FREe – Please take a copy

BEST CAMRA MAGAZINE IN BRITAIN – 2019 2019 real ale | cider | perry wine | live music | food

TWENTIETH AYRSHIRE REAL ALE FESTIVAL 3rd-5th Oct 2019 TROON CONCERT HALL

Ayrshire & Wigtownshire Autumn 2019 www.awcamra.org.uk

2 Autumn 2019 Contents – AUTUMN 2019 Volume 21, Issue 3 Index / Welcome / Contacts...... 3 Map/List of Outlets...... 16/17 Ayrshire and Editorial...... 5 Travel Info / Social Contacts...... 20 Wigtownshire What's On Diary...... 5 East Ayrshire trip to Yorkshire....21-25 CAMRA Branch Various Branch Awards...... 6/7 Ray's Round Up...... 28/29

Ardrossan Beer Festival...... 7 What and Beer Scoring...... 31 Chairman: Lindsay Grant 2019/20 Committee...... 8 Bar Manager Training...... 32/33 Email: [email protected] Fairlie Beer Festival...... 8 Wigtownshire News...... 34 Secretary: Kenneth Middleditch East Ayrshire rural social...... 9 Join CAMRA...... 35 Email: [email protected] Forthcoming Festivals...... 10 Norwich, City of Ale...... 36 Minutes of Branch Meetings are available to members from the Secretary. Outlets & Brewery News...... 11 CBOB Voting...... 37 Ayrshire Real Ale Festival...... 12-14 Trading Standards Info...... 38 Treasurer: Ian Fairbairn Email: [email protected] SNID: Every Little Helps...... 15 Members' Area at camra.org.uk...... 38 Editor: Stuart McMahon, 93 Montfode Drive, Ardrossan KA22 7PH WELCOME Tel: 01294 603848 Email: [email protected] CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) is an independent, voluntary, consumer organisation which campaigns for real Advertising: ale, real and consumer rights. Membership is open to Mike Tomlinson all individuals; CAMRA currently has over 191,000 members. Email: [email protected] It is governed by a voluntary unpaid national executive, Advertising Rates (from Spring 2019): elected by the membership. It has a branch structure which Back / Inside Front Cover: £100 (£360/year) means that all members can join a local CAMRA branch and Full Page: £90 ½ Page: £50 campaign and socialise locally. Yearly rates (in advance): £320 / £180

The Ayrshire & Wigtownshire Branch currently has around Websites: www.awcamra.org.uk 660 members. Within the branch, we have four social group www.ayrshirebeerfestival.co.uk areas - namely North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire and Wigtownshire, each of whom organise regular events

and meetings (usually monthly) – details on p20 - we're still Facebook “f” Logo Social Media:CMYK / .eps Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .eps looking for someone to take over Branch or South Ayrshire Ayrshire & Wigtownshire CAMRA Socials - contact Lindsay Grant, [email protected], if Ayrshire Real Ale Festival interested. @awcamra @troonbeerfest Details of all our events are on the next page and are also posted on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Members are always Full Pints is designed by Montfode Design, encouraged to bring a friend along if they wish - all are www.md93.co.uk and printed by Brown Brothers welcome to attend. Printers, Irvine, www.brown-bros.com. Around 2,500 copies are published every 3 months and distributed to all Real Ale outlets in our region. The views expressed in this publication are The next edition of Full Pints will be published in those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the December 2019. Articles, photos and other contributions editor or of the Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. should be sent to the editor at [email protected] © Campaign for Real Ale Ltd no later than Friday 8th November 2019. 3 www.awcamra.org.uk

4 Autumn 2019 Editorial I hope you've all had a good summer, and managed to enjoy some sunshine in between the rather damp weather of recent weeks. The latter might even have encouraged you to visit a local pub in order to cheer you up!

In the last edition, as part of But the biggest, and of course, city and meet lots of friendly CAMRA's Summer of Pub the best, is our own Ayrshire CAMRA members throughout campaign we asked for Real Ale Festival in Troon the weekend. nominations for our branch's Concert Hall from 3-5 October. best real ale pub with a beer See pages 12-14 for details. We We're still looking for an overall garden. The winner of that always need volunteers to help Branch Social Secretary to award was McKay's in Troon - at it, even if for just a few organise occasional outings to the award will be presented on hours, or during set-up and breweries and/or pubs outwith Sat 31st August at 2pm, take-down. It's great fun, and the branch area. We're also still hopefully in the beer garden! you'll get rewarded for your needing someone to organise So please come along to that if time with some beer! monthly meetings for the you are free - there are usually South Ayrshire area. It's not three ales available. A number of our members onerous - just selecting a were volunteers at the Great different pub within South There's been a number of British Beer Festival in London Ayrshire to visit every month great ale festivals over the and some also were trained on and contacting the pub to let summer - some are mentioned a CAMRA-run Bar Managers them know we're coming. elsewhere in this magazine - course. Looking well ahead, Please give consideration to Glasgow Real Ale Festival and why not consider volunteering either or both of these the Ardrossan Beer and Music for the National Members' positions. Festival in June, Alloway in Weekend and Conference in July and Fairlie, Arran and York next year? You'll get to Cheers, Stuart Beith in August. visit some amazing pubs in the

AUTUMN DIARY DATES  Please check www.awcamra.org.uk for up-to-date details of all our Branch events. A monthly email is sent at the start of each month to our members listing forthcoming events - if you don't receive this, please check your email Junk/Spam mailbox and confirm your email address at www.camra.org.uk. Details are also published on our Facebook and Twitter pages. SEPTEMBER 2019 OCTOBER 2019 NOVEMBER 2019 Mon 2 Branch Committee Meeting, Thu 3 - 20th Ayrshire Real Ale Mon 11 Beer Festival Wash-up Wheatsheaf Inn, Kilmarnock, Sat 5 Festival, Troon Concert Hall, Meeting – Abbotsford Hotel, 8pm Help also required for set up Ayr, 8pm Mon 9 Beer Festival Planning from Tues 1 October and take Thu 21 North Ayrshire Social –venue Meeting, Merito, Dunlop, 8pm down on Sun 6 / Mon 7 Oct. tbc, 8pm Sat 14 Wigtownshire Social – Thu 19 North Ayrshire Social – Wed 27 East Ayrshire Social – First Stranraer Oyster Festival venue tbc, 8pm Edition, Kilmarnock, 7.30pm Thu 19 North Ayrshire Social – The Fri 25 / Alloa Beer Festival in Alloa Village Inn, Fairlie, 8pm Sat 26 Town Hall Wed 25 East Ayrshire Social and Sat 26 Beer Festival Volunteers' Branch Meeting, Wheatsheaf Outing to Alloa Beer Festival Ayrshire & Wigtownshire CAMRA Inn, Kilmarnock, 7.30pm Tues 29 East Ayrshire Social – Mill Ayrshire Real Ale Festival Sat 28 INDEPENDENT – Kilcreggan House, Stewarton, 7.30pm Beer Festival (note Tues rather than @awcamra normal Wed) @troonbeerfest 5 www.awcamra.org.uk Branch Pub of the Year 2019 Our Branch Pub of the Year, The Twa Dugs in West Kilbride, was presented with its award on Sat 8th June.

The pub was packed with over 45 members and friends attending. Ian Middeditch, vice-chairman gave a short welcome to everyone before handing over to Stuart McMahon, Branch Editor to present the award to Debbie Crossan. The overall Scottish Pub of the Year award was won by the Bridge Inn, Peebles. We also extend our congratulations to Debbie who got married in August. Watch out for news on the opening of a small restaurant through the wall from the Twa Dugs.

Photos: Above left: Debbie Crossan receiving the award from Stuart. Middle: Debbie (right) with two of her staff, Rebecca Ashe (left) and Denise Burns (middle). Right: Some of the happy customers enjoying the afternoon in the pub - Ayr Jolly Beggars, Lowland Twa Dugs and Five Kingdoms Dark Storm were the available ales. Branch Club of the Year 2019 Cambusdoon Sports Club, Alloway was presented with our Branch Club of the Year Award on Sat 3rd August during their beer festival. Branch Chairman Lindsay Grant presented the award to Ross Mitchell, Club Steward. The event was very well supported with 10 ales being available including two new ales from Ayr: 160*, a 3.6% celebrating the 160th anniversary of Ayr Cricket Club; and Passion Fruit Pale, a 3.8% fruit-infused pale ale. The cricket match against Dumfries started well, but had to be abandoned after a torrential monsoon passed over the area and flooded the field along with surrounding roads within a very short space of time.

