It seems that Mr Darling's recent shenanigans with duty increases have got on the wick of the pub trade more than somewhat. Following hard on the heels of the annual price increases imposed by the brewers before the budget, (nice timing guys) comes Alistair's whopping 4p a pint duty increase, plus a drinks escalator. This will see duty rise 2% above inflation for the next four years.
A campaign has started to bar our dear Chancellor from every pub in the land. Copies of a poster can be found on a dedicated website and printed off as required. It is a good bit of fun with a serious message. No-one in their right mind believes that the budget increase had anything to do with binge drinking and everything to do with revenue raising, with its daft attack on pub goers (mainly responsible drinkers in a controlled and licensed environment) in favour of those who buy their booze cheaply elsewhere and then create a public nuisance.
Nonetheless Mr D's interference is unwelcome and the poster campaign will at least get the cause of pubs a little more publicity than otherwise, which isn't a bad thing. The trade does however need to be much more imaginative in its response to the current anti drink fetish of the press and needs to do much more to attract customers. The pub trade still hasn't got the message that the "offering" has to be much better than it currently is in all but a minority of pubs. The current round of price increases simply puts this fact into a sharper focus.
The meeting to select the entries for the Good Beer Guide 2009 took place at the Old Boar’s Head in Middleton at the beginning of February.
There was a good attendance, fuelled by the promise of butties and chips and consistently good Lees Bitter & Mild (although unfortunately no seasonal), and the debate was lively. A new method of selection meant that business wasn’t concluded quite as quickly as desired, although teething problems should be ironed out by next year.
New entries in the guide will include the New Inn at Castleton, the Willow Tavern at Failsworth and the Rifle Range at Chadderton.
Unfortunately the new voting system meant that some stalwarts such as the Trackside and Robert Peel at Bury and the Hare & Hounds at Holcombe Brook failed to make an entry, but this does not reflect on the quality or choice of beers available.
Welcome to our Spring issue. The bad news of the past quarter, of course, has been the increase in the price of our pints. However, all is not doom and gloom. Recent local beer festivals have showcased an ever-increasing selection of excellent new beers, we can report a new local brewery in the pipeline, and there’s lots of news and activity both locally and further afield.
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A RAMSBOTTOM publican is calling last orders after receiving an 800 per cent hike in his business rates. Roger Howarth put the Good Samaritan on the map for real ale fans after taking over the Peel Brow pub three years ago. Now he is selling up because his rates have rocketed from £750 to £7,392 a year.
The Government's Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has decided that the pub's premises were previously undervalued. It has increased the rateable value of the property - the amount the agency thinks could be charged in rent annually if the building was let out - from £3,400 to £16,000. Most pubs in the area have a rateable value of around £11,000.
Roger Howarth has turned around the Good Samaritan, resulting in the pub being listed in the Good Beer Guide last year for the first time in a decade. The publican, who leases the pub from Enterprise Inns, said:
"I just can't trade any more with these charges. It's true that £3,400 was well below average for a pub in this area but if the VOA made a mistake it doesn't seem fair that I should suddenly have to pay such a huge increase now. Everyone is saying they don't want to see me go because I've turned the Good Samaritan into a nice community local. I love the place and I wouldn't leave it through choice but I can't make it work with rates this high."
Roger has appealed to the VOA against the increase but he has already put the lease on the Good Samaritan up for sale. He said he was advertising the lease for £45,000 - £20,000 less than he bought it for - in an attempt to make a quick sale. A spokesman for the VOA said: "The value of a pub is determined by trading potential. This is reflected in the rateable value. The Valuation Office Agency looks at actual market rental evidence of public houses in terms of turnover. We don't set open market rental values, we follow them. The VOA is currently in discussions with an agent acting on the landlord's behalf to reach an agreed rateable value."
Thursday 6th March 2008 Bury Times
As Spring is nearly here (even in Saddleworth) why not think about an undemanding walk (two miles max) in pleasant surroundings, with the added attraction of a few good pints? Four good pubs in Dobcross and Diggle provide just this opportunity, all of them offering decent food – snacks or full meals - and are open all day at weekends (apart from the Swan which closes on Saturday afternoons).
You can catch the 184 bus from Oldham to the Square in Dobcross and start the day with a few pints in the Swan (Top House), an historic Jennings tied house in this attractive village. With three well-appointed rooms and a flagged bar area the Top House sells Jennings Bitter, Cumberland Ale and Cocker Hoop, Marstons Pedigree and a guest beer, recently Brains St Davids and Outlaw Wild Mule were available.
