Merse yAle CAMRA Liverpool & Districts Magazine Summer 2018 FREE

CAMRA Liverpool & Districts of the Year CASK

Club of the Year NORTHERN CLUB

Incorporating: Isle of Man News WirrAle Drinker St Helens News

www.liverpoolcamra.org.uk [email protected] Print Run 7000 MerseyAle Message from House bitter at CAMRA UK Pub of the Year CAMRA Liverpool and Districts Branch

(The Cricketers Arms, St Helens) MerseyAle Editor the Editor Dave MacBryde

Liverpool Branch Chair Lister’s Brewery produces easy-drinking Sonia James-Henry [email protected] favourites in a variety of styles in the MerseyAle Contacts beautiful West Sussex countryside and Comments/news/letters/photos [email protected]

delivers direct from their base in Southport MerseyAle Advertising Manager Howard Perry to and bars on Merseyside, Cheshire, howard.perry@liverpoolcamra. org.uk Greater Manchester, Lancashire and parts Distrubution Manager Andre Fu of Cumbria and North Yorkshire. [email protected] MerseyAle - Read online at www.liverpoolcamra.org.uk Welcome to the Summer Congratulations are also in Trade enquiries welcome, please call edition of MerseyAle. Just as we order for the Northern Club in Liverpool and Districts CAMRA went to press, it was Crosby, who are worthy 01903 885950 or 07768 860851 or email Main Branch Contact 5p per pint given to announced that Tim Page had winners of the 2018 Liverpool Sue Daniels [email protected] [email protected] decided to step down from his and Districts Branch Club of role as CAMRA Chief Executive. the Year Award. For more Contact for Coach trips only In what was important news for details about this hidden gem, Ian Macadam 07521 741 586 the organisation as a whole, see Page 19. by email Jackie Parker (in her statement This issue includes features [email protected] on behalf of the National from Good Guide Editor,

Web Sites Executive) thanked Tim for his Roger Protz and noted Beer Liverpool and Districts contribution to the Campaign Writer, Tutor and Master WWW.LISTERSBREWERY.COM CAMRA Branch and wished him all the very Trainer, Christine Cryne, www.liverpoolcamra.org.uk best for the future. May we at amongst other esteemed wwwfacebook.com MerseyAle echo those contributors. As ever, your /CAMRAliverpool sentiments. input is invaluable, very much @LiverpoolCAMRA Closer to home, it’s yet another appreciated and I extend my QR Codes inside back page remarkable achievement for heartfelt thanks to you all. CASK, who have now pulled off Suffice to say, I sincerely hope 5p per pint given to 5p per pint given to 5p per pint given to 5p per pint given to 5p per pint given to a hat-trick of consecutive you enjoy reading MerseyAle Liverpool and Districts Branch and continue to support our 4.1% Pub of the Year Awards. Hearty wonderful pubs across the congratulations to Ian and region – especially in the Michelle, whose hard work and warmer months ahead! commitment to serving Cheers. great beer in a welcoming Dave MacBryde 5p per pint given to environment has been deservedly rewarded once MerseyAle Editor more. For more details, see The opinions expressed in MerseyAle are not Pages 22 and 23. necessarily those of the Editor, the CAMRA Proud to give 5p from every pint or bottle (10p from Tail Wagger) to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. Liverpool Branch or CAMRA Ltd. 2 [email protected] [email protected] 3 WelcomeWelccome to the

Maghull Cask Cafe becoming a firm favourite and VernonVerrnonn ArmsArms Fellow branch member, Dave deserves continued local and Cheers from JimmyJiimmy and Barbara Monaghan Mernock, has visited the regional support. It is a great addition to the real ale scene TheThe VernonVVeernon Arms,Armss,, DaleDale SStStreet,treet, LLiLiverpooliverpool Maghull Cask Cafe and wrote the following review. (This in Maghull. The 310 and HandpumpsHandpumps (4 ever-changing,ever-changing g, 1 cider) should have appeared in the 300 buses (Liverpool to 7 last edition of MerseyAle but Skelmersdale and Southport) Regulars: The Rev. James,J Johnny Handsome,Handsome , Rum Porter due to the publication date stop outside. being so soon after our handpumps were offering Gitane Zarah’s RumR Porter (exclusive to Thee Vernon Arms) successful Beer Festival, it Holden’s Golden Glow, Tiny The Florist served Mon-ThurMoon-Thur 12-7pm, Fri-Sun 12-4pm Rebel Fugg Life, Hopsack was unfortunately omitted. Work converting the Old Blind Belgian specialispecialityity bottled Summer Lightning and Titanic Apologies from myself to both School pub (Hardman Street) to Large screen spsportsports in HD Plum Porter - all sampled, all Dave and John.) an exciting new venue has now Private functionn room available (The LathamLathaam Lounge) in very good condition. John been completed. The OBS was telling me that previous The Vernon Arms offersofffers all of the above in a friendlyriendly and safe atmospherere plus: closed suddenly last June and a beers included Millstone Tiger sign stating “Closed until Live entertainmententert tainment on FridaysFriddays and SaturdaysSaturddays Rut and Neptune Abyss OpeningOpenning times: Sun-Thur 12p12pm-11pm,pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-12am12am (brewed just half a mile away!). @VernonArmsL2@ www.vernonarms.netwww.vernonarms.net 69 Dale Street, L2 2HJ, 0151 236 6132 Forthcoming beers include Salopian Lux Nova, Tiny Rebel Marshmallow Stout and Kelham Island Aviator. The Maghull Cask Cafe (located at aim is to offer one dark beer 43 Liverpool Rd South) is a every week, with all four beers café during the day (Mocha), tapped on the Wednesday, to then towards the weekend further notice” remained in the be replaced on the next transforms into an atmospheric window for many months. Thursday by four new beers. Now the site has been acquired They also offer soft , by New World Trading and spirits (particularly Company (NWTC) and the gin) and a selection of bottles, new restaurant is named The including Erdinger and Florist. NWTC have other Veltins. Pies, pickles and venues within the branch area snacks are available. - namely, The Smugglers’ Cove at the Albert Dock and The area is cosy, but roomy The Club House in Chavasse and conducive for chatting micro pub. Opening times are Park. (there are no TV’s), with a Thursday to Saturday 4-9pm quieter seating area to the rear and Sunday 12-9pm. The Florist offers its famous of the pub. A car park is also , a selection of world situated to the rear. The licensee John and his staff ale, alongside a vibrant food are committed devotees of real menu, which features a deli, Although having only opened ale and this shows in the rotisserie and grill dishes. They at the end of January, the pub is superb beer quality. At the time promise to offer beer and ale already attracting an eclectic of my (three) visits, four from around the world...only mix of customers and looks like F 4 [email protected] [email protected] 5 time will tell if any will be of effectively trebling the space Road side of the pub. Thank There are plans to refurbish the new venture along with Star the traditional cask variety. available. you to all who contributed to pub in the near future, while Pubs & Inns (Heineken), said: The building is Grade II listed obtain this important piece of being sympathetic to the “My family are all from and features a striking central Old Swan Ale House equipment. fabulous history of the Liverpool and I still live in the staircase with Victorian touches The Old Swan Ale House have building. area. The English Rose has alongside the cosy open fires. now launched their Pie Club. Excelsior The pub, which is well known always been an iconic site.” Every Friday, from 2pm, you It’s come to my attention that for its elaborately tiled interior, The tired building has received The Book Bar & Eatery The Excelsior on Dale Street is was built for Pearl Insurance in a complete external renovation A new bar opened in West now selling Real Cider. I’ve 1901 and is a listed building. It to make it an attractive feature Derby Village at the end of been told by Matty and Jack is named after William Henry of the neighbourhood. March, on the site of an old that they have been selling The large rear lawn has been betting shop. The Book Bar & Rosie’s Pig and Old Rosie landscaped to create a beer Eatery (@thebookwestderby) from Weston’s for some time garden and a children's play The company already owns has opened at 8 Mill Lane, L12, now. The cider is served area. The interior has been The Eccleston Arms and selling draught (keg) beers, directly from a chilled bag-in-a- opened up, giving it a light, Punch Tarmey's in St Helens, gins and cocktails, but can by a pie and a pint for £6. box. airy feel and a contemporary as well as The Bold Hotel and unfortunately no real ale. Pies include Steak and Ale, as look. the Punch Tarmey’s Irish pubs Hopefully, this may change in well as Pork and Stilton. in Southport. They are also set time. Food is served in the form Duncan, who was Liverpool Corner Post to open Lord Street Hote l and of hand-made pizzas. and the UK’s first Medical a wine and champagne bar in In December 2017, CAMRA Officer of Health. Stamps Bar member Dave Smallshaw, a the town this summer. Stamps Bar in Crosby hosted Corner Post regular, suffered a Andrew Mikhail, Chairman of CookHouse fatal cardiac arrest in the micro the Caribbean Fusion Supper Mikhail Hotel and Leisure A popular Liverpool pub has pub, even though paramedics Group, quoted to the Star: Club on 21st April. The reopened, after being were soon on the scene. “This is a really exciting time converted into a family- Regulars at The Corner Post Dr Duncan’s for us as a group, as we friendly carvery, as reported in have raised money in Dave’s As reported in the St Helens continue to expand. We have the Liverpool Echo. A glass atrium-style extension Star in May, a St Helens-based always had plans to move into The English Rose on Mackets with concertina doors, comfy businessman has made a the city centre, but were waiting Lane has undergone a huge seating and sofas has been built further addition to a rapidly for the right venue. We truly £840k transformation, after at the back to allow customers expanding group of hotels and believe that Doctor Duncan’s is being closed for 18 months. The to enjoy the garden from inside. pubs by completing the that place.” pub is now called CookHouse A state of the art kitchen has evening included a three purchase of Doctor Duncan’s. been installed, as well as an ice course Caribbean meal, live "It is steeped in history and The Mikhail Hotel and Leisure cream parlour and a barista music and entertainment. offers a great place to go for quality coffee bar. Group has bought the historic city workers and people Blues Bar The pub opens daily at 9am, enjoying a leisurely in with food served all day, Meanwhile, around the corner, great surroundings. While we memory for a defibrillator to be starting with breakfast. The Blues Bar on Moor Lane can see what a good venue it placed on the wall outside the menu focuses on delivering has expanded into the currently is, we also see huge pub. The nearest one is at great quality at affordable neighbouring shop unit, potential for what it can Crosby Leisure Centre, some prices, with ingredients become. 500m away. The Corner Post is sourced locally wherever "We are looking forward to on Bridge Road, centrally Pub & Carvery and opened in possible. working with the current staff placed in a busy area, proving early March. Around 45 jobs As well as serving traditional and getting to know the the ideal spot for such useful pub, which sits in the shadow have been created by the new pub favourites, the pub has a customers and finding out how equipment. The collection has of St George’s Hall. The group development. carvery, complete with a they would like Doctor now closed and the machine is took over the running of the Colin Stuart, director at Public rotisserie. Duncan’s to develop.” now installed on the Cavendish pub on May 3rd. Urban Bars, who are behind the By Andre Fu

