Solihull Drinker Issue No 87 Free Spring 2019 Please Take One

Solihull & District CAMRA www.solihull.camra.org.uk

Solihull Drinker Issue No 87 Free Spring 2019 Please take one

The Ale Rooms - 2019 Solihull CAMRA Pub Of The Year

New Branch Chair Martin Buck congratulates Mark Caldicott, the owner of the Ale Rooms team on winning the Solihull & District CAMRA Pub of The Year for the second time.

For the second year in succession the Ale Rooms, in Knowle, has been chosen by Solihull & District CAMRA members as our branch Pub of the Year. This is a remarkable achievement as the pub didn’t open until December 2016 – and its owner, Mark Caldicott, had never pulled a pint until then! Read more on page 3 THE BULLS HEAD Barston Lane, Barston B92 0JU Tel: 01675 442830

Brad and Joy, celebrating 31 years of award winning hospitality, welcome you to their 15th century village inn

Opening hours: Mon—Thurs: 11am—2.30pm & 5.00pm—11pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 11.00am—11.00pm.

Listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for over 20 years & 7 times Solihull CAMRA Pub of the Year

Cask Marque accredited—4 real ales on at all times

Home-cooked meals available lunchtimes and evenings Tuesdays to Saturdays in the comfortable pub bars or separate intimate restaurant (Sundays, Mondays: Lunch only: available from 12 noon to 3pm)

“A quart of ale is a dish for a king.” ― Winter’s Tale Act IV Scene 3 William Shakespeare www.TheBullsHeadBarston.co.uk

2 Continued from page 1. team put in a lot of work to ensure Testimony to what Mark, Callum, the pub runs smoothly. He also Cat and the team have accom- thanked Silhill, Church End and plished was the news in August that Backyard breweries, as well as the Ale Rooms had gone on to be CAMRA for their continuing sup- named West Midlands County Pub port. of the Year, beating the finest pubs “I can hardly believe that we’ve won across Birmingham, Coventry, Wol- this award again – I never dreamed verhampton, and the Black Country. we could achieve this. The credit Until last year, this award had never really should go to all the team and been claimed by a Solihull & District our fantastic customers, who do so pub. much to support us and give the Ale Branch chair Martin Buck said: “In Rooms a great atmosphere. This just two years the Ale Rooms has award just proves all the hard work cemented itself as the cornerstone has been worth it.” of the Knowle pub scene, and Mark is busy putting in yet more proved that there is a continuing work. After some issues in finding appetite for a great selection of real the right location, the second Ale ale. The Ale Rooms gets it right: an Rooms is nearing completion and is ever-changing selection of beer set to open in Warwickshire in the from a wide variety of breweries, spring. If it follows the successful plus real cider, alongside other formula of the Knowle location, we drinks. A welcoming venue, with think it’s sure to be another runa- friendly, knowledgeable staff, fos- way success. ters a great atmosphere. It’s no sur- As winner of the Solihull and Dis- prise that our branch members have trict Pub Of The Year, the Ale again chosen the Ale Rooms as our Rooms yet again goes forward for Pub of the Year. Mark, Callum and consideration as West Midlands Cat have shown what can be County, and West Midlands Regional achieved in a small space if you fo- Pub Of The Year 2019. We wish cus on giving the customers what them luck and hope that we will be they want.” visiting again in the near future to Mark refused to take all the credit, add to the growing wall of awards. explaining that Callum, Cat and the

Features in this issue include: Dates for the Diary & Midlands Area Events 4 Great British Beer Festival Winter 2020 6 Birmingham Pub Crawl by Canal 8 Brussels and Bruges 10 Economies of ale. Last orders for small pubs? 12 Hail To The Ale 14 A Look Into Solihull’s Past 16 A Surprising Find In Mexico 25

3 Dates For Your Diary

Branch Meetings (Branch meetings start at 8.30pm except where noted otherwise) Monday 1st April Rowington Club, Rowington Monday 13th May Drum & Monkey, Dorridge Monday 3rd June Olton Tavern Committee Meetings (8.30pm start. Members may attend but only participate if invited to do so) Monday 18th March The Red House, Solihull Monday 20th May Black Boy, Knowle

Socials Saturday 30th March Beer Festival Thank You Trip - Oxford April (date to be confirmed) Midweek crawl to Burton upon Trent Saturday 25th May Visit to Hinckley pubs

For more details and contacts for the above, please call Secretary Allan Duffy on 01564 200 431 or visit our website: www.solihull.camra.org.uk Most, though not all, of our local pubs have disabled access. If you wish to come to a meeting and require assistance, contact us beforehand and we will do our best to help.

Upcoming Midlands Area Beer Festivals and Events

March 8-9 (Fri-Sat) March 15-16 (Fri-Sat): MOSELEY ROUND TABLE FESTIVAL KNOWLE & DORRIDGE ROUND TA- Kings Heath Cricket & Sports Club, BLE BEER FESTIVAL Royal British 247 Alcester Road South, Kings Legion, Warwick Rd, Knowle B93 Heath, Birmingham, B14 6DT. 25 9LF. Open Friday from 6pm, Satur- ales and 15 ciders. Friday 5pm- day 12 noon, till late both nights. 11pm, Saturday 1pm -11pm. Food, £10 entry incl. souvenir glass and live music, Six Nations Rugby, nor- £5 tokens for the 30 beers, cider, mal bar. Check Facebook for more. Prosecco, or gin. See the advert on March 13-16 (Wed-Sat): page 7 for more information or vis- LEICESTER BEER FEST it the website www.kandd.org.uk Haymarket Theatre, Leicester, LE1 March 15-16 (Fri-Sat): 3AF. 240 real ales including a Lo- COVENTRY BEER FEST cAle bar. Ciders/perries, Gin bar, Coventry Rugby Football Ground, and other stalls. Hot & cold food Butts Park Arena, Butts Road, CV1 available. Open: Wed 5-11pm, Thu 3GE. 15-20 mins walk from railway & Fri 11am-11pm Sat 11am- 10pm. station, or no. 5, 6, 6A, 10 buses Admission £4 all sessions (CAMRA from city centre. Ample parking, members £1 off). Card and contact- coach parties welcome. 75+ beers less payments accepted. (including special beers from local www.leicester.camra.org.uk for de- breweries), ciders, perries & country tails. wines. Open: Fri & Sat 12noon-

