The Beer Warrior's Beer Blog

Blog relocated!

2009-11-29T17:35:00.002Z

The beer Warrior's beer blog has moved!
Please update your bookmarks to: www.newarkcamra.org.uk/blog

First Merits Awarded

2009-11-13T17:13:00.005Z

The AGM last night was well attended. Before the boring formal stuff there were some presentations made. Firstly, a cheque for £1,100 was given to MacMillan Cancer Support, this year's nominated charity.

Then four awards: 'Certificates of Merit' were presented to Kenny Munro of Milestone Brewery, Rob Neil of Maypole Brewery, Paul Goodman, landlord of the Vine in Newark and Steve Hussey, landlord of the Hearty Goodfellow in Southwell.

This is the first time these awards have been made and are to note the winner's service to real ale and the CAMRA ideal. Congratulations to all four.

The official stuff was then carried out and the existing committee re-elected (no surprise there then!). Afterwards, landlord Paul brought out Chili and jacket spuds and there was much socialising.

A great night out.

Newark 'eyesore' features on BBC blog.

2009-11-05T11:50:00.002Z

A new BBC blog which is attempting to document, in pictures, the decline of the Great British Pub is using a photograph of the Robin Hood in Newark to illustrate the problem.

Other featured pubs nearby include the Barly Mow at Mattersey, the Carholme in Lincoln and the French Horn at Worksop.

You can follow the blog here

Get a 99p pint at 'spoons

2009-10-16T15:35:00.002+01:00

The Sir John Arderne, Newark's Wetherspoon pub, is holding a beer festival between 28th October to 15th November.

As part of the festival, CAMRA members will be served real ales at 99p a pint on Wednesday evenings between 6 and 8pm, upon production of a current membership card.

Ghost serves free beer. Yeah, right!

2009-10-13T16:32:00.002+01:00

The following story appeared in the BelgianShop Newsletter this week (www.belgianshop.be)

=================================================================

Pub owners displeased by a ghost serving clients beer free of charge.

A Hampshire pub landlady plans to call in an exorcist to get rid of a ghost that keeps topping up drinkers' glasses, The Telegraph posted last week.

Janice McCormack, of the Apsley House in Southsea, says the spectre is costing her a fortune as he gives away her beer.

Ms McCormack, 60, said: "It happens when customers pop to the loo or put their pint down for a second. When they look back there's an extra inch of beer. It must come from my pumps."

Regulars have nicknamed the phantom barman Reedy - after actor and legendary boozer Oliver Reed.

Ms McCormack, who runs the pub with husband Patrick, said the ghost started its antics nine months ago.

She said: "My regulars love it but it is costing me. People are drinking less as their pints are being filled up all the time. My stocktaking figures are all out.

"We get more customers through the door but it seems to be people expecting a cheap, never-ending pint."

She now plans to hold a seance to ask the poltergeist to quit - and if that fails she will seek an exorcist to get him out.

Regular John Sanders, 27, said: "I will certainly miss old Reedy because he keeps me topped up.

"If you drink in the Apsley you were always guaranteed a hangover - and would always have money left in your pocket for a kebab on the way home."

==================================================================

No coincidence that it's Haloween in a couple of week's time? Hmmmm...

SIBA Judging: Mixing with the big boys!

2009-10-09T11:24:00.003+01:00

I've taken part in judging the SIBA regional beer champion competition, which takes place at the Nottingham CAMRA beer festival, for the last five years or so now. But I've never got on the table that judges the final round... until yesterday. Yes, I've arrived and mixed with the big boys from Marstons and Wells & Youngs, amongst others.

A great experience and fun way to spend an afternoon, trying lots of different beers for free. And yes, I can remember the winner... it was Guerilla, a 4.9% stout from the Blue Monkey brewery (which actually use a picture of a purple ape as their logo!). Well done to them.

Wooly closed?

2009-10-09T11:13:00.001+01:00

We are getting reports that the Woopack at Claypole has closed for good, to become a private dwelling. Can anyone confirm?

Refit at the Pack Horse, Beckingham.

2009-10-09T11:11:00.001+01:00

To celebrate the refurb, Val and Daz are having an opening night on Saturday 21st of November (when all the seat covers and drapes, curtain will have been done). There will be a free buffet and a live band

As well as refurbishing the pub, the menus have had a makeover as well. All food is cooked in the Pub’s kitchen, including the sweets, with ingredients all bought from local suppliers. Sunday lunches are proving very popular as are the Monday night 'curry and a pint for £5.95'

Coming up shortly will be a celebrity question and answer evening featuring a star footballer from one of the local clubs.

Mail Coach closed!

2009-10-02T11:13:00.002+01:00

Yep! Apparently it was open for two nights. Future unknown, stay posted. Meanwhile, we are informed that the Brit in Farndon has closed, to become an Indian restaurant. Can anyone confirm?

POTY Reminder

2009-09-28T10:32:00.004+01:00

Nominations are still invited for Newark Branch's Pub of the Year. I have four nominations so far. If you would like to nominate a pub I need to receive it by Thursday's meeting.