6 Autumn 2019 Branch Beer of the Year 2019 Our Branch Beer of the Year was chosen at our AGM back in March, with the winner being Orkney Red MacGregor.

Orkney is never an easy place to get to logistically, so we managed to arrange a presentation at the Glasgow Real Ale Festival held back in June. Jonathan Kemp, CAMRA national director and Chairman of the Glasgow & West of Scotland CAMRA Branch, presented the award to Craig Steven, Commercial Manager, The Orkney Brewery, with members of our own branch onlooking. Ardrossan Beer & Music Festival The seventh annual beer festival to take place at Ardrossan Academicals was another success thanks to the addition of live music on the Saturday.

12 Scottish ales were available this year and over the course of the Saturday, Ardrossan Music Experience provided three bands in the marquee outside on the playing field. Whilst the Thursday and Friday night attendances were down, around 100 folk supported the event on the Saturday. Plans are being made for next year’s festival – anyone interested in helping to organise it should contact Allan Merry at the Rugby Club. Champion Beer of Britain

The winner of this year's competition was announced at the Great British Beer Festival (GBBF) held in Olympia, London. Surrey Hills Shere Drop, a Best , won the coveted titled, with Grey Trees Afghan Pale taking Silver and Oakham Citra taking Bronze.

There weren't any Scottish winners this year amongst the various categories, however, Malcolm Irving (pictured right) of Irving Brewing Co., Southsea, won a silver for their 5.3% IPA, Iron Duke in the strong bitters category. Malcolm, whom we've mentioned before, is a local man whose mum Isobel, and aunt and uncle Ian and Margaret Anderson of Kilwinning, are local members as was his late father, David. Malcolm is a graduate of Heriot-Watt University in Brewing and Distilling and worked for Gales for nearly 12 years before starting his own microbrewery. He chose Brewing as a career after it came out as top choice in a careers survey held at Stranraer Academy. Wigtownshire members who know him well are delighted for him. His beers are often seen in The Grapes, Stranraer around Christmas time. 7 www.awcamra.org.uk Branch Committee The full committee for the 2019/20 session is as follows: Chair Lindsay Grant [email protected] Vice-chair/North Ayrshire Socials Ian Middleditch [email protected] Vice-chair/Public Affairs Coordinator Ray Turpie [email protected] Branch Secretary Kenneth Middleditch [email protected] Treasurer Ian Fairbairn [email protected] Membership Secretary Graeme Watt [email protected] Social Secretary – VACANT (Chair acting) [email protected] Pubs / Clubs Campaigns Coordinator Mick Lee [email protected] Full Pints Editor Stuart McMahon [email protected] Full Pints Advertising Mike Tomlinson [email protected] Beer Festival Organiser Douglas Graham [email protected] Public Transport Liaison Tom Parish [email protected] East Ayrshire Socials Matt Miller [email protected] South Ayrshire Socials – VACANT (Ray Turpie acting) [email protected] Wigtownshire Socials Malcolm McNeill [email protected] Webmaster Ronnie Beveridge [email protected] Member without Portfolio Alex Burt [email protected] Young Members Coordinator – VACANT - - Please consider volunteering for one of our vacant positions - details on all roles from Lindsay Grant, Branch Chairman. FAIRLIE - SUMMER BEER FESTIVAL The Village Inn, Fairlie hosted the Scottish heat for the Golden Ales category of Champion Beer of Britain (CBOB) competion on Sat 17 August.

Cromarty Kowabunga was judged as being the overall Champion Golden Ale of Scotland. In a little experiment, once the festival was open to the public, the ales were only listed as Beer 1, Beer 2 etc, along with their strengths and tasting notes. The public were then asked to score their beers to see if it correlated with the judges' opinions, and we're delighted to say that it did! Thanks to everyone who supported the event – it was a great day.

Also, in a CBOB competition held at the Glasgow Real Ale Festival back in June, Swannay Scapa Special won the Best Bitter heat of the competition. 8 Autumn 2019

East Ayrshire Rural Social By Matt Miller 14 CAMRA members and friends took part in the East Ayrshire rural pub visit on Saturday 27th July. The first drops of rain were starting to fall as the minibus set off with pickups in Stewarton, Kilmaurs, Kilmarnock & Mauchline.

First stop was the Sorn Inn where Orkney Red MacGregor was available and in fine condition. An extremely generous spread was provided by the Sorn Inn for the CAMRA group which was greatly appreciated. Unfortunately, the rain had set in for the day by now and it wasn't possible to take advantage of Sorn Inn the outside seating.

The group then moved on to the Stair Inn where a choice of ales was available - Caledonian Deuchars and Inveralmond Lia Fail. Both were enjoyed during a slightly extended stay of almost two hours.

It is unfortunate that neither of these fine East Ayrshire pubs is served by public transport but members are encouraged to support them whenever possible.

Stair Inn FRASERS BAR

Millport GOOD BEER Find us just up the road GUIDE W 2019 E IT from the pier ’RE IN

Quality Cask Ales “Island Escape” Served All Year self-catering 4-star luxury Meals Served Every Day accommodation 12 noon-2.30pm / 5.30pm-7.30pm Book at: www.cottages4u.co.uk Ref: 30200

7 Cardiff Street, Millport, Isle of Cumbrae KA28 0AS Tel: 01475 530518

9 www.awcamra.org.uk

28th Alloa Cask Ale and Cider Festival 25/26 OCTOBER 2019 ALLOA TOWN HALL (5 mins walk from Alloa Rail Station) Aro real ales lus cider Admission: ( AA members) ponsored by includes festival glass, rogramme Hot food available Live music on both nights ew for Sirits, rosecco and ine Bar

OPENING TIMES: Friday: 2pm (1pm CAMRA members) to 11pm Saturday: Noon to 11pm

Forth Valley CAMRA Real Ale Festivals

Check social media and CAMRA-organised websites for full details of Beer Festivals these events. Dates for nearby CAMRA beer festivals are as follows: Volunteers are required for AYRSHIRE: Thur 3 - Sat 5 October, Concert Hall, Troon many of them, particularly the CAMRA festivals. Benefits ALLOA: Fri 25 - Sat 26 October, Town Hall, Alloa include free entry and beer CARLISLE: Thur 31 Oct - Sat 2 November, The Venue, Carlisle vouchers! BELFAST: Thur 7 - Sat 9 November, venue and dates tbc Staffing forms for the Independent Beer Festivals Ayrshire Real Ale Festival are now available on the COVE & KILCREGGAN: Sat 28 Sept, Cove Burgh Hall festival website – www.ayrshirebeerfestival.co.uk

10 We'd love to hear from breweries and pubs with any news snippets, events, awards etc. Send your info to [email protected] Autumn 2019 Local Pubs and Brewery News OUTLETS NEWS Alliance and the fire brigade, the waters were kept at bay as the street outside became New outlets: submerged. Videos online show some amazing Word has reached Full Pints HQ that the scenes as John and his staff battled against the Waterfront in Ayr may soon be selling real ale elements. after the owners, who also own The Auchans in Dundonald, recently signed a new lease on the BREWERY NEWS premises. Arran Brewery Additionally, we are also led to believe that The brewery in Brodick is brewing at capacity Turnberry Hotel is now selling cask ale from and struggling to keep up with demand. Former Strathaven Ales, with prices on par with the Dunscar Bridge Brewery kit (27 barrel) has rest of the luxury hotel! been purchased, along with the rights to the former beers, and has been installed at Loch Losses: Earn site. However, the extra capacity will As reported in the last edition, all Marstons take the brewery over the existing beer duty pubs, bar one, in Scotland have removed threshold so they are looking at options to sell cask ale. This has been confirmed at theRed off that side of the business. Squirrel, Stevenston which has removed its handpumps. Core beer range remains the same and they The Brig in Ayr was a shortlived outlet and has hope to add in some Dunscar Bridge beers into stopped selling cask ale. the mix at some point in the future.

