Church wants to compete with the pub

A failing church in Pennal, near Machynlleth is trying to steal customers from struggling local pubs by applying for an alcohol license. As well as serving pints and spirits (not just holy) the Rev Geraint ap Iorwerth wants to put a plasma screen in place of the rood screen. With the full backing of the Church in Wales the Rev Geri wants to create a community pub instead of a church. With pub closures hitting 4 a day in the UK, the last thing the pub industry needs is some trendy vicar competing face-to-face with struggling pubs. Where will it all end - the Tintern Abbey Nightclub? How about the Strata Florida Superpub? Although it would be good to see brewing return to those premises they are not controlled by the try-to-be trendy church in Wales. Mind you turning a church into a pub might not be a bad thing - the crypts would make perfect cellars but will we see the Rev James on handpump? Or even a pint of Bishop's Finger?



A bevy of vicars celebrate the Reverend James Buckley

Cider Open Day

Gwynt Opens Doors on Cidermaking.

Wales' largest cidermaker, Gwynt Y Ddraig will be opening their doors to the public over the weekend of the 26th and 27th April for a cider making and tasting weekend. Over the course of the weekend at Llest Farm, Llantwit Fardre, 12 of Gwynt Y Ddraig's award-winning ciders and perries (fermented pear juice) will be available on their bar at Wales' only ciderhouse.

According to Andy and Bill, cider makers at Gwynt Y Ddraig, “This is the third year we have opened our doors to our fans and it's always a popular event with ciderlovers even coming over from England to see how we make our award-winning products. It's also a chance for us to meet our customers and explain the effort that goes into making ciders and perries that have won awards from CAMRA, the Welsh Perry & Cider Society and Taste of Wales”.

As well as cider and perry being available there will also be an apple-pressing demo using the equipment that makes the award-winning Gwynt Y Ddraig ciders and perries. Welsh food will be available at the farm including bread and cheese as well as 100% handmade pork sausages, and beef and Wild Boar burgers from Cegin Crincae. Even homemade cider cakes will be available.

This year will see a number of “single variety” types of cider available at the open day. As the name suggests these are made from only one variety of fruit, often from a single orchard. The most familiar single variety is Kingston Black, which originated in Somerset but has been grown in the Welsh Marches, especially Monmouthshire for well over a century. “We try and source all our fruit from Wales”, continued Bill, “but we can only get three quarters of it from Welsh orchards, the rest comes from Herefordshire and Somerset.”
Other single varieties that will be available at the open day are Strawberry Norman, Brown Snout and Yarlington Mill. Gwynt Y Ddraig will also be showcasing a “Pider” - fermented from both apple and pear fruit.

One cider that cider enthusiasts will be looking forward to is a special 3 year old vintage that has been matured in oak barrels. “It's something special”, says Bill, “We have not tried ageing for this long before but maturing in oak will give this cider a certain flavour and colour that you cannot get normally. We think it's one for the connoisseur”.

As well as the single varieties and the perries, Gwynt Y Ddraig's range of ciders is completed by names such as Dog Dancer, Haymaker, Fiery Fox, Black Dragon, Orchard Gold and Barnstormer. If you are unable to make the open weekend, Gwynt Y Ddraig's products are available throughout Wales at food shows as well as at Tesco, Waitrose and in Brains and Wetherspoons pubs.

Gwynt Y Ddraig Facts:
Gwynt Y Ddraig was founded in 2001 by local farmer Bill George and his nephew Andrew Gronow
450 tons of fruit were pressed last year
Orchard Gold Cider was commended in the True Taste Drink (Alcoholic) awards 2007/8
Gwynt Y Ddraig Farmhouse Sweet was judged “Best Sweet Cider” at the Bath Cider Festival 2008
Gwynt Y Ddraig have previously won Champion Cider and Perry of Britain, as judged by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale.

Further Information:
Gwynt Y Ddraig Cider Making and Tasting Weekend
Saturday 26th April 11am-7pm
Sunday 27th April 11-5pm
Llest Farm, Llantwit Fardre, Pontypridd, RCT, CF38 2PW
www.gwyntcider.com

Andy Gronow, Production Director Gwynt Y Ddraig Cider, 0779 106 6257
or
Bill George, Operations Director Gwynt y Ddraig Cider, 0779 106 6240

Budget Price rise in Merthyr!

Seen on the wall of the Winchester pub in Merthyr Tydfil. 4 real ales on and the best place to drink for miles.




I've seen some souvenirs in pubs including the odd stags head but the coat of arms from the company that closed down the original Rhymney Brewery, now that's just being sarcastic.