Mail Coach re-opened

2009-09-22T11:59:00.002+01:00

The Mail Coach re-opened last night. Two of us went in about 10.15 and there were two people in, besides us. Three handpulls on, two Tom Woods and one Milestone.

We both had TW Best Bitter (3.5%) at £2.60 a pint and it wasn't very good. I don't know how long it had been in the cellar, but one would think that it was prepared to be in top condition for opening night... or not?

Pugwash be enjoyin' TLAP day too.

2009-09-22T10:00:00.005+01:00

Cap'n Pugwash be a-joinin' us on Talk Like a Pirate Day. Ye can be seein' portraits o' 'is adventures 'ere.

Yarr! International TLAP day be done!!

2009-09-20T14:42:00.001+01:00

See some o' them new-fangled photies 'ere. Yarr!

Thursday night out

2009-09-18T22:28:00.002+01:00

We had a walk into town last night for a bite to eat and a few beers. Those that know me won't be surprised to hear that the first port of call was Wetherspoons for a pint and a curry. Chicken Jalfrezi, rice, 2 pops with a pickle and a nan bread and a good pint of Directors, all for £4.99 - unbeatable value! Very busy - no surprise.

After a second pint of Directors we went to the Fox & Crown. Usual nonsense meant that the wife got 20p discount but I didn't (article to be submitted to BGP). Enjoyable pint of Castle Rock Reed, if a little on the cold side. Not particularly busy here, but steady.

Last visit was to the Castle, where Thursday night is a rare night without music. Milestone Lion's Pride was enjoyable and only £2 per pint. Second time I've seen a £2 pint in the Castle, maybe it's a regular offer? Friendly greeting from the bar staff, but relatively quiet I thought, compared to recent visits.

Walked past the OKA on the way home - 10.15 and nobody in there. Not good.

Tomorrow I be dressin' like a pirate and talkin' like one too, aye. Ye be readin' all 'bout it soon an lookin' at some photies.

Yarr! It be International TLAP day!!

2009-09-10T09:59:00.004+01:00

Avast me hearties! This Saturday, Septemby 19th, be International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Yarr! An' to celebrate it, the scallywags from the good ship CAMRA be talkin’ like pirates all day. Not only that, we be dressin’ like ‘em too! YARR!

We be settin’ a-sail on a Wright’s waggon an’ goin’ plunderin’ the locals for dubloons in aid o’ charity aroun’ the villages o’ the shire. An’while we be at it, we be drinkin’ plenty o’ the local grog too! YARRRR!!!

To join up wi’ our crew o’ scurvy sea dogs, please be pipin’ a message to Cap’n Stuie Shortpants on 07804 805 096 or be sendin’ ‘im an e-bottle at socials@newarkcamra.org.uk. But rememby, if ye ain’t bein’ dressed like a pirate ye ain’t a-boardin’ ship an’ settin’ sail wi’ us. Meanwhile, ye can be brushin’ up on yer pirateese an’ be alearnin’ other pirate stuff at www.yarr.org.uk/

Macmillan fundraising afternoon at the Crown at Bathley (Pub of The Year)

2009-09-01T21:07:00.006+01:00

The Entertainment.

The Chef.

John guarding the burgers.

A big thank you to all who attended the fun afternoon and to all the people that donated raffle prizes. We raised just over £100 for our charity of the year, Macmillan Nurses.

Don't forget we will be hoping to raise more money on the 25th September, when we will be holding a coffee morning/day at the Fox & Crown, Newark.

Macmillan fundraising afternoon at the Crown at Bathley (Pub of The Year) - The Teams

2009-09-01T20:53:00.007+01:00

The Girlies -1 (Sharon)

The Squitters

The Winning Team -The H Bombs

Beer bellies - Officially a myth

2009-08-12T06:58:00.002+01:00

A recent study by European scientists has now dispelled the myth of the beer belly. The article below originally appeared as part of the BelgianShop WeekLetter 1388 (www.belgianshop.com).

A new study has dispelled a myth that consuming beer inevitably leads to developing a so-called beer belly, NHS communicated on July, 6.

German and Swedish scientists have discovered that the so-called 'beer belly' is not caused by consuming alcohol – but more to do with genetics.

This cohort study looked at beer consumption, weight and body measurements in almost 20,000 people on two occasions over an average of six years. It found that increased beer consumption over time was linked with increased waist circumference, particularly for men. However, once a person’s overall weight was taken into account, the significance of these associations disappeared. This suggests that any weight gain from beer is distributed all over the body, rather than being concentrated around the waist.

The research was carried out by M Schutze and colleagues from the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrucke and Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Germany, and the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. The study was funded by German Cancer Aid, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, and the European Union. The study was published in the peer-reviewed medical journal European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

This cohort study aimed to investigate gender-specific associations between beer consumption and waist circumference (WC), and to challenge the commonly held belief that a ‘beer belly’ is caused by drinking beer. Obesity that is centred around the abdomen is said to be one of the strongest cardiovascular risk factors.