Take a left out of the pub along Sugar Lane, noting Bridge House on the right hand side. From the late 18th century this was the home of Henry Platt who built up a massive textile machinery business from humble beginnings – his first carding machine was constructed here. Continue down Sugar Lane, noting fine views over the valley to the distinctive Pots and Pans monument and five minutes later turn right at a footpath sign down a steep cobbled path (Sidebottom Brow) to the Navigation.
This Enterprise Inns stone pub has an open-plan L-shaped interior, with the right hand part of the L serving as a restaurant area. Six cask beers are usually on offer with regulars Lees Bitter, Landlord, Bombardier and Pendle Witches Brew, and for the dark beer lover Moorhouses Black Cat alternates with Copper Dragon Black Gold. Recent guest beers have included a couple of organic beers from the Cragg Vale Brewery, near Hebden Bridge, Withens IPA and Bitter.
Coming out of the Navigation, turn right, cross over Wool Rd, and find the path on the far side of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. The pub was built in 1806 to provide refreshment to the lads digging out the canal and nearby Standedge Tunnel under the Pennines. Turn right onto the canal towpath (north towards Diggle) and continue for 10-15 minutes up past the Diggle Flight (of locks) and the now defunct Shaws pallet works, with fine views of Lark Hill and Harrop Edge on the left, to Ward Lane which crosses over the canal. Turn left here down the lane and an imposing stone-built public house, the Hanging Gate, is opposite.
The Hanging Gate is an S&N managed house which was completely refurbished five years ago; Andy Myers and Laura Forrest took over in 2006. It has four comfortable high-ceilinged rooms, as well as four letting bedrooms above the pub, and offers wide-screen football and live music at weekends. On the cask beer front three are available – Deuchars IPA, Theakstons Bitter and Mild.
Retrace your steps back up Ward Lane and turn left onto the towpath toward Diggle, before the Grandpa Greene’s Luxury Ices sign. You soon reach the Diggle Portal of the Standedge Tunnel and the blue plaque paying tribute to Thomas Telford’s contribution to its construction. Continue through the car park and turn right over the railway bridge and the Diggle Hotel is on the left.
Set in a pleasant hamlet this Enterprise pub has three rooms and a beer garden at the front with lovely views of the surrounding countryside. Regular beers Landlord, Black Sheep Best, and Copper Dragon Black Gold are supplemented with two guests, and occasional beer festivals are held. If you plan your walk on a Sunday in summer, a brass band will be playing either here or at the Navigation – another incentive (and excuse) for a few pints.
Over the road from the Diggle the 184 will whisk you back to your starting point. However the walk can easily be extended by continuing on Lee Side past Kiln Green, up Ward Lane, along High Stile Lane to bring you out next to Saddleworth Church and the adjacent Church Inn with its own microbrewery. Just up the road from the Church is the much improved Cross Keys (see below); return to Uppermill centre (where the 184 can be caught) is straight down Church Road.
The rebadged range of JW Lees beers is now on display at the Cross Keys – Brewer’s Dark, Bitter, new “JohnWillies” (4.5% premium bitter) and the seasonal offering (Dragon Fire in March). No sign of Moonraker now so let’s hope it’s back again next winter. And the pub has added another local group to its list of societies who meet here and the Oldham Road Wizards will be getting together on Wednesday nights. If the Moonraker is not back on the bar by next November maybe the Wizards can get it to reappear!
In Uppermill centre the strong rumours that Addy and Bronwen will be leaving the Waggon are wide of the mark and they will be staying at the pub in the foreseeable future. They plan to redecorate and reglaze the 4 well-appointed B&B rooms in the next few months. The new Robbies seasonal beers are going well – next up in April is the well-regarded golden Top Tipple (3.9%).
The Railway in Greenfield has revamped its beer range and the main loss is Taylors Landlord, a regular here for 15 years. Beers now offered are M&B Mild, Deuchars IPA, Bombardier, Theakstons XB and OP and a welcome return of Millstone True Grit. On the entertainment front Brian Eastwood of Pie now leads a jam session for one and all on Sunday night, in addition to the established gigs on Thurs, Fri and Sun.
Down the road at the Frenches Wharf development, construction of a new Marston’s pub restaurant is expected to begin in the next few months.
Greenfield Brewery has steadily consolidated its business since Tony Harratt joined Peter Percival three years ago and their trademark has just been formally registered. This stage in the brewery’s development was recognised in Greenfield on 18th April, with a presentation at the Clarence Hotel by a local beer aficionado (me!).
