous bombing raid.
However, given the importance of pubs to the war effort, the naming of a beer, particularly traditional British ale, is a fitting tribute to the brave efforts of Bomber Command aircrew. With the 70th anniversary of the Dambusters raids in the news, you can expect to see beers with names connected to World War II bombers featuring on a bar near you.
Here are a few to look out for.
Thwaites Lancaster Bomber (4.4% ABV) Lincolnshire drinkers will be very familiar with Bomber County. This is a well-balanced, copper-coloured best bitter The name celebrates the county’s wartime heritage. Bouncing with firm malt flavours, a fruity background and a long, Bomb is a special for the anniversary. There’s a lot more about dry finish. Tom Wood’s Brewery elsewhere in this edition of ImpAle.
Established in Blackburn in 1807, Thwaites is still controlled by Amber Ales Barnes Wallis Bitter (4.1% ABV) the Yerburgh family, descendants of the founder, Daniel Thwaites. Amber Ales’ best-selling session ale. An easy-drinking They produce a wide range of cask ales, including the core range IPA-style bitter, it is copper-coloured with a full malt and limited edition Signature Ale range, which was launched flavour and hopped with Northern Brewer and spicy in 2011. Lancaster Bomber was brewed initially by Mitchell’s of Syrian Goldings hops. Lancaster - hence the name. In 1999, the Mitchell brewery closed down, and was bought in part by Thwaites, who have turned Amber Ales Dambuster (5.2% ABV) Lancaster Bomber into a major brand. To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Dambusters raid on the Ruhr dams, using the Barnes Wallis bouncing Tom Wood’s Bomber County (4.8% ABV) bomb, Amber Ales have produced a golden IPA with This beer has an earthy, malt aroma but with a complex, Cascade and Warrior hops. underlying mix of coffee, hops, caramel and apple fruit. It starts bitter and intensifies to the end. Amber Ales is a small micro-brewery, located in the historic village of Pentrich, near Ripley, Derbyshire. The brewery was established Tom Wood’s Bouncing Bomb (6.0% ABV) seven years ago by Peter Hounsell to create ‘classic-style real A rich, ruby-coloured beer that drinks very smoothly as ales with a modern twist’. All are made using whole hops, a result of the inclusion of Lincolnshire honey in the floor-malted grain and sometimes more culinary ingredients. brew. It retains fruity hop characteristics - not too sweet Their most celebrated beer, Chocolate Orange Stout (4.0% ABV), and very moreish. is created from a unique blend of five chocolate malts, imbued with vanilla and orange and aged in the cask for three months.
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eer Festiv n B al ol 20 c 1 in 3 Lincoln Beer L
Festival Campaign For Real Ale
23rd May - 25th May 2013 at the Lincoln Drill Hall Free School Lane, Lincoln LN2 1EY Over 100 Real Ales Ciders, Perries & International Bottled Beers
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Also food & live music in the Drill Hall Café
For more details see:- www.lincolncamra.org.uk www.lincolndrillhall.com LincolnCamra.org.uk ImpAle 15 IA 7_Layout 1 08/05/2013 20:50 Page 16
lighter, more fruity aroma with gentle hoppiness. Alcohol levels are typically low, Which beer although some strong milds are produced. IPA India Pale Ale changed the face of brewing early in the 19th century. The new to choose? technologies of the Industrial Revolution enabled brewers to use pale malts to Have you ever looked at a row of handpumps and fashion beers that were genuinely golden wondered where to start? Beer Festival organiser, or pale bronze in colour. First brewed in London and Burton-on-Trent for the Steve Renshaw, provides advice on selecting the colonial market, IPAs were strong in right real ale for you. alcohol and high in hops. So-called IPAs with strengths of around 3.5% ABV are With over 1,000 brewers across the UK Golden Ale not true to style. Look for juicy malt, producing thousands of distinctive ales, This style of pale, citrus fruit and a big spicy, peppery bitter how do you choose your pint when you well-hopped and hop character, with strengths of 4% ABV walk into an unfamiliar pub and look at the thirst-quenching beer was developed upwards. handpumps? Well, you could play it safe in the 1980s as independent brewers and go for a name you recognise, perhaps tried to tempt younger drinkers away Porter from national advertising. Or you could be from heavily-promoted lager brands. The A dark, slightly sweet but hoppy ale adventurous and try something new. hallmark will be the biscuity character made with roasted barley, porter was derived from pale malts, underscored the predecessor of stout. It originated in But how do you know if you’re likely to by tart, citrus fruit and peppery hops, London around 1730 and, by the end of enjoy it? One answer is to come along to sometimes with additional of hints of the 18th century, was the most popular Lincoln Beer Festival and educate your vanilla. Golden ales are pale amber, gold, beer in England. The fashion for the pale palate. The festival has two main aims. yellow or straw coloured, and should be ales of Burton-upon-Trent ended the For those who are regular drinkers of real served cool (but not cold). popularity of porter in the mid-19th century. ale, we try to provide a wide range of In recent years, a number of brewers have beers, many of which would not normally Mild revived porter. Strengths range from 4% to be found in this part of the country. We Once again, CAMRA is devoting a month 6.5% ABV. also showcase ales from many local of campaigning to celebrate milds in May, breweries. And for those who are not yet and there will be plenty to try at the festival. devotees, we want to demonstrate the Stout Milds are mostly black to dark brown in Stout is one of the classic types of ale, a huge variety of styles and flavours to be colour but, occasionally, you’ll find ones discovered in our traditional British tipple. successor in fashion to porter. It is usually that are lighter. They range from warming, a very dark, heavy, well-hopped ale with a roasty ales to light, refreshing, lunchtime To give you the best chance of trying a thick creamy head and good grainy taste, thirst-quenchers. Malty and possibly produced by a proportion of dark-roasted good selection of the beers, all our glasses sweet tones dominate the flavour profile are marked with a third of a pint line. Our barley in the mash. Stouts can be dry or but there may be a light hop flavour or sweet and range from 4% to 8% ABV. friendly bar staff will even offer you a small aroma. Dark milds may have a roasted taster, if they’re not too busy. malt or caramel character in aroma and And now it’s time to go to the bar and taste, while pale milds tend to have a Beer Styles get a drink! It does help to know a bit about the styles of beer that you’ll come across. Here are the main ones.
