MerseyAle CAMRA LIVERPOOL AND DISTRICTS MAGAZINE SPRING 2012 FREE

"This real ale goes down well"

Inside: Liverpool CAMRA National Membership Initiative award of the Year ManxAle

Photograph Neil Lloyd Circulation 11000 www.liverpoolcamra.org.uk email: [email protected] www.liontavern.com The MerseyAle CAMRA Liverpool and Districts Branch

MerseyAle Editor Lion Tavern John Armstrong 67 Moorfields Liverpool L2 2BP Telephone 0151 236 1734 MerseyAle Contacts The Lion Tavern (Grade II Listed) is Liverpool’s FOOD Comments/news/letters/photos See the board for [email protected] finest Edwardian Pub. It is an extravaganza of selection of good etched glass, carved wood and beautiful tiling. value food from our new MerseyAle Advertising It has a wonderful ornate wood carved bar plus menu Cost - Full page £200 two cosy side rooms one with a fantastic Half page £100 Welcome to MerseyAle stained glass dome. The Lion Tavern is an QUIZ NIGHT Contact award winning pub serving excellent cask every Tuesday [email protected] at 9.30pm conditioned ales, cider and a large selection of and ManxAle the finest malt whiskies. You can also enjoy a BOARD GAME MerseyAle fine selection of tasty food from our new menu. (back copies on line) CLUB www.merseyale.com National Award for Liverpool Save the Pub group which Meet every Monday at CAMRA includes CAMRA, is battling to 6.00pm Liverpool and Districts CAMRA Our lead story is the success of Save the British Pub and its part in ACOUSTIC Main Branch Contact Liverpool CAMRA in winning community and national life. HANDPUMPS Jean Pownceby the first CAMRA National supply a varied selection of prize NIGHT [email protected] Membership Initiative award Matters are being made worse by winning Real Ales (including at least one Second Thursday of the (story page 4). The judges were the Coalition Government’s Beer Month 8pm Contact for Socials and Escalator policy which raises duty locally brewed ale) plus hand pulled Cider impressed with the innovation 8 Coach Trips only shown by Liverpool CAMRA’s by 2% above the rate of inflation. BOB DYLAN Ian MacAdam 07521 741 586 Bringing New People to Real Ale CAMRA urges you to sign the on SOCIETY Campaign and its success in line Prime Minister petition to Meets first Thursday of Liverpool Branch Chair attracting new people to real ale Stop the Escalator (see page 21). Over 80 Malt The Liverpool Pub of the Year is the Month 8.30pm Geoff Edwards with many going on to join the Roscoe Head, one of the MEET THE BREWER [email protected] CAMRA. In the judges’ opinion Whiskies Liverpool CAMRA ticked all the Magnificent Seven of British Third Thursday of the The Lion Tavern has one of the largest Web Sites boxes for the four Award that have been in EVERY edition Month 8pm selections of malt whisky on Liverpool and Districts criteria, activation of members, of the Good Beer Guide (that’s POETRY GET CAMRA Branch communication, retention of since 1974) – see story page 5. And www.liverpoolcamra.org.uk members and innovation. what’s more it’s in Liverpool the TOGETHER Real Ale Pubs Capital of Britain. Fourth Thursday of the QR Codes page 55 Liverpool is blessed with a very Month 8pm Liverpool CAMRA is no stranger Isle of Man CAMRA Branch to national awards, having in special array of real ale pubs. V6 Adventure www.isleofmancamra.org.uk previous years won the National Newsletter of the Year Award and So visit the Roscoe Head, and join Club CAMRA national site Meet every Wednesday most Improved Newsletter CAMRA on page 53 and help the www.camra.org.uk at 8.00pm Award, whilst the Liverpool fight for the British pub !! Historic Pubs Guide won an Cover Lion Tavern Award for Local Pub Guides. The Giant Sea Odyssey Uncle Liverpool CAMRA is a loking for a pint of real ale Beer campaigning branch which Photograph by Neil Lloyd actively promotes real ale Festival and pubs. WEEKLY Thurs 31st May to Thurs 7th June LOCALE See Board Sunday 3rd June - All Real Ale So join us TODAY !!! Page 53 for future and Cider Just £2.95 a pint Pubs are under threat as never Real Ales “One of the Hundred before (page 23), not least from the rapacious demands of the PubCos, Best Pubs in the The opinions expressed in MerseyAle are not Sean and Michael would like to welcome customers country” necessarily those of the Editor, the CAMRA with the result that 12 community John Armstrong Editor old and new to the Lion Tavern Daily Telegraph Liverpool Branch or CAMRA Ltd. pubs are closing every week. The

