CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE

Donny Drinker No.98 Summer2008

DONCASTER & DISTRICT BRANCH

On our web site you will find . . .

Articles from the latest edition of our branch news letter

AN ATTACK ON BINGE DRINKING?

I DON'T THINK SO!

The Chancellor has slammed a 13% increase on the price of a pint of beer! What a brilliant way to curb binge drinking - NOT!

I can do no better than quote Michael Hardman (spokesman for the Society of Independent Brewers) on this subject:

"This is another nail in the coffin of the traditional British pub. By imposing such a large increase on the already unfair and punitive levels of tax on beer, the Chancellor is driving more people out of the controlled environment of pubs and into off-licences and supermarkets. We've launched a campaign to adopt policies to support pubs, practically the only place where you can buy local quality beers, which play little or no part in the current wave of disorder on Britain's streets. But the Government is clearly not in the mood to listen."

CAMRA Chief Executive Mike Benner described the inflation-busting increase as a "charter for smugglers and cheap supermarket booze." He also stated that community pubs are the solution to Britain's binge drinking problems. Far from solving the problem this budget will just lead to pub closures on a large scale, widen the gap between supermarket and pub prices and encourage smuggling and cross-border shopping. A recent survey has revealed that two pubs are closing every day. That's before this latest blow!

How many of the drunken louts we see falling about in Doncaster town centre streets have been drinking real ale in a traditional community pub? None of them!

It's about time the Chancellor got off his backside and found out what's happening in the real world. Is he targeting binge drinkers? No, he isn't!

Ian Round

Another brilliant Beer Festival

Doncaster CAMRA's 18th Beer Festival was a resounding success! This was despite disaster striking on the Thursday evening. Due to a power failure at the 'Hub' (Doncaster College), we were not allowed to open the festival until the following day!

I would like to extend our sympathies to all who travelled here that evening only to find the festival closed. We were, of course, powerless (literally!) to do anything about it. A big thank- you, therefore, to everyone who came back on Friday and Saturday to give us another chance.

Despite that initial setback, our Beer Festival was (I repeat) a resounding success. There were well over 80 real ales to be enjoyed together with traditional ciders & perries, fruit wines, and Continental bottled beers and lagers.

We also had live entertainment - the hit group the Wallbirds on the Friday night, the popular local group Strange Triangle on the Saturday night and, on the Saturday afternoon, the wonderful Rockingham Brass Band (conducted by Frank Hoyland, the popular licensee of the Hickleton Village Hall). This was the first time a brass band had performed at our festival, and they went down a bomb! More next year, please!

Everybody told us how much they had enjoyed themselves and what a wonderful venue we have got in the 'Hub'. What's more, although we were only open for two days, we sold all the beer! What a result!

Thank you to all who helped at the festival and thank you to everybody who came to give their support.

I can't wait for next year's Beer Festival!

Ian Round

The winning beers of the festival, chosen by "blind-tasting" panel, were as follows:

Champion Mild

Brown Cow Captain Oates

Champion Bitter

Titanic Lifeboat

Champion Best Bitter

Wensleydale Sheep Rustler Nut Brown

Champion Golden Ale

Thornbridge Jaywick

Champion Speciality Beer

Peak Ales Chatsworth Gold

Overall Festival Champion

Titanic Lifeboat

From Corner Pin to Corner Pine!! Is this the ultimate fate of one of Doncaster's favourite traditional pubs?

Does anyone know what is going on in the St Sepulchre Gate/West Street area? Doncaster CAMRA has received disturbing information of possible redevelopment in this part of town, which could pose a direct threat to the Corner Pin and the temporarily closed Horse and Jockey.

We have, of course, featured threats like this before. Those with long memories may remember a similar campaign spearheaded by CAMRA in the nineties, when the same district was threatened by a redevelopment scheme.

Back then, four pubs were affected in the area and all were granted a reprieve. Whether this was as a result of the efforts of Doncaster Branch is uncertain, but what is clear is that to do nothing is not an option.

It would seem that Doncaster Council cannot contemplate much needed regeneration in this part of the Borough, without seeing a need to demolish in order to make way for new plans. One of which we understand amazingly involves, knocking down the Corner Pin, landscaping the site, and then planting a tree!!

The Corner Pin and the Horse & Jockey are historic and irreplaceable public houses. They are assets to Doncaster town centre and should be protected from demolition and allowed to continue to serve both residents of - and visitors to - the town. These public houses have been part of community life in Doncaster for many years, each with its own distinct character and architecture, which would be very sadly missed.

At Doncaster CAMRA's recent Beer Festival, a petition was launched in support of the campaign to save these two classic town centre pubs, which resulted in an overwhelming number of signatures. To those who added their names, thank you for your support.

