New brewery and visitor centre for Belvoir - Nottingham CAMRA

Chairman stands
down after
13 years
Richard Studeny has
announced that he is to
stand down from his
role as Chairman of
Nottingham CAMRA, a
position that he has
held for longer than
anyone else in the
branch’s 35 year history. Richard informed the
branch at the November meeting that whilst
he would still be an active CAMRA member,
due to pressure of work he had decided that it
was time for someone else to take up the role
of Chairman. Richard has worked tirelessly to
promote CAMRA ideals and was part of the
team that has helped make Nottingham
Drinker the magazine it is today. Although
unsuccessful Richard was a key player in the
campaign to save Home Brewery and on a
more positive note initiated the Beer and Tram
guide. Over the years he has spearheaded
many campaigns and been a very successful
press and publicity officer for Nottingham
CAMRA. The Committee and Branch wish
Richard well in the future and although he will
not be an active member of the Committee we
are assured that he will continue to work to
promote (and drink) real ale.
Monkey Tree
reopens
The Monkey Tree on Bridgford Road reopened
in December after extensive refurbishment. It
is now twice the size and twice as
comfortable, with a huge heated and covered
terrace area. Whether it’s a quick early
morning coffee or a Saturday night with
friends there’s always a corner to make your
own. The bar opens at 8am for breakfasts,
coffees etc and serves a variety of food and
drink throughout the day. Menus can be
downloaded from this website. Along with
the extensive wine list, usual beers, home
made snacks the bar also serves traditional
ales from far and near (as part of the Locale
scheme). The Monkey Tree boasts free Wifi for
all customers. The Monkey Tree restaurant is
featured in the world-renowned Michelin
Guide 2007. The upstairs a la carte eatery has
a relaxed atmosphere and worldwide cuisine.
Head Chef Pete Smith and his team create
dishes from global influences but are careful
to include locally sourced home grown
comforts and familiar favourites along with
one or two surprises. The diner can usually
choose from Gourmet, a la carte or fixed
menus accompanied by a choice of wines
from an exclusive list; samples of all restaurant
menus can be downloaded from their website
at www.themonkeytree.co.uk
Snippets
New Owners - New
Attitude
This sign seen
outside a local
Nottingham pub
(formerly owned
by Hardys &
Hansons) could
perhaps be seen as an honest statement from
Greene King over what they are planning to do.
They are indeed 'New owners' and their 'New
Attitudes' include:
• Selling beer masquerading as Ruddles;
Morlands and Hardys & Hansons when it is
clearly not the original beer. After acquiring
such famous brands as Old Speckled Hen and
Ruddles County GK are trying to fool people
into thinking that such beers are still brewed in
Oxfordshire and Rutland!
• Selling beers such as Old Speckled Hen,
Ruddles County and H&H's Rocking Rudolph
with lower ABV's - but despite the obvious
saving on beer duty, the prices of beers in the
GK estate is considerably more that when the
pubs were owned by H&H.
• And, of course, closing down a local brewery
and major employer so that they can send
beers 138 miles from Bury St. Edmunds. So
much for carbon footprints!
So well done GK you are indeed new owners -
with a new attitude!
70 Bridgford Road, West Bridgford,
Nottingham, NG2 6AP
0115 981 1419
www.themonkeytree.co.uk
www.nottinghamcamra.org February/ March 08 9