Back the pub

The 'Axe the Tax' campaign has been relaunched as 'Back the Pub' campaign.
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) and the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) are therefore launching a new campaign – “I’m backing the pub” – calling on consumers, publicans, politicians and all who value the British beer and the British pub to sign up in support.
The manifesto will be launched tonight in Westmister, in the Westminster Arms.
The manifesto, called “The life and soul of Britain’s communities”, calls on the Government to reverse the 8 per cent increase in duty on beer imposed at the time of the VAT cut last January when VAT returns to its 17.5 per cent rate on 1 January 2010, and to scrap plans to increase duty by 2 per cent above inflation in the Budget in March next year.

The other main findings of the opinion poll carried out by ComRes last weekend are:

• 80 per cent of all people think that the pub is an important symbol of the British way of life. This is true across the board and particularly high among people aged 65 or over (86%) and for people aged 45-54 (85%).

• 71 per cent of people think that more needs to be done to support and promote the British pub.

• 77 per cent think that pubs in Britain make a valuable contribution to the economy

• 74 per cent of all people think that the planned increase in the tax on beer and pubs next March is not justified.

• 67 per cent of all people agree that Government policy should encourage people to choose lower strength alcohol drinks like beer, and 74 per cent support a policy of lower taxation for lower strength drinks like beer.

• 65% of all people think that the proportion (one third) of the price of a pint of beer that goes to the tax man is “too high” and in line with this, 74% of all people think that the planned increase in the tax on beer and pubs next March is not justified. People in social groups AB (28%) and C1 (25%) are the most likely to think that this potential increase is justified. Having said this, one quarter of all people (24%) say that tax increases will cause them to visit their local pub less often.

Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the BBPA, said:

“There is a clear and compelling public consensus amongst the British people that the pub is a vital part of their community and the social and economic character of Britain. This is coupled with deep concern at the record number of pub closures we are witnessing today and a resounding call for action to support the British pub.

“It is time for a concerted effort by government, industry and all those who value the pub to work together to adopt and implement policies to promote the great British pub.

“The manifesto we are publishing today sets out a range of policies which could make a real difference. We are therefore calling on all – including politicians and political parties - to back this agenda and to pledge their support for our ‘I’m backing the pub’ campaign.”

Julian Grocock, chief executive of SIBA, said:

“Pubs are an integral part of Britain's rich culture, our national heritage, and the life of our communities. Reducing duty on a low strength drink like beer would be a good start in helping to promote a unique British product, supporting a unique British institution, and launching an effective strategy to encourage responsible drinking in controlled and convivial surroundings."

Among comments included in the industry manifesto, Richard Lambert, Director-General, CBI, said:

“The British Beer and Pub Association highlights some key priorities for the beer and pub trade and companies at large, including lowering the tax burden and ensuring levels of regulation do not hinder the business environment.”

Feargal Sharkey, CEO, UK Music, said:

“The combination of pub and music can knit local communities together. It is vital that such a network exists, and for the sake of future creativity it is something we must continue to protect, nurture and encourage.”

Sandie Dawe, chief executive of Visit Britain, said:

“The pub is at the heart of the community; a place to champion great local food and drink; a community hub; a job and wealth creator for the local economy.”

Download the manifesto "The Life and Soul of Britain's Communities" here (pdf)

Follow Mr Pinty on Twitter

Eclipse Ales

There are a few old advertising windows left in the pubs in Monmouthshire but the most intriguing involves the Eclipse Ales windows in the Coach & Horses, Chepstow and the King's Head, Abergavenny (pictured left). Both these pubs still have their old windows with Eclipse Ales and Monopole Scotch Whiskey. Now I can't find any reference to a local brewery ever producing Eclipse Ales and the Century of British Brewers Book only lists an Eclipse Brewery, off Deansgate, Manchester 1860-1877, eventually acquired by John Lees in 1894. Don't think that is of much help as it would be unusual for the windows to survive over 140 years and to be from as far away as Manchester. The King's Head was owned by Arnold, Perrett & Co Ltd of Wickwar, Gloucestershire, between 1914-1938. The Coach & Horses, Chepstow is now a Brains pub and was formerly a freehouse, so the ownership of these pubs does not help anything.

