Merse yAle CAMRA Liverpool & Districts Magazine Spring 2017 FREE

37 Not Out for Liverpool Beer Festival ! Punch PubCo Sold BLO - All you need to know

Incorporating: ISLE OF MAN NEWS WIRRAL NEWS NEWS

www.liverpoolcamra.org.uk [email protected] Print Run 11000 MerseyAle CAMRA Liverpool and Districts Branch Merse yAle

MerseyAle Editor Dave MacBryde

Liverpool Branch Chair Sonia James-Henry [email protected]

MerseyAle Contacts Comments/news/letters/photos [email protected]

MerseyAle Advertising Manager Howard Perry howard.perry@liverpoolcamra. org.uk

Distrubution Manager Andre Fu [email protected]

MerseyAle - Read online at Message from the Editor www.liverpoolcamra.org.uk Welcome to the Spring edition of MerseyAle. With lighter nights and warmer weather just around the corner, the Liverpool and Districts CAMRA outlook is a positive one as we bring you our first issue of Main Branch Contact Sue Daniels the year. [email protected] 2017 has certainly been an eventful year to date. A storm Contact for Coach trips only named Doris called briefly to batter large swathes of the Ian Macadam 07521 741 586 UK, whilst across the pond, the inauguration of seemingly by email the most unpopular US President in many a year drew [email protected] huge global interest.

Web Sites Closer to home, the Liverpool Beer Festival took place in Liverpool and Districts February and was a great success. As previously, CAMRA Branch attendance was healthy, the beer range excellent and a www.liverpoolcamra.org.uk good time was most definitely had. Huge thanks to the wwwfacebook.com volunteers and organisers, without whom this fantastic /CAMRAliverpool event would not be possible. More about the festival later @LiverpoolCAMRA in this issue. QR Codes page 47 I sincerely hope you enjoy reading MerseyAle and continue to support our wonderful across the region, at what is a testing time for the industry as a whole. Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this edition of MerseyAle. As ever, your input is invaluable and very much appreciated, with contributions always welcome. Cheers. Dave MacBryde

The opinions expressed in MerseyAle are not MerseyAle Editor necessarily those of the Editor, the CAMRA Liverpool Branch or CAMRA Ltd. [email protected] 3 GRAHAM MOORE GRAHAM “A gentleman and a scholar” 1943 – 2017 Many CAMRA members were shocked to learn of the recent death of Graham Moore. Graham had been ill for the last few months. Graham was in The Globe in Cases Street, Photograph by Neil Lloyd Liverpool, on the night of January 18th 1974 when the Merseyside Branch of CAMRA was deerstalker on his head!) as he appeared in founded. He was a staunch supporter of the pub doorway on a Friday night, asking CAMRA and the local branch throughout all “Who do I remind you of?”, earning him the the intervening years, and many will recall his nickname, which many shortened to ‘Baz’. regular attendances as a helper at the beer Graham was a gregarious individual who had festivals, including the first one at Hope Hall a gift for making friends, as witnessed by the in September 1974. He was a frequent huge turnout at his funeral. He remained in presence at meetings and on trips. His the Fire Service, where he was a much- knowledge of the Liverpool beer and pubs appreciated union rep, until his retirement. scene was wide-ranging, as was his He was a member of Liverpool University’s acquaintanceship with licensees, managers, Convocation Football Club, which provided bar staff and customers in many of the opportunities for European travel. He premises he had visited. completed an Open University Maths degree Graham was born just off Aigburth Road and and had a keen interest in Irish studies. He as a youngster attended Toxteth Tech. After was naturally curious about everything that leaving school, he went to work for the was going on around him and was a mine of Harrison shipping line in the city, which was information on many topics. when I first met him through a mutual friend. In all the years I knew him, I never heard him He moved on for a spell with the Forestry raise his voice in anger, nor be anything Commission in Delamere, but eventually other than completely relaxed at whatever joined the Fire Service, where it became predicament he might have found himself in. obvious that he had found his metier. He was always that rare specimen – a complete gentleman. His sense of humour, It was about this time that he earned the his candour and his company could always soubriquet ‘Basil the Fireman'. On television, be relied on to brighten the world. He will the Basil Rathbone versions of Sherlock be greatly missed by his many friends. Holmes were being shown - and it was He and Susan married in 1971 and they lived Graham’s habit of clenching a curly pipe happily in Aigburth until his death. between his teeth (and occasionally a BOB THURLOW

