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2008
Happy New Year to all, especially
everyone who has supplied articles, photos, news & information over the past
year.
Without your input the website would be much less interesting - keep it up!!
31 Dec
Punch invites lessees to bid on 500 pubs
Punch Taverns, the leased and managed pub group, has invited
offers from existing lessees on the 500 pubs it plans to sell.
Licensees are effectively being given first refusal on the freehold
properties before the company appoints an agent to market them to a wider
audience.
More...........
Castle
Rock Brewery secures £6m finance package
Nottingham-based Castle Rock Brewery, which
along with 20 pubs in the East Midlands is owned by the Tynemill group, has
completed a £6m refinancing package to fund an expansion of the group’s
production facilities.
More.......
17 Dec
The
Spade Tree at Newton Burgoland has changed hands recently. The new
licensee, Caroline Frecknall, will be well known to drinkers at The Plough
in Ashby where she has worked as a barmaid for several years. In addition to
Pedigree and Banks's Original, Caroline is hoping to put on Everards Tiger -
quite a rarity in this corner of NW Leicestershire.
11 Dec
Friday 12 Dec 7:00pm BBC2 - Last Orders: Calling Time on Pubs - might
be worth a look.
Oddfellows Arms, Higham & the Dog &
Hedgehog, Dadlington are both reported to be CLOSED
10 Dec
The Government should refer the beer
tie to the Competition Commission with a view to addressing the dominance of
the pubcos.
That is the call from Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron in an early day
motion tabled yesterday.......
More
6 Dec
Pub signs in danger of dying out
It has been voted the best-loved tradition in England, but the pub sign
is in danger of dying out
More
5
Dec
- Pub News
The
new Licensee of the New Plough Inn, Hinckley is Louise Newton, who
took over from Tom & Mary Swain last Monday This is Louise's first
venture as a landlady & we wish her well for the future.
On the down side, the Railway Hotel in Hinckley is
reported to be closed.
Stewart & Wendy Gray who only arrived at the end of
August have already moved on.
There
is also a new landlady at the White Swan, Stoke Golding as of
yesterday. Ellen Palmer was previously at the Anchor Inn, Hartshill (also a
GBG listed pub) There are still Everards and Adnams beers on offer but Ellen
wants to put a guest beer on as well. Long term plans include possibly a
microbrewery & also B&B accommodation. Cold snacks available at present but
meals are planned for after Christmas.
4 Dec
TV series aims to help struggling pubs
Licensees' bid to enable communities to resurrect their pubs
More
2 Dec
Dividends run dry as recession puts
pressure on the ‘pubcos’
The trickle of pub companies abandoning dividend payments
is fast turning into a deluge.....
More
top
29 Nov
The Daily Mail's anti-booze crusade is back - and is as wide of the mark
as ever........
Publican article, read
more.......
27
Nov
Kipling voted an exceedingly good
beer
Thornbridge brewery was celebrating today after hearing that its Kipling
(5.2% South Pacific Pale Ale) had been voted the Gold Medal winning bottled
beer at the Society of Independent Brewers Midland’s Festival. “For Kipling
to win such an award against so many good beers from some great breweries is
a fantastic achievement” says Jim Harrison, Thornbridge’s Managing Director.
“We have won a number of awards for our cask beers but we are passionate
about developing and producing great bottled beers and awards such as this
provide great impetus for us to do so”.
The
award provides a double celebration for Kipling which recently won a listing
to be stocked in Waitrose supermarkets.
Mitchells & Butlers scraps dividend to reduce borrowing
Mitchells & Butlers, owner of the All Bar One and Harvester pub chains, will
scrap its dividend and curb expansion plans as it seeks to reduce borrowing
to meet new loan terms.
More......
26 Nov
Pubs and clubs told to bring an
end to happy hours
Pubs and clubs will face strict orders to tackle
Britain’s booze culture when bans on happy hours and discount drinks are
announced next week.
More
23 Nov
The
Publican guest editors Morrissey and Fox interview Mike Benner, Chief
Executive of CAMRA.
From the changing role of CAMRA to whether Benner can really Morris dance,
they wanted the answers – and they got them!
Click here to read the transcript
20 Nov
I
am pleased to report that the Red Lion at Pinwall has re-opened. At the
helm are mother & daughter team Jeanette & Kerry who were previously at the
Coach House Hotel, Coleshill. We wish them well & hope that the Red Lion can
re-establish its long standing reputation for a choice of good quality real
ales.
17 Nov
Today
is a milestone date for one of our members;
Tim (he's the
elderly one on the left) has achieved the grand age of 40!
Rather than keeping quiet about it he has bravely decided to throw
all caution to the wind & have a party to celebrate the event. So all
members are cordially invited to attend at the Elephant & Castle,
Thurlaston this Saturday evening. As well as much celebration &
commiseration there will also be a female singer to entertain you.
I'm sure you will all join me in wishing Tim a very happy birthday!
11 Nov
The Red Lion at Pinwall, a Punch Taverns house & ex-GBG, is currently
closed.Pub closures to accelerate
The chief executive of
Enterprise Inns has warned that the pace of pub closures in the UK will
accelerate next year as the recession takes it toll on the industry.
More.........
5 Nov
Punch Taverns writes off 491 value-less pubs hit by
the smoking ban
Pub chain Punch Taverns
swung into the red with a £80m loss before tax, after writedowns of nearly
£300m on 491 pubs that no longer have value for the group.
More......
The first report of a new series called Can You Beerlieve it???
appears today.
More.....
2 Nov
CAMRA 2012: A strategic Campaigning Framework.............
More
Thornbridge News
Autumn Newsletter.........
Click here
New Autumn Beer.........
The concept for Alecost (5.2%) began with
the thought of producing a stout style ale with substantial amounts of crystal
rye malt to give a distinctive black red tinge and delicious toasty biscuit
character. Amber, Munich, and Black malts were also used and married
with a touch of "Pacific Rim" hops. The intensely orange-esque Sorachi Ace
hop from Japan and the delicate Riwaka from New Zealand are blended with
Caraway seeds and Costmary, an enigmatic herb grown in the gardens
at Thornbridge Hall. Costmary or Alecost as it is also known has been used in
brewing since the 15th century and is known for its slight balsamic characters
and wonderful spearmint aroma. Use of these ingredients gives Alecost mint and
balsamic hint to its nose, a smooth mouthfeel and an almost cooling quality in
the swallow due to the presence of the brewing herbs. It also has hints of
light chocolate and roasted characters and a touch of malty bitterness in the
finish.
top
27 Oct
Real Ale Pubs in our Area
I have (at last) finished the design update of the 'Real Ale Pubs in
our Area' section of the website. However, the pub details are only
as up-to-date as the latest survey reports. Each pub entry has a
'Details Updated' date on it, some are now 2 years old. If this
applies to any of your 'Adopted Pubs', please submit a new Survey as
soon as possible.
Click here
to go to the Real Ale Pubs section.
New UK Quarterly Beer Barometer shows accelerating decline in beer
sales.
Beer sales in pubs down 8.1 per cent
More.....
top
24 Oct
Market Bosworth Rugby Club,
Cadeby Lane, Market Bosworth CV13 OBE are currently selling two real ales: Spitfire and 'Bossie' Bitter
(brewed by Dowbridge).
Fixtures available on:
http://www.mbrfc.co.uk/
or Tel: 01455 291340
Source David Drake
The Red Lion, Earl Shilton
Lee and Celia have recently become
Cask Marque
approved.
23 Oct
London Pubs: The top boozer
in the capital is crowned at the annual Best Pub Awards...................
More
Time called on more than
300 years of history with introduction of two-thirds of pint
Time could be called on more than 300 years of pub history in Britain, after
it was announced that drinkers might soon be able to enjoy two-thirds of a
pint in pubs.........
More
22 Oct
The George & Dragon, Stoke Golding has a new licensee, Ian Northwood,
who is keen on real ale & used to run a GBG pub in Fleetwood. Ian is at
present offering:
Timothy Taylor Landlord
Charles Wells Bombardier
Greene King Abbot Ale
Wychwood Hobgoblin
After nearly 20 years service, Tom and Mary Swain are due to leave
The New Plough, Hinckley on 1st December.
Website worth a look:
RateBeer
Stumbled across this site today, worth a look - we are listed
under 'England' rather than the usual 'UK'. Could be useful, especially to the
world wide travellers amongst us.
CAMRA Real Ale in a Bottle Retailer Awards 2008
Winner Small Retailer Section: The Offie, a Leicester
based, multi-award winning outlet and advisor to the national media, was
singled out for its unparalleled commitment to stocking rare brews.......More.
Offie website
19 Oct
CAMRA Club of the Year 2008 announced............
More.......
14 Oct
Child Chaos - Kids and Pubs
'This year more readers than ever before
have complained to us about pub visits being spoilt for them by badly behaved
children running around unchecked...........'
Good
Pub Guide 2009
The
Queen Victoria in Leicester is reported to be closed.