4 11pm. Admission: card-carrying entry. Details including prices CAMRA members free all sessions and beer list available from except 6pm Fri evening onwards burtoncamra.wordpress.com (£2 entry). Non-members £2, except April 11-13 (Thu-Sat): 6pm Fri evening onwards (£3 entry). INN ON THE GREEN BEER FEST Food available at all sessions. More 2 Westley Road, Acocks Green, B27 info at www.coventry.camra.org 7UH. 20 ales, 5 ciders. Music Friday March 27-April 7 and Saturday live and free. WETHERSPOON REAL ALE AND May 11 (Sat): CIDER FESTIVAL WEST MIDLANDS CAMRA REGION- Around 25 beers and 3 ciders. AL MILD TRAIL For information about the beers Check westmidlands.camra.org.uk and ciders on offer visit for details. Venue will be Shrews- www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/ bury. events/real-ale-and-cider-festival June 6-8: (Thu-Sat) March 28-30 (Thu-Sat): SHIRLEY BEER & CIDER FEST 40TH BURTON CAMRA BEER & 9th Shirley Beer & Cider Festival, CIDER FEST Camp Hill Rugby Club. Open Thurs- Burton Town Hall, King Edward day 6.30pm -11pm comedy night Place, Burton Upon Trent, DE14 by advance ticket only. Friday 2EB. CAMRA members get free or 6pm–11pm, Saturday 12 noon- discounted entry depending on 11pm including family day up to the session (must show card). 6pm. Over 100 beers and 25 ci- Open: Thu 6pm-11pm; Fri 11am- ders. See advert on page 15 and 11pm; Sat 11am-10pm. Entrance www.shirleybeer festival.co.uk for fees are now packaged to speed more information. 2019 CAMRA Members’ Weekend and AGM - Dundee

The 2019 Members' Weekend will get involved with brewery be taking part right in the heart of trips, discussions and activities, and Dundee at Caird Hall, which is ideal- meet other beer lovers for a pint or ly placed close to local attractions, two in the dedicated Members' Bar. the station, pubs and more! To register, simply log in to https:// If you've not been to a Members' agm.camra.org.uk with your mem- Weekend before, you'll be assured a bership number and password. warm welcome, discover new pubs and beers, and make new friends along the way. Keep an eye open for the West Midlands contingent in their matching Teal shirts! Members' Weekend isn't just about AGM & Conference business! You can choose to 5 Birmingham To Celebrate The Rich World Of Beer, Cider And Perry from 2020 Following on from three superb years in Norwich, it will be time in 2020 for the Great British Beer Fes- tival Winter to once again set up in a new city, and we are excited to announce that it is Birmingham in the West Midlands that will host the festival from 2020 to 2022. A region built on the trade and in- novation of the industrial revolu- tion, the festival will be taking on the theme of “A Festival of a Thou- sand Trades”, celebrating industry, diversity, and creativity throughout time. This theme will define the drinks on offer, which will include a range of spirits and non-alcoholic options to accompany over 400 beers, ciders and perries that will represent the region, the wider Unit- ed Kingdom, and beyond. Alongside the drinks, the festival will feature games and activities, ward to working with local muse- musical entertainment throughout, ums, charities and organisations to a range of mouth-watering food tell visitors a story that will go hand stalls, and a selection of tastings in hand with their drink of choice.” and talks for those looking to ex- pand their horizons further. Planning for the festival is already well underway, and details including As always the Great British Beer Fes- dates and venue for the 2020 festi- tival Winter will continue to host the val will be released soon on win- finals of the winter beer categories ter.gbbf.org.uk. in the Champion Beer of Britain Competition, with the winners go- After the sad news that there will be ing forwards to that year’s final at no Stourbridge beer festival this GBBF in August. year, having already lost Walsall and Birmingham, this is a great news for “This is an incredibly exciting op- the region and an opportunity for portunity for us to showcase the CAMRA members to participate and fantastic food and drinks that the volunteer for what is one of the ma- region has to offer”, said West Mid- jor beer festivals in this country. lands Regional Director Gary Tim- mins. “The region has a rich history We will keep you informed on the in brewing and we’re looking for- planning and venue in future issues of the Drinker. 6

RESERVED FOR KNOWLE AND DORRIDGE BEER FESTIVAL (FULL PAGE ADVERT:)

