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Articles by Victoria Bishop-Rowe
Cider pub of the year winner revealed
Cider pub of the year winner revealed Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description The Hop Inn in Hornchurch, East London has won CAMRA’s National Cider & Perry Pub of the Year crown. The award recognises the best pub or club that promotes and encourages the sale of real cider and perry across the country. ... Enjoy unlimited access by joining CAMRA Get unlimited access to What's Brewing by joining CAMRA today along with a host of other benefits.
Pioneering brewery saved
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description A Sheffield brewery which holds a significant place in the country’s brewing history has been saved by a group of local businessmen. Kelham Island, which is Sheffield’s oldest independent brewery, has been saved by a group led by Tramslines festival co-founder James O’Hara.
Scotland’s biggest beer fest returns
Scotland’s biggest beer fest returns Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description After a two-year hiatus, the Ayrshire Real Ale Festival is returning from 6-8 October at the Troon Concert Hall. Organised by Ayrshire and Wigtownshire CAMRA , the event is Scotland’s largest beer festival. With around 150 cask ales, the event celebrates local brewers such as Ayr and Isle of Arran, as well as beer from all over the UK.
Draught duty cut welcomed
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description The government’s “fiscal event” earlier this month might be much derided by the financial markets, but it contained good news for fans and makers of beer and cider. The planned increases in duty for rates for beer, wine, cider and spirits have all been cancelled as part of the mini-budget plans announced.
CAMRA celebrates orchards throughout October Cider and Perry Month
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description The Campaign is championing orchards in October with its biannual cider and perry month celebration as this season’s harvests are gathered. CAMRA wants to see more apples being used in cider production – not imported, concentrated juice.
Don't miss chance to pick next champion beer
Login here to listen to the audio description With just a few weeks left until voting in CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain competition closes, organisers are urging members to make sure they have their say.... Get unlimited access to What's Brewing by joining CAMRA today along with a host of other benefits.
Plan your October festival trips now!
Plan your October festival trips now! Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description Plan your festival trips this month with the help of the list below.
CAMRA author wins US beer writers award
CAMRA author wins US beer writers award Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description An article on community pubs, publishhed in BEER Winter 2021, has won a top award in the US. Laura Hadland took second place in the Best Business Writing Award at the NAGBW Awards for the cover feature Pillar of the Community.... Enjoy unlimited access by joining CAMRA Get unlimited access to What's Brewing by joining CAMRA today along with a host of other benefits.
Sussex brewer taps in to young talent
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description A Sussex brewery has opened a new taproom and meeting space. The development is the latest investment by Hepworth following the recent installation of a canning line, among other developments. At the same time, Hepworth is launching a competition for students from the Chichester College Group challenging them to create a “next generation” taproom and brewery shop, to open within the next 12 months.
Women in Beer seminar’s big challenge
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description The Women in Beer seminar has set itself the ambitious task of showing craft beer can be an instrument for social change. Edinburgh-based “women who beer group” Beers Without Beards has announced that tickets have now gone live for its seminar as part of the second Women in Beer Festival (WiB Fest) – 20-23 October. For this year’s WiB Fest, the popular group has organised a day-long industry seminar, complete with talks and tastings.
Hit the road to celebrate Herefordshire cider
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description CAMRA’s Campaigner of the Year Gabe Cook has announced a weekend of Herefordshire cider tours for October. The guided tours will take participants on a voyage to three of Herefordshire's finest cider makers each day right in the heart of the season.
Pub raises money to help save heart attack victims
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description A licensee who brought a customer back from the brink after he suffered a heart attack is now raising money for a defibrillator to serve the community. Roger Griffiths’ (above left) heart stopped after the 75 year-old former engineer suffered the attack while enjoying a drink at the Hare and Hounds in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester where he was a regular, in 2020.
Fresh support for cask ale
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description A new-look marketing campaign, unveiled at the industry organised Future of Cask Seminar, is seeking to modernise the image of cask beer to attract younger drinkers. The move recognises cask beer is in steep, sustained decline and still struggles to shake a male, pale and stale image â 93 per cent of regular cask drinkers are men and 71 per cent aged more than 50.
