Cymru/Wales

May 2011 Submission to Ale Drinker, published by Abercolwyn Branch area - website

Vale of Clwyd Branch Awards 2011

CAMRA Vale of Clwyd covers a large area of Flintshire & Denbighshire in NE Wales and each year members vote on branch awards in recognition of excellence in supporting CAMRA's aims and objectives. The 2011 award winners are as follows:

Pub of the Year Winner - The Raven Inn, Llanarmon-yn-Ial, CH7 4QE
Situated under the Clwydian hills in a designated AONB this traditional village pub has been run by the local community since August 2009 when a not-for-profit company was set up to run the pub with any surplus profits used to fund village community projects. The Raven holds regular events throughout the year, offers wholesome traditional food, and is a supporter of CAMRA's LocAle scheme with 3 cask ales and a local cider usually available. See www.raveninn.co.uk for opening times and further details.

Mild Pub of the Year - The Swan, Rhyl, Ll18 3BS
This old town pub has been one of the few outlets to consistently serve real mild over the years, in this case Thwaites Nutty Black which is sadly becoming increasingly hard to find in the Thwaites tied estate of 400 pubs, The Swan proves that cask mild in good condition can still thrive with proper support from an enthusiastic licensee. Now serving guest ales in addition to the usual Thwaites range The Swan was also voted Pub of the Year Runner-Up.

Cider Pub of the Year - The Gold Cape, Mold CH7 1ES
Three real ciders (or perry) are usually available at this popular town centre Wetherspoon outlet with an increased range during their regular beer festivals. Real cider is increasing in popularity and availability in the area as shown by its success in The Gold Cape.

Most Improved Pub of the Year - The Morning Star, Ruthin
Formerly called The Star this pub has enjoyed a new lease of life following a major refurbishment and its re-opening in 2010 as the Morning Star. Licensee Richard Douglas has introduced real ale as a feature of this bistro-style freehouse with 4 cask ales available by gravity dispense from a stillage behind the bar. The availability of cask beer is limited in Ruthin and so the developments at The Morning Star are a welcome addition to the real ale scene in the town.

In CAMRA's 40th annivesary year the branch has also decided to make two Special Awards in recognition of continued excellence over many years supporting real ale in NE Wales. These Special Awards are as follows:

25th Anniversary Award 1985 - 2010, - Plassey Brewery
Founded in 1985 and now the oldest brewery in N Wales Plassey was an early pioneer of the micro-brewery revolution and continues to produce a range of real ales from Original Border Mild (3.6%), based on an old Border Breweries (Wrexham) recipe, to Dragons Breath (6%) a former Champion Beer of Wales winner. Run by Ian Dale for many years Plassey has been largely responsible for maintaining Wrexham's proud brewing heritage, long may it continue.

20 Years Continuous Entry in Good Beer Guide 1992-2011 - The Colomendy Arms, Cadole CH7 5LL
In the same hands for over 20 years and virtually unchanged over this time this delightful freehouse on the edge of Loggerheads Country Park becomes only the second pub in the branch area to reach this major milestone following the Grouse Inn, Carrog.
 

VoC Newsletter (Dec 2008)

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).

this newsletter can also be found in Ale Drinker in the Abercolwyn Branch area - website