6 [email protected] [email protected] 7 BBrreewweerr yynneewwss

West Coast IPA (5%) to their tinues to serve beer from both fleet, with lots of Centennial and traditional cask and key keg and Cascade hops. Additionally, Jar usually has four different beers has joined the beers on regular available at each session, all rotation at The Ship and is de - priced at £2/pint (£2.50/keg). scribed as a light-bodied 4.5% Quality spirits, premium bottled Rock the Boat Brewery of Porter. Jar will alternate with Sil - beers and ciders, wine and soft Little Crosby have brewed a houette, a 4.2% dry Irish stout. new version of their 3.9% Yellow Meanwhile, Olio (a cask saison Submarine single-hop beer. at 5.3%) has now been launched. This new brew used the UK- This refreshing wheat and oat grown Jester hop and was avail - able in local pubs during March/ April. Also available drinks are also available, includ - was 80/- which was produced ing their own range of flavoured especially for the Baltic Fleet, as gins and vodka, which is a new part of their Six Nations pale will be available in aggres - development. A selection of bar Rugby event. It is described as a sively dry hopped, dandelion, snacks are also on sale. 4.5% dark, smooth malty brew juniper, and orange and black with coffee notes. pepper variants over the sum - Now, as we move forward into mer, with the most popular the summer months, they have The latest incarnation of this combos becoming regular cask started opening on Saturdays beer utilises the Ernest hop, and keg-conditioned offerings. too (from 1pm), but you are which was 'mothballed' in the highly advised to ring ahead 1960's for being 'too New World' Neptune Brewery from first or check social media be - to be used in traditional English fore you make a special journey. Maghull had a Tap Takeover ales at that time. It was found Weekend at the West Kirby Tap growing in the wild and lab 74 Venture Point West, Evans during the May Bank Holiday analysis identified it as being Road, Speke, L24 9PB. Tel: 558 (4th-6th May), which featured Magic Dragon Brewing Ernest. See article on page 11. 0290. Twitter:@bigbog 12 different cask and keg beers, Have you tasted the magic yet! Dave Barker (brewer at Rock the covering all styles Ad Hop Boat) acquired it from hop sup - Meanwhile, plier, Charles Faram, who had News regarding Liverpool over at AdHop, grown a 'trial' crop. He used it in Organic Brewery for those who following on the latest YS beer, along with may have missed it... from their run - 20% of the Challenger hop. https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/n ner's-up place Dave uses only whole leaf - no ews/liverpool-news/liverpool- at this year's beer festival (and a pellets, oils or cryo hops. By not organic-brewery-saved-after- successful launch night in The 14468223 over-hopping, he hopes he has Grapes, where a firkin sold out created a traditional pale bitter Big Bog Brewery in Speke in just four hours), they will Contact : 01978 781 675 Why not follow us on at an ABV of 3.9%. have now extended their open - shortly be going into full pro - www.magicdragonbrewing.co.uk @brewingdragon ing hours on Fridays to 4pm duction of a 4.6% honey pale Flagship Beer (Ship & Mitre) ale, called Honey I Love You. [email protected] Magic dragon brewing until late (use your own inter - have added Century, a balanced pretation of what late is!). It con - contd on page 11 F 8 [email protected] [email protected] 9 Brewery news contd Ad Hop enjoyed a very success - tasty and quaffable 4.2% beer. variant dry hopped with Lemon ful tap takeover at Swanfest at They also have also launched a Drop hops. Currently maturing the Old Swan Ale Hous e during new 4.2% pale ale called and available later in the year the Easter weekend, with four of Paddy's Wigwam, as well as re- are old favourites Black Widow, their beers on: Jesse James, a brewing some of their favourite a 10.2% Imperial Stout aged on 4.9% IPA; Little Secret Galaxy, a beers – Enigma, a 5.5% single oak chips, as well as Liquorice 5.5% IPA; Equinox XL, a 6.1% hop IPA; Equinox, also a 5.5% Lady, a 6.5% Liquorice Baltic IPA; and the launch of their lat - single hop IPA; and Little Secret Porter. est pale ale, Liver Bird , a very Galaxy, a 5.5% IPA, including a By Andre Fu Hopping in Ernest Rock the Boat have released their latest batch of Yellow Submarine Special; this time with a hop that hasn’t been used since 1959. It is called Ernest and was first developed in 1921 at Wye College in Kent, which was one of the main agricultural research centres in the UK at that time. It is named after its Strangers at the Bar breeder, Prof. Ernest Salmon, who worked on the development of several commercial The Guardian reports that is complete, which means hop varieties, including Brewer’s Gold, two London pubs fre - the public will not be able to Bullion, Northern Brewer, and Bramling quented by politicians - St use either pub. There was Cross.

Stephen’s and The talk of The Red Lion being Brewing trials conducted by the Institute of Hops (after Hope) by Dennis Jones Red Lion - could soon be ‘nationalised’ so that politi - Brewing in 1959 concluded that Ernest was a seized by parliament and cians don’t lose access to poor substitute for the Fuggle hop variety, ‘rediscovered’ recently by brewers looking closed. their subsidised drinks, as due to its “strong, for ‘New World’ characteristics. redlionwestminster.co.uk the Palace bars will also be Ernest provides a fruity flavour, with apricot, Under one of several plans coarse, American closed. We can’t have politi - citrus and spice notes in the aroma. to restore the Palace of West - can be recalled back to the aroma”, not at all cians paying proper pub The current interest stems from wild minster, politicians would ‘House’ for important votes. suitable for British prices like the rest of us, can varieties of the hop reportedly being found move to buildings across It must be nice to work in an beer at that time. we? in Worcestershire. These were taken for the road - probably with the environment with such a However, times analysis at Charles Faram Hop Merchants, Commons moving to According to whatpub.com relaxed alcohol policy - have changed. who grew a test crop. Consequently, Rock Richmond House on nearby (where CAMRA members unlike the policies most Subsequently, the the Boat brewer, David Barker, managed to Whitehall. This would en - are encouraged to enter beer other public servants and variety was put obtain some of this crop for this version of close both pubs in a new scores), the nearby Westmin - other workers have to com - back into the hop Yellow Submarine Special. £50m security ring until the ster Arms has its own Divi - ply with. collection and not By Tony Morgan refurbishment of the Palace sion Bell, so that toping MPs By Tony Morgan used again until

10 [email protected] [email protected] 11 Take a walk on CAMRA’s annual celebration of Mild