PUB OF EXCELLENCE 2011 BEST QUALITY ALE 2006 CASK MARQUE CAMRA NATIONAL INVENTORY PUB 3 Liverpool camra Snowball Bringing New People to Real Ale Campaign Gains National Membership Initiative Awar d A National Gem pub environment, thereby supporting Liverpool pubs and overcoming stereotypes that pubs were not for them. The Roscoe Head The events have had a significant effect in changing Roscoe Street Liverpool the image of CAMRA in the eyes of many people, City Centre demonstrating that it is not a drinking club but a surroundings. I could stay here always a pleasure to visit your pub.” One of Britains’s Magnificent Seven welcoming campaign doing activities to welcome all day.” Carol, a former manager of the pubs has won the 2012 Liverpool Adrian Tierney – Jones in the Daily new people and to promote real ale and pubs with opulent Philharmonic pub up the CAMRA Pub of the Year Award. The Telegraph Saturday 8th October road, took over in 1997 after her an extensive programme of campaign activities and Roscoe Head is one of only seven 2011 parents, Nicholas and Margaret Joyce, social events. As the national publicity states – very pubs nationwide that have been in Much of this is due to the care and hung up their aprons. much a Campaign of Two Halves. EVERY Edition of CAMRA’s Good dedication shown over the last thirty Beer Guide (that is since 1974). The The results speak for themselves with a steady flow years by Carol’s family who have “I’m absolutely delighted at winning pub is a National Gem and is a run the pub throughout this time pub of the year,” she said. “Who of new members especially women and young Pictured: John Armstrong (Vice Chair) with Jean Pownceby (Branch classic example of a Liverpool and maintained the high standards wouldn’t be? Contact) from Liverpool Branch accepting the Membership Initiative people, including a significant number of joint special characteristic, a small local for us all to enjoy. It is a testament to “We’ve won it in my parents’ day. But Award; Keith Spencer (National Membership Secretary); Ian Stringer memberships. pub that is in the City Centre. the value of commitment and in my day it’s always been a runner- (Chair Branch) accepting Initiative Award on behalf Elsewhere in the country these small of his Branch. A further innovation has been the Discovering continuity in the pub trade. up. Until now.” pubs have disappeared through What’s so good about it, I asked. CAMRA events targeted at new and prospective redevelopment but happily in Liverpool CAMRA is the first winner of the new “The clientele,” she said, after a pause. members, designed to inform them in a social pub Liverpool they remain, adding great prestigious CAMRA National Award for Membership “The good beer. And the standards – setting of what CAMRA is doing in Liverpool and character to the city centre. Innovation. The award was announced and Alistair Houghton of the Liverpool the cleanliness.” nationally and how they can become involved. presented to Branch representatives Jean Pownceby Yet that is not the reason the Roscoe Echo attended the event and below Sensing her hesitation, a The Award submission report can be read on the Head has won this prestigious and John Armstrong at the CAMRA National AGM are extracts from his article; neighbouring drinker couldn’t resist Branch website www.liverpoolcamra.org.uk and award. Nor is the fact that licensee “CAROL ROSS was lost for words and Members Weekend held in Torquay. chipping in. information on future Bringing New People to Real Carol Ross has been in the vanguard when asked what made her petite “It’s got its own unique ambience,” Announcing the Award CAMRA National nationally of the fight for fair Ale events is available by email from pub so special. Luckily, her regulars said Carl Davis, who visits regularly Membership Director Keith Spencer reported that treatment of licensees by the [email protected] were happy to do the talking. to savour its friendly quietness. Liverpool and Districts Branch stood out for meeting PubCos. Just as landlady Carol Ross was “There’s no telly blaring down.” all the award’s four criteria of activation of members, The pub features seven real ales telling me about her family’s three Carol added: “There’s no music here, communication , retention of members and including changing guests and two decades in charge at the Roscoe and people like it that way. When we regular beers, Tetley’s Bitter and innovation. Notable for innovation was the Head, Niall Bannon walked over, did a refurb a few years ago, we gave unusually for Liverpool, Jennings beaming, and handed her a Liverpool Branch campaign Bringing New people to customers the option of having music. Bitter from Cockermouth in congratulatory card. They gave us a firm no.” Real Ale , (AKA Snowball Campaign) and its success in . Third pint measures are connecting with and engaging women and young available and you can sample three “Not only do you consistently serve Alistair Houghton Liverpool Echo the best drinks in Liverpool,” he had people, two groups that CAMRA nationally is keen to different beers for the price of a pint. May 3rd 2012 The reasons for the Award are the written, “but it is also done with recruit. quality of the real ale served and the professionalism and friendliness. It is The first event was held in January 2011 with a total pub environment, both of Womens’ Real Ale Tasting evening held at the “The Snowball Team with Award. John, Helen, Jean and Jan.” which are exemplary. A fine Liverpool Pub of the Year for 2010 and 2011, the ambassador for Liverpool. Few who come here will be disappointed, a Dispensary Renshaw Sreet . This was fully fact demonstrated by the glowing subscribed with others on a waiting list. Since then Liverpool CAMRA has above the write ups in the Daily Telegraph Pint a further fourteen events have been held including national CAMRA to Pint column and CAMRA’s Great British Pubs book. events for young people and new members. average for the These have been reported in each edition of number of I could stay here all day MerseyAle and can be read on line on young people “There is an indefinable sense of www.liverpoolcamra.org.uk in membership comfort about this space. I tune in A related aim of the events has been to encourage and out of the conversation but also find myself melting into the new people to visit the pub and enjoy real ale in a Liverpool CAMRA Branch Chair Geoff Edwards presents the Liverpool Pub of traditional and comforting the Year Award to licensee Carol Ross 4 5 Liverpool camra Bringing New People to Real Ale Preview Tasting Event for Women and Young People at Beer Festival MerseyAle news pub featuring four handpumps The pub was officially opened on Believe it or not, there are still were both very enthusiastically members. A most enjoyable Liverpool Real Ale serving Black Sheep and April 17th by the last projectionist many people in Liverpool who are received and, during the latter evening was had by all and our Outlet Tide Flows On Bombardier as regular beers and to work at the cinema. In more not aware of our annual CAMRA stage, Anne was able to engage thanks to brewer Steve Briscoe and Four New Outlets Open In April two guests which at opening recent years it was a furniture store. Liverpool Beer Festival. Many have with individuals and small groups staff for their “peerless” hospitality. included Newman’s Red Stag. For the opening Moorhouses Liverpool has seen yet more real ale never even tried real ale! To help to answer specific questions and There is also a good range of foreign brewed a special 4.5% beer called outlets opening both in the City rectify these gaps in some people’s inspire further interest in beer and bottled beers. Buses 60,61, 68, X1 appropriately “Old Projectionist”. Centre, and pleasingly in the lifestyle, it was decided to hold a the brewing process. and the very frequent 82 stop close There is scope for more stress on the outlying suburbs of Aigburth, special preview event the night by. (report by Tony Williams). history of the building and its Waterloo and Maghull, with a total before the festival opened to the Beer of Merseyside cinema links. of four new pubs opening their public. This built on the success of Competition Inn Liverpool Renshaw Street It is also pleasing to see that the pub doors to real ale in April alone. last year’s Bringing New People An innovation for the 2012 Festival In the City Centre Inn Liverpool is mainly staffed by local people, to Real Ale Campaign , which was a competition inviting people has opened at 1 Renshaw Street which is a deliberate policy. The Wetherspoons account for two of introduced many women and to select a Beer of Merseyside. All opposite the former Lewis’s pub location is next door to the Old these as part of their national policy young people to real ale for the first Merseyside brewers were invited to building. Describing itself as “a Bank and a few yards from Stamps of opening 50 new outlets a year. time and, it appears, converted submit one beer for the competition Beer Emporium” the bar of this Too, plus the Marine and the them! We asked those people to People at the Preview had the independent pub is dominated by Volunteer Canteen are a short walk think of friends and people they opportunity to choose the ‘Beer of foreign keg beer fonts. The four away, so there is a ready made pub. know for whom real ale and the Merseyside’ . Samples of one beer real ale hand pumps are around the crawl from Waterloo station. festival experience would be new, from each of the nine Merseyside side of the bar and not in direct line (Report by Helen McCall) and bring them along to the event. breweries - Liverpool Organic, Peerless brewer Steve Briscoe (R) with of sight. One is for cider and the Liverpool CAMRA Chairman Geoff others for changing guests CAMRA Southport Beer Festival Liverpool Craft, Liverpool One, Edwards It wasn’t ‘the full Monty’ Liverpool Wapping and Cains, George including LocAles, with Liverpool 2012 New Venue and Dates Beer Festival as the preview event Wright, Peerless and Brimstage Organic being an early example. Thursday 25th to Saturday 27th lasted only two hours and there from the Wirral, and Southport - More Events There is a large range of foreign October 2012 was a limited range of beers on There will be more Bringing New bottled beers. (Report by Tony were given and people were asked The Frank Hornby (see page 33) in The Sandgrounder Southport Beer offer. Obviously the priority was to People to Real Ale events coming Williams). to consider the appearance and Eastway, Maghull and the Queen’s Festival is moving to a new venue have the full range in top condition up and we hope that our festival aroma of the beer as well as the all Picture House in South Road, the St john’s Ambulance Centre for the paying customers over the newcomers will be spreading the important taste and aftertaste. This Waterloo opened on the same day – Queen’s Picturehouse Waterloo Wright Street ( 3 minutes walk from next three days. But it proved to be word and encouraging others to get stimulated a buzz of conversation see stories below. These follow The Queen’s Picture House in South Southport railway station) with a great success, with over 100 involved too. We call this the as views were exchanged about the new Wetherspoons the Road, Waterloo is a few yards from new dates – see above. women and young people ‘Snowball’ effect (see Page 4) and the beers, and several people Watchmaker in Prescot and the the Waterloo Southport to line attending and giving very positive in just over 12 months, it has commented afterwards what a Barker’s Brewery in Huyton, which Merseyrail station and main CAMRA St Helens Beer Festival feedback about their new brought almost 200 new people to good introduction it had been to opened last year. bus stops. Manager Mark Lythgoe, Thursday 22nd to Saturday 24th experience. real ale as it really encouraged real ale in Liverpool. previously at Liverpool November 2012 them to think about what they were The Old Bank Aigburth Vale Wetherspoons pubs, Blacklers, the New dates for Festival. See page 11 Highlight – the Hawkshead Jean Pownceby Welkin and the Merton, Bootle, is drinking. They then gave each beer At 301 Aigburth Vale the Old Bank for St Helens News. keen to promote real ale, and Brewery Guided Tasting an overall score out of 10. in the former Martin’s Bank especially LocAle. Brimstage, The highlight of the evening was a building has opened opposite the Ship in a Bottle Sails into Southport, George Wright, presentation by Anne Jones from Winner – Peerless Storr junction with Jericho Lane and the West Kirby Moorhouses, Peerless and Cains Hawkshead Brewery. Anne The winner was Peerless Storr bus stops. This is good news for New Beer Shop Opens beers will be well represented. captivated her audience with a with an average score of 8.2. A South Liverpool drinkers especially Following the success of the first During his period at the Merton, short history of the brewery and a presentation was made at the since the Fullwood Arms on Ship in a Bottle beer shop in Mark increased the sale of real ale simple but comprehensive brewery some weeks later, Aigburth Road dropped selling real Liverpool Whitechapel, owners the from 200 to 900 pints a week. He is description of the brewing process, attended by some of those who had ale some time ago. The Old Bank is Ship and Mitre have taken the step also intending to have a monthly followed by an opportunity to voted, alongside other CAMRA also within walking distance or a of opening a second shop – this time “Meet the Brewer” event. sample tasters of four very different short bus ride on the 61 of the very in West Kirby on the Wirral. beers and to match these with successful Pi Bar on Rose Lane The CAMRA corner is very Located at 40 Grange Road opposite cheeses and, in one case, chocolate! which is located close to Mossley prominent to the right of one of the the West Kirby railway station, the The presentation and sampling Hill station. main doors, and Mark is keen to shop which is also named the Ship and Bottle, is handily placed for The Old Bank is an independent promote CAMRA membership.

