Volume 3, Issue 2, Winter 2010/11

The FREE Magazine of the Swale branch of CAMRA, The Campaign for Real Ale Hop Festival stall success!

Inside this issue Our Stall at the Faversham Hop Festival ran out of beer on both  A beer trip to Portland, Oregon days! Note some shady characters  Information on all Kentish breweries  waiting to serve the thirsty masses in The Windmill at Faversham to close  A tour through three counties the above photo by Susan Bennion.  The best bar in Belgium? Report on pages 40 and 41.  A brand new brewery in Ashford!

Winter Issue 2010/11 1

2 Winter Issue 2010/11

Local Pub News BADLESMERE: Red Lion, Kim is planning to regularly take from Red Squirrel brewer of Hertford. Friday night is still live music night. CONYER: Ship Inn. Planned to re-open in early December. See article on page 43. DODDINGTON: Chequers, Bob and Karen now run this pub, with Shepherd Neame Master Brew Bitter and Late Red. Bob has been there since May, initially as a Manager. He used to run the Cromwell‟s Wine and Bistro Bar, previously Judd‟s Folly, once known as the Bates Bar, at Syndale Motel, Faversham. Food daily, except Monday. GRAVENEY: Four Horseshoes sells Bass and Charles Wells Bombardier. FAVERSHAM: Bear. The lease for this pub is available and in the interim period Dave Cook is still running it, as well as the Chimney Boy. FAVERSHAM: Chimney Boy. Dave has started the redecoration and has reintroduced meals. It‟s also had its first beer from the Shepherd Neame pilot brewery. FAVERSHAM: Leading Light. This Wetherspoons pub has a beer festival from 27 October to 14 November. At other times it heavily features small East breweries. FAVERSHAM: Phoenix didn‟t win Newcomer of the Year award in the Morning Advertiser Pub Awards, but congratulations nevertheless on being a finalist. David has many things going on with Quiz nights, Jazz Jamming, Poets Club, Story Club, Comedy nights, Vinyl and 78 night, Jamming Piano sessions, Irish music night, and Acoustic night. Some of these activities are only once a month, why not pick up a leaflet in the pub. FAVERSHAM: Sun Inn, is being refurbished. We hope that the historic interior is not tampered with.

FAVERSHAM: Swan & Harlequin has had St Austell Tinners Ale during October. FAVERSHAM: Windmill. Very sad news, only a month or so to go, see page 34. HERNHILL: Red Lion offers Greene King IPA and Old Speckled Hen, also Shepherd Neame Masterbrew. LYNSTED: Black Lion, will be for sale as the licensee is retiring. It is the only pub in the Swale area that sells four Goacher‟s beers, namely Real Mild Ale, Fine Light Ale, Best Dark Ale and Crown Imperial Stout. Let‟s hope it stays the same. NEWNHAM: George, sells Shepherd Neame Master Brew Bitter and Late Red. Be the first person to answer their daily question correctly and you will win a free drink! OAD STREET, Plough and Harrow is up for sale. SITTINGBOURNE: The Summoner. Beer Festival 27 October to 14 November. SHEERNESS: Napier Hotel, has been sold by Shepherd Neame and is a free house. Saloon bar is now a restaurant. Beers still the same though, Spitfire and Masterbrew. However it appears that it is for sale again. STALISFIELD: Plough, has an ethos to resource locally, so as well as Kentish beers, they have Biddenden Bushells Cider on handpump, along with Whitstable Kentish Lager and Whitstable Oyster Stout (instead of national brands such as Guinness and Stella) on keg and sometimes a Pilsner or a Wheat beer also from Whitstable Brewery. STAPLE STREET, Three Horseshoes. Our best wishes to Mike and Vera Skipper who have retired.

Winter Issue 2010/11 3

SWALE ALE EDITORIAL

Volume 3, Issue 2 As can be seen from the front cover, our stall at the Faversham Hop Winter 2010/2011 Festival was a rousing success and thanks are due to all involved for their Published by the Swale Branch of the effort. However, special praise should Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. (CAMRA). be accorded to Gary Holness who Circulation 700 not only built the bar but drove the Editor: Bob Thompson lorry that delivered the beer to the Email: [email protected] site. Without him it wouldn’t have Telephone 01795 530104 happened. See pages 41 and 42. Design and layout: Keir Stanley More good news comes from Contributors: Steve Bennion, Linda Conyer where the Ship is about to Clarke, Keir Stanley, Bob Thompson, reopen after over a year of closure. Jeff Waller New owner Simon Smedley has Print Liaison: Simon Ing purchased the venerable pub from ——————————————— Enterprise Inns and it will be a true

All Correspondence to: Forge House, Free House. A lot of capital has been Church Road, Oare, Faversham, expended on thoroughly renovating Kent. ME13 0QA. the building. Full article on page 43. However this good news has to ——————————————— be tempered with sadness as the Any opinions expressed within these Windmill on Canterbury Road at pages are those of the individual Preston, Faversham, is about to close. authors only and do not represent Terry and Ann King are to retire and those of CAMRA or any of its officials. the owners are not advertising for a The existence of this publication in a replacement. A year ago Shepherd particular outlet does not imply an Neame announced a three year plan endorsement of it by Swale CAMRA . to sell thirty-five of their poorest

——————————————— performing . The first fifteen have gone. The Windmill is part of the Printed by: second phase. Let’s hope there are University of Kent Press no more in the Swale area, but be ——————————————— prepared for the worst. Turn to page

Branch Details: 34 for a detailed look at the Windmill. Chairman: Bob Thompson CAMRA is a very successful Secretary: Les Bailey consumer group and with well over a Social Secretary: Gary Holness 100,000 members it is popular too. On Treasurer: Les Bailey page 47 there is a full explanation of Branch Contact: Bob Thompson all the benefits membership provides. (01795 530104) or Les Bailey (01795 Why not join our club? 538824) Bob Thompson

4 Winter Issue 2010/11

Winter Issue 2010/11 5

The CHIMNEY BOY

Now offering a wide range of home made meals and desserts Monday to Saturday lunchtimes from 11.30 to 2.30 Evening meals in the restaurant from 6.30 to 9.00 Bar snacks are also available On Sunday there is a choice of traditional roasts, home made pies, steak and kidney puddings, with desserts Christmas menu from 1st to 23rd December Three courses plus coffee: £17.95 Book to avoid disappointment The function room is available to book Open: Monday to Thursday 11-11, Friday and Saturday 11-11.30, Sunday 11.30-10

Preston Street, Faversham, Kent. ME13 8PG. Tel: 01795 532007

6 Winter Issue 2010/11

Swale CAMRA Branch diary

Wednesday 10th November Wednesday 9th February Open Branch Business Meeting Open Branch Business Meeting Bowl Inn, Charing 19.30. Chimney Boy, Faversham, 19.30.

Wednesday 8th December Friday 18th February (Provisional) Open Branch Business Meeting Visit: Shepherd Neame Distribution Railway Hotel, Faversham 19.30. Centre, Western Link, Oare. 18.30. Meet

Sunday 12th December at Castle, Oare 18.00, then walk. Members Faversham Christmas Pub Crawl must register with the contacts shown on page 4. Guests permitted subject to limits. Breakfast in Wetherspoons at 10.30. After, the Bear at 11.30, Anchor 12.05, Phoenix Wednesday 9th March 12.40, Old Wine Vaults 13.15, Railway Open Branch Business Meeting 13.45, Windmill, Preston 14.30, Crown Black Lion, Lynsted, 19.30. and Anchor 15.15, Elephant 15.45. Reminder: Friday 4th/Saturday 5th February Wednesday 12th January White Cliffs Winter Ales Festival, Open Branch Business Meeting Maison Dieu (Old Town Hall), Dover. Three Hats, Milton Regis, 19.30 Friday from 13.00, Saturday from 10.30

Why advertise in Swale Ale? Swale Ale is a very cost effective medium. Only found in pubs (at least 90% of the print), Tourist Offices, and Kent Beer Festivals. It‟s free, taken home, and passed on. It‟s local, it‟s printed on gloss paper for a superb finish. It‟s dead cheap, just £20 for a half page (landscape only), and £35 for a full page. Suitable for pubs, breweries, businesses, clubs, hotels, taxis, and those who want to promote their goods and services in local pubs. Initial print run: 700, likely to increase. Published: quarterly. Next copy date: circa 1st February 2011, although submissions before then would be greatly appreciated. Contact Swale Ale, Forge House, Church Road, Oare, Faversham,

Short measures and what to do about it The law says that when you order a pint of beer, that is exactly what you should get. If you‟re served short, then ask for your glass to be filled to the correct measure. It should be done with good grace. Naturally, it is important that it is requested politely. However, if satisfaction is not forthcoming you should report it to: Trading Standards, Kent County Council, County Hall, Maidstone, ME14 1XQ. Tel: 08458 247247.

