Pints West 56, Autumn 2002

32 Pages·2002·1.16 MB·English

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Newsletter of the Bristol & District Branch of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale
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Ninkasi shows how it’s done
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CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale
What is it? range of beer styles such as porter, mild and
stout, in addition to their bitters
CAMRA also seeks to promote real
CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, is an cider and perry through a sub-organisation
independent, voluntary, consumer organisa- called APPLE. Like ale, these are traditional
tion. Membership is open to all individuals, While CAMRA is a single industry British drinks and like ale, the traditional
but corporate entities such as breweries and group, it has a very wide area of campaign- product is very different from the ‘dead’
pubs are not members. Most of its work is ing interests. At present, campaigns that we version.
done by volunteers at a local level, reinforc- are actively pursuing include the following: Real ale, real beer, traditional beer, cask
ing national drives. (cid:129) Improved competition and choice in the ale – whatever you prefer to call it – this is
The Campaign was founded in the early brewing industry of course the Campaign’s top priority. It is
seventies with the aim of restoring drinker’s (cid:129) Preserving the British pub and defending no exageration to say that CAMRA saved
rights and promoting consumer choice. A licensees from eviction by pub owners real ale, and as a result saved many inde-
great deal has been achieved and over the (cid:129) Seeking a fairer tax system for smaller pendent breweries. No new ale breweries
last few years CAMRA has made a major brewers were set up in the UK for the fifty years
contribution to getting a fairer deal for pub (cid:129) Seeking fuller information about the beer before we were founded. There are now
users. we drink, such as ingredients labelling around 300 new brewers producing real ale,
CAMRA is financed through member- (cid:129) A fundamental reform of licensing law part of a massive real ale revival.
ship subscriptions, sales of products such as (for example, longer opening if the licensee In total there are currently around 66,000
books and sweatshirts, and from the pro- wishes) CAMRA members, from all walks of life. If
ceeds of beer festivals. We are a not-for- (cid:129) Fighting take-overs and mergers you haven’t already, why not add your voice
profit company limited by members’ (cid:129) Encouraging higher standards of pub to that of the most successful consumer
guarantee and our accounts are lodged design organisation Europe has seen? Fill in that
annually with Companies House. (cid:129) Encouraging brewers to produce a wide membership form on the back page now.
2003
The CAMRA Bristol Beer Festival was a sell-out success in
1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. February/March 2003 sees the
sixth annual Bristol Beer and Cider Festival making a welcome
return to the Council House, College Green, in Bristol city centre.
As in previous years the Festival offers a showcase of high
Wadworth 6X advert quality real ales (around eighty of them) and ciders and perries from
around the UK.
The Festival will be open to the public from Thursday 27th
February to Saturday 1st March at the following times:
Thursday evening 7:00-11:00 £3.00
Friday lunchtime 11:30-3:00 £3.00
Friday evening 5:30-11:00 £4.50
Saturday lunchtime 11:30-3:30 £4.00
Saturday evening 6:00-11:00 £4.00
Prices include souvenir glass and programme, plus a free half
pint of a beer, cider or perry for CAMRA members.
Entry for all sessions is by advance ticket which will be on sale
from the following Bristol outlets from about Christmas time:
Bridge Inn, Passage Street
Cornubia, Temple Street
Bag O’Nails, Hotwells
Hare on the Hill, Kingsdown
Wellington, Horefield
Nearer the time you will be able to visit our web site at
www.camrabristol.org.uk for up-to-date ticket information and
the beer list.
www.camrabristol.org.uk
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Attention Ladies - why not try something real?
OCCASIONALLY we hear reports that
However, there are many other beers
women aren’t much tempted to try Britain’s
brewed locally which we recommend:
traditional drink, beer. CAMRA has
recently undertaken some research into why
(cid:122)(cid:3)Smiles IPA, Best or Heritage demon-
this might be, and found:
strate the range of styles from light to dark,
bitter to sweet, and are all available at the
(cid:122)(cid:3)22% of women don’t drink real cask ale
Brewery Tap, Colston Yard (opposite the
because it isn’t promoted to them
Children’s Hospital)
(cid:122)(cid:3)17% think it’s ‘old fashioned’
(cid:122)(cid:3)Bath Ales also offer a range, including
(cid:122)(cid:3)29% don’t drink it because their friends
the golden SPA found at the Hare On The
don’t drink it
Hill, Lower Kingsdown, the Merchants
(cid:122)(cid:3)17% think it will make them fat!