Other Pub News: Ayr Brewing Company Popular basement pub and former branch The brewery will be celebrating it's 10th Pub of the Year Wellingtons, in Ayr, is up for birthday very soon - no news on whether there sale as owner Nan O’Brien looks towards well will be a special beer to mark the occasion! Two deserved retirement after 28 years at the helm. new beers have been produed over the summer The pub usually has three real ales available, and have been available at the Glen Park Hotel often from either Loch Lomond, Kelburn or and also at the Alloway Beer festival – 160*, a Born in the Borders. Food is currently available 3.6% specially-brewed summer ale celebrating at lunchtimes with live music at weekends. 160 years of Ayr Cricket Club; and Passion Fruit For more information on the sales particulars, Pale, 3.8% described as a passion fruit infused please contact Shepherd, the selling agents: special pale ale. www.shepherd.co.uk Five Kingdoms Brewery It’s been hard to escape Brewery remains busy and brewing at capacity, the recent spell of heavy with several other outlets around the region localised thundery now selling their cask ales and bottles. Kegged downpours – and sadly versions of their ales are also proving popular. the Weston Tavern in Portpatrick Brewery Kilmaurs was flooded Portpatrick Brewery has been sold to a couple not once, but twice in of local men. Brewing will continue under the space of a few days. present owner Keith Stebbens until some Thankfully there was time in late September when it will relocate to minimal damage thanks new premises. The new owners will continue to quick actions of owner trading as Portpatrick Brewery and hope to John Cairns – brushing recommence production by Christmas. the water out the pub as customers could only look on in amazement at the speed at which the deluge came into the pub. On the second occasion, sandbags were placed around the pub’s doors, and with the help of the Roads 11 www.awcamra.org.uk2019 ORGANISED BY By Stuart McMahon AYRSHIRE & WIGTOWNSHIRE CAMRA BRANCH

MAIN FESTIVAL SPONSOR: TWENTIETH AYRSHIRE real ale | cider | perry REAL ALE FESIAL wine | live music | food Scotland’s largest cask ale festival featuring over 160 di‚erent ales and 20+ real ciders ENTERTAINMENT: THURSDAY NIGHT: Border Reivers Morris Dancers FRIDAY NIGHT: Big Slinky SATURDAY AFTERNOON: Pipe Band SATURDAY NIGHT: The Best Bad Influence

TROON ayrshirebeerfestival.co.uk CONCERT AyrshireRealAleFestival HALL @TroonBeerFest

Admission includes festival glass and 3rd-5th Oct 2019 programme. THURS 3rd: ADMISSION (over 18’s only): Free re-entry with 12 noon (CAMRA MEMBERS) £5 (CAMRA MEMBERS) this year’s glass 2pm - 11pm (Public Session) £7 (non-CAMRA) FRI12 4th / Sat 5th: Thursday: Under 25’s - £5 (all day) 11am - 11pm Saturday after 7pm: £2 (CAMRA) / £3 (non-CAMRA) 2019 ORGANISED BY Autumn 2019 AYRSHIRE & WIGTOWNSHIRE CAMRA BRANCH AYRSHIRE REAL ALE FESTIVAL PREVIEW The biggest real ale event in Scotland during 2019 takes place in Troon Concert Hall from Thurs 3 to Sat 5 MAIN FESTIVAL SPONSOR: October. CAMRA's 20th Ayrshire Real Ale Festival will feature over 160 cask ales along with cider and perry TWENTIETH from around the UK – including a showcase of at least twelve different Scottish ciders. Wine, prosecco and soft drinks, along with hot snacks, will also be available. AYRSHIRE real ale | cider | perry For the first time, the festival will also be hosting CAMRA's Champion REAL ALE FESIAL wine | live music | food Beer of Scotland competition with the winner being announced on Friday afternoon. Our themed bar in the adjoining Walker Hall will be known as the Border Bar – featuring breweries and beers from the Scotland’s largest cask ale festival featuring border regions of our country. over 160 di‚erent ales and 20+ real ciders Our bars will be cashless – token cards will be used once again for the purchase ENTERTAINMENT: of beers following a successful trial last year. Cards cost £10, and will be available THURSDAY NIGHT: for purchase at several locations in the hall. Border Reivers Chip & pin machines will also be available Morris Dancers for token purchases. Any unused money FRIDAY NIGHT: will be fully refunded on departure, or you Big Slinky may donate it, if desired, to our festival charity Galloway Mountain Rescue Team. SATURDAY AFTERNOON: Pipe Band Look for our #troonbeer 3D logos – take a selfie and post it to our facebook and twitter pages. SATURDAY NIGHT: The Best Bad Influence Entertainment – On Thursday evening we will have another festival first, with a short display of Morris Dancing in the main hall by the Border Reivers. On Friday evening, live music will be provided by Big Slinky. On Saturday, by popular demand, the pipe band returns to play throughout the afternoon, and in the evening, The Best Bad TROON ayrshirebeerfestival.co.uk Influence are sure to entertain you. Doors open to the public at 2pm on Thurs 3 Oct, with a preview CONCERT for CAMRA members from 12 noon, and from 11am on Fri and Sat. AyrshireRealAleFestival Admission is £7 (£5 CAMRA). Under 25s are £5 on Thurs, and anyone entering after 7pm on Saturday will get in for £3 (£2 CAMRA). For anyone joining CAMRA at the festival, there will be a HALL @TroonBeerFest prize draw to win 2-night's B&B at the Clachan Inn, St John's Town of Dalry.

Admission includes We can only run the festival thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and volunteers. festival glass and 3rd-5th Oct 2019 programme. Volunteering forms have been emailed out to local CAMRA members, but are also available on the festival website. The beer lists will appear on the website and facebook a couple of weeks THURS 3rd: ADMISSION (over 18’s only): Free re-entry with this year’s glass beforehand. More details can be found at www.ayrshirebeerfestival.co.uk. We look forward to 12 noon (CAMRA MEMBERS) £5 (CAMRA MEMBERS) welcoming you and your friends along in October. 2pm - 11pm (Public Session) £7 (non-CAMRA) FRI 4th / Sat 5th: Thursday: Under 25’s - £5 (all day) 13 11am - 11pm Saturday after 7pm: £2 (CAMRA) / £3 (non-CAMRA) www.awcamra.org.uk 2019 AYRSHIRE REAL ALE FESTIVAL PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS TWENTIETH AYRSHIRE Main Festival Sponsor: REAL ALE FESIAL Ayrshire Magazine

Entertainment: Staff Polo Shirts: Ayrshire IT Strathaven Ales

Pint Glasses: Half Pint Glasses: Website: Staff T-shirts: Waddell & Mackintosh Sulwath Brewery A1 Ironmongery Five Kingdoms

Beer Cooling: Trade Session: Borders Bar: Cider Bar: Kelburn Brewery Ayr Brewing Co. Born in the Borders R & A Muir Haulage

Festival Catering: Membership Stand: CAMRA Products Beer Mats Troon Round Table Clachan Inn Merchant City Brewery Plan B / WinterStorm

Scotland’s Classic Rock Weekender TROON CONCERT HALL | AYRSHIRE Friday 29th - Sunday 1st Dec 2019 Friday 27th - Sunday 29th Nov 2020

Beer Token Cards: Brown Brothers Printers If you would like to sponsor a cask of ale at the festival, we can offer the following package for just £70: • Your organisation's details displayed on the cask end label of the beer of your choice, and displayed on posters throughout the venue as well as a listing in the festival programme • Complimentary entry tickets (including festival glass) for 2 people • Beer tokens to the value of 4 pints If you are interested in taking up this offer, please contact Bob Wallace at [email protected]. 14 Autumn 2019

by Sarah Crawford, CAMRA Scotland & Northern Ireland Regional Director Every Little Helps Email: [email protected] Did you know that CAMRA is a volunteer led Tel: 07846 856 930 organisation? All the decisions about the strategic direction and our day to day activities are made by members who diligently pay their membership fees every year.

CAMRA is perceived as an in leadership and people organisation that supports management. Twin this with pubs and breweries by the practical and theoretical campaigning for real ale, training that is available within but that's not all we do. Our the organisation, and you will volunteers also have the soon have a lot of skills to add opportunity to experience to your CV. new things, learn new skills and develop personally. The week-long Festival Competition in the job market Organisers course is one of At the other end of the is higher than ever and making the more popular courses spectrum, maybe you have your application stand out to CAMRA offer, it's very hands lots of experience from your potential employers is vital, on and you come out with an working life which would be that's where CAMRA can help. official certificate – some of useful to CAMRA? Practical the Ayrshire & Wigtownshire skills such as joinery are useful A CAMRA member who Branch members have just at festivals, whilst IT skills may attends meetings, supporting completed the bar manager's suit someone who's happy to CAMRA's campaigns locally course run down at this year's send out emails or help with and nationally shows to Great British Beer Festival. The websites. potential employers that online training courses are City they have commitment and and Guilds approved and when Want to get involved? Well if integrity. A CAMRA member completed, also look great on you're already a fully paid up who volunteers as part of a your CV too. member of CAMRA or yet to branch committee, in whatever take the plunge, just turn up role, can demonstrate If you're just starting to to your local meeting and tell interpersonal skills, handle enter the world of work after them you want to help! I'm responsibility, whilst planning university, looking to get sure they wont turn away the and meeting goals. A branch back into work after taking offer! treasurer can demonstrate a well earned break or just financial awareness and after a change of career then You can find details of your management. A branch volunteering with CAMRA may local branch meetings on secretary will demonstrate give you the additional skills page 5 of Full Pints or at skills in computer literacy and you need to land your dream www.awcamra.org.uk. Training administration. The branch job. course info is available at chair will demonstrate skills www.camra.org.uk.

