Jean and Phil Lacey welcome you to their cosy English pub and restaurant in the heart of Winkfield.
to their cosy English pub and restaurant in the heart of Winkfield.
Just 4 miles from Windsor Castle and 3 miles from Ascot Racecourse.
Just 4 miles from Windsor Castle and 3 miles from Ascot Racecourse.
Welcome to this 71st edition of Mad Cow… and I hope that you all had a good Easter break.
Welcome to this 71st edition of Mad Cow… and I hope that you all had a good Easter break.
Welcome to this 71st edition of Mad Cow… and I hope that you all had a good Easter break.
For those of you who do not already know, it is with sadness that I report that Rodger Fox, our good friend and former Membership Secretary, recently passed away as a result of a stroke. Page 14 is dedicated to Rodger, as a personal remembrance from me. I would also like to thank the Outhouse Brewery, Wokingham for hosting a life celebration event in memory of Rodger (and for putting on a great spread of food!)
For those of you who do not already know, it is with sadness that I report that Rodger Fox, our good friend and former Membership Secretary, recently passed away as a result of a stroke. Page 14 is dedicated to Rodger, as a personal remembrance from me. I would also like to thank the Outhouse Brewery, Wokingham for hosting a life celebration event in memory of Rodger (and for putting on a great spread of food!)
For those of you who do not already know, it is with sadness that I report that Rodger Fox, our good friend and former Membership Secretary, recently passed away as a result of a stroke. Page 14 is dedicated to Rodger, as a personal remembrance from me. I would also like to thank the Outhouse Brewery, Wokingham for hosting a life celebration event in memory of Rodger (and for putting on a great spread of food!)
On a more positive note, our branch recently voted the Newtown Pippin, Bracknell as our Branch Pub of the Year, 2023. Very well done to Simon, Vicki and their team for all the hard work they have put in over the last two years to make this pub a real hub of the community, as well as consistently selling good real ales, see the following page for more details.
On a more positive note, our branch recently voted the Newtown Pippin, Bracknell as our Branch Pub of the Year, 2023. Very well done to Simon, Vicki and their team for all the hard work they have put in over the last two years to make this pub a real hub of the community, as well as consistently selling good real ales, see the following page for more details.
On a more positive note, our branch recently voted the Newtown Pippin, Bracknell as our Branch Pub of the Year, 2023. Very well done to Simon, Vicki and their team for all the hard work they have put in over the last two years to make this pub a real hub of the community, as well as consistently selling good real ales, see the following page for more details
Kevin Lenton Branch Chair
BRANCH CHAIR
Kevin Lenton chair@seberks.camra.org.uk
BRANCH CONTACT
David Richards contact@seberks.camra.org.uk
MAD COW EDITOR
Mike Rathge madcow@seberks.camra.org.uk
MAD COW DISTRIBUTION
Kevin Lenton madcow@seberks.camra.org.uk
PUB PROTECTION OFFICER
Peter Lucey pubprotection@seberks.camra.org.uk
SOCIAL MEDIA CONTACT
Mike Dixon socialmedia@seberks.camra.org.uk
WEBSITE seberks.camra.org.uk
@CamraBSE
@Ascot_Beer_Fest
Berkshire South-East CAMRA
Trading Standards
Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline 0808 223 1133 citizensadvice.org.uk
© Berkshire South East CAMRA 2023 Mad Cow Circulation: 2,300 Copies
The views expressed in Mad Cow are those of individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Campaign for Real Ale.
The Berkshire South-East CAMRA Branch are delighted to announce that the 2023 CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year has been awarded to Newtown Pippin, Bracknell.
The Berkshire South-East CAMRA Branch are delighted to announce that the 2023 CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year has been awarded to Newtown Pippin, Bracknell.
Good Beer Guide, and also received the CAMRA Branch Most Improved Pub award. The presentation was made by CAMRA Branch Chair, Kevin Lenton and CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year Coordinator, Mike Tickner, to Simon and Vicki in front of a large audience attending their weekly pub quiz.
Good Beer Guide, and also received the CAMRA Branch Most Improved Pub award. The presentation was made by CAMRA Branch Chair, Kevin Lenton and CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year Coordinator, Mike Tickner, to Simon and Vicki in front of a large audience attending their weekly pub quiz.
CAMRA GBG Coordinator, Mike Tickner, who is also a local resident stated ‘the transformation of this pub has been truly remarkable, and the award is a true reflection of the all the hard work, dedication and vision that Simon & Vicki have bought’. On behalf of all their costumers, he thanked Vicki, Simon and the Pippin team for the journey which he and fellow customers had undergone to where we are now.
CAMRA GBG Coordinator, Mike Tickner, who is also a local resident stated ‘the transformation of this pub has been truly remarkable, and the award is a true reflection of the all the hard work, dedication and vision that Simon & Vicki have bought’. On behalf of all their costumers, he thanked Vicki, Simon and the Pippin team for the journey which he and fellow customers had undergone to where we are now.
Vicki, Simon and the team were overjoyed, with Vicki saying ‘this is truly amazing, I am lost for words, but much thanks must go to all our customers who have supported us so marvellously in the last two years’
Vicki, Simon and the team were overjoyed, with Vicki saying ‘this is truly amazing, I am lost for words, but much thanks must go to all our customers who have supported us so marvellously in the last two years’
The Newtown Pippin is now closed on Mondays except for Bank Holiday Mondays.
The Newtown Pippin is now closed on Mondays except for Bank Holiday Mondays.
This prestigious award is highly coveted by the 100+ pubs that operate within our Wokingham / Bracknell / N Ascot district. The annual award, not only recognises the selling of top-quality real ale, but places great emphasis upon the pub’s community focus, service and offering, cleanliness and hygiene, and overall impression and value.
This prestigious award is highly coveted by the 100+ pubs that operate within our Wokingham / Bracknell / N Ascot district. The annual award, not only recognises the selling of top-quality real ale, but places great emphasis upon the pub’s community focus, service and offering, cleanliness and hygiene, and overall impression and value.
The Newtown Pippin is a deserved winner, beating the very strong competition with its particular emphasis on the community and families. A family friendly pub, which has been transformed in last two years by the new owners Simon & Vicki Powell, turning what was once a dilapidated, unwelcoming pub with no real ale, to the vibrant pub it is today. In 2022, The Newtown Pippin had its inaugural listing in the acclaimed 2023
The Newtown Pippin is a deserved winner, beating the very strong competition with its particular emphasis on the community and families. A family friendly pub, which has been transformed in last two years by the new owners Simon & Vicki Powell, turning what was once a dilapidated, unwelcoming pub with no real ale, to the vibrant pub it is today. In 2022, The Newtown Pippin had its inaugural listing in the acclaimed 2023
The Cricketers, Warfield now has live music on Friday evenings. A fully refurbished and extended early 19th century public house, the Cricketers is a country pub and dining rooms with a large beer garden and outdoor patio dining in the summer.
The Cricketers, Warfield now has live music on Friday evenings. A fully refurbished and extended early 19th century public house, the Cricketers is a country pub and dining rooms with a large beer garden and outdoor patio dining in the summer.
