KENT BEERS!! “There’S More in the Barrel”

SWALE ALE SUMMER 2019 THE FREE MAGAZINE OF SWALE CAMRA

It’s Grim Up North Las Cervesas de Ecuador One for the Road Crew IT’S HOP FESTIVAL TIME!

KENT BEERS!! “There’s more in the barrel”

Musket Brewery is a fami ly owned , Maidstone-based Micro Brewery located at Loddington Farm, Linton, brewing premium REAL ALE at realistic prices. The Musket brewers are CAMRA members, who provide these carefully brewed ales for your enjoyment.

MUZZLELOADER FLINTLOCK FIFE & DRUM TRIGGER 4. 5 % Kentish Ale 4.2% Best Bitter 3.8% Golden Ale 3.6% Pale Ale (Award winning beer!)

POWDER BURN MATCHLOCK FLASH in the PAN BALL PULLER 5.0% Kentish Porter 3.8% Kentish Mild 4% Green Hop Ale 4% Premier Bitter

(Autumn/Winter brew!) (Spring/Summer brew!) (Only available in September!) (Award winning beer!)

Brewing since 2013, Musket Brewery has earned a well-deserved reputation for providing GREAT beers of consistently high quality, supported by exemplary customer service! You “MUSKET” these beers in at your local.

Musket Brewery Tap Room – “The Armoury” at Loddington Farm, NOW OPEN!

Contact Musket Brewery to find out more!!

007799667711 2277 2277 88 oo rr 0011662222 –– 774499993311

[email protected]

“There’s more in the barrel” at www.musketbrewery.co.uk

DDS Scheme CHAIRMAN’S CHOW As I look out of my window whilst writing this, those that will both rejoice or mourn this) and I think of long hot summers, beer gardens, the in come CAMRA vouchers to the value of £30 sound of conversation over a good beer and to be used on Real Ale, Cider or Perry. More the smell of a bar-be-que on the horizon. In information on that as we have it. Membership reality, I’m currently slaving over my keyboard is excellent value for money as, not only do at home, with a coffee by my side. Now, is the you get the aforementioned vouchers but season of festivals, jaunts out to country pubs also benefits such as free or reduced entry on the longer evenings and making the most to over 180 beer festivals, make savings on of time spent with friends and loved ones. publications such as the Good Beer Guide, It is also currently pub of the year regional get access to ‘What’s Brewing’ and ‘Beer’ finals time and Swale Branch can take great magazines plus there are exclusive partner pleasure in the fact that our branch has the benefits and offers which change regularly. East Kent winner in its fold. Congratulations Why not gift a friend or relative membership to all the team at The Admiral’s Arm in for their birthday or celebration event. Pick Queenborough who now go head to head up a copy of this publication and fill in the with the West Kent winner. Coming from coupon inside. Alternately go online to camra. Medway branch, our neighbours at the 10.50 org.uk and join online. to Victoria in Strood have taken the West Kent title. We wish both pubs all the best. We hope you enjoy your summer copy of Voting ends for this round on 4th August with Swale Ale, take it home with you and if you all completed voting papers having to be in fancy taking a couple more copies to send or on that day. deliver to pubs outside the area, feel free to pick them up. We will restock as regularly as During the course of the past few weeks we can, and if you are a venue that takes this we have been out and about presenting publication, firstly our thanks to you. If you our branch winners with their prized are running short then get in touch via the certificates. Keep an eye out on the Swale web pages or Facebook. We can come and re Branch Facebook page for updates on future stock you. presentations as we complete the rounds for 2019. May I thank all of you that have made Happy Summer! the effort to attend on behalf of both myself, John Sissons the committee and the publicans of Swale. With your invaluable support these events WHAT’S HAPPENING have become an excellent social event and AT YOUR LOCAL PUB photo opportunity to showcase the best of ale in Swale. OR BREWERY? Nationally, a big membership change is being Any beer-related stories to tell? introduced on July 1st. Gone will be the Send them to us [email protected]. current Wetherspoons vouchers (there are It’s your magazine!

KEEP IN TOUCH CAMRAswale

Swale Ale © Summer 2019 Published by the Swale Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale Ltd (CAMRA) Circulation: 1,800 Any opinions expressed within these pages are those of Editorial Committee and Contributors: the individual authors only and do not represent those Matt Deller, John Sissons, Steve Bennion, of CAMRA or any of its officials. The existence of this Mary Cross, Bob Gates, Marc Bishop, Richard publication in a particular outlet does not imply an Bennett, Michael Hoey. endorsement of it by Swale CAMRA. Advertising: Matt Deller Design & Layout: Ascent Creative Printed by: Abbey Print, Faversham All correspondence to: Les Bailey, 58 Wallers Road, Branch Details Faversham, Kent, ME13 7PL Chairman: John Sissons Secretary: Linda Gates Email: [email protected] Social Secretary: Amanda Williams www.camra-swale.org.uk Treasurer: Les Bailey www.issuu.com/swaleale Pubs Officers: Nigel Mills and Tony Hayes Twitter: @CAMRAswale Press and Publicity Officer: Matt Deller Facebook: CAMRAswale Membership Officer: Paul Ayre Telephone: 01795 538824 www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale 3 SWALE BREWERY NEWS

house at the last moment. The hops used were Target, Amarillo, Bramling Cross and Lemon Drop which did indeed give it a slight lemon taste. The next beer in the series will be Hard Labor (4.6%) which will be an American style IPA. It is described as “American Double IPA” but at 4.6% it is a session IPA. Americans normally The Cask Club continues to deliver a new drink ales at around 2% higher than in this beer for each month. It has been successful so country. A Double IPA would typically be far and we have already had some excellent between 7.0% and 8.5% abv in the USA. It will beers. To recap they have been Hop County be brewed with Target and Chinook hops and Hopping Mad Pale Ale (4.8%) in March, dry-hopped with Azzaca. Samuel Adams’s Blonde Ambition Ale (4.2%) in April and New Dawn Citrus Ale (3.5%) in This is to be followed by another American May. IPA of approximately 5.0%. This will be brewed exclusively for Wetherspoon’s and June’s beer for this month was Bella Birra will use Coronado hops. I don’t think it is for a (4.4%). This one was a bit different from specific festival. Probably one of the seasonal the rest as it was a collaboration with the specials they commission from regional Mezzopasso brewery in Italy. It is located in breweries. This will be a busy period as the the mountains inland from Pescara on the next Cask Club beer will be brewed around Adriatic Sea. The beer is described as “Italian the same time. By the way, the list for the rest Red Rye Beer”. The rye flavour was detected of the year has not been finalised. in the after-taste. An odder ingredient was Rosemary which was added in the brew- Bob Thompson

4 www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale Boutilliers have a few exciting beers coming out in the next few months: Carnival of Sorts (10.1%), a 3 bean barley wine with tonic, cocoa and vanilla. A big barley wine brewed with our friends at Hoptimism, it’s already sold out in keg, a few pins of it will be exclusively available at our festival Generation Craft taking place in Deal on the 23rd and 24th of August. Another big one, Leia Cake (10.8%), brewed in collaboration with the wonderful Emperor’s brewery, is an imperial stout brewed with cocoa and vanilla and honey. All kegs sold out in ADVERTISE WITH advance but again, a few SWALE ALE AND cheeky pins will be available. This beer will be launched in REACH OVER 2000 bottle and keg at our open day REAL ALE DRINKERS on 20th July.