15 w Largs www.awcamra.org.uk elburn Millport Gateside Lochranza Fairlie Lugton North Dunlop Ayrshire West Kilbride Stewarton Ardrossan Kilmaurs trthen Kilmarnock Saltcoats rrn Brodick Irvine Lamlash Troon Dundonald Prestwick Sorn Blackwaterfoot r Ayr Stair Alloway East Ayrshire Ayrshire & Maybole

Wigtownshire Kirkmichael CAMRA Branch Turnberry Kirkoswald Local Breweries Towns & villages where cask ale is available – check whatpub.co.uk for outlet details South Ayrshire

Bargrennan

Kirkcolm ulwth

Stranraer Wigtownshire Newton Stewart

Portpatrick Wigtown Bladnoch Portptric Sandhead Garlieston Do you know of a pub or club that sells real ale and isn’t listed? Please let us know by emailing: Drummore Fie [email protected] indoms Not to scale. eproduced rom rdnance urvey Isle of Whithorn map data by permission o the rdnance urvey ron opyriht 2019 Full16 branch info at: www.awcamra.org.uk Autumn 2019 AYRSHIRE & WIGTOWNSHIRE REAL ALE OUTLETS

NORTH AYRSHIRE EAST AYRSHIRE ARDROSSAN LUGTON DUNLOP STEWARTON Ardrossan Rugby Club Canny Man Merito The Mill House FAIRLIE MILLPORT KILMAURS KILMARNOCK Village Inn Fraser’s Bar Weston Tavern §  Saltire * The Twa Dugs GATESIDE SORN Brass & Granite Gateside Inn SALTCOATS Sorn Inn Cookhouse & Pub Salt Cot C Fanny by Gaslight IRVINE STAIR First Edition C The Auld Brig C WEST KILBRIDE Stair Inn Wheatsheaf Inn C R&A Sports Bar The Twa Dugs  Ship Inn * (summer only) LARGS WIGTOWNSHIRE J G Sharps Largs Sailing Club #? BARGRENNAN NEWTON STEWART The Paddle Steamer C House O’ Hill Hotel Black Horse Hotel Three Reasons BLADNOCH Creebridge House Hotel Waterside Bladnoch Inn Crown Hotel Galloway Arms Hotel DRUMMORE Clashwhannon PORTPATRICK Crown Hotel ISLE OF ARRAN GARLIESTON Harbour House Hotel Harbour Inn BLACKWATERFOOT LAMLASH SANDHEAD ISLE OF WHITHORN Kinloch Hotel Drift Inn Tigh na Mara Hotel Steam Packet Inn § Blackwaterfoot Lodge Pierhead Tavern STRANRAER LOCHRANZA KIRKCOLM Grapes §  BRODICK Blue Peter Hotel Arran Brewery § C Lochranza Hotel Ruddicot Hotel Brodick Bar WIGTOWN Ormidale Hotel Craft Wine Port

SOUTH AYRSHIRE ALLOWAY Tam o’ Shanter KIRKMICHAEL TROON Cambusdoon Sports Twa Dugs Kirkmichael Arms Bruce’s Well Club Waterfront (coming KIRKOSWALD Cheeky Charlie’s AYR soon) Souter’s Inn Harbour Bar * Abbotsford Hotel Wellingtons Bar McKay’s West Kirk C MAYBOLE Marr Rugby Club # Ayrshire & Galloway Maybole Arms Chestnuts Hotel DUNDONALD South Beach Hotel * Glen Park Hotel The Auchans PRESTWICK TURNBERRY Smoking Goat Prestwick Pioneer C  Turnberry Hotel

* CAMRA members have noted that real ale is not C CAMRA vouchers accepted Current Branch Area Pub of the Year always available at these outlets. # Weekends only Overall Branch Pub of the Year 2019 § Special offers for card-carrying CAMRA members CAMRA members are encouraged to score ales they drink in their local pub, as it assists the committee in considering outlets for inclusion in the . Please take a few moments to score your beers on whatpub.com if you visit them. 17 www.awcamra.org.uk

71 Main Street West Kilbride KA23 9DS 01294 822524

Locally owned, refurbished pub with regular quiz nights & live music!!

Bar Snacks now available Thu: 1-7pm; Fri-Sun: 12-7pm

GOOD BEER GUIDE W 2019 E IT ’RE IN

18 Autumn 2019

Located in the village of Dundonald The Auchans is a family run Restaurant Bar with a fresh modern twist and a friendly relaed atmosphere oozing charm & character We have a great GOOD MAIN STREET selection of beer & wine including cask ales BEER GUIDE DUNDONALD KA HH The Auchans has been tastefully restored with W 2019 E IT ’RE IN T original stone walls & real oak wood beams EM info@taucans.co.uk Owned by the Kerr family from the village W The Auchans is the nd addition to the business The st The Waterfront in Ayr opened in is a relaed stylish restaurant bar situated for details of our latest offers promotions overlooking the River Ayr The Waterside Bath Street, Largs Tel: 01475 672224

Two Real Ales from Kelburn available Mondays - Poker Wednesdays - Poker Saturdays - Live Music Fridays - Karaoke Sundays - Open Mic Night Food available every day except Monday, noon - 5pm Check out our entertainment programme on Facebook

19 www.awcamra.org.uk

Every CAMRA branch adheres to CAMRA’s

AYRSHIRE and privacy policy. Within our branch we use GETTING AROUND WIGTOWNSHIRE a centralised communications tool for sending out our monthly emails to our Listed below are some branch members. useful contact details for transport providers in our Branch area. However, for certain aspects of our work, STAGECOACH WEST SCOTLAND www.stagecoachbus.com for example, the beer festival, we will Tel: 01294 607007 (Ardrossan) occasionally need to contact folk directly 01292 613500 (Ayr) by way of having a ‘legitimate interest’. 01776 704484 (Stranraer) Any communications from our branch will 01770 302000 (Arran) contain details of how to unsubscribe from 0345 121 0190 (Disability Helpdesk) the emails if that is your desire. However, SHUTTLE BUSES www.shuttlebuses.co.uk our hope is that as a member of CAMRA, Tel: 0800 072 0373 you value the information that is sent to you, and that it is useful, particularly at McGILL'S BUSES www.mcgillsbuses.co.uk Tel: 08000 51 56 51 branch level. If it isn’t, then please talk to us in the first instance so we can understand SCOTRAIL www.scotrail.co.uk your concerns. Tel: 0344 811 0141 CALEDONIAN MACBRAYNE www.calmac.co.uk You can check your email address is correct Tel: 0800 066 5000 at www.camra.org.uk. Sign in using your TRAVELINE SCOTLAND www.travelinescotland.com memebrship details, and select 'Edit your Our Ale Trails using public transport are membership information'. currently being updated and will be available on our website soon, www.awcamra.org.uk BRANCH SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Our Branch has Social Groups which Additionally, we hold social outings on an meet regularly covering North, South occasional basis to other festivals (e.g. Alloa and East Ayrshire, and Wigtownshire. and Fife) and breweries such as Loch Lomond, All CAMRA members are encouraged Broughton and Strathaven. See www.awcamra.org.uk to attend these informal events, but for details or contact [email protected] for more non-CAMRA members are always information. welcome to join us for a couple of hours of friendly chat and socialising. CODE OF CONDUCT For more information, please contact Our wish is for everyone to enjoy themselves and have the area coordinators listed below: fun on our trips and events. However please remember that trip organisers have only volunteered to arrange North Ayrshire - meets 3rd Thursday of every times and /or travel arrangements and to provide month. Contact Ian Middleditch. information about the venue(s). Email: [email protected] South Ayrshire - VACANT CAMRA promotes responsible drinking and so excessive Email: [email protected] drinking will not be tolerated on CAMRA outings. Members should not behave in any manner that may East Ayrshire - meets last Wednesday of bring the Campaign into disrepute. Any member every month. Contact Matt Miller. Email: doing so may be barred from future events. You are [email protected] responsible for your own safety and wellbeing. If you Wigtownshire - contact Malcolm McNeil for have an existing medical condition that requires support details. Email: [email protected] you must bring your own backup/carer with you. 20 Autumn 2019

Hebden Bridge

East Ayrshire trip to Yorkshire By John Miller East Ayrshire Social Group's annual cultural expedition set off at the end of May via Carlisle for the picturesque Settle rail line journey to Bradford. With an hour to wait in the border city the eighteen of us found welcome sanctuary in the station platform based, 301 Miles Bar. A choice of Titanic Chocolate and Vanilla (4.5%) and Seven Brothers Peach Session Pale (4.2%) got us off to a good start, with both beers in fine condition – a description which was to be the norm throughout our trip.

