Celebrating the Real Ale Scene in Sussex Drinker Autumn 2015 Free

SIBA GOLD MEDAL

PUBLISHED AND FINANCED BY THE SUSSEX BRANCHES OF THE CAMPAIGN PREMIUM STRONG BEERS FOR REAL ALE REGIONAL WINNER 2015 2 Contact Information

South East Sussex Phil Cozens, 01323 460822 [email protected] www.southeast-sussex-camra.com Beer Festival: Eastbourne, 8-10 Oct 2015 POTY: Tower, St Leonards-on-Sea COTY: Albatross RAFA Club, Bexhill-On-Sea Sussex Branches of CAMRA Surrey & Sussex Regional Director: Chris Stringer, 01403 270505 () Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015. No. 83 [email protected] Circulation 13,250 Sussex Area Organiser: Published by Sussex Branches of the Campaign for Real Ale Peter Page-Mitchell, 01424 422128 Editor: The Quaffer (St. Leonards-on-Sea) Email: [email protected] [email protected] Advertising: Beer Festival: Brighton Corn Exchange, 17-19 March 2016 Neil Richards MBE Email: [email protected] POTY: Tower, St Leonards-on-Sea www.matelotmarketing.co.uk COTY: Albatross RAFA Club, Bexhill-On-Sea Tel: 01536 358670 Mobile: 07710 281381 Next Publication Date: Western Sussex 5 Nov. Copy by 27 Sep Max Malkin, 01243 828394 Copy Submissions: The Editor invites submissions that [email protected] celebrate the real ale scene in Sussex. www.westernsussexcamra.org.uk Please keep to a maximum of 700 words. Beer Festival: Yapton, 13-15 May 2016 Please use plain text or Word files. Please send good quality pictures separately, POTY: Inglenook, Nyetimber preferably in JPG format. Standard Disclaimer: Arun & Adur Views expressed in this magazine are those of the individual Nigel Watson, 07555 167804 authors and not necessarily supported by the editor or CAMRA. [email protected] All content © Sussex Branches of CAMRA www.aaa-camra.org.uk Your local Trading Standards Offices are: Beer Festival: Worthing, 30-31 Oct 2015 East Sussex: POTY: Parsonage Bar & Restaurant, Tarring St Mary’s House, 52 St Leonards Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 3UU Tel: 01323 418200 Fax: 01323 418227 North Sussex Email: [email protected] Roy Bray, 07833 205901 Website: www.eastsussexcc.gov.uk [email protected] : www.northsussexcamra.org.uk Details of all complaints are passed to West Sussex Trading Standards Service by CACS Beer Festival: Equinox, March 2016 Citizens Advice Consumer Service POTY: White Horse, Maplehurst Tel: 08454 040506 Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index /getadvice/consumer_service.htm Brighton & South Downs Brighton & Hove: John Kirkland, 01293 519844 Bartholomew House, Bartholomew Square, [email protected] Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1JP www.brightoncamra.org.uk Tel: 01273 292523; Fax: 01273 292524 Beer Festival: South Downs, Lewes, June 2016 Email: [email protected] Website: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk POTY: Brewers Arms, Lewes Campaign for Real Ale Ltd 230 Hatfield Road, St Albans, AL1 4LW Tel: 01727 867201 Fax: 01727 867670 Website: www.camra.org.uk

Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 3 SIBA Awards for Sussex Breweries

No less than six Sussex breweries were successful at the SIBA (Society of Independent SIBA Awards for Brewers) South East Region Beer Competition, held on 10 July at Tonbridge Juddians Rugby Sussex Breweries Club, Tonbridge, Kent.

As celebrated on our front cover, the highest accolade was bestowed on Dark Star Espresso, 4.2%, took Silver in the Langham Small Pack Speciality Beers Category, while Brewery, who 360° West Coast #50, 5.0%, won Bronze in the won a Gold Medal in the Premium Strong Beers Small Pack Strong Bitters & Pale Ales Category with their 6.0% Black Swallow. Category.

In the Strong Bitters & Congratulations go to all of our breweries Pale Ales Category, involved. Burning Sky Aurora, The full set of results can be found at: www. 5.6%, achieved Silver. siba.co.uk/events/regional-competitions/south- east/4143-2

There were two Sussex finalists in the Standard Bitters & Pale Ales Category, with Hammerpot Summer, 3.7%, and Brighton Bier Thirty Three, 3.3%, taking Silver and Bronze respectively.

Two more Sussex successes came in the Small Pack categories, where entries are submitted in containers of less than 750ml, bottles and cans also being acceptable.

4 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 Sussex Branches Beer & Cider Festival Report Sussex Branches Beer & Cider Festival Report

Moving to the new venue of the Brighton Corn Exchange after nearly a quarter of a century at Hove Town Hall was always going to present unexpected difficulties, but thanks to all the volunteers, the 25th festival worked well. The total number of punters through the door was just over 3,000, which, considering it being a much smaller venue, was encouraging.

The Beer of the Festival was Ayr Rabbie’s Porter. The Bev Robbins Award for the Best We are a country pub situated The Sussex Oak Sussex Beer was Benchmark IPA, brewed by a deep in the heart of Sussex. brand new brewery UnBarred, based in Hove. Here you will find a large 2 Church Street Cider of the Festival was Hecks Brown’s Apple selection of local and national ales on 8 hand pumps. from Somerset. Perry of the Festival was We have an extensive food Nr Horsham Gregg’s Pit Blakeney of Herefordshire. menu prepared from fresh RH12 3QW local ingredients. The festival charity Blind Veterans UK raised Fresh local food served £745.80 in unused tokens and £315.46 in cash. all day Friday to Sunday, Thanks go to ALL the volunteers who worked and lunch and dinner Monday to Thursday. at the Corn Exchange, especially the many from outside of Sussex. In the CAMRA 2015 Good Beer Guide Interior photo is by kind courtesy of Glenn and CAMRA Good Pub Johnson. Food Guide Large Garden and field. Peter Mitchell and John Kirkland Celebrating 12 years in the Good Beer Guide Come and celebrate Great Beer in front of a Roaring Fire Joint Festival Organisers 01403 265028 The-Sussex-Oak-at-Wareham Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 5 Contributors: Peter Adams, Paul Bangs, Pete Brown, Andy Clark, David Cowley, Melita Dennett, Phil Dixon, Stuart Elms, Robin Hill, Glenn Johnson, Gary Lucas, Max Malkin, Peter Mitchell, Steve Obey, Norman Spalding, Peter Spooner, Adrian Towler, Bill Turner, Tim Walker, Nigel Watson, Philip Wildsmith and the Ed.

News of new developments and updates on the Greene King Ale Fresco. Sussex pub scene will be gratefully received by the Editor for consideration in Scratchings. The Fuller’s have reopened standard disclaimer on p. 3 applies to all items. the Grand Central after a major ■■ refurbishment, with A recent visit to the the interior in high Queens Head found Victorian style. Four three hand pumps in hand pumps were use for ales. One of initially serving ESB, these was a well kept London Pride, Oliver’s Long Man Best Island and Gale’s Bitter. Up to three ciders are also available and Redwood. There are the food is pretty good, too. Worth a look! craft beers, good food and a specialist gin bar in the first floor cabaret theatre. ■■ The Kings Head is now a free house with eight BrewDog Brighton will be at 52-54 Grand hand pumps serving a real cider and a changing Parade in what was the Blind Tiger Club range of well-kept real ales. See this issue’s Inn (originally the Norfolk Arms). The Focus feature. controversial media-savvy brewery are looking at a late-August opening for their first south ■■ BOSHAM coast site. On a July social, the Western Sussex The Royal Oak, St James Street, has been branch visited the renamed Shortt’s. Two of the three hand pumps Anchor Bleu and were in use, both dispensing Long Man Long were delighted to find Blonde. Flowerpots Bitter and Goodens Gold on sale, both in top condition. A campaign is being organised by residents The licensee said that the beers had been very who intend to run the closed Rose Hill Tavern well received and were likely to stay. as a community pub if they can build support and obtain funding. ■■ BRIGHTON After an extensive Komplas Restaurant & Bar, mentioned in the refurbishment, what last issue, was noted in mid-July to be closed was the previously and displaying a To Let sign. the Walmer Castle opened on Tuesday Primarily on the basis of preserving the existing 16 June as the optimum balance of retail, restaurants and pubs Independent. The range of ales at this free in the London Road area, Brighton and Hove house changes frequently, but the opening line City Council planning officers have turned up on the four hand pumps was Harveys Best, down the application by J D Wetherspoon to Naked Streaker, Burning Sky Plateau and convert part of the former Co-op department 6 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 7 Sussex Pub Scratchings — continued store. “alternative uses to realise the value of the site for our members”. ■■ BUXTED The White Hart has changed hands. Harveys ■■ FIVE ASHES Best Bitter is the regular beer. The second pump The Five Ashes features a weekly changing guest beer, which Inn sells Shepherd was Exmoor Gold in good form on a recent Neame Spitfire as visit. a regular beer with two changing ■■ CHICHESTER guest beers. Isfield What was Bitter and previously the Goddards Scrumdiggity were both found to be Vintage Pub Bistro, in good condition on a recent visit. and originally the Swan, is now the ■■ FUNTINGTON Crate & Apple. It While the routes taken by the Sussex Bus to the is run a local couple Pub group have often taken them past the Fox whose main aim is to create a community pub & Hounds, a determination to visit saw them for nearby residents. The two hand pumps were quietly pleased with both their welcome and the initially serving Fuller’s London Pride and beer quality, with two local ales from Emsworth Sharp’s Doom Bar. The latter will be changed and Kissingate breweries alongside Timothy for something local, possibly from Langham. Taylor Landlord. Prices are about £3.80 a pint. ■■ HARTFIELD ■■ COLGATE The Hay Waggon remains closed as this is Sadly, Hall & Woodhouse have knocked the typed, but the adjacent Anchor provides a good two-bar village pub, the Dragon into one large alternative: Harveys Best and Larkins area restaurant/steak house. Traditional are still the regular beers, with one or two guests on offer. Hurst and Westerham ■■ EAST GRINSTEAD ales have been noted recently and quality Old Dunnings Mill can be found on the edge of remains good. Further up the road, the Gallipot town. Until a few months ago it was run by a continues to do well and provides excellent small Pubco. Harveys have now taken it back quality ale. Isfield beers have proved popular and given it a bit of a makeover. Pictures with a here and a very nice Hepworth Dark Horse was local theme have replaced the huge range of tried recently. The 291 bus also stops outside items once displayed on the walls. There are both of these pubs, so is ideal for a mini-crawl! four beers available, quality has definitely improved and prices now seem to be lower. ■■ HASTINGS The General Havelock has reopened after a ■■ EAST WITTERING short closure. Darrel and Dennis, who now run Southern Co-operative announced on 1 June the pub, are maintaining its reputation for that it would no longer be demolishing the serving good quality beers with regulars Royal Oak to build a new store, because the Timothy Taylor Landlord and Harveys Best project was “no longer economically viable”. augmented by two guests. The chef has been The company does not, however, intend to sell retained so there is still excellent food to the closed pub and stated that it would explore