Hereford Arms Update

It seems odd that the comapny that wants to close the Hereford Arms appears not to be trading itself. A quick check on Companies House website reveals that Alderbourne Limited are registered as a dormant company. Odd then that they seem to be trading by putting in a planning application for change of use as well as collecting the rent for the pub and others which they own. Perhaps Alaistar Darlings huge department of Customs and Inland Revenue would like to look into the accounts of Alderbourne and see if the company is really "dormant" or not?

Below is taken from Companies House:
ALDERBOURNE LIMITED
GABLE END 29 CHRISTCHURCH
CRESCENT RADLETT
HERTS
WD7 8AQ
Company No. 05747989
Status: Active
Date of Incorporation: 20/03/2006
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Company Type: Private Limited Company
Nature of Business (SIC(03)):
9999 - Dormant Company
Accounting Reference Date: 31/03
Last Accounts Made Up To: 31/03/2007 (DORMANT)
Next Accounts Due: 31/01/2009
Last Return Made Up To: 20/03/2007
Next Return Due: 17/04/2008
Last Members List: 20/03/2007


We still have time to write to Newport council opposing this change of use so get your letters in before thursday please.

Bill brings in the barrel at Wetherspoons!

Bill George, award-winning cider-maker at Gwynt Y Ddraig helps out delivering barrels during the Wetherspoons beer festival at the Sirhowy, Blackwood. The pub manager, Steve Rouse, thought a few wooden barrels would add atmosphere to the beer festival and asked Gwynt Y Ddraig to supply them. The pub, on Blackwood High Street always sells the Welsh ciders Black Dragon, Orchard Gold and Gold Medal. Gwynt Y Ddraig cider have also held a cider tasting in the pub and will hopefully hold one in the future.
For updates on Gwynt Y Ddraig events check out their Facebook site


Photo below shows Gwynt Y Ddraig operations director Bill George and the Sirhowy Manager Steve Rouse.

Alaistair Darling gets banned.

So what do cigarettes, gypsies and Alaistair Darling all have in common?
Yes they are all banned from British pubs.

Support this campaign to get the magpie-like Chancellor banned from every pub in the UK. He's ruining our pub industry. Okay the tax hike in the budget won't actually hit him - he's more of a white wine spritzer drinker than real ale. Also if he is banned he still has the 15 or so bars in Parliament to drink in. After this last budget actually finding a pub that will still be open will be difficult enough.

http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news_detail.aspx?articleid=59148

Save the Hereford Arms!

One of the last back-street local pubs in Newport is set to be turned into flats. The popular Hereford Arms in Maindee, the only true free house in the area is under threat of closure. This friendly community pub is popular with bikers and offers 1 real ale from independent breweries such as Wye Valley, Brains and Freeminer. It also offers bottled real ales from other breweries such as Fullers. The pub also has traditional pub games such as Shove Ha'penny and a pool table. The company owning this pub now want this Victorian corner pub to be turned into flats. Help us save the pub by writing to Newport Council objecting to the closure.

Mr Ian Carter
Planning Officer
Newport City Council
Civic Centre
Newport,
Gwent,NP20 4UR
South Wales,

quoting reference number 08/0336

Budget 'Charter for smugglers and cheap suppermarket booze'

CAMRA slams inflation-busting beer duty increase as ‘a charter for smugglers and cheap supermarket booze’
Four penny tax increase will do nothing to curb binge drinking but will hit poorest the hardest

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has hit out at the Chancellor’s decision to increase beer duty by 4 pence a pint in today’s Budget, together with annual increases of 2% above inflation for the next four years. The consumer group claims that the increase will lead to at least 20 pence on a pint over the bar, fuelling pub closures and increasing unregulated drinking as more choose to drink at home or on the streets. This is the first time ever that beer tax has increased by 4 pence – a rise of 13%!

CAMRA recently announced that 57 pubs are lost permanently every month as the price differential between pubs and supermarkets widens. Pubs provide a regulated environment for people to enjoy alcohol socially and responsibly.

Mike Benner, Chief Executive of CAMRA said, “The Chancellor has failed to recognise that well-run community pubs are the solution to Britain’s binge drinking problems. This budget will do nothing to stop binge drinking, but it will lead to pub closures on a huge scale, widen the gap between supermarket and pub prices and encourage smuggling and cross-border shopping. It’s a great big nail whacked ruthlessly into the coffin of the British pub.”

The 90,000 strong consumer group has condemned the announcement that beer tax will increase above inflation for the next four years, despite what happens to UK pubs and the beer market.