Bitter Bitters developed towards the end of the 19th century as brewers began to produce beers that could be served in pubs after only a few days’ storage in cellars. Bitters grew out of pale ale but were usually deep bronze to copper in colour, due to the use of slightly darker crystal malts. Expect a spicy, peppery and grassy hop character, a powerful bitterness, tangy fruit, and juicy and nutty malt. Definitions vary from brewery to brewery but best bitters and premium bitters tend to have a higher alcohol content, with malt and fruit character tending to dominate. 16 ImpAle LincolnCamra.org.uk IA 7_Layout 1 08/05/2013 20:50 Page 17
International Bottled Beer Bar
This year sees the return of the popular International Beer bar at Lincoln Beer Festival. The beers are selected to cover a range of styles and tastes from countries around the world. This year we have a selection of beers from America, Belgium, Italy and Germany. Below is a small taster of what you can expect to try.
Rogue Mocha Porter (5.3% ABV) and Rogue Yellow Snow (6.2% ABV)
New for Lincoln Beer Festival are beers from American Craft Brewers Rogue. The Mocha Porter as you would expect is dark in colour with a cream finish. Tastes of coffee and chocolate. Yellow Snow is a golden beer, slightly hazy with a hoppy dry taste.
Fruit Beers Fruit and flavoured beers are very popular at Lincoln Beer Festival and this year we have a few new flavours and some returning favourites. Mongozo Coconut (3.5% ABV) is a popular beer tasting of Sampling Use your nose. The best way to sniff your coconut, with a smell reminiscent of summer holidys. New this year is Floris Tasting beer is just like tasting wine, but beer is with a glass which is half-empty. Chocolate (4.2% ABV), which is a wheat forget about spitting it out. The first step is This enables you to give it a quick swirl, beer blended with a creamy chocolate to make sure the beer you are tasting is place your hand over the glass to hold in taste. We also have the more traditional served at the right temperature. Too cold the lovely aromas fighting to escape and Frank Boon Kriek (4% ABV) for those who and real ale loses many of its complex then dive in and take a nice deep breath. want to taste an authentic lambic fruit flavours. Served too warm, it can develop You’ll soon learn to recognise key features beer. some you don’t want and quickly loses such as hoppiness from a classic pale ale, condition in the glass. the burnt chocolate flavours of a stout or the banana aroma of a wheat beer. So what are you waiting for? Get yourself to Lincoln Beer Festival Use your eyes. Beer should look good. between the 23rd and 25th May to try It should be colourful and bright and, if Now the taste. As you take your first these beers and many more. it is meant to have a significant head of mouthful, you’ll notice the sweetness from froth, this should be thick and creamy. the malts at the front of your mouth. Dry Remember that many beers, particularly bitter flavours from the hops dominate the from the south of England, are not back of your mouth as you swallow the brewed to be served with creamy heads. beer and learn to appreciate the ‘finish’. Remember too that some beers, such as Depending on the style, you’ll find further wheat beers, may be cloudy, but these malt character, ranging from light and should still look attractive and not dull or juicy to chocolate or coffee, along with hop flat in appearance. bitterness and citrus fruit. Above all - enjoy! LincolnCamra.org.uk ImpAle 17 IA 7_Layout 1 08/05/2013 20:50 Page 18
Real Cider and Perry
CAMRA has now been campaigning for 25 years to promote real cider and perry, alongside British real ale. Here’s everything you need to know about these traditional drinks.