The route did not quite live At Bradford Station our group Winner (pale ale) (3.5%) and up to its scenic reputation, divided with a few heading off Thornbridge Jaipur IPA (5.9%). partially due the compromised to seek out the hotel (Jurys My personal choice of Stage visibility from the wet weather, Inn) while others made an Winner certainly seemed intent but also due to the renowned immediate start to the quest in living up to the name. tunnels and viaducts not to find some good ales (hardly making great viewing from on a challenge as it turned out). The historic New Beehive board the train. Among the pubs visited on Inn received contrasting the first day were thePeacock comments with some Bar, The Fighting impressed by the gas lamps Cock, and the and it’s atmospheric natures New Beehive Inn, whilst others thought it as the latter being rather tired and in need of a recognised by freshen up. You can’t win them CAMRA for its all! heritage interior. The suggested eating place In the Peacock Bar had been The Sheesh Mahal beers available and many of our party decided were Saltaire to take the advice though not Citra Session Pale as a single group. Finding out Travellers on the Settle rail line (4.2%), Little the premises were not licensed Valley Stage caused a few raised eyebrows. 21 www.awcamra.org.uk

The currys, I’m guessing were 3 of the nominations while handpumps this time serving of a local style and were rather the other went to Beartown's Little Valley Dark Vale Vanilla drier with much less sauce Creme Bearlee. (4.5%), Wensleydale than what we’d find in the west Gamekeeper (4.3%), Little of Scotland. Flavour certainly Next call of the day was Valley Python IPA (6.0%), wasn’t lacking. Todmorden, described as a Salopian Flash Point (3.9%), small market town at the heart North Riding American Pale Friday, started with breakfast of the Pennines. Our first stop Ale (4.0%). Again a high level in the hotel for some with was a micropub appropriately board display identified the others choosing the short named The Pub and where beers making any eye strain walk across Centenary Square we met up with some local in reading the pump clips to JDW's The Turls Green to CAMRA members who were unnecessary. Beer in good line the stomach for the hard very happy to advise us on order once again. day ahead. The plan for the the best places in the area day was to visit some of the we’d likely cover on our visit. nearby towns situated on the The Pub was a welcoming railway line from Bradford place with six cask ales, each to Todmorden. With a few with a short description hours to licensing hours a displayed on a blackboard rendezvous was set for the on the wall. These included Piece Hall in Halifax or to be Donkeystone Javanilla (5.0%), Old Gate more precise the adjacent McColl's Brewery Session Square Chapel Bar. The Sorachi (4.6%), and Wild Child A short walk then took us Piece Hall is an impressive Disturbing the Distracted to our next halt at the Old restoration of the UK's only (5.0%), the latter claiming a Gate Bar & Restaurant. The surviving 18th Century cloth favourite nomination from one impressive array of hand trading hall, certainly worth a member of our party. While pumps was quick to catch the wee look online to get an idea some of the group set off to eye with nine beers and a cider of the impressive nature of the visit other local pubs a number to choose from. Beers included restoration. of us were more than happy to Hawkshead Porter (4.9%), remain in The Pub until it was Saltaire Amarillo (4.5%), The Square Chapel Bar is time to head back to the train. Magic Rock Rapture (4.6%) situated in the spacious and Hat-Trick (3.7%), and the entrance hall of the Square Our next stop was Hebden local Vocation Cooler Shaker Chapel Arts Centre. Four ales Bridge, though not everyone (5.5%) & Heart & Soul (4.4%). this time including Vocation chose to leave Todmorden at Of the nine beers on offer Bread & Butter Pale (3.9%), the same time. Destination was only one was from a brewer Wishbone N-Star-2 (5.5%), another micropub – Calan’s outside the north of England Hawkshead Bitter (3.7%), – and we took advantage of and we found it a common and Beartown Creme Bearlee some decent weather with an feature that the pubs we (4.8%). The bar certainly made alfresco session. It seems that visited were supporting local an impression, with four of our a fairly common feature of brewers. Again the outdoor number later choosing one micropubs is to complement option was the choice as we of the beers as their favourite the limited size of the main took advantage of the pleasant from the whole trip. Vocation's premises with a significant weather whilst enjoying the Bread & Butter Pale, claimed outdoor drinking area. Five beers. Calan's Calan's

22 Autumn 2019

A ten minute walk to the ciders ranging in strength walking about half a mile in the station and we were off on from 3.5% to 7.4% included opposite direction. our way to Sowerby Bridge. Rooster’s Capability Brown This time a short stroll across (4.0%), Fixed Wheel The It was a very welcoming village the road took us to the Sheriff (4.5%), Brass Castle pub with friendly staff and a Jubilee Refreshment Rooms Bad Kitty (5.5%) and Squawk pleasant set up, though the a converted railway building. Corvus Stout (7.4%). Fine trip from the station is not for Beers available were Daleside beers enjoyed again followed everyone. Given the location Blonde (3.9%) and Triple B by a stroll back to the station it was something of a surprise (4.1%), and Small World Port and back to Bradford. to find six beers on offer and Nelson (4.0%). Good Beers two ciders though apparently in relaxing surroundings with Saturday and the plan featured it means a trip to the cellar memorabilia, mainly railway a trip on the Keighley and to dispense the latter. The related posters and notices, on Worth Railway. Sadly the beers came from Acorn, the walls. Food and Drink Festival which Eagles Crag, Moorhouses and had been advertised months Timothy Taylor. The strongest Back in Halifax we were on the earlier had been cancelled of the beers was Eagles Crag lookout for somewhere to eat for this year, but the draw of The Eagle of Kindness (4.4%). en route to the next planned the railway trip with a steam No complaints on that front stop of the Victorian Craft hauled train, and visiting but I did wonder if that said Beer Café when Pearsons fish various towns on the route something about the location. & chips restaurant & takeaway proved strong. Ale being was spied with an open door. served on the train and being Time to move on and at least Although they were just able to navigate by GBG were this time it was downhill on the closing the chance of a big purely incidental. The strategy way back to the station. Not order saw them fire up the for most was to make the full everyone took this route with range and provide the required trip to the end of the line at some choosing to take a taxi fish suppers. Oxenhope then return with the and make for a pub which was choice of stops as required. some distance from the station A short walk took us to the The timing of the Oxenhope at Haworth. Those of us on the Victorian Craft Beer Café, arrival tempted some of the train were again faced by a a converted former Itallian party to spend time in the significant hill on the route to restaurant and Halifax and Oxenhope Buffet Car, whilst the town centre. Fortunately Calderdale CAMRA Pub of the others set off on the quest we quickly spied the Parkside Year 2018. Ten handpumps for The Bay Horse, which half Social Club proudly displaying with eight beers and two of us only found after first a fairly recent CAMRA banner

Worth Valley Railway

23 www.awcamra.org.uk for Club of the Year. The single beer on offer, Dark Star Hophead, was very good but, from Brighton, had travelled further than us.

