F R E E - MerseyAle

CAMRA Liverpool & Districts M a g a z i n e 

J a n / M a rc h 

F R E E 

Inside: 

1974 Liverpool 

Beer Exhibition 

Women Driving 

Real Ale 

What has 

CAMRA done 

for you? 

Pub Revolution 

Seaport to 

Seaside 

IOM News 

www.merseycamra.org.uk 

View MerseyAle online 

C i rculation 12,000 

Photograph Neil Lloyd Nikon D2X

MerseyAle 

CAMRA Liverpool and Districts Branch 

MerseyAle Editor 

John Armstrong 

MerseyAle Welcomes 

you to the New Decade 

MerseyAle Contacts 

C o m m e n t s / n e w s / l e t t e r s / p h o t o s 

m e r s e y a l e @ m e r s e y c a m r a . o r g . u k 

A d v e rt i s i n g 

a d v e rt s @ m e r s e y c a m r a . o r g . u k 

Cost - Full page £200 

Half page £100 

Liverpool and Districts CAMRA 

Main Branch Contact 

Steve Downing 

contact@merseycamra.org.uk 

Contact for Socials and 

Coach Trips only 

Ian MacAdam 07521 741 586 

CAMRA Branch Chair 

Geoff Edwards 

c h a i r @ m e r s e y c a m r a . o r g . u k 

St Helens Sub Branch Contact 

M i ke Barber 

s e c r e t a ry@sthelenscamra.org.uk 

Web Sites 

Liverpool and Districts 

CAMRA Branch 

w w w. m e r s e y c a m r a . o r g . u k 

M e r s e y A l e 

w w w.merseyale.com 

(back copies on line) 

w w w. m e r s e y c a m r a . o r g . u k 

St Helens CAMRA Branch 

w w w.sthelenscamra.org.uk 

Isle of Man CAMRA Branch 

w w w.isleofmancamra.org.uk 

CAMRA national site 

w w w. c a m r a . o r g . u k 

Cover: Zoe in the Liiverpool 

Metropolitan Cathedral Cry p t 

C o n c e rt Room 

The opinions expressed in MerseyAle are 

not necessarily those of the Editor, the 

CAMRA Liverpool Branch or 

CAMRA Ltd. 

Welcome to a New Real Ale 

Decade. We move out of the 

Noughties and into the 

Teenies, with the anticipation 

that they will prove to be a 

Brave New Decade for Real 

Ale and CAMRA. 

With regards to CAMRA you could 

s ay “ Yo u ’ve Come a Long Way 

Baby.” CAMRA was launched in 

1971 and in 2011 it will be forty 

years old. It is true to say that 

without CAMRA, Real Ale, Britain’s 

National Drink, would have 

become extinct by the late 70s. The 

article on the First Liverpool Beer 

Exhibition page 6 held at the 

Everyman Theatre in 1974, gives a 

flavour of the challenge faced by the 

newly formed campaign. CAMRA 

has gone on to be the most 

successful consumer organisation 

in Europe. No sign as yet of a mid 

life crisis. 

So where do we go from here? 

Locally Liverpool CAMRA has set 

the objective of pushing the real ale 

envelope so as to bring real ale to 

new people. You can read of many 

examples of our active local 

campaigning. And nationally Real 

Ale is on the march as detailed in 

Real Ale is a Lifeline page 8. 

The influential Cask Report outlines 

how real ale is the lifeline for the 

pub and how real ale drinkers 

provide a pub with a Chain of Value 

which can help them weather the 

economic storms besetting their 

business. Real Ale drinkers bring 

more business to a pub than those 

who drink lager and smooth flow. 

Women and Real Ale 

We feature articles on Wo m e n 

Driving Real Ale Growth page 8, 

and on the many innova t ive 

i n i t i a t ives Liverpool CAMRA has 

brought to promoting real ale 

amongst women in the city in 

Leading the Way page 9. 

Liverpool CAMRA has developed 

a programme of innova t ive 

campaigning designed to take Real 

Ale into new settings and breaking 

down the stereotypes. 

Real Ale is a success story 

So is CAMRA no longer needed? Is 

it a busted flush? This is a view 

expressed by some of our local 

licensees (who arguably should 

know better!) On page 16 you can 

read What Has CAMRA Ever Done 

For You, where you will see the 

challenges that continue to threaten 

the future of Real Ale. There is 

much yet to fight for, and CAMRA, 

the most successful consumer 

organisation in Europe, is the 

channel through which to act. Let’s 

make this a Real Ale Decade! 

So turn to page 45 and Don’t Delay 

- Join CAMRA Today!! 


Editor 

3

The 30th CAMRA Liverpool 

Beer Festival and Festival 

Sponsor Caledonian 

Deuchars IPA 

Naturally Brilliant – 

That is the theme of the landmark 

2010, CAMRA Liverpool Beer 

Festival the 30th to be held in the 

city. Naturally Brilliant captures 

the international reputation of 

both the Festival and of the 

sponsors Caledonian Deuchars 

IPA, which has won both the 

Supreme Champion Beer of 

Britain and Champion Beer 

at the Brewing Industry 

International Awards. 

Liverpool Beer Festival is famous 

for being Probably the only Beer 

Festival in the World to be held in 

a Cathedral. It is recognised as 

being one of the hottest tickets 

in town, with demand far 

exceeding capacity. 

The 2010 Festival is the 30th to be 

held in Liverpool. The first was the 

CAMRA Liverpool Beer Exhibition 

held in 1974 in the auditorium of 

the Everyman Theatre and featured 

just eleven beers. In contrast the 

30th Festival will feature over 250 

different real ales plus over 30 real 

ciders and perries, all arrayed in 

the architectural splendour of 

Lutyen’s Crypt in the Metropolitan 

Cathedral. Both events proved to 

be the hottest ticket in town, with 

the 1974 Exhibition being full to 

capacity within 15 minutes of 

opening the doors, and the 2010 

Festival tickets were sold out weeks 

in advance. 

Geoff Edwards, Chair of Liverpool 

and Districts CAMRA says; 

“Real ale in Liverpool has come a 

long way since 1974. Liverpool 

4 

and Districts CAMRA Branch has 

helped lead a Real Ale Renaissance 

in the city. There are now more real 

ale city centre pubs featuring real 

ale, and there is a much increased 

choice of beers on offer. 

Liverpool’s real ale pubs are 

bucking the national trend of 

downward sales. Real ale is 

proving to be the economic lifeline 

for the British pub page 8. People 

will seek out pubs serving real ale 

because they regard it to be a 

quality drink that is enjoyed at 

its best in the pub rather than 

at home.” 

The national sponsors of the 

Festival, Caledonian, are also 

celebrating 140 years of real ale 

brewing at their brewery in 

Edinburgh. Caledonian is the sole 

survivor of the forty breweries that 

once operated in the city. It still 

brews in the original Victorian 

1869 brewhouse and is the only 

brewery in Britain to have direct 

fired open coppers. It has been 

described as “a living, working, 

thriving museum which produces 

world class, award winning beers”. 

Stephen Crawley, the Managing 

Director of Caledonian, is a 

local lad from the Wirral, 

educated at Birkenhead 

Grammar. He says; 

“Caledonian is delighted to 

be sponsoring the landmark 

30th CAMRA Liverpool Beer 

Festival. Both Caledonian and 

CAMRA are committed to bringing 

new people to real ale, and can 

confirm that there is a nationwide 

Real Ale Renaissance. People, 

particularly women and young 

people, are switching to real ale. 

Sales of Caledonian beers have 

seen rapid growth and we are now 

expanding the choice for pub goers 

by introducing a changing range of 

three seasonal Caledonian beers in 

addition to our established beers 

Deuchars IPA and Caledonian 

80 Shilling.” 

Geoff Edwards says; 

“Naturally Brilliant captures 

the spirit of the Festival and 

of Caledonian and CAMRA. 

Liverpool is fortunate to be 

a national leader for real ale 

and real pubs, evidenced by 

the numbers of visitors and 

locals alike who seek out its 

great real ale pubs. Liverpool 

pubs are the cultural heartbeat 

of the city and are a central 

element of the visitor 

experience.” 

Caledonian Deuchars IPA 

Sponsors of Liverpool Beer Festival 

Caledonian Deuchars IPA 

Winner of the Supreme Champion Beer of Britain 

and the Brewing Industry International Award 

You Know You’re Due a Deuchars! 

Caledonian would like to thank all their local 

stockists for their support over the years. If you 

want to find your favourite pint Deuchars, below is 

a list of 30 accounts 

Celebrate the National Switch 

On to Real Ale! with Deuchars 

Enjoy a Pint of Caledonian in these 

Great Merseyside Pubs 

Liverpool - Blackburne Arms, Philharmonic Hotel, Everyman Bistro, 

Grapes Knight Street, Belvedere, Hanover Hotel, Metro Bar, 

Richmond Hotel, White Star, Cornmarket, Lion Tavern, Beehive, 

Globe, Crown, Pig and Whistle, Railway Tavern 

Woolton - Gardeners, Elephant 

Old Swan - Albany Mossley Hill - Storrsdale 

Crosby - Crows Nest, Volunteer Arms, Waterloo Rugby Club 

Wirral - Pollards, Stanley’s Cask, Wheatsheaf Raby, Boat House, 

Farmers Arms, Ship Hoylake, Chester - Centurion 

Caledonian 

Deuchars IPA 

National Sponsors of Liverpool Beer Festival 

Caledonian and Liverpool CAMRA –

The First Liverpool Beer 

Exhibition 

1 9 74 

The 2010 Liverpool Beer Festival is 

the 30th Festival to be held in the 

city. The first was on Thursday 

12th to Saturday 14th September 

1974 and was called a B e e r 

Exhibition not a Beer Festival. It 

was held in the Everyman Theatre 

with the casks set up in the stalls, a 

very bohemian setting for what in 

1974 was a revolutionary event. 

Real Ale beer exhibitions/festivals 

w e re then a new concept 

developed by the recently formed 

C A M R A to raise people’s 

a w a reness of real ale and the 

very real threat to its continued 

existence. 

A case of the Bland leading 

the Bland 

The big brewers had become the 

Big Six and were on the march 

across the land. They were buying 

up smaller family brewers in order 

6 

to obtain their pubs and 

then closing down the 

b re w e r y. They then 

t rucked in their 

national brand keg 

beers which were 

heavily advertised and 

promoted. Remember 

the Watney’s Red 

Revolution with their 

Red Barrel, the Te t l e y 

Bittermen and the 

equally appaling 

Whitbread Trophy Bitter - the Pint 

that thinks it’s a Quart? Many 

people were fooled by the 

advertising and did not realise that 

family brewers were disappearing 

along with their real ales. 

Real Ale was under Real 

Threat! 

CAMRA had been set up in 1971 

with the Merseyside CAMRA 

Branch being formed in the Globe, 

Cases Street, on 18th January 1974. 

An intrepid group of Merseyside 

Branch CAMRAmembers resolved 

to do something about the threat to 

real ale, and organised the first 

Liverpool Beer Exhibition. They 

wanted local drinkers to re a l i s e 

what real ale was all about and that 

t h e re were diff e rent real ales 

available on Merseyside brewed by 

a range of breweries. By exhibiting 

that range of beer choice the aim 

was to encourage drinkers to be 

more adventurous and to actively 

ask for real ale rather than just 

accepting the new keg beers. 

Another aim was to showcase the 

different breweries that offered real 

ale on Merseyside and to 

encourage people not just to stick 

with one familiar brew. A range of 

beers was bought from the local 

brewers such as Walkers, Higsons, 

Boddingtons. Lees, Thwaites, 

Wilsons, plus an intere s t i n g 

selection of beers obtained from the 

Yorkshire Clubs brewery. This was 

one of the last times the Clubs beers 

f e a t u red at a festival as the 

b rewery closed soon afterward s , 

another victim of the keg tide. 

The first Liverpool Beer 

Exhibition proudly featured 

eleven real ales. 

It sold out on the Thursday 

night in just 15 minutes! 

The doors opened at 7.30 pm and 

by 7.45 the Everyman Theatre 

was full! 

The famous national cartoonist Bill 

Ti d y, who had recently started 

drawing the Keg Buster strip in 

What’s Brewing, opened the 

Exhibition, something of a coup for 

the Branch. 

Entertainment included a fire eater 

and a Flash Harry Show. Who was 

Flash and who was Harry is not 

recorded! The fire eater must have 

been competent as there is no 

record of the theatre burning down! 

So successful was the first Beer 

Exhibition that a Second was soon 

organised, this time in the Catholic 

Chaplaincy adjacent to the 

Cathedral. The story of the 30 

Liverpool Beer Festivals was 

in train! 

Beer Exhibition 2 – 

The Sequel 

For the second Festival the 

CAMRA group took to the road as 

white van man and woman, 

heading around the country 

collecting casks of real ale from the 

leading family brewers. No 

wholesale beer distributors in those 

days! The family brewers’ real ales 

were gaining a cult status through 

Richard Boston’s beer column in 

The Guardian. Names such as 

Ruddles, Theakstons, Batemans, 

Youngs, Hook Norton and yes 

Boddingtons, were becoming 

known as the leading lights of real 

ale. However in those tied pub 

days it was a case of tracking these 

beers down in their local lairs. 

Hence the white van. 

The Times They are 

a Changin’ 

How times have changed since 

1974 in the brewing and pub 

industries! Many of the bre w e r s 

mentioned above were 

subsequently taken over by bigger 

The most famous 

arts Festival in 

Britain, the 

Edinburgh Festival, 

is now also 

renowned for its 

parallel event, the 

Edinburgh Fringe. 

Similarly the 

players, who may have retained the 

brand name but radically altered 

the beers and the quality. The tied 

pub brewery structure has gone, 

with many companies now having 

withdrawn from brewing, leaving 

the pubs to be run by separate Pub 

Companies. Real Ale has survived 

and has prospered, but has then 

faced renewed threat from keg 

lager and smooth flow beers served 

with nitrogen and requiring no care 

or skill from the licensee. 

success of the CAMRA Liverpool Beer Festival has led to the growth of 

a Beer Festival Fringe, in which a number of City Centre pubs run pub 

beer festivals during the dates of the Big One. Year by year the number 

of pubs grows, making the three days of the Festival a Real Ale 

Happening across the city. 