Look out If you own or manage a pub, bar or too for restaurant and serve real ales, it’s never Turtles’ Paradise, a lime Helles (a twist on our been easier to get your business in ever-popular Munich Helles front of more than 2,000 people. recipe), a passion fruit wheat (Sex Bob‑Omb) and FULL HALF 1/4 a few other interesting bits and pieces. PAGE PAGE PAGE Richard Bennett £80 £40 £25 To book your place, email [email protected]

www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale 5 KentishKentish BeerBeer & & Cider FestivalFestival August BankBank HolidayHoliday 24thth,, 2525thth && 26 26thth Over 2020 KentishKentish Ales Ales

www.thethreetunsrestaurant.co.uk & 20 Ciders, www.thethreetunsrestaurant.co.uk & 20 Ciders, Live BandsBands Daily, Daily,

The Street, Lower Halstow, TheSittingbourne, Street, Lower Kent. Halstow, Sittingbourne,ME9 7DY Kent. 01795ME9 842840 7DY 01795 842840 [email protected] [email protected] BRANCH DIARY TRADING Wed 14 August, 8pm The Chequers, Doddington STANDARDS Wed 11 September, 8pm The Sun, Bredgar Wed 9 October, 8pm The Ship on Shore, Sheerness If you believe that you have been treated unfairly in a local pub or bar you can report it to Kent County Council Trading FESTIVALS & Standards by calling 03454 040506. PUB EVENTS Kent Beer Festival - 18-20 July Sign up to receive alerts Canterbury Rugby Club www.kent.gov.uk/ Faversham Beer Festival - 26-28 July tradingstandards Faversham Football Club Like ‘Public Protection’ on The Great British Beer Festival - 6-10 Aug Facebook Olympia, London Follow Public Protection on Kentish Beer & Cider Festival - 24-26 Aug Kentish Beer & Twitter @kentprotect The Three Tuns, Lower Halstow Faversham Hop Festival - 31 Aug-1 Sep Cider Festival August Bank Holiday 24th, 25th & 26th Over 20 Kentish Ales

www.thethreetunsrestaurant.co.uk & 20 Ciders, Live Bands Daily,

The Street, Lower Halstow, Sittingbourne, Kent. ME9 7DY 01795 842840 [email protected] www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale 7 8 www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale TRIBUTE TO A LANDLORD Keith Neaves was born in Doddington, March successful local. They were top publicans in 1936, and apart from three years National every way. Service I believe he lived most of his life in the Swale area. After moving to Eastling it was not long before the couple became involved in village In the 1970’s he and his wife Eileen ran the life once more. |Brunswick Arms in Conyer. His brewery only supplied keg beers and I once asked him if Keith passed to the great bar in the sky he would like to get handpumps installed for in October 2018 aged 82. He will be sadly a day or two. His reply – Let’s do it. I said we missed by his family and many, many friends. would get many CAMRA members to come Eastling church was packed for the funeral and help his regulars drink it all and also with The Alma in Painters Forstal having to arranged for his area manager to come and raise a marquee to cope with the crowd at his see how many people enjoyed real ale. It was wake. a great success but the brewery in London Keith was good fun and a real gent. He loved would not change it’s mind. people, a good pub and a good pint of which Keith and Eileen then took over the Black he served many – just like most of us. Lion in Lynsted, this also becoming a very Bob Gates

www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale 9 PUB OF THE YEAR CELEBRATIONS

The Three Tuns - Lower Halstow

The Paper Mill - Sittingbourne

The Admiral’s Arm - Queenborough

We are delighted that the Admiral’s Arm have also won the Kent sub region contest in this year’s Pub of the Year competition and now go head to head with the 10.50 to Victoria in Strood to be crowned the best in Kent. (Correct at time of print)

The Shipwrights - Hollowshore

The Elephant Faversham The Furlongs - Faversham

10 www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale

9 1 0 nt e ar 2 Ye East K

of the ub P Real Ale Craft Beer Bottle Shop Cider Wine Over 50 gins

Admiral's Arm Micropub Trafalgar Court West Street Queenborough , ME11 5AD Tel: 01795 668598 [email protected]

/admiralsarm www.admiralsarm.co.uk UK BREWER OF THE YEAR

Harvey’s Brewery is proud to announce the following awards at CAMRA’s London & South East Area Champion Beer of Britain Competition 2018

Old Ale GOLD Old Ale and Strong Mild Winner

Imperial Extra Double Stout JOINT SILVER Real Ale in a Bottle Category

Sussex XX Mild Ale BRONZE Mild Category

“Brewed in the Heart of Sussex” WE WUNT BE DRUV www.harveys.org.uk

/HARVEYSBREWERYLEWES /HARVEYS1790 /HARVEYSBREWERY 12 www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale

A5 CAMRA 2019 ADVERT CMYK v8.indd 1 26/06/2019 15:17:23 THE FLYING SHEEP, SHEERNESS

Despite being open less than a year, The adviser assuring the discerning drinker of a Flying Sheep has quickly established itself good, well kept pint and if you ask politely, as a highflyer on Sheppey. Hosts Smutly there is even a visit to the chiller room. Check and Amanda hit the ground running after out Whatpub for the opening hours at the an amazing two-week transformation from Sheep. Come, join the flock and we’ll see you an original beauty salon back in 2018. at the Baaaaa!! Mind you, the design team was the same group of experts in their field that brought Address: 193 High Street Sheerness ME12 1UJ you the award-winning Admiral’s Arm in Queenborough. Opening Hours: Mon: Closed (Except Bank Holidays) No doubt a goodly number of readers know Tue-Thu: 12:00 - 15:00 and 18:00 - 21:00 about the Islands flying heritage and this Fri-Sat: 12:00 - 16:00 and 18:00 - 22:00 lovely little pub pays homage to that and Sun: 12:00 - 18:00 the abundance of the small woolly animal found around the Island, hence the name. The interior has steadily evolved from day one and includes memorabilia from both air and green field. Up to four cask beers, keykeg machine, gins and an abundance of chilled ciders are all on offer along with snacky bits. It is not infrequently you will find THANKS FOR several conversations all merging and general conversation engaging amongst allcomers, be HAVING US they politicians, publicans on a visit from their own establishment, freemasons or furniture We offer our thanks to the following removers in after a hard day at work. for hosting our recent Branch meetings: One of the signs of a good pub is that you will The Three Hats Belle & Lion quite frequently see any number of CAMRA Milton Regis Sheerness members happily supping at the bar. Visits from other branches are not uncommon The Swan The Three Tuns having recent received delegations from both Teynham Lower Halstow Medway along with a Saturday afternoon The Ship jaunt from team MMK. Good scores are The Elephant regularly received on both Whatpub and Trip Conyer Faversham

www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale 13 BLACK LION, LYNSTED

There has been a bit of a change at the Address: The Street, Lynsted ME9 0RJ Black Lion over the past couple of years Phone: 01795 521229 since long time host Chris Morgan moved to Email [email protected] pastures new. To quote the new owners ‘We are a family run free house and restaurant Opening Hours: in Lynsted Kent, offering a family, fun and Mon-Sat: 11:00 - 23:30 comfortable atmosphere. Beer Garden, Fine Sun: 12:00 - 22:30 Beers, Open Fires, Locally Sourced Produce, Function Room, Parking, Pool Table, Friendly Atmosphere, children and pets welcome, live music, freshly cooked food, locally sourced produce’ As soon as you walk into the well decorated entrance vestibule an air of character and charm greets the pubgoer. A three quarter length bar serves up to four cask beers plus an array of other drinks are available. The whitewashed walls display local and interesting artefacts plus over one of the two open fires a menu board displays what is currently available in the dining department. Dining has become a large part of the pub with Sunday roast especially popular. Outside, there is a good amount of parking plus on street space, large well kept, mature gardens and even three letting units available for short stays. (Check with the pub for availability and opening of these units) With little traffic passing this lane, the gardens offer a quiet and appeali9ng way to while away the hours.

14 www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale IT’S GRIM UP NORTH!

