In This Issue Spotlight on Grays — The Pub News Orange Tree Brewery News — The Hare & Cider Press Hounds and The Chequers

Chelmsford and Mid- Branch of Issue 003 CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale Autumn 2012 2 Support your local pub - don't give them an excuse to close it! Pub News Reports in Pub News are provided by local also available. 01245 261157 CAMRA members, licensees and Thirsty Times readers. Further news of changes at local pubs By the time you read this Dan Curtis will is very welcome. Please send news to have moved from the Ale House to be the [email protected]. new manager at the Woolpack in . Dan is already well-known As our last issue went to print the mild to the Woolie’s regulars. Due to public month of May was just finishing. The demand food will now be available on Compasses at Littley Green might just Saturdays from 12-4 and will include a full have set a branch record for 15 different English breakfast (Saturdays only). Along- milds available during the month. Can side the regular beers Everards Equinox, anyone beat this impressive total? If not, Coach House Farriers, Vale Gravitas & there’s always next year. Wadworth Boundary will be available over The pub’s Hopstock beer festival in Au- the next two months. Good luck Dan. gust was a great success. 75 firkins of So that move left a gap at Dave & beer were drunk and 1,500 burgers eaten. Maggie’s other place – the Ale House. Even more impressive - £4,000 was Step up John Green, ex manager at the raised for Farleigh Hospice. Plough who has moved across Duke During the festival, landlord Joss Ridley Street to be the new manager here. Pre- was presented with the Jack Hillier award sumably he didn’t claim relocation ex- by Mike Woods of CAMRA as Essex Pub penses! John is a good friend and sup- of the Year. The Compasses now awaits porter of CAMRA and we wish him well. the outcome of the vote for East Anglian Dave tells us that he is applying for plan- POTY which should be announced in ning permission for the micro-brewery at early September. the Ale House but is having difficulty sourcing some reasonably-priced brewing The Cricketers in Street, equipment. If you hear of any kit for sale, resplendent in bright around 2.5-3 barrel size, please let Dave yellow paint, has a know. He might buy you a pint. 01245 new landlord, Colin 260535. Stroud who previ- ously managed the Our good friend Dave at the St Anne’s Woolpack, having Castle, reminds us of his taken over from Kevin & Christine who regular music happenings, details on face- retired in July. Colin tells us that the pub is book.com/dave.stannescastle. But here’s having a makeover scheduled to finish in a big one – 11th September sees the Cas- time for “a bit of a do” on 8th September. tle host D’UKES, There will be 5 cask ales with Abbot the largest ukulele served on gravity, live music and a few orchestra around nibbles. Sounds like a good evening. Do playing all genres try to get along and support Colin. After of music and well that expect 4 beers on handpump – a worth seeing. The session bitter, best bitter, golden ale & a 4 ales change regularly here, current fa- mild/stout/porter plus Abbot, with food vourites being Ghost Ship, Landlord,

THIRSTY TIMES 003 AUTUMN 2012 3 Pub News Doom Bar & Hobgoblin. applied for planning permission and a premises license for a new-build, food-led Victor & Sue at the Square & Com- pub at Great Notley where the road to the passes are hosting a beer cuisine eve- Skyline Industrial Estate (Avenue West) ning on 9th October. Details of how to leaves the A131. A Hungry Horse we be- book, and the menu, which includes mus- lieve. sels, steak & venison plus vegetarian dishes, will be on our website, Pub Festivals coming up. www.chelmsfordcamra.org.uk. Before that Barista has its 2nd OktoberFest and just they are holding an Offal week from 10th like its illustrious namesake it’s actually in – 16th September. On the local seasonal September – 27th – 29th. Joining the specials boards will be sautéed lambs regular steins of Bitburger will be Kos- kidneys, pan-fried ox liver & braised lambs tritzer Schwarzbier, a dark lager, Konig hearts. Some real old favourites there. pils, Benediktiner wheat beer & Wernes- www.thesquareandcompasses.co.uk. gruner. There will be German food and a If you haven’t been to lately Live Band. If you want the German atmos- you might be surprised to learn that the phere but British beer the normal 3 ales Eagle has been completely transformed will be available. into a gastropub by proprietor and chef www.baristachelmsford.com or face- Philip Jensen. Read all about it at book.com/baristachelmsford. www.eaglepub.co.uk. Philip adds that GK The Orange Tree, Chelmsford will have IPA and a changing guest ale are also its first beer festival from Thursday 27th – available. Sunday 30th September, with a marquee, Saturday 15th September is Battle of Brit- loads of beers & ciders, a hog-roast & ain day and down at the Windmill, Chat- other food, and live music. Watch for de- ham Green they’re celebrating it in style tails on www.the-ot.com. with music, food and costumes from the Don’t forget that the Ivory Peg 1940’s. A great fun (Chelmsford), the Picture Palace day, with themed (Braintree) & the Battesford Court entertainment from () – now what links those 3 pubs? 7.30. Proceeds will - will be hosting the “World’s Largest Real go to the Chelms- Ale and Cider Festival” which runs from ford RAFA Wings appeal. So get your 24th October to 11th November. Details bowler hat, a cigar and signal “Two more on www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk. Use those pints please”! tokens! www.windmillmotorinn.co.uk. Finally, two planning applications relating The Ivory Peg in Chelmsford held a to pubs in our area. “Carnival Day” in August, which attracted over 300 people and raised £686 for J’s One is for change of use to a residential Hospice and CLIC Sargent. Well done to dwelling for the White Horse, . everyone involved. The other, for refurbishment and the addi- A NEW pub on the way. Greene King has tion of 14 letting rooms at the White Hart, . 4 Support your local pub - don't give them an excuse to close it! REGIONAL PUBS OF THE YEAR These are the finalists for each county in our region as judged by CAMRA members. Details of the next round of Good Beer Guide Surveys are on the branch social calendar with a free bus for CAMRA members: www.chelmsfordcamra.org.uk