For 2010 we are aware that the following are planning pub festivals 

for the dates (and beyond) of the CAMRA Festival. 

Ship and 

Mitre 

Dale Street 

Dispensary 

Renshaw Street 

fringe 

b e e r f e s t i v a l 

Augustus John 

Liverpool 

University 

Wetherspoons 

Blacklers 

Charlotte Street 

Thanks to Jean Pownceby 

For information re LBF 

Today at the 30th Liverpool 

Beer Festival 

So as you now enjoy exploring 250 

d i ff e rent beers and over 30 re a l 

ciders and perries in the majestic 

setting of Lutyen’s Cathedral 

Crypt, give thanks to the 1974 

members of Merseyside CAMRA 

and their spirit of endeavour in 

organising the first Liverpool Beer 

Exhibition and helping to Save 

Real Ale. 

Without them we would 

not be here today. 

DW Jones 

7

8 

Real Ale is a Lifeline - 

CASK ALE REPORT 

The Cask Report 2009 by Pete Brown provides further 

evidence of the growing market for real ale and how it 

is providing a lifeline for pubs in these difficult 

economic times. The report shows; 

■ Real Ale is the only category of the on trade 

beer market that is growing. 

■ Its share of the on trade beer market has risen from 

11% in 2007 to 13.5% now. 

■ 3,000 additional pubs took real ale in 2008 

■ Research by CGAStrategy shows that 42% of 

licensees name Real Ale as the drink that is 

outperforming everything else on the bar. 

■ 400,000 people tried Real Ale for the first time 

in 2008 

The Cask Report 2009 reveals 

that women are driving the 

growth in real ale sales. 

Contrary to popular perception 

that real ale is not a women’s 

drink, the facts are; 

■ One in six women now drink 

real ale 

■ Women now account for one in six 

of all real ale drinkers 

■ The number of women who have 

tried real ale has doubled 

■ The number who continue to 

drink it has doubled 

■ Women are interested in range of 

beer styles, different flavours, 

complexity and character of flavour. 

■ The number of female 

real ale drinkers is 

doubling year on year 

■ CAMRA research 

shows 50% of all 

adults have tried 

Real Ale 

Blockages and Solutions 

Why don’t women drink more beer? 

Image – beer and lager is seen as 

masculine and “chavvy” compared 

with wine 

Weight – women have a mistaken 

view that beer has more calories 

than wine and soft drinks, 

Ta s t e – women have a pre - 

conception that they won’t like the 

taste of beer and that “it all tastes 

the same”. 

Presentation and Amount – Women 

Real Ale creates a unique chain of value in pubs 

that stock it well. 

Real Ale attracts more drinkers to a pub, who visit 

pubs more often than other drinkers, with a higher 

spend per visit than other drinkers. 

In short Real Ale is a lifeline for the pub. 

Women Driving Real Ale Growth 

The number of women who 

drink real ale has DOUBLED 

from; 630,000 in 2008 

To 1.3 million in 2009 

However women still lag behind 

men in drinking beer, which 

indicates considerable scope for 

growth in real ale sales 

In Britain 37% of women drink 

beer compared with 77% of men 

In the UK women account for 

51% of the population yet account 

for only 13% of beer consumed 

In the United States w o m e n 

account for 2 5 % of beer 

consumed 

In Spain women account for 44% 

of beer consumed 

don’t like pint glasses and often find 

a pint is too much volume. 

Solutions 

Image – real ale does not have the 

masculine “chavvy” image 

associated with lager, and is 

increasingly presented as a quality 

drink with interesting provenance 

comparable with wine. 

Weight – information that beer is no 

more fattening than wine and soft 

drinks is helping change 

perceptions. Measure for measure 

real ale has fewer calories than wine 

soft drinks or a gin and tonic. It is 

also less bloating than lager, smooth 

flow and keg beers because it has no 

added gas. 

Taste – free tasters are crucial to 

overcoming the “I won’t like it and 

it is all the same syndro m e . ” 

Women are not afraid of stro n g 

flavours – that is what they are used 

to in wine. The key is to 

offer tasters. 

Presentation and Amount – use of 

more women friendly glasses and 

smaller volumes, such a third of a 

pint and a three quarters pint, 

would help make real ale more 

approachable. Presenting real ale 

with food is another avenue 

attractive to women. 

Leading the Way – Liverpool 

CAMRA Promoting Women and Real Ale 

Liverpool and Districts CAMRA has 

been leading the way on 

i n t roducing real ale to wo m e n . 

Many of the suggestions in the Cask 

Report have already been in motion 

in Liverpool for some years now, 

contributing to the reported growth 

in real ale drinking by wo m e n . 

CA M R A’s appro a ch has been 

focused on over coming barriers 

which deter women from trying 

real ale and making it 

m u ch more accessible and 

female friendly. 

At the same time this has not 

involved a dumbing down of the 

real ale promoted, as the Branch 

s t ro n g ly believes that women 

enjoy different strong flavours and 

the contrasting styles that real 

ales offer. 

S ta rting in 2004 Liverpool 

CAMRA has; 

Run regular Free Street Tastings of 

Real Ale in association with the 

massively popular Hope Street Feast 

carnival, the Liverpool 800 Charter 

C e l e b rations, plus numerous 

smaller events. The concept is to 

make real ale tasters available to 

passers by. This has received a very 

positive response from women, who 

often for the first time have the 

chance to sample contrasting styles 

of real ale. 

Organised Free Real Ale in Fashion 

Evenings at the Lion Tavern, where 

L iverpool fashion designers have 

paraded their latest collections with 

around six contrasting free real ale 

tasters on offer. These eve n i n g s 

p r oved extremely 

popular and 

presented real ale and real pubs in 

a totally new light wh i ch was 

female friendly. 

Run a Free Tutored Real Ale Tasting 

for over 100 women at the 2007 

Liverpool Beer Festival. This was led 

by CAMRA women members and 

brewers from the featured 

breweries. The most popular beer 

defied stereotypes, with those 

present voting Okells Eastern Spice 

number one, rather than citrus fruit 

beers and golden ales. 

Promoted Food and Real Ale. Since 

2004 Liverpool CAMRA has been 

promoting Real Pub Food and Real 

Ale in combination. Events have 

attracted a number of women who 

attended to sample the food but also 

then tasted the beers. 

Taken Real Ale into 

Unusual Settings. 

In addition to the Street Ta s t i n g 

Events, Liverpool CAMRA has run a 

Beer and Brass evening at the 

Philharmonic Hall with members of 

the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic 

O rch e s t ra providing the Bra s s 

alongside CAMRA’s display of ten 

different Merseyside brewed real 

ales. Again the different setting 

a t t racted a number of wo m e n 

who would not normally 

go to a real 

ale event. 

Promoted Real Ale and Beer and 

Pub Tourism 

This was the campaign theme of the 

2008 Liverpool Beer Festival, when 

CAMRA promoted Liverpool as a 

National Centre of Beer and Pub 

Tourism. Again this initiative places 

real ale and pubs in a wider tourism 

context, one where the European 

Capital of Culture 2008 can be 

enjoyed alongside the best of real 

ale and pubs. In turn this presents 

L ive r p o o l ’s Real Ale heritage 

in a light wh i ch makes it 

more accessible to visitors 

including women. 

Feedback from CAMRA Liverpool 

women members is that the 

Presentation and Glass Size and 

Style issues may be ove r 

emphasised in the Cask Report as 

being obstacles to attracting women 

to real ale. The member’s view is 

that the half and pint sizes work fine 

for women, and that it is offering 

the tasting opportunity that is key 

to persuading women to try real ale 

and discover the wide range of 

flavours and styles. 

9

Roscoe Head 

2 4 R o s c o e S t r e e t L 1 2 S X 

Te l : 0 1 5 1 7 0 9 4 3 6 5 

The Roscoe Head is a true English public 

house with lots of character. One of the few 

pubs in Liverpool and indeed Great Britain to 

have survived the onslaught of the super pub 

chains and remains unspoilt. With a recent 

sympathetic refurbishment, which has still 

managed to retain its original character, 

The Roscoe Head is a very special 

watering hostelry. 

Consisting of two small rooms, a main bar and 

a tiny snug, conversation definitely rules at this 

establishment, not here will be found a jukebox 

or fruit machines, just good beer, traditional 

food and a warm welcome, all delivered by our 

friendly and well-trained staff. 

The Roscoe Head is a town local with 

customers from all walks of life, the backroom 

debates are always entertaining whether it be 

politics or football on the agenda the banter 

is always good. 

Carol and her 

Staff welcome 

all customers 

old and new 

and wish 

everyone a 

Very 

Happy New 

Year 

w w w. ro s c o e h e a d . c o . u k 

Te t l ey ’s Bitter and Jennings Bitter 

PLUS 4 

C o n s t a n t ly Changing 

GUEST BEERS! 

Try our delicious homecooked 

food 

s e rved Mon- to Fr i 11.30am - 2.30 pm 

Popular Quiz Night 

on Tu e s d a y, always fun! 

We also have a cribbage night on 

We d n e s d a y s 

Winner of many awards and the only Merseyside pub to feature in every edition 

of the Good Beer Guide. That’s 37 years of Good Beer Guide entries! 

B r e w e r yNews 

Liverpool Organic Brewery – 

Ellan Vannin 

The LOB have brewed the official 

ale to commemorate the 100th 

Anniversary of the Isle of Man’s 

greatest ship tragedy – the loss of 

the Isle of Man Steam Packet 

Company ship, the Ellan Vannin 

on the 3rd December 1909. Caught 

and overwhelmed by a ferocious 

storm whilst on passage fro m 

Ramsey to Liverpool, she sank 

whilst nearly in sight of port off the 

Mersey Bar with the loss of all 15 

passengers and 21crew. 

A bottle of the Ellan Vannin Ale 

was handed to all passengers on 

board the special Mersey Ferries 

sailing, including the Ty n w a l d 

First Minister, Tony Brown. A 

service of remembrance was held 

on the Ferry in mid river with 

wreaths cast on the waters. 

Originally named the Mona’s Isle 

II, she was built in 1860 in Glasgow 

as a 339 tonnes iron paddle 

steamer, then was later converted 

to a twin screw propeller steamer 

and renamed in 1883 as the Ellan 

Vannin (the Manx name for the Isle 

of Man). Following the tragedy as 

a mark of respect the IOMSPC 

decided to never name one of their 

vessels Ellan Vannin ever again. 

A further Liverpool link is the song 

Ellan Vannin written by Hughie 

Jones of the Liverpool folk group 

the Spinners, who for a number of 

years performed at the Gregson’s 

Well Higson’s pub. 

At one am in Ramsey bay 

Captain Teare was heard to say 

“Our contract said deliver 

the mail 

In this rough weather we must 

not fail” 

Oh Ellan Vannin of the Isle of 

Man Company 

Oh Ellan Vannin lost in the 

Irish Sea 

Less than a mile from the bar 

lightship 

By a mighty wave Ellan Vannin 

was hit 

She sank in the waters of 

Liverpool Bay 

There she lies until this day 


Man Company 


Irish Sea 

Few Manxmen now remember 

The third day of the month 

of December 

The terrible storm in 

Nineteen – nine 

Ellan Vannin sailed for the very 

last time 


Man Company 


Irish Sea 

Hugh E Jones – Wee Huge 

publications 

Cains Shanghaied 

Cains Export lager has broken into 

the Chinese market with an initial 

delivery of 12,000 bottles to 

Shanghai, Liverpool’s twin city 

and location for the Expo 2010 

Exhibition. A lorry load of the 

lager was dispatched from the 

brewery in November. Cains is 

working with a major Chinese 

distributor and has been assisted 

by Liverpool Vision and the UK 

Trade and Industry export advisor, 

and is hopeful of a similar deal 

in Beijing. 

The Chinese breakthrough follows 

on from Cains’s effort to break into 

the American market with its 

Export Lager. In September Cains 

attended a brewer’s convention in 

the States and that led to talks with 

four importers who supply pub 

style bars. Cains are hopeful of a 

deal early in the New Year to 

supply Export lager and keg beers. 

Peerless Brewery – Going the Full 

Whack 

The Peerless 

B r e w e r y 

B i r k e n h e a d , 

( f o r m e r l y 

Betwixt), is 

going the Full 

Whack with a 

r e v a m p e d 

beer range, 

new beers 

and an expansion in its trading 

a rea to include Manchester 

and Lancashire. 

The new beer is the 6% F u l l 

Whack, a pale ale in the IPA style. 

Full Whack was a Liverpool 

sailor’s expression from the 19th 

Century, used to demand their full 

rations. The nickname “whacker” 

derived from this usage. 

Peerless MD Steve Briscoe is also 

the brewer. He has been joined by 

his wife Rose who has taken on the 

sales and administration roles. 

Brimstage Brewery 

Mike McGuigan, formerly a 

partner and brewer at Beetwixt 

b re w e r y, has moved across the 

Wirral peninsular and joined 

Brimstage as brewer. It will be 

interesting to see if Mike brings his 

expertise in brewing a range of 

world beer styles to his new role, 

and extends the established and 

well respected beer range 

at Brimstage. 

1 1

The Hillfoot, 

on Hillfoot Road Hunts Cross, has 

followed other Mitchells & Butlers 

pubs in our area by selling Real 

Ale. There are usually two ales on 

from the groups usual suppliers 

that include Cains, Thwaites and 

Greene King. 

The Central & Commercial 

is the latest town centre pub to 

realise the benefits of stocking Real 

Ale. There are usually two beers on 

at a time from a list of six supplied 

by Thwaites. This pub used to sell 

real ale 25 years ago when it was 

branded as a Walkers house. 

Cuffs on Wavertree High Street is 

now stocking a Cask Ale. There is 

one beer at a time from a variety of 

breweries. Previously the only pub 

serving Real Ale in the area was 

the Edinburgh. This latter pub 

continues to offer a good variety of 

guest ales. The Monday Irish music 

evening here is well worth 

seeking out. 