Mike Benner added, “Pubs are defined as local services (1) yet this tax rise alongside other market pressures will accelerate closures to unprecedented levels. The budget shows a disregard for our national drink and for the 15 million people who enjoy it responsibly.

CAMRA called for a cut in beer duty in the Budget to help pubs compete with supermarket prices. CAMRA believes that supermarket prices of beer are unlikely to be affected significantly by the tax increase, but pubs as small businesses, will have no choice but to increase prices at the bar.

Latest survey on pubs prices released today

The latest survey of pub prices across Britain is also released by CAMRA today. It shows that real ale prices across the UK have increased by 4.6% in the last year and the average price of a pint now sits at £2.45. CAMRA claims that average post-budget pub prices will now hit at least £2.65 for real ale and £2.85 for lager.

Before Budget increases apply, the most expensive region for a pint is London at £2.64 for real ale and £2.84 for lager. The best value pint of real ale was in the North at £2.15, with the best value lager in the North West at £2.40.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

CAMRA’s annual survey of pub process was conducted between 24th January and 24th February 2008. Over 1,000 pubs were surveyed.

Key findings of the survey:

The average price of real ale rose by 11 pence to £2.45 – a 4.6% increase
The average price of lager rose by eight pence to £2.65 – a 3,3% increase
The highest price rises were in Scotland where real ale jumped by 7.8% to £2.55 a pint and lager by an inflation-busting 10.7% to £2.59 a pint
Average price of real cider has increased by 7% to £2.63, but this is still better value than keg ciders at £2.67 a pint
Real ales from Britain’s small independent brewers are the least expensive on average at £2.39 a pint

Full results of the survey are available at www.camra.org.uk/budget2008

CAMRA Pub Watch Survey shows that 57 pubs closed permanently in 2007 with 1567 closed with an uncertain future.

A summary of CAMRA’s Budget Submission to the Chancellor can be found at www.camra.org.uk/budget2008 together with diagrams of tax rates in the EU and percentage of beer sold in pubs compared to shops.

CAMRA Budget Hotline – 01727 798443

For more information:

CAMRA press office: 01727 798443
Mike Benner: 01727 798441 mob: 07971 591224
Head of Public Affairs Jonathan Mail: 01727 798448. mob: 07720 724733
Research and Information Manager Iain Loe: 01727 798449. mob: 07801 706607

(1) The Sustainable Communities Act 2007

Bootleg Budget

Today our badger-look alike Chancellor imposed a rise in the duty for beer of 4p a pint - this translates as almost 15p a pint when the customer pays for a pint over the bar. Or to put it another way, a small-scale brewery will be paying an extra £20k a year in revenue to the Government. A fantastic way to support our small businesses with a recession on the way.

If the storms were not so bad, you could see the white vans heading to Dover to stock up on cheap French booze. A bootleg budget like this will only benefit the ferry operaters, owners of Calais hypermarkets and the French alcohol industry. It does not benefit our pubs with almost 700 closing last year, it does not benefit our growing brewing industry and it does not benefit the customer who from Sunday will see an unjustified increase the cost of their pint.

Can you see any other country in Europe taxing and treating their businesses in this way?

And where is all this money raised from increasing the price of a pint? No doubt to buy more cans of Argentinian baked beans for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. This Government won't even support the farmers or food factories in this country by buying their produce to feed our troops so what chance does any food producer or brewery in this country have of Government support. Or the money will be going to Nothern Rock, in order to stop Labour MPs being voted out of their North East seats at the next election.

The result of this budget - the average beer drinker hit harder in the pocket and more pub closures. A budget for bootleggers and a bonus for the owners of foreign hypermarkets.

At least the chimp could not make such a bad job of being Chancellor as Darling does.

Pub Closures

The Campaign for Real Ale is calling for a tax cut on beer in Wednesday’s Budget to help prevent community pub closures following the results of a survey released today which reveals that the number of pubs closed permanently has increased to 57 a month. The survey suggests that almost one third (31%) of pubs closed permanently are being demolished, while 36% are converted to shops, cafes and restaurants and 33% to some other use, mostly residential.

CAMRA is calling for a one penny cut in beer tax in the Budget to help stop unnecessary pub closures due to rising costs and falling beer sales. Beyond the Budget, the consumer group is also seeking changes to planning law to prevent pub demolitions and change of use from pubs to shops, cafes and restaurants without planning permission.

