Pints West 110, Summer 2016
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AWARD-WINNING No. 110 Summer 2016 www.camrabristol.org.uk NTS WE Multi-award-winningI magazine of the Bristol & District Branch of CAMRA, theS Campaign for Real Ale P (incorporating the Bath & Borders Branch) T Front cover: PINTS WPhotographEST of the inside of the Old Market Assembly by Paul Blakemore. Contents: PINTS WEST The multi-award-winning magazine of the Bristol & District Branch of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Page 25 Page 6 Ale, plus the Bath & Borders Branch Page 25 Brought to you entirely by unpaid volunteers BATH & Ten thousand copies of Pints West are Moor BORDERS distributed free to hundreds of pubs in and Page 22 around the cities of Bristol and Bath ... and Beer beyond. Also available to read on-line at: Page 17 www.bristolcamra.org.uk Published by the Bristol & District Branch of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, May 2016 © Page 30 Next edition: end of August 2016 (probably). Page 8 Spread the word: any article in this publication may be reproduced Page 14 provided the source (‘Pints West’) and the contributor’s name, where applicable, is stated. (No using logos or artwork without permission.) Subscriptions: to be put on a mailing list to receive Pints Wests (for UK addresses) send ten standard (not large) 1st class stamps to the editor. CAMRA Good Beer Guide: suggestions for future entries, and Page 31 Page 20 comments on existing ones, can be made to our GBG co-ordinator, Page 16 Martin Gray: [email protected]. BADRAG If you have any pub updates: please enter them through whatpub.com Page 12 or email details to [email protected]. Further information on all aspects of CAMRA can be had from Ray Holmes on 0117 9605357 (home). Trading Standards Officers: contact for problems such as consistent short measures, no price lists... Bristol: 0117 9223444 / S. Glos: 01454 624000 Page 15 Glos: 01452 426201 / N. Somerset: 01934 888802 Page 19 B.A.N.E.S: 01225 396755 or visit www.tradingstandards.gov.uk Design & Layout by: Steve Plumridge. Printed by: Caric Press Limited (www.caricpress.co.uk). Page 21 LETTERS: please email correspondence to the editor at: And much, much more... Page 36 [email protected] or post it to: Pints West Editor, Steve Plumridge, Garden Flat, 6 Royal York Villas, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4JR. ADVERTISE: to find out about advertising in Pints West, please email: come and exciting [email protected] experience an choice CONTACTS: for further contact details and diaries see inside back page. extensivecome and exciting experience an of food collectioncome and of excitingchoice experience an live and Views expressed in Pints West are those of the individual extensive musicof choice authors and not necessarily supported by CAMRA. collectionquality of entertainmentfood extensive live of and Inclusion of an advertisement does not imply endorsement by CAMRA. realcollection ales of and musicall infood a fun quality live musicentertainment and international friendly Thanks to this issue’s contributors quality and entertainmentall in a real ales under fun beers and allfestival in a Bianca Ambrose Laurie Jackson Richard Brooks oneinternationalreal roof ales atmospherefriendlyfun Chris Rogers Lesly Huxley Richard Harman beersinternational under festivalfriendly Dave Graham Mark Steeds Robin E Wild onebeers roof under atmospherefestival Dave Kibble Martin Gray Roy Sanders one roof atmosphere Dave Strawford Martin Ansell Stephen Edmonds Duncan Shine Marty Cummins Steve Comer Eddie Taberner Michael Bertagne Steve Hunt Graham Watson Neil Ravenscroft Steve Plumridge Henry Davies Nigel Morris Tim Belsten Jan Deverell Norman Spalding Tim Webb Keith Morey Pete Taberner Tony Durbin Laurie Gibney Phil Cummings Vince Murray Advertise in Pints West 10,000 copies printed quarterly and distributed to hundreds of pubs throughout the region Also available to read on-line at 0844 412 4640 www.bristolcamra.org.uk BOOK YOUR www.gbbf.org.uk/tickets ContactPage Steve 2 Plumridge [email protected] TICKETS NOW 0844 @GBBF 412 4640 GreatBritishBeerFestival BOOK YOUR www.gbbf.org.uk/tickets0844 412 4640 TICKETSBOOK YOUR NOW www.gbbf.org.uk/tickets @GBBF GreatBritishBeerFestival TICKETS NOW @GBBF GreatBritishBeerFestival PINTS WEST The Old Market Assembly n the few months since its opening on the site of a former Lloyds The dinner menu is divided into sections Bank on West Street in the Old Market area of Bristol, in December split by vegan, vegetarian and meat/fish Ilast year, the Old Market Assembly has quickly gained a reputation options, while the brunch menu is available for good quality food, drink, music, entertainment and atmosphere. from 11am to 3pm Saturdays and 11am to Owned and operated by the company behind the Canteen in Stokes 