The Childwall Fiveways 

closed in November for building 

work after being bought by JD 

Wetherspoon. This re p resents a 

new departure for Wetherspoons 

in purchasing buildings alre a d y 

trading as pubs. Previously the 

company has converted other 

c o m m e rcial premises, varying 

f rom shops to Cinemas, into 

licensed premises. The Fiveways 

will also be unusual in that it has a 

car park. The pub is due to reopen 

in February. 

The Grapes Knight St 

Has gone from 3 Handpulls to 6 

serving Liverpool Org a n i c 

B rewery Beers, Caledonian and 

other guest beers. 

Crosby/Waterloo 

Two pubs in the Crosby/Waterloo 

area are now serving Real Ale – the 

B a r b a c o a in Brighton-Le-Sands, 

which is a modern style 

b a r / restaurant, has one hand 

pump and will be keeping an 

interchanging range of beers from 

local and national breweries. On a 

recent visit the beer on offer was a 

well-kept pint of Timothy Taylor’s 

Landlord. There is a smart dress 

code here in the evenings. 

A short walk away, the recently reopened 

Brooke Hotel has thre e 

hand pumps although on our visit 

one was off and the other two were 

both serving Shepard Neame’s 

S p i t f i re. Although the pub is 

spacious and has many unusual 

f e a t u res including a working 

fireplace, on our visit the beer was 

poor and the huge screens used for 

showing football matches may 

deter less sports minded drinkers. 

Albion on the Ale – Cheshire 

Pub of the Year 

Liverpool old boy Mark Ya t e s , 

partner Gillian and son Kevin, 

previously of the Baltic Fleet, have 

made their mark at the Albion in 

Warrington, winning the CAMRA 

Cheshire Pub of the Year Award. 

The Albion, Battersby Lane (15 

mins walk from Wa r r i n g t o n 

Central) has won the top Cheshire 

pub award in recognition of the 

sterling work in turning around a 

failing keg pub into a vibrant real 

ale venue with up to six changing 

guest beers, good home cooked 

food and an eclectic range of 

entertainment. What is more the 

long awaited and promised Albion 

Brewery in the coach house at the 

rear is now due to open early 

February, with Mark at the mash 

tun. The Albion will then be a Brew 

Pub. See www.albionales.com for 

details and directions. 

White Star Rainford 

Gardens 

Alfie and Jackie at the “Whitey” 

enjoyed a bumper pre-Christmas 

period at the pub with real ale 

sales going through the roof. On 

average going through between 

25 - 30 casks (9 gallon Firkins) a 

week well up on a normal week of 

between 10 and 15 casks. Alfie and 

Jackie say thanks and best wishes 

to all the customers who came in. 

Real Ale it’s the future! 

A New 

Voice for 

Publicans 

The Independent Pub 

Confederation 

C A M R A has joined a number 

of national organisations in 

forming a new Independent 

Pub Confederation (IPC), 

re p resenting the views of 

consumers, licensees and small 

brewers. The Confederation will 

work to lobby government, MPs 

and landlords, particularly on 

issues around the beer tie. These 

issues were not resolved by the 

recent pub sector mediation in 

which CAMRA took part. 

CAMRA Issues 

Legal Challenge 

to OFT Decision 

OFT Rejects 

CAMRA Super 

Complaint 

PubCo Beer Tie Continues 

to Hit Licensees and 

Consumers 

CAMRA has issued a legal 

challenge to the OFT decision to 

reject CAMRA’s super complaint 

against the PubCos beer 

tie system. 

To appeal the decision, CAMRA 

has used its power under the 

Enterprise Act 2002 to take the 

OFT’s decision to the Competition 

Appeals Tribunal for the equivalent 

of a judicial review. CAMRA is 

using its own campaigning funds 

for the legal challenge, but is also 

depending on customers and trade 

bodies to back the appeal by 

making donations. 

Mike Benner, CAMRA's Chief 

Executive commented on the 

Confederation, saying: 

" We are disappointed that 

mediation talks have failed to 

deal with the issues raised in the 

BESC report and CAMRA's 

s u p e r-complaint, but the 

formation of the Independent 

Pub Confederation is a very 

positive step forward, providing 

a common voice for consumers, 

licensees, lessees and small 

b rewers. The prospects for 

industry self regulation to re - 

balance the relationship between 

pub owning companies and their 

tenants now appear slim and it is 

likely that intervention by the 

Government and Competition 

Authorities will be the only route 

to deliver a fair deal for 

consumers in the UK pub.” 

CAMRA Chief Executive Mike 

Benner is optimistic of success; 

‘ We ’ve seen the consumer 

watchdog scrutinised in previous 

years with the success of the 

Association of Convenience Stores’ 

appeal in 2005 in overturning the 

OFT’s decision at Tribunal level. 

Pending the success of our appeal, 

CAMRA remains optimistic of 

G overnment intervention or a 

r e f e r ral to the Competition 

Commission for a full investigation 

into the UK pub market.’ 

The OFT Rejection of the 

Super Complaint 

In October 2009 the Office of Fair 

Trading (OFT) announced that it 

would be taking no action 

Ten per 

Cent Beer 

Price Rise 

An incre a s e 

well above 

inflation. It 

is deliberate 

G o v e r n m e n t 

policy to 

i n c rease the 

price of beer 

t h rough the 

annual duty escalator. In addition 

VAT has now reverted to its 

previous rate of 17% and higher 

transport and production costs are 

leading to significant increases in 

b rewery beer prices. Many 

commentators anticipate a least a 

10 per cent increase across the bar. 

f o l l owing CAMRA's supercomplaint 

on the beer tie. CAMRA 

had used its Super Complainant 

status to press the OFT for an 

investigation into the beer tie, in 

particular how PubCos are 

disadvantaging customers. 

CAMRA’s complaint centred on the 

"beer tie", the arrangement by 

wh i ch pub companies such as 

P u n ch and Enterprise oblige 

licensees to buy beer from them, 

even though they may charge more 

than the licensee could buy it 

for elsewhere. 

CAMRA estimate that 

licensees affected by the tie 

pay on average an additional 

50p per pint. The Super 

Complaint argued that the tie 

was anti competitive 

The OFT said: “Having examined 

the issues raised in the supercomplaint, 

the OFT has not found 

evidence that supply ties are 

resulting in competition problems 

that are having an adverse impact 

on consumers." 

1 2 1 3 

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REAL ALE IN LIVERPOOL 

R E N S H AW STREET, LIVERPOOL 

(Formerly The Grapes) 

continued from page 13 

As might be ex p e cte d 

Britain's PubCos welcomed 

the OFT decision. 

Mike Benner, CA M R A’s Chief 

Executive, said the tie, along with 

high rents, were pushing up the 

price of a pint for Britain’s 14 

million regular pubgoers and 

forcing many pubs out of business. 

About half of UK pubs are operated 

under this kind of tie arrangement, 

including those run by Britain’s 

biggest two pub opera t o r s , 

Enterprise Inns and Punch Taverns, 

which together own about a fifth of 

the UK’s pubs. 

According to Simon Wi l l i a m s , 

senior director of the OFT's Goods 

group, pub ties cannot be 

u n c o m p e t i t ive because it simply 

wouldn't be in the PubCos interest 

to overcharge their pub estate: 

" A ny strategy by a pub-ow n i n g 

company which compromises the 

competitive position of its tied pubs 

would not be sustainable, as this 

would result in a loss of sales. Pubowning 

companies are not 

therefore protected from 

competition by virtue of the supply 

ties agreed with their lessees. We 

understand that our response to 

CAMRA comes at a difficult time 

The GMB union is challenging the 

PubCo beer tie by urging 37,000 

publicans to join the union and 

vote in a national ballot for official 

industrial action. The action would 

see publicans disconnect the 

equipment that measures how 

much beer they sell, and enables 

the PubCo to monitor that they are 

only selling beer supplied by the 

c o m p a n y. The Office of Fair 

Trading reported that tenants tied 

to PubCos pay £12,000 a year more 

than those free of the beer tie. 

Paul Maloney, GMB national officer 

said “The British public is being 

ripped off and the British pub 

for the industry, but the evidence 

indicates that consumers benefit 

from a good deal of competition.” 

Challenges to the OFT Decision 

In addition to making the legal 

challenge, CAMRA have also been 

urging Lord Mandelson to overrule 

the OFT by referring antic 

o m p e t i t ive and unfair tie 

a r rangements of the large pub 

o p e rating companies to the 

Competition Commission for an 

urgent investigation. 

Peter Luff, chairman of the Business 

and Enterprise Committee (BEC), 

said that BEC would re-convene 

before Christmas to consider 

proposals put forward by bodies 

such as the British Beer and Pub 

Association to provide a better deal 

for pub tenants. 

CA M RA is demanding that the 

G overnment ta ke immediate 

a ction to refer unfair tie 

arrangements in the pub sector to 

the Competition Commission for 

urgent investigation. 

Mike Benner, CAMRA's Chief 

Executive, said: 

"The OFT decision fails to address 

the legitimate concerns raised both 

in our super-complaint and the BEC 

Pub Revolution Mass Beercott 

industry is being driven to the wall. 

We are balloting for mass action 

which would see pubs switching 

off monitoring equipment up and 

down the country. The price of a 

pint would then come down in 

every pub across the country.” 

A national cause celebre arose at 

the Globe pub Letchworth, which 

just two months ago was voted 

by CAMRA as the Most 

I m p roved Pub in North 

H e r t f o rd s h i re. Te n a n t s 

Brian and Alison Fogie 

were given ten days notice 

to quit by PubCo Punch 

Taverns for having once 

report and does nothing to address 

the imbalance in the landlord/ 

lessee partnership which is leading 

to higher prices, less choice and 

weak investment in pubs." 

"It is difficult to see how the 

OFT can argue that 

competition is working well 

in the pubs sector when 

demand is falling, yet prices 

are rising. Urgent action is 

now required by 

Government to stem the 

flow of pub closures, build 

a sustainable future and 

ensure that consumers get 

a fair share of the benefit 

from tied agreements as 

demanded by competition 

law." 

CAMRA is determined to 

overturn the OFT’s decision 

not to investigate further the 

way the pubco model is 

being operated or 

recommend it to the 

Competition Commission. 

bought beer off tie. They refused to 

leave and were supported by 

licensee members of the Pub 

Revolution movement, a network 

of publicans who are planning to 

stop paying rent to their PubCos 

and buying tied products. 

1 5

What did CA M RA 

ever do for YOU ? 

Recently, it seems, one or two 

people locally, including some in 

the licensed trade who arguably 

should know better, have 

questioned the continuing 

relevance of CAMRA. 

Given its undoubted success in 

saving Britain’s national drink and 

helping sustain real ale sales 

against a background of recession 

and general decline in the pubs 

trade should CAMRA now shut 

up shop? 

Why? Is the battle over? Can we 

proclaim victory? I think not. 

Walk around Liverpool and count 

the number of pubs selling only 

smoothflow or keg beer and lager 

and then do the same counting the 

number serving real ale. Guess 

what? Massively more serve only 

the keg and smoothflow. 

Still believe there is no need 

for CAMRA? 

While there is no doubt that had 

CAMRA not arisen out of discontent 

with the keg revolution in the early 

seventies real ale would now be 

extinct, it is foolish to suggest that 

we don’t face threats against which 

we need to campaign. 

1 6 

The Globe 

Local CAMRA 

Branch 

founded here 

1974 

A glance at 

the pub and 

brewing trade 

will show that 

both pubs and 

breweries remain under threat of 

closure and take over, that real ale 

is in danger of becoming just a 

niche market for older drinkers, and 

that pressure from government and 

the medical profession is 

demonising drinking even in the 

controlled social environment of 

the pub. 

It is a direct result of CAMRA’s 

activities, notably over the thirty 

five years since the formation of the 

local Branch one night in the 

Globe, Cases Street, that Liverpool 

has a thriving real ale scene with a 

huge variety of beers available from 

more breweries than you can shake 

a stick at. 

This year sees the thirtieth 

Liverpool Beer Festival run by 

CAMRA volunteers. Last year the 

event sold out in little over an 

hour substantiating the near 

fanatical devotion of Liverpool 

people to real beer. These are 

achievements for which CAMRA 

members locally can be proud. 

However the need for a 

campaigning organisation 

remains as great as ever. It is 

timely to review what CAMRA 

nationally and locally is doing to 

promote real ale and pubs. 

National Successes 

Nationally, there have been 

successes with the 50% small 

brewers duty reduction, the 

promotion of micro brewers, the 

work done by CAMRA at 

Parliamentary Select Committees, 

the capitalising on its supercomplainant 

status to instigate an 

enquiry into PubCos and their beer 

ties, its robust defence against the 

more extreme proposals of the 

health lobby, leading the fight back 

against the wave of pub closures 

through the Save the Pub 

campaign, plus single handedly 

focusing attention on our 

irreplaceable pub heritage. 

And then there is 

the Good Beer 

Guide, a 

publication 

which charges no 

entry fee and 

where pubs are 

included directly 

as result of beer 

surveys by 

CAMRA 

members. This is 

the prestige 

licensees want; 

recognition from the people who 

drink in the pubs. Without CAMRA, 

who would make these decisions? 

Surely it makes sense to have a 

strong campaigning organization 

with the ear of Government 

whatever its political persuasion. 

CAMRA is recognised as the most 

successful consumer organisation in 

Europe. It is a member 

organisation which has recruited 

over 100,000 members and 

continues to grow. 

Yet there still remain issues with 

pub closures, restrictive covenants, 

the beer tie, ever increasing taxes 

on consumers to name but four 

from a long list, all of which make 

the case for CAMRA to continue its 

campaigning role. 

Local Successes 


Branch has led the way in 

broadening the promotion of real 

ale and pubs. No danger of this 

just being a social drinking club! 

To mention just some of the Branch 

campaign initiatives; 

■ Free Street Tastings to bring real 

ale to new people 

■ Women and Real Ale events, 

including Real Ale and Fashion 

evenings and a guided real ale 

tasting for over 100 women. 

■ Young Peoples’ Events to 

introduce real ale and real pubs to 

students and the under 30s 

generally. 