Mike Benner, CAMRA’s Chief Executive, said, “Britain’s pubs provide an essential amenity for communities and a place for people to enjoy alcohol sociably in a regulated environment, yet the Government’s high tax policies coupled with increasing costs are crippling them. We need to see action immediately to stop the number of pub closures spiralling out of control making it impossible for many people to benefit from the amenity of a local pub. A ‘rescue plan’ for community pubs is required and we hope the Government will begin that process with a one penny tax cut on a pint of beer on Wednesday.”

Sixty-eight CAMRA volunteer branches across the UK provided figures for their areas which show the staggering levels of pub closures. The survey is based on closures recorded throughout 2007, so the effects of the smoking ban introduced last year are not yet fully evident. The consumer group also claims that pubs are faced with unprecedented increases in costs as beer prices are expected to rise due to hop and malt shortages.

Mr Benner added, “Pub beer prices have increased above inflation over the last ten years and the Chancellor must give beer a break. Supermarket beer prices, on the other hand, have actually fallen in real terms, often making beer cheaper than bottled water. Supermarkets can absorb tax rises while small pub operators can’t and the clear effect of this is to drive consumers away from the pub and into their armchair to drink cheap alcohol. We want the Government to recognise that the great British pub is the solution to Britain’s binge drinking problems and we need policies and action to support them, not close them.”

A survey commissioned by CAMRA in December 2007 shows that 27% of people who prefer to drink at home said price was the main influence on their decision. The survey also revealed that 72% of people agree that it is unfair that responsible drinkers have to pay for an irresponsible minority through high taxes. 68% of adults agree that a pub is a responsible place to drink alcohol.

We need action now before last orders ring for the British pub

Mr Benner added, “Recent calls from the BMA and others for significant increases in alcohol excise duties are misguided and would be ineffective in combating binge drinking. Higher taxes will kill British pubs, force drinking underground and fuel smuggling and cross-border shopping. We need action now before last orders ring for the British pub.”

Notes for editors

The survey shows that 1567 pubs were closed with an uncertain future during 2007
Beer production in the UK declined by 6% during 2007 and the proportion of beer consumed in pubs is in long term decline.
CAMRA’s first Pub Watch survey, carried out in 2006, showed that 56 pubs a month were closing with 1320 closed with an uncertain future.
CAMRA has issued ‘Cut Beer Tax Now’ postcards to its 90,000 consumer members and to 30,000 pubs. The cards will be sent to the Chancellor in support of the campaign.
A one penny increase in beer tax would typically add five or ten pence to the price of a pint in a pub, while supermarkets can usually absorb increases.
The Government cut cider duty in 2002 followed by freezes over the subsequent four budgets. This action, devised to support the ailing cider sector, has helped revitalise cider sales in the UK
The UK already has the highest rate of excise duty on beer in the European Union.
Excise duty on beer has increased by 26.7% in the last ten years compared to 16% for wine, 11% for cider and only 3% for spirits
Pubs are defined in the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 as ‘public services’
CAMRA’s survey, carried out by TNS in December 2007, also found:

72% of people agree that it is unfair that responsible drinkers have to pay for an irresponsible minority.
68% of people agree that a pub is a responsible place to drink.
A 10% increase in pub prices would lead to 21% of current pub goers drinking more at home.
45% of people now drink at home, and purchase low-cost alcohol, often used as a loss-leader by supermarkets. 27% of people who prefer to drink at home said price was the main influence on their decision to drink at home.
Beer is still the preferred drink in pubs. 47% of us prefer beer. This rises to 61% for people who use pubs at least once a week

For media enquiries call:

CAMRA Press Office 01727 798443
Mike Benner 07971 591224
Iain Loe 07801 706607
Tony Jerome 07736 948186
Jonathan Mail 07720 724733

Beer to Brussels!

Pictured: Nick Otley, Buster Grant and Charlie Otley at the Bibliotech Solvay

St Davids Day saw a delegation of brewers from Wales, along with their beers visit Brussels for the First Minister's Reception. Alongside the award-winning brews from Breconshire, Otley, Tomos Watkin and Brains breweries there was also a range of Welsh food provided by True Taste award winners, the annual food and drink competition run by the Welsh Assembly Government. The brewers wee on hand to answer questions about their products and explain the success of the Welsh brewing industry in recent years.

According to Breconshire brewer, Justin "Buster" Grant, "The invitations for this event were highly sought after and there was a very big positive response to our beers.

Nick Otley said "It was an enjoyable event, and it was great to get an acknowledgement from the First Minister - we're certainly hoping to be asked back to next year's event."

Both breweries agreed that it was an excellent positive step for the Welsh Assembly Government to be promoting Welsh real ales, especially in one of the most discriminating beer drinking cities in the world!