Returning to Keighley, two of the recommended places were the Cricketer’s Arms and the Boltmaker’s Arms, the latter a Timothy Taylor pub The assembled group at Worth Valley Railway and we split forces with some heading in both directions. A So on to Shipley where The represented were Bosun’s smallish pub, the Boltmaker’s Fox, close to the station King Neptune (4.3%), Blackhill Arms was a friendly place and in the GBG, seemed an Newbiggin (3.8%), Stancill with the walls adorned with obvious place to start. The India (4.0%) and Bingley brewery memorabilia. As was six beers on offer included supplying the appropriately to be expected it was mainly two, Bepopperlula (4.2%) and named Salt Cellar (4.0%). Timothy Taylor beer on Vickers Atomic Stout (7.1%), The train back to Bradford offer with a choice of seven from its in-house BEEspoke beckoned but we felt available together with a single micro brewery. Time to eat, compelled for just one more in guest ale, in this case Goose The Fox. Eye Chinook (4.2%). As was So we headed towards Saltaire becoming expected, the beer and found a very pleasant Sunday and it was on to was in fine order withTimothy Oriental Restaurant. Suitably the train again, destination Taylor's Dark Mild (3.5%) refuelled we continued on Leeds, but given that the being particularly appreciated. to the highly recommended pubs generally don’t open The Cricketer’s Arms, which Fanny's Ale & Cider House. until midday it’s decided had also been a Timothy With seven real ales and a that there’s time for a brief Taylor pub in the past was cider to choose from. The ale visit to Ilkley another famous described as atmospheric and proved to have much more Yorkshire town. Sightseeing a nice place to have a beer. of a pull (sorry) than the for some is short lived as it’s Unfortunately (well maybe Champions League final on discovered that the bar of the not) with friendly locals and TV. More than half the ales Dalesway Hotel, not far from good beer, we decided to have were from local Yorkshire the station, is already open for another in the Boltmaker’s breweries but Parkway Blood business. Another welcoming before heading once more to & Fire (4.3%) and Lincolnshire establishment, a friendly the train. Bomber County (4.8%) also barman and four hand pumps featured. ready and waiting – Black Sheep Best Bitter (3.8%), Heading in the general Ilkley Mary Jane (3.5%), Osset direction of Shipley railway station on the edge of the old Saltaire village was the appropriately named Salt Cellar Pub. As seemed to be a feature of our visits all six beers were from local or regional breweries. Among the breweries

24 Autumn 2019

Yorkshire Blonde (3.9%) and The Turk’s Head, with a rather East brewers of which they Timothy Taylor Boltmaker different and much more are clearly spoiled for choice. (4.0%). Beer, as always, in fine modern interior to that of its Camerons Strongarm (4.0%) condition but it is time to head historic neighbour. Only two & Sanctuary (3.8%) seemed to off to the city. real ales to choose from here, be favoured, with Ilkley Mary Five Points XPA (4.0%) and Hoppins (5.2%) and Northern Leeds and our first call is the Northern Monk Eternal (4.1%). Monk Faith (5.1%) among the Tapped Brew Co and a large Northern Monk’s products also others featured. room with a long bar and an featured prominently on the almost industrial like setting. array craft beers dispensed Monday morning and it was On first impression I’m back from taps on the wall behind back to earth as we headed for to working days and I half the bar. the train home. Looking back expect to see a storeman in on the trip the one common a khaki dust coat behind the Time to move on again and factor seemed to be that the counter demanding a line for the next stop was the Ship beers in general were in fine the items his latest caller wants Inn, a long narrow bar with condition, finding a poor one to acquire from his store. It is a step in the middle and would have been difficult. an unusual bar with no hand unsurprisingly a nautical theme Many good pubs, with no pumps just two rows of taps to the interior. It was also general consensus on the best, on the wall behind the bar another building dating from and most of our party seeming and a mix of cask and keg the 18th century and with the to have their own favourites. dispensed ales. A card display kind of character not found in It would not have been a above and beside the taps modern constructions. Six ales surprise, with many more identifies the items on offer on offer included Black Sheep options available, had it been a in a seemingly random order Best Bitter (3.8%), Timothy similar situation with the beers and I’m again reminded of my Taylor Landlord (4.3%) and but Timothy Taylor’s Dark Mild past and this time of a farmer Leeds Leeds Pale (3.8%). The and Vocation's Bread & Butter displaying an array of prize others were sourced from the Bitter both received multiple tickets won by his animals in pub chain’s stable. Another nominations. years gone past. pleasant setting for an ale and a blether. Another great outing and a A short walk took us to big thanks to Matt Miller for all Whitelock’s Ale House, a Continuing our expedition, his efforts in the organisation historic establishment dating next up was the North Bar. of it. Thanks also to Phil, Jon from the early 18th century No distance to travel to find and Peter, from Halifax and and apparently the oldest pub pubs with good ale in a city Calderdale branch, who met in Leeds. A very long building like Leeds, indeed at times up with us during the visit and which as we soon found out it seemed we were tripping provided us with much useful has half of it occupied by over them. Again supporting local information. a Sister establishment The Yorkshire brewers, with ales Turk’s Head. A wide alley ran from North Brewing North Bar Roll the length of the building Session Pale (3.8%), Kirkstall on and much of this was used Pale Ale (4.0%) and Acorn next as the location for a row of Barnsley Bitter (3.8%) on offer. year. tables. Local breweries being supported again with beers We now chose to head back in from Kirkstall Pale Ale (4.0%), the direction of the station so Theakston Old Peculier The Head of Steam would be (5.6%) & Best Bitter (3.8%) our final stop before returning and Timothy Taylor Landlord to Bradford. A pub with a (4.3%) available. We again central bar and traditional chose the outdoor option look but a bit of a modern which in this case allowed easy feel to it with eight ales and a access to both establishments. cider, again mainly from North

25 www.awcamra.org.uk

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REAL ALES SERVED HERE

Meals Served Daily 12-2pm and 6-9pm Traditional Roast Served every Sunday Extensive Bar Menu Award-winning Table D’Hôte and À La Carte Dining Available Telephone: 01671 402121 Fax: 01671 403258 www.creebridge.co.uk Email: [email protected] Creebridge House Hotel, Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire DG8 6NP

27 www.awcamra.org.uk ROUND ’S by Ray Turpie, Y U Branch Vice Chairman A P RAY’S ROUND UP R In the previous issue, I mentioned of the Irish Perth and trips to Southern Ireland armed and Manchester. I will be back in rebellion in 1916. After Manchester soon and can report on visiting the that visit later and so firstly to the Cathedral, we Republic. strolled along the Liffey admiring The trip to Dublin ticked a box for Mrs R as the beautiful buildings I had visited before. There is no easy way to until it was time for the bus. get there from Ayrshire, so we decided to take a Glenton bus tour which picked us up in Of course, the beer was mostly Guinness which Kilmarnock in time to get the ferry at Cairnryan. I sampled in Johnny Cosgrove’s in Mullingar. I Our hotel was the four-star Bloomfield House had been chatting to this real interesting old in Mullingar, where we were based for the five boy for nearly an hour before I realised he days, and excellent it was too. was the original Johnny Cosgrove. My beer highlight, however, was finding a bottle of Trips were laid on each day, to the historical Worthington White Shield in a Dublin mini peat bogs nearby, Galway Bay and Dublin. I market. was particularly impressed by Galway, with nice walks along the River Corrib and around the More recently, we enjoyed a few days in Perth. bay. After a morning tour of Dublin’s Phoenix As highlighted in the Members’ Weekend Park, we were left to stroll around the city Handbook or Tayside Branch's vastly improved seeking its many attractions. magazine “Hooked on Ale”, there are many attractions and good pubs to visit. Since the Our first stop was Trinity College Campus for sun was shining when we arrived, we took the lunch and the Book of Kells exhibition. This is opportunity to follow the path up Kinnoull Hill. a 9th century Latin copy of the gospels but It was tough going but well worth it for the we discovered, to our cost, that you need to vistas from the top. You could view along the pre-book to get in. Dublin is like any other big Tay to the east coast and pick out Sciehallion city but has its own characteristics such as the the other way. famous Post Office in O’Connell Street, scene

Ferdinand enjoying a Guinness

28 Autumn 2019

By the time we got back, I was ready for a pint and something to eat so we made a bee line to the Capital Asset on Tay Street. I enjoyed Granny Wouldn’t Like It from Wolf Brewery with my burger. In the evening we went to see Rocketman in the cinema and later I went into Greyfriars Inn for a pint of Timothy Taylor Landlord.

The next day it was raining but this did not hold us back. We took the bus to Blairgowrie to visit the Fair o’ Blair for breakfast with old friends. I managed a pint of St Peter’s Plum Porter before heading back to Perth. It cleared up in the evening, so we managed a walk along the river after enjoying steak pie and a pint of Woodforde’s Wherry in the Tavern on South Street.

Other good pubs in Perth include the Tayside Branch Pub of the Year, the Green Room where Strathbraan or other local beers are usually on good form, and the Cherrybank Inn where the regular beers are from Inveralmond. I have been in them before so they will have to wait for another occasion, but both come highly recommended.