6 7 F Welcome to the www.vernonarms.co.uk MerseyAle news continued passengers coming off the train and to Mossley Hill station and on the is near to The Crescent, the main 61 and 80 bus routes, has responded shopping street. It is also within to its runaway success by yards of the Dee Hotel Verno nAr ms Wetherspoon pub, and a five Cheers from Jimmy and Barbara Monaghan minute walk up the hill to the GBG The Vernon Arms, Dale Street, Liverpool listed White Lion pub with its extensive rear sun trap garden, so you can visit the shop and then make a day of it ! Handpumps (4 Ever-changing) The shop was formerly the Hilbre Liverpool Craft Brewery beers. 6 Off Sales and before that Thresher Regulars: Rev James & Johnnie Handsome You may wish to drop in on the way so has a history as an off license.. It to or from the nearby Philharmonic is much larger than the Whitechapel expanding into the next door shop I Guest Ciders I Big screen football (pub or Hall). branch and will be offering a larger unit. Pi’s popularity has been such I Belgian bottled beers I Private functions range of beers with a similar theme that most evenings it has been full The Liverpool 1 Bridewell I of British real ales, German, Belgian and standing. The new space will Food Mon-Thurs 12- catered (Lathom Lounge) is now trading under the sole and other world beers plus a range be warmly welcomed by those keen I ownership of one of the previous 7pm, Fri- Sun 12-4pm 10% student discount of ciders. An unusual feature will to enjoy the three changing real ales directors. There are currently three Check out Great Meal Deals off food menu be a franchised counter selling and real cider, alongside a wide traditional sweets such as boiled range of world bottled and keg sweets. beers. MerseyAle will report in The Vernon Arms offers all of the above in a friendly and safe atmosphere plus: The new shop will offer the four future editions about the new look bottles for £10 offers and will also Pi Bar. Live entertainment Friday and Saturday stock a larger range of strong beers. The Old Paraffin Oil Shop on Opening Times Mon-Thurs 11-11.30pm; Fri & Sat 11.30-2am depending on The Waverley Newsagents Edge Lane, near Old Swan, has customer demand; Sun 12-11pm Tel: 0151 236 6132 Banks Road West Kirby been converted to offices. The pub that had not served real ale for Sells Liverpool Organic and years. The Gardeners Arms at the Peerless bottled beers plus a good top of Broadgreen Road is still range of fine wines. You can closed and up for sale. No doubt combine this with a visit to the this may be another pub loss. It handpumps, but hopefully this will Hilbre Court real ale pub about five increase soon. minutes walk along Banks Road. The Yates's on Allerton Road, Freshield Hotel Freshfield Mossley Hill has been rebranded as The long running saga of Greene the John Brodie, in a similar style to King’s attempts to convert the the William Gladstone in town. Up area’s last remaining popular to three ales can be available, community pub into a gastro pub usually from national brands. ignoring strong community opposition, appears to have been could have made a good pub for a The Font, opposite the entrance to defeated. GK have announced that company like Wetherspoons, but the Metropolitan Cathedral, now the plans have been postponed and they already have a couple of usually has beers from Liverpool that work planned to start at the outlets not far away. Organic Brewery (LOB). The end of May will not now proceed. Blackburne Arms on Catherine The new licensee is making great Also now closed and boarded up is Street is also another outlet for LOB. strides with the real ales and is the Royal Oak on Park Road . A third LOB outlet nearby is the dramatically increasing the sales, Admiral Taverns are advertising for Grapes at the corner of Knight So take a trip on the Southport train a new tenant. Perhaps if real ale was Street and Roscoe Street. This pub and combine a walk on the supplied the pub may have better has also stocked Tatton Brewery Fisherman’s path to the sand dunes trade? beers recently. or a visit to the red squirrel reserve. Another victory for People Power !! The Gardeners Arms Woolton Refurbishment is now completed The Abbey on Hanover Street has been offering CAMRA members a The Pi Bar Rose Lane Mossley pint for £1.50. Up the road the Hill Expands The Clove Hitch restaurant on Central and Commercial is now The success story of South Hope Street has two hand pumps, and welcomes customers just to offering beers from Moorhouses as Liverpool, the Pi Bar, winner of the well as the normal Thwaites. Liverpool CAMRA Newcomer of drink in the bar area. The beers are the Year Award 2011, which is close usually LocAles and has included 8 9 The Refurbished Georgian Quarter St Helens CAMRA News Caledonia Community Pub St Helens CAMRA Revamp offer with good reported sales. A new Branch Committee is Elsewhere in the Town Centre driving forward an exciting The Olde England also sells real HANDPUMPS cider whilst in Prescot your best programme of activities both 4 The Watch Maker. Taylors Golden Best social and campaigning. A new bet would be plus 3 changing Guest Beers from email newsletter has been launched which is sent to St Helens Pub News Micro and Regional Breweries members who have supplied an The Ship Inn in Rainhill is now email address. The news below offering a 20p discount per pint Live Music is taken from the June edition. to card carrying CAMRA Friday & Sunday members. In Rainford The Friday 25th May – St Helens Junction (opposite the railway Loose Moose Bluegrass CAMRA Awards Night station on the line from Kirkby) We held our annual awards has been sold and is undergoing Sundays fortnightly at 8pm presentation night in our Pub of a refurbishment. When it the Year, the Duke of reopens (probably early May) it FOOD Homemade FUNCTION Cambridge, celebrating the will have its own George Wright Meals Mon -Fri 12- wonderful array of pubs we beer and a much greater focus 3pm Sat & Sun 12-6 ROOM have in our area. on cask ales. Available for hire Dave Watts MP agreed to be our The Smithy Heritage Centre in special guest and all members Eccleston are planning to have a Catharine Street Tel 0151 708 0235 Open 12 – 11 Sun – Thurs; 12 -12 Fri and Sat were urged to attend this very beer and brewing exhibition Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/caledonialiverpool enjoyable event. over the summer. Opening times Sat-Mon 12-12, Tues - Thurs 12-11 Friday 12 - 1pm Dates for St Helens Beer St Helens Diary Festival Committee/ Beer Festival– Sportsmans The dates have been selected as Wednesday 23rd Thursday 22nd to Saturday 24th May Start 8pm Seven Stars November 2012. Branch– Wednesday If you would like to help plan 13th May Start 8pm the Festival come along to the Committee/ Beer Festival– Wheatsheaf Festival Planning meetings Mill Lane contact Wednesday 27th June Start 8pm Clock Face [email protected] Branch– Prescot Please get in touch if you want Tuesday July 10th Start 8pm TBC to know the time of the next meeting or you want to sponsor a barrel or help in any other way and we would be delighted to Tell Us What You have your support and Think assistance. What’s happening at your St Helens Cider Pub of the Year local? The Turks Head What do you think about The Turks Head has won the St the Helens Cider Pub of the Year St Helens Real Ale scene? Award. What do want to see St Real cider is popping up more Helens CAMRA do? and more on the bars around Let us know what you St Helens. The best place to think. Contact us with start may well be this year’s your thoughts, views and cider pub of the year The Turks suggestions at Head or last year’s winner The [email protected] Glasshouse . The Phoenix also currently has 3 local ciders on

10 11 THE DISPENSARY BBrreewweerr yynneewwss Liverpool CAMRA Peerless win Beer of Pub of the Year 2010 & 2011 Merseyside at the Liverpool Beer Festival 2012 'Storr' is a pale and hoppy cask pilsner. The name Storr' is derived from the old Norse word meaning great or strong.

Using specialist lager yeast and brewing vessels, Storr undergoes a slow fermentation process, followed by a month of cold conditioning to allow the clean, crisp flavours to develop.

Though Continental in style, Storr gains its fresh citrus hop finish and pleasant malt backbone solely from the use of UK-grown lager malt & Sovereign hedgerow hops. 4.8% ABV Laboratory is now finished and Liverpool and Calcutta were Dispensary - equipped with analysis tools and once inextricably linked as the two Supporting Local Beers Liverpool microscope. largest ports in the world. Craft Brewery Staff kitchen and canteen are now “There was huge trade between the Introduce their operational. cities so creating a Calcutta Pale Ale latest craft beer This now gives LOB a theoretical was a natural choice and the design American Red weekly production capacity of 75 of the can reflects the beautiful sari (5.0% A.B.V) It barrels = 300 nines = 2,700 gallons = fabric which is part of Calcutta’s The Dispensary provides a varied and has a complex 21,600 pints. colourful heritage.” interesting selection of real ales from grain bill, and Brewery tours are expected to is packed full commence in June/July. See www. Cains brewery has a long history of the best Micro Brewers in the country. of American liverpoolorganicbrewery.com for supporting responsible drinking hops. Keep a You will be surprised at the choice details. initiatives. It was the first UK look out for it. brewery to put a responsible Liverpool Liverpool brewery Cains has drinking message on its products A Warm Welcome to the Dispensary (CAMRA Liverpool & Districts Pub Organic created a lower alcohol (2.8%) long before other brands opted to of the Year 2010 and 2011) from Pauline, Dave and all their staff Brewery Calcutta Pale Ale exclusively for do the same. Two new Tesco. fermenting Tesco buyer Chiara Nesbitt Up vessels A total of 300 stores added: “Cains Calcutta Pale will now stock To arrived Ale is exactly what we were May 15, one the distinctive two open 12.5 tone can, inspired by looking for. It has a fantastic Beers barrel and one closed 12.5 barrel the intricate design of brand presence on the shelf 8 (combination vessel which can also green, purple and gold thanks to the beautiful design be used to make cask lager). saris. and traditional cloudy cider on the can, as well as offering A new second cold room is almost finished, with a cooler being Cains’ joint managing Tesco customers a choice in installed next very soon. director Sudarghara terms of price and alcohol RENSHAW STREET, LIVERPOOL Dusanj explained: Meeting room (boardroom) is now content”. (Formerly The Grapes) 0151 709 2160 “The fortunes of decorated and furnished.

13 LocAle 3 Rotating Cask Beers Celebration plus one Moorhouses on 4th March 2012 permanently Liverpool and Districts first Large selection of World Beers launched its LocAle scheme in Stamps Too in Waterloo 3 years Warm and Friendly ago, so it was fitting that we Atmosphere should return here to celebrate the scheme and introduce both Free Juke Box regulars and CAMRA members to the delights of locally brewed 1-3 Sir Thomas Street L1 beer. LocAle is a national CAMRA about the benefits the scheme attended the event would agree it has brought to the pub since it was a night of great beer in great Opening Times 11.00am - 11.00pm Mon - Fri scheme aimed at promoting local breweries thereby supporting became the first LocAle Pub in condition served in a friendly and 11.00am - 12.00pm Sat Local communities and also the Merseyside in 2009. Finally welcoming atmosphere – very environment by reducing the CAMRA Chairman Geoff Edwards much a success! One final thank number of miles beer travels. The spoke about the success of the you to Frank for letting us take Mayor of Sefton Cllr Paul Liverpool and District LocAle over his pub for the evening and Cummins was on hand to launch scheme which now covers some for providing a top notch buffet. the celebrations a real ale 36 pubs. Both Pub Regulars and Statue CAMRA members alike were then For more information on LocAle commissioned supporter and CAMRA member, by Tom Murphy he began by making a short invited to try some local beers please visit our LocAle webpage speech praising the scheme and from a wide range which included www.liverpoolcamra.org.uk the support it provides for both ales from Liverpool Organic local breweries and landlords (which was born in this very pub), alike. Stamps Too Manager Frank Southport, Brimstage and George Parratt was also on hand to talk Wright . I think most people who