Mitre. I was hoping to have my first taste of Titanic The Dark Side Cherry Dark here, but sadly when we got to the May brings longer nights, John Blackler. In recent pub, it was still listed as warmer weather (hope- weeks, I’ve had some ‘Coming Soon’. However, fully) and CAMRA’s annual great dark beers here, and my disappointment was celebration of my this visit was no exception, soon expelled when I tried favourite beer style - Mild. with not one, but two the Ossett Progress Porter Sadly, Mild is scarce in - a great beer to finish the Liverpool, with very few evening. Another pub that night with. pubs selling it on a regular Rock Juniper Mild. A great often has dark beers on basis. So, with that in way to start the crawl! offer, there was an mind, rather than having a impressive selection, Mild pub crawl, we A short walk down the hill including Rudgate Ruby widened our options brought us to Sanctuary slightly and went for a Bar on Lime Street. A dark ale crawl instead. relatively new addition to Widening the criteria gave us a greater selection of pubs to choose from, and a special mention must go to The Grapes on Knight Street, as well as The Dispensary. Although we Mild, Lytham Stout, and I’d like to thank those didn’t visit these pubs on another local beer, the people who came on the this tour, they are both a the real ale scene, the pub fabulous Peerless Oatmeal crawl and helped make it reliable source of great is becoming a favourite Milds on offer: Stout. such a success. Of course, dark beers, all year round. with CAMRA members Moorhouse’s Black Cat Our last stop on the crawl a big thank you to all the This year, we started at and is a haven amongst all (another favourite of was a pub that offers a pubs for their hospitality The Augustus John, which the keg outlets that have mine) and Titanic Mild. dazzling array of real ales, and excellent beers. There recently opened in the Unable to decide which to including many unusual were so many great brews area. There are two dark go for, I opted for a half of dark beers, the Ship and on offer, from a variety of beers regularly on the bar: each. Should you visit this breweries, including a few Stog (from local brewery, pub, look out for their local ones. We really were CAMRA corner, where spoilt for choice. Here’s to you’ll find a photo of next year’s crawl! everyone enjoying the crawl. By Sonia James-Henry The North Western (our second Wetherspoon’s pub) - normally busy with is always a good place to Big Bog) and one of travellers using the seek out dark beer. On this my personal favourites, adjacent Lime Street particular day, we were Titanic Plum Porter. Both Station or attending a treated to two Milds - both are well kept and served show at the nearby Empire of which are rarely seen in with a smile. Theatre - was pleasantly Liverpool: Teignworthy A short walk away, our calm by the time we Martha’s Mild and Castle next pub was The Richard arrived, late in the

12 [email protected] [email protected] 13 To those who argue that I voted for change. I would CAMRA - as a result of the like CAMRA to be the voice AGM decisions - is no longer of all pub-goers and to relevant, look at the cam - campaign to save pubs. paign’s history. When it was While I will always drink real Protz On Beer founded in 1971, a wave of takeovers and mergers had created six national brewing Editor of the Good Beer Guide groups, whose main aim was Twice winner of Glenfiddich Drink Writer award, to foist dreadful keg beers of beer. Figures for 2017 SIBA 2015 LifetimeAchievement Award for such as Double Diamond show total keg (that includes Outstanding Contribution to the Brewing Industry and Watney’s Red Barrel, such traditional keg beers as along with dismal parodies of ale as my beer of choice, I As Mark Twain might have John Smith's and Tetley) European lager on the British recognise that many modern said, “Reports of CAMRA’s down by 25%, lager by 11% drinking public. Old family craft keg beers are of excel - death have been greatly exag - and cask by just 5%. breweries were disappearing lent quality and worthy of gerated”. Following the cam - The British Beer and Pub at a rate of knots. attention. paign’s annual meeting on Association (the voice of big Young CAMRA was a small But I also accept that, as a re - 21st and 22nd April, I would brewers and pub companies organisation, but with a pow - sult of its founding aims, real like to clarify some issues re - and not a great friend of erful voice. As a result of its ale must always be central to garding the decisions taken, CAMRA’s) says “Cask is out- campaigning, beer festivals the campaign’s activities. No CAMRA’s work over the past performing the market”. and publications such as the other country produces large 47 years, and the beer market In spite of all the noise and Good Beer Guide, it created amounts of cask-conditioned as it is today. brouhaha around craft keg allow CAMRA beer festivals beer. It’s part of Britain’s his - First, let it be said without beer, it accounts for just 5% “Reports of to stock beers other than In spite of all the tory and heritage and it is to fear of contradiction that of the beer market. It did cask-conditioned real ale. CAMRA’s great credit that it CAMRA, whatever its faults, is CAMRA’s death grow market share in 2017, noise and That is already happening has been saved, restored and a deeply democratic organi - but remains a small sector. brouhaha around have been and I suspect the trend will revived. sation. Not just those attend - It’s not a threat to cask beer: craft keg beer, it greatly grow. This is not the time to resign ing the AGM in Coventry, but research by Heineken shows One successful candidate for accounts for just 5 from CAMRA or tear up the entire membership (to - exaggerated”. that most drinkers of craft the campaign’s national exec - per cent of the membership cards. In a few talling 192,000) were asked to keg were previously lager utive, Lynn Atack - and I do beer market. years’ time, it might be possi - vote on a series of changes to were agreed, and these were drinkers. In other words, not believe these old school, ble to revisit the call for the the campaign’s governing progressive, including em - craft keg is not in general tak - dogmatic views to be typical such a demand for traditional campaign to speak for all rules, known as the “articles bracing greater diversity and ing sales away from the real of the executive - said that if cask beer that the sector pub-goers and the necessary of association”. These equality. ale sector. The reason why CAMRA became the voice of started to revive, takeovers majority may vote in favour. changes were the result of a The one that failed was seen global brewers such as AB all beer drinkers and sup - slowed down and more and In the meantime, let us salute two-year consultation known as the major key to change: to ported modern craft keg more pubs stocked hand- CAMRA’s achievements and as the Revitalisation Project, make the campaign speak for beers, there would be a re - pumped beer again. continue to support a move - designed to make CAMRA all pub goers and beer turn to the 1970s, when keg Let there be no doubt that ment that campaigns for more relevant in a beer world drinkers. 72.6% of those vot - beer ruled and cask ale was but for the efforts of CAMRA good beer and the pubs that that has changed beyond all ing supported that recom - almost wiped out. back in the 1970s and 80s, serve it. recognition since it was mendation, but under The facts prove otherwise. In there would not be 2,000 founded in 1971. company law (and CAMRA is InBev, Carlsberg and spite of the dramatic increase breweries operating today. By Roger Protz 18,000 voted, which is broadly a limited company), 75% had Heineken are buying or in - in the number of breweries, We would all be drinking the For more news from Roger, typical of active engagement to vote in support. As a result, vesting in craft keg breweries overall consumption of beer likes of Stella Artois, Ameri - Editor of CAMRA’s Good in a large membership organ - the proposal failed by less is that while it’s a small sector is in decline. Cask ale has can Budweiser, Heineken Beer Guide, visit: isation. than 3%. of the market, it is highly fared better than other types and John Smith’s Smooth. http://protzonbeer.co.uk/ All the proposals except one The conference also voted to profitable.

14 [email protected] [email protected] 15 within hours - with reports of customers queuing outside - the supermarket’s profits Trappist News were negligible, as it needed to pay off unidentified suppliers.

UK’s First Trappist Brewery Gineke Wilms, the company’s marketing manager, said: “The beer was purchased Fans of Belgian beer may want to bottles and sold nationally (via a distributor) through a number of links, which is why consider a trip to the East Midlands and locally in their own shop and selected the price was this amount. We emphasised instead of Flanders, due to the opening outlets. to the abbey that we had really good of the UK’s first Trappist brewery in Any profits will go to the Trustees of Mount St Saint Sixtus Abbey photo by spotter2 intentions. We respect the exclusivity of Leicestershire. Bernard - a registered charity, responsible for beer enormously.” After visiting other abbeys where beer is maintaining the abbey and paying the monks An abbey spokesman said: “We especially brewed, the monks of Mount St Bernard living expenses. bottle). They must pick them up from the gate hope that it will not happen again.” Abbey near Whitwick (west of The name of the beer and launch date is due of the abbey at the agreed date and time, to be announced soon. having registered the licence plate of their car in advance. By Tony Morgan The monks were horrified to discover that the Trappist Troubles Jan Linders supermarket chain - without the We often hear of supermarkets selling beer permission or knowledge of the abbey - had cheaper than the local pubs can and been selling their renowned undercutting them in the process. However, a beer at approximately five cheeky supermarket chain in Belgium has times the price charged by been selling Trappist beer at a higher price the monks. and still getting into bother! A spokesman for the abbey www.mountsaintbernard.org/brewery- news Trappist monks at the St Sixtus abbey in said: “A price of nearly €10 Loughborough) decided to look into starting Westvleteren (West Flanders) brew three per bottle goes against the their own brewery. They subsequently began beers: Westvleteren 12 (XII), Westvleteren 8, ethical standards and making experimental brews. The monks were and Westvleteren Blond. Annual production values that the monks face. then given planning permission to build a is very low, with the monks taking their own Every beer lover knows brewery last year, converting a redundant part supply and releasing around 5.000 hl. for sale that the Trappists of of the 19th century Cistercian monastery to to the public. That’s just about enough for 1.5 Westvleteren do not pursue create only the 12th Trappist brewery in the out of every 10 Belgians to enjoy one profit maximisation; they world. Westvleteren each year. only produce as much beer Having received help from other Trappist Under the abbey’s rules, the beer is only as is necessary to provide for monks and local brewers, they have now available by the glass at the abbey visitor their livelihood. All the profits created the first English Trappist Ale, bringing centre or by the crate, under strict conditions. made go to the abbey charity.” together the traditions of both the continental Indeed, according to the Saint Sixtus abbey’s A spokesman for Jan Linders Trappist brewers and English brewing. website, those seeking to buy bottles of stated that the supermarket had The Mount St Bernard Abbey brewery has a Westvleteren in bulk must have “a lot of wanted to reward loyal customers 20 hectolitre capacity, which means they can patience and luck”. with the specialist beer, and had brew 2,000 litres or about 440 gallons of beer A buyer can reserve a maximum of two crates allowed the purchase of a maximum of at each brew. of 24 bottles, every 60 days at a price of two bottles at a time. He said that while the stock of 300 crates of 24 bottles sold out The 7.4% beer will be available in 330ml roughly €40 per crate (equivalent to €1.70 per

