Cymru/Wales

Page last updated: 20/03/2010

(This article - with illustrations - can also be found in Ale Drinker in the Abercolwyn Branch area - website)

Raven Saved By Local Community

When the Raven Inn, Llanarmon-yn-lal CH7 4QE, was closed and put up for sale the local village community mounted a campaign supported by CAMRA at a local and regional level to keep the pub open.  After the pub failed to sell at auction the opportunity arose for the local community to run the pub for themselves as a co-operative on a voluntary basis.  At this stage assistance was provided by a TV production company making a programme about locals running their own pub as successful not-for-profit organisations ploughing any money made back into their community.

Raven Mad, a company limited by guarantee, was formed to run the pub on a 6 year lease and it re-opened for business over the August Bank Holiday weekend  One of the key aims is to offer customers a choice of real ales and promote locally sourced produce.  To that end 3 cask beers are on sale, all from North Wales micro breweries, and the Raven is a participant in the CAMRA LocAle scheme.  The pub has been tastefully refurbished with a central bar serving separate drinking areas, without any TV or obtrusive music distractions.  There are regular events including traditional music and quiz nights, and home-made food is available Thur - Sat evenings and Sat - Sun lunchtimes (check website www.raveninn.co.uk  or phone 07737894729 for details).

The Raven is on B5430 set in the Clwydian hills and is open Tue - Thurs 5-10.30, Fri 5 -11, Sat 12 - 11, Sun 12 -5.  The long-term success of the Raven as a community-run pub will depend on the commitment and support of the villagers themselves.  So far they have been successful in preserving the pub as a thriving local, long may it continue.    

Book Review - Flintshire Pubs & Breweries by David Rowe (2009)

As the number of pub closures, currently running nationally at 52 per week, reaches record proportions it is timely to look back on our heritage to understand the changes that take place over the years in the local pub and brewery landscape.  This book is aimed at those interested in the history of Flintshire's public houses, their clientele and licensees, and highlights some of the changes that have taken place during the last century.  The individual pubs and breweries are laid out by geographical location in alphabetical order and are illustrated with old photos and other items of interest.  Unfortunately there is no brewery index which makes the entry for a particular brewery difficult to find unless its location is known, and perhaps an index could have been included in preference to other chapters of the book (e.g. Some Thoughts on Drinking) which will probably be of little interest to the reader. However there are some interesting facts about the bygone breweries, for example one local brewery had the dubious honour of being one of the first in the UK to offer beer in a can.  Also it seems that the restrictive practices operated by today’s pub-owning companies are not new as some tenants long ago purchasing from elsewhere without prior consent would have their rent 'trebled' and their premises subject to a full audit.  Two of the short-lived micro-breweries that appeared briefly in modern times are omitted from the book.  Under the entry for Travellers, Caerwys there is no mention that this operated as brew-pub in the late 1990's, and there is also no mention of the Cestrian brewery in Buckley which was an early trailblazer for the micro-brewery revolution in the early 1980's.

Nevertheless this book will be a valuable source of information for those interested in local pub and brewery history, but it should be noted that it is not intended to be a local pub guide with details of real ales on sale, facilities available, opening times and other such information usually available in local CAMRA publications.

Flintshire Pubs and Breweries (ISBN 9 780750 950954, pp160) is published by the History Press and is available @ £14.99 from local bookshops or by direct sales on 01235 465577.

Gertie Sweet Comes To North-East Wales

When Greenall Whitley closed the Shrewsbury & Wem brewery in 1988 as part of their infamous 'tour of destruction' head brewer Jack Hanby set up on his own to continue the long tradition of brewing

 in the Shropshire town of Wem.  In 2008 Hanby Ales became the Wem Brewing Company following a change of ownership and now Jack Hanby has again set up on his own brewing Gertie Sweet beers on the Plassey brewery plant in Eyton, Wrexham.  Different brewers sharing the same plant makes commercial sense, indeed Facers beers were brewed alongside Bazen’s beers as part of the Salford Brewery Syndicate until Dave Facer moved to Flintshire in 2006.  The first Gertie Sweet beers appeared in N-E Wales in October 2009 and will be an additional choice to the range of beers available to pubs participating in the Vale of Clwyd LocALe scheme which promotes pubs stocking locally-produced real ale.

(This article - with illustrations - can also be found in Ale Drinker in the Abercolwyn Branch area - website)

Vale of Clwyd Branch Awards

The CAMRA Vale of Clwyd 2009 Pub of the Year as voted by branch members is the Golden Lion, Llangynhafal, a previous winner in 2007.  Runner up is the Blue Bell, Halkyn a regular CAMRA award winner and the Merseyside, Cheshire & North Wales 2008 Regional Pub of the Year.  The Grouse Inn, Carrog celebrating 20 years continuous entry in the Good Beer Guide was voted in third place.  The presentation of the award to the Golden Lion will take place on Saturday 11th July during the Route 76 Festival of Real Ales & Ciders.  The Route 76 festival will follow the successful formula of last years event and a frequent Route 76 bus service will operate between all six pubs participating in the event.  Contact Colin on 01824 790 451 for further information.