In total, the EPIC study involved 27,548 people between 35 and 65 years old who were recruited between 1994 and 1998. This analysis was based on 19,941 members of this cohort (62% of whom were female) who had information available on their beer consumption and waist circumference. Alcohol consumption over the past year was assessed at the beginning of the study using a food frequency questionnaire, and then reassessed at follow-up about six years later.

The researchers gave men and women different categories of beer consumption. For example, in women the highest category of consumption of 250ml/day or more was considered ‘moderate’, while in men 250 to 500ml/day was considered ‘light’; 500 to 1000ml/day ‘moderate’; and anything above this level was considered ‘heavy’. At the beginning of the study, body weight, hip and waist circumference were measured, with any change in these measurements assessed at follow-up. In their analyses, the researchers used statistical models to look at changes in waist circumference for each beer consumption category, while also taking into account concurrent changes in body weight and hip circumference in order to monitor the site-specific effect of beer. They also looked at how changes in beer consumption affected changes in waist circumference. Age, smoking, education, physical activity and several other chronic diseases were also taken into account by the researchers.

The authors conclude that excessive beer consumption leads to a gain in waist circumference, which is closely related to concurrent overall weight gain. This study does not support the common belief of an effect of beer specifically on the abdomen, i.e. the ‘beer belly’.

The best way to keep weight down is by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and keeping alcohol consumption at low to moderate levels, experts advise.

Tuesday night out

2009-07-29T15:19:00.002+01:00

Went for a little walk round last night and tried a few pubs not been in for a while:

Crown & Mitre - excellent pint of Milestone Hoptimism, well kept and the barmaid serving clearly knew what she was doing. They aim to keep 2 milestone beers at anytime as well as John Smiths Cask. Might be worth holding a meeting there?

Malt Shovel - closed???

Post Office - Black Sheep which was OK, and Bombardier.

Also went into the Castel & Falcon - fantastic pint of Blue Monkey Evolution & Dognobbler by err, somebody else.

Everywhere was very very quiet.

LocAle & Weinfest beer list

2009-06-22T12:30:00.004+01:00

The beer menu for Newark's 1st LocAle and Weinfest is now available.
Event held in the Castle grounds, 26th-28th June. Opening times:
Friday 6pm - 11pm
Saturday 12 - 11pm
Sunday 12 - 6pm

Free entry, souvenir festival tankards £2 each.

BREWSTERS DECADENCE 4.4%
BREWSTERS HOPHEAD 3.6%
BREWSTERS CHEVAL MORT 4.0%
CASTLE ROCK HARVEST PALE 3.8%
CASTLE ROCK TRENT BRIDGE 20/20 DOUBLE VISION 4.0%
CASTLE ROCK SCREECH OWL 5.5%
CATHEDRAL RED IMP 4.3%
CATHEDRAL MAGNA CARTA 5.0%
CATHEDRAL FESTIVAL ALE 4.8%
CAYTHORPE ONE SWALLOW 3.6%
CAYTHORPE DOVERBECK 4.0%
CAYTHORPE STOUT FELLOW 4.2%
GRAFTON SHOWMAN'S GROG 4.0%
GRAFTON BLONDIE 4.8%
GRAFTON SUMMER BLISS 4.5%
MAGPIE FLEDGLING 3.8%
MAGPIE BEST 4.2%
MAGPIE OLD COCHIN INN 4.6%
MAYPOLE MAIBAUM ALT 4.8%
MAYPOLE FLANAGANS EXTRA STOUT 4.5%
MAYPOLE GATE HOPPER 4.0%
MAYPOLE OLD LION'S ALE 3.9%
MILESTONE LIONS PRIDE 3.8%
MILESTONE SHINE ON 4.0%
MILESTONE RASPBERRY WHEAT BEER 5.6%
OLDERSHAW CASKADE 4.2%
OLDERSHAW OLD BOY 4.8%
OLDERSHAW REGAL BLONDE 4.4%
POACHERS JOCK'S TRAP 5.0%
POACHERS SHY TALK 3.7%
POACHERS MONKEY HANGER 4.5%
SPRINGHEAD CHARLIES ANGEL 4.5%
SPRINGHEAD NEWARK CASTLE BROWN 5.0%
SPRINGHEAD SURRENDER 3.6%

Short Bennington

2009-05-30T00:26:00.005+01:00

I've just returned from a short trip to Long Bennington (Nottingham post codes, Lincolnshire council, Newark CAMRA zone), arguably one of the most quintessentially English villages in our region. Wide main street, good local facilities, and 3 pubs which in the past have catered for the different tastes and pockets of the residents and visitors.

Time to get controversial:-

The Wheatsheaf - Guest ales off, barrel behind the bar under blanket pressure hadn't "got anything in it yet"(!?!?!?), John Smith's cask had a vinegary taste of unclean pipes, giving that authentic barrel-bottom quality I remember from growing up in Newark.

