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Home , Aldworth, Great Shefford, National Pub of the Year, Newbury railway station, Shefford Woodlands

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THE MAGAZINE OF WEST CAMRA SPRING 2020 www.westberkscamra.org.uk @WBCAMRA @WBCAMRAcider @UllageBeer @WBCAMRA

The Bell - CAMRA National of the Year - again!

The Bell Inn,

Mike Wilkinson (CAMRA), Heather & Hugh Macaulay, Nik Antona (CAMRA) 12 February 2020

On 12 February 2020, the CAMRA National mental health of being part of a community that Pub of the Year award plaque for the Bell was has a local pub with social networks and changed because we have kept our interior unspoilt presented by the Campaign's Chairman Nik encouraged people to use and celebrate all types all this time, and intend to keep it that way for Antona to Heather Macaulay and son Hugh. of remaining . years to come.’ The Bell Inn is now one of only four pubs to Mike also said that the CAMRA judges Watching the presentation were the Bell’s local win the prestigious award twice. Roy Bailey’s described the Bell as: a community centre as suppliers including Tim Wale (Tutts Clump photo of the previous presentation of the National much as a pub; somewhere that walking in as a Cider) and local brewers: Will Twomey (West award for the Bell, to Heather and Ian ‘Jack’ stranger you were treated straightaway as if you Berkshire); Alex Arkell (Arkell’s); Pete Cook Macaulay in August 1991, appears on page 2. were a regular; a pub with the warmest of (Sherfield Valley); Kevin Brady (Indigenous) and On this recent fine day, CAMRA Chief welcomes, friendly and knowledgeable staff, Tom Broadbank (Delphic). Executive Tom Stainer and Pub Campaigns excellent food and even better beer; a pub that’s Also present were people who keep returning Director Mike Wilkinson were also in Aldworth been in the same family for 250 years; a pub with to the Bell like Pat Kyle, from , a regular for the occasion which was covered by several TV enormous heritage that’s very much part of today. visitor for around forty years, who said ‘It hasn’t camera crews. Standing in front of the porchway Glasses were raised and there were cheers changed at all in that time and I wouldn’t change a entrance to the pub with a pint, Mike said that from the large gathering when Nik Antona thing’. Pat also appreciates the free house’s CAMRA members are concerned about threats to presented the plaque. Receiving the award, Hugh ‘excellently kept local beers and ciders and its the future of Britain’s community pubs and want responded ‘Thank you everybody, Thank you, simple menu of filled crusty rolls’. to defend the centuries-old tradition of pubgoing. Cheers!’. Earlier he said ‘It’s a wonderful thing to Alan Haselden and hiking friends like to include He emphasised the positive impact on people’s be driving quality year after year. Not much has the Bell on their routes. After a cross-country hike from station in February, they shared pitchers of Indigenous Brewery’s ‘nutty, malty ON OTHER PAGES brown ale’ Nutcracker and enjoyed playing the Swift Halves - Pub, brewery & cider news 2-4 traditional Shut the Box table-top game while Beer Festivals (incl. Newbury Racecourse) 5 waiting for their lunch of rolls, followed by sticky Tryanuary bus tour, South trail 6 toffee puddings with custard. Borough Arms, 7 Continued on page 2 > Quinno in Norway, Wychwood & Brakspear 8 Black Country break 9 Berkshire Mulled Please help CAMRA Cider Champion: to select a previously unrecognised pub Gig Guide, Nominate a Community Pub 10 Pang Valley Cider management team to win the 2020 award: CAMRA membership form, LocAle 10 10/12/2019 Boak & Bailey, Curmudgeon, Jennie Bray 11 Community Pub of the Year Rick Wyatt, Gary Wickens, Rod Holmes Nominate by 30 June - See page 10 Diary Dates, CAMRA Contacts & Festivals 12

Ullage March - May 2020 1 The Bell (continued) Swift Halves ■ At the Bell, on 12 February, Carl Griffin also presented Kevin Brady with a certificate for Indigenous Brewery’s Double Warp – Finalist, Stout category, ■ Founded in 1995 with an attitude that Champion Winter combined a passion for beer, a respect for the Beer of Britain local community and a disregard for convention, (CWBoB) 2020, West Berkshire Brewery celebrates its 25th judged in Birmingham anniversary in 2020, with a party, on 29 August. at CAMRA’s Winter Three new beers have been added to the core Great British Beer WBB portfolio: Detour Pale Ale, Stoney Lane Festival. Pilsner and Solo Pale Ale, the brewery's first Kevin says it is ‘an under 0.5% ABV beer. absolute pleasure’ to Standing between them, Carl Griffin, CAMRA supply the Bell where Central Southern Regional Director, presented he has enjoyed very the 2019 regional Pub of the Year award to interesting chats with Maryjane and Hugh Macaulay, after they were Heather Macaulay back inside the pub. when delivering casks Hugh is President of Aldworth Cricket Club of ale from . and there is an annual friendly fixture against an Arkell’s XI, played at the cricket ground beside the ■ The Overall CWBoB 2020 Gold was Fixed Bell’s large garden. This year’s match is at 6pm on Wheel Brewery Blackheath Stout, full-bodied, Full Circle, a 4.5% abv Golden Ale blended 4 June. fruity and named after the Black Country with a smooth sweetness, subtle fruitiness and a Their rugby brewery’s location. delicate English hop aroma, returns in cask and playing son, bottle until June. Dance Hall, a 4.1% ABV James Macaulay, ■ Loddon Brewery won CWBoB 2020 Gold in elderflower pale ale, is available in keg and can who works as a the Old Ale and Strong Mild category for Hocus from April until July. brewer at West Pocus Old Ale. Brewery tours, on the first Saturday of the Berkshire month (7 March, 4 April, 2 May) can be booked Brewery, was online. In addition, tours will be offered on Friday also busy 8 May (VE Day), when a ‘street party’ will be held behind the at the Taproom with servings of Tommy Atkins, a bar serving 3.9% ABV Best Bitter, last brewed in 2014. James Macaulay customers on Tickets for the Taproom’s popular monthly (October 2019) this special day