The Rumburgh Buck, The Letter B, Whittlesey, Rumburgh, Suffolk Cambridgeshire

The Fat Cat. Norwich, Norfolk The Compasses, Littley Green, Essex

The Albion, Ampthill, Bedfordshire The Land of Liberty, Peace and Plenty, Heronsgate, Hertfordshire

THIRSTY TIMES 003 AUTUMN 2012 5 6 Support your local pub - don't give them an excuse to close it! THIRSTY TIMES 003 AUTUMN 2012 7 Brewery News Brentwood Brewery year called Oak Nouveau 2012 which is a The guys at Brentwood Brewery have just light 3.6% abv blonde. announced their Autumn specials. Towards the end of It appears that they will be September Auf brewing Weald Porter, a Wiedersehen Pet traditional 4.9%abv porter 4.5% abv German using English hops, Style light blonde ale Spooky Moon, a dark will be ready. We all brown fruity 3.8%abv bitter love a good game of and they have used Cal- conkers and cott Hall’s strawberries to their Completely Conkers 4.2% abv nut make Strawberry Blonde beer. brown traditionally styled ale will be a Six- er I'm sure. The beer will mainly be available in bottles at Calcott Hall Farm Shop but there is also Watch out for their snake beer for Octo- limited availability in casks in pubs locally. ber; Venom 4.7% a dark and dangerously Project Venus - Sugar and Spice 4.6% drinkable stout with plenty of roast charac- has been in circulation since mid August ter and hints of espresso and dark choco- after its launch at GBBF. late. Late in October will see one of their one off brews, Hobbit Forming 3.9% abv They have also been nominated for 'Best a super amber session ale. Drinks Producer' by Essex Life Food and Drink Awards. The award ceremony is mid November sees Boomslanger 4.1% abv, October watch this space. a ruby hued best bitter with a sweet Au- tumn berry fruit aroma and palate. Mighty Oak Brewery Date for your diary; Saturday 1st Decem- It looks like Mighty Oak Brewery has ber 11.30am to 3pm is a Free Christmas some interesting new brews in the pipe- Beer Tasting day at Mighty Oak Brewery, line. . All 8 of their Christmas beers will Oyster Catcher 4% be tapped and available for you to try. abv Stout is one to look out for as it is Bishop Nick Brewery brewed to coincide Just had a report in from Libby Ridley of with the Maldon Re- Bishop Nick Brew- gatta in September ery. Bishop Nick and said to be deep, is enjoying a busy dark and delicious! time and the beer is gushing out. Also for September there will be Bee'r The beer festivals Constrictor which is brewed with local have been fun this honey and is an amber harvest-time thirst summer and have quencher. provided a perfect As it is almost hop picking season again opportunity to play they have a freshly picked hop brew this with some reci- 8 Seek out LocAles in your local pubs. Support your local breweries. Brewery News pes. We brewed a bespoke Pale Ale for in every sense. Huge crowds turned out the Chelmsford CAMRA festival in July for vintage tractor ploughing, great bands, which was much enjoyed. We operated village stalls and tasty brews from every our own bar alongside our fellow Essex county in the UK. The staff (including brewers which was great for profile and yours truly) had to wear yellow t-shirts but networking. Despite the weather much apart from that it was hugely enjoyable soggy and muddy fun was had by all. and a great success. Roger Protz chose our 1555 as We’re supplying new outlets all the time. one of half a dozen beers to speak The latest additions are The Angel & Harp about at a beer tasting during the in and The Cricketers in weekend. We’ve yet to find out Moulsham St, Chelmsford are serving our what he said about it!! Ridley’s Rite. We’ve got good coverage throughout Essex now and as the eve- We also brewed a one-off for Joss nings draw in and the summer festivals Ridley’s Hopstock Beer Festival up at the wind up, we turn thoughts and energy to Compasses, Littley Green: The ‘Hopstock expansion plans. We’re loving it. IPA’ was our first American influenced brew and it was a very drinkable 4.8% amber ale which also sold out after a cou- ple of sessions. The weekend was balmy