Well that’s how the North is perceived by Again, supplies were procured, and we then many in the South so an intrepid group of made our way to one of the local village eight Swale Branch members gathered all hostelries, The Bay Horse. Smutley required their strength, packed supplies and sullied feeding again so we all joined him and ate a forth to the land of flat caps and whippets! hearty meal downing a few more beers as you do. We moved on around the village square Led by John Sissons (who has the advantage and into the Bruce Arms where we were of his family being Northerners) two vehicles, greeted with a smile. More beer ensued until loaded with happy adventurers Smutley and a degree of tiredness hit us. We had an early Amanda from the Flying Sheep along with start the next morning so with sufficient beer their passengers Chris and Rachel from The inside us we settled down to bed. Admirals Arm in the Range Rover, followed John and his car complete with Cllr. Cameron Day Two got underway early as we needed to keep us in order, and the two Petes, Neal to be at our Beertown rendezvous point by and Ayre who both profess to be paramedics, 10am. It seemed natural that we met for a in case of emergency, the merry band trekked beer tour in the car park of a pub! Breakfast their way up the A1 and across country to was an event in itself – No need to go into it Hawes, first stop on this gruelling three-day but suffice to say Smutley ate sufficient to expedition. keep himself topped up until we reached our destination some one and half hours away. Wensleydale Creamery Google Brewtown tours for more information Hawes, North Yorkshire. on our superb guide for the day, Mark With beer there must be cheese and we Stredwick. We all met up in the car park of had supplies to collect for both ourselves The Ham and Cheese at Scagglethorpe, just and our good friends back South so we hit outside Malton, another pub where John had the tasting room hard, filled up and traded previously stayed, and quickly said hello to some of our hard-earned cash for goods. Clare and Sean who were our hosts for the We then ventured into the village for both evening. more supplies and to top up Smutley (who The tour lasted pretty much the whole day we now know needs to be fed at very regular and comprised visits to the following ports of intervals). Back to the cars and onto our call. overnight stop. The heart of Yorkshire beer in Masham (pronounced mazum). Staying at Rare Bird Distillery the Kings Head hotel, rooms were occupied Talbot Yard, Malton. YO17 7FT and we all settled in with a pint. Just a note here, The Kings Head is Greene King owned Yes I know there was no beer here but as so they keep a tub of GK IPA on at the bar. we had two gin selling publicans it seemed God knows why as hardly anyone drinks it, so rude not to. We all learned how to make gin most of it goes back as ullage. Mind you, the and even got to sample some secret brew other engines had some cracking beers on that was only being trailed. It was damned and we punished them a bit. We had a 3pm fine we can tell you. Good job we had plenty tour booked at Black Sheep Brewery. Most of boot space! More supplies. Oh, and did I entertaining, informative and even though mention Talbot yard has a superb butcher, John had been to the brewery on many baker, coffee roastery, Italian gelato maker an occasion, he had never taken the tour. and a pâtissier. No wonder Malton is known Sampling followed and we pretty much all as the food capital of Yorkshire. Luckily for us, agreed that the milk stout was most excellent. Continued overleaf...

www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale 15 Smutley could stock up on ‘snacks’ to keep the evening and say goodbye to Mark. him going Into the bar of the Ham and Cheese and settle Bad Seed Brewery down for the evening. More excellent food 7 Rye Cl, Malton YO17 6YD. and beer followed, ask any of us that had the garlic mushroom starter!!!. Beers from Black Fortunately we all know how the brewing Sheep and others were on hand, so we ate, process works so our tours were just a bit supped and then crashed for the night. less formal. We were treated to some superb product knowledge from our hosts plus Day Three began with a typical hearty samples of all their range. These were both Yorkshire fry up. There’s plenty and then cask and keykeg, fined and un fined. Jovial some. We all filled up with more than we banter all around and we even left with boxes really should have and loaded the cars for the of glasses in all sizes. Super stuff all round. days travel. I have to say I was so impressed with our vehicles. Four ‘ample’ sized adults in The Black Swan PH each plus tubs of beer, food, other assorted 18 Birdgate, Pickering YO18 7AL. drinks plus our holdalls. Our destination? York, This is also the home of Breworks the capital of the North. Park and ride from microbrewery and an altogether short tour just outside the city is the way to go, so we was complemented by us all repairing to the did. None of the party apart from John had bar. Absolutely gorgeous interior, this is a been to this jewel of a city but all left vowing high-end pub with excellent fittings, most to go back. of which are fashioned by the very talented Places of note to visit whilst here are: family. Again, we freely sampled some of the range and then went back for seconds. We The Bluebell even purchased three tubs of their stock to 53 Fossgate, York YO1 9TF. bring home and sell down south. There were even some nibbles I recall although Smutley The interior has been untouched since 1903 so was looking to stock up on supplies by this a visit is a must. A look around the city found time. Reluctantly, after what seemed a very us in Shambles market, where some of us short visit of an hour or so we were called to felt the urge to eat, then to two bars almost assemble in the car park. Recommended pub directly opposite each other: and rooms if you are ever in the area. Valhalla and Pivni Brass Castle Brewery Nos 4 & 6, Patrick Pool, York YO1 8BB. 10 Yorkersgate, Malton YO17 7AB. Both venues impressed the Cllr. as they serve Our final stop on the tour. Again, we got to Artisan beers here having a range on that see the workings of this ever-popular craft he’d only ever seen in the Czech Republic. brew house located in the heart of Malton. More food, more walking and then my last More conversation, more beers, a chat with little touch before we had to wend our way the owner Phil Saltonstall who had flow in homewards. from Boston, USA that day and we chatted about all things brewing. At the time of The House of Trembling Madness, our visit Phil was about to launch the beer 48 Stonegate, York YO1 8AS. treasure map. Adventurers and beer drinkers Not just a bottle shop of gargantuan will encounter serpents, sea monsters, proportions but upstairs is a medieval bar dragons and vampires in their search for gold with vaulted ceiling where more food can be during Brass Castle Brewery’s Bigger Picture served. When in York, make sure you spend project. Over 12 months, the brewery will some time here. revive stories through a series of nine canned beers, the labels of which can be pieced Mid afternoon saw us head back to the together to form a fantasy map of Yorkshire, vehicles, load up even more purchases made giving clues to a final treasure spot. The within the city walls and commence the trek artwork has all been created by Leeds-based back to civilisation! Grim up North? I don’t Claudia Bowler. More information to be found think this band of branch members would on the Brass Castle web site: agree. www.brasscastle.co.uk See you up there sometime. By now we had reached the point in the day John Sissons where we had to return to out lodgings for

16 www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale A local baa going to new heights

Real AleS ~ Wine Vodka ~ Brandy GIN ~ Whisky ~ Rum OPENING TIMEs: Mon - Thu: 4pm - 9pm Please check our facebook page as Fri/Sat: 2pm - 11pm we may occasionally be closed for Sun: 2pm - 9pm private functions. facebook.com/flyingsheepmpub

The Flying Sheep Micropub 193 High Street, Sheerness, ME12 1UJ Tel: 01795 669229 Sittingbourne’s newest micro pub, the first on the High Street

• Sering stright from cs, choice of ent n guest re es • ret seection of oc prouce ciers • refu chosen wines, spirits n soft rins

• ose to pubic trnsport fciities • eer gren with seting, fmi n og frien • ight net to gret snwich br which wi eier • ii

pen wee – on – hurs – pm ri n Stur – pm Sun pm

High St, Sittingbourne ceboo he eow Stocs witter @theeowstocs 18 www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale NIGHTMARE IN THE SATAN’S ARMS

The old pub stands empty; That looks like me in the corner, been closed for many a year, drinking London Pride, It’s not the place of laughter, That’s my CAMRA tankard, for fun or song or beer. with a whisky by its side. It’s always after midnight that I seem to pass, There was no cheer in this bar, I hear muffled voices, no music, jokes or chat. and the distinctive clink of glass. Just the musty smell of decay – even the beer was dead and flat. There aren’t any streetlights; I can hear voices in the back room; just the occasional star, one was mine for sure, The windows are all shuttered, I stood up and then I walked fastened with a bar. slowly to the door. I can see through them, right into the room, There’s a surgeon with a stethoscope; I recognise the shadowed shapes a nurse taking notes, gathered in the gloom. Black horns grew from his head; both wore blood stained coats. Len the landlord was a legend; On a billiard table lay a naked man; Oh, the beer that he could gulp, who it was I could not see, One day he fell into the cellar Then the cigarette fug lifted; and smashed his head to pulp. I know that face, it’s me. The barmaid, luscious Lara; her eyes looked dim and sad, I could not move a muscle, She had breasts to die for, and I know I wasn’t deaad. And I know of three that had. A whisky bottle on the wall fed tubes into my head. Her husband was a quiet man; Then he ripped me open, no one that you’d note, just above the heart, When he found her cheating, He hadn’t used a knife, he snapped, then he cut her throat that’s my favourite dart. He could not live without her; he truly loved his wife, Into the gaping hole He shot her latest lover, he pushed my billiard cue, then he took his life. He held aloft my liver; it was black tinged with blue. There was milk stout Mary, I spoke – What’s wrong with me? sitting near the bar, He replied – Wake up and think, One-night wobbling down the road, All who supped in Satan’s Arms she was knocked down by a car. Were dying for a drink. Bob Gates

www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale 19 LAS CERVESAS DE ECUADOR!

