ALE TRAIL 20
PUBLISHED AND FINANCED BY THE SUSSEX BRANCHES OF THE CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE Underground AleWay
Contact Information
South East Sussex Phil Cozens, 01323 460822 [email protected] www.southeast-sussex-camra.com Beer Festival: Eastbourne, 10-12 Oct 2013 POTY: Dolphin Inn, Hastings COTY: Albatross R.A.F.A. Club, Bexhill-On-Sea Sussex Branches of CAMRA Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013. No. 74 Surrey & Sussex Regional Director: Chris Stringer, 01403 270505 (Horsham) Circulation 12,500 [email protected] Published by Sussex Branches of the Campaign for Real Ale
Sussex Area Organiser: Editor: Peter Page-Mitchell, 01424 422128 The Quaffer Email: [email protected] (St. Leonards-on-Sea) [email protected] Advertising: Neil Richards MBE Email: [email protected] Beer Festival: Hove, 6-8 Mar 2014 Tel: 01536 358670 Mobile: 07710 281381 POTY: TBC Next Publication Date: 8 Aug. Copy by 28 June Western Sussex Max Malkin, 01243 828394 Copy Submissions: The Editor invites submissions that [email protected] celebrate the real ale scene in Sussex. www.westernsussexcamra.org.uk Please keep to a maximum of 700 words. Please use plain text or Word files. Beer Festival: Yapton, 17-19 May 2013 Please send good quality pictures separately, preferably in JPG format. POTY: Wilkes Head, Eastergate Standard Disclaimer: Arun & Adur Views expressed in this magazine are those of the individual authors and not necessarily supported by the editor or CAMRA. Jerry Marchant, 01903 214020 All content © Sussex Branches of CAMRA [email protected] Your local Trading Standards Offices are: www.aaa-camra.org.uk Beer Festival: Worthing, 18-19 Oct 2013 East Sussex: St Mary’s House, 52 St Leonards Road, POTY: Gardeners Arms, Sompting Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 3UU Telephone: 01323 418200 Fax: 01323 418227 Email: [email protected] North Sussex Website: www.eastsussexcc.gov.uk Nigel Bullen, 07791 872289 [email protected] West Sussex: Centenary House, Durrington Lane, www.northsussexcamra.org.uk Worthing, West Sussex, BN13 2QB Tel: 01903 839749; Fax: 01903 839743 Beer Festival: Ardingly Vintage Vehicle Email: [email protected] Show, 12-14 July 2013 www.westsussex/gov.uk/tradingstandards
POTY: Jolly Tanners, Staplefield Brighton & Hove: Bartholomew House, Bartholomew Square, Brighton & South Downs Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1JP Tel: 01273 292523; Fax: 01273 292524 John Kirkland, 01293 519844 Email: [email protected] Website: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk [email protected] www.brightoncamra.org.uk Campaign for Real Ale Ltd 230 Hatfield Road, St Albans, AL1 4LW Beer Festival: Lewes, 21-22 June 2013 Tel: 01727 867201 Fax: 01727 867670 POTY: Brewers Arms, Lewes Website: www.camra.org.uk COTY: Constitutional Club, Lewes
Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 3 4 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 Ale Trail 20
The Brighton & South Downs CAMRA Ale Trail 20 is to be launched at the Lord Nelson, Brighton, on Sunday 26 May Ale Trail 20 from 7.30pm and will run until Monday Inn (C); PORTSLADE: Stanley Arms 30 September. Come along to collect your (C); RINGMER: Anchor Inn (C), Cock free passport, sponsored once again by Inn; RODMELL: Abergavenny Arms; Harvey & Son, Lewes. If you cannot ROTTINGDEAN: Queen Victoria; make it then passports are available at all SCAYNES HILL: Sloop Inn (C); SEA- forty participating pubs. This year’s theme FORD: Wellington Hotel; SHOREHAM- is Underground AleWay, to mark the BY-SEA: Buckingham Arms (C), Duke of 150th anniversary of the world’s first un- Wellington (C), Red Lion (C); SOUTH derground railway journey, from Padding- CHAILEY: Horns Lodge (C); UCK- ton to Farringdon on 9 January 1863. FIELD: Alma (C); WIVELSFIELD GREEN: Cock Inn (C). Prizes are a themed T-shirt and Sweatshirt or Souvenir Glass, depending on whether Participants each year are asked to score 20, 30 or 40 stamps are collected. There is the pubs out of ten. This helps the sub- also an anniversary bonus Polo Shirt to be committee decide on which pubs to retain won. Bus trips to the hard-to-reach outly- or change for the following year. Their ing pubs are on Saturdays 29 June and 27 preference is to have at least five ‘new’ July. Check the Brighton & South Downs pubs each year. After the trail is over, the branch website for more details. The par- points are totalled and each pub’s average ticipating pubs are as follows: a (C) after score calculated. In 2012, the top five the name indicates that it is also on the most popular pubs were: First - Evening Cider Rider. Star, Brighton; Second - Horns Lodge, South Chailey; Third - Gardener’s Arms, BARCOMBE: Royal Oak; BRIGHTON: Lewes; Fourth - Stanley Arms, Portslade; Basketmakers Arms, Battle of Trafalgar, Fifth - Brewers Arms, Lewes. The Most Craft Beer Co., Evening Star (C), Lord Popular Pub Certificate was presented by Nelson, Mitre Tavern (C), Prestonville Ale Trail Arms, Prince Albert (C), Pump House Coordinator, (C), Victory Inn (C); CUCKFIELD: Ship Andy Rivett Inn; FALMER: Swan Inn; FULKING: (pictured Shepherd & Dog (C); HOVE: Neptune left) to Inn, Westbourne (C); HURSTPIER- Karen and POINT: Poacher (C); ISFIELD: Laughing Matt Wick- Fish; LEWES: Brewers Arms (C), Ele- ham of the Evening Star, Brighton. phant & Castle (C), Gardener’s Arms (C), John Harvey Tavern, Lewes Arms, Lewes What will be the most popular pub on the Constitutional Club, Rights of Man, 2013 trail? Visit all forty, give your scores Snowdrop Inn (C); NEWHAVEN: Hope and have a say in the outcome!
Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 5 Contributors: Allen Bartram, Roy Bond, Les Campbell, Ian Chambers, Andrew Coleman, Roger Coton, Melita Dennett, Stuart Elms, Adrian Heft, Pat Higgins, John Jasper, Roger Johnson, Max Malkin, Phil Mellows, Keith Milborrow, Peter Mitchell, Allan Moores, Peter Page-Mitchell, Leena Paterson, Peter Spooner, Tim Walker, Philip Wildsmith and the Ed.
While the Sussex Branches of CAMRA are BOLNEY pleased to acknowledge the following news The Bolney Stage hosted a Pie & Ale Fort- items, the Scratchings section does not con- night during the second half of February stitute an exclusive list of officially recom- with two Meet the Brewer events featuring mended pubs, nor does it consist of critical WJ King’s Ian Burgess and the guys at customer reviews. News of new develop- Bedlam Brewery. A selection of locally ments and updates on the Sussex pub scene brewed ales was available on six pumps at will be gratefully received by the Editor for any one time. consideration in Scratchings. The standard disclaimer on p. 3 applies to all items. BURGESS HILL The Evening Argus has reported that J D
Wetherspoon have obtained planning per- AMBERLEY mission to open a branch in Church Walk, The lease of the Sportsman has been sold on the site of the former British Bookshops by Teresa Figg to Madame Geisha Ltd., and Currys retail premises that closed down owned by a local from Rackham. The pub last year. No date was given for the open- will be managed by Paul Williams and ing. Katie Carmichael, the former having been involved at the Fountain, Ashurst. Chris BRIGHTON Shanahan still owns the freehold. Beers on What was previously the Pub With No in early April were Baldy Superior Mild, Name, and Langham Flor-Ale and Harveys Best. prior to that, the Royal ARUNDEL Exchange, Beers from Downlands have been on at the reopened at King’s Arms. This was also the first local the end of brewery to be featured in the King’s Arms March as the Real Ale Club, a new initiative held on the Southover. last Wednesday of each month where, for Punch sold the freehold at the end of last £5 per person, four half-pint tasters, an year to new operator Indigo. Five Sussex- informal talk, plus sausages and nibbles are brewed beers plus a national micro are on offer. available at prices which even the York- BEXHILL-ON-SEA shireman standing next to me at the newly- The Alba- fitted island bar was pleased with (he told tross Club me himself to put that bit in!). This is also has put in probably the first Brighton pub to serve another hand BrewDog ales permanently on keg: pump to namely, Punk IPA and Dead Pony Club. make four The Sussex Arms is offering 10% discount beers now on real ales for card-carrying CAMRA available. members. Sharp’s Doom Bar and Fuller’s London Pride have been available along-
6 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 side two guest ales, variously Young’s Bit- and Hip Hop, plus Sharp’s Doom Bar. ter, Black Sheep Bitter, Arundel Gold and a There is good food and traditional pub rugby-themed guest ale, Stonehenge Luck snacks while Friday nights see free Tapas of the Irish. Beers from their Taylor Walker on the bar. Cider & Cask Ale Festival appeared during COLEMANS HATCH April. The Hatch Inn can be hard to find, espe- Fuller’s have now pur- cially at night, but this free house was re- chased the Grand Cen- cently presented with a commemorative tral, opposite the railway mirror by the North Sussex branch for hav- station. ESB, London ing been a GBG entry for more than ten Pride and Gale’s Sea- consecutive years. Harveys and Larkins farer are the present of- beers are regulars at the bar, although Long ferings. It will be some Man Best Bitter has been noted many times time before Fuller’s renovate the building recently, in exceptionally good condition. and add their brewery livery. COOLHAM CHICHESTER The Selsey One of the Arms has a more interest- new and ing ales from very keen the Adnams licensee, range has been Graham appearing at the Blackford, George & who is Dragon: Old happy to get involved with CAMRA. Gra- Ale was on in January and February found ham is especially interested in beers from the IPA, both in very good condition. A Lancashire and Yorkshire. guest beer is also stocked in addition to a couple of the more usual suspects, such as CRAWLEY A 10% discount on pints and halves of real Young’s Bitter. The pub is a new outlet for ale is now available for card-carrying the Sussex Drinker. CAMRA members at Frogshole Farm, in CHILGROVE the Maidenbower area of town. What was previously the Fish House has reopened after refurbishment under its CROWBOROUGH The Coopers Arms continues to offer an original name of the White Horse. There eclectic range of beers. Tucked away at the are four hand pumps on which the first back of the town, this is a pub well worth week’s offerings were Langham Hip Hop, seeking out, a visit to which could find Upham Punter, Fuller’s London Pride and something rare to the area. It is a regular the Hepworth-brewed Goodwood Ale. outlet for Black Cat brews from nearby COCKING Groombridge, while also of note during The Bluebell offers two changing guest recent visits have been ales from Cotswold ales served straight from water-cooled and Spring, Devilfish, FILO, Highland, Kent, jacketed stillage. Featured over the past Strathaven and Tonbridge, amongst others. month have been Ballard’s Best and Trot- Occasional beer festivals are also held. ton Bitter, Hogs Back TEA, Langham LSD
Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 7 Sussex Pub Scratchings — continued