Winter Issue 2010/11 7

8 Winter Issue 2010/11

International Crawl No 3 Moeder Lambic, Brussels

Not a crawl in one sense but definitely in another, Moeder Lambic is a new concept in Belgium. It‟s a bar that showcases an incredibly large amount of draught beers from all around the country, so without leaving your seat you can visit, in taste terms, all the small isolated breweries you never expected to ever get to. My being there was purely coincidental, as I was passing through on my way to the south. I „d booked a hotel in the Avenue de Stalingrad. A friend, from Germany, meeting me in Brussels had a recommendation, and as it was just five minutes walk away, we visited. Very un-prepossessing from the outside, see photo right, it had no sign, but significantly, there was no advertising from the national breweries.

Inside, it‟s one long bar. Decoration is modern café-bar minimalist There are no labels on the pumps, you order from a menu, which categorises beers by taste and style. On our visit there were twenty-five beers on the pumps plus a further nine “beers of the month”, bar photo below. A speciality of western Brussels are the spontaneously-fermented beers which are brewed along the Senne valley. This almost unknown river runs underground through the city centre. They are extremely sour, an acquired taste, so some have cherries added in the fermentation to make Kriek. Those in this bar come from two very traditional brewers, Cantillon and Drei Fonteinen, and are served without gas from British-Style handpumps, photo above left. There are bar snacks. We‟ll be back! The address is 8 Place Fontainas, 1000 Bruxelles. Open: 11.00 to 01.00 (02.00 Thursday to Saturday). Tel: 02 503 60 68. www.moederlambic.eu Email: [email protected]. Anneessens metro: 2 mins.

Winter Issue 2010/11 9

The Rose & Crown Perry Wood

A warm welcome awaits you in this beautiful 16th Century Free House adorned with local Goldings hops and traditional exposed beams.

At the centre of historic Perry Wood, unwind here after walking in the surrounding 150 acres of Chestnut, Beech and Oak woodland.

Food is traditional, using local meats and fish, with daily specials, served in the pub or in the adjoining Wood Cottage restaurant.

Hours for food are: Lunch: Daily 12.00-14.00 (14.30 Sunday). Evenings: Tuesday to Sunday 19.00-21.00 (20.30 Sunday).

We have won several Environmental, Green, and Sustainable awards over recent years and were “One of the Best Country Pubs 2007” in the Sunday Times.

We serve Harvey’s Best Bitter, Adnam’s Bitter and a changing guest beer.

Opening hours are, Monday to Saturday: 11.30-15.00, 18.30-23.00 (not Monday evenings); Sundays: 12.00-15.00, 19.00-22.30.

Perry Wood, Selling, near Faversham, Kent ME13 9RY Tel: 01227 752214 www.roseandcrownperrywood.co.uk 10 Winter Issue 2010/11

Who decides which pubs should be in the Good Beer Guide?

The new 2011 CAMRA Good Beer Guide is now out and you may wonder how your local pubs are selected. The simple answer is it is down to the local branch of CAMRA to select those places that consistently serve good real ale throughout the year. The Swale area has its own branch covering 143 pubs and bars and, with over 280 local members. It should be fairly straightforward except, of the 280, only 5% actively attend meetings.

How can you help? It requires a lot of time and effort to carry out the surveys and we need your help with information to start preparing for the 2012 guide. One way you can do this is to come along to Branch meetings but if that doesn‟t appeal, or if you are not a member, there is another way; let us know what is happening in your local, whether it sells real ale or not and if it does, what beers are offered and what you think of them by sending an email to me via our website address:- [email protected]

Or why not use the NBSS? If you are a member, there is a further way to help using CAMRA‟s National Beer Scoring Scheme (NBSS) where your entry will be used to provide us with information to identify worthy pubs. The NBSS database is a 0-5 point scale used to record your judgement of beer quality in pubs. IT IS EASY TO USE, just visit www.beerscoring.org.uk enter your membership details and the pub information and put in your score.

These scores are as follows:- 0. Undrinkable. No cask ale available or so poor you have to take it back or can‟t finish it. 1. Poor. Beer that is anything from barely drinkable to drinkable with considerable resentment. 2. Average. Competently kept, drinkable pint but doesn‟t inspire in any way, not worth moving to another pub but you drink the beer without really noticing. 3. Good. Good beer in good form. You may cancel plans to move to the next pub. You want to stay for another pint and may seek out the beer again. 4. Very Good. Excellent beer in excellent condition. 5. Perfect. Probably the best you are ever likely to find. A seasoned drinker will award this score very rarely.

Look forward to hearing from you or seeing member‟s entries on the NBSS!

Jeff, Swale CAMRA Pubs Officer

Winter Issue 2010/11 11

Red Lion Badlesmere

The Red Lion is a Free House and traditional country pub, built in 1543 and recently refurbished.

We serve regularly changing real ales and home-cooked food at affordable prices.

Families are most welcome.

On Friday nights we have an exceptional selection of live music, which is listed on our website.

We can cater all types of functions and parties.

Saturday night is Steak Night when we offer two British rump steaks for £16.00.

The Red Lion is open from 12.00 everyday until evening closing.

Ashford Road, Badlesmere Lees, Faversham ME13 0NX Tel: 01233 740320 or 07834763540. www.redlionbadlesmere.co.uk

12 Winter Issue 2010/11

The Cider Page

In the last issue I concentrated on the Cider Producers in Kent so this time I thought I‟d try to tell you where you might find their ciders. However this is never an easy task as we seem to have so few outlets in the Swale area. The first pubs that spring to mind are the Wetherspoons outlets. The LEADING LIGHT, Faversham, always sells a Westons cider (from Herefordshire). They alternate between Marcle Hill, Old Rosie, and Vintage Organic, you‟ll have to look in the fridge to see which one. During the Hop Festival they also had Biddenden and a range of four from Mr Whitehead (Hampshire) namely Newton’s Discovery, Heart of Hampshire, Boxing Dog and Blackberry Cider. They might continue to sell Biddenden in the future. The SUMMONER, Sittingbourne, sold Westons Marcle Hill at the time of writing. The ELEPHANT, Faversham sells cider Kent Cider Co or Westons, on handpump. The OLD WINE VAULTS, Faversham has Biddenden Bushells. The PLOUGH, Stalisfield Green, also has Biddenden Bushells. At their Bank Holiday Beer and Cider Festival they also had Biddenden Kentish Dry, Kent Cider Co Gala/Bramley Cider and Perry, plus Pawley Farm Dry and Medium. Over the same weekend, the RED LION, Badlesmere, was selling Johnson’s Marsh Monkey and Rough Old Wife Blushing (with raspberries). Again, over the August Bank Holiday weekend the ROSE & CROWN, Perry Wood, was selling Pawley Farm Dry and Sweet, plus Thatchers Cheddar Valley (from Bristol). If either of these last two are your locals then perhaps you might be able to persuade them to sell real cider more often! MACKNADE SHOP, Faversham, sells in bottles Biddenden Dry, Medium and Sweet, Double Vision – both Cider and Perry, several ciders from Kent Cider Co. Cider and Pawley Farm. Also from outside Kent Jack Ratt from Lyme Bay and La Bolé du père Raison, Cider Doux (2% abv) from France. Well that‟s all I can tell you about outlets in the Swale area, so now it‟s down to you. If your local pub sells real Cider or Perry, regularly or occasionally then I would be very pleased to hear from you so that I can pass it on in the next edition of Swale Ale. Elsewhere in Kent three excellent outlets are the MAN OF KENT, John Street, Rochester, ME1 1YN, the BERRY, Canada Road, Walmer, CT14 7EQ and the SWAN, Wittersham, TN30 7PH. There was a Cider Festival in July at the BERRY, Walmer, which coincided with a presentation for winning the CAMRA Kent Cider Pub of the Year 2010 award. Run by Chris and Harriet Barnes, the Berry usually has four ciders on handpump including Kent Cider Co, yet for their festival they had an extra nine ciders and three perrys, served straight from polypins for the Festival. I have just discovered that the Berry was a finalist in the National CAMRA Cider and Perry Pub of the Year Competition so very well done to them.