Arms, Hotwells and the Wellington in
Horfield
Encouragingly though, 23% of women (cid:122)(cid:3)RCH Pitchfork, another golden, hoppy
have tried real ale in a pub, and 19% would beer, often available at the Bell, Kingsdown
try it if it was served in more stylish and (cid:122)(cid:3)Butcombe Gold, ditto, often seen at the
fashionable glasses. Berkeley on Queens Rd, or the Quinton
Four thousand years ago it was a House in nearby Park Place
different story. The Sumerians ‘discovered’ (cid:122)(cid:3)Fuller’s Honeydew, another honey beer,
beer and the goddess Ninkasi, brewer to the
not brewed locally but available locally at the
gods, was worshipped by both men and Cambridge Arms, Coldharbour Road,
women. Sumerian women took the lead in
Redland and the Fish Market, Baldwin
brewing beer and running the taverns, and different, where would you go in Bristol to Street, off the Centre
presumably therefore had a keen apprecia- try some of our favourites? Well, three of
tion of the stuff too. A modern incarnation the top choices nationally amongst women Others worth looking out for are Abbey
of Ninkasi is back, helping CAMRA by can be found in Bristol: Ales Bellringer (in many pubs in Bristol and,
urging drinkers to “get real and discover the
for that special treat, the award-winning Star
cool natural taste of real cask ale”. (cid:122)(cid:3)Hop Back Summer Lightning (from in Bath), and beers from Cotleigh and
The Bristol and District branch of Salisbury) is golden, refreshing and a perfect Cottage from Somerset. And with the nights
CAMRA has many female members who alternative to bland yellow lagers at 5% drawing in, why not try something dark,
have already discovered the variety and alcohol, and regularly available at the moody and delicious like Black Magic Stout
range of tastes that real cask ale has to offer. Coronation, Dean Lane, Southville from Oakhill, Station Porter from Wickwar,
There are hundreds of different beers (cid:122)(cid:3)Timothy Taylor Landlord (from or the oddly named Old Slug Porter from
brewed around the UK and, just like wines, Keighley, Yorkshire), a pale ale, can be tried RCH (which actually tastes of chocolate,
there are many styles. These range from at the Shakespere in Redland coffee, blackcurrant and black cherry!).
pale or golden through the brown and ruby (cid:122)(cid:3)Young’s Waggle Dance (from Wands- So, finally, does it make you fat? Well,
bitters to the dark and enticing stouts and worth, London) and brewed with pure honey no more than lager (and real ale certainly
porters, with a wide variety of strengths in can be found in pubs such as Horts, Broad won’t give you that bloated feeling) … and
most styles. Something, really, for everyone. Street, the Highbury Vaults, Kingsdown and real ale is brewed with all natural ingredi-
So, if you’re tempted to try something the Rope Walk, Bedminster ents. So take your taste buds on a new
adventure and treat yourself to some of the
flavours of real ale!
Alison Bridle, Lesly Huxley
New brew
from Nursery
A NEW beer from Nursery Brewery, named
“K.E.Y.N.S.H.A.M.”, has been produced as
Wickwar’s White Lion their 100th brew and was launched at the
and Princess of Wales advert Old Bank in Keynsham’s High Street on
Friday 13th September.
It has a strength of 4% ABV, is ruby
coloured, and is made from Perle and Saaz
hops which give it a slightly sweet, crisp
edge.
The reason for the name is connected
with the football pools guru, Horace
Bachelor, who lived and died in the town
and was often heard on Radio Luxembourg
saying “That’s Keynsham, spelt
K.E.Y.N.S.H.A.M.”.
Phil Brooks
www.camrabristol.org.uk
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Cider Sisters
SINCE our last column, we’re ashamed to left the outside world (and the 20th century)
admit we haven’t managed to get away on a far behind.
cider weekend (it hurts us more than it hurts Time lost its meaning as jugs were
you). But all’s not lost – how could we passed and glasses filled, food was shared
resist taking up the kind offer made by a amongst friends and strangers (us) alike and
certain Mr. Weadon, regular Pints West we wished we could stay forever... but
correspondent on all things cider? there’s a limit to how many home-made
One Friday evening, after a few warm up pickled onions you can safely eat in one
pints of our favourite Thatchers and Cheddar night.