CROWHURST breweries, Old Dairy (Rolvenden) and Hop The Plough, a free house, has reopened Fuzz (Hythe), all in very good form. It is a after being closed for a number of weeks. family-run free house with excellent food Previous landlord John Saunders has re- and B&B. turned to run the pub. Harveys Old Ale and FAYGATE Full Moon beers have been on in good con- Negotiations are under way for a private dition. It is very important that this pub buyer to purchase the Frog & Nightgown. continues to serve the village and we wish No details are yet confirmed in these early John every success. stages but it is likely that local ales will be DANEHILL represented and probably one Kissingate The Coach & Horses is a gem of a pub, beer permanently available. tucked away off the A275. The Harveys FITTLEWORTH Best is always well-kept and a second, The lease of guest beer is also offered, whilst by now the famous Black Pig Cider should be available on the Swan, a third hand pump. Last summer, Black Pig 14th-century Perry was also available, so it may appear former again. coaching EARTHAM inn, has A new landlord has been in place at the been pur- George Inn since last June and is now ne- chased from Enterprise Inns by Charlie gotiating for the purchase of the freehold. Wyman and his father Anthony, a former He has a policy of buying only British publican at the Red Lion, Pulborough and products. A recent visit found a good range the Anchor, Storrington. Currently avail- of beers from independent breweries, in- able are Harveys Best, Fuller’s London cluding a mild; all were well kept. A beer Pride and Sharp’s Doom Bar. Charlie is festival is planned. This is a contender for also planning to have a pin of a local ale ‘Most Improved Pub of the Year.’ stillaged on the bar counter. EAST WITTERING FRIDAY STREET (RUSPER) A pub that just gets better and better is the The Royal Shore Inn. A February visit found three Oak contin- LocAles from Dark Star, namely Hophead, ues to offer Porter and American Pale Ale, of superb an interest- quality. These are often complimented by ing range of beers from Palmers of Dorset, unusual if beers, from not unique for this area. There is good far and food, too, with “Locals Night” offers on wide. Sara Thursdays. and Clive regularly have ales from Surrey Hills and Dark Star. Other Sussex brewers EWHURST GREEN to have featured over the past few months In this quiet hamlet near Bodiam, the include 1648, Arundel, Bedlam, White Dog Inn has three hand pumped Downlands and Langham. From further beers. A recent visit found Harveys Best afield have been ales from Andwell, Bays, and offerings from nearby Kent micro Bowman, Cotleigh, Fat Cat, Green Jack,
8 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 Sussex Pub Scratchings — continued Kent, Otter, Purple Moose, RCH, Reedley are ten real Hallows, and Worsthorne. Add to these the ciders and number of ciders and perries on offer, so perries dis- any visit to this friendly pub will be an en- pensed joyable experience. Check the website to straight from see what activities are taking place. the barrel/ box. Good HASTINGS pub food The Dolphin is de- available here as well - two burgers for the lighted with the price of one on a Wednesday. award of South East Sussex POTY for An April visit to the George Payne 2013. Mark, the land- (formerly lord, said it reflected the Kendal on all who work there Arms), near and the many drink- Aldrington ers who visit. station, found four The Jenny Lind continues to increase beer ales on in choice since it became a free house. It will good condi- be featuring a guest local beer besides the tion: Harveys Best, Timothy Taylor Land- two from Hastings Brewery. lord, Hop Back Summer Lightning and Good food is available all day at the White Baseline Triple SSS. Also on hand pump is Rock Hotel and the ever-changing four Westons Old Rosie Cloudy Cider. The pub beers available make this a must for fans of is popular with the locals, family-friendly, our ever-expanding list of Sussex brewer- and does good, affordable food. ies. KINGSTON (LEWES) HORSHAM Wyevale Garden Centre is selling a range Lyndsey at the Tanners Arms has taken of bottle-conditioned beers. over the expired lease and the pub is no longer Hall & Woodhouse but a genuine MIDHURST free house. We understand that Lyndsey The Harveys house, the Swan, now has a intends to concentrate mostly on local ales. third hand pump. We understand that one pump will permanently be for Best Bitter, Hall & Woodhouse have a long-term objec- another pump for either Old Ale or Olym- tive to demolish the Queens Head because pia (depending on the time of the year) and they consider the premises to be too large. the third pump will be for the monthly sea- They aim to redevelop the site to include a sonal beer (Kiss, on our late-February smaller pub. No plans have yet been sub- visit). mitted. PETWORTH HOVE The Stonemasons is a fine, old timber- A recent visit to the Westbourne (formerly framed pub whose lease has been bought Aldrington), on Portland Road, found three from Enterprise by Ian Fricker, Having Sussex-brewed ales on sale alongside one been closed for much needed refurbishment from Kent brewery, all at £2.99 a pint and and upgrading of the bars and letting well-kept. Also stocked in this free house rooms, it was due to reopen by the end of
Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 9 Sussex Pub Scratchings — continued
March. Ini- STOPHAM BRIDGE tially the Changing two ales will hands re- be Harveys cently has Best and been the at- Sharp’s tractive old Doom Bar riverside pub, but Ian is the White hopeful of being able to source local ales, Hart, where such as Langham, through the SIBA Direct locals Chris Sinfield and his wife Sharon Delivery Scheme. have recently purchased the Enterprise POLEGATE lease. Currently available are two beers The Harveys tied house, the Dinkum, has from the new tenants pubco list and the beer plus a Lo- is now of a cAle. A Lo- high stan- cAle and Mu- dard. Best sic Festival is Bitter and planned for Old Ale, Saturday 20 plus the July. March seasonal beer, 1859 Porter, were on STORRINGTON when visited. Award-winning licensee, Angus Charlton, SALEHURST formerly of the Snooty Fox, Findon, can The Halt continues to develop their menu now be found at the Anchor Inn, dispens- with the Onglet steak very popular. The ing Harveys Best Bitter, Sharp’s Doom Bar beer choice remains excellent and the qual- and Fuller’s London Pride, all in good con- ity is superb. Real Cider is also available. dition. STAPLEFIELD STOUGHTON The Jolly Tanners has been voted the Now on permanently at the Hare & CAMRA Hounds is Flack Manor Double Drop. This North Sus- replaces Ballard’s Best, which is no longer sex POTY stocked. Timothy Taylor Landlord is now for 2013, only available during the summer. much to ST LEONARDS-ON-SEA the delight The North Star, of landlord, along with many Chris Bra- other Enterprise Inns zier. There is always a good selection of is finding the SIBA ales offered; Downlands and Turners brew- Direct Delivery eries were noted recently. Ciders and per- Scheme very expen- ries are also available. Check out the web- sive so it was very site for details of events, such as beer festi- pleasing to see beers from Rother Valley vals at this excellent pub. recently available.
10 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 Sussex Pub Scratchings — continued The Tower continues to attract real ale properties.” The local branch has written to lovers with four ever-changing beers, the planning authorities in support of this which can be low or high gravity, dark or application. light and with several often from Dark Star. WORTHING The excellent price and quality remains. Long Man beers are becoming increasingly At the Horse & Groom, Red Spider Rye available in the area. A pint of their Best was available Bitter was sampled in February at the from a new lo- Charles Dickens. cal brewery, Pig Bar Release, Chapel Road, is now serving and Porter, Brains SA. presently brew- ing on the By the library, the Wheatsheaf has been Downlands refurbished and four well kept ales are plant. available. Refurbishment TURNERS HILL The Red Lion (Harveys) has five well-kept over the past ales available, nearly always including a couple of years dark one, normally Mild. Occasional beer has improved the Egremont festivals are held in the outbuilding. Hotel, close to WEST DEAN the famous What was previous the Selsey Arms is to bowling greens. reopen in mid-late April as the Dean Ale & Beer quality has also improved with up to Cider House. The following was adapted three ales on offer, the collection of pump from their website. Of the six hand pumps, clips showing that you could find an inter- five are devoted to an ever-changing array esting one or two available. Live music is a of ales of different styles, from balanced regular event at this friendly pub. best bitters, through hoppy pale to dark At the Old House at Home, Broadwater, beers such as stouts and porters. Craft ci- excellent Ballard’s Best and Nyewood ders are also a fixture, both on hand pump Gold, plus Arundel Gold and other well- and by the bottle. There is also a wide vari- priced local ales have been sampled. ety of bottled beers, from new wave North American craft beers to well-established Encouraging reports of good quality Har- Belgian Abbey style beers and everything veys Best in between. and Wychwood WESTHAMPNETT Hobgoblin at A planning application has been submitted the Coach & by Iceni Projects Ltd “for the development Horses, at of a community extension incorporating a Clapham on village pub at Westhampnett, near Chiches- the A27 west ter. The village does not currently have a of Worthing. This former GBG pub is now trading pub and so the provision of a public run by former Worthing RFC player Nick house/restaurant forms part of a wider pro- Grantham-Hill and his wife Beryl who is posal that includes a village green, a village the chef and features on her menus South hall and around one hundred residential African specialities.
Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 11 Bus to the Pub
Join the Sussex Bus to the Pub Group on our travels For further information to join our mailing list Email [email protected] or 07817 058928
Having visited well in excess of 100 great pubs on our travels last year throughout May Sussex, including many old favourites and a Monday 13th to South Chailey & Bar- good few new delights - and enjoyed some combe; 10.55 B&H 29 from Churchill Sq. excellent ales along the way - we hope that B’ton to Lewes Prison for 11.32 Compass our programme for 2013 will continue to 121 to Horns Lodge (GBG) then foot- please. So, if you too would enjoy visiting different pubs with fine ales in friendly path walk (approx. 2.5m) to Royal Oak convivial company without the constraints (GBG). of the car, then ‘Bus to the Pub’ (BttP) may Wednesday 22nd will visit the Pub of the just appeal! Year of one of our local branches; details Often there is a short paved or metalled from Stuart in due course. road walk from the nearest bus stop to the Thursday 30th to Ditchling & Keymer; pub. If it is more than an half mile then we 10.35 B&H 28 from Churchill Sq. to Lewes will show an approximate distance and if it is Prison for 11.20 Compass 824 to Bull Inn & across footpaths which could be muddy or White Horse then bus or walk back to Grey- uneven, then you will also see a walking hound. boot symbol. Some of you reading this may also be inter- June ested in Pete Brown’s bi-monthly Trains to London Pubs (TTLP) group (see the Diary Friday 7th walk around rural Dragons Dates). Green, Shipley & Coolham; 10.27 Metrobus With so many good pubs struggling to sur- 23 from W’tg Pier to Copsale turning for vive in the current economic climate and onwards walk (approx. 4.5m) to George & County Council budget cuts threatening the Dragon, Countryman (GBG) & Selsey Arms. subsidised bus services that serve many Return by bus. rural communities, it is now very much ‘use Sunday 9th to Lewes Bus Rally; visiting them or lose them time’. some Brighton & South Downs Ale Trail (A/ Local Bus timetables can be found at: T) pubs by preserved bus. Meet Churchill Brighton & Hove www.buses.co.uk Sq. for 10.35 B&H 28 to Lewes Bus Stn. Compass Bus www.compass-travel.co.uk Monday 17th a Late Afternoon Ale Trail; Emsworth www.emsworthanddistrict.co.uk meet Churchill Sq. for 16.25 B&H 28 to An- Stagecoach www.stagecoachbus.com/south chor, Ringmer then Laughing Fish, Isfield; Sussex Bus www.thesussexbus.com Cock, Ringmer & Alma, Uckfield (all GBG).