CAMRA membership is increasing nationally in spite of the recession and Vale of Clwyd branch have been awarded a Membership Recruitment Award (Small Branches Category) by CAMRA nationally in recognition of its success in membership recruitment in 2008.  On accepting the award on behalf of the branch from Keith Spencer, National Membership Director (see photo), Vale of Clwyd Membership Secretary Ian Ogden expressed special thanks to Steve & Ness Marquis of the Blue Bell, Halkyn and Phil Stevenson & his team at the Gold Cape Mold, for offering special discount as an additional benefit to CAMRA members.  A good time to visit the Gold Cape will be in late July when a Scottish beer festival will be held during which a number of classic real ales from north of the border will be available at bargain prices.  New and existing members are always welcome at branch meetings and social events, check our Diary page for details.

First Pub For McGiverns

Although North Wales has some quality real ales from our local breweries their availability is often limited by the number of 'true' free houses in the area and the restrictions placed by the pub owning companies on their licensees regarding beer supply.

However brew-pubs or breweries attached to pubs have a guaranteed outlet and showcase for their beers and some small breweries have taken the option of buying their own pub or pub estate.  Whilst there are commercial risks with this option especially in todays challenging economic environment well-run pubs selling a variety of own-brewed ales and guest beers, as exemplified by the Spitting Feathers Brewery Tap in Chester, can make a positive contribution to a small brewerys business model.

Matt McGivern learned his craft as a home brewer and at the Jolly Brewer in Wrexham setting up commercially on a small scale in March 2008 selling bottle-conditioned beers and cask ales to a handful of local outlets.  Just over a year later McGiverns purchased the Bridge End, Ruabon as their first pub.  The Bridge End is a three-roomed traditional community local with up to 5 ales and a real cider on sale, usually including a McGiverns beer, and guest ales from local micro breweries such as Sandstone and Facers.  An interesting collection of local brewery memorabilia is on display featuring Border (Wrexham) breweriana, and the pub deserves to be a success showing a strong committment to CAMRA aims and principles.  The Bridge End, LL14 6DA, is easily accessible by either bus or train and opening hours are 5 -11 Mon to Thurs, 4-11 Fri and 12-11 weekends.  Further information is available on www.mcgivernales.co.uk.

VoC Newsletter

(This article can also be found in a past edition of Ale Drinker in the Abercolwyn Branch area - website)

Twenty Years in The Good Beer Guide

Statistically not many pubs can gain entry to the GBG, CAMRA’s flagship publication, as each local branch is restricted in the number of pubs they are allocated each year.  Beer quality is obviously the primary criteria but branches also consider other factors such as service & welcome, good value, clientele mix and that magic ingredient 'atmosphere'.

Way back in 1988 the Grouse Inn, Carrog, first gained an entry in the GBG and uniquely in the Vale of Clwyd area it has appeared in every edition since then.

The Grouse is a JW Lees tied house, one of a small number in NE Wales, and is beautifully situated alongside the River Dee with spectacular views of the Dee Valley and Berwyn mountains.  Originally a farm and brewhouse and the last remaining pub in the village the Grouse is open all day every day and is located on B5437 just off main A5.  Cask beers available include Lees bitter, the premium John Willies, and occasional beers from the Lees seasonal range, supplemented by their own bottle-conditioned beer from the local Jolly Brewer craft brewery.

Vale of Clwyd CAMRA will be making a special award to the Grouse in recognition of their achievement and the pub has also been shortlisted for the branch Pub of the Year.

Being a short walk away from the western terminus of the Llangollen railway a good time to visit the Grouse will be between 18 - 26 April during the Llangollen Railway Steam Gala when Carrog will be the location of many of the events attractions over the 9 days.  During this time a beer festival will also be held at the riverside setting of Llangollen station, opens daily 12.00 - 23.00 hrs.

Ian Ogden, March 2009

VoC Newsletter (Dec 2008)

(this newsletter appeared in a past edition of Ale Drinker in the Abercolwyn Branch area - website)

VIENNA BEERS AND BREWPUBS

Austria does not immediately spring to mind as the first choice destination for the beer tourist but a visit to Vienna will be rewarded with a good choice of beer and brewpubs, in addition to the other better-known attractions of this historic city. As with most major European cities it is easy to get around by public transport and a 1-day or 3-day unlimited travel ticket on the tram and underground networks can be purchased at a reasonable cost.

