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Ayrshire and Wigtownshire CAMRA Branch
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Winter 2015
Troon Festival Success ALSO INSIDE: EVERY BRANCH REAL ALE OUTLET LISTED; LOCAL NEWS; BREWERY NEWS; TRIP REPORTS - LONDON & LANCASHIRE; IRISH ALE SCENE
Winter 2015
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www.awcamra.org.uk
CAMRA NEWS
Scottish Pub of the Year announced Following a gruelling assessment by judges from around Scotland, the Stockbridge Tap in Edinburgh is the overall winner of the Scottish Pub of the Year (POTY) competition. The POTY winners in each of the nine Scottish CAMRA regions were initially assessed, and these were whittled down to the top four pubs, which were scored on a variety of criteria – not just the quality of the beer, but on topics ranging from cleanliness, atmosphere, value for money and support for CAMRA aims. The Stockbridge Tap, in Raeburn Place, is described as being “a specialist real alehouse, offering unusual and interesting beers from all over the UK and occasional beer festivals”. Licensee Archie Carmichael said “We try and cater for everybody, but the seven cask ale taps are where we come from. The cask beer is by far our largest seller and we try to get the best beers that we can source and serve them in the best condition possible”. The Stockbridge Tap will now go on to represent Scotland, against the 15 other regional finalists, in the National Pub of the Year competition, the result of which will be announced in February 2016.
BRANCH 2016 POTY NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN Despite this year’s Scottish POTY having just been announced, the initial stages in the search for next year’s winner are now starting. For AWCAMRA members, that means nominating your favourite pub for our branch social areas, namely North, East and South Ayrshire and Wigtownshire. Our four area winners will then go head-to-head to give an overall Branch POTY, which in turn will then be assessed at a Scottish level. Nominations for this year should be given (emailed, handed to, sent by carrier pigeon, scribbled on the back of a packet of cigarettes etc) to our Area Social Organisers before 31st December – contact details are on page 31. Nominations can also be emailed to chairman@awcamra.org.uk.
Volume 17, Issue 4 Ayrshire and Wigtownshire CAMRA Branch Chairman: Lindsay Grant Email: chair@awcamra.org.uk Secretary: Karen Grant Email: secretary@awcamra.org.uk Minutes of Branch Meetings are available to members from the Secretary. Editor: Stuart McMahon, 93 Montfode Drive, Ardrossan KA22 7PH Tel: 01294 603848 Email: fullpints@awcamra.org.uk Advertising: Mike Tomlinson Email: advertising@awcamra.org.uk Advertising Rates: Full Page: £60 ½ Page: £35 Websites: www.awcamra.org.uk www.ayrshirebeerfestival.co.uk @awcamra; @troonbeerfest
Ayrshire & Wigtownshire CAMRA Ayrshire Real Ale Festival Full Pints is designed by Montfode Design, www.md93.co.uk and printed by Brown Brothers Printers, Irvine, www.brown-bros.com. At least 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 those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the editor or of the Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. © Campaign for Real Ale Ltd
The next edition of will be published in March 2015. Articles, photos and other contributions should be sent to the editor no later than Friday 19th February 2016. 3
Winter 2015
Winner THE Y OF E
2014
AR
PU B
Special Award
Scotland and Northern Ireland Region
Family run village inn located on the harbour in the picturesque fishing village of Isle of Whithorn
2014/15 Countryfile Magazine Rural Pub of the Year WINTER OPENING HOURS: Fri-Mon 11am - 11pm; Tues-Thurs 11am-2pm & 6pm-11pm
OUR NEW, IN-HOUSE FIVE KINGDOMS BREWERY NOW PRODUCING A RANGE OF QUALITY REAL ALES Timothy Taylor Landlord plus five guest ales always available ⅓ pint beer taster platters available for same price as a pint
Outside seating area on the harbourside. Children and Dogs Welcome. Lunches 12-2pm. Snack Menu 2-6pm (Fri-Sun). Evening Meals 6.30-9pm. Sunday Carvery, 12-3pm: 3 Courses £12 Thursday Steak Night: Galloway Sirloin £12 Selection of local seafood dishes always available All food freshly prepared on the premises. Daily chef ’s specials using the finest fresh produce and local seafood.
ACCOMMODATION
Comfortable en suite accommodation overlooking the harbour From £30 pppn B&B. Special accommodation offers to CAMRA members.
For bookings: visit our website, or call Alastair on 01988 500334 Email: steampacketinn@btconnect.com
www.thesteampacketinn.biz 4
www.awcamra.org.uk
BREWERY NEWS
Arran
Arran’s Sleeping Warrior recently won the UK’s Best Barley Wine in the 2015 World Beer Awards. The brewery has also gained “Safe and Local Suppliers Accreditation” (SALSA) - one of only three breweries in Scotland to gain the accreditation which is likely to become a requirement of supermarkets and large retailers. They have also set up “Arran Brew LLC” as a registered Beer Importer in the USA and have received their first orders. Work is continuing at Loch Earn, although there is no fixed date for the brewery opening. The first test brews from Devil’s Dyke sold well - Devil’s Pale Ale and Blonde Devil (4%) are next on the list. Development of the Dreghorn site is awaiting a Government grant decision. And the Weaver’s Pub in Kilbirnie is waiting for utilities works before the refurbishment starts in earnest.
but a few casks will be kept. There is also a new winter beer for the Kinloch Hotel in Arran called White Stag, which is a 5% cloudy wheat beer flavoured with coriander and orange peel – some of this will be bottled. White Stag will be the brewery’s first unfined beer in cask.
Ethical Ales The new brewery based just outside Mauchline is now up and running and producing a small range of ‘craft keg’ ales only. Limited availability locally at present and their main focus is on supplying outdoor shows and events with bottles and minicasks. For more info on the brewery, please read Adam Shafi’s wonderful blog on his visit to the surrounding area: www. walkingandcrawling.blogspot. co.uk/2015/08/ethical-ales-in-landof-honest-men-15th.html
Five Kingdoms
The brewery continues to do well and they Rabbie’s Porter won are developing the Champion a portfolio of Porter of Scotland beers that seem competition to appeal to the public. They which was held are still only brewing to supply at the Ayrshire Real Ale Festival, the pub itself but have had their where they also won the Beer of beers at a number of beer festivals the Festival with Betty and The including Troon and Carlisle. They Gardens. At the festival they were are brewing a special beer for also presented with the Brighton and South Downs CAMRA ‘Beer of Christmas, and experimenting with the Festival’ certificate for Rabbie’s some single hop beers. The current range of ales is: Summerisle, 4% Porter at the Sussex Branches Festival – a great weekend for the Golden IPA; Bysbie Blonde, 4% brewery. They have two new brews Pale NZ Ale; Dr Rudi’s Blonde, 4% using NZ Dr Rudi hops; Bitter X, on the go. Firstly, a collaboration 6% hoppy IPA and Dark Storm, 6% with Roundsquare Roastry in Ayr stout. to produce a 6.2% coffee stout. Most of it will be getting bottled
Ayr
Portpatrick In the five months since its launch in late May, the brewery has been working at full capacity in order to keep up with local demand for the four cask ales they now produce all year round - Dorn Rock Bitter (4.3% cask; 4.4% bottle), Fog Horn IPA (4.8% cask; 5.0% bottle), Gulf Stream Golden Ale (4.4%) and a lighter bitter called 16-21 (3.8%) named after the registration number of the RNLI Portpatrick lifeboat. They also hope to supply this ale in bottles for Christmas. The bottling part of their operation has had to be moved to a plant in Preston due to pressure of time and the need to build up stocks for the Christmas market. Unfortunately, this has meant that the products can no longer be termed as ‘Real Ale in a Bottle’ or ‘hand bottled in Scotland’ and the labels have been amended accordingly.