Ecuador is a small country in South America this one walks slower! – especially up hills. on the equator with a population of 16.5 I had done some google research prior to million, a democratic government and much travelling but being on an organised tour cultural diversity with Spanish influence. The there was limited opportunity to escape the currency is the US dollar, their own currency itinerary and explore the areas, but I was having collapsed some 10 years ago. reasonably determined to try and find some local brews. There are eighteen languages in native communities, most indigenous speak Quichua. There are some 70 small breweries in Ecuador Spanish is also spoken by many and English is and in the city of Quito there are about 20. spoken by some in the more tourist-focused It is a growing business. Not easy due to areas. Thus Cerveza = beer (Spanish)! natural disruptions which can affect water and power supplies but these people seem Ecuador has an amazing natural diversity, determined to produce a good beer. Different ranging from the mountainous Andes, to the average ‘pilsner’ type of Cerveceria Amazonian forests, coast and also the unique Nacional Ecuador that has been the sole Galapagos Islands. The climate also therefore offering until relatively recently. Luckily only is diverse partly due to the range in altitude. a 10-minute walk from our hotel in Quito we It is an area of intense seismic activity thus a found the outlet of Bandido Brewing. The high risk of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions first microbrewery in Quito started by three and tsunamis. Americans in 2013. The original site of the The capital Quito – the highest capital brewery, a lovely 1850’s Spanish colonial city in the world at some 2,500m – is said building now running as a pub/restaurant with to frequently have all four seasons in one the brewery having moved to a larger site in day! The daytime temperature tends to be the city in 2015. The pub has three seating between 10 and 20 C and because of the areas one of which is a chapel – complete altitude, when the sun is shining it is intense, with pews and altar! but within the day it can suddenly cloud over It was early evening and had just opened as Tiddly Pomme is the Farm Shop at Brogdale. We are home to a fabulous range of bottled Kentish ales and hail, then back to sunshine! we arrived, we sampled a number of the ales and ciders, as well as our own Brogdale Craft Cider, produced on site entirely from apples and pears We visited in December, there is generally including Rio Negro stout at 6.5%, a chocolate stout with malt and cacao husk. of the National Fruit Collection. less rain and wind at this time of year and We are also the main stockist of Brogdale Fine Fruits and Brogdale Juices, as well as a wonderful the daytime temperature about 19’C. The Alta Amber 5.8% and La Gua PA 5.7% selection of locally produced food and drinks, gifts, cards, prints and books. flight to Quito was 13 hours and armed with made with hops and a tea leaf native to the advise re jet-lag and altitude to avoid the Ecuadorian amazon. All well presented alcohol decided to promptly explore the Hotel and very flavoursome. It is a popular venue bar where we found some bottles of locally and over the couple of hours we were there brewed ale from a German brewer in Quito filled up with mainly local people - the Paramo Brauhaus, a golden ale at 5% and an demographic appeared to be quite young , it altbier at 5.4% – which were tasty. That’s the was heartening to see them enjoying a good highest beer I’ve ever had with my feet still on beer. the ground! Because of the altitude the air is ‘thinner’ i.e. less oxygen so to accommodate Our tour took us south to the city of Cuenca. Open Mon 12-4, Tues to Sat 10–5, Sun 10.30-4.30 Tel: 01795 529100 Email: [email protected] Web: www.tiddlypommeshop.co.uk Tiddly Pomme, The Marketplace, Brogdale Farm, Brogdale Rd, Faversham, Kent. ME13 8XZ 20 www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale

The third largest city in Ecuador with beautiful It appears that small scale brewing of beer and magnificent buildings, many churches, is happening in all corners of the world and particularly noted for its flower market and I have been fortunate enough to have had many workshops making panama hats. We the opportunity to explore the beers of this looked for but failed to find an outlet of fascinating part of the world. Where next?! Latitud Cero beers although later in our tour we met an enthusiastic restaurant manager Mary Cross in Guayaquil who supplied us with bottled Latitud Cero – cerveza artesanal. An American Pale Ale at 5% and a very tasty dark ale Sierra Negra at 4.8%. In Cuenca we did manage to find the outlet of Jodoca Brewery at the edge of a lovely square, Parque San Sebastian a peaceful setting in the city. Jocada was started in 2012 by a Belgian man and his Ecuadorian wife. They began brewing Belgian-style beers at these premises. There was a bar area and separate room with comfortable seating area and tables in front on the edge of the square where we sat in the evening sun watching the world go by – drinking very tasty beer of excellent quality. The brewing has outgrown these premises and is now done at another site in the city. The beers we sampled were Ambiorix Quadrupel 8% and Hopduvel Dubbel 8%.

Tiddly Pomme is the Farm Shop at Brogdale. We are home to a fabulous range of bottled Kentish ales and ciders, as well as our own Brogdale Craft Cider, produced on site entirely from apples and pears of the National Fruit Collection. We are also the main stockist of Brogdale Fine Fruits and Brogdale Juices, as well as a wonderful selection of locally produced food and drinks, gifts, cards, prints and books.

Open Mon 12-4, Tues to Sat 10–5, Sun 10.30-4.30 Tel: 01795 529100 Email: [email protected] Web: www.tiddlypommeshop.co.uk Tiddly Pomme, The Marketplace, Brogdale Farm, Brogdale Rd, Faversham, Kent. ME13 8XZ

DESERT ISLAND BEERS

A desert island without a cool cellar and drink my way through the pub’s (at that lots of barrels stored within it sounds worse time exceptionally large) selection of eight than Alcatraz. But a desert island with these beers. They all tasted great but my three facilities plus a perfect choice of beers sounds favourites were Abbot Ale, Theakston Old better than Tahiti. (Actually I’ve been to Tahiti Peculier (chosen by John Sissons for his and such a desert island would be much desert island in the last issue) and Adnams. better!). Like John in the last issue, I’m going I stopped drinking the first two a long while to assume I can draw beers from any time back because they had stopped being special in my life for my eight beers. It’s been hard but I still really enjoy an Adnams ale. Good for enough to choose the eight, and putting them them that they still brew great beer 45years in order of preference would be completely on. We served Adnam’s at a special bar set up impossible, so I’ll put them in the order I drank for my son’s wedding and it was every bit as them. good as ever. The first on my list is Fullers ESB. As an My next job was at the University of undergraduate in London, I signed up for a Birmingham. Birmingham was an ale desert in brewery trip to Fullers with some friends from those days, but thankfully our staff bar served the law department. Lawyers are conservative Davenport’s Bitter. I used to volunteer to people and Fullers wasn’t famous then, so entertain our visiting speakers, and made sure only five people (myself one of them) signed they had a pint or two before being taken off up for the trip, when 25 were expected. for a meal. I don’t think it was just because it After we had done the tour of the brewery was the only ale around, but it seemed to me (which was being kept alive by Guinness to be the perfect session beer, and it was a who employed them to do their bottling for sad day when the brewery closed, especially them), we were shown into the hospitality as I had nothing to drown my sorrows with. room and apologetically told that they had supplied the party with beer for 25 and it Having moved up to the University of was up to us to drink as much of it as we Liverpool, I lived in Southport and joined could, as they couldn’t take it back. We took CAMRA for the first time (to my shame our duty seriously and I developed during having left it so long. Southport wasn’t far the afternoon a serious taste for their strong from the Lake District, so it wasn’t difficult ale, which was later badged as ESB. I never to visit Hawkshead Brewery (and the lakes became a lawyer but I became that day a and mountains were nice too.) Our CAMRA lover of real ale. (I also learned to dance like branch organised a trip round the pubs of Gene Kelly in the tube train going back, but the Lake District and this was the first stop. that’s probably best glossed over.) Most of us would have been more than happy to have abandoned the rest of the trip and My second beer is Adnams Bitter. My first stayed there. The tour was great and the job was at Hatfield Polytechnic and half brewery tap was superb. All the Hawkshead way between the Poly and St Albans was a beers are excellent, but I’ll go for Hawkshead pub called the Barley Mow which catered Bitter because it was always served really well especially for members of CAMRA whose at what was for a long while the best pub in headquarters were (and still are) in St Albans. Southport (until the owner sold it as private I used to meet there with friends from the housing, the traitor). Poly at the end of the week every week and Continued overleaf...