[email protected] 5 Tony Williams Aigburth Brewery’. These premises will only be yards away from It has been reported that there Wavertree’s last brewery at the are plans for a Belgium-style bar Finch & Firkin, that has long on Aigburth Road, opposite the Fire at The Scotch Piper Thursday before Christmas. Discount is still being offered. since reverted to The Brook Toby Carvery. Perhaps the Ma Egerton's on Pudsey Street A new bar is planned for Lime House. premises will be the currently has been selling beers from the Street. Sanctuary Bar is due to closed off-licence at number 568. Old Swan Mobberley Brew House, with open in March at 72 Lime Street, pumps are in use, all dispensing Lee - owner of the Alehouse on Solstice being my choice before next to the Design 4 Life tattoo Kensington beers from the Marston’s group Prescot Road - organised a small Christmas. On my last visit, the parlour. Cask and craft beers are The Kensington, at 189 - including Ringwood Forty- beer festival, ‘Swanfest’ , at a more regular Otter Ale and the promised. Kensington, has reopened after Niner, that is rarely seen in our nearby church hall early in latest Theakston beer were on The White Star pub on the a refurbishment and has been area. The food is now all freshly December. All the tickets sold tap. concourse of Lime Street station selling Sharp’s beers , but no cooked on the premises. out quickly. A larger event is The thatched roof at The Scotch Ranelagh's Tavern has been has closed, probably because real ale was available when I With no work done at all planned for April. I congratulate Piper was badly damaged by selling beers from a variety of this part of the station is due to looked in. (except to remove Wetherspoon Lee for his work in promoting fire on the afternoon of local breweries. Phil, the be redeveloped in time. Wavertree signage), it is planned that the December 6th 2016. Thankfully, landlord, reports LocAles will No stone ever remains unturned Bryn, the manager of The pub will close for refurbishment the fire was brought under be regularly available. During for long at The Philharmonic Willow Bank on Smithdown in due course. control before the main February two more handpulls Concert Hall on Hope Street. Road, reports he will usually Waterloo structure of the pub was April 2017 sees The Phil take have a LocAle on. On my recent Debbie, the licensee at the Royal damaged. Repair work started back in-house its bar and visit, White Star Seafarers Oak on Warrenhouse Road, right away, so hopefully the pub catering services from their (brewed by George Wright), has reintroduced real ale. will reopen soon. hospitality partners. From that along with Liverpool Craft IPA Caledonian Edinburgh Ale was point, it is likely that bespoke City Centre were on tap. There will also be real ale in the area, both in his available during December. dining on concert nights will It’s good news that The Cross brews available from slightly pub and with the festivals. It is Debbie reports a number of cease and the Grand Foyer bar Keys on Earle Street has further away. There are a total of not too long ago that I wrote a regulars have taken to drink- will offer a less formal snack reopened, with Neil being the twelve hand pulls, with most piece for MerseyAle, titled ‘Old ing it. were fitted (making it five in alternative. To enable the new licensee. Young’s normally in use at weekends. A Swan Beer Desert’. Work had been due to start on total), in response to the transition, The Philharmonic is being sold again, with good time to visit is Tuesday The Four Ashes – a new micro- demand for real ale. Three beers has advertised for a General Woolton Hobgoblin also being on at pub on Liverpool Road North, will be served during quieter Bars Manager. The successful There is a new licensee at The times. The pub closed again Waterloo, near the Plaza cinema. periods, increasing over the candidate will have the clear, Derby Arms on the corner of (this time for a refurbishment) However, due to circumstances weekend. As part of the change, but challenging task of trying to Allerton Road and Vale Road, for a few weeks in February. beyond his control, the owner a beer from Robinson's will lure in The Phil’s customers near Menlove Avenue. On my Also refurbished during has now informed us that the usually be on sale. who would normally drink or recent visit, Sharp’s Doombar February were the nearby Lion opening has been delayed and The Baltic Fleet has com- was available, but it has been Tavern and the Lady of Mann. will now probably be sometime missioned six new beers from reported that this alternates The guest pump at Leaf on Bold towards the end of March. local brewers for the Six Nations with Jennings Cumberland. Street has recently served a Rugby tournament. Big Bog, Crosby varying beer supplied by evening when all real ales are Aintree Neptune, Liverpool Organic, When The George reopened in Liverpool Craft. Sticky Bandit currently sold at £2.25 a pint. The Toby Carvery, Aintree Baltic Fleet, Heavy Industry December, there were four ales was marvellous on the A bit further up the road, a (previously The Rocking and Facers are each supplying a available. Wainwright and Thursday before Christmas. planning application has been Horse), outside the entrance to beer - one for each country. Bombardier are reported to be No doubt the brewery delivery dine in the dozens of bars and made to convert the previous the racecourse, is reported to be The Abbey on Hanover Street is future regulars. Two Christmas van just moves around the restaurants that surround the Handymans shop at 461 selling real ale. now selling real ale again. Four beers were also available - corner, as the changing beer at venue. Smithdown Road into a ‘public pumps are in active use at the Bootle Rocking Rudolph and Merry the Newington Temple is also CAMRA wish The Phil every house with food offer’. The moment, selling nationally The Merton reopened before Christmas from Lytham. normally from Liverpool Craft. success with the new venture building - originally the Sefton recognised beers such as Christmas under a new Happily, the pub has continued Happily, it is usually a different and hope to see real ale back on Park Picturedrome - is bigger Sharp's Doom Bar, Wells individual owner, just a few to stock a LocAle into the New beer from Leaf, with Camel the Grand Foyer and Music than you might expect. The Bombardier and Caledonian days after it closed as a Year. Real ale is now sold for being dispensed on the Room bars soon. plans include setting up a ‘Nano Deuchars. CAMRA card Wetherspoon outlet. Five hand £1.95 all day on Tuesdays. F 6 [email protected] [email protected] 7 Pin Maghull in the cask with a four-hop mix Neptune ip & including Flyer, a bitter UK hop. r Ch A new pub on Liverpool Road Two new beers - you % Faith Hope Charity is a 4% deep Cut South is due to open in early Undercurrent, to golden bitter - fairly typical of y up 0 March. Mocha’s Cafe is to be a 4.7% ts b 5 the old North West England Cos rebranded as the Maghull Cask and Big Sur, style of bitter. Cafe. It will remain as a cafe described as a 4.5% west coast A little malt No set up fees. through the day, changing into - were available at the UK based custcustomeromer flavour with a pub at 4pm on Thursdays, Liverpool Beer Festival. LLowow fixed rates forfoor care departmedepartmentent a bitter edge. Fridays and Saturdays, with a Les reports he is supplying keg- the duration of yoyourour open 7 dadays.ys. It has a mix midday opening on Sundays. conditioned key kegs to the contract. of five hops, including Admiral Four or five beers are planned. Everyman Theatre. Olympus Choice of the All applications fully for bittering, plus a good whack PCI DSS CompCompliant.liant. Mons is available in the upstairs latest VerifoneVerifone & MerseyAle of East Kent Goldings late on. Street Café. Downstairs in the Ingenico terminals.terminalss. Free banking Finally, Dragon's Teeth is a Bistro, Fugu is on tap alongside 4.3% chocolate stout with a Contactless, AppApplele RReceiveeceive funds Brewer ynews Abyss, that has replaced the in 24hrs. (Subject(Subjecct to terms chocolate edge, using five Guinness. The handpumps in PPaPayay & Epos SSystems.ysteems. & Conditions)*ditions)* Liverpool Craft different malts. the Bistro are also to be revived. A slightly stronger version of Finally, congratulations are in Quokka was brewed in Big Bog order for Les, as Neptune November, called Fat Quokka. if you need a safe, secure & reliable Brewery has been awarded The brewery has developed Brewery way to take card payment please call - Merseyside Best New Brewer three new beers that are to join Morast (the on Ratebeer.com for 2016. 07718 257750 Quokka as their regular cask German for Quagmire beers: Little Albion, a 3.8% or Bog) was originally English Pale Ale, Camel IPA brewed as a one-off beer, but has Black Lodge (4.8%) and Mork, a 4.8% Rich become a regular. It is a 4.3% A new 2.5bbl plant has been Oatmeal Stout. German style beer, using Vienna fitted at the Black Lodge A special brew for Christmas Malt with German Hallertau Brewery on Kitchen Street. Paul was Sticky Bandit, a Spiced Mittelfruh and Hersbruker reports that cask beer could be Red Ale. At 5.8%, it was a good hops. produced in the future to add to winter warmer. the key keg beers currently A new seasonable beer, Peat brewed. Ad Hop Bog (4.9%), was brewed Andy reports the at the end of November. This Peerless brewery is hoping contains some liquorice root cut. Many to move to larger Frosty Bog (4.0%), using Liverpool & premises soon. Cascade Hops, has also been Districts CAMRA members Ad Hop was a headline brewery brewed for the winter season. will have attended a Thirsty at the Beer Street event, run by During January, Bourbier was Thursday event at the Peerless Tap & Bottles in Southport brewed to celebrate the first brewery in Birkenhead. For before Christmas. The brewery anniversary of the brewery 2017, the brewery is to open on continues to produce beers of moving to Speke from North the last Friday of each month different styles and strengths in Wales. It is described as a from 4pm, rather than the cask form. French-style beer, brewed with Thursday. The brewery bar will Rock the Boat Pilsner malt and French also be open on the last Strisselspalt hops (6%). A very New beers produced recently Saturday of each month from 12 light premium beer with a have been Liverpool IPA, a 4.4% to 6pm. delicate hop aroma. beer pale in colour, dry hopped Tony Williams

8 [email protected] [email protected] 9 Scores can be submitted via www.whatpub.com FamilyFamily brbrewerye crafting tasty Membership number and password Beer Scoring required. ales in the heart of St Helens Why Bother?

Have you ever sat in a pub or Unlike other isit anywhere else, drinking your popular online V pint and thought ‘This is a beer rating Us! really good pint! I might get apps such as the same again’? Did that RateBeer and thought enter your mind Untappd, we either because you liked the use submitted taste of that particular beer or scores to help that it was in really good decide which condition? Or...maybe both? pubs are Lucky you! entered in to Maybe it was a beer you had the Good Beer in a pub that has a good Guide for the WhatPub.com and access reputation when it comes to branch area. Inclusion in the your account. If you need to keeping and serving beer as guide is usually a good re-set your password, you Tel:TTeel: 0792107921 8833 8888 3311 the brewer intended. indication that the pub consistently keeps and serves can do so by going to Whatever your reasons, if you well-conditioned real ale. password.camra.org.uk/ are a CAMRA member, you Scores can also be entered Essentially, the scoring system can give the pub some retrospectively, so if you don’t is a 10-point scale, providing a recognition for each pint you have online access at the time descriptive narrative for each consume - and it only takes a of drinking - or you are in point to help you decide how couple of minutes to do. I’m good company and don’t want you might rate your drink. referring to the ‘dark art’ of to appear to be rude - you can 13TH - 14TH BEER SCORING. The important thing to note is always make a note and then BEER & that you are scoring the submit the score later. MAY 2017 The information gathered CONDITION / QUALITY of from beer scores for pubs is Be assured that every score the beer in the glass and not OVER 180 very useful to the work of submitted, high or low, is BEYOND! whether you like it. After all, the branch and CAMRA counted and gratefully REAL ALES no-one would knowingly PLUS CIDER, PERRY & WINE in general. We actively appreciated. So, if you want order a beer that they don’t encourage any member - local to make a valuable and 150+ like, but might get a poorly or otherwise - to enter a score meaningful contribution to the CLASSIC CARS kept or badly-poured pint via the WhatPub website work of the branch (with very through no fault of their own. 80+ (www.whatpub.com) which minimal effort on your part) EXHIBITORS was created by CAMRA HQ in To score a beer, you need to then PLEASE consider scoring St Albans, though all the local have both internet access and your next pint! £1 o full paying adult use this advert or book online LIVE MUSIC information about the pubs is a CAMRA member password. using code MERSEYALE or phone 01584 873957 ALL WEEKEND supplied and updated by You can use either a Thank You. WWW.LUDLOWSPRINGFESTIVAL.CO.UK members of the branch Smartphone, Tablet or By Andre Fu committee. computer to sign into