Winter Issue 2010/11 13

The PHOENIX TAVERN Abbey Street, FAVERSHAM Tel: 01795 591462

Real Ales from Local and National breweries

Fresh food prepared in house every day- Bar snacks and a la Carte

Quality wines and lagers

Christmas Dinners served from 1st to 24th December, lunch and evening

14 Winter Issue 2010/11

Cider page(s) continued from page 13 Otherwise, the best outlets for Cider and Perry continue to be CAMRA Beer and Cider festivals. Over the past few months I have visited several CAMRA Festivals. Firstly, the Kent Beer Festival at Canterbury in July, where for the first time ever, all the Ciders and Perries were from Kent because of the vast amount of them now available - 22 Ciders (from 12 Producers) and 3 Perries (from 2 of those Producers). Next, in August, the Great British Beer Festival, Earls Court, London, where there were 75 Ciders and 33 Perries. Double Vision Perry was one of the first three Perries to run out proving its popularity. Then Worcester Beer, Cider & Perry Festival, where the largest range I have ever seen was available – 99 Ciders and 47 Perries - a must visit festival next year for all serious Cider and Perry drinkers. Finally, Peterborough Beer Festival where there were 64 Ciders and 20 Perries. Don‟t forget to wear your wellies if you go to these last two next year! Coming up soon, Tuesday 30 November to Saturday 4 December 2010, will be Pigs Ear Beer and Cider Festival, at a new venue, the Round Chapel, Powerscroft Road, off Lower Clapton Road, Hackney, London where you might find me serving. Come along with a copy of this magazine and I might even buy you a half! Linda Clarke

Beer Festival Hire

We offer a range of services that will help you have an outstanding beer festival; including wooden racking and internal cooling probes which will cool from 6 to 60 cask ales. Call or visit our website for a great quote!!

Prices start from £224.99

T: 07929 147418 E: [email protected]

Winter Issue 2010/11 15

International Crawl No 4 Portland’s Pearl and Nob Hill districts

I was surprised what a nice city Portland is, and this is a comment on how attractive it is, much better-looking than any American city I‟d visited previously. The downtown area finds most streets to be tree-lined. The centre blocks are 200 yards each side, as distinct from the usual 400 yard blocks of most cities. This has a subtle advantage, when walking, of getting you to your destination quicker than you thought it would take. It has all the obvious beer attractions; in its city boundaries, there are twenty two companies, and some have more than one brewery, most with more than one pub. Add bars that specialise in small North-western breweries and you end up with the beer capital of the U.S.A. Public transportation is superb with four light rail rapid transit lines, named MAX, that are on the streets in the downtown area but run on their own tracks in the suburbs (photo left). These are criss- crossed by the Portland Streetcar (Eng: tram). Only one route, it generally operates two blocks apart in either direction (Photo: below, right). It serves a remarkably large amount of pubs/brewpubs/beer bars that are a few blocks from a stop (photo: right). It runs every 12 minutes, not that frequent really, but it is convenient. Buses generally run on 12/15 minute frequency. Some do not enter the city centre, operating entirely on the east side of the Willamette River. So getting around is not difficult. I was there for five days and I obtained a bargain in the 7 day all zones ticket for $22.50 (ca £16.00). This enables you to travel, at all times, in all zones, on the modes of transport including the new suburban commuter railway called WES, which I used to access a brewpub. Compare this with the £4.50 single ticket in London that visitors have to buy. What‟s amazing about the two districts, of this article, both of which are just north of the downtown, is the sheer number of pubs/breweries that are contained a small area and all are easily accessed by the Portland Streetcar. To take a beer tour on the Streetcar to the northern districts, catch any north-bound tram going to 23rd Avenue. North of East Burnside Street, running east to west, you enter the Pearl district. Continued on page 18

16 Winter Issue 2010/11

The Railway Hotel Preston Street FAVERSHAM

Cask beer. No televisions. No fruit machines. No muzak. Some people will be disappointed.

01795 533173 [email protected]

Winter Issue 2010/11 17

Portland continued from page 16

This would be the longest journey, taking all of 10 minutes. Alight at 14th and Northrup, go one block south to Marshall Street and you‟ll see the BRIDGEPORT BREWPUB & BAKERY (photo: left) on the corner at 1313 NW Marshall Street. A block eastwards is actual brewery tap on the Marshall/13th junction ( They seem to own the whole block with offices and entrance on the north side. (Photo: above left). This is a huge pub on more than one floor and always seems to busy outside of the afternoon period. The beers are unashamedly English in style and were fantastic. On my first visit I ordered a sample tray of the eight beers on offer. These were Black Strap Stout (6.0% abv), Ebenezer Ale (6.4% abv), Harvest Hop Ale (seasonal) (7.0% abv), BridgePort E.S.B. (6.1% abv), BridgePort I.P.A. (5.5% abv), Ropewalk Amber Ale (5.6% abv), Blue Heron Pale Ale (4.9% abv), Haymaker Extra Pale Ale (5.3% abv). Of course they were all good, but what was special was that three of them were available in cask-conditioned form, served from hand pumps. What to choose? I could only have one pint. I choose Harvest Hop Ale as it was a seasonal using the current season‟s hops, but not knowing how strong is really was. It was fantastic; you have to be a hophead to enjoy the extremes of Pacific coast brewing! The LUCKY LABRADOR BEER HALL is north of the next stop on the tram, 18th and Northrup (Photos: below). By the time you‟ve walked to one stop and then gone from there to the pub, you might as well have walked all the way. To walk, follow the tram route along Northrup to 18th Street, under the approaches to the awesome Fremont Bridge, go north to the third street, Quimby, turn left and you‟ll soon see the Beer Hall at 1945 NW Quimby Street. It‟s another former warehouse site. It‟s a large pub, but has more of a pub/drinking atmosphere than Bridgeport, accentuated by their system of ordering at the bar, British style. Continued on page 20 18 Winter Issue 2010/11

Winter Issue 2010/11 19

Portland continued from page 18 The beers are also mostly British style ales: Crazy Ludwig’s Altbier (6.2% abv), Noble Regard Foreign Stout (4.8% abv), Super Dog I.P.A. (6.3% abv), Triple Threat I.P.A. (abv unknown), Hawthorne’s Best Bitter (4.3% abv), Blue Dog Amber Ale (5.5% abv). As normal, I had a sampler tray of them but nothing was good enough as a second beer, but all were acceptable. The way to get to the next brewpub is to walk, again. From the Beer Hall go north to Raleigh Street, as Quimby Street abruptly ceases for one block. At the end of Raleigh, turning right, you will see THE NEW OLD LEMPOC at 1616 NW 23rd Avenue The first establishment of this brewpub was in 1996 when it was converted from an existing bar to be the Old Lempoc. This name was derived from the “Bank Dick” a pre-war movie staring W.C. Fields. The “Old Lempoc House” of the film was where most the action took place; it was a bar and boarding house. New owners took over in 2000 and expanded the empire to other pubs, hence the rather strange name. Yet another homage to Ale, this time American, these were offered: Fools Golden Ale (a “light” ale) (5.0% abv), Lempoc Strong Draft (LSD – an American strong ale) (6.9% abv), C-Note (a double IPA using Centennial, Crystal, Cascade, Cluster, Chinook and Columbus hops) (6.9% abv), Condor Pale Ale (a hoppy pale ale) (5.2% abv), Proletariat Red (malty red ale) (6.4% abv), Centennial IPA (Extremely hoppy) (6.1% abv). After all this there was only one route as Centennial was on in the cask. A hundred yards further on 23rd Avenue finds the McMENAMINS TAVERN AND POOL at 1716 NW 23rd Avenue. It‟s not a brewpub but one of the McMemamins empire whose pubs are omnipresent in Portland area. Nine in the city brew their own and supply the others. Typically they take over a traditional bar that‟s not doing too well and replace all the beers with their own products. It works. They also adapt other iconic locations such as theatres and ballrooms to their own quirky formula. In this particular establishment the following members of the standard range were available: Hammerhead Pale Ale (5.9% abv), Terminator Stout (6.4% abv), Ruby Raspberry Beer (4.4% abv), Black Rabbit Porter (5.5% abv) and Edgefield Wheat Beer (4.8% abv). The next watering hole is south so we pass the terminus of the Portland Streetcar. With a right turn at Kearney Street the LAURELWOOD NW PUBLIC HOUSE NW at 2327 NW Kearney Street immediately comes into view. It‟s part of the small Laurelwood chain. Continued on page 22 20 Winter Issue 2010/11