The Royal Oak - Marstons' beers (have we decided to boycott these yet?). I went for the seasonal Jennings (Honey Bole, served by a really nice landlady), which promised so much; but I'm sorry, it was DEAD. Can't blame the Chief Exec for that.

The Reindeer - cost aside, Green King aside, our last chance for a decent pint was a pint of Abbott - but the barrel died on the previous pint. So, Bombardier, or a return to JS cask? You decide.

I would absolutely love to be positive writing this, so I will be - I had a great night in great company, all the pubs were selling real ale and all were really quite busy. Selling out of beer is a good thing! Having variety available is even better! But the beer was either unbelievably bad, or uninspiring before tasting. Utterly demoralising after.

It seems to me that the village is trying to keep the outside world from entering. Ever seen "The Village" film? For goodness sake LB, let the beer in !!!

1st LocAle & Weinfest this June.

2009-05-26T15:57:00.003+01:00

2008/9 sees the 25th anniversary of the very successful twinning link between Newark and the German town of Emmendingen in the Black Forest. Emmendingen is the largest town within the Breisgau wine producing area which contains approximately 30 different wine producers.

Each August the fruits of the vine and the labours of the growers are celebrated during the Breisgau Weinfest held in the Market Place and streets of Emmendingen over four evenings. During a visit to the Weinfest in 2006 members of Newark Town Council and Newark Twinning Association had the idea to recreate the Weinfest in Newark in some way. It was decided to hold the First Newark Wine Festival as part of the 25th anniversary celebrations.

Newark CAMRA, Newark Town Council, and Newark Twinning Association have teamed up to bring you the First Newark LocAle & Weinfest in the beautiful setting of Newark Castle Grounds. CAMRA will be hosting a selection of LocAles which, as the name suggests, is ale produced locally – within 20 miles, in fact.

More details at: http://www.newarkwinefestival.co.uk/

2009 Beer Fest gallery.

2009-05-26T13:13:00.001+01:00

Photo's of the 2009 Beer festival have been uploaded to our gallery here.

Chairman Dunc rocks da house!

2009-05-26T07:57:00.005+01:00

Is there no end to Duncan Neil's talents? Branch chairman, beer festival organiser, carpenter, and now rock singer. Dunc got up with the guys from Natural Born Boogie to perform an old classic for the closing number of the Newark Beer Festival on Sunday afternoon.

Two days to go...

2009-05-20T10:10:00.003+01:00

to the 14th Newark Beer Festival. In the big Tent by the Trent, Riverside Park, Newark.

Friday 22nd
10.30am - 10.30pm
Saturday 23rd
10.30am - 10.30pm
Sunday 24th
12noon - 6.00pm

Entry at the door is just £5. Card carrying CAMRA members pay only £1.50. Full beer list posted below, or on the web site.

Newark beer list

2009-05-13T17:09:00.003+01:00

Daa da da da da da daaaaaaa!!! Yes folks, what we've all been waiting for. It's the full beer menu for next weekend's 14th Newark Beer Festival.

Many thanks to Steve Westby for his hours of hard work putting this excellent order together.

You can download the full list from here.

See you all there!

Newark Show 2009

2009-05-13T14:42:00.002+01:00

LocAle: just to clarify

2009-05-01T15:17:00.006+01:00

It has become apparent in the recent months that some of our pubs with the LocAle accreditation may not be keeping up their side of the bargain as well as might be expected. Whilst we realise it is not always possible to guarantee having a local brew on offer 100% of the time, there have been a few instances that have come to our notice of accredited pubs not fulfilling the requirement a little too often.

So, in return for the positive local publicity that comes with accreditation, please serve a local beer – full details of your pub’s qualifying breweries are available from Newark CAMRA. Also, a little staff knowledge does not go amiss. On a recent night out, a group of us visited an accredited pub, which did not have a LocAle on offer. When questioned, the barmaid on duty told us that all the ales on offer were in fact local, when actually most of them were brewed a good 200 miles from Newark!

This is the unedited version of an article originally submitted by H for the Beer Gutter Press, Issue No.37

Beer f'baby - the first tri-mester

2009-04-21T21:18:00.001+01:00

It started like this.

The normal January de-tox. Not great for our local landlords, but current self-preservation theory says I need to do it while I’m young enough for it to make a difference. Thank goodness we’re all different. So, no beer for January – but a landmark for Newark to look forward to at the end of the month - the first Winter Beer Festival was guaranteed; I had booked my tickets 2 months early. 40 beers on the list! Game on.

On the day, I finally persuaded the wife to join CAMRA – yes, it paid for itself, but more importantly, an extra vote and an extra voice in these difficult times. And then the beer: heaven in our own town; from near (Louisiana Smoked porter from Derby) and far (Boadicea from Fife). The range was “From Good, to Great” (the book of the same name is good for you business people out there, especially the chapter on Hedgehogs). The wife couldn’t leave the Springhead “Cromwell’s Hat” alone – was it the hint of juniper, a tempting taste of the summer G&T’s, or something more impending? We needed clarity.