In the meantime, however, make sure you get along to the 20th Ayrshire Real Ale Festival in Troon Concert Hall from 3rd- 5th October, either as a volunteer or as a beer lover. See you there.

Cheers! Ray The Green Room, Perth

The Capital Asset, Perth

29 www.awcamra.org.uk

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30 Autumn 2019 Your Beer Scoring makes a difference at WhatPub.com In every edition of Full Pints, we make a plea for CAMRA members 1 2 to score their ales that they drink on www.whatpub.com. There are three very simple steps to take in order to do this on your smartphone or computer: 1. Sign in to whatpub.com with your CAMRA membership number and password 2. Select the pub you wish to score. 3. Score your beer using the criteria below, and select the brewery and then the beer and finally hit the Submit button.

Whilst on the pub's page, please take a few moments to check the details and if 4 you think anything needs amended, you 3 can email the updates by clicking the update tab (4).

If scoring a pub with a very low score (0 or 0.5) it would be helpful to also include some comments as to why that score has been given. We can then monitor for consistently poor, or no, ale being available. We also can't stress enough that a 5 should only be given on the very rare occasion that a beer is in optimum condition.

Overall, your scores help our branch select the best pubs for inclusion in the Good Beer Guide - each year we have to select just 27 pubs from the 70 or so outlets in our branch area. HOW SHOULD I SCORE THE QUALITY OF THE BEER? 0: Should only be used if no cask ale is available 0.5 -1: Poor Beer is anything from barely drinkable to drinkable with considerable resentment. 2: Average Competently kept, drinkable pint but doesn’t inspire in any way, not worth moving to another pub but you drink the beer without really noticing. 3: Good Good beer in good form. You may cancel plans to move to the next pub. You want to stay for another pint and may seek out the beer again 4: Very Good Excellent beer in excellent condition. You stay put! 5: Perfect Probably the best you are ever likely to find. A seasoned drinker will award this score very rarely. 31 www.awcamra.org.uk Where’s Sanatogen when you need it? Yep, you’ve got it, those guys that bring a bit of fun to our local Beer Festivals as volunteers, after much discussion decided to go to By Ian Martin The Great British Beer Festival in Olympia, London to experience the showcase festival and undertake CAMRA's Accredited Bar Managers' training course. Long days, early start, very late finish.

Not knowing fully what to expect and only DAY 2: The final beers were delivered, the Bar being told we would be busy, we got on Building technical teams erected the bars and it with all the pre-reading sent to us regarding was time for bar set up. Hand pumps and beer Cellarmanship which included Cask, Keg & lines cleaned, nearly all beers were served using KeyKeg – KeyKeg being a trade name for the Caskwidges and kept in 40-foot chiller units container not its contents which can be Keg, (pic 1), all hand pumps were also cooled; on Cask or any liquid (Cask soon to be referred to average all bars had about 25 – 30 hand pumps. as Live Beer). Also on this day was the introduction training into Saddle cooling. GROUND 0: Myself, Andy Cooper, Bob Forrest & Stuart Cambridge went for breakfast at the The evening fun saw us going out with our Bar Auld Clock near to Glengarnock Station prior teams. My team allowed me to choose, so we to our connecting train to London Euston. went east to my old stomping ground where Experiencing some delay on our journey we ended up in the Leyton Orient Supporters we finally arrived at our accommodation at Club (pic 2) – why can't we have clubs like this Imperial College, checked in and, you guessed in Scotland? it, went for a beer in the Queens Arms, South Kensington, a nice pub situated down quiet Days 1 & 2 were the easy days, only doing what Mews with 8 hand pumps to choose from we we would do at any other festival, the real fun were happy, until having to pay for the beer began on Day 3 and finished on Day 9. – NOT CHEAP – but I guess that should be expected in such an affluent area. DAY 3: Early start at the coal face of the bar, the Cellar/Chiller units, finish set up and DAY 1: Off to Olympia for introduction to the cleaning of beer lines and hand pumps, stock Course, Venue and our mentor bar managers, checking, beer labels, pricing etc, then off for their team and bar set up. After a lot of hanging Keg Wall training. CAMRA are really pushing around (this time could have been more the use of Keg walls – again an alternative productive, the beers started to arrive being delivery method for certain Live Beers in delivered to each bar by the very efficient KeyKeg/KeyCask (really should be called distribution volunteers. membrane containers). Also on day 4 we were introduced to the Volunteer Arms, a free bar for

1 2 3

32 Autumn 2019

volunteers which has as much beer to serve as Following this it was back to the classroom our Ayrshire Festival. Later during the day we to get further insight to beer conditioning had Health & Safety training. problems; a quick lunch then beer ordering and dispense methods. A short break then cider Between each training/classroom session we training, taste, off tastes/aromas and cooling. were back at our assigned bars. The evening of Day 3 saw us and the other Bar Manager DAY 7: First port of call was our Bars then trainees (pic 3) heading off to The White Horse on to BSF (Biere Sans Frontieres) where in Parsons Green to view its fantastic cellar; we were guided through the various styles its claim to fame is that on its most successful and delivery methods of these foreign beers weekend it sold £140,000 worth of beer. After with an excellent practical tasting session this evening socialising it was back to Imperial (by this time 7 days in, and very little beer College to prepare for countdown to the drunk by all Trainees, it felt like the Giraffe's Festival opening. throats had been cut until this session!) The day before took us to the Crypt, today we DAY 4: The final touches to the bar set up, ventured into the Grim Reaper's Office – this briefing from our Bar Managers and await the is where, the Microbiologist at GBBF is locked trade session. However as soon as opening away assessing beers for beery bugs, or if a came it was back to the Classroom for training beer needs to be fined, given more time or on cooling equipment and ordering from condemned. After a 10 minute break it was off HQ, then on to the bar to see what had been to learn about risk assessments, then to follow happening and further chats with our Mentors. beer taste training and off flavours (perhaps Health and Safety and Taste Training should be DAY 5: This was a totally DRY day for us; firstly done earlier in our training) it saw us in the Technical Cage – it is here where all the technical staff hide [clue's in the DAY 8: Finally, the end of Training, all name - Ed!] – this session was again about continuous assessment forms and tests were cooling. From here we then went outside (rain marked, the final exam was marked and a 15min stopped play for a while (pic 4)) for Stillage Face-to-Face feedback interview (with 4 of the construction (not the same as our racking), Trainers) took place. The 12 Trainees all passed practical cellarmanship (moving – handling and 7 of the 12 achieved 100% Pass mark. casks, tapping, venting, spiling, changing taps / Ayrshire & Wigtownshire trainees, as you would keystones / shives) and more cooling with the expect left a lasting impression! various cooling pipework. The afternoon back on our bars, then from 1900hrs to close we The Festival ended with a jovial staff party, lots were given radios and sent out to get a good of beer, certificate presentation(pic 5) and very insight to Stewarding. tired volunteers.

DAY 6: The day took us initially to the Crypt DAY 9: 0900hrs up for breakfast, 1030hrs to get a full understanding on where & how UBER to the Euston Tap, 1100hrs – 1530hrs all beers and equipment are delivered and beer in Euston Tap, 1540hrs Train back to distributed to the various areas of the Festival, Glengarnock. If you want to find out more, ask and when the Festival is finished, where it is us at Troon for more information. returned to – essentially chess on steroids.