Page 7 - SolihullDrinker_KandD_A5_Print.pdf

7 Birmingham Pub Crawl by Canal

Birmingham city centre has many sists of one large room. Founded in great pubs but with all the roadworks 1872 Holder’s was subsequently tak- and footpath diversions I pondered en over by Mitchells and Butlers in over using the city’s canal network to 1919. As in other Black Country Ale devise a canal/pub walk. So a party of pubs there is always a good selection 10 Solihull CAMRA members met at of guest beers. Alongside Black Coun- the Bulls Head in Bishopsgate Street try’s Fireside, BFG, and Pig on the near Five Ways to put this to test. Wall, were Clun Solar, a sweetish bit- The Bulls Head was originally owned ter with an earthy flavour to it; VOG by Davenports Brewery and fell into Portland Porter, clean and hoppy; Sal- disrepair for some years. It has been taire Stout No. 5, full flavoured and given a new lease of life and serves dry; Oakham Inferno, hoppy; Saltaire Davenports beers again, albeit under Galaxy, tropical fruit/hop flavour, and new ownership. A fine job has been Newby Wyke Comet, a golden beer. made on restoration of this late Victo- Furthermore 2 ciders were on hand- rian pub and it has 5 handpumps, of pump; Hawkes Urban Orchard, and which only 3 were in operation at the Celtic Marches Slack Alice. time of our visit. Davenports Original We made our way back to the canal, Stout together with Highgate Dark and passing through Gas Street we Mild were on offer. The latter was my popped into Canalside, easily missed choice and was OK to start the day. but worth looking in to see what is on the 4 handpumps. From the outside Canalside look like a typical canal side cottage. Inside is tiny with every corner having tables and chairs squeezed in, giving a warm, intimate atmosphere. Sadlers Peaky Blinders Black IPA went down well reminding me more of a stout; Sharps Atlantic, quite hoppy; Wychwood Hobgoblin, a malty, ruby brew; Davenports Toffee Stout and Original. Starting the day at the Bulls Head, Bishopsgate Street After a quick pint we were now think- ing of food and went out onto Gas Leaving the Bulls Head we turned left Street, turning right to Broad Street down Bishopsgate Street and got on where we headed for the Brasshouse. the canal heading for the city centre. Deriving its name from the previous We left it at Granville Street, went brass manufacturing building of down Commercial Street, cut through 1781, it is now owned by Marstons the residential flats to Upper Gough with beers from their portfolio. Street, turning left to our next pub, Banks’ Amber, Brakspear Bitter, 61 the Craven Arms. A Black Country Deep, and unimaginative guests Ales pub, it is well hidden from the Sharps Doom Bar, Courage Best Bit- usual pub crowd. The exterior is tiled ter, and Black Sheep Baa Baa which and sports the name of its original proved undrinkable. The 61 Deep owners, Holder’s. The interior con- went down very well with most of us

8 though. However, food was our main past, it was packed inside and had a concern here. real buzz of an atmosphere. Small Back on the canal, passing Symphony and intimate is the best that I can Hall, and into the Malthouse next. describe this brewery tap. 3 beers Known for the visit made by Bill Clin- were on handpump; Voodoo Mild; ton, this Greene King pub had 4 British Beer Power, a golden beer; and guests accompanying IPA and Abbott; Joy Division, a pale ale. I tried the Joy Purity UBU; St Austell Tribute; Silhill Division and as with my past experi- Pure Star and a fine Silhill North Star. ence of Rock and Roll Brewery found The pub caters for foodies and is it OK but lacking in wow factor for a large and a little soulless. microbrewery, though I love the pub! Just a short walk down the locks at The plan was to fit in another 6 pubs Farmers brought us to Summer Row but we decided to leave those for an- and the Shakespeare. A typical Victo- other day. We headed instead into the rian pub restored by the Nicholson’s city centre to try 2 new pubs recently chain with a bar and back lounge/ opened in Birmingham. snug serving food and beer… talking First the Pint Shop, next door to the of which 5 handpumps propped up Wellington in Bennetts Hill. You might the bar. Siren Craft Cold Blooded, describe it as a youngsters bar, mod- Here’s Johnny Red IPA, Yulu, and Vi- ern and stylish with an emphasis on enna Pale Ale, with Exmoor Mild and craft keg beers. However, it does Nicholson’s Pale Ale. It is unusual to have 6 beers on handpump. Discon- see so many beers from the same certingly there are no pumpclips on brewery in Nicholson’s pubs, however either the handpulls or keg taps. the Vienna Pale Ale and Cold Blooded Surely displaying them would en- Porter were excellent, though the Red hance the presentation of the bar ar- IPA was not quite up to scratch. ea, it looked very austere. To order our beer we quoted the number on a blackboard menu which meant every- one was crowding around it to select their beer. The 6 beers were Moor Beer Juicy Jones, Digbrew Bitter Lake, Bristol Beer Factory Fortitude, Nene Valley Simple Pleasures, a cloudy Twisted Barrel Azacca, and a very nice Beatnikz Republik Kentucky Riot, a Bourbon Stout from Manchester. No seats were to be had here so we And now as they say ... for something soon moved on to the Head of Steam completely different. Back on the ca- in Temple Street. Under the wing of nal, descending the locks below the Cameron’s Brewery the pub is multi- Post Office Tower to take a passage- level, serves food and is very noisy. way which brought us out on Ludgate 10 handpumps on the bar but it was Hill. Turning left here we made our so packed I could not make a note of way to the Rock and Roll Brewhouse them, however I got myself a superb in Regent Place. With restricted open- Oakham Scarlet Macaw. A great beer ing times we had planned our visit to to finish the day off with. suit its opening hours. Easy to walk Steve Dyson