■ Successfully campaigning to save 

threatened pubs. 

■ Developing the massively 

successful Liverpool Real Ale Pubs 

Festival which over the last 5 years 

has built into a major annual event 

that showcases the city’s pubs and 

real ale. 

■ The Liverpool Pubs Passport 

scheme which not only encourages 

local people to visit a selection of 

pubs, but also attracts visitors and 

conference goers who are seeking 

a quick guide to the real ale pubs 

in the city. 

■ Innovative events in new places 

designed to bring real ale to new 

audiences, such as Beer and Brass 

at the Philharmonic Hall and Beer 

on the Buses featuring Merseyside 

Transport Trust’s classic preserved 

buses running to suburban pubs. 

■ Supporting and promoting the 

new brewers that have opened in 

the Merseyside region. 

■ Taking the message to the general 

public by publishing the award 

winning free full colour MerseyAle 

magazine with a print run of 

10.000 copies. 

■ Working with the official tourism 

agency The Mersey Partnership to 

promote Liverpool as a national 

centre for Beer and Pub Tourism. 

I’ve heard the arguments before; 

CAMRA is a drinking club; it’s just 

a society of lager-bashers. Well 

folks, if I want to drink, I don’t need 

to be told how to do it or join a 

club. I’m a volunteer. Nobody pays 

me, or any member of our Branch 

Committee, to say how much better 

it is to drink real ale than a pint of 

fizz and how the most successful 

single-issue campaign in British 

history with over 100,000 members 

has given me the opportunity to do 

it. I make no excuse for trying to 

convince consumers of an inferior 

product to try something better. 

For those who think CAMRA a 

busted flush or no longer relevant, 

tell me why? 

But don’t wait until the trackybottomed 

brigade has deflowered 

every decent hostelry in the City or 

the next pub becomes a boarded 

up eyesore. 

“…you don’t know what you’ve 

got till it’s gone. They paved 

paradise and put up a parking lot”. 

Joni Mitchell 

Geoff Edwards Chair of Liverpool 

and Districts CAMRA Branch 

Want to express a view on this 

article? Email to 

merseyale@merseycamra.org.uk 

1 7

Liverpool Real Ale Pubs 

Capital of Britain 

What the Papers Say 

The Liverpool Echo published a 

32 page Special Supplement, the 

Great Merseyside Pub Guide, on 

Tuesday 24th November. On page 

3 writer and Guide Editor Paddy 

Shennan summarised the 

contribution CAMRA have made 

to developing and promoting the 

Liverpool Real Ale scene. 

He began; 

“Let’s hear it for great beer, great 

boozers – and great ambassadors 

for a thriving pub scene. There is a 

great buzz around Liverpool at the 

moment …… more and more 

people are appreciating the 

delights of drinking real ale in 

real pubs.” 

"Underpinning everything with 

their ceaseless support of the local 

pub scene is the Liverpool and 

Districts branch of CAMRA - 

volunteers who devote so much of 

their time and effort to flying the 

flag not just for Liverpool's pubs 

but for the city itself.” 

Mersey Ale CAMRA’s Free 

Magazine 

“And visitors to Liverpool's real 

ale pubs - whether arriving from 

near or far - will always find a 

flavour of what the city and its 

s u r ro u n d i n g 

a reas has to 

offer when they 

pick up a fre e 

copy of the 

a l w a y s 

excellent, award 

w i n n i n g 

m a g a z i n e 

Mersey Ale - the 

g l o s s y, good looking publication 

packed with facts and comment 

and produced by Liverpool and 

Districts CAMRA." 

C A M R A 

L i v e r p o o l 

Beer Festival 

“I have pre - 

v i o u s l y 

described its 

a n n u a l 

Liverpool Beer Festival as “The 

Mother and Father of All Beer 

Festivals” – and that’s because it is. 

Held in the Metro p o l i t a n 

Cathedral Crypt, it’s always sold 

out, always atmospheric and 

always of the highest quality.” 

Festival Campaigning – Liverpool 

a National Centre for Pub and 

Beer Tourism 

“And this year’s event proved that 

it is about much more than people 

getting together to chew the cud 

while sampling a vast selection of 

ales from across the country. 

C A M R A was keen to use the 

Festival to stress that Liverpool has 

the potential to become a 

“National Centre for Pub and Beer 

Tourism” 

As Geoff Edwards, Chair of 

C A M R A Liverpool and Districts 

said; 

“Liverpool has massive potential 

…. Munich and Dublin have long 

had an international reputation for 

their beer and their pubs, attracting 

a massive number of people keen 

to experience both. 

H e re in Liverpool we have an 

unrivalled combination of gre a t 

pubs with great choice and quality 

of real ale. This is a great untapped 

opportunity to open up an 

additional niche market for 

tourism in Liverpool.” 

The Annual Liverpool Real Ale 

Pubs Festival 

“As well as its flagship Festival in 

the Cathedral Crypt, CAMRA also 

stages the annual Liverpool Real 

Ale Pubs Festival, which sees 

drinkers making use of a fre e 

Festival Pubs Passport and Map, 

which gives details of the 70 plus 

participating pubs and the 

principal events.” 

“Yes, there’s a lot of promotion and a lot of passion surrounding the 

Liverpool pub scene – but then again, there’s a lot to promote and 

a hell of a lot to be passionate about. 

The campaigners will, I’m sure, carry on campaigning – more power to 

them and more power to the pubs and punters who benefit 

from them their work.” 

Beer Wins 

Award 

CAMRA's very own BEER 

magazine has won the top prize 

for Best Consumer Publication at 

the prestigious Association of 

Publishing Agencies 

International Customer 

Publishing Awards. 

BEER received a record-breaking 

number of entries and was judged 

alongside 24 category-winning 

publications from top organisations 

such as Waitrose, Virgin and HSBC. 

BEER reached the final stage by 

winning the Best Membership Title 

(Not-For Profit /Charities / 

Associations) Category Award 

earlier in the evening. 

One judge said: "BEER is put 

together with an incredible 

amount of care and attention. It 

really talks directly to its reader 

and always has them at the heart 

of every editorial decision." 

Another judge praised BEER as 

"compelling reading", adding: "It 

does a fantastic job of moving the 

images of the CAMRA member on 

from the beard and sandals 

brigade. It really delivers on every 

level and is a very worthy winner." 

A final judge commented: "It's a 

great looking magazine. There are 

some impressive contributors 

and the whole magazine has the 

feel of a high- quality product." 

Join CAMRA and Beer is delivered 

Free along with CAMRA’s 

newspaper What’s Brewing. 

1 8 1 9

theGRAPES 

60 Roscoe St (c o rner of Knight St) L1 9DW 0151 708 6870 

6 Handpumps 

Serving constantly 

changing cask ales 

always at least one LocAle from 

Liverpool Organic 

Brewery 

Opening Times; 

1pm -12.30pm Sun, Mon, Tues, Weds 

1pm -1.30am Thurs, Fri, Saturday 

LIVE JAZZ EVERY 

SUNDAY NIGHT 10pm-12 

VernonArms 

Welcome back to the 

www.vernonarms.co.uk 

Cheers from Jimmy and Barbara Monaghan 

The Vernon Arms, Dale Street, Liverpool 

6Handpumps 

(4 Eve r- c h a n g i n g ) 

R e g u l a r s : R ev James & Wapping Johnnie Handsome 

■ Guest Ciders 

■ Belgian bottled beers 

■ Food Mon-Thurs 12- 

7pm, Fri- Sun 12-4pm 

Check out Great Meal Deals 

■ Big screen football 

■ Private functions 

catered (Lathom Lounge) 

■ 10% student discount 

off food menu 

The Vernon Arms offers all of the above in a friendly and safe atmosphere plus: 

Live entertainment Friday and Saturday 

Opening Times Mon-Thurs 11-11.30pm; Fri & Sat 11.30-2am depending on 

customer demand; Sun 12-11pm Tel: 0151 236 6132 

H e a d o f S t e a m-More 

Than Just a Pub – Steam Turns into Water 

The Head of Steam pub group 

has a long established record of 

supporting good causes through 

donations by the company and 

the engagement of its customers 

in charitable giving. 

Managing Director Tony Brookes 

created a distinctive style of pub, 

which featured an array of 

railwayana in addition to real ales. 

He has also created a distinctive 

form of regular company giving to 

Good Causes, which deserves our 

recognition and support. 

MerseyAle asked Tony to update 

our readers on the Head of Steam 

Good Causes policy. 

Tony wrote; 

“Supporting causes we believe in is 

an integral part of our business 

activity. We have, over the years, 

given a lot of money to causes we 

believe in. This is in 2 main forms. 

One is funding of complete 

projects. The second is via our 

'Change of Heart' campaign. 

We have funded the projects of 

several organisations, but most 

often WaterAid, which we believe 

gives most benefit per pound 

employed. Its mission to provide 

people with safe, clean water and 

hygienic sanitary conditions is just 

about the best thing you could ever 

do for them. 

Recently we have provided; 

£15,000 for a project at Tienfala, 

Mali in 2008 

£15,000 for a project at Vendeikya, 

Nigeria in 2007 

£5,000 towards a project at 

Yelekebougou, Mali in 2005 

£13,000 for a project at Koro, Mali 

in 2005 plus others 

Some of these included 

contributions by customers, often 

in the form of “5 pence a drink goes 

to the project” or similar. 

In all our pubs we have the 'Change 

of Heart' campaign. We had special 

boxes built with 5 compartments 

and we choose 5 charities to 

support - local and international. 

They change, but usually include 

WaterAid, Medecins Sans Frontiere 

and Greenpeace. In Liverpool, we 

supported local charities, the Acorn 

Ve n t u re Farm and the Pare n t s 

Against Drug Abuse. With this, we 

encourage customers to put their 

change in the box and we then 

double their contribution. 

We also have collecting boxes 

on most of our bars - mainly 

for WaterAid. 

The most recent project i s 

providing £15,000 to fully-fund the 

programme of work WaterAid is 

doing in the 2009/10 financial year 

in the rural district of Mondoro and 

six other rural districts in southcentral 

Mali, in Saharan-Africa - 

one of the poorest areas in 

the world. 

The funds came from the company, 

doubling everything customers put 

into the counter collection boxes 

and our 'Change of Heart' charities 

boxes that are in all our pubs, in the 

period to November 2009. If the 

amount collected comes to less than 

50%, the company will make the 

total up to the £15,000. 

We know that small amounts of 

money spent in under-developed 

areas can have a massive effect in 

i m p roving people's lives. This 

£15,000 will mean over 10,000 

people will be able to get safe 

water, near to home, for the first 

time; and over 19,000 people will 

get proper sanitation and learn 

how to adopt improved hygiene 

practices - which will make their 

lives richer and more fulfiling. 

Over the years, the Head Of Steam 

Ltd has funded such projects to the 

tune of well over £100,000.” 

MerseyAle congratulates Tony and 

the Head of Steam on this 

commitment to Good Causes and 

invites readers to make donations 

via the pubs. To paraphrase 

Merseyrail’s slogan of “more 

than just a journey” – how about 

“The Head of Steam – more than 

just a pub”. 

2 1


Belgium 

Series 

MerseyAle brings you an occasional series on Belgium – 

Probably the Beer Capital of the World. 

In addition to highlighting the great beers and bars to be found in 

the country, in future editions we also pose a more thorny question 

– despite all the praise for Belgian beers, is there evidence that 

certain brewers are dumbing down some of the counrty’s great beers? 

We also review the contribution of one of Belgium’s Master Brewers, 

Pierre Celis, who single handedly brought a great Belgian beer style 

back from the dead. And then he met the bankers! 

In this edition we start the series by taking you on a tour of Brussel’s great bars, many of which are 

to be found hidden away up the proverbial blind alleys, probably to hide them away from the casual 

tourist! We also introduce you to Belgium’s most distinctive beer style, one which people either love 

or hate, and guide you round one of the foremost brewers of the style, Cantillon. 

Brussels - 

Chasing the 

Wild Yeast up 

Blind Alleys 

B russels may tend to be 

overlooked in favour of the more 

obvious tourist attractions of 

Brugges and Ghent, yet there is 

much more to the city than the 

splendour of the World Heritage 

site Grand’ Place and the 

E u rocrats at the Berlemont 

building. The capital offers a truly 

excellent range of classic bars, so 

avoid the rip off prices in the 

tourist bars on the Grand Place 

and experience the best bars 

B russels has to off e r. A n 

interesting feature is that many of 

the best bars are hidden away 

down blind alleys to ensure only 

2 2 

the knowledgeable can find them! 

You can now buy a Eurostar ticket 

f rom Liverpool Lime Street via 

Euston and St Pancras 

International to ANY STATION in 

Belgium from £70 return. If you 

ever wondered what Lime Street 

station could be made to look like, 

then take a look at the revived 

glories of St Pancras International 

and weep. 

Cantillon Brewery 

When your Eurostar pulls in to 

the bustling Brussels Midi you are 

just ten minutes walk from one of 

the world’s classic and most 

unusual breweries, Cantillon in 

the Anderlecht district (56 Rue 

Gheude Straat). This produces 

lambic and gueuze, which are 

the most distinctive of all 

Belgian beers. 

They are produced by the world’s 

oldest fermentation method of 

relying on air borne wild yeast to 

ferment the wort of wheat, malt, 

barley and hops. The wort is 

pumped up to open vessels in the 

eves of the brewery, where the 

open windows allow the air borne 

yeast to get to work. Research 

shows that there are around 35 

strains of wild yeast which are 

involved in the fermentation of 

the beer. Because of the lower 

temperatures required to ferment 

the wild yeast, it is only possible 

to brew during the colder months 

from November to March (April 

has recently been lost due to 

climate warming). The beer is 

then transferred to massive 

wooden barrels for maturation. 

The result is lambic, some of 

which is sold young after one year 

in the wood barrels, whilst most is 

aged longer for up to three years. 

Beers of different ages are then 

c a refully blended to pro d u c e 

Belgium’s hallmark beer style, 

gueuze. This beer sorts the 

gueuze afficianados from the also 

rans. It is a beer style like no 

other, and one you will either love 

or hate. If you love it and your 

companions don’t, then you are 

unlikely to find problems with 

people taking a sly sup from 

your glass! 