Bell at Waltham St Lawrence was prelast year’s Regional Pub of the Year (POTY) award for 2022
April, following delay due circumstances. This by CAMRA members to best real ale of Berkshire, Oxfordshire. Altquality of the beer is paramount, not the factor taken account by judges, who consider other eleof service, whether a full measure was given, its com-
The BellatWalthamStLawrence waspresented with lastyear’sRegionalPub ofthe Year(POTY)award for2022 on Saturday 15th April,following a long delaydue to unforeseen circumstances.This fine pub has been judged byCAMRAmembersto be the bestrealale pub in the whole ofBerkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.Although the qualityofthe beerisparamount, it’s notthe only factortaken into accountby the judges,who also considerotherelements such as the quality ofservice, whethera fullmeasure wasgiven,itscommunity focus, general atmosphere, the condition ofitsfurnishingsand cleanliness.
Reading &Mid Berkshire branch’sCider Pub ofthe Yearaward for2023 was presented atthe same time.The certificates were presentedbyQuintenTaylorofReading branch to publican ScottGanson,Bar
of its furnishings and & Mid branch’s Cider of the Year award for 2023 at the time. The resented by Quinten Taylor of ReadScott Ganson, Bar
Manager Chris Darby and the staff at the Bell. Members from five CAMRA branches were in attendance.
ManagerChris staffatthe Bell.Members fromfive CAMRAbranches classichalf
Bell.Members fromfive CAMRAbranches were in attendance.
The Bellisa classichalf-timbered 14th Century pub.Itwas bequeathed to the village in 1608 bySirRalph Newbury.Promoting real alesfromsmallindependentbreweries,it servesup to five realalesfromhandpumps on the bar.Italso offersup to eightrealcidersand perriesserved straightfromthe cellar.The Belldoublesas the village local and a qualityrestaurant,producing exceptionally good food fromfresh,seasonalingredients.You'llfind log firesin the winter and there’sa good-sized beergarden for sunnysummerdays.
Bell is a classic half-timbered pub. It was 1608 by Sir Ralph Newbury. Promoting real ales from small independent breweries, it serves up real ales from handpumps bar. It also offers up eight real ciders and perries served straight from the cellar. The Bell doubles as quality restaurant, producing from fresh, seasonal ingredients. You'll find fires in there’s a beer garden sunny summer days.
bySirRalph Newbury.Promoting good sized regionalsemi
to eightrealcidersand perriesserved straightfromthe and a qualityrestaurant,producing excepPlease note thatthis Pub ofthe Yearaward hasjustended atbranch level.The winner
Please note thatthis Pub ofthe Yearaward forthe Bellrelates to POTY2022 and not the currentround ofjudging for2023 which hasjustended atbranch level.The winner within ourown branch for2023 wasthe Newtown Pippin,Bracknelland arrangements forjudging in the regionalsemi-finals willbe announced verysoon.
that this of the Year award for the Bell relates POTY 2022 current round of judging for 2023 has just ended at branch level. The our own for 2023 was the Pippin, Bracknell and for judging regional semi-finals will be very soon.
The unusual name, first recorded in 1861, is said to have originated in a remark by the Duke of Wellington. The story goes that travelling in the forest one day and feeling very thirsty he suddenly came across the pub. His exclamation ’Who’d a thot it' became the name of the pub.
It is an unlikely story since there are several other pubs by the same name in other parts of the country and the pub wasn't open when Windsor Forest existed in the area of St. Sebastian’s, Wokingham Without.
According to the historian Bryant Lillywhite, the name is thought to have been taken from the suggestion of a wag that the motto to the coat of arms of a certain baronetbrewer should be:
Hops had bought it.
The pub was originally a wooden shack frequented by a group of “Broom Dashers” who eked out a living by making besoms (brooms) from twigs collected in the depths of Windsor Forest. The pub was built in the latter half of the eighteenth century and remained little changed before being demolished in 2003.
Over the bar used to hang two swords, one of which was reputed to have belonged to the Duke of Wellington.
In 1971, when the old pub sign needed replacing, a new one was hung portraying two astronauts on the moon, rounding a pile of rocks only to see a huge bottle of Morland‘s Beer.
The above is based on scrapbooks compiled by members of the Berkshire Federation of Women’ Institutes, 1976.
Award-winning Fuller's real ales with 10% discount for CAMRA members
Traditional home cooked food
Live Sky and BT sports shown
Comfortable surroundings and friendly atmosphere
Sunday night quiz and Regular live music
Monday club - 15% off all drinks between 5pm & 7pm
Large garden with heated huts
Large heated marquee, free of charge for functions
Dog friendly!
beer festivals safer for all. The Coven have also benefitted from support from Reading’s Double-Barrelled Brewery who donated 10% of the profits from one of their International Women’s Day beers, Couplers, to the cause.
beer festivals safer for all. The Coven have also benefitted from support from Reading’s Double-Barrelled Brewery who donated 10% of the profits from one of their International Women’s Day beers, Couplers, to the cause.
The past few years have certainly been challenging ones for the brewing and wider hospitality industry. Although many things remain uncertain some breweries across the UK are taking steps to use their beers and influence to help bring about positive change, including several in our local area.
The past few years have certainly been challenging ones for the brewing and wider hospitality industry. Although many things remain uncertain some breweries across the UK are taking steps to use their beers and influence to help bring about positive change, including several in our local area.
To celebrate their 10th anniversary, Finchampstead’s Siren Craft Brew have made a commitment to support (at least) 10 charitable causes in 2023. To kick things off, at the end of March Siren highlighted World Autism Acceptance Week with 10p for every pound spent on their website over that week donated to the National Autistic Society and Siren matching the total with their own donation.
To celebrate their 10th anniversary, Finchampstead’s Siren Craft Brew have made a commitment to support (at least) 10 charitable causes in 2023. To kick things off, at the end of March Siren highlighted World Autism Acceptance Week with 10p for every pound spent on their website over that week donated to the National Autistic Society and Siren matching the total with their own donation.
In January, Elusive Brewing, based just over the road from Siren, became one of 19 breweries in the UK to brew a beer in support of Brave Noise, a global collaborative effort to provide inclusive and safe environments for women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ throughout the beer industry. Proceeds from the beer, along with 30% of sales from the beers launch event at Maidenhead’s A Hoppy Place, went to support The Coven, an organisation who are working to make
In January, Elusive Brewing, based just over the road from Siren, became one of 19 breweries in the UK to brew a beer in support of Brave Noise, a global collaborative effort to provide inclusive and safe environments for women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ throughout the beer industry. Proceeds from the beer, along with 30% of sales from the beers launch event at Maidenhead’s A Hoppy Place, went to support The Coven, an organisation who are working to make
Looking further afield there are now 9 BCorp certified breweries in the UK along with 15 distilleries and over 40 other drinks producers. Certified B Corporations are leaders in the global movement for an inclusive, equitable and regenerative economy and must go through a rigorous process to gain their certification. Several B-Corp certified breweries in the UK donate a percentage of their sales to charity, including Small Beer, a London based lower alcohol brewer who donate 1% of their income to the Horniman Aquarium’s Project Coral. Another BCorp, Toast Ale, are a sustainable craft beer brand who use surplus bread in their brewing process to cut down on their environmental impact and donate all their profits to charity to fund systematic change to help fix the food system. Since their inception they have donated over 46,000 meals.
