Pints West 80, Winter 2008 - Bristol & District CAMRA

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PINTS WEST......................................................................................................................................................Blasts from our brewery pastPART of what makes one High Streetdifferent from another is its architecture and‘street furniture’ but lately, though, theirappearance seems to have become homogenised,with High Streets up and down thecountry beginning to look the same.To try and counter this negative trend, andto record some of our sights and scenes beforethey all go, the Brewery History Societyrecently conducted a survey of survivingbrewery liveries, company and trade marks, aswell as examples of brewer’s names paintedupon walls, etched windows and glazed tilework.The Bristol and District CAMRA area hassuffered from the same malaise, and I wonderedif some of our existing gems could behighlighted. Here are a few of the survivorsthat stand out.The Georges Brewery site redevelopmentis thankfully keeping its remaining nomenclature– currently being stitched into the fabricof the new structure.Old Market has a few more fine examples.Although a little faded now, the much lovedGin Palace still proudly proclaims in paint atthe side of the pub; “Usher’s noted 6d beers”.This was the 19 th century Usher’s of Bristol,not Usher’s of Trowbridge! It also has one ofthose ubiquitous West Country Ales “Best inthe West” ceramic tiles from when it used tobe a Whitbread pub in a later incarnation, asindeed does the Stag and Hounds.Almost opposite the Stag and Hounds, therecently refurbished Punchbowl has a finearray of glazed tile work surrounding theground floor elevation and, if they did butknow it, they’ve also got some great Rogers’signage behind the modern barge board sign.In past times, High Street pubs all over ourlocale had Courage Cockerels above their innsigns, but nowadays they’re becoming as rareas hens’ teeth. Predating the Courage brand,Georges (post-war) used to have their drayhorse trade mark in silhouette, and oneextremely rare survivor lives atop theWingrove signage in Queens Road,Keynsham (pictured).If Pints West readers would care to pictureany rarities that they know about or find, couldthey please forward them to the BreweryHistory Society (email Defunct@BreweryHistory.com ), along with the locationof the objects, as the BHS would welcomeadditions to its archive and website atwww.breweryhistory.com (entries are arrangedby county, along with an index of brewers). Ifyou could copy them to me as well (emailmark@beaufortarms.com) the Bristol PubsGroup will also build up a file to add to thosewe already know about.If you could also collate details of theremains of any breweries, Jeff Sechiari of theBHS would love to hear from you – his emailaddress is Chairman@BreweryHistory.com.Happy hunting.Mark SteedsMalt, Hops, Yeast & Water!What’s in Yours?Make it yours atTHE WHITE LION, Quay Head, Bristol City Centre.Also available direct from the brewery in 18 and 36 pint polypinsor delivered direct to your door.THE AWARD-WINNING BREWERS OFGLOUCESTERSHIREThe Wickwar Brewing Co Ltd, Gloucestershire, UK0870 777 5671BOB@wickwarbrewing.comwww.wickwarbrewing.comYou can always enjoy our three permanent ales:REV. AWDRY’S ALE, BLIND HOUSEand award-winning TUNNEL VISIONin the delightful setting of eitherThe Cross Guns at AvoncliffNr. Bradford on Avon. Tel: 01225 862335The Inn at FreshfordNr Bath. Tel: 01225 722250orin the comfort of your own homewhen you purchase Beer-in-a-Box from Box Steam BreweryPRICES START AT JUST £28!Contact us on 01225 858383www.boxsteambrewery.com12www.camrabristol.org.uk