Photo: Tim Wale Photo: Tim quiz, hosted by Ed Dyer, on the last Wednesday of for the pub. the month (25 March, 29 April, 27 May) can be On 8 August 1991, CAMRA Chairman John The Loddon seasonal ales for the spring are booked online. Arrival by 7pm for 7.30pm start is Cryne, presented the 1990 National Pub of the Begorrah, a 5% ABV oat stout named for St suggested. wbbrew.com Year award to Heather and Ian ‘Jack’ Macaulay. Patrick’s Day (17 March) and Rakau Quad, a 4.4% ABV session IPA, single hopped over four stages ■ The Hartley Arms Public House (Free House), of the brewing process (with Rakau from New Donnington, formerly the Three Horseshoes, was Zealand) to give passionfruit and pine flavours. advertised by Donnington Hospital Trust as The Loddon Brewery Taproom, in Dunsden available to rent from 1 April. Green, is open from Thursday to Saturday. ■ The Hare & Hounds Hotel & The Barn in Speen ■ Arkell’s Brewery BBB / 3B changes hands on 5 March 2020. has been served at the Bell, In a statement for Ullage, signed: Jonathan & Aldworth for 43 years. Jean, Innkeeepers 2005-2020, the outgoing First introduced in 2019, Nelseys write: ‘What a wonderful 14 years we Arkell's Spring Hopper returns have had at our beloved Inn! Having bought the for two months from March. John Cryne, Heather & Ian Macaulay hotel in a state of disrepair with developers Photo: Roy Bailey Head Brewer Alex Arkell circling, Jean and I are so proud to have been part In a 1991 Bell Inn feature for Ullage, then edited describes the pale ale as ‘a of returning The Hare and Hounds back to where by Roy Bailey, he wrote ‘The pub has two wonderful powerful, fruity, hoppy beer’. it belongs as one of Newbury's finest hostelries. oak-beamed rooms, one of which is served from a The single-hop seasonal from It was my dream to build The Barn and it is small central area with a bank of four handpumps May is Motu, named after the gratifying to see how popular it has become in a dispensing Arkell’s Kingsdown and BBB, Badger Motueka hop from New relatively short space of time.’ Best and Morrell’s new Dark Mild.’ Zealand. They thanked the people of Speen, their After the latest award, Roy said ‘For more than 40 customers and ‘all the amazing staff who joined years I have visited and drunk at The Bell as often ■ The Cow & Cask, a previous community pub us on our journey’ adding ‘Without you all this as possible. I still consider it to be the finest pub in award winner, is hosting a West Berks Repair Cafe historic inn may have disappeared and it is credit the known universe’. popup on Sunday 15 March from 11am to 2pm. to us all that we pass her along to the next chapter Jeff Evans, then editor of CAMRA's Good Beer (Facebook: @repaircafewb) in such fine fettle!’ Guide, remembers the 1991 presentation evening The Newbury micropub raised £218.10 for and said ‘The hospitality that evening was Thames Valley Air Ambulance from a Christmas ■ The newburypubwalks.org.uk website, wonderful, as it always is, and goes some way to raffle with Sue Reay winning the hamper. updated in November 2019, has details of about explaining why so many people find their way to There will be a James Bond Quiz on Saturday 50 circular pub walks in West Berkshire and the Bell, despite its location miles from main roads 14 March and a ‘Learn to play Crib’ session on North . and railway connections’. Tuesday 28 April at 8pm.

2 The West Berkshire ■ Philip and Lauren Davison of the Fox in ■ Our Pubs Officer, Paul Worsley, has taken on featured in the Good Pub Guide’s the additional role of Social Secretary which 2020 Top Ten Licensees of the Year. has been vacant for a while. Paul is looking to

expand our events including brewery tours and ■ The Good Pub Guide’s Berkshire Dining Pub of joint meet-ups with other branches, he would the Year 2020 is the Royal Oak, . like to hear suggestions for social events and

from anyone happy to organise / lead an ■ Look out for two new beers, brewed by Tom event. [email protected] Broadbank at ’s Delphic Brewing Co, in Andy Parker, Steve Kelly free houses like the Wheatsheaf ■ On Saturday 2 May, Tim Thomas leads a trip Inn, Thatcham and the John ■ Steve Kelly visited Elusive Brewing at Hogwood to Pewsey, visiting the Crown Inn (World’s End O’Gaunt Inn, Hungerford, that Industrial Estate, Finchampstead, on Saturday 1 Ales), after the 1.15pm train from Newbury support local brewers. Kurupt is February to present brewer Andy Parker with a arrives at 1.33pm. The group will also visit a 4% ABV Black IPA heavily Royal Mail video game stamps set, to match the The Shed Alehouse after it opens at 2pm. 8-bit label designs and the Tap Room’s retro hopped with Centennial. ■ On Saturday 16 May, Alison Chetwynd leads gaming console theme. The stamps set will be Railroad Crossing, a 4.2% ABV a group to Compton to sample two Mild ales displayed alongside the awards for beers like American Best Bitter, is based on brewed by Richard Goss (West Berkshire Morrisman Double Chocolate Stout. Delphic’s core Level Crossing Homebrew Club) in his brewing shed / bar. www.elusivebrewing.com but using American Cascade Meet Newbury Wharf bus station 10.25am for hops and yeast. 10.30am Kennections bus (#6). Contact Alison ■ Becky and Brad are the new publicans at the - [email protected] - to make Bacon Arms, Newbury. See Gig Guide on page 10 ■ NUTS – Newbury Uke Town Strummers – meet reservations and enquiries. for details of live music there. at the Bowler’s Arms, , at 7.30pm every two weeks for a ‘Jam and a Jar’ on a ■ CAMRA’s ‘Mild May’ ■ Based in Devizes, but Thursday evening, eg 5 March. initiative celebrates the once considering a move from their newburyukuleweebly.com popular, but now threatened, traditional central site, Mild beer style and Wadworth Brewery introduces ■ The Easter beer and cider festival at the encourages pubs to serve at Jug ‘O’ Malt in March. The Catherine Wheel, Newbury, 9-13 April, features least one Mild ale in May. live music #BehindTheGate in the Gin Yard. See 4.2% ABV Mild seasonal ale has also Gig Guide page 10. coffee, toffee and caramel tones. ■ The Castle at menu has changed with The Untappd app shows details of over 200 The next seasonal ale will be Amarillo Gold. two new chefs based in the completely draught, bottled and canned beers and ciders at refurbished kitchen featuring a pizza oven. Teams the Catherine Wheel using the verified venue’s ■ West Berkshire Quizzes Facebook group has should book tables in advance for the popular untappd.com menus. details of local pub and music quizzes. Monday quiz night. See advertisement below.