Valley in the one and only Cotham Porter This cider house is one of a kind in our
Stores, inspiration (or is that madness) hit experience, the perfect place to shelter on a
and we found ourselves in the Long Bar, wild and windy night. It can offer anything
Old Market, in search of our mystery pen- your heart desires, as long as it’s cider or
friend. Like attracting like, and though the Lilt. It can’t be around forever, so make
bar was packed to the rafters, within minutes sure you don’t let it pass you by. More
we’d found our man. It’s hard to describe traditional country cider house that could details can be found in CAMRA’s Good
what happened next, so we won’t bother... have come straight from the pages of Cider Guide. If you do make the trip you
let’s just say, he promised cheap cider and Thomas Hardy. could also take in the Cider Museum in
his Ernie rendition, and we weren’t disap- The cider (Bulmers Woodmancote – nearby Hereford, which tells you everything
pointed. made exclusively for the MH) is served in you ever wanted to know about the apple
As we’ve no trip further than the jugs from a half stable door, and drunk in a elixir and a few things you wished you
Evening Post building to share with you this small one room outhouse (the old bake didn’t, and where we read the following:
time, we thought we’d bring you a treasure house) around a communal table. We
from our cider archives – no true fan of real stumbled up the dark path in a howling gale, Good cider is a drink divine
cider should miss this one, which rates as and nearly walked straight into Bomber, of Tis better for you than all your wine
one of our all time faves. We found it in a Auf Wiedersehn Pet fame, who luckily was Food for maid & man & boys
trip to Herefordshire during the height of the just leaving as we could barely contain our Good in grief as well as joys.
foot and mouth crisis – a strange weekend of schoolgirl hysterics at this incongruous brush
empty lanes, barred gates and the stench of with Cornish wrestling history. After Couldn’t have put it better ourselves. See
burning flesh. It’s unsigned and unheralded, composing ourselves and getting a couple of you next time.
but if you can find it the Monkey House is a pints in, we settled down by the cosy fire and Freya & Erica McLuckie
Hop Back Brewery and Coronation advert Cornubia advert
www.camrabristol.org.uk
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Castle of Comfort Festival in
the Bag
IN the last issue of Pints West we award. This was his reaction:
reported that the Castle of Comfort “I must say that I’m almost speech-
in East Harptree had been declared less at receiving this award. Having
Bristol & District CAMRA Pub of the only been in the licensed trade for 18
THE Bag O’Nails in Hotwells, Bristol is to
Year runner-up for 2002. months, it’s with some pride that I
hold another of its popular mini beer
We did say we would bring you a accept this plaque on behalf of my wife
festivals this November. It will be running
write-up of the pub in this issue. We and family whose support is paramount
from Thursday 21st until Sunday 24th,
have not been able to produce one this to our success. Prior to all this, I was a
opening all day each day.
time, but hope to for a future issue. For college-trained chef for eight years,
It might only be a small pub but they
the moment let us make do with a few then reverted to farming on the
certainly get through a lot of beers at these
words of description as taken from the Mendips, my birthplace, after marrying.
now annual events. There should be around
Castle’s entry in the 2003 edition of the “The sudden demise of farming left
forty different beers on over the period, with
Good Beer Guide: us jobless and homeless, but by a
ten on at all times.
“This 17th-century, stone cottage stroke of good fortune, being in the right
Knowing the Bag’s reputation there are
style pub earned its name from provid- place at the right time, I was offered the
likely to be some exciting brews on offer to
ing refreshments to prisoners on their position of licensee of this pub. Lucky
suit all tastes. And for those like me who
way to being hanged nearby. Situated man!!! The catering side wasn’t a
enjoy their beers dark there should be a mild
on top of the Mendip Hills, it is only five problem but beer-wise it was. Having
and a stout on at all times. And if like me
minutes’ drive from the famous Ched- met you CAMRA people and being
you enjoy your beers light you’ll be well
dar Gorge and Chew Valley lake. This pointed in the right direction, the rest is
catered for too. Well, truth be told, I like all
hostelty welcomes children, having a now history you might say!
sorts of beers, as long as they’re real.
big fenced-in field behind, with a play “Thank you CAMRA!”
And for people who like food, Gordon’s
area. The beamed interior features a
homemade fayre will be available from noon
real tree trunk, holding up part of the
until 7 on Thursday and Friday, and until 3
ceiling. The licensee is the chef and
on Saturday and Sunday.
hosts mini beer festivals every Easter.”
SP
We paid the pub a visit recently to
present licensee, Steve Crook with his
Bell, Kingsdown advert Abbey Ales Bellringer advert
www.camrabristol.org.uk
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Pub News Whiteladies comfort station
AT the top of Blackboy Hill in Bristol, near something, taste it, then find a comic name
B.J’s Liquor Emporium, formerly the the Downs, after one has sampled the for it. Over the years they’ve had some
Sceptre, by Bristol Bridge has apparently dubious delights of the Whiteladies Road oddly named beers, including “What The
finally been sold with work underway on a “strip”, a haven of music-free rest lurks in a Fox’s Hat”, plus various concoctions made
major refurbishment. It is one of two pubs steep alley on the left hand side. with banana, lemon, spices and herbs. The
close together (the other one being the The Port of Call has for many years Altar Ale was a standard midland session
Rummer) that have been closed for several been a well-known outlet for a good pint of bitter, a fair pint for the type.
