Ullage Winter 2019

■ The Hungerford Club is now CAMRA Central
Southern region Club of the Year 2019.
Warwick Heskins (Catherine Wheel), Hugh & Maryjane Macaulay (Bell,
Aldworth), Ally Lucas (WBB Taproom), Andy Pinkard (CAMRA),
Marie McConnon and Dave Broderick (Hungerford Club)
■ West Berkshire Brewery Taproom and
Kitchen, hosted West Berkshire CAMRA’s launch
of CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2020 (GBG) on
12 September. Branch chairman Andy Pinkard
presented GBG packs to representatives of
featured venues including the Taproom,
Hungerford Club and the Bell Inn, Aldworth.
Inclusion in the Guide is based on beer scores
from CAMRA members via whatpub.com
which has details of all pubs in the UK serving
real ale. The westberkscamra.org.uk/beer-scores
webpage lists venues showing the number of
scorers and scores received towards the 2021
Guide. For consideration and fairness, a pub in
our area needs scores from at least five members
by the 6 January selection meeting. For guidance
on scoring see the WhatPub section on page 10.
Brewery tours for 4 January, 1 February and
7 March can be booked or gift vouchers
purchased from wbbrew.com/shop
Available on draught from December, Holly
Cutter, 4.5% ABV Old Ale, has a subtle chocolate
character alongside warming flavours of
blackcurrant, fig and molasses. Bottles of Good
Old Dad will be available in time for Christmas.
Fuel Your Yuel with prizes, beer and festive
cheer on Saturday 14 December at the WBB
Taproom from 12 – 6pm. There will be live music,
local traders, mulled cider, mince pies, special
discounts and a charity raffle for Loose Ends.
■ Listed by CAMRA Pub Heritage Group as
having a historic pub interior of national
importance, the Bell Inn, Aldworth was named
CAMRA National Pub of the Year in 1990. After
its award of West Berkshire CAMRA Pub of the
Year 2019, the Bell went on to win the Central
Southern region award. In November, it was
featured on BBC TV after progressing to the final
shortlist of four pubs in the national contest, with
the result due by February.
■ The Cow & Cask, Newbury celebrated its fifth
birthday on Saturday 16 November. Over 620
different beers have been served since 2014.
On Sunday 15 December at 6pm, the micropub’s
window decoration will be revealed for the
Newbury Living Advent Calendar.
Several local breweries have kindly donated
prizes for the December raffle to support Thames
Valley Air Ambulance.
Ian Batho will open the Cow & Cask on some
additional December dates:
Sun 15 (6-8pm), 22 (raffle draw 4-7pm),
Mon 23 (5-9pm), Tue 24 (2-6pm).
It closes for 25/26 Dec, reopening on Fri 27 Dec.
■ The Weather Station (photo), the Reading
brewery tap for Wild Weather Ales, opened on
21 September. The former Eldon Arms, 19 Eldon
Terrace RG1 4DX, has 20 taps and 3 handpumps
serving their own and guest beers.
A range of
Wild Weather
beers, including
‘Damn Dead’
sours and ‘Full
of Beans’ coffee
stouts, can also
be purchased
at the brewery
to drink there
or at home. See
advertisement
Jamie Duffield
below.
(JD), Head Brewer
THE CASTLE INN · COLD ASH
A family run, community village pub, with a warm welcome for
all, including those with four legs and tails!
We have six quality approved cask ales on offer, including
Good Old Boy and London Pride, two of which are guest ales,
which are changed regularly.
Food served Monday to Sunday. Please see website for times.
Quiz Monday eve 8:30pm. Surprise food served free of charge
to quizzers at half time. Booking is advisable.
Regular live music slots. Please follow us on Facebook
@TheCastleColdAsh to keep an eye on dates!
We welcome parties for any occasion. Please call to discuss any
options as we aim to accommodate all.
Nathan, Kirsty, Francesca and Florence
look forward to seeing you soon.
www.thecastleatcoldash.co.uk
Cold Ash Hill · RG18 9PS · 01635 863232
Ullage December 2019 - February 2020 3