The Sun Inn Brendan and his team welcome you to the historic Sun Inn in West Street

Our comfortable bar areas are suitable for any occasion or you can dine in our newly refurbished restaurant

There’s an open fire in winter and we have a lovely garden for the warmer months

The Sun is a true inn and we offer eight rooms at reasonable rates

Open: 11.00 to 11.00 Mon to Sat and 12.00 to 10.30 on Sun Tel: 01795 535098. Fax: 01795 535322 Email: [email protected] 10 West Street, Faversham, Kent ME13 7JE

Winter Issue 2010/11 21

Portland continued from page 20 Their main brewery is in the eastern suburbs and I visited later. Nearby to that one is the Laurelwood Pizza Co which was their original brewery and still brews. They also have two bars in Portland International Airport and another pub over the border in Washington. The night I visited it was very crowded and the only seat available was on the porch (it is an old residential property). Yet another non-lager brewery, I had the almost obligatory sampler tray. This time there were eight beers: Hooligan Ale (5.3% abv), Free Range Red Ale (6.1% abv), Hop Monkey IPA (6.4% abv), Workhorse IPA (7.5% abv), Tree Hugger Ale (organic) (5.6% abv), Space Stout (6.1% abv), Mother Lode Golden Ale (5.1% abv) and the current seasonal, Fresh Nuggs (fresh hop ale) (6.7% abv). The beers were good but I thought some of them were a bit thin considering their strengths. However the easy winner was the fresh hop ale made with the current season‟s crop. It was October when I visited. After that I returned to the streetcar stop at 23rd Avenue and caught one going towards downtown. I alighted seven stops later at the 11th Avenue/Everett Street stop and walked back one block to Flanders Street. I turned left and two blocks across I came upon ROGUE ALES DISTILLERY AND PUBLIC HOUSE at 1339 NW Flanders Street. Rogue brewpubs can be found in many towns on the west coast. We are back in the über-trendy Pearl district after passing straight through earlier. But more appropriately we are in the former Brewing District. Another large pub with 38 draught beer taps featuring beers from all over the west of the U.S.A. in addition to their own. I ordered a sampler tray of eight Rogue beers: Shakespeare Oatmeal Stout (ca 6.0% abv), Kells Irish Lager (ca 4.8% abv), Hazelnut Brown Nectar (brown ale with hazelnut essence added) (ca 4.8% abv), American Amber Ale (ca 5.2% abv), Dead Guy Ale (maibock style) (ca 6.4% abv), Brutal Bitter IPA (ca 6.0% abv), John’s Locker Stock: Dad’s Little Helper (malt liquor style) (ca 7.2% abv), Juniper Pale Ale (juniper berries added) (5.2% abv). Abv‟s are approximate as Rogue still uses the Plato system of alcohol measurement. John‟s Locker Stock is a series of one-off beers. It‟s a short walk back to the 11th/Everett Streetcar stop. If there‟s a tram going southwards, jump on it, no ticket required, you are now in the fare-less zone that covers the downtown area. If not, it‟s just two blocks, or one stop, to the next brewpub. 22 Winter Issue 2010/11

DESCHUTES BREWERY PORTLAND PUBLIC HOUSE at 210 NW 11th Ave- nue. Deschutes Brewery is a relative newcomer in Portland as a brewer, opening this brewpub in May 2008, although their beers have always been available in the city, com- ing from their original brewery in Bend, Oregon. In Portland they have a large barn- sized pub and it was extremely busy when I arrived. The sampler tray consisted of six beers: Cascade Ale (4.5% abv), Oh be Joyful! (a strong American P.A., part of their “super-seasonal” range), Green Lakes Or- ganic Amber Ale (6.4% abv), Seafort 7 (A trappist-style, uses yeast from the Roche- fort brewery) (7.0% abv), Black Butte Porter (5.2% abv), Obsidian Stout (6.4% abv). I liked them all very much except the Seafort 7, which was only just OK. Before I‟d ordered I had noticed two beers on handpump. These I saved until last and had a pint of each. They were Bob’s Your Uncle (an E.S.B. using all English malt and hops) (5.6% abv) and Jubeale (a winter ale using US and European hops) (6.7% abv). Of these beers, only Cascade Ale and Jubelale were brewed at this pub, the remainder came from the main plant in Bend which has a 120 barrel brew line. And that is the end of my tour of these districts of Portland but there is more to come from this city. Bob Thompson

Faversham’s hidden gem The Shipwright’s Arms, Hollowshore Faversham A 17th Century traditional creek side free house. Selling up to five real ales from Kentish brewers, and serving good food. Take a trip back in time and savour the delights of a truly traditional pub. Rated by Jamie Oliver as one of the top 100 traditional pubs in the country. Please check website or phone to confirm hours of opening.

Tel: 01795 590088 Web: http://www.theshipwrightsarmspub.co.uk

Directions: At Davington School turn into Ham Road and follow the signs across the marsh.

Winter Issue 2010/11 23

Through Three Counties A bus odyssey through Oxon, Bucks and Berks

On a warm Friday morning a group of about forty beer aficionados met at Oxford station for a trip into the country. During the day we cruised through Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire visiting a lot of good pubs. Transport was provided by a superbly restored vintage Southern Vectis (Isle of Wight) Bristol single -decker bus built in 1967. First stop was Sandford on Thames at the CATHERINE WHEEL (right). This free house was a pleasant local that served two World Cup ales: Bank’s Lion’s Roar English Ale (3.8%) and Slater’s In the Net (3.7%). Five and a half miles further and we came across the COACH & HORSES at Chiselhampton (below left). It‟s a beautiful stone-built pub in a small village selling Vale (Brill, Bucks) Best Bitter (3.8%), Hook Norton Old Hooky (4.6%). We were now in the area that is the home of the Red Kite. This large bird of prey is ubiquitous round here following its re-introduction and is spreading in all directions. We supped the excellent Vale Best in the garden as several of them soared, swooped and circled above us, see photo below of one above the pub. The more morbid drinkers likened them to vultures. Another five miles brought us to the HOME SWEET HOME in the hamlet of Roke. This is a Wadworth’s (of Devizes, Wilts) pub and consequently sold three of their beers. Henry’s IPA (3.6%), 6X (4.3%) and their World Cup special, Strong in the Arm (4.0%), which was all right but had the characteristic Wadworth malt flavour. Final pub in Oxon was the LEATHERN BOTTLE (photo over page) at Lewknor, although its sign says it‟s Ye Olde Leathern Bottel, oh dear! What suedo-historic rubbish. Continued on page 26 24 Winter Issue 2010/11

The Elephant Faversham’s Free House

Swale CAMRA Pub of the Year 2007 to 2010 and East Kent CAMRA Pub of the Year 2010

Normally five beers, mainly from local Mi- crobreweries and a real traditional cider

Large courtyard garden and a function room

Open: Tuesday to Friday: 3pm to 11pm, Saturday: 12 noon to 11pm, Sunday: 12.00 noon to 10pm