Most Austrian breweries include Helles beer (pale and hoppy), Dunkles (dark and sweet), Marzen (malty) and Zwickl (unfiltered) beers in their standard portfolio. Other beer styles can also sometimes be found including Spezial beer (hoppy and full-bodied), Vienna (dark amber lager) and various seasonal beers including Bockbiers (strong lagers) and Rauchbiers (smoked beers).

A single large company Brau - Union AG, itself a subsidiary of Heineken, dominates the Austrian beer market owning a number of breweries well represented in Vienna including Gosser, Zipfer, and Wieselburger. However the discerning drinker is well advised to avoid the beers from these breweries and search out the brewpubs or beer from the two large regional breweries Stiegl and Otterkringer.

We had pre-arranged a tour of the Ottakringer brewery joining a group of German visitors, and although the tour commentary was given in German the guide also spoke excellent English and was able to answer our specific questions as we progressed through the brewery tour. Ottakringer Brauerei Harmer AG, Ottakringer Str 91, is the second largest independent brewery in Austria, founded in 1837, and is the last industrial brewer in Vienna with an annual production of 750,000 hectolitres. A wide range of beers are produced including Helles, Dunkles, Pale Zwickl, Amber Zwickl, Special, Pils and Schnitt ( a mix of Helles and Dunkles), and all were available at the brewery bar on completion of the tour. I have been on several brewery tours and the hospitality offered can vary considerably between miserly to extravagant. In this case the Ottakringer tour bordered on the latter and all the beers were sampled (some more than once) on a self-service basis over a considerable period. For unlucky visitors who are unable to book an organised tour there is a brewery shop where the beers can be sampled and taken away for home consumption if required.

Brewpubs

The first brewpub we visited in Vienna became one of our favourites and well worthy of a return visit. The 1516 Brewing Company, Krugerstr 18 is centrally located by Schwarzenberger tram stop and allegedly takes its name from the date of the Rheinheitsgebot (Pure Beer Act). The interior is modern and on two levels whilst the beer list is extensive and dedicated to hoppy beers that are well suited to the UK palate. We were particularly impressed with the Yakima Sunrise IPA which was a fine example of this classic beer style.

Siebenstern - Brau, Siebensternst 19 (tram 49), is another brewpub not to be missed with a good range of unfiltered beers available, including Prager Dunkles, Wiener Helles, Hanfbier, and Chilli –bier, in semi-traditional surroundings. The spacious interior is decorated with brewery memorabilia and whilst the Hemp beer (Hanfbier) was well received the Chilli beer was considered an acquired taste being too hot and spicy for some of our party.

Two of the more popular pubs that can get very busy are Fischer Brau, Billrothstrasse 17 (tram 38), the oldest brewpub in Vienna, and Salm Brau, Rennweg 8 (tram 71) a tourist oriented cellar bar similar in style to U Flecku in Prague. Close by 1516 is the Schwarzenberg Stadtbrauerei, Schellinggasse 14, a relatively new operation where we sampled a decent Rauchbier brewed with Bamberg smoked malt in more relaxed surroundings. Further away from the city centre and therefore less busy there are other brewpubs worth seeking out. We enjoyed good quality Marzen and Lagerbier in the Highlander, Sobieskiplatz 9 (tram 37 or 38), a Hemp beer in Wieden Brau, Waaggasse 5 (tram 62 or 65), and less impressive beers in Brigitta Brau, Dresdnerst 38-44 (tram 31 or 33). Wieden Brau has a no-smoking area, a rarity in Vienna whilst the most noticeable features in Brigitta Brau are the toilets which must be seen to be believed.

As is often the case some of the more unusual places need seeking out and are probably only for the dedicated beer tourist. Eipeltauer Privatbrauerei, off Heiligenstadterlande 11 (tram D), is situated in unlikely surroundings in an industrial estate near Spittelau station and is not your typical brewpub being more a basic bar attached to a micro brewery. Alte Ambulanz, Alserstr 4 (tram 43 or 44), is situated in the university grounds with a spacious interior and Zwickl beer available from the gleaming on site brewery. A Dunkles beer from the same brewery was also available virtually next door at the University Brauhaus but there are no beers brewed on this site. Both of these establishments have no-smoking areas. Way out west of the city can be found Medl- Brau, Linzerstr 275 (tram 49 or 52), and Schwarzer Rabe, Ottakringerst 180 (tram J), both opening from 16.00 hrs weekdays. Medl-Brau is a nice old locals pub with a jovial, friendly atmosphere whilst Schwarzer Rabe is more student oriented and as it only brews four times a year the beers are rarely available.