On a recent empty midweek I decided to do a little Rochdale pub crawling with Branch stalwart Alex Koval. Here is what we found. First up was the Mark Twain. This is an ex Lees house, now free of tie, pleasant enough, but with an unfortunate layout. A tiny bar presents you with a wall of locals’ backs and horror of horrors, a pool table to the left as you go in. We settled down on leather sofas with very acceptable pints of Phoenix Navvy to plan our drinking attack. So acceptable, we had two in fact.
Then to the home of the former McGuinness Brewery, the Cask and Feather. More Navvy available here, but we opted for Hornbeam Best Bitter which was not at all bad. A half of Moorhouses Blond Witch was cloying and unpleasant, but then again, I've never liked this beer. It is a blend and it shows! Next, the Flying Horse. Despite the off-putting signs on the door listing the many things you can't do, the beer range was good. Lees Bitter, Taylor Best and Landlord, Moorhouse's Premier and Spotland Gold from Phoenix. This golden, hoppy beer was chosen. It is uncompromisingly bitter, full bodied and very drinkable. We drank two and cutting a long story short, came back for two more later!
In between we visited the Baum, an unusual wine bar-like pub which sits in the conservation area, well, single street that is Toad Lane. Three beers here. Two were from Owl of Oldham which it has to be said, is inconsistent. Night Owl was dark and acceptable, though not brilliant in any way, while Pacific Gem was astringent and unpleasant. We also had Monkey Business from Greenfield Brewery which we concluded wasn’t to our taste. You can always rely on the Baum to have unusual beers on and the pump clip display has some excellent choices. It varies its range, so you take pot luck. I'd recommend it despite us hitting a choice we didn't care for.
We also popped into the Reed. This ex-Bass House, now Marston's is a lovely little pub, down a ginnel, just off the main shopping street. It should thrive but clearly doesn't. It is up for lease yet again. We noted the turned round Jennings pumpclips and the sole offering, the ghastly Marston's Bitter. On enquiring about the Jennings, we were offered the unlikely explanation that he sells so much Marstons that the brewery won't supply him with Jennings! Eh? We made our excuses and left.
Then a bit of campaigning. The half timbered Spread Eagle is a lovely pub, bang in the centre, with unlimited potential. I used to go for a pint there 20 years ago. Now it is a sad parody of a pub, run down and unappealing. We went in and asked for cask. We knew they hadn't got any, but wanted to make the point. Why no cask when it is successful elsewhere in Rochdale? Shrugs of shoulders! We then headed to the almost adjacent White Lion, right at the top of Yorkshire Street. A nice, neat, tied Thwaites house this. Same thing. No cask and the same vacant shrugs. Come on Thwaites. Get someone in there who cares and give us proper beer!
So as expected, we got good and bad. The Good Beer Guide Pubs stood up well as you'd hope, with the exception of the Regal Moon which I haven't mentioned as we found nothing worth drinking in there. The Mark Twain needs to spend some money on altering the layout I'd say and a couple of potentially very good pubs need to wake up and smell the cask. Next time you are in a pub with keg beer or a poor beer range, complain. It might just help change things.
The Church Inn, ex Whitbread is closed and boarded.
The brewery is going full tilt at the moment and one pleasing feature to note is that the re-vamped seasonal beers seem to have taken off big style. Head Brewer, Giles Dennis told me that demand for them is such that two new 100 barrel fermenting vessels will be installed at Greengate. Giles added that John Willies, the premium ale which was made permanent a couple of months ago, is selling well too. For those who have missed it, GB Mild has been renamed Brewer’s Dark. The current seasonal as I write is Spring Cheer which is a pale, bitter beer of 4.1%. Very nice indeed it is too!
On the pub front, sadly, there are two closures to report. The Who’d a Thowt It in Middleton and the Dicken Green in Royton have closed for good. No decision has yet been made on their future. Around a dozen Lees pubs currently are looking for new tenants including the Britannia, White Hart, Royal Oak and Minders Arms, all in Middleton, though vacancies are spread throughout the estate including Wales.
Some cheerier news is that Carol and John Cadwallader from the Spring Inn in Rochdale have won the “Proud of Pub Award”, a community pub category in the annual competition by trade newspaper The Publican. They are shortly to move to the Pack Horse at Birtle. Other new licensees in place are Amanda Walby at the Railway & Linnet, Middleton Junction, where redecoration has already commenced, Erica Noon at the Same Yet in Simister and Paul Garforth at the Weavers, Oldham.
Lastly, one to watch out for is that Lees intend to run a Beer Festival throughout their estate in September/October this year. No details are yet to hand, as it is in the planning stage, but watch this space!
For the last few years drinking in Oldham town centre has meant having a few pints in the Ashton Arms on Clegg Street (Just below TJ Hughes). Whilst Jo still has the best selection of real ales in town there are other places worth a visit.