Looking further afield there are now 9 BCorp certified breweries in the UK along with 15 distilleries and over 40 other drinks producers. Certified B Corporations are leaders in the global movement for an inclusive, equitable and regenerative economy and must go through a rigorous process to gain their certification. Several B-Corp certified breweries in the UK donate a percentage of their sales to charity, including Small Beer, a London based lower alcohol brewer who donate 1% of their income to the Horniman Aquarium’s Project Coral. Another BCorp, Toast Ale, are a sustainable craft beer brand who use surplus bread in their brewing process to cut down on their environmental impact and donate all their profits to charity to fund systematic change to help fix the food system. Since their inception they have donated over 46,000 meals.
Breweries no longer only want to make great beer; they are taking steps to help make a positive difference to their communities and the wider world and as drinkers we can help them. Through choosing to support breweries who are making a difference we not only help to support their cause, but we also demonstrate that what they are doing is important to us, and hopefully encourage others to do the same.
Breweries no longer only want to make great beer; they are taking steps to help make a positive difference to their communities and the wider world and as drinkers we can help them. Through choosing to support breweries who are making a difference we not only help to support their cause, but we also demonstrate that what they are doing is important to us, and hopefully encourage others to do the same.
Ruth Mitchell is a qualified Beer Sommelier and Certified Cicerone. She is Managing Director of Elusive Brewing and has worked in the beer industry for over 13 years.
Ruth Mitchell is a qualified Beer Sommelier and Certified Cicerone. She is Managing Director of Elusive Brewing and has worked in the beer industry for over 13 years.
pressure on my prices. If I pass it all on to my customers, who have their own pressures, there’s a problem. I am aware of many breweries going under, but being a relatively small operation, I can quickly adjust my brewing to reflect sales. Slightly larger operations with higher fixed overheads find it more difficult to adapt.
I am determined to survive - if I got through COVID I can get through anything.
Q. We have other breweries in the area. How do you all get on?
A. There are 16 in Berkshire. We get on well together, meet regularly and help each other out. We produce different beers; some go for cask, others cask and/or keg Generally, it’s a nice business to be in.
Q. You do a lot of events here at the brewery. What’s coming up?
A. On 22nd April we restart our monthly Tap Yard events, outside the brewery where you can enjoy any of up to six of our ales, also local ciders, Pimms, Prosecco, soft drinks and a different food vendor each month On 17th June we have our annual beer festival, this year to celebrate our eighth anniversary, with live music.
I’m doing customer experiences and tours. You can spend time with me, help with a brew, and take home a nine-pint souvenir. Visit our website for details (www.bondbrews.co.uk)
Q. What do you think that the future holds for Real Ales?
A. It’s been a bad March; all that rain. COVID hurt real ales, people were drinking at home, ordering online rather than supporting local pubs etc. The trend has continued
I must adapt to go with this. There are a lot of local beer festivals coming up, I will be there and have a stall at other upcoming events. You can follow us on social media for up-to-date details.
Q. What are your thoughts on the success of Craft Beer?
A. I handcraft my own beers; it’s just me, I have total control of the beer and delivery. I regard myself as a traditional brewer rather than a craft. I enjoy keeping alive and producing the old traditional styles and experimenting with different varieties of hops.
Q. What is your impression of CAMRA in the area?
A. I love it. I go to beer festivals, and I agree with their concept of supporting pubs and breweries. I’m well supported locally by CAMRA.
Q. What would you like to get over to our readers to encourage them to drink your beers and/or visit your brewery?
A. Get out to local pubs more often, to support a variety of local ales. Remember if you don’t use it, you will lose it. It has recently been reported that 150 pubs closed for good in the first three months of 2023.
I look forward to seeing you at one of our Tap Yard Events soon.
Q. What wrong would you most like to put right in the beer and pub trades?
A. The beer tie is my biggest problem. Free up the landlord to be able to take my beer. I would love to be able to supply pubs just in the Wokingham area. That was my vision when I set up the business.
Q. What celebrity would you like to work with in your operations?
A. Some breweries have celebrity rock stars in a collaboration brew. I’d like to produce a beer with Pink Floyd with my Planet Rock hat on.
A great chat, Dean. Thanks, and all the best for the future. I look forward to seeing you at one of your events this summer. Let’s hope that it’s a hot one for all those beer sales.
Cheers, Barry Fenton.
UK brewery numbers remain “relatively stable” despite industry challenges, though Scotland has recorded a small decline, new industry figures reveal.
The SIBA UK Brewery Tracker, produced by the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), tracks new brewery openings and closures across the UK to give net numbers both regionally and nationally.
Covering the period from the start of January to the end of March, the latest tracker shows some regions increasing their net brewery number, and overall, the UK figure is down by just four on the start of 2023. South-west and north-east England each had a decline in their overall brewery numbers of two, with Scotland registering a decline of one.
There are now 1,824 breweries in the UK, according to the report.
SIBA chief executive Andy Slee said: “It is very positive to see some areas of the UK now in growth and a national figure which has beaten the odds to remain relatively stable, despite the challenges faced by brewers. With rising raw material and utility costs, alongside existing market access issues, far too many small breweries are closing but the figures paint a much better picture than many predicted.
“Small breweries have a hugely positive impact on their local community, providing jobs, raising money for charity, supporting local initiatives and providing access to the freshly-brewed local beers that are now in such demand across the UK. All small independent breweries deserve your support.”
The SIBA Craft Beer Report revealed that 40 per cent of independent craft breweries now have a taproom (up 10 percentage points on 2022) and that, on average, 27 per cent of an independent brewery’s income now comes from sales direct to consumers via their taprooms, brewery shop or web shop - a big increase for an industry historically heavily reliant on pub sales.
According to the latest tracker figures, Wales leads the UK in terms of brewery growth, with their net number rising by five, while the west of England saw the needle swing in the opposite direction, with figures falling by four overall. This was mirrored in south-east England, an area which has seen a huge growth in breweries in recent years, who also registered a decline of four in the first quarter .
For a long time, Rodger and I used to meet every Monday at Noon in the Crispin pub in Wokingham for a beer or two. We would always sit at a window seat, Rodger strategically positioned so that he could watch Kylie Minogue if she came on the Music Channel. Football, pubs, beer, and food were our main topics for conversation. We also had a common interest in Family History and I will be for ever be grateful to Rodger for introducing me to the availability of DNA testing. As a direct result of this I was able to get in touch with others having a good match to mine and ended up going back ten generations.
For a long time, Rodger and I used to meet every Monday at Noon in the Crispin pub in Wokingham for a beer or two. We would always sit at a window seat, Rodger strategically positioned so that he could watch Kylie Minogue if she came on the Music Channel. Football, pubs, beer, and food were our main topics for conversation. We also had a common interest in Family History and I will be for ever be grateful to Rodger for introducing me to the availability of DNA testing. As a direct result of this I was able to get in touch with others having a good match to mine and ended up going back ten generations.
During the height of the Pandemic when pubs were shut, we would sit on a park bench with beer in coffee cups until we got too cold. No, we did not have brown paper bags!
During the height of the Pandemic when pubs were shut, we would sit on a park bench with beer in coffee cups until we got too cold. No, we did not have brown paper bags!
During his time living in Wokingham, before he moved back to Nottingham, he made the most of his hobbies. He was the CAMRA Branch Membership Secretary, distributed our quarterly magazine in Wokingham and led the U3A Beer Appreciation Society. He was also a season ticket holder at London Irish.
During his time living in Wokingham, before he moved back to Nottingham, he made the most of his hobbies. He was the CAMRA Branch Membership Secretary, distributed our quarterly magazine in Wokingham and led the U3A Beer Appreciation Society. He was also a season ticket holder at London Irish.