13 Oct
Presentation to Westfield Community Centre.
A
cheque for £140 was today presented to Westfield Community Centre's Head,
David Roberts. This money was raised by drinkers donating unused Beer Tokens
at the 1st Hinckley Beer Festival in September. Our thanks to everyone who
contributed.
11 Oct
Skull
Splitter too aggressive - It's good to hear that in these difficult times,
the Portman Group is trying to do something really, really useful!
More..........
top
10 Oct
Good news for Thornbridge! from Nottingham last night:
East Midlands
SIBA Beer Competition:
Gold Medal Strong Bitter - Jaipur IPA
Bronze Medal Best Bitter - Ashford New World Brown Ale
4 Oct
Railway Hotel, Station Road, Hinckley
The refurbished lounge & kitchen have opened offering food at lunchtimes &
early evening. Not Monday lunch. Lunches only on Sundays.
The
Spade Tree, Newton Burgoland, owned by Admiral Inns, is up for lease
again. The present landlord, Paul Birch took over earlier this year and
has done a lot of work to improve the image and beer quality. Since the To Let
board went up a few weeks ago, there has been quite a lot of interest, so
hopefully The Spade will remain as a pub.
The Curzon Arms at Twycross is currently closed.
David Drake
top
29 Sept
Cowardly attack on Leicester Branch Chairman
Keith Williams spends a night in hospital after he was attacked & robbed
as he cycled home from a CAMRA meeting.........
More
We all wish Keith a speedy recovery
top
25 Sept
Today's Hinckley Times
If you haven't already got one, rush out & get
one! Discerning readers will not want to miss H&B CAMRA's full page spread
on page 7.
Articles & photos of the Beer Festival, the AGM, Ashby Road Sports Club E.M.
Club of the Year award & Leicester Branch's PotM at the Windmill, Brascote.
20 Sept
Cains
Brewery Saved??
The Dusanj brothers will become the next owners of
Liverpool brewer Cains, as the deal to take the company out of
administration is finalised this weekend.
More..........
17 Sept
Ashby Road Sports Club wins CAMRA East Midlands Region Club of the Year
again!
For
the second year in succession Ashby Road Sports Club has been chosen as the
best in the East Midlands Region. The award was made last night by Julian
Tubbs, CAMRA Regional Director, at our AGM. Our congratulations to Carolyn &
Ian. The Club will now go forward to the National round.
16 Sept
Thornbridge's Double Success at
the inaugural European Beer Festival
Copenhagen, Denmark (September 12th to 14th)
was the venue for the first European Beer Festival with beers from many
countries including Denmark, Germany, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Belgium and the
Czech Republic. Twenty-five breweries from the
UK where represented
with each brewery supplying two cask ales. Although no formal judging of the
beers took place Thornbridge were delighted not only to have the first beer to
sell out (Jaipur IPA) but also the second – (Saint Petersburg Imperial Russian
Stout). “The overall quality of the beers was outstanding” said Stefano Cossi,
Thornbridge’s Head Brewer “with many of the
UK’s top award winning
beers being available”. “The feedback from the many nationalities at the
festival to our beers was fantastic and to sell out both so quickly made the
trip a great success”.
Source: Alex
Buchanan, 07900 416 812, 01629 64 1000
top
14 Sept
The
Holywell in London Road, Hinckley was seen to be on fire at lunchtime,
with one fire engine & the Police in attendance.
Later........... The Holywell is still open, the fire was apparently
restricted to a small area of the private quarters.
10 Sept
New beer from Thornbridge Brewery.
The
brewers at Thornbridge have been set the task of brewing a beer that is
innovative & exciting yet commercial. They have all designed, developed
and brewed a beer and you have the choice to vote which one you like best.
This time Thornbridge’s
Kelly Ryan has taken up the challenge with his uniquely crafted beer ‘Katipo’
(pronounced Car-Tea-Paw)
Katipo 5.4% a
"Rich Porter Matured on Real Raspberries"
Named after New
Zealand’s endangered spider, the Katipo, known for its small black body
and red stripe. Katipo is brewed with chocolate, black and brown specialty
malts and American Mount Rainier hops. To make things interesting it has
been aged on real Belgian raspberries to add a hint of sweetness and depth
of flavour.
This combination
has resulted in a subtle raspberry aroma, with hints of hay, prunes,
raisins and dark bitter chocolate in the finish.
Let
us know your verdict on Katipo.
9 Sept
Five
pubs a day closing due to red tape and higher costs - Telegraph
The
trend continues.............
More
6 Sept
Railway Hotel, Station Road, Hinckley.
For
those visiting our Beer Festival next week, the Railway is the only pub
between the Station & the Festival; it's just outside the Station Yard.
Stewart & Wendy Gray, previously of the Black Horse, Foxton, have just taken
over as licensees and the pub is currently undergoing a refurbishment. At
present, Stewart has Marston's Burton Bitter & Pedigree on offer, but is
hoping to add a guest in time for the Festival.
4 Sept
Punch
Taverns chief adds to pressure on Alistair Darling
More......
top
18 Aug
Guest
Ale now available at Cross Keys, Burbage.
The Cross Keys has now
added a Guest Beer to it's range of Real Ales. It will come from the Marston's
list and currently Thwaites Lancaster Bomber is on offer.
15 Aug
All Change!!
The following pubs are believed to be changing landlords over the next few
weeks:
White Swan, Stoke Golding
Blue Bell, Stoney Stanton
Railway, Hinckley
11 Aug
London News: New
Cross local named best pub in Britain.
An eccentric local boozer in New Cross has been named best pub in Britain.
More.....
and a word of warning -
Official: Beer goggles DO exist
More.....
8 Aug
Cains Beer Company calls in the Administrator
Around 1,000 jobs are
under threat at Cains Beer Company after the brewer and pubs group went into
administration.
The future of the group's historic Cains brewery in Liverpool and its 100 pubs
now hang in the balance
More.............
Later........
Marston's tipped to take over Cains
More.............
Boot & Shoe, Barwell (see Aug 5 below)
M&B Mild has now arrived!
7 Aug
More Garments & New Colour choice for our Leisurewear Range!!
Updated Logo!
Order now for delivery prior to the Beer Festival.
Click here to see the range.
6 Aug
Alton's Pride is named Champion Beer of Britain 2008 at the Great
British Beer Festival
Alton's Pride brewed by Triple fff Brewery in Hampshire
was today judged to be the best beer in Britain by a panel of brewers, beer
writers and journalists.
Full List of
Winners
5 Aug
Boot & Shoe - a New Free House opens in Barwell!
Built
& opened in 1964, the Red Hall eventually closed at the beginning of this
year. However, it has now been completely refurbished, has a new kitchen & has
re-opened as the Boot & Shoe. Situated in Moore Road, Barwell, it
offers lunchtime & evening food. At present, the landlord, Kevin Bavister is
offering beers from Charles Wells & Young's, however this may change due to
customer requests. The first change will be the addition of M&B Mild. From H&B
CAMRA's point of view, it's good to have another free house in our area & we
wish Kevin, his wife & staff all the best in their new venture.
The Boot & Shoe can be contacted on 01455 840730.
top
30 July
HELPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are
you a qualified First Aider?
Do you have any spare time during the set up period of our Beer Festival (Sun
7th to Thurs 11th September 2008)?
Would you be prepared to come and help us?
If so, contact
Alan
on 01455 230872
19 July
A Butler from Burbage
Robert Butler was born in
Hinckley 31st October 1807 and was christened at St Mary’s Hinckley. Sometime
in July 1834 he married Mary Liggins at St Catherine’s Burbage. Their son,
William, was born 11th August 1835, he was christened at Burbage.
Robert and Mary first show up
on the 1871 census living in New Buildings, Hinckley. Robert was a Worsted
Hose Weaver. William has by now moved away. We then have a gap until 1901 when
Robert is listed as living at 2 London Road, Hinckley aged 94 living on his
own means, with Ann Ball as his Housekeeper (Domestic) she was from Stoke
Golding. When he died in March 1904 he was reckoned to be the oldest
inhabitant of Hinckley aged 97.
In the Hinckley Times of 26th
March 1904 there is a short article about his passing. It states that Robert
was known to walk to Coventry once a week to sell his wares. He was also
classed as an eccentric, as he was often seen walking around Hinckley in an
old style chimney pot hat.
We can see on the bottom of the
grave mention of their son William, who is buried in Birmingham. William left
home to earn his money in Birmingham, with just a halfpenny in his pocket. He
worked as a Barman at the Crown Inn a Public House on Broad Street. In 1866 he
took over the license of the London Works Tavern in Smethwick. Tens years
later he moved back to the crown as the Licensee and Brewer. In 1898 he merged
with Henry Mitchell to form Mitchells and Butlers.
Burbage
therefore has a link to Mitchells and Butlers, surprising considering we are
now all Marstons.
Source: An
extract from a talk given by Martin Mellor
13 July
CAMRA Members - Join the Good Beer Guide Privilege Club and save £3.50
on the CAMRA Members' price, paying each year by Direct Debit.