12 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 Bus to the Pub Thursday 27th to Danehill & Colemans Wednesday 24th to East Hoathly & Uck- Hatch; 10.23 Metrobus 270 from Brighton field; 10.45 B&H 29 to Uckfield for Stage- Old Steine (stop D) to Coach & Horses then coach 54 to Foresters & Kings Head (GBG) onto Hatch Inn via Forest Row (both GBG). and back to Alma (GBG & A/T). Monday 29th to Elsted; 09.33 train from July Brighton (09.57 from W’tg) to Chichester for 10.50 Emsworth & Dist. 54 to South Monday 1st to the Royal Oak, Friday Street, Harting then road & footpath walk Rusper; either 10.00 Stagecoach 17 from (approx. 2m) to Three Horseshoes (GBG Churchill Sq. or 10.27 Metrobus 23 from with one of the best gardens & views); re- W’tg Pier, to meet Horsham Bus Stn. For turn as outward via Harting, either to Chi. 11.49 Metrobus 93 to Kingsfold and then or for bus to White Horse (GBG) Rogate or footpath walk with some stiles (approx. walk to Trotton for bus to Midhurst & Swan 2m) to this rural oasis! A poss. option is to (GBG). return via Sussex Oak, Warnham (GBG). Friday 5th Evening B’ton Ale Houses (A/T); August meet 5pm Evening Star or 6pm Craft Bar, then Neptune etc. Friday 9th to Duncton, Graffham & poss. Selham; 11.03 train from B’ton (11.25 from Saturday 13th Ale Trail & Bluebell Railway; W’tg) to Chichester for 12.15 Compass 99 to meet Churchill sq. for 10.35 Sussex Bus 40 Cricketers, Duncton then easy footpath to Hay Heath (adj. Stn.) for Sussex Bus 31 to walk to Foresters (GBG), White Horse and Scaynes Hill then easy walk to Sloop (Ale poss. Three Moles. Trail) and onwards to the Bessemer Arms, Sheffield Park Stn. (approx. 3.5m), for a trip Friday 16th Cuckmere Valley Walk; meet up to East Grinstead (via Hortsted Keynes). Churchill Sq. for 11.10 B&H 12 to Seaford Either return to Horsted Keynes for 16.51 then 12.20 CV bus to Alfriston for walk Metrobus 270 to B’ton or Sheffield Park for to Sussex Ox, Milton Street then back to 16.40 Compass 121 to Lewes, or from EG to Plough & Harrow, Litlington (both GBG) Crawley & B’ton. We strongly suggest that, (approx. 5m). to enable you to plan your own personal Monday 19th to Compton & Stoughton; itinerary, you visit www.bluebell- 12.03 train from B’ton (12.25 from W’tg) to railway.com, where details of (advance) Chi for 13.05 Ems & Dist 54 to Coach & ticket options can be found. Horses then back to Walderton for easy Wednesday 17th to Salehurst & St. Leo- country lane walk (approx. 1.5m each way) nards; meet B’ton Stn. for 10.32 train to St. to Hare & Hounds (both GBG). Leonards Warrior Square then 11.46 Stage- Thursday 22nd Evening B’ton Ale Houses coach 305 or train to Robertsbridge for (A/T); meet North Street (Stop B) for 17.00 short walk to Halt (GBG) then return to B&H 22 to Reservoir then Mitre (GBG), Tower. Prince Albert & Lord Nelson (GBG). Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 13 Training In London
ou may know what BttP stands for but if you do not, it is Bus to Training In Y the Pub. What, however, is TTLP? This is the baby of Pete Brown of London Barnham (not the famous beer writer but Kitchen, 3-5 Kew Green, TW9. I tasted maybe the famous beer drinker). It is Train their 2.8% Lifeboat Volunteer but then to London Pubs and it is mainly for Sussex went for the 3.5% Humulus Lupulus (Latin residents who feel the need to visit the for hops or something?). One of their gim- capital now and again and pay through the micks is “Breakfast with our Brewer – a nose for expensive beer, just to get the ex- full English breakfast awaits you after you perience. Do not mock – I quite enjoy it have witnessed how we make our very own actually and went on the Friday 23 Novem- ale”. We then were given a quick look into ber trip. the brewery, in the kitchen, a small wood- On arriving at the White Horse, 1-3 Par- clad kit. Brighton could copy this sons Green, ‘breakfast’ idea. [Ed. - Hand in Hand and SW6, the ques- the North Laine please note.] tion was: why go Moving on we went to the bus stop and anywhere else? rode to the This was their Lamb Brew- umpteenth Old ery, 9 Barley Ales Festival Mow Passage, with a superb Chiswick, W4, range of dark where the pub beers, porters, of this name and tasty keg (previously called the Barley Mow) has (sorry, craft) beers from the USA, as well given over part of the seating area to a as my first pint of Hastings Porter. Excel- genuine micro-brewery, named after a pre- lent but please note, minimum price £4 vious, long-closed Chiswick brewery. In- pint, with £4.20 the more common price up gredients and brewery trappings are every- to my last beer at £4 for a half of blueberry where, including rather gaudy pink and USA beer. Strong BrewDog beers were green plastic casks. An invitation to try five going for even more. No amber or prissy of their beers for £6 was not taken up by gold beers here, it’s all dark at the Old Ale our 10-strong group. I asked for Lamb event! Dark Ale (no ABV given), and had a pleas- Back to Par- ant amber bitter. The atmosphere was good sons Green and the copper-clad mini-brewery in the station and corner was - maybe - the future of pub to the Bota- brewing. Whilst we were there (4.30pm nist Brew- Friday) the brewer was actually working, ery & yes, around the pub doing things.
14 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 Training In London Then by bus and Round the corner at Tapping the Admiral overground to was a good choice of cask ales, including Camden Town two from Dark Star, and frankly, this con- Brewery, Wilkin cludes my account. A pint of Adnams Street Mews, Ghost Ship, as recommended in a phone NW5, effectively conversation with Mark Dorber* in Wal- underneath Kentish Town West station, in berswick earlier that day, finished me off! the railway arches. Quite a decent-size Goodbye and Good Luck. brewery but all products are keg/craft. Pete’s next trips are TTLP11, Friday 24 Tasty though. The bar area is small and May to Brixton, Herne Hill & S E London; only open at weekends – a real brewery TTLP12, Saturday 6 July, London Fields tap. At £4 a pint there was wheat, hoppy Brewery Taphouse, Hackney, otherwise pale, dark, the usual range and all very TBA. Pete’s contact details are on this is- good. Line-measure glasses were used to sue’s diary dates page. cope with the head. And two food stalls were outside, one in a Citroen van selling Adrian Towler American fish dogs! I’ve always thought Brighton & South Downs Branch Shoreham-by-Sea railway arches could *Mark was the celebrated cellarman at the house a brewery but a second-hand car White Horse, Parsons Green and has left dealer seems to have taken the lease and behind a great legacy. All photo credits they remain derelict. Visit Camden Town Ewen Munro except for the Lamb Brewery and see what can be done! by John Law.
he CAMRA in Sussex Bus to the Bus to the Pub, Pub Group have for the past three Pub of the Year Presentations T years run a Pub of the Year com- petition in which people vote for the best second and third from the left with some pubs they have visited and enjoyed on of their regulars and the winner’s certifi- ‘BttP’ trips during the preceding year. In cate. the spring issue we published a list of the Congratulations also 2012 ‘top ten’ pubs in order of voting to Trevor Brown of popularity. Certificates have since been the Wilkes Head, presented to both the winner and runner- Eastergate, pictured up. (left) with his runner Congratulations -up certificate and in to Bill and Vicky the company of Parke of the Ship ‘BttP’ co-organiser Inn, Whitemans Mike Jacomb. Green, Cuckfield, who are pictured
Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 15 Bru News
could reach a much wider market. The website is to be revamped with online sales a long-term objective, while the company now has a presence on social media sites such as Twitter, Face- book and Linkedin. On the beer side, Tryline was a one Information here is mostly -off special brewed for the supplied by the Brewery Six Nations rugby, while Liaison Officers named at Doctor’s Orders, com- the end of each report. The memorating Dr. Beeching’s Brewery Liaison Coordinator infamous railway closures, for London & South East will appear in June to cheer Area is Peter Page-Mitchell. up railway ramblers. Jeff Vinter 1648 The Kings Head, East BALDY Hoathly, 01825 840830. Parham House, Storrington, www.1648brewing.co.uk automating the bottling proc- 07718 641195. Brewery sales were again up ess and having more new www.thebaldybrewery.co.uk just over 20% the year end- brews, such as Steyning The brewer is currently de- ing in March. The Old Forge Special, well received at veloping new brews using building opposite is up and 5.5%. his own in-house smoked running as a new cold- BLO TBC malt and barley. The first will conditioning room. Sales of be a limited edition brew of Laughing Frog have been ANCHOR SPRINGS Smoking Barrel Whisky Por- overwhelming, while the Littlehampton, 01903 ter - Smoked Out (5.0%). award-winning Royal Bri- 719086. There will soon be available tannia is back. A new offer- Brewer Frank McCabe is a selection of bottled ales in ing for the summer is Sa- moving on to become brewer various outlets, both brewery cred Solstice – cask at at Goldmark Craft Beers but and bottle-conditioned. 4.3%, bottled version at there are no plans to change Ray Pilkington 4.7% - so get dancing naked the beer range. We welcome round the camp fire! But first new brewer Darryn Hynard BALLARD’S check out the new web site who is being trained by Nyewood, 01730 821362. for the brewery. Frank to replicate the current www.ballardsbrewery.org.uk David Platt recipes. Brighton’s Indigo Leisure has The Quaffer followed their normal policy ADUR of rotating breweries and will Steyning, 01903 867614. ARUNDEL give someone else a try but, www.adurbrewery.com Ford, nr Arundel, 01903 hopefully, they will have Adur has completed its first 733111. introduced Ballard’s to some full brewing year as a co- www.arundelbrewery.co.uk new drinkers. The brewery’s operative, achieving twenty Following a retirement, the beers should still be readily brews and re-establishing management team has available in the Brighton the brand with several regu- changed, bringing in extra area as another large chain lar outlets, mainly in the investment and skills, includ- has agreed to take them on. Brighton and Shoreham ing marketing. The new team A very successful Meet the area. The new website is up intends to maintain the cur- Brewer evening was held at and running as above. Fu- rent range of well-balanced the King’s Arms, Arundel. ture plans include looking at beers, which it believes The seasonal Trotton Bitter