THE CASTLE INN · COLD ASH



A family run, community village pub, with a warm welcome for all, including those with four legs and tails! We have six quality approved cask ales on offer, including Good Old Boy and London Pride, two of which are guest ales, which are changed regularly. Food served Monday to Sunday. Please see website for times. Quiz Monday eve 8:30pm. Surprise food served free of charge to quizzers at half time. Booking is advisable. Regular live music slots. Please follow us on Facebook @TheCastleColdAsh to keep an eye on dates! We welcome parties for any occasion. Please call to discuss any options as we aim to accommodate all. Nathan, Kirsty, Francesca and Florence look forward to seeing you soon.

www.thecastleatcoldash.co.uk Cold Ash Hill · RG18 9PS · 01635 863232

Ullage March - May 2020 3 ■ In February, over a year after the Old Bell in ■ The Queen’s Arms, , is served by Wash Common last closed and could not be relet, the regular Kennections bus service between the freehold has been offered for sale. Newbury and (#4). The Lambourn The White Hart, ‘Closed Valley Way from Newbury to Whitehorse Hill for the winter’ in December after an experiment passes nearby. The Newbury Weekly News with opening weekly on Friday evenings only. (30/1/2020) reported that Freddie and Sue The appeal, against West Berkshire Council’s Tulloch, who took over the pub in 2015 adding refusal of a planning application for converting further bedrooms and opening up the garden, are the Winterbourne Arms to housing, was rejected now ready for a change and looking for a buyer to Cider mulling in the Catherine Wheel’s Gin Yard by the Planning Inspectorate in January after a build on their success. hearing in December. The pub remains closed. ■ Cider makers from Fallout (Chris www.queensarmseastgarston.co.uk Moore), Ciderniks (Nick Edwards), Pang ■ The Lion in Newbury serves Wadworth beers Valley (Rick Wyatt and Gary Wickens), and guest ales with a discount for CAMRA Polecat (Jon Fitch ), (Andrew members. Buy or swap records and listen to DJs Williams) and Green Shed (Dave Bailey) play vinyl soul music competed for the inaugural Berkshire Mulled here on every third Cider Champion cup organised by Rod Sunday of the month Holmes (ciderpup.co.uk) on 10 December. CAMRA Christmas quiz social at the (1-6pm) at The Mint. Judges Roy Bailey, Warwick Heskins and Tim Old London Apprentice 12/12/2019 Games, including Thomas independently gave the same ranking: Shut the Box, can be 1st Pang Valley Cider; 2nd Andrew Williams; ■ The fundraising efforts of the Old London played at the Lion. 3rd Greenham Fallout. Award photo on page 1. Apprentice, Newbury, have resulted in the naming of Ola, now with her puppy walker before ■ Brewery showcase events at The Weather ■ Tim Wale advises that Tutts Clump Cider she becomes a guide dog. Photos and details of Station, Wild Weather’s Reading pub, include: has been a supplier to the Bell Inn, Aldworth, Ola are on the 9 January post to the pub’s Staggeringly Good & Beatnikz Republic ‘our best customer’, since he began marketing it Facebook page. See also advertisement on page 9. (19 March); Naparbier (16 April) and Omnipollo in 2008 and the Bell has Traditional (23 April). A range of ciders will be served in the Farmhouse (6% ABV) and Berkshire Diamond ■ Announced in February 2020, garden of the Eldon Terrace pub during the (4.5% ABV) on draught by bag in box. Motor Club is the CAMRA National Club of the Reading Village Easter Festival (10-13 April). The last of this season’s apples were pressed Year 2019, a previous winner in 2017 and 2013. in January, yielding 71,000 litres in total for ■ The Wild Weather Ales brewery shop, 15 2019. This production was 60% locally ■ The 2020 CAMRA Members’ Weekend, AGM Benyon Road, Easter Park, RG7 2PQ, is just sourced with a further 23% from and & Conference, with a real ale and cider bar, at the north of Tadley, off the Reading Road. 17% from Oldbury on Severn. University of York, 3-5 April, is free to attend. Opening hours below. agm.camra.org.uk COTTAGE INN UPPER

A West Berkshire CAMRA Community Pub of the Year: 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017 & 2018 Families welcome - Outdoor Play Zone + Paddock with hens, goats & rabbits Great circular walks from the pub to the Pang valley & Bucklebury Common Lounge and separate bar with Sky Sports & BT Sport Three Cask Ales including Good Old Boy

Tue-Fri 12-3 & 5-11 Food 12-2 & 6-8.30 Saturday 12 - late Food 12-2.30 & 6-8.30 Sunday 12 - 8 Lunch 12 - 3

26 Broad Lane, Upper Bucklebury RG7 6Q 01635 864544 www.thecottageinnupperbucklebury.co.uk

4 The Campaign for Real Ale West Berkshire Beer & Cider Festivals SPECTACULAR FAMILY FUN ■ Visiting a beer festival with a CAMRA group has social and practical advantages. For more details of the following events, visit our website or contact Paul Worsley: [email protected]: Friday 13 March - Beer & Cider Festival trip (The Beacon) - 10.30am train from Newbury to Parkway via Reading. SPRING TRIALS Arrive Wantage 12.10 on local bus (#33). Free entry for CAMRA members. 28 real ales together with 4 ciders and 2 perrys on 13/14 WEEKEND March. www.whitehorsecamra.org.uk Friday 17 April - Newbury Racecourse Beer & 17-18 APRIL 2020 Cider Festival social at a table near the festival bar. Live music all afternoon with over 50 beers and ciders from local producers including West Berkshire Brewery, Andwell Brewing Co and Tutts Clump Cider. CAMRA members should book on 01635 40015, before 9 April, for the ‘£10 Grandstand ticket & pint’ offer on 17/18 April quoting CAMRA20. Thursday 7 May - Reading Beer & Cider Festival trip (Christchurch Meadows, Caversham) - meet Tim Thomas &/or Andy Pinkard, near the CAMRA bookstall at 7pm, on the opening evening.