In Grand National terms gueuze 

leaves many runners as fallers at 

the first fence, unable to cope with 

the shock of the initial tart 

sourness. The survivors continue 

to Beechers to discover the drop 

into a developing complexity of 

flavours, which come from the 

wild yeast and malt, and which 

underscores the initial sourness. 

Onwards to the Canal Turn where 

you need to be prepared for a 90 

d e g ree change of direction on 

discovering you do have a palate 

for this most unusual of beers. 

MerseyAle’s Mister D2x went 

t h rough the Canal Tu r n 

conversion to prove that even 

confirmed gueuze haters can 

eventually see the light. 

Cantillon offer “self guided” 

brewery tours, on which you walk 

through the surprisingly compact, 

quietly mouldering, four level 

building, with its wooden floors, 

beams and plenty of cobwebs. 

The wild yeast fermentation 

troughs are under the upper eves, 

whilst there is an amazing array of 

massive wood barrels maturing 

the beer down in the cellar. 

Cantillon is an enthusiastic 

traditional company owned by 

the Vim Roy family, which 

p roduces a wide beer range, 

including lambic brewed with real 

f ruit rather than the all too 

common overly sweet 

concentrates. Try the subtle Rose 

de Grambinus (raspberries), the 

Kriek (cherries) and the hard to 

find and supremely delicate 

Cuvee Fou’foune ( a p r i c o t s ) , 

believed to be the only apricot 

lambic in the world. The tour fee 

includes small samples of three 

Cantillon beers and bottles are on 

sale at the reception desk. Details 

see www.cantillon.be 

The Bars of Brussels 

Now head onwards to the centre 

of Brussels, about a 20 minute 

walk, to the historic wealth and 

grandeur of the Bourse and the 

nearby Grande Place. En route 

you may want to call into Le 

S o l e i l (86 Rue Marche au 

Charbon), a typical street corner 

b rown bar with a reasonable 

beer list. 

The imposing Bourse is flanked 

both sides by two classic fin de 

siecle bars. The Falstaff (17 rue 

Henri Maus) is Bru s s e l ’ s 

equivalent of Liverpool’s 

Phillharmonic. The massively 

ornate interior and extensive 

front terrace make this a popular 

venue, aided by the late night 

licensing hours. They certainly 

don’t make them like this 

a n y m o re! The experience is 

somewhat compromised by the 

bar having been taken over by a 

big brewing business, which 

results in a disappointing and 

expensive beer list. The final 

insult is that there is now a charge 

for using the toilets! 

F 

2 3

Belgium Series contd. 

On the other side of the Bourse is 

the slightly less impressive but 

more reasonably priced Cirio (20 

rue de la Bourse), which again 

o ffers a taste of fin de siecle 

magnificence. 

La Becasse 

A few yards away on Rue de 

Tabora is a la Becasse (In the 

Snipe) down the predictable blind 

alley. Look out for the illuminated 

sign and the ornate brass signing 

inlaid into the pavement. This 

cosy wood panelled bar offers a 

house lambic brewed by 

Timmermans (we recommend the 

dry version as the Doux 

is sweetened). Formal aproned 

waiters serve the lambic in cream 

and blue pottery jugs, plus the bar 

offers a good range of bar snacks. 

Now onwards to more blind alley 

bars off the teemingly busy side 

streets of the Grande Place. The 

Imaige de Nostre Dame (Impasse 

des Cadeaux) and Bon Vi e u x 

Temps (Impasse St Nicholas) are 

adjacent to each other off the Rue 

de Marche Aux Herbes. These are 

cosy traditional Flemish wood 

panelled bars, which offer an 

interesting ambience. Imaige has 

a good beer list including 

B o u rgogne de Flandres, whilst 

Bon Vieux has Westmalle Dubel 

on draught. 

In contrast the nearby Delirium 

b a r (again down a blind alley, 

Impasse de la Fidelite off the rip 

off tourist trap seafood district on 

Iliot Sacre) seems to have taken 

Delirium 

Brussel’s young people by storm. 

You will see many young faces 

joyfully populating its several 

floors. It claims to have the 

biggest beer range in Belgium of 

2000 plus, (but was twice defeated 

by MerseyAle’s requests, so don’t 

believe everything they claim). It 

is a great sight to see so many 

young people drinking classic 

Belgian beers and avidly scanning 

the massive beer menu, rather 

than asking for standard Euro 

lagers. Not the place for a quiet 

contemplative drink, but a lively 

bar and an excellent beer range. 

Now do you fancy a bit of 

puppeteering? Where else in the 

world offers a puppet theatre and 

Toone 

Bar 

a great adjacent bar adorned with 

puppets? The famous Toone Bar 

is to be found off the seafood 

restaurant bedlam of the Petit Rue 

des Bouchers, again down the 

obligatory blind alley, the Impasse 

Schuddevelde. Step from the 

bustle into a different world and 

enjoy the cosy bar with its 

hanging puppets. A good beer 

menu including Cantillon assists 

you to chill out. The owner and 

puppet master, may be spotted in 

the bar prior to a theatre 

performance. 

A return to fin de siecle grandeur 

can be experienced in Mort Subite 

(Rue Montagne aux Herbes 

Potageres next to the impressive 

1846 built arcade Galeries Royales 

St Hubert). At Mort Subite the 

formally dressed waiters weave 

their way through the long 

vaulted room with a haughty air 

of, “Are you good enough to be 

served here sir?” It has been 

described as the best surviving fin 

de siecle long bar in the world, 

and has a beer speciality, Mort 

Subite gueuze sur lie, plus a good 

range of bar snacks, including kip 

kap (pigs cheeks) and tete presse 

(brawn). Should put hairs on 

your cheeks as well as your chest. 

F rom here you can head to 

Brussels Centraal station to return 

one stop to Midi, or you can 

continue uphill past the Cathedral 

to another excellent bar, 

Le Bier Circus (89 Rue de 

l’Enseignement). This specialises 

in Belgian artisan brewers and has 

an extensive list, so you will find a 

good number of more unusual 

beers, including vintage bottles 

from the smaller brewers. 

This is all without mentioning 

two of Brussels great food and 

beer bars, which should not be 

missed as they specialise in dishes 

cooked with Belgian beers 

accompanied by an extensive beer 

list plus guidance on food and 

beer matching. The In ’t 

Spinnekopke (The Little Spider’s 

Head) is at 1 Place du Jardin aux 

Fleurs, a 20 minute walk from 

the Grande Place, but a taxi 

may be advisable to find 

this tucked away bar. Meal prices 

are on the high side, but then so is 

the quality. 

In the Marolles district, is the 

Restobieres (32 Rue de Renards), 

described as “a beery restaurant”, 

which has gained an enviable 

reputation for its cooking with 

beer and the owner’s hand picked 

beer list. There are a number of 

good beer bars close by including 

a c ross the street Warm Wa t e r, 

which unusually sells draught 

faro from Girardin. Either side of 

the nearby Place de Jeu de Balle 

a re Skieven Architek and the 

Brocante. 

If you want to visit the famous 

Manneken Pis statue and check 

out that size really doesn’t matter, 

then the Poechenellekelder bar is 

to be found opposite the statue on 

the Rue du Chene, offering a list 

of 90 beers and open courtyard 

Poechenellekelder 

seating. The Mannekin Pis boy, in 

all his glory doing what comes 

naturally, appears on the bottle 

labels of Cantillon gueuze – which 

is where we came in. 

For any beer trip to Belgium Tim 

Webb’s Good Beer Guide to 

Belgium is essential reading, and 

in particular check the bar 

opening times listed, bearing in 

mind that in Belgium these are 

dependent on the licensee. 

Available from CAMRA B o o k s 

w w w. c a m r a . o rg.uk or phone 

01727 867201 

Good Beer Guide to 

Belgium – The Guide 

with Attitude 

Morte Subite Brussels p185 

Uniformed staff police the 

rows of tables with a 

practiced disdain designed to 

make drinkers feel good about 

sitting on bench seats. 

Mort Subite 

Word of warning – Brussels bars 

don’t do Sundays so you will 

find many of the bars listed 

closed on Sunday. 

Falstaff Brussels p186 

A sad example of what 

happens when fin de siecle 

authenticity meets the 

stupidity of a corporate 

beer list. 

2 4 

2 5

MerseyRAle- 

From Seaport to Seaside 

unfortunately an attractive art deco 

fireplace was lost in the process. A 

wide range of food is available all 

retains separate seating areas and a 

cosy ambience. You will find up to 

five real ales, including a changing 

guest ale. 

allow entrance on production of a 

CAMRA card. Three real ales are 

available in the long bar next to 

the pitch. 

We take the fre q u e n t 

Merseyrail electric train 

service between Liverpool 

and Southport for granted. 

But did you know; 

■ Liverpool to Southport was 

Britain’s first main line 

electrification completed in 1904 

■ The 1963 Beeching Report 

recommended closure of the line on 

the grounds that it did not cover its 

operating costs. The line was 

saved by a massive two year 

public protest. 

■ The line was opened by the 

Liverpool, Crosby and Southport 

Railway Company in 1848 as just a 

single line from Waterloo to 

Southport. It was not extended to 

Liverpool Exchange until two years 

later. 

■ The line was engineered by the 

father of Britan’s railways, George 

Stephenson. 

And did you know there are 18 real 

ale pubs close to stations along the 

route, not counting those in 

Southport itself? So now you do 

know, as the old British Rail slogan 

said, Let the Train Take the Strain! 

Merseytravel helpfully pro v i d e s 

local information maps at each 

2 6 

station, which usually show the 

pubs – although the more recent 

maps do not – are you listening 

D i rector General Neil Scales? !!. 

They also publish free walks 

leaflets to the Sefton Coast, which 

help you link walks between the 

pubs. Trains are every 15 minutes 

(on Winter Sundays 30 minutes), 

making hopping on and off easy. 

An All Zone Saveaway i s 

recommended, or you can break 

your journey as many times as you 

want using a cheap day return. 

Bootle Oriel Road and 

New Strand 

Between these stations you will 

find three real ale pubs close 

together along Stanley Road, the 

Cat and Fiddle (usually one or two 

real ales), and two Wetherspoons 

pubs, the recently opened Merton 

Inn on the corner of Stanley and 

Merton Roads, and the Wild 

R o s e by the New Strand 

shopping precinct. 

Waterloo 

Within a ten minute walk of the 

station you will find four 

contrasting real ale pubs. Opposite 

the station is the Good Beer Guide 

listed Stamps Too, an example of 

how to do a real ale café style bar, 

which offers food and live music, 

exceedingly well. The sign says it 

all, Real Ales, Real Food, Real 

Music. The bar was the first 

supporter of the Liverpool Locale 

scheme and you will often find 

Southport Brewery and Liverpool 

Organic Brewery beers and other 

local ales. 

Turn right and a few yards along 

Shore Road is the Old Bank. This 

oldest building on the road is a 

welcome return to the real ale fold. 

The entrance may make you think 

you are on Abbey Road rather than 

South Road. The theme of guitars, 

the Beatles and bands continues 

into the large bar with its three 

drinking areas including a raised 

platform in the window. There is a 

l a rge function room upstairs. 

Three handpumps offer real ales 

mainly from local bre w e r i e s , 

examples being S o u t h p o r t 

Brewery Golden Sands, Liverpool 

Organic Brewery a n d S p i t t i n g 

Feathers, all at favourable prices. 

Hot pies are available. 

Continue along Shore Road to find 

the white painted Marine. This has 

links to Captain Smith of Titanic 

fame, who lived on Marine Terrace, 

and frequented the pub. The range 

of real ales has been reduced to 

two, with Abbot at a tooth sucking 

£2.90 a pint. The pub has been 

opened out and modernised, 

c reating one large space, and 

day and there is a large beer garden 

patio at the rear which is popular 

in summer. 

Walk down the side of the pub 

along East Street, and in a few 

minutes you come to the GBG 

listed Volunteer Canteen, a Grade 

2 listed building. In the lounge you 

can enjoy that rarity, waiter table 

service. Note the wooden bar 

s c reen and the collection of 

photographs of the late lamented 

Liverpool Overhead Railway, (the 

Dockers Umbrella), which was the 

first elevated electric railway in the 

world. Up to five real ales are 

available, mostly national beers. 

Blundellsands and Crosby 

Here you exit the station via the 

subway and a ten minute walk 

ahead along Victoria Road past the 

duck pond, brings you to the GBG 

listed Crows Nest, which is also a 

winner of the CAMRA B r a n c h 

Community Pub Aw a rd. This 

Grade 2 listed building is a classic 

multi roomed community local 

with a friendly lively atmosphere. 

It retains a small snug and a public 

bar at the front. The lounge at the 

rear has been opened out but 

If you can drag yourself away, a 

five minute walk into Cro s b y 

village (right out of the pub and 

right along Manor Road and 

Islington past the bus shelters) 

brings you to the GBG listed 

Stamps, 4 Crown Buildings. This 

former Post Office no longer 

dispenses postage stamps, but now 

o ffers free access internet 

computers, so surf the net and 

enjoy a pint in this bistro bar. 

Stamps is a lively eclectic mix of 

styles and you will find a wide 

range of people enjoying the two 

level bar, the very good food and 

the regular live music. They have a 

good range of up to 6 changing real 

ales, with an emphasis on micros 

and local brewers, plus a range of 

good food including paninis, pasta, 

chicken skewers, burgers, jackets 

and salads. The other speciality of 

the house is live music sessions 

featuring many music styles, 

including trad jazz in the afternoon 

on the fourth Sunday in the month. 

Across the road from Stamps, the 

village also offers the appropriately 

named Crosby, 75 Liverpool Road, 

which is now one large space and 

many plasma TV screens. 

Hall Road 

A ten minute walk away is 

Waterloo Rugby Social Club, 

which on non match days will 

Hightown 

No walking here, the larg e 

Hightown Hotel is at the end of the 

platform. The former bowling 

green is now a beer garden. The 

open plan pub offers a wide range 

of food all day, with an array of 

eight hand pumps dispensing 

mainly national beers plus Cains 

B i t t e r. The licensee made local 

p ress headlines when he barre d 

members of the Southport CAMRA 

Branch. 