years with no signs of reopening. Bass (which you either like or don’t). The Roger showed me his future guest list,
landlord, Roger Skuse, an amiable host, now and one of the beers, Blackawton Bitter, I
Pubco (un)Innspired recently advertised the keeps a changing range of unusual guest had tried in its native Cornwall and ended up
lease on the Miners Arms in St. Werburghs ales. On the night I called in he had Wood’s having a few. I’ve seldom seen it up here.
as being for sale with additional “ingoings” Parish Bitter, at 4% abv. This is a somewhat The Port of Call has a nice snug, done up
of £10,000 being required. stronger version of their more common Sam in the “glass float and fishing net” style, and
Powell Original Bitter. The Shropshire a garden.
The Rat & Parrot, one of the large pubs on brewery is well regarded in real ale circles Over the humpy alley and through a
Whiteladies Road, is closed at the time of and all their brews are worth seeking out. steep hillside garden lies the Beaufort
writing for yet another refit. It is the second The Parish was in perfect condition with Arms in High Street, a Banks’s outlet.
one since it opened some five years ago and a “moreish” citron nose and very hopped They are starting their famous seven veg.
seems strange timing to be closed for the finish. But girding myself to stern duty, I Sunday dinners again in October and also
first couple of weeks of the new university tried the other guest, Church End Altar Ale sell several draught ciders for the waning
term. at 3.6%. I suspect that Church End brew population of scrumpy fans.
A. McDougall
Long suffering Innspired tenant Ray Barnes
from the Eldon House off Jacob’s Wells
News from Wickwar
Road has finally given up his struggle and
moved to pastures new. See back issues of
Pints West for his letters on the problems of
being a tenant of a pubco. Another Inn-
spired tenant to have been forced to move on THE latest seasonal brews from Wickwar Great Winter Beer Festival, it is available
is Keith from the Bank in John Street near are the new beer for autumn, appropriately October to February in cask conditioned
the centre of Bristol. named Autumn Ale, and the old winter format or all year round in 500ml bottles.
Pete Tanner favourite Station Porter. Both beers should be making appear-
Autumn Ale is brewed to 4.6% ABV ances at Wickwar’s two pubs, the White
using the finest Maris Otter malted barley Lion in the centre of Bristol, and the Princess
blended with three different varieties of hop. of Wales in Bedminster. Hopefully the free
Managing Director Ray Penny describes the trade will taking lots too.
beer as “very complex, full of malt, ruby red On the subject of Wickwar’s pubs, both
in colour, silky smooth with a hint of pepper are under new management, with Paul and
Hope & Anchor advert
and that Wickwar long, dry finish.” Lorraine at the White Lion and Max and
Station Porter, at a powerful 6.1% ABV, Jane at the Princess of Wales. Both pubs
is a smooth, dark ruby brown ale with an should be selling at least one Wickwar beer
aroma and taste well suited to the colder at £1.20 a pint, irrespective of strength, until
months. Twice Silver Winner at CAMRA’s further notice.
SP
Shakespeare, Totterdown advert Bag O’Nails advert
www.camrabristol.org.uk
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Gloucester Road crawl GGGGGrrrrreeeeeaaaaattttt CCCCChhhhhrrrrriiiiissssstttttmmmmmaaaaasssss
SO some local CAMRA members the road, our next pub was The gggggiiiiifffffttttt iiiiidddddeeeeeaaaaa
decided to wander up part of the A38 Hobgoblin. This street corner pub
recently and check out the pubs and usually has a very colourful floral
Real Ale scene. For those new to display outside. The pub had a major
DO you know someone who loves beer? Looking for
Bristol or not familiar with the area, refurbishment about a year ago. On
the right Christmas present? CAMRA membership
Gloucester Road is one of the main the night of our visit there were two
could be the perfect gift. Members receive:
drags in and out of the north side of the TVs and a giant screen featuring the
(cid:122) Our lively monthly publication What’s Brewing,
city. Manchester United game inside the
giving hard news from the world of pubs and beer as
The first pub we visited was at the pub – plus another TV showing the
well as providing information about festivals and
bottom of Gloucester Road – the plan same match in the rear enclosed patio
special events.
being to visit as many pubs as possible area. The pub has a stone flagged and
(cid:122) Free or substantially reduced entry to all CAMRA
in the one evening – we will finish the tiled floor and is on split levels. It is
beer festivals throughout the UK, including the Great
crawl in the next Pints West! popular with students and was very
British Beer Festival.
busy. Beers on sale at the time of our
(cid:122) Discounts on many CAMRA publications, including
The Prince of Wales is situated at visit were Smiles Best (didn’t catch the
our best-selling Good Beer Guide.