22 www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale DESERT ISLAND BEERS

www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale 23

Proper Job - Generic A5.indd 2 23/05/2019 11:51 The same pub used to serve Moorhouse’s barrel was emptied within less than an hour. Black Cat MIld, a quite delicious beer, and (The cider I had bought, though delicious, was in a style that is endangered, especially in left virtually untouched, and there were plenty the south. Moorhouse’s has actually taken of undrunk bottled lagers standing around at the word Mild off the beer clips these days, the end, so it wasn’t that we hadn’t supplied presumably because it put young punters off, enough drink!) It wasn’t surprising, though, though a recent pint happily suggested that that it should have been so popular with our the beer itself hasn’t gone downhill. visitors. There are a lot of good stouts about but not many are both delicious and good Some time after I joined CAMRA, one of the session beers, and that’s Mad Cat’s secret Southport branch members set up a brewery with all their beers. Their beers are just so called, somewhat unadventurously, Southport drinkable. On a hot desert island, I’d want to Brewery. But what beers! Every one of them refill my glass, not sip. was a treat. I used to tell all my friends that my all-time favourite beer was Southport So what would be the one that I couldn’t do Golden Sands, and they’d all smile, thinking without? Well. I once drank a stout in Finland I was a tad biased. But a year or two later in Tampere that struck me as the greatest it became Champion Bitter of Britain. So beer I had ever tasted, but I was too far gone it wasn’t bias, just good taste. Southport to make a note of its name or e§ven of the Brewery to its credit has never tried to brewery… But if I was forced to drink only one capitalise on their success and has kept their of the eight beers lovingly described above, operation modest (It was, though, served for and assuming my desert island was tropical a while at the House of Commons bar; a less with palm trees swaying in the breeze, how deserving audience for such a fine beer it is could I choose other than Golden Sands? hard to imagine.) The only other place it has been possible to drink it down south in recent Michael Hoey years was at my daughter’s wedding. They Vice-Chair, Swale CAMRA very kindly sent a barrel down especially for it and it was the first to be finished. (My son, daughter, son-in-law and daughter-in-law are all keen real ale drinkers, so I don’t suffer dehydration when I visit. Both their weddings were also mini-beer festivals!) When I retired, I came to Faversham which I discovered is blessed with excellent breweries. Two, though, stand out for me – Boutilliers and Mad Cat. They are great in quite different ways. Boutilliers beers are adventurous and off-the-wall, and Mad Cat beers are unfailingly refreshing and returnable to. We served Boutilliers Rye Pale Ale at my daughter’s wedding’s mini-beer fest and the barrel was emptied faster than all the beers except Golden Sands. It is a superb beer and could be a prize winner if they kept it on regularly. (And I got Golden Sands right…) On the other hand, who’d want to tie them down when the recipes keep on coming? I am a Rotary member and was responsible for the bar at a big celebration last year of Faversham Rotary Club’s 70th anniversary, when we had 40-odd visitors from Sweden, Denmark, the Neth4erlands and Germany coming to join us. I chose Mad Cat Jet Black Stout as the draft beer for the occasion because I love it. I was concerned, though, that our visitors came from countries famous for their lagers. I shouldn’t have worried. The

24 www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale Wantsum Brewery & Taproom Taproom Opening Hours:- Fri 4pm – 9pm & Sat 2pm – 8pm Address:- The Kent Barn, St Nicholas Court Farm, Court Road Kent St Nicolas At Wade CT7 0PT

Wantsum Brewery is an Award Winning Local Brewery, that makes and sells great beers using only the finest ingredients Why not visit our Taproom where we always have a great selection of our beers on offer, as well as Bottled Cider, Wine, Soft Drinks and a selection of Snacks

This year we are celebrating 10 Years on Wantsum Brewery Beers since opening in 2009, we have brewed a special 10th Anniversary Ale to mark the occasion

We are launching our new Wantsum Craft Range, small batch one off exclusive beers, brewed Bimonthly with Five A Day IPA being our first of the series and “Vacay in Cali” being the next edition being released in July, with many more to follow

www.camra-swale.org.uk@wantsumbrewery [email protected] CAMRAswale 25

Red Lion Badlesmere 01233-740309 [email protected]

The Red Lion is a family run free house. Serving food and drinks all day every day. Please visit our web site redlionbadlesmere.com for menus and special events. Including music, the first Friday of every month. Food events such as gourmet dinners, tapas evenings, bands, BBQ in the garden. This year on the 17th of August we have a movie night in the garden showing “Bohemian Rhapsody”

“The most welcoming English country pub with a lovely atmosphere and beautiful food”

“We had a brilliant 3 course lunch today at the Red Lion. It was a pleasure to be able to choose from an extensive menu knowing it was all gluten free. Very tasty fresh food. My husband who is not Coeliac thought the food was excellent too. Even the deserts were great. We will definitely be back. Thank you.”

THE BEAR,

FAVERSHAM

The Bear Inn is a traditional pub in the centre the nearby farm shop. The pub prides itself Red Lion of Faversham. It is thought to be the oldest on serving an excellent quality pint, regularly surviving pub in the town, dating to the features in the Good Beer Guide, and is well middle ages and purchased by Shepherd known locally as the place to go for the Badlesmere Neame in 1736. Located in Faversham’s perfectly kept pint. historic market square, the Bear is popular 01233-740309 [email protected] with regulars and visitors alike, for a pint, Even for non-beer drinkers though, the Bear lunch, or to spend a relaxing evening with Inn is a special spot. Quaint and traditional, it’s friends. The pub is unusual in that it retains a pub packed with character - with centuries- a layout with three separate bars – a small old oak beams in the main bar salvaged from ‘Public Bar’ to the front of the pub, a snug a ship built at the nearby boatyard. Around in the middle, and to the rear a larger third the pub there are interesting pictures and ‘Lounge Bar’. On fine weather days you will paraphernalia relating to its history, which also find customers seated outside the front contribute to the warm, friendly nature of the of the pub, chatting and watching the world place. It’s the kind of pub where you pop in for a pint, stay for lunch, and find yourself go by. returning. The Bear has recently changed hands. Just a The Red Lion is a family run free house. Serving food and drinks all day Address: Market Place, Faversham, ME13 7AG few weeks ago popular host Chris and Marie Phone: 01795 532668 every day. Please visit our web site redlionbadlesmere.com for menus and Annand departed on their next adventure special events. Including music, the first Friday of every month. Food events leaving the pub to the hands of Tim and Opening Hours: Lacey Stowell who themselves have been part Mon-Sat: 10:30 - 23:30 such as gourmet dinners, tapas evenings, bands, BBQ in the garden. of the pub scene. Sun: 11:30 - 23:00 This year on the 17th of August we have a movie night in the garden showing On the menu you’ll find a good choice of Food Serving Times: traditional, home-made lunches, made from Mon-Thu: 12:00-14:30, 17:30-19:30 “Bohemian Rhapsody” locally sourced ingredients including meat Fri: 12:00-14:30 from the local butcher, and fruit and veg from Sat & Sun: 12:00-16:00 “The most welcoming English country pub with a lovely atmosphere and beautiful food”

“We had a lovely meal here today, went in for a drink at lunchtime and had the 2 vegan options (gnocchi and polenta with veg). Both were lovely, wonderful garden atmosphere, friendly owners and staff. Lots of shade for the dogs to chill out (they even enjoyed a biscuit on behalf of the owner). Would definitely go in again!” BEERLIEVE IT OR NOT... “We had a brilliant 3 course lunch today at the Red Lion. It was a pleasure to be able to choose from an extensive menu knowing it was all gluten free. Very tasty fresh food. My husband who is not Coeliac thought the food was excellent too. Even the deserts were great. US Presidents George Washington, We will definitely be back. Thank you.” Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and Barack Obama were all keen homebrewers.