THIRSTY TIMES 003 AUTUMN 2012 9 Cider Press INAUGURAL WALKING CIDER There may be the option of visiting the TRAIL OF CHELMSFORD Thomas Mildmay Wetherspoons after that however the choice is unlikely to be differ- Please come and join in the First Walking ent from the first Wetherspoons. Cider Trail of Chelmsford which I am or- ganising for Friday 21st September 2012 This walking tour is FREE apart from the hoping to drink real cider in all the pubs cost of your drinks. where it is available in Chelmsford. DELVIN END CIDERY We shall start at the Wetherspoons Ivory HOT OFF THE PRESS! Especially for Peg next to WH Smiths in London Road at CAMRA’s Cider and Perry month in Octo- 7.30pm. ber Chelmsford and mid-Essex CAMRA I shall be wearing green jeans, a pink Ci- have a trip to Delvin End ‘s new cider barn der festival shirt and a luminous green in Sible Hedingham, in Essex home of the jacket to be easy to find in the crowd. If famous Pheasant Plucker, Summer Festi- you would like to join us en route please val and the new Sailor’s Ruin (all7%.) call or text me on 07773 093399. This will be on Saturday 20th October and Depending on numbers of attendees and will include visits to a couple of pubs in the choice available we shall probably spend area. 30-45 minutes at each port of call. Please confirm your place with Brian De- The Cider Shop at 166 Moulsham Street benham on 01245 600294 who will put will stay open late on that day by special details on the Social Calendar on arrangement so we should be there about www.chelmsfordcamra.org.uk. 8.30pm. If you decide Many of the breweries the branch has to purchase supplies visited have cider or perry for home consumption available and often there you may bring your are pubs on the trips which own marked carryout sell real cider so whether bottle or purchase a 4 you prefer cider or beer pint one from Cliff there should be something Noakes at the cider to keep you happy. Scintil- shop for the draught lating cider or brilliant beer cider which is available in any quantity whatever your tipple you’re sure of good from a pint to a barrel. He has over 100 conversation and fun amongst friends. bottled ciders and perries to choose from. Your cider will then be delivered to the last Claire Irons. pub so you don’t have to carry it round for To read the full version of this article go to the rest of the Trail. www.chelmsfordcamra.org.uk/news Subsequently the tour goes to the Orange Tree in Lower Anchor Street then over to the White Horse in Townfield Street and The Ale House near the railway and bus stations.

10 Seek out LocAles in your local pubs. Support your local breweries. AmeriCan Revolution Most people who drink quality beers in the tasting, The Brewers Association and Brit- UK would never think of trying beer that ish Beer Writers Guild put forward some came from a can. Likewise, many British interesting assertions, which we repro- drinkers would turn up their collective duce below. You may not agree with all of nose at US beers in general as “All that or indeed any of them, however it makes American stuff tastes like Bud.” So, when you think. an invite goes out to come and taste some stateside tinned beers most people would Why Cans? feign an excuse or even injury. However, Environmentally friendly purely for research purposes on behalf of The average aluminium can is made from Thirsty Times readers, we decided to at- 44% recycled aluminium. tend. It is 100% recyclable. It is the most recycled package in the On offer were 16 different canned beers world. representing the breweries of Caldera, Aluminium can recycling rate: 57% 21st Amendment, Flying Dog, Maui, Os- Glass bottle recycling rate: 39% kar Blues, SKA and Sierra Nevada. The It costs a fraction of the energy to produce, beers came in a wide variety of styles to ship and to recycle than glass. including examples of wheat beer, pale Maintains quality ales, lagers, porters, Scottish ale and Beer in cans lasts longer and tastes better. American IPAs. Extremely low oxygen pickup during the canning process helps extend beer shelf- None of the beers were what you would life. call bad, although the Mama’s Little Yella Cans offer 100% protection from UV light. Pils came close. Surprisingly perhaps, American cans have a special liner that some of the cans actually contained some keeps the beer away from the aluminium. magnificent well crafted brews. Craft beer will taste as fresh as it did from The Back in Black (6.8%abv) described as a keg. a black IPA, was packed full of flavour and Safety – cans don’t shatter could stand up to almost any big dark They are safer; British ale. The Underdog Atlantic and In the brewery Bikini Blonde lagers were both in the When they are shipped Helles style and although not up there When the customers handle them with the very best of what Germany is Empty cans can’t be hurled like missiles offering were perfectly formed and very onto the playing field or concert stage. drinkable. The best of the crop though That’s why event coordinators ban glass – were a bunch of the IPAs. If you get a but not cans. chance to sample Big Swell IPA (6.8% Customer convenience abv) from Maui, Dale’s Pale Ale (6.5% Cans are lighter and easier to handle, abv) from Oskar Blues, and either Tor- transport and recycle. pedo Extra IPA (7.2%abv) or just the plain A 6-pack of cans is “the ultimate grab and Pale Ale (5.6%abv) from Sierra Nevada, go” retail package catering well to the im- go for it. We were very impressed. pulsive consumer. Cans chill down faster than bottles. As to beer in cans, the organisers of the