16 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 Bru News (3.6%) is available until late BEDLAM BRIGHTON BIER CO April, while a joint venture Albourne, 07955 684041. The Hand in Hand, Brighton, between Ballard’s and www.bedlambrewery.co.uk 01273 699595. Fuller’s for the recently re- Best Bitter and Hoppy Following their successful opened and extended Links Golden Ale are now avail- debut at the Sussex Tavern, Liphook, has pro- able in new bottles from Branches Beer & Cider Fes- duced Links Tavern Ale. South Downs Cellars in both tival, Brighton Bier is now Barry Woodward Hurstpierpoint and Lindfield distributing limited quantities outlets. A Meet the Brewery of beer to trade in Brighton BASELINE Team event was held at the and beyond. Maple Porter Small Dole, 01903 879111. first of these shops on 30 and a new Red Rye Ale will www.baselinebrewing.co.uk March. initially be released, with the Triple SSS Sussex Sub- Peter Mitchell first in the pale ale series 50 woofer Stout (5.0%) has Ways (...to Leave Your La- just been released. It fea- BLACK CAT ger) coming soon after. A tures the “made with British Groombridge, 07948 one-off Double Chocolate hops” logo and uses the 387718. and Vanilla Porter was Admiral hop. So far very well After attending the CAMRA showcased at the Bitter and received, this looks like be- Mass Lobby of Parliament, Twisted event at Hotel du coming another regular. This brewer Marcus Howes con- Vin, Brighton, on 29 March. stout plus Dark Matter tinued to exchange corre- For trade enquiries please (5.5%) and Halcyon Hop spondence with his MP, contact WithSoul Ltd; for Haze (single hop American- Charles Hendry, about the festivals and special events style pale ale, 4.0%) are the Beer Duty Escalator. Marcus please contact the brewery three main beers. Cask & then invited Mr. Hendry to directly. Craft Beer have now taken the brewery. The visit took Jim Hawkins over distribution of Baseline place on 22 February with beers in both Brighton and Mr. Hendry’s secretary, the DARK STAR Worthing: telephone them on BLO, and a local newspaper Partridge Green, 01403 07525 438486. reporter and photographer 713085. Peter Mitchell also present. A very conviv- www.darkstarbrewing.co.uk ial meeting was held over a The team needs reminding BEACHY HEAD drop of Original (4.2%) to every day that their business East Dean, 01323 733603. warm against the freezing is a hobby that span out of www.beachyhead.org.uk cold weather. Mr. Hendry control. After many years of Sales remain steady despite and his secretary seemed avoiding job titles, thinking difficult trading conditions. sympathetic to the campaign them far too business-like, Due to the increasing num- to remove the beer duty Paul, officially the MD, has ber of micro breweries and escalator. The MP was able accepted the nickname the uncertain economic cli- to see for himself how a “Headmaster” (after it was mate, plans to increase ca- small brewery operates and surreptitiously emblazoned pacity at the brewery have hear about the potentially on his office window). It been put on hold. A new devastating effect of pub could, of course, be pure beer will be brewed at the closures on the industry. Mr. sarcasm but Paul prefers to end of February for release Hendry wrote to the Chan- think that the epithet is an in April. Roger has decided cellor in support of Marcus’s insight into what is involved to dip his toe into the light- lobbying and received a in trying to steer the flow of coloured, low-alcohol golden response from the Treasury. creative youngsters who ale market. This ale, as yet The meeting resulted in a full want to join the brewing unnamed, will be available page article with photos in team. Brewers from Dark initially only at the Tiger Inn, the Kent & Sussex Courier. Star have gone on to hold East Dean. David Moore senior positions with other Tony Harman small brewers, no doubt
Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 17 Bru News - continued taking their beer-making FILO particularly strong sales of obsession with them. The Hastings, 01424 425079. Red Pacific (4.8%) and latest brewing team headed www.filobrewing.co.uk Celestial Blonde (4.2%). A up by Andy and Finlay, not FILO beers are now finding third fermentation vessel is long out of their Herriot Watt their way into more local now in place, which provides brewing degree, were pubs and have recently been the capacity to comfortably tempted away from BrewDog served as far afield as brew six times over three to be indoctrinated into the Lewes, Brighton and even weeks. By the time you read Dark Star way. Watch out for Surrey. The beers have this the new conditioning this year’s Hylder Blonde, proved as popular as ever in tank and bottling line should brewed ready for July. The a number of recent festivals also be operational. After a 2011 crop of elderflowers including the first Bexhill Ale recent rebranding, the new was poor due to the drought & Arty in March. Following logos and pump clips can be whereas the 2012 was back their success last year, and found on the above website to its fruity best, so what will with the warmer weather address. 2013 quality be like? It is as approaching, we hope to see Peter Harrison good a reason as any to take a few special brews to mark climate change seriously. various local events over the GOLDMARK Stuart Elms coming months. Goldmark Craft Beers, Unit Bill Turner 23, The Vinery, Poling, Nr. DOWNLANDS Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 Small Dole, 01273 495596. FRANKLIN’S 9PY, 07900 555415. www.downlandsbrewery.com Bexhill, 01424 731066. Mark Lehmann’s brewery The strong growth at the www.franklinsbrewery.co.uk made a quantum leap at the brewery continues with sales Steve and George played an end of March, from his ga- up 600% on the year and active part in putting on the rage to a new unit at the brewery rep Phil Ayling set- Ale & Arty Beer Festival in above address close to ting new personal sales re- March at the De La Warr Hammerpot Brewery’s prem- cords on a regular basis. To Pavilion, Bexhill. The festival ises. An 11bbl plant acquired accommodate this growth was a huge success, all the from Conwy Brewery has the brewery has undergone Franklins beers sold out and been installed and upgraded. the first phase of an expan- the brewery is happy to re- Frank McCabe, who has sion plan and capacity is port record sales going into previously brewed for both now 35bbl a week. The April. Two new fermenting Arundel and Anchor Springs, spring seasonal ale, Whap- vessels have been installed, has joined Goldmark. Unfor- ple Way (4.4%), is now out allowing an extra 30% brew- tunately, Frank broke a leg in in the pubs and selling very ing capacity. The beers can a motorbike accident at well. The summer seasonal now be found in parts of Easter so it may be some ale is due out in June and is Essex, courtesy of the Grays time before he is seen hop- provisionally named DFL; it pubs chain. A new mild is to ping round the Mash Tun. will be a light, hoppy ale of be introduced to the range, Liquid Gold, a tasty 4.0% 4.2% for which the hops aiming to hit the pubs in summer ale has already have already been sourced. early May. It is intended to been favourably received at Residents in Fulking village have the full range of beers local festivals and should hit are meanwhile eagerly bottled within the following the pubs in May, together searching their gardens for months. with the 4.0% Best Bitter. bines to produce the hops Mac McCutcheon More beers are to follow for this year’s Green Hop later in the year and Mark beer. FULL MOON plans to start bottling in the Roger Coton Catsfield, 07832 220745. summer. www.fullmoonbrewery.co.uk Jerry Marchant The brewery is going from strength to strength with
18 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 Bru News - continued GRIBBLE have been brewed. Currently following events during the The Gribble Inn, Oving, nr being developed is a blond spring and summer: 4-5 Chichester, 01243 786893. beer which it is hoped will be May, Foodies Event, Hove www.gribbleinn.co.uk ready for the summer. Had- Lawns; 11 May, Horsham CHI.P.A. (3.6%) is being low IPA has been rebranded Day of Dance; 12 May, Cow brewed again for the sum- simply as IPA with a new Pie Farm Show, Betchworth, mer. Wobbler (7.2%) may pump clip design. Harveys Surrey; 6-8 June, South of now remain throughout the have a new bar trailer for England Show, Ardingly; 30 year as it has become an outside events, which has June and 13-14 July, Hor- innovative ingredient in the replaced the old Leyland sham Garden Festival and pub shop’s artisan bread. Atlantean bus. It may make Music Evenings. Chris Wright an appearance at the Great John Keller British Beer Festival but this HAMMERPOT is still subject to negotiation. HIGH WEALD Poling, nr Arundel, 01903 Jack Wilkinson Unit 8, Bulrushes Farm Busi- 883338. ness Park, Coombe Hill www.hammerpot-brewery.co.uk HASTINGS Road, East Grinstead, West Hammerpot was pleased to St Leonards-on-Sea, 01424 Sussex, RH19 4LZ, 07836 be one of the breweries sup- 205437. 291430. porting the Worthing Jambo- www.hastingsbrewery.co.uk [email protected] ree charitable event on Good A fourth fermenter has in- Andy Somerville, a home- Friday. Brighton Belle was creasing brewing capacity to brewer of many years, has one of the beers available 20bbl per week (equivalent decided to take the plunge and this pale amber sea- to 80 firkins or 5700 pints). commercially with an initial sonal special will now be National sales have been range of four cask and bottle available throughout the achieved through wholesaler -condition ales: High Weald summer. Lee is working on a Flying Firkin, with the beers Best (3.8%), Greenstede new summer ale constructed appearing on bars as far Gold (4.0%), Wealden Pale around Australian hop varie- afield as Edinburgh, Dur- Ale (4.1%) and Charcoal ties. The brewery has ac- ham, Manchester and Shef- Burner Oatmeal Stout quired two new fermenters field. An investment in new (4.3%). These are beginning that should help to improve bottling equipment and ma- to appear in local free the consistency of the prod- terials means that online houses and off-licences, uct. bottle and minicask sales while the latter three show- Tim Walker should begin by the time you cased at the Egham United read this. Services Club festival over HARVEYS Peter Page-Mitchell the Easter weekend. Andy is Lewes, 01273 480209. in the process of moving and www.harveys.org.uk HEPWORTH expanding but, by the time The brewery shop in Mid- Horsham, 01403 269696. you read this, his beers hurst closed permanently on www.thebeerstation.co.uk should be becoming more Easter Saturday. Enquiries Andy Hepworth expressed widely available as brewing regarding deliveries in the himself pleased that the capacity grows. area should, for the time Beer Duty Escalator has Jonathan Samways being, be made to Lewes. been abolished. Andy felt The two 4.5% beers, Bull’s that CAMRA had made a HURST Head Bitter and Surrey real difference on behalf of Hurstpierpoint, 07866 Hop Garland Ale, brewed consumers. Dark Star is 438953. for the Bull’s Head, Boreham providing cask ale to the www.hurstbrewery.co.uk Street and the Garland, Brighton Dome and Hep- Founders Best Bitter made Redhill, respectively, have worth is providing lager, its debut (on the Sussex Bar) both been well received and stout and bottled beers. Hep- at this year’s Sussex second batches of each worth will be engaging in the Branches Beer & Cider Fes-
Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 19 Bru News - continued
tival. It will be joined in the Mike Head LAINE spring season at the White The North Laine, Brighton, Horse, Hurstpierpoint, and at KISSINGATE 01273 683666. other local pubs (and hope- Lower Beeding, 07909 www.drinkinbrighton.co.uk/ fully at summer beer festi- 975664. north-laine vals), by Hurst 700 Summer www.kissingate.co.uk The as-yet-unnamed 4.0% Ale, a light-coloured 3.9% Toffee Cog is new to the amber ale that concluded the hoppy bitter. core list after positive feed- report in the previous issue Steve Floor back received from the Sus- has since been available as sex Branches Beer & Cider the Six Nations rugby- ISFIELD Festival. Special beer Stout themed Hooker. Also new Framfield, 01825 750633 / Extreme ‘Jamaica’ was on the pumps during this 07803 716758. brewed in collaboration with period is Black Rock, a [email protected]. Rowan Barrett from Lon- 4.5% oatmeal stout. This Flapjack Oatmeal Stout don’s 2012 POTY, the Hope, and the 5.0% IPA are per- has been selling well as a Carshalton. Rowan and his manent beers. The first beer winter seasonal. Straw team spent the day at the to be brewed, a 4.6% porter, Blond continues to be the brewery and helped create a has been revived at a higher best seller, although Isfield beer which has since been a gravity as the 5.3% Slaugh- Bitter (3.7%) is proving big success. Also new is ter. A 5.0% red ale is to be popular. Plans are afoot for a Buffalo Black IPA, which is launched during the Brighton spring seasonal. now available in the Indigo Fringe Festival, followed by Peter Adams group of pubs in Brighton a 3.5% pale and hoppy sum- and Hove. More about this mer ale. The 4.0% Laine’s KEMPTOWN beer and its launch on p. 33. The Hand in Hand, Brighton, Best is not brewed at the The brewery is hosting its pub but at WJ King. It is a 01273 699595. annual SpringFest event on www.kemptownbrewery.com rebadged Brighton Best and Saturday 25 May. Fourteen available at all Drink In Gold, Red and Black are beers will be on stillage and available exclusively, on Brighton pubs. there will be some top quality Ruth Anderson rotation, at the Hand in Hand cider, too. There is no brewpub alongside ever charge for entry, all are wel- LANGHAM changing guest ales includ- come! Lodsworth, Petworth, 01798 ing Brighton Bier Co. New Roy Bray 860861. craft bottles from USA, Bel- www.langhambrewery.co.uk gium and beyond are also on KITCHEN GARDEN Busy times up at Lodsworth sale. Sheffield Park, 01825 790775. following the first beer de- Jim Hawkins www.kitchengardenbrewery.co.uk The brewery is continuing signed on the new test brew KING with the regular and sea- plant on 21 March. The new Horsham, 01403 272102. sonal range of beers and beer, Black Swallow, a www.kingbeer.co.uk attending local farmers mar- Black IPA at 6.0 %, has The Market Porter Ale Trail kets, of which Hastings fea- been brewed twice now on a in Brighton during March has tures from the end of March full brew size of 10bbl. Plans proved successful, and gen- onwards. A new outlet is 21 are now afoot for the next eral trading remains good. Wines, Prince Albert Street, beer design. Award-winning No new beers to report this Brighton. Also visit the brew- spring ale, Flor-Ale, blond time around, just the return ery shop at Sheffield Park for and hoppy at 3.8% with a of some familiar friends, the full range. The brewery is citrus zesty flavour, will be such as Sussex Downs Ale clearly signposted at the brewed till May. Following from May to July, Cascade entrance to the park. the success of the first Pop- and Wheat Mash in May, Jason Phillips Up Gig in February, the then Gold and Summer Ale brewery are planning an- from June onwards. other gig for Saturday 18