www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale 27 BEERS OF THE BIRD TABLE The early spring is a fine time to observe garden birds and their feeding habits around the bird table and feeders. Different bird species have individual characters just like beers, so for fun I’ve listed an analogy of birds and the more popular ales. Hopefully I won’t offend anyone, either bird fanciers or beer enthusiasts with my comments, it’s just for fun!

they ascend the table for a short while then disappear. Perhaps the most frequent of all birds on the table, its easy to take them for granted but without them the table would be a lot less busy and by their very brown nature, they allow the brighter marked birds to strand out from the crowd. So in many ways, they provide the essential background for the other birds to shine. If we have no sparrows, we’d surely miss them. The beer equivalent would be Doombar. An unremarkable but inoffensive brown beer its everywhere. but, just like the sparrow, without Doom to set the playing field, how would we Black Cap & Brewdog Punk IPA know the other beers are so good? Some might be pleased if we had no Doombar, The Black Cap is a recent interloper on many but there have always been big volume garden bird feeders and something of the if somewhat bland beers that dominate bird table bully. He does not care about other the market i.e. Courage Best etc. They are birds, he is unconventional, does it his way essential as often drinkability is what required and takes what he wants when he wants. most and that means a beer that’s easily However as a new visitor he is a welcome available with a non descript but accessible addition to any bird table despite his selfish flavour. habits. As a beer analogy, that just has to be Brewdog. A recent arrival in the beer market and totally unconventional, they do the opposite to what other brewers do and are happy to step on a few traditional toes! None-the-less the beer is still pretty good and a welcome option on many bars and supermarket shelves.

Bullfinch & Proper Job The Bullfinch is a shy but common bird. When you see him its always a thrill. Superbly marked, Mr Bullfinch is unmistakable and certainly stands out from the crowd. Mrs B is not that bad looking either and its common House Sparrow & Doombar to see pairs rather than single birds. However An unremarkable grey/brown bird and they are a reserved couple, never the first ten-a-penny on many bird tables. They are to the party and often heard rather than always there, normally arriving in small flocks, seen. If you get Bullfinches cherish them and

28 www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale encourage them to stay, they are one of the BEERS OF THE BIRD TABLE stars of the bird table. Proper Job is the Bullfinch of the beer world. On draught it’s common but not often seen. A frequent visitor as part of many a guest ale programme, its still not easy to find. However once you have it, then it’s unmistakable rich citrus hop and bitter backbone, combined with the sharp golden straw colour make it a welcome guest and a beer to encourage the licensee to keep.

Magpie & Hobgoblin The Magpie is a big noisy bird, strikingly marked, its also a very loyal bird as couples bond for life. Their reputation for thieving and bullying smaller birds is probably warranted. When it visits the bird table everything else disappears, including our cats! They muscle in, will empty a meal worm feeder in less than an hour then pose as if to say, come on, I’m not frightened of anything. You cant help admiring the Magpie, for all its cheek and bravado.

Chaffinch & Old Speckled Hen The beer analogy would be Hobgoblin. Just like the Magpie, it has a band of loyal The Chaffinch is a handsome looking bird. enthusiasts and it shouts from the shelves When first seen the male in particular is a with its quirky label design. Its a big bold beer good looking fella, but then you come across as well, not subtle, its full flavoured, raisins other more striking birds, the fore-mentioned and toffee the marked flavours. Hobgoblin Bullfinch, the Goldfinch or the Great Tit, all always stands proud on the shelves and bars, birds that arguably challenge the place of nothing to hide, as if to say, that’s who I am, if the Chaffinch in terms of looks. However, the you don’t like me I don’t really care, I’m here Chaffinch is a staple and frequent visitor to stay. There are better beers out there with far garden bird tables, its just they are not quite more complexity of flavour, but none-the-less, the stars. Hobgoblin will be a regular part of many a BBQ or party over the summer months. A beer analogy would be Old Speckled Hen. Once the beer of choice of many, its a good I hope you enjoyed my ramblings here, its just beer but not quite a great beer and has been for fun and not mean’t to upset anyone. Other surpassed by many new more interesting suggested garden bird and analogy beer arrivals to the bar. The Old Speckled Un as combinations would be as follows. it was originally known, was the forerunner of guest beers from the late 1980’s and set Raven & Guinness the playing field for later arrivals. Its easily Goldfinch & Thornbridge Jaipur dismissed now by beer enthusiasts and those Blue Tit & Fursty Ferret who don’t appreciate the commitment to Blackbird & Fullers London Porter the beer market of the brand owners Greene Robin & Adnams Ghostship King. A bit like the Chaffinch, a little under Marc Bishop appreciated. Beer Sommelier

www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale 29 ROSE & CROWN, PERRY WOOD

Set in the lovely surroundings of Perry Wood To the side of the original structure, the this whitewashed exterior under a peg tile Woodcutters cottage was a separate two roofed pub has a long and interesting past roomed home that housed a family of twelve including being called the’ Waggon & Horses’ in the early 1900’s and only became part of for a small period in the 1800’s, then owned the pub in the 1980’s when a doorway was by the very local Miller, John Sutton, who also knocked through where the dartboard used had the nearby cottages built. to hang. At the same time another doorway was knocked through into the skittle alley, According to the history books and local now a lengthy narrow restaurant and home press, on the evening of 20th August 1889, to old farm tools, corn dollies & brewing Hammond John Smith left the Taproom of memorabilia. the Rose and Crown to make his way home to Sheldwich. The next day he was found in Today, as the hub of the locality, many events a barn on adjacent land having bled to death take place at The Rose and Crown. The first after a vicious assault the previous evening. Wednesday of the month is Quiz Night where His two assailants, James Foster and James teams of up to four can play at £2 per head. Packman, were arrested the next day and after trial James Foster was sentenced to 14 Other things to do include: years ‘penal servitude’ for the manslaughter •Beer Festivals - hog roast, real ales & live of Hammond John Smith. These events were music! all triggered that wet August day when the three men involved all argued about who •Bat & Trap - if there are enough of you, book could cut an acre of corn the fastest. These the pitch - it’s free! days, if you listen carefully enough, Hammond •Pub games - to keep you busy in the winter - John Smith is still reported within the pub, shut the box / cribbage / dominoes / cards / sometimes found to be getting up to mischief darts / giant Jenga & garden dominoes in the kitchen with his liking for the ladies! •The countryside - Always available, come The centrepiece to the Guinness World record and see it in all the seasons. held in the 1980’s for a darts match marathon, the old saloon bar was home to the dartboard Address: Rose & Crown, Perry Wood, Selling, and in the third of the three original bar nr Faversham, Kent. ME13 9RY rooms was the lounge bar, or where the ladies went. This room also housed a bar billiards E-mail: [email protected] table, once a common feature in a pub but Telephone: 01227 752214 nowadays hard to find.