8 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 9 Sussex Pub Scratchings — continued complement the beer. Three large tiled ■■ LAUGHTON paintings of local The much interest adorn the anticipated interior, some of reopening of the the best examples Roebuck of pub tiling happened in June. schemes It is now run by anywhere in the the team from the UK. Dating from c. 1890, they are responsible Snowdrop, for the pub’s listing in Part Two of the CAMRA Lewes. There are National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors. eight hand- pumps: Harveys In June, the Hastings Brewery Company Best and Burning Sky Plateau are the regular unveiled their new portfolio of four regular beers. Good quality food is served from a beers at both the changing menu. On a recent branch visit, two Crown and the real ciders and two Sussex guest beers were Jenny Lind. The found. The first visit by the Sussex Bus to the photo shows the Pub group also proved to be most enjoyable hand pumps at the with two guest beers from Arbor and latter pub, which Thornbridge. offers nine real ales in total. ■■ MIDHURST Good to see Harveys having tie-ups with other The Nelson has Wells Courage Directors back brewers and therefore allowing their pubs a in top form and the Dolphin continues to guest beer. In June, the Swan had St Austell present a good range of ales. Proper Job with Tribute prior to that. The following month sees a different brewer. The Plough, Priory Road, West Hill, has Harveys Best, Dark Star Hophead and Timothy ■■ ROTHERFIELD Taylor Landlord as regulars and, on a recent The Kings visit, Ringwood Fortyniner as its guest. Arms has new tenants, Antonia ■■ HOVE and Chris What was the Red Lion, Hove Place, is now the Harvey. Having . According to their website the Better Half already made following priced per pint ales and ciders are on improvements sale: Harveys Best Bitter (£3.80), Timothy to the pub, they Taylor Landlord (£4.00), Dark Star Hophead are committed to enhancing the beer offer and (£3.90) Sharp’s Doom Bar (£3.80), Hallets are planning regular beer festivals. Cask Cider (£4.30). ■■ La Fourchette Bar & Restaurant, Second Another first for the intrepid Sussex Bus to the Avenue, has Harveys Best on hand pump. Pub group took us to the far northwestern Greenhouse Effect, Church Road, was corner of West Sussex and the superb, unspoilt, reported closed in June. traditional village hostelry the Kings Head,

10 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 11 Sussex Pub Scratchings — continued where we enjoyed well kept Arundel Gold plus ■■ WEST MARDEN Heritage XX and Saison D’Eté from the nearby The Victoria Inn goes from strength to strength Firebird brewery. in terms of real ale sales with SIBA ales over 1000% up year on year! They must be doing ■■ something right and always have a couple of The once excellent Plough (Enterprise Inns) LocAle beers on. They are now getting a fourth closed in April and is now boarded-up and hand pump, sponsored by Langham Brewery, to looking very sad and run down. The future cope with the demand. looks uncertain for this one. ■■ WORTHING ■■ SELSEY Bar Release, Council chair Mike Beal was contacted by an Chapel Road, agent of one of the Co-op branches to ask what now serves the general reaction would be if a Co-op store three real ales, was to be opened on the site of the empty Selsey Sharp’s Doom Bill, currently undergoing renovation. We can Bar and only wait and see if anything comes of this. Atlantic, and ■■ SHOTTERMILL Fuller’s Wadworth have acquired the Mill Tavern from London Pride. All are very favourably priced previous owners Punch Taverns. It is the between £2.90 and £3.00 with a 20% discount brewery’s first site in the southeast. The pub for card-carrying CAMRA members. There is will reopen in November after a refurbishment also a loyalty card scheme in operation: buy six of the dining area. pints and get the seventh free. The management are talking to local brewers, including Arundel, ■■ WALDERTON about getting some Sussex-brewed ales on the Whilst the ownership of the Barley Mow is the bar. A dedicated ale and coffee bar is now same as mentioned in last issue, the managers installed, while twenty-three different English have left the pub. In their place is a tenant, a Gins and two American brands are also on offer. very affable chap called Tony. The pub is There is the possibility of a refit in the near otherwise exactly the same and still majoring future. on LocAle, including the house beer brewed by Firebird. If you like the old Kemp Town Brewery pubs, you will love the sensitive refurbishment at the ■■ WESTFIELD Egremont. The pub reopened in May and Following a hopes to rotate cask ales from Dark Star, complete Burning Sky, Goldmark, etc. There are six beer refurbishment, lines and, at a June visit, two beers from their the New Inn has nano brewery were on. reopened with a clean bright look. Four hand pumps serve excellent real ale, at least two from local breweries, as well as good food at good Flickr photo credits: Max Malkin, Anchor Bleu prices. at Bosham; David Seall, Queens Head at Barns Green.

12 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015

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Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 13 Bus to the Pub

The Sussex Bus to the Pub Group Join us on our travels!

The Sussex Bus to the Pub group attracts Chequer. participants from many areas of our fine Thursday 20 to Bexhill & Hastings; Meet county and has been running for some five Brighton Stn for 10.32 train (buy ticket to years, so if you too would enjoy visiting Hastings) for Albatross Club & Jenny Lind (both different pubs with fine ales in friendly, GBG) etc. informal and convivial company without the Thursday 27 Around Worthing; meet constraints of the car, then ‘Bus to the Pub’ Brooksteed Alehouse from 11.30 then onwards (BttP) may just appeal! from 1pm. Often there is a short paved or metalled road walk from the nearest bus stop to the pub. If it IMPORTANT : please be aware that - as we is more than an half mile then we will show an are unable to predict whether or not there approximate distance and if it is across may any timetable changes affecting any of footpaths which could be muddy or uneven, bus routes we plan to use in the then you will also see a walking boot programme below – you are advised to symbol. register your email address to join our With so many good pubs struggling to survive circulation list and thus ensure that you are in the current economic climate and County kept up to date with any changes. Council budget cuts threatening the subsidised bus services that serve many rural communities, join us in ‘supporting them’. September Local Bus timetables can be found at: Wednesday 2 to Oving & Eastergate; either Brighton & Hove www.buses.co.uk meet Barnham Stn. for 12.04 Compass 66 (11.53 Compass Bus www.compass-travel.co.uk from Sparks Cnr. Yapton) to Westergate then Emsworth www.emsworthanddistrict.co.uk 12.20 C.85 (or from Chi 10.45 or 12.45 C.85a) to Metrobus www.metrobus.co.uk Gribble Inn & brewery tap. Return on 15.07 C. 85 Renown www.renowngroup.co.uk to Wilkes Head (GBG). Stagecoach www.stagecoachbus.com/south ; meet Neptune (GBG) Sussex Bus www.thesussexbus.com Monday 7 Around Hove Cuckmere Valley www.cuckmerebuses.org.uk from noon then onwards west! Thursday 17 to Pett area; 10.32 Train from Some of you reading this may also be B’ton to Hastings - or meet in General Havelock - interested in Pete Brown’s bi-monthly Trains then 13.10 St’coach 347 to Royal Oak (GBG) then to London Pubs (TTLP) group (see the Diary Dates). on to Smuggler Pett Level. Friday 25 to Crowborough; 10.45 B&H 29 August from Churchill Sq. B’ton to Cross then 15-20 min. road walk to Cooper’s Arms (GBG) ‘Green

Saturday 8 to Groombridge & Hartfield Hopped’ festival. area; meet Three Bridges Stn. for 10.56 Metro 291 to Crown, then Hartfield area with possible return via Danehill. October Monday 10 to , Marehill Thursday 1 to East Dean (WSx), Cocking & and ; 11.05 Stagecoach 1 from W’tg Chichester; meet Chi. West Street for 12.15 South Street to Five Bells (GBG) then onto Compass 99 to Star & Garter then easy road walk

14 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 Bus to the Pub

(1.8m) to Singleton then poss. Greyhound & Snowdrop (GBG) & others. return to Chi. Thursday 10 to Bexhill & St. Leonards; 10.32 Thursday 8 to Arundel & Littlehampton; train from B’ton to Bexhill (buy ticket to St. either 10.47 St’coach 700 from W’tg. (or from Chi. Leonards) for Albatross Club then St’coach Wave 10.45 Compass 85) to Riverside for Kings Arms to Warrior Sq. for local bus to Tower (both and others then back to LA for Steam Packet and GBG). others. Wednesday 16 Around Worthing; meet Monday 12 to Crawley & Staplefield; either Selden Arms (GBG) from 11.30 then onwards to 10.27 Metro 23 from W’tg. (or 10.48 Metro 271 Brooksteed Alehouse, Anchored and seafront. from Churchill Sq. B’ton) to Brewery Shades then Monday 21 to Friday Street & Horsham; 13.20 return Metro 273 to Jolly Tanners (Both either 10.27 Metro 23 from W’tg. (or St’coach.17 GBG). from Churchill Sq. at 10.00) to Horsham Bus stn. Saturday 24 to Spa Valley Railway; 10.15 B&H for 11.49 Metro 93 to Kingsfold then footpath 29 from Churchill Sq. B’ton to Tunbridge Wells walk (approx. 1.5m) with some stiles to Royal west stn. for festival. Oak (GBG). Monday 26 to Turners Hill & West Hoathly; Wednesday 30 Around Brighton; meet Hand 10.15 Metro 270 from Churchill Sq. B’ton to Hay. in Hand (GBG) from noon then Beer Dispensary Heath Perrymount Rd. then 11.42 M. 82 to Red and onwards. Lion (GBG) then 13.58 M. 84 to Cat. For further info or to join our mailing list Friday 30 to Crowborough; 10.45 B&H 29 Email [email protected] or ring from Churchill Sq. B’ton to Cross then 15-20 min. 07817 058 928 road walk to Cooper’s Arms (GBG) ‘London Ales’ festival. November Thursday 5 to Eastergate & Yapton; 11.32 Stagecoach 700 from L’ton to Sparks Corner for 11.53 Compass 66 (or 12.04 from Barnham Stn.) to Wilkes Head then return C. 66 at 14.56 to Maypole (both GBG). Wedneday 11 Around Lancing & An ever changing range of five cask conditioned Five Bells Shoreham; meet Stanley Ale House from noon ales that always includes then Old Star & Wellie. one mild, one session Smock Alley Thursday 19 to Nyetimber and Chichester; bitter, two best bitters West Chiltington and one strong bitter. meet Chi. Bus Stn. for 11.43 Stagecoach 60 to West Sussex Inglenook (GBG) then return for Chi. Pubs. Plus one changing craft RH20 2QX Thursday 26 Carshalton Awayday; meet keg beer, Hacker Pschorr genuine Munich lager, 01798 812143 11.00 at East Croydon Stn. for 11.18 TfL X26 to and Westons Old Rosie High Street then short walk to Hope (GBG) in Cider on gravity. West Street for their ‘Winter Ales’ festival. Homemade traditional food, plus 5 en suite December (provisional) bedrooms. Thursday 3 to Laughton then around All of this in a very traditional pub! Lewes; meet from 11.30 in JHT then 12.15 Compass 143 to Roebuck then return to www.thefivebellsinn.com

Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 15 Bru News

Pig. This large building houses the brewery, a bar and a public seating area. Still under construction, it will open as a brewpub later in the summer. BLO TBC

ARUNDEL Ford, nr Arundel, 01903 733111. Information here is mostly supplied www.arundelbrewery.co.uk by the named Brewery Liaison The brewery has become one of the Officer. The Brewery Liaison official beer suppliers to Sussex Coordinator for London & South County Cricket Club, which is now East Area is Peter Page-Mitchell. taking Sussex Gold. An online shop is now set up and can supply to any 1648 UK address. The bottled beer range East Hoathly, 01825 840830. has been expanded to include Castle, www.1648brewing.co.uk as well as Wild Heaven, which is Heading towards autumn, we will see supplied in 330ml rather than 500ml the brewing of Jack Cade (4.5%), as bottles, reflecting its addition to both it proved very popular on its debut the permanent cask and bottled last year. Also returning will be Gold strength with a dozen core beers ranges. New occasional beers include Angel (5.0%) and Black Velvet available. Trade sales are good and the a porter brewed from locally smoked Extra Oatmeal Stout (5.5%). It is ales can be found in a number of malt (thanks to Besmoke Foods, who planned to use the oatmeal stout to outlets locally, while bottles can be used cherry and applewood), and a brew a new Christmas Pudding beer. purchased at both Steyning and Belgian-style Saison, which includes David Platt Shoreham-by-Sea Farmers’ Markets. elderflowers. The company has just The brewery building is now fully released some stylish and collectable 360° furnished with three fermenting artist-designed beer mats to support Sheffield Park, 01825 722375. vessels, a 5.5-barrel brew kit, a cold this year’s Arundel Gallery Trail. www.360degreebrewing.com room and storage room. Jeff Vinter To meet increased demand, the Nigel Watson brewery will be extending into a BALLARD’S neighbouring unit at their current ALEHOUSE & KITCHEN Nyewood, 01730 821362. site. The first full-time staff member 10 High Street, Worthing, BN11 1NU, www.ballards-brewery.co.uk has been employed and will attend 01903 238392. The brewery is celebrating its 35th the SIBA accredited brewing course. The association with Hammerpot anniversary this year and has A new seasonal beer should be Brewery has now ended and small launched an Anniversary Ale, 4.0%, available in the late summer: scale brewing of their own recipes is brewed using three hop varieties. A Dampfbier #44 is a 4.4% lager style taking place on an ad hoc basis. Ten second “Beats at Ballard’s” was held ale brewed to a German recipe using Bells, Tipsy Vicar and other beers in April and a third is planned for a very pale malt and lager yeast. are periodically available and can be Saturday 19 September. Come along Jason Phillips found at other local outlets that share for great beer, great music and food. ownership with the brewpub. Ballard’s beers are at Inn Brighton ADUR Tim Walker pubs until the end of September. Steyning, 01903 867614. Barry Woodward www.adurbrewery.com ANCHOR SPRINGS In conjunction with Steyning Cricket 2-13 Duke Street, Littlehampton, BARTLEBY’S Club, the brewery will be hosting a BN17 6EU, 01903 715111. Brighton, 07845 297195 / 01273 beer festival on 19-20 September. See www.anchorspringsbrewery.com 275012. this issue’s diary dates for details. The The brewery has relocated to what www.bartlebysbrewery.com brewery recently held its AGM and used to be the Animal Magic pet shop The brewery supplied Long Nose continues to go from strength to behind the Crown and the Contented Pale (5.0%) to the South Downs