■ Tickets for Reading Beer & Cider Festival (7-10 May), with over 450 real ales, can be purchased in advance (guaranteed entry plus tokens) or on the door (if not full): Thurs £5 (16.30-23.00), Fri £11 (11-23.00), Sat £10 (11-16.30 or 18-23.00 sessions), Sun £5 (12-17.30). All tickets include a glass and programme. Tickets include a programme and glass. More details, including benefits for volunteering at readingbeerfestival.org.uk Adrian Bean - [email protected] - can arrange cellaring training for quality beer | handling and dispense at festivals etc. KIDS GO FREE ADVANCE PRICE OFFER NEWBURYRACECOURSE.CO.UK ■ Launched on 8 February, by Reading and Mid-Berks CAMRA, leading up to the Reading Beer and Cider Festival, the Reading Ale Trail CAMRA DISCOUNT - GRANDSTAND TICKET PLUS A VOUCHER FOR A PINT FOR THE BEER FESTIVAL FOR ONLY £10 involves visiting participating pubs for a drink CALL NEWBURY RACECOURSE 01635 40015 AND QUOTE CAMRA20* and getting a sticker, to place in the booklet of *Discount not available with any other offer. Offer ends 5pm on Thursday 9 April participating pubs, as proof. A walk via to the Bell Inn, Full details, with FAQs, can be found at ■ The Craven Arms, , is holding an Aldworth, a ‘guest' Ale Trail pub in our Branch, readingcamra.org.uk/aletrail with the latest outdoor music and cider festival with a hog roast has been arranged from the Catherine Wheel, information on Facebook: Reading Ale Trail. and BBQ on Saturday 9 May from 12 noon. Goring at 10.35am on Sunday 29 March. Visiting 16 pubs on the trail is rewarded with ■ Pixie Pee is the extra ■ The Welsh Perry and Cider Society’s Festival, three free half-pint vouchers at Reading Beer & pale and refreshing IPA 22-25 May, is held in the grounds of Caldicot Cider Festival. Anyone visiting all 24 pubs can from Swamp Bog Castle and Country Park near the Second Severn claim a commemorative t-shirt and a half-pint Brewery, now based at Crossing. Camping is available on site and there voucher. The closing date for completed ale trail Two Cocks Brewery, will be live music. Real ale will also be available in booklets is 8 April 2020. Enborne. partnership with CAMRA. Volunteer applications Every completed booklet also earns an entry Taryn and Paul via [email protected] and more details at in the Prize Draw with prizes from Binghams Medlin, who also welshcider.co.uk/festival Brewery, Hogs Back Brewery, Tutts Clump Cider organise the Edge and West Berkshire Brewery. A total of 700 Cropredy, have arranged ■ The Fox & Hounds, Donnington, hosts May booklets were put on sale, for a £1 refundable beer and cider festivals to showcase Swamp Bog Fest 2020 on Sunday 24 May with the outside cash deposit, at the Alehouse and the Nag’s Head and Two Cocks breweries as well as other local bar opening at 1pm, serving a range of guest in Reading and the Fox & Hounds in Caversham. beer and cider producers at: ciders and ales. There will also be a hog roast and Any group wanting to complete the trail can The Five Bells, Wickham (8/9 May); the Old Boot live music. www.foxandhoundsnewbury.co.uk take advantage of the Inn, (5/6 June) and The Great simplyNetwork group day ticket (Up to four Shefford (3/4 July). These will be Friday evening ■ Thatcham Town Football Club Beer Festival is people travel for £10 off-peak). and all-day Saturday events with live music. set for Satuday 13 June.

Ullage March - May 2020 5 Tryanuary Bus Tour On Friday 31 January, three West Berkshire CAMRA members embarked on a Tryanuary bus tour from Newbury. Pubs lose trade in January when some people abstain from alcohol but many CAMRA members adopt the Tryanuary approach of trying new beers and visiting new pubs in January. Chris Reynolds boarded the Kennections 4 bus service at and was joined by Tim Thomas and Ian Herdman at Newbury Wharf bus station at 2.30pm. reach the Five Bells and entered through the new main doorway. Interior changes at the pub, since it reopened in November, include repainting, lighting with decorative filament bulbs and a screen to display the beer range. There is still a real fire in the fireplace and a wide range of cask ales - with six beers available when we visited. The locally brewed range included beers from Two Cocks, Swamp Bog and Ramsbury breweries.

Half an hour later, after passing the boarded-up Rising Sun in , the Bell at Boxford and snowdrops at Welford, the group left the bus at the stop near The which is referred to in the timetable as The Swan, after its former name. Since Joshua Khan opened the refurbished Great Shefford in September, with Georgiana Caras as General Manager, six cask ales have been available. The group tasted several beers from a range brewed by Ramsbury, Dark Star, Butcombe, Josh, Mark, Duncan and Emily – The Five Bells great beers from St Austell, Saltaire and Timothy Taylor. After the Duncan Jones introduced us to his friendly since 2003 group was seated, near the fire, in the Racing staff who kindly agreed to pose for a photo Lounge, Joshua greeted them and mentioned a behind the bar. beer festival at the pub on on 3/4 July. Finally, Chris, Tim and Ian set off in darkness At 4.41pm, the CAMRA group was picked up to catch the 4c bus at 7.04pm, again driven by the by the same driver with a bus almost full of school same driver. This last bus of the day arrived back students returning to Lambourn. The bus passed in Newbury at 7.21pm and marked the end of an the Queens Arms, East Garston and the Plough at enjoyable Tryanuary tour! Eastbury before reaching the Market Square stop The cost of a Connect day bus fare is £6. The at 4.55pm. After changing the destination to useful Kennections App allows users to track Newbury and the service number to 4a, the bus Kennections buses. For more details, visit: set off again, passing the George, Lambourn and www.reading-buses.co.uk/kennections visit us online loddonbrewery.com the Pheasant Inn, before Details of West Berkshire CAMRA meetings reaching Wickham crossroads at 5.14pm. and trips are on www.westberkscamra.org.uk and The group walked about 200 yards back to on Facebook and Twitter (@WBCAMRA).

South London Trail ‘beer, burgers & beds’ pubs with hostel accommodation above. Other pubs visited on John McLaughlin produced an itinerary for a John’s original trail were the Kings Arms (KA) in South London ale trail from Waterloo to Roupell Street and again in Newcomen Street, the YATTENDON Borough and London Bridge for CAMRA Old Kings Head (OKH) and the Harvey’s Brewery branches in the Central Southern region on pub – the Royal Oak (RO). A beautiful, authentic country pub with rooms offering: Award winning real ales from Ramsbury brewery Saturday 25 January. Stunning, Michelin rated, home cooked food Delicious Sunday roasts Amazing orangery and brand-new kitchen, opened Spring 2019 10 luxurious guest bedrooms Glorious walled beer garden Al fresco dining under leafy vine terrace 3 roaring log fires 4 private dining rooms for up to 70 guests

Accreditations include : Muddy Stilettos – Best Boutique Stay 2018 Alistair Sawday’s Special Places To Stay 2019 The Michelin Guide 2019 The AA Good Pub Guide 2019 Photo: Tim Thomas Photo: Tim West Berkshire CAMRA members, including Country & Town House - Great British & Irish Hotels 2019 Allan, Andy, Mike, Richard, Tony, Frank – Royal Oak Chairman Andy Pinkard, followed the Tryanuary THE SQUARE, YATTENDON, BERKSHIRE RG18 0UG trail from the Waterloo Tap (WT) to the Stage An illustrated account of the trail by Tim Thomas TELEPHONE: 01635 201 325 Door (SD) before diverting to visit the Rose & with more details of the route and beers tasted is EMAIL: [email protected] WWW.ROYALOAKYATTENDON.CO.UK Crown (R&C), one of seven London PubLove posted on www.beereurope.blogspot.com