16 [email protected] [email protected] 17 not just about beer, as the award Good Beer Guide takes into account a club’s place Belgium Northern Club, Crosby within the local community. is Liverpool & Districts CAMRA Branch The Northern has five senior In April 2018, CAMRA launched Although all the hotspots (no - cricket teams, squash and the eighth edition of its Good tably Brussels, Ghent, Bruges Club Of The Year racketball courts, hockey Beer Guide Belgium. The book and Antwerp) are covered in pitches, two bowling greens, is jam packed with information earnest, it is perhaps the more and snooker teams. Many of the on Belgian breweries, beers obscure bars and breweries sports have strong junior and bars, amongst other essen - featured that bear greater testa - tials. ment to the painstaking re - sections, which are training up search that has gone into the the next generation of Since the guide’s inception in guide. So much so, it’s previ - sportsmen and women. All this 1992 (which then included ously given me immense pleas - makes the Northern a local Holland as well), this trusty how to bring the best of Bel - ure to find gems - courtesy of community asset and a worthy tome has become an indispen - gium’s beer offering back the guide - in such places as winner of this award. home with you. Furthermore, sible companion for any dis - Tongeren and Namur, not to On Thursday 24th June, branch of Liverpool & Districts branch, cerning fan of Belgian beer – or there are sections devoted to mention drinking from a chal - members visited the Northern presented the award to Colin Although the Northern is a indeed novice. Authors Tim beer and food matching, Bel - ice in the local haunt of ex- members club, card carrying Webb and Joe Stange are au - gian history down the years Newcastle United footballer, Club in Crosby to present them Blanchard (Club President) and thorities on the subject and and even an educational look Philippe Albert, in Charleroi with the branch Club of the Year John Rearden (Club Manager). CAMRA members are admitted their passion shines through at ‘Brands without breweries’. (which was more a stroke of award for 2018. The Northern is Presenting the award, Sonia on Wednesdays and anyone can on every page. Following my first visit to luck than anything else!). a true hidden gem, tucked away explained that the Northern visit when there are home Belgium in 1998, I’ve been a Given the coverage afforded to in the Moor Park area of Crosby, had impressed the local cricket matches taking place. This is to be Tim’s last Good fairly regular visitor ever since, the varying styles and tradi - just off the A565 on the way to CAMRA committee, due to the with Bruges a personal Beer Guide Belgium however. tions, it’s easy for any reader to Thornton. Founded as a cricket work put in to increase the Like the Pub of the Year (POTY) favourite. Those initial trips Having worked on the project gain a better understanding of club in 1859, the Northern range of real ales on offer in competition, Club of the Year for three decades, he is “not re - were spent sans guidebook, the Belgian beer world as a moved to Moor Park in 1907. recent years, and also because is a national CAMRA com- tiring – never has been – but with no online beer apps to whole. petition, run on similar lines to feels the need to become a hand either (the likes of which All in all, Good Beer Guide Bel - On the evening of the of the important role the club user.” He’s most certainly are commonplace these days). gium is a must-have for anyone presentation, those attending plays as part of the local POTY and has similar judging earned the right. Beer hunting for me involved with even a passing interest in were rather spoilt for choice as community. In reply, Mr criteria. The Northern is now in The guide provides much more mainly leisurely strolls, Belgian beer and a more than far as beer is concerned. Three Blanchard expressed what an competition with other than a mere list of bars and whereby bars were stumbled worthy investment. Rock the Boat beers (Dragon’s honour it was for the club to be Merseyside and Cheshire beers though, with nigh on 400 upon by chance or recom - Teeth, Bootle Bull, and Yellow recognised in this way and CAMRA region clubs. These mended word of mouth. pages comprising comprehen - By Dave MacBryde Submarine Special) were being thanked Liverpool & Districts are: Poynton Royal British sive advice on getting there, as As enjoyable as that was, my To purchase Good Beer Guide CAMRA for the award on Legion Club (High Peak & N well as details of beer festivals, Branch Chair Sonia presents first purchase of the Good Beer Belgium, visit the online behalf of the club committee East Cheshire); Broken Cross what to eat, where to stay and the award to Guide Belgium in 2010 (by then CAMRA shop at: and members. (Macclesfield); Appleton Thorn in its sixth edition), added a John Rearden shop.camra.org.uk At the Northern, members of Club (North Cheshire) and The whole new dimension to beery the Club Committee and Club Nantwich Club (South Belgian meanderings and Manager have worked together Cheshire). helped hone my taste buds further. to improve the range of real ales on offer. The hand pumps in the Clubs can be listed on WhatPub main bar regularly feature beers (https://whatpub.com/), so if you from Rock the Boat, Brimstage know of any social, working served in the function room and Hawkshead breweries. men’s, ex-servicemen’s, political, where we met, with Red Star religious, student unions or sporting clubs which sell real ale, Formby Blonde, Hawkshead Also, three pumps have you can either add them to the Bitter, and Brimstage Trapper’s recently been installed in the WhatPub database or let us know Hat available in the main bar. function room, and the Club on publicaffairs@ As the evening was blessed Manager, John Rearden, is liverpoolcamra.org.uk or contact with warm, sunny weather, the happy to source a particular any member of committee. presentation itself took place beer to suit individual tastes if outside, next to the main cricket you book an event at the club. pitch. Sonia James-Henry, Chair However, the Club of the Year is By Tony Morgan

18 [email protected] [email protected] 19 Rock the Boat BOOTLE BULL If you’ve ever bought or seen Rock the Gladstone Dock. Subsequently, a new Boat beers in pubs, you might have lighthouse was constructed to the north of noticed that their names all have a local the new dock. connection. In fact, some are named after local landmarks or features, with a few An internet search reveals several black having musical connections. and white photographs and a couple of sketches of the lighthouse. Also, local artist Mike Booth has produced a colour painting of the lighthouse. This can be seen in the Corner Post in Crosby .

By Tony Morgan

Ref: https://whatpub.com/pubs/MER/401/corner-post-liverpool

For instance, their 3.8% bitter, Bootle Bull, is named after the foghorn in the old Bootle or North Wall lighthouse. The light - house was built by the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board in 1877 on the seawall between Hornby Dock - at that time the most northerly of the docks (now filled in) - and Alexandra Branch Dock No.3. It was 70 ft (21 m) high, with a brick built square tower surmounted by an iron balcony and a circular lantern room.

The lighthouse and the ‘Bootle Bull’ went out of service in 1927 when Bootle docks were expanded with the construction of Mike Booth

20 [email protected] [email protected] 21 CAMRA Liverpool & Districts general when it comes to nominating pubs to make the shortlist. We have a local membership of nearly 1,800+, of the but in the last few years I have Pub Year received less than 150 It’s a Hat-Trick for nominations each year. Then, to cap it all, those that don’t express a choice pass negative CASK! comments on the outcome, either regarding the makeup of the shortlist or the eventual winner.

Michelle, Ian, Andre and My comment is this: if you want Branch Chair Sonia to affect the outcome of the process you need to VOTE and I was 'warned' by our Chair to pleasure. The whole selection play an active part in the keep my 'presentation speech' and judging process is as open competition, rather than simply short...which I duly did. As and transparent as I can make it pass comment after the event. usual, Ian was very gracious, and I’ve had terrific support but a 'man of few words', from all the judges I’ve I wish my successor the best of although Michelle made up for appointed - both from the luck...and look forward with that by first thanking those committee and outside. To all anticipation to the outcome of branch members who of them...I am very grateful. next year’s competition. nominated the pub, the judges However, I have been very By Andre Fu for their 'efforts', but mostly the disappointed with the level of Pub of the Year Co-ordinator loyal customers they have apathy amongst the branch in attracted over the years that make it all possible and worthwhile. This is the third (and last) time It occurred to me recently to print for the first time in 1865.” Year (POTY) for the third year I’ve had to write an article such think about the origins of the running, thus securing a 'hat- Source: Wikipedia (27/05/18) as this. So much so, I have now term 'hat-trick'. Obviously, I trick' of wins. run out of superlatives that the know it’s closely associated Now, I know you can't believe To my knowledge, in the judges used this year to with several sports, but was everything you read on 'modern era' (i.e. in the last five describe why they scored CASK curious to find out when, why Wikipedia, but other sources years or so), this hasn’t been as they did. All that can be said and how it was first used. seem to concur, which I was achieved since the Ship & Mitre is that they are a worthy winner relieved about. Apart from real won in consecutive years, at a A quick bit of research on that once again. ale, cricket is my other 'passion’, time when the whole POTY 'tinternet thingy' revealed the despite the national team and process was very different from As stated in the previous following: Lancashire not having a great what it is now. edition of this magazine, this is time of it at the moment! the last year I will be the co- “The term first appeared in 1858 On Sunday 6th May, committee ordinator of this competition. in cricket, to describe H. H. You may be wondering by now members along with CASK During my three-year term, I Stephenson's taking three what all this 'rambling' has got regulars gathered in the can certainly say it has been a wickets with three consecutive to do with real ale and winning venue to make the privilege. I have taken it very deliveries. Fans held a collection MerseyAle etc. Well, it's quite official presentation of the seriously and done it to the best for Stephenson, and presented simple really. Back in March, I certificate and POTY Shield to of my ability, but sadly I cannot him with a hat bought with the had the pleasure of announcing Ian and Michelle. proceeds. The term was used in CASK as our branch Pub of the say it has always been a

