opening times

Huntingdonshire Branch of CAMRA Issue 134 the Campaign for SPRING 2008 HUNTINGDONSHIRE BREWS AGAIN

Also inside: Community Pubs Week Going Out Live Fenland Brewery Visits Local pub news Winter of Britain Half Pints A look back in time

Booze on the Ouse, St Ives Beer Festival, Thu 11—Sat 13 Sep 2008 2 Support your local pub - don’t give them an excuse to close it! HUNTINGDONSHIRE BREWS AGAIN Another brewery, Payn, produced real ale in Ramsey, just outside the branch area, for around 2 years from June 1999, and was an amalgamation of the Nene Valley, Leyland and Nix Wincott breweries. At Little Gransden the Chequers has been in the Mitchell family for 57 years and was run by Bob’s father, Sid, before him. Several house-brewed have been sampled at the Chequers , including Driv- ers’ Delight (3% abv), Roofer’s Revenge, Builder’s Brew, a highly hopped IPA of around 3.6-3.7% and The Wonder of Woo, a sweetish, grainy and full-bodied 4.6% brew with a dry, hoppy finish. Son of Sid beer was also expected to be on sale at CAMRA’s Cambridge Winter Ales festival in January. West Norfolk brewery Iceni have been Opening Times can finally report the providing ingredients and Iceni’s Brendan opening of a new Huntingdonshire brew- Moore has been providing advice for the ery. new brewery. The Son of Sid brewery, operated by Bob Opening Times congratulates Bob on this Mitchell at the Chequers in Little Grans- exciting venture that has been eagerly den is the first commercial brewery within awaited since it saw the light of day as a the area covered by Huntingdonshire future project in his plans for the Che- CAMRA since the closure of Paines in St quers. Neots just over 20 years ago, after its takeover by Tolly Cobbold in 1987.

OPENING TIMES 134 SPRING 2008 3

THE CHEQUERS THE SWAN 71 Main Road Little Gransden Main Street, Old Weston Tel: 01767 677348 Tel: 01832 293400 REAL ALES and REAL FOOD HUNTS CAMRA Pub of

the Year 2007 Southwold Bob and Wendy Mitchell Adnams Broadside invite you to try their unique Greene King Abbot + Guests unspoilt village local with its Hunts CAMRA Pub of the Year 2004 own special atmosphere Fish & Chips Wednesday Evening Restaurant open Friday & Saturday Different Real Ale each week evenings & Sunday lunchtimes

THE OLIVER CROMWELL Wellington Street, St. Ives, Cambs. Tel: 01480 465601 Serving six real ales: Adnams Bitter plus regularly changing guest beers No smoking bar

Enjoy a good pint of traditional ale in traditional surroundings. Reasonably priced lunchtime bar snacks available Mon to Sat

Huntingdonshire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2006

4 Support your local pub - don’t give them an excuse to close it! COMMUNITY PUBS WEEK Adopt Your Local Pub Anyone concerned over the threat to Brit- ish pubs is being encouraged to “Adopt their local pub”. Members of the public who want to support their local can do so by ordering a free Community Pubs Week pack from CAMRA by calling 01727 867201 or visiting www.pubsweek.org and delivering it to the licensee of the pub and encouraging them to participate in this event. CAMRA Chief Executive Mike Benner CAMRA research has shown that 56 pubs said: “Many people are concerned about are closing in Britain each month, and the potential loss of community pubs but thousands more face an uncertain future. don’t know what they can do to help. By The majority of these pubs are not high adopting their local pub in Community street chain bars or theme pubs, but com- Pubs Week they can help to boost trade munity pubs, recognised as important at this difficult time of year for the licensed amenities for local people. The local pub, trade and put pubs at the heart of the after all, is often the heart of the commu- community where they belong.” nity. Community Pubs Week website - After four years of running National Pubs www.pubsweek.org, includes:– Week, in 2007 CAMRA changed the focus of the event to reflect the need to retain a. On-line form for pubs to order Commu- pubs that serve the community. Nothing nity Pubs Week Pack can match the British pub for its service b. Information on how a pub-goer can and atmosphere. Yet pressures from deep Adopt a Pub discounting of alcohol in supermarkets, c. Press Area that includes press releases massive levels of tax on beer in the UK, and images and skyrocketing property prices, have d. Events happening across Britain during seen the traditional British pub under Community Pubs Week more threat than ever before. Huntingdonshire CAMRA are organising a CAMRA is issuing a call to action for all coach tour around the village community those who want to secure a future for their pubs east of St Ives on Saturday 23rd of local. By rallying behind your community February, in the afternoon and early eve- pub between February 16th – 23rd, you ning. The coach will make pickups in St will be showing your support for the irre- Neots, Little Paxton, Buckden, Brampton, placeable backbone of British life. Huntingdon and St Ives, and will visit pubs In 2008 Community Pubs Week will com- in Pidley, Somersham, Earith, Bluntisham, plement a range of CAMRA-led initiatives, and Needingworth. The trip is free to and celebrate and promote all community CAMRA members, and £5 to non- pubs – not just village locals, but urban members. See page 22 for contact details gems too. to book your place.