Sulwath Reinbeer (4.5% ABV), a delightfully spiced ale has been re-launched ready for the Christmas season. Black Galloway achieved 2nd Place in the Champion Porter of Scotland competition held at Troon. The Brewery’s Christmas Open Day is on 19 December complete with spiced & mulled ale, accompanied with mince pies and roasted chestnuts. The Brewery Tap should be fully WiFi friendly by December which will be free for all customers to use. 5
Winter 2015
NEWS
National Cider Pub of the Year announced A Nottingham pub that reopened less than 18 months ago has won the ultimate cider award and has been named winner of CAMRA National Cider Pub of the Year 2015. The Robin Hood & Little John in Arnold, Nottingham, has been named the best place in the UK to drink Real Cider. The pub has a long history dating back to 1750, but closed down in 2013 before having new life breathed into it in August 2014 through a partnership between Nottinghamshire’s Lincoln Green Brewery and Leicestershire’s Everards Brewery, under the management of Anthony Hughes and Lorraine Swain. Sarah Newson, the organiser of the Cider Pub of the Year competition said, “This is an amazing achievement for a pub that not only just re-opened last year, but had never even been in the competition before. A great feature is its ‘cider wall’, showcasing eight ciders and perries which are always from smaller producers rather than big brands - this enables the cider and perry to be served at a consistent cellar temperature, providing the customer with an excellent drinking experience.”
Time for a change
Two of Scotland’s best known breweries, one well-established, and one which only started brewing in 2011, have recently had a makeover. The long-established, and highly accredited Highland Brewery in Orkney, set up by Rob Hill and his son Lewis, have renamed themselves the Swannay Brewery and introduced a brand new logo and smart rebranding of their beers. Swannay is the name of the area of north west Orkney mainland where the brewery is located. Their range of award-winning beers will remain the same, although there are plans to develop a new range of modern ales. Loch Ness Brewery, based on the shores of the famous loch at Drumnadrochit, have also rebranded themselves with a much more contemporary look and feel. Their distinctively named beers will remain (RedNESS, WilderNESS etc). SaaziNESS won the Speciality Beer of Scotland Competition which was held at the Ayrshire Real Ale Festival.
New beer shop is just Tops in Killie Kilmarnock, in addition to its real outlets, now has an added bonus for beer drinkers and home brewers. Top of the Hops is a small shop situated at the top of the Foregate, and is rapidly becoming a ‘must go to’ place for bottled ales and home brew supplies. Owner John Mullan is delighted with his early success. 6
He has an extensive range of bottled ales (including bottled conditioned) from around Scotland and the rest of the UK, along with a large selection of continental bottled ales and glasses. For the home brewer, he can supply starter kits, through to individual ingredients for the experienced brewer. Well worth a visit.
www.awcamra.org.uk
New breweries Future outlets keep on appearing update By the time Full Pints is printed, chances are that yet another brewery will have opened up somewhere in Scotland. By my reckoning there are now 112 active breweries in Scotland (with a further 10 of unknown status at present). Valve Brewing, Edinburgh and Ale House Rock, Peebles are the most recent additions. It was sad to read of the recent closure of the Abbot House Brewery in Dunfermline. A previous winner of the Champion Beer of Fife Competition on several occasions, the closure was forced on the brewery due to the overall closure of the attached Abbot House Museum. Owner John Reade has yet to decide whether he will start up brewing in a new location.
For a current list of openings and closures in Scotland, please visit www.clydeinfo.co.uk/ breweries.html
SIBA Scotland competition results The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) held the Scottish round of their national competitions at the Drygate Brewery, Glasgow on 12th November. The overall winner in the cask beer competition was Loch Lomond’s Silkie Stout, with Drygate’s Seven Peaks Mosaic IPA coming second and Fyne Ales’ Jarl coming third. Ayr won a bronze medal for Fair Jenny’s Jig (Best Bitters and Pale Ales); Strathaven also got a bronze for Craigmill Mild (Std Milds); and Jaw won no less than 4 medals. The full results can be viewed at www.siba.co.uk. Well done to all.
Work is progressing rapidly at the Pennyburn Roundabout on the new Marstons pub, the Red Squirrel. The planned date for opening is March 2016. In Largs, work has now started on the new JD Wetherspoon outlet which will be called the Paddle Steamer. Word has also reached Full Pints HQ that in Kilmarnock, there may be another two outlets introducing real ale in the near future, as well as the possibility of a microbrewery starting up. Watch this space!
Ayrshire Beer Guide 1976-style! One of our Branch members was recently tidying out their loft and came across an old copy of the Ayrshire Beer Guide 1976! The doublesided leaflet lists just 22 pubs as selling real ale back then, many in what are now beer deserts – but three are still in existence today. Who remembers all these outlets? AYR: St. Anne’s Hotel, Old Racecourse Hotel BEITH: Caledonian Inn BRODICK: Ormidale Hotel CUMNOCK: Thistle Inn DALMELLINGTON: Snug Bar GATEHEAD: Cochrane Inn HURLFORD: Thack Inn IRVINE: The Turf Hotel KILMARNOCK: George Bar, Goldberry Arms, Hillhead Tavern, Kay Park Tavern, McLean Arms LARGS: Jubilee Bar, The Sheiling MAUCHLINE: Loudoun Arms Hotel MUIRKIRK: Central Bar OCHILTREE: Commercial Inn STEWARTON: Bonnet Bar, Stewarton Arms TROON: Harbour Bar 7
Winter 2015
FRASERS BAR Millport
Find us just up the road from the pier
Quality Cask Ales Served All Year Meals Served Every Day 12 noon-2.30pm / 5.30pm-7.30pm
“Island Escape” self-catering 4-star luxury accommodation Book at: www.cottages4u.co.uk Ref: 30200
7 Cardiff Street, Millport, Isle of Cumbrae KA28 0AS Tel: 01475 530518 8
www.awcamra.org.uk
TRIP TO ISLE OF BUTE On Sat 19th September a small group of folks travelled by bus and train to catch the 1200 ferry from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay. Mick Lee, however, was delayed on his bus and was seen frantically waving to the ferry from the quayside as it departed. He did make it over on the next ferry though!
Once in Rothesay we took the short 10 minute walk to the Bute Brew Company which is situated just beyond the castle. We were greeted by owner, and new dad, Aidan Canavan and were treated to our first pint of ale. Three core ales are currently available – Bute Red, Scalpsie Blonde and The Maids.
Aidan told us that there are now seven outlets on the island and he is essentially brewing to capacity at present to keep them supplied, both in cask and bottles. On the Saturday we visited the tiny brewhouse / brewery tap had a steady stream of visitors popping in to sample the ales or buy some bottles. On leaving the brewery, we headed back onto the shorefront and visited the Victoria Hotel (Marstons Pedigree), Esplanade Hotel (can’t recall which beer was on) and Black Bull Inn (Inveralmond Lia Fail and Williams Seven Giraffes) before catching our ferry back home. Once again, a really enjoyable day out.
