Lakes and Ale 65, Autumn/Winter 2016
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EDITION 65 FREE LAKESLAKES ANDAND ALEALE Westmorland CAMRA Branch Magazine WEST PENNINES MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR 2016 www.camrawestmorland.org Follow CAMRAWestmorland on Twitter @ CAMRAWESTMRLND Find us on Facebook CAMRA Westmorland Autumn/Winter2016 Use new Hawkshead please destroy all others 2 EDITORIAL Dear readers, We apologise to those of our regular readers who wondered where the Autumn edition got to. There were certain production difficulties which we have now largely overcome and this is therefore the Autumn/Winter edition. We also apologise to all our wonderful supporters who take out regular adverts; without them there would be no magazine. Also, thanks are due to the small band of unpaid contributors who are very necessary to the success of the publication. And, success it has been, since only this last week I was told that Lakes & Ale is the winner of the West Pennies Regional Magazine of the Year 2016. This is very heartening news and is down to ALL our contributors and distributors alike and not forgetting our printers who give me so much help. I only put it together, so well done everyone! We have seen several new and exciting pubs springing up across Westmorland, the Crafty Baa in Windermere; the Masons Yard 24 in Kendal; the new Royal Barn Brewery & Beer Bar in Kirkby Lonsdale and one just across in Furness, Keg & Kitchen, Grange. We wish them and all our pubs a happy and prosperous New Year 2017. Our own 23rd Westmorland Beer & Cider Festival was again very profitable and helps keep the branch well financed all year round. So all our very grateful thanks are due to Rachel, Ivor and all the very many willing branch volunteers who made it happen. We also must not forget Marilyn our very accomplished (Continued on page 5) Closing date for contributions to the next Issue is 20th February 2017 COMPLAINT/COMMENT? The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Editors, CAMRA Ltd., Westmorland Branch or any other branch of CAMRA, but of the individual contributor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission. Cumbria Trading Standards Office: County Hall, Kendal. Tel: 01539 773577. Westmorland Branch of CAMRA: Editorial (01539) 732599. Annual Subscription Advertising Rates To have a copy of Lakes & Ale sent to 1/4 page £25 per edition you quarterly by post, please send 1/2 page £50 per edition your contact details, together with £4 Full Page £90 per edition to cover the cost of postage for four 1/2 page £160 for 4 paid up front issues to: Full page £300 paid up front Cheque payable to: ADVERTISING EDITOR D Currington CONTACT Kendal, Cumbria LA9 6AD David Currington (01539) 732599 [email protected] 3 Tweedies PDF Use latest pdf in printers folder. 4 region the chance to have some From the Chair… wonderful festivals of their own, too numerous to mention, but if you were Steve Charlton amongst the many who supported and enjoyed the Kendal bash then I would Welcome to the winter issue of Lakes urge you to seek out these other & Ale. As 2016 heads to a close, it will festivals. Hopefully by the next issue not be a year for many to look back we will have the semblance of a list on with any great fondness. The for you. Similarly, if you are a pub devastation and destruction caused by organising one please let us know so Storm Desmond affected many it gets included. homes, businesses and lives. For some The branch is progressing well, but is it still continues, thanks to the always open to new members, so if ineptitude of the insurance companies you think you may like to get involved to resolve matters quickly. every other month we have a social Westmorland CAMRA has tried to evening so why not come along. offer help where possible, despite Dates and venues are in the L & A or some members being similarly What’s Brewing. affected, and its great to see nearly all That's enough rambling from myself, our pubs and breweries up and all that remains is for me, on behalf of running again. It was heart-warming to the branch is to wish you all a very see them turn out and help us make Happy Christmas and a even happier, the recent branch festival a success. ‘smilier’ New Year. Summer gave the pubs across the Regards Steve Charlton (Continued from page 3) tasting panel organiser. It is a ‘thankless’ task having to keep drinking different ales! The Cider and Perry bar was again very well stocked with Matt Baines’ choicest samples. Lastly, it’s time once