16 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 Bru News

Beer & Cider Festival, Lewes. showing those pubs and bars that IPA range include X-Pale/Citra/ BLO TBC are pouring Bedlam beer. Galaxy (5.1%) and Black/Session/ Peter Mitchell Citra/Equinox (4.5%). BASELINE Keith Newell , 01903 879111. BEER ME www.baselinebrewing.co.uk Eastbourne, 01323 729967. BURNING SKY A beer and burger event was held at www.thebelgiancafe.co.uk Firle, 01273 858080. the brewery in May with local Sussex A third beer is now being regularly www.burningskybeer.com beef burgers mixed with Baseline brewed, White, (3.8%, an ideal The brewery is awaiting the arrival beer. Check the brewery website, summer drink) joining Blonde of new equipment that will allow Facebook page or twitter account (6.0%) and Dubble (5.0%). The them to brew up to four times per @baselinebrewing for news of the recipes are still being tweaked and week, and may lead to the next event. Halycon Hop Haze the brewery may even get round to production of special brews in both was well received at the South giving the beers proper names when keg and cask. The new Saison L’été Downs Beer & Cider Festival, Lewes. the brews have been finalised! It is brew includes elderflowers picked Bad Code, 4.5%, fruity pale ale, hoped to hold a special Oktoberfest on the South Downs. It will also brewed with five hops and event, and work will soon begin on a include gooseberries post conditioned for six months, was on recipe for a Christmas beer. fermentation. The foudres currently sale at the brewery shop. Scott O’Rourke contain Monolith and Saison á la Peter Mitchell Provision - one ‘normal’ and BLACK CAT another aging on gooseberries. BEACHY HEAD Framfield, Uckfield. Ruth Anderson East Dean, 01323 423313. www.blackcat-brewery.com www.beachyhead.org.uk Due to demand for 36 pint pins, a CROOKED BROOK Sales are doing very well, keeping the proportion of each brew is regularly Unit 5 Woodside Service Station, part time salesman/drayman busy. A put into cask in the smaller barrels Copthorne Road, Copthorne, West porter will be brewed in August, as to give buyers the extra flexibility. Sussex, RH10 3PD, 07462 523013. will the Famous Christmas Ale, Also on offer is ‘Ale-in-a-box’ brew [email protected] both to feature at the Eastbourne fresh beer in both 10/20 litres (17/36 www.facebook.com/crookedbrook Beer Festival. pints), bright or sedimented. Nine This new brewery, founded in May Tony Harman Tails (formerly Black Cat) is now 2014, is about making the tastiest available in bottles. beer styles for local people with an BEDLAM John Packer emphasis on pale ales and best Albourne, 07955 684041. bitters but also introducing amazing www.bedlambrewery.co.uk BRICK HOUSE flavours from other parts of the Welcome to new Head Brewer, Patcham, Brighton. world. Beers so far are Carnival Fabio Israel, previously Head Brewer [email protected] (4.1%, hoppy and golden), Halfwit at London Fields. He brings with him Requiem IPA sold out by 8.30pm (4.3%, Belgian wheat), Smugglers his former assistant brewer Horacio on the Friday of the South Downs (4.3%, best bitter) and IPA (7.0%). Columbo. The bottled beers, all Beer & Cider Festival. A new beer, They have already appeared at unpasteurised, have been rebranded Renegade, 4.6%, American Red, was several local and regional festivals. and packaged in a new 330ml size: launched on 4 July at the BLO TBC the range is Benchmark, 4.0% Watchmaker’s Arms, Hove. amber best; Golden Ale, 4.2%, BLO TBC DARK STAR American style summer ale; IPA, , 01403 713085. 4.8%; Porter, 5.0%; and the first BRIGHTON BIER www.darkstarbrewing.co.uk lager, Pilsner, 4.2%, launched at the Brighton, 07515 956976 / 07967 Finding the ideal new home for the end of June. The brewery is on a 681203. brewery has turned into a shortlist to supply the House of www.brightonbier.com protracted search. It is likely that Commons with the new bottled The new, 4.0% signature pale ale, every rumour about where Dark beer. Tours will commence very Brighton Bier, is now available in Star are off to was at the time true - shortly, while an interactive map has cask unfined, keg and bottle. New although the tone of a recent email been launched on the website versions of the Dealer’s Choice from a concerned fan was one of

Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 17 Bru News near panic as they had heard that the there are now six cask and eight www.goldstonebrewery.co.uk brewery was moving to Derby. bottled beers available at any one Amarillo and Ruddy Duck Meanwhile the brewing team are time. appeared in May at the Keymer & driving the existing brew kit hard to Roger Tofts Hassocks Sports and Social Club keep up with demand as well as Beer Festival. Cascade, a single hop having fun with new beers and new FRANKLINS variety American style ale with strong packaging. On the latter point, Bexhill, 01424 731066. aromas of citric fruit, and La Hophead is doing better than www.franklinsbrewery.co.uk Mouette, a French-inspired Blonde expected in bottle. Perhaps New beers, #1 (4.7%, Pilsner), #2 beer, both featured at the South controversially, the team will also be (5.0%, blonde) and IPA (5.5%, four Downs Beer & Cider Festival. launching Hophead and APA in hopped), have been released for the Paul Free cans. “And despite my obvious summer and are selling very well. annoyance at the term, there’s a Franklins are chuffed to be asked to GREYHOUND danger that we may even become a brew a celebration beer for the Watershed, Smock Alley, West ‘craft’ brewer” - sarcasm courtesy of Tower, St Leonards-on-Sea, to Chiltington, RH20 2QX, 07973 Paul, the Dark Star Headmaster. commemorate their CAMRA Branch 625510. Clive Watson Pub of The Year award. Also brewed www.greyhoundbrewery.co.uk was a house beer for the St Leonard This new micro has been receiving DOWNLANDS pub, known simply as St Leonard very positive feedback from the Small Dole, 01273 495596. Ale. A recent recruit is Paul growing number of local pubs which www.downlandsbrewery.com Thompson as a brewing assistant to they now supply. Proving very popular The restructured core range has Steve. Paul’s background is scientific, so far has been Amber Eyes (4.2%, been well received with increasing so they are hoping they can teach golden ale) and Special B46 (4.6%, demand keeping the team on their each other a thing or two. dark amber ale). Launching for toes. As a result they are now Mac McCutcheon summer is a new beer Special introducing a wide range of Blonde (3.9%, golden pale ale), while constantly changing specials to GOLDMARK look out for the trialling of Good complement and diversify their Poling, nr Arundel, 07900 555415 / Ordinary Bitter (3.8%). product range and to whet your 01903 297838. Ray Pilkington tongues in the months to come. www.goldmarks.co.uk Roger Coton Goldmark had a large beer tent at the GRIBBLE Glastonbury festival, servicing ale The Gribble Inn, Oving, nr Chichester, FILO from the cask and lager from the keg. 01243 786893. Hastings, 01424 420212. So busy was the bar, with Red IPA www.gribbleinn.co.uk www.filobrewing.co.uk proving the most popular, that the The brewery is back in full The regular beers remain as popular brewery has been invited back for production, with Wobbler (7.2%), as ever in the First In Last Out, at next year. Beer sales are going from Gribble Ale (4.1%), Fuzzy Duck various other local pubs, and further strength to strength with deliveries (4.3%), Sussex Quadhopper (4.0%), afield in Sussex and Kent. They are now extending to Kent and Surrey. Pig’s Ear (5.8%) and Plucking occasionally supplemented with Bottled conditioned beers are now Pheasant (5.0%) all available on tap special brews to mark various local available from the brewery website. in the pub. Chi.P.A (3.7%) has been events. Of the cask range, Liquid Gold chosen for the Great British Beer Bill Turner (4.0%), Phoenix (4.1%), Red IPA Festival (GBBF), Olympia. (4.5%), and Vertigo Craft Lager Chris Wright FIREBIRD 5.2% are now also available in craft Rudgwick, 01403 823180. form for those who prefer their GUN www.firebirdbrewing.co.uk beers a little colder. A sales manager Heathfield, 07900 683355. Since brewing began in 2013, the is being sought to reduce Mark’s [email protected] business has grown rapidly with new workload so that he can brew more! Tel 01323 700200 beers, new vessels, an extended Jim Waterston The range of permanent cask beers warehouse and an expanded team of has now extended to five, with the five people. With a portfolio of beer GOLDSTONE inclusion of Scaramanga Extra styles from all around the world, Ditchling Common, 01444 257053. Pale Ale (3.9%), Parabellum Milk

18 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 Bru News

Stout (4.5%), Project Babylon Peter Page-Mitchell form through various local markets Pale Ale (5.0%) and Zamzama IPA including Knockholt Farmers’ Market (6.5%). With the exception of the HEATHEN and other events. Your BLO helped to first, all are now available bottle Haywards Heath, 01444 456217 / brew a one-off special Ashstock conditioned. All the cask beer range is 07825 429428. Gold (4.7%, using locally picked suitable for vegans. Sales continue to www.heathenbrewers.co.uk elderflowers) for the Ashurst Wood expand; Toby and Mark have now Heathen Porter (5.0%) attracted a Ashstock Festival, July. been joined by Pete Dakin, from a number of votes for Beer of the Jonathan Samways brewery in Sheffield. Festival at the South Downs Beer & Steve Obey Cider Festival. Ironically, given the HOP YARD brewery’s name, their local church, St. Forest Row, 07769 313410. HAMMERPOT Wilfred’s, asked them to produce two www.hopyardbrewing.co.uk Poling, nr Arundel, 01903 883338. beers to celebrate its 150th The newest off-licence outlet for the www.hammerpot-brewery.co.uk anniversary. These are a 4.5% bitter, brewery is W J Armstrong, East Look out in the coming months for St. Wilfred’s Ale, and a 6.4% old ale, Grinstead. The brewery celebrated its Madgwick Citra (5.0%), Summer Droughtbuster (so named because first birthday over the weekend of 31 (3.7%), American Pale and St. Wilfred’s arrival in Sussex in the July - 2 August. Australian Pale (both 4.1%). The 7th century was reported to have BLO TBC help provided to Alehouse & Kitchen been the catalyst for the ending of a in setting up and assisting with their drought). Both will be available at HURST brewery has now ended. various church events between June Hurstpierpoint, 07866 438953. Tim Walker and September. www.hurstbrewery.co.uk Ruth Anderson The brewery continues to expand, HARVEYS and is looking at taking on extra Lewes, 01273 480209. HEPWORTH space. Oldland Sussex Pale Ale www.harveys.org.uk Horsham, 01403 269696. (3.7%) Keeper’s Gold (4.4%) and Waterloo Rye IPA (6.1%), the new www.hepworthbrewery.co.uk Founder’s Best Bitter (4.2%) are beer to celebrate the company’s Subject to the land purchase going widely available, while Watchtower 225th anniversary, was Beer of the through, work is staring on the new Porter (5.5%) is brewed all year Festival at the South Downs Beer & brewery at Brindsbury. It is expected round. Cider Festival. Following a visit to the to be finished by the end of this year, Steve Floor brewery by Chelmsford CAMRA, with the move completed by March four beers are being supplied to the 2016. Two new conditioning tanks ISFIELD Chelmsford Festival, whilst no fewer have been installed at the current site, Framfield, 01825 750633. than six beers will be sent to the which add 240 barrels to capacity. www.isfieldbrewing.co.uk Glasgow Beer Festival, so the word is Beers are being bottled for the Marks New brew Amberescent (4.0%) has spreading. The hop bar will be at the & Spencer beer range, while both gone down really well with extra GBBF following last year’s successful Pullman and Prospect will also be batches brewed to satisfy demand. appearance. Harveys was one of available at M&S shops in the region. Dr. Rudi’s Summer Ale (3.6%, fifteen breweries to exhibit outside Daws IPA will be available soon in single hop summer session special) is the Guildhall during the City of casks, using local hops from Chris available from June. Having added a London Beer Festival. Daws’ farm. A range of the beers is new van to the fleet, the brewery is Jack Wilkinson now being exported to Abu Dhabi, now capable of delivering farther and while an enquiry has been received wider, greatly expanding their HASTINGS about exporting some to Germany. customer base. St Leonards-on-Sea, 01424 850961 / Chris Stringer John Packer 07708 259342. www.hastingsbrewery.co.uk HIGH WEALD KEMPTOWN The summer seasonal, June-Sept, will East Grinstead, 07836 291430. The Hand in Hand, Brighton, 07967 be Mini IPA (around 4.5%), hopped www.highwealdbrewery.co.uk 681203. with Falconer’s Flight, a hop blend The three core beers have continued The brewpub has a new owner but is from the US. A variety of Saison beers to prove popular. Andy has increased otherwise unchanged. Gary is now will also be available in bottle and keg. direct sales in bottle-conditioned concentrating on brewing for

Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 1919 Bru News

Brighton Bier and while a new LAINE the brewery to expand their ever- brewer is being sought the The North Laine, Brighton, 01273 growing business and develop new Kemptown beers have not been 683666. beers for Sussex and the wider appearing on the bar. It is hoped to www.drinkinbrighton.co.uk/north-laine market. With a matching loan from resume brewing soon. The brewery has not one but two the “Let’s Do Business Group” in Keith Newell new brewers! Nic Donald is Head Hastings, they can also take on more Brewer of Laine’s Brewing Co. He is staff and begin to have their beers KILN largely based at the Four Thieves contract bottled for the retail Burgess Hill, 07800 556729. Pub, Clapham Junction but comes market. www.thekilnbrewery.co.uk down to Brighton once a week to Glenn Johnson The bottled beers are now brew at the North Laine. Assistant appearing in Bison Beer, Brighton. brewer Danny, from Brazil, has been LONG MAN Broadwalk Pale (4.5%) appeared brewing in Italy for the past year. His Litlington, 01323 871850 / in draught form at the Coventry first brew isSharks’ Gold, 4.0%, 07976 777992. Beer Festival. light, aimed at Sussex County www.longmanbrewery.com Paul Free Cricket Club T20 fans and also Golden Tipple (4.7%) and Craft available at the County Ground, Pier (3.8%) will be back for August. KING BEER Hove. His second brew is Time Session IPA (3.8%, Limited Craft Horsham, 01403 272102. Hop, 4.3%, session IPA using US and Edition) had an excellent reception www.kingbeer.co.uk Target Hops. Next is a 4.0% blond and will return next spring. Jamie has Iain Masson has settled in well to the ale, half of which will be used to also promised us a one off brew for brewing team, who have introduced produce various fruit ales – the Rugby World Cup in September. to the range Elixir, 4.9%, available in blueberry, raspberry, cherry and In consequence of daily double cask and keg. The Beer Collective passion fruit. A ‘Gruit’ ale will follow, brews and the increase in operation is growing nicely, supplying using foraged ingredients rather than production, the staff numbers keep keg lines to pubs, together with kegs hops to bitter and flavour the beer. rising, with the much-needed and casks from a range of brewers. Ruth Anderson addition of another drayman and Look out for the annual open day in cask washer. With the brewery shop September, as part of the Horsham LANGHAM still in the early stages, the online Food and Drink Festival. Lodsworth, Petworth, 01798 shop is now up and running and Mike Head 860861. offering a fine range of merchandise. www.langhambrewery.co.uk Scott O’Rourke KISSINGATE Busy times up at Lodsworth where , 01403 891335. the new Easy Ryeder, 4.1%, ruby- NAKED www.kissingate.co.uk red rye beer, is on its fourth brew Lancing, 01903 791230. The production of the core range and selling very well along the south www.nakedbeerco.co.uk continues to stretch brewing coast. In the test brew kits is a ginger The milk stout has been released as capacity. Speciality beers like beer for events later in the year. And Biscoteque (5.0%): made from a Gardenia Mild and Six Crows as this year is the tenth birthday of combination of German and Belgian Stout have been in high demand Hip Hop, 4.0%, there will be trials malts and Lotus Bakery Biscoff throughout the summer months. using new hops and other changes. cookies, it is the fifth beer in the Black Cherry Mild will make its Live music events at the brewery are core range. It is likely that Depeach fourth consecutive appearance at still popular: see the web site for Mode will also become a core beer the GBBF. The first bottled beers details. depending on how well it does this have been produced but for now are Peter Luff summer. If not, it will be on a six only available for purchase direct month on, six month off rotation from the brewery. The next big LISTER’S with Tom Foolery (6.5%). There brewery event will be the Ford, 01903 885950 / 07775 853412. are plans to release a new one-off Octoberfest on Saturday 24 www.listersbrewery.com beer every month from now until October. A special beer brewed for Lister’s has been awarded a grant the end of the year. The one for the occasion will be launched on the from West Sussex County Council in August will be developed for day. their “Be the Business - Support and Brighton Pride. Roy Bray Grants Programme”. This will enable Phil Boiling

20 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 Bru News

OLD TREE range, maybe with four seasonals, TURNERS 39 Upper Gardener Street, Brighton, and they plan to do a ‘single hop’ Ringmer, 07710 581042 / 08456 BN1 4AN, 07413 064346. range in the future. 892689. [email protected] Adrian Towler www.turnersbrewery.com The brewery is concentrating on [email protected] core-fermented products and on RECTORY The brewery has undergone a supplying the zero-waste Silo Streat, 01273 890570. review of its operating structure. restaurant, which is drawing plaudits, At the time of writing, Godfrey is not Under the guidance of consultant including a rave review in The brewing. He hopes to resume in the brewer Richard Harvey (Director of Guardian. It is currently brewing a near future. Goddards Brewery) and Turner’s 4.6% Silo craft ale, 7.0% Ebulis Jack Wilkinson brewer Les Travers, they are elderflower Champagne and 6.0% reinstating their original recipes Spiced plum Out-cyder. It is ROTHER VALLEY from 2013 but using a different yeast hoped to expand the ale production Northiam, 01797 252922 / 07798 more suitable to their equipment with a new 300-litre kit. They also do 877551. and processes. Current beers are a range of fermented soft drinks. www.rothervalleybrewery.co.uk Best Bitter, American Pale Ale, Andrew Coleman Beers for the summer are East Sussex Bitter and Porter. Chocolate Porter, 4.2%, with Jason Phillips PELLS BREWING Belgium dark chocolate; and a new COOPERATIVE brew, Blue Suede Booze, 4.3%, UNBARRED Elephant and Castle, White Hill, darkish, with four hop varieties. Hove, 07850 070471. Lewes, BN7 2DJ, 01273 473797. Dawn Lincoln www.unbarredbrewery.com www.elephantandcastlelewes.com The brewery is thrilled that their Brewing recently started in the TOP NOTCH Benchmark IPA won the Bev cellar of the Elephant & Castle, using Haywards Heath, 07963 829368. Robbins award for the Best Sussex a modified home brew set up with a www.topnotchbrewing.co.uk Beer at the Sussex Branches Beer & 5-gallon capacity. Having bought out There are two new beers since the Cider Festival. the bottled beer tie at the pub, all last issue. Top Down, 5.0%, has a BLO TBC the brews are bottled. Regulars are bold citrus IPA finish and is brewed Valentine’s Ginger Beer (2.1%) in collaboration with Downlands. WELTONS and Elly House IPA (6.5%, Level Bust, a 4.5% EPA, appeared at Horsham, 01403 242901. American hopped). Zaphod’s the South Downs Beer & Cider www.weltonsbeer.co.uk Revenge IPA (8.9%) was very well Festival. Newly brewed and available all received and has sold out. Keith Newell summer is a sensational, 4.5%, BLO TBC Apollo-hopped American Pale Ale: THREE LEGS named American Graffiti, after PIN UP Brede. the movie, it has big orange and Southwick, 01273 411127. www.thethreelegs.co.uk grapefruit flavours followed by www.pinupbrewingco.com [email protected] chewy, citrus aromas. There will be a Pin-Up are sending eight casks of Present brewing capacity is just 120L series of 2.8% beers including a fruity Session IPA, 4.1%, to the GBBF. and brewing is occasional; but this one and a coffee beer. Horsham Their third fermentation vessel is August will see a move into a much Pale Ale, 3.7%, is now selling so well due in July so they can brew three bigger facility on the same site, giving that it is second in sales only to Old times a week, with a trainee brewer 650L capacity with brewing Cocky. Hammerpond Dark will one day a week to assist. There is increasing to twice weekly. There will be aged for six months in whisky also a sales person working one day be a public launch of the brewery casks. The pub purchase has a week to boost local sales, because once the new facility is in unfortunately not materialised, but much of their production is still sold production. Cask beer is available in Ray has taken up the brewing once at London music events, street the Lamb, Wartling, plus the Standard again to allow his son Alexander to festivals and the like, with their two Inn and George Hotel, Rye. Bottles improve his already impressive golf trailers that open out into bars. The are available to order via the handicap and increase his chances of beer output is settling down, as in website. going pro. many breweries, to a small core Peter Harrison Nigel Bullen

Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 2121 Cider House Notes CIDER HOUSE NOTES

Cider Afloat this time, only three, but that is plenty for a lunch stop. Unfortunately, I didn’t make a note Having just returned from a surprisingly well- of what they two of them were but one was cidered canal holiday around the Warwickshire Hogans again. Ring, I felt inspired to tell you all about the gems discovered in my travels. Things improved even more the next Five CAMRA members on a canal holiday had evening, in Tamworth, to end up being a version of a booze cruise, but I on discovering an was the only one drinking cider, and the chap incredible micro pub organising the trip (and those of previous years) called the King’s was very good at researching pubs to ensure Ditch, which served a that at least some of those on the trip served real total of seventeen cider. And after a hard day’s locking, that was ciders and perries – something to look forward to. I won’t bore you and real ales, and had with all the details of every pub we stopped at, an offie attached just my high points of the weeklong trip. selling real ales etc. in Our first lunch stop (of course, we had lunch a bottle! The owner was a real character, and and evening watering holes) was at the Green you could see him working in the ‘cellar’ on his Man, Long Itchington, which has an apple big screen in the front bar. I tried Gwatkins symbol in the current GBG. Things started Squeal Pig Perry, Cockeyed Mad Jack, and badly but rapidly improved; first, we discovered Broadoak Pheasant Plucker, while my partner that they had run out of cider – big in cider crime consumed a Somerset Scrumpy. disappointment – then Mark the landlord redeemed himself by offering to drive me to someone who could supply bag-in-boxes and let me choose the next one for the pub! So all was well in the end, and I enjoyed some Hogans, which is apparently supplied through Oakham Brewery.