LocAle Pubs around Merseyside Lion Tavern City Centre Lord Warden City Centre Southport Golden Augustus John City Centre Navigator Old Swan There are 3 Baltic City Centre Sands, George hand pumps Philharmonic Hall (NOT the Pub) City Centre Wright and the Belvedere City Centre Picturedrome Kensington Blackburne Arms City Centre Famous Draught serving a Raven Walton Vale Cains Brewery Tap City Centre Bass plus variety of Richard John Blackler City Centre Caledonia City Centre Richmond City Centre 3 rotating Local and Cat & Fiddle Bootle Guest Ales Roscoe Head City Centre Regional Ales Childwall Fiveways Queens Drive Stamps Crosby Dispensary City Centre We are one of the least Stamps Too Waterloo The Richmond is a Dr Duncans City Centre expensive pubs in The Grapes (Roscoe St) City Centre traditional family-run pub Wavertree The Hub City Centre Liverpool. So come in the heart of the city Fall Wel l City Centre The Merton Bootle centre and has been inside and enjoy a good Font City Centre The Old Bank Waterloo trading as a pub for over pint in a friendly local Frank Hornby Maghull Thomas Frost Kirkdale a hundred years. atmosphere Head of Steam City Centre Thomas Rigby City Centre Kelly's Dispensary Wavertree Vernon Arms City Centre THE RICHMOND 32 WILLIAMSON STREET L1 1EB THE LORD WARDEN ROAD Lime Kiln City Centre Ye Cracke City Centre

14 15 The Willow Bank Revisited

Wonderful early 19th Century Public House with 6Handpumps Serving a varying range of Real Ales Plus a Real Cider REGULAR ALE THWAITES “HUNDRED BEST PUBS in the COUNTRY” 0151 709 4171 2010 2011 Daily Telegraph 12-11.30 midnight Fri & Sat Have a drink in John Lennon’s Old Watering Hole

The Crow ’s Nest It is around three years since The original MerseyAle featured the Willow Willow Bank 63 Victoria Rd, Crosby. 0151 924 6953 Bank on Smithdown Road. At that was a coaching time it won a Liverpool CAMRA inn that opened Merseyrail - Blundellsands & Crosby station - 10 min walk Community Pub award and with in the 1700s that in mind a revisit was although the Four Regular overdue. Often when visiting a current building The Willow Bank 1920’s pub it is handy to know a little dates from around 1860. Its local history. customers then are likely to for the selection of real-ales it Real Ales have been from amongst the offers to a wide breadth of During the expansion of railway workers. customers, including young and constantly drinkers who need a choice away Liverpool in the nineteenth The Willow Bank today still changing Guest Ales century families and workers from lagers. The pub, once attracts customers from diverse famous for its wood panelling moved from the overcrowded city origins; all enjoying an impressive Beers from breweries all over the country! centre as new housing districts and crimson carpets has choice of real ales. Usually seven undergone many refittings. The The Crow’s Nest is a charming grade II listed were developed. Public houses real-ales are available at that catered for the growing carpets and much of the panelling building with a cosy bar, tiny snug and comfortable weekends and perhaps four went in the early 1990s and the populations were built. The area midweek, regular beers are lounge. You’ll enjoy a warm welcome and great at that time known as Toxteth 2011 refit has further altered the beer in this beautiful old pub. served from such as lounge, however in terms of beer Park became home to a large Bays, Mordue, Anglo-Dutch, number of railway workers based choice the WB is always worth a Harvestoun and Skinners, and at Edge Hill and Crown Street visit and offers 10% off real-ales Voted Best Community Pub 2004/5 are always in fine condition. Pub of Excellence 2002/3 stations and there was a large on Tuesdays. Welsh population in the area that In CAMRA terms the Willow Above awards from Liverpool and districts CAMRA. Recommended in the Good Beer Guide worked in the construction of Bank has become one of its most terraced houses. important non-city centre pubs Steve Berks

16 17 The the bridge end First Welsh pub Belvedere to win Traditional 2 room community pub Grade II Listed situated in the heart of Liverpool’s Georgian Quarter. Winner CAMRA’s of CAMRA pub of culture 2011 National Cask Ales from Local and Regional Brewers Pub of One minut e from Philharmonic Hall Ideal for pre-show drinks the Year! The Only Liverpool Pub with Lined Glasses for Cask and Revived village local, Bridge pub’s interior, and for introducing an quality beer range full of choice, the European Lagers End Inn, , scoops extensive real ale and cider range. pub in a short space of time has Higsons is Back! CAMRA national title Now serving 7 real ales and a become revered across Britain by selection of local ciders at any one many beer lovers. I offer my personal Come and try it at Football Free Zone No Fruit Machines Pubs from , time, the pub has stocked real ales congratulations to the Bridge End Inn the Belvedere Real Fires and make up other from over 100 breweries since for such rapid progression in taking Real Conversation finalists opening, with a particular emphasis CAMRA’s national pub title.’ Enjoy our Beer on local produce. As well as acting as Garden area Food Available The Bridge End Inn beat 3 other WINNER: Bridge End Inn, 5 Bridge the brewery tap for McGivern Ales, finalists this year to claim the crown. Street, Ruabon, other breweries from north , 8 Sugnall Street (off Falkner St), Liverpool A small community pub in north and feature Wales transformed by a local family prominently at the bar. has been announced as the best pub Peter McGivern, Bridge End Inn These pubs are- in Britain by CAMRA, the Campaign licensee, said: for Real Ale. Engineers Arms , 68 High ‘We are a family business, and the pub The Bridge End Inn, Ruabon, not only Street, Henlow, Bedfordshire. has been a real labour of love. What we enters CAMRA’s history books as the www.engineersarms.co.uk strived to do was create a pub not first ever Welsh pub to win its focused on food that we would enjoy National Pub of the Year competition, Front , Custom House Quay, visiting, putting the product first and but having only been re-opened by its Falmouth, Cornwall. offering a wide range of traditional beer current owners in March 2009, styles. As a result we’ve built up a mixed Liverpool World Beer Shop in the Centre of the City becomes one of the most remarkable Swan with Two Necks , Main trade of locals and beer lovers from all success stories in the competition’s Street, Pendleton, Ship and Mitre’s Beer Shop Whitechapel over Britain. history. Lancashire. ‘We are delighted with this national CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year www.swanwith award, particularly as we were told competition recognises all the criteria twonecks.co.uk 250 world beers and growing when first taking on the pub that there that make a great pub, including was little demand for real ale in the area. plus 28 ciders atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, CAMRA’s National Pub of Through a lot of passion and hard work value for money, customer mix, but the Year competition is for what we do, we’ve enjoyed great OPEN SUNDAYS most importantly, the quality of Changing range of British, Belgian, German, success in a short space of time, which judged by CAMRA’s 139,074 the beer. couldn’t have been achieved without the members. Each CAMRA USA and other World Beers The Bridge End Inn was taken over support of family, close friends, staff and branch selects their favourite and subsequently revitalised by the Always new arrivals. We welcome suggestions customers.’ McGivern family in 2009, with the pub. The branch winners are for beers to stock pub earmarked as the ideal premises Hailing the success of the pub, Julian entered into 16 regional for the family microbrewery – Hough, CAMRA Pubs Director, said: competitions, with the 16 Opening hours are; 10 to 6pm Monday to Saturday. Sundays 11 to 5pm McGivern Ales - overseen by son ‘The pub is an unbelievable success winners then battling it out The Ship in a Bottle is at 45A Whitechapel Matthew. Having reopened the pub 5 story, and is a perfect case study of a to reach the final stages of local outlet playing a pivotal role at L1 6DT next to Café Nero corner of Sir Thomas Street weeks after taking it on, the the competition. NEW SHOP OPENED ON GRANGE RD WEST KIRKBY (See page 7) McGivern family were praised by the heart of a small community. By CAMRA members for restoring the investing time into providing a

18 19 CAMRA Backs E-Petition to End Escalator

CAMRA has responded to the 5% A poll by the Sunday Mirror petition was such that there was no increase in beer duty in March’s newspaper showed that 54% of prospect of it impacting on this Budget by launching a concerted voters wanted a freeze in tax on year’s Budget but it does have effort to secure over 100,000 beer. every chance of delivering a long signatures on the Beer Tax E- Over the last few months CAMRA awaited success next year. A Petition. This petition was has been busy lobbying to get the sustained campaign over several launched a few weeks ago by Chancellor to drop the escalator. months will get us over the 100,000 Marston’s Brewery with the aim of This has involved countless signature hurdle. Once we are over influencing the Budget in 2013. meetings, submissions and this hurdle we can expect a high 100,000 signatures will secure a briefings as well as over 5,500 profile Parliamentary debate high profile Parliamentary debate people contacting their MPs within the following month. with accompanying press coverage backing CAMRA’s campaign. The which will help pressure the Chancellor has refused to listen to CAMRA’s support for this e- Government to end its policy of an overwhelmingly compelling petition is echoed by the British increasing beer duty by inflation case put by CAMRA and many Beer and Pub Association, Society plus 2% every year. others on the urgent need to drop for Independent Brewers and a the escalator. whole range of other groups and Duty on beer since 2008 has companies. Our hope is that this increased by a dramatic 42% due Over the last year over 30,000 beer alliance of interests will over the to a succession of inflation and pub jobs have been lost as next twelve months persuade the busting tax hikes . over 750 pubs have closed. Chancellor to ditch the beer duty escalator to save jobs, save pubs These increases are having a Now that Budget 2012 has and ensure pub going remains an harmful impact on pubs, jobs and happened we can focus on pushing affordable activity. pub goers’ pockets and we need to the Beer Tax E-Petition which is show the Government the strength aimed at influencing Budgets from CAMRA has produced campaign of feeling on this issue from voters. 2013 and beyond. The timing of this material for use in pubs and at beer festivals to encourage as many people as possible to sign the petition. If you would like to order beer mats or posters please email my colleague: claire. [email protected].

If you haven’t done so already please sign the petition yourself at www.camra.org.uk and please ask everyone else you know that cares about beer and pubs to do the same.