the arches end of the Road – near the price), Wadworth 6X (£2.10) and
So why not give a gift this Christmas that will be
Zetland Road junction. This is a Hobgoblin Giant Haystacks – the latter
enjoyed the whole year!
mostly wood panelled pub just about was the only beer we tried and was in
divided into two rooms by a wooden very good condition. A lively pub, can
CAMRA Membership Application
partition. The Prince has a fairly be quite noisy, good to watch the big
traditional feel about the place. How- match.
ever, it is under new management and A little further up the road is The
some changes have taken place in Foresters. This is a wood-panelled,
recent weeks. The ceiling has been carpeted single bar. This pub also
painted in a lighter colour and all the featured the footie – it had a TV and a
carpets have been removed. The giant screen next to each other. The
flooring now consists of tiling and pub had Butcombe Bitter and Bass on
floorboards - this is a welcome hundpump, plus Thatcher’s Cider.
improvement. On the night of our visit, Next, we crossed the road and
in the left side bar, there was a TV looked into “It’s a Scream”. No Real
showing the Manchester United v Ale! “It’s a Shame!” We did not
Everton match. If you didn’t want to stop for a drink!
watch the soccer, the right side bar was A few yards further up is The
TV free – queitish music was played Goose at The Flyer. This was the
from speakers – Frank Sinatra at the first pub without any music, giant
time. To the far right side, you could screen or TV! This is a large pub,
escape both TV and music. To the rear mostly carpeted on many levels with a
of the pub is an enclosed patio area. good mix of customers – all ages. The
The beers on offer were Courage Best licensee has recently acquired a “Cask
(£2.00), Directors (£2.25), Bass Marque” accreditation – an industry
(£2.10) and Butcombe Bitter (£2.10). award for good real ale. On sale at the
All the beers were in good condition time of our visit were Tetley Bitter
and served at the right temperature for (£1.25), Fullers London Pride (£1.60)
real ale – not warm – but just as and Bass (£1.50). We were told that
important, not too cold! Adnams Bitter is also usually on sale at
The pub has a good atmosphere – it £1.50. All the beers tried were in good
feels like a pub! Notice the wood nick and is good to see a no-smoking
panelling and the windows with stained area. The pub also features a heated
glass. And that partition is so impor- outdoor drinking area. We tried the
tant – this must not be removed! London Pride – it was in good condi-
The next pub was not quite a “pub” tion and full measure is promoted by
but the area’s premier live music means of a notice which says “If you
venue, The Prom. The night we think the head on your beer is too
visited, the Emma Hutchinson Quartet large, we will gladly top up your
was getting ready to entertain. The glass”.
Prom is normally free entrance for gigs Just across the road is The Robin
except Friday and Saturday when the Hood with its unusual curved brick
door charge is normally between £3 exterior. This is a basic two-room
and £5. On Tuesday nights, a pop quiz boozer – note the stained glass
is held. The Prom currently sells windows. On the right hand side is the
Smiles Best (£2.15) and Wadworth 6X public bar featuring a pool table. The
but is looking to increase the range and left hand bar is the smaller carpeted
would like to hear what you’d like to “lounge” area with a gas fire. The pub
see on the bar. It’s all part of a sells only one real ale, Courage Best.
punters’ survey they’re running at A Gloucester Road crawl is
present. Addlestones real cider is also certainly an interesting and varied one.
available at £2.30 a pint. To be continued next issue.
Returning to the right hand side of Pete Bridle
www.camrabristol.org.uk
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Bristol : an outsider’s view
A LATE decision and a quick phone call to a dispensed some excellent beer. Before useful station tap opens at 8:30 for breakfast
hotel finalised the basic needs for a weekend catching the last 339 back to Bristol there although the bar doesn’t open until 10:30. A
in the Bristol area over the August Bank was time to sample some rarely found short train ride to Bath gave us half an hour
Holiday. Martin and I, therefore, found Worthington in the Old Ship. for a Greene King IPA in the Royal Hotel
ourselves on the 8:15 from Paddington opposite the station. The bar is extremely
bringing us into Bristol just after 10 a.m. Although not shown on the bus map, comfortable but, as one would expect, the
Apart from occasional visits to city First does operate a limited service on a prices are a little higher than in the city’s
centre pubs when I was passing through or Sunday on the 689 to Yate via pubs.
attending a meeting, I didn’t know any pubs PUCKLECHURCH where the Star (Inn Today’s circuit started in SWINEFORD
in the “Pints West” area. Fortunately, Business) serves a fine pint of gravity Bass where the Swan, a free house, offers gravity
Martin is a frequent visitor to the area so along with a number of hand-pulled beers. Bass and a varied food menu. Opposite the
knows a fair number of good hostelries. The Star, along with the other two pubs in pub is a path to the Avon Valley walk which
From the station, we shot up to the bus the village, is food orientated but the place we followed to the old railway path which
station and collected the latest map and was comfortable and the menu looked we took to SALTFORD and the Bird in
timetable. interesting. We sought directions from there Hand, a Good Beer Guide entry which is
We had a number of itineraries roughed to the Rose and Crown, a Wadworth house very big on food. We were unfortunate to
out so a quick adjournment to the White in Parkfield Road, where another tasty menu experience rather poor service on our visit.