THIRSTY TIMES 003 AUTUMN 2012 11 Beer & Wholesomeness Crafted and brewed using natural, healthy During malting, the barley is allowed to ingredients; maintaining time-honoured sprout or ‘germinate’ and this releases the British traditions; famed throughout the natural enzymes that unlock goodness world for its unique quality and diversity; from the grain. During the final stage of and environmentally friendly to boot! Not malting, the green malt is roasted or many drinks can claim to be as all-round ‘kilned’. Kilning is needed to stop the ger- wholesome as beer. Brewing, a complex mination process – otherwise you would and time consuming process, does not produce new barley plants rather than tolerate shoddy workmanship. Beer is beer! Malt is at the heart of the colour and made principally from seasonal, natural flavour of the beer, so it is down to the ingredients and any mistakes will show up method of malting used to determine the immediately in the taste and the aroma. final flavour of the beer. Different methods Consistent and careful craftsmanship are of malting are used to produce the different critical. Today’s brewing industry is a by- malts used to brew lager, ale, mild and word for stringent quality with the big play- stout. High temperature kilning produces ers setting the standard. malt that is dark with flavours such as tof- fee, chocolate or coffee. A more gentle “Beer is seen as a simple, unsophisticated heat produces paler malts used to brew drink especially when compared to wine,” lighter beers like lagers and pale ales. Next says Charles Bamforth, Professor of up is the brewing of the beer. The malt is Malting and Brewing Sciences at the Uni- crushed and mixed with hot water. Then versity of California, and the author of sev- the thick porridge, ‘the mash’, is left in a eral books on beer and brewing. “Wine is special container called a mash tun while made from one basic ingredient, grapes, the sugars are released by the malt’s en- and the finished product can vary from year zymes. Now the hops are added to provide to year in its flavour and quality. “In a good the bitter flavour and aroma synonymous year they call it vintage. A bad year is sim- with beer and the mixture is boiled in a ply passed off to the customer as ‘one of vessel called a ‘copper’. those things’. Compare that with beer which is made from a variety of ‘live’ and “Brewing water must always be of the high- temperamental ingredients and yet still, est quality“ explains Professor Bamforth. day to day, year by year, it achieves con- “Soft water, such as that found in the sistency of flavour and quality. Indeed Czech town of Pilsen, is needed for brew- there is little in beer that cannot be de- ing lager. Hard water is generally consid- scribed as healthy and wholesome. Not for ered the best for brewing ales. Rain that nothing was the drink known for so long as falls on the Peak District picks up salt as it ‘liquid bread.’ And to add to the miracle that seeps through the rocks into the deep wells is beer, nothing from the brewing process around Burton on Trent where it is used to goes to waste; leftover yeast is converted brew the town’s famous India Pale Ales. to marmite, the used grain fed to farm ani- “Hops give beer both bitterness and aroma. mals and the spent hops converted to high The more hops that are added to a beer nutrient fertiliser. the more bitter it will be. There are so many varieties of the hop plant and each has its All brewing starts with barley, a plant burst- own distinctive flavour from the Bramling ing with goodness, containing not only Cross, which provides a spicy curranty natural starch but protein and fibre too.