More....
More
sad news - The Blue Lion at Witherley is currently closed & believed to
be for sale.
10 July
Leicester
Branch have chosen the Windmill at Brascote as their next Pub of the
Month (PotM). Our congratulations to Chris James, who is, of course, a member
of the H&B Branch. The presentation will be at the Windmill, on Wednesday 17th
September, when Chris hopes to have all three Battlefield beers available.
Windmill website
Find Good Beer Guide pubs using satellite navigation!
Good
Beer Guide 2008 now available as a Points of Interest (POI) file for TomTom
Sat-Nav.
More details...
top
9 July
Sad news from (just) over the border
After
nearly two years on the market it appears that the historic Four Counties
Inn at No Mans Heath has been sold. A sign on the door informs that
refurbishment is taking place at the Four Counties spice restaurant, This pub,
for several years a GBG entry, has been owned by the family of the landlady,
Sandra Pitch for many years and will be a great loss on the Real Ale scene.
In years gone by it could well have been within the boundaries of the
Hinckley and Bosworth CAMRA branch. I have it on good authority, the
landlady's and others, that a split stone in the cellar marks the original
junction of Leicester, Stafford, Warwick and Derby counties, although I have
not seen this myself.
Source David Drake
BBC article & video
4 July
Full Branch Status!!
The CAMRA National Executive has approved our application for
full Branch status. This will become effective at the AGM to be held on
Tuesday 16th September at Ashby Road Sports Club.
2 July
Another H&B CAMRA member ventures into the pub trade!
The
Cross Keys in Burbage - a pub with the potential to be one of the best
in our area - will, on Monday, be taken over by Jeff Parratt, a member of H&B
CAMRA, and Johnny Malin, both from Burbage. This news comes within a month of
members Tim & Lisa Brotherhood taking the Elephant & Castle in Thurlaston.
It is almost exactly 12 months since the previous Landlord, Les Pocock, moved
in.
Jeff tells us the priority is to get the beers right & to get the pub back to
the standard it achieved in years gone by.
Hinckley & Bosworth CAMRA wish Jeff & John the best of luck with their
project.
30June
A new magazine has appeared, called Real Ale Heaven, it may be of interest. It
offers a quarterly mag. + a bottle of Real Ale, delivered to your door
Check their website at
www.realaleheaven.com
3 June
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has today announced the
winners of its annual Pub Design Awards, which celebrate the very best in
vision, imagination and restraint in Britain's pubs.
The Winners:
Refurbishment Award and CAMRA / English Heritage Conservation Award - The
Weaver Hotel, South Parade, Weston Point, Runcorn, Cheshire.
Conversion to Pub Use Award - The Tobie Norris, Stamford, Lincolnshire.
New Build Pub Award - The Black Horse Inn, Walcote, Leics.
The judges said, "For the first time in many years, the judges are
delighted to be be able to present an award for a New Buildpub. Local
architects Twigg and Associates, working closely with the owner Andy Clipston,
have replaced the pub that originally stood in this village. The old pub was
deemed by the thoughtless local authority to be `too close to the road´ and in
the way of a planned `executive housing estate´ - as blatant an instance of
urban vandalism and detrimental `improvement´ as you can get. Then the White
Knight rode in: a former pub regular, Andrew Clipston, intervened to buy the
site and rebuild the pub - ensuring that the new building was now a regulation
two metres from the main road. This pub has had both critics and defenders -
but one which, we feel, on balance deserves an award, if only to celebrate the
Phoenix-like rebirth of the village's social focus."
Individuals from our branch nominated the Black Horse last July.
More . . .
Guardian Article of 2nd. June
top
31 May
The
change at the Elephant & Castle in Thurlaston has now been completed.
Tim & Lisa Brotherhood, two of our members, have now taken over. Despite only
moving in on Tuesday (27th) there were four real ales available last night -
Everards Beacon & Tiger, plus
Steamin' Billy's Scrum Down, brewed in Burton on
Trent &
Castle Rock's Harvest Pale, from Nottingham. I am pleased to report that
the two I tried were both in excellent condition. The kitchen is due to
re-open in the next few days, offering a choice of Lisa's homemade foods. I am
sure everyone at H&B CAMRA wish Tim & Lisa all success in their new venture.
I understand that
Neil & Pat Jackson, the previous licensees have moved to Burton on Trent where
they have taken over the
Alfred on Derby Street. This is a Burton Bridge Brewery tied house & is
conveniently situated close to the Town Hall - ideal for a visit after a beer
festival.
24th May
Becks and Stella Artois brewer
plans £23bn Budweiser bid
More . . .
23rd May
Britain's 10 best pubs with gardens - according to the Times newspaper.
Click here
These are not all CAMRA listed pubs -
however there is a link to a video of the Old Spot, Dursley - CAMRA
2008 Pub of the Year.
14th May
The
Constitutional Club, Burbage is the first outlet in our area to be
displaying the LocAle logo. This means there will be regular
offerings of beers brewed within a 30 mile radius. Last night the LocAle
beers were Church End's Goat's Milk & Rugby Brewing Co's Webb Ellis &
Victorious
LocAle - more info
The
Blacksmith's Arms, Barwell closed in September 07 and re-opened 16th
March 08. Consequently Brian Jimson, the new landlord is starting from
rock bottom. The pub had a reputation for drug abuse, and was frequented
by younger drinkers. Brian is trying to deter this group, and focus on
the more responsible drinkers. The Bar has been repainted, and both ladies and
gents toilets have been fully refurbished.
Currently he has no demand for Pedigree, but the Burton Bitter sells well.
He hopes to introduce another real ale once the business has recovered.
Brian has been in the trade for 40 years, and has run pubs in Ibstock &
Coalville as well as the Barley Sheaf in Hinckley.
13th May
News from Bells Brewery & Merchants Limited May 2008
ULLESTHORPE
SHOP TO CLOSE
As we had planned, our shop at Ullesthorpe will close at the end of May.
Our shop at Broughton Astley
map is going from strength to strength and will
stock our great range of beers, alongside the growing home brew and winemaking
side.
SUMMER BEER FEST.
Our June beer fest will take place in Bulkington, Warwickshire, the exact date
and venue will be confirmed next week
MORE BREWS!
Our smaller brewery is now working like the clappers and we have already
produced a Belgian Trappist style beer, with a mild and Irish style Bitter
available shortly...
Guest
Beers at The Windmill, Brascote from today are:
Battlefield Brewery (brewed by Tunnel Brewery)
- Richard Plantagenet 4.9% & Let Battle Commence 3.8%
The
Black Horse, Upper Bond Street, Hinckley.
The kitchen has now re-opened and lunchtime meals are being offered 12-3
daily, including Sunday Lunches (bookable).
Current Guest Beer is Young's Special.
top
26th Apr
From
today, The Windmill, Brascote is the first pub to be featuring beers
from the new Battlefield Brewery (currently brewed by Tunnel
Brewery at Ansley), as follows:
Henry Tudor - 4.6% Dark Ale
Let Battle Commence - 3.8%
Landlord Chris James, who is one of our members, will make you very welcome.
website
Source: Richard Lewin
The
new licensees of the The Black Horse, Appleby Magna are Stacey & Carla
Garey. Pedigree is reported to be up to standard.
Source: David Drake
15th Apr
The
Elephant & Castle, Thurlaston is going to change hands in the next few
weeks. Neil & Pat Jackson are moving on & two of our members, Tim & Lisa
Brotherhood, are taking over. Some of you may remember Tim & Lisa from a few
years ago when they kept the Black Horse in Upper Bond Street, Hinckley.
I'm sure all our members wish them well with their new venture.
Source: Steve Colbourne
9th Apr
Black
Horse, Upper Bond Street, Hinckley.
New licensees, Mick & Marilyn, are up and running following a very busy
opening last Saturday. At present the Marston's pub is offering Burton Bitter,
Pedigree & one guest ale (currently Banks's Amber Ale). The kitchen is due to
re-open soon.
Source: Alan Cooke5th Apr
The
Black Horse at Appleby Magna changed hands last weekend.
Richard and Sue Birchall had run a very successful pub for the last 2-3 years
with excellent food and beer of a consistently good quality. Details of the
new licensees to follow soon.
The
Spade Tree at Newton Burgoland is now under new management. Paul Birch
, the new landlord, took over about two weeks ago. He will be open regularly at
lunchtimes and evenings and appears to be committed to Real Ale. Currently the
beers are Pedigree, Black Sheep, and Theakstons Mild. Meals are being
served.
Source: David Drake
top
26th Mar
Coors announces closure of Coors Visitor Centre in Burton, formerly
known as the Bass Museum, from the end of June 2008
More . . .
Sign the Burton Mail 'Save the Museum' on-line petition -
Click here
23rd Mar
Chris
and Elaine, the current licensees move out of the Black Horse Hinckley
next weekend before starting university courses at Birmingham. The new
licensees, Mick & Marilyn, are refurbishing for a week before re-opening on
Saturday 5th April at 6:00pm with live music & buffet until close at 1:00am
Source: Richard Lewin
19th Mar
The Globe at Snarestone is currently offering Abbeydale Absolution
as a guest beer.