Hart, a Greene King house at the bus station was available. We sampled Wadworth’s We didn’t stay long but followed a field path
exit, gave us a few minutes for a swift half Summersault here before continuing to the to KELSTON where we were rewarded
and to check bus times. The beer was Fleur de Lys for a pint of Butcombe Bitter, with the Old Crown, a wonderful gem of a
acceptable but I feel that the pub is gradually then caught the bus back as far as place owned by Butcombe Brewery, where
losing interest. It was much better when I Mangotsfield. we were provided with a stunning pint of
first used it in 1995. Butcombe Gold. Sadly we had to catch a
It was planned to do some walking so we bus a few minutes later but we are certainly
We bought Day Explorers (£5.00) on the walked the 5½ mile railway route back to St. going to return to this lovely traditional 18th
350 and headed for LONG ASHTON as Philips. As well as offering some healthy century inn. Accommodation is available
Pints West reported that the Miners Arms exercise the walk gave us the opportunity to next door.
had been under threat. As it was a good pull visit a couple of Wetherspoon conversions.
up Providence Lane, we called in for a quick The Staple Hill Oak, an ex motor cycle With plenty of time before our planned
one in Robin Hood’s Retreat, an unexcit- showroom, offered a good Ringwood Old train back to London, we took the opportu-
ing youngsters’ pub. At the Miners Arms Thumper, while, at the ex cinema, Van nity to sample some of Bath’s drinking
the Bass was absolute nectar. I wasn’t so Dyke Forum in Fishponds a very accept- scene. We stopped off first at the Hop Pole
impressed with the food though when a “real able Archer’s Golden was available. A owned by Bath Ales for a pint of Gem
Cornish pasty” turned out to be a soggy reasonable pint of Burton was found round before trying the Kings Arms for a
mass-produced thing full of mince. We the corner at the Railway Tavern a clinical, Bellringer, then continuing to Hatchetts in
wanted to continue to Wraxall so returned to characterless place offering some drinks and Queen Street. The pub needs some interior
the main road for the 354. There was time food at low prices. decoration, but was still a friendly little place
at the bus stop for a quickie in the Bird in We didn’t stop again until central where we both enjoyed pints of Archer’s
Hand where the hand-pulled Bass was as BRISTOL where we first found the Long Golden prior to making a mandatory visit to
good as that on gravity at the Miners. We Bar as Martin wanted to check it out. From the Star in The Vineyards. This is now an
each had another half before wishing the the other side of the road, it looked a cosy Abbey Ales house but still dispenses the
new father and son team good luck. They little pub but our hopes were dashed when legendary gravity Bass for which it is so well
have only been in the trade for seven weeks! we approached and found it tatty inside and known. The pub has had a light refurbish-
Please pay them a visit. heaving with karaoke. We left quickly and ment but this has not detracted from its
We dropped off in WRAXALL at the made our way to the Swan With Two character. If anything it is even better than
church and found we had to walk on another Necks in Little Ann Street, an ex Hardington before and deserves to be on every discern-
mile to the Old Barn. What a gorgeous Pub which had been closed for a while. It ing pub lover’s and real ale drinker’s
place with a friendly team serving a good reopened ten weeks ago as a free house itinerary in Bath.
range of cask ales. I sampled the RCH PG under the excellent stewardship of Val and With time ticking on, we had to start
Steam. It was tempting to stay in this lovely Leroy who seem to be doing very well as making our way back to the station but not
location for the evening but, sadly we had to first timers in the trade. They hope to make before calling in at the Old Green Tree in
check in at our hotel and we also had our it a good real ale pub and seem to be Green Street where, unfortunately, the bar
evening pub itinerary already planned out. succeeding. We were made very welcome was being propped up by a couple of
and provided with some very good Hop drunken idiots. Our last drink of the
We returned to Bristol and took in a Back Summer Lightning, one of Martin’s weekend was Felinfoel Double Dragon in
couple of favourites – the Myrtle Tree for a favourites. Our last port of call for the day the Lambretta Bar. This bar, in North
pint of Moles Bitter, followed by a Goff’s was another welcoming pub, the Hare on Parade, looks from the outside like a fizz
Jouster in the Bag O’Nails, 141 St. the Hill in Dove Sheet, a Bath Ales house place and not worth visiting. Don’t be
George’s Road, before checking in to the run by John Lansdall who used to run the fooled! The Felinfoel is usually available
hotel and embarking on our evening jaunt. Swan With Two Necks in its Hardington together with three other guest ales. Toasted
We spent the evening in KEYNSHAM in days. As well as Bath beers, Triple FFF sandwiches are usually available and it’s a
order to do justice to the Nursery Brewery beers were available as guests. very useful station/bus station tap.