10 [email protected] [email protected] 11 Homebrewing PART 3 Ingredients used in Sparging as possible. As you cool your Brewing After the mash comes the wort, it becomes increasingly sparge. Sparging simply refers at risk from infection. Although you can make great to rinsing the grain. This rinses The faster you cool your wort, beers from extract or part- any extra sugars from the grain the faster you can pitch your grain, you should consider the and tops up your volume prior yeast and this can drastically move to all-grain if you really to the boil. reduce your risk of infection. want to experience the best It is important that your sparge Cooling also allows proteins homebrewing has to offer. from the wort to precipitate Not only does this give you out, giving you a clearer final access to all the ingredients beer. that the professionals use, but Fermentation you also get complete control After pitching your yeast, over the beer-making process. fermentation should begin There are several techniques (typically within 24 hours). that you would need to come During fermentation, yeast to grips with to start with all- will consume sugar present in grain brewing, which are the water isn’t too hot (above the wort and convert it to topic of this instalment. 75 ◦C), as this will extract alcohol and carbon dioxide. Mashing unwanted bitterness into your Yeast will also produce a Mashing is the name given to final beer. variety of flavour compounds the process of soaking grains in Boiling during this process. hot water so that enzymes can Once you have collected all the Which flavour compounds are liquid from the mash and released can be controlled sparge (this liquid is called to some extent by the wort), it is time to boil it. temperature at which you Boiling serves several ferment. Ferment too hot purposes. It concentrates and and yeast becomes stressed, sanitises your wort, darkens creating more flavour com- the colour and drives off pre- pounds, including undesirable cursors to off-flavours. It is also flavours like fusel alcohols. the point in the brew day Ferment too cold and your break grain starch down into where you add hops. yeast may not be able to start sugar, which will later be Hops added at the start of properly, leaving your wort at turned into alcohol by yeast. the boil predominantly add higher risk of becoming The temperature of the water bitterness, whereas hops infected. determines which enzymes are towards the end of the boil add In the next instalment, we will active and this determines how flavour and aroma. look at putting together an all- your end beer tastes. Cooling grain recipe. After boiling your wort, it is important to cool it as quickly By David Bawden

12 [email protected] [email protected] 13 Merseyside Pubs CAMRA Discount (correct as of March 1st 2017) Discounts on production of a valid CAMRA card n Central & Commercial , Ranelagh St – 20p off (pints only) n Willow Bank Tavern, Smithdown Road – 10% off except Tuesday after 6pm (see below ) n Flute, Hardman St – 10% off except Tuesday (see below) n Ma Egerton's , Pudsey St – 10% off Changing the face n Pumphouse, Albert Dock – 25p off (pints only) n Hare and Hounds, Liverpool Road North, Maghull – 20p off (pints only). Monday – £2.49/pt of your business... n Richmond Tavern, Church Rd, Wavertree – 20p off (pints only). Monday – £2.49/pt n Abbey, Hanover St – 10% off n The Liver, South Rd, Waterloo – 20% off n Yates, Queens Square – 10% off n Punchbowl, Lunt Road, Sefton Village – 20p off a pint. 10p off a half n Baltic Fleet, Wapping (20p off pints and 10p off a half at all times) n Victoria Cross, Sir Thomas Street - 20p off (pints only) Discount Days (available to anyone) n Flute, Hardman St – Tuesday ONLY: All day - £2.10 n Willow Bank Tavern, Smithdown Road – Tuesday ONLY from 6pm: £2.25/pt n Masonic, Gladstone Road, Garston – Discount Card (£1.00) 10% off real ale for a year. Tues (from 6pm): 4 pints for £5 (discount card cannot be used) n Mackenzie's, Rodney Street – £2 Monday to Thursday (pints only) Rent - Maintain - Buy n The John Brodie, Allerton Road – Tuesday ONLY : £1.95/pt n The George, Moor Lane, Crosby Village – Tuesday ONLY: £1.95/pt n Hard Times & Misery, Maryland St – Cask Ale Club (Tuesday - Thursday): 50p off pints + Buy 10, get 1 free; ask for stamp card at the bar. n The Lion Tavern, 67 Moorfields – Monday ONLY: £3/pt Discount available all day every day unless stated otherwise

Note: All discounts at management's discretion; Message to licensees / real ale drinkers: Subject to change at short notice. This list is not exhaustive, so if we have left anyone off OR if the discount no longer applies, This list is correct as of 1st March 2017; OE&E please let me know by emailing: Any new offers since the last issue are in RED [email protected] with details. By Andre Fu

Tel/Fax: 01706 214024 Email: [email protected] For a full list of LocAle pubs, please refer to Winter 2016 Edition of MerseyAle. www.zenonplanting.co.uk or visit liverpoolcamra.org.uk Registered in England No. 5513822 VAT Registration Number: 792 8188 76 [email protected] 15 Other branch BLO’s n PARKER n RED STAR AD HOP -Steve Downing n SOUTHPORT What is a BLACK LODGE * - VACANT Contact: [email protected] LIVERPOOL CRAFT -Tony Williams LIVERPOOL ORGANIC -Martin Powell and what WIRRAL BLO MAD HATTER * -Ian Simpson n BRIMSTAGE NEPTUNE -Sue Daniels do they do? n BRITMAN REPUBLIC OF LIVERPOO L -VACANT n PEERLESS ROCK THE BOAT -Tony Morgan A BLO (or Brewery Liaison Officer) is a point Contact: of contact and communication between a SHIP & MITRE - VACANT [email protected] brewery - be it an independent or one of the STAMPS - Alan Lloyd nationals - and CAMRA HQ/ Local Branch. TOP ROPE * -VACANT Each brewery within the branch area should ST HELENS WAPPING -Carol Cherpeau have a BLO - and although they are co-opted n CONNOISSEUR by the branch committee, they do not have • To answer queries regarding the brewery n GEORGE WRIGHT to be a committee member. All BLO’s are from CAMRA members in any branch. All of the above can be contacted via: n MELWOOD subject to a Code of Conduct. • To inform the BLC of any major changes to [email protected] the operations of the brewery as soon as Please use the same address if you are Contact: Currently, there are Thirteen breweries possible. interested in taking up one of the [email protected] within Liverpool & Districts CAMRA area and • To let local branch magazine, MerseyAle, vacant positions. some of them DON’T currently have a BLO; know of any newsworthy items for the Conditions apply. If you think I have left any LOCAL three of which do NOT make their beer Brewery News section and the monthly MERSEYSIDE breweries off the above lists, available in cask form, but this may change newsletter. Other local breweries in neighbouring branches: (*) – see opposite. • To keep BIS updated at all times, ensuring please let me know. SOUTHPORT & WEST that the beers listed and other details - such Andre Fu A BLO has to report to a Brewery Liaison as the description, contact and address - are LANCASHIRE Coordinator (BLC), who has responsibilities correct. This information is used for the BLO – Big Bog for breweries within their region. Our region Champion Beer of Britain Competition, as a n 3 POTTS LocAle Co-ordinator – covers Merseyside and Cheshire. basis for the and by beer n BURSCOUGH Liverpool & Districts CAMRA festival organisers. n CRAFT BREWERY [email protected] The key activities of the position include: • To proofread relevant brewery section of the Good Beer Guide, prior to publication. • To establish and maintain constructive • To liaise with the Tasting Panel Coordinator relationships with the brewery, promoting (as and when required) to maximise the CAMRA's policies and campaigns. number of beers that have a full tasting • To provide regular reports to the BLC as description. requested, via the Brewery Information System (BIS). This is usually done on a I used to be the BLO for Liverpool One quarterly basis. Brewery until they were sold on to a third • As and when requested, to report to the party, but now I work with BIG BOG and have branch and region where the brewery is done since they moved from North Wales to located. Speke last February. Currently, the role takes • To take part in - or help organise - any up 1-2 hours a month of my time. CAMRA campaigning venture (local or otherwise) that involves the brewery to which they have been appointed. Andre Fu

[email protected] [email protected] 17 requirements of younger up- Festival’ had to be Seacider Liverpool Beer Festival and-coming customers who Medium (5.8%) from Brighton. enjoy sweeter and lower Made from Cider Bar strength products, often with a cooking and synthetic flavour. baking Review 2017 So, do we as CAMRA festival apples, this organisers turn our backs on cider had a new and younger customers or lush, sweetish tease them to our cider bar with taste that one or two ‘fruity’ boxes, then reminded you chat and persuade them to try of apple pie. Seacider was the real thing? At Liverpool started by two brewers only this year, we tried the latter recently, who have won awards approach and it did seem to get along the south coast already. some positive results. Our top five festival ciders for Steve Of the festival itself, we had 34 2017 are: boxes on offer over the six Seacider, Medium This year, festival organisers sessions. Without doubt, Rosie’s recognised that the Cider Bar ciders from North Wales are an 5.8% Sussex Rosie's Perfect Pear was at a crossroads in terms of ongoing success story. Our four , Perry what we traditionally offered boxes sell out quickly and we 6% Wales Rosie's Black Bart, and what cider customers now could simply offer a Rosie’s Sweet expect. Cider Festival without any other 6.8% Wales products. Top O' The Hill, Dry There is plenty of evidence 5.5% Dorset gathered from other Liverpool Occasionally however, un- Made in Devon, Sweet beer festivals to illustrate that known gems appear - and 6% Devon the CAMRA mantra of “100% repeat customers who stay on a pressed fruit with nothing single product for an entire We look forward to seeing you added” satisfies long standing session indicate that a new all again at next year’s CAMRA CAMRA stalwarts (myself champion has been found. This Cider Bar. included), but misses the year that new ‘Cider of the By Steve Berks