Formby 

Again another end of the platform 

pub, the aptly named R a i l w a y. 

This has been opened out but 

retains distinct seating areas and 

liberal provision of sofas and 

armchairs. The decoration style is 

Ember Inns contemporary, with 

extensive use of modern artwork 

and vases. There is a wide range of 

food all a day. Up to three real ales 

are on offer, such as Black Sheep, 

Landlord and Cains. There is a 

large patio at the rear overlooking 

the rail line, so you can see the train 

you just missed! 

From the pub turn right and a ten 

minute walk brings you to the 

Cross House on Cross Green. This 

Greene King pub has four hand 

pumps offering Greene King and 

F 

2 7

egional breweries beers. It retains 

separate rooms (minus their doors!) 

and has an extensive all day menu 

including specials. There is an 

interesting display of photographs 

of old Formby. At the rear there is 

a large patio. 

Cross House 

Ainsdale 

Here there are two real ale outlets 

in opposite directions, both about a 

ten minute walk. Left from the 

station along Shore Road is the 

double gabled The Sands on the 

Coast Road junction opposite to 

Pontins. This large pub has four 

different rooms and offers a range 

of meals. Note the Toad Hall 

benches and the packets of food for 

the swans and ducks! Two 

hand pumps offer Moorhouses and 

beers such as Southport 

Golden Sands. 

and may be a feature article in a 

future Mersey Ale. Closest to the 

station are the Masons Arms (right 

from station, then left on London 

S t reet, right onto Anchor Stre e t ) 

and the Scarisbrick Hotel Barons 

Bar (left from station, right onto 

In the Everyman 

you find a real 

cross section of 

society. In 

addition to a 

smattering of 

writers, actors 

and directors; 

and quite a few 

academics and 

students you’ll 

find people from 

all walks of life 

getting on 

famously. 

There’s no dress 

code, no dodgy 

door policies but 

definitely no 

louts. Everyone 

else is welcome! 

Everyman Bistro & Bars 

The Everyman Bistro was founded 

almost 40 years ago and turned out 

food that at the time had never been 

seen in Liverpool before. 

We continue to offer some of the 

best food (and best value food) in 

the country. We cater for an eclectic 

range of diets and our puddings 

are legendary. The selection of cask 

ales and other beers is stupendous 

and there is cask cider and 

wonderful wines. 

Fantastic food 

served all night 

FREE 

"The Most Bohemian Bar 

in town" Liverpool Echo 

Opening hours 

Monday - Saturday ‘til late 

www.everyman.co.uk 

Function Room Available 

5-9 HOPE ST LIVERPOOL L1 9BH 0151 708 9545 

Freshfield 

Here you can enjoy a circular walk 

via the National Trust Red 

Squirrel Reserve and the 

Fisherman’s Path, leading to the 

range of high sand hills along the 

s h o re. For the GBG Listed 

Freshfield Hotel turn left from the 

station along Victoria Road and 

then left along Massam’s Lane, 

about a ten minute walk. The 

Freshfield was bought a few years 

ago by Greene King, and you will 

find that around half of the twelve 

real ales are from Bury St 

Edmunds, although still badged as 

being their original but now 

defunct breweries, such as Ruddles 

and Morlands. The other beers are 

changing guests, so there is still a 

good choice. Food is available 

lunchtimes. The pub has been 

opened out but retains the cosy feel 

of a local, with many separate areas 

and an open fire. It is very much 

the pub for the local area. There is a 

beer garden at the rear and a large 

function room. 

Right from the station about 10 

minutes walk is a recent convert to 

real ale, the Railway Hotel o n 

Liverpool Road. It has two 

national/regional real ales plus a 

good value menu. Reports please to 

www.merseyale.org.uk 

Birkdale 

The penultimate station on the line 

has the Park handily located a few 

yards to the left of the station. This 

Punch Taverns pub has been 

opened out but retains separate 

areas. Five hand pumps usually 

offer three beers such as Landlord, 

Deuchars IPA and Pedigree. There 

is all day food and a patio at the 

front. 

Southport 

The end of the line, (unless you 

fancy catching the Northern 

Manchester train to explore pubs 

on the West Lancashire Rail 

Ale Tr a i l f e a t u red in previous 

MerseyAles). 

You have now arrived in the 

Mobility Scooter Capital of the 

World so watch your back!! 

Southport is a story in itself with a 

significant number of real ale pubs, 

Eastbank Street, Hotel is in front at 

239 Lord Street - Barons is within 

the Hotel ) 

Barons, is GBG listed and a regular 

winner of the Southport Branch 

Pub of the Year, offering a range of 

up to eight changing real ales, 

regularly featuring Southport 

Brewery and micro beers. 

The Mason’s is a cosy wood 

panelled traditional local 

Robinson’s pub with a welcoming 

atmosphere and a real log fire. 

Both pubs will keep you well 

satisfied until it is time for the train 

home, or you can walk along to Inn 

Beer 657 Lord Street, which is open 

11 to 7 every day offering an 

extensive range of British and 

Continental bottled beers, all of 

which can be bought to take away 

or to be drunk in the café area on 

the premises. 

2 9

Isle of Man News 

As the new decade begins it is 

worth reflecting that whilst some 

pubs may come and go in terms 

of real ale offering, there remain 

on Island a select band of 

stalwart outlets that have been 

constant for many years, both in 

terms of real ale and guest ale 

availability throughout the year, 

as well as the consistent quality 

of the ale provided. Without the 

e fforts of these outlets, 

particularly in the more difficult 

and uncertain times, the real ale 

scene on Isle of Man may not 

have been any where near as 

healthy as it is today. Often 

eclipsed by more re c e n t 

developments and changes, it is 

well worth visiting again some of 

these core outlets that have been 

flying the flag for cask ale since 

well before the turn of the 

millennium. With the visitor in 

mind, here are some brief notes 

on the pubs being considered, 

which are all accessible using the 

reliable public bus service. 

Timetables are readily available, 

and all pubs featured are either at 

a stop, or within a five minute 

easy walk to the bus stop. 

Starting in Douglas, hidden away 

on Church Street behind the town 

hall lies The Rovers Return, the 

premier Douglas 

outlet for 

stocking a good 

range of Bushys 

ales, as well as 

guest ales. With 

links to the 

brewery, and its 

eclectic mix of 

clientele, sampling ales from within 

a veritable warren of diff e re n t 

rooms, this pub is a must for those 

with time to spend in the capital. 

Also in Douglas, find the Albert 

Hotel, conveniently sited alongside 

the bus station. Usually featuring 

three or four ales including a mild. 

This remains one of the last unspoilt 

traditional locals left in town, 

serving cask ale. Note here that the 

landlord, throughout many years in 

the trade, has almost without 

exception had his current pub 

f e a t u red within the Good 

Beer Guide. 

Moving on to Laxey, on the right as 

the number 3 bus approaches the 

village from Douglas is The Queens 

Hotel. For many years this large 

roomed pub, popular with bikers in 

the summer, and often hosting local 

bands, has offered four cask ales, 

with ever changing guests. The 

Queens has on several occasions 

f e a t u red as a Pub of the 

Year finalist. 

Northwards on the same number 3 

bus or Manx Electric Railway to 

Ramsey, along the quayside can be 

found a real treat for the cask ale 

fan, The Trafalgar. Now without 

doubt the premier real ale outlet in 

town, consistently over the last 

decade and beyond, the pub 

regularly stocks Moorhouses Black 

Cat, along with Okells bitter, and 

two ever changing guests. A recent 

winner of the Pub of the Ye a r 

competition, the pub is a must if in 

town. Note however, that although 

Ramsey is readily accessible by bus 

with an hourly service to Douglas at 

most times, the last bus back 

to Douglas is relatively early 

for the Isle of Man (around 

10.30pm weekdays). 

Also in the north, on the TT course, 

accessible via the number 6 or 5 bus, 

from either Ramsey or Douglas is 

the Sulby Glen Hotel. Run by 

licencees Rosie and Eddie Christian 

who are keen biker supporters. This 

pub, was amongst the first if not the 

first to introduce beer festivals on 

the Island, and along with guest 

ales, also provides accommodation 

in a relaxed rural setting, along with 

an excellent food menu. Transport 

note; although there are hourly 

buses at most times, there is a gap 

between services mid evening, 

so check times. 

On to Peel, over in the West, via 

buses 5 and 6 again, but only 35 

minutes from the capital Douglas. 

Here can be found the Whitehouse, 

current Pub of the Year, featuring a 

large range of local and guest ales, 

a c ross two bars in this multiroomed, 

unspoilt, traditional local, 

set inconspicuously amongst the 

narrow streets of the town. Under 

the stewardship of landlord Neil 

Keig, son Jamie and family for 

many years this pub can stand up 

against any in the British Isles for 

it’s long term support of cask ale. 

Just outside Douglas, at U n i o n 

Mills, again on the Peel bus route is 

another free house in the shape of 

The Railway. Family owned for 

many generations, the Railway 

always features a mild, and has an 

ever changing series of at least 3 

guests. Transport notes. No longer 

near a railway! Not all buses pass 

directly by the pub, but 5 and 6 do 

go close by. In addition the bus back 

to Douglas runs conveniently late in 

the evening. (around 11.28pm). 

F 31

L I V E R P O O L’ S 

PREMIER FREEHO USE 

REAL 

ALE 

FESTIVAL 

17th-21st 

FEB 

Liverpool & Districts CAMRA 

Pub of the Year 2 0 0 9 

12ever-changing Real Ales Plus Draught Ciders 

La r gest Selection of Belgian and Germ a n 

D raught and Bottled Beers in Live r p o o l 

G reat Home Cooked Food from the Burning Kitchen 

S e rved 12pm - 2pm & 5pm - 9pm daily - Sunday Roast - Buffets 

Burger Menu - Delive ry Service Vi s i t : b u r n i n g k i t c h e n . c o . u k 

Art Deco ‘Higher Room’ for hire Holds up to 55 people Catering available 

Ship & Mitre133 DALE STREET Tel: 0151 236 0859 

657 Lord Street Southport PR9 0AW Te l : 01704 533054 

300 Plus 

Bottled Beers 

Great Choice of over 300 British, German 

and Belgian Beers 

including bottled conditioned, to take away or drink in. 

Southport Brewery hand pumped Cask Ale 

at Weekends 

Enjoy a beer in the café area, plus pavement license 

Plus Snacks Menu, Coffees,Teas, cream cakes, afternoon teas 

Gift Packs, Glasses, Gift Vouchers make ideal gifts 

Tuesday to Saturday 11am to 7pm 

Sunday and Monday 12 noon to 7pm 

End of Lord Street shops opposite Farm Foods roundabout 

Isle of Man News contd. 

South from Douglas (bus no 1), at 

the terminus is another A l b e r t 

Hotel, but this time in Port St.Mary. 

Usually stocking Okells bitter, and 

Old Bushy Tail, more beers from the 

Bushys range are frequently to be 

found. At time of writing, this is 

PSM’s only pub. Inconspicuous 

from the outside, this multi-roomed 

cask ale house is an absolute gem 

from within, full of character with 

its traditional bar area warm 

winter real fires and views over 

the harbour. 

Over in Port Erin, a more 

traditional Hotel in the shape of 

The Falcons Nest has been quietly 

offering four or five real ales and 

guests for many years now. Set 

overlooking Port Erin bay with 

magnificent views, the hotel also 

p rovides excellent food and 

accommodation. Accessible via 

both the no 1 bus and steam 

train service during the day. 

Last but not least, on the outskirts of 

C a s t l e t o w n , lies The Sidings, 

another former Pub of the Ye a r 

winner. Here up to ten real ales are 

available at any one time, the most 

at any one venue on the Island and 

like the Sulby Glen, an annual beer 

festival has been held for what must 

be a good decade or so now. 

Transport notes. Another late bus 

(no. 1) back to Douglas, at around 

11.00pm, stopping ten yards away 

from the pub. No great surprise to 

confirm that The Sidings is 

adjacent to day time steam 

train service! 

This concludes the tour, and whilst 

some of the more senior landlords 

a re likely to be enjoying their 

re t i rement by 2020, it is 

encouraging to note that there a 

now a number of other outlets 

steadily building up a long term 

reputation for cask ales Island wide 

and beyond. As such if visiting it 

is worth consulting the Good Beer 

Guide or local CAMRA for 

more details. 

News in Brief 

The Tynwald Hill Inn at St Johns 

has recently been sold. Now the 

only pub in St Johns following the 

closure of the nearby Farmers Arms 

some time ago, there should be a 

real opportunity to develop trade in 

this pub, and some are surprised 

that more investment wasn’t put in 

to the pub earlier, to capitalise on 

the Farmers closure. 

Good news from Laxey. The Bridge 

Inn has now reopened, just before 

Christmas. New landlady Marie 

Danby, is hoping to provide food 

during the day and at weekends, 

and is also refurbishing ro o m s 

within the pub with a view to 

offering bed and breakfast. As well 

as a function room, it is anticipated 

that real ale will be available. The 

pub is located in the centre of the 

village, close to the tram station 

and amenities. 

Less good 

n e w s i n 

R a m s e y , 

w h e re the 

E l l a n 

V a n n i n , 

f o r m - 

erly known 

a s T h e 

C o m m e rc i a l 

has closed, 

but hopefully 

only temporarily. There have been 

reports of difficulties at this pub for 

some time, and in recent months, 

despite links with Bushys, no real 

ale had been available. 

In Port St Mary, the Bay Vi e w 

remains closed at the time of 

writing, but once again, there 

remains significant and re a l i s t i c 

hope that the pub will reopen soon. 

Elsewhere preparation for the 2010 

C A M R A members weekend in 

April continue. (Please note that 

only CAMRA members can attend 

this event, and all members wishing 

to attend have to pre - register in 

advance in order to attend 

the weekend.) 

The Creek in Peel is hoping to have 

an arrangement with the Rudgate 

brewery in York, to complement the 

Viking connections with the Isle of 

Man, and Rudgates named beers. 