Map
Source: The Globe
19th Mar
In October 2008 CAMRA will
announce the winner of the Real Ale in a Bottle Retailer Award,
which was first piloted in 2005 to encourage retailers to stock and
promote bottle-conditioned beers.
Members are invited to nominate any retailer or outlet who they believe
goes that extra mile in promoting Real Ale in a Bottle.
Click Here16th Mar
An award winning community pub needs your help!!
The Coachmakers Arms, Hanley is under threat of demolition
The Coachmakers Arms Awards include
CAMRA Staffordshire County Pub of the Year Winner 2007
PPPG Community Pub of the Year Winner 2007
CAMRA Potteries Branch, Pub of the Year Winner 2006
Please got to
http://www.thecoachmakers.co.uk and
sign the petition.
Many thanks on behalf of the Coachmakers staff & customers
13th Mar
Leicester
Beer Festival Champion Beer
Last night was the opening night of the Festival. It was well attended and 2
members were working behind the bar. Seven of our members helped to judge the
Bitter Category. In the second round Phill Wholton joined the top table of
judges to decide on the Champion Ale.
The winning beer is a LocAle -
Grainstore Winter Nip - a barley wine - delicious and very strong (7.3%).
You've got until Saturday to do your own judging of the 200+ beers!
Source: Richard Lewin
Leicester Mercury article 14th March
Festival Report
4th Mar
!!The Gate Hangs Well, Carlton - Pub of the Month!!
Details
Leicester Mercury Article
top
29 Feb
The
Gate , Ratcliffe Culey - update
Terry Shears will be leaving on March 17 & moving to a Free House in the Wye
valley. The Gate is being taken over by Colin Phillips & Alex Whitehouse.
H&BCAMRA wish all concerned the best of luck.
Source - Alan Cooke
The Globe at Snarestone has Abbeydale Moonshine on as a guest
with Abbeydale Absolution due in a couple of weeks.
Source - David Finn
27 Feb
Curzon
Arms, Twycross - update
Alexander Clarke, with help from Carolyn & Len, his parents, now runs the pub and
the restaurant which is leased from Enterprise Inns. They were previously
at the
Kaffir in Whetstone for a number of years before going to Goa to run a
restaurant . They have now been at the Curzon for eight weeks and Carolyn is
very upbeat about the prospects.
The main real ale on offer is Pedigree, with one changing guest beer,
currently Tanglefoot. Next week's guest beer will be Hobgoblin and recent ones
have included Speckled Hen and London Pride.
Source - David Drake.
26 Feb
Bells Brewery Shop to move to Broughton Astley
More . . .
Source - Bells
22 Feb
Do
you know anyone involved in any grass roots sport, from
kitmen and linesmen to coaches and players who could be considered for the
Lancaster Bomber Grass Roots Sports Personality of the Year?
If so,
click here to find out more.
20 Feb
The
Hollybush at Ashby Parva now have St Austell Tribute (4.2%) joining as
a regular along with Marston's Pedigree and Timothy Taylor Landlord + changing
guest (Grainstore on recent visits)
Source - Chris Davies
Call for alcohol ban in supermarkets
More . . .
15 Feb
The
Old Spot at Dursley is named as the new National Pub of the Year.
More . . .
Some members were fortunate to visit this pub with the Leicester Branch last
July. Report
14 Feb
Globe Inn, Snarestone:
Has
recently reopened with Jez Wileman returning as landlord. Jez is at present
offering Marston's Pedigree plus one guest from the extensive
SIBA DDS list. Last night the guest beer was Stairway to Heaven (5.0%)
from Burton Bridge Brewery. Jez intends to increase the number of ales on
offer. The kitchen has also re-opened for bar meals.
Source - Alan Cooke
8 Feb
Pub rents are too high, say MPs
More MPs have been explaining why they have signed an Early Day
Motion (EDM) that claims high rents and inflated beer prices pose a serious
threat to the future of community pubs.
One MP, Timothy Farron, has tabled a Commons EDM calling for an end to the
“exploitation” of licensees by pub companies and brewers in order to save
the “great British pub”.
More . . .
5 Feb
Punch
proposes share merger with M&B
More . . .
top
30 Jan
The hit counter on the Home Page of our website, today registered the
10,000th visitor since it was launched in November 2005.
25 Jan
The Globe at Snarestone is reported to have re-opened. No further
details at present.
Michael Jackson dies.
More . . .
Carlsberg and Heineken
have reached an agreement to buy Scottish & Newcastle (S&N).
More . . .
Marston's cautious despite sales uplift.
More . . .
23 Jan
Ashby Road Sports Club was recently judged 'Runner Up' in the Super
Region* Finals of the 2007 CAMRA Club of the Year Award.
Our congratulations to everyone involved at the club.
Judges Comments: “Lovely club well set out
and friendly staff.
This is a good club with plenty of evidence of real ale and a real following
by all accounts. It is easy to see why. The main room is well laid out and
when I visited on a Saturday afternoon there were plenty in sampling the beer
despite a football match going on on one of the pitches behind the club. The
club looks well used and a scan of the notice board shows why. It is used by
many sports societies and they are lucky people if they drink real ale here.
There is no doubt that the members have a good selection of real ale.
The Robinson’s Flash Harry and Hyde’s Super Anvil were delicious. The
Worthington was also very good – I would like to note that they have made the
effort to put a “national” on as well as other breweries beers.”
[Also – “I have chosen Leigh RUFC as the winner of this group although in
all fairness there was little to choose between them.”]
* Super region means
one quarter of Great Britain
21 Jan
New
Village - New PUB!
Currently under construction at Bosworth Battlefield is Ambion Parva - a
replica Medieval Village. The buildings on site include 'Captains Retreat', a
two storey house with jettied crossway; 'Gunners Cottage' a cruck cottage and
'The Old Salt Road Inn' a Medieval ale house.
More . . .
It is believed the 'Let Battle Commence' ale is produced by
Tunnel Brewery at Ansley.
20 Jan
Wickwar
Station Porter voted Supreme Champion Winter Beer of Britain
2008 at the National Winter Ales Festival.
Wickwar Station Porter from Gloucestershire was named as the Supreme
Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2008 by a panel of judges at CAMRA's
National Winter Ales Festival in Manchester.
The 6.1% abv porter is described in CAMRA's 2008 Good Beer Guide as “A
rich, smooth, dark ruby-brown ale. Starts with a roast malt; coffee,
chocolate and dark fruit then develops a complex, spicy, bittersweet
taste and a long roast finish.”
More
Results . . .
Wickwar website
19 Jan
Pint of beer 'may cost £4 within year'
More . . .
18 Jan
Scottish & Newcastle has opened takeover talks with Heineken and
Carlsberg
More . . .
The Government is considering a ban on cheap
supermarket booze, according to the Daily Mail.
More . . .
MP is campaigning for Government action to "prevent the
exploitation of pub landlords" by pub companies.
More . . .
Enterprise Inns has vowed to work more closely with
its lessees in a bid to overcome "difficult" trading conditions.
More . . .
10 Jan
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to resist calls to
substantially increase tax on alcohol. . . . .
Online Downing St. petition -
click here to sign
7 Jan
I
am pleased to be able to report that the Curzon Arms, Twycross has
re-opened, no further details at present.
Also the Horse & Jockey, Congestone has re-opened under the management
of David & Sally who also run the Belper Arms, Newton Burgoland.
Just on our border, both the Royal Red Gate & the Bull at
Witherley are reported to be open again.
It is good to be able to report something positive regarding pubs.
6 Jan
Morgan Stanley names Punch as top share pick
Pubco share prices plummet
2 Jan
New Beer Score Submission Form now available, please make ample use of
it!
Link to new form
top
2007
12 Dec
The
Curzon Arms at Twycross & the Horse & Jockey at Congerstone are
both reported to be closed at present.
11 Dec
Discovered whilst surfing the web . . .
Ancient
Order of Froth Blowers
The Membership Booklet describes the AOFB as:-
`A sociable and law abiding fraternity of absorbitive
Britons who sedately consume and quietly enjoy with commendable regularity and
frequention the truly British malted beverage as
did their forbears and as Britons ever will, and
be damned to all pussyfoot hornswogglers from
overseas and including low brows, teetotalers and MPs
and not excluding nosey parkers, mock religious busy bodies and suburban fool
hens all of which are structurally solid bone from the chin up`
Who can argue with that!
More . . .
9 Dec
The Sample Cellar, Exhibition and Visitor Centre - a new, purpose
built, brewery visitor centre opens at the Belvoir Brewery in Leicestershire.
More. . .
The
Worker's Brewery -
interested in brewing beer?
Suggest brewing ideas, either to be sold as draught beers or bottle conditioned beer.
Hire a 9 gallon brewery.