Best Beer in the North Windermere Pale has been be the 7th year in a row that given multiple awards by the Hawkshead Brewery has had a West for Hawkshead Society of Independent Brewers beer in the Champion Beer of Brewery (SIBA) since it was launched in Britain finals. Windermere Pale is 2009, plus it has a silver medal from “the Oscars of the Champion Beer of the brewing industry”, the North West. International Brewing Awards. The Hawkshead Brewery beer is It is a low gravity (3.5% ABV) on the march to the Champion hoppy session beer. The Beer of Britain finals after being signature hop is Citra. declared the best beer in the This is the second time North West by CAMRA Hawkshead has had the North () at its West champion beer – Liverpool Beer festival, on “Cumbrian 5 Hop” won the Wednesday night. title in 2013. As a result this will

18 [email protected] [email protected] 19 Sale of the Punch Pub Company The pub company Punch Taverns is being sold, with the only bidders being a consortium called Vine commitment to consumer Acquisitions. This consortium choice, the Pubs Code and consists of Heineken UK and a entering further discussions company called Patron Capital. with CAMRA should the bid for This is a private equity Punch Taverns succeed. Here is Lawson Mountstevens company which invests in the full text of the letter: financial institutions, health- beer market and therefore a Open letter from CAMRA HQ care, hotels, leisure, consumer reduction in choice, not only to Lawson Mountstevens, and property. for our members, but for the Managing Director of On Monday 13th February, many millions of beer drinkers 99.6% of Punch shareholders Heineken's Star Pubs & Bars. and pub goers across the voted to agree to the sale to the To: Lawson Mountstevens, country. consortium. As part of the deal, MD Star Pubs & Bars We note that Heineken already has an existing market share of Dear Lawson, 24 per cent in the on-trade and I write to you as the National has a declared policy of Chairman of the Campaign for restricting the access of Real Ale, which represents competitors to the pubs that more than 185,000 beer they own. drinkers and pub users across the UK. CAMRA is concerned that the effect of the planned takeover We note that with the only of these Punch Tavern pubs Heineken will immediately other likely bidder to acquire has the potential to be acquire 1,900 of the former Punch Taverns plc having considerably detrimental to Punch Pubs to bring its total withdrawn from the process, it the interests of customers. We Star Pubs & Bars estate to just looks extremely likely that believe that customers are under 3,000. The remaining Heineken will end up likely to not only experience 1,100 pubs will transfer to increasing its Star Pubs & Bars reduced choice in the range of Patron Capital, who describe pub estate from 1,100 to 3,000 cask beer from small and themselves as “the leading pubs. regional breweries in pubs opportunistic real estate owned by Heineken, but also managers in Europe”. We recognise the potential in the wider market, as it CAMRA are concerned about positive outcome of the deal, becomes harder for new the potential detrimental effect which looks set to allow the brewers to emerge and for this could have on consumer pubs in Punch's estate to existing brewers to increase choice and access to market by continue as going concerns. the availability of their small brewers and cider We also note your positive products. makers, as Heineken has track-record of investment into TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT previously stated its intention improving the pubs it currently I'd invite you to reassure to increase the percentage of owns. myself and CAMRA members, ISSUE OF MERSEYALE its own brands in the pubs it as well as all beer drinkers and owns. CAMRA published an However, we are concerned pub users across the UK, by See Page 47 for details of rates and deadlines open letter to the company, that the proposed acquisition giving unqualified assurances calling on it to make could lead to a lessening of that you will ensure that the assurances about their provision of the kind of choice competition in the on-trade F 20 [email protected] [email protected] 21 that currently exists in Punch In response, Heineken Taverns pubs will remain a issued a reply in which it Proposed deal priority for you if your said: between Punch company's acquisition is successful. n It intends to work with Taverns and SIBA’s BeerFlex service to give In particular, I'd invite you to tenants access to a wide range Heineken to be provide answers to these of quality beers from investigated questions: independent breweries . The Competition and n Will you ensure you maintain n It has confirmed to former a choice for drinkers - most Markets Authority (CMA) Punch tenants that they will has launched an official obviously by allowing not be forced to buy Heineken investigation into the customers to be able to choose brands and have “no intention from a range of real ales, ciders of imposing blanket proposed purchase by and perries? conditions”. Heineken of 1900 Punch n Can you assure us that you n It intends to stick to the pubs. will abide by the letter and the “letter and spirit” of the Pubs It has been initiated to spirit of the Pubs Code, Code. decide if the sale - part of a including giving tenants the n Its intention is to improve joint bid between Heineken right to opt for a market rent the performance of the former and Patron Capital - would only option? Punch estate through reduce choice for the beer n Is your intention to continue investment. Heineken did not drinker and reduce operating the vast majority of take the opportunity to the acquired pubs as going commit to an assurance that competition in the pub concerns and that you will the “vast majority of the sector. The first phase of the discuss with communities acquired pubs” would investigation will take until before taking any decision to continue to operate as going 24th April 2017. The sell pubs for alternative uses? concerns, but did say when it investigation only involves n Can you give assurances had sold pubs in the past, the Heineken at this stage, as that you are committed to majority had remained as pubs Patron Capital does not allowing your licensees and not had their use currently own any pubs. flexibility in offering guest real changed. If a possible reduction in ales from local breweries, n The company has agreed choice is found to be the which cannot be considered a to further discussions with case, a further merger threat to a company of CAMRA following completion investigation will be started, Heineken's size? of the deal. which could last until n Will you agree to further In addition to contacting October 2017, unless the discussion with CAMRA Heineken, CAMRA has also parties involved make following the acquisition of the made a submission to the undertakings to address the pubs, in order to give further Competitions and Market competition concerns. assurances about your plans? Authority (CMA) to express the If the merger is successful, We appreciate that you are concerns about the impact the Heineken will become the bound by the regulations and deal could have on choice and third largest pub operator in conventions that govern competition in the market. the UK after takeovers, but would invite you CAMRA has called upon the and Enterprise. to be open and transparent CMA to launch an investigation The CMA has asked about your intentions ahead of into the competition interested parties and the decision by Punch Taverns consequences of Heineken individuals to submit their shareholders on 10th February. being allowed to acquire an views to the CMA by additional 1,900 pubs . emailing lasse.burmester@ Yours sincerely, By Tony Morgan, Public cma.gsi.gov.uk by 2nd March Colin Valentine Affairs Officer, Liverpool & 2017. CAMRA National Chairman. Districts CAMRA