Government support for hard-hit pubs
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description Energy bills for UK pubs and breweries will be cut by around half their expected level this winter under a huge government support package. The scheme will fix wholesale gas and electricity prices for businesses for six months from 1 October, shielding them from crippling costs. Consumer and Industry groups welcomed the package but warned further support may be needed after the winter.
Search for pub heroes
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description PubAid has launched its latest Community Pub Hero awards. This year, pubs can choose to enter either a Community Support or Charity Fundraising category and nominate one of their regulars for their contribution to the pub's activities, to become a Community Hero Regular.
National brewing museum to close
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description Britain’s brewing heritage has been dealt a savage blow by the decision of global giant Molson Coors to close the National Brewery Centre (NBC) in Burton upon Trent. The centre has a series of displays over several floors that trace the history of brewing in Burton. It also houses the Heritage Brewery that recreates old Bass beers. The brewer, Martin Hodson, has been made redundant.
Brewer aims for the top with cool cask beer
Brewer aims for the top with cool cask beer Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description At the Marsh Harrier pub in Southport licensee Bob Robert is pleased with his decision to stock a new cask ale. Robert is stocking Theakston’s Summit, at 4.2 per cent ABV, was originally launched in 2021, is intended to be served extra chilled through a dedicated hand pump and it proved to be a hit during the hot summer. And the beer is proving popular with craft beer drinkers.
Drinkers demand energy bill help to save nation’s locals
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description Beer drinkers and pub-goers across the country are being mobilised in their thousands to contact their MPs and push for government action on energy bills to stop pubs and breweries closing for good. CAMRA says the number of long-term and permanent pub closures is set to grow unless the new government uses its announcement on energy to tackle the crisis facing the licensed trade.
CAMRA condemns Jennings closure
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description CAMRA has attacked Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) plans to close the historic Jennings brewery, Cockermouth, in October and make staff redundant. National chairman Nik Antona said: “This is a devastating blow for the area’s brewing heritage. It is vital that CMBC does everything it can to keep the site as a working brewery rather than having part of our history lost to conversion to housing or another use.
Heineken completes take over of craft brewer
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description Beavertown, London has become the latest craft beer brewery to be taken over by an international brewer. Heineken, which took a £40m minority stake in Beavertown in 2018, has now agreed to buy the remaining shares. After Heineken took its minority stake, Beavertown almost tripled its sales from £12m in 2018 to £35m in the year to 31 March 2020.
More cash to help rural pubs
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description Alison Brewster (pictured) runs the Ferry Inn, Norfolk which is much more than a community pub as it also hosts the only grocery shop for miles. She turned to government support when she decided to become a shopkeeper after the villageâs only store shut 18 months ago. Thanks to a grant from Pub is The Hub, people can skip the six-mile round trip to the nearest town for essential groceries.
South Shields pub’s charity support honoured
South Shields pub’s charity support honoured Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description Multiple award winner, the Steamboat in South Shields, has another gong to add to its collection as it became the first to be honoured by the local branch’s 2022 Community Pub Scheme. The nomination came from branch member and musician Robin Sanderson for: “Free use of room for a number of musical events and for fundraising events for a number of charities.”...
PUBlic Affairs round up September 2022
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description In a regular series for WB Online, the CAMRA Campaigns Team share the work that has been going on across Westminster, the devolved parliaments and local government to campaign in support of consumers, pubs, clubs, cider and perry. In our last update we reflected on how we were heading into the summer parliamentary recess, but there were still plenty of things to keep us busy during the downtime.
Plan your September festival trips now!
Plan your September festival trips now! Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description Plan your next festival trip this month by viewing the list below.
Brewery visitor centre’s ‘best in the world’
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description A popular Scottish brewery visitor centre has just been named Visitor Attraction of the Year at the World Beer Awards. Belhaven brewery’s visitor centre beat stiff competition from around the world at the awards which honours people and organisations who have worked to produce and promote beer. The Dunbar attraction, which opened in November 2021, was assessed by a panel of industry experts, writers and competition judges.
New hunt for best pub designs
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description CAMRA is on the hunt for entries for its prestigious Pub Design Awards, held with Historic England (HE). The competition recognises the highest standards of architecture in the refurbishment and conservation of existing pubs as well as in the construction of new ones. They are judged by a panel of experts in design and conservation.