22 [email protected] [email protected] 23 Liverpool Pubs Where to Find LocAle in Liverpool (correct as of May 2018) CAMRA Discount Augustus John , Peach Street, L3 5TX Navigator, 694 Queens Drive, Old Swan, L13 5UH Baltic Fleet , 33 Wapping, L1 8DQ North Western, 7 Lime Street, L1 1RJ Discounts on production of a valid CAMRA card Barkers Brewery, Archway Road, Huyton, L36 9UJ Old Bank, 301 Aigburth Road, Aigburth, L17 0BJ Barbacoa, 47-51 Mersey View, L22 6QA Pen Factory, 13 Hope Street, L1 9BQ Belvedere, 8 Sugnall Street, L7 7EB Pumphouse, The Colonnades, Albert Dock, L3 4AN • Central & Commercial, Ranelagh St – 20p off (pints only) Blackburne , 24 Catharine Street, L8 7NL Queen's Picturehouse, 47 South Rd, (pints only) • The Baltic Fleet, Wapping - 20p off a pint, 10p Butchers, Booker Avenue, L18 4QZ Waterloo, L22 5PE • Willow Bank Tavern, Smithdown Road – 10% off a half Caledonia, 22 Caledonia Street, L7 7DX Que Pasa , 94, Lark Lane, L17 8UX off except Tuesday after 6pm (see below) • The Punchbowl , Lunt Road, Sefton Village – Cavern Pub , 5 Mathew Street, L2 6RE Raven, 72-74 Walton Vale, Walton, L9 2BU • Flute, Hardman St – 10% off except Tuesday 20p off a pint, 10p off a half Central, 31 Ranelagh Street, L1 1JP Refinery, Josephine Butler Building, (see below) • T he Crown, 43 Lime Street - 20p off a pint, Childwall Fiveways, 79 Queens Drive, L15 6XS Hope Street, L1 9BP • White Star, Rainford Gardens – Mon to 10p off a half Cobden, 89 Quarry Street, Woolton, L25 6HA Richard John Blackler, 1-2, Charlotte Row, L1 1HU Thurs selected beer £2.50 • Victoria Cross, Sir Thomas Street - 20p off Corner Post, 25 Bridge Road, Crosby, L23 6SA Richmond Tavern, 23a Church Rd, • Pumphouse, Albert Dock – 25p off (pints (pints only, except Saturday) Courtyard Bar & Kitchen , 89 Roe Street, L1 1EP Wavertree, L15 9EA only) • Sanctuary, 72 Lime Street - 10% off (Loyalty Crown, 43 Lime Street, L1 1JQ Roscoe Head, 24 Roscoe Street, L1 2SX • Hare & Hounds, Liverpool Road North, card available) Dispensary, 87 Renshaw St, L1 2SP Royal Hotel, Marine Terrace, L22 5PR Edinburgh, 119 College Rd, L23 3AS Sanctuary, 72 Lime Street, Liverpool, L1 1JN Maghull - 20p off (pints only) ex Monday: • Head of Steam, 85-89 Hanover Street - 20p Excelsior, 121-123 Dale Street, L2 2JH Ship & Mitre, 133 Dale Street, L2 2JH £2.49/pt off a pint, 10p off a half Fall Well, Roe Street, L1 1LS Sphinx, 160 Mount Pleasant, University, L3 5TR • Richmond Tavern, Church Rd, Wavertree - • Courtyard Bar & Kitchen, 89 Roe Street - 10% Flanagan's Apple, Mathew Street, L2 6RE Stamps Bar, 5 Crown Buildings, Crosby, L23 5SR 20p off (pints only) ex Monday: £2.49/pt off (pints only) Flute, 35 Hardman Street, L1 9AS Stamps Too, 99 South Road, Waterloo, L22 0LR • The Liver, South Rd, Waterloo – 20% off • Jolly Miller, 176 Mill Lane - 10% off Font, Unit 3, Arrad Street,L7 7JE Thomas Frost, 77-187 Walton Road, • Yates , Queens Square – 10% off Discount available all day, every day Four Ashes, 23 Crosby Rd, North, Waterloo, L22 0LD Kirkdale, L4 4AJ • Ale House, Prescot Road, Old Swan – 20p off unless stated otherwise Frank Hornby, 38 Eastway, Maghull, L31 6BR Vernon Arms, 69 Dale Street, L2 2HJ Gibberish Brewpub, 15 Caryl Street, L8 5AA Victoria Cross, 1-3 Sir Thomas Street, L1 6BW Gold Balance, Newton Gardens, Kirkby, L32 8RR Volunteer Canteen, 45 East Street, Grapes, 60 Roscoe Street, L1 9DW Waterloo, L22 8QR Discount Days (available to anyone) H1780 Tap & Still, 62-64 Bridgewater St, L1 0AY Welkin, 7 Whitechapel, L1 6DS • Flute, Hardman St - Tuesday ONLY: £2.10/pt Hard Times & Misery , 2b Maryland Street,L1 9DE Willow Bank Tavern, 329 Smithdown Road, Head of Steam, Hanover Street, 85-89 Hanover St, Wavertree, L15 3JA • Willow Bank Tavern, Smithdown Road - Tuesday ONLY from 6pm: £2.25/pt L1 3DZ Ye Hole in Ye Wall, 4 Hackins Hey, L2 2AW • The John Brodie, Allerton Road - Tuesday ONLY: £1.95/pt Hub, 16 Hanover Street, L1 4AA Lime Kiln, Fleet Street, L1 4NR Total 63 **New additions are highlighted in RED** • The George , Moor Lane, Crosby Village - Tuesday ONLY: £1.95/pt Lion Tavern, Moorfields, L2 2BP A MESSAGE TO PUBS: • The Lion Tavern, Moorfields - Monday to Friday: 20p off a pint Liver, 137 South Road, Waterloo, L22 0LT If you think your pub should be included in this Liverpool Pigeon, 14 Endbutt Lane, Crosby, L23 0TR feature, please email: [email protected] Love & Rockets, 52 Lark Lane, Aigburth, L17 8UU explaining why. Masonic, 35 Gladstone Road, Garston, L19 1RR A LocAle beer is a REAL ALE BREWED WITHIN 30 Note: All discounts at management's Message to licensees / real ale drinkers: Mackenzie's Whisky Bar , 32 Rodney Street, L1 2TQ miles of the pub by road. discretion; Subject to change at short NB. Other terms and conditions apply; E&OE. This list is not exhaustive, so if we have notice. left anyone off OR if the discount no This list is correct as of 31st May 2018; longer applies, please let me know by By Andre Fu E&OE emailing: [email protected] Any new offers since the last issue are with details. in RED By Andre Fu

24 [email protected] [email protected] 25 St Helens CAMRA News

St Helens boasts many well Saturday in May, visiting sev - bar has, where it will be served established real ale pubs and eral pubs offering a great range in an environment that’s com - you can have a great day visit - (and different styles) of Mild. fortable, peaceful and friendly. ing them. Now though, there The weather certainly helped, Named ‘The Bard’ after the are three new names to add to as we were able to enjoy the poet and playwright, William the list: The Bard in Prescot, delights of several beer Shakespeare, the pub has been The George in the town centre gardens en route. Most impor - set up well in advance of the and The Cowley Vaults, next tantly, we finished on time, just new Shakespeare theatre and door to The Turks Head. before the football started. education complex that is Volunteers’ Week is the perfect time to say a coming to Prescot in the next The George has been a little Pubs visited included The Bard big thank you to all those people who give two years. hit and miss on the real ale in Prescot, The Skew Bridge in their time to support the branch. Without front for several years, but has Rainhill; it was then into the Indeed, The Bard will be well them, there would be no Campaign For Real town centre to Connoisseur established by that time and Ale or any of the fantastic beer festivals that Brewery, The George, The are hoping to have already put the organisation hosts throughout the Lamb, The Turks Head, The Tal - response, which I Prescot on the map as a must- country. bot Ale House and The Crick - visit destination. The pub fully think says it all: These are interesting times for the campaign. eters Arms. Many thanks to supports the town’s regenera - “I have more than With varying opinions regarding the Revitali - those pubs for supporting Mild tion, along with the other excit - twenty years’ experience of volun - month, as several of them had ing businesses that are sation Project, many people have turned teering for CAMRA and can highly recom - Milds on throughout May. bringing the place alive. away from CAMRA, stating that it no longer The George mend it. To enjoy volunteering, you need to Look out for future walkabouts represents them or their views. There are also Another of three new real ale passionately believe in the cause for which on Friday evenings and Satur - those who have strong opinions regarding the now been restored to a real ale day afternoons. outlets in St Helens, The you’re volunteering. That for me was no haven. Situated in the George Cowley Vaults is once again organisation, despite not being members - or problem, because as a lover of real ale and selling real ale. in some cases, being inactive members. Street quarter of St Helens, the The Bard Micropub opened pub is just a minute’s walk real cider, promoting that cause was never its doors on Valentine’s Day The only way to influence the direction of the from both the bus and train going to be regarded as work. There are many this year after a long few campaign is to become and remain actively stations. ways to help your local branch; volunteering months of planning and licens - involved. You may not agree with certain at the beer festival always jumps to mind, but The owner (from Wigan Brew - ing consultations. aspects of the campaign, but the more that’s only once a year. So, think about ing Company) and manager involved you become, the more you’ll under - are committed to providing staffing a CAMRA information desk, deliver - stand and appreciate the complexities that quality real ales in a comfort - ing MerseyAle to four pubs near your home come with running such a large organisation. able setting. Since re-opening or assisting the committee on one of its a few weeks ago, the lounge Perhaps - as I have found - it will lead you to projects. has been refurbished and the have a better understanding of why certain The personal benefits of volunteering are nu - bar and have also decisions are made, allowing your percep - John and Julie merous: increased social activity, camaraderie been undergoing extensive tions of the campaign to be more informed. work. with other volunteers, gaining personal confi - Sprung from the local Mel - Of course, volunteering for CAMRA has dence, learning new skills, exposure to people There are currently two real wood Brewery partnership of many benefits - particularly those of a social Cowley Vaults and places that you wouldn’t enjoy in your ales and one cider on offer, but John and Julie Marsden, The nature. As Staffing Officer for the Liverpool this will go up to six real ales in normal daily life - and above all, personal Bard will be showcasing Mel - A good CAMRA discount is on beer festival, I see the pleasure people derive the next few months, as well as satisfaction, knowing that you are a giver and wood beers, craft keg beer, offer and it is well worth a visit. from working at the festival, meeting new foreign beers. artisan spirits and some , not a taker. I have no doubt at all that I’m a The Cowley offers a promising people (and old friends too), and of course in addition to an ever changing choice of beers that are well more rounded person for giving some of my CAMRA members receive a sampling some great beer. 20p discount on each pint. line up of exciting cask ales kept by Darryl, who also owns time to CAMRA. ” from all over the country. The Turks Head. I’ll leave the final word to Steve Berks; when I We had a great Mild crawl The Bard aims to bring beer to asked for someone to share their experience By Sonia James-Henry, Branch Chair/Beer around St Helens on the last By Gillian Yates Prescot that no other pub or of volunteering for CAMRA, this was his Festival Staffing Officer