[email protected] 23 stronger than intended. It Foxy Red - The was also a touch too birth of a beer dark: a with a huge amount of slightly experimental beer. paler beer Gwynne knew I was keen would have though and made me an offer. I Hop Teas allowed the could do my own brew for less ruby colour company of several work than he would normally charge to be more colleagues and fellow CAMRA for the day, but I also had to sell Strong at 5% discernible. members who had come along a 9-gallon cask of it to a local However, for beer called Autumn Red, so they to try it - and I didn’t want to let pub for him. Enter Dave Swift, a first effort, I think it had gone down either them or the staff at Cellar Keeper of The Red based the recipe on this to try pretty well - even if I do say so Gwynne Thomas The Red Fox. Fox and all-round cask and achieve the same myself! colouration. Since I did the ‘Brewer for the ale enthusiast. Swifty was I’m pleased to say it was a big I would wholeheartedly re- day’ experience at Conwy remarkably easily persuaded to After this, I was involved at success. The beer was in commend doing a Brew Day. Brewery a couple of years ago take a cask of my experimental every stage of the process excellent condition and the Not only do you get the (where I shadowed Head beer - and we were on! throughout the day, from blend of flavour was almost opportunity to create a beer to Brewer, Gwynne Thomas and sparging to adding the yeast to exactly as I intended. Firstly, Before the day of brewing, learnt hands-on about the the wort. One of the most you were hit by a slightly fruity I outlined to Gwynne what brewing process), I had wanted interesting parts of the process aroma from the hops. Then, a I wanted to create. I wanted to to try brewing my own beer. was choosing the hops for the burst of malt flavour, followed attempt to combine two of beer. Gwynne made up several by the sweetness of the honey. Some would have gone down my favourite beer styles. I love ‘hop teas’ (hops in a glass, with However, before this became the route of homebrewing, but I rich, ruby, malty beers, such Complex Blend too sickly, there was a finish lacked both the confidence and as Red Macgregor from Sparging complex blend of flavour I was of mild fruity bitterness. your own specifications, it also the equipment. Friends of mine Orkney Brewery or Rhode looking for. My friends were impressed - gives you a whole new have invested a lot of time and Island Red from Brimstage. appreciation of the brewing Once the brew-day was done, and it wasn’t just us coming effort in homebrew - sometimes I am also very partial to honey process and the skill that goes there followed an agonising back for more! When I returned with quite disastrous results, beers, such as Fullers into creating a great beer. four-week wait for the beer to be to the pub the following which led me to think that it Honeydew, Tatton Brewery’s ready. This was broken up by a evening, I had the last pint, with There is talk of re-brewing a wasn’t the best option for me. Lazy Haze and Conwy’s series of emails with Chris - the cask selling out in a little slightly tweaked version of Honey Fayre . The challenge boiling water poured over Conwy’s marketing guru - who over 24 hours. When the bottles Foxy Red as a seasonal brew in was to balance the flavours of them) and from these I selected wanted my input for designing were ready, they also proved a larger quantity later this year, the honey and the malt, without a blend of Brambling Cross the pump-clip and bottle label popular. so keep an eye out for it on the either one overpowering the and Challenger hops. for the beer. I decided to name The only things I would change pumps in pubs this Autumn / Conwy Brewery offer a ‘Brew other. I am not a fan of very As the day went on, I really my creation ‘Foxy Red’, which about the beer are the ABV and Winter. your own beer day’, but this is hoppy beers, but I did want started to appreciate the skill seemed apt considering the pub the colour. I was looking for an I should also say a huge designed for around eight some hops to help balance the and experience of Gwynne and in which it was to be served ABV of around 4.5 to 4.8% . It ‘Thank you’ to Gwynne and people. I had quite a specific flavours. Paul, who between them have came out at 5%, so was a touch his team at Conwy Brewery idea for the beer I wanted to first! When I arrived at the brewery, over 30 years of brewing for a great experience create, though finding seven Gwynne and I sat down and experience. The calculation of When the bottles arrived from - and also to Swifty interested others would have discussed the beer I was trying how much honey to add was the brewery, they needed and The Red Fox crew, been hard enough - never mind to achieve. Meanwhile, Paul - very complex for instance. I several weeks to condition, so without whom it ones willing to go along with one of Gwynne’s team of soon realised that without their the first chance I got to sample wouldn’t have been my idea! However, going it brewers - had selected the malt skill and assistance, there was my beer was at The Red Fox. I possible. alone would not only be to use and milled it. Conwy no way a novice like myself was excited, but also slightly Cheers guys! expensive, but also leave me already brew a seasonal ruby would manage to achieve the apprehensive. I was in the By Rob Carter

24 [email protected] [email protected] 25 Wirral Branch News

The Magazine Hotel (New CAMRA will push them to Brighton) is Wirral CAMRA uphold the terms of the ACV if Branch Pub of the Season for the response from Punch Spring 2017. and the new licensee is not satisfactory. A developer has begun to convert The Hilbre (West The Lion (Birkenhead), Kirby) into an Italian Jug and Bottle (Heswall), restaurant, despite an ACV Magazine Hotel (New being secured for the pub. Brighton), Red Fox (Thornton Under current plans, cask ale Hough) and Harp Inn (Little PUB NEWS would not be available and Neston) have all recently only 25% of the floor space signed up to CAMRA’s LocAle The Lazy Landlord would be accessible to those scheme. A locally-brewed (Wallasey) is Wirral just wanting to come in and beer will be on sale in these CAMRA Branch Pub of have a drink. pubs at all times. For more the Year 2017. information and a full list of Representatives from Wirral LocAle accredited pubs in CAMRA Branch have met with The Harp Inn (Little Neston) Wirral, go to wirral.camra. concerned locals and the is runner-up Wirral CAMRA org.uk/LocAle.php area manager of Punch Branch Pub of the Year 2017. Taverns in order to try and Red Fox (Thornton Hough) The Harp Inn is also Wirral reach a compromise. Wirral CAMRA Branch Pub of the Beer Festival, 4th – 7th May: Borough Council have also Season for Winter 2017. 40 Real Ales and 10 Real been contacted and Wirral Ciders. Free Entry. A visit to Britman Brewery and the Harp Inn On a cold Saturday afternoon in the middle of January, several Wirral CAMRA members ventured into the Cheshire part of our branch area. Ahead lay a very interesting and rewarding day, firstly visiting the newest Wirral brewery and then presenting the latest Wirral Pub of the Season award to one of our most iconic pubs. For many years, an active Wirral brewery was a long distant memory and then there were three; firstly Brimstage, then Les Ward and Julie Perkins Peerless and now Britman. F 26 [email protected] [email protected] 27 Britman Brewery is a very small Harp Inn North Wales, so to come microbrewery, based in the Upon leaving Britman, we second in such a large area was former stable block of Burton headed for the Harp Inn, which testament to its appeal. We Manor - a small stately home in sits right beside the Dee were delighted to find that the 56 Mill Lane Liscard the village of Burton, run by Marshes on the outskirts of appeal of this lovely pub has Wirral CH44 5UG Les Ward and Julie Perkins. The Little Neston. The Harp is an not diminished! We were ethos of Britman Brewery has unspoilt picture-postcard pub. happy to receive a very warm Opened in December 2014, its roots in Germany; all their Its whitewashed walls enclose welcome from landlady Sue we are proud to be Wirral’s first beers follow the German a cosy bar and lounge, with low and her lovely staff. micro pub. Purity Law (the Reinhe- ceilings and wooden beams for An interesting range of Serving fine cask ales from local breweries itsgebot), where only malted the taller amongst us to different beer styles awaited with guests from further afield. navigate. Views from the pub us; these included Titanic Plum Porter, Ossett Big Red, Taylor’s We have no lager, spirits or are extensive, looking across the marshes to North Wales - Landlord and Holt’s Bitter . This PUB OF THE SEASON alcopops. No television, juke box and to the north - with an was good to see, as too many SPRING 2015 or gaming machines. uninterrupted view right up pubs now seem to concentrate the Wirral peninsula. Lovely to largely on golden, hoppy n Up to five cask ales n Small range of bar snacks (with sit outside in the summer, beers. delicious locally sourced pork pies coming soon) n Warm friendly though too cold however on After we all had sampled some atmosphere in traditional pub setting punctuated with pub barley, hops, yeast and water the day! very well-kept ales, Wirral memorobilia to encourage good conversation are allowed. In the early 2000’s, the Harp Inn Branch chairman, Dave n Selection of good wines n Boxed cider 5 Les gave a fascinating insight was runner-up one year in the Goodwin, then presented Sue Buses from Liverpool 432 and 433; from Birkenhead 410; From New cask ales into his journey from being a Regional Pub of the Year with the Winter 2017 Wirral Brighton 118 and 119; from Moreton 413 and 414 Selection of Bottled Conditioned homebrewer to a self-taught competition. At that time, Pub of the Season award, Beers to drink in or take out commercial brewer. His time our region encompassed praising the pub for the quality spent working in Germany of its beer and its warm, Opening hours Mon Wed Thurs 4pm-10:30pm Fri 2pm-10:30pm Sat Sun 12pm-10:30pm Closed Tuesday Merseyside, Cheshire and inspired him to follow their friendly atmosphere. purity laws. For anyone who has He was proud of the fact that never been to the all Britman’s beers are suitable Harp Inn, it is well for vegans; the beers are worth making the allowed to clear naturally, journey to see it. instead of using isinglass By Dave Hutchinson finings.

We were able to sample their Dave Best Bitter, IPA and Kolsch. Goodwin The Kolsch was especially presents interesting, as this is a beer Pub of the style not often seen in the UK. Season Award to Kolsch can tend to be a bit on Sue the sweet side. However, Britman’s version had been maturing away for six months, allowing the beer to become drier and tastier. We tasted ‘younger’ and ‘older’ versions of both the Best Bitter and IPA. It was notable to taste how much an extra month’s maturation brought to the flavour of the beers. All in all, a very interesting visit.