The Royal Oak at the Mumps end of Union Street has recently had a change of landlord. The pub has always sold ‘real’ Robinsons, but the beer quality is now more consistent. The interior has also had a much needed coat of paint. If you’ve not been in for a while give it a try.
At the other end of town The Three Crowns on Manchester Street (by the main bus station) is a little known real ale outlet. The pub is tied to Banks/Marston. Since Christmas the beers have normally been Mansfield & Jennings Cumberland. Hopefully the 3rd ‘guest’ ale will return once the lighter nights are with us.
The landlord of The Three Crowns has recently taken over the closed Dog & Duck on Domino Street. The hotel, down the road from the Crowns is currently selling Black Sheep, but again is hoping to expand the range.
Along the road from the Dog is the Bank Top Tavern where one can find ‘real’ JW Lees beers. For completeness The Buck & Union (on Union Street), Whittles & Up Steps (Wetherspoons) also sell ‘the real stuff’.
Ian Mitchell
In March, ROB Branch had an evening coach social to George Wright at Rainford. Those of us getting picked up in Bury didn’t have time to go home after work so we met in the Trackside where I had an excellent pint of Phoenix Shamrock (extremely light, hoppy & bitter).
It was a cold, rainy and windy night and the M60 was clogged with traffic going to the football, and this combined with a roadworks diversion in Rainford itself meant that we were half an hour late at the brewery despite the inaugural use of Jim the driver’s new GPS.
We were welcomed by bright light coming from the unit tucked away right at the back of an industrial site. The doors stood open in welcome, a space heater was fired up making life more tolerable, and there certainly seemed to be plenty of space for future expansion. Pub tables and chairs were arranged for our comfort and a bar was set up with three handpumps for Blonde Moment, 4.0%, with a golden hue and a smooth well balanced hop feel. Apparently primarily aimed at the female drinker, it appealed to more than a few metrosexuals present as well. Also Pipe Dream, 4.3%, straw coloured and flavoured with Chinook hops. This gives it a very moreish bitterness that demands you try it again. Cheeky Pheasant, 4.7%, was fruity and satisfying, its taste belying its strength. Brewer Keith Wright then explained, with the use of a powerpoint presentation, the origin of the brewery’s name, the history of beer production and a brief history of the brewery, whose previous location had been on an old air force base with lots of local history. He explained processing, cost & use of malt and hops, and stressed the importance of making sure the malt was cracked longitudinally in order to get the maximum starch out. He had some very amusing anecdotes about local characters. Keith is clearly interested and enthusiastic about the ‘nuts and bolts’ of brewing – he told us he uses Thwaites yeast and would love to have a microscope so he can investigate its structure!
The plant is quite high-tech and the recipe-driven system can be run by pushing a button on the laptop from any location. There followed a hotpot supper with bread, beetroot and pickled onion accompaniments.
By this time we’d decided that, even though our proposed next stop, the Turks Head in St Helens, was an award-winner, due to our late running (and because everyone was having so much fun in the brewery), we’d have to save it for another day. Keith then gave the interested parties a quick tour of the brewery, and ferreted in his stores producing chill-filtered bottles of Pure Blonde (4.6) and Cheeky Pheasant for us to try, and compare. Reluctantly we were rounded up by our Social Secretary (it was a work day night after all) and we thanked Keith for his excellent hospitality, which we hope to take advantage of again later in the year. Those lucky enough to live in Bury were dropped off just before the witching hour, when certain people could not resist the lure of last orders in Wetherspoons…….
It was a gloriously crisp and sunny autumn day as we headed for North Wales. First call was to Facers Brewery, located in a single unit on a new industrial estate just outside Flint town centre. This was our first visit since their relocation from Upper Broughton. We had been warned that things might get a little cosy, and with good reason. Luckily our party was slightly smaller than usual otherwise we wouldn't have all got through the door. As it was, it was a case of one in, one out when going in the barrel store for a refill. Dave had laid on a spread of nibbles and four of his beers - Dave's Hoppy Beer 4.3 (a dry-hopped version of Splendid Ale and really hoppy), Clwyd Gold 3.5 (this ruby-coloured beer is very popular in North Wales where they prefer a more malty brew), This Splendid Ale 4.3 (golden with fruit and flower notes) and Flintshire Bitter 3.7. His range also includes Sunny Bitter 4.2, Landslide 4.9 (golden, slightly malty, with fruit) and Northern County 3.8. There were no problems keeping the beer cool on this day! Dave explained his brewing process - the brewery 'tour' was easy, we just had to stand on one spot in the middle and turn round to see whichever piece of equipment was being discussed!