20 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 Bru News - continued
May, with a line up of top Amongst the brews featured attend some the big festivals local bands, a beat poet and in the early part of the year and fairs in Sussex, supply- comedian or more, plus ex- was Spring Ale - a light- ing full bar services and pro- cellent cheap bar and BBQ! coloured bitter similar to viding exclusive beers to Peter Luff Light Relief but with an ABV certain events. If you require of 5.0%. Following this was a help with your own festival, LONG MAN 4.5% Golden Ale for Easter. or are in need of a bar, do Litlington, 07976 777992. The brewery’s entry in the not hesitate to contact the www.longmanbrewery.com GBG has been amended to brewery direct. Old Man has proved so reflect that the majority of Jason Phillips popular that production con- production is now taking tinued well into spring. Best place on the Harveys micro WELTON’S Bitter (4.0%), American brewery. Horsham, 01403 242901. Pale Ale (4.8%) and Long Paul Free www.weltonsbeer.co.uk Blonde (4.1%) are all avail- CAMRA may have success- able in bottles. All the beers ROTHER VALLEY fully defeated the Beer Duty are now available regularly Northiam, 01797 252922. Escalator but Welton’s are in London and the surround- Steve and Colin would like to now brewing a beer that ing counties. A fifth (and for announce a new member of needs no duty at all! This will now, final) fermenting vessel the team: Will Jordan, who be a light beer with citrus has now been installed in the has worked for many years notes at just 1.2% ABV. brewery to keep up with at Tring brewery, has joined Look out also for Blackcur- demand. as assistant brewer and rant Mild (5.0%), Broad- Scott O’Rourke transport manager. Sales wood (4.0%), Topper Mild remain steady and Well (4.0%), Magog (4.1%), Sun PIN UP Sprung is the next seasonal Oak Clogg (4.6%), Buck- Stone Cross, Crowborough, beer in the pipeline which land Shagg (4.7%) and 01892 611411. will be available April/May. Chanctonbury Ring (5.2%). www.pinupbeers.com Dawn Lincoln Persian Princess, the 6.0% Having brewed in Crowbor- coffee stout is now available ough for a little over a year, TURNERS in bottles, as is Golden Pin Up is now looking to Ringmer, 08456 892689. Chili. US Congress will be expand to larger kit. Great www.turnersbrewery.com brewed for the Fourth of July success has been achieved [email protected] as a 5.0% light-golden ale in Brighton and London pubs Welcome to Nina Boucher with three hops, while Waltz- and by sending to wholesal- and Hannah Simpson- ing Matilda will be out in ers nationwide throughout Banks, new to the sales time for both the Ashes and the year. Five ales are on department. Nina is working the Lions tour of Australia. the market: Natural Blonde, in the West Sussex area and Check out the Tanners Arms Honey Brown, Red Head, can be contacted on 07710 and the Anchor, Horsham, Milk Stout and Pale Ale. 581042; Hannah is in the the George & Dragon, Drag- The latter two beers will be Central Sussex and Brighton ons Green, the White Horse, available in bottles con- and Hove areas on 07803 Maplehurst, the Ship Inn, stantly for the spring. 792077. New pump clips Whitemans Green and the BLO TBC have been launched and a Kings Arms, Billingshurst for permanent option is avail- Welton’s beers. RECTORY able to regular customers; Nigel Bullen Streat, 01273 890570. please ask for them with After some delivery difficul- your next order. Bottled ties both the Old Ale and All products are now available Saints Tipple proved popu- and the unique labeling style lar at the Sussex Branches ensures they will stand out in Beer & Cider Festival. any bar or shop. Turners
Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 21 Cider and Perry CIDER HOUSE NOTES ell, we’ve had a very successful The results were as follows: first, Oakwood Sussex Branches Beer & Cider Organic cider (Robertsbridge, East Sussex); W Festival, with the Cider Bar just second, Portslade lasting out to Time on the Saturday night. Wild Thing (made from There were thirty- scrumps from the three different South Downs); ciders available, third, Yellow- thirteen different coate, (Ringden, perries and the East Sussex). usual Little Red These three ciders Rooster Cider will now go forward to be judged at the South Perry, all on a of England Super Regional Cider Competi- Cider Bar in a totally new format (pictured) - tion at Reading in May. Winners from that projecting into the room instead of a standard will then go through to the final round of the row of stillage - with a total of 2600 pints National Cider Competition, also at Reading. consumed! Broadoak perry sold out first, on the Friday afternoon, closely followed by the What this competition threw up was the Little Red Rooster, but there was still plenty amazing fact that we have about fifteen dif- of cider and perry left for the Saturday drink- ferent cidermakers in Surrey and Sussex at ers. the moment, whereas when I first came down to Sussex ten years ago there were only about We managed to catch up with Mike and six in Sussex – and there seem to be ever Vanessa Fishlock of Black Pig Orchards to more starting up. This seems to echo the trend present them (pictured) with their certificate of burgeoning microbreweries in Sussex, too; for Perry of the Festival of the 2012 South I suspect it’s partly due to the recession put- Downs Festival, Lewes, but they didn’t ting a lot of people out of work who then go achieve either Cider or Perry of the Festival on to realise their dream of starting up a at this Festival; those awards went, respec- brewery or cidermaking business with their tively, to Oakwood Organic Cider and Bar- redundancy money. Whatever the reason, bourne Blakeney Red Perry. there is a lot of local cider (and perry!) out An important event took place for the first there alongside the ales. time at this Festival at the Hove Centre on This put me to thinking that maybe I should Saturday 2 March – the Surrey and Sussex start doing a series of articles on the new lo- Regional Cider Competition, with eleven cal cidermakers, so look out for an article in entries, all from Sussex on this occasion as the next issue on Black Pig Orchards. And in the Surrey producers didn’t have enough ci- the meantime, don’t forget the South Downs der to enter. We invited along two celebrity Beer & Cider Festival, Lewes, on 21-22 June. judges, Andrew Kay from the Latest and Nick Mosley, Director of the Brighton and See you there! Hove Food and Drink Festival, and everyone Jackie Johnson had an entertaining time tasting and judging Surrey and Sussex the ciders. Regional Cider Coordinator
22 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 Large Beer Garden and Extensive parking
Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 23 The White Hart An old country pub on Beer Festival the river Arun with a 20th July lovely garden next to the historical Stopham Beers from over 20 Bridge different local brewers Real ales and freshly "Rock By the River" - cooked food from locally local talent performing sourced suppliers from 2pm until 11pm Open 11-11 Mon-Thu, 11- 11.30 Fri & Sat, 11-10.30 In support of the Lodge Sun Hill Charity Food served all day Hog roast and charity every day raffle
Stopham Bridge, Pulborough, RH20 1DS 01798 873321 www.whitehartstophambridge.co.uk
24 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 Save Your Pub and a small team was delegated to approach the The Lickfold Inn owners to try to find a way of saving it. Lods- he residents of Lickfold and Lodsworth, worth Parish Council was represented at the West Sussex, are concerned that their meeting and is supporting the moves to reopen T ancient, Grade II-listed pub, the Lick- the pub. Lickfold is a very small community and fold Inn, has been closed for more than two many have said that when the pub closed it was years. They are now taking action to try to re- the last of their local facilities to disappear. open it and a website has been set up to publi- We in CAMRA have pledged our support and cise their efforts at www.Savethelickfold.com. will be keeping an Twitter is @SaveLickfold. The Lickfold Inn, eye on proceed- owned by a consortium headed by millionaire ings. It is to be radio-presenter Chris Evans, has been closed hoped that com- and for sale since August 2010 and is rapidly mon sense will becoming a semi-derelict eyesore. It is said that prevail and that the all offers to purchase or lease the pub, even at present sad, damp the asking price of £825,000, have been refused shell of a building will once again be the lively and the locals fear that it may soon be sold for place that it used to be. Our photo shows the housing. Lickfold Inn in happier times. At a February meeting more than 150 concerned Pete Brown locals packed a room at the nearby Noah’s Ark Western Sussex Branch pub to agree on a scheme to revive the Lickfold,
Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 25 26 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 Obituaries Doug Wooding CAMRA circles as one of the people who Many will by handed out the little red glass-bags (with now know of sometimes humorous comments) to the Doug’s un- customers leaving beer festivals. timely passing As a young man he served in both the on Saturday 2 Royal and Merchant Navies, reaching the March. He died rank of Radio Officer before transferring peacefully and his skills to, firstly, off-shore oil platforms, without pain as then working for British Gas and, finally, a result of a Lloyds Banking Group. heart attack suffered the A prodigious smoker, Phil eventually fell previous Mon- out with CAMRA over what he saw as its day. failings over smoking legislation in pubs. A kindly and friendly man, he even stayed Doug was born in the north-east London good friends with his ex-wife and her new area and moved to Hurstpierpoint in his husband. I will remember him with a smile early teens where he attended school. Later on face even if it was generated by beers he was to move to Haywards Heath and such as Marston’s Owd Roger or Hoskins then to Brighton and Hove after the death Old Navigation! of his father. In the thirty or so years that I Paul Free was privileged to know him and call him my friend I cannot recall him to say a bad word of anyone. Doug was a true gentleman who loved his beer and the pubs in which he drank it. He was a tireless worker for CAMRA and his gentle sense of humour will be very much missed on the products stall at both the Hove Beer Festival and that at Lewes. The timing of his parting just before this year’s Hove festival very much increased the sor- row of all who worked with him. Pete Coppard
Phil Crabbe Phil Crabbe passed away in December, his health having been plagued for some time a result of an umbilical hernia. He was probably best known amongst local
Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 27 Diary Dates
BEER FESTIVALS AND OTHER DELIGHTS CAMRA EVENTS IN BOLD. For FREE inclusion in this column, contact the Editor; for PAID advertisements contact Neil Richards. Copy-by date and contact details on p. 3.