This is not a time to be complacent; past experience has shown us that whilst things appear to be normal one week, the next could see the council ordering in the demolition men.

Please don't let this Winter become one of discontent, help us to beat the bulldozer by registering your opposition to DMBC's proposals.

Readers are able to record their objections by simply filling in the enclosed coupon, signing it, and sending it to Doncaster Central MP Rosie Winterton (St. Sepulchre Gate West being in her constituency). (See coupon for more details)

Doncaster CAMRA - Pubs Under Threat Campaign

Planes, Trains & Baseball

After leaving Chicago we took a flight to the mid western city of Minneapolis, Minnesota (Mn).On taxing to the runway for take off the pilot suddenly announced that the plane had developed a fault and we would have to go back to have it checked out. It transpired that a plastic bag had blown across the runway and had been sucked into one of the engines - after all we were leaving the Windy City!

I got talking to a lady on the plane who was from Kansas City and sounded just like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz - she even had the cheek to say that I had a strange accent!

Anyhow once we arrived in " Mn" we headed straight for the Town Hall Brewery. The bar reminded me of a saloon from the old wild west - in fact, in a corner, some large lumberjack-shirted gentlemen were challenging all comers to an arm wrestle! There were 6 different beers on tap, all brewed on the premises. The beers I tried were Masala Mama (hoppy pale ale) and Bright Spot (amber ale). Both were in very good condition. I finished off with the Maibock (6.8%).

The next day we decided to do the 'all American thing' and see a baseball game - the Minneapolis Twins and the Toronto Blue Jays. Along one wall of the stadium was the Hall of Fame which honoured old players of the 'Twins', one of which was Harmon Killebrew. To drink, I had a Leninguekell Honey Weiss which was cold and tasteless. T'owd Harmon had certainly killed this brew off!

The other brewpub in Mn is the Rock Bottom. This is a nationwide brewery chain that is run along the lines of the old Firkin pubs. The beers I tried were Itasca Pale Ale, Big Horn Nut Brown and North Star Lager. All 3 beers were in good condition.

Our final night in 'Mn' was spent at Glueks (pronounced Glicks by the locals).This was a lovely old pub in the middle of downtown. The beers on draught were Pilsner, Dark and Red which were all brewed by Glueks in Minneapolis since 1857.

After leaving 'Mn' we took the bus to the other 'Twin City' of St Paul which was about 40 minutes away. This place was a lot smaller than 'Mn'. Great Waters brew pub was right in the middle of town and was very similar to an English micro. In fact both of the beers I tried - Oat Stout and Golden - were in the same style as our own. They made a nice change from the full hopped other beers I had tried so far.

The next day we travelled on the Amtrak Empire Builder on the 6 hour journey to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Many years ago Milwaukee was famous for the amount of breweries in the town - hence the name "the brewing city". One of these was the Pabst brewery which was founded in 1844 and at one time was the largest brewery in the States. The brewery has sadly gone but thankfully the old building has survived. It has now been converted to office and retail space and is an absolute gem of a building.

Two small brewpubs still exist in the city and both are on Water Street, although there is a 10 minute walk between them.

The beers available at the Milwaukee Ale House were Downtown Lites (4.8%) brewed with honey and pale malt, Pull Chain Pale Ale (5%) heavily hopped with cascade and east kent goldings and Louie's Demise which was a very malty amber ale (also at 4.8%).

This was yet another impressive building which had an outside patio giving scenic views of the town and riverside. Inside were some really interesting old photos from the old Pabst brewery. This was a very lively bar with live acoustic music on both nights we were there. The bar staff seemed to have an interest in real ale and all wore t shirts saying 'it's the ale that cures ya'.

The other brewpub was the Water Street Ale House whose beers included Honey Lager, Belgium Wit and Pale Ale. The blackboard behind the bar gave the following notice: Cask conditioned ale also known as 'real ale'. These ales are handcrafted in very small batches and served from a beer engine at cellar temperature.

It was now time to catch the train back to O Hare airport after a really enjoyable time.

Sideburns Dave

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor, There has been much comment on recent beer price increases notably from a member of CAMRA in the recent "What's Brewing" publication. I felt sufficiently strongly to reply to his letter along the following lines and wondered if the comments made may be of interest to your readers.

I have been a CAMRA member now for over 20 years and for the last 6 years have owned and run a village pub with my husband. I enjoy the odd beer myself and still visit a number of pubs both in the Doncaster area and elsewhere when I can. There seems to be a misunderstanding from some people who think that we licensees are making a mint. May I assure you that we are not?