Learn to Brew Days
All available at
Bell's Brewery.
More. . .
8 Dec
Pubs on offer in our area:
Cross
Keys, Burbage
More. . .
Black Horse, Hinckley
More . .
top
30
Nov
All change at the Railway Hotel.
Dion Malkin, who has been the landlord since earlier this year, has left
blaming the smoking ban & competition from cheap alcohol in
supermarkets. The hotel is being run by a relief manager.
Marston’s has reported a 3.4% drop in
underlying pre-tax profit
More . . .
Top beer pubs are featured in a new series of guides
from Cask Marque
More . . .
22
Nov
Save the Bowstring Bridge Viaduct & the Pump & Tap,
Leicester.
Leicester Civic Society campaign
& petition
More . . .
20 Nov
Sinking beer sales lead to calls for tax
freeze - British Beer & Pub Association.
More . . .
1 Nov
Over the last 3 or 4 months there has been a flurry of
licensee/ownership changes relating to pubs in our area.
In September David & Sally took over at the Belper Arms, Newton
Burgoland.
Snarestone has seen
both its pubs change; Dominic Smith is at the Globe; Vicky
& Neil Costello at the Odd House.
Anita Bridgen is at the Red Lion, Pinwall which is now owned by
Punch Taverns.
Simon Roderick has taken over the Olde Red Lion, Market Bosworth.
Guest beers are now restricted to those on the Marston's list.
Finally,
Tracey Cockle is the new licensee of the Dog & Gun,
Earl Shilton.
We wish all the licensees the best of luck with their new ventures.
top
24 Oct
The
Blacksmith's Arms, Barwell is currently closed - let's hope not
for long!
20 Oct
Bulls
Head, Wolvey
Now managed by Rich on behalf of Gary & Jill of the Lime Kilns, Burbage
18 Oct
Everards plans buy-to-lease pub estate
The first deal
has been signed in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, where Everards
has bought and refurbished the Greyhound and leased it to the local
Titanic Brewery.
More . .
18 Oct
Three Pubs available in our area on Marston's new website:
The Bulls Head, Wolvey
The Nut & Squirrel, Nailstone
The Railway, Hinckley
More . .
16 Oct
Forget food if you want to make a profit
– that was the motion carried during an Association of Licensed Multiple
Retailers (ALMR) debate.
More . . .
5 Oct
1st Half Pint Prize Crossword Winner.
Norman Hall was the winner of the Prize Crossword in the recent Half
Pint. He describes his prize, two bottled ales from Church End Brewery
(Nuns Ale at 4.5% & Arthur's Wit at 6%) as excellent; good beers to
drink at home.
3 Oct
Rethink urged on undercover drunk stings More
. .
top
15 Sept
Ashby Road Sports Club - Guest Ale
As from Wed 19th September
Saltaire Brewery - XB 4.3%
This will be the last Guest Ale until October 11th due to Holiday
11 Sept
CAMRA Research shows
that more than 60% of pub-goers feel today’s pubs are better than those
in the 70’s.
More . . .
Marston's to sponsor Twenty20 coverage
Marston's is to sponsor Sky's live ICC World Twenty20 Championship
coverage from South Africa.
To read more...
3 Sept
Guest Beers At Ashby Road Sports Club
From Thursday 6th September
Downton Brewery - All Rounder - 4.8%
RCH Brewery - Steam Festival - 4.5%
top
31 Aug
Landlords and locals not pleased as Punch . . . .
More . . . and
More . . . . and even
More . . .
28 Aug
Ashby Road Sports Club Guest Beers From
Thursday 30th August
Hop Back Brewery - Hoplite 4.4%
St Austell Brewery - HSD 5.0%
20 Aug
Bull's Head Beer Festival - Thurs. 16 to Sun. 19 Aug.
Beer List:
£/Pint
Moorhouse Blond Witch 4.5 £2.00
Bath Wild Hare 5.0 “
Youngs Waggledance 5.0 £2.20
Theakston Grouse Beater 4.2 £2.00
Caledonian Rebus 4.4 “
Smiles Blond 3.7 “
Bunces Pigswill 4.0 “
Highgate Pheasant Plucker 4.7 “
Marstons Old Empire 5.7 “
On Saturday 19th
August 2007 my wife and I visited the Bulls Head, Nailstone for the
annual summer beer festival. The down side to the day was the
appalling weather. Walking to the marquee across damp grass was soon
forgotten when a choice of ten barrels of real ale were on offer. Six
of them were sampled from the complex taste of Caledonian Rebus to the
easy drinking of Bath Wild Hare. All were kept in good condition which
is a credit to Jim because of the weather. Food was available, all
prepared with his own fair hands. Entertainment was also provided by
means of a vocalist to cheer the night away. This is a festival that
needs support as a Cheque was on display showing the £1400 made and
donated to LOROS.
Phill Wholton
7 Aug
Hobsons
Mild has been named Champion Beer of Britain at the GBBF.
The 3.2% abv beer is described by Hobsons
as "A smooth dark mild. Chocolate malt gives plenty of flavour and
aroma which belies its strength." The brewery, based in Shropshire,
has been going since 1993 and produces around 100 barrels a week.
Other Gold winners
include:
Bitter - Harvest Pale from Castle Rock
Best bitter - Glastyn Ale from Purple Moose
Golden ale - Maldon Gold by Mighty Oak
Strong bitter - Centurian's Ghost by York
Speciality Beer - Umbel Magna by Nethergate.
6 Aug
Ashby Road Sports Club is selected as 2007 East Midlands
Regional Club of the Year - The EM area covers the 5 counties of
Leicester, Derby, Nottingham, Lincoln & Northampton so many
congratulations to Carolyn & Ian on this achievement!
The presentation will be made by Julian Tubbs (EMRD) at 7:30pm on
Tuesday 11th September prior to our AGM at the club.
The club will now go forward to the super regional round of judging.
15,000 pints of real ale destined for GBBF
stolen
More . . .
top
31 July
Both the Royal Red Gate and the Bull at Witherley are
reported to be currently closed
25 July
Thousands of
pubs across the country have been devastated by the worst natural
disaster to hit Britain in 60 years.
More . . .
24 July
Archers Brewery has been bought by a private investor and has come
out of administration.
More . . .
16 July
Ashby Road Sports Club Guest Ales - On Sale
From Thursday 19 July
Titanic - Sundeck 4.3% &
St Austell - Tribute 4.2%
13 July
Marston’s has
bought Ringwood Brewery for £19.2 million.
More . .
10 July
Ashby Road Sports Club -
Guest Beers From Thurs. 12 July
Holdens - Golden Glow 4.4%
& Arundell - Hoppycock 4.4%
3 July
A little-known pubco has
bought Walsall’s historic Highgate Brewery.
More . . .
1 July
Ashby Road Sports Club - Guest
beers from Thurs. 5 July
Shardlow
- Whistle Stop 5%
Shardlow - The Reverent Eatons 4.5%
Thousands defy smoking ban
in mass protest
More
top
26 June
Half Pint Teaser & Solution
Did you attempt the Teaser in the June/July edition of the Half Pint - if so
click here to try again or for the
answer!
26 June
Ashby Road Sports Club - Guest Beers From Thursday 28June
Slaters
- Supreme 4.7% & Milton Brewery - Sparta 4.3%
25 June
George Bateman, the head of Lincolnshire family brewer George Bateman & Son,
has died.
Obituary
22June
The Cross Keys in Burbage has recently been taken over by new
licensees, Les & June Pocock. As this is their first venture
into the licence trade, they must consider themselves very lucky to be
entrusted with such a popular, traditional village pub. The 'Keys' is a fine
example of a 1930s pub interior with a central bar & plenty of wood panelling;
many customers from Burbage & further away will remember the warm, welcome of
past years.
22 June
Greene King is running
a national ad campaign - with money-off vouchers – to get punters in
the pub for the start of the English smoking ban.
More . . .
19 June
Cashbox ties up Marston's ATM deal.
Cashbox, the independent ATM deployer, has announced it has
been appointed sole supplier for an ATM drive on Marston’s Pub Company.
More . . ....
18 June
Ashby Road Sports Club
Guest Beers From Thursday 21st June
Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur -5.9%
York - Sovereign -4.0%
15 June
Cider, it's officially good for you
More . . .
11 June
Ashby Road Sports Club
Guest beer from Thursday 14 June at
Hook
Norton - Cotswold Lion 4.2%
Steaming Billy - Steaming Billy Bitter 4.3%
7 June
The Pig in Muck, Manor Road,
Claybrook Magna, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, LE17 5AY has re-opened and is
selling beers from the Rugby Brewery.
Map
4 June
Ashby Road Sports Club
Guest beers from Thursday 7 June:
Nottingham
- Legend -4%
Burton Bridge - Festival -5.5%
top
31 May
as from today, guest beers at Ashby Road Sports Club
Caledonian 80/- 4.1%
Burton Bridge 25 years Anniversary Ale - 4.5%
24
May
Charles Wells launches speciality beer house.