Most of today's keg cider is made from smaller, harder and lack the unblemished apple concentrate rather than real apples, attractiveness of eaters or cookers. If you some of which can be imported from tried to eat a cider apple you would almost anywhere. Keg cider is usually discover its main difference from eaters filtered and may also contain any of a or cookers is its tannin level. Tannin is long list of additives and colourings. It is responsible for the fruits astringency, artificially carbonated, pasteurised, and making the fruit taste bitter and drying served under gas pressure. Real cider, the mouth, making it difficult to swallow. on the other hand, is a long-established, traditional drink which is produced How is cider made? What is Perry? naturally from apples and is neither To make cider, the apples are milled, As cider is made from apples, perry is carbonated nor pasteurised. i.e. reduced to small pieces, and then made from pears - but not just any pear. pressed to release the juice. Using the These are perry pears, which tend to be Which apples are natural yeast, which covers the apple skin smaller and harder than dessert pears. (or introduced yeast) and the sugars best for making cider? Perry tends to be produced sweet or contained within the juice, fermentation The apples that we eat as dessert fruit medium sweet, although there are takes place. Once fermentation is are very different from the specialist fruit examples of dry perry. Perry also contains completed, the sweet sugars have been that is usually used to make cider. There natural levels of sorbitol, a sugar alcohol converted into alcohol leaving a dry are over 600 types of apples grown in that the human body metabolizes slowly. product. Cider can then be sweetened the British Isles and each one has a Perry pear trees, while bearing fruit after by using unfermented apple juice or unique balance of sweetness, acidity and several years, will continue to produce fruit artificial sweeteners. tannins. Of these, it is estimated that three for 200 or 300 years. This is much longer quarters are cider apples. In the majority than apple trees, and has led to the of cider-making areas, specialist cider How do you know which phrase, “plant pears for your heirs”. apples are used. However, in Kent and the apples to use? eastern counties a blend of culinary and Cider apples are classified by their When is cider and perry made? dessert apples tends to be used. balance of acid and tannin according to As the majority of fruit ripens in September, four categories:- the ideal time to mill and press is October. What's special about a The autumn evenings, being warmer and cider apple? Bittersweets - low acidity, high tannin. dryer than the winter months, allow the Cider apples are usually more closely Sweets - low acidity, low tannin. cider and perry to get off to a good start. related to the wild crab apple than to Sharps - high acidity, low tannin. Fermentation can be very vigorous at the eating or cooking apples, as they are Bittersharps - high acidity, high tannin. initial stage. Cider-makers use a closely guarded mix of apples to create their own blend of Is there a good cider cider, which is why, if you try one that is not pub near you? totally to your taste, another cider may CAMRA has launched a new scheme to suit you better. Today, the consumer tends promote pubs serving real cider. A "Real to prefer sweeter, smoother, less acidic Cider Sold Here" window sticker is ciders so cider-makers tend not to favour awarded to those pubs which regularly sell bittersharp apples with their intense real cider. The pub is checked out by one astringency and high acid content. of CAMRA's cider coordinators to confirm Planning how the cider will taste starts that real cider is being served. To date, with the planting of orchards, where a over 1,400 pubs have been accredited. number of different varieties of tree are planted together. This means that all the We would like to encourage all pubs to apples can be harvested and processed stock at least one real cider or perry, at the same time to make an outstanding preferably from a local producer. There are product. now cider producers across the country and not just the traditional cider counties of Devon, Somerset, Gloucerstershire and Herefordshire.
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Chocolate Orange was awarded the prestigious CAMRA ‘Champion Speciality Beer of Britain 2010’. Barnes Wallis, the inventor of the bouncing bomb was born in Ripley, so it’s no surprise that a couple of their beers have Dambusters-related names.
Oldershaws Bouncing Bomber (4.0% ABV) A triple-hopped, contemporary rendition of a classic English bitter, with a full, rounded flavour and chestnut appearance.
Oldershaws Beers was established in 1996 by Gary and Diane Oldershaw. Kathy and Tim Britton took over the business in the summer of 2010. The Grantham-based brewery moved to a new home in January 2013. The move only takes them two miles from their previous setting (same water source and same kit, so you won’t have noticed their beers changing) and means they have plenty of room to expand. The site is a former mushroom farm and so has plenty of space and even had a cold store in place already. A new fermenter has been added to the existing brewing plant which means they can increase the number of brews. Oldershaws will be making Bouncing Bomber available to the local RAF bases taking part in Dambuster Anniversary events.
Grafters Chastiser (6.17% ABV) Pale brown. Brewed with Challenger hops, with Goldings for aroma. Excellent bitter/sweet balance.
Grafters’ real ales are brewed on site at the Half Moon pub in Willingham-by-Stow, near Gainsborough. The brewery has recently undergone a major expansion. Chastise was the operation name for the raid on the Ruhr dams, and the ABV of the beer reflects the Dambuster squadron designation. Only 19 firkins of Chastiser are being produced, corresponding to the number of aircraft that took part in the raid.
Poachers Dambusters 70th Anniversary Ale (3.8% ABV) A traditional, brown session bitter brewed with English malt and hops.
Opened in 2001, Poachers was originally situated on the former site of RAF Swinderby, a war-time Bomber Command station. The brewery is owned and operated by George Batterbee, a former RAF man for 25 years, who spent his first tour at RAF Swinderby. Today, the brewery operates from a converted barn at the rear of the brewer's house in North Hykeham. Anniversary Ale is exclusive to the Dambusters Inn at Scampton.
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617 Squadron - The Dambusters 617 Squadron The Dambusters
Number 617 Squadron was formed at RAF Scampton on 21st To mark the 70th anniversary of the famous raids, Steve March 1943 specifically to undertake Operation Chastise, the Renshaw and Steve Richardson visit some of the places breaching of dams vital to the German war effort. The squadron's where the 617 Squadron crews enjoyed a pint between commanding officer, Wing Commander Guy Gibson, was given missions. free rein to comb other Lancaster squadrons for the crews he thought could best undertake the mission. For weeks, not even Gibson was told of the unit's task - the only clue was that low-level training was undertaken around the dams and reservoirs of Derbyshire.