KILBIRNIE BEER FESTIVAL Ian Martin (one of the four Garnock Giraffes) was fed up of having no real ale outlets to drink in at weekends so he introduced real ale to the Garnock Community Social Club in Glengarnock. The club is currently only open Friday – Sunday but has real ale available from suppliers such as Alechemy, Kelburn and Jaw. On Friday 20th / Sat 21st November he organised the inaugural beer festival at the Social Club. Fifteen real ales and six real ciders were available for folks to try over the weekend – the selection included popular local ales from Ayr (Rabbie’s Porter, Jolly Beggars), Five Kingdoms (Dark Storm, Dr Rudi’s Blonde), Jaw (Drop and Fathom), Alechemy (Bad Day at the Office), Top Out Staple Pale
Ale and Kelburn (Dark Moor, Pivo Estivo). Further travelled ales included Boggart (Dark Mild), ELB (Nightwatchman) [my beer of the festival - Ed], Hackney (Calypso el Dorado) and Stringer (Plan B Gluten Free) – a great selection for those that weren’t too familiar with real ales, and a few specialities for those that were! There was some “Guess the malts” fun at the Branch meeting on Friday evening and local musicians provided entertainment on Saturday afternoon. Attendance was very good and plans are already being made on improvements for the next festival! Membership for the Garnock Social Club is available for just £5. Our Branch AGM will also be held there next March when Ian will provide a variety of ales. 9
FESTIVE PUB CRAWL - KILMARNOCK This year we are delighted to host our annual Festive Pub Crawl, on Monday 28th December, in Kilmarnock. For many years Killie’s real ale offering was a poor fourth behind Ayr, Troon and Largs, but recent developments have seen the number of outlets grow from two to the current seven, with reports of another and a micro-brewery on the radar. If you wish to enjoy some pub grub, all of the pubs on our trail have menus on offer but some have restricted hours, which are mentioned below. There are trains from Ayr at 12:29, or Kilwinning at 12:10, which meet up at Troon at 12:38, getting you to Kilmarnock just in time for a 1pm start directly opposite the station at Fanny by Gaslight. Alternatively there are very regular bus services from around Ayrshire and Kilmarnock bus station is only a few hundred yards from FBG. In Fanny by Gaslight you will find two ales, with Wychwood Hobgoblin Gold usually joined by another guest ale. On leaving FBG we will turn left, cross John Finnie Street and climb the hill to take first left on Langlands Street to the Braehead Bar at 1.45pm. Here you will find the town’s cheapest real ale, which is likely to be either Old Speckled Hen or Doom Bar. Left again, down the ‘gas brae’ and right onto Grange Street, where you will find the Brass and Granite on the right about four hundred yards along at 2.30pm. B&G will have three ales on offer, from the Belhaven list – Inveralmond and Strathaven ales are often to be found. Head back the way you came and take a right onto Nelson Street, re-cross John Finnie Street, and carry on to the junction of Bank Street, where, on turning 1300 1345 1430 1515 1600 1645 10
Fanny By Gaslight, 22-24 West George Street Braehead Bar, 8 Langlands Street Brass & Granite, 53 Grange Street First Edition, 50 Bank Street Goldberry Arms, 26-28 Bank Street Wheatsheaf Inn, 70 Portland Street
left you will find the First Edition on the right a few doors along at 3.15pm. This pub has seen big improvements since it was taken over by the Stonegate Group and has a choice of four real ales. Deuchar’s IPA and Courage Best are usually accompanied by two beers from either Fyne Ales, Loch Lomond or Loch Ness. At 4pm we move 200 yards further along Bank Street to the Goldberry Arms which has an ever changing real ale which could be anything from Robinson’s Unicorn to Skye Red. It is great to see what was the venue for early Ayrshire branch meetings return to the real ale fold. We continue along Bank Street to The Cross where a left on Portland Street will bring us to The Wheatsheaf Inn, the town’s Wetherspoons, and a choice from nine handpumps, at 4.45pm. If you still have the motivation, a 5 minute walk along London Road from the bus station will bring you to Franklin and Sloane. This new business is more a restaurant than a pub but offers two real ales, Harviestoun Bitter and Twisted and Kilmarnock Craft Beer, which is brewed by Inveralmond. Trains return to Troon, and Ayr at 17:00, 18:03 and 19:04, so you can decide whether to run for your train or bus, or have another pint. Check www. travelinescotland.com for all travel options. All are welcome, indeed encouraged, to join us for all or part of the crawl. Whilst we do our best to adhere to the published times, it is the nature of this sort of event that timings can become “flexible” (especially towards the end of the crawl). If you want to join the crawl at any particular time, then you can call Lindsay Grant on 07734 063712 to find out exactly where we are.
www.awcamra.org.uk
Saracen’s Head Hotel GOOD FOOD : GOOD BEER Outside Bars and Catering 2 Real Ales usually available SPECIAL OFFER: Mon-Thurs: only £2.50/pint Search for: SariBarBeith
10-12 Eglinton Street, Beith KA15 1AQ Tel: 01505 502329
100’s of craft beers, real ales and ciders Home brew supplies Branded glasses Gift packs
XMAS XMAS ALE XMAS ALE ALE
CHRISTMAS GIFT PACKS AVAILABLE
Local next day delivery
OPEN: Mon-Sat: 10am - 8pm Sun: 12pm-8pm
Beer club New beers arriving every month
Top of the Hops Ltd 49 The Foregate, Kilmarnock. Tel: 01563 257227 www.topofthehopsltd.com 11
Winter 2015
WELLINGTONS BAR Traditional Bar ~ Traditional Ales Traditional Music • Basement bar within yards of beautiful Ayr beach • Three handpumps now available, serving quality ales usually from Fyne Ales, Kelburn, Orkney and Harviestoun • Renowned for our promotion of traditional music – sessions every Sunday night • Longest running Quiz night every Wednesday • DJ every Saturday • Small parties very welcome • 35ml measures
17 Wellington Square, Ayr KA7 1EZ Tel: 01292 262794 Email: welliesayr@hotmail.co.uk www.welliesbar.weebly.com
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IGHT AY N M D N MO UIZ 9P Q K LY WEE ALE T GUES THE
ED S E RV F O O DP M D A I L Y 7 TILL
thethreereasonslargs
THREE
REASONS G d Drink, G d F d, G d Times! FREE HOUSE | BAR & DINER
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The Golf Inn, Prestwick 154 Main Street, KA9 1PB. Tel: 01292 476711 Now Serving Real Ale
BOOK EARLY FOR OUR DELICIOUS CHRISTMAS MEALS
Food Served Daily Weekly Karaoke & Quiz Nights
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Winter 2015
2015 Ayrshire Real Ale Festival
The 16th Ayrshire Real Ale Festival was held in Troon from 1st – 3rd October and numbers attending were slightly up on last year with just over 2,600 people attending over the three days – a great result considering we were competing with the World Cup Rugby on the Saturday – some visitors were far travelled from Germany and the USA. We had 150 ales available, including 30 on our island bar which was extremely popular. It included ales from three breweries on the Isle of Wight, three Breweries on the Isle of Man, along with Arran, Bute, Skye, Orkney and Shetland. Beer of the festival as chosen by our customers was Ayr’s Betty and the Gardens. A presentation will be made to them in the Glen Park Hotel on January 12th at 8pm. Come along that night if you can manage. Thank you to everyone who filled in a survey form, the response to it was excellent. Your comments and ideas will be a big help to next year’s organising committee. The winner of survey prize draw was John Robertson from Prestwick. The winner of the prize draw for new members was Murray Aitken from Galston – he receives two nights B&B at the Crown Hotel, Portpatrick. Thanks to the other 55 new CAMRA members who joined at the festival. Below, and opposite, are a selection of photos from the festival. MAKE A NOTE IN YOUR DIARIES - NEXT YEAR’S FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY 6th - SAT 8th OCTOBER 2016.