More . . ....
23 May
As from Thursday, guest beers at Ashby Road Sports Club
Langton Brewery -
Bowler 4.8%
Burton Bridge - Lirpa Loof 4.5%
15 May
Archers
Brewery call in administrators . . .
More . . .....
11 May
Plastic Glasses Petition
The Morning Advertiser has launched an online petition on the Prime
Minister’s website opposing the introduction of blanket glass bans.
The move follows attempts by an increasing number of police forces to persuade
and cajole town and city pubs to switch to plastic containers. This petition
is supported by CAMRA,
More Info . . .....
Marston's sells 279 pubs
More . . .....
May 8
Lloyds
Bar (near the train station in Nuneaton), formerly run by Pam & Bob
Tweedie, is now under new management. As a part of their firm commitment to
promoting real ale, a beer festival is being organised.
This will be taking place over the weekend of 8 -10th June, offering 60 ales,
porters, stouts and ciders.
May 8
Ashby Road Sports Club, guest beers from Wednesday
Rugby Brewery, Winger IPA 5.2%
Milton Brewery, Thebes 4.6%
1 May
Punch toasts profits but is cautious about smoking ban
More . . ....
top
12 Apr
Our First Pub of the Month Award
David Finn made the presentation of our first 'Pub of the Month' award to the
Wharf Inn, Hinckley.
More . . .
10 Apr
New landlord at the Globe, Snarestone
Dominic,
whose family run a pub nearby, has taken over the Globe at Snarestone. New bar
& interior alterations already under way. Future plans could include: a
conservatory, a decking area, an orchard & a new kitchen. Pedigree & Bass on
handpump, further plans for 2 guest beers.
5 Apr
New landlord at the Railway, Hinckley
Dion Malkin has recently taken over the Railway in Hinckley following the
recent retirement of Roy Arnold.
top
28 Mar
Leicester Beer Festival report from Andy Sales, Beer & Brewery
Coordinator.
Click here
21 Mar
CAMRA's Pub Heritage Group launches their new website. The
expanded and improved web-pages on heritage pubs celebrate the variety
of historic pub interiors, from simple rural pubs to high-Victorian
extravaganzas.
More . . ....
17 Mar
Vote for the Best of British Beer & get beer at a discount.
The Cask Marque Trust has
joined forces with The Daily Telegraph to create the Best of British
Beer Awards. The Chequers in Burbage & the Baron of
Hinckley are the only participating pubs in our area.
More . . ....
12 Mar
Barry
& Sheila Page are leaving the Dog & Gun in Earl Shilton on
the 18th March. The Dog & Gun has been a regular in the Good Beer
Guide for many years. Barry is taking over the Caterpillar Sports
and Social Club at Desford. We wish them well for the future.
6 Mar
Along with our Chairman, I attended the Leicester Branch Monthly
Meeting at the GBG listed Shakespeare's Head in Southgates,
Leicester. The Barnsley Bitter was £1.42 a pint and the mild £1.37!!
9 Mar
Gastro-pubs throw darts into decline
More . . .....
Prince Charles adds his support
More . . ....
4 Mar
The Wharf in Hinckley has started to offer
Thatchers Heritage Cider from Somerset. It is proving to be very
popular, so much so that they keep running out of it!
The Black Horse, Hinckley is currently offering 3 guest
beers: Abbot Ale, Cumberland Ale & Brakspear Bitter.
4 Mar
CAMRA is launching a Beer Club that delivers a 20-bottle case of beer
to your door every quarter.
More
. . . ......
top
22 Feb
The Lakeside Bistro at Sheepy Parva has closed. Although it was a
restaurant, an excellent glass of Old Hooky was usually available. It is
rumoured that it will re-open, under new management, as an Italian restaurant.
20 Feb
CAMRA has announced the Tom Cobley Tavern, Spreyton, Devon, as its
National Pub of the Year 2006. Pub of the Year judges were
bowled over by the warm welcome, fantastic service, wonderful
home-cooked food and high quality real ale to be found at the Tom
Cobley Tavern.
More . . . ...
Millions will return to the Pub after Smoking Ban
A new survey by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has revealed the public's
attitudes to the forthcoming smoking ban in England and Wales later in 2007.
The sample survey's key findings indicated that:
6.2 million people (17% of all adults in England and Wales) who visit pubs
regularly are likely to visit pubs more often. Of that group 97% were
non-smokers.
More . . . ....
16 Feb
Marston's become 'preferred provider of ales' for the Admiral
Taverns 2000 pub estate. The Spade Tree at Newton Burgoland belongs
to Admiral.
8 Feb
Hinckley & Bosworth CAMRA launches a stunning range of Embroidered
Leisurewear!!
Don't get left in a fashion vacuum - order your
choice today!
6 Feb
Belper Arms, Newton Burgoland - has now re-opened under new management
top
27 Jan
Marston's snaps up Eldridge Pope
More . . . .
Everards is to reintroduce Pitch Black its seasonal rugby-themed
ale for the Six Nations championship next month.
More . . .
24 Jan
Belper Arms, Newton Burgoland - one of our GBG2007
listed pubs is currently closed. There is a sign on the door saying 'Closed
today for refurbishment'. Punch Taverns, who own the Belper, say they are not
aware that it is closed! 25 Jan - On phoning the pub, I am assured it is
due to re-open on Wednesday 31st January following 'extensive refurbishment'.
Nut & Squirrel, Nailstone
New
licensees, Martin & Lynn, who took over 3 months ago, awoke one day this week
to find that Sovereign Inns had sold them to Marston's Union Pub Co.
More . . . .
They see this as a positive move that will allow them to offer
some more real ales. They currently sell the ever popular Marston's Pedigree
and are going to add Jennings Cumberland Ale + a guest. Since taking over they
have already made some changes, moving and enlarging the restaurant, making it
completely separate from the bar.
Pub Website
Spade
Tree, Newton Burgoland is currently offering Black Sheep Bitter, Pedigree
and an occasional guest. They are hoping to re-open the food side of the
business this coming weekend.
22 Jan
The British Beer and Pub Association has written to
MPs who are backing calls for plastic glasses in pubs
More . . . .
17 Jan
|
 |
S&N sells off Courage to focus on lager brands
Scottish & Newcastle, Britain’s biggest brewer, today signalled a
further retreat from the cask ale market by confirming the sale of
its historic Courage beers.
More
. . . .
Times Online
|
|
16th Jan
Extract below of e-mail received from Dave Giffard, Chairman of Forever Bury
(Bury FC supporters) asking for help publicising their Beer Festival.
"If anyone downloads a poster from our
website and puts it up in their local, takes a digital photo of themselves
or others with drinks in hand looking at the poster then emails it back to
us we'll add it to our website."
10th Jan
New Pubs Officer elected!!
Norman Hall was elected to the important position of Pubs Officer at last
night's monthly meeting.
Norman can be contacted on 07769 666798
or by e-mail
8th
Jan
The Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries PLC has, with effect from today,
changed its name to Marston's PLC.
4th
Jan
There is a new Licensee in The Spade Tree at Newton Burgoland.
Thinking of running a pub?
There are at least two in our area currently being advertised:
The
Railway Hotel, Hinckley - minimum investment £10,000-15,000
The
Cross Keys, Burbage - Leasehold £124,950
top
2006
18Dec
Scottish & Newcastle hits
wholesalers with price rises.
More . . .....
13th Dec
Ashby Road Sports Club guest beers
Wed 13 -
Rugby Brewery - Tom Browns Christmas Porter
Thurs 14 - Batemans - Rosey Nosey -2 Firkins
Thurs 21 - Tower Brewery - Winter Spirit
Thurs 28 - Hook Norton - Twelve Days
5 Dec
All members have, or will, receive a personal letter from our
Chairman, David Finn, concerning the Good Beer Guide pub selection
procedure. You can access this letter online by
clicking here
13th Nov
Pocket size Beer Survey Forms now available to download -
Click Here
8th Nov
It is reported that The CAMRA Investment Club is looking at setting up a
£10m venture-capital trust to fund the expansion of micro-brewers.
More... . .
CAMRA announces new Campaign to Boost
Community Pubs.
More... . . .
CAMRA has called for management buyouts and the
formation of co-operatives to stop more regional and family breweries from
closing.
More... . . .
Morning Advertiser
7th Nov
The
Wharf Inn,
Hinckley now offers two guest beers. They are changed every two to four
weeks. Yesterday Camerons Castle Eden & Jennings Redbreast were available.
Sam & Phill now have a website at
http://www.wharf-inn.co.uk/
6th Nov
Pubs fear end of the road for Les Routiers UK.
Hundreds of licensees could find themselves out of pocket after pub
and restaurant guide Les Routiers failed to meet its 2007 UK publication
deadline.
More.... . .
Morning Advertiser
6th Nov
Pub names to fall foul of Ageism Laws?
More... . .
Morning Advertiser
18th Oct
Odd House, Snarestone has Wychwood Hobgoblin as a guest beer until at
least Halloween.