9 Brussels and Bruges Allan, Brenda, Bob and I, all Solihull CAMRA members have got into the habit of popping over to the conti- nent to visit a country with a repu- tation for good beers, and worthy too of a little sightseeing. Our latest sojourn was to the Bel- gian capital Brussels and the attrac- tive town of Bruges. Flights from Birmingham are regular and a short train ride into Brussels brought us to our hotel, the Augustin at Ave- nue Stalingrad 25-31. Brewing equipment at l'Ermitage Homework beforehand found that planking and palettes, but enthusi- CAMRA’s new edition of “Good Beer astic brewers and bar staff more Guide Belgium” was indispensable. than made up for the basic com- If the Good Beer Guide (GBG) was as forts. With 9 taps there was a lot to comprehensive as this it would be go at, with 6 being brewed on the brilliant. However, it would triple its premises. Lanterne Pale Ale 5.5%; size. As in the GBG the maps are Soleil, a beautiful 4.5% White IPA; quite general and a quality street Théorème de L'Empereur, a Jasmin map such as Borch’s Brussels is ab- Green tea beer at 6.4%; Noir Du solutely essential. For Bruges Rob- Midi, a tasty 6.9% Porter; La- ert Frosdick’s “The Bruges Bar and boratoire d'Alchimie 2, a new world Beer Guide” is useful. Mapwise In- Pilsner, although at 4.8% tastes a sight Guides Bruges flexi map little thin to me; and Copint’je an proved more than adequate. American rye ale at 4.7%. Guests Our hotel was perfectly located as were Moor from Bristol and Kernal far as bars were concerned, with from London. We were able to wan- cafes close by to start the day with der around the brewery and noted a hearty breakfast. beers being brewed in wooden bar- Our first bar of the holiday was al- rels with the familiar wine makers most opposite our hotel, Café Bebo air lock being used. Altogether an with 10 taps. A good cross section excellent afternoon was spent of beers was on offer, Blondes, there. Fruit, Trappist, Pils, and Wheat. I Another of the many bars we visit- went for Delerium Tremens Blonde, ed, though a little out in the sticks, a common beer in Brussels, strong is Volle Pot at 141 Boulevard du and very tasty. Midi. With over 200 beers displayed A highlight of Brussels was our visit on shelves you are able to drink to l’Ermitage Brewery in Rue Lam- them chilled or at room tempera- bert Crickx, just behind our hotel. ture: a very comfortable bar where The seating area was made up of we were made to feel very welcome.

10 CAMRA West Midlands County Pub Of The Year 2018

Solihull & District CAMRA PUB OF THE WINNER YEAR 2018 & 2019

We also took a day out to visit the of bottled beers; Brasserie De La bars of Bruges where Vlissinge on Senne Stouterik, a true stout at Blekersstraat was the most memo- 4.5%; Brouwerij Maenhout Hoppa rable. Bruges’ oldest tavern dating Hontas Amarillo, a Begian IPA at back to the 16th century, its interior 6.5%; and my favourite De Dochter exuded character and atmosphere. van de Korenaar Belle-Fleur IPA, a It was a lovely day so we sat out- 6% beer described as having the side in the garden to enjoy a variety “pure taste of hops” which it cer- tainly did. We did many more bars in Brussels, enough to fill all our days. Howev- er, on our last day with rain fore- cast we took the opportunity to take a bus tour of the city to see the many sights of this city, one well worth visiting to sample beers and bars and to enjoy the sights. Steve Dyson

The Good Beer Guide Belgium is available from the CAMRA bookshop Enjoying a beer in the garden of Vlissinghe priced £14.99 (£10.99 for members) in Bruges

11 Economies of ale. Last orders for small pubs?

Between 2001-2018, the number of been more pronounced in rural pubs, pubs across the West Midlands region where employment was up 24%, has nearly halved, whilst the number whereas employment in urban pubs of people working in pubs has fallen was up by only 4%. by more than a third. In many ways, Solihull bucks the na- So says the Office of National Statis- tional trend. There are about the tics in its latest report: “Economies of same number of pubs as in 2001, ale: small pubs close as chains focus with some 90 pubs providing 2,500 on big bars” (November 2018). The jobs, an increase of 11%. Overall, Soli- picture is little different at national hull has 4.2 pubs per 1,000 people, level, where nearly a quarter of pubs fewer than the national average have closed since 2008: falling from (5.8/1000). In the Stratford-on-Avon 50,000 in 2008 to some 39,000 in area, there are 10 fewer pubs than in 2018. However, turnover in the pub 2001 (-6%) leaving some 140 pubs industry is holding up and employ- providing around 1,750 jobs, an in- ment is on the rise. crease of nearly 17%. Stratford-on- Avon has 11.3 pubs per 1,000 people, much higher than the national average. These figures contrast mark- edly with Birmingham and the Black Country, where the number of pubs

has fallen by over 40% since 2001.

Tom Stainer, CAMRA’s spokesman, said “Pubs are struggling for several reasons. In part it’s because of heavy taxes. For every pint you drink in a

pub, a third of the cost is tax. Pubs are finding it difficult to keep their heads above water. The UK has one of the highest rates of alcohol duty in The data also shows that the pubs Europe. This has a knock-on effect on which remain open tend to be bigger pubs, because they must raise prices and employ more than 10 people, to make ends meet. Pubs bring in- with stable turnover. Overall, there vestment and employment, and they are now 6% more jobs in pubs than are community hubs. The way the there were in 2008, with the largest system works is the more successful increases being in pubs with 10 or they are, the more pubs are punished more employees. for doing well. They’re taxed on This rise in larger pubs is linked to a things like the size of the building, focus on food, creating more jobs, turnover and whether they have a car with the big pub companies making park – it penalises success”. this shift following the ban on indoor “These shocking new figures show smoking in 2007. In 2008, the aver- the huge loss that has been felt by age UK pub had just 5 employees; communities up and down the coun- this had risen to 8 people per pub in try as beloved locals have closed 2018. This rise in employment has down. By focusing on the stability of