Left - Right: Some of our local ladies enjoy the ales– Jacqueline, Fiona, Sarah, Bev, Pauline, Mel and Claire
Left - right: Matthew (Philadelphia,), Rebecca (Portland), Anna (PA), Gina (California), Emily (Danville, Kentucky), Haley (New York), Danielle (Philadelphia) and Tristan (Los Angeles) – all are students on a short placement at Glasgow University14
Committee member Hugh Reid turned 80 earlier this year. He generously sponsored a cask which we renamed specially for him!
More photos are available online at www.ayrshirebeerfestival.org.uk
www.awcamra.org.uk
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Winter 2015
Giraffes go on London Safari
Written by Tony Blackburn (and corrected by Ian Martin, Andy Cooper & Bob Forrest!)
On a cold, dreich March afternoon the 4 giraffes, looking out of the rain stained window of the Saracens Head in Beith, decided they’d had enough of the serving behind the bars at Paisley, Troon and Glasgow Beer Festivals. So as to sample ale from different cultures, “Let’s see where we can get a cheap flight to and get a bit of sun.”Five beers later and talk of Berlin, Greece and various other places in the Med, a decision was made - LONDON!!!. Oh well, regular flights, no real language problems and two of the giraffes would show us their old stomping grounds. Cheap flight tickets were bought and excellent accommodation was arranged by Ian at William Goodenough House in Bloomsbury, just round the corner from Great Ormond St Hospital (where Ian worked for many years) – well worth checking out as inexpensive rooms may be available, food can be highly recommended as well.
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So, on 5th June four giraffes hit the sky, 10.45 to Stansted and Stansted express to City Centre, again, pre planning and good organisation was well to the fore as Andy had already procured our Oyster cards for public transport reasons.
The Friday afternoon pub list included McGlynns, Dolphin, Coming out of Kings Cross around Skinners Arms (where the Laird Ray Turpie has family connections), 2pm with a thirst so strong, we Lord John Russell, Marquis nearly drank WATER! Ian led us down two small streets and within Cornwallis, The Lamb, and The Cittie of Yorke. 2mins, and in a tourist vacuum, we were sampling some ale, As the plan of only walking short sitting outside our first watering hole, McGlynns, on the pavement distances and having ½ pints in each pub did not happen (far lapping up the rays!! more sociable drinking out of Not exactly Europe, but company, a pint glass) our first pub food beer and atmosphere were excellent. On the Friday, although we did not come across any truly outstanding ales, it did not dampen the giraffes on tour. Ian led us on a safari of the plains of Bloomsbury – in our quest for beer of the tour.
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Very welcome for a seat and a change of taste is a small Gin distillery, again very good for a band of beer tasting travellers who wanted to change their breath.
was sought – Pizza and wine, “sounded” a good idea, and it was proven to be so in Ciao Bella just round the corner from our campus (more beneficial was that it is just next door the The Lamb). Excellent food (and Bob ordered wine to celebrate becoming a Grandad). One giraffe stayed loyal to the mighty Hop! Now fed, rested and watered, a short stroll found us at three more excellent, busy and reasonable priced ale houses (The Swan, The Queens Larder, The Rugby Tavern ). Ian’s discussion with a woman who did not like stout, was easily going to be the funniest of the tour and this was only 8pm on the Friday. Ian will tell you the story when you next see him. SATURDAY AND THE BERMONDSEY MILE Three healthy giraffe breakfasts (and one giraffe longer lie in) set us up for the main business of the day – the famous and now very much recommended Bermondsey mile tour of pubs and breweries. Admittedly, craft beverages but real ale at the end when you get to London Bridge. The website can be found at www.standard.co.uk/goingout/ bars/bermondsey-beer-milescraft-beer-crawl-9250311.html.
we did not know it, this first brewery was by far and away the most professional of the micro breweries visited – the use of TV screens showing ABV, taste, colour and hops was excellent. Seating both inside and out the beers was excellent as well. Food could have been had here, as the Hog Roast & BBQ was getting set up as we hit the high road following our beer trail. Some of the micro breweries were of the basic variety under the railway arches, but this did not deter from the cleanliness of the premises or more importantly the taste of the brews. The advantage of following the trail this way was the potential for food at the end near the Bullfinch Brewery, with many outside traders serving up food from all over the world, leading to an immense social gathering and the satisfaction of the replenishment of energy.
In total 9 hostelries were visited and once again the plan of half pint tasters disappeared as the range of ales was trialled. The consensus of the giraffes was there was yet again no outstanding ale to match the Acacia brews of the Serengeti! However a trail that can be thoroughly recommended as a must for the real ale aficionados to experiment with Craft beer.
In addition to the Craft breweries we visited some historic pubs on the South of the Thames, The Market Porter, The Anchor, The George & The Old Kings Head, yet again these were close to Guys Hospital, yes you’ve guessed it, Ian worked there too. Using the excellent London underground system we headed back to base for a discussion on the day so far.
We recommend you begin at Forepure Brewery and finish at Bullfinch Brewery. Although
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Giraffes on Tour (contd) Again some local fare was tried and due to a communication breakdown by No. 4 giraffe, who got lost yet again from the herd and went wandering the plains in search for some fresh ale to drink, the next meeting time was planned for 09.30 on the Sunday morning. We had already planned to Detox at the Turkish baths of Canning Town and to see some of the London “geezers” in their own habitat. It was certainly an eye opener and as the aroma of real ale was coming out our pores, it was onwards and upwards on the penultimate leg of our journey to The Black Lion in Plaistow, East London.
Weary but refreshed following the heat of the steam bath, we took our only bus journey. After waiting for nearly 30 mins on a crowded bus, our holy grail was soon to be found – in No.1 Giraffe’s old watering hole – Captain Bob from Mighty Oak Brewery. The pub landlord and No.1 Giraffe were reunited and the perfect host allowed a free round to be had by the now more than happy giraffes. Captain Bob was instantly crowned beer of the safari!
sightseeing and of course a beer or two, and then on to the local Wetherspoons for a snack prior to getting back to Stansted Airport for last flight back home. Was it a good or a bad sign to say that on arrival at the airport, no more beer was had? Coffee and cake was the order of the day with a large sigh as the flight was to depart on time. Could that only have been 2 nights away, so much done in so little time. So with a hearty hoofshake on return to our own reservation, the trek was over. Where to next time we said? No.4 says, I have a funny feeling it could be Belgium...
After a good amount of excellent ale, the sojourn needed to be made across the city yet again to the South of the Thames and to Greenwich, a short bit of
WINTER DIARY DATES DECEMBER Sat 5th Two Pub Social: Bruce’s Well / McKay’s, Troon, 1pm/2.30pm Mon 7th Committee Meeting, Waterside, Largs, 8pm Sun 13th South Ayrshire Xmas Lunch, Wellingtons, Ayr TBC Wed 16th Wigtownshire Xmas Dinner, The Grapes, Stranraer, 7.30pm Mon 28th Festive Crawl, Kilmarnock from 1pm - see p10 for details
JANUARY Tues 12th Branch Meeting and Presentations to Ayr Brewing Company, Glen Park Hotel, Ayr, 8pm Wed 20th Wigtownshire Social, The Grapes, Stranraer, 7.30pm Thurs 21st North Ayrshire Social, Village Inn, Fairlie, 8pm Wed 27th East Ayrshire Social,First Edition, Kilmarnock, 7.30pm 18
Please check www.awcamra.org.uk for up-to-date details of all Branch events.
