Cover designed by Maxine Handley

Hop Press

Issue 16 – Winchester Beer Festival: May 1985

A rough scan & OCR of the original leaving out adverts & some sections such as the Crossword
This edition doubled as the programme for Winchester Beer Festival 1985 - much of that is preserved.
View full pdf version 8.7MB download

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Contents

• Editorial
• WADWORTH CENTENARY
• PUB NEWS
• THE LAST DRINK
• INNSIGHT
• BRANCH ACTIVITIES
• CAMRA
• WINCHESTER BEER FESTIVAL
  • Beer Festival Committee
  • PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
  • THE ENTERTAINERS
  • BEERS AT THE FESTIVAL
• NOMENCLATURAL SWEEPINGS

EDITORIAL Hop Press index

The next time you visit your local have a good look around, ask yourself is it the place it used to be? Does it still have more than one bar? Can you still play your favourite pub game? Or even sit in the peace of a lounge bar away from smoke, canned musak and cooking smell?

If you can answer yes, then consider yourself lucky. Many drinkers have had their pubs altered beyond recognition, even pub names are changed willy-nilly often to some trendy catchword (usually in the plural). Even inn signs, once hand painted masterpieces, are at best brewery ads and at worst, neon lit monstrosities more suited to American burger bars.

It is you, the customer, who pays for these changes, so it's in your interest to make your preferences clear by telling the brewery whether you want to see your pub altered or not. As soon as whispers of change are heard, write to the brewery, ask for their representative to come and visit the pub and talk to the locals to get their views. Also watch out for planning applications in your local town hall, library or even the local press. If necessary, object to any application that you feel would destroy the character of your pub.

Remember, once your pub has been turned into a fast food and fun palace, it can rarely be restored.

WADWORTH'S CENTENARY Hop Press index

This year sees the hundredth anniversary of Wadworth's (newer) Northgate brewery. South Hampshire drinkers will be familiar with the names of their more famous brews, 6X and Old Timer; IPA and the recently introduced Farmer's Glory bring the total of Real Ales produced by Wadworths to four. These are widely available throughout Wiltshire and Hampshire in the free trade, although the company owns only four pubs in Hampshire. The Park, Shirley, the Guide Dog, Bevois Valley (both Southampton), the Lamb at Andover and the St. James's Tavern, Winchester. However, the history of Wadworths is less well known; despite containing much of interest.

Henry Alfred Wadworth first bought the Northgate brewery in Devizes in 1875, when he was 22 years old. He had already six years' brewing experience and a trip to Australia behind him. He soon achieved local fame by becoming the first man to cycle from London to Bath – he only took 2½ days on an iron-tyred bicycle!

By 1885, the site had been outgrown, and a new Northgate brewery was built close to the original, to Henry Wadworth's own design. Wadworth's partner in business was his brother-in-law John Smith Bartholomew; on his death in 1923, his son John Bartholomew succeeded as Managing Director.

In the days before motorised transport, people could not travel to purchase beer; consequently Wadworths used to deliver it. At one time they had 3,000 private customers and six 'outriders', or representatives, collecting orders.

Henry Wadworth died in 1929 after falling from a horse. He was well into his seventies by then. The brewery continued to expand under John Bartholomew, taking over Godwins of Swindon between the wars. Trade was much assisted during the second World War by the huge influx of American soldiers around Devizes. Demand exceeded supply for a while, despite the absence of many local customers who were away fighting the war.

When John Bartholomew died in 1952, to be succeeded by his son, the present chairman, John C. Bartholomew, the latest phase of expansion began. Besides buying many licensed houses since then, the Company has encouraged sales in Free Houses and Clubs. Deliveries are now made much further afield, thanks partly to the motorway system, including outlets as far afield as London, South Wales, South Hampshire, down to Plymouth and up to Stratford-on-Avon. As a minder of the past however, deliveries within a 2½ mile radius of the brewery are still made by horse-drawn dray.

And the reason for Wadworth's success? Traditional brewery, using traditional ingredients, methods and recipes – in short, they brew good beer.

PUB NEWS Hop Press index

Aged Swill

Just a few items of pub news to follow up the Spring Magazine.

Starting in Winchester, it's smacked wrist time again... we forgot to welcome David and Judy Cook when they took over the Prince of Wales in Hyde Street last Year. Anyway, after the belated welcome, the good news is that they've installed handpumps and are serving Huntsman Dorchester Bitter and IPA. Another Real Ale pub to reopen is the St. Johns House on Broadway. It's now owned by Leading Leisure, who also run Hancocks in Eastleigh. The current Real Ales are Strong Country Bitter and Flowers Original; although the beers are all Whitbread this is simply for trading convenience and not because of any tie. The Georgian ballroom upstairs will only open when booked for special occasions.

Some more additions to the Real Ale scene:

Handpumped Taunton traditional cider has been introduced in the Vine, The March Hare and The Exchange, and the new Winchester sports pavilion, near the Rugby Club, serves Ushers Best Bitter (though this is a members Club). As mentioned in Stop Press, previously, the First Inn Last Out in Wales Street, has installed two sets of handpumps serving Courage BB and Directors.

Lastly, in Winchester, the recently reported darts marathon in the Rising Sun raised an amazing £1,100 for charity. To add to this, the charity bottle was ceremoniously broken on 7 May.

To the East of Winchester, two pubs are up for sale; The Chestnut Horse at Easton, recently featured in Hop Press and, we understand, the H & H in Cheriton. Both are village pubs, currently belonging to Watneys – Let's hope they're not sold de-licensed.

Further South, in Chandler's Ford, the Landlord of the Tabby Cat has asked us to point out that the 'vetting' (Pub News, Spring magazine) at the door, was to deter under age drinkers.