Jonathan Mail

Latest E-Petition update- over 44,000 signatures

21 CAMRA releases new national pub closure research

60 Roscoe St (corner of Knight St ) L1 9DW 0151 708 6870 9Handpumps Serving constantly changing cask ales always at least one LocAle from Liverpool Organic Brewery Opening Times; 1p m -12.30pm Sun, Mon , Tues, Weds 1pm -1.30am Thurs, Fri, Saturday The British Pub Under LIVE JAZZ EVERY Threat as Never Before New national pub closure National research commissioned pubs is therefore also a threat to SUNDAY NIGHT 10pm -12 by CAMRA has found that research released by countless social groups within For further details of music and events visit: thegrapesliverpool.co.uk Britain’s national pub closure rate Britain that thrive because of their CAMRA shows- now stands at 12 pubs per week. local. And away from Britain’s city centre Community pubs hit hard as high streets – where a net loss of ‘Unsustainable beer tax increases by over 300 permanently close just 6 pubs in total has occurred the Government are ripping the between September 2011 – across Britain in 6 months – rural heart out of community centres, but March 2012 pubs are closing at a net rate of 4 per week, and suburban at 8 per with over 33,000 consumers having 12 pubs now close across week. recently signed the beer tax e- Britain every week – 8 in With pubs hit by an inflation- petition, beer drinkers and pub goers suburban areas, and 4 in rural busting 42% increase in beer duty are actively voicing their discontent. areas, with the nation’s high since 2008, CAMRA is continuing CAMRA is now campaigning to streets showing resistance in to rally beer drinkers to sign an e- secure 100,000 signatures, which the current economic climate petition to call an end to above would force Parliament to debate inflation increases in beer tax, thus above inflation rises in beer duty.’ New county breakdown figures giving struggling pubs a degree of show Lancashire and West respite in the current climate- Midlands as among hardest hit www.camra.org.uk/ saveyourpint . CAMRA has also today released areas. With over 44,000 consumers new figures showing the worst hit areas of Britain for pub closures. CAMRA has released new national backing the petition, CAMRA is Breaking down some of the largest research showing that with over lobbying to secure 100,000 counties across the country, 300 community locals having signatures and force a debate in targeted figures show how in 6 permanently shut in just 6 months, Parliament on an issue causing months (September 2011 – March crippling beer tax increases by the great damage to communities 2012) an area such as Lancashire Government continue to threaten across Britain. See page 21. has lost 68 pubs, whilst the West the future of traditional pubs. The Mike Benner, CAMRA Chief Midlands has lost 37. news comes as over 44,000 Executive, said: consumers have signed a national e-petition in recent weeks to bring ‘Whether situated in a small village, A full breakdown of the number of an end to above inflation beer tax city high street, or on the edge of a pubs lost in the last 6 months – increases. (page 21) housing estate, pubs are so central to county by county – can be viewed CAMRA’s research shows 73% of our society that whole communities at www.camra.org.uk / county regular pub goers support a freeze can grow around a particular pub. A pubclosures in beer duty. threat to the future of traditional F

22 23 IPPR Report Finds Business rate relief for ‘centres of rebalanced. Pub companies with community’: where pubs act as more than 500 pubs offering Social Value of local community hubs they commercial FRI leases over a Community Pubs is up should be granted 50 per cent period of time to provide flexibility business rate relief. We have to lessees including a guest beer to £120,000 per year produced a method for measuring option and an option to become the social impact of a community free of ‘tie’ accompanied by an Pubs and places: The social value pub which could be used to open market rent review. There of community pubs - IPPR determine which pubs should should be a single stronger and (2nd edition, 2012) qualify. more comprehensive code of practice supported by an This Report by the Institute of Eligibility for third sector finance: independently constituted Public Policy research uses a ‘social some pubs could apply to become adjudicator with the ability to return on investment’ methodology community interest companies and provide redress to lessees where to measure the wider social value apply for third sector grants and the code is breached. generated by a sample of loans to develop the community- community pubs, and finds that oriented side of their business. Diversification: pubs themselves this ranges from around £20,000 to need to diversify what they offer £120,000 per pub. Reform of planning law: to provide and keep pace with consumer Crucially, pubs are more than just greater protection for community tastes and demand. private businesses selling alcohol. pubs. In particular the Many pubs also play an important government should close the Training and development: the pub role at the heart of their local loophole in the law that allows trade needs to develop a stronger communities. Pubs provide pubs to be demolished without culture of training and professional meeting places, supporting formal planning permission. development. and informal social networks, and a focal point for community events. Buying pubs: greater support for There is no one magic bullet They also play a key role in existing tenants to buy their pub. that will simultaneously solve supporting local economies, and in the problems facing Britain’s providing residents and visitors A minimum price for a unit of community pubs. However, with access to information and alcohol: to prevent irresponsible services. taken as a whole, the package promotions and close the gap of measures recommended between the ‘on’ and the ‘off’ here should ensure that local Recommendations from the trades, a minimum price per unit Report of alcohol should be introduced . pubs can continue to play a role in supporting community life To provide greater support to the The relationship between the large pub for many generations to come. majority of well-run community companies and their tenants: this pubs, IPPR makes the following relationship needs to be recommendations:

www.closedpubs.co.uk

25 A selection of quotes from the past to counter the negative we so often see printed today

Alcohol is a very necessary article. I would give all my fame It enables Parliament to do things at for a pot of ale, eleven at night that no sane person and safety would do at eleven in the morning. William Shakespeare George Bernard Shaw (Henry V)

Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy Benjamin Franklin

www.famousdrinkingquotes.com

26 27 MerseyAle Comment MerseyAle has held back from commenting on the growing promotion of the concept of “Craft Beer”, which conveniently has no Craft Beer – agreed definition. However the CAMRA Keg Beer by Another National AGM and Members Weekend at Torquay revealed the attempts being made Name? by some people to persuade CAMRA to adopt “Craft Beer”. Some brewers and commentators are pushing the concept of “Craft Beer” and claiming that CAMRA is being left behind by this new definition of beer and failing to keep up with trends in the international brewing industry. Some British brewers such as Brew Dog, brewers of renowned real ales Punk IPA and Trashy Blond, are promoting their beer without distinction as to whether it is real ale or keg, the justification being that they are both quality distinctive “craft” beers. Indeed the new Brew Dog pub in Glasgow serves only “craft” keg versions of their beers and no real cask beer. This takes us back to the bad old days of the 1970s when brewers sought to promote keg beer without distinction from cask conditioned beer, thereby leading to the formation of CAMRA to defend real ale. Commentators such as Tim Webb the author of the excellent CAMRA Good Beer Guide to Belgium, and who you would expect to know better, claims that CAMRA are in a time warp and that methods of dispense are irrelevant so long as the beer is “craft brewed”. One despairs!! The whole point of CAMRA was to defend and Quotes from BEER CAMRA’s promote Britain’s brewing heritage which was beer which has been allowed a crucial secondary magazine Summer 2011 feature fermentation in the cask and served without the addition of additional gas. In short the definition - “Should CAMRA promote all of real ale. “craft beers” ? The nearest the “craft brewing” people come to a definition of craft beer is that it is distinctive, brewed Peter Alexander and Tim Webb Debate the from quality ingredients by people committed to Issue good beer. As one delegate at the CAMRA AGM commented Peter Alexander says NO don’t promote “ that definition would cover his efforts at home craft beer” brewing which were distinctive, used quality Cask beer is the only growing sector in ingredients but usually were undrinkable!! So we have no worthwhile definition of “Craft Beer”. a declining beer market and a craft beer And where do we go from here? It comes down to lobby urging us to change to include whether we value and seek to promote the classic keg beer in our campaign (‘craft’ is a British brewing tradition which uses secondary term favoured by the new wave of keg fermentation in the cask to give natural condition producers, though, confusingly, some cask and rejects the additional use of gas in the dispense. breweries also use the term). Thankfully the CAMRA National AGM voted down the motion to recognise “craft beer” but you can be British craft-brewed beer, particularly assured that its supporters will be back next year. in keg, is still rare outside certain CAMRA’s work is far from done. specialist emporia. It is a very small niche page 31 F 28 29 Craft Beer – Tim Webb says YES promote craft beer Keg Beer by Another Name? What makes beer good or wine fine contd. is dictated neither by a technical RRoossccooee HHeeaadd specification nor by advertising. It is defined by what experienced palates 24 Roscoe Street L1 2SX Tel: 0151 709 4365 in the overall beer market, yet taste within it and can describe convincingly some urge us to support it in the to others. same way we support real ale. www.roscoehead.co.uk The new generation of beer drinkers gets this. It is not impressed by Its proponents believe we should overturn the technical correctness of production our very reason for existence and that we methods, but it does get excited by should concentrate on beer, not the method exploring taste and variety. of dispense. CAMRA, meanwhile, is hidebound by a definition of good beer (agreed by my Few of us are so closed minded to generation of its leaders) believe that cask is the only way to serve that was always dodgy, but is now plainly good beer. CAMRA already recognises inadequate for the much-improved that certain non-real beer should be beer world that we made possible. supported; we recognise different foreign We did not know as much then as we brewing traditions and sell non-real, know now and we had no idea foreign beer at our festivals to promote we would get this far. diversity, awareness and choice. So, yes CAMRA we should foster good relations with craft The more prescriptive the tenets of any faith, Liverpool & Districts keg brewers and should never denigrate the less use they are in helping its followers what they do just because they have appreciate excellent developments. PUB of the YEAR 2012 chosen a different path from us. No keg The Roscoe Head is a true English public bashing, please. CAMRA needs to get house with lots of character. One of the few involved in the new world. pubs in Liverpool and indeed Great Britain to As Michael Hardman,one of our founders, have survived the onslaught of the super pub “I must point out that we’re said recently: Tim Webb served on CAMRA’s National chains and remains unspoilt. The Roscoe not fighting against anything, we’re fighting Head is a very special watering hostelry. Executive (1981-1987), ran GBBF in 1982 for something.” and 1983 and co-founded CAMRA Books. The Roscoe Head is a town local with He went on to pen six editions of Good customers from all walks of life, the backroom Tetley’s Bitter and Jennings Bitter So, yes to a firm hand of friendship, Beer Guide Belgium and now runs Cogan debates are always entertaining whether it be but sorry, there should be no active & Mater. He writes for BeerAdvocate politics or football on the agenda the banter is promotion of craft beer from CAMRA. always good. magazine in the US and is currently PLUS Our purpose until the members say CONSTANTLY CHANGING compiling the World Atlas of Beer. BEER FESTIVAL otherwise is to promote real ale as the Sunday 16th September indigenous beer style of Britain. It is why GUEST BEERS! we exist.