The next high point was two days later when we travelled to the gloriously tiled and The next day, Nuneaton was interesting, too – decorated Bartons Arms no micro pub (though there should have been, near the centre of just hadn’t got going), but the Crown was Birmingham, which amazing, with ten hand pumps on for cider always has a good range (only six being served), and still served loads of of ciders and perries on – beer on stillage – more so than usual, as they

22 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 Cider House Notes had a beer festival starting the next day. And all speciality ciders as well as real and craft ales. I served by an extremely competent barmaid, tried a couple of ciders, having already been single-handedly for the majority of the time. drinking in the Alexandra Arms, and was According to their website, they normally only pleased with the selection on offer – forgot to have three hand pumps for cider and seven for make a note of them, though. real ales, so I was very lucky with such a big selection; actually tried only Farmer Jim’s So there you have it, a very enjoyable trip Scrumpy, and Jack Rat Lyme Bay Cider, afloat, making all the hard work on the canal sticking with my favourite for two more rounds worthwhile. (please note, I only drink in half pints, partly to Pubs mentioned: Green Man, Church Road, restrict the amount I consume, and partly so that Long Itchington, Warwickshire, CV47 9PW; I can sample a bigger range of drinks). Bartons Arms, 144 High Street, Aston, And to cap it all off, on the last evening, in Birmingham, B6 4UP; King’s Ditch, 51 Lower Rugby, after a lot of walking and getting lost in Gungate, Tamworth, B79 7AS; Crown Inn, 10 a very small area in the centre, we finally found Bond Street, Nuneaton, CV11 4BX; Rugby Tap the Rugby Tap Room. This was a unique micro Room, 4 St Matthews Street, Rugby, CV21 pub in a long narrow property in St Matthews 3BY. Street, with tables made from packing cases, Jackie Johnson and an odd assortment of seating. They served Cider Rep, Brighton & South Downs Branch an interesting selection of mainly fruit/

A Campaign Win For Cider Drinkers Fantastic news! The Chancellor has announced that the Government will retain the current duty exemption for small cider producers.

Thanks to your support we were able to hand in a petition with over 26,000 signatures urging the Government to back small cider producers. On 8 July, the Government responded positively in its Budget. Known locally as Wipers Ypres Castle Inn This is excellent news for real cider drinkers this 17th century pub and small producers alike. CAMRA is delighted offers five real ales and Gungarden with the Government’s commitment and we locally produced food. Rye will now be working hard to ensure that they Nestled behind Ypres East Sussex can keep the promise with a legal exemption in Castle the pub is ideally located to enjoy the TN31 7HH the EU Directive. surrounding views from 01797 223248 the pretty beer garden. www.yprescastleinn.co.uk Thank you for making this a campaign win! Live music is provided every Friday & Sunday Andrea Briers night. CAMRA APPLE Committee Chair

Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 23 Pubs of the Year Sussex CAMRA Pub of the Year Awards 2015

For the second time in a row the Arun & Adur Branch Pub of the Year was the Parsonage Bar and Restaurant, Tarring, Worthing. Photograph flanked by branch members Mike Head and above shows branch chair Tim Walker (centre) Chris Stringer. having presented the certificate to Wayne Lowrey and Connor Davison (right).

Having this year made its first ever appearance in the GBG, the Inglenook Hotel, Nyetimber, For the third time in four years, the Brighton & Pagham, has also been voted the Western South Downs Branch Pub of the Year award Sussex Branch Pub of the Year. The hotel has went to the Brewers Arms, Lewes. Photograph been owned and run by the Honour family for above, courtesy of Terry Sherring, shows (left) over thirty-five years. They are pictured above Peter Yarlett, second brewer at Harveys, and displaying the certificate and trophy, sitting (right) Paul Free of the branch, presenting the around the table with cellar manager Gary Anthony Jenner Shield and certificate to Liam Crossley (in blue). Branch chair Philip Griffin, Cellar Manager. Wildsmith leads the toast of the standing assembled branch members. Simon and Beth at the White Horse, Maplehurst are no strangers to the North Sussex Pub of the The Tower, St Leonards-on Sea, was for the first Year Award. They have held it on four previous time voted South East Sussex Pub of the Year. occasions since the year 2000 (with the bonus The pub was also voted branch Cider and Perry of the overall Sussex Branches POTY award in Pub of the Year and branch Community Pub of 2007) and are the recipients once again this the Year. Photograph shows landlady Louisa year. Photograph shows the couple with the Gover and branch chair Peter Adams holding Peter King Memorial Shield and the certificate, the certificates. A buffet was kindly laid on for 24 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 Pubs of the Year

(right) being presented the certificate by Membership Secretary Bruce Webster. Fifteen members in total made the trip from Littlehampton, Lancing, and Worthing to the north of the branch area for an excellent pint of Flowerpots or Bowman at this gem of a pub with its wonderful garden and surrounding countryside. regulars and CAMRA members. And if Louisa was not content with her three awards, she now has a fourth. The Tower was voted the overall Sussex Branches Pub of the Year and will now go though to the regional round against the Surrey winner.

Congratulations go to all the pubs.

The Arun & Adur branch also made an award of Country Pub of the Year, which went to the Black Horse, Byworth. Jeff Paddock is pictured

Sussex CAMRA Pub of the Year Roll of Honour Partly for reasons of nostalgic remembrance, partly for purpose of recording for posterity, what follows is a list of the Pubs of the Year for all five branches plus the overall Sussex POTY since the year 2000. Despite the best efforts of your Editor and the Western Sussex Branch, the corresponding details for the previous decade remain incomplete, and in some cases contradictory. Hopefully, with input from the other four branches, we can present a 1990s roll of honour in a future issue.

Year Arun & Adur Brighton & South Downs North Sussex South East Sussex Western Sussex Sussex Branches

2015 Parsonage, Tarring Brewers Arms, Lewes White Horse, Maplehurst Tower, St Leonards Inglenook, Nyetimber Tower, St Leonards

2014 Parsonage, Tarring Gardener’s Arms, Lewes Jolly Tanners, Staplefield Dolphin, Hastings Wilkes Head, Eastergate Wilkes Head, Eastergate

2013 Gardeners Arms, Sompting Brewers Arms, Lewes Jolly Tanners, Staplefield Dolphin, Hastings Wilkes Head, Eastergate Wilkes Head, Eastergate

2012 Sportsman, Amberley Brewers Arms, Lewes Swan Inn, Crawley Robin Hood, Icklesham Wilkes Head, Eastergate Wilkes Head, Eastergate

2011 Sportsman, Amberley Evening Star, Brighton Jolly Tanners, Staplefield King’s Head, Hailsham Maypole, Yapton Evening Star, Brighton

2010 Sportsman, Amberley Evening Star, Brighton Royal Oak, Friday Street Hurst Arms, Eastbourne Horse & Groom, East Ashling Royal Oak, Friday Street Duke of Cumberland Arms, 2009 Selden Arms, Worthing Stanley Arms, Portslade Royal Oak, Friday Street Queens Head, Icklesham Henley Royal Oak, Friday Street

2008 Five Bells, Smock Alley Stanley Arms, Portslade Royal Oak, Friday Street White Rock Hotel, Hastings Seal, Selsey Royal Oak, Friday Street

2007 Five Bells, Smock Alley Stanley Arms, Portslade White Horse, Maplehurst Old Courthouse, Westfield Four Chesnuts, Chichester White Horse, Maplehurst

2006 Selden Arms, Worthing Evening Star, Brighton Jolly Tanners, Staplefield Rose & Crown, Beckley Maypole, Yapton Evening Star, Brighton

2005 Selden Arms, Worthing Evening Star, Brighton Hare & Hounds, Queens Head, Icklesham Horse & Groom, East Ashling Evening Star, Brighton

2004 Selden Arms, Worthing Evening Star, Brighton White Horse, Maplehurst Kings Head, East Hoathly Maypole, Yapton Maypole, Yapton

2003 Selden Arms, Worthing Stanley Arms, Portslade Sussex Oak, Blackham Dripping Spring, St Leonards Three Moles, Selham Dripping Spring, St Leonards

2002 Selden Arms, Worthing Stanley Arms, Portslade Jolly Tanners, Staplefield Buccaneer, Eastbourne Three Moles, Selham Three Moles, Selham

2001 Fountain, Ashurst Stanley Arms, Portslade White Horse, Maplehurst Dripping Spring, St Leonards Coach & Horses, Compton Dripping Spring, St Leonards

2000 Selden Arms, Worthing Stanley Arms, Portslade White Horse, Maplehurst Dripping Spring, St Leonards Hare & Hounds, Stoughton Dripping Spring, St Leonards

25 History and Heritage Brighton Pubs Book Ladies Mile, Marlborough Hotel, Marquess of Exeter (now the Chimney House), Norfolk Not a feature this time but an appeal. Your Arms (subsequently Blind Tiger Club), editor has a contract with Amberley Publishing Northern Hotel (now the Hobgoblin), of Stroud, Gloucestershire, to publish a Prestonville Arms, Prince Albert, Prince Arthur historical book, Brighton Pubs, with a (now Brighton Beer Dispensary), Pump House, chronology covering the two centuries from the Quadrant, Queens Arms, Queens Head (now 1800s to the 1990s. It will tell a tale of mystery, Broadway Bar), Queens Park Tavern (now the murder, intrigue, tragedy, conviviality, Hanover), Regency Tavern, Rose Hill Tavern, disrepute and respectability and will bring to Seven Stars, Victory. life some of Brighton’s famous licensee families, such as the Edlins, the Pitts and the The initial print run will be restricted to 750 Boveys. copies. Anyone who would like to be informed when the book is published is welcome to I will be writing most of the book in August and provide me with his or her email address. For September with a view to delivering the all enquires and offers of assistance with manuscript in November and that is where you, material, you can contact me, David dear reader, come in. If you have any old Muggleton, at [email protected], or d. photographs of Brighton pubs or know of [email protected], or phone me on 01243 ancestors that worked in or ran pubs in the city, 863694. Thank you very much for your time. or have interesting tales to relate about past events in Brighton pub history, then I would love to very soon hear from you. Any material that cannot be sent by email will be personally collected and returned; great care will be taken of it and credit given for its use. I will be covering about fifty-five pubs, probably to include the following, although the list is neither complete nor exclusive and I am still very interested in pubs not mentioned below, and even those that have been long closed or demolished:

Admiral Napier (subsequently Cornerstone, now the Admiral), Aquarium (now the Plotting Parlour), Bevendean Hotel (now the Bevy), Basketmakers Arms, Brighton Tavern, Bristol, Colonnade Bar, Cricketers, Crown, Crown & Anchor, Dorset, Druids Head, Dyke Road Hotel, Evening Star, Franklin Tavern, Good Companions, Green Dragon (now the Office), Greyhound (now the Fishbowl), Hand in Hand, Hare & Hounds, Heart & Hand, King & Queen,