In summary Vienna has a wide selection of brewpubs offering good quality, interesting beers. The city and its pubs are generally not as geared to the tourist as other European destinations such as Prague, but it is not as easily accessible from either Manchester or Liverpool. As always it is advisable to do some prior research to make best use of available time in the city and plan your route to cover the areas and attractions you wish to visit.

VALE OF CLWYD LocAle SCHEME

Vale of Clwyd CAMRA have joined other CAMRA branches nationally in launching LocAle, a new initiative that promotes pubs stocking locally-brewed real ale.  The scheme builds on a growing consumer demand for quality local produce and an increased awareness of 'green' issues.  Pub licensees will be encouraged to stock a local beer (brewed within a 30 mile radius) with the aim of gaining new customers, increasing sales, and reducing the miles the beer travels from Brewery to Bar.  Pubs participating in the CAMRA LocAle initiative receive promotional support including posters, window stickers and PoS material. The following pubs in the Vale of Clwyd area have already joined the scheme – Blue Bell, Halkyn; Gold Cape, Mold; Farmers Arms, Waen; Halcyon Quest, Prestatyn; Farmers Arms, Ffyonngroew; Crown Bard, Rhyl; Glan-Yr-Afon, Dolphin; Glasfryn, Mold.

The Glasfryn, Mold is holding a Welsh Food & Beer Week between Friday 6^th Feb and Sunday 15^th Feb during which 20 to 30 Welsh cask ales will be on tap with 10 available at any one time (visit website www.glasfryn-mold.co.uk for details).

NEW BREWERY FOR WREXHAM

Wrexham has a proud history as a brewing town and since the takeover and closure of Border breweries by Marstons and the later demise of the Wrexham Lager Company the brewing tradition has been maintained albeit on a reduced scale by Plassey brewery of Eyton, founded in 1985, and Jolly Brewer whose beers are usually seen in bottle-conditioned form sold at local farmers markets. More recently McGiverns ales, set up by Matt McGivern in March 2008, have been seen in some of the Brunning & Price pubs and also at local beer festivals. Craft brewer Matt produces a wide variety of beer styles to order, both cask and bottle-conditioned, including a mild (3.8%), a stout (4.2%) and a porter (4.5%) on a compact 10 gallon plant.

The latest brewery to be set up in Wrexham is the Sandstone Brewery (www.sandstonebrewery.co.uk) which was officially launched on 05/11/08 with the first brew out in time for bonfire night. Set up by three local CAMRA members using a 4 barrel plant from Porter Brewing Co and using the slogan 'we drink it therefore we brew it' Sandstone brewery will initially produce two beers, the signature brew Sandstone Edge (3.8%) described as a pale and aromatic bitter and Postman Prat (4.2%) described as a golden red ale with medium body and bitterness.

Plans are currently underway to hold a Wrexham Beer Festival around the end of February which will no doubt include most, if not all, of the local brewers and provide a showcase for their beers. As real ale is hard to find in the Wrexham area it is hoped that a local CAMRA festival will lead to an increased availability of traditional beer in local pubs and an appreciation of the quality real ales from the local craft brewers.

Wrexham Beer Festival will take place on 27^th and 28^th February at Gresford Colliery Social Club, Bluebell Lane, Pandy, Wrexham, LL33 ll1 with entrance by ticket only (e-mail wrexhambf@chestercamra.co.uk to check ticket availability).

BRAINS MOVE UP NORTH

Famous Welsh brewers S A Brain & Co of Cardiff have a strong presence in South and West Wales and currently operate 266 pubs in Wales and the South West of England, which together with 1500 free trade outlets, are serviced by existing depots in Aberystwyth, Builth Wells, and Cardiff. Now through the purchase of W. Hall & Son (Holywell) Ltd the infrastructure is in place to widen the availability of Brains beers in North and Mid Wales and facilitate the expansion of Brains retail estate into these areas. The acquisition includes operational bases from depots in Holywell, Congleton, Crewe and Liverpool and will no doubt lead to an increased visibility of Brains beers in North Wales. However it is hoped that this will not result in a reduction in the choice of cask ales currently available to Halls customers who can choose from a guest ale list consisting of mainly independent breweries.

Brains acquisition of Halls distribution business does not include the two pubs owned by Halls, Royal Oak, Greenfield and the Fox, Ysceifiog. The Fox is unique in that it is the only pub in North-East Wales on the CAMRA National Inventory of Heritage Pubs, and therefore it is important that any potential developments regarding this historic pub are closely monitored to ensure that its unique character is maintained. As far as the local CAMRA branch are aware there are no planned changes in the pipeline for this regular Good Beer Guide entry, often described as a 'gem', but we will be watching any developments with interest should the current situation change in the future.

Ian Ogden

31/12/2008