OPENING TIMES 134 SPRING 2008 5 A LOOK BACK IN TIME 25 YEARS AGO Senior CAMRA officers were ‘furious’ at say is that all our production facilities are news that a new EEC rule would, from continually under review’. July 1983, ban pubs from being tied to a Cask milds were struggling even in 1983. supplier for any drinks – except beer. Devenish XXX, brewed at Redruth, and CAMRA’s Neil Harris, in a letter to the Elgoods Mild brewed at Wisbech, were European Commission and UK office of both discontinued. Elgoods said that they Fair Trading, said ‘. . a rigid brewery tie had been telegraphing warnings for five system does not result in many of the years about sales of their 1030 og cask purported benefits to consumers. Compe- mild. ‘It was only the bottled brown ale tition is virtually stifled by networks of that was keeping it agreements. New entrants find it almost going’, said head impossible to break into the market’. brewer John Holder. Sadly, in 2008, despite the retreat of the Thankfully in 2008 big brewers from pubs, this situation has Elgoods have a suc- changed little from the viewpoint of the cessful cask mild of consumer and the microbrewer. real character and CAMRA’s St Neots branch held meetings distinctiveness in at the Green Man at Colne, the Royal Oak their ‘Black Dog’, og at Hail Weston and the White Swan at 1036.8. Bluntisham. A National Opinion Poll showed that 65% The branch of beer drinkers like a head on their beer, AGM was at but want it to be on top of their pint, not Charles Wells included as a part of the pint, the legal pub the Can- position as adjudged by a High Court rul- non in St ing the previous year. In 2008 this issue Neots, now White Swan, Bluntisham remains as a minefield for beer consum- White Swan, Bluntisham the Hyde ers. Despite Government promises of a Park, and a social was held at Litlington fair pint over the years, the trade Crown. recommendation that a pint of beer means Whitbread’s Portsmouth no more than 19 fluid ounces of liquid brewery, the former Brick- (95% of a pint) holds sway. woods plant, was the latest Birmingham brewer Davenports rejected a closure victim of the na- £21 million takeover bid from neighbours tional brewing giant, follow- Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries. ing its closure of six brewer- Davenports would ies since 1981, in Hamp- eventually fall victim to shire, Kent, Devon, South takeover by Warring- Wales, Liverpool and ton brewer Greenall Leeds. Whitbread blamed falling beers Whitley – by 2008 sales, and provided no comfort for merely a brewing CAMRA in a statement: ‘. . in terms of the name from the past. future of our other breweries, all we can