31 The Mall, Faversham, Kent ME13 8JN.

Tel: 01795 590157

Winter Issue 2010/11 25

Three Counties continued from page 24 The Brakspears brewery moved from Henley to Witney in 2004 and was taken over by Marstons in 2007. The pub is owned by the separate Brakspear pub company. Beers were Brakspear Bitter (3.4%) and Marston’s Pedigree (4.5%). A pity the excellent Special is no longer brewed. A classic compared with the today‟s insipid Pedigree. It was nice to see that the bar flap, accidentally destroyed 35 years ago, had been replaced. Across the border in Bucks our next watering hole was the FROG on a country road near the village of Skirmett. Beers offered were Marlow Leaping Frog (3.7%), Sharp’s Honey Spice (4.2%) and Fuller’s (Gale’s) Seafarers’ Ale (3.6%). Not far away, we came across the STAG & HUNTSMAN INN at Hambleden (photo below right). This is a pub set in a beautiful village that is often used in the filming of Midsomer Murders, as were several other pubs and villages on our tour. There was a good selection of beer: Marlow Rebellion IPA (3.7%), Loddon Summer Snowflake (4.1%), Loddon Hoppit (3.5%), Sharp’s Doom Bar (4.1%) and Wadworth’s 6X, along with Thatcher’s Cider. Our next stop was in the relative metropolis of Marlow-on-Thames where we called in to the PRINCE OF WALES, close to the Railway station. Here we caught up with the latest World Cup news and had a choice of Hook Norton Old Hooky (4.6%), Adnams Broadside (4.7%), Rebellion Green Shoots (4.4%) and Brakspear’s Bitter (3.4%). Six miles from Marlow is Wooburn Common where we poured ourselves into the ROYAL STANDARD. This was very much a shrine to the cask ale drinker and also a very nice pub with some interesting characters! The dilemma of choice was caused by Adnam‟s Broadside (4.7%), Bowman Quiver (4.3%), Purple Mouse Madog’s Ale (3.7%), St Austell Tribute (4.2%), Caledonian Deuchar’s IPA (3.8%), Dark Star Expresso (4.2%), Black Sheep Best Bitter (3.8%), Pictish Brewer’s Gold (3.8%), Windsor & Eton Knight of the Garter (3.8%) Hop Back Crop Circle (4.2%), Summer Lightning (5.0%), Burton Bridge Bitter (4.2%) and their remarkable Thomas Sykes Old Ale (10.0%) at a very reasonable £3.80 per pint. Continued on page 28

26 Winter Issue 2010/11

The Bowl Inn Free House

Now the leaves are turning and shorter days are here, why not join us at the fireside for a winter warming beer

Five en-suite rooms, one with disabled facilities

Monday to Thursday: 16.00 to Midnight, Friday and Saturday: Noon to Midnight, Sunday: Noon to 23:00

Alan and Sue Paine. Tel: 01233 712256 Egg Hill Road, Charing, Ashford TN27 0HG

www.bowl-inn.co.uk Email: [email protected]

Winter Issue 2010/11 27

Three Counties continued from page 26 Now in Berkshire, the BELGIAN ARMS at Holyport was not an anti-climax, as it was nice not to want to try at least six beers when you could only have one. The choice in this pleasant Brakspeare‟s house was Brakspear’s Bitter (3.4%), Oxford Gold (4.0%), and Marston’s Pedigree (4.5%). But, oh for a pint of Special! Our next port of call was another beer drinker‟s heaven. It was the BELL at Waltham St Lawrence (photo left). Yet another lovely pub that offered the following for our delectation: Thorne Pale Ale (4.2%), Vale Wychert (3.9%), Itchen Valley Pure Gold (4.8%), Tring Jack O’ Legs (4.2%), Ascot Ales Gold Cup (4.8%). Another Brakspeare‟s pub was visited next, The GREEN MAN at Hurst (photo right). Here we had the choice of Brakspeare’s Bitter (3.4%), Oxford Gold (4.0%) and Wadworth’s 6X. And, finally we were on our way to the final pub in the market town of Wokingham. Once in Wokingham we headed for the BROAD STREET TAVERN, a fairly new addition to the town‟s many hostelries. This was different to all the other pubs so far visited, inasmuch that it was a circuit pub in a popular drinking town and, at 20.00 on a Friday evening, it was just warming up. Don‟t let this put you off as it had a good range of beers, yet precious few seats. Although there is no signing to show this, it is a Wadworth‟s house with no less than four beers from their range. Wadworth Henry’s IPA (3.6%), 6X (4.3%), Bishop’s Tipple (once from the Gibbs Mew brewery of Salisbury) (5.0%), and Horizon (4.0%), a golden beer. Guest ales were Vale Pale Ale (4.2%) and Thorne Pale Ale (4.2%), from South Yorkshire. Interestingly, President Barak Obama of the United States has participated in a pub crawl of Wokingham when his half-sister got married. The wedding was in Bracknell. As that town is pretty awful for pubs, they very sensibly gravitated to Wokingham for the pre-nuptials. This was 1997, a long time before he was even a State Governor, let alone the most important man in the world, and he sensibly left early in the evening. Following our visit we made our way on foot to the station reflecting on an excellent and very diverse day out through, mostly, great scenery.

Bob Thompson and Linda Clarke 28 Winter Issue 2010/11

What’s this about?

If, like me, you are of a certain age you‟ll remember the delights of visiting a town and sampling a local beer that you couldn‟t get at home. Today many of these beers are available across the country and that sense of localness has gone. That‟s not to say that greater availability has not strengthened Real Ale‟s position, giving drinkers an chance to try brews from all over, nevertheless, a beer brewed locally feels right. That‟s where LocAle comes in. It‟s an initiative that promotes pubs stocking locally brewed real ale. If you prefer to drink a pint of local beer, but are not sure from the pump clip where it comes from, the LocAle label tells you that it‟s been brewed locally, thus dramatically reducing transport costs. Swale CAMRA defines local as being brewed within 25 miles of the branch borders. Who benefits? The Pub – As stocking real ales can increase pub visits. Local brewers – who benefit from increased sales. The local Economy – because money is spent and retained locally. The Environment – less “beer miles” results in less road miles and pollution. You, the Drinkers – who enjoy greater beer choice and diversity So, if you enjoy a pint of local real ale or want to try it, go in your local and try a pint of LocAle! Our site at [email protected] shows the participating pubs.

Steve Bennion

Winter Issue 2010/11 29

The Kentish Brewery Scene There are even more new ones on the way! In the last issue we told you about the five breweries that had opened in the country during the previous year. We mentioned there were a further two hoping to start production in the autumn. Well, it could possibly be four! We‟ve lost track! ABIGALE BREWERY, Ashford. See page 32 for news on this newcomer CANTERBURY ALES, Canterbury? First beers are Wife of Bath’s Ale (3.9%) and Miller’s Ale (4.5%). FARRIER’S ARMS, Mersham. First beer will be Farrier’s 1606 and is available from Bonfire Night, 5th November. Strength and style unknown. GADD’S RAMSGATE BREWERY, Broadstairs. Two new brews for the autumn were Rye Pale Ale (4.0%) and Oatmeal Stout (4.6%). HOPDAEMON BREWERY, Newnham. Because of increased sales, a lot of the beers are now bottled off-site. Sadly this means they are no longer bottle conditioned. However, Leviathan (6.0%) is still packaged at Newnham, so is unaffected. Both Dominator and Leviathan will be available on draught this winter. KENT BREWERY, address unknown. They have produced a Porter (5%) and a Bitter on the plant of Larkin‟s Brewery. Toby, the brewer, was formerly with the Dark Star Brewery. Other beers are First Edition (5.5%) and Pale (4.3%). Also, Zingiber and Black Gold have been produced for the Egham Beer Festival. LARKINS BREWERY, Chiddingstone. Porter (5.2%) is out this winter. OLD DAIRY BREWERY, Rolvenden. There‟s been a summer beer to compliment the standard range. It was Sun Top (3.5%), and Hop Top (8.5%), an American IPA. Next new beer was Copper Top (4.1%). Maximalist Imperial Stout (9.0%!) and 24 Carat Gold Top (6.0%) were produced for the Egham Beer Festival. MILLIS BREWERY, South Darenth. No news forthcoming. MOODLEY’S BREWERY, Penshurst. The brewery has moved from Rustall to Penshurst. The three standard beers are bottle-conditioned, not draught. NELSON BREWERY, Chatham. Winter beers are Shiver M’ Timbers (4.7%) and Shipwrecked (5.0%). Santa’s Salvo (4.5% will be out for Christmas. ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS BREWERY, Tunbridge Wells. Two additions to the Spa Fine Ales range are Dipper (3.8%), a bitter, and Beau at 4.8%. TONBRIDGE BREWERY, Tonbridge. The standard range is: Auburn Myth (3.8%), a bitter, Blonde Ambition (4.2%), a golden ale, and Ebony Moon Porter (4.2%). Coppernob seems to be have only brewed once. SHEPHERD NEAME, Faversham. Main Brewery: Hop Festival Ale (4.5%) was a green (fresh) hop ale for the Faversham Hop Festival. The list of seasonal beers in the last issue has been modified; Golden Harvest and Top Hat will not now be brewed, and Tapping the Admiral will only be available in bottles for Lidl. Other bottled beers for them are 30 Winter Issue 2010/11