Great Welsh Beer & Cider Festival 2008

If you enjoyed the festival last year then make a sure you visit us in June at the Cardiff International Arena where there will be more real ales and more ciders than Wales has ever seen in one place.

Our new venue, Cardiff International Arena, handy for the Vulcan before it gets demolished.

Association of Welsh Independent Brewers

Breconshire brewer Buster Grant has a pint to celebrate the launch of the Association of Welsh Independent Brewers at the Great Welsh. As of November 2007 the members are:


Black Mountain

Breconshire

Bryncelyn

Bullmastiff

Conwy

Cwmbran

Dobbins and Jacksons

Evan Evans

Facers

Ffos Y Ffin

Flock Inn

Great Orme

Jacobi

Jolly Brewer

Kingstone

Heart of Wales

Otley

Pen-Lon Cottage

Plassey

Purple Moose

Rhymney

Swansea

Tomos Watkin

Vale Of Glamorgan

http://www.awib.org.uk/

Great Welsh

Friday was the day of judgment for the brewers of Wales, as a team of experts tasted and tested the best real ales in the country. Festival organiser Kath Gammon samples a real ale in a bottle above whilst Wetherspoons Manager Ryan West tastes the cask-conditioned beers.

Champion Beer of Wales

DARK BEER PUTS OTHERS IN THE SHADE

The Champion Beer of Wales competition has been won by Rhymney Brewery of Merthyr Tydfil with their classic beer, Dark. The competition, run by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, was held at the Great Welsh Beer & Cider Festival at Cardiff City Hall today. The beer was judged by a panel of beer experts from a selection of more than 200 real ales that are brewed every year in Wales. The judges looked at the aroma, appearance, taste and aftertaste of the top beers of Wales and came to the unanimous decision that Rhymney Dark was the best beer brewed in Wales this year. The beer is 3.9% ABV.

Rhymney Brewery was set up 3 years in Merthyr Tydfil ago by father and son team Steve and Marc Evans. Said Steve Evans, “This award is something that we've been aiming for since we started the brewery. It's a dream come to true to win Champion Beer of Wales and have the recognition from CAMRA”.

Traditionally dark beers were the most popular style of beer in the valleys but they gradually gave way to more lighter coloured beers. Recently there has been a resurgence in the style and Rhymney Dark is now the best selling beer in the sole tied house owned by the brewery, the Winchester in Merthyr Tydfil.

According to Gerald Stevenson, sales manager for Rhymney Brewery, “This is like winning the Olympics of the beer world for us. I'm overjoyed at getting this accolade from CAMRA”.

The Great Welsh Beer & Cider Festival is open until 11 pm on Saturday and emergency orders of beer have been delivered to make sure the Festival does not run dry. James “Arfur” Daley, CAMRA Press officer said, “It's been a great festival and this award is true recognition for the hard work that Steve and Marc have put in over the years. Rhymney Dark is a fantastic beer with roast malt flavours and an edgy bitterness which makes it an award-winning and highly distinctive real ale. It's our last year here at City Hall but the Great Welsh Beer & Cider Festival will return in June at its new home, Cardiff International Arena.

Champion Beer of Wales Results:
1st Rhymney Brewery Dark
2nd Bryncelyn Holly Hops
3rd Bryncelyn Buddy Marvellous

Festival Facts:
· Over 19, 000 pints of real ale, cider and perry will be sold at the festival.
· That’s over 10 tons of beer, cider and perry!
· Over 4000 customers will be attending the 3-day festival.
· 170 different real ales will be available at the Festival.
· The total length of the bars is over 140 foot
· An average of 9 pints every minute will be sold when the Festival is open.
· Around 50 ciders and perries (pear ciders), many from Welsh producers, will also be available to complement the real ales.
· Over 100 staff, all CAMRA volunteers, will be staffing the Festival.
· A range of beers from Germany will also be on sale at the upstairs bar.
· Pub games, stalls and food will be available at the Festival.


The Great Welsh Beer & Cider Festival
Cardiff City Hall
Open Thursday 22nd November 12-11,
Friday and Saturday 23rd-24th November 11-11
Admission £3 (£5 after 5pm Friday) includes souvenir glass and programme

*************************************************
NEW VENUE & DATE FOR GREAT WELSH BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL 2008, 12th-14th JUNE, CARDIFF INTERNATIONAL ARENA, CF10 2EQ
*************************************************

Further Information:
www.gwbcf.org.uk
James ‘Arfur’ Daley, CAMRA Publicity, 0794 185 9902
arfurdaley@hotmail.com
Steve Evans, Rhymney Brewery, 01685 722253