30 www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale The live beer

Supporting your local 6-10experience August • Olympia London Breweries This year the Great British Beer Festival takes you on a journey from the smallest seed to the perfect pint! Experience the natural magic of grain to glass, while enjoying live music, fabulous food and more… Book your tickets today gbbf.org.uk

PLUS Cider & Perry • NEW Wine & Gin Bar • Music • Street Food NEW Internationalwww.camra-swale.org.uk Beer Festival • Entertainment [email protected] • NEW Beer Discovery Zone CAMRAswale 31 Join up, join in, join the campaign From as little as Protect the traditions of great † £25 British pubs and everything that a year. That’s less than a pint a goes with them by joining today

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A5 Advert - Branch Mag.indd 1 21/09/2017 15:13 ONE FOR THE ROAD CREW

Greetings Gentle Reader. result, according to Robinson’s website, is a 4.7% deep gold beer with a sweet malt and You know there was a time when the young zesty hop smell and a bitter strong roasted teenage Obadiah could be found haunting malt taste. Trooper has gone on to inspire the Hammersmith Odeon, denim clad with further Maiden themed beers. Light Brigade, hair flowing down shoulders and ears ringing a 4.1 golden beer (from the sale of each bottle after a high decibel assault from the likes sold five pence goes to the charity Help for of Sabbath or Thin Lizzy. Now you may be Heroes), Red & Black a 6.8% porter, Hallowed wondering what this trip down memory lane a 6% Belgium style beer (now discontinued) (given that Obadiah’s teenage memory lane is and Trooper 666 a stronger version of largely strewn with fag ends, kebab wrappers Trooper at 6.6% which was brewed as a empty cheap lager cans) has to do with beer, limited run and alas is now sold out. and who could blame you. Well now some things never leave you (thankfully a liking Now, I am sure many of you will have seen for cheap lager has) but good old (emphasis the film Bohemian Rhapsody about the band on the old) rock is still a favourite musical Queen but did you know that the Pinovar genre of the 2019 vintage Obadiah albeit Protivin brewery in the Czech Republic that the flowing locks have, well, flown and brewed a 4.7% pilsner called Bohemian now I sport a hairstyle more akin to a hard- Rhapsody in 2015 to celebrate forty years boiled egg! Stop waffling Obadiah and tell of the release of the song. The bottle label the nice people what the heck you are going shows a design created by Freddie Mercury on about!!! Well patient reader I have noticed whilst he was a design student. that many rock bands now produce their own beers so I wanted to explore some of the ones I can’t help thinking that they should have that have crossed my taste buds or, at least, I called it ’I’m In Love With My Bar’ or ‘Don’t have found whilst perusing ‘tinternet’. Hop Me Now’ or even ‘Beer Heart Attack’ (Sorry I’ll get my coat!) Let us start with a beer that many of you will have come across, Trooper brewed by Crossing the pond we find those painted Robinsons of Stockport. This beer is inspired popinjays of grandiose glam (get Obadiah’s by a track from Iron Maiden’s fourth album alliteration!), yes it can be none other than Piece of Mind. For those of you who don’t Kiss. Never ones to miss out on a retail know Iron Maiden were pioneers of the opportunity Kiss have added their name to a NWOBHM in the 1980’s. (NWOBHM? Don’t beer called Destroyer (named after their 1976 worry my keyboard hasn’t got stuck, it stands album of the same name). It is a 4.7% pale for the New Wave of British Heavy Metal). lager brewed by Krönleins Brewery in Sweden. Lead singer Bruce Dickinson says on the I am sure the taste is ‘Ace’. official Maiden website “I’m a lifelong fan of Even further afield, in fact you can’t get much traditional English ale; I thought I’d died and further afield from the home country of the gone to heaven when we were asked to create next band. We are in Australia the home of our own beer.” Apparently the cultivation those legendary Aussie rockers AC/DC. The of the beer required numerous visits to the band have teamed up with German brewer brewery to get the recipe perfected. A tough Karlsberg to produce a 5% premium pale gig Bruce but someone had to do it!! The lager called Australian Hardrock which is

www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale 33 Gales HSB Finally, in my top eight down to the mid-South of England to Horndean in Hampshire for a brewery delight. Horndean Special Bitter or HSB was, from memory, a nutty brown beer with a distinct pleasant aftertaste. When Fullers closed the brewery in 2006 all production moved to Chiswick and another of England’s finest was lost to progress. HSB is still brewed and marketed by Fullers today but for those of you that know – it’s just not the same! If I had to choose one from the pack above, then it would have to be the Tusker. If nothing else, I could hop on the elephants back for a ride!! Thank you so much John for letting us know your desert island beers.

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brewed to the German purity laws. The beer the Hammy Odeon on the last night of the was released to coincide with start of the Ace of Spades tour when the band had a bands Australian leg of the Rock or Bust tour. custard pie fight in the middle of the set after As well as in 586ml (pint) cans the brew is a roadie ran on and hit Lemmy squarely in also available in mini kegs. Well AC/DC never the chops with one. You have to remember do anything by halves do they! that this was at the time of the height of the Tiswas Phantom Flan Flinger’s fame (if you Back to Blighty now for the last two beers don’t know, you’ll have to ask your parents). in this romp around rocky beer and how My ears rang for days afterwards! Now many much more English than the next band/beer of you will know that one of the stand out collaboration. They opened Live Aid and have track from the Ace of Spades album was (We been smashing the twelve bar blues sound Are) The Road Crew. As Lemmy puts it on for over fifty years. I can be talking about the No Sleep ‘til Hammersmith live album, the none other than the mighty Quo. Status Quo song is “dedicated to a fine body of men”. have produced a couple of beers. Firstly, With lyrics that include ‘I just love the life I in collaboration with Wychwood Brewery, lead, another beer is what I need, another Piledriver a 4.3% malty amber ale. Apparently gig, my ears bleed. We are the road crew,’ it this beer sold so well that is prompted Francis was only a matter of time before a beer was Rossi, the bands singer and guitarist to say produced and sure enough the band teamed “This is incredible news - we haven’t seen up with Camerons brewery to produce a 4.5% sales figures like that since the 1970s”. Alas (5% bottled) pale ale called, appropriately, Obadiah understands that Piledriver is no Road Crew. With labels emblazoned with the longer being produced. But fear not you Motorhead ‘Snaggletooth’ logo Camerons beer loving aficionados of The Quo for they website describes the beer as golden in have teamed up with Hobsons brewery in colour, packed full of hoppy citrus and www.theshipwrightsathollowshore.co.uk Shropshire to produce a beer named after blackcurrant flavours delivering a crisp, their 1971 album ‘Dog of Two Heads’. This refreshing, superior taste with satisfying bitter beer is a 4.2% traditional chestnut ale and as finish. you sup you will be helping our four legged friends as 5% of profits will be donated to The So there you have it gentle reader. I hope this Dogs Trust. This beer is brewed with British meander into the murky world of the teenage malting barley and a blend of UK-grown Obadiah has not been too traumatic and that Fuggles, Challenger, Goldings and Progress you are able to give one or two of these beers hops. a try for yourself. Lastly we come to perhaps the loudest band So until next time, Toodle Pip. that Obadiah subjected his teenage ears were to. I refer to of course the incomparable Motorhead. Yes young Obadiah was there at Obidiah Spillage

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34 www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale Gales HSB Finally, in my top eight down to the mid-South of England to Horndean in Hampshire for a brewery delight. Horndean Special Bitter or HSB was, from memory, a nutty brown beer with a distinct pleasant aftertaste. When Fullers closed the brewery in 2006 all production moved to Chiswick and another of England’s finest was lost to progress. HSB is still brewed and marketed by Fullers today but for those of you that know – it’s just not the same! If I had to choose one from the pack above, then it would have to be the Tusker. If nothing else, I could hop on the elephants back for a ride!! Thank you so much John for letting us know your desert island beers.

www.theshipwrightsathollowshore.co.uk HONEY & STOUT PIE 3. Once the pastry has chilled, lightly dust Ingredients a work surface with flour and roll the 80ml Good Stout pastry out into a large circle, 5cm bigger 1 Bramley Apple, peeled and grated than your tin. Loosely roll the pastry 90g Golden Syrup around the rolling pin, then carefully 50g Rolled Porridge Oats drape the pastry over the tin and lightly 90g Honey press the pastry into the edges to fit 90g Breadcrumbs, stale 2 Eggs 4. Carefully trim the edges of the pastry 1/2 Lemon, zest and juice using a sharp knife. Line the pastry with 1/2 Orange, zest only some greaseproof paper, then pour in some baking beans. Blind bake the pastry For the Pastry: case in the oven for around 45 minutes 250g Plain Flour until pale golden in colour. Remove Pinch of Salt from the oven and increase the oven 125g Butter, cubed, plus extra for greasing temperate to 180°C/gas mark 4 50g Caster Sugar 3 Eggs 5. Discard the greaseproof paper and baking beans and brush the entirety of Method the pastry case in egg wash - this will 1. To make the pastry, use a food processor help to prevent cracks appearing in the to pulse together the flour, salt, butter pastry and sugar until the mixture resembles 6. To make the filling, add the stout and breadcrumbs, then transfer to a bowl. grated apple to a pan and bring to the Add the eggs and form into a ball of boil. Reduce to a simmer and leave the dough. Do not overwork, just mix enough liquid to reduce by half, then remove to bring the dough together. Chill for 20 from the heat and set aside until warm. min. 7. Add the remaining ingredients, mix well 2. Preheat the oven to 150°C/gas mark 2. and pour into the pastry case. Bake the Grease a 25cm loose-bottomed tart tin tart for 20-25 minutes until the filling is and set aside set