pub, the Old Bank, where their full range of
beers plus a couple of guests were available. The bank holiday Monday was the last All in all our visit was very enjoyable
As it was a music night, the pub was very day of our trip so we started off in the new and, hopefully, a further one will be planned
noisy but Nick, the landlord, and Steve, the Wetherspoon pub, the Knight’s Templar before too long.
brewer, made us most welcome and on Temple Quay. During the week this John Crowhurst
www.camrabristol.org.uk
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Butcombe Brewery’s record sales
Photo
BUTCOMBE BREWERY, one of the pioneers of microbrewing in Now it services 350 accounts directly, has a small fleet of lorries
the South West, is enjoying a sales boom. and a staff of sixteen. It also owns six pubs: the Bell in Hillgrove
The brewery, based in Butcombe, near Bristol, achieved its best Street, Bristol; The Ring O’Bells at Compton Martin; the Swan at
ever figures during the past twelve months. Rowberrow; the Lamb at Axbridge; the Old Crown at Kelston, near
Butcombe produced more than 15,000 barrels of real ale for the Bath; and the leased Red Tile at Cossington, near Bridgwater.
first time since the company started brewing twenty-four years ago. The company delivers direct to outlets within a fifty mile radius
This success reflects the growing popularity of its two brands, the of the brewery, beyond which its beer is distributed by recognised
original Butcombe Bitter, at a strength of 4.0% alcohol by volume wholesalers and pub companies.
(ABV), and Butcombe Gold, 4.7% ABV, a classic golden real ale. “Business has been a struggle at times but, in reality, we have
Demand for Butcombe’s beers has consistently been high and never really looked back,” said Simon Whitmore. “We are proud to
looks set to rise further. But if sales continue to rise the brewery be known as the South West’s biggest small brewery.”
could cease to benefit from the introduction of progressive beer duty
in this year’s Budget.
“We are at the extreme end of the annual production affected by Black Friar
the reduction in duty,” said managing director, Simon Whitmore.
“This makes the amount per pint quite small and nothing like the 14p
a pint announced by the Chancellor. Therefore, if our steady increase
in sales is maintained, the small reduction in duty we qualify for now TO CELEBRATE its recent fifth birthday, Abbey Ales, based in
will stop after the next year or two.” Bath, launched a new seasonal beer called Black Friar to coincide
Simon Whitmore rewarded his workforce with a weekend at the with the 25th Bath CAMRA Beer Festival.
Munich Beer Festival for helping the brewery to reach the 15,000 The beer, a stout, is a complete contrast to the regularly brewed
barrels milestone. golden Bellringer, being stronger and darker and brewed to an ABV
He acknowledges that much of Butcombe’s success is due to the of 5.3%. It is produced from the finest English malt available, Maris
loyal staff. Many of the team have been with the company for more Otter, plus a mixture of roasted Chocolate malts and finished with
than twenty years. They can carry out any job and regularly rotate Northdown and Bramley Cross hops.
their tasks. Managing Director Alan Morgan said, “We always like to come
The brewery has come a long way from when it was set up in up with a new beer for the Bath CAMRA festival and this year,
1978 by Simon and his wife, Maureen, in farm buildings adjoining because it’s our fifth birthday and Bath CAMRA’s 25th, we felt
their home. Then, they had just thirty accounts, one lorry and one something a little different was needed and have produced Black
employee. Friar.”
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INTS WES 10
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fact that the alleged “brewery tap” for Quay And finally if you remove that essential
Brewery didn’t sell any Quay beers, but he feature that makes a pub like the Wheatsheaf
READERS’ LETTERS
didn’t appear to have searched them out. what it is. Excellent beer! Unless it is in
Had he headed towards the brewery he perfect condition it is not served. It is
would have found that the Red Lion in Hope always in perfect condition. Russel is an
Square has Quay beers, and usually the expert, and he cares about the product
Dorothy has one on. passed over the bar. The three stalwarts of
I agree that it isn’t easy to find them, but the selection are Bass, 6X and Flowers IPA.
it’s a pity to come to Weymouth and not And then there is the guest. And that will
make an effort to try the beers of its only never fail to disappoint. Russel has a talent
brewery. for bringing the very best beers to
Yours, Thornbury. From local sources and further
Alex Bardswell afield we have been treated to this finest of
(W. Dorset CAMRA) British drinks in all its varieties. Too many
Wyke Regis, Dorset. to list. Always served as it should, always
consumed in an atmosphere conducive.