Lunch was at the Blue Bell, Rhosesmoor Road, Halkyn, up Halkyn mountain with spectacular views over the Dee estuary and across to the Wirral. It is popular with walkers and has lots of community events. Local Water Buffalo stew with mash added interest to the menu. The house bitter, Blue Bell, is brewed by Facer's. There were also three ciders on handpump and more on gravity including some at 7% involving malt whisky and port. Here there was Weetwood Eastgate Ale, Boggart Dark Mild and Fuller's Chiswick Bitter.
A quick nip down the A55 to the next junction and the Black Lion at Babell. This was another isolated country village gem, dating back to the 13th Century and reputed to be haunted. One room has wood panelling and an ornately carved fireplace which is reputed to come from the German home of the composer Liszt. More fantastic views over the fields at the back. A guest book contains signatures of Bob Monkhouse, Lulu and Shirley Bassey! House bitter was Black Bull, again brewed by Facer's (I see a pattern emerging here!) Also available were Spitting Feathers Blood, Sweat and Cheers.
Next to the Fox Inn at Ysceifiog, a fantastic Grade II listed pub with an unusual sign. It was on the pilgrims' route from Shrewsbury to St Winefride's Holy Well (in Holywell, strangely enough!) It is more than 270 years old and was named after one Ignatius Fox, head of the local gentry. It is also listed on the CAMRA national inventory of pub interiors. One room is used as a Post Office on Friday mornings! Four rooms and a cosy lounge with a real fire. There's an unusual bench seat under the bar. Courage Directors, Great Orme Orme's Best and Brakspear Bitter were available here.
Next to the Colomendy Arms at Cadole, a very popular pub with a real fire in winter, located near Loggerheads Country Park. Camping is possible by prior arrangement. Okell's Autumn Dawn, Hopback GFB, Cottage Metropolitan Ale, Davenports IPA and Weetwood Auburn were available.
Our last stop, the Glasfryn on Raikes Lane, Mold (follow the signs for Theatr Clwyd) was originally the residence for circuit judges attending the courts opposite. A hugely spacious interior had loads of filled bookshelves and was decorated with theatre posters and prints.
The pub food menu was extensive and interesting but rather expensive, with mains going up to £15. Mind you, the beer was £2.80 a pint as well! It was still very popular, with many tables being reserved for the evening. A superb range of beers was available for our consideration: Ossett Spellbound, Ossett Warhorse, Lodden Oarsome, Thwaites Original, Hanby Draw Well, Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Beartown Bear Necessities, Black Sheep Ale, Wadsworth 6X and Taylor's Landlord. Strangely, despite the cavernous proportions, there was a sign at the door barring prams, pushchairs and wedding parties, and there were some mutterings from a barmaid because we were classed as a coach party (20) and it was claimed that we hadn't booked the coach in even though our organiser had agreed it with the Manager the previous week - some communication problem at their end, obviously.
It was decided that the European City Of Culture was due a visit in this, its most prestigious year. Our leader, once again, was to be that venturesome explorer; Mathew Parr. Liverpool has provided many a good crawl over the years, and an overcast day did little to dampen the spirits. First stop was the Ship & Mitre. Now in all the years I've been coming to Liverpool, this pub has never been open when advertised. True to form, it was still closed when we arrived for our first drink. However, after a few minutes skulking, the doors were opened and it was a race to the bar. The more professional of us hung back to allow the warm beer to be pulled through and study the selection, which was very good. I settled for Little Valley (3.9%) which was red and inoffensive. Empire Longbow (4.2%) was golden and despite a slightly unappealing aroma, had a pleasant hop kick. Then it was full steam ahead and look out Liverpool.
Next stop was the Lion which is a great historic boozer and one of my favourites. Wentworth Venture (3.6%) was chosen. Unfortunately, this proved to be just brown and thin. Perhaps I should have tried the Lees! Thomas Rigbys was a surprise disappointment. This Okells pub (despite the nice back room), was looking decidedly tired. No food available and a limited beer choice didn't help. An Okells pub with only Bitter on? This was tried and I found it only average. The White Star was also looking a little faded, but the beer selection looked good and we had some jovial local banter whilst there. Rugby's Wrong Shaped Balls proved popular, but my Bowland Gold was again only average, and not a patch on its recent appearance in Bury. Looking for food, we headed for the Swan which was new to me. A side street boozer, first impressions were not favourable. Dim red lighting didn't help the gloomy interior. However, a good selection of beers lightened the mood, and the George Wright's Valentine Kiss (4.2%) was excellent.