190 Barn Lane Live Music and Solihull Entertainment B92 7LY Every 0121 743 2179

www.thelyndonpub.co.uk Friday and Saturday

Up to 4 cask ales (20p CAMRA discount) Freshly prepared quality food available daily (except Monday) Free function room to hire for all occasions Monday Club - Carling £2.70 and Tetleys £2.40 Tuesday - Quiz and Games Night from 8pm New! Wednesday - Bingo from 2.30pm until 4.30pm Opening Hours: Thursday - All Cask Ales £2.70 Sun – Wed: 12.00pm – 11:30pm Thu – Fri: 12.00pm – 12.00am The Lyndon Pub Solihull Sat: 12.00pm – 1.00am turnover from pubs and bars since at Oak Farm, Catherine-de-Barnes, in the recession, this study fails to 2014 and micro-pubs are cropping measure the loss of benefits that up in several places, including the Ale pubs bring to their communities. Rooms and Oktogon (Knowle), and Pubs play a unique role in offering a the Pup & Duckling (Olton). Craft beer social environment to enjoy a drink bottle shops are setting up (Bernie’s with friends, they combat isolation and Craft Inn, Shirley) and others are and loneliness and help people feel rumoured. There are also pub land- connected with their community. lords fighting back against the clo- With a quarter of pubs closing in the sures, and transforming pubs that last decade, we need Government to might once have gone bust in the act now to save our pubs from extinc- centre of their communities. tion. That’s why CAMRA has launched However, the a three-point plan to save the Great message is clear: British Pub, calling for urgent reform visit your lo- to business rates, a full review of the cal….regularly, Pubs Code and a lower rate of duty because it may for beer sold in pubs”. not be there However, craft beer has brought a when you next new lease of life for pubs, and has visit. Long live got young people interested in beer the local! again. The number of craft breweries Steve James is rising and there has been a growth in micro-pubs. Silhill Brewery set up 13 Hail To The Ale Local Beer, Pub, Club and Brewery News Solihull continues to attract new Bernie’s Real Ale Off Licence is businesses as openings continue. now stocking a growing range of Since our last issue a new bar, craft cans to supplement its bottled Skogen, has opened in Dorridge on and cask beer range. At the last the site of the old Station Café Bar. count there were around 35 differ- It opened on the 9th December, fol- ent cans available. lowing the addition of an extra floor Shirley British Legion has also im- on the old premises. It does not proved its real ale offering with two have cask ales, but does have a ever changing ales from a variety of range of 10 craft keg beers. breweries. The Indian Brewery are promising Silhill Brewery were asked to pro- to open soon in the centre of Soli- duce a special beer in February for hull at the time of going to press. an event in Birmingham, to unveil a The initial plan to open was last au- unique Black Sabbath bench in a tumn, but this was delayed. It is not Birmingham church. The Black Sab- known at the moment whether they bath IPA was a 4% beer, but it is not will have cask as well as craft keg known whether it will appear in our beer, but during the recent expan- local pubs. This latest special beer sion of their Snow Hill premises the follows another called “U Beer 4.0” cask pumps disappeared. produced to commemorate UB40 There are also plans to open anoth- getting a star on the Walk of Stars er bar/ micropub in Shirley very on Broad street in December. soon, close to Asda. It is believed Further afield there was news in Jan- that cask and craft keg beers will be uary that Fullers was selling its on offer once the necessary build- brewing business to Japan’s Asahi ing work is complete. in a deal worth £250m. Asahi has Shirley also suffered a loss when grown into Europe’s third-biggest the Red Lion closed in January, af- beer group. Fullers said that the ter the operating company went in- brewing division has been to liquidation. It isn’t known at the “squeezed between big internation- moment what the future of the pub al brewers and the growth in mi- is, but hopefully it can be re-opened crobrewers” and would focus on as a going concern. growing its pub and hotel business. The White Lion in Hampton In Ar- Jackie Parker, chairman of CAMRA, den is reported to now have Skin- said: “We’d call on the new owners ners Betty Stoggs and Bank’s Mild to pledge to continue brewing oper- as regular beers. ations at the Chiswick site as well as The Lyndon now has Adnams Ghost show a commitment to not only Ship and Black Sheep Monty Py- continuing cask beer production, thon’s Holy Grail, replacing Sharp’s but to preserve the full range of Doom Bar and Atlantic. Fuller’s, Dark Star and Gale’s beers.”

RESERVED FOR SHIRLEY BEER FESTIVAL (FULL PAGE ADVERT:)

Page 15 Shirley Beer Fest Poster 2 REV 3.jpg

15 A Look Into Solihull’s Past The article by Allan Duffy on our favourite run by Andrew Kimber the 1983 Solihull Guide in Solihull first publican in our area to em- Drinker 86 (Winter 2018) prompted brace the Beer Orders* (who re- me to take a look at my old Good members them?). He had constant Beer Guides to remind me of how battles with M&B over bringing in a things have changed since the 70s guest beer. The last Warwickshire and 80s. The earliest edition I have in my collection is 1975 when it consisted of a mere 176 pages. It was the era of the Big Six; Allied, Bass Charring- ton, Courage, Scottish and Newcas- tle, Watney, Mann and Truman, and Whitbread. There were only 6 brew- pubs; The All Nations, Madeley; The The Navigation Inn At Lapworth Miners Arms, Priddy; The Old Swan [Ma Pardoes], Netherton; The Blue entry was The Durham Ox in Shrew- Anchor, Helston; The Three Tuns, ley, a large rambling local serving Bishops Castle, and Traquair M&B beers. House, Innerleithen, Scotland. In the West Midlands section we Our branch was not formed until voted in The Wharf, Hockley Heath, the mid-1980s so pub entries were which served Manns Bitter and probably decided on by the Coven- Marstons Bitter. The Tipperary at try or Birmingham Branches. The Meer End was another entry with Three Tuns, Henley-In Arden was Davenports beers. However, it was the only Warwickshire entry, whilst a pub lost to us when we renegoti- in the West Midlands the only entry ated branch borders with the Cov- was The Railway, Dorridge which entry Branch. incidentally has been in the same In Olton, The Lyndon was another family for many a year. branch favourite where Ansells Mild Moving forward to 1985 when our and Bitter and Gibbs Mew Wiltshire branch was in full swing, and I had Bitter were the brews available. The been a member for about a year we best pint of Ansells Mild in our area had taken over pubs which were was served here by an enthusiastic originally in Coventry and Birming- publican whose first name is all I ham’s areas, and had upped the can remember, Dave. number of pubs in the Good Beer In the centre of Solihull the Golden Guide representing our area. Lion, now The Beech House, was In Warwickshire we voted in The the only Solihull town centre entry. Orange Tree, Chadwick End, which Run by Chris (another surname I was one of the very few Whitbread cannot recall), a beer enthusiast, he pubs in our area selling Flowers looked after his Courage beers well. beers from Stratford. The Naviga- The pub was very popular with the tion Inn in Lapworth was a branch posties from the local sorting office 16 Ember Inns Pub Of The Year 2018