28 [email protected] [email protected] 29 again. A variant of Rhode Island Red, aged in American oak casks, also went on sale shortly before Christmas. Bottle-conditioning their ale is another recent development - and the impres - Brimstage Brewery was established in sive bottling equipment was designed 2006 by founder Neil Young in a con - and built by brewer, Tom Menaul. verted cowshed dairy at Home Farm, in Bottles are now available at a number the small village of Brimstage, in the they have been using blends of hops. of outlets, including Homebrew in heart of the Wirral countryside. are now six employees, including three However, they still managed to stick to Oxton Village and Claremont Farm Neil aimed to create a beer that he’d brewers. There isn’t room for a lab on using all whole hops, as Adam believes Shop. want to drink himself. This gave rise to site, so yeast checks are conducted by they give the best flavour. Thanks to Adam and Allan for taking the hugely successful Trapper’s Hat an independent brewery consultant. Rye was also added to the recipe of the the time to speak to me. Keep an eye bitter, that was a Champion Beer of I caught up with Head Brewer, Adam Rhode Island Red, which I think gives it Britain finalist in 2009 and 2010: the first Williams and Brewery Manager, Allan a smoother texture. Also, the Oyster brew of which went into the local Fox Machin, about recent developments at Catcher Stout was modified to include and Hounds pub in Barnston and has Brimstage… oatmeal, which again seems to have been sold there ever since. The brewery is cur - added more smoothness and body to The brewery has grown more success - rently working at full an already great beer. ful year on year. In addition to Trapper’s capacity and they There have also been some recent Hat, the core range expanded to six brew four times a additions to the line-up. The new 6% beers; Scarecrow, Sandpiper, Rhode week. Trapper’s Hat Brimstage IPA - bursting with hops - Island Red Rye, IPA and Oyster Catcher is still their most has been hugely popular. Also, Dunkel out for Brimstage Beer when you’re Stout. It supplies many pubs and bottle popular product and Weiss was brewed for the brewery’s out, as I definitely recommend it. I wish accounts for about 10th anniversary and was showcased at the guys the best of luck for the next 10 70% of the beer the Wirral CAMRA 2016 Birkenhead years. brewed. Adam attributes their success Beer Festival. However, at the time of Cheers! to the quality ingredients they use, writing, there are no plans to brew it By Rob Carter which they refuse to compromise on. He says this means they aren’t as cheap as some other breweries as a result - and this makes it difficult to sell their beer to some pubs. shops - mainly locally, but also in North 2016 saw some changes to recipes of Wales, Merseyside and Greater Man - the regular beers. The brewery had chester. All of the beer produced is sold some problems with getting the hop within a 40-mile radius of the brewery. varieties they use, even though they To help meet the rising demand, the have a hop contract that stretches two Brimstage Awards workforce has also expanded and there years into the future. To combat this, Wall

30 [email protected] [email protected] 31 From Dave Halliwell MerseyAle Isle of Man Correspondent This quarter, we focus heavily on updates on the forthcoming the often-contentious issue of Isle of Man Beer Festival, beer-pricing and consider value for Hooded Ram brewery de - money, comparing both the UK velopments, a new Pubs and the Isle of Man. There are also Walk and news roundup. Isle of Man entertainment on offer, this high, but there appears to be year using predominantly the considerable evidence that this Beer Festival main Royal Hall. is not necessarily the case, some The sixth Isle of Man CAMRA of which will be considered in Please note that the event Beer and Cider Festival is this article. Along with actual relies heavily on volunteers almost upon us, once again to price, we must consider value for its success. As such, any for money - and that can be help - however large or small dependent on a pub’s décor, - would be gratefully received service and beer quality, which and appreciated. (See are highly significant. separate festival advert for staffing officer details). Looking at some specifics on island: in the South East, Beer landmark upon us current Pub of The Year winner, Inevitably, once every ten to fifteen years, pricing landmarks are reached. In late be held at the prestigious December 2016, following Douglas Villa Marina, the small inflationary increases, a weekend before Easter, from tipping point signalling the Thursday 6th to Saturday 8th broad arrival of the £3 pint April 2017 . The Grand mark manifested itself in over The Albert (Port St Mary) , was National (also on Saturday half of the island pubs, for a serving local Bushy’s bitters at 8th) will once again be staple on island real ale. £2.80 a pint - and importantly for UK comparative purposes screened live during the For a variety of reasons, guest (as will be touched upon later), festival, repeating the lively ales imported onto the island in an immaculately well- atmosphere of the previous are usually slightly more maintained pub. year’s Saturday afternoon expensive -particularly high session. strength ales which are subject In the West, This Isle of Man CAMRA to a much higher tax and duty what appears flagship event will feature over regime. A super high strength to be the 150 ales, along with ciders, ale at 11.1% ABV was observed cheapest ale perries and fruit wines. With at a cost of £11 a pint in a regularly Okell’s returning in 2017 as a competitive London real ale found on the main sponsor, there are unique house recently, though this is Isle of Man - plans to transport the Isle of very rare. A large portion of Bushy’s Ruby Man Lieutenant Governor, Sir this cost will be tax duty. Mild (3.5% Richard Gozney, to open the ABV) - was festival - via the double decker Island prices remain being served at £2.40 a pint in Douglas horse tram - in Okell’s competitive several outlets, notably the livery. As in previous years, There is still a perception that award - winning Whitehouse there will be food and real ale prices on island are Hotel in Peel. F

32 [email protected] [email protected] 33 Over in the While much of the H&B estate a first port of call for many Isle North East has only just reached the £3 of Man drinkers when off of the island, mark, the pubs are generally island, which may itself lead to Old Laxey well-maintained with modern false general perceptions on Brewing amenities, such as a high island regarding pricing. Company proportion of disabled access Pub chain wise, Wetherspoon’s was found to   (most famously) as a national be supplying    pub group offer very low- Bosun’s priced real ale, but the lesser Bitter at £2.90 a pint at The known Sam Smith’s brewery "%#)%) ' $%)", ) $-)$( + Shore, Old Laxey, home of the (Tadcaster) also does. Sam '$%'""'" '$')%% Smith’s have a unique business model, focusing on all own- brand drinks and snacks. At their superb original art deco outlets and provision in some Bispham outlet, The Bispham pubs for outdoor child areas or Hotel (north of Blackpool), heated facilities etc. Sam Smith’s Old Brewery Bitter (4% ABV) is for sale at a In addition, the very high- mere £1.90 per pint, in an end Mannin Hotel - an    immaculately presented pub brewery. Further north in independent rebuild - was    internally, if a little austere  Ramsey, Hooded Ram £2.80, found to be stocking Bushy’s looking from the outside. Okell’s bitter £2.60 and and Okell’s beer at £2.90 in       Bushy’s beers £2.60, were all very impressive surroundings. However, these are the pricing          available simultaneously - But perhaps the best value beer exceptions, and it is now found comfortably under the £3 was to be found at The Rovers         that many of the well-known mark at The Commercial Return, Douglas, where in other operators, even in less Hotel on Ramsey Quay. January 2017, one of Bushy’s affluent areas, price their in- strongest ales - Bushy’s house ales at £3 or above. At Humbug (5% ABV) - was Fleetwood for example, at the priced at only £2.50 and £2.70 recently built Marston’s pub, in the nearby Old Market Inn The Three Lights, all their in-          free house. A 5% ABV ale will house beers are sold at £3. On typically attract a higher levy of      a recent visit to the Mill Hill duty than the weaker session       area of Blackburn, a range of beers - and with tax con-      the predominantly Thwaites tributing heavily to the price houses were pricing Thwaites of a beer, the £2.50 price &$ $ %*'('%$.)%)*'. session ales (as in under 4% Here, while the outside of the tag appeared remarkably ABV in strength) at £2.90 (Lord $%%$*$) " &#%'%%$$%%$*$) " pub is perhaps due for inexpensive. Raglan), often in some of their &#%$*$.%&$$%%$*$) " repainting, the inside was very more dated pub stock. # $  )%'' $!(%$.)%*$. well presented - furnishing Comparing briefly with the UK, there are now great $"*( + wise - at the time of visiting. It These pubs are by no means swathes of the country - both was also spotlessly clean and comparable - facility and décor North and South, affluent and tidy, with excellent heating wise - to some of the Isle of not - where ales have exceeded supplied via a wood-burning Man aforementioned pub the £3 a pint marker some time stove. Finally, moving to the stock. Finally, to Lytham St. ago (often years, rather than capital Douglas, Heron and Annes , where the new No. 10 months). That said, there are Brearley’s world famous Alehouse micropub was certain pockets and pub chains Quarterbridge pub on the T.T found to be selling Wily Fox            that buck the trend, with course was maintaining prices Prohibition Ale (3.9% ABV) Liverpool being one such area - at under £3. at £3. F 34 [email protected] [email protected] 35 To summarise: with inflation in beer. Key kegs are also regularly Sulby Glen Beer Engine the pipeline, as the £3 barrier is being used and there remains a breached, it could be argued medium-term plan for a that the Isle of Man is still canning facility on island. competitive in pricing, as prices also increase across the water. Pubs walk along Of course, real ale is generally Douglas North Quay highly-competitively priced For the 2017 summer months, in comparison to other long John Cojeen is continuing his drinks, such as lagers and successful Pub Walks tours, visit was an innovative list of typically craft keg ales. (Note: incorporating real ale and local upcoming events to be held articles on price date rapidly. history, but this year has at The Sulby, from themed All prices discussed were developed a new walk - nights to under-sixteen pool observed between 15th predominantly along the tournaments - minus the beer December 2016 and 10th historic Douglas North Quay. obviously! With regards an February 2017). John has a wealth of local earlier passage in the text: all knowledge, both on pubs and three brewery’s beers were Hooded Ram brewery former uses for priced at £2.80 per pint, expansion many of the representing good value for Hooded Ram is intending to historic buildings money in this hotel of immense move to a new site, retaining for on route. The tour reputation over many years. the time being the Hills price also includes Meadow facility, where they the beers supplied News in brief have recently installed a 0.5 on route. Bar George, Douglas, has barrel plant experimental recently started stocking real ale brewery, with conical The Sulby Glen, Sulby (on again, after a brief absence. the North West side of the T.T course), now features a bespoke Bosun’s Bitter, from Old Laxey house ale by Hooded Ram - Brewery, made a rare namely, Tante Rosie. At 4% appearance outside the ABV and a dark ruby colour, the brewpub in Old Laxey, beer is principally to celebrate Landlady Rosie’s forty years at the T.T.