www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale 35 GRUMPY LANDLORD

One of the problems with having a destination real ale straight from the cask, has outside pub in the middle of nowhere is that we are gents toilets and a grumpy landlord, (and very much dependent on the vagaries of the now a grumpy grandson who has passed his British weather. So far this year Mother Nature grumpiness exams with flying colours). has been fickle to say the least, giving us all four seasons in the space of two months. Lately we are seeing a lot of DFL’s - ‘Down from London’ for the uninformed - many What stock to order is always a problem, as of whom have made the trek to solely to the weather can change so quickly over the find us and I’m pleased to say that the space of a few days. Whether to open a new greater majority think the trip is worthwhile. Firkin of cask ale on a Tuesday when the Everybody is aware that the pub trade weather is unpredictable is often a decision is not going through a good time at the we face, since if we are quiet we may not be moment, costs are rising and bureaucracy able to sell it out quickly enough to ensure increasing, so being a ‘bit different’ is one way it is in good condition when served. Get it of surviving. The trade is changing rapidly. wrong and we end up throwing away a lot of People are seeking out the unusual, the quirky ale, which has reached it’s ‘best by’ peak and and the downright odd, since they are now far subsequently lose any profit. more selective in where they want to spend their leisure time. I’ve been to many a pub where the landlord has kept a slow selling ale on the stillage for Of course sometimes people who are used longer than is wise and subsequently it is not to the fast life of the city and the availability good to drink, which reflects on the pub and of ‘anything they want at anytime’ are a can also give a false impression of the ale or bit surprised by our slower and more basic Brewery to the unenlightened drinker. approach. Speaking of breweries, there are so many The customer from the smoke who asked around now that it is impossible to try them “Can I get a double Mocha with vanilla and all. Our regulars know what they like and goats milk” was a tad surprised to be met there are several beers we cannot take off with a blank look and the retort that “since because people come to us because they this is a 17th century pub madam, not a coffee like a particular beer. They are the customers shop, you can have have filter or filter, but if who come to us through hail, rain and snow, you like I’ll stick a dob of vanilla ice cream in so we would be silly to go down the road it.” of constantly changing brews. A guest beer alongside our normal selection is fine in the Likewise the punter bedecked with CAMRA summer, (if we ever get one), but looking after stickers and badges from all over the country the regulars is the cardinal rule in our trade. and waving his copy of the Good Beer Guide, who expressed his concern that we we stock Having said that, I am amazed by the number a keg IPA from a well known national brewer of people who come to us from all over and a keg Belgian Weiss beer. the world, having heard about this quirky little pub at the back of beyond that serves “Why keep that stuff,” he asked rather

36 www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale indignantly, “when there are so many good real ale equivalents around.” It had been a bad day, (following a good evening if you know what I mean), so I was not in the mood to force a smile and play the indulgent host. “Because it’s what some people want,” I replied, “this is a business, we like real ale and sell a lot of it, but recognise that beer is beer and keg beer is not inferior to cask ale, just different.” I hasten to add that the vast majority of CAMRA members are not of this ilk, but some still pursue the line that keg beer is a GRUMPY LANDLORD poor substitute for real ale, in my opinion an outdated view. If pubs sell the products and provide the environment that people want, they are more likely to survive the current downturn. Hope everyone has a good summer. The Grumpy Landlord

www.camra-swale.org.uk [email protected] CAMRAswale 37 www.spitfireale.co.uk /spitfireale Across PRIZE 1 Healthy town in Greater Manchester (4) 3 Kind of poignant in Devon (8) CROSSWORD 9 Ruin entrance to seaside town (7) Compiled by R Gregory No 1065 10 Malefactor endlessly returns to 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Irish Town (5) 8 11 Cloth crate maybe stolen from Cumbrian town (5) 9 10 12 Desperate man is held initially by tongue (6)

11 12 14 Steer car in city (6) 16 Part of Sussex - an adult could have 13 a good time here (6) 14 15 16 17 19 Note: Welshman has first ride in this type of collision (6) 18 21 Bachelor has bird in Swiss city (5) 19 20 21 22 24 Man that is climbing Swiss mountain (5) 23 25 It can be risky to be a supporter of a particular house (7) 24 25 26 Dicky yearned to find love initially in Scotland (8) 26 27 27 Christmas back in Mexico (4)

A cro ss Compiled by R. Gregory Ref 1065 Down 1 Healthy town in Greater Manchester (4) 1 Sailor’s lover in Scotland (8) Name:3 Kind of poignant in Devon (8) 2 Peers at ground in London (5) 9 Ruin entrance to seaside town (7) 4 Turkish ruler has aim for programme (6) Address:10 Malefactor endlessly returns to Irish Town (5) 11 Cloth crate maybe stolen from Cumbrian town (5) 5 Find out answer in Scottish valley (5) 12 Desperate man is held initially by tongue (6) 6 VAT is best back in country (7) 14 Steer car in city (6) 7 Al’s nemesis in lake (4) Every16 Part clue of inSussex this - issue’san adult crosswordcould have a hasgood time here8 (6)Occupation of nurse touring Spain (6) something19 Note: Welshman to do with has firstlocations ride in this(some type ofof collision13 (6) Sounds like you could go hungry here them a bit tenuous). Have fun solving. 21 Bachelor has bird in Swiss city (5) in Warwickshire (8) All24 correctMan that entries is climbing received Swiss mountainby 31/10/19 (5) will 15 Bordered on top of Surrey downs be25 enteredIt can be into risky a to draw be a forsupporter a prize of of a particular£10. The house (7)initially (7) prize26 Dicky winner yearned and tothe find solution love initially will bein Scotland printed (8) 17 Chain bridge located in London (6) in the next issue, along with all other correct 27 Christmas back in Mexico (4) 18 Pattern largely knitted entries. Do wn (last pearl dropped) (6) Entries1 Sailor's by email lover into Scotland [email protected] (8) 20 Drier Scottish town - right or by post to Saxwords, 48b Newton Road, 2 Peers at ground in London (5) 22 Common money almost found by Faversham, Kent, ME13 8DZ. Scanned and 4 Turkish ruler has aim for programme (6) English river (5) emailed entries preferred but all entries 5 Find out answer in Scottish valley (5) welcome including photocopies. 23 Star girl missing from outside 6 VAT is best back in country (7) American city (4) If7 youAl's have nemesis any inquestions lake (4) please email the above8 Occupation address orof nursesend touring s.a.e. Spain (6) I 13will Soundsreply to like all you queries could goafter hungry the hereclosing in Warwickshire date. (8) Solution15 Bordered from on last top issue of Surrey (ref downs1055): initially (7) Across17 Chain - 1: bridgeStream, located 4: Fails, in London 8: Rhine, (6) Down - 1: Straws, 2: Reissue, 3: Alehouse, 9:18 Pilsner,Pattern 10: largely Washout, knitted 11: (last Bran, pearl 12: dropped) Sip, 14: (6) 4: Fill, 5: Inner, 6: Spring, 7: Spots, 13: Pressure, Lees,20 Drier15: Redo, Scottish 18: town Egg, - right21: Bass, 23: Russian, 16: Dribble, 17: Abuser, 19: Grape, 20: Ingress, 25:22 Stirrup,Common 26: money Unbar, almost 27: Regal, found by28: English Revels river (5) 22: Sting, 24: Oral 23 Star girl missing from outside American city Correct entries were received from: R Amos, G Bond, S Christie, L Edwards, B Fullick, A MacGregor, T Mayhew, D Peacock, S Renwick, E Taber, and S Tompkins. for solution email [email protected] The winner of the £10 prize was A MacGregor.