12 Updates to beer festival details - www.chelmsfordcamra.org.uk Beer & Wholesomeness New Policy Will Help Save Pubs The National Planning Policy Framework aroma to the mild herbal flavour of the Mil- is a powerful weapon in the battle to pro- lennium.” tect our beleaguered pubs. Finally the resulting liquid – the wort – is Over recent years, we've lost huge num- filtered, cooled and run into tanks, where bers of pubs through conversion to hous- the yeast is added and the fermentation ing and other uses needing planning per- takes place. Yeast is one of nature’s mira- mission. cles, a fungus which feeds on sugar to The new Framework simplifies the plan- produce alcohol, carbon dioxide and the ning process and thanks to intensive lob- host of flavours that make beer taste like bying by CAMRA, this new guidance in- beer. In just a few days most of the fermen- cludes national policies which are poten- tation is complete and the ‘green’ beer left tially very helpful to community facilities for the yeast to do the last of its work. Fi- like pubs. nally the beer – made with just these natu- ral ingredients – is ready to be packaged Most importantly, Councils are told to and sent to the pub, the shop or the super- “guard against the unnecessary loss of market. A naturally wholesome and healthy valued facilities and services” which spe- drink ready for you to enjoy. cifically includes community pubs. Taken from The Beer Academy’s recent To read the full version of this article go to Beer & Wholesomeness Report www.chelmsfordcamra.org.uk/news HIGHWOOD BREWERY

GOLD - Golden thirst The beers are quenching light beer, created by the fusion of available in succulent floral and citrus 9 Gallon Casks or ripe hop flavours with light coloured malts producing a 20ltr Aleboxes clean, crisp taste. A terrific session ale. Pooles Lane, IPA - This hoppy taste and Highwood aroma come from two varieties of English hops – Chelmsford Challenger and First Gold – Light copper in colour: it CM1 3QL hugs the glass beautifully 01245 249300 and delivers a well rounded balanced taste

THIRSTY TIMES 003 AUTUMN 2012 13 Big surge in fruit beer sales Fruit-flavoured beers are enjoying a great with hops has been made, it’s left in the boom in Britain according to the market brewery attic in an open pan or cool ship. research group AC Nielsen. Sales grew Windows are opened and wild yeast by a remarkable 80% over the past year, spores in the atmosphere enter and attack making it the fastest-growing sector of the the sugars in the sweet extract. British beer market. Once fermentation is under way, the liquid As well as imported fruit beers – mainly is transferred to giant wooden vessels from Belgium – British brewers are also where natural bacteria in the wood con- turning their hand to producing beers tinue to attack the sugars. Lambic is aged made with the addition of such fruits as for at least a year; gueuze is a blend of cherries, raspberries and strawberries. old and young lambics. Fruit lambics are Last month saw the launch of Wheat the result of adding cherries or raspberries Watchers, a raspberry-flavoured beer in the oak vessels: the natural sugars in from Brewsters Brewery in Grantham, the fruit create a further fermentation. Lincs. Cherry lambic is known as kriek, the rasp- berry version is called either framboise or And spirit-flavoured brews such as rum, frambozen. As the fruit sugars turn to al- bourbon and tequila are adding to the cohol, the finished beers are dry and trend. The fruit-flavoured sector is ex- quenching, not sweet. pected to grow even faster. According to Marston’s Premium Bottled Ale Report, In Britain, most producers of fruit beer add published in June, flavoured beers ac- the fruit during the copper boil with hops. count for 12% of the traditional PBA sec- Roger Protz, Editor CAMRA's Good Beer tor, which is worth around £470 million Guide 2013 annually. Two years ago, Tesco stocked just four flavoured beers but the chain now sells Beer Fetish 16. Sales have trebled during that period. What I am trying to understand, is what I Tesco’s specialist beer buyer Chiara see as the growing fetishisation of beer. I Nesbitt says: “The boom for flavoured think about the Holy Grail-like hunt for beer has its roots in the recent ale and new varieties of hops, the more New cider revivals. Over the past five or so World the better; the spillage of words that years we have seen British drinking tastes goes hand in glove with the debate of is it diversify. The massive growth of ale with craft or not; beer evangelism (I’m waiting all its complex flavours and the cider re- for the emergence of the Beer Salvation vival are the best examples of this, as Army with its associated newspaper Wort- drinkers seek out different and more inter- Cry); the campaign for this, the campaign esting flavours.” for that; beer for her, beer for him, beer for that bloke with a funny hat. The inspiration for fruit beers comes from Belgium. Lambic and gueuze beers are From “Called to the Bar” by Adrian Tier- one of the world’s oldest beer styles and ney-Jones. To read the full version of this are made by spontaneous fermentation. article go to When a mash of barley and wheat malts www.chelmsfordcamra.org.uk/news

14 Updates to beer festival details - www.chelmsfordcamra.org.uk Beer from the Brick – The Holborn Whippet Not perhaps the most encouraging tagline for a new venture, but the newly opened Holborn Whippet is a great addition to the central London beer scene, and yes, the beer is served from brick – sort of. Like its sister pub The Euston Tap they dispense beer from taps in a central brick column. There is a choice of seventeen draught beers from small breweries; both real ale and craft keg beer. Small London breweries’ beers do feature, but also beers and lagers from amongst others Bristol Beer Factory, Thornbridge, Dark Star plus quality imported beers. To read the full version of this article go to www.chelmsfordcamra.org.uk/news