6 The Campaign for Real Ale West Berkshire Pub Profile #69 The Borough Arms Hungerford Hungerford is a historic town surrounded to bring to this pub, she replied that she is by the North Downs Area of passionate about creating a warm, welcoming, Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is famous comfortable place for customers to spend their for its antique shops and waterways and precious downtime. She is committed to serving offers a variety of walking and cycling trails. good quality beer and is looking to attain Cask Whatever the reason for your visit, please Marque accreditation. Four cask ales from do find time to call in at the Borough Arms, Wadworth are available on handpump: 6X, a friendly neighbourhood pub with a Henry’s IPA, Horizon (Chilled) and a changing welcoming atmosphere, located towards the seasonal guest ale from the Wadworth portfolio. Additionally there is a range of keg beers and top end of the High Street. It is well served ciders, wines and spirits. Tea and coffee are by public transport, being within easy also available. walking distance from the railway station The pub does not offer a daily food service and bus stops. but does cater for large booked events such as birthdays, retirement parties, staff parties or wedding receptions. The pub has a spacious interior, with comfortable seating, as well as a large outdoor area, so do give the pub a call if and terrestrial channels. Pool and darts are you wish to arrange a function here. played in an area to the right of the pub as you A major refurbishment was undertaken when enter through the front door. The Borough Arms Sylvi took on the pub in November 2017. The has two pool league teams and a darts league cellar, beer lines and taps were renewed. A new team. Cards and dominoes are available and it is interior design and décor, including interesting artwork that adorns the pub walls has given it a facelift, whilst maintaining its traditional character. Warmth during the colder months is Sylvi Giuliani provided by two wood burners. Sylvi tells me The Borough Arms started life retailing beer that although the in the early 1800s. The earliest record of this is refurbishment has been in the Kelly Directory of 1847, when William well received by her Hobbs was recorded as proprietor. A framed Photo: Borough Arms customers it did not go photo, taken circa 1920, hangs in the front bar down too well with the pub’s resident planned to offer a variety of board games. The and shows that the pub was then owned by friendly ghosts! pub hosts regular quiz evenings, live music, open Simonds Brewery of Reading. In 1984 the pub mic nights and karaoke. Details of upcoming was renamed ‘The Tuttiman’ but reverted to its events are given on the pub’s Facebook and current name in 1995. In more recent years the Twitter accounts. pub has been owned by Wadworth Brewery of In January 2020, Sylvi took on the Devizes. A more detailed history of the pub can community-owned Tally Ho! pub in Hungerford be found on the Hungerford Virtual Museum Newtown, but says that she has no plans to give website. up the Borough as she loves the place and it’s The current landlady, Sylvi Giuliani, is ‘her baby’. originally from South Africa but has made Situated at the top of the High Street, the Hungerford her home since 2006. Previously Borough Arms is the first pub as you head down working in Digital marketing and technology into the town from the south and the last as you development, Sylvi had no experience of Photo: Borough Arms The large outdoor seating and drinking area walk up the street from the centre. Whichever running a pub before she took over the Borough at the rear consists of a patio that leads to an way you’re headed, do take time to visit this Arms in 2017. When asked what she wanted attractive sloping lawned garden. It is both friendly and highly recommended family and dog neighbourhood hostelry. friendly and offers a Mike Avery welcoming The Borough Arms, atmosphere, making 77 High Street, Hungerford. RG17 0NA the Borough Arms a Tel: 01488 683233 relaxing and pleasant Email: [email protected] place to spend your Website: borougharms.co.uk leisure time. Facebook: @BoroughArms Facilities include Twitter: @Borough_Arms free wifi and a number of screens for Opening Hours watching your Mon - Thu: 3 - 11pm favourite sports events Fri & Sat: 12 - midnight from BT, Sky Sports Sunday: 12 - 11pm

Ullage Ullage March - May 2020 7 Quinno in Norway ‘this wonderful country’ We are in the CAMRA Good Kveik beers. There exists a farmhouse brewing Beer Guide culture in western Norway which has passed 2020 (12th year down yeasts referred to as kveik for generations. running) This practice has resulted in ale yeasts which are typically highly flocculant and phenolic. Sounds Meals served evenings and lunch times off-putting? Well, the Norwegians know how to (except Mondays) use this yeast to their advantage and there is an Closed Sunday evenings emergent trend of adding these yeasts not just to Traditional Sunday Roast lunches Photo: Tanya Kynaston Photo: Tanya traditional farmhouse beers but also to modern Quinno at Øx Tap Room in Trondheim En Suite Guest Rooms & brews in order to bring out a taste similar to funk, Function Room available In January 2020, Quinten Taylor spent a orange peel and clove, a taste which I really began week in Norway visiting Oslo, Bergen and to appreciate. Read more at: Choice of 3 Cask Ales Trondheim. In February, his guide for future milkthefunk.com/wiki/Kveik ‘Pie and Pudding Club’ Nordic beer travellers was posted online in every Wednesday! www.beereurope.blogspot.com subtitled The description for a bar in Trondheim is: West Berks CAMRA Pub ‘Dr Strangebrew or: How I learned to stop of the Year 2008 and 2015 worrying and love £15 a pint Norwegian craft beers’. Quinno’s guide, illustrated with 10 photos, The Six Bells, The Green, Reading RG7 5NX Tel: 0118 9713368 features 10 Tips, 11 Bars and 5 Breweries. Email: [email protected] AA Inn www.thesixbells.co.uk Tip 10 - Know what Norwegians are best at brewing is extracted below: Great beer in Norway costs good money. You want to get the best, so why pay three times the Den Gode Nabo (The Good Neighbour)

price for beer that tastes the same as it does back Photo: Quinten Taylor in UK? You need to hit the rich seams. There are Den Gode Nabo (Øvre Bakklandet 66) two solid options: Housed in a centuries old wooden building on the Dark beers, namely porters and stouts; the iconic riverfront in the old town, this is a feast for quality of these styles go way above the average of those who love history and quirky hostelries. what I’m used to back in The beer list ain't bad either! the UK. There were at least

three beers I tried which I Details of a brewery featured in the Guide are would hail as world class shown below: in this category, with a further half dozen or so Nøgne Ø eliciting long and One of the few Norwegian brewers to get their sustained appreciation. products over to the UK in decent quantity, you Norwegians know what can’t go wrong with any of their beers in any style. they’re doing with this Nøgne Ø Porter Their Gale Force Imperial Stout and Porter are genre, so take advantage. Photo: Quinten Taylor world class dark beers.