As an aside, when he got rid of his car, he gave me his de-icer and scraper. A small token but a reflection of Rodger’s thoughtfulness. We held a “Celebration of his life” at the Outhouse Brewery, Wokingham, so many thanks for the team there for hosting the event and providing excellent refreshments. Peter Rhodes, owner of the Outhouse bought a Nottingham Forest scarf to put on the table that Rodger always used, Rodger being a lifelong fan. A great gesture given that Peter is a fan of their greatest rivals, Derby County. We raised a glass to someone who lived his life to the full.
As an aside, when he got rid of his car, he gave me his de-icer and scraper. A small token but a reflection of Rodger’s thoughtfulness. We held a “Celebration of his life” at the Outhouse Brewery, Wokingham, so many thanks for the team there for hosting the event and providing excellent refreshments. Peter Rhodes, owner of the Outhouse bought a Nottingham Forest scarf to put on the table that Rodger always used, Rodger being a lifelong fan. A great gesture given that Peter is a fan of their greatest rivals, Derby County. We raised a glass to someone who lived his life to the full.
Thanks for the memories Rodger.
Thanks for the memories Rodger.
On the 18th of March, Siren Craft Brew welcomed their extended Siren family to their brewery to celebrate their 10th anniversary.
With a fine selection of special birthday craft beers, classic Siren favourites, and limited revivals including Liquid Mistress in cask! There were even some dark temptations from their infamous barrel store’s secret stash. Add to the mix some fantastic guest beers, and you get one hell of a party - and naturally, there was cake!
Siren have got their eyes set to the warmer months ahead, with a slew of festivals building up. “We Are Beer” and “Hopsters
Beach Street” being two of the big ones that we are looking forward to Keep an eye out for more news coming soon at the Sire Craft Brew website.
Finchampstead's Elusive Brewing turns 7 this May, and will be celebrating with events throughout the month including a party at their brewery on Saturday May 27th. They will also be brewing a collaboration beer with neighbour Siren on the anniversary of their first ever brew day. Elusive are also expanding their packaging capacity in May with the arrival of a new canning line which will allow them to package their beers more efficiently and give them more time to dedicate to production.
We are really excited to inform you that the Outhouse Micro-Brewery and MicroTap Room, has now expanded into the unit next door, greatly increasing the amount of seating. All seats in the new area are low and comfortable, and there is also a second toilet facility!
The Outhouse Brewery, Southgate House, Alexandra Court, Wokingham, RG40 2SL
Opening Hours: Monday / Tuesday Closed
Wednesday / Thursday 4:30pm to 10:00pm
Friday / Saturday 12:00pm to10:00pm
Sunday 1:00pm to 8:00pm
See theouthousebrewery.com for further details
Additional beer taps have been installed, bringing the to tal to ten. Guest beers will continue to feature.
A weeky pub quiz commences on Wednesday 3rd May. This will be at 7.30pm each Wednesday with a £1 entry fee and lots of prizes!
The very first records of the Bracknell Brewery date back to 1866 although the brewery was already in existence and it was situated next to the Market Inn (at the time The Station Hotel, a Thomas Kenward pub) and close to the gas works along what was Station Road but is now part of The Ring. The brewery had its own well for water and was run by a father and son team called Robert and Frank Raxworthy until 1876 when it was taken over by Henry Vincent. Henry was keen to increase production and installed a steam engine and employed a cooper to look after the casks for the brewery, which was a significant step up for a brewery in such a small town. The chimney for the steam engine could be seen from some distance and became something of a local landmark.
By 1887 the brewery was sold to the Bickerton brothers from Oxford and they started bottling their beers adding two bottled bitters and a bottled stout to the impressive eleven different cask ales. The brewery expanded and included agents in Reading and Oxford, 3 pubs together with a new line in wines and spirits. This over extended the finances of the brewery and in 1901 the brewery was
sold to Alexander Sellon who operated as A L S Sellon & Co although it only survived for a further five years until it was swallowed up by Fuller, Story & Co of Maidenhead who promptly shut the brewery and moved all activities to Maidenhead leaving the site as a mere depot. The buildings survived for another seventy years only being demolished in the 1980s with the development of the New Town.
The outdoor Tap Yard events are back for another season. Each Tap Yard will have up to six ales on draught plus local cider, Prosecco, soft drinks and, of course, food from a variety of local caterers. Table service has proved to be very popular with customers and will be provided again this year. The dates for 2023 are all on Saturdays and are as follows:
22nd April - 12-6pm with Hog Roast from Great Big Pig.
13th May - 12-6pm with Lebanese Wraps from Mysk.
This is a Coronation Week Celebration and will include music and a specially-brewed beer (see below)
17th June - 12-8pm with Pie & Chips from the Rural Pie Company
Bond Brews 8th Anniversary Beer Festival with live music from up to 10 acts
8th July - 12-6pm with Burgers and a Hog Roast from A Bit Of A Do
12th August - 12-6pm with Pizza from TT Catering
9th September - 12-6pm with Asian (tbc)
To celebrate King Charles’ Coronation in May, a new beer has just been brewed. Called ‘King Slaker’ (with a nod to Game of Thrones), this 4.3% Golden Ale is described with some heavy royal references as being a majestic combination of British malts, crowned with El-Dorado, Azacca, Citra, Mosaic and Ekuanot hops, serving a complex aroma of pine and mango.
It’s first appearance will be at the Farnham Beerex from 20th to 23rd April.
Throughout the year, the shop at the brewery and the online shop will be open to take orders.
For further details and current beer availability, visit www.bondbrews.co.uk.
Updates on our website. Go to bit.ly/MCbeerfests
29th April – 1st May 2023: Crispin Wokingham Beer Festival
29th April – 1st May 2023: Crispin Wokingham Beer Festival
facebook.com/profile.php?id=100055749044057
facebook.com/profile.php?id=100055749044057
Angie & Aid are celebrating their 6th anniversary running this fabulous ale-drinkers pub by holding their first beer festival. Expected to feature around 10 beers across bar and stillage, plus 5 boxed ciders. Mexican street food on Sunday & Monday. Live music on Sunday afternoon.
Angie & Aid are celebrating their 6th anniversary running this fabulous ale-drinkers pub by holding their first beer festival. Expected to feature around 10 beers across bar and stillage, plus 5 boxed ciders. Mexican street food on Sunday & Monday. Live music on Sunday afternoon.
6th – 7th May 2023: Castle Hurst Beer Festival
6th – 7th May 2023: Castle Hurst Beer Festival
facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063443456634
facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063443456634
This beautiful country pub are celebrating the King’s Coronation weekend with a beer festival. Awaiting details of the beers, but there will be live music on the Saturday afternoon and “chilled” DJ music on the Sunday afternoon.
This beautiful country pub are celebrating the King’s Coronation weekend with a beer festival. Awaiting details of the beers, but there will be live music on the Saturday afternoon and “chilled” DJ music on the Sunday afternoon.
11th– 13th May 2023: SPBW Woodfest
11th– 13th May 2023: SPBW Woodfest spbw.beer/woodfest-2023
spbw.beer/woodfest-2023
A festival of beers all served from wooden casks, organised by the Society for the Preservation of Beers from the Wood (SPBW). Relocated to Egham United Services Club due to an event clash at their originally planned venue. Over 30 different beers are advertised.