OMG. Much more impending. Let me assure you, with the news we got on Valentine’s Day, clarity we got. Of the clear-blue kind. Our lives were going to change, big style, and forever. Twins run in the maternal family. OMG.

The immediate reaction was to pull in the purse strings and utilise the Wetherspoon’s vouchers (an amazing benefit to joining CAMRA). After that, trips to Bathley (Newark CAMRA pub of the year and excellent, affordable food), a return to the Castle & Falcon (never fails for excellent beer and a warm welcome from Dave & Dawn) and a trip to the resurrected Inn on The Green to relive one of my (late) teenage haunts. And a trip to the hospital revealed one, not two, unaffected by WBF1. I’ll drink to that.
Between you and me, I’m scared stiff of the future. But I love my new personal driver even more than I love my beer. It took a while for me to get used to the fact that when we now walk into a pub, I check out the hand-pulls and she now checks out the kid’s menu. I always wondered what CAMRA’s take on children, families and beer was. I’ll try to let you know in the next two trimesters.

Go West, Young Man (to Oxton)

2009-04-21T21:13:00.003+01:00

Just occasionally we get an urge to do something different. To break the mould. To push the boundaries. A quick look at the Newark CAMRA website showed me exactly where the boundaries were – and arguably the furthest boundary was on the west; Oxton to be exact.

With my trusted travelling beer-drinking companion beside me we set off to be the first reviewers of “The Green Dragon” – unchartered territory indeed.

Armed with wallets, hope and empty stomachs, we pulled into the large car park. Unfortunately, rations, directions and protective equipment would have been more in order. The front room (bar or lounge?) was deserted and in darkness. The backroom (bar or lounge?) was pleasantly busy; but to find it we had walked past: cars with flat tyres and electrical leads trailing under bonnets; smokers at the back (un-marked) door; the conservatory with Triumph sports-bike, full of junk. Once inside, the one uninteresting Marston’s hand-pump was outnumbered by TVs three-to-one. The bar-flies were utterly transfixed by “The One Show”. The beer, like the welcome, was fine, but I have never seen an interior like it. We sat on ripped PVC seats which revealed craters of hand-picked foam. Threadbare carpets. Peeling paintwork. Non-existent decoration. A subdued and ageing ladies darts team went through the motions of playing their forfeited away match – the only plus-point being that they were half way through their season-long most feared fixture. I admit, this last bit is conjecture – I simply cannot believe The Green Dragon has a home team. God forbid that Robert St. Vincent Sherbrooke, one of the 182 men to receive the Victoria Cross during WWII, had to return to Oxton to this sort of hospitality.

Although I am new to CAMRA, I think they are more concerned with beer quality than environment. Fair enough. But don’t patronise me too much - most beer lovers deserve at least a minimum standard of comfort/hospitality. Oxton is a stunningly attractive village in a beautiful area. This pub is like a thorn on a rose. It’s an ice-lolly in a desert – and I expect it to last as long. Proper English pubs were never like this. We left after a very swift pint. I’m sure my trousers were damp.

Fortunately on our way in we had driven past Oxton’s other pub, “Ye Olde Bridge Inn”. As names go, I hate it. I’ve never done unnecessary Es. But out of necessity (namely hunger) we went in. This time an attractive and well-maintained exterior welcomed us. Inside the pub was warm, light, oak-lined and busy. The central bar served various rooms with a full range of Everards’ beers, plus a Titanic guest. My mistake was I forget its name (possibly their seasonal English Glory), but it was one of the tastiest and most unusual English beers I have ever tasted, in fantastic condition and extremely enjoyable. The inexperienced but knowledgeable bar staff had warned us that the Sunchaser was not in good form, so we stayed clear. But let me assure you, every pint we did sample here was superb. And then there was the food. Having chosen from a simple yet acceptable menu, the food came quickly, was fresh tasting and absolutely hit the spot. Let me clarify – this is a village pub with a separate drinking area, relaxed eating areas, and a full-blown restaurant. Clinically clean. Tastefully decorated. Oh, and just for completeness, immaculate toilets. I’ve never run a pub, but seriously, this place has everything. It really isn’t a black art.

It was John Soule, an Indianan newspaper writer, who in 1851 said “Go west, young man”, as advice for Americans migrating towards the Pacific coast during the nineteenth century. Although I’m not suggesting moving to the western limits of the Newark CAMRA region, if you do, make sure you settle near “The Olde Bridge Inn".

County Show list

2009-04-21T17:24:00.002+01:00

Real Ales available on the CAMRA LocAle stand at Newark & Notts County Show, May 9th and 10th (Eight available at any one time).