6 Support your local pub - don’t give them an excuse to close it! A LOOK BACK IN TIME 10 YEARS AGO A village action group Worthington White Shield in Reach, Cambridge- was saved following a cam- shire was clubbing paign by CAMRA as Bass together to buy their dropped plans to axe the village pub, the King’s. beer and signed up Sussex Owners and licensees brewer King and Barnes to Dotty and William Les- produce it. In 2008, King Pig & Abbot, Abington Pigotts ter had applied for and Barnes are sadly no longer with us, planning permission but White Shield is back home in Burton, for the pub to be converted to housing. brewed by Coors Brewers of Colorado in The group sought advice from nearby a pilot scale brewery on their UK brewing Abington Pigotts, where a co-operative site bought from Bass. had bought the Pig and Abbot under simi- CAMRA’s St Neots branch held meetings lar circumstances following guidance from at the White Hart in St Ives and the CAMRA. Happily, both of these pubs sur- George in Huntingdon. There was a Bel- vive in 2008 as Good Beer Guide listed gian beer tasting evening at St Neots pubs, with the Reach pub being the home Town Football Club and a walk around St of the Devil’s Dyke brewery. Ives pubs beginning at the Seven Wives. In April 1998 CAMRA There was an inquorate branch annual launched campaigns op- general meeting at the Nags Head in Ey- posing three major brew- nesbury, and a joint social with the East ery closures. Whitbread Bedfordshire branch at the Brown Bear in had announced the clo- Biggleswade. sure of the Castle Eden Allied Breweries lost a battle to convert and Cheltenham Brewer- the historic Grade II* listed Running ies and Morlands an- Horses pub in Leatherhead into a Firkin nounced the closure of theme pub. The appeal inspector agreed their Ruddles plant in Rutland. Castle with English Heritage that an 18th century Eden was to be saved in a management dividing wall must be retained and that buyout, and in 2008 it survives as an inde- Allied had failed to demonstrate that the pendent brewer and pub owner. It closed existing pub was not viable – on the day its Castle Eden plant, though, after buying of the official site visit the pub was so the Cameron brewery in Hartlepool, which busy that Allied’s representatives could had been taken over by Wolverhampton hardly get to the bar. and Dudley Breweries in 1992. Nethergate brewery of Kathy Hadfield of CAMRA’s St Neots Suffolk won CAMRA’s branch stood down as chairman of Champion Winter Beer of CAMRA’s national Pubs Group, CAMRA’s Britain award with its national committee for campaigning on roasty Old Growler cask pubs, to complete an MSc study course. ale, based on a Lon- Bass’s much travelled bottled real ale don recipe from the 1750s.

OPENING TIMES 134 SPRING 2008 7 HALF PINTS In January, Scottish & Newcastle, the beer market. Other UK’s biggest brewing group, agreed to a beers reduced in joint takeover by Carlsberg and Heineken strength to 4.5% following their increased bid to £7.8 billion. were Greene King’s The Dutch Heineken group will take over Old Speckled Hen S&N’s UK operations, including John (formerly 5.2%) and Smiths, and the Danish Carlsberg com- before that Youngs pany will take on S&N’s interests in Rus- Special (from 4.8%). An earlier drop was sia and France, including Kronenbourg. Greene King’s Ruddles County, from 5.0% to 4.3%. The change in the Hobgob- Beer prices could increase following rock- lin recipe follows the success of a bottled eting prices in malt and hops over the past version brewed for Sweden at their maxi- two years. Poor harvest of hops and bar- mum permitted 3.5% abv. ley resulting from the wet 2007 summer are partly to blame, together with fluctua- The Cyclops taste note system for real tions over a longer period in the balance ale, developed in 2006 by Leicester of supply and demand due to changing brewer Ever- brewing practices such as increased us- ards in con- age of hop pellets and extracts. junction with CAMRA, is Price rises could accelerate a steep de- now used by cline in the UK beer market seen in the over 50 beer past year. AC Nielsen reported a drop of brewers and 6% in beer volumes in the year to Novem- suppliers and pub companies. Symbols ber 2007. The British Beer and Pub Asso- and numbers from 1 to 5 are used to char- ciation reported a reduction of 9.7% in acterize beer style, colour, aroma and volumes in the same period. But the real taste on product advertising. 54 brewers ale sector is showing signs of revival with are in the scheme as well as pub chains a 7.5% increase in sales by regional and Punch Taverns and Mitchells & Butlers, small brewers and 160 new small brewer- and beer agency Waverley TBS, who are ies opening over the past two years. using Cyclops to promote their guest beer Refresh UK’s schemes. Wychwood Hob- Youngs is launching a new range of genu- goblin cask beer ine imported lagers into its pubs in London has been dropped and the South East. Czech beer Pilsner in strength from Urquell and Dutch premium lagers from 5% to 4.5%. This Heineken will be available to all their pubs follows a similar in addition to the weakening of existing range, other major pre- which includes mium cask bitter brands that seems to Staropramen, and threaten diversity in choice of real ale UK-brewed Stella styles and a proliferation of cask bitters Artois will be around 4.3-4.5% dominating the guest dropped. Cask