The pub sits directly opposite the 

a w a rd winning House of 

Mannanan museum/complex, 

celebrating Manx cultural heritage. 

A r a re on Island promotion has 

been ongoing at The Albert i n 

Douglas, where a J.Holt beers 

loyalty card scheme is in operation. 

P u rchase of a Holts draught 

product entitles the customer to a 

s t i c k e r. After an appro p r i a t e 

accumulation of stickers, a free pint 

is awarded. Such schemes are 

seldom seen on The Isle of Man. 

Brewery News 

F i n a l l y, on the brewery fro n t , 

Okells has been focusing heavily 

on its new brew, Alt. 

The brewers are describing it as a 

lagered ale. It is cold fermented and 

cold matured for three weeks. The 

brew is made from Marris Otter, 

crystal and amber malt, with a 

range of hops, including Ta rg e t , 

Fuggles, AuroraSazz, Hallertau and 

Nelson Sauvin for the technically 

minded. Once again, yet another 

excellent brew, following on from 

the recent Okells Red, and 1907 TT 

celebration brews. 

Dave Halliwell 

3 3

1974 saw the birth of a beer 

publishing legend. The First 

CAMRA Good Beer Guide hit 

the bookshops and the media 

headlines. Printed in black and 

white it was priced at 75p and 

was the first time real ale pubs 

had been listed nationwide 

assessed on their beer quality 

(the first edition did not 

include Scotland). 

Thanks to Watney’s and their 

lawyers the GBG was soon to 

make national media headlines. 

The original version included the 

beer entry; 

“Watney’s Red Barrel – avoid 

like the plague” 

1974 - The First 

CAMRA Good Beer Guide 

Watney’s m’learned friends 

threatened legal action. CAMRA 

then amended the entry to; 

“Watney’s Red Barrel - avoid at 

all costs” 

No doubt the legal fees kept 

Watney’s solicitors happy, but the 

main outcome was to attract 

massive nationwide media 

attention for the fledgling GBG. 

Suddenly the GBG and real ale 

was a national story. The GBG 

never looked back and the 1975 

edition appeared in the guise that 

is familiar today, with an eye 

catching colour cover and 

expanded from the 95 pages of 

1974 to 175 pages. 

That First 1974 Guide listed 

just NINE Liverpool pubs; 

Carnarvon Castle, Tarleton Street 

Higsons and Bass Worthington 

Excellent small pub in city 

centre. 

Court House, Lime Street 

Higsons 

Small pub near Lime Street 

station (now demolished) 

Globe, Cases Street 


Excellent, old fashioned city pub 

Grapes, Mathew Street 


Comfortable pub close to city 

centre, but down a quiet back 

street (how Mathew Street has 

changed since then!!) 

Poste House, Cumberland Street 


Very comfortable small pub in a 

very narrow street in the 

commercial part of the city. 

Roscoe Head, Roscoe Street 

Tetley (Warrington) 

Unspoilt city pub 

Shakespeare, Dawson Street 

Tetley (Warrington) 

Excellent Spartan beer house. 

Perhaps not to everyone's 

taste.(demolished and now 

rebuilt but no real ale today) 

Villiers, Elliot Street 


Typical unspoilt Victorian pub in 

city centre. 

Ye Cracke, 13 Rice Street 

Ind Coope (Burton-on-Trent) 

Famous pub still serving good 

ale. Students and residents make 

good mixed atmosphere. 

And that was it! 

1975 Good Beer Guide - 

Liverpool Pub Entries - As 

We Were Then 

Given the cover dating of Guide 

books as always being one year 

in advance of the actual 

publication date, the 1975 

edition was in fact based on pub 

information from 1974. It makes 

fascinating reading regards how 

things have changed in Liverpool 

and in the national pub and 

brewery businesses. By the 1975 

edition the Liverpool City Centre 

entries had doubled to eighteen 

and several inner city and 

suburban pubs were listed. 

Some of the entries take us back 

in time, such as the one for The 

Hole in the Wall which was then 

“positively men only”. 

Below is a selection which gives 

the flavour of the times, including 

several pubs which have sadly 

departed, and some which are 

still present day favourites. 

Eagle, Paradise Street 

Bass bitter 

Cosy and friendly 

Globe, Cases Street 

Higsons bitter and mild; 

Bass bitter 

Excellent city centre pub 

(The Globe was Where It All 

Began – Merseyside CAMRA 

Branch was formed in the Globe 

on 18th January 1974) 

Furnace, St James Street 

Tetley Warrington bitter 

Walker’s Falstaff mirror still 

visible in all its glory 

Ye Hole in Ye Wall , 

Hackins Hey 


Positively men only. The cellar is 

above the bar 

Roscoe Head – Roscoe Street 


The haunt to dedicated beer 

drinkers 

Villiers, Elliot Street 


Bass bitter 

Decorated mirror proclaiming the 

virtues of Knotty Ash Ales 

(deceased). Door to Gents 

marked “Council Chamber”. 

Hare and Hounds, 

Commutation Row 


Mainly used by serious drinkers 

and Irish people. Occasional 

spontaneous singing. 

Leigh Arms (Lulu’s), Chirkdale 

Street, Kirkdale 


Bass bitter 

A beer drinker’s pub 

Crow’s Nest, Victoria Road, 

Crosby 

Higsons bitter and mild; Bass 

bitter 

Cosy and friendly pub with 

interesting glasswork and tiles 

- the famous Black Cover edition 

1975 GBG – Breweries 

Walkers Warrington Two 

distinct varieties of beer – one 

brewed to the Tetley formula; 

the other to the recipe used 

by Walkers who founded 

the brewery. Plenty of real 

ale but use of pressure 

is increasing. 

Higsons – the best bet on 

Merseyside – 70% served by 

traditional methods 

Remember 1974? 

Liverpool won the FA Cup 

3 – 0 against 

Newcastle United 

The 3 Day Week was 

introduced by the 

Conservative government 

to save electricity during 

the Miner’s Strike 

Edward Heath calls General 

Election on Who Governs 

Britain . Harold Wilson 

becomes Prime Minister 

IRA bomb Birmingham pubs 

Six Metropolitan Councils, 

including Merseyside, are 

set up 

Red Rum wins his second 

Grand National 

The final episode of Monty 

Python’s Flying Circus is 

broadcast on BBC2 

3 4 

Late CAMRAcampaigner Tony Molyneux 

presenting “Protect Real Ale” mirror 

Globe Eagle Court House Carnarvon Castle Villiers Ye Hole in Ye Wall 

A pint of Younger’s Tartan 

Bitter (remember that?) 

costs 17p 

3 5

A Dream of a Beer and Brewery 

These offer the chance to visit 

i n t e resting quality real ale 

pubs outside our area with 

someone else doing the 

driving. The coach departs at 

10am prompt from Dale Stre e t 

outside the Ship and Mitre and 

costs £12. Return is usually 

between 9-9.30pm. Trips are 

open to non members so bring 

a friend along. 

C O A C H T R I P S : 

6th March, S h e ff i e l d 

24th April, R u g b y 

22nd May, West Yo r k s h i re 

19th June, Cumbria inc. Penrith 

and Keswick 

10th July, Bishops Castle Pubs 

Beer Festival 

Peel P50 

4th Sept, East Lancashire inc. Darwen 

Don’t miss out on the 

upcoming C A M R A 

Coach Trips 

To book phone Ian Macadam on 

07521 741 586 or email 

s o c i a l @ m e r s e y c a m r a . o rg . u k 

or book at Branch Meetings 

See inside back page for details of 

Branch Pub survey trips, socials 

and meetings. 

Oct and Nov trips - suggestions 

welcome. Roughly 2-2.5 hours distance 

time from Liverpool email: 

s o c i a l @ m e r s e y c a m r a . o rg.uk 

The Peel P50 

The car can be viewed at the 

Manx Transport Heritage 

Museum Peel 

(next to Moore’s Kippers on 

the harbour). 

See www.manxheritage.com 

George Wright Brewery has 

a Dream. It is aiming to win 

the Supreme Champion 

Beer of Britain award with 

its new beer, the 

appropriately named 

Dream. Like the Dream 

sculpture, the beer aims to 

make a statement and linger 

in the judge’s memory. The 

brewery came close to 

winning the Supreme 

Champion Award when its 

beer Pipedream won Silver 

in the Best Bitter Champion 

Beer of Britain category at 

the 2007 Great British Beer 

Festival. Now the Dream is 

to go one better at the 

judging in 2010. 

The brewery is very much the 

product of owner Keith 

Wright’s dream. It can make 

a claim to be “Probably the 

most technically advanced 

micro brewery in the UK.” 

Keith has a career background 

in designing chemical plant 

production flows, and brought 

that technical knowledge to 

the design of the brewery. 

The 25 barrel brew length 

plant is totally monitored 

by sensors and computer 

systems, all designed to 

ensure consistency of the 

beers produced. Recipes and 

the brewing process can be 

adjusted automatically to 

reflect the profile of the raw 

materials used and the 

temperatures, thereby ironing 

out any inconsistency. 

The present plant is the third 

to have been used by the 

Brewery. The first was a two 

and a half barrel plant 

obtained from Wolf brewery 

and located in a former bomb 

factory on Lord Derby’s estate. 

It is from an unexpected visit 

by one of the many pheasants 

on the estate that the popular 

brew Cheeky Pheasant takes its 

name. Production commenced 

in Spring 2003. This plant 

proved to be too small to meet 

demand, so a five barrel plant 

was bought from Tomlinson’s. 

Consistency! 

However with demand still 

increasing, the decision was 

taken in late 2003 to move up 

the scale again, both in size 

and most significantly, in 

adopting technology designed 

to ensure consistency of the 

beers. A purpose built fully 

computerised 25 barrel plant 

was ordered, based on designs 

produced by Keith and his then 

business partner George Dove. 

This was installed in a 7,000 

square foot industrial unit on 

the Diamond Business Park, 

Rainford. It is from here that 

the wide range of George 

Wright beers is produced. 

The beers have been very 

successful in the free trade and 

have also gained major deals 

with JD Wetherspoon, making 

George Wright a familiar sight 

on the region’s bars. 

What’s In the Name? 

George Wright does not exist. 

The name is a combination of 

the two original business 

partners, George Dove and 

Keith Wright. George has 

now withdrawn from the 

partnership, so Keith is now 

the owner and brewer. The 

original name is now well 

established in the trade so it 

remains as George Wright even 

though it is now really Keith! 

3 7

Merseyside CAMRA Branch was 

formed at a meeting in the Globe, 

Cases Street, on the 18th January 

1974. A brass plaque in the back 

room commemorates 

the event. Thirty years on a 

30th Anniversary Celebration was 

held in the Globe in 

January 2004. 

Tony Molyneux, a Founder 

member and Committee officer of 

the Merseyside CAMRABranch, 

gave a characteristic barnstorming 

speech, saying; 

The Spirit of Liverpool 

CAMRA 1974 

“What always distinguished 

Liverpool CAMRABranch has 

been its commitment to three 

things; 

■ One – putting hard hitting local 

campaigning for real ale as its top 

priority. 

■ Two – running a top class Beer 

Festival. 

■ Three – Publishing a bloody 

good campaigning magazine.” 

During Tony’s tenure the Branch 

was noted for its local campaigns; 

most famously against the closure 

of Higson’s by Whitbread, when a 

barrel of the Sheffield brewed 

Higson’s was poured into the 

Albert Dock, (don’t panic it as 

really a barrel of tea!), as well as 

for its campaigning magazine the 

Mersey Drinker. 

Tony was renowned for his 

campaigning zeal, and was on 

occasion forthright in his critique 

of national CAMRAand what 

he perceived to be its failure to 

prioritise local branches and local 

campaigning. He was also a 

renowned singer of sea shanties, 

being a member of the famous 

Liverpool Shanty group 

Stormalong John. 

Sadly Tony died in 2004 but his 

campaigning spirit lives on in 

the memories of many people 

and in the CAMRA Tony 

Molyneux Award 

The occasion of the 30th Liverpool 

Beer Festival is an opportune time 

to reflect on whether the Liverpool 

CAMRABranch of 2009 has lived 

up to Tony’s three priorities. Is 

CAMRAstill relevant today? Is it 

a busted flush? Or is it needed 

today more than ever before? 

It’s for you to judge! Read the 

articles on Pages 9,13 and 16! 

All Real Ales 

only£2*a pint 

Monday-Friday 

Paddy Golden 

1926 - 2004 

Richmond 

Regular 

EBCU Comes 

to Town 

Liverpool CAMRA hosted the European Beer 

Consumers Union 2009 Convention over the 

Bonfire Night weekend. Delegates from 13 

European countries met in the historic setting of 

Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hotel, Hope Street, to 

discuss policy issues affecting beer consumers across 

Europe. The four day programme also gave the 

delegates the opportunity to explore Liverpool pubs 

and our claim to be the Real Ale Pubs Capital of 

Britain. Delegates commented how useful the 

CAMRALiverpool Pubs Passport was for finding 

their way around the pubs and that the map was 

clearer than that supplied by the tourist board! 

A highlight was a comparative tasting of 12 

European beers and 12 British ales mainly from 

Merseyside breweries. The European beers were 

mainly from small breweries and presented a 

special insight into the different brewing styles 

across the continent. An 11% stout from Finland 

was an eye opener for the massive range of flavours 

in one mouthful! 

3 8 

Thanks to the Lady of Mann Dale Street for 

providing the venue for the tasting, and to the 

Philharmonic Hotel for their hospitality throughout 

the Convention. Both created a very favourable 

impression with the European delegates. 

Lady of Mann 

The Richmond is a traditional 

family-run pub in the heart of the 

city centre and has been trading 

as a pub for over a hundred years. 