Below are 3 pictures of the windows of the Coach & Horses, Chepstow.


So over to my readers, anyone know where Eclipse Ales were?

Sebastopol Social Club

On the outskirts of Pontypool, just downgill of the Monmouthshire-Brecon canal stands the Sebastopol Social Club. Now the Brew Wales editor used to be a regular here in the days he worked in Cwmbran, nowadays the visits ard few and far between so it was nice surprise to pop into tonight and find the club redecorated. Wooden floors, new tables and chairs with padded seatings all in a mauve/light brown setting. The beers on at the moment are Otley O1, Tring Side Pocket, Jennings Biggest Liar and Burton Bridge Have a Heart. Brew Wales is on the Otley O1 of course. The cribbage boards are coming out in the front bar though so will be moving to the back bar or catching the bus home.

Hen & Chickens, Abergavenny

An old favourite of mine in Abergavenny is the Hen and Chickens. When Brains bought the pub a few years back there were fears that the interior would be completly ruined, what followed was a sympathetic refurbishment that took in the former hairdressers next door to produce a modern pub with an almost unspoilt appearance. The side rooms still exist, the winding staircase around the fireplace is still there, the wooden floorboards happily mix with Victorian floor tiles in the next room. If you did not know this pub had been altered then you would not notice. The real ales on are Bass, Brains SA and Rev James and a guest beer. Today the guest is from Batemans, the delightfully named Miss Lucious. The beer is also nice with a good hoppy aroma and bitter taste. Not going into too much tasting notes today as the taste buds are getting a little tired. Still another good pub to pop into if you are in Abergavenny. Some of the locals are even taking snuff in the pub! Can't fault the place!

Another one bites the dust

It came as a bit of a shock to see the Somerset Arms pub in Abergavenny shut, boarded up and the freehold for sale. I've been using this pub on and off for about 20 years and it was a regular in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. The 2-bar pub had a thriving trade and served good food. It was also a good community local and even had its own brewery back in the 19th century. The Somerset always supported local breweries and was a rare local outlet for beers from Cwmbran brewery. A sad loss to Abergavenny.

King's Arms, Abergavenny

Abergavenny is also home to the Tudor Brewery, in fact there are 2 breweries, the main one at the Celtic Spirit Company base and a smaller plant at the Kings Arms pub. The Kings Arms is the brewery tap for both the Celtic Spirit Company and the Tudor Brewery. The beers of Tudor Brewery have improved lately, due to a new brewer being employed. The most popular beer is the 3.6% Blorenge - a light and hoppy, thirst quenching beer, in fact this is so good I don't want to try the others but will out of duty to my readers. The Skirrid (the beers are named after local mountains) is a mid-brown 4.2% beer, and is a sweeter, more fruity ale with a bitter aftertaste. Unfortunately the 4.7% Sugarloaf was not on at the time of the visit. The King's Arms is a truly ancient inn, as it was next door to the old Tudor Gate and town wall. Some of the surviving internal partitions still exist and are a possible indicator of the old burgage plots from medieval days. This pub has plenty of character with old fireplaces and wooden partitions, even the former outbuildings, once home to Delafields Brewery, have been enclosed and a cinema has been installed out the back. The food range is impressive as well with an emphasis on local ingredients, even the crisps are local as the Real Crisp Company products are available here. A local pub serving local beers and local food sounds a bit Royston Veasey but it works here in the King's Arms. Right another pint of Blorenge coming up. Live blogged from the King's Arms using the Sony Ericsson k550i.

King's Head, Abergavenny

The Kings Head is situated next to the market hall and Abergavenny has a thriving market with Tuesday being market day. A pleasant single bar pub, the Kings Head only does 2 real ales, Charles Wells Bombardier and a guest, Ringwood Huffkin today. For cider lovers the pub has 8 different bottled Welsh ciders from Gwynt Y Ddraig, the Welsh Cider and Perry Company. Stone-flagged floors, a separate restaurant area and an old jukebox all add to the unique ambience of this town-centre pub. Some etched-glass windows still remain with adverts of long forgotten distilleries and breweries on them. The old ornate fireplace has been somewhat spoilt with a 1970s gas fire but apart from that not a bad town centre boozer.