26 [email protected] [email protected] 27 Rosie’s - Triple D cider (dry) 6.4% Rosie’s - Black Bart cider (sweet) 6.6% Cheddar Valley cider (sweet) 6.0% WirrAle Drinker Celtic Marches - Ruby Tuesday raspberry cider (sweet) 4.0% Snailsbank - Rhubarb cider (sweet) 4.0% Orchard Pig - Ginger and Chilli cider (sweet) Beagle Is Wirral s 4.0% ’ Hecks - Port Wine of Glastonbury cider (medium sweet) 6.0% Seasonal Top Dog! Broadoak - Sloe Gin cider (sweet) 4.0% It may have only been open for four months, but The Bow-Legged Gwynt Y Ddraig - Two Trees perry (medium) Dave Swift and Jan Lawton Beagle in New Brighton is definitely barking up the right tree, as 4.5% the Wirral CAMRA committee joined many happy customers to cele - temperature. As head of the judging panel, brate the award of Spring Pub of the Season to owners Andy and Jan was impressed with their condition and John. Wirral CAMRA wishes the two Daves and ‘The Beagle’ offers a relaxing, the styles available. their excellent staff continued success in the future. The Red Fox now goes forward friendly environment in which “The Red Fox is a worthy winner in a closely to enjoy some of the best real for judging in the Regional Cider Pub of the run contest this year”, she said. ale from the Merseyside region and no Year category. trip to New Brighton would be complete without At the recent awards ceremony, the follow - spending some time here. ing fruity offerings were on tap: Wassail! Wirral CAMRA would like to thank everyone con - nected with The Bow-Legged Beagle for an excel - By Gareth Owen lent night and wishes them continued success in the Rosie’s - Wicked Wasp cider (medium) 6.8% Chair, Wirral CAMRA future. Red Fox trots off with Wirral Pub of The Year Every branch has its own way of deciding their Pub of the Year and 2018 Cider Pub award this is the process we adhere to in Wirral.

For the Dave Swift and Dave Green The most important factor on beer quality. those consistently serving second year for CAMRA is of course the Each November, we ask all the best beer. Subse - running, The beer quality. Beer scoring members to nominate their quently, that left us with ten Red Fox in Thornton is a year-round continuous favourite pub for our Pub pubs to judge. Hough has scooped process, which assists us in of the Year, via a direct Wirral CAMRA’s selecting pubs for the an - email, on our website, We formed three small Cider Pub of the nual Good Beer Guide. through social media and judging panels (consisting Year award. Wirral Branch comprises at branch meetings. This of committee members roughly 125 pubs serving year, 16 pubs were nomi - and non-committee mem - The presentation was made by Wirral real ale and each of those nated. We compared the bers who had volunteered CAMRA’s Cider Officer, Jan Lawton, to the have been visited by mem - nominations with the aver - to join us) and started our main men at the Fox: General Manager, bers in 2017. Between age beer scores we’d re - pub visits. Apart from beer Dave Green and Deputy Manager, Dave Ten real ciders and perries are permanently March and December, we ceived for each pub to quality, each pub is judged Swift. available and cellared for optimal serving received over 2000 reports narrow down the list to in various categories, using F 28 [email protected] [email protected] 29 the same criteria as the re - was not always evident and Wirral CAMRA is pleased gional and national compe - there was sometimes little to announce our Pub of the titions: information to promote the Year results as follows: 56 Mill Lane Liscard locality to visitors. Most Wirral CH44 5UG • Style, Décor and pubs visited were active in Overall winner: The Lazy WIRRAL CAMRA Cleanliness promoting their real ale Landlord, Liscard Opened in December 2014, • Service, Welcome and and cider by listing beers Runner up: The Harp, Little PUB of the YEAR 2018 we are proud to be Wirral’s first Offering on notice boards, having Neston (Cheshire) micro pub. Serving fine cask ales from local breweries • Community Focus and small samples on the bar with guests from further afield. Atmosphere (to show colour) or offering • Alignment with CAMRA customers a taster before We have no lager, spirits or alcopops. No television, juke box Principles purchase. or gaming machines. • Overall Impression On a not so positive note, n Up to five cask ales n Small range of bar snacks (with Some pubs were revisited there were some examples delicious locally sourced pork pies) n Warm friendly atmosphere and comparisons made be - where the bar staff didn’t in traditional pub setting punctuated with pub tween the three panels to engage with customers on memorobilia to encourage good conversation ensure consistency. arrival and seemed to do n Selection of good wines n Boxed cider 5 everything possible to Buses from Liverpool 432 and 433; from Birkenhead 410; From New cask ales The judges noted some avoid eye contact. There The judges also highly Brighton 118 and 119; from Moreton 413 and 414 Selection of Bottled Conditioned good points; overall were also instances where commended three further Beers to drink in or take out hygiene and cleanliness tables were not cleared of pubs: Opening hours Mon Wed Thurs 4pm-10:30pm Fri 2pm-10:30pm Sat Sun 12pm-10:30pm Closed Tuesday was excellent, price lists empty glasses and cleaned and opening hours were - even when bar staff Gallaghers, Birkenhead usually displayed - weren’t busy. Overall The Magazine, although there were some though, these were gener - New Brighton notable exceptions where ally isolated complaints and The West Kirby Tap, points were lost. For in - the general impression of West Kirby stance, community activity all the pubs was very high. Congratulations to these five excellent pubs which made it to the top of the pile.

By Gareth Owen Chair, Wirral CAMRA

Wirral Pub of the Year The Lazy Landlord

30 [email protected] [email protected] 31 From Dave Halliwell, MerseyAle Isle of Man Correspondent