8 Contact the editor: [email protected], (01480) 355893 HALF PINTS Courage Directors and Wells Bombardier tinue using Imperial measure. Asda are also available to Youngs pubs along- stores will be one supermarket chain sell- side Youngs cask brands brewed by Wells ing the new can. and Youngs in Bedford. Blackburn brewer Pubs in designated Alcohol Disorder Thwaites has bought the Zones will pay up to £100 a week towards rights for the production, policing costs in a new scheme. The pay- marketing and sales of ments will be reduced or removed for LCL Pils lager from Scot- pubs in recognised accreditation or award tish & Newcastle. Thwaites schemes and, controversially, supermar- have already taken over kets and convenience stores will be ex- the sales and marketing of empt from the charges. the beer and will begin brewing it in Blackburn in Britain’s Small Inde- December 2008. pendent Brewers As- sociation won an Cobra, the company award in BBC Radio behind the UK-brewed 4’s Food and Farming Cobra lager sold in In- Awards for its Direct dian Restaurants around Delivery Scheme, the UK, has acquired its which allows small first ever brewery in In- brewers to sell beers direct to pubs and dia with the acquisition of a controlling shops in large national chains. stake in Iceberg Industries. Previously the company’s beers have been brewed un- Fuller’s will release der license by brewers in India and Euro- three seasonal beers pean countries including the UK. during spring 2008. Gales Swing Low, Shepherd Neame has won an award for 3.8% abv, will be exports of its Spitfire Ale to Germany, available in February France, Hong Kong, Russia and Italy. The for the rugby Six Na- Kent-brewed beer was granted Protected tions. Gales Festival Geographical Indication status by the Mild, 4.8% abv, in European Union. This is the same re- March, will be fol- gional produce protection awarded to pro- lowed by 4.8% abv ducers of Champagne and Parma ham. Fullers India . The award, for EU Protected Liverpool brewer Food Name C a i n s h a s Exporter of launched Cains FA the Year, was (Formidable Ale) in presented at a one pint can, the Food from following a recent Britain Export EEC ruling allow- Awards 2007. ing the UK to con-

OPENING TIMES 134 SPRING 2008 9 PUB PIECES owned by Punch Taverns, has been leased by David and May Barlow. David was born in a pub, the Half Moon and Seven Stars in Preston, Kent and has lived in pubs for 22 years and in St Ives for 21 years. David and May are looking to restore the Manchester Arms to a vibrant and welcoming community pub and will be introducing various promotional nights and bringing back the pub’s pool team. Guest Robin Hood real ales are also planned – watch this space for further details. In the Winter 2007 issue, Opening Times F o r m e r incorrectly reported the Robin Hood in St Charles Wells Ives to be under the proprietorship of the pub the Bell at LEL club. Opening Times apologises for Eaton Socon , this incorrect report, which was published which closed in in good faith. The Robin Hood is owned 2006, is set for by TCG Acquisitions, who bought their demolition fol- Bell 150 pubs from the Spirit Group; they were lowing a plan- originally part of the Scottish & Newcastle ning application to redevelop the site as a pub estate. Jim Smith and Kim Lorriman drive-through Kentucky Fried Chicken have managed the Robin Hood for TCG operation following demolition of the pub. for around 18 months. S & N supply the The application was submitted jointly by beers and Adnams Bitter is a permanent Wells and a local operator of KFC fran- real ale alongside Courage Directors. A chises. third pump serves a regularly changing guest ale from S&N’s ‘Cellarman’s Re- Another Charles Wells pub, the Swan at serve’ scheme; recently the rare Fullers Offord Cluny , has closed and is for sale Chiswick bitter was sampled in good or- for potential redevelopment. der. On a more cheerful note, Charles Wells Also in St Ives , the Manchester Arms , pub the Leeds Arms at Eltisley has been

Manchester Arms The Eltisley 10 Support your local pub - don’t give them an excuse to close it! PUB PIECES transformed into ‘The Eltisley’, a back as a permanent line, and selling well. ‘destination dining pub’ with a firm focus CAMRA encourages dual uses for pubs to on good food using seasonal produce, maintain their viability and importance as some home grown and some from high part of the local community. In Ramsey a quality local suppliers. The new proprie- novel new use for a pub is seasonal craft tors have established an award-winning workshops organised by local adult learn- reputation at the Hare and Hounds in Old ing providers supported by Cambridge- Warden. The food is highly recommended shire County Council, Cambridge and and the Eltisley will continue to welcome Peterborough Learning Trust and Abbey non-diners and offer a range of real ales College. The workshops will cover a range from Charles Wells. of areas such as making seasonal gifts, A change of licensee is also salsa and ornithology, with refreshments expected soon at the Three provided by the pub. Horseshoes, Abbots Ripton . Wetherspoons have applied for a prem- Again watch this space for fur- ises licence for the old post office in New ther news. Street, St Neots, following their application News from the Cambscuisine group, who for planning permission reported in the own and run the excellent Cock pub and Autumn 2007 issue of Opening Times. restaurant at Hemingford Grey, is the In St Neots the Corner House stopped opening of a new venue. The Cambridge serving cask beer in the autumn of 2007.