Wychwood and Brakspear Beers Tour After an introductory talk, tour guide Chris led the group around the brewery which now features the top part of the gleaming copper vessel NEWBURY’S FIRST MICRO PUB from the Henley-on-Thames brewery where Brakspear beers were brewed until 2002. Quinten Taylor organised a Reading & Mid Berks CAMRA minibus trip from the Clifton Arms, Caversham, to Witney for a Brakspear Cow & Cask / Wychwood brewery tour on 23 November. is available for 1 Inches Yard private hire, and Market Street given enough notice Newbury we will try very hard RG14 5DP to have “Your Favourite Micro Brewery Ale” on the stillage. Although we are a “Micro Opening Hours Pub” we can Mon Closed The square lower tanks and the round vessels Tue 5-9 Squeeze, Jimmie, above them, used in the traditional Brakspear Wed 5-9 Squash or Thu 12-2, 5-9 double drop fermentation process, are distinct Shoehorn Fri 12-2, 5-10 from the Wychwood fermentation vessels. 20-25 persons in Sat All Day 12-10 Sun Closed Finally, Chris hosted a tasting session with a and make them Open to the public, the busy cellar taproom comfortable. Discount range of bottled Brakspear and Wychwood beers. served Brakspear Brewery Gravity (the new name for CAMRA For more details see the Brakspear post in: We can also card holders for Brakspear Bitter) and Wychwood Brewery provide a www.beereurope.blogspot.com (Dec. 2019). Tel: Hobgoblin beers. few seats!!! 07517 658071 www.wychwood.co.uk

8 The Campaign for Real Ale West Berkshire Black Country break In late November, to coincide with the Dudley The next day, Tony Lea (SHB CAMRA) led the Winter Ales Fayre, Mark Geeson ( group on a tour of pubs with notable interiors in Hants Borders (SHB) CAMRA) organised a Walsall including the Victoria, the Fountain Inn break, based in Stourbridge, for a group of (Backyard Brewhouse tap), the New Inn (better CAMRA members. Mark named the group known as the Pretty Bricks) and finally the Turf ‘The Farnham Trubbelers’ although many Tavern, also known as Tinky’s, an unspoilt arrived from other parts of the country, like terraced pub in Bloxwich, where no photography Tim Thomas who travelled there from is allowed. Newbury, by train, via Worcester.

Tim’s last day allowed an evening visit to the Dudley Winter Ales Fayre where Mark and Tony had volunteered for bar duties. Earlier, Mark led us on local buses to the Photo: Mark Geeson Beacon Hotel, the Sarah Hughes brewery tap in Farnham Trubbelers arrive at the Vine Inn and the Britannia Inn, Upper Gornal, 26/11/2019 where a pint of pale Batham’s Bitter and a cheese and onion cob (roll) cost only £4.55. After checking in at the Talbot Hotel and visits 28/11/2019 to nearby Barbridge and Craddock’s brewery tap, ‘Early doors’ Dudley Town Hall the Duke William, the group caught a local bus to Delph for a visit to the Vine, known locally as the Read Tim’s five posts (dated January 2020) Bull & Bladder, the Batham’s brewery tap. on www.beereurope.blogspot.com for more A pre-arranged tour of the Vine’s cellar, where photos and details to assist with planning a Black ales are supplied from hogshead (54 gallons) and Country break - that should appeal especially to barrel (36 gallons) sized casks, was a highlight of beer drinkers who like milds and sweeter bitters the evening. (The largest casks used by most West as supplied by Holden’s Brewery and the local Berkshire pubs are (9 gallon) firkins.) breweries mentioned previously. The Britannia Inn 28/11/2019

E ST SE AB CL RV LI I IN SHE THE OLD LONDON APPRENTICE EN G D T O 2 S VE 0 NA R 06 TI 1,5 ON 0 W 0 I DE

PUBLICANS AND BAR MANAGERS, TRY OUR FULLY MANAGED REGULAR BEER LINE FREE INITIA CLEANING SERVICE L We pride ourselves on being a CLEAN NO C traditional community pub where there’s always OMMITMENT a warm welcome from Ken & Caroline NO CONTRAC T Front decked area and rear garden k Bingo - Thursday · Live bands - Saturday · Karaoke - Sunday SEVERAL OF OUR k CUSTOMERS ARE Private parties and buffets catered for FEATURED IN THE 2020 CAMRA Private function room for hire GOOD BEER GUIDE k Sunday roast lunches weekly k CONTACT SIMON GRIST TODAY Four real ales including Harvey’s Best, FOR YOUR Fuller’s London Pride & Timothy Taylor’s Boltmaker FREE FIRST CLEAN CAMRA discount MOB: 07817 950853 OR 0800 7810 577 EMAIL: [email protected] 2 Hambridge Road, Newbury, RG14 5SS | Tel: 01635 41483 WEB: WWW.CLEARBREW.CO.UK www.oldlondonapprentice.co.uk

Ullage March - May 2020 9 Gig Guide

Ace Space, St. Nicolas 2020 West Berkshire CAMRA Road, Newbury. Tickets: Outstanding Community Pub Hogan Music, Newbury. There are now 40 LocAle pubs in our branch www.acespace.org.uk serving beer from breweries within 25 miles. 14 Mar - Emily Barker, Lukas Drinkwater In 2019, Thatcham’s Kings Head won the [email protected] 20 Mar - Phil Beer 17 Apr - Miranda Sykes Community Pub of the Year award. See also the LocAle Pubs page on 23 May - Hannah Scott + People Versus For 2020, the Branch is looking for a www.westberkscamra.org.uk Unplugged Open Mic - 1st Friday of month previously unrecognised pub management LocAle Pubs - WEST of A34 The Lamb, Newbury team to gain this award. The Bell at Boxford Boxford FB @NewburyJazzPlatform Factors influencing the award include team The Blackbird Jazz music, featuring Gavin games, charity support, noticeboards, group The Downgate Hungerford Wilkinson’s house band. Entry £2 meetings and activities like beer festivals, trips, The Eastbury Plough Eastbury 3rd Wednesday of month 7.30pm: quizzes and music events. 18 Mar, 15 Apr, 20 May The Five Bells Wickham Anyone, including the publican, can The Fox at Peasemore Peasemore The Angel, nominate one or more pubs. Please send The Great Shefford Great Shefford www.jazzangel.co.uk 8pm Saturdays details, by 30 June, to Mike Avery 28 Mar - Baron Mara The John O’Gaunt Inn Hungerford [email protected] 25 Apr - Lea Lyle Quartet The Red House or by using the online form at 30 May - to be advised The Tally Ho! www.westberkscamra.org.uk/nominate Bacon Arms, Newbury The Three Swans Hotel Hungerford 20 Mar - Beatle Juice 22 Mar, 26 Apr, 24 May (all 4pm) - Total Madness 12 Apr (4pm) - Mash Lock Stock & Barrel, Newbury 7 Mar - Jon Walsh Join up, join in, 15 Mar - Alex Gale 28 Mar - Sion Whiley join the campaign 9 May - DV8 The Monument, Newbury - From Fridays & Saturdays as little as * 14 Mar - Straw Dogs £26.50 11 Apr - Bottle Kids a year. That’s less 25 Apr - Beatle Juice than a pint a Includes £30 16 May - Thickcut month! Real Ale 30 May - JJ & the Jukes Cider & Perry Vouchers Open Mic night with Oli Hill on Thursdays @DollhouseArts FB) presents Protect the traditions of great British pubs and everything that