26 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 27 Diary Dates

CAMRA EVENTS IN BOLD. For FREE inclusion in this column, contact the Editor; for PAID advertisements contact Neil Richards. Copy-by date and contact details on p. 3. Aug 11-15 GREAT BRITISH BEER 01403 782012 FESTIVAL, Olympia, London, W14 8UX, 0844 412 4640, www. gbbf.org.uk Aug 28-30 Brighton Beer & Cider Festival. Presented by Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Aug 14-16 The New Beach Club Beer Festival in association with Nutshell Festival, Card-carrying CAMRA members Construction, Hove Lawns, BN3 2WN, welcome, Pett Level, TN35 4EH, 01424 812080, www.brightonfoodfestival.com www.thenewbeachclub.co.uk Aug 28-31 Tanners Arms Beer Festival, 78 Aug 14-16 Elsted Inn 3rd Annual Folk, Ale Brighton Road, Horsham, RH13 5BU, 01403 and Blues Festival; ale fest Fri-Sun, music and 588789, www.thetannersarms.com entertainments Saturday, Elsted Road, Elsted Marsh, GU29 0JT, 01730 813662, Aug 28-31 Tudor Close Beer Festival, www.theelstedinn.co.uk Ferringham Lane, South Ferring, BN12 5NQ, 01903 243155, www.tudorclose.co.uk Aug 15 The Blockheads gig at Dark Star Brewery, 5pm-10.30pm. All profits will be Aug 29 Live@Langhams! Closing the annual distributed to charities through the Dark Star Madhurst celebrations Mini Beer Fest with 13 Foundation; 22 Star Road, Partridge Green, Langham Brewery ales including mystery beer! RH13 8RA, 01403 713085, Some really excellent music, mayhem and www.darkstarbrewing.co.uk/blockheads/ merriment in Midhurst from 1pm-11pm. www. madhurst.co.uk/www.langhambrewery.co.uk Aug 21-23 West Marden Fest. Celebrating all things local with around 30 ales, over half Sep 4-5 Ale & Arty Real Ale and Music LocAle, plus music, food, dog show and more. Festival, De La Warr Pavilion, Marina, Bexhill- Free half pint to card-carrying CAMRA on-Sea, TN40 1DP, www.bexhillbeerfestival. members - offer valid for one visit during the com weekend; phone pub to make prior arrangement Sep 4-5 PORTSMOUTH CAMRA to collect and return festival attendees from BEEREX, University of Portsmouth Student Rowlands Castle and Emsworth train stations. Union Building, Cambridge Road, Portsmouth, Victoria Inn, West Marden, PO18 9EN, 02392 PO1 2EF, www.portsmouthcamrabeerex.co.uk 631330, www.victoriainnwestmarden.co.uk Sep 4-6 Ale at Amberley 10, Amberley Aug 22 Langham Brewery Bar at Woolbeding Museum & Heritage Centre, Station Road, Picnic in the Park with great music. Woolbeding Amberley, BN18 9LT, 01798 831370, Parkland, Midhurst, GU29 9RR, 0844 249 1895, www.aleatamberley.co.uk www.nationaltrust.org.uk/woolbeding-parkland Sep 5-6 Beer Tent Event, Harvesting the Old Aug 22-23 Kings Head Beer Festival, plus Fashioned Way, Oldwick Farm, West Stoke, steam engine, Morris dancers , jazz band, BBQ Chichester, PO18 9AA, 07778 551352, etc. 40 High Street, Billingshurst, RH14 9NY, [email protected]

28 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 Diary Dates

Sep 11-13 Stanley Arms Autumn Beer Sep 26-27 Chiddingly Beer Festival; in and Festival, 47 Wolseley Road, Portslade, BN41 around the Village Hall, BN8 6HE, featuring a 1SS, 01273 430234, www.thestanley.com wide selection of beers, live music, a barbecue and much more, www.chiddinglyfestival.co.uk Sep 12-13 Beer Tent Event, Eastbourne Steampunk Festival, Eastbourne Seafront, Sep 26-27 HopFest, Dark Star Brewery, 22 07778 551352, [email protected]. Star Road, Partridge Green, RH13 8RA, 01403 www.steampunkfestival.co.uk 713085, www.darkstarbrewing.co.uk/hopfest

Sep 12-13 Horsham Beer Festival, Drill Hall, Oct 2-3 Hanover Beer Festival, from 7.30pm, Denne Road, Horsham, RH12 1JF, organised The Hanover Centre, 33 Southover Street, and run by Beer Essentials, 01403 218890, Brighton, BN2 9UD, 01273 694873, www.thebeeressentials.co.uk www.hanovercommunity.org.uk

Sep 18-20 Albatross Club (RAFA) Beer Oct 2-3 Selden Arms Smilefest, 16 Real Ales, Festival, 15 Marina Arcade, Bexhill-on-Sea, 4 Ciders, 1 Perry, 2 Craft Beer Taps, 100+ TN40 1JS, 01424 212916, Bottled Belgian Beers, 41 Lyndhurst Road, www.bexhillrafa.co.uk Worthing, BN11 2DB

Sep 19 Beats at Ballard’s: Music Night at Oct 2-4 Stags Head Beer Festival, with 16 real Ballard’s Brewery, The Old Sawmill, Nyewood, ales and five bands, 35-37 High Street, Portslade GU31 5HA, 01730 821362, Old Village, BN41 2LH, 07929 096845, www. www.ballards-brewery.org.uk facebook.com/pages/the-stags-head-pub- portslade/436598796489771 Sep 19-20 Steyning Cricket Club Beer Festival in conjunction with Adur Brewery, Sat Oct 8-10 13th EASTBOURNE BEER 12.30-10pm, Sun 12.30-6pm, no entry fee, but FESTIVAL, Winter Garden, Compton Street, numbers may need to be limited to comply with Eastbourne, BN21 4BP, 01323 412000, the club’s fire regulations; Charlton Street, www.visiteastbourne.com/beer-festival Steyning, BN44 3LE www.steyningcricketclub. com; In due course, an additional page will be Oct 11 Langham Brewery ‘Bonkers For added to the brewery website, www. Conkers’ 8th Annual Tournament. Extreme adurbrewery.co.uk, giving full details of the competition for Junior Langham Shield and the brewers and their beers coveted Senior Langham Cup. World Championship rules. Steam rides, stalls, family Sep 24 Train to London Pubs, TTLP25. For fun, excellent bar and BBQ! Old Granary, our fourth anniversary outing we will return to Langham Lane, Lodsworth, GU28 9BU, 01798 Central London and visit (amongst others) some 860861, www.langhambrewery.co.uk of the CAMRA National Inventory pubs that originally prompted a series of visits to the Oct 15-17 Petersfield Beer & Cider Festival: capital, leading eventually to TTLP. Details The Autumn Sessions, Festival Hall, Heath TBA. To be included on mailout list contact Pete Road, Petersfield, Hants, GU31 4EA, Brown, 01243 552908, www.petersfieldfest.com/wp/petersfield-beer- [email protected] and-cider-festival

Sep 24-Oct 4 Cask Ale Week, Oct 17 SUSSEX CAMRA BRANCHES www.caskaleweek.co.uk LIAISON MEETING, Brewery Shades, 85 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 29 Diary Dates

High Street, Crawley, RH10 1BA, 01293 www.wokingbeerfestival.co.uk 514105 Nov 20 Train to London Pubs, TTLP26. Oct 23-25 5th SPA VALLEY/WEST KENT Possibly an East London crawl from Clapton CAMRA BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL, Spa down through Hackney to Bethnal Green and Valley Railway, West Station, Royal Tunbridge Stepney. To be included on mailout list contact Wells, Kent, TN2 5QY, 01892 537715, Pete Brown, 01243 552908, www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/events [email protected]

Oct 24 Kissingate Brewery Octoberfest, Nov 20-22 Prestonville Arms Autumn Beer 11am-8pm, Pole Barn, Church Lane, Lower Festival, 12noon - midnight every day, 15 real Beeding, RH13 6LU, 01403 891335, ales plus cider, 64 Hamilton Road, Brighton, www.kissingate.co.uk BN1 5DN, 01373 701007, www.theprestonvillearms.co.uk Oct 30-31 19th WORTHING BEER FESTIVAL, St Paul’s, Chapel Road, Worthing, Dec 6 Ballard’s Brewery Annual Beer Walk in BN11 1EE, www.aaa-camra.org.uk aid of local charities. Western Sussex CAMRA bus will run as usual to and from the brewery. Nov 6-7 22nd WOKING BEER FESTIVAL, Tickets for bus (price TBA) will be on sale from 70+ real ales plus cider, perry and foreign beers, early October – for details see: Woking Leisure Centre and Pool in the Park, www.westernsussexcamra.org.uk Woking Park, Kingfield Road, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9BA, 01483 771122,

30 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 Cat & Canary Pub Upper Station Road, , BN5 9PJ Beer Festival Friday 18th - Sunday 20th September 15 Real Ales & Ciders/Perries Friday 12 noon - close Saturday 10.30am - close Sunday 10.30am - close BBQ Saturday/Sunday (Weather permitting) Bouncy Castle Music - Crazy Murdochs Eyes (Friday) - Disco (Saturday) - Singer Jay Hunter (Sunday) 01273 492509 [email protected]

Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 31 Spotlight on Breweries

UnBarred Success Horsham as part of the Big Nibble on 5-6 UnBarred brewer September. Weltons will provide Red Cross Jordan Mower is Mild at 4.9% at the annual Beer Essentials delighted that his Horsham Beer Festival at the Drill Hall on 11- Benchmark IPA was 12 September. Saturday 19 September is the voted Sussex Beer of date for the next live at the brewery event, the Festival at the which will feature local bands and many beers recent Sussex to try. This follows the Open Day at the Branches Beer & Cider Festival. Jordan is brewery, which starts at 1.30 pm and will pictured with the Bev Robbins Shield and feature a selection of cheeses. Look out in the Certificate after a presentation made by next edition of the Sussex Drinker for details of Brighton & South Downs Branch members an Advent Beer Festival at the brewery in Paul Free and Peter Mitchell. December. Follow the brewery on Twitter @ weltonsbrewery or on their website. Weltons are Twenty Would you believe it! Thanks to Harveys Twenty years of At the South Downs Beer & Cider Festival in brewing in Sussex June, Pete Coppard and Keith Newell, Brighton makes Weltons one of & South Downs Branch President and Chair our most established respectively, breweries. At the 20th anniversary of the presented a special brewery on Friday 2 October there will be a certificate of thanks to strong old stout aged in wooden casks. Real Old Mr Miles Jenner, is a fresh old mixed with barrel aged old. There Head Brewer and will be much merriment amid dancing from the Joint MD of Harveys. Broadwood and Ewell St, Mary’s Morris men, This was to mark the 225th anniversary of the while there will be Rampant Rooster beer for brewery and give recognition to all that the Rampant Rooster Morris men to enjoy! Harveys and Miles have done for the local Look out for Weltons beers at the Stout House, branch and Sussex CAMRA over the years.

32 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 Spotlight on Breweries

On a personal In a note, Miles has tradition been installed as dating back Master of the many years, Worshipful it is Company of customary Brewers. The for the London company Master to received its first supply beer Royal Charter in to Brewers’ Hall during his year of office. 1438: it is Harveys recently restored a 1957 Ford delivery fourteenth in truck and it duly travelled through the City of order of London to supply the first casks. It will also be precedence used around Lewes, although the delivery among the City’s rounds of the horse-drawn dray will continue. one hundred and ten Livery Companies. Miles This can usually be seen in the brewery yard said, “It is a tremendous honour to have been when it stops for a rest at about 1pm every elected Master. I am immensely proud of the Tuesday. The sight of the two horses in front of brewing industry and will represent it to the the brewery building is magnificent. best of my ability in the year ahead.”

LocAle The following accreditations are additions to the lists published in previous issues:

Angmering: Worthing RFC Clubhouse and Pitchside Bar on match days; Chichester: Gatehouse; Lancing: Stanley Ale House; Rustington: Windmill; Worthing: Beechwood Hall Hotel, Brooksteed The Jolly Tanners, Staplefield are proud Alehouse. winners of North Sussex CAMRA POTY for 2011, 2013 and 2014. LocAle - the local branch initiative that became a national campaign – has its own Beer Festival symbol in the GBG. Ask your local publican 9th Anniversary Beer Festival to source any of the superb range of beers 28th & 29th November. available within thirty miles of their pub from Up to 30 Beers and Ciders. the Sussex breweries listed in Bru News. Pubs closer to the Sussex border will naturally be Music and Food all over the weekend. able to source beers from any of the Bus service also now Sundays . qualifying breweries in east Hants, south Surrey or west Kent as appropriate to gain Check out on the website or phone. LocAle accreditation. www.jollytanners.com (01444) 400335

Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 33 Greyhound Brewery: How We Started