4 5

33 For more info on Wigtownshire events and outlets please contact: www.awcamra.org.uk Malcolm McNeil (Email: [email protected]) WIGTOWNSHIRE NEWS The three Wigtownshire Summer Thanks again to Billy and Sally of The Grapes Socials all involved BBQs with two for their hospitality and especially the effort involving Beer Festivals too! expended to source such excellent beers at very short notice! Saturday 29 June Saturday 24 August – Sulwath Brewery Beer saw over twenty Festival and BBQ members and This event was due to take place just as Full guests travel to Pints went to print. Local members were due The Blue Peter to travel to Castle Douglas to hopefully meet Hotel, Kirkcolm up with Dumfries and Stewartry members, in pouring rain, and have an afternoon at Sulwath Brewery - a which meant the festival always worth supporting. excellent burgers, sausages and jacket potatoes had to be served indoors. However the rain soon cleared away FORTHCOMING EVENTS The 3RD and we were able to enjoy a few pints in good STRANRAER company in the well-appointed beer garden to OYSTER FESTIVAL the rear. Beers were Holy Cow Strong Bitter and runs from Friday 13 Game Bird Amber Ale, both from Born in the (evening) - Sunday Borders Brewery. Both were in great condition. 15 September. A Special thanks to Alan and Jackie of the Blue full programme of Peter for their hospitality and getting the beer events is promised garden dry enough for us all to enjoy when the with live music in sun came out! the Entertainment Marquee with full Saturday 20 July – bar service and an The Grapes Summer Beer Festival Artisan Market. This annual event marks the start of Stranraer's Scottish Week. The festival was once again a There is a huge range of high quality food huge success with many members from both outlets on offer and both Sulwath and Five Ayrshire and Wigtownshire attending over Kingdoms Breweries will both be present in the two days. The sun shone on the Saturday the Market. Sulwath will have both bottles and Social, the burgers were excellent and the cask ales available with Five Kingdoms selling newly-refurbished courtyard was packed all bottles and beers in keg form. There is a £3 afternoon. The beers earmarked for the Festival daily entrance charge (£5 for the weekend) this were largely consumed by the large number year. Friday is a late night and Saturday finishes of thirsty Skiffieworld World Championship at 6pm for beer sales. A Wigtownshire Social participants a few days earlier who quickly has been arranged for Saturday. Meet at the discovered what The Grapes had to offer! outside drinking area at 2pm. Nonetheless, seven quality beers from Orkney, CARLISLE BEER FESTIVAL: THURSDAY 31ST Hawkshead, Coniston, St. Austell, Hadrian OCTOBER - SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER Border, as well as Oakham Citra (a subsequent Last year, several Wigtownshire members Bronze Medal Winner at this year's GBBF) were travelled through to Carlisle and thoroughly all on offer, as was Weston's Rosie's Rhubarb enjoyed the Festival, so much so that we Cider. The Beer of the Festival as voted for by decided to repeat the trip this year. Good visitors was Orkney's new Man o' Hoy Golden quality reasonably priced hotels are available Ale. As far as we are aware, The Grapes was the close to The Venue (yes, the festival venue is first pub on the mainland to obtain a cask. The called 'The Venue'!). Our social will take place winner of 6 bottles of ale was Glenis Vowles, a on Friday 1 November from 2pm. member from Sorbie.

34 Autumn 2019

great reasons 10 to join CAMRA CAMPAIGN Become a 1 for great beer, cider and perry 2 BEER EXPERT

Enjoy CAMRA GET INVOLVED BEER FESTIVALS a n d m a k e n e w f r i e n d s 3 i n f r o n t o f o r b e h i n d t h e b a r 4 Find the Save BEST PUBS 5 YOUR LOCAL 6 IN BRITAIN Get great DISCOVER VALUE FOR pub heritage and the 7 MONEY 8 great outdoors Enjoy great HEALTH BENEFITS HAVE YOUR SAY 9 (really!) 10 What’s yours? Discover your reason and join the campaign today: www.camra.org.uk/10reasons 35 www.awcamra.org.uk Norwich City of Ale, by Dave Stuart 23 May – 2 June 2019 Most beer festivals are great fun but a city-wide festival is on a different scale. Norwich showcases 43 real ale pubs arranged in 7 guided trails right across the city and into the suburbs.

A free festival guide is widely after a few minutes wandering available detailing the pubs, about I found the brewery in breweries and the events an arch underneath the bridge. taking place such as beer The beers on offer were tastings, food pairing, quizzes, generally strong (for me that's The Sir Toby in the central music, bbqs etc. A city map above 4.5) at 5% and above square is little more than a across its centre spread shows and pricey at £4.50. market stall with 4 or 5 seats. where the pubs and trails are My favorite was probably the situated and more detailed Thoughts of a more expensive Adam and Eve. A massive 13th maps show exact routes and trip than planned were century building which does street names. Each trail has 6 dispelled at the next stop, the opposite of the Tardis in pubs along it, one has 7, and The Rose, where my Wild that the stone flagged and they vary in length between Weather King St Pale was oak beamed bar and snug a mile and about 2.5 miles. £3.50 although at 4.2% it was are minute compared to the Bus routes and numbers are the weakest of 10 ales on offer. building's outer dimensions. also detailed. Your rewards for This could get messy. The next completing a trail and getting pub, The Kings Arms, was My favorite beer? Impossible your guide stamped at each nearby and thankfully turned to judge but Humpty Dumpty participating pub are a), a the strength down a bit but Swallowtail, Boudicca Golden smile on your face after an only 2 ales were available and Torc, St Andrews Brew House enjoyable walk and 6 lovely they didn't have a stamp for Grocers's Ghost and Wolf beers and b), an enameled the guide. “Made no effort” Golden Jackal all stood out. metal lapel pin badge featuring was written in my notes There are hundreds of ales on an iconic Norwich building. before I realized that they had offer so finding several to suit Most of these details are indeed made no effort. The your taste isn't difficult. available in advance online at Kings Arms was opposite and www.cityofale.org.uk I was in the wrong pub! Made As a post script for anyone up for it with a lovely pint of heading to York next year As I was staying on a campsite Batemans Gold at the correct I spent three nights there on the edge of the city my venue. on the way to Norwich and first visit was to theRedwell used CAMRA's Yorkshire Real Brewery Taproom, one of the Over the next three days my Heritage Pubs as a pub guide furthest out of all the pubs. navigation and concentration and strongly recommend you The guide left me on a road improved and there were many take a look at it. bridge with no pub in sight but highlights in the 20 pubs I visited. The pubs themselves ranged from wonderful masterpieces with names like The Murderers, Louis Marchesi, Ribs of Beef and Lollards Pit to brewery taps and friendly locals (Trafford Arms, Beehive, Plasterers Arms, Leopard).

36 Autumn 2019 It’s time to VOTE & Choose Your Champion Beer of Britain

All CAMRA members have the chance to nominate their favourite beers using CAMRA’s new and improved CBoB voting website at cbob.camra.org.uk

This year the voting page has been updated making it easier on the eye. For the first time, members will be able to vote for a wider selection of beers. This means that beers from all parts of the country have an equal chance to be nominated. The CBoB voting system gives every CAMRA member the opportunity to have a say in who wins and becomes CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain 2020. So, please get involved and vote for your favourites.

The voting period opens on September 1st and runs until November 1st.

You can nominate up to five beers in each of the eleven categories to be put forward for the CBoB competition. But, if you only want to nominate beers in one category, or even just one beer, that’s fine.

The more votes, the better the results will be. You do not have to nominate all the beers in one go. You can alter your selections anytime up to the deadline at midnight on November 1st.

Not all beers are eligible for CBoB; mainstream beer styles like Bitters, Best Bitters, Strong Bitters & Golden Ales have to be available for at least seven months of the year. Other beer styles have to be available for a lesser period depending on the rarity and seasonality of the . HOW TO VOTE Any CAMRA member can login into the CBoB website cbob.camra.org.uk using their member login details.

If you have forgotten these details you can contact the Membership Services team by emailing [email protected] or calling 01727 798440.

Alternatively, you can reset your password by visiting https://password.camra.org.uk.

Once logged in you, will be able to access information about the nomination schedule. Please spread the word with your CAMRA friends once you've voted. If you have any technical problems entering your selection, or with the website, please contact cbobfeedback@ camra.org.uk for help.

PLEASE VOTE NOW: cbob.camra.org.uk

37 www.awcamra.org.uk

TRADING STANDARDS If you have any complaint about your beer, such as poor quality or short measure, or there is no price list displayed, you should remain polite and speak to the management of the pub concerned in the first instance.

If you need to pursue the complaint further, contact your local Trading Standards office or Citizen’s Advice Bureau and they will guide you to the next appropriate step.

Full contact information can be found on your local authority website: www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk IRVINE: AYR: www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk Tel: 01294 310100 Tel: 01292 616060 www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk KILMARNOCK: STRANRAER: www.dumgal.gov.uk Tel: 01563 576602 Tel: 03033 333000 Members' area on national website Every CAMRA member has access to a dedicated members area on the national website: www.camra.org.uk > Sign-in. You just need your membership number and there's a link available if you don't know your password. Once logged in you can check that your email address is correct and that other membership details are correct at members.camra.org.uk > Member Dashboard > My Membership > Edit Membership > Preferences

And whilst logged in, why not visit CAMRA's Discourse discussion forum and take part in conversations on a multitude of topics at discourse.camra.org.uk. 38 Autumn 2019

GOOD BEER GUIDE W 2019 E IT ’RE IN

39 www.awcamra.org.uk

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