fermenters. Their bottled beers are now stocked in 48 Oddbins stores in the UK - and much experimental brewing was in featuring at the award-winning evidence at a recent visit to the Trafalgar pub on Ramsey brewery, including the quay in production of a marmalade February. Bosun’s has always The beer is been avail- permanently able to available at those re- The Sulby, in questing it, conjunction but is not with brews generally marketed outside from Okell’s and Bushy’s. As the brewery. usual, on display at the time of F

36 [email protected] [email protected] 37 Heron and Brearley (in two And finally, more proof if Inn - sadly no longer open to pubs now) feature a ‘beer wall’ needed that MerseyAle really island visitors! - similar to those becoming does reach the places others increasingly common in the do not get to. Copies were UK. The pubs are The Railway supplied last year to the island on Douglas Quay and The of Hirta, part of the St. Kilda Royal George in Ramsey. group out in the Atlantic - A combination of lagers and some forty miles west of craft keg beers feature regularly. Harris.

In the foreground: Angela Aspin, CAMRA West Pennines Regional Director, with obligatory MerseyAle and bottle of Bushy’s beer. In the background can be seen Ministry of Defence units on the island, one of which supports Royal George the most remote bar in the Angela British Isles, formerly the Puff

pubs who could store a few boxes for us, but make copies accessible, please get in touch via the email address given below. Secondly, some branch members have boxes delivered directly to their home/workplace, whilst others collect directly from the printer for onward distribution. This network is successful in the main, but relies on only a handful of dedicated people to help maintain it. Sometimes it can be a struggle, as we don't always get to all the pubs as often as we would like - and consequently copies do go to waste, which is not what we want of course. I have had offers of help since the previous edition to cover Crosby /Waterloo, Walton/Fazakerley and Woolton, but maybe YOU feel you could help, by offering to drop off a few copies elsewhere to pubs that we struggle to visit regularly due to where they are. Some are in and around the city centre, but the vast majority are in the suburbs, such as Gateacre, Did you know that every time an edition of Old Swan and Huyton. So, if you could offer to take some copies to pubs MerseyAle is produced, thousands of copies where you know they would be appreciated, please are printed? contact me on the email address below with the As the Distribution Manager, it is up to me to ensure details. Of course, if you visit somewhere regularly that copies are spread widely, fairly and frequently where you never see MerseyAle, speak to staff first to pubs and other sites within our branch area. to make sure they are willing to take them – and also Whilst copies are sent to Wirral, St Helens and Isle have somewhere the magazine can be displayed of Man, the remainder are distributed in a number prominently. We can then provide you with an initial of ways. Firstly, certain city centre pubs act as allocation and a CAMRA branded magazine holder, Distribution Points (DP) and make copies available which should hold up to 10 copies at a time. to anyone who wishes to take MerseyAle to other Any offers of help will be much appreciated. pubs whilst on their travels. Current DP pubs include The Vernon Arms, The Caledonia, The Andre Fu Crown and Ship & Mitre. Although there are others, MerseyAle Distribution Manager we'd like to have more. So, if there are any more [email protected]

38 [email protected] [email protected] 39 15TH -18TH February 2017 to make this one of the most successful festivals in the country. A special mention must go to Doug Macadam , our beer festival organiser, who this year did not only The most anticipated event in the Liverpool and have to organise the festival, Doug Districts CAMRA calendar - the 37th Liverpool but also the North West Regional final of the Beer Festival - was yet again hugely popular. Champion Beer of Britain Competition (CBOB) . To The addition of a Wednesday session, which was read more about the competition and the winners free to CAMRA members, was a great success - of all the categories see page 43 of this magazine. something I am sure we will repeat in future years. Sonia James-Henry This year’s entertainment came from first-time Liverpool Beer Festival Staffing Manager visitors to the festival, the Brasswurst Bavarian and Branch Chair Band, who went down a storm with their mix of German drinking songs and modern songs played in an oompah style. Audience participation was a feature that certainly got the crowd singing and dancing along! With a wide range of beers on offer, the Beer of the Festival is always hotly contested, with over 200 votes cast over the six festival sessions. Local beers Brasswurst are always popular - and this year, as with last - there were two local breweries in the top three. Despite the concept amongst some licensees that dark beers don’t sell, two of them were . The overall winner was Tarn Hows Blueberry Vanilla Oatmeal Stout - the second time in three years the Cumbrian brewery has taken the top spot. Congratulations on a well-deserved win. The runner-up was a local pale ale, Cloud 9 , from Formby-based Red Star . A winner last year with Lakota, the brewery is going from strength to strength and this year sponsored a brewery bar which proved extremely popular.

Third was another stout, from a brewery that also featured in the top three last year with the popular Abyss. Neptune is again a local brewery that is proving extremely popular both locally and further afield. This year it was their new beer, Undercurrent, that impressed festival goers. Look out for both Neptune and Red Star beers in pubs in Liverpool City Centre and the suburbs. Finally, a big thank you to all our volunteers. The Liverpool Beer Festival is run entirely by members of CAMRA, who give up their time free of charge

40 [email protected] [email protected] 41 Champion Beer of Britain North West final This year, the Liverpool Beer Festival had After a lot of tasting and the privilege of hosting the Champion much deliberation, the Beer of the North West Competition. winners were:

This is the first time the event Golden Ale: Hawkshead Bronze: Dunham has been held in Liverpool. The Windermere Pale Massey Dunham competition itself took place Speciality: Blackedge Black Massey Porter on Wednesday afternoon. Port Porter We had three tasting panels Mild: Foxfield Dark Winter made up of brewers, CAMRA Mild members, journalists and beer Silver: Stringers and Strong Mild: bloggers. The judges were Mutiny Double Watermill Shih Tzu Faced given one beer at a time and Stout only told its style. Eleven Barley wines and Strong Old different beers were tasted and Ale: Robinsons Old Tom judged on appearance, aroma, Stout: Barngates taste and aftertaste. Goodhew’s Dry Stout Porter: Dunham Massey Gold: The beers judged were: Dunham Massey Porter Hawkshead Bitter: Barngates Cracker Windermere Real Ale in a Bottle (RAIB): Pale Best Bitter: Barngates Stringers Mutiny Double Tag lag Stout Congratulations to Strong Bitter: Barngates Red Mel James-Henry all the winners. Bull Terrier Deputy Beer Festival Organiser

Presentation for the North and the Barley Wines and Strong Porters West Regional Category Old Ales’ will be judged next Bronze: Hawkshead Brodie’s year in the Champion Beer of Prime RAIB (Real Ale in a Bottle) the North West 2018 and will Silver: Watermill Dog’th Porters and the Barley also be going to the National Vader Wines and Strong Old Winter Ales Festival 2018 (in Gold: Dunham Massey Ales Norwich) to be judged as Dunham Porter contenders for the Champion The first of the 2017 rounds were Barley Wines and Strong Winter Beer of Britain 2018. held at Manchester in January. Old Ales The Gold winners of the RAIB Real Ale in a Bottle Bronze: Watermill Shih Tzu category will be going to the Bronze: Merlin Merlin’s Gold Faced Good Food Show in Birmingham Silver: Stringers Mutiny Silver: Hawkshead Brodie’s later on this year to be judged as Double Stout Prime Export a contender for the Champion Gold: Coniston Coniston Gold: Coniston No. 9 Bottled Beer of Britain. No 9 The Gold winners of the ‘Porters By Mel James-Henry The membership rates are increasing by £1 on 1st April.