live music in local pubs: goes with them by joining today at www.camra.org.uk/joinup ✂ at The Globe, Newbury 4 Mar - Mike Edwards Or enter your details and complete the Direct Debit form below and you will receive 18 Mar - Colorado River 15 months membership for the price of 12 and save £2 on your membership subscription at The Catherine Wheel, Newbury Alternatively you can send a cheque payable to CAMRA Ltd with your completed form, visit www.camra.org.uk/joinup, or call 7 Mar - Johnny Marvel's Blues Groove 01727 798440.* All forms should be addressed to Membership Department, CAMRA, 230 Hatfield Road, St Albans, AL1 4LW. Your details: Direct Debit Non DD 10 Apr - LongDayLateNight Title ...... Surname ...... Single Membership (UK) £26.50 £28.50 11 Apr - Third Lung Forename(s) ...... Under 26 Membership £18 £20 Lion, Newbury Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy) ...... Joint Membership £31.50 £33.50 (At the same address) Last Friday of the month Address ...... Joint Under 26 Membership £23 £25 27 Mar - Funk Soul Rebels ...... Postcode ...... Please indicate whether you What’s Brewing BEER 24 Apr - Leech wish to receive What’s Brewing By Email By Post By Email By Post Email address ...... and BEER b y e m a i l O R p o s t :

The Newbury, Newbury Daytime Tel ...... Concessionary rates are available only for Under 26 Memberships. Weekly on Thursdays - Sion Whiley I wish to join the Campaign for Real Ale, and agree to abide by the Partner’s Details (if Joint Membership) Memorandum and Articles of Association which can be found on our website. presents Open Mic night Title ...... Surname ...... Signed ...... Forename(s) ...... Old London Apprentice, Newbury Date ...... 2nd Friday of each month is Folk Night Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy) ...... Applications will be processed within 21 days.

25 Apr - Soultones Instruction to your Bank or Building Society to pay by Direct Debit

The White Hart, Thatcham – Saturdays Please fill in the whole form using a ball point pen and send to: This Guarantee should be detached 7 Mar - No Way Out Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. 230 Hatfield Road St. Albans, Herts AL1 4LW and retained by the payer. Name and full postal address of your Bank or Building Society Service User Number The Direct Debit 14 Mar - Uproar To the Manager Bank or Building Society 926129 Guarantee l This Guarantee is offered by all banks and 4 Apr - Bombay Casanovas Address building societies that accept instructions FOR CAMRA OFFICIAL USE ONLY to pay by Direct Debits This is not part of the instruction to your Bank or Building Society 11 Apr - Fubar l If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit The Membership Number Campaign for Real Ale Ltd will notify you 10 25 Apr - JJ & the Jukes Postcode working days in advance of your account Name being debited or as otherwise agreed. If 2 May - Monkey Dolls you request The Campaign for Real Ale Name(s) of Account Holder Postcode Ltd to collect a payment, confirmation of 9 May - Mash the amount and date will be given to you Instructions to your Bank or Building Society at the time of the request l If an error is made in the payment of your 16 May - Blue Hayz Bank or Building Society Account Number Please pay Campaign For Real Ale Limited Direct Debits from the account detailed on this instruction subject to the Direct Debit by The Campaign for Real safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand Ale Ltd or your bank or building society, you are entitled to a full and immediate that this instruction may remain with Campaign For Real Ale More pubs with live music: refund of the amount paid from your bank Branch Sort Code Limited and, if so, will be passed electronically to my Bank/ or building society Building Society. Hungerford area: Borough Arms, Plume, l If you receive a refund you are not Signature(s) entitled to, you must pay it back when The Campaign Real Ale Ltd asks you to Railway Tavern, Wheatsheaf (Chilton Foliat) Reference l You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time Date by simply contacting your bank or building Newbury: Document House, Nags Head society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us. Thatcham and other areas: Kings Head, Banks and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debit Instructions for some types of account.

†Price of single membership when paying by Direct Debit. *Calls from landlines charged at standard national rates, cost may vary from mobile ✂ phones. New Direct Debit members will receive a 12 month supply of vouchers in their first 15 months of membership. Taste of , Castle Inn (Cold Ash), Fox The data you provide will be processed in accordance with our privacy policy in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations. Inn (Hermitage), Rowbarge (Woolhampton)