This quarter, we report on the long awaited arrival of a new format of public house on the island - the micropub. In addition, we review the CAMRA Isle of Man beer festival and also report on a special award for The Pinewood community run club in Pulrose. We summarise local brewery news, focus on the historic Castletown pubs, where Heron & Brearley (the dominant island pub company and Okell’s owner) have just completed a major refurbishment of The George. This is their only on island hotel/pub. Isle of Man Beer resplendent in Okell’s brewery organisers and festival goers livery. alike was the time Mr Rhys- Festival Mr Rhys-Davies opened the Davies spent mingling and April saw the seventh Isle of festival with the launch of a chatting with regular festival Man Beer festival, which was brand new Bushy’s Ale - Swift goers after the officialdom was again held at The Villa Marina One - named in honour of The over, much to his great credit. and attended by almost 3000 Manx Wildlife Trust, which was This showcase on island real ale visitors over the three days - the charity of this year’s festival. event, held in The Villa Marina A proportion of the proceeds Royal Hall, once again proved a from sales of Swift One will go great success. CAMRA Isle of to the trust, in addition to Man would like to thank all monies raised during the event supporters in any way, through donations. Many of the particularly the main sponsor, beers selected this year had a Long & Humphrey Advocates, wildlife name theme to them to the excellent Villa staff, and help promote the good cause. local breweries. several hundred of whom made the journey from the UK, with Micropub May 19th saw the arrival on some lingering on island for a island of a brand new genre of good week. Hollywood actor establishment in the history of John Rhys-Davies officially the on-trade public house - the opened the event, proving to be micropub, as detailed in a a big draw on the Thursday previous issue. Still widely evening. A ceremonial first cask unknown on island, this style of ale was delivered to The Villa, Mr Rhys-Davies, in conjunction of pub is usually small, once again by historic with local celebrity ‘Pullyman’ independently run, carrying a promenade horse tram, and Rob Storey from Hooded limited number of ever- Ram (last year’s brewer of the changing ales and operating to charity ale) then went on to limited opening hours. present the Alzheimer’s Society Typically, they can initially with cheques for almost £2000 appear quite spartanly from the previous year’s festival furnished to the outsider. When fund raising. micropubs first began to surface What was particularly in the UK, it’s fair to say that refreshing and appreciated by F [email protected] 33 significant sections of the sometimes been to the industry viewed them as a fad detriment of the traditional pub that would fizzle out as owners atmosphere, something which retired, but the genre has gained the micropubs redress via their real traction and there are small size. Updates from The now several hundred such Two Fellas can be found on   establishments throughout the Twitter @Two_Fellas_IoM and    UK. it’s likely that a very interesting and well-kept beer range will be For Manx readers, the style has available as time progresses, "%#)%) ' $%)", ) $-)$( + recently spread quickly across with John and Charles having the North West of England. '$%'""'" '$')%% had a long-term interest in real Their attraction is pre- ale and significant experience as dominantly in their size, which Thursday and Friday from 6pm beer orderers on island for promotes free and relaxed to 10.30pm, Saturday Midday to numerous beer festivals. conversations, whilst enjoying 10.30pm, and Sunday 12noon to MerseyAle wishes the venture different styles of beer in a laid 3pm - unusual for the island, well in this island first. back and convivial setting. but broadly typical of the Often rare havens of relaxed micropub phenomenon. calm on the bustling high street, Decor on the opening night was News Roundup    many micropubs are situated in minimal, due to an under- The Pinewood (Pulrose) was    former shop units. standable rush to open prior to presented with a community the TT race fortnight. It was award by Martyn Anderson,       Two Fellas clear from first impressions          Michael Street in Peel (on the though that the fully carpeted West coast of the island) is the unit looked right throughout,         location of the Two Fellas while the space with seating Micropub, run as a joint and tables was spot-on for developing the classic micropub ambience, with much friendly banter and conversation among the clientele - something which          the intimacy of the smaller      operation by Charles Miller and space encourages. It must be       John Wheeler, both residents of noted here that whilst many of      Peel. Four real ales are currently the pub operators on island Isle of Man CAMRA Branch on offer, along with Norseman (particularly Heron & Brearley Chairman, in recognition of a &$ $ %*'('%$.)%)*'. lager from Bushy’s, now one of to their immense credit) have fantastic effort by the Pulrose $%%$*$) " &#%'%%$$%%$*$) " the brewery’s best sellers. Real retained smaller multi-rooms in community to come together to &#%$*$.%&$$%%$*$) " ales will change each week. The retain the venue as a going # $  )%'' $!(%$.)%*$. unit is towards the smaller end concern after Heron & Brearley $"*( + of the micropub range, with a wanted to step away some two maximum capacity of forty and years ago. Now well into its a modest range of other drinks second year, The Pinewood (run available for those less keen on as a club by the local cask ale. Ciders from both Manx community) is more than Cider Company and Apple pubs during refits, this has often holding its own, and in addition Orphanage Company (also not been so in the UK this past to Okell’s Bitter, stocks a 3.8%            Manx) are stocked, along with a twenty years. Pinewood Bitter. limited range of wines and soft As a consequence, the much More importantly, while drinks. Opening hours are larger open spaces format has F 34 [email protected] [email protected] 35 community groups in the UK promenade TT beer tent has this meeting the following day in are increasingly attempting to year changed hands after a The Whitehouse Hotel, save their community local by generation, with all eyes on Peel, and included CAMRA various means, each and every Hooded Ram, who have representatives from each of one of these projects requires an secured the promenade site. the branches in Cumbria, immense amount of hard work, Bushy’s will now be operating Lancashire, and the Isle of Man. hence the decision by the Isle of a much larger site within the The Sulby Glen (Sulby) is to Man CAMRA group to Douglas Villa Marina gardens continue this year with its recognise that effort. The (with the famous Bushy’s bottle annual beer festival. To be held achievements of the Pulrose car being recently spotted in the third week of July, this community in saving The festival is by far the longest Pinewood must not be running annual beer festival on underestimated, particularly as island. the pub is not in a naturally high catchment area, or indeed on a main thoroughfare with Focus on Castletown passing trade. Undoubtedly of The historic and picturesque great significance has been the town of Castletown (the island’s outside The Villa). Okell’s are ancient capital until 1869) also retaining and developing makes for an ideal stopover for their main TT Grandstand site, those wanting to spend time in what promises to be a enjoying the island’s pubs and bumper year entertainment history. Situated 10 miles south wise for race fans. Speculation of Douglas and only a five and interest in the three brewery minute bus ride from the offerings at this key event in the airport, the town is dominated Manx calendar were rife on the by the superbly well preserved eve of TT, with Hooded Ram medieval Castle Rushen, dating efforts behind the bar of Steve tent details even making the back possibly to the 12th McDowell (seen here receiving headline billboards for the local century. Pubs wise, there is the award on behalf of the club). newspapers - such is the draw something for all, including a Steve has vast experience of the of TT on island - something that pub trade on island - invaluable might seem unusual to say the at key moments for any new least to UK readers! A full report venture. on how events unfolded once the dust settles will appear in Brewery News the next issue. Aside from a significant In the meantime, Rob Storey refurbishment of The George from Hooded Ram took the in Castletown (see later in the time out to host a brewery text), the quarter has been evening for West Pennines variety of dining options, with a dominated by anticipation Regional CAMRA, who visited blend of the modern and and preparations for the TT the island in May, giving the traditional. The six pubs mirror motorbike races, with all group a conducted tour around the island as a whole, with three breweries significantly upping the fully functional new free houses and three Heron & their brewing volumes to cope brewery site on Douglas inner Brearley estate pubs (Okell’s). with the influx of visitors due in quay. The former Hills Meadow MerseyAle took a day’s tour of late May. However, as detailed site, which the company had the town, with all pubs within in recent issues of MerseyAle, outgrown, is now out to lease. easy walking distance of each the contract for the Douglas The Regional Group held a other. F 36 [email protected] [email protected] 37 At the heart of Castletown significant presentational efforts town. Dating from at least 1843 small rooms, internal nautical Square lies the impressive in recent years, notably on the site of a former brewery, theme, and superb location George Hotel , situated close to upgrading the standards. The Union is the second of the between the harbour and castle the bus stop. Recently Dining areas and tables are well H&B pubs in town. It retains a makes the pub (thought to date refurbished in spring 2018 and appointed, and menus traditional games area, with from the mid 1700’s) invariably fully reopened, Heron & extensive. A fifteen gin menu is dart boards in both the front a favourite for visitors. Outdoor Brearley (H&B) have given its also available. Most of the H&B and back rooms. The main front seating areas overlooking the only island hotel a modern and pub estate now focuses on its bar features some of the inner harbour - dominated by superbly tasteful makeover, in core range of Okell’s beers and exposed stone work of the converted from a restaurant the castle in the background - refreshing and welcoming in The George is no exception; building, whilst the back room only a few years ago. It usually are perfect on a summer’s day, these days of mass conformity! Okell’s Bitter, MPA and IPA (served by a small separate bar) features three cask ales, Local produce was available for were available at the times of frequently from the UK and sale on the bar, including Manx visits, with the Manx Pale Ale often changing. The Tap Room Honey from Bride in the north being in exceptionally good stores and cools the cask beers of the island. A former hotel condition. Service was found to from behind the bar, which is built at the turn of the 20th be excellent and friendly on extremely rare for the island, as Century, this location is ideal if multiple visits. The outdoor nearly all pubs use traditional waiting for the steam train areas to the rear of the building cellars. To the rear of the further south or back to the keeping with the hotel’s history, facing the sun have been building, there is an upstairs modern day capital, Douglas. having been built possibly similarly refurbished, while the is fitted out with several large outside terrace area for as the seagulls wander brazenly Finally, directly across the road around the 1830s. There are parking facility for the pub has screen TVs, making for a smokers. On the ground floor, amongst the tables in the hope eleven well furnished rooms, modern sports bar in a distinct distinct from the main bar areas, of finding food. They are often much upgraded from previous area of the pub. As mentioned Thai and Chinese food by the disappointed at this currently times to a high standard. earlier, H&B have laudably Siam Orchid restaurant is non-food outlet. In terms of Downstairs, the front bar areas retained separate rooms in served at lunch and evening setting and location alone, the have been substantially altered many pub locations on island, times weekdays, as well as in pub can rarely be beaten - both and opened up slightly, though cleverly differentiating their the evenings on Saturday and in UK terms and on island. For not to the pubs detriment. pubs operating in close Sunday. Takeaways are also this reason, it’s hard not to Meanwhile, the wall proximity, with contrasting and available. conclude that more could be decorations, colourings and complementary facilities for the On leaving The Tap Room and made of the pub catering wise, upon leaving The Viking is lighting put a sophisticated, yet been retained. In summary, a local community. Okell’s Bitter turning right, about 50 yards though size and space The Sidings . Most towns have informal modern slant on this quality refurbishment, very and one other from the Okell’s away on the harbour rests the restrictions may well be a a ‘big gun’ when it comes to real historic hotel /pub. tastefully done. With other large stable are invariably available in pub known as The Gluepot limiting factor. ale, and this is it in Castletown. As before, there is a room and facilities in the south of the this friendly, traditional wet (with The Castle Arms as its A third of a mile across the Featuring an extensive range of island being limited, this looks house pub. harbour bridge and to the train like a very shrewd investment station can be found the Leaving The Union and turning at this time from H&B. remaining two pubs in town, right towards the castle and directly adjacent to the station, harbour side can be found The A hundred yards to the left of facing one another. The Viking The George upon leaving lies (on the right) is a free house, The Union, perhaps the most currently offering Bushy’s traditional ‘local’s pub’ in the Bitter and focusing on traditional dining options. bar to the rear, while The official title), the third and There are two bar areas, with cask ales across a long straight George can cater for functions of perhaps most memorable H&B the right side used more bar, the first four are up to sixty seated or a hundred pub in the town. Though many frequently for dining and the from Bushy’s and Okell’s; for buffets/standing. Food is hand pumps are available, The left more as a bar. For many permanently stocked are served daily, and as with a years, the pub decor has had a Tap Room , notable for its bright Glue Pot has reverted back to Bushy’s Bitter, Castletown Bitter number of H&B pubs on island, very individual and bespoke red door. This free house is of the Okell’s core range in recent and Bushy’s Ruby Mild, along the company has made very feel about it, which can be quite with Okell’s Bitter. There is then recent origin, having been years. The wood panelling, F 38 [email protected] [email protected] 39 and Bingley brewery was pub, there is a garden area in The challenge has to be going brewery is easily visible from available, celebrating links close proximity to nearby overseas. Currently, around the pub. If you are on the Island, between the two breweries, as passing steam trains. 30% of the beer produced is sent pay a visit. Being close to the the two brewers had formerly All things considered, off the Island - of which the ma - steam railway, it makes for a been on the same brewing Castletown presents itself as a jority is small pack; bottles cur - good pit stop after enjoying one course some years ago. Named fascinating town - historically, rently, but also cans when the of the many tourist activities on Redneck West Coast at 5.5% cask ale wise and in terms of line is installed. the island. ABV, it may only be the first of variety and dining options. There are plans to eventually such collaborations. Food is Easily accessible by bus, steam build a visitor's centre, but until a large selection of ever served in The Sidings and there train or via an overnight stop at the expansion means producing they have planning permission, changing guests in this award have been a steady stream of The George, the character of more volume. However, there brewery trips are not usually By Christine Cryne winning former CAMRA Pub of regular incremental upgrades to each of the half dozen hostelries are only around a couple of available. But don’t despair! Beer Tutor, Writer & Master the Year. At the time of visit, a sections of the pub in recent will not disappoint. dozen pubs that are independ - Their pub, Hooded Ram at Trainer unique brew by Hooded Ram years. Through the back of the ent and can take their beer. “We Clinch's (home of the defunct, For more details on Hooded do supply some restaurants and historic Clinch's) stocks a great Ram, visit: shops on the island”, Rob range of their beer and the www.hoodedram.com added. Hooded and Maybe Rammed? Merseyside Pubs in Peril Many people will have heard of The new building has space for However, this limbo situation The Brooke Hotel on Brooke Road West in other planning appli - Okell’s and Bushy's breweries expansion. The brewery is 10 has not stopped Hooded Ram Waterloo has closed again. We are unsure at the cation to Sefton on the Isle of Man, but the third barrels in length, complemented soldiering on. Regardless of moment whether this is for refurbishment or Council. This time, largest brewery on the island is by eight fermenters and three their problems, they have their there has been yet another change of licensee. the proposal is to de - probably not so well known. conditioning tanks. The move own pub to supply (which is A banner on the wall outside that asks for molish the pub and Hooded Ram was set up by Rob took place last November, but close by on the harbour), as well people to attend an EI Publican Partnerships build six houses and Storey in 2013, originally on not everything has been plain as two in the Midlands; one is ‘Open Day’ suggests the latter. The pub is listed units, housing twenty four flats on the site. The applicants are One Vision the out - sailing. Some of the kit has not Wolverhampton owned, while as being available on the EI Publican Partner - ships website: eipublicanpartnerships.com Housing, via Bernard Taylor Partnership Ltd of skirts of connected and the canning line the other is a supply agreement It can be yours for a down payment of £7,800 Stockport. Objections or comments can be Douglas. has yet to be delivered. The rea - in Birmingham. The brewery is (excl. VAT) and an annual rent of £10,000. Also made to Sefton Council on: pa.sefton.gov.uk. Rob had also running a beer tent at the available from EI are The Chepstow Castle on /online-applications/ never TT event in May, so beer pro - County Road (Walton) and the Eden Vale on This is a former Threlfall’s pub and still retains a brewed duction is paramount. Fortu - Glovers Lane in Netherton. Even if these outlets Threlfall's Brewery Co Ltd design on the before set - nately, the head brewer, Kev don’t sell cask beer, let’s hope they remain trad - Fleetwoods Lane elevation. Perhaps someone ting up the Holmes, has a solid heritage, ing as pubs. will save this. brewery, having worked for Thwaites, Meanwhile, the Cabbage Inn on Fleetwoods By Andre Fu but he was Okell’s and Bushy’s. It’s clear Lane in Netherton is yet again the subject of an - a keen beer drinker and that he enjoys what he does. CAMRA member. It took three son for this turns out to be a dis - “The opportunity to experiment years of research and courage pute on planning permission, is the difference in this role. I before the original brewery which is being objected to by a love it.” A quick count of the MerseyAle Needs YOU came into being, paid for by local individual, who believes malts on the brewery's mezza - Can you volunteer to help us Merseyside where you know they Rob, friends and family. The that the brewery will reduce the nine testifies to such experimen - distribute MerseyAle? would be appreciated, please con - need to expand led it to move value of the surrounding prop - tation, as there were 18 different tact me on the email address closer to the town centre and its erty due to 'obnoxious smells'. malt varieties! We need volunteers to deliver below. current site, which is near to the The issue has now been referred MerseyAle to pubs in places such So, like so many small business harbour. This time, the invest - to the Island's Attorney General. as Huyton, Garston and Old Swan. Andre Fu (pub or brewery) there are many ment has involved a partner to Rob commented that “this could Or if you could to take some MerseyAle Distribution Manager hurdles to surmount; to pay for bring in the necessary capital. go on for years”. copies to pubs anywhere on [email protected]