Vince Murray replies: Once this fine pub has been removed
In the article I explained how... from the equation, the question ‘what is the
Readers are welcome to send
a) I was bemoaning the misleading “brew- best pub in Thornbury?’ will need a lot more
letters to Pints West Editor,
ery tap” sign; thought.
Steve Plumridge,
b) it was a cricket tour not a beer one (the
Garden Flat, 6 Royal York Villas, beer was an added bonus); Andy Olive said:
Clifton, Bristol BS8 4JR c) I was reliant on the Good Beer Guide – I read with interest that there is to be a
([email protected]) neither pub he mentions was in it. real ale festival in Thornbury, in October, as
I did however give the Dorothy a good mentioned in the July-Sept issue of Pints
write-up anyway (having drunk Quay and West. In that you asked, at the end of the
FANCY A SMOKE? others there). Weymouth is very well article, what is the best pub in Thornbury.
supplied with pubs and I could hardly just Well, I have only lived in Thornbury for
Dear Sir, visit every one just in case. a year, but I have found the Wheatsheaf on
May I answer Tim Nickolls’ point in the Chapel Street to be the best pub, as there is a
last issue of Pints West about the no- good selection of real ales, Bass, Flowers
smoking area at the Ring O’Bells, Compton IPA, Wadworth 6X and a guest beer, as well
Martin? The reason why the family room is as providing a good selection of food, a pool
a no-smoking area whereas the other table, skittle alley, and an outdoor garden
drinking or eating areas of the pub are not is and boules (petanq) pitch.
that the former is in a separate room some
distance away from the rest of the pub. It is We asked readers to let us know what Dave Mead said:
thus easy to isolate it from tobacco smoke. they considered the best pubs for real ale In the town we have a few pubs. The
The other three bars are interconnected in Thornbury. A number of people best pint is served in the Wheatsheaf – a
and although we have smoke extractors it is responded – and it looks like the couple of commons and a guest, and Black
difficult to stop smoke drifting from one bar Wheatsheaf is the popular choice... Rat cider, well looked after.
to another. Furthermore, Tim might not like
tobacco smoke but to a lot of people (and I Hugh Davidson said: Thanks to all who responded. We’d
don’t know how many) smoking enhances a The Wheatsheaf is the only pub serving like to continue this and ask a similar
drink. good real ale. Bass and 6X are the two question about another place which
At our brewery, for example, when regular ales, with a constantly changing lies on the outskirts of the Bristol &
visitors have a pint or two after a tour I guest ale always available. The beers are District branch area – Cheddar.
notice that often up to half of them are maintained in excellent condition and I have
drinking outside even in the cold weather never been served a bad pint there. So, what do readers consider are the
just so that they can smoke as they drink. best pubs for real ale in Cheddar?
But not to be dog-in-the-mangerish we Simon Chilcott said:
are going to experiment by making half the Couldn’t help noticing your article on
lounge bar – the area where most of the food page 22 of Pints West number 55. Appar-
is eaten – a no-smoking area and see how ently you are looking for the ‘best’ pub in
effective it is. Thornbury. This interesting question
We hope that Tim will come and judge provokes very little thought.........
the results for himself. Unless of course you exclude the
Yours faithfully, Wheatsheaf from your consideration.
Simon Whitmore, Once you exclude the warm, friendly Craig Weaden often writes in to Pints
Butcombe Brewery Ltd., welcome offered by Russel and Honey to West, usually, as mentioned in previous
Butcombe, Bristol. both regulars and strangers alike. introductions to his letters, extolling the
Once you don’t give any consideration to virtues of cider, but recently claiming to
the fine surroundings including; the beautiful have given up cider for good on health
building, walls adorned with yesteryear’s grounds (though his last letter suggested
MUST TRY HARDER! bric-a-brac, Honey’s spectacular art, and faltering determination). Now read on…
that much too often lost homely feel.
Dear Sir, Once you ignore the splendid menu with Dear Steve,
I was reading Pints West in the Dolphin food that lives up to expectation in both Well I’m sure you guessed: I succumbed
in Weymouth during that pub’s beer festival, quality and quantity, with extra special to temptation and consumed the forbidden
and came across the article about Weymouth attention paid to a segregated no smoking fruit. A luxury I paid a dear price for as my
pubs by Vince Murray. He bemoaned the area. colitis flared up again and I’m back on
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