A festival of beers all served from wooden casks, organised by the Society for the Preservation of Beers from the Wood (SPBW). Relocated to Egham United Services Club due to an event clash at their originally planned venue. Over 30 different beers are advertised.
18th– 20th May 2023: Kingston Beer & Cider Festival
18th– 20th May 2023: Kingston Beer & Cider Festival
kandl.camra.org.uk/viewnode.php?id=169172
kandl.camra.org.uk/viewnode.php?id=169172
A very enjoyable beer festival organised by Kingston & Leatherhead CAMRA. It is accessible by train from our area (changing at Twickenham). 70 ales are promised, plus 10 ciders and perries. Reduced entry for CAMRA members.
A very enjoyable beer festival organised by Kingston & Leatherhead CAMRA. It is accessible by train from our area (changing at Twickenham). 70 ales are promised, plus 10 ciders and perries. Reduced entry for CAMRA members.
24th – 28th May 2023: Happy Man Englefield Green Beer Festival
24th – 28th May 2023: Happy Man Englefield Green Beer Festival
thehappyman.co.uk
thehappyman.co.uk
This CAMRA-friendly pub close to Royal Holloway college put on regular beer festivals. The pub is walkable from Egham station (on the Waterloo line from our area). Expect around 14 ales and some boxed ciders. 50p off a pint for CAMRA members on the Wednesday.
This CAMRA-friendly pub close to Royal Holloway college put on regular beer festivals. The pub is walkable from Egham station (on the Waterloo line from our area). Expect around 14 ales and some boxed ciders. 50p off a pint for CAMRA members on the Wednesday.
26th– 29th May 2023: Queen’s Head Wokingham Beer Festival
26th– 29th May 2023: Queen’s Head Wokingham Beer Festival
facebook.com/queenshead.wokingham.12
facebook.com/queenshead.wokingham.12
The traditional Bank Holiday beer festival from Carol and the Queen’s Head team. Expect around 6-8 ales on stillage on the delightful back patio, plus 6 on the bar. Some real cider is expected too.
The traditional Bank Holiday beer festival from Carol and the Queen’s Head team. Expect around 6-8 ales on stillage on the delightful back patio, plus 6 on the bar. Some real cider is expected too.
26th– 29th May 2023: White Horse Hedgerley Beer Festival
facebook.com/whitehorsehedgerley
A very large beer festival for a country village pub, this is expected to feature 70+ rare and unusual ales over the course of the weekend. Also ciders, perries and foreign beers.
28th May 2023: Bracknell Ale & Cider Festival
bracknellalefestival.co.uk
The annual Bank Holiday beer festival at Bracknell Rugby Club. Expect around 60 ales and 10 ciders. Thames Valley buses put on a shuttle service from Bracknell station to make getting there and back easier. Discounted entry for CAMRA members.
2nd– 3rd June 2023: Marlow Beerfest
marlowbeerfest.co.uk
Another beer festival at the Oak Tree Road football ground, a short walk from Marlow station (branch line from Maidenhead). It advertises over 30 beers and ciders Will be showing the FA Cup Final on the Saturday.
9th– 10th June 2023: Twyford Beer Festival twyfordbeerfest.co.uk
This community beer and music festival is located very close to Twyford station. It is run in aid of the male cancer charity “Orchid”. Expect around 50 real ales (including KeyKeg) and 20 ciders.
9th– 11th June 2023: Perseverance Wraysbury Beer Festival the-perseverance.co.uk
Nick and Sarah at the “Percy” put on several excellent beer festivals each year. This friendly local is easily accessible from Wraysbury station (change at Staines on the Waterloo line from our area). Expect around 10 real ales at a time.
17th June 2023: Bond Brews Beer Festival
facebook.com/events/586488009510798
Dean at Bond Brews is holding a beer festival to celebrate the 8th anniversary of this popular local brewery. Expect a selection of their own ales including some rarely seen ones. Local ciders also available. Live music throughout the day, and pies to soak-up the beer.
24th June 2023: Marlow RBL Armed Forces Day Beer Festival
rblclubmarlow.co.uk
A beer festival to celebrate Armed Forces Day at Marlow Royal British Legion. Located right next to Marlow station. Expect around 12 ales (some local, some sourced from Derbyshire) and 6 ciders. For those that can't make it on the day, some of the beers are likely to be available from about 7pm the evening before.
1st – 2nd July 2023: Old London Apprentice Beer Festival
facebook.com/OldLondonApprenticeNewbury
A Summer beer festival at this community local near Newbury Racecourse station. Expect around 6 real ales on stillage, in addition to those on the handpulls inside. Also, around 6 boxed ciders. Live music on the Saturday afternoon.
7th – 8th July 2023: Maidenhead Beer & Cider Festival
7th – 8th July 2023: Maidenhead Beer & Cider Festival mbcf.camra.org.uk
mbcf.camra.org.uk
This hugely popular Summer festival is organised by our friends in Slough, Windsor & Maidenhead CAMRA. Once again located at the NMCC Bar to the north of town, about a 10 minute walk from Furze Platt station. Expect around 60 carefully selected real ales plus about 25 ciders & perries. Discounted entry for CAMRA members.
This hugely popular Summer festival is organised by our friends in Slough, Windsor & Maidenhead CAMRA. Once again located at the NMCC Bar to the north of town, about a 10 minute walk from Furze Platt station. Expect around 60 carefully selected real ales plus about 25 ciders & perries. Discounted entry for CAMRA members.
12th – 15th July 2023: Ealing Beer Festival
12th – 15th July 2023: Ealing Beer Festival
ebf.camra.org.uk
ebf.camra.org.uk
This is an excellent festival organised by West Middlesex CAMRA. Located a short walk from Ealing Broadway station which is on the Elizabeth line from Reading. It advertises over 320 real ales, ciders, perries, wines and imported beers. There is usually reduced admission prices for CAMRA members.
This is an excellent festival organised by West Middlesex CAMRA. Located a short walk from Ealing Broadway station which is on the Elizabeth line from Reading. It advertises over 320 real ales, ciders, perries, wines and imported beers. There is usually reduced admission prices for CAMRA members.
21st – 22nd July 2023: Guildford Beer Festival
21st – 22nd July 2023: Guildford Beer Festival
guildfordbeerfestival.co.uk
guildfordbeerfestival.co.uk
Guildford Cricket Club’s festival is organised with the aid of our friends in Surrey Hants Borders CAMRA. Entry is by advance ticket. Expect around 90 cask and keykeg beers sourced from within 30 miles of the venue, plus around 20 ciders/perries.
Guildford Cricket Club’s festival is organised with the aid of our friends in Surrey Hants Borders CAMRA. Entry is by advance ticket. Expect around 90 cask and keykeg beers sourced from within 30 miles of the venue, plus around 20 ciders/perries.
27th – 29th July 2023: Egham Beer Festival
27th – 29th July 2023: Egham Beer Festival
eghambeerfestival.co.uk
eghambeerfestival.co.uk
The charity beer festivals at Egham United Services Club have become renown amongst the beer “scooping” community for showcasing brand new breweries and beers. Expect around 50 ales, plus a good selection of ciders & perries. Reduced entry for CAMRA members. A short walk from Egham station.
The charity beer festivals at Egham United Services Club have become renown amongst the beer “scooping” community for showcasing brand new breweries and beers. Expect around 50 ales, plus a good selection of ciders & perries. Reduced entry for CAMRA members. A short walk from Egham station.
