FREE Issue 66 JUNE/JULY 2008 WANT TO SAVE YOUR LOCAL? BUY IT! The Crown Inn is a 16th It’s in the process of being century traditional farming refurbished, but keeping the village public house, situated atmosphere of a village pub. in the beautiful quiet hamlet of They are currently looking for a Sydenham, nestling beneath the tenant who will develop this free rolling Chiltern Hills. house into a thriving business The village itself consists of the and plan to have it back open pub, St Mary’s Church, a few for trade in a couple of months’ farms, houses and cottages. time. The pub was put up for sale by The pressure on country Admiral Taverns (having been pubs these days is immense sold to them by Greene King especially with pub groups who some 18 months ago) and the look at a potential windfall with freehold of the property has been a conversion to a private house. bought by a small syndicate of villagers who were determined We will follow the progress of the pub in the pages of Swan that the pub stay open - both as an asset for the village as well as Supping and organise a social there after it opens. It will also serving the neighbouring area. They feel very strongly that the feature in our upcoming Line 40 bus guide. pub is at the heart of the village. A newsletter with a print run of 5000 for the discerning drinkers of Aylesbury Vale and Wycombe Swan Supping Local News ASTON CLINTON Sheep Bitter and Shepherd Neame the weekend if Friday 27th June to become the Green Man as soon as Beefeater public house the Crow’s Spitfire plus regular guest ales. The Sunday 29th, at which there will be the new signage is ready (probably Nest offers two mainstream cask ales. pub is serving breakfast from 7am and ten ales and four ciders available in July). Lets hope that the pub keeps Greene King IPA (3.6) and Fuller’s a full menu from 11.30am to 10pm in the courtyard as well as the usual the new (old) name for a very long London Pride (4.1) being the hand Monday to Saturday, with a carvery favourites inside. There will be a time! The Greene King IPA and the pumped beers. on Sunday. Twenty rooms, all en- further beer festival towards the end Shepherd Neame Spitfire are proving suite, will soon be available, marking of August as part of the ‘Hobble on to be very popular. the return of a hotel to the centre of the Cobbles 2008’ festival. Fuller’s pub the Oak serves three of the town. their brewery beers, Chiswick (3.5), BLEDLOW London Pride (4.1) and ESB (5.5), Adrian Garman is the new manager Country gem the Lions, continues to alongside a guest ale, which was Dayla have taken over Taylor & Co., at the Hobgoblin. The pub is hoping source local brewery ales at this sole Highgate Special (3.8) when visited a family owned drinks wholesaler to be back to three real ales soon with village outlet. Tring Jenny’s Yarn (4.2) in May. They will be holding another in Staines. They will now supply Hobgoblin as a regular beer and two was among the five brews on parade, beer festival in September – see the over 350 new customers in Surrey, others from either Archers or Vale which included Slater’s Queen Bee next issue for details. Berkshire and London which will breweries. (4.2) and Archers Swindon Strong represent a significant increase in Bitter (5.0), showcasing last month. turnover. They didn’t do much real ale The Rothschild Arms was closed Archers Porter has also been available in the past so this take-over is seen as The Horse & Jockey on the when we visited in May and had been of late. a great opportunity. Buckingham Road, part of the Orchid for a while. However, we understand Group, featured an English Ale that a temporary manager is now in A study has shown that a lot of Dayla’s Festival throughout May. business is on the Aston Clinton side BRYANTS BOTTOM charge of this Punch owned pub and Greene King tied pub the Gate, that it has reopened. of Aylesbury and many of their staff live that side as well. However, there The Lantern is currently surrounded provides GK IPA (3.6) and Abbot Ale is currently no plans to move to Aston by scaffolding as a major refurbishment (5.0) which were in good nick when AYLESBURY Clinton and no such decision will be is taking place. However, the rumour visited in April. Worth an attendance, The Bell reopened on the 2nd of May made until planning permission is mill seems to think that the changes if in the area. and looks like it is returning to its sorted out for their present site, having taking place will make it even less former glory. It has been refurbished already lost two planning applications like a traditional pub dating back to FRIETH throughout with new carpets, furniture plus an appeal. the Civil War than it is now! Brakspear Bitter (3.4) and Hobgoblin and upholstery, and is looking very (4.5) are available at the Prince smart. The plan is to offer eight real The Farmers Bar at the Kings Head The Square @ Aylesbury will be Albert. This is a classic example of a ales between the two bars including held a very successful beer festival reverting to one of its previous, more true Chiltern Valley pub. Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen to celebrate St. George’s Day. They traditional, names! The pub will and Abbot, Wadworth 6X, Black will be holding another festival over The George and TO LET! Dragon Hotel FREE of TIE! Set in the heart of historic West Wycombe village THE CROWN INN SYDENHAM This well located village pub is available on a long lease. Now open all day Saturday and Sunday This is a fantastic opportunity for an for food and drinks experienced operator with exceptional Warm and friendly atmosphere standards in hospitality and catering to 4 award winning cask ales run this great village pub offering good Fine wines Excellent home cooked food food and drinks. Characterful accommodation Estimated capital requirement: For reservations call 01494 464414 circa £30k www.george-and-dragon.co.uk Tel: 01844 353278 2 Please contact the editor if you have any news regarding our local pubs Swan Supping LOCAL BREWERY NEWS OLD LUXTERS VALE The sale of the Old Luxters brewery Vale Brewery have changed their artwork for pub clips to reflect their and the Chiltern Valley winery has new home. finally exchanged contracts with a The new range of deal hopefully to be completed in the pump clips now next month or so. The new owners are feature the famous to be Allied Domecq. Brill windmill. Mr. David Ealand, proprietor and In addition to selling owner of this local brewery and own own hand crafted vineyard, will remain at the brewery for the interim in a consulting bottle conditioned capacity, to oversee the immediate running and takeover of this full- Vale beers, the Brill mash craft brewery. brewery shop is What transpires in the next year or so is unclear and down to the new also starting to sell owners Allied Domecq, but both cask and bottle-conditioned (RAIB) beer from other ales are hoped to be maintained and possibly expanded. Old Luxters breweries. Whilst the brewery is the only micro-brewery in the British Isles to have been priority remains Vale, accredited with the coveted Royal Warrant of appointment to Her interesting additions Majesty the Queen for their bespoke bottle-conditioned real ales brewed can be found by for sale at the Royal Household shops at Old Windsor, Balmoral and calling or visiting. Sandringham. A recent hit is Hopshackle Restoration Ale. This is a 9% ale aged for six A barrel of Old Luxters Barn Ale months before bottling. It is described as a Belgium Triple in style and Special (4.5) is to make a rare is a rich smooth drinking dark ale that is proving really popular. Some cameo appearance at the Duke of Dark Star brews including Espresso Stout will be available early June. Cambridge Summer Solstice mini- It is advisable to call before travelling to check stock, but also to get festival in June. directions! Alan Sheppard (Old Luxters BLO) Vale Brewery’s pub in South Hinksey, Oxfordshire, the General Elliot, will be holding a beer festival over the weekend of 27th /29th of June. Please contact the editor if you would like to help distribute Swan Supping 3– Swan Supping BRANCH PUB OF THE YEAR! changing. These are not your big Pub Co. The Hop Pole now enters the competition to guest beers, but specially selected ales spread become the Central Southern Regional Pub across the entire UK. The beers on sale and in of the Year. It must initially compete with the the cellar are maintained by landlord Stuart on Robin Hood in Tring and the Lamb in Stoke his web-site (www.hop-pole.co.uk). Goldington for a place in the fi nal round of voting. If, after all this it wins the regional The food offering is simple, but superb, with competition, it will be entered for the National Pizzas made by a native Italian! Pub of the Year. The function room is well used and features Real Ale festivals at least twice a year. Phil Stevens, Partner at Vale Brewery said ‘Winning the local CAMRA pub of the year award is a fantastic achievement and recognition for the hard work put in by Stuart, Monia and staff who run the pub so well, with The Hop Pole on the Bicester Road in the support of the Vale Brewery team.’ Aylesbury has been chosen as the Aylesbury Vale and Wycombe Branch Pub of the Year! The Pub of the Year certifi cate was presented to Stuart and Monia on May 1st by local The Hop Pole was a run down pub with no branch chairman.