Autumn Blaze, Rudolph’s Reward and Burns Ale (Scotland), all at 4.0%. Blonde Ambition (5.5%) was created by brewers from Samuel Adams brewery of Boston, USA for Wetherspoon‟s Beer Festival. It used green (unkilned) Cascade hops from Redsall‟s Farm. For the same festival, 27 September to 14 November, Cinque Ale (4.1%) was brewed. Christmas Ale (5.0%) in cask will be back, to be followed by Amber Ale (4.5%). Christmas Ale (6.5%) in bottle will also return. Rudolph’s Reward (3.7%) in cask form is to brewed for M&B Pub Co. and Wetherspoon‟s, a big order. Sainsbury‟s now sell two Faversham brewed bottled beers as part of their “Taste the difference” range: London Porter (5.0%) and Traditional Kentish Ale (4.5%). None of the packaged beers above are bottle-conditioned. Pilot Brewery: The Broadstairs Folk Festival ale was named Bearded Lady (4.8%). Hops for Heroes (4.0%) was brewed as a fund-raising beer for the Help for Heroes charity and all went to Ashford Rugby Club‟s beer festival over 2nd to 4th September weekend. Cob Tree Old Ale (4.0%) was on sale the following weekend at the beer festival at the Kent Museum of Rural Life, using their own Fuggles and Goldings hops. Six of the Best (6.0% abv) was next, commissioned by the Akkurat Bar in Stockholm, for the Stockholm Beer & Whisky Festival in early October. Delta (4.5%) was a trial commissioned by the hop‟s importer to see what a beer brewed with this new American hop tastes like. Bonfire Best (3.8%) went entirely to the Bull in Newick, East Sussex. The next brew was at the request of the Southwick Sports Club in West Sussex, to celebrate their 80th Anniversary. The remainder of this brew (6 casks) went to Le Gothique Restaurant & Bar in Wandsworth, London for their bi-annual Beer Festival. On 26th October a “Four Tenants” brew was made for four SN pubs around Maidstone. Rochford Strong Mild (4.6%) is a strong version of Old Faversham Dark brewed for the CAMRA Rochford Beer Festival in late November. Thereafter production will be devoted to Porter which will be brewed as many times as required to satisfy demand. SWAN ON THE GREEN, West Peckham, have been busy with no less than eight green hop beers using varying combinations of Early Choice Goldings, Challenger, Progress and WGV, all from a local farm. They also produced a Mild. There will be a Christmas Ale at around 7.0% with a bottle of Port in every cask! WANTSUM BREWERY, Hersden. A new addition is Miller’s Mirth (4.2%), a bitter. Hengist and Black Pig will be available in bottle. We don‟t know if they‟re conditioned in the bottle, but assume so. No news on Christmas beers at press time WESTERHAM BREWERY, Westerham. Special Pale Ale (3.8%) is available all winter. During October and November Little Scotney Green Hop Harvest Ale (4.3%) will be out. General Wolfe “1759” Maple Ale (4.3%) was an Autumn beer, containing Maple syrup and the main hop was Bramling Cross. At Christmas there is God’s Wallop (4.3%), an old ale made with Demerara sugar and three malts and five hops. Also over the holiday period you should find Double Stout (5.5%) and finally, another winter beer is Puddledock Porter (4.3%) that uses Crystal and Chocolate malts with Bramling Cross and Goldings hops. WHITSTABLE BREWERY, Grafty Green, will have their winter beer, Cockle Warmer (4.7%) out about now. Christmas Cake (4.6%) for December.

Winter Issue 2010/11 31

The Abigale Brewery A new kid on the block in Ashford

It was a freezing wind on a clear autumn day that followed us from Ashford town centre as we walked to the premises of the Abigale Brewery. On arrival, however, the welcome was very much warmer when we met James Wraith, the founder of the brewery. I was accompanied by Chris Excell, the newly-appointed CAMRA Brewery Liaison Officer, and Ian Harrison, the founder of the excellent Pubs and Beer website (www.pubsandbeer.co.uk). The first thing James did was to apologise for the fact there was no beer available to drink This was because his first two brews were experimental to both prove the brewery and test recipes. His third brew was made just two days before our visit and was still in a fermentation vessel, so was unavailable. James went on to explain his background and why he was currently just about to open a brewery. After almost twenty years in the IT business, located in Horsham, West Sussex, he desired a change and decided to start brewing. Prior to that, he had a background in Chemical Engineering. Like the three of us present, he‟d witnessed the closure of many breweries, including that of King & Barnes from Horsham. He is a lover of fine quality beers of all styles and wanted to create something like beers he‟d tasted in the past. This led him to undertake a brewing course at Brewlab in Sunderland. He also involved himself by working with microbrewers in the North East. He originates from Canterbury, so regarded his latest step as a move home. His brewery is a ten barrel plant. This will produce about 34 9- gallon casks per brew. So, here he is, sitting in his own brewery, as it is constructed around him, answering questions from us: Where did he foresee his beers going? East Kent pubs, mostly within a twenty-five mile radius of Ashford. What styles would he brew? Most of the classic English types of beer including Stout and Mild, but not these styles yet. 32 Winter Issue 2010/11

So, what beers would he brew for now? The first will be a classic English Bitter, Samphire (4.1% abv) with Challenger and Northdown hops for Bittering and East Kent Goldings for Aroma. It uses malts from Thomas Fawcett of Castleford, Yorkshire. This would be followed later by a 3.8% abv Pale Ale named Ridgeway. Why these names? The newest part of Kent is Samphire Hoe, near Folkestone, and the beer will be the newest also. He will use names that represent features and places in the county. Would he sell beers directly from the brewery? Emphatically yes. He has high hopes, and holds a licence already and intends to start with five litre “beer in a box” containers, but would consider the ten litre version. He‟s keen to move to bottle- conditioned beers eventually, maybe in 2011. Any other beers in the pipeline? A Golden Ale for next Summer. Why the name Abigale Brewery? Well, work it out for yourself! It was an instructive visit and we left with an invitation to return and sample some beer, which we will certainly do. Soon his beers will be in the pubs around here, so look out for them. Bob Thompson

Abigale Brewery, Unit 4, Javelin Way, Ashford, Kent TN24 8DE. Tel: 07734 342278 The Red Lion at Sheerness

A Sheppey beer oasis with choice

We are the only pub selling real ale in the historic Blue Town area of Sheerness, opposite the old naval dockyard wall

Three ever-changing beers are offered, our customers choose them!

Open: Monday to Wednesday 10.00-24.00, Thursday to Saturday 10.00-01.00, Sunday 12.00-24.00

61, High Street, Blue Town, Sheerness. Tel: 01795 664354

Winter Issue 2010/11 33

The Windmill The end of the road?

Terry and Ann King will retire from the pub trade in 2011. Their pub, The Windmill Inn at Preston, Faversham, has nestled in a dip of the A2, the Roman Watling Street running from Dover to Chester via Canterbury and London, since the mid 1700‟s. It‟s a traditional two bar pub that has been enjoyed by local drinkers for a very long time. All is about to change however as, when Terry and Ann leave the pub, Shepherd Neame are not going to replace them. Therefore, the pub will close. The company hope to sell the premises to be converted to housing. It was the only pub in this part of the town, and provided three rooms as a bed and breakfast, and will be a very sad loss. The final rites will occur on Sunday 2nd January 2011, the last day of trading. So if you are interested in having a beer for the very last time in a pub that has served its customers for 250 years, please visit the Windmill soon. The Swale CAMRA branch will certainly include it in their Christmas Pub Crawl on Sunday 12th December, see details on page 7. So far, Shepherd Neame have not had any application for “change of use” published in the Swale Borough Council‟s planning applications. Maybe you feel that yet another pub shouldn‟t disappear. Should you incline that way, then please monitor Swale Borough Council‟s planning applications, and object if you so feel. This can be done on-line at www.swale.gov.uk/planning/ There is a reason to mention this as the company is not averse to selling pubs free of their tie. Locally, this has happened in Sheerness. With the right owner it could be a success. It is deceptively large and has three letting rooms for bed and breakfast. Terry and Ann have been in the business for thirty years and have been resident in the Windmill for the last fourteen and a half years. This was their seventh pub. The Second of January will be a sad day. We wish them all the best. Bob Thompson