Organic Cherry Beer

Okay the last Sams beer of the night. After the tastebuds being overwhelmed with the stouts earlier have decided that something different can only bring them back. Step forward Sam Smith's Organic Cherry Beer at 5.1% ABV and available in a 330 ml bottle. Brewed at Sam's other brewery, the Melbourne Brothers brewery in Stamford, Lincolnshire and blended and bottled at the Old Brewery in Tadcaster, this is an interesting addition to the range. A cherry red colour of this organic beer leads to an intense aroma of, well cherries, think Black Forest Gateux in a glass. The taste is again of cherries with a swoop of flavour over the tongue. This is not a sweet beer though, the bitterness of the cherries comes through very well. A beer to cook deserts with I think or even as a marinade, for venison I think. Right off to poach a deer.

Oatmeal Stout

Well it is the season for dark beers and where better to have a few than the Murenger in Newport. On the Sam Smiths Oatmeal Stout now, there are not many pubs or even breweries that carry 2 different stouts in their range. Sams even have a third, the Extra Stout on draught, but keg only. Back to the beer, again Oatmeal Stout is in a 550ml bottle and is an intense black beer with a slight reddish hue, the aroma is of roast coffee and dark chocolate. The initial taste is a sweet bitterness, followed by the intense aftertaste of bitter roasts that form the astringent lasting flavour that lingers. Not as strong in flavour as the Taddy Porter but a good flavoursome stout that is worth trying.

Taddy Porter

Sam Smith's Brewery is very traditional or set in its ways as some might say. This is even shown in the size of their bottled beers which are 550ml instead of the more common 500ml. Its a bit of a suprise when you are used to pouring a 500ml bottle into a pint glass and suddenly realise this bottle is not going to fit! Anyway the Taddy Porter is 5% and is an intensely black beer with an aroma of roast malts and fruits, am detecting caramelised apple in the aroma. The taste is a bittersweet flavour at first before the tongue is swept by a tsumami of roasted and charcoaled taste sensations. As the beer warms up, it came straight from the fridge, the full complexity of Taddy Porter is revealed. Lots of flavour and lots of taste, packed into a beer from the oldest brewery in Yorkshire.

Old Brewery Bitter

Not a Welsh beer, but brewed at Sam Smith's in Yorkshire and available in Ye Olde Murenger House in Newport for the bargin price of £1.90 a pint. This brown coloured ale is drawn from oak casks - Sams are the last brewery to do this on any scale. Wadworths still employ a cooper but you hardly ever see their wooden casks apart from in a few of their pubs. I think the wood does impart some flavour to the beer, tannins are noticable in the aftertaste of the OBB and the harsh, bitter flavour of the beer is not to everyones taste but I like it. Its a shame the brewery no longer produces the stronger Museum any more but that's what you get with this brewery which does not even have a website. Back to the beer. Live blogged from the Murenger on the Sony Ericsson k550i

True Taste Awards 2009

It's that time of the year again when the Welsh Assembly Government announce the True Taste awards. The awards were presented last night (Thursday) at the historic market hall in Abergavenny. Although one producer did decide to ignore the embargo and announce they had won an award the day before via Facebook.

Now in their eighth year, the Welsh Assembly Government managed awards reflect the increased demands from consumers for locally sourced produce along with those of the export market place. The 2009/10 awards has seen some 860 entries from over 400 companies – over half of producers in Wales.

he independently judged awards were founded to recognise and reward quality and innovation across the food and drink and hospitality sectors.

This year there were 18 award categories catering for all areas of food and drink production, retail and hospitality sectors as well as a new Export Achievement Category, which was won by The Anglesey Sea Salt Company.

Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones said, “The Wales the True Taste Food and Drink Awards are a tremendous showcase for the Welsh food and drink industry.
Once again the Awards have highlighted just how much high quality food is available here, and I congratulate all those who have received awards.

“Earlier this year I launched our Local Sourcing Action Plan which encourages us all to buy more Welsh food. There are so many benefits to buying local: from reducing food miles and supporting the local economy, to the reassurance that comes with knowing where our food comes from and how it has been produced.