Chastise called for the breaching of dams in the Ruhr, the heart of German industrial production, by dropping a specially designed mine at exactly 60 feet and a speed of 220mph. Nineteen specially modified Lancaster aircraft carried out the attack during the night of 16/17 May 1943, successfully breaching the Mohne and Eder dams, but failing with attacks on two others, the Sorpe and Schwelme. Wing Commander Gibson repeatedly flew over the Mohne and Eder dams to draw fire away from the attacking aircraft and was subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry. Thirty-two other members of the squadron were also decorated but a total of eight aircraft and their crews were lost during the night. The photograph shows Guy Gibson (centre) Following Operation Chastise, the unit was retained to carry on the terrace at the Petwood Hotel. out highly specialised attacks, although it took some weeks to build the squadron back up to its full operating strength. In The First World War was the first to involve the mobilisation of the August 1943, the squadron moved to RAF Coningsby to allow whole of society and its military, civilian and industrial resources. the old grass runways at Scampton to be replaced by concrete. And when the armaments factories could not produce weapons In September 1943, the squadron lost over 60% of its aircraft and in sufficient quantities, the British government was quick to blame crews in a raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal. the “lure of drink”. To be fair, with pubs open nineteen hours a day and beer around 7% ABV, there was much drunkenness and In the following January, Number 617 Squadron, then under the absenteeism. By 1919, measures to address these problems had command of Wing Commander Leonard Cheshire, moved to RAF resulted in pub opening being reduced to five and a half hours a Woodhall Spa. The unit carried out highly specialised attacks, day, beer strength falling to around 3% ABV, and taxes on beer many of which employed the 12,000lb 'Tallboy' and 22,000lb increasing by over 400%. 'Grand Slam' bombs. This included the sinking of the German battleship, Tirpitz, in November 1944. The squadron’s final raid of In contrast, by the start of World War II, drunkenness was no the war was on Berchtesgaden, the holiday home of Adolf Hitler. longer an issue of national concern. In fact, beer and pubs became symbols of resistance, and were considered essential During the twenty-four months of the war that the squadron for morale. This time round, the government quickly recognised operated, they took part in over 100 bombing operations and the importance of the pubs in keeping up the country’s spirits, lost 204 aircrew. and beer was not rationed at any time during the war. A British pint was just as important for the fighting men overseas, and After the end of World War II, the 617’s Lancasters were replaced there are stories of Spitfires flying into France with barrels of beer by Avro Lincolns. In 1952, the squadron received Canberra jet strapped under their wings, and even plans to convert a Royal bombers, before disbanding in December 1955. On 1st May 1958, Navy ship into a floating brewery. Number 617 Squadron reformed at RAF Scampton equipped with Vulcans, a type that remained on strength until 31st December For RAF aircrew, a beer was the perfect way to wind down after 1981, when the unit disbanded. The following year, the squadron a hazardous mission. According to Air Vice-Marshal Sir Cecil reformed with Tornado GR1s at Marham, initially in the strike role, Bouchier, who was Senior Air Staff Officer at HQ Number 11 but latterly in the maritime strike mission based at Lossiemouth. (Fighter) Group from 1943 to 1945:
Number 617 Squadron currently operates Tornado GR4 aircraft “This was their one great relaxation, the beer they had dreamt about and is based at RAF Lossiemouth. all day. No-one drank anything but draught beer, and mighty good 20 ImpAle LincolnCamra.org.uk IA 7_Layout 1 08/05/2013 20:50 Page 21
617 Squadron - The Dambusters stuff it was. Food and drink to the tired and thirsty.” been very difficult. The Saracen’s Head closed in 1959, and the building now houses a Waterstones bookshop. However, it is The Dambusters crews were no different. Just before setting off remarkable how little has changed on the upper exterior of the on the historic raid, Guy Gibson is reported to have asked the building, and even the old balcony railing seems to have survived Squadron Adjutant to make sure there was plenty of beer in the pretty much intact. mess when they returned. The Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa So where did the members of 617 Squadron go for a pint? Lots of Lincolnshire hostelries make claims, but we’ve concentrated on the three with the strongest links. The Saracen’s Head, Lincoln
The Squadron Bar at the Petwood Hotel
The Petwood Hotel is so called because it was originally built at the turn of the 20th century as a house for wealthy heiress, Lady Grace Weigall, who had it constructed in her favourite or “pet” The Saracen’s Head Hotel (on the right) in the 1920s. wood. In 1934, Lady Weigall and her husband turned their former (Photograph courtesy of Lincoln Library) home into a hotel.
During the time that the squadron was at Scampton, the airmen The Petwood was requisitioned by the RAF in 1942 as the officers’ would have made regular forays into Lincoln. A favourite watering mess for units based at nearby RAF Woodhall Spa. From January hole for RAF personnel was the Saracen’s Head Hotel, situated 1944, the hotel was the home of officers from the 617 ‘Dambusters by the Stonebow. Squadron’.