Open from 11.30am Weekdays Close : 11.30 Sunday –Thursday Midnight Friday –Saturday

Hot & cold meals served all week from 12.00 pm to 10.00 pm Brunch now from 10 am weekends

Live Music THE FIELDHOUSE Sat 16 March - Vinyl Revival (Irish Party Night) 10 Knightcote Drive, Sat 30 March - The Fabulous Meatloaf Show Solihull B91 3JU Sat 13 April - Vinyl Revival Tel: 0121 703 9209 Sat 27 April - David Bowie Tribute Night Sat 25 May - The Space Monkey Band www.emberinns.co.uk/the- Fieldhouse, fieldhouse-solihull Solihull Special Offers for CAMRA members. (membership cards must be shown) 7 Real Ales on at all times • 20p discount off a pint of Cask Ale Ember Pale Ale, Proper Job, • 20% off food with a food discount card plus 5 regularly changing guests. • Mother’s day 20% off for pre-bookings All Cask Ales £2.49 a pint on Mondays (must advise you are a member at time of booking) and consisted of three rooms, a that advertised in the ‘85 edition large front bar, lounge and a small was the 1983 Solihull guide men- snug, often used by the Branch for tioned by Allan. We were not to meetings and AGMs. publish another guide until 2003. Our final entry was Bernies Real Ale Steve Dyson Off Licence on Cranmore Boulevard * Editor’s Note. The Beer Orders re- in Shirley with seven beers on tap. stricted the number of tied pubs that Owned by Bernie, she also had a could be owned by large breweries in branch in Acocks Green. It was the United Kingdom to 2,000, and re- eventually sold to two Solihull quired large brewer landlords to allow branch members, Brian and Dave a guest ale to be sourced by tenants Queenborough, and it went from from someone other than their land- strength to strength introducing a lord. The industry responded by spin- ning off purely pub-owning companies whole new range of beers to Soli- ("pubcos"), such as Punch Taverns, En- hull drinkers from all over the coun- terprise Inns, and Admiral Taverns try. from the older brewing-and-owning So there we are. Interesting to note companies (notably Allied Lyons, Bass, and Scottish & Newcastle). 17 Editorial

You can read about the changes to On page 12 of this magazine you the branch following our AGM be- will find an article about the pres- low. In addition to Martin’s words sures that local pubs are under. Un- about Carl Wright, our outgoing fortunately one of our pubs, the Red Chair, I would like to add some of Lion, succumbed in January, but my own. Carl has been extremely many were under pressure, espe- supportive since I joined the com- cially during “Dry January”. Please mittee a couple of years ago. He has support your local pubs by using always handled himself with dignity, them. CAMRA is doing what it can and dealt with others fairly and with through lobbying MPs and other compassion. It is not an easy job to campaigns to reduce the tax and do and he will be missed. If you see rate burden on pub businesses, but him around buy him a pint, he de- they still need our regular patron- serves it! age to survive. Solihull and District CAMRA AGM

The Annual General Meeting saw a Some people may think he was only number of changes within the peo- doing it for the fame – having his ple running the branch. photo on the front cover of almost Most notably, Carl Wright, our Chair every Drinker magazine for the past for ten years stepped down prompt- few years! ing a reshuffle of responsibilities. When he stood down at the AGM, Our new Chair is Martin Buck, and if we presented him with a dozen bot- you are not sure what he looks like tles of beer, a small token of our you can find his picture on page 1. appreciation for all his hard work. Not that he’s disappearing – Carl Martin said “Carl Wright served as still intends to come along to chairman of our branch for a dec- branch meetings, work permitting.” ade, until standing down at the Feb- ruary AGM. Other committee changes included the welcoming of a Vice Chair, Ray As the incoming chairman, I hope Cooke, who also took over as the that’s something to be congratulat- Cider and Perry Officer. Paul Wigley ed rather than commiserated over! was confirmed as the Pubs Officer, It is definitely a notable achieve- the role that he picked up during ment: that’s a huge number of the year, and we also welcome Law- branch and committee meetings rence Loy whose job it is to look presided over, with good humour after our finances as Treasurer. and tolerance. Juggling that with the demands of a job, that often sees We still have some vacancies includ- him working long hours under sig- ing a Press and Publicity Officer and nificant stress, is testimony to Carl’s a Young Members Coordinator. If dedication to CAMRA, and to the you are interested please contact smooth running of the branch. any committee member (page 27). 18 Solihull BID: Best Hospitality and Leisure Venue 2017 and 2018 The White Swan

Opening Hours Sunday to Thursday 07.00 - midnight Friday & Saturday 07.00 - 01.30 Food served until 11pm each day

8 cask Handpulls on at all times including 5 guest 32–34 Station Rd ales from a range of local & national breweries Solihull Wide range of craft beers West Midlands 2 guest ciders also available B91 3SB 0121 711 5180

The Pump House

Opening Times: Sun - Wed: 7.00am - midnight Thurs - Sat: 7.00am - 1.00am Alcohol served from 10.00 am Food available from 7.00am to 11.00pm daily

Unit 1A, Parkgate, Best choice of real ales on 10 hand pumps Stratford Road, Up to 5 guest cask ales from premium Shirley local and national breweries £2.15 a pint 0121 701 5460 5 draught beers off our Craft barrel 2 real ciders on hand pump

19 Pup and Duckling Nominated For Solihull and District CAMRA Cider Pub Of The Year

The Pup and Duckling has been Strongbow kind, is growing with nominated as the best pub in our handpumps springing up all over. branch for real cider during the There are also plans to develop a past year, and goes forward into West Midlands cider trail, which the regional Cider Pub Of The Year would visit pubs in the region which competition, and we wish them luck serve up good real cider. in the regional judging.