Try our delicious home- The craft movement must find its own way cooked food in the world. served Mon- to Fri 11.30am - 2.30 pm Peter Alexander Chairman of CAMRA’s , Oldham Popular Quiz Nights and Bury branch and a British Guild of Beer Tuesday, General Knowledge and Writers member, Peter Alexander writes the Thursday Music Quiz www.tandlemanbeerblog.blogspot.com Cribbage on Wednesdays

Winner of many awards and one of only SEVEN pubs to feature in every edition of the Good Beer Guide. That’s 38 years of Good Beer Guide entries!

30 31 Frank Hornby Maghull

The Frank Hornby (formerly the Everest) in Maghull is on Eastway about a ten minute walk from the Merseyrail railway station on the Northern line to Ormskirk. There are design references to Frank Hornby throughout the pub. The focal point is a specially commissioned sculpture made of Meccano and Hornby trains and stations are displayed behind glass on the walls. Part of the pub has an industrial theme and there is an eclectic variety of chairs and tables. The pub was called The Everest, but after a complete refit, the name was changed by Wetherspoon to Frank Hornby.

"The company's decision to call the pub The Frank Hornby is very interesting, as it shows that Wetherspoons recognises the importance of Maghull and investing in the town and the Frank Hornby link with Maghull,” said Maghull’s Labour MP, Bill Esterson.

Photographs by Michael Jackson

32 33 Manx Ale Massive Success for First Isle of Man CAMRA Beer Festival Huge Team Effort Ensures Festival Sells Out!! Special report The first CAMRA Isle of Man Beer Festival, held at The Masonic Hall, Douglas, mid April, was a massive success. Indeed such was the demand that the Festival sold out of beer and cider early on the Saturday evening.

The success was thanks to a fantastic collective effort from the many volunteers, local breweries, and the Queens representative on Island Lieutenant Governor Mr Adam Wood no less. In a superb display of cooperation for the common cause of local real ale (LocAle), all three Island brewers, Okells, Bushys and Old Laxey (Bosun ), attended the event and took part in a question and answer session during the Thursday sessions.

attending the event nearby. A first TT Marshall’s Special Ale by Bushy’s event is never entirely predictable, The Island’s tourist industry is and IOM CAMRA would like to heavily dependent on the TT thank those for their patience at motorbike event, which is another peak periods, when there was event, like the beer festival, heavily dependent on volunteers. This year Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood Both of the Island’s larger breweries is the fiftieth anniversary of the enjoys reading MerseyAle and introduced new beers at the event, formal TT Marshals association sampling the range of real ales at which brought over a much larger Ltd (1962-2012) a group who are the Festival. contingent of tourists to the Island integral to the TT festival, held in than had been expected. With local May/June. There has been a long bands providing entertainment on association with Bushys and the both Friday and Saturday nights the Marshals, and the brewer launched beer ran out a couple of hours early a Golden Ale at the festival to on the last evening. celebrate the fifty years achievement. The brew comes in at 4% ABV The winner of the beer of the strength wise, using Goldings Hops. festival competition was Castle Bushys are donating ten pence for Rock Harvest Pale at 3.8%. every pint sold to the TT Marshal’s Brewed in Nottingham this beer has fund, and the Lieutenant Governor won many National awards. The poured the first pint at the CAMRA winning strength of ale was no Festival - before sampling a range of surprise, as the Manx drinkers have the beers on offer with the generally preferred the lower significant queuing and a one in one assistance of bar manager Rob strength ‘session beers’ in contrast out system was required because Storey and event organiser Charles to the U.K. where beer strengths the hall was at fire limit capacity. Miller. drifted upwards over recent years, This matter will be addressed in the Okell’s Seasonal Steam but are now coming back down - event of a future festival but the Okells were not to be outdone, though often due to taxation rates festival goers’ tolerance was much launching a new seasonal ale, rather than changes in consumer appreciated. tastes. Okells Premium Steam Beer. At 5% ABV, and dark gold in colour, The local CAMRA group would like For those who are not aware, all the brew is single hopped with to thank all those for supporting festival proceeds once costs are Northern Brewer during the boil, this inaugural event, with particular covered, go towards funding and Aroma hopped in the thanks to the venue, as well as local campaigns to promote real ale, and Whirlpool with Northern Brewer landlord Andy Harris and the team pubs as facilities and venues at the and Citra. With a citrus aroma, of the Woodbourne Hotel, who heart of the community. All staff and lemon , spice, and extended the beer range and give their time up free of charge and sherbert taste, the beer is full opening hours to facilitate people are unpaid. bodied. 34 35 F The spicy taste, whilst distinct, is as clocked up twenty years in the days into the tenure, MerseyAle attractive bar area, highlighted by absolute peach of a classic local. friendly banter, and like a favourite one Good Beer Guide, and received found reassuringly that attention to the unusually stylish light fittings. Modern with small rooms highly Aunt, never afraid to put the would special presentation awards from the ale and beer lines was the first The fresh modern look may well sympathetically refurbished, with insolent punter in his/her place if expect, far Isle of Man CAMRA. priority, and over the coming not appeal to the traditionalists, its games, button back seating, more months further improvements will but with the Saddle pub nearby, a planned fire area and new rear subtle In Port St Mary, The Albert be made. Interestingly, The Jough classic local, clearly H&B are cosy alcove section. Three real ales than the has led the way, with continuity Ale , an Okells house brew made attempting to cater for all tastes, are now available, Okells bitter, an Okells here being the key-since the specially\for the Albert in Douglas, and the much needed pub dining Okells seasonal, and a guest ale. seasonal nineteen thirties! No less than four will also be available in The Mitre. options along the quay will Eastern landlords have successfully passed This ale some will remember was certainly appeal to those visiting The Island appears to be in the Spice, which some readers available in the Albert for many the area. midst of a very shrewd may have previously sampled. years before ceasing, but has this refurbishment program from H&B. year recently returned as a The Ship, Castletown Not everything will appeal to all, New Microbrewery in Jurby permanent feature. The Mitre is The writer had begun to wonder if but catering for differing types, A new microbrewery is being set up situated on the Ramsey quayside, H&B was prepared to allow certain and more importantly new types of needs be, Meg will be sorely in Jurby in the north of the island. and has an upstairs main bar outlets to wither on the vine, with clientele seems to be the order of missed, not least because of the Called Doghouse Brewery, a six (where the cask ale is!), with the day, with clever usage of the greatest accolade the understated barrel plant is being installed, along unrivalled views over the working H&B pub estate, town by town. If real ale drinker can give-‘she knew with five fermenters. It is hoped to harbour below. There is also a small the pub is to survive as a venue in how to keep the beer’. Meg, we be up and running around June Schooner bar (only open week- difficult times, then this type of wish you well. Please note the time. Few details are available ends currently), and another approach has to be adopted. pubs withdrawal from the 2012 at this stage; however the brewery the baton on over the years, with downstairs bar. Good Beer Guide due to the Clarendon, Douglas can be contacted via the Peter Holt, Chick (David) Kneen , closure. new e-mail address of and current team Pat and Kay Heron & Brearley (H&B) [email protected]. O’Meara, all being present on the refurbishments continue at Okells online Cask Ale There has been no movement on night at the awards presentation, as pace Updates island for many years now in pictured. Johnny Williams, son of The Bridge on The Quay (Douglas) For those interested in hunting down ales with maximum ease, brewery numbers, so this promises the previous landlord was also has been modernised throughout underinvestment, but as Okells and Heron & Brearley now to be a significant development. present on the night. In a declining internally. Whilst the superb tiled MerseyAle goes to print, I am have a comprehensive on Island pub market, the continued high traditional facia and frontage is delighted to report two recent Sidings wins IOM Pub of the Year service, at www.okells.co.uk for standards and investment into this retained, inside a full refurbishment refurbishments. For the first time in many years, the Okells products with direct immaculately presented free house At The Ship in Castletown, Sidings pub in Castletown has information from head brewer are clear demonstrations of how it’s attention has been paid to the won the Isle of Man Pub of the Year Dr Mike Cowbourne, and done, and precisely why this pub upstairs area, with fantastic award. A full report will appear has outlived the opposition. As a reminder of those difficult manngo.im for the H&B pub estate next issue after the presentation, but times, the Clarendon on Douglas under ‘cask ale programme’. for those not aware, there have been The Albert, Douglas quay has closed, and along with Having monitored these sites for significant improvements to this In Douglas, Harry Joughin the Douglas Hotel closed some some weeks, they are proving already celebrates twenty years in the guide years ago, it is to be refurbished highly reliable and up to date. excellent real simultaneously at the other Albert ale pub in the A sign at the Haven! All's Well at Haven last year, and has taken place. Modern home The missing pub sign at the Haven the award is cooked food is the theme, in this certainly three roomed pub. To the right is a justified given permanent restaurant area. The emphasis on providing a venue for all the hard intimate central room and bar is work and thought that has gone in live music. Classic posters of the to the project, by new landlord likes of Hendrix and AC/DC Dave Sayle. Some initial sceptics adorn the walls. who thought the pub was too good into offices, with hopefully a single The Central, Ramsey to be improved on have been bar to replace the two outlets. The adjacent to the bus station and ferry In Ramsey, The Central, on the T.T. proved wrong! terminal. Again, here the works will take at least eighteen Runners up include the Whitehouse course at Parliament Square has months. investment shows, with the recently also been refurbished. Both pubs (Peel) and the Bay (Port Erin). immaculately done work to the are not yet finished, and a further Meg Cowin New Inn, Laxey Port Erin has been replaced. exterior of the building, close by the A Double Albert Celebration! report will follow. Both these Similarly, The New Inn, Laxey, has Someone at H&B must read main bus terminal and ferry. In a retained, with more cask ale now on Two pubs on Island are called the outlets are traditional community now closed. Opened the same ManxAle !!! (see February edition very recent development, the offer. The room is set for tables Albert, one on Douglas North Quay locals, and The Central in week as the Great Laxey Wheel on www.liverpoolcamra.org.uk) during the day, but cleared for and one, now the last surviving pub Joughin family has just taken over particular, now under the began to turn, the pub has been run drinkers on quieter evenings. The in Port St Mary, in the far south The Mitre in Ramsey, with Selena management of Mandi Smith by Meg Cowin for some fifteen outside area and the room to the West of the Island. Both by chance Joughin and Carl Joughin in the (formerly from the Britannia), years or so. She is to use it as a Dave Halliwell – MerseyAle IOM left with T.V. screens remain with an are free houses, and both have driving seat. On visiting only two looks like it’s going to be an private house. Always up for Correspondent