Bridge House, St Neots

Better news at the Bridge House, St Neots is the introduction of a rotating range of guest beers. This is a good place to try some real ales not often available in the area. Chop House, in Kings Parade, Cam- bridge, is a restaurant and bar with two Opening Times has had reports of a cider local cask beers on sale, recently includ- producing operation near Hemingford ing one brewed in Cambridge. Meanwhile, Grey. We would be grateful to receive any at the Cock, Elgood’s Black Dog mild is further details.

OPENING TIMES 134 SPRING 2008 11 12 Join 80,000 members of CAMRA and fight for Britain’s beer heritage HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE! 56 community pubs close every month! open longer to suit the local community. Join CAMRA’s crusade to save Brit- • Running a powerful campaign that ain’s pubs. helped the introduction of small brewers’ tax relief which enabled many small Research in February 2007 showed that breweries to invest money into their op- we are losing more pubs now than ever erations and become more viable. before. A staggering 56 pubs close every • Working with many local communities to month and CAMRA needs your help to save hundreds of community pubs from campaign and save the pubs that under closure. threat from closure in the future before it is too late. • Organising over 150 beer festivals a year including the Great British Beer CAMRA is acting through initiatives such Festival, which saw over 60,000 people as the Community Pubs Foundation – visit last year at Earls Court. www.communitypubs.org - and Pub is the • Having over 5,000 volunteers who give Hub – www.pubisthehub.org.uk – to stop up their time to survey pubs, work at unnecessary pub closures. beer festivals and actively campaign for 9 out of 10 pints served contain less real ale and pubs. than 100% liquid. If you care about these issues and would like to help make a difference then join Consumers lose over a million pounds a CAMRA today! For less than £1.70 a day due to short measure! We are month you can help to campaign for lobbying the Government to change the quality real ale and good pubs. As a law so you get what you pay for – a full member you will also receive the pint every time. following:

6 out of 10 pubs are prevented from • A monthly colour newspaper informing serving a guest beer of their choice. you on beer and pub news and detailing Most pubs can only stock beers brought events and beer festivals around the from the brewery or pub company to country which they are tied. CAMRA is • Reduced entrance prices to over 150 campaigning for the introduction of a beer festivals, including the Great British guest beer law, which will give all Beer Festival. licensees the right to serve a guest beer • Chance to join CAMRA / Brewery Com- of their choice. plimentary Clubs that are exclusive to CAMRA members. These clubs offer CAMRA has over 90,000 discerning members a variety of promotions includ- members and there are now more than ing free pint vouchers, brewery trips, 600 real ale breweries brewing over 2,500 competitions and merchandise offers. different varieties of real ale in Britain. • Discounts on CAMRA books including CAMRA achievements: the Good Beer Guide Join CAMRA today by completing the We have had many successes over the form opposite, visiting years which include: www.camra.org.uk/joinus or calling • Being instrumental in allowing pubs to CAMRA HQ on 01727 867201