“While our Food Tourism Action Plan is all about improving visitor experiences in Wales as a destination where high quality and distinctive food is widely available in our cafes, restaurants, pubs, hotels and guesthouses.

“We want to ensure that our visitors are provided with an exceptional food experience based on locally sourced and distinctive food. In 2008 the first category for Food Tourism Destination was included in Wales the True Taste Food & Drink Awards and this year’s winners – Pembrokeshire County Council - will help raise awareness of the excellence of Food Tourism outlets throughout Wales.”

A number of companies scooped more than one award; among them were South Caernarfon Creameries, Penrhiw Farm Organic Meat, Oaklands Organics, Gill’s Plaice, Greta’s Wholefoodies, and Hafod Welsh Organic Cheddar. It was a good night in particular for Primrose Organic Centre which won awards in several categories.

While the main award of the night, the True Taste Champion was awarded to Deiniol ap Dafydd of Blas ar Fwyd Cyf in Llanrwst.

Full list of winners is available here

As usual Brew Wales have sifted the results for the interesting ones:

Non-alcoholic drinks:

SILVER - Ty Bryn Cider

Ty Bryn apple juice -

Ty Bryn, Upper House Farm, Grosmont, Monmouthshire, NP7 8LA. Tony also makes cider which is why he gets a mention here!

Alcoholic drinks:

GOLD Evan-Evans Brewery
Cwrw Evan-Evans

SILVER - The Hurns Brewing Company Ltd

Tomos Watkin's cwrw gaeaf (Winter Ale)

BRONZE - SA Brain & Co Ltd

Brains dark

Eating out in Wales -

Restaurants, pubs & hotels:

GOLD - The Crown at Whitebrook - Overall &

South East Wales Regional Winner

BRONZE - Ynyshir Hall

Mid Wales Regional Winner

BRONZE - Tyddyn Llan

North Wales Regional Winner

BRONZE - Cwtch

West Wales Regional Winner

Local Sourcing Initiative:

GOLD - Riverside Community Markets Association

(Riverside Markets, Roath Real Food Market, Newport Farmers Market) Plenty of local brewers and cidermakers at these events

Export Achievement:

GOLD - The Anglesey Sea Salt Company

SILVER - The Hurns Brewing Company Ltd

Python goes local!

Former Monty Python star Terry Jones was spotted supporting a Welsh brewery the other day at the Star Inn, Dylife where he enjoyed a few pints of Festival Landmark and Brewster's from the Waen Brewery at Caersws. “Best pint around”, said Terry who expressed his love of the local beer and spent the afternoon drinking it.

The Waen Brewery was only set up earlier this year and has already featured on a bar in Parliament.

Terry Jones is known to be a fan of real ale, he was a partner in the Penrhos Brewery, Lyonshall, Kington, Herefordshire (1977-83) and even opened the Great British Beer Festival one year. The first brew of the Penrhos Brewery was the aptly named Jones' First Brew. In 1983 the brewing equipment was sold to Summerskills Brewery of Plymouth.

Pomona Award winner

Mike Johnson (pictured left in his cider cellar), owner of the Ross-on-Wye Cider and Perry Company at Broome Farm, Peterstow, Herefordshire, is this year's winner of CAMRA's Pomona award after a series of glowing nominations from CAMRA members and people within the cider and perry industry. Johnson was singled out particularly for his work in nurturing new talent in the cider world.

One individual who nominated Mike Johnson for the Pomona Award 2009, said:

'Mike (Johnson) is a very good cider-maker but the reason why he deserves to win this award is nothing to do with his skill in this respect. In short, the cider and perry community owes Mike a huge debt of gratitude for his selfless dedication to helping encourage new producers to enter the market, even though they are in direct competition with him. This attitude, combined with his interests in ecology and benefitting the local community through holding an annual Cider Festival is reason enough to give Mike this award.'

The Pomona Award is named after the Roman Goddess of apples and is presented by CAMRA to the person, place or thing who has done the most to promote real cider or perry primarily over the previous twelve months and secondarily, where there is no outstanding contender in the last twelve months, for ongoing work.