May 11-12 Crawley Beer & Cider Festival, 01444 400335, www.jollytanners.com Three Bridges Football Club, Jubilee Walk, May 25 Burgess Hill Town FC 4th Annual Crawley, West Sussex, RH10, Beer Festival, Leylands Park, Maple Drive, www.kissingate.co.uk/ Burgess Hill, RH15; 1pm-12am; entrance £5, CrawleyBeerFestival.html includes a free pint; tickets from the Football May 17-19 24th YAPTON BEEREX, Club (07969 525397) or Mooch Café Bar Yapton and Ford Village Hall, BN18, (01444 244888). Enquiries to 07794 799850, www.westernsussexcamra.org.uk [email protected] May 18 Langham Brewery Pop-Up Gig, May 25 Spin Up in a Brewery, 1-8pm, Dark The Granary, Langham Lane, Lodsworth, Star Brewery, 22 Star Road, Partridge Green, GU28, 01798 860861, RH13, 01403 713085, www.langhambrewery.co.uk www.spinupinabrewery.com May 18-19 Beer Tent Event, The Bill Tar- May 25 Kissingate Spring Fest, 12noon- gett Memorial Steam Rally, Highbridge Farm, 7pm, Pole Barn, Church Lane Farm Estate, Highbridge Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire, Church Lane, Lower Beeding, Horsham, SO50, 07778 551352, [email protected] RH13, 01293 882198, www.kissingate.co.uk May 19 Beer Tent Event, Brinsbury Show May 25-27 Wheatsheaf Beer and Music & Country Fayre, Brinsbury Campus, Chich- Festival, Mount Pleasant, Jarvis Brook, Crow- ester College, North Heath, Pulborough, borough, TN6, 01892 663756, RH20, 11am-4pm, 07778 551352, info@ale- www.wheatsheafcrowborough.co.uk inatent.co.uk May 26 Beer Tent Event, Shoreham Dogs May 24 Train to London Pubs, TTLP11, Trust Open Day, Adur Recreation Ground, Brixton, Herne Hill & SE London, contact Shoreham-by-Sea, BN43, 11.30am-4pm, Pete Brown, 01243 552908, 07778 551352, [email protected] [email protected] May 26 Ale Trail Launch, 7.30pm, Lord May 24-25 10th Annual Southwick Beer Nelson Inn, 36 Trafalgar Street, Brighton, Festival, Southwick Community Centre, 24 BN1, 01273 695872, Southwick Street, Southwick, BN42, 01273 www.thelordnelsoninn.co.uk 592819, www.southwickbeerfestival.co.uk/ May 31-June 2 Glastonwick Beer & Mu- tickets.html sic Festival, Church Farm, Coombs, BN15, May 24-26 Beer & Cider by the Sea, West- www.cask-ale.co.uk/beerfestival.html; ern Lawns, Eastbourne Seafront, BN21, Tick- www.facebook.com/ ets: 01323 412000, www.visiteastbourne.com events/447311812009459/ May 24-27 Duke of Wellington Beer Festi- June 1-2 Beer Tent Event, Floral Fringe val, 368 Brighton Road, Shoreham-by-Sea, Fair, Knepp Castle, Shipley, Nr. West Grin- BN43, 01273 389818 stead, RH13, 10am-5pm, 07778 551352, [email protected] May 24-27 Jolly Tanners Whitsun Beer Festival, Handcross Road, Staplefield, RH17, June 7-9 Stanley Arms Beer Festival, 47
28 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 Diary Dates
Wolseley Road, Portslade, BN41, 01273 ground, Ardingly, RH17, 430234, www.thestanley.com www.ardinglyvcvshow.org.uk. NEW THIS YEAR is free access to CAMRA North Sus- June 8 Drinking Songs of the South sex beer tent Friday and Saturday from 7pm Downs; participatory free workshop with with CAMRA membership card. See p. 37 Emily and the Hares, 10.30am - 4.30pm, feature for discount voucher for show tickets Lewes Arms, 1 Mount Place, Lewes, BN7, Saturday and Sunday 01273 473152, www.southdownssociety.org.uk July 12-14 Horns Lodge Beer and Cider Festival, South Chailey, BN8, 01273 400422, June 8 Beer Tent Event, Arun Yacht Club www.hornslodge.com Mini Beer Festival, Riverside West, Little- hampton, BN17, 12noon-11pm, 07778 July 14 Walking Tour of Old Lewes Brew- 551352, [email protected] eries with Miles Jenner; 11am-1pm; start at Swan, Southover, finish at Dorset, Malling June 14-15 5th KENT & EAST SUS- Street, BN7; please book with Ale & Hearty SEX RAIL BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL, and state if a CAMRA member, aleandhear- Kent & East Sussex Railway, Tenterden tylewes@gmail Town Station, Station Road, Tenterden, Kent, TN30, 01580 240104, www.camra- July 20 White Hart Summer Beer and Mu- afrm.org.uk sic Festival; Hog Roast & BBQ all day; live music from afternoon to end of evening; local June 15-16 Beer Tent Event, Petersfield breweries only represented; Stopham, Pulbor- Festival of Food & Drink, Queen Elizabeth ough, RH20, 01798 873321, Country Park, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31, www.whitehartstophambridge.co.uk Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-4pm, 07778 551352, [email protected] July 20 Sussex Branches of CAMRA Liai- son Meeting, Pump House, Market Street, June 21-22 17th SOUTH DOWNS Brighton, BN1, 01273 827421 BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL, Lewes Town Hall, BN7, see p. 43 feature and July 21 Dark Star 24/7, Sponsored Walk/ www.brightoncamra.org.uk Cycle Ride, arrive 10am for 11am start, Dark Star Brewery, 22 Star Road, Partridge Green, June 21-23 Beer Tent Event, Mid Sum- RH13, 01403 713085, mer Beer Festival, The Parsonage Bar & Res- www.darkstarbrewing.co.uk/24/7 taurant, High Street, Tarring, BN14, Fri & Sat 12noon-11.30pm, Sun 12noon-10pm, 07778 July 26-28 Henty Arms 12th Annual Beer 551352, [email protected] Festival, Ferring, BN12, 01903 241254, www.hentyarms.co.uk July 6 Worthing Rugby Club Sussex Beer Festival and 7s Tournament, Roundstone Aug 10-11 Beer Tent Event, Northchapel Lane, Angmering BN16, 01903 784706, Working Steam Show, School House Farm, www.worthingrfc.com/ London Road, Northchapel, GU28, 07778 551352, [email protected] July 6 Train to London Pubs, TTLP12, London Fields Brewery Taphouse, Hackney, Aug 13-17 GREAT BRITISH BEER then TBA, contact Pete Brown, 01243 FESTIVAL, Olympia, London, W14, Tick- 552908, [email protected] ets: 0844 412 4640, www.gbbf.org.uk July 12-14 25th ARDINGLY BEER & Aug 16-18 King’s Head Beer Festival, CIDER FESTIVAL, Vintage and Classic South Road, Hailsham, BN27, 01323 440447 Vehicle Show, South of England Show-
Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 29 River Festival Beer and Cider Festival East Street, Shoreham, BN43 5HP August Friday 23th - Monday 26th
Pop up restaurants by Beach House Toast by the Coast Oyster and champagne bar by Ridgeview Wine Sussex Real ales from Sussex brewers and real cider from Sussex producers Live stage featuring the best jazz and folk from Black Woookie Studios Large chill out area with lots of seating Contact Andrew 01273 440902 Web beachhouseshoreham.co.uk
30 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013
Local ales, guest ales (four in total). Good selection of single malt whisky and locally sourced produce for our extensive menu Food midday-9pm every day Free WIFI spot. Surf the web while having a drink. 45 High Street, Arundel, BN18 9AG Tel 01903 882214 www.redlionarundel.com
Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 31 Spotlight on Breweries
Dark Star launches its own their submissions and subsequent recom- mendation of the Foundation’s panel - a Foundation Dark Star has board of people providing the moral com- pass to improve the fabric of our communi- launched The Dark ties: a passion aligned with the role played Star Foundation - created to “Support by pubs up and down the country”. & Inspire” by The Foundation was officially launched in working alongside, and helping, good March this year and submissions for fund- causes. Dark Star will be raising funds ing will be considered from October. through the sale of certain lines in the Please visit www.darkstarbrewing.co.uk/ brewery shop including a bespoke Founda- darkstarfoundation or contact tion T-Shirt; and through donations made [email protected]. by people attending brewery tours, offered free of charge in order to encourage giving. Like Cycling? Like Beer? Of Additionally, the team will be running a course you do! series of fundraising events, such as the Once a two that follow in this section, plus a three- year the day beer and music event to be held in Sep- brewers tember and others to be announced in the clear off coming months. and the cyclists invade Dark Star brewery for roller James Cuthbertson of Dark Star explained racing, beer and BBQ. The brainchild of that “The Foundation is intended to work in Morvélo Bicycle Apparel and Kinesis UK, three key areas: first, providing funds to Spin Up in a Brewery will hit the rollers pubs to assist in their fundraising efforts - again on Saturday 25 May. Loosely de- pubs raise over £106M for charity each scribed by Dom of Kinesis as “a kind of year, and we want to help them achieve carnage where racing, beer, fierce competi- even more; second, providing seed funding tion and fun come together”, Spin Up is set for the entrepreneurs of tomorrow, who to be bigger and better in this, its second will be asked to ‘pay it forward’ when they year. The event will be raising money for have their business off the ground, thus SANDS ‘Stillbirth And Neonatal Death assisting another enterprise; third, issuing Society’, www.uk-sands.org/home.html. funds to good causes and charities based on
32 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 Spotlight on Breweries After last year’s sell out, the organisers (under 16s free), for which all adults will have increased the capacity to put on a not- get a Foundation T-shirt, coffee from 10am to-be-missed event that includes Roller on arrival at the brewery and beer upon Racing with prizes worth over £2,000; arrival at the Partridge. Participants are BBQ by three-times UK BBQ Champion asked to get sponsored alongside their entry and World BBQ Finalist, Andy Annat; fee to raise as much as possible, with all Coffee by Dinkyccino; Street Art by funds raised going to the Foundation”. For ‘SNUB’; Bike Drums … yes, Bike Drums, more information and to download a regis- by Puncture Kit, www.puncturekit.co.uk; tration and sponsor form, please visit: Music by the amazing Grizzly and the www.darkstarbrewing.co.uk/24/7 or con- Grasshoppers, tact James on 01403 713085. Event ad- www.grizzlyandthegrasshoppers.com/; dress: Dark Star Brewery, 22 Star Road, Roller Racing for Kids; and a cycling- Partridge Green, West Sussex, RH13 8RA. related marketplace. Spin Up starts at 1pm and finishes at 8pm; tickets can be pur- Gary and Bunny in Hi-Spirits chased at www.spinupinabrewery.com; £5 The new beer from normal ticket; £8 with return coach trip Kissingate brewery, back to Brighton. Buffalo Black IPA, was inspired and Dark Star 24/7: Two legs or two brewed in collabora- wheels? The choice is yours! tion with the Hi- Walkers and Spirits drinks com- cyclists are in- pany known for their vited to join staff ‘high-end’ spirits and customers of brands, which are Dark Star for the available nationally 24/7 sponsored (www.hi- walk and/or ride spirits.com). The new IPA is flavoured around Sussex to with Buffalo Trace Bourbon barrel char raise cash for the Dark Star Foundation. specially imported from Kentucky, USA. Anybody and everyone is invited to join Its official launch was held in the upstairs the sponsored journey on Sunday 21 July, prohibition-inspired pop-up bar at the Wick starting 11am at the Dark Star Brewery Inn, Hove, on Thursday 21 March following a round-trip before returning to (pictured). The evening went extremely the Partridge pub for a BBQ and well- well and was attended by specially invited earned rest. Cyclists will take on the 24- guests, publicists and beer writers such as mile return journey to Shoreham while Melissa Cole. walkers will tackle a 7-mile ramble to Our group photo Wineham, stopping for refreshments at the shows Kissingate Duke of Wellington, Shoreham and the husband and wife Royal Oak, Wineham before embarking on team Gary and the journey home. Bunny Lucas with James Cuthbertson of Dark Star said that Jeremy Hill, CEO “we’re asking people to pay £15 entry of Hi-Spirits, and his daughter Harri
Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 33 Spotlight on Breweries
Hill, Publicity Director. It was launched at a Meet the Brewer event at the Sir Timothy Shelley, Worthing, Buffalo Black IPA is now available in the where the first barrel sold out in just one Indigo group of pubs in Brighton and and a half sessions. Hove. Langham chose the name by holding a Home Bird competition on their Facebook page. The Langham’s little test winning entry was actually Dark Swallow, brew kit has finally but the brewery chose to go even darker given birth to a new because the black swallow is of significant beer after three tradition. months of intensive trial and experimen- Sailors often have black swallow tattoos tation. Black Swal- (there are quite a few Black Swallow Tat- low is a Black IPA too Parlours) because swallows do not fly of 6.0% with gener- far from land. So a black swallow tattoo is ous hopping of three symbolic that you are safe and nearing high alpha American varieties, and is fer- home. And then there is, of course, the mented an additional two weeks for extra Langham swallow logo. smoothness and palatability. Available from March, Black Swallow is Black Swallow masterfully combines bitter now to be brewed as a regular beer. chocolate flavours with toffee undertones.