OPENING TIMES 134 SPRING 2008 13 14 Updates to festival details - www.huntscamra.org.uk/festivals The essence of any good pub is that it www.huntscamra.org.uk – Gigs. Initially caters for the needs of a wide range of this will allow you to see a list of future customers; essentially a good pub serves events, month by month, with details of the community. This is the difference be- the event (the band), the pub, location etc. tween a pub and a restaurant: a restau- Since we are CAMRA, the Campaign for rant provides food and drink; a good pub Real Ale, listings will highlight pubs in the offers a great deal more. branch online pub guide, which is a selec- tive guide of the top 40 or so pubs in the Live music is one good example of the area, based on our continuous assess- kind of diversity our local pubs offer, and ments of real beer quality. We will also be we are fortunate in this area to have a highlighting venues that offer guest ales, vibrant live music scene. and which guest ales might be expected Promoting pubs is at the core of what to be available on the day of the specific CAMRA is all about, and for some months gig. one of our local CAMRA members, Chris Initially, this event guide will continue to Knowles, has been compiling lists of up be compiled by Chris Knowles but in a and coming local live music events into an second stage, in April, we will allow pub event guide called Going Out Live , which landlords to create an account on our web he has been distributing via various email site and directly add details of music lists, online discussion groups, and local events and guest beers. interest web sites, including CAMRA’s own email discussion group based on So if you are a local pub landlord and Yahoo, of which 95 local CAMRA mem- have live music events in your pub and bers are now members. would like help to promote these events, completely free of charge, get in touch This event guide has been so successful with Chris Knowles right now at and well received that the Huntingdon- [email protected] and give him the shire branch has decided to make it more details. accessible, by putting it on the branch web site. This project has been under- And if you like good music and good beer, taken by local CAMRA member and com- you will soon have a new way of finding mittee member Edric Ellis. the best of both! In a few weeks time you will see a new Cheers! menu option when you go to OPENING TIMES 134 SPRING 2008 15 A traditional old country pub and restaurant with a warm and friendly atmosphere. Traditional Sunday Lunch. Children’s menu available. Open all day Saturday and Sunday. 4 real cask ales served including Adnams Bitter, Fullers London Pride plus 2 guest ales. Bar Meals are available every day. A la carte menu is served in our restaurant Monday to Saturday. The menu caters for all tastes including vegetarian and any special dietary needs. The Pig and Abbot High Street, Abington Pigotts, Nr. Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 0SD Telephone: 01763 853515

16 Support your local pub - don’t give them an excuse to close it! A TOUR OF FENLAND BREWERIES Members of Huntingdonshire CAMRA set when the currently vessel was installed. A off on a tour of the fens for visits to brew- helical steam coil boils the wort for an eries Elgoods of Wisbech and Fenland at hour, or 90 minutes for dark beers. Little Downham. The impressive copper open wort coolers, At Elgoods Georgian brewery on the around 90 years old, are still in situ but banks of the River Nene we were met by were taken out of use around ten years h e a d ago. Similar coolers were also used at brewer Paines brewery. A l a n Pateman , formerly brewer at Paines in St Neots, and free t r a d e s a l e s manager Paul Mar- open wort coolers shall. The Alan Pateman beer be- Fermenting tanks are being upgraded to gan to flow enclosed vessels. Two tanks dating from immediately with a brief wet before our the 1930’s are lined with copper and there brewery tour. The Black Dog mild and are wooden vessels around 50 years old Cambridge Bitter were both immaculate. lined with polypropylene but originally The Elgood family were based in God- used unlined. manchester and St Neots before they A stainless steel racking tank from Camer- bought the brewery in 1878 and at that ons brewery replaced an old copper one time part of the family moved to Wisbech. from Morgans brewery in Kings Lynn. Over the years, much of the brewing plant A ten-barrel microbrewery is used to ex- has been obtained second hand on the tend the season of seasonal ales and for closure of other breweries and their con- occasional beer festival brews and con- tinued use provides some compensation tract beers for holidaying microbrewers. for these losses. Even the cask washer was previously used by Tolly Cobbold Mains water, derived from a borehole at brewery in Ipswich. Marham, is ‘Burtonised’ by the addition of sulphate and pH-adjusted for brewing, A wooden malt elevator and malt cleaner and river water is abstracted for cooling. and mill date from 1910. The oldest ves- sel, a former hop back now used as an In 1999 Elgoods changed to Maris Otter under back, was a part of the original pale malt – a local connection is that the brewery on the site dating from 1795. renowned malting barley strain was devel- oped at the Plant Breeding Institute at A direct-fired copper was used until 1950, OPENING TIMES 134 SPRING 2008 17 A TOUR OF FENLAND BREWERIES Trumpington. Crystal, amber and choco- 2004 from its late malt are used in various grist mixes original home in and flaked maize also contributes to fla- Chatteris. vour profiles. Invert sugar is included in Fenland is now most recipes and malted wheat improves looking to ex- head retention. Whole hops are almost pand its produc- exclusively used. Fuggles and Challenger tion facilities. are the main varieties with some Gold- No are ings, Progress, Cascade and Willamette. used in the brew- Cambridge Bitter is brewed at a strength ing. Some lager to allow a batch of Greyhound Special to and wheat malt be taken off for fermentation before dilu- is used in certain tion of the bulk of the brew. Two winter recipes and a complex range of hop varie- ales are also produced from a single wort. ties is used to produce an impressive choice of 8 regular beers and six season- Five Elgoods cask beers are available als. A unique ’oaked’ taste in the beers is year round and seasonal cask beers ro- derived from a specially formulated yeast tate every two months. The impressive with which they ferment the beers. Christmas treats North Brink Porter and Snickalmass were made available for an Smokestack Lightning is difficult to char- early sampling. acterise, but its strong chocolate malt fla- vour was very appealing. Other beers The beers pass via conditioning tanks provided for tasting included Rabbit where adjustments are made for colour, Poacher, a light session bitter and Baby- alcohol and yeast count. Roast barley lon Banks, a more malty ruby coloured extract is added for colour and purified best bitter. water to adjust alcohol by volume. The beers are fermented for a week and Pressurised chilled for two days then conditioned in nitrogen is cask for two or three weeks before re- added to the lease into the trade. Fenland own one tied keg beers, house, in Northampton, and a second in which are Wellingborough should be theirs by the chilled and time you read this. “sampling” room filtered but not pasteur- We adjourned to end the day in two local ised. The bottled beers are pasteurised, pubs. At the Red Lion in Histon we en- though, and are bottled by Robinsons of joyed the products of a variety of brewers, Stockport. surrounded by fascinating exhibits of breweriana. Elgoods’ Waggon and Horses Fenland (Isle of Ely) Brewery’s 5 barrel in Milton provided a cosy end to the day. brewery in its small industrial unit showed The Elgoods beers were all very well pre- the other end of the scale for cask beer sented, and a craving for chips that devel- production. But the brewery has grown oped amongst the party on the way there each year since the present owners was duly satisfied. bought it and moved to the Isle of Ely in 18 Support your local pub - don’t give them an excuse to close it! OPENING TIMES 134 SPRING 2008 19