28th – 29th July 2023: Craft Theory Beer Festival
28th – 29th July 2023: Craft Theory Beer Festival crafttheoryfestival.co.uk
crafttheoryfestival.co.uk
A craft beer and music festival, organised in the European style of invited breweries running their own bar stand. Expect around a dozen brewery stands, some local and others from further afield.
A craft beer and music festival, organised in the European style of invited breweries running their own bar stand. Expect around a dozen brewery stands, some local and others from further afield.
1st – 5th August 2023: Great British Beer Festival gbbf.org.uk
1st – 5th August 2023: Great British Beer Festival gbbf.org.uk
The CAMRA beer festival held at Kensington Olympia continues to be the highlight of the beer festival calendar. Expect a remarkable 900 real ales, craft beers, ciders and perries. Reduced admission prices for CAMRA members.
The CAMRA beer festival held at Kensington Olympia continues to be the highlight of the beer festival calendar. Expect a remarkable 900 real ales, craft beers, ciders and perries. Reduced admission prices for CAMRA members.
5th August 2023: Fleet Beerfest
5th August 2023: Fleet Beerfest
fleetlions.org.uk/beerfest
fleetlions.org.uk/beerfest
This beer festival is run by the Fleet Lions in aid of local charitable causes. Over 40 real ales and 10 ciders are advertised both local and from afar. In an environmental initiative, customers are asked to bring their own lined drinking glass.
This beer festival is run by the Fleet Lions in aid of local charitable causes. Over 40 real ales and 10 ciders are advertised both local and from afar. In an environmental initiative, customers are asked to bring their own lined drinking glass.
If I was to say that an alcoholic drink maker had a 65% market share you may scratch your heads and think who could it be but for CAMRA the answer is easy, it is Bulmers. First founded in 1887 by the son of the local rector, Percy Bulmer took his mother's advice to go into business involving food or drink as everyone always needs to eat or drink. Initially using apples from his father's garden and using the cider mill on an adjoining orchard at Credenhill, Herefordshire he was soon joined by his brother Frank in the enterprise. Frank had graduated from Cambridge University and the brothers started to commercially produce cider.
With a loan of £1760 from their father the brothers bought an 8 acre field and built their first cider mill. At the time cider-making was a hit or miss affair as it relied on the wild yeasts on the skins of the apples and whilst some yeasts were beneficial others were definitely detrimental. Cider was always a locally produced regional drink, often made on farms as part of a labourers wages it did not lend itself to the industrialisation found in the brewing industry. In the 1890s a friend of Fred Bulmer, Dr Herbert Durham isolated a wild yeast to create the first purpose bred cider yeast which prevented spoilage and ensured consistent fermentations and was the start of large scale commercial cider making.
The company grew and was granted it's first Royal Warrant in 1911 and still boasts being cider maker to her late majesty The Queen. In 1937 Bulmers entered a commercial partnership with William Magners of Clonmel, Ireland and they were allowed to sell their ciders under the Bulmers brand however in 1949 Magners withdrew from
the partnership but retained the rights to the Bulmers name in Ireland. When they later wanted to export their cider to the UK and elsewhere they used their own name of Magners and became Bulmers largest competitors.
In 2003 the company was bought by Scottish & Newcastle Brewery who were subsequently swallowed up by Heineken and Bulmers remains a subsidiary of the global behemoth. In terms of volumes HP Bulmers produces 65% of the UK's five hundred million litres of cider sold annually and make up the bulk of the UK's cider exports. Since 2019 it uses only British apples and takes over 90% of the apples grown in Herefordshire to its 75 acre site for cider production. By law, cider must contain 35% apple juice but Bulmers do not disclose the percentage used and unfortunately by CAMRA definition none of its output is considered “real cider”.
Unlike real ale production, which can happen at any time of the year, real cider and perry is generally a seasonal product and can only be made when the fruit is ripe. Production is tied to a natural cycle of the apple and perry pear trees found in orchards around the country.
Unlike real ale production, which can happen at any time of the year, real cider and perry is generally a seasonal product and can only be made when the fruit is ripe. Production is tied to a natural cycle of the apple and perry pear trees found in orchards around the country.
The month of May was chosen because it is when the orchards come into bloom and fruit begins to set. Cider and perry production from the previous year reaches maturity in May and can start being enjoyed so it’s also a time for celebration of the fruits of cider maker’s labour. Below is a list of local Real Cider Producers:
The month of May was chosen because it is when the orchards come into bloom and fruit begins to set. Cider and perry production from the previous year reaches maturity in May and can start being enjoyed so it’s also a time for celebration of the fruits of cider maker’s labour. Below is a list of local Real Cider Producers: Name Town Postcode
Cider Company Limited
Seven Trees Cider Berkshire RG1 1QH https://www.instagram.com/seven_trees_cider/?hl=en
Tutts Clump Cider
Berkshire RG7 6JH https://www.tuttsclumpcider.co.uk/
Look out for these Real Ciders at Pubs and Beer & Cider Festivals in this area.
Look out for these Real Ciders at Pubs and Beer & Cider Festivals in this area.
Mike Lee – CAMRA Cider Rep - Berkshire South East - cider@seberks.camra.org.uk
Mike Lee – CAMRA Cider Rep - Berkshire South East - cider@seberks.camra.org.uk
A well-respected free-of-tietraditional pub in the heart of Wokingham.
➢ Monthly charity quiz night;
➢ Jukebox;
➢ Dog friendly;
➢ Bring Your Own Food, settle down with a takeaway (china etc. provided)
➢ BT Sport - great place to watch rugby union and the Champions League. Other sports shown;
➢ Large beer garden.
Proud to serve from locAles, including:
➢ Hogsback
➢ Rebellion
➢ Loddon
➢ White Horse
➢ Ascot
➢ Palmers
Beer Festival Weekend
May Bank Holiday (29th Apr Sat – Mon 1st May)
Upto 10 cask ales & 5 ciders available
Sun pm LIVE
MUSIC from “Gas Trick Band”
Sun & Mon Mexican
Street Food by Con Salsita
Please don’t rush to ring your GP to get a prescription for beer on the system!
Please don’t rush to ring your GP to get a prescription for beer on the system!
I was just 15 years old. My mates and I were eventually exposed by one of our dads, who caught us in a pub and gave the landlord a stern talking to for allowing us to drink there. In the years from 1959 to 1965 I acquired a liking for real ale, often enjoying a pint of Massey’s or Thwaite’s prior to a “dodgy” curry on the walk back from our local Mecca dance-hall in town.
I was just 15 years old. My mates and I were eventually exposed by one of our dads, who caught us in a pub and gave the landlord a stern talking to for allowing us to drink there In the years from 1959 to 1965 I acquired a liking for real ale, often enjoying a pint of Massey’s or Thwaite’s prior to a “dodgy” curry on the walk back from our local Mecca dance-hall in town.
My first move was to Oldham, where between 1965 and 1967 I had my first of many lovely Boddington tipples.
My first move was to Oldham, where between 1965 and 1967 I had my first of many lovely Boddington tipples.
In 1967 I moved to Yorkshire, firstly to Harrogate, then Wakefield. I travelled the Dales performing internal audits and often enjoyed a pint of Tetley’s, Timothy Taylor’s, Robinson’s, Theakston’s, John Smith’s or Samuel Smith’s. Whilst living in Tadcaster, I enjoyed beer at the John Smith’s Brewery Tap, where my brother-in-law was chief accountant (it was help yourself!)