The Pilgrim had an even better choice of beers including Copper Dragon Golden Pippin. However, as it was Phoenix Brewery's first account in Liverpool (and the brewer was present), I plumped for White Monk which was very good. An interesting pub, each table has a different brewery emblazoned upon it. Our next stop-Ye Cracke, has proved inconsistent over the years and so it was today. A combination of deadlegs and poor choice had me scuttling to the Belvedere. This is a cracking little, two roomed (both with real fires), pub set amongst an area that resembles a Chelsea suburb. Amongst the comfort of the back room, I enjoyed an excellent pint of Golden Pippin.
A stone's throw away is the Blackburne Arms, which is another smart, modern, establishment. Perhaps a little sterile for some tastes, however, it can't be faulted in terms of choice and quality.
Disappointment awaited (once again), at the Philharmonic. This famous Liverpool pub hasn't always been good, beer wise, and so it proved today. Worth visiting if you haven't been before, otherwise keep your beer expectations low. On the other hand, Fly in the Loaf rarely disappoints. Today was no exception with a good choice of Okells beers and guests. My Fullers Discovery was a well conditioned, cool, enjoyable pint. The Okells Bitter was also good. Last stop for me was the Roscoe Head and its cosy, very small, tap room. Yet another pub that is much better after the smoking ban, there were 6 beers on offer. Wisely avoiding the Hambleton, I tried Jennings Bitter (not bad), before sticking to the Golden Pippin.
Just time for a toilet stop at the Dispensary, and a dash for the station to get back into Manchester in time for the rugby. Alas, for some people, the bright lights of Liverpool proved just too alluring, and they spent rather longer than planned enjoying its delights. A good day out, and Mr Parr is to be congratulated on his perspicacity.
When on our travels, if we discover there is a microbrewery in the vicinity we can't resist visiting it.
So, when in South Africa earlier this year, we came across the Sneeuberg Brewery and had to visit.
It was started in 2003 by Andre Cilliers, a keen home brewer, who gave up his job in Cape Town and relocated to Nieu Bethesda, a village at over 4000 feet, in the Sneeuberg mountains.
At the moment he only brews for the pub on site, and one or two local restaurants. The brewing set up is rather like a large scale home brewing operation, using plastic fermenting barrels and a heat exchanger which he dips in!
He brews Karoo Bitter at around 5% and a sweeter, stronger Honey beer, using water from a spring which runs through his garden. The beers are excellent and are bottled by hand or put into casks to sell in the pub. He also produces 4 different kinds of goats cheese, using milk from goats he keeps across the road.
We had a delicious platter of his cheeses, locally made chutneys and home made bread for lunch, washed down with a couple of pints of Karoo Bitter. We also bought a couple of bottles to take home, along with some cheese.
All in all a brilliant place to call at if you are ever in the area!
Retired policeman David Sweeney (right) is delighted to have taken over as licensee of the Royal Oak at Rhodes Bank, Oldham. In preparation for his venture he successfully completed an intensive five day licensee training course, approved by the British Institute of Innkeeping Awarding Body. The Course was held at Robinson s Unicorn Brewery in Stockport where director Dennis Robinson presented him with a certificate to mark his achievement.
For David Sweeney taking retirement has been the springboard to a new career, as the ex-policeman has moved in as the new licensee of the Royal Oak on Union Street, Rhodes Bank.
Rather than putting up his feet, thirty years with the Greater Manchester Police gave him the appetite to continue in a sociable career. So the real ale enthusiast jumped at the opportunity to take over as licensee of his favourite pub.
“Working with the public is something that I’ve always done. Running a pub is the perfect way to stay in touch with the community and I also have the added pleasure of looking after the cask conditioned beer that I enjoy so much,” he said.
Although David, from Derker, is a newcomer to the licensed trade his parents had also kept a pub in Oldham for 20 years, so he knew what the job entailed.
“Taking the step from being a policeman to working behind the bar was still a big change. But a five day training course at Robinson’s Unicorn Brewery in Stockport was the perfect start to my new career and provided practical training in cellar management which is so important when looking after the beer,” said David.
Supporting him at The Royal Oak is his wife Lynda who helps out when she is not working as a nursery nurse. We have both had a lot to learn but it’s been a great move and something we should have done years ago,” he said.
For more information contact Oliver Mason on: 01270 760906
David Porter, who until recently owned Porter Brewing Company and a number of pubs in the Greater Manchester area, is making a brewing comeback. In 2007 he sold his empire and has been concentrating on his very successful brewery installation business. Dave has announced that together with a couple of business partners, he is opening a new 15 barrel brewery at Britannia Mill in Cobden Street Bury. The new brewery will (modestly) be called “Outstanding Brewing Company” and will produce eight ales and three lagers to be supplied in both cask and bottled form. These will be:
• OSB 4.4% A mid range copper coloured ale, with distinctive citrus hop finish.