As well as the 350 different beers from 135 breweries, Jeff serves up 6 different real ciders at any time, and around 20 in all during 2018. The number of pubs in the region now serving real cider, not the fizzy

Solihull Pubs & Clubs CAMRA Member Discounts Ember Inns (Fieldhouse, Colebrook, Woodmans Rest, Olton Tavern, Red Li- on Knowle) - 20p/ pint except Mondays where all cask ales are £2.49. Fieldhouse additionally gives 20% off food with a discount card available from the bar. For other offers see the advert on page 15. Flute and Flagon gives 10% off real ales (may not applicable when other low price promotions are taking place). The Lyndon give 20p/pint except Thursdays when a pint is £2.70. Also 5% off food for card carrying members. Drum and Monkey, Wharf Tavern, Drawbridge Inn, Boat Inn, Greswolde Arms, give 10% off real ales. Vintage Inns (Red Lion Earlswood) 20p/ pint The Ale Rooms, Knowle 40p/pint or 20p/ half pint Tap and Tandoor, Solihull 10% off a pint of selected Craft Beers. Please note that discounts given to CAMRA members are at the discretion of the licensee, and these may be withdrawn or amended at any time. They are a privilege given to card carrying CAMRA members as a gesture of goodwill. CAMRA believes that no CAMRA member or Branch should ask for, or expect, a discount from any pub or brewery.

Trading Standards contacts: Solihull - www.solihull.gov.uk/tradingstandards Warwickshire - www.warwickshire.gov.uk/contactustradingstandards Citizens Advice Consumer Service phone 03454 040506 20 THE BLUE BELL CIDER HOUSE Warings Green Road Hockley Heath, Warks. B94 6BP Tel. 01564 702328

Opening hours: Monday—Saturday: 11.30am—11.00pm Sunday: 12.00-10.30pm

5 real ales at all times including beers brewed on site. Plus 7 ciders, 4 sparkling & 3 traditional still

Home cooked food with a wide variety of daily specials served Monday - Saturday 12.00 - 8.30pm for main meals Sunday Carvery 12 - 5.00pm Midweek Carvery (Wednesday) 12 - 7.00pm Breakfast served from 9 am Monday - Saturday until 8.30pm Sunday Breakfast from 9 am until 5pm

Keep up to date with what’s on and what’s new at our website: http://www.bluebellciderhouse.org/

Monday - Jam Session (Live Music) Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday - Poker Wednesday Quiz Night

Large car parking area Children & pets welcome Large beer garden with canal views

21 A Drinker’s Tale After a long voyage from Jaipur to the accusingly at the Pedigree dog’s Old Port of St Austell in his Ghost Ship, a Peculier owner. The Abbot, after a Schooner with 12 Guns, Captain Mor- quick prayer to St Miguel, said hey gan, or Old Hooky as he was known, Bud,Weiser men than you know you accompanied by his aptly named com- don’t bring animals into pubs; use panion Dorothy Goodbody, the Black your Brains, Butty Bach. Sheep of the family, negotiated the The Bitter Hobgoblin said he didn’t Doom Bar by the light of the Blue give a Wadworth 6X, as he’d brought Moon and docked at the Shipyard. an Otter, a Badger and a Speckled Hen At 8 Bells, a diminutive Hobgoblin and in before without any problem. The his Punk Dog, Ubu, disembarked and Stout but Mild-mannered landlady, went into the local pub, whereupon Stella, told him that was no Speckled Manns best friend did a Big Job right Hen, that was a Mad Goose, and won- in the middle of the floor. The Land- dered whether he was taking his Pils. lord, a former Bombardier and London Eventually, with the inducement that Porter, went Pale, issued a Titanic his Palm would be greased with Ex- Broadside, and was seen to Spitfire as moor Gold, the Hobgoblin cleared up his London Pride had been dented. the mess. The Landlord gave the Tiny Fresh from a nearby religious conven- Rebel a Guinness and paid Tribute to tion, the Reverend James, lacking Puri- him for doing a Proper Job. ty of thought, swore like a Trooper, Lindsey Butler and the Bishops Finger was pointed

….serving up delicious food, great drinks, & unforgettable experiences

28-30 Station Parade Solihull B91 3SB Tel: 0121 711 3630 www.fluteandflagonsolihull.co.uk

The Flute & Flagon

10% off real ales for 6 hand pumps with Opening Hours card-carrying CAMRA 5 Real Ales & 09.00—23.00 Sun—Thur members * a Traditional (*not valid in conjunction Cider 09.00—24.00 Fri with any other offer) 3 Craft Beers 09.00—01.00 Sat

22 Broomfields Hall Solihull British Legion Club

18 Union Road, Solihull, West Midlands, B91 3DH 0121 705 0742 [email protected]

Snooker Room Bowling Green Three Real Ales Available Three Premium Lagers Home Made Food Daily Ample Parking for 100 Cars

In the centre of Solihull New members welcome £20/year Red Tooth Poker every Wednesday Function Room for Hire Suitable for weddings, birthday parties, or any occasion. Funeral wakes welcome. Further details from the Club Secretary Ben Brannigan

BERNIES REAL ALE OFF LICENCE The best of its kind there is!!!

An ever-changing range of exciting draught beers from season to season—you’re welcome to try before you buy. Now stocking a variety of Craft Ales!

A choice of 350 beers and ciders during the year, available in bottles or on draught. Now stocking an ever increasing range of craft cans. Party barrels to order and supplied for any occasion. Sale or return on sealed goods.

266 Cranmore Boulevard, Shirley, Solihull B90 4PX Tel. 0121 744 2827 Opening Hours: Mondays to Saturdays: 11.00am to 10.00pm Sundays & Bank Holidays: 12 noon to 6.00pm

Wines, aperitifs, and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are also available for all your get-togethers and parties— please come in and talk to us about your requirements and we will always be glad to help. Now also stocking snacks and confectionery.