According to Flight Sergeant Leonard Sumpter, a bomb aimer on As you drive through the grounds towards the splendid building, 617 Squadron: you can understand why wartime officers considered the “There was a hotel called the Saracen’s Head, and the joke, which Petwood to be a “splendid place” remote from battle. Opening proved to be true once or twice, was that if you went in there for a the heavy front door, you get a real sense of history. The elaborate drink at lunchtime, the barmaid would tell you what target you were oak panelling was boarded over when the airmen were in on that night.” residence, a wise precaution to avoid damage from boisterous young men sliding down the stairs on trays. Until the arrival of the railways, the Saracen’s Head was a main stop for coaches to and from London, Peterborough and Hull. The terrace, which overlooks the extensive grounds, has hardly By 1820, it was also part of the coaching network linking to changed since Guy Gibson was photographed there just a Manchester, Leeds and York. round 1850, the American writer couple of weeks before he was killed in action. However, the Nathaniel Hawthorne stayed at the hotel and recorded his star attraction is the Squadron Bar. This small, panelled room impressions. “It received us hospitably, and looked comfortable is packed with signed photos and articles of great historic enough, though like the hotels of most old English towns, it has a significance, including an original copy of the Dambusters’ op musty fragrance of antiquity .” order. My favourite artefact was a sturdy branch from a fir tree which hangs above the bar. This was removed from the nose of In December 1924, the Lincolnshire Echo reported on the a Lancaster on its return to Woodhall Spa, following the attack transformation of the old coaching inn to a “Hotel de Luxe” by on the Tirpitz. new owner Mr H. H. Leven. The improvements were said to have cost the huge sum for the day of £15,000 to £20,000 (equivalent The Squadron Bar is now used for private parties, but is open to spending several million pounds nowadays). His intention was to the public when not in use. The main hotel bar is open to to give Lincoln, “a hotel worthy of the city”. non-residents, and serves three real ales: Bateman’s XB, Sharp’s Doom Bar and, of course, Tom Wood’s Bomber County. In 1946, the Saracen’s Head Hotel is listed as being owned by Lincoln Hotels Ltd. Perhaps it had not been the pre-war success From Wednesday 15th to Sunday 19th May, the hotel plans to use Mr Leven intended. The financial depression of the early 1930’s, the Squadron Bar as the Officers’ Mess bar again, serving themed and then the disruption of the war years certainly would have ales to those who want to drink where the 617 crews did 70 years ago. LincolnCamra.org.uk ImpAle 21 IA 7_Layout 1 08/05/2013 20:50 Page 22
617 Squadron - The Dambusters The Blue Bell Inn, Tattershall Thorpe And one pub they didn’t visit When you walk into the Dambusters Inn at Scampton, you can imagine wartime bomber crews driving down from the nearby base to relax between sorties. Prepare for a surprise - although the building is over 200 years old, it turns out that it’s only been a pub since 1999. Previously, it’s been the village shop, a post office and a private house.
The conversion is impressive, with the interior having all the trappings of a traditional village pub, including a bar billiards table. But the most The Blue Bell striking feature is the fascinating collection of memorabilia and information about 617 Squadron and the famous bombing raid. The Blue Bell Inn dates back to 1257 and is steeped in history. The front of this Grade II listed building is of mud and stud Landlord, Greg Algar, has been in charge since 2009. During that construction, and it even has its own priest hole. The pub is time, he has increased the number of handpumps from two to close to RAF Woodhall Spa, which the RAF continues to hold for five, dispensing a changing selection of ales from breweries in component servicing and storage, and the Thorpe Camp visitor the local area and further afield. He’s now got plans for a brew centre. house in the back garden.
Since World War II, the Blue Bell has had very strong connections Greg will be holding his regular Dambusters anniversary beer with the RAF. The walls of the bar are festooned with photographs festival, with 20 real ales, from 16th to 19th May. There will be of wartime airmen at work and play. The pub has a tradition that 1940s-themed entertainment through the weekend and, on the aircrew, past and present, sign the ceiling in the public bar. Thursday, drinkers should get views of the aircraft displaying as Look carefully and you’ll find the names of Victoria Cross and part of the commemorations taking place on RAF Scampton. Distinguished Flying Cross winners, Colin and Ewan McGregor (from when they were filming “Bomber Boys”) and Prince William (from when he was training at RAF Coningsby).
The most poignant artefacts are the old coins jammed into the ancient beams above the bar. It is said that wartime aircrew placed them there to buy their beer on their next visit, in the hope that it would give them good luck on their next sortie. The coins that remain are those from crews that did not return.
Landlords Sean Taylor and Shirley Green have recently taken charge, having moved from the White Hart at Nettleham. Sean has a passion for historic aviation which stems from his family's involvement in the RAF during World War II. In his spare time, he acts as the personnel officer and guide at the Lincolnshire ProducingBEER heritageFESTIVALS craft AT ales in Aviation Heritage Centre. This involves conducting tours of Lancaster NX611 “Just Jane” and organising the living history THE BREWERY aspects of events at East Kirkby. eight-sailed windmill Having moved from a tied to a free house, Sean is enjoying the freedom to buy his beers directly from brewers. Tom Wood’s Bomber County is a regular and, when we visited, he also had John Dixon’s Life Saver and Bateman’s XB, with Everard’s Tiger maturing in the cellar. Shirley and Sean will be organising a week of 1940s-themed commemorations and events for the 70th anniversary of the Dambusters raid. These will take place from Saturday 11th to ! Sunday 19th May.