FEBRUARY Wed 3rd Two Pub Social: Auld Brig / Ship Inn, Irvine, 1pm/2.30pm Thurs 18th North Ayrshire Social, Paddle Steamer, Largs TBC (or Salt Cot, if Largs not open) Wed 24th East Ayrshire Social, Venue TBC, 7.30pm MARCH Sat 19th Branch AGM, Garnock Community Social Club, Glengarnock, 2pm
www.awcamra.org.uk
GETTING AROUND Branch AGM Listed below are some useful contact details for transport providers in our Branch area.
Stagecoach West Scotland
Our Branch AGM will be held on Saturday 19th March 2016 in the Garnock Community Social Club, Glengarnock at 2pm.
www.stagecoachbus.com Tel: 01294 607007 (Ard) 01292 613500 (Ayr) 01776 704484 (Stran) 01770 302000 (Arran) 07736 892253 (Disability Helpdesk)
All members are encouraged to attend this meeting. Several buses via Kilwinning stop right outside the club, and Largs buses / Glengarnock station are just a 10/15 minute walk away.
www.shuttlebuses.co.uk Tel: 0800 072 0373
See travelinescotland.com for all options.
Shuttle Buses ScotRail
www.scotrail.co.uk Tel: 0344 811 0141
Caledonian MacBrayne www.calmac.co.uk Tel: 0800 066 5000
Traveline Scotland
www.travelinescotland.com
Trading Standard Details Irvine: 01294 310100 Kilmarnock: 01563 576602 Ayr: 01292 616060 Stranraer: 03033 333000
Full contact information can be found on your local authority website: www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk www.dumgal.gov.uk
19
Winter 2015
Houston
Bute
Largs
Millport Lochranza Catacol Arran
Fairlie Glengarnock
Lugton Dunlop
Kilmaurs
Strathaven
Kilmarnock
Saltcoats Brodick Irvine Troon Lamlash
Blackwaterfoot
Drygate
Kelburn
Beith
Ardrossan
Jaw
Sorn
Prestwick Ayr
Alloway
Ayr Stair
Lola Rose
Dalrymple
Kirkmichael Kirkoswald
Bargrennan Kirkcolm Stranraer
Sulwath
New Luce
Portpatrick Portpatrick
Sandhead
Bladnoch
KEY:
Newton Stewart Wigtown Garlieston
Breweries producing cask ale Towns & villages where cask ale is available Not to scale. Reproduced from Ordnance Survey map data by permission of the Ordnance Survey Š Crown Copyright 2015
20
Drummore
Isle of Whithorn Five Kingdoms
www.awcamra.org.uk
AYRSHIRE & WIGTOWNSHIRE REAL ALE OUTLETS ISLE OF ARRAN
SOUTH AYRSHIRE
EAST AYRSHIRE
BLACKWATERFOOT Blackwaterfoot Lodge * Kinloch Hotel
ALLOWAY Cambusdoon Sports Club
DALRYMPLE Kirkton Inn
STAIR Stair Inn
AYR Abbotsford Hotel Ayrshire & Galloway Chestnuts Hotel Geordie’s Byre Glen Park Hotel Harry’s Bar Smoking Goat Tam O’ Shanter Twa Dugs Wellingtons Bar West Kirk
DUNLOP Auld Hoose Merito
KILMARNOCK Braehead Bar Brass & Granite Fanny by Gaslight § First Edition Franklin & Sloane Goldberry Arms Wheatsheaf Inn
BRODICK Brodick Bar Ormidale Hotel Wine Port CATACOL Catacol Bay Hotel LAMLASH Drift Inn LOCHRANZA Lochranza Hotel NORTH AYRSHIRE ARDROSSAN Ardrossan Rugby Club # Lauriston Hotel BEITH Saracen’s Head FAIRLIE Village Inn § GLENGARNOCK Garnock Community Social Club # IRVINE Ship Inn The Auld Brig LARGS J G Sharps Largs Sailing Club # Lounge MacAulays Three Reasons Waterside LUGTON Canny Man § MILLPORT Fraser’s Bar SALTCOATS Salt Cot
KIRKMICHAEL Kirkmichael Arms KIRKOSWALD Souter’s Inn PRESTWICK Golf Inn Prestwick Pioneer TROON Bruce’s Well Cheeky Charlie’s Harbour Bar McKay’s Marr Rugby Club # South Beach Hotel
KILMAURS Weston Tavern SORN Sorn Inn
WIGTOWNSHIRE BARGRENNAN House O’ Hill Hotel BLADNOCH Bladnoch Inn DRUMMORE Clashwhannon GARLIESTON Harbour Inn ISLE OF WHITHORN Steam Packet Inn § KIRKCOLM Blue Peter Hotel NEW LUCE Kenmuir Arms Hotel
NEWTON STEWART Creebridge House Hotel Cree Inn Galloway Arms Hotel PORTPATRICK Crown Hotel Harbour House Hotel SANDHEAD Tigh-na-Mara Hotel STRANRAER Grapes § Ruddicot Hotel WIGTOWN Wigtown Ploughman
* CAMRA members have noted that real ale is not always available at these pubs.
Every CAMRA member can score ales they drink in their local pub using the WhatPub app and website, www.whatpub.com.
§ Special offers for card-carrying CAMRA members
But what are the benefits? Well, all scores go towards whether an outlet is considered for inclusion in the Good Beer Guide, and, if there is a trend of low scores for any outlet, it can alert the committee to possible problems.
# Weekends only
Do you know of a pub that sells real ale and isn’t listed? Please let us know by emailing pubs@awcamra.org.uk
Scores are continually required for the whole Branch area but, in particular, Arran and outlying pubs in East and South Ayrshire receive very few scores - please take a few moments to score your beers on whatpub.com if you visit them. 21
Winter 2015
Invitation Thinking of Selling?
The property market is on the move, are you? There has been a marked improvement in the property market in Ayrshire in 2015 with sales volumes increasing, time on the at or close to home report valuations. There was a limited supply of many property types this Autumn with demand outstripping supply for the first time in years, so our advice to anyone considering putting their property on the market is to act now and take advantage of these favourable selling conditions.
of the local area and would be delighted to spend time discussing a marketing package best suited to you.
To arrange a convenient appointment time please call us today on
01294 313016 or email info@coastscotland.com
This is your personal invitation to receive a free valuation of your property and to discuss all aspects of selling your home with our local experienced sales team.
Your partner in selling w w w. c o a s t s c o t l a n d . c o m
Tel:01294 313016
22
www.awcamra.org.uk
Real Ale in Northern Ireland
with thanks to Cherry Saunders and Mark Hutchinson for their input
At this year’s Ayrshire Real Ale festival we had our ‘Island Bar’ featuring ales from islands around the UK – from Isle of Wight in the south to Shetland in the north. One notable omission from the bar, primarily due to logistics, was that there was no ale from the largest island nearest to our branch area – namely Ireland. For AWCAMRA members Northern Ireland is just a couple of hours away on one of the ferries from Cairnryan to Belfast or Larne. And once there you’ll soon discover a remarkable change in the availability of cask ale compared to a few years ago. Until the start of the 80’s, Northern Ireland was virtually devoid of good cask ale, the market being dominated by the Bass / Guinness duopoly. Several small breweries then started up, with Hilden leading the way and still going strong. The 90’s saw initial brews from the Whitewater Brewery, another player in the NI cask ale scene. Today there are now over 21 breweries in Northern Ireland – seven of which have started up in 2015 alone, although only a few of them produce cask ale – many have gone down the path of producing the admittedly popular and trendy ‘craft keg’ ales.