Manchester Arms 138 Needingworth Road, St Ives PE27 5LB, 01480 383284

New owners —David and May— welcome you to come and enjoy our hospitality, fine beers, and Sunday roast for £6.95

The Open: Monday-Thursday 12-2.30, 5-11pm Queens 12-2.30, 5-12.30 Friday 12-12.30 Saturday Head 12-10.30pm Sunday Real ales: Greene King IPA, 30 High Street Morland Old Speckled Hen, Oakham JHB and guest beers Needingworth Home cooked pub food PE27 4SA available daily. Traditional Sunday Lunch. 01480 463946 (no food Sunday evening)

20 Read Opening Times online: www.huntscamra.org.uk/news WINTER BEER OF BRITAIN Supreme CAMRA Champion the British pub. I sincerely hope people Winter Beer of Britain 2008 will be inspired to try more porter on the back of Wickwar's victory.” On hearing the news, Kevin Newbould, Wickwar's Key Accounts Director said, “We are very pleased to have been voted the best winter beer in britain and de- lighted that everybody feels the same way about this wonderful beer as we do. Let's hope we see a resurgence in people try- ing more porters in the near future.” The Silver award went to Robinson's Old Tom and the Bronze to Hop Back Entire . A panel of CAMRA ex- perts and beer writers at the National Win- ter Ales Festival (New Century Hall, Man- chester) judged the competition.

‘Station Porter' steams in to be voted best winter beer in the land! Wickwar Station Porter from Gloucester- shire was named as the Supreme Cham- pion Winter Beer of Britain 2008 by a panel of judges at CAMRA's National Win- ter Ales Festival in Manchester. The 6.1% abv porter is described in CAMRA's 2008 Good Beer Guide as “A rich, smooth, dark ruby-brown ale. Starts with a roast malt; coffee, chocolate and dark fruit then develops a complex, spicy, bittersweet taste and a long roast finish.” At the announcement, Steve Prescott, Organiser of the National Winter Ales Fes- tival congratulated Wickwar on its victory. He said, "It's great to see a porter winning the Supreme Champion Winter Beer of Britain competition as this beer style has been in danger from disappearing from