34 Winter Issue 2010/11

Out and About An appreciation of Beer Festivals, Brewery trips, and other beer-related experiences The Bowl, Charing, Beer Festival, Friday 16.07.2010 This is a big beer festival, for a pub. Nothing less than forty-two beers advertised and nearly all of them available on the Friday lunchtime! The wind was blowing a bit on the top of the downs but it was easy to move from the marquee into the pub. A good mixture of beers and styles. East Kent was represented by two beers each from Gadd’s of Ramsgate and the Whitstable Brewery, the remainder came from well known independent and regional breweries around the country. Lots were very well respected beers, not a great surprise as TBS-Waverley were the distributors and they produced a very good tasting guide and cask labels. This is Swale CAMRA‟s most southerly pub and we enjoyed the festival a lot. Our thanks to Allan and Sue. LC+BT

Bromsgrove Beer Festival, Friday 16.07.2010

This was a first-time visit to this particular festival. Bromsgrove is a dormitory town about 25 minutes on the train from Birmingham New Street on the line to Worcester. The venue was the Rugby club, about ten minutes walk from the station. Although the clouds were brooding it didn‟t actually rain. The festival was held in a large marquee in the grounds. Over 100 beers were offered, a lot were from microbreweries in the area, and about 40 ciders and perries. Only half pint glasses were used and beer was sold by token in the £2.40-£2.80 per equivalent pint range. The toilets were in the club‟s main building which had a very nice bar with two more beers on hand pump. A very good and locally popular festival. BT Continued on page 37

Winter Issue 2010/11 35

Look! Christmas meal and a drink* £5.99

15 November to 23 December

Bookings can be made in person, pick up a form in the pub, or on-line at www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk

Our Beer Festival runs from Wednesday 27 October to Sunday 14 November

Cask Beers from all over the country and further afield including many brewed especially for the festival

At other times check out our range of cask ales including a great selection from local Kentish microbreweries

20-22 Preston Street, Faversham, Kent

* For the full list of drinks available in offer, please see booking form in pub, or check on-line 36 Winter Issue 2010/11

Out and About continued from page 35 Peterborough Beer Festival, Wed/Thur 25/26.08.2010

This is the second largest beer festival in the country and it is held on a meadow by the side of the river Nene in portable buildings. These are not tents but solid structures, see photo, right. I‟d like to discuss the good points first Over 350 beers, and a magnificent selection as well. In my mind even better than the National Jamboree at Earls Court. Lots of well-known and not so well-known ciders. Good food stalls. Plenty of room inside. Minus points are not greater than the plus points but were preventable. I know in this country we have very unpredictable weather but it‟s almost certain it‟ll rain and this time it was well predicted. Between my first visit and the second, a day later, there had been a lot. Previous visits to this festival have always found the area outside the buildings to be treacherous, so I was reassured when I walked on wood-bark chippings in the entrance. However the first visit to the toilet proved that nothing else had changed. You enter and leave the site just once in each direction, but how many times do you go to the toilet at a beer festival?! I don‟t understand why there is such a long walk across the meadow‟s quagmire to get to the otherwise excellent facilities. But please note that the staff toilets are within easy reach of the bars so that the worthy volunteers and organisers never have the experience of the customers. So, great beers, awful layout. BT

The Plough, Stalisfield, Beer Festival, Sunday 29.08.2010

One of the many local beer festivals held over the Bank Holiday weekend. Swale CAMRA hired a minibus to visit three of them in the branch‟s area. The beers at the Plough were served from a small marquee in the garden using a sophisticated cooling system. Not all of them were on but there were enough to satisfy. Licensee Bob welcomed us with a free half, which was well appreciated. In total, over the weekend, there were 34 different beers offered, mostly at £3.20 a pint, Cider was £3.50. Kentish brewers were well represented with Gadds, Whitstable, Hopdaemon, Goachers, Old Dairy, Westerham, Larkins and Wantsum. Hog roast and other good food. LC+BT Continued on page 38

Winter Issue 2010/11 37

Out and About continued from page 37 The Red Lion, Badlesmere, Beer Festival Sun 29.08.2010

The beers were served from a shed in the garden. There were eight left out of the eleven at the start. Kentish breweries represented were Hopdaemon, Gadds, Old Dairy and Westerham. Two local ciders were available, Paul Johnson’s Marsh Monkey (6-7% abv) from Sheppey, and Blushing Old Wife (6.3% abv), a fusion of Kentish Raspberries in cider from Rough Old Wife of Old Wives Leas. Some thought this might be mellow but, on the day, it was very sharp. Pity there weren‟t more people, but the weather was unpredictable. Nevertheless, well worth visiting. £2.80 for a pint of beer, £3.00 for the ciders. The normal menu was offered. LC+BT

The Rose & Crown, Perry Wood, Beer Festival 29.08.2010

Another “beer in the garden” festival. They were served from a small tent and were cooled. Seven were offered with none from Kent. However, it was an excellent selection, highlights being Castle Rock (Nottingham) Harvest Pale (3.8% abv), Rudgate (York) Summer Hop (4.0% abv), Brew Dog (Fraserburgh) Alpha Dog (4.5% abv) and the utterly brilliant Meantime (Greenwich) London Pale Ale (4.3% abv), a six hop mouth-crinkling bitter. A selection for hopheads! In the bar there was the usual selection of beers and the pub‟s full menu was offered plus, on Sunday and Monday, Hog Roast. Cider aficionados were catered for with Dry and Medium from Pawley Farm in nearby Painter‟s Forstal and from far away Somerset, Thatcher’s. £2.60 for beer and cider, very reasonable! LC+BT

Branch visit to Shepherd Neame Brewery Fri 03.09.2010

Approximately forty of the Swale CAMRA branch members and their guests descended on the Bear Inn in Faversham from 18.30 onwards. Space was constrained inside this classic pub so we did some al-fresco drinking in the Market Place. Just before 19.00 we walked to the brewery and were met by Head Brewer David Holmes, along with Stuart Tricker and James Purcell. Whilst supping our first beer at the bar we had a short address from Tom Falcon the company‟s Production and Distribution Continued on page 40

38 Winter Issue 2010/11

The Old House at Home Queenborough

The home of live music!

Bands every Sunday from 5pm

Jamming nights every Wednesday

A great place to meet and see the sunset

Real Ales changing regularly

We serve food Monday to Saturday from 12 to 9

Roast Sunday dinners 12 to 4

Real log fire “May you come as a stranger and leave as a friend”

Tel: 01795 662463

[email protected]

1, High Steet, Queenborough ME11 5AA

Winter Issue 2010/11 39

Out and About continued from page 38 Director, during which he mentioned the scope of brewing at Faversham. Specifically the new range of seasonal beers from the main plant and he also touched upon the production from the micro-brewery which meant that the brewery turns out about sixty different brews every year. We then visited the brewery‟s main plant with Stuart (see left) and that was followed by a visit to the micro-brewery. Here a surprise awaited. Two casks were on stillage for the members to sample (see below). The first was Hop

Festival Ale (4.5% abv), which is a beer brewed with green (fresh) hops from this year‟s harvest. It was available in many pubs throughout the town over the weekend, yet this was the best pint of it that we tasted. Sitting next to it was a true special treat, Imperial Porter (10.4% abv). This was brewed last February. It was particularly

sweet and the brewers said that they would change that, probably by introducing some late hops. We are still not sure of its final destination, there are still about six or seven casks left, but the brewery have intimated that it may go to a Winter Ales festival, so look out at Dover and/or Manchester. After this pleasant interlude we visited the historic collection with its many old vehicles and fantastic array of pub signs (see above). After, it was back to the main bar and we consumed some more of the brewery‟s core beers with a terrific buffet. A great night out and our heartfelt thanks to Tom Falcon, David Holmes and their team. LC+BT

Faversham Hop Festival Sat/Sun 04/05.09.2010

As is usual we had our beer stall in East Street, outside the Iceland store. This is a good location, being sufficiently away from the hubbub of the Preston Street and the Market Place, yet not too far that prospective drinkers won‟t find us. We served beers from our local brewery, Hopdaemon from Newnham; also Eddie Gadd‟s Ramsgate 40 Winter Issue 2010/11