36 37 LIVERPOOL BEER FESTIVAL 2012

The Crypt awaits Quality control In the Beginning – The queue from Frank December ticket sales day. Another festival sell out

Brendan (RLPO) Trumpets the opening of the Beer Festival

Are they a great team or what? You de Cider What your The stillage is set up. right arm’s for? From Meccano parts to festival stillage Bringing New People to Real Ale – Festival Tasting Event A new Anne Jones of Hawkshead Brewery leads a meaning tasting session for people new to real ale as for”Getting part of the Liverpool CAMRA Snowball Plastered”. Campaign.

250 Plus Beers

Some of our regulars

38 39 OUR AWARD WINNING CIDER RANGE Liverpool Beer Festival 2012 Left, our sponsor Mark Hensby (Liverpool Organic Brewery} Middle, Vasily Petrenko (Royal Liverpool Philharmonic conductor} and Steve Downing our festival organiser Rosie’s Cider Shop Rosie’s Triple D Cider Rosie’s Black Bart Rosie’s Wicked Open weekdays from 10am Open weekends from 9am Available dry, medium or Sweet Cider Wasp - Medium sweet Bottled and in Bottled or Draught Sweetness Cider medium or dry in 7.2% abv Bottled or Draught Draught 7.2% abv 7.2% abv WINNER OF “CIDER OF THE Rosie’s Perfect Rosie’s Oak FESTIVAL” Pear Perry Matured Dry AT THE Medium Sweet Perry Available in Scrumpy - LIVERPOOL Only available in Gallaghers Dry Cider 2012 BEER Draughtt Our selection of award winning ciders. Pressed Not available from Pub & Barbers Only available in Draught FESTIVAL 5.4% abv and fermented here in Llandegla since 2005 Birkenhead the CAMRA stand ‘MADE IN WALES’ We are situated Rosie’s Triple D Cider at the North end of the Horseshoe Pass, at the roundabout where the A542 intersects the Where’s the Dafarn Dywyrch, Llandegla, Wrexham, A5104 / knobbly knees Corwen road. The LL11 3BA A525 runs past us half T: 01978 790222 M: 07812 500513 contest? a mile to the North. E: [email protected] www.rosiescider.co.uk

Available for Pubs, (Bags in Boxes) and Shops/Delis (Bottled Cider Range) You are welcome to call at the farm to taste and buy our Ciders and Perry

The Storrsdale Pub

Terry Clarke CHEERS See you next year!

40 41 CAMRA National Cider and Perry Championships 2012

Cornwall and Herefordshire producers take national titles

CAMRA has announced the overall winners of the finish by a judging panel consisting National Cider and Perry Championships 2012. The of publicans, drinks writers and competition is held annually at the Reading Beer and CAMRA members. Cider Festival, Reading, . On hearing the results of the Perry The winner of the Cider Gold medal is Cornish competition, Denis Gwatkin of Orchards Farmhouse , which the judges described Gwatkin Cider and Perry, said:

‘This is wonderful news. It’s 20 years since we won our first CAMRA award at Beer and Cider Festival, so it’s good to know we are still doing things right.’

The Cider champion producer, Cornish Orchards, started large scale production in 1999, and is a well established producer, which has been growing cider apples for the past 20 years. as ‘a very light and easy drinking cider, well balanced, and packed with flavour ’. Andrea Briers, CAMRA National Cider and Perry The winner of the Perry Gold medal is Gwatkin committee chairman, praised the quality of this year’s Blakeney Red, which the judges described as entrants. She said: having ‘a sweet aroma, with a wonderful elderflower ‘The competition once again brought together and spirit taste, and a satisfying bite in the finish.’ real cider and perry producers from across the CAMRA’s National Cider and Perry Championships country, and showcased some excellent variety 2012 in Reading featured ciders and perries from and choice. The quality of the products different regions of the UK, and assessed on factors coming through is testament to the hard work such as aroma, flavour/taste, overall balance and of Britain’s producers.’

The Awards Perry Cider GOLD- Gwatkin, Blakeney Red (Abbey Dore, GOLD- Cornish Orchards, Farmhouse (Duloe, Herefordshire) Cornwall) SILVER- Butford Organics, Medium (Bodenham, SILVER- Perry Brothers, Sweet Vintage (Dowlish Herefordshire) Wake, ) BRONZE- Minchew, Stinking Bishop (Aston-on- BRONZE- Burrow Hill, Medium (Martock, Carrant, ) Somerset)

Brewery visits commence in summer, visit website for details 43 The play will be performed in pubs and at special events to highlight “The Punishment of CAMRA’s campaign against the excesses of the PubCos and to highlight the need for urgent Government action, something Perfidious PubCos” which the Coalition Government has refused to do despite The Liverpool Real Ale Mumming Play overwhelming evidence from the Parliamentary Select Committee. The play brings these arguments A New Twist in the Bringing about PubCos to a wide audience in New People to Real Ale a popular way that brings laughter Campaign and enjoyment at the expense of both PubCos and Government. The 2012 Liverpool Beer Festival was the Very much in the historic tradition venue for the first performance of the new of mumming. weapon in the Bringing New People to Real The full text of the play can be read Ale Campaign, namely the Liverpool Real on www.liverpoolcamra.co.uk Ale Mumming play “The Punishment of Perfidious PubCos.” What is Mumming and What is Green Blade? Performed on the stage in the Crypt Mumming plays are usually performed at Christmas Concert Room by the Green Blade and at Easter. Both the Christmas Mumming Play Mummers, the play portrayed the battle Green King, that peddler of beers watered down in and the Easter Pace-Egging Play are rooted in the folk between licensees and the perfidious PubCos strength and named after breweries which he has tradition and involve the character of King George, represented by Punch. The play’s hero is LocAle who closed, receives his come uppance to the acclaim who 'kills' his adversary in a sword fight after an champions the cause of local real ales in PubCo of all. A fitting end for “the Man the very fat Man who exchange of taunts. The latter is then revived by a pubs, supported by the Doctor, a Dr CAMRA, and waters the Workers’ Beer.” comic doctor with a rather unusual series of the licensee. The villains are Punch and The remedies. Both plays involve songs - including Green King. The play is a complete rewriting by Liverpool CAMRA Wassail songs at Christmas - and a range of other After much rhyming verse, music, song, jokes, silly member Helen McCall of a mumming play characters such as Beelzebub, a Noble Captain, and hats and gratuitous violence, Punch sees the error of performed by the Mersey Mummers back in 1976 at Little Johnny Jack. Heckling by the audience is his ways and offers to provide LocAle at fair prices to the CAMRA Beer Festival held at Mountford Hall at I Likes a Drop of Good Beer” encouraged. Traditionally, folk plays were performed his customers and reasonably priced rents and beer the University Guild and entitled “the Slaying of The pub’s a place I show my face To meet friends from far and near, by men, but this is no longer the case. to his licensees (well, it is fantasy). Moreover the Wicked Whitbread” . That was when the Big Six But they’re closing down all over Green Blade is a Wirral based group who perform brewers were rampaging across the town, country buying up and closing real So where will we go for beer? For I likes a drop of good beer I do ale breweries and replacing their I likes a drop of good beer beers with keg beers. Now in 2012 the target has switched from the big brewers to the PubCos whose financial demands are driving many British pubs to closure and threatening the survival of that British national institution, the Pub. Hence the new play. The words of the songs have been rewritten to focus on the PubCos and the big brewers, including “I likes a drop of good beer I do” and “I waters the workers’ beer”. MerseyAle and the CAMRA Liverpool traditional and contemporary folk songs Pubs Passport make appearances as and mumming plays both indoors and the antidote to Punch and outdoors, in libraries and at community, The Green King. peace and green events.