42 [email protected] [email protected] 43 in which he con- Liverpool and gratulated the Districts AGM branch for the way in which we mix Ship & Mitre campaigning with social events - 18th January something of which 2017 we are very proud. We then came to Sonia James-Henry Mel James-Henry Our annual AGM was the election of the held upstairs at the Ship & Committee: all members Mitre on 18th January. of the 2016 Committee Thank you to everyone expressed a desire to who came along. We are stand again. We also had a grateful for your support, new branch member, at what is the most Halee Rani, who wished important meeting of the to become our Young year. Person’s Officer. The Andre Fu Mike Chandler There was a brief recap of meeting ratified all events that had taken candidates and the 2017 place over the past 12 committee was formed. months, including the Committee Members closing and subsequent are: re-opening of The Lion Sonia James-Henry and The Cross Keys, the Andre Fu fire at The Scotch Piper Carol Cherpeau (which remains closed) Halee Rani and our revamp of Howard Perry Carol Cherpeau Tony Morgan MerseyAle. Our hosting Ian Rayner of the 2016 Members Mel James-Henry Weekend was also raised Mike Chandler and special thanks were Tony Morgan given to Geoff Edwards, Tony Williams who was the Chairman of Steve Downing the Members Weekend Sue Daniels organising committee. As there was no further Following this, each business, the meeting was Halee Rani Tony Williams Branch Officer gave a then concluded. There brief report of their was then time for activities over the past members to socialise year. This included our and discuss issues with Pubs Officer, Steve members of the com- Downing, discussing mittee. This is a taste of concerns around the Late the structure of our Night Levy and our Social AGM’s. We encourage Secretary, Sue Daniels, as many members as talking about recent trips possible to attend these Howard Perry Steve Downing to the Christmas Markets meetings, as we value in Manchester and your opinions and would Chester, as well as our like branch members to new Sunday Lunch meet- be actively involved in the ups. future of Liverpool and Our new Regional Districts CAMRA. Director, Nick Bosley, Sonia James-Henry then gave a short speech Liverpool Branch Chair Ian Rayner Sue Daniels

44 [email protected] [email protected] 45 Thu 13 Apr: Branch Meeting. Meet in Isle of Man CAMRA Branch Gallaghers, Chester Street, Birkenhead at Liverpool CAMRA Coach Trips 8.30pm for 9pm start. Meeting Schedule Thu 20 April: Presentation of Pub of the Wed 15 March: 7.30pm, Douglas - The Coach trips are run every month to a variety Jun 10th: Hinckley and Rugby. Rosemount Hotel. of destinations. Jul 15th: Skipton, Barnoldswick, and Colne. Season for Spring 2017 to Magazine Hotel, Aug 12th: Hull. Magazine Brow, New Brighton at 8.30pm. Thu/Fri/Sat 6,7,8 April: Branch beer festival - Coach Trips depart at 10am from opposite the Sep 9th: Harrogate and Otley. The Villa Marina, Promenade, Douglas. Ship and Mitre, Dale Street, and return there Wed 3 May: Committee Meeting. Meet Oct 14th: Nottingham (for beer festival. Date to around 9pm. Cost is £12 for CAMRA members, at Rose & Crown, Bebington at 8pm. Sat 15 April : 2pm Laxey - Start at The Bridge be finalised). £15 for non members – so it pays to join All welcome. Inn, then a stroll around the village. Nov 11th: Shrewsbury area (possibly another CAMRA! Wed 10 May: Branch Meeting . Meet in brewery visit). Mon 15 May: 7.30pm Peel - Start at The White For full details of upcoming trips and how to book, Gallaghers, Chester Street, Birkenhead at House, then a stroll around the town (Mild please check out the coach trip page on the branch 8.30pm for 9pm start. Month). website. To book, contact [email protected] Sat 13 May: Coach trip to Ludlow Food & CA£MRA1 Me2 mbers Thu 8 June: 7.30pm Douglas - Bushy’s Beer or phone Ian Macadam 07521 741 586 Drink festival. Coach will pick up from the The page is updated after the 1st of each month with Tent - Social evening. FREE Ship & Mitre, Dale Street, Liverpool at 9.45am, details of the next trip being launched. followed by The Brass Balance, Argyle Street, Thu 15 June: 7.30pm Port Erin - Start at The Any non-member considering coming on a COACH Birkenhead at 10am. For further details, see Haven, then a stroll to visit the Falcon's Nest. CAMRA coach trip can save £15. TRIP www.wirral.camra.org.uk Mar 11th : Leicester (for beer festival). Anybody who joins CAMRA for the first time and affiliates to the Liverpool & Districts Sat 20 May: Presentation of Runner-up Wirral Mar 25th Blackpool - for details see diary below : branch, will be offered a free seat on a future branch CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year 2017 award to Andre Fu Apr 8th: York. MerseyAle coach trip. Check Liverpool CAMRA website for details the Harp Inn, Quayside, Little Neston at 2pm. Dave Halliwell May 6th: Stonehouse Brewery, Oswestry Article and Thu 25 May: Presentation of Wirral CAMRA Photo Steve Berks Dave Hutchinson Branch Pub of the Year 2017 award to The Lazy Contributors Landlord, Mill Lane, Wallasey at 8pm. Tony Morgan CAMRA Branch Diaries Tony Williams Wed 7 Jun: Committee Meeting. Meet at The Rob Carter Caledonia, Catherine Street, 7.30pm, followed Bob Thurlow Liverpool CAMRA Branch Diary Lion, Market Street, Birkenhead at 8pm. All Neil lloyd by social. Sonia James-Henry Thurs 16th March: Day out to Preston by welcome. Dennis Jones Wed 10th May: Mild Month Pub Crawl, Me James-Henryl train. Meet in Court Leet Wetherspoon pub, Dave Bawden starting at Blackburne Arms, Catherine St, Thu 15 Jun: Branch Meeting. Meet in Ormskirk, for breakfast at 10.55am - or at 7pm. Gallaghers, Chester Street, Birkenhead at Ormskirk station in time for the 11.54am train. Wed 17th May: Provisional date for 8.30pm for 9pm start. Wed 22nd March: Get Together at presentation at the Pub of the Year. Sat 1 Jul: Coach trip to Leek and Congleton. The Crown, Lime Street, 8pm. Pub of the Year Wed 7th June: Committee meeting at Que Coach will pick up from the Ship & Mitre, result will be announced. Pasa Cantina, Lark Lane, 7.30pm, followed by Dale Street, Liverpool at 10am, followed by Sat 25th March: Extra Coach to Blackpool social. The Brass Balance, Argyle Street, Birkenhead 10.45am from Ship and Mitre for people to For further details email at 10.15am. For further details, attend the Beer Festival at the Winter Gardens [email protected] see www.wirral.camra.org.uk and/or tour the local pubs. The bus will stop Wed 5 Jul: Committee Meeting. Meet at Rose Liverpool CAMRA MerseyAle at Lytham on the way home. Wirral CAMRA Branch Diary & Crown, Bebington at 8pm. All welcome. wwwfacebook.com Thu 9 Mar: Branch Meeting. Meet in /CAMRAliverpool @LiverpoolCAMRA Sun 2nd April: First Sunday meet-up. 1pm, Thu 13 Jul: Branch Meeting. Meet in Gallaghers , Chester Street, Birkenhead at Gallaghers, Chester Street, Birkenhead at Rigby's, Dale Street. Advertising Rates: The final copy date 8.30pm for 9pm start. 8.30pm for 9pm start. Tues 4th April : Committee meeting at Ship & Full page £200 for our next issue Mitre, Dale Street, 7.30pm, followed by social. Sat 25 Mar: Coach trip to Leeds. Coach will Sat 23 Sep: Coach trip to Bishops Castle, 15/05/2017 submit pick up from The Brass Balance, Argyle Street, Half Page £100 Thurs 13th April: Meet up at the Ship & Mitre Michaelmas festival. Coach will pick up from your ad artwork as Birkenhead at 10am and then at the Ship & Third of a page £70 Wirral Beer Festival , Hulme Hall, Port the Ship & Mitre, Dale Street Liverpool at early as possible. Mitre, Dale Street Liverpool at 10.15am. For Sunlight. 10am, followed by The Brass Balance, Argyle Advertising Email details/enquiries to : further details, see www.wirral.camra.org.uk Street, Birkenhead at 10.15am. For further howard.perry@liverpoolcamra. org.uk Thurs 20th April : Train trip to St Helens. Meet Wed 5 Apr: Committee Meeting. Meet at details, see www.wirral.camra.org.uk at Lime Street in time for 11.28am train. The Lion, Market Street, Birkenhead at 8pm. PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT TAKE CASH FOR MERSEYALE ADS Wed 3rd May: Committee meeting at All welcome. LICENSEES AND STAFF - BEWARE OF PEOPLE ASKING FOR CASH PAYMENT FOR ADS

46 [email protected] [email protected] 47