We are Nick and Sarah Allen who live and work from our adapted Greyhound Brewery: former Southern Water workshops How We Started in West Sussex. We are both practicing artists: Sarah trained as a glassmaker and ceramicist and Nick is a fine artist who turned to designing furniture and sculptural pieces. We enjoy food and cooking - making our own sourdough bread – and brewing has really been an extension of this wide- ranging interest: a hobby that is slowly taking over! Getting our new kit positioned, connected and It all started in 2012 following a visit to Portland, tested took a while, and it was a struggle working Oregon where we were both inspired by the out just what everything did. Luckily, we had Phil brewpub culture and the wonderful beers. Nick on the other end of the phone helping us when we bought a whole grain brewing kit and we set about were lost, and we did our first trial brew in making our first brew in the kitchen. The results November 2014. Over the next few months we were surprisingly good and the pleasure of bottling spent time changing a few bits of minor equipment our own beer had us both hooked. to make various processes easier in our small space. In March 2015 we finally got our beer out Over the next two years, the equipment we had there locally and have been buoyed up by the steadily increased in size and the product was positive comments it has been receiving ever since. refined by giving samples away to anyone who was up for trying some free beer, and there was no We remain a very small micro, producing a shortage of tasters! Relatively early on, the brewing maximum of 2000L a month, focusing on good moved out of the kitchen and into the garage. It was flavour and experimenting with ingredients. We never the intention for this to become a business currently supply our beer cask conditioned to local venture (we already had one of those), but we beer festivals and pubs including the Rising Sun, enjoyed the creative process, experimenting with Nutbourne; Five Bells, Smock Alley; Parsonage flavours, learning to understand the grains, hops Bar, Tarring; Anchored in Worthing; Countryman, and yeasts and what taste variations small changes Shipley; Stonemasons, Petworth and the would make. Furthermore, the feedback from our Sportsman, Amberley. Our bottled beer can be tasters was consistently positive which made us found in London-based and local restaurants, think, “let’s give it a go”. including the Town House, Arundel and the Tajdar, Findon. So last year both cars became homeless and the double garage was taken over by third-hand See the report by our CAMRA Brewery Liaison 5-barrel brewing equipment. It came to us from Officer, Ray Pilkington, in the Bru News section of Phil Halls at Grain Brewery in Norfolk. They had this issue for details of our four beers so far. We are won gold awards for beer using the equipment, as taking Good Ordinary Bitter and one other recipe had its former owners Castle Rock, so there was a out to North America this summer where we are always a bit of pressure to continue the tradition going to be guest brewers at the Mill City Brew (we have just entered our first competition, so Werks, Camas, WA – the brewery where this watch this space for updates). Phil was kind enough journey really started. It is great to be going back to let us spend a day with him assisting in a brew and taking our beer with us; we are sure to pick up a using his new equipment, giving us a greater few tips and will recharge our ‘can do’ attitude understanding of how to work on a larger scale. batteries!

34 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 WILKES HEAD Church Lane, Eastergate, West Sussex, PO20 3UT Tel: 01243 543380 www.wilkesheadeastergate.co.uk Ÿ Historic 17th century Inn Ÿ 20 minute walk (1.3 miles) from Barnham mainline station Six Ales always on tap Ÿ In the Good Beer Guide Cask Marque Approved Ÿ Secluded beer garden Open Every Day All Day. Food 12-2.30, 6.30-8.30. Beer & Sausage Festival Thu 29th Oct - Sun 1st Nov, 24 Real Ales & 6 Real Ciders Sussex CAMRA Pub of the Year 2014 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 35 Beer Day Britain Beer Day Britain at the Stanley Arms

Society of Independent Brewers, Campaign for Real Ale, Cask Marque, Independent Family Brewers of Britain, Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, British Hop Association and more. Fifteen members of the Brighton & South The initiator and driving force behind Beer Day Downs Branch went underground and visited Britain is Jane Peyton (Beer sommelier of the the cellar at the Stanley Arms, Portslade to year, author, events producer and evange-ale- celebrate Beer Day Britain on Monday 15 June. ist); she is also the project manager. A few are pictured here – they would not all fit in the cellar! The cellar at the Stanley Arms is Adrian Towler open every other Monday night from 7pm with Brighton & South Downs Branch beer straight from the casks at reduced prices. There is also a small, free buffet. Phone the pub on 01273 430234 for confirmation of when the next cellar opening will be.

It was decided to celebrate Beer Day Britain on 15 June because it is the day on which Magna Carta was sealed in 1215. Article 35 of the great charter stated: “Let there be throughout our kingdom a single measure for wine and a single measure for ale and a single measure for corn, namely ‘the London quarter’”. This year sees the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta marked with national and international celebrations. The Brighton & South Downs CAMRA Ale Trail for this summer has been called MagnAle Carta in recognition of this significant event in our national history.

The following is taken from the Beer Day Britain website: www.beerdaybritain.co.uk/ Who is Behind Beer Day Britain? Beer Day Britain is supported by major organisations in the beer industry including Britain’s Beer Alliance, British Beer & Pub Association,

36 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 Craft Produced Ales from East Sussex

 0790 0218584 / 01424 731066  FranklinsFFFFFFFFF Brewery  @FranksBrewSussxFFFFFFFFFFFFF  franksbrew

Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 37 Inn Focus

It was thanks to a tip-off from The Kings Head, Gary Lucas of Billingshurst Kissingate freehold from previous owners Enterprise Inns. Brewery that I found myself Colin has put in planning permission to convert alighting from the interior into two bars to include a steakhouse Billingshurst restaurant, function room and conservatory, also station on a to install a new kitchen and to have sixteen en sunny summer suite letting rooms. As Colin oversees strategic Saturday afternoon. It was my first visit to this operations, his managers Stuart and Kirsty look large, lower Wealden village since it was the after the bar and the beers. Hogs Back TEA is a focus of The Quaffer, No. 16, December 2007, permanent; Kissingate beers always feature, as but (some) things have changed since then. It do the more interesting offerings from Greene took me ten minutes to reach my destination, the King. Other breweries that may appear include Kings Head, at the top of the High Street, Dark Star, Firebird, Top Notch and Triple fff. marked by its overhanging ornate ironwork sign. There is also a real cider, which on my visit was The interior layout looked much the same to how Black Pig (6.0%). If Belgian bottled beers are I dimly remembered it from several years earlier, your tipple then some delightfully strong except that all was now spick and span and an examples can be found in the fridge. enticing bank of eight hand pumps was mounted on the bar. I asked for half a Hop Back World After chatting to Colin, I finish my visit with a Hop Medley. This 4.2% golden ale collaboration Greene King with Greene King was at perfect temperature and Magna Carta, a exactly what was needed on this hot July day. 5.0% amber ale infused with Having asked for whereabouts of the landlord - Juniper, and a for I had emailed him in advance to say that I Hogs Back was dropping Hopping IPA, by - I was told which at 5.4% that he was turns out - mending a surprisingly - to be ruby and vinous. Both beers fence in the are beautifully kept. A date for your diaries. back garden Colin is running a beer festival at the pub on 22- and that it 23 August. There will be lots going on: a steam would be engine turning up, Morris dancers, jazz band, difficult to miss him. Quite so. Genial Irishman BBQ etc. Colin Ganley is a larger than life figure, 6 foot 3 inch tall, well-built and in his late-40s. I may well see you there. Originally hailing from County Meath, he has The Kings Head, 40 High Street, Billingshurst, been a licensee for thirty years, having West Sussex, RH14 9NY, 01403 782012 previously run pubs in Brixton and Herne Hill. His parents own Ganley’s Irish Bar in Morden. The Quaffer Colin is marred to Oonagh and they have been at the Kings Head for a year, having purchased the

38 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 17th century coaching inn in a historic market town The Bull Inn En-suite bed and breakfast 27 High Street accommodation Battle Selection of real ales East Sussex including beers from local TN33 0EA breweries Good home made food from 01424 775171 locally sourced suppliers [email protected] www thebullinnbattle.co.uk Themed food nights Open: Live Music, jamming Mon-Thu 11-11.30pm sessions, check www Fri & Sat 11-12.30am for details Sun 11-10.30pm

Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 39 Yapton Beerex Report Yapton Beerex Report Many thanks to all who came and/or contributed in whatever way; we hope to see you again next year. The 27th Yapton Beerex will be open from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 May 2016. Set-up is on Wednesday 11. If you would The 26th Yapton Beerex took place from Friday like to come and help, you will be most 15 to Sunday 17 May. It was held as usual in the welcome. Yapton & Ford Village Hall and opened in classic Yapton weather - warm and sunny. Over Cheers! a thousand happy punters enjoyed sixty-two beers from fifty breweries - including Langham Philip Wildsmith Western Sussex Branch Chair Easy Ryeder, a new red rye beer launched at the Beerex - and ten ciders and perries, in addition to an eclectic variety of bottled UK and European beers.

The festival passed entirely without incident. Well, unless you include the travails of the poor chap delivering the Staggeringly Good beers (Staggeringly Good is the name of the brewery – but the beers are staggeringly good!). He heard a bang in the back of his car while delivering to the festival and thought for a moment that he had hit something - or something had hit him – but when he looked in his rear-view mirror he saw a fountain of 5.7% Extinction Black IPA, which rapidly became - well - extinct! Fortunately, Langham stepped into the breach and supplied us with their 7.5% Ægir smoked porter.

Beer of the Festival, as chosen by our festival- goers, was Downlands Devils Dyke Salted Caramel, 5.0%; LocAle of the festival was Vibrant Forest Radicale Oat & Coffee Stout, 5.7%; and Cider/Perry of the Festival was Heck’s Red Pear, 6.5%. Suitable visits have been arranged to present them with their awards – a tough job but we will see it through on your behalf! Our festival-goers donated £335 to our chosen charity Macmillan Cancer Support.

40 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 Matthew & Danielle Perry invite you to sample the finest Sussex Ales brewed by The Royal Oak Harveys of Lewes, in an authentic country pub atmosphere, in the centre of Barcombe Village. High Street A very warm and friendly welcome awaits you at this 16th century pub, serving real Barcombe ales, fine wines, and a scrumptious selection of traditional English and BN8 5BA International dishes in the pub and restaurant. 01273 400418 All our ingredients are locally sourced [email protected] where possible and our food is freshly prepared and cooked to your www.royaloakbarcombe.co.uk requirements. Our main food menu is seasonal and changes monthly. Open Mon-Sat 10-11 We are Cask Marque Accredited and in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for 2013 & Sun 12-11 2014 - and we are also on the CAMRA Ale Trail. Warm & Friendly The Stags Head We are pleased to announce our 1st Beer Festival 16 Beers & 4 Bands in 3 Days 2nd, 3rd & 4th October

On the Number 1 Bus Route 35/37 High Street, Portslade Old Village, BN41 2LH, 07929 096845 [email protected] follow us on Facebook - The Stags Head pub, Portslade

41 The Kings Head 40 High Street Billinghurst RH14 9NY 01403-782012

17th Century Future refurbishment Old Coaching Inn in pipeline to add Eight Real Ales Sixteen Bed Hotel, and Real Cider Restaurant and Tea Room Large selection Colin & Oonagh offer of Belgian Beers a warm welcome to all Old & New Customers Beer Garden

42 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 43 Save Your Pub

The Rose Hill Tavern Action Group has less than Save the two months to save the Rose Hill Tavern Rose Hill Tavern, 1870s. The present Brighton. Their campaign building, with its has already won distinctive green recognition of the Tavern tiled exterior and as an Asset of Community Value, but ACV leaded stained glass status only provides protection from windows, dates development for a year before another planning from a 1934 improvement by architect Stavers application can be made. The pub was Hessell Tiltman for the now-defunct purchased from Enterprise Inns by Evenden Portsmouth and Brighton United Breweries. Estates who put it back onto the market after There have been changes to the interior since their proposal to turn it into flats was rejected by then: most notably the removal of the Bottle & Brighton and Hove City Council. The only way Jug in 1950 and the later bringing into use of a to guarantee that the pub will not once again be large room at the rear-left. Nonetheless, at the bought by property developers is for the locals time of its closure, the pub retained a two-bar to buy it themselves. But they have only until layout and was a potential candidate for the Friday 2 October to raise the money to make a CAMRA South East Regional Inventory of purchase and secure it as a community facility. Heritage Pubs. Can you help? The Rose Hill Please visit the web site www. Tavern has always therosehilltaverncommunitypub.co.uk. From welcomed there you can do any of the following: everyone in the • Pledge to buy shares: these will be community, young launched in August but you can pledge and old. The action now on Crowdfunder. group want to see the space put to good use and • Share your professional skills: people are are asking local people what they would like urgently needed with finance, legal or from their community pub. Suggestions so far property expertise. include a microbrewery, space for business • Donate to the fighting fund: money needs meetings, training for people learning the pub to be raised right away for a structural and catering trades, and a venue for pop-ups. survey. Please send through your ideas and suggestions. • Show the level of community support: add Email: [email protected] a goodwill message to the Supporters Wall. Web: www.therosehilltaverncommunitypub.co.uk • Say what you want from the Rose Hill Facebook: Save The Rose Hill Tavern Brighton Tavern as a community asset: it can be (please ‘Like’ us) whatever we decide it to be! The Quaffer The Rose Hill Tavern is one of the few On Behalf of the Rose Hill Tavern Action Group remaining traditional neighbourhood pubs left in the rapidly changing London Road area. There has been a pub on the site since the