The regular real ales on 

offer are Southport Golden 

Sands, George Wright and 

the Famous Draught Bass 

plus 3 rotating 

Guest Ales 

We are the only pub in 

the City Centre who 

regularly have Champion 

Beer of Britain Winner- 

Southport Golden 

Sands on sale 

* Cask 

Ale 

prices start 

at £1.80 

Jan-Feb 

Southport Brewery 

Golden Sands won the 

Best Bitter category at 

the Champion Beer of 

Britain Competition 

2009 

THE RICHMOND 32 WILLIAMSON STREET L1 1EB

A Runner-up 

for the 

CAMRA 

NATIONAL PUB OF 

THE YEAR 

CAMRA 

REGIONAL 

PUB OF THE 

YEAR 

Liverpool & 

Districts CAMRA 

PUB OF THE 

YEAR 

2007-2008 

St Helens 

CAMRA 

PUB OF THE 

YEAR 

2009 

A traditional friendly pub with a great 

atmosphere, real fire 

and an ever changing range of real ale. 

12 handpumps 

Serving Traditional Ciders and Perry 

• 5 draught continental beers 

• Wide selection of bottled continental beers 

• Tuesday - Quiz night 9-30 p.m. 

• Thursday - Curry and jazz night 

• Cask Marque • Good Beer Guide 2010 

Open Mon - Fri 2-11 Sat, Sun 12-11 

Cooper St. St Helens Tel 01744 751289 

UPDATE 

CAMRA LocAle is 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. 


have agreed that our LocAle 

distance is 30 miles from brewery 

to pub and that the ale must have a 

local identity. Most visitors to 

Liverpool may well be aware of 

Cains brewery, but unaware of our 

other local breweries. In the branc h 

area we have George Wright, 

Wapping, Liverpool Organic, and 

Cambrinus. Further afield 

Southport, Peerless, Coach House, 

Spitting Feathers, Prospect to name 

just a few. 

Since the launch of Liverpool and 

Districts LocAle scheme back in 

March there has been a steady 

increase in pubs that have been 

accredited. There are now, as we 

go to print, 16 LocAle pubs in our 

branch and more in the process of 

accreditation. 

You can get involved by: 

■ Visiting LocAle pubs - keep up to 

date by checking out the LocAle 

page on our website 

■ If you are a licensee and meet 

the criteria (check the LocAle page) 

contact us for accreditation 

■ Does your local sell local beers? 

Do they meet the criteria? 

Download the 

‘information for licensees’ 

from our web site and 

encourage them to get 

involved. Remember its 

up to the pub to 

opt in. 

The brewery web page 

also has a Google map 

enabling you to check 

distances from pub to 

brewery. 

Do you drink in other 

branch areas? Check out 

the branches page on the 

national CAMRA web 

site. LocAle branches will 

have the LocAle symbol 

next to their website link. 

On their website there 

MUST be a LocAle page. 

In the way visitors to 

Liverpool can find out 

which pubs will be selling local 

beers, you can do the same. 

For further information contact: 

Mel James-Henry 

LAD Campaigns Co-ordinator 

campaigns@merseycamra.org.uk 

www.merseycamra.org.uk 

Please note that pubs need only 

have one LocAle on to qualify. 

Currently, our LocAle pubs are: 

Please note on Beer column replace Betwixt Beers with Peerless Beers 

CAMRA 

Treads the Boards 

Liverpool CAMRAhas collaborated with playwrite 

and real ale supporter, Scott Murphy, who is 

launching a new play Closing Time at the Liverpool 

Actors Studio Seel Street. The play focuses on the 

closure of a community pub by developers planning 

fancy apartments that no one will want. However 

the pub closure proves to be the least of the problems 

for the two central characters, performed by local 

actors John Evans and Mark Lacey. 

Scott has been struck by the number of pubs that are 

closing nationwide, often tearing the heart from a 

local community. CAMRAfigures show that 56 pubs 

are closing every month. 

The message of the play is the importance of 

the pub to the health of local communities. 

Closing Time runs from Monday 8th to Saturday 

13th February at the Liverpool Actors Studio, 36 

Seel Street, L1 4BE, so is an excellent way of getting 

in the groove for the Liverpool Beer Festival the 

following week! To book 0151 709 9034. 

4 1

The Elephant 

Trumpets Again 

People Power has 

won out in Woolton 

following a two 

year campaign to 

have the famous 

landmark of the 

elephant’s head 

returned to the 

frontage of 

the Elephant pub. 

replacement elephant’s 

head, and most 

importantly, is selling 

real ale. There are 4 

hand pumps currently 

selling Caledonian 

Deuchars IPA, Wells 

Bombardier and Old 

Speckled Hen, with 

plans for a cask of 

the month from 

local breweries. 

In March 2007 the then 

operators the Kerova 

Corporation converted the 

pub to the Casa del 

Crocodilo, painted it a 

hideous blue, and 

removed the elephant’s 

head without obtaining 

listed building consent. 

The head was seen in a 

skip smashed to pieces. 

With poetic justice the 

Kerova pub did not 

last long. 

Scottish and Newcastle 

to take on the pub. 

Now it has been 

restored to its original 

grey complete with a 

4 2 

A Woolton businessman 

stepped in and reached 

agreement with owners 

4 3

Welcome To The Strickland Arms 

Anton Flaherty, originally from Long Lane, Fazakerley and his 

wife Penny took over 3 years ago & welcome you to 

The Strickland Arms. 

The Strickland Arms is a pub of character and distinction at the heart 

of the village community. We are a Traditional Country Inn basking in a 

warm relaxed atmosphere with Real Fires,Cask Ales on Tap, Fine Wines 

and serving homemade food in our Dining Room.We have a secluded 

rear garden and a dry-stone walled terraced front with an abundant 

display of flowers. 

Our 3 Star Bed and Breakfast Accommodation 

Comprises of 2 Rooms offered as 2 Double Rooms OR as 2 

Twin Rooms,both En-suite. 

Our Rooms have recently been refurbished to 3 Star rating whilst 

retaining some features and character of its previous use as a Barn. 

Website www. t h e s t r i c k l a n d a r m s . c o.uk 

Tel: 01931 712238 to 

make a reservation. 

Email: s t r i c k l a n d a r m s p e n r i t h @ h o t m a i l . c o. u k 

Alternatively you can send a cheque payable to CAMRA Ltd with your completed 

form, visit www.camra.org.uk or call 01727 867201. All forms should be addressed 

to Membership Secretary, CAMRA, 230 Hatfield Road, St Albans, ALI 4LW. 

Your Details 

Title .........................Surname ................................................................. 

Forename(s) ............................................................................................. 

Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy).............................................................................. 

Address ..................................................................................................... 

................................................................................................................... 

..............................................................Postcode ..................................... 

Email address............................................................................................ 

Tel No (s) .................................................................................................. 

Partner’s Details (if joint membership) 

Title ..........................Surname ................................................................. 

Forename(s) ............................................................................................. 

Please tick as applicabl e 

Single Membership 

Direct Debit 

Non DD 

(UK & EU) £ 2 0 ■ £ 2 2 ■ 

Joint Membership 

( Pa rtner at same address) £ 25 ■ £ 27 ■ 

For Young Member and concessionary rates please visit 

w w w. c a m r a . o r g . u kor call 01727 867201 

I wish to join the Campaign for Real Ale, and agree to abide by 

the Memorandum and Articles of Association. 

I enclose a cheque for .............................................................. 

Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy).............................................................................. 

Signed ...................................................... Date ...................... 

INSTRUCTION TO YOUR BANK OR BUILDING SOCIETY TO PAY DIRECT DEBIT 

Please fill in using ballpoint pen and send to: The Campaign for Real A l e 

Ltd 230 Hatfield Road, St Albans, Herts. L1 4LW 

1.Name and full postal address of your Bank / Building Society 

To:The Manager ..............................................Bank or Building Society 

Address: .................................................................................................. 

Postcode.................................................................................................. 

2.Name(s) of account holder(s) 

3.Branch Sort Code 

4.Bank or Building Society account number 

5.Reference Number (office use only) 

Originator’s IdentificationNumber 

9 2 6 1 2 9 

FORCAMRAOFFICIALUSEONLY 

This is not part of the instruction to your Bank or Building Society 

Membership Number............................................................................. 

Name..................................................................................................... 

Postcode................................................................................................ 

6.Instruction to your Bank or Building Society 

Please pay The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd Direct Debits from the 

account detailed in this Instruction subject to safeguards assured by 

the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this Instruction may 

remain with The Campaign for Real Ale Ltd and, if so, details will be 

passed electronically to my Bank/Building Society. 

Signature: ........................................................................................................ 

Date:................................................................................................................ 

Banks and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debit instructions for some types of accounts. 

The Direct Debit 

Guarantee 

(This guarantee should be 

detached & retained by the pa yer) 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

This Guarantee is offered by 

all Banks and Building 

Societies that take part in the 

Direct Debit Scheme. The 

efficiency and security of the 

Scheme is monitored and 

protected by your own Bank 

or Building Society. 

If the amounts to be paid or 

the payment dates change, 

The Campaign for Real Ale 

Ltd will notify you 10 working 

days in advance of your 

account being debited or as 

otherwise agreed. 

If an error is made by The 

Campaign for Real Ale Ltd or 

your Bank or Building Society, 

you are guaranteed a full 

immediate refund from your 

branch of the amount paid. 

You can cancel a Direct Debit 

at any time by writing to your 

Bank or Building Society. 

Please also send a copy of 

your letter to us.

Lion Tave rn Belvedere Arms Lion Tave rn Belvedere Arms Lion Tave rn 

Lion Tave rn 

6 7 M o o r f i e l d s L i v e r p o o l L 2 2 B P Te l e p h o n e : 0 1 5 1 2 3 6 1 7 3 4 

“One of the 

H u n d red Best 

Pubs in the 

c o u n t r y ” 

Daily Te l e g r a p h 

PUB OF EXCELLENCE 2009 BEST QUALITY ALE 2006 

Belvedere 

T h e 

Arms 

Serving 

the best 

Cask Ales 

f rom 

local and 

R e g i o n a l 

B re w e r s 

Traditional 2 room Grade II Listed pub situated in the heart of 

Liverpool’s Georgian Quarter. The pub is listed in CAMRA's 

National Inventory of Unspoilt Pub Interiors and has 4 handpulls 

Grade II listed Edwardian Gem. 

An extravaganza of etched and 

stained glass, carved wood and 

beautiful tiling. It has an ornate 

bar and two cosy side rooms 

8 H A N D P U M P S 

supply a va ried selection of pri ze winning 

real ales and cider 

O ver 80 

M a l t W h i s k i e s 

The Lion Tave rn has one of the largest 

selections of malt whisky on Merseyside and 

holds regular tasting eve n i n g s 

CHEESE BOA R D + AWARD WINNING PORK PIES & BLACK PUDDINGS 

QUIZ NIGHT T U E S D AY EVENING 7.15 & 9.30 

B OARD GAME CLUB MEET 6pm EVERY MONDAY 

BOB DYLAN SOCIETY MEET FIRST T H U R S D AY OF MONTH 8.30 pm 

CASK MARQUE CAMRA NATIONAL INVENTORY PUB 

serving excellent quality real ales and regular guest beers. The 

comfortable lounge and separate traditional public bar have 

welcoming real coal fires. Outside drinking area. 

8 S u g n a l l S t r e e t ( o f f F a l k n e r S t ) , L i v e r p o o l 


Credits 

Editor 


merseyale@merseycamra.org.uk 

Layout Design 

Dennis W Jones 

denwjones@googlemail.com 

Photographs 

Neil Lloyd 

www.neillloydphotography.co.uk 

neild2x@btinternet.com 

Dennis W Jones 


Contributors 

Geoff Edwards 

Mel James-Henry 

Dave Halliwell 

Jean Pownceby 

Tony Williams 

Dennis Jones 

Printed by 

Printfine, Liverpool 

0151 242 0000 

www.printfine.co.uk 

Useful Contacts 

CAMRA National Office 

230 Hatfield Road 

St Albans 

AL1 4LW 

01727 867201 

camra@camra.org.uk 

www.camra.org.uk 

Southport CAMRA 

Ian Garner 01704 876819 

ianjools@hotmail.co.uk 

www.southportcamra.org.uk 

Wirral CAMRA 

Dave Hutchinson 01516 440625 

daveandjeanh@ntlworld.com 

www.camrawirral.org.uk 

Isle of Man Branch Contact 

Angela Aspin 01624 491613 - 

mobile 07624 491613 

angelajaspin@manx.net 

Merseytravel Line 

for public transport times 

0151 638 5002 

0871 200 22 33 

www.merseytravel.gov.uk 

Trading Standards 

0151 233 3002 

Liverpool Branch 

Meetings 

All meetings are normally first 

Wednesday of each month, 

commencing at 8pm. 

March DBA 

April 28th AGM 

Ship and Mitre, Dale Street 

Visit: 

www.merseycamra.org 

for details. 

St Helens Branch 

Meetings 

All meetings are on Wednesdays, 

commencing at 8pm. 

Feb 10th - Counting House, 

Hardshaw Street 

Mar 10th - Colliers Arms, Kings Moss 

Apr 14th - Duke of Cambridge, Duke St 

May 12th - Sun, Prescot 

(all venues subject to confirmation) 

Social/Surveys: 

www.sthelenscamra.org.uk 

Members Weekend 

Isle of Man April 16th 

to 18th 2010 

You read about it in every edition of Mersey Ale. Well now you 

have an ideal opportunity to make a visit! 

Yes, the Isle of Man Branch is hosting the 2010 CAMRA 

Members Weekend in the Villa Marina Conference Centre on 

the centre of Douglas promenade. 

This is an opportunity to meet with around one thousand fellow 

CAMRA members from 

across Britain, to discuss the 

future direction of the 

Campaign and hear about 

latest developments. There 

will also be brewery and 

pub tours including trips to 

pubs on the Island’s unique 

Victorian electric tram and 

steam railways. And that’s 

before we mention the 

beautiful Island scenery and 

the 70 plus real ale pubs 

awaiting your visit! 

To register visit: 

www.camra.org.uk and 

the Members Weekend 

log in page. 

Advertising in Mersey Ale 

If you wish to place an advertisment you should contact us by email at; 

adverts@merseyale.co.uk sending in your advert design and copy by 

attachment. Cost is £100 per half page, £200 full page payment in advance. 

The opinions expressed in the Mersey Ale are not necessarily those of the Editor, Live rpool Branch or CAMRA Ltd. 

4 7

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