4pm Sundays, and a £5 lunch menu is on Croft and No.1 Harbourside in the city centre, the ethos behind the offer between noon and 3pm weekdays, with Old Market Assembly is the same as at its two sister establishments, all menus offering gluten- and dairy-free options. Bread is baked in-house and has proved exceptionally popular, and can also be bought at the Harbourside market every weekend. What sets the Old Market Assembly apart from its stable-mates is the existence of a 100-seat theatre at the back of the premises. This is the Wardrobe Theatre which used to be based at the White Bear pub on St Michael’s Hill until it moved to its current venue when it focussing on sustainably- and locally-sourced food and drink with organic ingredients, and vegan and vegetarian options. When it comes to real ale, this means that the four cask handpulls will invariably be offering brews from local brewers such as Bristol Beer Factory, New Bristol Brewery, Wiper & True and Butcombe, as well as Arbor beers that are specifically unfined for sale at Old Market Assembly. Real ciders from Pilton Cider and Cleeve Orchard are also opened last year. As a result, distinctive theatrical, comedy and musical on sale and, for the oenophile, a number of quality organic wines are performances can be enjoyed most evenings, and the venue also hosts available by the glass and bottle, all of which complement the food events for children during school holidays. menu. Just in time for the start of the long British summer, a roof terrace area opened in mid-May, which is bound to prove popular in the sunshine, especially when the barbecue is fired up on the roof, as it was Arguably one of the South West’s Largest Independent Beer & Cider Festivals Nailsea & backwel Bee r & Cider festival At Nailsea & Backwel Rugby Club Friday 15th July, 6pm - 11pm saturday 16th July, noon - 11pm sunday 17th July, noon - 6pm Many varied National & International Beers & Ciders with for the terrace’s launch weekend. Plans are already afoot to extend the an emphasis on the South West to enjoy & sample. terrace in time for next year, when no doubt the summer will be even sunnier and warmer. Customers shouldn’t despair when the winter ABOUT THIS YEARS Over 160 Beers, Ciders & Perries. months come, however, as customers will be just as warm inside in front Free Live Music Saturday & Sunday. of the wood stove. 13th annual Children’s Village, Food Outlets & many festival other attractions. Tickets available from Advance ticket valid for all sessions £8 several venues. More includes programme, Commemorative details on our website. Glass & first half-pint. See our website New for 2016 - free bus service From Nailsea & Backwell Train Station, with pick-ups www.applefest.co.uk in Nailsea to the Festival every 30 minutes (On the for full festival details, Sat & Sun from 12 noon). directions & public Full route details at transport links, or call Whether a lover of ale, food, theatre or just great atmosphere and us at the Club ambiance, the Old Market Assembly is a fine addition to the Bristol www.applefest.co.uk 01275 810818 scene, and is definitely worth a visit in the coming weeks and months. Stephen Edmonds Photos by Paul Blakemore and Adam Fung Page 3 PINTS WEST Shine on Kingsdown n what is sometimes called the Hospital District of Bristol, to the north of the city centre and south of Cotham, there is the The Kingsdown Wine Vaults Imainly residential district of Kingsdown. It is host to an eclectic 31 Kingsdown Parade, BS6 5UE mix of pubs and bars. Up a lung-burstingly, lactose-drainingly, acrophobia-inducingly Catering to a mix of healthcare and other workers, local steep hill from the BRI hospital is the Kingsdown Wine Vaults. residents and students, there is a great choice of venues for food Since we’re and/or that pint of ale. Many don’t open till late afternoon, so it’s checking the terrific always worth checking whatpub.com and with the venue. bristolslostpubs.eu website, it tells us that The Hare On The Hill this one goes back to 41 Thomas Street North, BS2 8LX 1867, and has also Originally the Masons Arms, and a pub since the early years of been known as the Queen Victoria’s reign, this pub experienced a renaissance under the Star, Booth’s Hotel aegis of Bath Ales and thrived for the early years of this millennium. and White’s Hotel in Nowadays, the impossibly steep slope of Thomas Street North is home the past. to an independent free house, and the pub was refurbished in 2015, A very traditional though the lovely street-corner pub, it green-glazed tiles is quiet and sparsely are still outside. furnished, with maps, There is a pieces of musical lighter, airier feel instruments and a to the place these Tony Benn poster on the wall. days, but the beer There is also a sun-trap garden with loose stones and low wooden is as good as ever.