Choice which cannot be bettered

24 A Surprising Find In Mexico

A recent holiday to Puerto Vallarta about Murphy’s on El Malacon, resulted in a delightful discovery. which had 8 of their beers on tap. The choice of beer at our hotel was It was a fair walk in the direction of Dos Equis lager or “amber lager”, the old town, but finally found it on but a visit to the main town of Puer- the second floor of a 3 story build- to Vallarta revealed more about up ing. The entrance was just to the and coming Mexican brewers. side of “Mister Baiters” (you could- After a bit of shopping we headed n’t make it up!). for the beach and found the El Solar What we actually found bar right on the beach were 14 beers on tap, for a drink. We were just plus other bottled beers expecting a local lager including an Imperial but at the bar I noticed Stout. There were actu- beers by “El Terrible” ally 7 El Terrible beers, brewing company. They plus 7 from Colima. We had a pilsner, pale ale, wheat beer, tried the El Terrible Red Ale and the and a stout on draught, and others Colima White IPA. This looked like a including a porter in bottles. Pleas- lager, but as a 6.5% IPA it was a antly surprised we had a taste of lovely pint. We finished with a them all, and a pint of the pale ale Negra Modela Amber beer from Co- and the stout which were really lima, having found that the good. We wanted to try the El Terri- “Abizmal” Imperial Stout was out of ble porter but there was none left, stock. so had a Mexican Ticus porter instead. At 50 pesos a pint (£2) it was Beers here were 75 pesos apart good value indeed. from the Imperial Stout at 110. With real chips as well this one is worth We were told that the brewer is a visit. This definitely was the “fun Mexican, but travelled to Canada to side of the wall”. David Cove learn his craft. The barman told us The Solihull Drinker is the quarterly newslet- Advertise Your Business ter of the Solihull & District Branch of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale. Views expressed Here With Us in the Drinker are not necessarily those of the Branch or CAMRA. Contributions, comments and We distribute nearly 3,000 copies of the well advertising enquiries should be read Drinker out to pubs, around Solihull, sent to Solihull Drinker Editor, 2 Warwickshire, and parts of Birmingham. Dunton Hall Road, Shirley, Solihull This gives you the opportunity to put your B90 2RA; or via email to business in front of people who are in the [email protected] habit of visiting pubs and restaurants. Printed by Thistle Print Ltd, Leeds You don’t have to be a pub or restaurant to Solihull CAMRA 2019© advertise. The Editor has the right to amend or shorten any items in the newsletter, but will always honour the spirit & intention For details on rates, and help in producing of the contribution. your advert, please contact the Editor. 25

RESERVED FOR PURITY (FULL PAGE ADVERT:)

Page 26 Purity Brewery Tours A5 Flyer_NEW_2.pdf

26 Membership Matters

We have recently seen a quite few new ing to our local pubs, trying their real ale, members of Solihull & District CAMRA and then rating our pubs using our new branch attending their first meeting or online voting system. All of the pubs in- social, and taking advantage of the free cluded in the guide have been voted in by pint incentive we offer to all new mem- CAMRA members actually visiting the bers. The free pint ticket is redeemable at pubs. Join the Campaign, and have your their first branch meeting. chance to vote for the best real ales pubs There is no time limit, so if you come and clubs in and around the Solihull area. along this month or in 12 months time CAMRA members receive a monthly news- the free pint voucher is still valid. All new letter called “What’s Brewing”, with arti- Solihull CAMRA members are sent a wel- cles on what’s happening within CAMRA come letter from myself which contains and the real ale scene nationally, a very the free pint voucher. nice quarterly informative magazine titled We would still like to see more new faces, “Beer”, which has many interesting articles so I’m calling on all new members or with colour photographs covering a wide members who have never been to a meet- range of topics from breweries to bottled ing or social event to come along and see beers. Both of these are available to for yourself. I believe that we as a branch download to your devices so you are able are a friendly group and you will be made to read them at a time or place to suit most welcome whilst enjoying a pint with yourself. You can also opt in to receive other like minded real ale or cider drink- paper copies. ers. A list of our branch events is on page You will also get free or reduced entry to 4, or go to www.solihull.camra.org.uk. the many beer festivals organised by local Recently some of our branch have been CAMRA branches all over the country, out and about visiting local pubs which £20 worth of J.D. Wetherspoon Real Ale/ have been nominated for inclusion in the Cider vouchers, as well as many other next issue of the GBG (Good Beer Guide). great money saving deals. Visit As a branch we would like to see more www.camra.org.uk for details of the dif- members rating our real ale pubs, so that ferent types of memberships available. we can put the best real ale pubs that So come on ,what are you waiting for. Join Solihull & District has to offer into the up, Join in, Join the Campaign GBG. Why not join CAMRA and help us out Dave Mckowen, Membership Secretary next year in the really pleasant job of go-

Useful Contact Numbers Cider and Perry/ Vice Chair Chair/ Beer Festival Ray Cooke 01564 777890 Martin Buck 01564 770708 Pubs Campaigning/Socials Secretary Paul Wigley 07402 312457 Allan Duffy 01564 200431 Treasurer Membership Lawrence Loy email on website Dave Mckowen 01564 778955 Solihull Drinker Editor David Cove 0121 603 6057

Solihull Drinker Issue No. 87 Solihull CAMRA 2019© Printed by Thistle Print Ltd, Leeds. The 88th edition of the Solihull Drinker will be published on Monday 3rd June 2019. Please note that the deadline for copy, advertising and any other contributions for this issue is Friday 3rd May. Thank you in advance to all contributors. 27

RESERVED FOR CAMRA MEMBERSHIP (FULL PAGE ADVERT:)

Page 32 CAMRA Recruitment A5 Advert 1