BREWSTERS CHEVAL MORT 4.0%
BREWSTERS HOP A DOODLE DOO 4.3%
BREWSTERS MARQUIS 3.8%
SPRINGHEAD WILLYS WHEATBEER 5.3%
SPRINGHEAD LIBERTY 3.8%
SPRINGHEAD GOODRICH CASTLE 4.4%
MAYPOLE MAYHEM 5.0%
MAYPOLE GATE HOPPER 4.0%
MAYPOLE LITTLE WEED 3.8%
OLDERSHAW REGAL BLONDE 4.4%
OLDERSHAW OLD BOY 4.8%
OLDERSHAW CASKADE 4.2%
MILESTONE RASPBERRY WHEAT BEER 5.6%
MILESTONE BLACK PEARL 4.3%
CATHEDRAL MAGNA CARTA 5.0%
CATHEDRAL ST HUGH'S 4.0%
POACHERS HARE REPIE 4.5%
POACHERS TRAIL 4.2%
POACHERS PRIDE 4.0%
CAYTHORPE DARK GEM 3.5%
CAYTHORPE BITTER 3.7%
CAYTHORPE DOVER BECK 4.0%

Sutton beer list

2009-04-11T12:14:00.001+01:00

Just received beer menu for Sutton-on-Trent Sports Club beer festival, held 1-3 May.

ECCLESHALL SPRING FORWARD 3.8%
MORDUE SPRING TYNE 4.0%
WARWICKSHIRE DARLINGS BUDS 4.0%
RINGWOOD BOLD FORESTER SPRING ALE 4.2%
HOPBACK SPRING ZING 4.2%
NEWMANS SPRING COTTAGE BISCUIT 4.2%
TOM WOODS SPRINGTIME 4.2%
BATEMANS EGGS-B 4.2%
MALLINSON SPRING SUN 4.5%
SHARDLOW MAY FLY 4.8%
CROPTON DANGLEBERRY 5.2%
SPRINGHEAD ROARING MEG 5.5%
MAYPOLE MAYDAY MILD 3.5%
CATHEDRAL ALES BLACK IMP 4.7%
MAYFIELD FARM TREMLETTS BITTER?? 7.0%
MAYFIELD FARM MEDIUM 6.0%

Upcoming beer beano

2009-04-11T00:36:00.005+01:00

There is a plethora of local beer festivals coming up. There is an Easter fest on this weekend at the Castle, featuring about 12 ales. Sutton-on-Trent Sports Club hold a well organised festival which takes place on the 1st-3rd May, about 18 real ales from near and far.

A CAMRA bar will be present again at the County Show on May 9th and 10th, 24 LocAles, 8 available at any one time. The 14th Newark Beer Festival is on the Riverside Park, also in May (22nd-24th), serving a massive 140 beers plus ciders and perries. Soon after, a Real Ale bar features at the Southwell Folk Festival (June 5th-7th) with another 40-ish beers and ciders available.

The Council’s Town Twinning Association and Newark CAMRA are bringing you Newark LocAle & Weinfest - a festival of Emmendingen wines and Newark LocAles (again, 40 beers) to the Castle grounds on June 26th-28th.

Finally, the three so-called ‘Sunset Strip’ pubs in Southwell: the Bramley Apple, the Hearty Goodfellow and the Old Coach House, have a joint ‘Independents Day’ beer festival planned for July 4th-6th with a total of 40-ish beers between them.

Busy in the Castle

2009-04-09T16:50:00.002+01:00

You've got to hand it to them at that Castle. Popped in on Tuesday night at about 8.30 and the place was heaving. Seems the music nights attract the punters. Don't think many pubs could boast of being packed on a Tuesday. Oh yes, and the Sharps IPA wasn't bad either!

Boycott Marston's?

2009-03-21T15:19:00.005Z

After Marston's MD, Stephen Oliver's unwarrented outburst about CAMRA members, SIBA and even their own licensees, I think we should boycott Marston's beers.

His article in the pub trade paper The Morning Advertiser, entitled 'It’s hard to keep the gobby hobbits happy' calls CAMRA members 'beardy weirdies' hohoho, how original, and 'sandal-clad, whisker-stroking stormtroopers'. Stormtroopers!!!

He also describes micro's as 'oddball' and infers that SIBA are not 'serious' brewers, has a dig at Marston's own licensees and customers for demanding more choice and ends with another snipe at CAMRA members saying "to show that to enjoy cask ale you don’t have to have mislaid your razor, wear socks with your sandals or to have a beer gut the size of Rotherham".

I think this is outrageous from somebody in such a high position and as such, I will now boycott beers from the Marston's camp. I suggest 'serious drinkers' do the same until an apology is given.

You can see the full article here and you can register your complaint here.

Action at the Shov.

2009-03-17T18:04:00.001Z

There were lights on in the Malt Shovel this evening. The back doors were open and there was a skip full of rubbish in the beer garden.

Leicester yesterday.

2009-03-15T14:58:00.005Z

Another jolly day out in Leicester yesterday. First stop, the Ale Wagon for a swift half before swooping over to the Leicester beer festival. A great list of over 200 beers at this excellently organised and run festival. Unfortunately (for us) most of them had sold out! So after a couple of hours it was onto the pub crawl.

We headed over to a recently re-opened pub, the Queen Victoria, to give our support. We were the only customers in there, the beer was mediocre and the place was very scruffy and run down, especially the toilets. Sorry, but they'll have to try harder than this if they want customers to return.