Heckington Windmill, Hale Road, Heckington, Lincolnshire Tel: 01529 469308 www.8SailBrewery.co.uk
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Love
Each CAMRA branch decides on an appropriate definition of local for their area. Given the size of our branch area and the distribution of breweries, the Lincoln branch decided to define a local brewery as one that is within 25 miles of the pub. This decision still generates controversy among local beer drinkers, as Lincolnshire’s biggest brewer, Batemans, does not qualify as a local brewery for most pubs in the branch area. As branch chairman, Bob Foulger, explains, “Batemans is a long-established, family brewery and they generate great loyalty amongst Lincolnshire drinkers. However, this is a very large county, and if we extended our LocAle range to include Batemans, then we’ll also have to include brewers beyond Nottingham and Sheffield. The 25-mile limit still means that Batemans qualifies as a local brewer for pubs in the east of our branch area.”
Although many licensees are prevented from stocking a local beer by their lease or tenancy agreement, a number of pubs In the wake of the horse meat scandal, everyone has been have joined the Lincoln scheme. A list of the pubs involved is thinking more about the provenance of produce. The best way maintained on our website www.lincolncamra.org.uk. of knowing where your food and drink comes from is to seek out local producers. Wherever you are, look out for the distinctive LocAle posters and pump clip crowners, and enjoy a locally-brewed beer. In Lincolnshire, there’s been an emphasis on buying local produce for some years. Tastes of Lincolnshire is a Lincolnshire County Council funded project encouraging people to choose local food and drinks. And the Lincolnshire Echo runs a Love Local campaign in a bid to celebrate all that is great and good about our county. Its aim is to boost county businesses by encouraging local spending, and grow confidence by highlighting the hard work and successes which take place across Lincolnshire.
Building on the growing consumer demand for quality local produce and an increased awareness of 'green' issues, CAMRA’s LocAle scheme promotes pubs stocking locally-brewed real ale. LocAle was created in 2007 by CAMRA's Nottingham branch which wanted to help support the tradition of brewing within Nottinghamshire, following the demise of local brewer Hardys and Hansons. There are currently 125 CAMRA branches participating in the LocAle scheme and they have accredited hundreds of pubs which regularly sell at least one locally-brewed real ale.
Everyone benefits from local pubs stocking locally-brewed real ale: • Public houses, as stocking local real ales can increase pub visits. • Consumers, who enjoy greater beer choice and diversity. • Local brewers, who gain from increased sales. • The local economy because more money is spent and retained locally. • The environment due to fewer ‘beer miles' resulting in less road congestion and pollution. • Tourism due to an increased sense of local identity and pride - let's celebrate what makes our locality different.
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Mussels in a creamy Cider sauce with Bacon Recim The important thing to remember about mussels is to make sure you don’t eat any that are dead before cooking! When fresh any open mussels should close when lightly tapped, any that don’t close or have damaged shells should be discarded. Once cooked any that remain closed should also be discarded! This will feed 2 people or 4 as a starter You will need; • Olive oil • 1 onion finely diced • 1 garlic clove, finely sliced • 1 kg mussels, rinsed, scrubbed of any barnacles & de-bearded. Any that don’t close or have damaged shells discard. • 6 rashers smoked streaky bacon, sliced into 1cm pieces • 150ml real cider • 2 tbsp fat-free natural yoghurt • 1 bunch of flat-leaf parsley, leaves picked & chopped. Plus extra for garnishing • 1 bunch of tarragon, leaves picked & chopped • Crusty bread to serve
Put a large saucepan on a high heat with a good splash of olive oil. Add the bacon and cook until crisp, stirring to avoid it sticking. Remove the bacon using a slotted spoon leaving the fat in the pan. Reduce the heat slightly & cook the onions for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for a minute. Add the cider and a little more olive oil and increase the heat. Add the mussels, cover with a lid and steam for 3-4 minutes or until the mussels are open, shaking part way through. Remove the mussels from a pan into a warm serving bowl, discarding any that remain closed. To finish the sauce, add the yoghurt to the pan & bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for a couple of minutes. Add the parsley & tarragon & half the reserved bacon. Season to taste. Pour the sauce over the mussels, scatter over the remaining bacon and garnish with the parsley. Serve with the crusty bread to soak up the sauce. Alternatively slice the bread 2cm thick. Heat a griddle pan so it’s screaming hot, toast on both sides. Cut open a garlic clove and rub over the toast. Bottled Beer Review Richard Banks from The Real Ale Store, Newark reviews bottled of beer from Hobsons Brewery.
Hobsons brewery was established ingredients where possible teamed in the Shropshire market town of with sustainable technologies and Cleobury Mortimer by the Davis have produced a range of CAMRA family in 1993. The brewery is now award winning cask ale and bottled one of the leading producers in beers. Shropshire and possibly the most sustainable brewery in the UK. Twisted Spire, the weakest in the They are dedicated to an ethos range of bottled beers, is a 3.6% of using the finest locally sourced Blonde Ale. This beer has picked up 24 ImpAle LincolnCamra.org.uk IA 7_Layout 1 08/05/2013 20:50 Page 25
English Orchard impes Pork Casserole This straightforward supper dish is easy to prepare and very tasty. We like it served with creamy mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. And, of course, accompanied by a glass of real cider.