Ards
Barrahooley
Boundary
Clanconnel
Clearsky
Cloughmore
Cumberland / Farmageddon Station Works
Glens of Antrim Ale
Hercules
Hillstown
Hilden
Inishmacsaint Knockout
Mourne Mountains Brew
Northbound
PokerTree
Red Hand
Sheelin
Walled City
Whitewater
However, even with so many breweries in such a relatively small area, the number of outlets selling cask ale is quite limited – quite possibly a reflection on the control still exerted by big commercial drinks companies, and on the Province’s restrictive licensing situation where, even if a suitable building is available, a licence, if you can find one, has to be purchased from an existing licensee – possibly for as much as £50,000! CAMRA NI is assisting a local producers’ group to collate evidence to present to the local Government in an attempt to update the restrictive legislation. As you would expect though, Belfast is well served with ale and has over 15 outlets at present. Wetherspoons’ Bridge House is a good starting place but a wander into the Crown, or the Sunflower is always welcoming to savour a pint of a local cask ale. As is the case over here on the mainland, JD Wetherspoon is also leading the way in Northern Ireland in helping the spread of cask ale in areas that are often proverbial ‘beer deserts’. They now have 9 outlets throughout the province – including Enniskillen in the south west and Coleraine in the north west, and Newtownards in the east. There are also two more possibly opening in Belfast, and they are also opening pubs in the Republic of Ireland and changing the beer scene there. However, most ale outlets are still found concentrated within a 30 mile radius of Belfast, which for the ale drinker provides relatively easy access by using public transport out of Belfast. And what could be better than drinking a Hilden beer in the Dirty Duck Alehouse in Holywood!
Crown Bar, Belfast
Sunflower, Belfast
The limited number of outlets isn’t dampening enthusiasm for real ale though – the CAMRA NI branch have just held their 2015 Beer and Cider Festival in the Ulster Hall, in the heart of Belfast, which was another success featuring almost 100 ales and 30 ciders. For more information on the area visit www.camrani.org.uk. Also worth visiting online is www.quareswally.co.uk – a Northern Ireland beer blog, and www.spbwni.co.uk.
Dirty Duck, Holytown 23
Winter 2015
WIGTOWNSHIRE NEWS
by Malcolm McNeill
Trip to Kendal
On Friday 9th October, six Wigtownshire members met up in The King`s Arms, Cartmel at the start of a 2 day trip around some of the pubs and breweries in and around Kendal. The trip was organised by Keith and Lynne-Marie Stebbens of Portpatrick Brewery who have friends and family in the area. Cartmel itself is a quaint village just outside Grange-over-Sands boasting a racecourse, a historic Priory with links to the signing of the Magna Carta and is also famous as the official home of Sticky Toffee Pudding! After enjoying a flight of excellent local ales (Eden and Hawkshead Breweries) we walked round the corner to visit Unsworth’s Yard Brewery in the company of the owner, Peter Unsworth and sampled three of his beers – Golden Crusader, a light golden ale; Last Wolf, a best bitter; and Freedom, a special brew to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta. All were in excellent order with the last mentioned thought to be the best. We were based in Kendal Travelodge, a really comfortable hotel located just outside the town. For our Friday night out in Kendal, we started off in Burgundy’s Wine Bar and Brewhouse. However, as Kendal Brewing Co. is next door and part of the business, we were delighted to find it is definitely a ‘Beer Bar’ which happens to have a good wine selection and reasonably priced food as well. We all agreed their beers were interesting with Eleven Bells, a light golden ale particularly enjoyable. Being a Friday evening and feeling hungry, we found the excellent JD Wetherspoon outlet, The Miles Thompson which unusually had an upstairs “restaurant” with no bar, which meant families were welcome a bit later than usual. The food was spot on for a Wetherspoons and the beer selection was also first class with a particularly strong commitment to local ales. After a couple of hours spent sampling the beers and spending tokens (we thought the top beers were Coniston Bluebird XB and Moorhouse Pendle Witches Brew) we decided to head out to find a final pub before returning to the hotel. We chose The White Hart Inn which turned out to be a Robinson’s pub where we caught the last half hour of an England vs Estonia Euro 2016 qualifier and enjoyed a couple of beers from Hawkshead Brewery. After the excitement of the football and listening to the first few minutes of the Disco which followed, we decided that discretion was the better part of valour and headed for the quiet of the Travelodge in order to be fit for the next day.
Queen’s Hotel, Windermere 24
Next day saw a continuation of this year’s glorious Indian summer and we enjoyed the relaxed, almost holiday, atmosphere of Kendal on Market Day, visiting The Brewery Arts Centre which houses galleries,
www.awcamra.org.uk
studios, theatre, cinema and a bar before catching a train to Windermere – a novelty itself for Wigtownshire folk! After a short stroll around the town to pick up some lunch, we were lucky to find a big sunny table outside The Queen’s Hotel where we enjoyed Loweswater Gold, a former Champion Golden Ale of Britain from Cumbrian Legendary Ales, before catching the excellent 555 service whose route allowed us to stop off at Ings for The Watermill Inn and Brewing Co., and also in Staveley for Hawkshead Beer Hall. The Watermill is a multi award winning pub and brewery situated by the main road with a bus stop right outside. It also prides itself on being particularly dog and child friendly to the extent that their excellent and varied beers (up to 15 on offer) have all been given amusing “doggy” titles. Once again, we were able to buy third pint flights which allowed us to try most of the ales on offer. Particular mention has to go to two in particular – Collie Wobbles, a pale gold bitter (3.7%) and Shih Tzu (Faced), named after a wee dug with a big bite at 7% ABV! We just had time for a quick look at the brewery with the owner, Brian Coulthwaite, before heading for Staveley. Hawkshead Beer Hall is a large modern two storey building with lots of light wooden bench seating and big windows making it light and airy. The place was packed on an early Saturday evening, with a noticeably younger clientele enjoying a great selection of their beers and terrific high quality bar food ranging from generous and different tapas to usual pub favourites such as fish and chips and Hawkshead Beer Board filled Yorkshire Puddings. Beers particularly enjoyed were 5Hop, Sundown APA, Windermere Pale and Solar Sour. In truth, we could have stayed there all night such was the lively atmosphere and the variety of quality beers on offer. On arrival back in Kendal, we had time to visit The Castle Inn, near the railway station, where once again good pints of Loweswater Gold and other Hawkshead beers were available. The public bar was full of somewhat subdued England rugby fans who were taking no delight in their team running up 60 points against Uruguay, but we found a seat in the very traditional lounge next door. Quiet after the buzz of Hawkshead! With time marching on we had a quick return to a busy Burgundy’s to have a look at their brewery before a final pint in The Vats Bar back in the Arts Centre. Some of the booths in this bar are huge wooden beer barrels with an open side which is great for a group such as ours, although your view of the pub is somewhat restricted and some might find them claustrophobic (“incaskerated”, so to speak!) We enjoyed the beers on offer once again with their Adnam’s Ghost Ship in particularly good order. A nice finish to a thoroughly enjoyable weekend. Our feeling was that we would definitely return and next time actually visit Lake Windermere! Beer quality was excellent throughout and we were very impressed by the commitment of outlets to local breweries. Thanks again to Keith and Lynne-Marie, whose local knowledge was invaluable.