40 [email protected] [email protected] 41 Liverpool CAMRA Coach Trips Coach trips are run every July 7th: Bewdley and Kidderminster. 9.30 month to a variety of depart destinations. £12 August 11th: Ilkley CAMRA Members Coach trips depart from opposite the Ship and and Bingley. 9.50 depart Mitre, Dale Street, and return there around (Maghull pick-up if needed) 9pm. Cost is £12 for CAMRA members, £15 for non members – so it pays to join CAMRA! September 8th: Derby. 9.50 depart *Any non-member considering coming on a CAMRA coach trip can save £15. October 6th: Oakengates (Telford) Beer Festival For full details of upcoming trips and how to book, and Market Drayton 9.50 depart please check out the coach trip page on the branch website. To book, contact [email protected] November 3rd: Cheshire (probably Sandbach or phone Ian Macadam 07521 741 586 and Congleton). 10.50 depart The web page is updated after the 1st of each month with details of the next trip being launched. *FREE COACH TRIP Anybody who joins CAMRA for the first time and affiliates to the Liverpool & Districts branch, will be offered a free seat on a future branch coach trip. Check Liverpool CAMRA website for details CAMRA Branch Diary Liverpool CAMRA Branch Diary See website www.liverpoolcamra.org.uk Sunday 8th July: Annual Classic Bus Running Day around Burscough /Ormskirk, run by Merseyside Transport Trust. Meet in The Court Leet for Liverpool CAMRA MerseyAle wwwfacebook.com breakfast at 10.15am or 11am at Ormskirk @LiverpoolCAMRA Bus Station. /CAMRAliverpool This is a free event (donations gladly accepted) and buses stop at various pubs on their routes. The event Printed by was well attended last year and a great day out was LT Print Group Alfred Road Wallasey had by all. Wirral CH447HY Saturday 4th August: Inter-branch bowls tournament, The Northern Club, Crosby. Time: TBC Advertising Rates: The final copy date for Full page £220 our next issue is 15th MerseyAle Sonia James- Mike Booth August 2018. Ad dead - Half Page £110 line 1st August. Submit IsAlreti colef aMnd an CAMHeRnrAy Branch Diary Photo Mel James- Thanks to all Third of a page £80 your ad artwork as Contributors Henry our contribu - early as possible. Christine Cryne tors and Andre Fu Advertising Email details/enquiries to : Dave Roger Protz apologies if we howard.perry@liverpoolcamra. org.uk Halliwell Gareth Owen have left any - Dave MacBryde Tony Morgan one anyone Dennis Jones Dave Mernock out . PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT TAKE CASH FOR MERSEYALE ADS LICENSEES AND STAFF - BEWARE OF PEOPLE ASKING FOR CASH PAYMENT FOR ADS Joel Garnett Gillian Yates

42 [email protected] [email protected] 43