ENGLISH ORCHARD PORK CASSEROLE
• Serves 4 • 700g diced pork • 1 large onion, chopped • 25g butter or oil • 50g flour • 275ml vegetable or chicken stock • 275ml good quality English cider • A teaspoon or two of your favourite herbs, to taste. I sometimes use mixed herbs, and it also works well with dried sage. • 250g chopped apple
In a large, heavy-based pan, gently soften the chopped onion in the butter for 5-10 minutes. Turn the heat up and add the pork to brown it on all sides. Take the pan off the heat briefly to stir in the flour, then add the cider, stock and herbs. Return the pan to a medium heat, stirring until thickened slightly.
Put the mixture in an ovenproof dish with a lid and bake in the centre of a preheated oven for an hour at gas mark 5, 190oC, fan 170 oC. Add the chopped apple and cook for a further 30 minutes.
many well deserved awards including most recently a bronze has a fresh grassy, herbal aroma with a subtle fruitiness. Flavours medal at the International Beer Challenge and a silver medal in are of crisp grassy hops with a mild malt background and a dry the SIBA National Beer Championship. The beer gets its name bitter finish. Overall a very tasty, refreshing Golden Ale well worth from the twisted spire of St Marys in Cleobury Mortimer not seeking out. the more famous Twisted Spire of Chesterfield. The beer is a straw coloured, has a frothy white head and a mildly zesty Both of the beers described are bottle conditioned with a nice aroma of fruit and honey. The taste is quite crisp with zesty level of carbonation and just light sediment in the bottle. I would grapefruit and grainy malt with a moderately dry finish. This is a also recommend seeking out the other bottled beers from well-executed beer and delivers a decent flavour for a low ABV Hobsons which are – Manor Ale 4.2% bitter amber ale, Postmans beer, perfect for a sunny afternoon. Knock 4.8% ruby porter and Old Henry 5.2% rich amber ale.
My only complaint with this beer is that it comes in a clear bottle which unlike brown bottles offers no protection from UV light and can result in the beer being ‘light struck’. Beer contains hops (it also contains sulphur). Hops contain alpha acids. When hops are boiled the alpha acids get isomerized and become isohumulone. When light hits the isohumulone compounds it breaks them down and causes a reaction with the sulphur in the beer and produces some of the same stinky chemicals that skunks spray. Hence the term ‘skunked’ beer or ‘light struck’. Brown bottles offer the best protection from those beer-harming UV rays, green bottles don’t help much and clear bottles offer no protection against light. Beer can be light-struck almost immediately in direct sunlight, it takes longer in non-direct daylight.
Another of Hobsons bottled ales is Town Crier, 4.5% crisp golden ale. This beer has also picked up its share of awards, most recently a bronze medal in the CAMRA National Golden Ales 2012. This beer is a light golden colour with a pure white head. It
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TravAl
As the better weather is, theoretically, approaching our pub reporter pubs he could find on the way. The Sustrans Water Railway heads o former Lincoln to Boston Railway Line. It’s mostly tarmacked and is bus runs from the city centre to Washingborough and Heighton. Ba
The Carpenters Arms, Fiskerton The route actually begins at the Waters the many public footpaths that join it. Fo of the river. The path into the village was can see the pub to your right. I’d not be happy. There is a large area for dining appealing. But I just had a quick, satisfy
The Nags Head, Bardney Leaving Fiskerton I crossed a bridge to walk down the tarmac surface o the route, Bardney. The Water Railway actually continues on as far as Wo get there it’s fairly straightforward to follow the road into the centre and fi
Hunters Leap, Washingborough It was a long, and I’ll be honest fairly d better taken by bike, although obviously (it is still an offence to be drunk in char more than ready for a drink. The Royal O so I made my way to Hunters Leap. The of checking it was right before handing atmosphere with lots of families in.
The Turks Head, Heighington For those willing to go that extra mile, literally, the footpath to Heighington The Turks Head. A sure sign that spring really is on the way is a landlord Serving Abbott Ale, Landlord and Black Sheep Bitter the focus isn’t neces is very friendly, split into two rooms and serving food for anyone wanting
The Butcher and Beast, Heighington Just down the road from The Turks Head is The Butcher and Beast. Fro is still a large variety of ales on offer; on the 6 hand pumps they keep 3 selection of gins that the landlord seemed particularly proud of. The staff w atmosphere I’d found in other pubs.
Dog and Bone, Lincoln So after a long day walking I finished back at Witham Park. Being a bit to to finish by heading to one final pub. Continuing along the river would brin and The Green Dragon but I decided to head north and call in at The new landlords it’s kept its reputation for having a selection of well-kept couple of pints make it a very hard place to leave.