I am in the privileged position of owning a pub outright. I am not restricted to ordering beer from certain breweries and I buy by quality of product, not price. The vast majority of licensees do not have this choice, as their pubs are owned by Pubcos. Many licensees therefore have little or no freedom over which beers to stock, and the wholesale price as charged by their Pubco is higher than in the open market.

Wholesale prices increased significantly before the budget and the recent price increases reflect more the price of raw materials and transportation than the duty increase. Based on a representative sample of beers, the year-on-year price to us has gone up between 8% and 11%. Like everybody else the costs of running a business have also increased e.g. business rates, gas, electricity, water. People might also bear in mind that simple maintenance costs on properties which are much-used and, in the case of many pubs, somewhat ancient, can be quite high.

I think most of us would agree that what we want is quality beer served in a friendly atmosphere at a reasonable price. Our substantial year-on-year rise in real ale sales appears to support this view.

The vast majority of licensees are working very hard to sell a quality product at a reasonable price to the consumer while still making a living. CAMRA should direct its attention to supporting licensees who are doing their best at a time when so many pubs are closing, often because the marketing "experts" at the Pubco decide they are uneconomic to run.

Jane Hicks

Thank you, Jane, for the very valid points you raise. Perhaps these marketing "experts" will one day inhabit the real world that the rest of us live in. I won't hold my breath!

Ian Round

Job Cuts! What's "Sam" Up To Now?

Samuel Smith's Brewery have suddenly made several on-the-spot sackings of landlords and bar staff in our pubs.

This follows similar job losses in Rotherham and Sheffield and is, apparently, the result of landlords not agreeing to a huge reduction in their weekly working hours. You don't understand? Neither do I!

Pubs so far affected are the "Corporation Brewery Taps" on Cleveland Street, the "Holly Bush" at Edenthorpe and the "Lumley Arms" at Maltby. The "Ridgewood" at Edenthorpe and the "Gamecock" at Harworth are believed to be the next targets.

In the past we've had real ale removed from their pubs (even though it sold well), managers being forced to use cask breathers (even though it was totally unnecessary) and licensees being instructed not to serve a full measure!

What on Earth is "Sam" playing at?!

Ian Round

SCARBROUGH ARMS, TICKHILL

It's been Pub of the Year on several occasions and it received a Pub of the Season award from Doncaster & District CAMRA in Summer 2006. It is the lovely "Scarbrough Arms" in Tickhill.

This traditional community pub is an absolute gem! Originally a farmhouse, the building dates back to the 16th Century. It is a multi-roomed pub with an absolutely delightful snug (complete with barrel-shaped tables and a real fire).

What about the beer? Well, there should be something to suit you here. Always available are Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Courage Directors, Greene King Abbot and John Smith's Cask. In addition to this there are interesting, ever-changing guest beers on offer. And the beer is served in an over-sized lined glass. This means a full measure every time!

It is intended for the pub to hold a Beer Festival to give you even more choice later in the year.

Earlier in the year, Saturday 5th July, is when the annual Tickhill Gala takes place. Why not visit the pub in conjunction with this event? Last year the Gala featured floats etc. (a real carnival atmosphere) and many of Tickhill's pubs got involved. The "Scarbrough Arms" had an all day barbecue, live music, fairground, kiddies' rides and some sort of children's event involving Sumo suits! This year there will also be the pub's Beer Festival (last weekend in September) with between 10 and 15 different real ales on offer! Something for everybody, then - please come along to both events!

So don't forget:

Tickhill Gala - 5th July, and "Scarbrough Arms" Beer Festival - last weekend in September. Should be good!

Ian Round

TAKE A TRIP TO THE "JUG"

(YOU WON'T BE A MUG)

Every now and then I stumble across something that really tickles my fancy - though these days, because I'm in my sixth flush of youth, I have to avoid too much excitement if you catch my drift. However, on a recent visit to the village of Bubwith, my fancy was well and truly tickled when my wife and I called at the award-winning "Jug and Bottle".

(I know just what the author means - but I would have said he was in the SEVENTH

Flush of youth! - Ed.).

The "Jug and Bottle" off-licence is now nicely established at the "Old School" after moving premises last year. Visually the building is very striking and, inside, the lovely high ceiling creates a sense of space which makes for very pleasant shopping (even for me!). The range of products on sale here is equally impressive and impossible to list but, suffice to say, the place is an absolute treasure trove of drinks, delicacies and delights!

Although there is an excellent range of bottled beers on offer, what really sets the "Jug and Bottle" apart from the "competition" (from a CAMRA point of view) is its real ales. The shop boasts four handpumps to cover certain busy periods, with a minimum of two beers always available. Timothy Taylor Landlord is the regular beer plus ever-changing guest ales such as Salamander, Ossett etc. which are served to customers in carry-outs for later consumption.