10 The Campaign for Real Ale West Berkshire Jennie Bray, one of the earliest members of mudgeon the former Newbury branch, died at the Great Western Hospital, Swindon, on 31 January 2020 at the age of 81. Jennie was born and Drying brought up in Derby, and Mild is dead, long was introduced to beer Out drinking by her father. live the new mild After moving to West There’s a limit to how far pubs can go in Berkshire, she and her A couple of weeks ago, Roger Protz quoted second husband Jonathan a Black Country brewer foretelling the appealing to non-drinkers. joined CAMRA in 1974. eventual death of mild along with the A major problem for the pub trade is the She quickly became a passing of those who regularly drink it. growing proportion of young people who have member of the branch But what if it’s just mutated? committee, and served as chosen not to drink alcohol at all. In response Jennie Bray at Hook Social Secretary and later We once wrote about a resurgence in the to this, a recent report has said that 70% of Norton Brewery 1994 Vice-Chairman. She was (Photo: also appointed Area popularity of mild not as a mainstream beer ‘Generation Z’ believe that pubs need to Caroline Hickman) style but as a niche oddity, like milk stout or become ‘more inviting’ to those who do not Organiser for Berkshire. Berliner Weisse. Jennie was a highly convivial person and enjoyed drink. This has to be taken with a pinch of the good things in life - good ale, good wine, good We still think that’s about right – that salt given that it was sponsored by a coffee food, good company - and her attractive looks and what is dead, or dying, is the standard company, but it does make an important personality made her very popular. three-point-something ABV dark mild that point. She is survived by her partner Bob Graves, her daughters Sarah and Emma, and four granddaughters. too often tastes like watered down stout or, Clearly it makes sense for pubs to widen Roy Bailey worse, watered down mild. their appeal so that they can be more inclusive More at westberkscamra.org.uk/notices What hadn’t quite occurred to us, though, of non-drinkers. Customers are increasingly until we listened to our own middle-aged likely to consist of mixed groups of drinkers grumbling, was that mild might have faked its and abstainers. This can be achieved by own death before sneaking back into the room providing higher-quality tea and coffee and with a different hat on. soft drinks, offering food and putting on CAMRA Discounts Forget beer styles, forget beer history, and events like quizzes and live music. And, to be Members enjoy discounts think about utility: what do English drinkers honest, they have been doing these things to a at CAMRA beer festivals seem to want? greater or lesser extent throughout my and local pubs below: A beer they can drink four pints of without drinking career. It’s nothing new or exactly a Hind's Head, too much damage. startling revelation. A beer that doesn’t demand lots of However, there’s an important caveat here. Kings Head, Thatcham attention while being drunk – that goes down The core purpose of pubs is, and always has Rowbarge, Woolhampton easily and addresses thirst. been, socialising centred around the Three Horseshoes, That isn’t bitter, or dry and, indeed, might consumption of alcoholic drinks. Yes, over the even be called sweet. Newbury: decades they have needed to evolve and For much of the 20th century, that was change in various ways, but that fundamental Catherine Wheel mild. fact remains unchanged. If nobody drank Cow & Cask Then, for about 40 years, it was so-called alcohol, there would be no pubs. Non-drinkers Gun, Wash Common cooking lager – the kind of stuff that apalled may enjoy various activities and services Hatchet Inn (with CAMRA voucher) Rheinheitsgebotists but which British drinkers provided by pubs, but they wouldn’t exist in King Charles Tavern took to overwhelmingly from the 1970s the first place without drinkers. It’s rather like Lion onward. Old London Apprentice But now… Could it be soft, hazy session non-alcoholic beer – it’s only there to mirror IPA? to some extent the taste and experience of Circa 4%. Not bitter, perhaps even sugary. drinking alcoholic beer. And undemanding, unless you’re hung up on If they go too far down the road of haze, with fruit juice and soft drink citrus changing their offer, pubs may well find flavours rather than the brittle hop spikiness. themselves evolving into something entirely One data point does not prove the case but different – a restaurant, a music venue or a it’s certainly fascinating to see the degree to community centre. It also has to be questioned which Ray’s dad, previously a keen mild to what extent all this diversification is drinker, has taken to beers like Moor Nor’Hop. actually going to bring new customers into pubs. It may make non-drinkers happier when We’re Boak and Bailey they are there, but will it encourage them to We’re geeks in general, but especially about visit more often? beer and pubs. We write under the names The reason that the pub trade has declined Jessica Boak and Ray Bailey. We live in Bristol so much over recent years is essentially in the UK. We’ve been blogging about beer because, due to a combination of social and since 2007. legislative changes, the demand for their core www.boakandbailey.com product has fallen. There’s a limit to how far they can go in catering for other needs. Realistically, the fortunes of the pub trade are closely linked to the proportion of people Social in society who enjoy drinking alcohol in a Media social setting. @WBCAMRAcider West Berkshire The Curmudgeon column appears in @WBCAMRA Campaign for Real Ale: Opening Times, & South @UllageBeer @WBCAMRA CAMRA’s bimonthly magazine. @BerkshirePubs (National) CAMRA: Comments on his articles can be left on the @CAMRA_Official @campaignforrealale website curmudgeoncolumns.blogspot.com

Ullage March - May 2020 11 West Berkshire CAMRA

Chairman/ Andy Pinkard Membership: Tel 07989 382676 (M) [email protected] [email protected] Secretary: Mike Avery Tel 07918 138612 (M) [email protected] Treasurer: Alison Chetwynd [email protected] Press Officer: Karen Bowen [email protected] - EVENTS Webmaster: Tony Girling [email protected] Social Sec./ Paul Worsley - TOURS Pubs Officer: [email protected] Pubs DB/ Kevin Brady - REAL ALE Beer Surveys: [email protected] Ullage Tim Thomas Editorial: [email protected] - CRAFT BEER Ullage Richard Lock Design: [email protected] - SHOP Printing: Clere www.clere.uk.com Local Trading Standards office: Tel 0345 404 0506 - TAPROOM Facebook & Twitter: @WBCAMRA www.westberkscamra.org.uk - KITCHEN Beer Festival Diary

CAMRA run or supported beer festivals provide OPENING HOURS excellent opportunities for sampling a wide range of real ales, from all over the UK and TUES - SUN | 10AM-11PM overseas. Here are some of the major and most accessible festivals for West Berkshire drinkers. MON | 10AM-6PM (Kitchen Closed)

SHOP OPEN DAILY 10AM-6PM 13-14 March 10th Wantage Beer & Cider Festival The Beacon, Portway, Wantage OX12 9BY 01635 767090 [email protected] www.whitehorsecamra.org.uk 13-14 March Winchester Beer & Cider Festival WEST BERKSHIRE BREWERY | THE OLD DAIRY | YATTENDON | RG18 OXT Guildhall, Broadway, Winchester SO23 9GH www.winchesterbeerfestival.org.uk

17-18 April 10th Newbury Racecourse Beer Festival newburyracecourse.co.uk Diary Dates 2020 7-10 May The following is a list of all forthcoming meetings of the West Berkshire branch of CAMRA. Some are ‘social’ 25th Reading Beer & Cider Festival meetings, lively and friendly occasions where we enjoy a few beers; others are ‘branch’ meetings, which are Christchurch Meadows, Caversham RG4 8DH slightly more formal and where we discuss beer and pubs issues. Unless stated, our meetings are open to www.readingbeerfestival.org.uk all-comers – and new members are particularly welcome! Friday 13 March Tuesday 14 April 24 May Wantage Beer and Cider Festival Easter lunch social 10th Bracknell Ale & Cider Festival Bracknell RFC, Lily Hill Park RG12 2UG social The Hatchet Inn, Newbury festival.bracknaleevents.co.uk Details: page 5 12 noon 12 noon

Wednesday 8 April Saturday 2 May Thursday 7 May Branch meeting Pewsey ale trail Reading Beer & Cider Festival The Great Shefford 8pm Details: page 3 1.30pm social Details: page 5 7pm Friday 17 April Newbury Racecourse Late additions, amendments & Sat 16 May Design | Print | Web Beer & Cider Festival social further details on our website: Mild tasting social in Compton Details: page 5 1pm www.westberkscamra.org.uk Details: page 3 11:15am A unique mix of in house creative and print production

Ullage is published by the West Berkshire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale and is copyright of CAMRA. The opinions expressed in this publication 10a Arnhem Road Newbury RG14 5RU are those of the contributor and are not necessarily endorsed by the Production Team or The Campaign for Real Ale. Every effort is made to ensure that +44 (0)1635 43026 clere.uk.com the information contained in Ullage is correct, but the publishers accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions.

12 The Campaign for Real Ale West Berkshire