Brewer’s poster archive on show
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description An exhibition of historic brewing artwork from Shepherd Neame’s archives is now on show at Faversham Town Hall, Kent. The display has been created by the brewer’s archivist John Owen (pictured). It showcases a series of posters called Tavern Topics, illustrated by artist Clive Uptton, which was commissioned by Whitbread brewery in 1949 to encourage people to understand the brewing industry.
Brass band hits winning note
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description A brass band’s home in the Saddleworth hills is Greater Manchester CAMRA’s new club of the year. Dobcross Band and Social Club has been a key part of the village community for many years and has recently dominated the local branch's choice as its nomination. This however is the first year it has won the regional competition.
CAMRA calls for fundamental changes to the Pubs Code
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description CAMRA is calling for a fundamental change to the Pubs Code to ensure it protects pubco tenants. The code regulates the relationship between all pub companies owning 500 or more tied pubs in England and Wales and their tied tenants.
Ask the expert - should beer be pulled through before each session?
Ask the expert – should beer be pulled through before each session? Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description Should a landlord pull through beer before each session? This depends on the pub and how good is its cellar installation. The best fitted pubs will get the beer from the cellar to the bar via insulated pythons which are cooled using circulating cold water or glycol keeping the beer in the lines at cellar temperature.
Energy price hikes threaten thousands of pubs
Energy price hikes threaten thousands of pubs Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description Freehouse owner Stephen George is a worried man. His pub, the Kings Head (pictured) on Magdalen Street, Norwich, has been judged East Anglia’s best pub by CAMRA, but he fears for its survival as energy prices soar. George said: “These are exceptional times – our customers, our suppliers and our pubs will struggle to cope with the extraordinary energy price rises we are experiencing.”...
Weekend heads to ’World’s Best Beer City‘
Weekend heads to ’World’s Best Beer City‘ Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description Sheffield and District Branch is delighted to be hosting the 2023 Members’ Weekend, AGM and Conference. We will be at the Octagon Centre (University of Sheffield), with the Members’ Bar pouring in the adjacent Students’ Union building. This follows two previous conferences at the same venue: 1991 and 2011. In his 2016 seminal report, well-r......
Urgent action need to fight energy crisis
Urgent action need to fight energy crisis Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description We breathed a collective sigh of relief when the pandemic came to an end and pubs were able to trade again. Little did we know what was hurtling down the tracks. Now it’s not just pubs that are suffering. Breweries are under the hammer, too.
CAMRA reveals UK’s top 16 pubs
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description The best pubs in the UK have been announced as part of CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year (POTY) competition. The 16 regional finalists will now have a chance to compete for the overall crown. The competition has been on hold over the last two years due to Covid-19 restrictions and was last won by the Bell Inn in Aldworth, Berkshire (pictured) in 2019.
Fight on to save pub which inspired George Orwell
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description A North London pub that helped inspire George Orwell’s Perfect Pub essay is threatened with losing its licence following complaints about noise. The Compton Arms in Compton Avenue, Islington dates from the 18th century, and its licence is now under review by Islington council following complaints from four householders. They claim the pub is noisy and poorly run with rubbish left in the street.
MP’s praise for community-owned pub
MP’s praise for community-owned pub Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan (pictured) practised her pint-pulling and praised people power during a visit to her constituency’s only community-owned pub. The White Lion in Ash Magna was bought by 170 members of its community in 2017. The Lib-Dem MP pulled pints of Shropshire Gold, brewed by Salopian in Hadnall, and Station Bitter, made by Stonehouse in Oswestry....
Women In Beer Festival is back
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description After a two-year hiatus, the Edinburgh-based Beers Without Beards is organising its second Women In Beer Festival (WIB Fest) from 20-23 October. The group will again team up with pubs to showcase some of the best breweries (female-owned or female brewers) in the UK, including Lost and Grounded, Wild Card, Merakai or the Edinburgh local Newbarns.
Whisky beer takes gold
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description Loch Lomond Brewery is awarded the Overall Champion Cask Gold in the SIBA Scotland Independent Beer Awards 2022. The brewery’s 12 per cent Scotch Ale ‘Long Road Home’ impressed judges with huge flavours of molasses, sweet malt and a distinct vanilla richness from the Speyside Whisky Cask barrel-ageing.