Then on to the Out Of the Vaults, or 'Vin Quatre' as it's now been renamed. A great selection of beers as ever in this pub. We sampled two while we watched the remainder of the rugby match and they were both excellent. Next port of call was my favourite Leicester pub, the Swan & Rushes. Another great choice of beers here (although I can't remember what they were!). I do know I treated myself to a bottle of Girardin Gueuze 1882. Not cheap at £3.30 but the price does make you savour every drop!

Back to the station for the journey home and then one last one at the Castle before collecting a curry. Then it was beddy-byes before 10 o'clock. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Report from Southwell

2009-03-11T11:09:00.012Z

We had a great afternoon in Southwell on Saturday, visiting The Coach House, The Hearty Good Fellow and the Bramley Apple. 6 beers on offer in each:

Old Coach House

Exmoor Hounddog
Abbeydale Deception
Wells Bombardier
St Austell Trbute
Gone with the Whippet
Gales Swing Low

Hearty Goodfellow

Milton Pegasus
Cathedral Golden Imp
Everards Beacon
Milestone Cromwell Gold
Fox Beer Co. Mr Todd
Maypole Flanagans Stout

Bramley Apple

Springhead Roaring Meg
Nottingham Rock Cock & Hoop
Springhead Liberty
Batemans GHA
Blue Monkey Gold
Milton Sparta

A couple in each pub, back to the Castle, then the Shaan for a curry, and finally the Fox & Crown for a drink and sleep for H.

Quite a hangover on Sunday, but well worth it.

Leicester this Saturday

2009-03-09T15:57:00.003Z

Is the place to be. Leicester beer festival - over 200 beers (list), loads of decent pubs and, if we can fit it in, a curry. 9.54 train from the Castle. Toot toot!

Ye Olde Market

2009-03-09T10:40:00.002Z

Heard 'Ye Olde Market' is going to become a 'Lloyds Bar'.

H is now a blogger too!

2009-03-07T12:27:00.002Z

Yep, with a little help and a few tantrums, I've sussed it out!

As Lou says, we are going back to Southwell for some more lovely beer! Yum yum!!

2009-03-07T12:16:00.002Z

Having sat in the Hearty Good Fellow for Thursday's meeting without a drink, it's time to use public transport and spend a few hours on the Sunset Strip this afternoon.

We will come back with a report tomorrow!

A trip down the Sunset Strip.

2009-01-19T16:24:00.005Z

Three cracking boozers in Southwell at the moment, all within three hundred yards of each other.
First up, the Bramley Apple. Six beers on offer:

Springhead Charlies Angel
Springhead Liberty
Wadworth 6X
Ossett Madaline Lily
Outlaw Wranger
Copper Dragon Orange Pipin

On to the Old Coach House, Again six beers:

Newmans Red Castle cream
Batemans XB
Wells bombadier
Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted
GK Old Speckled Hen
Nottingham Rock Bitter

Then to the Hearty Goodfellow, another six:

Titanic Iceberg
Brains SA
Everards Tiger
Burton Bridge Golden Delicious
Newmans Red Castle Cream (the only crossover of the day)
Clarkes Billy the Kid

Three pubs, 300 yards, 17 different beers. No wonder the locals are calling it the Sunset Strip! Back to Newark then and into the Castle, where we found another six!

Oldershaws Mowbrays Mash
Oldershaws Old Boy
Maypole Mayhem
Sharpes IPA
Theakston XB
Coach House Cheshire Gold

What a brilliant selection and a great day out.

Beer fest at the Moon

2008-12-10T13:27:00.001Z

The Moon at Morton is hosting a beer festival on the 9th and 10th of January. They will be featuring around 10 local beers.

Catherdral spotted!

2008-12-06T13:44:00.004Z

I had a pint from the first gyle from the new Cathedral Brewery on Thursday night at the Crown at Normanton-on-Trent. Magna Carta - 5%, blonde, full bodied, smooth and easy drinking. Looking forward to tasting more from this new brewery, which is situated in the Green Dragon pub at Lincoln.

Great Northern C-o-T

2008-11-17T08:36:00.003Z

I hear a rumour that Mark from the Great Northern at Carlton-on-Trent is leaving?
Does anyone know any more?

Crown - Normanton

2008-11-11T11:10:00.005Z

Since the Crown has re-opened it has had a board advertising that there will be Milestone beers + a guest beer from another brewery.
I have visited a few times and still awaiting.
Can anyone tell when I might see one or is it linked to the opening/brewing of Cathedral ales!!!!

Beer fest at the Castle

2008-11-10T23:46:00.003Z

Tony and Heidi from the Castle have asked me to give them a plug. They are having a beer festival over the Christmas period, running from Sat 27th to Tues 30th December and including up to 16 local and national beers, 2 scrumpies and live music starting with blues from 'Booba Dust'. Newark CAMRA are arranging a Christmas ramble, ending up at the fest. Stay posted for details.