• SOS 4.5% Light brown bitter - strictly for hop-heads, dry and intensely bitter.
• Blonde 4.5% Very pale beer that looks like a lager but is definitely an ale.
• Ginger 4.5% Light brown beer with a noticeable hint of ginger.
• Smoked Out 5.0% A brown ale beer brewed with traditional continental smoked lager malt
• Standing Out 5.5% A pale golden ale, dry and bitter with lots of hop aroma.
• Stout 5.5% A true representation of the beer style, thick, jet black and bitter with liquorice overtones.
• Pushing Out 7.3% A pale golden ale with a strong distinctive dry, bitter flavour, and a unforgettable hop aroma. Lagers also available as real ale on request.
• Pilsner 5.0%
• Clouded Out 5.0% (A wheat beer).
• Amber Bock 6.0%
Dave tells us that “selected free trade accounts will be supplied nationally.”
In addition to Outstanding Brewing Company, Dave will move his brewery installation business to his new premises and will offer training courses in brewing from there too. This is a particularly exciting venture as Dave Porter’s beers are always highly thought of. In addition to the 15 barrel plant, there will be a 2.5 barrel plant for “short production runs and experimental brews” More Beer welcomes this development which is expected to be up and running by late April/ early May. We will keep readers informed of progress and outlets.
we palate. There was just time for a quick return
Who says Camra can't organise a cup of tea up in a brewery? Not me after a day out with the denizens of Trafford & Hulme branch. The hardy folk of t'other side of Manchester were having an excursion to Elland Brewery, and luckily, there was room for me and a couple of others.
Well, where to begin? Firstly, we had to endure the hardship of five hours imbibing various E&S concoctions. And very tasty they all were as well. All in all, 14 different beers were on offer, including some of the Gary Mitchell range. Elland Best Bitter (4%) was dry, bitter, and had a good mix of English and American hops. Nettlethrasher (4.4%) was copper coloured, and is a complex mix of 6 different malts. Goldrush (4.6%) was golden in colour, and its mix of 3 malts and 4 hops gave it a spicy, floral aroma, and a refreshing citrus taste. Demons Eye (5.2%) was a copper-coloured, powerful brew, with malt flavours giving way to a dry finish. Which was the best on offer? Well, a lot of people liked Gary Mitchell's Best Bitter (4%), which was straw coloured. and had a delicate grapefruit mouthfeel. E&S Porter was also very good, with port overtures, and a complex coffee and bitter chocolate taste. But my favourite was Gary Mitchell's Eden (4.2%), which was a well conditioned, beautifully pale, session beer with in-your-face hops.
Needing a break from all that drinking, some of us ventured down to the GBG listed Barge & Barrel. This is basically a large, open plan pub, split into separate drinking areas. An excellent range of 12 awaited our judgement. Springhead Bitter (4%) was a bit thin and lacked the hops we'd been feasting on. Abbeydale Moonshine (4.3%) was golden and had some hop kick, but the bittersweet finish was spoilt by a tang of diacetyl.
It then was back to the brewery for some more punishment, before setting off to visit the 3 Pigeons in Halifax. The Three Pigeons dates from 1932, and is currently owned by Ossett Brewery. It's a fantastic boozer with 3 rooms
and a good range of real ales.
weren't enough excitement, on entering,
rooms, and Mr Parr
I plumped for Saltaire Yorkshire Pale (3.8%) surrounding a central bar. If the pub and beer a light, crisp, beer that nursed our flagging
discovered that the mighty Man United were already 2-0 up. Cue joyous outpourings in all quarters! Well, in a corner that will forever be a part of Manchester, anyway. But spare a thought for the poor Liverpool fan amongst us. Amidst much gnashing of teeth, it emerged that the mighty Barnsley had dispatched his beloved at Anfield. What choice did he have, but to throw himself on the mercy of the beer? Luckily, the beers were very good. Ossett Pale Gold (3.8%) was another beer that featured American hops, and delivered a spicy, floral, finish. Ossett Snowdrop (4.2%) was also pale, but delivered a more fruity/spicy mix. I also tried Saltaire Chocolate Stout (5%), which apparently uses Willamette hops. I couldn't detect any in the beer I had, but the chocolate and oatmeal feel was quite pleasant.