more to wish all our readers a truly wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year, and also to reflect on those for whom 2016 was not a particularly good year. Although most of us can resist anything but temptation do remember to drink sensibly and, if in doubt, take a taxi or take a designated non-drinking friend to be driver. Cheers ED BRANCH TREASURER The post of Branch Treasurer is currently vacant. The role is as described under Volunteer Roles on the Camra national website. Our auditor is deputising on a temporary basis. No professional qualifications are required, just good numerical skills and a basic knowledge of Excel. Further details from Jill Clarkson, Branch Contact at [email protected] 5 TAP New advert 6 Strickland OK WESTMORLAND CAMRA EVENTS DIARY Friday 16-Dec *Christmas Social at the Watermill, Ings Monday 9-Jan Branch Meeting, venue to be confirmed Monday 13-Feb Selection Meeting for Good Beer Guide 2018, Pub of the Year and Cider Pub of the Year in the Brewhouse at Burgundy’s, Kendal All meetings start at 8pm. *A minibus will be provided for the Christmas Social; cost £4 per head; departs Kendal Bus Station at 7.30pm. Contact Jill Clarkson for more details, transport bookings etc. (015394) 47845 Email: [email protected] 7 New Rifleman’s pdf MANOR ARMS CUMBRIACAMRA OF THE YEAR 2013 PUB NO JUKE BOX NO PLASMA Replace TV 3 DIAMOND JUST GOOD with pdf ENSUITE CONVERSA- TION fromFREE Beer HOUSE SINCE 1768 PUB of the Fest Prog. Family run again 8 Season’s Greetings to all fellow Cider and Perry enthusiasts. Cider & Perry It’s been a busy few months in the world of Westmorland Cider with Report the Branch Beer and Cider festival for Matt Baines which I had the arduous task of researching and sourcing the Cider and Perry. But more of that later. give it a ‘ping’ in the microwave; it As the nights have drawn in and the really hits the spot. winter weather has paid us a visit or two, thoughts of warm summer As I mentioned before, November evenings drinking a glass of cider are saw the 23rd Westmorland Beer and distant memories. However, Cider is Cider Festival held in Kendal Town not just for summer it can make a Hall. The Cider and Perry list had a stunning winter warmer too. diverse selection from all over the country; the highlights of the list have There are a few ways to do this, you to be the “Novo Pyrus” from Mr can Mull your own favourite cider by Whiteheads, a 5.8% Perry with such a adding cinnamon, cloves, ginger, crisp ‘peary’ (is that a word) flavour it orange and lemon to your favourite took me by real cider and gently simmer, and you s u r p r i s e , s o can give this a festive touch with the refreshing! Another addition of a generous ‘glug’ of cider highlight was the brandy or calvados; this really keeps “Valley Gold” by the chill off. Pure North, a 6.0% The easier way is take advantage of medium Cider the increasing number f r o m W e s t of cider producers Yorkshire, proving that cider does who are making not have to come from the south spiced or mulled west to be amazing (although they do versions of their own it rather well down there). ciders; the one I Attending a couple of sessions was recommend is Phil Kennedy from the Real Cider Waulkmill Cider’s Company based in Hebden Bridge “Santa’s Skean Dhu” who offered tutored tastings of some from Langholm in of the ciders and perrys on offer and Scotland. This spiced a few rarities too. cider is delicious served cold or, to Phil also brought a range produced by warm your cockles his own company that goes by the after a hard days name PULP. These are Fruit Ciders Christmas shopping, (Continued on page 30) 9 E&Child pdf new from Neil 10 Alus and Olle - Dave Brown recalls a recent visit to Latvia Riga is the capital of Latvia and sits at the southern end of the gulf that bears its' name. It has a pleasant old town with many medieval churches and old buildings, but of more interest to us is the selection of Alus (Beer) houses. That said, most of them appear to be for the mass market tourist, with Riga Old Town brewpubs where the beer just Jelgava and IPA, which was a less hoppy one by the Odzienas Muižas brewery from Odzienas. One thing to remember in Latvia is they Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs seems to be for marketing and bars serving the large international brands. However, in amongst this is the Folkklubs Ala Pagrabs, which is a warren of a cellar bar with a stage Taka Bar for music and 20 odd taps serving tend to serve the beer in half litres, Latvian brews, along with 4 ciders.