THIRSTY TIMES 003 AUTUMN 2012 15 Roxwell At a time when we are reporting that there had added the dreaded Websters bitter are so many rural pubs closing down, it is then owned by Watney Mann. The great to point you in the direction of Rox- changes to free houses must have been well. Most of you reading this will know in this period as by 1991 the H & H sold where Roxwell is but if you don’t, you will Flowers IPA, Wethereds bitter and Cour- find it about six miles out west of Chelms- age Directors and the Chequers had Web- ford just off the A1060. Here you can call sters and Ruddles bitters. By 1998 there in on two thriving pubs; one is on the junc- was Flowers IPA and Ind Coope Burton at tion of the main road and the other at the the Hare & Hounds and Greene King IPA village’s heart. In many ways, they are and Wells Bombardier at the Chequers. very different styles of pub but both are In September 2010 The Hare was trans- united by their care for their Real Ale. formed from tired old roadhouse into a The pubs both have history. Formerly modern end destination pub that is mainly known as The Hare & Hounds and now food led. To make a go of any rural pub simply as The Hare, the pub dates back to these days takes a lot of hard work and the first half of the 19th Century. During the staff really put a lot time and effort into the first half of the 20th century it was in events and promotions. They have the hands of monthly gatherings of car enthusiasts the Letts fam- from Essex and the surrounding counties ily for 54 at their Breakfast Club, early evening pro- years until motions on food and special deals on a 1979, when it pie and a pint of their house beers on was selling Thursdays. Talking of beer, alongside Truman’s Adnams Broadside, their unique selling beers brewed point is brewed for them by Brentwood in London’s East End. The Chequers Brewery. The house beer is Golden Crust down the road in the village itself can also Cask Ale a 3.7%abv copper coloured bit- trace its heritage back to a similar time. ter that is complemented by the seasonal The Earnshaw family were licensees for beers of Golden Crust Summer Ale (3.7% 67 years to 1963. abv) and Golden Crust Winter Ale (4.8% abv). The beer is also used in some of The Hare and Hounds first appeared in their recipes for pies, fish batter and onion the Essex local guide in 1981 offering rings Truman’s Tap bitter on handpump. This beer was Truman’s return to real ale in The Chequers which is set in the beautiful 1978, driven of course by the emergence village centre of CAMRA, after a period of about five is a com- years in the wilderness. By 1983 it had pletely differ- been joined in the guide by the Chequers ent kettle of which did both Truman’s Bitter and Best ballgames. Bitter on handpump. These had replaced Speaking to a Tap bitter at Truman’s in 1982 as the de- frequent drinker in the Chequers during mand for real ale grew. In 1986, there was the period 1969 to 1974 the beer served no change at the H & H but the Chequers was Truman’s bitter direct from the

16 To advertise in this newsletter contact Neil on 01536 358670 Roxwell wooden cask, & Carol have which was been at the seen at the pub for the time to be past 15 excellent years, so session beer. they must be This must doing some- have been thing right. the very end of real ale at Truman’s pre- The pub serves the locals well and is the CAMRA. The pub at that time was a bit of hub of this community. If you want to a warren of small rooms including one know anything that is going on in the lo- with a dartboard that had a groove worn in cale this is the place to come. the ceiling caused by dart players going Currently they have excellently kept for double top in the very low room! The Greene King IPA and Doom Bar on the landlord and landlady were Derek and handpulls plus another ever-changing Muriel and it is remembered that the next guest beer. This autumn they are looking landlord at the Chequers was a guy called to feature Timothy Taylor's Landlord and Bernie who later moved to the Hare & possibly Fuller's London Pride. Why not Hounds. pay them a visit and enjoy this delightful The current Landlord and Landlady David pub.