The Vats Bar, Kendal 25
Winter 2015
The Waterside Bath Street, Largs Tel: 01475 672224
Two Real Ales from Kelburn available
Mondays - Poker Wednesdays - Poker Fridays - Karaoke
Saturdays - Live Music Sundays - Open Mic Night
Food available every day except Monday 26
www.awcamra.org.uk
WhatPub, Beer Scoring and the Good Beer Guide The Ayrshire & Wigtownshire CAMRA Branch, along with other branches around the UK, uses scores submitted by CAMRA members via WhatPub.com to help select which pubs are included in the Good beer Guide. Branches are allocated a fixed number of entries for their area – in our case we can have up to 27 entries, 6 of which are in Wigtownshire, and with over 70 pubs in our area, some good pubs regrettably have to be left out. If you’ve ever wondered why your favourite pub isn’t in the Guide, then it may well be because you, and others, haven’t entered
enough scores rating the quality of beer there. Or if enough scores have been submitted, the average may be too low for an outlet to be considered. So, by beer scoring, you can contribute to the process of selecting our best pubs that go in the Good Beer Guide, whilst showing your support for your publican’s efforts in supplying real ale.
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.
TRIP TO SULWATH BREWERY
Tour at Sulwath
Wave! Stuart’s got his camera out!
Ken Bridge Hotel
Clachan Inn
outside New Galloway. Born in the Borders Hop Scotch and Orkney Raven Ale were on offer and were both in excellent condition. An unexpected bonus here was the ability to stand outside Owner Allen Henderson met in the beer garden at dusk, the group of over 30 folks and watching the sunset and mist beside the Water of Ken in we soon sampled our first our t-shirts – such was the pint of beer and a tasty pie from the local butchers. Allen unseasonably warm weather. then gave us a short tour A short hop up the road saw of the brewery, before we us stop at the Clachan Inn, St tasted the delights of Black John’s Town of Dalry. As it was Galloway, Tri-ball Tribute, Hallowe’en, most folk tried Solway Mist and Galloway Greene King’s Gangly Ghoul Gold, amongst others, from ale, a very pleasant amber ale. the cosy brewery tap. Also on offer were Fyne Jarl, Belhaven St Andrews Ale and On leaving the brewery, Inveralmond Ossian. we headed up the side of Loch Ken and stopped off Another great day out. at the Ken Bridge Hotel just On Sat 31st October, volunteers from the Troon beer festival visited the Sulwath Brewery in Castle Douglas to sample some of their ales.
Aunty Jo with Joseph
27
by Ray Turpie, Branch Vice Chairman and Scotland & Northern Ireland CAMRA Director
Regular readers will recall I mentioned the 40th Anniversary year for Scottish Branches drawing to a close and an event Stockbridge Tap presentation on the last Saturday of September for a grand finale. The opportunity was indeed taken to present the 2015 Pub of the Year (POTY) certificate to the Stockbridge Tap in Edinburgh and those in attendance enjoyed some good beers before visiting a few more pubs on the way back to the city centre. Unfortunately, I missed the first beer festival at the Glen Park Hotel, Ayr at the beginning of September as I was on holiday in New England. Nevertheless, I did manage to visit a couple of brew pubs while I was there and try a few different beers. The first was at the Willimantic Brewing Company in Connecticut and the other one was the Mohegan Café & Brewery on Block
A selection of American craft ales 28
P
RAY’S ROUND UP
ROUNWinter D U 2015 Y’S A R
Island, Rhode Island. My favourite beer of the holiday, however, was Brooklyn Brown Ale which I enjoyed in Bethpage Golf Club on Long Island. I was back in plenty time, however, to help out at the Ayrshire Real Ale Festival in Troon which went very well again this year. The Walker Hall bar was a great success and I hope it will continue next year with a new theme. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped out. It was good to see some new faces. My favourite beer was Bosun Bitter from Old Laxey, Isle of Man although I thought all the ones I tried were very good. The actual beer of the festival winner, as voted for by the customers, was Betty and the Gardens from Ayr Brewing Company. That should be a straightforward presentation trip and it is being combined with a branch social on the 12th January. Hope to see you lots of you at the Glen Park Hotel, Ayr for that if you survive the festive season! Congratulations to Anthony Valenti and the team at the brewery as they also won Champion Porter of Scotland for their Rabbie’s Porter.
Mohegan Café
www.awcamra.org.uk
If nothing else, the initiative raises the perception that CAMRA is trying to keep community pubs open. This was further demonstrated recently by the Campaign putting weight behind Liverpool and Districts Branch in their efforts to save the Rosco Head, one of the city’s iconic and longstanding GBG community pubs. National Chairman Colin Valentine and I attended the rally in November to show support from north of the border. Carry out containers may be available in your local pub
One of the disadvantages of being a small brewer is the difficulty in securing future hop supplies. Anthony told me recently that he can no longer get the hops required for the beer of the festival partly due to the big brewers flexing their muscles and buying up all available stocks. Keep your eye open for Betty and the Gardens “B” Side soon with a slightly different recipe. No doubt it will be a big hit as well. A big hit for CAMRA recently was the distribution of a free demonstration carry-out container pack to support Rural Pubs identified by branches. This initiative, for Scotland only, was funded from our “Save the Pub” campaign to try and alleviate the effects of the reduction of the Drink Driving Limit introduced by the Scottish Government at the turn of the year. If pubs think it will help them sell more real ale to their customers they can order direct from our warehouse using the form enclosed with their pack.
Glen Park Beer Festival, Ayr
If you get the opportunity to visit Liverpool for the Members’ Weekend and AGM from 1st-3rd April I am sure you would thoroughly enjoy it. You can register in advance at www.camraagm. org.uk. There is something for everybody. Anyway, it was a good day out combined with campaigning. Now, what more could you ask for? I might ask Santa for a few nice winter ales in my stocking. Who knows, I might get a pleasant surprise! Hope you have a good festive season and a happy New Year. Cheers!
Colin Valentine speaks at the Rosco Head rally
Supporters at the Rosco Head rally, Liverpool 29
Winter 2015
ning Real n i W d Ale ar in casks and bottles w s A
for more details call us on 01357 520419 or visit our website www.strathavenales.com 30
www.awcamra.org.uk
BRANCH SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Our Branch has Social Groups covering North, South and East Ayrshire, and Wigtownshire. All CAMRA members are encouraged to attend these informal events, but non-CAMRA members are equally welcome. For more information, please contact the area coordinators listed below: North Ayrshire - usually meets 3rd Thursday of every month. Contact Ian Middleditch. Email: vicechair1@awcamra.org.uk South Ayrshire - contact Caroline Munro for details. Email: south-ayrshire@awcamra.org.uk East Ayrshire - meets last Wednesday of every month. Contact Bob Wallace. Email: membership@awcamra.org.uk Wigtownshire - contact Malcolm McNeil for details. Email: wigtownshire@awcamra.org.uk
Enjoying a beer on Bute Additionally, the Branch also holds social outings and trips on a regular basis – see www. awcamra.org.uk for details or contact social secretary Donald Clark at social@awcamra.org.uk
OUTLETS NEWS
National CAMRA Winter Ales Festival
Harbour Inn, Garlieston: One ale available - Timothy Taylor Landlord
This year’s festival will once again be held in the Roundhouse, Derby from 17-20th February, and will feature over 400 different ales. Full details at www. nwaf.org.uk
The following changes in outlets have occurred since the last edition of . NEW OUTLETS: LOSSES:
Newton Arms, Ayr: Closed pending refurbishment to restaurant Kings Arms Hotel, Barr: Closed Fullartons, Troon: No longer sells real ale Lonsdale Bar, Troon: No longer sells real ale Eagle Tavern, Prestwick: No longer sells real ale Do you know of a pub in our branch area that may be interested in selling real ale, or that you think would be ideally suited to selling it? If so, contact our Pubs Officer, Mick Lee at pubs@awcamra.org. uk with details, and we’ll contact them to encourage them to sell cask ale. This is particularly important in the existing beer deserts such as the Garnock Valley, the Irvine Valley, the Cumnock area and the Doon Valley and Carrick.