34 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013
34 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 25th Ardingly North Sussex CAMRA Beer & Cider Festival
ver been to the Vintage 25th Ardingly E & Classic North Sussex CAMRA Vehicle Show, held annually at the South Beer & Cider Festival of England Show- voucher below ground in Ardingly, will get you £2 near Haywards off 1 (one) adult Heath? If not, then admission at the how about this year, from 12 to 14 July? It gate, on presen- is the 25th anniversary of this great show tation of your with a display of Heavy Horses this year CAMRA mem- joining all the vehicles, old time fun fair, bership card. craft stalls and much more. Sunday after- Note that the noon includes a Spitfire flying display. voucher will need to be given up. If you do More information and ticket details can be not wish to tear your copy of the Sussex found at www.ardinglyvcvshow.org.uk. Drinker, a photocopy may suffice but also In a big tent in the centre of the show- take the whole magazine to be on the safe ground you will find North Sussex side. CAMRA running the refreshments for the Daytime bus services run between Crawley 25th year, with a full bar featuring over and Haywards Heath stopping at the Show- sixty beers plus about fifteen ciders and ground, and there is ample car parking on perries, mainly from local suppliers. If you site. Extras pairs of hands to help set up on just fancy a drink, this year you can get Thursday and Friday, and to work behind FREE access to the Showground on Friday the bar Friday to Sunday always welcome. and Saturday evenings from 7pm on pres- For more information, please email ard- entation of your CAMRA membership card [email protected]. at the gate. There is live music both eve- nings. Mike Head North Sussex Branch If you fancy going to the show, open from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, the
PRESENT THIS VOUCHER FOR £2 DISCOUNT FOR 1 ADULT ADMISSION TO THE 2013 SHOW, ON PRESENTATION OF CAMRA MEMBERSHIP CARD AT THE GATE.
Saturday 13 July and Sunday 14 July, 2013, 10am to 5pm
Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 37 All Change In North Sussex
s a way of introduc- All Change In A tion, I am Chris Booth, the new North Sussex Chair of the North Sussex Branch. I Brewing for updates, and I hope to see you must take this oppor- at a meeting, a joint social, or beer festival tunity to thank all of over the next twelve months. the outgoing previ- ous members of the committee - Allen, Once again I thank you all for your con- Rex, John, Tony, Bob and Paul - for all tinuing support. their hard work over the period of their Chris Booth office. A new start is here for us all, so North Sussex Branch Chair welcome to Vanessa Mason-Hill as Vice- Chair and Social Secretary, Bob Gordon as Secretary, Andrew Wilson as Membership 2013 The following LocAle accreditations for 2013 Secretary, Nigel Bullen as Press Officer are additions to the 2012 list published in previ- and Webmaster, and Mike Head who re- ous issues. tains the role as Treasurer. I thank you all Brighton: Constant Service, Hampton Arms, for your support and help moving for- North Laine, Prince Albert, Prince George, Reservoir; Crawley (Lowfield Heath): Flight wards. Tavern; Eastbourne: Lamb; East Grinstead: Ounce and Ivy Bush; Ewhurst Green: White These are exciting times for North Sussex Dog Inn; Hastings: Pissarros; Hove: Bell, Po- as we have lots of new members and the ets Corner, Westbourne; Lancing: New Sus- committee meetings over the past few sex Hotel; Stone Cross (Pevensey): Red Lion. months have been very well attended. I LocAle - the local branch initiative that became a national campaign – has its own symbol in hope to continue this upwards trend to the GBG 2013. Ask your local publican to move the branch forward, but more impor- source any of the superb range of beers avail- tantly supporting the aims and goals of able within 30 miles of their pub from the Sus- sex breweries listed in Bru News. Pubs closer CAMRA whilst enjoying a decent pint or to the Sussex border will naturally be able to two! Keep an eye out over the next few source beers from any of the qualifying brewer- months whilst we get things together, ies in east Hants, south Surrey or west Kent as appropriate to gain LocAle accreditation. check the branch website and What’s
PRESENT THIS VOUCHER FOR £2 DISCOUNT FOR 1 ADULT ADMISSION TO THE 2013 SHOW, ON PRESENTATION OF CAMRA MEMBERSHIP CARD AT THE GATE.
Saturday 13 July and Sunday 14 July, 2013, 10am to 5pm
38 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 Worthing
am pleased to be able to let you all know that Worthing and Sussex’s first Anchored in I Micropub, Anchored in Worthing, will be opening very soon. My premises licence Worthing was granted last Friday; I have given my on a Sunday. I will be keeping you all up- solicitor the go-ahead to complete the ten- dated as and when I get more information. ancy agreement and have left the money Until then, updates are posted on my web- with him to pay the rent and deposits. The site, www.middleagedbloke.com, though I landlord has agreed to get the necessary will have a dedicated site for Anchored in soundproofing done as soon as possible and Worthing in the very near future. once that is sorted I will be in a position to open the doors; allow me a week or so to Thanks for your time, and I look forward to give the place a lick of paint, let my ales seeing you soon at Anchored in Worthing, settle and get my ciders in. 27 West Buildings, Worthing, West Sus- sex, BN11 3BS, quite close to the pier and To get the planning permission I have had sea front. to agree to some very limited opening hours, basically 12noon to 2.30pm and 5pm Nigel Watson to 8pm most days and just the lunch hours Arun & Adur Branch
y good self and a few Arun & Worthing Jamboree Adur branch stalwarts took Mini Sussex-Beer M great pleasure in organising the 2nd Mini Sussex-Beer Festival on the Good Festival Friday at St. Paul’s, Worthing as part of the UK. Ten beers, plus two ciders were on Worthing Jamboree fun day, a charitable offer as well as local arts and crafts, bands event to raise money for Cancer Research and numerous food stalls. A big thank you goes to Dark Star, Anchor Springs, Gold- mark, Baldy, Langham and Hammerpot breweries for supplying us with either free or discounted beer. Our bar was drunk dry by 7.15pm and in the process we raised over £1000 for the charity! It was a very enjoyable and rewarding day for us all. Roy Bond Arun & Adur Branch
Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 39 Summer Stars Stars Behind The Bar Our summer stars behind the bar at the Evening Star, Brighton, are Alex Monroe and Alice Sharp (below). When they are not behind the bar, Alex is most likely reading Scandinavian noir detective fic- tion. She has a degree in Scandinavian Studies from University College London. Alice is a poet, compère and event- manager under the pseudonym ‘Doctor Bongo’. She does the bar and site manage- ment for the Glastonwick festival. Not many people know that Alex is a massive fan of the singer Chris de Burgh and that Alice has been an avid knitter since the age of seven!
40 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 Save Your Pint
hancellor George Osborne not only scrapped the beer duty escalator in BY GEORGE, C his March budget but took a penny HE’S DONE IT! of the price of a pint in the first beer duty cut in decades! ness of this policy in tackling the Budget deficit, its impact on valued community Mike Benner, CAMRA Chief Executive pubs and the continued affordability of the commented that “the Chancellor’s decision beer and pub sector. With HM Treasury is a huge triumph for CAMRA’s pub cam- paigners who have been building over- whelming public support for a fair deal for Beer Duty beer and pubs. Over 108,000 consumers signed an e- Escalator petition and more than 8,000 consumers have written to their MP calling for a fair Scrapped deal for beer and pubs. A Mass Lobby Day forecasts demonstrating that there will be organised by CAMRA saw over 200 MPs no additional revenue generated from beer meet with their constituents who high- duty, I will continue to urge the Chancellor lighted the severe damage caused by the to conduct a thorough review of the eco- escalator”. nomic and social impact of the beer duty escalator. Please be assured that I will re- main active on this issue, liaising closely with CAMRA, and will keep you updated on further developments”. And the Sussex Drinker will keep you up- dated when we hear anything further.
Yet MP Henry Smith (pictured above), Conservative member for Crawley main- tained “that the Government could go fur- ther still”. In an email to his constituent, North Sussex CAMRA member Nigel Bullen, Mr Smith wrote, “I eagerly await a response from the Chancellor to the letter I sent him expressing my concerns about the 42 per cent increase in beer duty since 2008, and my concerns about the effective-
Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 41
WorthingWorthing 7's7's && SussexSussex BeerBeer FestivalFestival Saturday 6th July, kick off @ 10.00am The Rugby Ground, Roundstone Lane, Angmering Men’s and women’s teams Free admission Beers from across Sussex Camping available £10 per served in the Castle Bar night
42 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 17th South Downs Beer & Cider Festival South Downs Beer & Cider Festival Customers will receive a free festival glass (not Saturday evening) very kindly spon- sored by Harveys Brewery, and a pro- gramme with tasting notes. CAMRA mem- bers will in addition receive £2.00 in beer tokens per session (not Saturday evening) on production of their valid membership card at the membership table. The venue is easy to find. From the railway station turn right, climb the hill to the traffic lights, he 17th South Downs Beer & Cider cross over and it is on the right. The town Festival will take place at the usual boasts a number of excellent pubs that are venue, Lewes Town Hall, on Friday T well worth seeking out if you have the time, 21 and Saturday 22 June 2013. There will be or indeed the capacity to do so. around 70 cask beers to sample, plus a range of bottled beers, country wines and, of Royal Jubilee Ale (a.k.a. Britannia Ale) course, cider and perry. Non alcoholic from our local 1648 brewery won the Beer drinks will also be available, along with a of the Festival award at last year’s South range of hot food and snacks, including Downs Beer & Cider Festival. vegetarian options. The festival will as usual be music-free. This year all sessions will be admission by ticket only, except after 17.00 Saturday. As before, tickets will be on sale from 1 May at the Gardener’s Arms and Harveys Brewery Shop, Lewes, and the Evening Star, Brigh- ton. Alternatively, please apply by post to: South Downs Beer Festival Tickets, 139 Elm Grove, Brighton, BN2 3ES, stating session required and enclosing a SAE and cheque, payable to “South Downs Beer & Pete Coppard, President of the Brighton & Cider Festival”. South Downs branch is pictured (right) at the King’s Head, East Hoathly, presenting The ticket prices are: the certificate to brewer Yannick Vuillemey Friday 21 June 11.00 - 15.00 £4.00 and owner Robert Wallace. Friday 21 June 17.00 - 22.30 £6.00 Saturday 22 June 11.00 - 17.00 £4.00 Ruth Anderson Saturday 22 June 17.00 - 20.00* Free! Festival Organiser * Or as long as the beer lasts!
Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 43 Inn Focus The Crabtree Inn, Lancing where the off-sales was probably situated. The counter, field panelling and fixed seat- ing here are all original. Admire the crafts- he Crabtree Inn has recently re- manship in the decorative plasterwork opened its saloon bar after a taste- mouldings on the frieze, cornice and capi- T ful refurbishment. The pub was tals in both rooms. The new décor creates built in 1931 for the Kemp Town Brewery an ambient and warm space where custom- and retains many striking features. ers can relax and enjoy a traditional pub experience. The refurbished saloon bar on the right has an original counter, elegant cupola ceiling, The Crabtree is Good Beer Guide-listed a fine brick and stone Tudor-style fireplace, and always offers Fuller’s London Pride half-height panelling and fixed seating. The plus a fine selection of three ever-changing pub’s middle snug was long ago combined guest ales that you know will be served in with the left-side public bar at the point top condition by the manager, Brian Lamb.
44 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 Inn Focus
During the week that this article was writ- The Crabtree offers its trademark Sunday ten, you could have sampled, to mention Carvery. As befits a family business the but a few, Butcombe Gold, Timothy Taylor chef slow-roasts joints of beef, turkey, Landlord, Castle Rock Harvest Pale Ale, lamb and pork overnight, resulting in the Hook Norton Lion, Wadworth Bishops most succulent and fresh Carvery probably Tipple, Thwaites Big Ben, Caledonian Dry anywhere in the south! The pub has also Dock and created a great menu designed to fill the Goddards demand for good home-cooked pub food at Fuggle-Dee- an affordable price. Dum. It is Food is served daily Monday to Saturday important to from 12noon to 3.00pm and evenings Tues- remember day to Friday 5.30 to 7.30pm. The Crabtree that two Inn, 140 Crabtree Lane, Lancing, West weeks are Sussex, BN15 9NQ; tel: 01903 755514. never the www.facebook.com/crabtree.lancing same, so frequent Shaun Smith visits are Arun and Adur Branch required.
Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 45 Ale & Hearty
he Ale & Hearty project, from arts and heritage organisation Strike a T Light, aims to encourage partici- pants and visitors to share memories of ale, local brewing, and agricultural and brewery working life in Lewes. It involves collect- ing oral histories and holding reminiscence workshops, arranging heritage open days with walking tours, creating an exhibition and producing a booklet. A project launch for ninety people was held at the Linklater (middle pair) and the Mayor Elect. Pavilion, Lewes on Friday 8 March to pro- mote a year of exciting free events and The event celebrated memories and stories activities celebrating the heritage of the from a time when Lewes laid claim to nine brewing and related agricultural industries local breweries, unearthing the hidden his- in Lewes. tory of one of the main industries of the town over the last 300 years. Nicola Benge, The busy evening played host to talks from Ale & Hearty Project Coordinator, said Miles Jenner, of Harveys Brewery, and “We really enjoyed meeting new project Councillor Ruth O’Keeffe, Mayor Elect of participants, visitors, volunteers, all inter- Lewes. There were Sussex and ale-themed ested in Ale & Hearty activities. We had a folk songs from the group Emily and the great deal of enthusiasm for the event, and Hares; an exhibition and slide show; ale to with the help of generous local Lewes busi- drink gifted from Harveys with local nesses, raised money towards supporting cheeses from local educational projects too!” the High Weald Dairy; the un- Strike a Light is a non profit arts and heri- veiling of a tage organisation which celebrates and new logo; and a profiles the importance of local community raffle which and history, utilising people’s life stories raised £185 towards a com- panion educa- tion pack to go out free to Lewes primary schools. Photos show Steering Group Mem- bers, your Editor and Miles Jenner (above), and (left) Project Coordinator Nicola Benge with Cllr Nicholson and his wife
46 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 Ale & Hearty and memories to transform public and pri- Lewes History Group, Friends of Lewes, vate spaces. It aims to manage projects Action in Rural Sussex, and Lewes District which improve cultural heritage, and pro- Seniors Forum. mote local arts and social development. For more information on the project, please Ale & Hearty is supported by the Heritage visit the website: www.strikealight.org/ Lottery Fund (HLF), using money raised projects/ale-and-hearty/ or contact Nicola through the National Lottery. Partners for Benge, tel. 07727 006538; email: aleand- the project include East Sussex Libraries [email protected] and Information Service, Harveys Brewery,
Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 47 History & Heritage
ith the Ale & Hearty project in progress, let us now look at one Southdown and W of Lewes’s old breweries. East Grinstead Southdown and East Grinstead Breweries Breweries Ltd. (henceforth SEG) was formed in 1895 by the merger of Dashwood & Co, Hope 1838 and acquired from the Hillman family Brewery, East Grinstead with A. G. S and in 1895 by Augustus and Thomas Man- T. S. Manning, Southdown Brewery, ning. In July of that year they acquired Lewes. Dashwood’s East Grinstead enterprise and registered the new, joint name, conveying the fact that brewing continued on both sites. In 1898 SEG gained a listing on the Stock Exchange and acquired Joseph Langton’s Dolphin Brewery, Cuckfield, with eight houses, and nearby rival Edward Monk’s Bear Brewery, Bear Yard, Lewes, with fifty-three houses. In 1907 SEG acquired the Station and New Road breweries in Crawley of George Ockenden & Son. But the early 20th century had seen SEG in
The Hope Brewery, London Road, East Grinstead, was so named after a possible rebuilding during the period (c. 1839-1844) of the partnership of Burt & Hooker, al- though brewing on the site may have dated back to 1762. Subsequent owners were Edward Kenward, followed by Charles Absalom then, from 1877, John Dashwood. The Southdown Brewery, Thomas Street, in the Cliffe area of Lewes, was built in
47 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 History & Heritage commercial contraction and in 1920 it of Lewes released an authentic recreation leased its Lewes and East Grinstead brew- of a SEG recipe from 1913. Brewed on eries with all ninety-three houses to Tam- their micro plant, the 5.3% beer called plin & Sons, Brighton, who purchased Coopers Cask was a blend of stout and them outright four years later for £274,000. porter, a style that declined in popularity from the 1920s. The Quaffer Sources: Barber, Norman (edited by Mike Brown and Ken Smith) (2005), A Century of British Brewers, Longfield: Brewery History Soci- ety. Holter, Graham (2001), Sussex Breweries, Seaford: S B Publications. Holtham, Peter (2004), ‘Brewers of West Sussex’, Sussex Industrial History, 34, pp. 2 From the old label images and the tin ad- -11. Holtham, Peter (2006), ‘Brewers of East vert we know that SEG bottled bright a Sussex’, Sussex Industrial History, 36, pp. Dinner Ale and an Oatmeal/Oatmalt Stout 24-30. called Eclipse. In June 2011 Harvey & Son
Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 48 Flickr ant to see your photographs of Sussex pubs, with full permis- Share Your Sussex W sion credits, in the Sussex Pub Photos on Flickr! Drinker? The photo-sharing website Flickr has a Sussex Pubs group you can join at resize for use any reproduced photos. The www.flickr.com/groups/1882052@N24/ Sussex Pubs group description is: photo- graphs of pubs within the county of Sussex Prior per- (both East and West). mission for use of pho- These can include pubs currently trading or tos from the closed, or of those involving change of use group will or now always be demol- obtained ished. and credit Close ups will always be given unless otherwise re- of exterior quested. or interior The Sussex details are Drinker fine but the editor and pub has to designer be the main reserve the subject of right to edit, the photos. crop and
50 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 51 Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor Sussex, on 29 March 1974 at the Red Lion, Turners Hill. This was followed by the Ian Mihell’s interesting letter in the spring South Downs Branch, Brighton whose in- issue of the Sussex Drinker prompted me to augural meeting was at 8pm on Friday 16 look more closely at the origins of August 1974 at the Royal Pavilion Hotel. CAMRA branches in Sussex. I therefore recently visited CAMRA HQ in St Albans I could have continued with the research, and rummaged through old copies of but a pub lunch beckoned. I was in St. Al- What’s Brewing dating from 1973 and bans, so where else but the Farriers Arms, 1974. Lower Dagnall Street, where a blue plaque on the wall informed me that this was the I don’t mind admitting that what I found venue of the first CAMRA branch meeting, surprised me. In the spring of 1973 there held on 20 November 1972. My pub lunch, were only six CAMRA branches in Britain. incidentally, was two pints of the legendary In May of that year D.A.H. Carmichael, McMullen AK together with grilled apparently living at The Old Bakery, Lods- salmon, chips and peas. worth, Petworth, was appointed West Sus- sex Area Organiser. David Carmichael My thanks go to Ian Mihell for providing soon organised the inaugural meeting of me with reason to check the historic record. Midhurst & District Branch, held at the Cheers! Shamrock Inn, Bepton, Midhurst, at 12noon, 22 July 1973. This was the first John Keller CAMRA Branch meeting in Sussex. Mid- North Sussex Branch hurst is now part of Western Sussex Ed’s note: the Shamrock does still exist, Branch. I wonder if the Shamrock still ex- but as the Country Inn. ists. If so, time for a 40th celebration! The next branch to be formed was North
Dear Editor It’s amazing how far some local CAMRA magazines travel. I found your spring edition of Sussex Drinker in a pub in Penarth, to the west of Cardiff. I was pleased to read that WJ King is making the former King & Barnes Festive a regular ale again, as I featured the beer in my latest book, The Lost Beers & Breweries of Britain. Good to know that another liquid legend had risen from the dead. I wish you all the best with your great publication. It’s inspir- ing to see how many new breweries there are in your region. Brian Glover
52 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013
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Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 55 Sussex Beer Festival 2013 23rd SUSSEX CAMRA BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL hank you for All good things come with 23 attending the T 23rd Sussex teers running this year’s festival than ever. Branches Beer & Cider We desperately need more helpers. Please festival. We saw yet consider volunteering next year, especially again 4200 lovely people (most of you for the evening sessions. Apart from free come every year; I know, because I recog- beer samples, you get a hot meal, a T-Shirt, nise your faces). Visitors, volunteers and transport home and you make new friends. organisers enjoyed a thoroughly pleasant As every year, we counted your votes on festival. A nice change from last year, the feedback forms for several awards. The when the festival seemed to be governed by award of Beer of the Festival goes to Tiny Murphy’s Law… Rebel Brewery for their Urban IPA; Cider We had some novelties this year. We re- and Perry of the Festival are Oakwood Or- moved the seating in the Sussex Bar, so ganic Cider and Barbourne Blakeney Red, that access to the bar was a lot easier. This respectively. The Bev Robbins Trophy led to more beer being drunk in the Sussex goes to Harveys Brewery for their Prince of Bar, leaving a greater choice in the main Denmark. bar until the end. Paul Allison, our web- master, provided up to date online informa- tion on the availability of the beers, so that those of you who use this technology knew what to expect, or not any more, as the case may have been. Another highlight were this year’s caterers, the Real Meat Sausage Company, who served excellent food at reasonable prices, and best of all, one didn’t have to wait for Thanks to your generosity, this year’s festi- it. We hope they’ll come again. We also val charity Dolphin House benefited by had lots of fun with the band on Saturday £1478. Photograph (above) shows Peter evening, The Last of the Wild. Fortunately, Mitchell, (left, Festival Publicity Officer) they were free to stand in for the Sex Pi- and my good self (in Festival T-shirt) pre- rates, who cancelled their performance due senting them with their cheque at the Duke to the illness of one of their musicians. We of Wellington, Shoreham-by-Sea. A further wish her a full recovery and hope to see £287.20 was collected in cash. Kissingate them next year instead. Brewery, based at Lower Beeding, kindly On the downside, there were fewer volun- donated a cask of their Mary’s Ruby Mild,
56 Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 Sussex Beer Festival 2013 which raised a further £180. Ace Faces else. Trying something different, however, donated a further £20. appeals to an increasing number of people. Real Ale is classed a Craft Beer here in Germany with IPAs and stouts gaining particular popularity. On 25-26 May there is a festival of beer culture … And as I am busy promoting Real Ale elsewhere, Peter Mitchell and John Kirkland have agreed to organise next year’s festival for you. Con- gratulations, Peter and John, it’s all a lot of fun! Planning has already commenced for next year’s festival which is due to be held on the 6, 7 & 8 March 2014. Altogether, we enjoyed about 18,000 pints See you there then. I wouldn’t miss it for with more than 300(!) different flavours. the world. This is a fine example of how CAMRA has Ingrid Sharp done wonders for the beer culture. In Co- 2013 Festival Organiser logne, where I live now, most people still drink loyally their local beer and nothing
Six Crows Wins at Hove Six Crows (6.6%) from Kissingate brew- ery of Lower Beeding. Congratulations A London & Gary and Bunny! Particular thanks, as South East always, to Steve Pardoe of the hosting Regional Brighton & South Downs branch for or- round of judg- ing for the Champion Beer of Britain (CBOB) is usually held early on the Saturday morning of the Sus- sex Branches Beer & Cider Festival at Hove. This year’s panel had the task of judging the style category of Barley Wines and Strong Old Ales. It’s a difficult ganising this event and transporting the job to sample high gravity beers at 10am samples. but someone’s got to do it! The several beers were assessed in a blind tasting on Photograph shows the judging panel re- the aspects of appearance, aroma, taste laxing after their hard labours. and aftertaste; and the clear winner was
Sussex Drinker: Summer 2013 57