Barum Top is a large JDW pub in the centre of Halifax. A convenient last stop for those who wanted food, it was busy for early evening, and likely to get even more so. Eschewing its delights for something more exotic, Mr Parr and I set off to look for the Pump Room, which had been recommended. No member of staff at the Barum Top admitting to knowing where a good
pub was in Halifax, we were left to our own devices. Eventually we staggered across the Three Pigeons once more, and discovered that the Pump Room was but a stone's throw away. Oh how we laughed at the irony. The pub itself is a great local, consisting of two bars in two
yomp, and a chip muffin, before getting the coach back to Manchester.
Safely back in the home country, Mr Parr suggested a central pit stop. Discarding the Crown & Kettle on the grounds of decent ale choice, we played safe and settled in the Smithfield. Facers Northern County (3.8%) is usually a safe bet, but today the overall effect was spoilt, yet again, by a trace of diacetyl. Much better was Acorn Bloomfield (4.5%) which was golden, had a medium body, and a refreshing zesty citrus hop kick. Just what was needed at this stage of the proceedings. Watching Don Ricardo struggle through his 15th pint, I realised it was time for us to head home, and so we left wishing Mr P well with his curry hunting.
A very enjoyable day out, and our thanks go to Bev, and all the T&H crew.
Fancy a weekend in a beautiful compact city within easy flying distance of Manchester, with plenty of history and sights to keep you going for a few days – well Salzburg could be the place for you! December is a good time to visit the city as the Christmas markets are in full flow, the weather is very cold so you have a great excuse to consume mugs of gluhwein and bags of hot chestnuts.
One key tip – as soon as you have checked into the hotel, forget the attractions offered by the Altstadt and all the Mozart and Sound of Music tourist stuff and head straight for the Augustine monastery to meet the locals. About 15-20 minutes walk from the centre along the left bank of the river Salzach brings you to this impressive building dating from 1621 and, more importantly, the beer halls where the monks have been brewing for hundreds of years. In fact it is the only religious establishment in Austria which is still brewing.
After negotiating the impressive entrance hall and stairs you reach the main hall and even though it contains dozens of tables it sometimes takes a bit of time to find a couple of seats. Although there are plenty of waiters rushing around (and avoiding eye contact) the locals on our table suggested we went to the bar to get served. What you need to know is that you first pay for the beer you want and then collect your stone krug (0.5 or 1.0 litre) from a nearby shelf. It’s also tradition to swill the mugs in the convenient font and, if you prefer, immerse it in a small sink of warm water to achieve a warmer drinking temperature for the beer!
Following this ritual it’s a relatively simple matter to give the barman the beer chitty and he will fill your krug straight from large wooden barrels, and hurl it back to you across the counter. When we were there the standard Maerzen (4.6%) cost EUR2.70 and the seasonal Festbock (6.5%) was EUR3.10 per half litre, which was fantastic value for the area. Both beers were excellent, soft, pale and lightly hopped, and similar in style to Munich beers.
If you fancy some food there are a few independent shops in the cloisters – a couple of butchers serving hot and cold meats and sausages, a delicatessen selling cheese, olives, herring and other delicacies, a fried fish and salad outlet, a traditional baker and last but not least, a radish seller. After making your selection you go back to your table to eat it it’s like having a picnic in a beer hall!
Overall it’s a fantastic drinking experience in a truly unique environment and anyway, who needs Mozart or Julie Andrews?
For more information visit:
Not every brand or every product can claim to be a runaway success, but Dizzy Blonde, the light refreshing beer brewed by Stockport-based Robinson's has proved that it can be done.
Dizzy Blonde is making a welcome return to the pub trade this year following an unprecedented success for the brand that was originally brewed as a seasonal beer last summer.
Commercial director Oliver Robinson explained: "Each year we brew a series of seasonal beers to complement our core portfolio and add extra variety. Dizzy Blonde was the brand we launched last summer and we had to increase production to keep track with demand."
"It's great news for everybody at Robinson's and based on the impressive track record we will re-launch Dizzy Blonde in April this year and keep it in production right through to October. It's a real achievement for everybody at the company especially our team of brewers. In recent years our beers have secured a string of brewing awards and it's good to know that we can add commercial success to those achievements."
The cask conditioned beer will be available to all the pubs in Robinson's estate that ranges from the Lake District to Staffordshire and from North Wales to the Peak District. In addition, national distribution for the brand is secured through a network of wholesalers which includes Coors, Waverly TBS and Scottish & Newcastle.
For more information contact Oliver Mason on: 01270 760906
Oliver Robinson celebrates the re-launch of Dizzy Blonde, the straw coloured 3.8% ABV ale.
The light refreshing beer with its clean zesty hop dominated palate and crisp dry finish is making a welcome return to the pub