Putting beer on the menu for the next generation
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description Anyone who’s lucky enough to take part in a fine dining event will know that the drinks offer rarely extends beyond “red or white.” Which is why it was so refreshing to join the Brewers Association at Westminster Kingsway Catering College in London for a unique opportunity to put beer on the menu for the next generation of fine dining chefs.
Urgent government action needed to save pubs and breweries
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description Beer drinkers, pub-goers and brewers are calling for urgent government action to reduce the effect of crippling energy bills on the sector. CAMRA and the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) have signed a letter to the chancellor highlighting the challenges which are putting the future of the UK beer industry at risk.
Pubs help struggling families back to school
Pubs help struggling families back to school Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description Pubs in the North-West are setting up school uniform banks following a call to help parents struggling as families prepare to go back to school. Michelle Dickinson of the Richmond pub in Southport (pictured) said:  “We have been overwhelmed. People have been so generous and this is going to help so many families”...
Community cafe for CAMRA award winner
Community cafe for CAMRA award winner Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description CAMRA’s current holder of its pub saving award, the Blue Bell in Stoke Ferry, Norfolk, has opened a community café to provide a place for locals to meet up, socialise and help combat loneliness.
Steel City fest beer mats up for grabs
Steel City fest beer mats up for grabs Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description Three limited-edition sets of 12 mint beer mats promoting the 46th Steel City Beer Festival (SCBF46) are to be auctioned on eBay. On one side of each mat is the SCBF46 logo, with the reverse printed for the sponsor. The logo-side, when arranged, gives a large image of the festival poster....
Sheps expands north of the river
Sheps expands north of the river Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description Three coastal Essex pubs have been taken over by Shepherd Neame. The Faversham, Kent brewer has bought three popular freehold pubs – the Bellhouse in Leigh, Exchange in Southend and Hamlet Court in Westcliff – from the East Anglia Pub Company.... Enjoy unlimited access by joining CAMRA Get unlimited access to What's Brewing by joining CAMRA today along with a host of other benefits.
Brewer’s £130,000 food bank boost
Brewer’s £130,000 food bank boost Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description Food banks and clubs in the North-West have been given a massive boost thanks to £130,000 raised in Joseph Holt pubs across the region. The money has now been distributed to six charities devoted to helping people struggling to pay their food bills.... Enjoy unlimited access by joining CAMRA Get unlimited access to What's Brewing by joining CAMRA today along with a host of other benefits.
Push for more guest beers in pubs
Push for more guest beers in pubs Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description Britain’s smaller brewers are calling on the government to allow more pubs to sell their beers. The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) has called on Government to introduce a new “guest beer right” which would allow every pub to serve at least one beer from a small local brewery.
Win double for home brewer
Win double for home brewer Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description A Sheffield homebrewer is celebrating at last after his beer won a gold award for stouts and porters. Nathan Pratt, (above left) of the Sheffield Homebrew Club, scooped his reward for Limbo, a 5.5 per cent stout, at the 2020 Stockport & South. Manchester (SSM) CAMRA homebrew competition. The prize was to visit a commercial brewery and brew the beer so it could be sold to the public.
Energy cost threat to community pubs
Energy cost threat to community pubs Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) has written to the secretary of state for BEIS and the chancellor highlighting the devastating impact of the energy crisis on community pubs and calling for urgent, essential support from government.
Brewer’s sweet on sherry
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description Brewer Innis & Gunn has released a special limited-edition of its flagship beer, The Original. The one-off beer sees The Original’s cask maturation completed in a cache of Pedro Ximénez sherry casks from Spain to create The Original: PX, at 7.4 per cent.... Enjoy unlimited access by joining CAMRA Get unlimited access to What's Brewing by joining CAMRA today along with a host of other benefits.
Nominations open for CAMRA’s Pub Saving Award
Audio Description Login here to listen to the audio description CAMRA is looking for the next winner of its prestigious Pub Saving Award. The award recognises people who have come together to save a pub that would have otherwise been demolished or converted to another use. The award aims to secure publicity for pub-saving campaigns and encourage others to get involved in saving their local.
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