THIRSTY TIMES 003 AUTUMN 2012 17 Spotlight on Grays Orange Tree, Chelmsford On entering your eye will be caught by a blackboard listing the eight ales on offer Continuing our series on Gray’s pubs in with their ABVs and prices. The three our area we regulars are head south Black Sheep from the rail Best Bitter, and bus sta- Dark Star tions, across Hophead & Central Park Mighty Oak and past the Oscar Wilde. County Joining these, Cricket ground, to Lower Anchor Street. expect to see beers from all over the In this quiet side street you will find one of country, dark beers, strong beers, old Chelmsford’s premier real ale outlets and favourites and offerings from new micro’s. one of its most passionate advocates – The pump clips on the walls represent a landlord “Silent” Mike Collins. fraction of the beers which have been sold but include many of Mike’s own favourites Mike ran the Queen’s Head, a few doors which are almost always milds, stouts or along the porters and he will street, for 10 tell a story about years, win- every one. It almost ning numer- goes without saying ous CAMRA that all of Mike’s staff awards and are also knowledge- keeping that able about the beers pub in the and happy to advise Good Beer Guide for eight successive or offer a taste before you buy. years. No surprise then that the Orange Tree was voted straight into the GBG Each bar has a bank of 4 handpumps, when he arrived in 2008 and remains those in the public bar having recently there. been moved to the most prominent posi- tion facing the door, and behind each bar Grays have owned the pub for nearly 90 are 2 casks from which the beer is served years, and leased it for many years before by gravity that. It is first mentioned as a beerhouse in 1856. Parts of the main building, which The pub supports rugby and cricket teams houses the public bar, date back to then and is also a “destination” pub with some and maybe earlier. The saloon bar occu- groups returning year after year, some but pies a modern extension to the right of the by no means all, to take in some cricket at original building and this also serves as an the County ground. excellent venue for meetings, quizzes The pub website is one of the most infor- (every Tuesday), even for a private party if mative around, listing the beers that are you wish. There is a pleasant patio at the on and those coming soon but beware – back which can be a suntrap in the right some casks have a lifetime of only a few weather, and a small car park.

18 Get updates to our branch diary online: www.chelmsfordcamra.org.uk Spotlight on Grays hours in this pub so it may be best to Mike is phone. used to staging Discerning lager drinkers will find 2 on Beer draught from Schwaben Brau of Stuttgart - Festivals Meister Pils & Das Schwarze. but this year There is an extensive lunchtime food will be his menu ranging from sandwiches and jacket first at this potatoes to daily specials such as curry, pub, with chilli and other favourites such as ham over 50 real egg and ales, ciders chips. Thurs- & perries, day evening American beers, food and live music. It is curry night will run from 27th-30th September. with 5 differ- THE OT is a classic public house where ent ones on you can have a quiet drink, join in a con- offer, includ- versation or meet friends. It is not to be ing a vege- missed. tarian option, between 6.30 and 9.00. Tra- ditional Sunday lunch is served between www.the-ot.com. 01245 262664. 12.00 and 2.30. Better book for this. RAILWAY TAVERN

8 Real Ales at all times Including Mighty Oak, Crouch Vale, Nethergate and guest ales Thursday Quiz Nights Monthly soul, ska and reggae, and comedy nights Sky sports, ESPN, Racing UK, At The Races, all Euro games and Olympics John & Joy welcome all old and Open Sun-Wed 11am-11pm, new customers. Thu-Sat 11am-midnight. Fine selection of well kept ever Food 11am-10pm changing real ales. Home cooked food served 25 Townfield Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1QJ 10.00am – 2.30pm. t: 01245 269556 Secluded beer garden. e: [email protected] Duke Street, Chelmsford w: www.whbl.co.uk CM1 1LW

THIRSTY TIMES 003 AUTUMN 2012 19 20 To advertise in this newsletter contact Neil on 01536 358670 Death of the British Beer Festival pub – the up side Thanks for your help British pubs have joined the endangered As the organiser of the CAMRA Chelms- species list and UK beer lovers assume ford Summer Beer Festival, I would like to this is a bad thing. I am not so sure. express my thanks for the support we received from the trade, publicans, and Most pubs have been turning their backs the general public at the festival in spite of on beer for decades, so death might be a the atrocious weather. blessed release all round. As the festival is put on, run, and disman- The British pub does not need to be saved tled entirely by volunteers, it is your sup- from closure, rather we need to remember port that makes all their hard work worth- why we needed it in the first place, so that while. we can re-invent it in more suitable premises for modern times. If you feel you would like to become more involved in this exciting and worthwhile Tim Webb, author of CAMRA’s Good Beer event please let me know. Guide to Belgium. Hope to hear from you soon. To read the full version of this article go to www.chelmsfordcamra.org.uk/news Many thanks, Derek Beaumont, Festival Organiser, (email – [email protected])