PINTS WEST......................................................................................................................................................Island in the sea byyour Nailsea correspondent Laurie GibneyIN my first “Island in the Sea” I explained thatNailsea was near Clevedon and many, manypints ago it is reputed to have been surroundedby the estuary of the Bristol Avon river beforethat cut through the Clifton Gorge, hence itwas an Island In the Sea which translated to“Nailsea”.My early articles in 2002 gave informationabout some real ale bars in the area includingthe Blue Flame, Barn, Ring of Bells,Mizzymead Social Club, White Lion,Sawyers Arms, Moorend Spout, Star,Failand Inn and the Old Farmhouse andwhich are still dispensing three or four realales.In later editions I reported about theCourtyard Wine Bar, Friendship, Nailsea &Backwell Rugby Club and the Corner House(previously know as the Queen’s Head orBraggs) having one or two real ales.Some of the bars in Nailsea seven yearsago had no real ale, but I know of only onewhich still has no real ale. The Masonic Halland Glasshouse have one real ale and two areusually available at the Royal Oak, Groveand Nailsea Members Club.My February 2004 article started with thewords “Use Pubs or Lose Pubs – that is theclear message from a number of publicans inNailsea and District”. Readers must haveresponded well for I am pleased to say none inthis area have fallen foul of pub closureswhich are sweeping the country … yet! TheMoorend Spout was boarded up briefly in2005, but has reopened and is thriving. Sincethen there have been changes in licensees ormanagers except at the Blue Flame, the Barn,the Courtyard, Ring of Bells, and theSawyers Arms.In October 2003 I pre-empted the“LocAle” campaign launched in Bristolrecently to encourage the sale of beers brewedlocally within twenty miles or so. I reportedthat beers on sale at the Ring of Bells andMoorend Spout were brewed in Yorkshire,Hampshire, Burton, Somerset, Sheffield,London, Bristol, Cardiff, Suffolk and Oxfordshire.In 2003 I reported that the “Nailsea Team”distributed Pints West to fifteen pubs in NorthSomerset; that number has increased to fifty,with thanks to our local distribution team ofJill & Mark Ashman, Martyn Howell, MikeSeeley, Alan Sibley, and my wife MaryGibney.And away from Nailsea …I reported on various trips away from thearea and the real ales we found in Dublin,Jersey, Madeira, Poland, Luton, Bath,Cheltenham, Street, East Lambrook, Scotland,Dorset, London, Birmingham, Cumbria andPorthmadog. I have also reported from time totime on real ale elsewhere in North Somerset,in Backwell, Wraxall, Long Ashton, Failand,Clevedon, Portishead, Kenn, Yatton,Congresbury, Cleeve and Bristol, when timeallowed and others were not available toprovide an article.And finally …I have been researching and writing“Island in the Sea” about real ales in Nailseaand District every quarter for seven years now,and regret that this must be my last article. Tothose who have told me they enjoyed readingmy articles, and to the licensees who havepatiently kept me informed – thank you.A couple of years ago I became heavilyinvolved in promoting rare styles of real ales(almost unseen in Nailsea yet) such as stouts,porters, old ales, milds, barley wines and lowgravitybitters, under the banner of“BADRAG” (Bristol & District Rare AlesGroup). Support for such rare ales hasincreased beyond expectation. BADRAG isoccupying my time to such a degree that“Island in the Sea” will have to sink beneaththe waves … unless you would like to takeover? If so, please contact the editor.“He was the man who had everything,except Theakstons Old Peculier”We’d been muders at shool. Then he went into property and made somany millions they ran out of multi’s to describe them. Some years later andhere I was in the Med, a guey aboard this floating teyament to his wealth.“Aye, I’ve got plenty of ackers,” grumbled my friend, twiddling the umbrellain his codtail, “but no bloomin’ pub and no bloomin’ TheakstonsOld Peculier, that’s Ir sure.” “Why don’t you juy go home and getsome?” I awed. He snorted, glancing at his trophy wife soaking upthe rays beside him, “It’s the misu, won’t go anywhere it rains.” “Ah, I see.” I replied, wonderinghow the leggy Latino lovely liked being referred to as the missus. Then, wiyfully, I thoughtof my very own pecial rain-pattered corner of Yorkvire. The ladyI loved would be there now, behind her bar serving pint after pint ofTheakstons Old Peculier, dark, rich, and deliciouxy yrong. With myreturn tidet burning a hole in my podet, I turned to my mate in exile.“Fancy another Pina Colada?” I enquired, smugly.Peculierlyfine companywww.camrabristol.org.uk13
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Pints West 80, Winter 2008 - Bristol & District CAMRA

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