To give you an idea of how good the "Jug and Bottle" is, it was the Observer Best Food & Drink Shop for Yorkshire & Humberside in 2007, and owners Louise and Doug recently attended the National Drinks Retailers Awards ceremony at the Dorchester in London where the shop made the top 3 out of 155 for Best Community Off-Licence.

We were served on the day by the extremely attractive Caroline - er, according to my wife, that is. (Oh dear, he's not fooling me or anyone else! - Ed.). Fortunately, Ian Round - Editor of Donny Drinker - wasn't with us at the time or the old lad might just have blown a gasket or two! (Sounds as though somebody already has - Ed.).

The shop's slogan is: If quality food and drink is your passion - the "Jug and Bottle" is your answer.

I for one have never been to an off-licence that comes anywhere near this one. My only grumble is - I wish it were just round the corner from me!

J.E. (A.K.A. the Cusworth Kid - Ed.)

What's Tha Mean - "Sell-By Date?"

Bear with me a little, whilst I set the scene........

The year is 1910. The location is Wentworth Woodhouse near Rotherham - the ancestral home of the Fitzwilliam family since 1782.

The four children of the seventh earl were all girls and, unless there was a male heir, inheritance would go to another branch of the family.

Luckily, in December 1910, a male heir was born named Viscount Milton, - and there was much rejoicing.

For the day of his christening, on Saturday 11th February 1911, the estate was opened to the public and upwards of 50,000 people were expected to turn up.

According to the Rotherham Advertiser, 7.000 officially invited guests dined in the riding school complex where Lyons of London were charged with the catering, and 300 waiters were sent from London by special train to handle the event.

It is understood that much ale was consumed on the day, as one can possibly appreciate.

However, the report in the press which intrigues me most is the story of a "special brew". This special brew of ale had been produced by Whitworth, Son & Nephew, brewers of Wath-on-Dearne.

The Rotherham Advertiser states that a tremendous number of hogsheads (54 gallons) were delivered into the cellars of Wentworth Woodhouse, where they would sit for twenty one years and be broached for drinking at the Viscount's coming of age in 1931.

Now, keeping some beer in wooden casks for 21 years in a drinkable condition seems quite an undertaking -however good your brewer and your cellars!

" What's tha mean,...sell-by date ? We'll sup it in 1931,...when it's ready! "

Really ?

So.....let's fast forward to 1931.

The Rotherham Advertiser, December 5th 1931, "...roasting of an ox and a pyrotechnic display in the park is planned....."

What about the beer ?

Rotherham Advertiser, December 23rd. 1931. " As part of the celebrations, a Memorial Hall was opened at Elsecar, a new canteen at South Yorkshire Chemical Works and a sports ground and pavilion at New Stubbin Colliery " (all part of the Fitzwilliam portfolio ).

What about the beer ?

"after each opening ceremony, workpeople and their wives will be asked to drink Lord Milton's health in ale that was specially brewed when he was born, in anticipation of his coming of age"........

Yes, Yes, but what was it like ? Could yer sup it ?

Rotherham Advertiser,

" Mr. George Baylis, head brewer of Messrs. Whitworths is justifiably proud of the fine condition of Milton Ale after 21 years....."

"Today this particular brew is about one third the strength of ordinary whisky, and it contains more than 23 percent of proof spirit, " replied Mr. Baylis.

"Brewed of malt and hops only and matured in the wood, the result is beer, glorious beer in the truest sense of the term."

"These 50 barrels of beer have steadily gained in strength for 17 years. In my judgement it reached its maximum strength about three years ago. It is of a deep rich tint with a full nutty flavour and those partaking of its soothing draughts will taste beer such as few men of today have had the privilege of tasting. The beverage is truly nectar-like in its flavour and far, far beyond the halcyon dreams of the keenest connoisseur in the realms of ale."

So, you see, it must indeed have been a fine brew to elicit such flowery descriptions, and all this after 21 years in the cellars.

No need to worry about the "sell- by "date then!

Colin Gulliver

Historical Postscript.

Viscount Milton did inherit the estate, becoming the 8th.Earl Fitzwilliam in 1943.

He, sadly, was killed in the crash of a light aircraft over southern France in 1948.

Membership Matters - membership update

Ian Jones

(Branch Membership Secretary)

CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale is a not for profit consumer group. For more information on membership and our activities go to: www.camra.org.uk <http://www.camra.org.uk

(Non-United Kingdom residents should write for details)

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