In 1967 I moved to Yorkshire, firstly to Harrogate, then Wakefield. I travelled the Dales performing internal audits and often enjoyed a pint of Tetley’s, Timothy Taylor’s, Robinson’s, Theakston’s, John Smith’s or Samuel Smith’s. Whilst living in Tadcaster, I enjoyed beer at the John Smith’s Brewery Tap, where my brother-in-law was chief accountant (it was help yourself!).
There was a time, you may know, when hospitals had their own brewing facilities and beer was part of the daily intake if you were hospitalised. Regrettably, for some, this is no longer the case.
There was a time, you may know, when hospitals had their own brewing facilities and beer was part of the daily intake if you were hospitalised. Regrettably, for some, this is no longer the case.
I worked at one long standing infirmary, which in times past, had its own brewing facility I spent 32 years working for the NHS as a trainee, then later as a manager, in hospitals and other health facilities in various parts of England During this time, I was enjoying pints wherever I happened to be. That’s not to say drinking beer was part of my job description, or an aid to doing my job, but rather, as a social pursuit.
I worked at one long standing infirmary, which in times past, had its own brewing facility I spent 32 years working for the NHS as a trainee, then later as a manager, in hospitals and other health facilities in various parts of England During this time, I was enjoying pints wherever I happened to be. That’s not to say drinking beer was part of my job description, or an aid to doing my job, but rather, as a social pursuit.
Like most lads at that time, my interest in beer began long before I joined the NHS in Burnley, my home town, in fact it was when
Like most lads at that time, my interest in beer began long before I joined the NHS in Burnley, my home town, in fact it was when
In 1972 I moved to Bristol for three years, where I met and married my wife and enjoyed drinking lots of Davenport’s, and Courage ales, Director’s being a particularly favourite tipple of mine.
In 1972 I moved to Bristol for three years, where I met and married my wife and enjoyed drinking lots of Davenport’s, and Courage ales, Director’s being a particularly favourite tipple of mine.
In 1975 I moved back to Preston Hospital to work for three years and drank lots more Boddington’s, which also happened to be a favourite brew of the two mortuary attendants They had very difficult jobs and occasionally I had to persuade them back to work from the local pub after their lunch break, to release bodies from the public mortuary on the site!
In 1975 I moved back to Preston Hospital to work for three years and drank lots more Boddington’s, which also happened to be a favourite brew of the two mortuary attendants. They had very difficult jobs and occasionally I had to persuade them back to work from the local pub after their lunch break, to release bodies from the public mortuary on the site!
In 1978 I moved to to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for a period of four years where I particularly enjoyed drinking Brakspear’s and Hook Norton ales.
In 1978 I moved to to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for a period of four years where I particularly enjoyed drinking Brakspear’s and Hook Norton ales.
In 1983 I moved to Burton upon Trent for six years, where I first experienced its famous Burton Union system, drinking beers from Ind Coope, Bass, Marstons, and Everards. I took my children to the Bass Museum to see the shire horses, whilst I enjoyed the very best draught Bass in the brewery-tap. Everywhere in the town there was an aroma of beer brewing and also Marmite and Bovril two other famous brewing byproducts from Burton.
I recall the Burton Bridge Brewery, which was established and run by two ex Ind Coope staff, at the start of the boom in micro breweries. There was a great skittles alley at the Burton Bridge Inn, with regular matches held between hospital staff groups, such as junior doctors versus the porters
From 1985 onwards, whilst still resident in Burton, I worked nationally across the NHS, and from a Birmingham University base, enjoyed midland brews including Mitchell’s
& Butler’s, Bank’s and Holden’s, as well as Adnam’s, Greene King and Tolly Cobbold in East Anglia
In 1989 I moved to Bath, working in Bristol for six years, nationally and then regionally enjoying Fuller’s, Young’s, Courage Davenport’s, Bath Ale’s, Wadsworth’s, Pitchfork, Butcombe, Doombar, as well as Brakspears!
I retired from the NHS in 1995 and was then self-employed as a trainer working in Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset. I continued to enjoy the local ales and after becoming a teacher in Bristol I eventually retired in 2010.
So to conclude, although not necessarily health-giving, beer has kept me socially sane and enabled me to enjoy good company wherever I’ve been with fellow tipplers – always in moderation of course!
I was surprised to learn that Guinness is now the most popular pint pulled in British pubs. Outstripping the value of sales of Carling for the first time (although not the volume), the Daily Mail attributed the dry Irish stout’s success to a boost in sales enjoyed during the World Cup.
I was surprised to learn that Guinness is now the most popular pint pulled in British pubs. Outstripping the value of sales of Carling for the first time (although not the volume), the Daily Mail attributed the dry Irish stout’s success to a boost in sales enjoyed during the World Cup.
I’m probably not alone in having Guinness as my ‘stand-by’ pint when I find myself trapped behind enemy lines, in a pub with no cask ale or decent craft beer. It’s a known quantity with consistency on its side - although there are enough #BadGuinness posts on Instagram to warn against a lackadaisical pour.
I’m probably not alone in having Guinness as my ‘stand-by’ pint when I find myself trapped behind enemy lines, in a pub with no cask ale or decent craft beer. It’s a known quantity with consistency on its side - although there are enough #BadGuinness posts on Instagram to warn against a lackadaisical pour.
Dark beer is enjoying a renaissance. Drinkers in the capital looking for an independently and locally brewed alternative are turning to Anspach & Hobday’s London Black. The nitro porter is served at more than 100 outlets in London and is the brewery's most popular beer, accounting for 65 per cent of its production.
Dark beer is enjoying a renaissance. Drinkers in the capital looking for an independently and locally brewed alternative are turning to Anspach & Hobday’s London Black. The nitro porter is served at more than 100 outlets in London and is the brewery's most popular beer, accounting for 65 per cent of its production.
Meanwhile, Melton Mowbray’s Round Corner Brewing has experienced unprecedented success with Reverend Hooker nitro stout. It was first brewed as a seasonal, but after becoming one of its top three best sellers, the Reverend now has a spot in the core range.
Meanwhile, Melton Mowbray’s Round Corner Brewing has experienced unprecedented success with Reverend Hooker nitro stout. It was first brewed as a seasonal, but after becoming one of its top three best sellers, the Reverend now has a spot in the core range.
Guinness hired mathematician-turnedbrewer Michael Ash to investigate ways
Guinness hired mathematician-turnedbrewer Michael Ash to investigate ways
of improving the quality of its beer. Ash experimented with different methods of dispense, heading up the team of scientists that innovated with nitrogen gas in 1959.
of improving the quality of its beer. Ash experimented with different methods of dispense, heading up the team of scientists that innovated with nitrogen gas in 1959.
Using nitrogen at the point of dispense gives a smoother, creamier mouthfeel. The gas is less soluble in liquid than carbon dioxide and creates smaller bubbles. The texture of the nitrogeninfused stout set Guinness apart from other breweries.
Using nitrogen at the point of dispense gives a smoother, creamier mouthfeel. The gas is less soluble in liquid than carbon dioxide and creates smaller bubbles. The texture of the nitrogeninfused stout set Guinness apart from other breweries.
In the 1980s, Guinness was one of the first to replicate the experience of drinking its draught product in a can. Widgets release nitrogen gas when the can is opened. The surge of bubbles mixes with the beer to create the signature creamy texture.