Archer's, Sir Nigel Gresley; a Burton Bridge and another Church End will
follow.
17th Oct
Everards likely to spend up to £1.6m on smoke ban
plans,
more. . ...... &
yet more
9th Oct
Ashby Road Club
Guest Beers, available from the date shown:
12 Oct Tower Brewery - Autumn Equinox 4.6
19 Oct Kelham Island - Easy Rider 4.3
19 Oct Moles - Rucking Mole 4.5
26 Oct Maypole - Mayhem 5.0
26 Oct Acorn - Barnsley Gold 4.3
02 Nov Oakham - Bishops Farewell 4.6
02 Nov Wye Valley - Butty Bach 4.5
5th Oct
The
Belper Arms at Newton Burgoland (GBG2007 p259)
has been sold by Mercury Management to Punch Taverns. Beers available on 5th
October: Pedigree, Bass, Old Hooky with Adnams waiting in the cellar.
5th Oct.
The
Odd House at Snarestone has Church End beers frequently available.
Beers available on 5th October were Church End, What the Fox's Hat; Theakston's XB & Spitfire.
4 Oct
New
Chairman elected.
David Finn was elected Chairman of the Hinckley & Bosworth sub Branch
at last night's AGM
29th Sept.
CAMRA Investments rocket
More . . . .
29th Sept.
Sara Barton and Sean McArdle of
Brewster's Brewery
of Stathern, near Melton Mowbray,
Leicestershire, have bought the award winning
Marquis of Granby
pub in Granby, Nottinghamshire, NG139PN.
22nd Sept.
The
Sharnford Arms, Sharnford has been named the Central Region
Community Pub of the Year in the Greene King Free Trade Excellence Awards
2006. Now in its fourth year, the award recognises independent pubs & clubs
fro their success & business excellence. Our congratulations to the
Sharnford Arms who will now go forward to the National Finals.
9th Sept.
New East Midlands Regional Director.
At the East Midlands regional meeting the result was announced of the
election for East Midlands Regional Director. Our new RD is Julian Tubbs.
Mike Veasey becomes the new Deputy RD.
8th Sept.
UK's top pub, in a poll of more than 500 industry experts - plus top
20 list - but none in Hinckley, Leicestershire or even the East Midlands!
More . .
Morning Advertiser
5th Sept.
Monthly Meeting - The winner of our first raffle was Jerry Wright who was
the recipient of 2 bottles of Bells Brewery Vulcan 5.1% Bottled Conditioned
Ale - congratulations to him!
9th Aug
The results
of the East Midlands Club of the Year 2006 are:
Winner –
Rushden Historical Transport Society, Rushden, Northants.
Highly Commended – Waltham Tea Gardens Club, Waltham, Grimsby,
Lincs.
Rushden HTS has been submitted into the next round for judging.
The results
of the East Midlands Pub of the Year 2006 are:
Winner –
Thorold Arms, Harmston, Lincs.
2nd (very close) –
Alexandra Arms, Kettering, Northants.
3rd –
Bell, Smalley, Derbyshire.
4th –
Old Coach House, Southwell, Notts.
The Thorold
Arms has been submitted into the next round for judging.
8th Aug
Hardys & Hansons - an update.
Nationally CAMRA is still trying to meet with GK to discover their plans and
GK are determined not to say anything until after the takeover has been
concluded. The EGM date has been moved to Tuesday 15th August and shortly
after that date the fate of the brewery should be known.
The on-line petition is going well with about 1,000 'signatures' and over
300 have sent e-mails to GK.
There is a rumour that the 'family' shareholders are divided over the sale
and I understand that some soundings have taken place with 'small
shareholders'. Whilst this is encouraging I do not expect open revolt at the
EGM but it is an encouraging sign.
The local Civic Society are working on listing the buildings and have
received expert advice from a number of sources. They are also promoting the
CAMRA petition by producing an identical but paper version for the local
community
The Civic Society had been in contact with H&H for some time, as the Civic
Society were promoting and running 'Heritage Open days' which were designed
to bring to peoples attention the buildings in the area. H&H agreed to
participate in this (well before the take-over discussions) and leaflets are
now out confirming that the Heritage weekend is Saturday 9th and Sunday
10th September.
On both days there are brewery tours from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm
(booking is required - 0115 9383611).
I am proposing that CAMRA aim to get as many members to come to Kimberley
on Saturday 9th September. This could be promoted as a 'social' but with
the intention of flooding the town with CAMRA enthusiasts - to show the
support that exists for H&H. It may also be one of the last opportunity
there are for brewery tours!
I will keep providing updates and would ask that branches keep let me know
if they can attend the 'event' on Saturday 9th September. The town of
Kimberley has a number of decent pubs serving H&H Beers and maps will be
available nearer the time.
The message still is to encourage all to sign the on-line petition and we
will remain positive over the long term survival of Kimberley brewed beers.
7th Aug
Ashby Road Club Real Ale Menu
Beers on from Thursday until gone.
|
Date |
Brewery |
Beer |
Gravity |
|
Thursday 10th August |
Rugby |
No 8 |
5.0% |
|
Thursday 17th August |
Thornbridge |
Jaipur IPA |
5.9% |
|
|
Black Sheep |
Emmerdale Ale |
5.0% |
|
Thursday 24th August |
Black Sheep |
Special Ale |
4.4% |
|
|
Bateman |
XXXB |
4.8% |
|
Thursday 31st August |
Black Sheep |
Riggwelter |
5.9% |
|
|
Castle Rock |
Elsie Mo |
4.7% |
1st Aug
Nigel Moore resigns as our sub branch Chairman.
"Due to family and work commitments I have not been
able to commit as much time and energy as befits my role".
top
1st Aug
Brewers Gold brewed by
Crouch Vale of Essex was today judged to be the best beer in Britain
for an incredible second consecutive year by a panel of brewers, beer writers
and journalists at the Great British Beer Festival at Earls Court.The beer is
described in the 2006 edition of CAMRA's Good Beer Guide as: “Honey-toned
golden ale, with grapefruit sharpness offset by suggestions of melon and
pineapple.”
Full list of winners
26th July
The UK is set to lose around 3,500 pubs to the smoking ban – according
to a new report on the future of the trade. The latest UK Public Houses Market
Development Report predicts pub numbers will decline from 60,331 to 56 966 by
2011 – a drop of 6%.
A significant element of this decline is set to be within the wet-led
sector;
Market report by MBD.
The report says: ”A significant element of this decline is set to be
within the wet-led sector of the market, as these public houses are
traditionally a favoured venue of the regular pub drinkers – of which 50% are
said to be smokers.”
More . . . .
25th July
Wharf Inn, Coventry Road, Hinckley
Phil & Sam have added an extra handpump to their bar, dispensing a guest beer.
The current offering is Hop Back Summer Lightening. It is anticipated that the
guest beer will change monthly
20th July
Everards has launched an extra-cold version of one of its top-selling blonde
beers. Sunchaser Extra Cold is available from this month and is already in a
quarter of Everards' 161 pubs. The 4% abv beer was originally launched two
years ago as a seasonal ale. Everards' head of marketing David Bremner said: "Sunchaser
was designed to act as a stepping stone into cask ale for those new to the
category, such as women. "We also wanted to teach lager drinkers cask ale is
an approachable drink." The beer is brewed in the style of a continental
lager, using lager hops and malt. Everards is bringing its cask-conditioned
stout All Black back in September, in time for the autumn rugby
internationals.
Morning Advertiser 20 July.
6th July
A local Camra award-winning village pub and its gardens
have been saved from becoming an executive housing estate – thanks to a
villager buying it and thwarting the planners.
More info...
Morning Advertiser 6 July.
3rd July
Ashby Road Club Real Ale Menu
Beers on from Thursday until gone.
|
Thursday 13th July |
Nottingham |
Extra Pale Ale |
4.2% |
|
Thursday 20th July |
Hook Norton |
Haymaker |
5.0% |
|
|
Nottingham |
Bullion |
4.7% |
|
Thursday 27th July |
Nottingham |
Supreme Bitter |
5.2% |
|
Thursday 3rd August |
Hook Norton |
Old Hooky |
4.6% |
|
|
Hook Norton |
303AD |
4.0% |
1st July
CAMRA is calling on the Government to extend small breweries' relief so that
more small brewers are able to benefit. Liberal Democrat MP Greg Mulholland has
tabled a parliamentary motion calling for small breweries' relief to be
extended.
Please click here to send an email to your MP asking them to add their support.
28th June
Takeover of
Hardys & Hansons by Greene King. See e-mail below . . . ....
CAMRA
Press Release
Sign CAMRA Petition and/or e-mail Greene King
Justin Adams,
MD of Greene King has a vision......
e-mail from Nottingham CAMRA
The situation with
regard to Hardys & Hansons is that the Board and major shareholders (Hardys &
Hansons Holdings) have recommended that the take over by GK be accepted.