THIRSTY TIMES 003 AUTUMN 2012 21 Branch Diary Wednesday 12th September Branch fare £5 members, £6 non-members. Depart Meeting at The Viper, Mill Green. Bus fare from opp. Railway Stn at around 8pm. To £5 members, £6 non-members. Depart reduce bus subsidies we will travel to this from opp. Railway Stn at around 8pm. To meeting by taxibus - please arrive opposite reduce bus subsidies we will travel to this the station by 7.50pm so that we can meeting by taxibus - please arrive opposite phone for enough seats to cover us. There the station by 7.50pm so that we can will therefore be no dropoff circuit. phone for enough seats to cover us. There Saturday 20th October Visit to Delvin End will therefore be no dropoff circuit. Cider, Sible Hedingham. After the visit we'll Friday 21st September Crawl of go onto a couple of decent pubs in the area Chelmsford Pubs Selling Real Cider. Start arriving back in Chelmsford mid/late at the Ivory Peg (New London Rd) at afternoon. Bus departs opp. Railway Stn 7.30pm, then: Essex Cider Shop at 10am, fare £9 mems/OAPS, £10 non- (Moulsham St) 8.30pm, Orange Tree mems. If desired a pickup could be (Lower Anchor St) 9.30pm, White Horse arranged in Braintree en-route - please (Townfield St) 10.30pm, Ale House contact me if interested. (Viaduct Rd) 11.15pm. Most of the stops Tuesday 30th October Survey of Pubs for also serve good beers so beer drinkers are Good Beer Guide 2013. The route will be most welcome to join the crawl! revealed on the night. If you have any Wednesday 26th September Survey of suggestions for pubs to survey in this Pubs for Good Beer Guide 2013. The route survey period please contact Brian will be revealed on the night. If you have Debenham. Bus dep. opp. Railway Stn any suggestions for pubs to survey in this 8pm, free to mems, £5 non-mems. survey period please contact Brian Thursday 1st November Bus to 1st South Debenham. Bus dep. opp. Railway Stn Beer Festival. Bus 8pm, free to mems, £5 non-mems. departs opp. Railway Stn at 8pm, fare £9 Tuesday 2nd October Real Ale Runabout mems/OAPS, £10 non-mems. to White Notley, Black Notley, Silver End & Tuesday 6th November Real Ale Runabout . Bus departs opp. Railway Stn to , & at 7.30pm, fare £9 mems/OAPS, £10 non- . Bus departs opp. Railway Stn at mems. 7.30pm, fare £9 mems/OAPS, £10 non- Tuesday 9th October Beer Cuisine Evening mems. at the Square and Compasses, Fuller Wednesday 14th November Branch Street. 3 courses cooked with beer/cider Meeting and AGM at The Cricketers, for £19. Bus departs opp. Railway Stn. at Chelmsford. No bus to this meeting which 7.45pm, fare £9 mems/£10 non-mems. starts at 8.30pm. Please see the enclosed menu (also on the website) and book your menu choices with Wednesday 21st November Survey of me, and whether you'll be travelling by bus, Pubs for Good Beer Guide 2013. The route by Monday 24th September. will be revealed on the night. If you have any suggestions for pubs to survey in this Wednesday 17th October Branch Meeting survey period please contact Brian at The Walnut Tree, Broads Green. Bus Debenham. Bus dep. opp. Railway Stn

22 To advertise in this newsletter contact Neil on 01536 358670 Branch Contacts Thirsty Times Chairman & Essex Brewery News Thirsty Times is published by the Chris 'Podge' Pollard, Chelmsford and Mid-Essex Branch of [email protected], CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale 01245 354677 (© 2012) All rights reserved. Social Secretary Views or comments expressed in this Brian Debenham, publication may not necessarily be [email protected], those of the Editor or of CAMRA. 01245 600294 / 07905 698161 To Advertise To place an advert or Chelmsford & Mid-Essex Pub enquire about our rates please News, contact: Bryan Grimshaw, Neil Richards, 01536 358670 or [email protected] [email protected] Chelmsford CAMRA Beer Festival, Printed by Portland Print, Tel 01536 511 555 Derek Beaumont, Deadline for Winter 2012 [email protected], issue (004) is Wednesday 21st 01245 264128 November 2012.

Branch Diary (continued) St. Annes Castle 8pm, free to mems, £5 non-mems. Award winning music pub Saturday 24th-Sunday 25th November Chelmsford's Best Venue 2012 Weekend in Huddersfield. Huddersfield is a great drinking town and well worth a 4 Real Ales weekend away. The earlier we book the better train fares/hotel rates we'll get so Beer Garden please contact me ASAP if you would like to go. I aim to book things around 15th Log fires September. Train fare currently around Large car £100 return (but we might get cheaper as a group depending on how many of us there park are) and currently around £35 for a double room at the Huddersfield Travelodge. Food served 12 - 3pm daily An up to date listing of social events can be found on the web site: Main Road, Great Leighs, www.chelmsfordcamra.org.uk, or contact CM3 1NE the Social Secretary, Brian Debenham, www.stannescastle.co.uk [email protected]. 01245 361253

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