Brewery; Whitstable Brewery of Grafty Green; and the Wantsum Brewery of Hersden. We had eighteen casks featuring many different beers from these breweries and sold out completely! Eleven casks on Saturday and further seven on Sunday. Our volunteer team worked hard to satisfy the thirsts of many and I am very proud of what they achieved. However, we weren‟t the only “Beer Stall in Town”. Obviously the home town brewery, Shepherd Neame, had a large stall outside their premises and also conducted tours of their brewery. Taking a walk from there towards the station revealed that Derek Macey of Pawley Farm, Painter‟s Forstal, was selling his cider in the Market Place. Turning into Preston Street, on the right, you soon found the stall of the Whitstable Brewery of Grafty Green which, of course, sold cask ales but unusually, also sold their keg lager. Next along was the stall sponsored by the Old Wine Vaults which featured the beers of Hopdaemon, the other brewery in Swale. The pub actually run three bars. Obviously there was the one in the pub itself, but there was another in their garden, plus the Hopdaemon bar up a small indent off the street next to the McCo store. Not much further up the street, on the opposite side, was the Nelson Brewery‟s stall, where Piers, owner and brewer, was serving up the pints.

It did occur to me that it was possible to visit all of these stalls on a crawl covering a very small distance and consume a fantastic array of beers, and cider, yet never step across the threshold of a pub. BT Continued on page 42

Winter Issue 2010/11 41

Out and About continued from page 41 Brogdale Cider Festival Sat/Sun 25-26.08.2010 The National Fruit Collection, at Brogdale, near Faversham has a bewildering number of fruit varieties (over 4,000). Each year they hold a cider festival celebrating the alcoholic juice of the apples and pears. Among the attractions this year (as well as a large range of ciders and perrys) included pig racing! Two fully grown, and surprisingly woolly, pigs went head to head in a race. Mad and highly entertaining at the same time. On a not entirely unrelated note the hog roast was delicious, although I have it on good authority that it was not the loser we were eating! I am sure that like me. many of you have enjoyed the alcoholic TV road trip pro- grams featuring Oz Clark. He and the comedian, Hugh Dennis, were at the festival film- ing for the next series. My youngest son Hew, who is five, was fascinated by the fuzzy sound mike and he asked the technician what it was for. At which point the sound man put his headphones on Hew‟s ears and told my other son Thomas to speak into the mike. A look of wonder spread across Hew‟s face as he could hear his brother‟s voice through the headphones. I am telling you this because it would have been very easy for the sound guy to ignore such a question from a small person but this chap really made a young boy‟s day, so I wanted to say a big thank-you to him. It was a great day out so watch out for next year‟s event. SB

T QuizzicAle

Test your beery knowledge with these questions. The answers will be be in the next Swale Ale . This is just for fun and there are no prizes for being a clever clogs!! Enjoy – Innis Cupps, compiler Cryptic: Below are clues to beers or breweries. See if you can work out which. 1. Cockney Lions 2. Does this beer point the way to the see 3. Jealous Royal 4. Aged, splattered fowl at the wheel of a sports car 5. Maybe this Brown Ale is not for the ladies General Beery Questions: 1. Which band had a hit in 1967 with “Strange Bew”? 2. In the film of the same name what brand of beer was “Ice Cold in Alex”? 3. Name the pubs that are featured on these TV programmes. a) The Young Ones, b) Only Fools and Horses, c) Emmerdale 4. In which fictitious place will you find following pubs? a) The Golden Perch, b) The Ivy Bush Tavern c) The Prancing Pony? 5. What was the average price of a pint of beer in 1967? 42 Winter Issue 2010/11

The Ship Inn at Conyer In early September we were invited by owner Simon Smedley, to go and see the progress so far at the Ship Inn, Conyer Quay, near Sittingbourne. The pub has been closed for some time and extensive building work has been going on The structural changes have all been completed but many finishing touches are still to be done. Simon is hoping to open to the public on Saturday 4th December. He is employing a manager, a local man who used to run the dirty habit at Hollingbourne. Simon will use Adnams as his supplier and will stock their beers, with one Shepherd Neame beer and, he says, one from a local microbrewer. Believed to have been built in 1642 the building was originally a forge on the left side and a bakery on the right. A licence to sell alcohol was granted for the forge area in 1803 and in 1829 the bakery was acquired and incorporated into the rest of the building and the licence was amended accordingly. The front door that we used to enter the building will be closed and a door on the left of the building will be used instead. The bar will be set further back and this arrangement will giver more room for diners and drinkers at the front of the main room. It will be furnished with pews obtained from the vicar of Boughton church. The space where the former toilets were located has been turned into a dining area. New toilets have been constructed at the back of the pub. There is also disabled access at the rear. The pub will retain its traditional look with some wood panelling, but will be much brighter. The open fire will be moved from the right to the left chimney in the main bar. An enclosed log burner will be installed in the old fireplace. Going upstairs there will be a table on a mezzanine level before you reach the main dining area. Here, two new windows provide views over the creek and marina. Simon has acquired a chef for the kitchen. It is intended that all food will be produced in house using local meats and as much local produce as is possible. Linda Clarke and Bob Thompson Winter Issue 2010/11 43

Swale Ale Walk The Black Lion at Lynsted, with a wander back in the dark

The Black Lion in Lynsted is an easy hour‟s walk from Teynham and offers a good selection of Goacher‟s ales. This traditional village pub offers bar snacks and meals in a quiet setting, that is full of character and charm. You can either start the walk at Teynham station which is accessible once an hour from both Sittingbourne and Faversham, seven days a week (barring engineering works), or catch the 333 bus that travels along the A2 from both towns. This runs hourly Monday to Saturday. The 335 does this route two-hourly on Sundays and Bank Holidays. There are also the 244 and 245 buses from Sittingbourne which run to Teynham about hourly and to the Black Lion‟s front door five times a day (six on Saturday, none on Sunday), but to do that would be lazy. If you start your walk at the station you can follow Station Road for about 10 minutes until you reach the A2. Alternatively, you can turn right as you exit the station and follow the houses until you reach fields. Turn left which will take you along the edge of a field and will bring you out a little further east along the A2. From either route cross the A2 and turn right, following the pavement passing both The George and The Swan. Continue until you reach a gap in the houses which is handily marked „footpath‟. Walk across the gravel onto a well-trodden path across the field, leaving the houses behind you. After a while you will reach a small patch of trees, walk up the steps and continue straight on across the next field. At the end of this field continue straight on underneath the tree canopy (with the housing on your left), coming out into the open and continue walking with the trees on your right. You will then reach the first orchard, with pear trees, on your left. After orchard you‟ll reach a concrete farm access road. Cross this and continue following the footpath between the high hedge (on your left) and the wire fence (on your right). Do not walk into the field as it is not possible to cross the fence later. Hopefully when you get to the end of this path you will have reached a small country road. Follow the road left and walk for about two minutes to the junction. Continue straight on following the sign post to Doddington. After about two minutes you will reach The Black Lion for a well-deserved pint (or many) of Goacher‟s. To return to Teynham reverse these instructions. You may also wish to visit the Dover Castle, a Shepherd Neame house that is situated close to the Station Road turning on the A2. The 333 bus stops close to this pub. We completed this walk on a Friday night leaving at sunset and returning by torch light. Keir Stanley

44 Winter Issue 2010/11

Start

Open Source Maps

Main route (Station Road) Black Lion (Free House)

Slightly more scenic route Dover Castle (Shepherd Neame)

Walking Guide - One hour each way

This linear walk is on mainly flat ground with a few steps along the way. Although part of the walk is on pavements, you will, nevertheless, be able to appreciate the fruit orchards in the right season as you make your way to the pub.

Check train times before you travel as Teynham has a hourly service. Currently from Faversham at 52 minutes past the hour, Monday to Saturday, 34 minutes past on Sundays and from Sittingbourne at 29 minutes past the hour, Monday to Saturday, 41 minutes past on Sundays. Engineering works often affect times at weekends.

Winter Issue 2010/11 45

46 Winter Issue 2010/11

Winter Issue 2010/11 47

48 Winter Issue 2010/11