44 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 Ale at Amberley 10

It is the 10th Ale at Amberley Beer A View to a Beer Festival from 4-6 September and time but is so delicious that it has been a favourite to celebrate the 30th fast food in Atlantic Canada for many years anniversary of the (Google it!). Yet only now is it being sold in Bond film that used London. And yes, McDonald’s now have it – Amberley as a but only in Canada at the moment. So why wait location. The ‘First for this wonderful accompaniment to beer when Strike Mine’ in “A you can get it now at Amberley? View to a Kill” was, CAMRA have been asked to help and have of course, the assembled a crack team: Steve Leyfield as railway tunnel on the Amberley Museum site Cellarman, Roger Coton as a Bar Manager, and is the place where beers are stored prior to Jackie Johnson advising on ciders, plus a whole the Festival – the coolest spot in town! The bunch of experienced bar staff to help out and trains are used to take casks in and out of the reduce waiting times, which were such a tunnel, so it is also very practical. problem last year. Ruth Dewdney, who works at Sir Roger Moore has the Museum and is the Festival Manager, is been invited to visit sourcing the fabulous beers with support from and check out some Dark Star. of the beers this year. Tickets, £5 for Friday and Saturday nights, are He has been on tour available on the door, from the Museum on in “An Evening with 01798 831370 option 4, or at the Evening Star, Sir Roger Moore” – Brighton; Stanley Arms, Portslade; Duke of and plugging his recent book, Last Man Wellington, Shoreham-by-Sea; Selden Arms, Standing: Tales from Tinseltown. Co-star Grace Worthing; and Beer Essentials, Horsham. Jones, however, was During the day, normal Museum admission unavailable! Some prices apply. There will be some musical Bond-themed beers entertainment from Morris sides, buskers and will be on sale such also a German fair organ. Details of special as Moore Beer and buses are on the website www.AleatAmberley. Brew 007 and the co.uk. Sunday is drink-up day with free beauty is that every entrance to CAMRA Members from 2pm and, pint you drink helps after this time all beers left will be at reduced the museum with its price. So book the date and make sure you are running costs. So there. don’t feel guilty about sneaking in Photograph of the tunnel by is kind courtesy of that extra half. Graham Bendell.

They hope to have a special food to go with the Adrian Towler beer – it is from Canada. Poutine is a classy take Brighton & South Downs Branch on cheese and chips with gravy. It looks a mess

Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 45 Train To London Pubs Train To London Micro Pubs – Friday 1 May. The Broken Drum, The problem with this jaunt is – will the micro pubs be big enough to take Pete Brown’s now Between Irons and quite large group of Merrie Men (well, most are men). Because about twenty-two went. But yes, Nails Shops at the first two, no problem. 20p more. Interestingly all in the 3.5-4.0% range so ‘good quaffing ales’ as I believe it is called. And all on gravity dispense. The pub had only been open for a couple of weeks. It is a shop wedged between an ironing shop and ‘Pretty Nails’, abutting a used-car lot near a flyover. Observation at this point: just one bog- standard unisex toilet – no short flush, no urinal, so with the majority of customers being male, not very water-savvy? Why ‘The Broken Drum’? It is Terry Pratchett – look it up. Time to move on - to a No. 5 bus and the Door Hinge. The Long Pond, a ten minute walk from Eltham station, is quite large, two rooms in fact and a proper bar. I confess that I was late arriving, due to mislaying my railcard and searching the house that morning! So I only had time for a half of the very tasty house beer, Pond Life, about 3.5%, and at a reasonable price for the Greater London area, £3 a pint. As has happened before on these trips, the question arises, why move on? We could happily stay here for the rest of the afternoon. It was indeed a pleasant watering hole – but duty calls.

Another This was Greater London Pub of the Year for brief walk to 2014, which safely accommodated us all ‘with a 132 bus seats for only twenty-two’ as Pete quoted but then took us there is a small back lounge on the way to the to the toilet. Three beers on: £3 a pint. Why the name? Broken Ray Day, an ex-cab driver, wanted to name the Drum with pub after his mother, Doreen Inge who at school four on and got nicknamed ‘Door Hinge’ by the kids (Dor to give you Inge, get it?) so she dropped the Doreen and, for the sort of the rest of her life, went by the name of Jean. range we Beers on gravity of course, to be viewed experienced: Triple fff Pressed Rat, Peerless through a window alongside the very tiny bar Cracking Up, Bespoke Raging Ale, all at £3 a counter. What to do with hops? Drape them pint, and Elephant School Aussie Blonde for around the ceiling of course (well this is almost

46 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 Train To London Pubs

Kent). What to do with pump clips you can’t there was a good range of beers. Bob Baldwin use (because there’s no pump handles)? Nail and appropriately-named Bev were circulating them to the wall, of course. Brewers must know to supply you with beers from the beer room. that you can’t use them yet keep giving them to We were even allowed to try beers not yet ‘on’, you – as well as the plastic clips to stick on, yes before moving on. The shop used to be a bicycle there was a bag of those, sat un-used, on the bar shop before, by the way. It has to be said that when we arrived. twenty or so of us makes a big difference to a micro pub, but on a Friday afternoon, leading into evening, we left one or two behind when we moved on. Toilets at least had a micro-flush you’ll be relieved to hear. Fine beers on and again nothing over 4.0%. More hops around the ceiling (the plant type) and of course pump clips stuck on the wall.

Our next three-mile bus ride took us to Crayford So on to One Inn the Wood, after a short train and the Penny Farthing Ale House, surely not ride to Petts Wood. It was packed at 8pm on a named after another mother? Open less than a Friday night. With a brick-built bar they had the year and already another Pub of the Year with a usual air-conditioned room behind with gravity window to look into the small beer room where beers. This had an impressive full-wall photo of the casks are dispensed on gravity. And in the a woodland scene – and a lot of pump clips corner a tiny ‘bar’ but really nobody was displayed of course. Four beers were on from making use of it because the proprietors were £3.20 to £3.40 and more hops, naturally, around roaming around taking orders and money. Even the ceiling. This was our last port of call before so, a small bar seems to be a good feature of heading back to the station and to Victoria, then, these micro pubs because it is somewhere to over and out. Thanks to Pete for organising this leave your empty glasses and collect drinking – a really interesting day. The next Train to magazines and to go if you want a beer and London Pubs will be a fourth anniversary there is nobody to be seen serving. outing to Central London on Thursday 24 Another use for micro pubs of course is to September. accept redundant beer festival glasses (line- measure, so most pubs don’t want them). Yes, Adrian Towler Brighton & South Downs Branch

Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 47 Mystery Bus Tour

Following on from the Spring Equinox Beer Festival, held in Horsham last March, organised Mystery by the CAMRA North Sussex Branch, it was decided that it was time for another bus trip. This would be a way of thanking those who had Bus Tour assisted with the festival, but also hopefully interest some others. After the date was fixed for Saturday 13 June, Social Secretary Vanessa went off to organise transport for the day, while I went off to talk to publicans, check the route and put an itinerary together (a tough job, but someone has to do it). At the outset, I had already thought about three very different pubs, which I thought people would find interesting to visit, two in Kent and one in Surrey. I had also thought it would be nice to give people a day out to remember, if only because when we end of 2013, Elsie Maynard, who was the last of usually go out, some get in such a state that they the line, had to go into a home due to her age. It can’t remember much or anything afterwards! remained open and run by volunteers whilst Come the day, which was nice and sunny and Admiral Taverns looked for someone to buy the not too warm, the coach set off from Horsham, pub, but wanted to ensure that it would be picking up as usual at Newdigate (Surrey), looked after. Towards the end of last summer, Crawley, Three Bridges and East Grinstead. Jonathan & Min Hancock, who live nearby, Unfortunately, due to clashes with other events managed to buy it and have ensured that it stays and some last minute dropouts, there were only as it is - unspoilt. around twenty-five on board as we set out for the first stop of the day, which wasn’t too far. Just across the border into Kent is the Queens Arms at Cowden Pound. Although it does not usually open Saturday lunchtimes, it did especially for us by prior arrangement. I think a lot of CAMRA members would know Apart from the odd lick of paint and some much this place, with it needed maintenance to the building, there is being on the National still no lager sold here, nor has one of those Inventory and one of the most unspoilt pubs in new-fangled cash register things been installed. the country. It had been in the same family for The beer is now provided by Larkins Brewery just over one hundred years when, towards the with Traditional Bitter being the usual offering

48 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 Mystery Bus Tour

(Porter is available during the winter months). selection available. We were joined for the We spent around eighty minutes visiting the afternoon by some of our friends from the pub giving everyone the chance to have a Coopers Arms, Crowborough and as it was a couple of pints and take in the ambience of what nice afternoon, we were able to take advantage I personally think is something quite special. of the pub garden. The food is excellent here The sausage rolls that were provided were also and ranges from full meals to bar snacks, down much appreciated and our thanks go to Jonathan to some rather lethal pickled eggs. After a few and Min for opening up for us. One last sad item hours sampling the beer selection, it was time to to report is that Elsie Maynard passed away on move on for our last stop of the day. 20 April this year. She was only 91 years old, but her funeral was very well attended and she Travelling back was laid to rest in the churchyard in nearby into Surrey via the Markbeech. A21 and A25, we headed for the After leaving Cowden Pound, there was a village of cross-country drive to our next destination, Limpsfield which gave Lindsay, our driver once again, a Chart to spend an chance to demonstrate his driving skills. It also hour at the Carpenters Arms, which is owned gave everyone on the coach the chance to very by Westerham Brewery and is very much their closely inspect the underneath of a railway flagship pub. Set in a rural location, which is bridge. mostly National Trust land, it is a very popular area for walkers and is also a destination pub for Our next stop was the those seeking food (it is advisable to pre-book excellent Windmill at for Sunday lunch). There are usually up to five Sevenoaks Weald, Westerham Brewery ales available, but for this which was recently a visit, there was also a guest ale in the shape of CAMRA National Ramsgate Gadds’ Dogbolter Porter, which was Pub of the Year much appreciated by some present. Again the runner-up. The only weather had held up and we sat outside for slight hiccup of the day occurred here, where it about an hour until we had to leave and head took a while to get the coach parked. For those back to East Grinstead to drop people off and that don’t know, this was once a rundown then to the other pick-up points mentioned Greene King pub that had been closed for a earlier and once again, nobody was left behind. while. Current owners, Matt & Emma, bought it Thank you to Vanessa Mason-Hill for her in 2012 and spent a few months gutting the excellent organisational skills in booking the building and refurbishing it, with the result that transport and rounding people up to come the locals have now got a pub to be proud of. along, so thank you also to those who did come Being a free house and having owners who are along for the day. Thanks also go to our driver, enthusiastic about beer, there are six regularly Lindsay, of Seaford Coaches, for once again changing ales available which are usually looking after us and keeping an eye on things. locally sourced, although some come from We might do it again next year! further afield. Goachers Fine Light regularly features and if you are into cider, perry or Peter Spooner foreign bottled beers, there is always a good North Sussex Branch

Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 49 The White Dog Inn Welcome to The White Dog Village Street Beer Festival Inn Ewhurst Green Friday 4th, Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th A traditional family run Robertsbridge September. We will have local fine ales, village inn – enjoyed by East Sussex lager, and a selection of local bands. visitors and regulars alike – TN32 5TD and always offering a warm, inviting and friendly 01580 830264 atmosphere. Open: Mon-Fri 12-11.00pm The White Dog Inn has Sat 12-11.30pm something for everyone, Sun 12-11pm whether it’s a quiet drink by Meals served: the open fire, a lazy day in our Mon-Fri 12-2, 6.30-9 garden with the children or Sat 12-2.30, 6.30-9.30 some superb pub food. Sun 12-2.45, 6.30-9

www.thewhitedogewhurst.co.uk

50 Sussex Drinker: Autumn 2015 51 52