On 14th August an EGM will be held to consider the
proposal and on 5th September H&H will be owned by GK.
Attempts have been made by a number of
organisations to discover GK's long term strategy with regard to the Kimberley
brewery and brands. GK are refusing to comment until after the takeover has
taken place.
Whilst this would seem to suggest that the Brewery
is therefore doomed, GK have so far kept Belhaven open and they genuinely may
not have made their mind up over the Kimberley Brewery.
Nottingham CAMRA are linking with the local Civic
Society to try and get the Brewery building listed and CAMRA nationally have
established an on-line petition:
The online campaign site is
now live. There is a link from the CAMRA homepage which should generate good
traffic.
www.camra.org.uk
.
Nottingham CAMRA have agreed to fight to retain
the beers and Brewery in Kimberley but will oppose any attempt to brew
Kimberley beers in Suffolk.
Please encourage all members to sign up to the
on-line petition. At this stage we believe there is a chance that the brewery
can be saved but GK have to be made aware that there is real interest in
retaining genuine Kimberley ales in Kimberley.
Secretary, Nottingham CAMRA & (H&H BLO)
13th June
The Barley Sheaf, Lower Bond Street, Hinckley is to be
auctioned on 21st June at the Walker's Stadium, Leicester at 5:00pm.
Price guide £200,00 to £220,000. Later
- Sold - £231,000
top
12th June
Ashby Road Club Real Ale Menu
Beers on from Thursday until gone.
|
Date |
Brewery |
Beer |
Gravity |
|
Thursday 15th June |
Daleside |
St. George's Ale |
4.1% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thursday 22nd June |
Elgood's |
Pageant Ale |
4.3% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thursday 29th June |
Steamin' Billy (Grainstore) |
Steamin' Billy |
4.3% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thursday 6th July |
Titanic |
? TBC |
|
23rd May
The King William IV, Market Bosworth.
We are informed that planning permission for conversion to flats WILL go ahead.
This is a shocking outcome in the light of fierce opposition expressed by
ourselves and many others. In their wisdom, the planners have ignored over forty
letters of objection from interested bodies and individuals.
19th May
Mark Woodley is the new manager of The Star, Stoney Stanton. He plans to run it
as 'a proper village pub'. At present, Pedigree is the only real ale on
offer, but hopefully he will soon be able to offer a guest beer.
Report from Martin Mellor.
10th May
Spade Tree at Newton Burgoland is open again, offering Pedigree & Tanglefoot.
The Barley Sheaf in Hinckley is reported to be closed.
9th May
Steve Colbourne reports that the Ashby Road Club is selling real ale.
Forthcoming list below. Beers on from Thursday until gone. CAMRA members should
ensure they have their membership card with them.
|
Date |
Brewery |
Beer |
Gravity |
|
Thursday 4th May |
Theakstone's |
XB |
4.6% |
|
|
Buffy's |
Mucky Duck |
4.5% |
|
Thursday 11th May |
Burton Bridge |
Festival Ale |
5.5% |
|
Thursday 18th May |
Shefford |
Old Strong Ale |
? Not in GBG |
|
Thursday 25th May |
Buffy's |
Norwegian Blue |
4.9% |
|
Thursday 1st June |
Moles |
Landlords Choice |
4.5% |
|
|
Moles |
Mole Catcher |
5.0% |
|
Thursday 8th June |
Moles |
Holy Moley |
4.7% |
3rd May
Secrets of the perfect pint are to be revealed.
More.............
2nd May
Railway
Hotel, Station Rd. Hinckley.
Gavin Penn has taken over as Manager. Marstons Pedigree & Burton Bitter
available.
2nd May
Bid for Mitchells & Butlers pub group.
M&B operate the following branded pub chains: All Bar One, Vintage Inns, Toby
Carvery, Ember Inns, O’Neill’s, Edward’s, Scream, Harvester Restaurants and
Browns.
More.......
26th April
The Spade Tree at Newton Burgoland is reported to be closed following the
departure of Steve to a pub in Derbyshire. Hopefully a new Landlord will be
found soon so that the Spade Tree does not go the same way as the Moore's Arms.
Report from DF
23rd March
The Moore's Arms at Norton Juxta Twycross is boarded up and for sale. I don't
know how long its been like this, but I expect it will be another village local
lost forever. Guide Price - £465,000,
Report from AKC
20th March
Selling lollies is no small beer - link
to business telegraph news item
7th March
New landlord & landlady at the
Wharf Inn, Coventry Road, Hinckley.
A local couple, Phil & Sam took over yesterday, after spending time doing pub
relief work.
They plan to make sympathetic improvements and are obviously aware that they are
fortunate to have a 'proper pub'. The Marston's Burton Bitter & Pedigree will
continue to be available. We wish them well in their new venture.
Report from AKC
2nd March
CAMRA
Hook Norton Brewery Complimentary Club
As a result of being registered for the above club, several members have
received invitations to the Hook Norton Brewery to help celebrate St. George's
Day.
Everards and
Fullers also have Complimentary Clubs
Report from AKC
22nd Feb
Black Horse Hinckley
Gerry and Pauline will be leaving the pub on 25/02/06 after their stint as
Landlord and Landlady. Many of the locals are disappointed about this believing
that they have made a fair job of running the pub after a succession of rather
poor candidates. They reintroduced food and brought back the football team.
Certainly the Pedigree has been on song - amongst the best in town. Also, the
policy of no smoking at the bar - voted in by regulars - seemed popular.
Also of note, is the fact that Gerry hosted the founding meetings of Hinckley
and Bosworth CAMRA at the pub in autumn 2005.
We wish both Gerry and Pauline all the best for the future.
report from RL
13th Feb
A new grant scheme is being launched to help start community projects in local
pubs.
The grant scheme, called Living Locals, is available in settlements with
populations of up to 5000 people. Individual grants of up to £5,000 are
available to landlords who want to provide services or facilities that might be
needed by the local community such as a village shop or post office, a crèche,
an internet café, a library, a training venue or meeting space.
If you are the Landlord of a rural pub, or maybe a customer of one, more
information is available on the
Leicestershire County Council website
Jan 2006
Mick and Barbara Hacket have now left The Wharf.
The Hollybush, Bond Street, Hinckley is now boarded up and
for sale. This pub features in the CAMRA National Inventory of
Historic Pub Interiors
The Hollybush boarded up & photographed in March 2006, awaiting its fate.
The building behind is part of the old Atkins factory, this is also empty and
awaiting a similar fate.
top
2005
12th Dec
Norman Hall reports that there are new licensees at The Wharf, Coventry Road,
Hinckley. Mick and Barbara Hacket took over on the 7th
December. Marstons real ales are available.
5th Dec
Norman Hall reports that Members of the Everards CAMRA Complimentary Club have
received £5 vouchers redeemable against Everards branded merchandise.
2nd Dec
Punch tops pubs league with £2.6bn Spirit takeover.
More..............
23rd Nov
Gale's Brewery under threat. London
brewers Fuller, Smith & Turner (brewers of London Pride) have agreed a deal to
take over Hampshire's oldest and most traditional brewers, George Gale. This
immediately poses the questions of what will happen to the brewery, its beers,
its pubs and its workers. Visit
Save Gale's website
21st Nov.
A link to the
BBC News site - it is depressing reading about how often people visit pubs.
Having said that, it doesn't seem to apply to my friends! Link suggested by
Richard Lewin.
9th Nov:
Richard Lewin reports that he has received a voucher for a free pint of Tiger
from Everards as a result of registering for the Everards CAMRA Complimentary
Club
It's free to register, go to www.camra.org.uk
click the 'Pubs & Pub Week' button, then 'Regional Promotions'
top
CAMRA
Web Site |
This site
copyright © 2005-9 The Hinckley & Bosworth branch of CAMRA, the
Campaign for Real Ale |
Found a dead link?
e-mail the
Webmaster |
4th
Jan
The
Wharf Inn,
Hinckley now offers two guest beers. They are changed every two to four
weeks. Yesterday Camerons Castle Eden & Jennings Redbreast were available.
The
Belper Arms at Newton Burgoland (GBG2007 p259)
has been sold by Mercury Management to Punch Taverns. Beers available on 5th
October: Pedigree, Bass, Old Hooky with Adnams waiting in the cellar.
The
Odd House at Snarestone has Church End beers frequently available.
Beers available on 5th October were Church End, What the Fox's Hat; Theakston's XB & Spitfire.
Railway
Hotel, Station Rd. Hinckley.
The Spade Tree at Newton Burgoland is reported to be closed following the
departure of Steve to a pub in Derbyshire. Hopefully a new Landlord will be
found soon so that the Spade Tree does not go the same way as the Moore's Arms.
The Moore's Arms at Norton Juxta Twycross is boarded up and for sale. I don't
know how long its been like this, but I expect it will be another village local
lost forever. Guide Price - £465,000, 
The Hollybush, Bond Street, Hinckley is now boarded up and
for sale. This pub features in the CAMRA National Inventory of
Historic Pub Interiors 