OPENING TIMES 134 SPRING 2008 21 EVENTS AND SOCIALS February 2008 – Community Pubs Week Tues 12 th Open Committee Meeting , The Lord John Russell , St Neots (8.30 pm). 15 th -17 th Tour of Belgium Bars and Breweries . Spend several days travelling through the Belgium countryside and sampling the delights of local beer. Sat 23 rd Community Pubs Tour. Coach tour around the village community pubs east of St Ives. Pick-ups in St Neots, Huntingdon and St Ives and then return (1:30pm – 7:30pm). Free to CAMRA members and £5 for guests. Tues 26th Open Committee Meeting for 2009 Good Beer Guide pub selection, the Anchor, Little Paxton , (8.30 pm). March 2008 – St Neots Pub Ramble Fri 7 th Pub ramble around St Neots pubs, starting the Olde Sun at 8:30 pm, the Globe at 9.00 pm, and finishing at 9.30 pm at the Lord John Russell beer festival. Tues 11 th Open Committee Meeting , the Oliver Cromwell, St Ives, (8.30 pm). April 2008 – Castle Rock Brewery / Annual General Meeting Tues 8 th Annual General Meeting, the Three Horseshoes, Abbots Ripton (8.30 pm). 19 th – 20 th CAMRA AGM / Members Weekend, Cardiff . Sat 26 th Trip to Nottingham and visit to the Castle Rock Brewery . The brewery tour starts at 11 am and then sampling the Brewery range in the tap room at the Vat and Fiddle. Then a tour around the city pubs using the local tram services. Several members will be staying locally. May 2008 – St Ives Pub Ramble Tues 6 th Open Committee Meeting , Old Bridge Hotel, Huntingdon, (8.30 pm). Sat 24 th Local pubs of St Ives. A trip around the pubs of St Ives starting in the Floods Tavern 8:30 / Nelsons Head 9:15 / Royal Oak 9:45 / Oliver Cromwell 10:15 For further information contact Pete Godfrey, Social Secretary, on 01480 212849 or e- mail: [email protected]. An up to date listing of Social Events can also be found at the web site: www.huntscamra.org.uk/diary. WHO TO CONTACT Chairman & Newsletter Editor: Andy Membership: Margaret Eames , (01480) Shaw , 01480 355893 (h), 07802 485449 385333 (h) (m), [email protected], 13a Socials: Pete Godfrey, (01480) 212849 Peppercorns Lane, Eaton Socon, St (h), [email protected] Neots, PE19 8HL Pubs Info: Roy Endersby , (01480) Secretary, Press & Publicity: Paul 473364, [email protected] Moorhouse , (01480) 496247 (h) Campaigning: Kathy Hadfield- Treasurer: Graham Mulchinock , (01480) Moorhouse , (01480) 496247 (h). 474472 (h), [email protected] 22 Updates to Branch Diary - www.huntscamra.org.uk/diary TRADING STANDARDS OPENING TIMES

Your local Trading Standards organisation Opening Times is published by the Hunt- is Cambridgeshire County Council Trading ingdonshire Branch of CAMRA, the Cam- Standards. If you have any complaints paign for Real Ale (Copyright 2008) All about trading standards issues at local rights reserved. pubs please contact them. Views or comments expressed in this They have a role to protect consumers publication may not necessarily be those from errors or frauds concerned with qual- of the Editor or of CAMRA. ity, description or price of goods, services To contact the Editor Andy Shaw, see or facilities and to detect and rectify unfair “Who to Contact” opposite. advertising practices. To Advertise Contact Cambridgeshire Trading Stan- To place an advert or enquire about our dards helpdesk on 08454 040 506, or at rates please contact: Trading Standards Division, Sackville Neil Richards: 01536 358670 or House, Sackville Way, Great Cambourne, [email protected] Cambridgeshire, CB3 6HD. The local trad- ing standards web site is Deadline for Summer 2008 issue (135) www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/business/ is Friday 18th April 2008. trading/. The national trading standards web site is www.tradingstandards.gov.uk.

Manor House Hotel A traditional old country pub Serving Greene King IPA Plus two other ever changing Real Ales. 130 different Guest Ales over the last year. Full bar snack and restaurant menu. Plus now serving “A new Black Rock menu” Come and cook your own meat or fish on the Hot Rock 20 Chapel Street Alconbury, Cambs, PE28 4DY Telephone: 01480 890423

OPENING TIMES 134 SPRING 2008 23 24 Booze on the Ouse - www.huntscamra.org.uk/festival for more details