44 45 3 HAND PUMPS Featuring CHANGING GUEST BEERS FROM LOCAL BREWERS LIVE SPORT KARAOKE TUES NIGHT THURS, FRI, SAT & SUN - LIVE MUSIC OUTSIDE SMOKERS COURTYARD REFURBISHED FUNCTION ROOM TRADITIONAL LOCAL FRIENDLY PUB WITH GREAT ATMOSPHERE, GREAT MUSIC AND GREAT ALES LIVE MUSIC WEDNESDAY NIGHT - OPEN MIC NIGHT 4 NIGHTS PER WEEK 43 SOUTH ROAD WATERLOO L22 5PE 0151 928 7020

46 47 www.wappingbeers.co.uk Baltic Fleet Celebrate a Baltic Fleet Beers World Classic Liverpool’s only Brew Pub - The Home of Wapping Brewery Beer – MILD Award Winning Beers Winners of Champion Britain is home to a World Classic Liverpool was a place where Mild the 90s Cains introduced a cask Beer of Britain Awards Beer – MILD – and the month of was popular, with local brewer Mild which attracted a dedicated All your favourites plus our own May is the CAMRA Mild Month such as Higsons, Walkers, Bents following, but this is now only Campaign to encourage people to and Threlfalls producing Milds. In available in cans apart from as a Wapping Brewery Beers Stan Shaw, Wapping’s Award Winning Brewer try this great tasting beer. A once a year seasonal cask ale. In Food available every day number of city centre pubs will be recent years Wapping Brewery, MUSIC SEA SHANTIES WE SERVE SCOUSE featuring a Mild, giving you the Liverpool One and George Wright Last Saturday of the chance to try a wide range of have all introduced Milds and the & LOCAL PIES month More Live Music 1o years Milds. beer style is making a comeback (Johnsons Toxteth) coming soon and a Million Pints! Mild is often under rated and nationwide with a marked increase The Baltic Fleet Pub and Brewery, Wapping Liverpool misunderstood. It is a classic in the number of Milds now British beer style which dates back brewed. Latest local addition is a opposite the ECHO ARENA to the 19th century, Prior to the Higsons Mild now brewed by First World War there were many Liverpool Organic. Milds that were strong in alcoholic Compared with Bitter, Mild uses strength, with 6 to 8% strength fewer hops and accentuates the being common. War time flavours from the malt, resulting in shortages and later duty changes some entrancing coffee, chocolate saw the strength of many Milds and rich malt notes. It is often dark drop substantially to the 3 to 4% in colour but light Milds also are that is typical today. Stronger common, with the beers such as Milds have seen a revival, with Timothy Taylors Golden Best and Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby at 6% Banks Original Mild. being perhaps the best known.

Lion Free at last The Lion Tavern Moorfields micro breweries at this classic has signed a new deal with Grade II listed CAMRA Pub of Punch Taverns which, in Excellence. return for an increase in rent, allows it to have four The breakthrough is being of its eight handpumps free celebrated with a Seven Day Lion of tie selling beers selected Beer Festival Thursday 31st May by licensees Sean and Mike. to Thursday 7th June. On Sunday So look out for a wider 3rd June real ales and ciders will range of real ales including be reduced to £2.95 a pint.

48 49 Beer Festivals Euro Bottle 8th June - 1st July CAMRA Pub of American Excellence 2011 July 4th - 8th LIVERPOOL’S PREMIER FREEHOUSE theshipandmitre.com EVER CHANGING REAL ALES + DRAUGHT CIDERS 15 The Ship and Mitre has the largest selection of Belgian and German Draught and Bottled Beers in Liverpool Quality Pub Food cooked to order including Gourmet Burgers, Wraps, Scouse, Tapas style dishes food served from 12-9 daily log onto www.thegalleyliverpool.co.uk follow us on facebook (the galley) & twitter @the_galley

Monday Darts - Wednesday Scouse on the House (from 6pm) Thursday - Quiz Night

Art Deco ‘Higher Room’ for hire Holds up to 55 people Catering available Ship & Mitre133 DALE STREET Tel: 0151 236 0859

Nick and the staff welcome you to the famous Swan with its unique atmosphere and great range of fine cask ales. Best Rockers jukebox in town! Always available: WOBBLY BOB - HYDES BITTER GWYNTNYDRAIG BLACK DRAGON CIDER PLUS A GREAT SELECTION OF GUEST BEERS FROM A WIDE RANGE OF BREWERIES Large stock of Belgian Bottled Beers Student VIDEO JUKEBOX ON TOP FLOOR Friendly Open until 2am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday 3 FLOORS - FAMOUS HEAVY ROCK JUKEBOX - FREE WI FI 86 Wood Street Liverpool Tel 0151 709 5281

50 51 St helens CAMRA Pub of The YeAR 2009

A Traditional Friendly Pub with a Great BBeeeerr FFeessttiivvaallss Atmosphere, tthhrroouugghhoouutt Real Fire tthhee yyeeaarr and an Ever pphhoonnee ffoorr ddeettaaiillss Changing range of Real Ale

A C AMRA REGIONAL A Runner-up for the CAMRA Pub of The NATIONAL Pub Of The YeAR YeAR 12 handpumps Serving Traditional Ales Ciders and Perry I 5 draught continental beers I Wide selection of bottled continental beers I Tuesday - Quiz night 9-30 pm I Thursday - Curry and Jazz Night I Cask Marque I Good Beer Guide 2011 Open Mon - Fri 2-11 Sat, Sun 12-11 Cooper St. St Helens Tel 01744 751289

52 53 MerseyAle Credits Liverpool & Districts CAMRA Diary Editor & Liverpool Branch Get Togethers CAMRA Liverpool & John Armstrong [email protected] A combination of Branch Social evening and News Update on Branch and National Activities. Layout Design Districts Coach Trips Dennis W Jones Wednesday 20th June at Gardeners Arms Vale Road Woolton Free bus from outside the Ship & Mitre at 7.15pm to the Gardeners Arms, Photographs Woolton. Get Together starts there at 8pm. These offer the chance to visit interesting quality Neil Lloyd To reserve seat email [email protected] or phone Ian on 07521 real ale pubs outside our area with someone else 741 586. The bus will be back in Liverpool by 11pm. doing the driving. The coach departs at 10am prompt from www.neillloydphotography.co.uk Dale Street outside the Ship and Mitre and costs £12. Return is usually between [email protected] 9-9.30pm. Trips are open to non members so bring a friend along. Michael Jackson Wednesday 18th July TBC Wednesday 15th Augus t – Pub ramble – Childwall - Woolton. Details TBC COACH TRIPS 2012 £12 Contributors Dave Halliwell Saturdays Steve Berks 10th November Hanley Castle – Tony Williams Three Kings pub beer festival * Jean Pownceby 9th June Mid-Wales Llanidloes * Terry Clarke 7th July Bishops Castle Town Beer Festaival Printed by Trips marked (*) will probably have a stop on Printfine, Liverpool 4th August the way, or way home. Suggestions are welcome 0151 242 0000 Derby 8th September Email bookings at www.printfine.co.uk 6th October Broughton-in-Furness Cumbria [email protected] Useful Contacts Pubs Beer Festiva l Or phone Ian 07521 741 586 CAMRA National Office 230 Hatfield Road St Albans AL1 4LW Pub Survey Trips (Generally evenings on public transport) details below or visit www.liverpoolcamra.org.uk 01727 867201 [email protected] www.camra.org.uk advance please email requests for places to Southport CAMRA Pub Survey Trips [email protected] Ian Garner 01704 876819 [email protected] City centre and suburban trips, as well as a few by www.southportcamra.org.uk coach to those far flung areas of the branch which Tuesday 26th June Survey of pubs in Crosby. are difficult to cover by public transport. For the Wirral CAMRA Meet at Yates’s (formally the George) at 7pm. We dark winter nights we are going to concentrate on Dave Hutchinson 01516 440625 pubs in the City Centre. Trips will, in the main, still will be visiting Stamps, the Crow’s Nest, Marine [email protected] occur on the last Tuesday of the month and we will FC and the Edinburgh. www.camrawirral.org.uk aim to cover four to five pubs per trip. This means Isle of Man Branch Contact we will have at least 40 minutes in each pub and Survey of pubs in West Tuesday 31st July Angela Aspin 01624 491613 - trips will end around 10.30pm. Saveaways will only Derby (Details to be confirmed at a later date mobile 07624 491613 be issued to beer scorers if a trip involves taking check website and facebook for details). [email protected] Branch committee meetings visit: www.liverpoolcamra.org.uk public transport between pubs. Merseytravel Line wwwfacebook.com/CAMRAliverpool Should anyone have any ideas for survey trips for for public transport times Survey Trips planned are: the rest of the year, please let me know – we will be 0151 638 5002 0871 200 22 33 visiting the south of the city in the second half of www.merseytravel.gov.uk Free coach to survey the year. Tuesday 29th May Trading Standards 0151 233 3002 pubs in Lydiate, Melling and Sefton. Depart from Liverpool CAMRA MerseyAle 7pm at Ship and Mitre and picking up at 7.20pm Sonia James- Henry Advertising in MerseyAle in Crosby (Sainsbury’s Car Park Opposite St ([email protected]) If you wish to place an advertisment you should contact us by email at; Places must be booked in Helen’s Church). [email protected] you can send in your advert design and copy by Opinions expressed in the Mersey attachment, or ask us about design. Ale are not necessarily those of the Cost is £100 per half page, £200 full page payment in advance. Editor Liverpool Branch or CAMRA 54 55