Wetherspoon's, Retford

2008-11-10T09:31:00.003Z

Anyone from Newark who is only used to Newark's Wetherspoons, should go to Retford and see theirs.
What a contrast - good beer (it's been in the Good Beer Guide two years running).
The place is smart and well decorated, no broken windows or blood stains on the pavement!
The locals are well mannered.
Always a good range of beers, last Monday night Retford's Grafton brewery had a little stand there giving away free samples.

Dark Night

2008-11-09T22:29:00.003Z

Popped out for a couple in rainy Newark last night. Surprise and bargain of the night was the Meantime Coffee Porter in 'Spoons - Beerfest on until the 16th Nov. For a start, it was the first beer I asked for and as I waited for the almost obligatory "Sorry it's just gone" I saw a dark liquid flowing - it was actually on. And very coffee-tasting it was too. And in good nick. And at £1.49 for a very tasty 5% beer you can't go wrong.
Also went in The Castle but I can't remember what I had in there - very nice though, whatever it was.
Started and finished the night at Cumbo's with a pint or two of B & T Extra Stout. Mmmmmmm.

A bevvy (or two) in Beverley

2008-11-09T15:49:00.011Z

What a brilliant weekend we just had! After years of talking about it, we finally went to visit the pubs of Beverley and to make the best of it, we had an overnight stay. En-route, we stopped off in Hull to visit the two National Inventory pubs, Ye Olde White Harte and Ye Olde Black Boy, conveniently situated within gobbing distance of each other.

They both claim to be the oldest pub in Hull but, we were told, the Harte is the oldest building, converted to pub use, whereas the Boy is the oldest purpose-built pub. the Olde White Harte was frequented by the gentry, and the Black Boy by the workers. This is apparent when you enter the pubs. The Harte is large, grand, with a feeling of past decadence about it. The Boy, on the other hand is smaller and less fussy. This is obvious in the front 'smoke room'. Sitting in this wonderful darkened, oak-panelled room it is easy to imaging the men winding down after a hard day's slog in this smoke-filled bar. On then to Beverley.

There are five Good Beer Guide listed pubs in the Town. The first we hit was the Green Dragon and, by coincidence, there was a beer festival on. We had a pint of summat-or-other, which was very good. Next up was the Dog and Duck, just across the Market Square from the Dragon. No festival here, but a decent pint of something else (must start taking notes!). A bag of chips later (well, the girls were with us and they like to eat out) and we were off to the pub we had come for - the White Horse Inn, fondly known as Nellie's to the locals.

This pub is SPECTACULAR!! As you approach this unassuming building from the main road, there are no clues to prepare you for what you might find inside excepting, maybe, the large amount of large Samuel Smith's oak casks clearly visible in the cellar as you pass it on the way to the entrance. Once inside, you are immediately greeted by the smell of gaslight and the crackling of the log fire. No beer choice here - Sam Smith's Old Brewery Bitter only. Now I'm not usually a great fan of OBB, but this was in fine form.

We managed to secure a table next to the fire and sat with our pints just taking in the atmosphere of this fantastic pub. Then we had a wander around. A maze of inter-connected rooms, at least half a dozen, most with their own roaring log fires and each with their own character. This place really is magical, and hard to describe to somebody that hasn't been there. It is, quite possibly, the best pub I have ever visited. We wandered upstairs into a large, gas lit room that resembled someone's living room, strewn with all types of settees, armchairs and tables and full of people enjoying the art of conversation - no pool, darts, TVs or fruit machines here! We stayed for about an hour and a half, but you could easily stay all night - especially at £4.18 for two pints and two halves!

As we were only a stone's throw from another GBG pub, we went just down the road to the Durham Ox. This was the only disappointment of the weekend really. The pub was OK, but I had a pint of very mediocre Tetley's bitter. I should have taken it back really, but didn't. So we headed back into town to re-visit the festival at the Green Dragon. As it was going to be the last one, I opted for a 6% IPA from a brewery I can't remember the name of... Note to self - start taking notes. And that was it. What a fab day out. Cracking pubs, (mostly) great beer and good company.

On the way back today, we took in the cider specialist pub, the Brandy Wharf at, er, Brandy Wharf. Fourteen ciders on tap, including a mulled variety and two made by the pub. Just a pint and a half here (well, they were about 7%).

If you've never done Nellie's, do it. I'm going to go again soon as I can. Praise to Sam Smith's for keeping pubs like this and selling decent beer at a decent price. All the rooms in Nellie's were literally heaving. It was certainly hard to believe that folk aren't using the pub any more. It just goes to show... If you do it right, the people will come.

Crown at Rolleston

2008-11-08T18:11:00.003Z

The Crown at Rolleston will be open again soon. New landlord gets the keys on 10/11/2008. Back to being a pub that serves food at good prices not GASTRO PUB !!! The landlord used to be at the Full Moon at Morton, and always kept a good array of cask ales. When I get the exact date of opening I'll let you know so you can pop in for a slurp.