CAMRA Members’ Weekend & AGM This year’s Members’ Weekend will be held in Liverpool at the Liverpool Guild of Students in Mountford Hall from 1st - 3rd April. Registration is now open at www.camraagm.org.uk 31
Winter 2015
• Real Food • Real Beer • Real Atmosphere 27 Main Street, Kilmaurs, KA3 2RQ Tel: 01563 538805 www.westontavern.co.uk
Great food and local Real Ales from Arran, Houston and Kelburn breweries Sundays – Ceilidh band sessions New house ale brewed by Kelburn Brewery
Tel: 01505 850510 www.thecannyman.co.uk
Find us on the A736 Irvine to Barrhead Road, at Lugton 32
www.awcamra.org.uk
WIGTOWNSHIRE NEWS Bookings for the popular Christmas Dinner and Festive Quiz in The Grapes, Stranraer on Wednesday 16th December are very healthy. Non-members are most welcome and the cost is likely to be about £10. There is also a meeting in The Grapes on Wednesday 20th January at 7.30pm. The number of people attending our social events has fallen this year and some new ideas are now needed. Please come along for a couple of pints and a chat about future plans. There are now 16 Real Ale outlets in Wigtownshire but the local bus services have recently been cut yet again, making it difficult to arrange functions in several of these outlets, so any ideas from members (and publicans) would be very welcome. If you can’t make the meeting, just send me an email with any suggestions you may have. Finally, if you are out and about over the Christmas period, can I particularly ask you to record beer scores on Whatpub.com for any local pubs you visit. This data is urgently needed to enable us to select outlets for the 2017 edition of The Good Beer Guide. Many of our pubs struggle to get enough scores and with only 6 places available, it is important the Branch Committee has as much information as possible. Thanks for your support and Merry Christmas to all! Malcolm McNeil (wigtownshire@awcamra.org.uk)
AVAILABLE NOW!
33
Winter 2015
34
A Campaign
of Two Halves
Fai www.awcamra.org.uk r 7EZI on dea MXEMR W tax beer l &V4Y FW now !
Join CAMRA Today Complete the Direct Debit form and you will receive 15 months membership for the price of 12 and a fantastic discount on your membership subscription. Alternatively you can send a cheque payable to CAMRA Ltd with your completed form, visit www.camra.org.uk/joinus or call 01727 867201. All forms should be addressed to the: Membership Department, CAMRA, 230 Hatfield Road, St Albans, AL1 4LW.
Your Details Title
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For Young Member and other concessionary rates please visit www.camra.org.uk or call 01727 867201.
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£26
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Applications will be processed within 21 days
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Campaigning for Pub Goers & Beer Drinkers
01/15
Enjoying Real Ale & Pubs
Join CAMRA today – www.camra.org.uk/joinus Instruction to your Bank or Building Society to pay by Direct Debit Please fill in the whole form using a ball point pen and send to: Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. 230 Hatfield Road, St.Albans, Herts AL1 4LW Name and full postal address of your Bank or Building Society Service User Number To the Manager
9 2 6 1 2 9
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FOR CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE LTD OFFICIAL USE ONLY
This is not part of the instruction to your Bank or Building Society Membership Number Postcode Name
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Please pay Campaign For Real Ale Limited Direct Debits from the account detailed on this instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this instruction may remain with Campaign For Real Ale Limited and, if so will be passed electronically to my Bank/Building Society.
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This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay by Direct Debits. If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd will notify you 10 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit by The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd or your bank or building society, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society - If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when The Campaign For Real Ale Ltd asks you to You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society.Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us.
35
Banks and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debit Instructions for some types of account.
Winter 2015
First Edition Kilmarnock - 4 Cask Ales - Weekend DJ’s - Food served daily
/FirstEditionKilmarnock1
@FirstEditionKil
50 Bank Street, Kilmarnock, KA1 1HA | 01563 528833
36
www.awcamra.org.uk
Crown Hotel 2 regularly changing ales
including the new Portpatrick Brewery • Bar meals available noon-9pm • • Restaurant menu available from 6pm • • AA Awarded Seafood Pub of Scotland 2005 • • Folk music most Saturday nights • Bed & Breakfast available from £45 per person per night MIDWEEK SPECIAL: STAY 2 NIGHTS, GET 3RD NIGHT ½ PRICE (based on 2 people)
9 North Crescent, Portpatrick, Wigtownshire DG9 8SX Tel: 01776 810261 Email: info@crownportpatrick.com
37
Winter 2015
Our range of Award-winning Real Ales includes:
Hand Crafted, Award Winning, Traditional Cask Conditioned Ale Brewed in the Heart of Burns Country All ales are available in Firkins (72 Pints), Pins (36 Pints) and Mini Casks (8.8 Pints) Ayr Brewing Company, 5 Racecourse Road, Ayr KA7 2DG Telephone: 01292 263891 Fax: 01292 830450 Mobile: 07834 922142 www.ayrbrewingcompany.com 38
The Glass Matters by Lindsay Grant, AWCAMRA Branch Chairman
A visit to the pub should be a pleasant and rewarding experience. Primarily this involves partaking of decent real ale but one would also hope for comfortable seating, cleanliness, good decorative repair (perhaps even quirky décor), efficient and friendly service, absence of foul language and beer served in a correctly branded or non-branded glass. However, all too often in local pubs we get our real ale served in a Belhaven Best, Guinness or, God forbid, Tennent’s glass. There also seems to be trend for branded glasses, supplied by a real ale brewery, to be reserved for any real ale, whether it is from that brewery or not. The pinnacle of the glass culture must be in Belgium where bar staff, certainly in the specialist beer cafés we tend to visit, would never dream of serving beer in an incorrectly branded glass. Several years ago my wife and I visited Kulminator in Antwerp. Their beer menu (pictured left and sometimes referred to as the bible, comprises of hundreds of beers, many of them vintage. Karen ordered a peche (peach) beer and I ordered something weird and wonderful (I can’t exactly remember what) from the menu. Karen’s beer arrived in good time but, after about 15 minutes, I was beginning to think they had forgotten me. Eventually my beer arrived with an apology for it being in a plain glass. On receiving the bill I queried it as they had apparently not charged for my beer. The response I received was “I could not find your glass and so no charge”.
So publicans, the glass does matter, it is all part of the pub experience. Insist that your staff serve real ale in the correct glass or, if not available, a plain glass. Brewers should also insist that any glasses they supply should only be used for their product.
LAST ORDERS
However, some parts of the UK seem to be catching up. On a recent visit to Cornwall and Devon we visited 26 pubs and, almost invariably, draught real ale was served in the correctly branded glass. In one pub, Padstow’s Harbour Inn, not only did they serve each of 5 St Austell beers in a discrete glass but they also had a pile of beer mats in front of each handpump so that your beer was served in the correct glass on top of the correct beer mat! The only exception to the rule was, strangely enough, the King Arthur’s Arms in Tintagel. This is the Tintagel Brewery tap but their beer, of which 4 were on offer, was served in a Sharp’s Doom Bar glass.
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SULWATH BREWERY At Sulwath Brewery we give you the chance to see the craft of brewing in action, and to taste our real ales at our fully licensed brewery tap visitor centre.
THE BREWERY e m o c l e W KING STREET Everybody CASTLE DOUGLAS OPEN MON-SAT, 10AM-6PM Off-sales also available
DG7 1DT Tel: 01556 504525 www.sulwathbrewers.co.uk