Mike Johnson, Pomona Award 2009 winner, said:

'I am very surprised to win as I didn't even know I'd been nominated. It's really gratifying for me and the team of people that put a lot of work into being hospitable and encouraging more people to make cider. I started producing myself in 1984, and it's great there's been a renewed interest in real cider in recent years.'

CAMRA's Cider and Perry Committee also noted that while Johnson's extensive charity work- which has seen him donate significant sums to development charities around the world- was not a factor behind his success in the Pomona Awards 2009, his willingness to help others is nevertheless a key reason why he has contributed so much to the cider and perry industry.

Sarah Newson, Vice Chair of CAMRA's Cider and Perry Committee, said:

'It is with great pleasure that we have chosen Mike (Johnson) as the winner of the Pomona Award 2009. CAMRA's Cider and Perry Committee agreed there wasn't a more deserving winner to be found in the industry and we hope he can educate and influence cider and perry producing enthusiasts for years to come.'

The connection with Wales is that Broome farm is where Seidr Dai cider and perry is juiced before being transported back to Wales to be fermented.

Cheese and Beer join forces to create a powerful taste of Wales

Two of Wales' most popular brands have joined forces to give the nation’s pubgoers a taste sensation.

Welsh brewing and pub giant S.A Brain and Co Ltd is to feature Collier's Powerful Welsh Cheddar on its menus from November, in delicious dishes such as homemade fish pie with topped with Collier's Cheddar and potato crust; warming ploughman’s platter; and Welsh steak burger topped with Collier's.

Thirty two Brains pubs will feature the award-winning cheese on their menus, which was judged to be the Best Mature Cheddar in the UK at the International Cheese Awards earlier this year.

Diners and pubgoers will also have the chance to win a weekend stay at one of Brains' hotels or pubs with rooms, which includes the picture postcard pretty Grove in St David's, and the classic coastal pub the Ship in Tresaith. To be in with a chance of winning you’ll need to enter a recipe containing Collier's into a competition to be judged by TV chef and brand ambassador for Collier's, Matt Tebbutt.

There will also be two prize draws taking place at each participating pub for a free meal for two. More details of the competition are available at participating Brains pubs and at www.sabrain.com, although entry can only be made in the pub.

"Both Collier’s and Brains are quintessential Welsh brands and cheese and beer is a culinary match made in heaven," says Marketing Director for Fayrefield Foods, Chris Swire.

"Collier’s has a unique and distinctive flavour which elevates any dish that it is included in. Visitors to Brains' pubs are in for a real treat."

Philip Lay, Retail director at Brains said: "Long gone are the days when pub food was limited to little more than a packet of salt and vinegar crisps. Today our pubs are serving quality food, using only the best and freshest ingredients. We are therefore delighted to introduce Collier’s award winning cheese to our menus."

To enter the competition, visit one of the participating Brains pubs below to collect your entry card. Create your recipe using Collier's Powerful Welsh Cheddar, fill in the entry card and hand it in at one of the Brains pubs below:

Use the Find a Pub section from the SA Brain website to locate your nearest participating Brains pub.

Aubrey Arms, Bonvilston
Black Boy, Swansea
Black Lion, Lampeter
Boathouse, Bath
Churchills Hotel, Cardiff
Dovey Inn, Aberdovey
Duke of Wellington,
Fox & Hounds, St. Mellons
Fox & Hounds, Cardiff
Grafton, Hereford
Greenhouse, Cwmbran
Lord Nelson, Milford Haven
Monachty, Aberaeron
Old Inn, Swansea
Old Post, Bonvilston
Piercefield, Chepstow
Plas Derwen, Abergavenny
Pontygwindy Inn, Caerphilly
Pumphouse, Swansea
Punch House, Monmouth
Savoy Country Inn, St Clears
Tafarn Y Tanaerdy, Carmarthen
Thomas Arms, Llanelli
Twelve Knights, Port Talbot
Ty Mawr, Cardiff
Ty Nant, Cardiff
Ty Risha Ale House, Bridgend
Watermill, Bridgend
Wellington, Brecon
White Horse, Buckover
White Horse, Coychurch
White Lion, Bala