In the 1980s, Guinness was one of the first to replicate the experience of drinking its draught product in a can. Widgets release nitrogen gas when the can is opened. The surge of bubbles mixes with the beer to create the signature creamy texture.
There is nothing quite like the theatre of ordering a pint of dark nitro beer. The small nitrogen bubbles rush downwards and ultimately escape up the side of the glass, creating a beautiful cascade effect. Guinness, the masters of braininvading branding, call it the “surge and settle effect”. A double pour is used to release more nitrogen, enhancing the creaminess of the head. Pouring the beer in two stages also heightens your anticipation. Good things come to those who wait, or so we are told.
There is nothing quite like the theatre of ordering a pint of dark nitro beer. The small nitrogen bubbles rush downwards and ultimately escape up the side of the glass, creating a beautiful cascade effect. Guinness, the masters of braininvading branding, call it the “surge and settle effect”. A double pour is used to release more nitrogen, enhancing the creaminess of the head. Pouring the beer in two stages also heightens your anticipation. Good things come to those who wait, or so we are told.
But does it really make a difference, or is the double pour just smoke and mirrors? I wait impatiently for my pint of Reverend Hooker nitro stout to settle at
But does it really make a difference, or is the double pour just smoke and mirrors? I wait impatiently for my pint of Reverend Hooker nitro stout to settle at
the jovial Round Corner Brewing taproom.
“The two-part pour is used to better control the appearance of the foam, creating a smoother, creamier head that is just the right size,” lead brewer Lara Lopes tells me. “If poured incorrectly, you can get larger, glassier bubbles and/or a head that is too big or too small.”
In 2013 it was a gutsy move for Anspach & Hobday to launch its brewery with a brown ale and a porter headlining. While the marketplace was awash with hoppy pales, Paul and Jack bet the farm on a modern approach to historical styles, wrapped in a distinctly local story. Just like the London brewers of old, they capitalised on the composition of the water to create unforgettable dark beers.
Over lockdown, they perfected a sessionable nitro version of their original porter using modern technology to elevate the distinguished heritage style and “make keg porter pour smooth like cask draught” according to cofounder Jack Hobday. London Black (below) was born.
Packaged in branding as smooth as the beer itself, London Black has found its niche. Anspach & Hobday is the first contemporary brewer to put a London porter out as its lead brand. It enjoys a permanent home in nearly 200 pubs and restaurants nationwide, more than half in London.
“We believe drinkers really care about provenance and are moving away from the world of global macro brands,” Jack
tells me. “We’re not trying to supplant Guinness or any other beer, we’re simply offering a genuine London choice that celebrates our shared history.”
The recent launch of CAMRA’s Good Beer Yearbook was held at the Arch House, the Anspach & Hobday brewery and tap on the Bermondsey Beer Mile. I watched some of the country’s most celebrated beer writers file up to the bar and all, independently, order London Black. No one was immune to its twicepoured charms. Industry leaders like Emma Inch, Pete Brown and Roger Protz all raised a swirling glass of chocolatey porter to the new publication.
“London Black represents a certain level of maturity I feel has been lacking within the new wave of British brewing,” says Matthew Curtis, author of Modern British Beer. “It is very delicious, but not too complex or overbearing, striking the perfect balance between flavour and
refreshment.”
Laura Hadland - Food & drink writer –small business advocate – pub lover –author of the Best Beer Book in the World 2022
Writer and consultant Pete Brown, who took over the coordination of the campaign from co-founder Katie Wiles last month, said: “For years, all the research on cask ale shows that few people totally reject it – they just don’t have a reason to choose it more often than they currently do when there are so many choices at the bar.
A cross-industry campaign to literally refresh the image of cask ale has recently launched in selected pubs.
Drink Cask Fresh seeks to make real ale more relevant and attractive to younger drinkers by positioning it as the freshest drink on the bar.
Younger drinkers, who are currently less likely to drink cask, claim freshness is important when choosing what to drink. But they’re less likely to associate freshness with cask than with almost any other drink. In fact, well-kept cask ale is only on the bar for a maximum of four days.
Campaign kits developed by agency Ape Creative include bright wraps for hand pumps (pictured), branded glassware and bar runners, and beer mats with different messages about cask ale that link to www.drinkcaskfresh.co.uk. Here, drinkers can learn more about how cask ale is not only the freshest beer on the bar, but also has a variety of flavours, is skilfully brewed and kept and has strong sustainability stories.
“We know what discerning young drinkers want when they go to the pub. This pilot study will show that when we make cask more visible and relevant to younger drinkers, they’ll start drinking more of it.”
SIBA head of communications Neil Walker and co-founder of the Drink Cask Fresh campaign said: “Well-kept, fresh cask beer really is a world-class drink and yet many younger people have never tried it.
“This campaign is about raising the visibility of cask, empowering pubs and bars to champion it, and ultimately getting more people to not only try it for the first time, but realise just how delicious it is. Cask beer is delivered fresh, often from a local independent brewery, and is only on sale for a limited period of time – so Drink Cask Fresh today.”
The pilot campaign runs for 10 weeks until 8 May, with the intention of winning more backing from the beer and pub industry for a national roll-out later in the year.
LocAle is a nationwide CAMRA campaign to encourage pubs to stock at least one locallybrewed real ale, of acceptable quality.
Here in Berkshire South-East, we have a number of breweries which, although not right on our doorstep, we can easily classify as local. For our branch purposes, we have defined “local” to mean within 25 miles driving distance from the centre of our branch in Bracknell.
We now have an increasing number of pubs in our area regularly selling beers from these local brewers. But there are still plenty more yet to participate in the LocAle campaign.
Your CAMRA Branch would love to receive your comments about the pubs you visit either by email to: madcow@seberks.camra.org.uk alternatively submit an update at:
We wish to accredit more pubs under the LocAle scheme that are selling locally-brewed beers, of good quality. We want to help promote LocAle, by campaigning for pubs to stock a local beer, and to provide point of sale material in support of this.
But it is also down to you, the drinker, to make your voice known about local beers. Ask the licensee at your local to try and obtain a beer from one of the breweries listed on this page – many will be very pleased to supply if they are allowed! And, if your local pub DOES put one of these fine ales on, please let us know. The best way to do this is to contact the Branch LocAle Coordinator. We can then publicise it on our website and in this branch magazine.
We are a family run pub in Harmans Water. We took on the rather sad and failing Pippin during lockdown in March 2021 and decided to put every last penny we had into turning it around. Two years on and what changes we have made, In October of last year we landed ourselves the CAMRA Newcomer award which for a pub that "will never sell ale" was quite an achievement and now 5 months on we have Branch Pub Of The Year!
Last weekend we had our third "Pippinfest" with an array of real ales and a Sunday packed full of music.
We are now the main hive in our community with weekly quiz nights, fortnightly acoustic cafe music nights, charity events, raffles, parties, christenings, wakes, anniversarys, baby showers, Wi meetings and many many more events.
We are currently undertaking major work on our patio and extending into our carpark. We are very fortunate that the "brutalist architect" that designed our pub designed it facing the sun all day!! In addition to the above we do some amazing homecooked food, you may need to wait a while but it's definitely worth it and we will always have new ales to try to keep you occupied. Lastly don't forget we are dog friendly!
And be warned, our pub dog Alfie can't control his licker!!