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The Apple Ale has fallen into
pub reporter Greg Richards decided to set out on a walk and see which lway heads out of the city centre and follows the River Witham along the Grantham acked and is part of the National Cycle Network Route 1. The number 2 Heighton. Bardney can be reached via the Horncastle bus route. On a cold night in early February, a brand new venture s, Fiskerton opened up in Grantham town centre. The Apple Tap Cider at the Waterside South Bridge, although I made my way to the river by one of Bar, a former art shop on Westgate, now offers up to 10 real that join it. For that reason I was approaching Fiskerton on the northern side ciders and perries, with good quality hot drinks, and tasty he village was obvious and as soon as you come out onto the main road you snacks. This new bar offers a mixed feeling of a traditional ght. I’d not been walking long but the sight of four ales on the bar made me cider house with a modern day coffee shop. There is ea for dining and the sandwiches in my backpack suddenly didn’t seem so something in here for every customer either a Biddenden quick, satisfying half and was on my way. dry cider or a simple hot chocolate!
mac surface on the south side of the river. It’s a long way to the next village on n as far as Woodhall Spa but this was as far as I was going. When you finally e centre and find The Nags Head pub.
ngborough honest fairly dull, walk back towards Lincoln. This is definitely a route that is ugh obviously that would restrict the amount of beers you could stop and try drunk in charge of a bicycle). So by the time I got to Washingborough I was k. The Royal Oak is now closed and the Ferry Boat Inn didn’t have any ale on ers Leap. There they did have Abbott Ale on, which the barmaid made of point fore handing it over. I’m not sure they get many walkers in but it was a friendly milies in.
Manager Ruby Scott had made this bar a long term business plan, and within a couple of months of trading has o Heighington is nearby and well signposted. The first pub I came across was made the final of the Grantham Innovative Business y is a landlord putting out freshly painted picnic benches in the beer garden. Awards. There are future plans for rustic foods, and even us isn’t necessarily on the ale but they are kept and served well. The pub itself host dancing in the function room at the rear. (Watch out yone wanting to stop for a bite. for Strictly Come Wassailing!) Four regular real ciders and perry’s are displayed on the hand pumps on the bar front, with guest ciders and perry’s racked behind the bar in boxes and tubs. nd Beast. From the outside it’s very clear that it’s a Bateman’s pub. But there s they keep 3 Batemans and 3 ever changing guests. They also have a wide The Apple Tap Cider and Coffee Bar of. The staff were very helpful and friendly although there wasn’t the welcoming 83 Westgate, Grantham, NG31 6LE, 01476 978938
Being a bit too old to visit the Toy Library I decided ver would bring you out near both The Jolly Brewer call in at The Dog & Bone. Recently taken over by n of well-kept ales. Which after a long walk and a
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BREWERYBREWERY · RRESTAURANTE UR NT CCAFÉAFÉ BABARR
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Bar · Restaurant · Tea, coffee & ice creams Gardens & space to play · Brewery Tours Restaurant available for private hire in the evenings High Brecks Farm, Lincoln Rd, East Markham, Newark NG22 0SN Tel 01777 870572 · www.pheasantrybrewery.co.uk Food: Wed - Sat 10am - 6pm; Sun 10am - 4pm; Evening meals: Fri, Sat
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28 ImpAle LincolnCamra.org.uk IA 7_Layout 1 08/05/2013 20:50 Page 29 Quiz
Cryptic clues to Lincoln Inns Many readers will already be familiar with Peter Warner’s cryptic puzzles. Previous quiz sheets have been sold in local pubs to raises fund for the Lincoln branch of Parkinson’s UK. He’s producing another sheet to be sold at the Lincoln Beer Festival. In the meantime, here’s a taster.
1. If you drink in this city establishment, you ought to be able to keep out of trouble.
2. An early political party member wearing liturgical headgear.
3. Basil requires dentistry to create this pub.
4. If God created man, woman and this city pub, he did well.
5. Dusty residence for beaverish activity.
6. Does this city centre pub have sporting leanings as the name suggests.
7. Dancing in the bathroom? To plug this city hostelry.
8. Did cricketing legend Plum (nickname) cross the lines of fair play to win tests.
9. If this bar is as caring, generous, gentle and benevolent as its name suggests, it’s the “sort” of place I would use.
10. Filly from Derby to marry Lincoln man to create city pub.
For a chance to win a beery-themed T-shirt, send your answers by email to [email protected] or by post to ImpAle Quiz Issue 2 2013, 4 Squires Place, Nettleham, Lincoln, LN2 2WH. The closing date is 1st July 2013 and the editor’s decision is final.
The Winner to the Issue 2 2013 quiz was Andrew Berry of Welton.
The answers to Januarys quiz were as follows. Barbican Hotel Manvers Roebuck Hop Pole Turks Head Monks Abbey The Wildlife Cornhill Vaults The Lark Hare and Hounds Grand Hotel Crown and Anchor
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Tom Wood Beers Ltd. Look out for these beers locally
ABV.3.5 This is an easy to drink bitter and has a fresh, dry, hoppy flavour combined with a fruity aftertaste and heady aroma.
LINCOLN GOLD ABV.4.0 Pale bitter combining lager and traditional ale malts with English grown Cascade and Pilgrim, to produce a fruity aroma, slightly zesty flavour but retaining some malt characteristics very moreish.
ABV.4.8
An earthy malt aroma, but with a complex underlaying mix of coffee, hops, caramel and apple fruit. The beer starts bitter and intensifies, but all its mahogany flavours stay on until the end.
BREWED USING ALL ENGLISH INGREDIENTS Tom32 WoodsImpAle Beers Ltd. Tel: 01652 680001 Fax: 01652 680379 Email: [email protected]