In Southampton, the Newtown in Bevois Road has re-opened with a new name of 'The Bitter End'. It serves Flowers Original.

Taunton traditional cider has also found its way into two city centre pubs, the Angel and the Oddfellows. And another Real Ale gain – the Anglesea Tavern, near the docks now sells Best Bitter on handpump.

We learn sadly, that the Peter Knight Consortium which runs the Pig & Whistle home-brew pub at Privett near Alton and several pubs in Southampton, including the newly opened Nellies Nob, has gone into liquidation. By the time this goes to press, they will possibly have ceased trading. We can only hope that a future owner will reopen the pubs and serve the quality Real Ale the brewery was recognised for.

In Fair Oak we learn that the Clock Inn has re-opened after a refurbishment, happily retaining its two bars.

Finally, we hear that the Shamblehurst Barn, near Hedge End, has been bought by Courage. It previously sold Bass beers.

These few items of news come to us courtesy of correspondents, phone calls or by word of mouth from CAMRA members. If you know of any pub which has opened or closed, has added or changed beers, is having a major refurbishment or perhaps has something of interest to report, please write to: 1 Monks Road, Winchester or ring on Winchester 54666 between 6.00 and 8.30 p.m.

The Last Drink Hop Press index

Ken Hill

A Festival Fantasy

In the eating space of Living Unit 2874, Block Ad/6, Minimegopolis *27, South, (a small living area in the south western part of what used to be known as England – actually in rough position of an ancient city called Winchester) the meeting of the Organising Committee for the CCXXVIIIth Intergalactic Festival of Real Ale (And Derivatives) was just about to begin. Citizen A/56/GDW/8435 (more often known by his familiar name of Son O'Jed) was in the chair and next to him the looming figure of P'Jon, another descendent of the original instigators of the event. The Hontres (whatever that meant – the original meaning having been lost in time) was V'Nang, the last of the triumvirate who claimed direct descent from those dim, twentieth century forefathers who began the habit of gathering to get pissed.

As you all know by now, if you've studied your history books, Real Ale festivals began back in the Dark Ages of the 1970's when, horror of horrors, some people actually drank non-real beers! How they survived in those days, we'll never know, what with wars, crude technology, disease and fizzy beers. However, thanks to the Beloved Boston, the Richard the First of that Ilk, a founder of that Druidical group known as CAMRA, at least the beer situation changed.

It doesn't take long for such a mighty change to be followed by quasi religious festivals, and the Real Ale Festivals followed. From their humble beginnings in "Areas", they spread country-wide, and, as the World gave up it's squabblings and disease, hunger and the constant urge for the "big buck" (whatever that is) was conquered, then so did the Festivals spread world-wide.

With the opening up of Space in 2010 (a film of that event can still be seen by special appointment with the Smithsonian Institute), CAMRA International Association, as it was known for a short time, was first to take advantage and spread the word (and the Festival) to the worlds being discovered and opened up to mankind's exploitation. The First Universal CAMRA Intergalactic Trading mission (again, the name only lasted a short while – the Publicity Officer of those days had an unfortunate knack of picking the wrong set of names) was among the first visitors to Sirius IV where they discovered Qwat Juice, as drunk by the Sirians in copious quantities.

Qwat Three Starts (as in Orions Belt, another interplanetary drink discovered but a few years later) is a pleasant, fruity, nutty brew with its own distinctive flavour (of Sirian Plonk Hog); it has only one drawback – it runs the OG reading off the scale and can only be supped in draughts of one-tenth Gills. Nevertheless, Qwat sparked off the first Intergalatic Festival, with the brewers, Messrs. Xrtysweng plc, of downtown Skwerk, Sirius IV South, SKll 4SS, being invited to attend.

The rest, as they say, is history – which usually gives an author carte blanche to go on and spell it all out again. But I won't suffice it to say that, in the passage of 227 years that neatly brings us back to the kitchen of Son O'Jed's unit, no less than 200 new brews had been added to the Festival's repertoire. Some were less than pleasant, fruity and nutty – they were positively lethal, as well as smelling to high heaven. Some had the same effect as a gallon of "Old Crudgie" (cf. a 20th Cent. publication – "Hop Press", Spring 1985) but with unfortunate side-effects (one actually reversed sexual function and made strong men insist that it was their turn to lie on their backs and say "That ceiling needs painting"!)

Anyway, back to the 228th Festival discussion. V'Nany was droning on, as usual, about fundings and ticket sales, with only the VidCompViewPhone terminal in the corner taking any notice of him. Their model, by the way, was an elderly, beer-stained Mk.II that Son O'Jed had picked up through his connections with.... well, let's just say the Company his Father's father worked for! C'Excie, the current Editor of Brews News the glossy 120-page magazine that had replaced a dear old publication called "Hop Press", was tapping moodily into his NewsTab, connected directly to the VCVP, and P'Jon was rapidly scanning his 2" TV monitor for the latest updates in the Intergalactic Licensing Laws, Vol. 962.

Suddenly P'Jon stiffened. In a shaking voice he told V'Nang to shut up and stared avidly at the monitor. After a few minutes, he told the others what he'd seen – the newscast direct from InterGalag Space Centre announcing the discovery and settlement of yet another planet. Way out in the Magellanic Cluster, apparently the new discovery was a duplicate of old Mother Earth herself – except it was umpteen billion years younger! That meant everything in abundance, including recruits to CAMRA plus new brews to try.

The Committee made a swift decision and telexed off an invitation to the new planet's leading breweries. At the same time, a request was shot off to CAMRA'S headquarters, 17b Station Approach, Burton-on-Trent, PI55 3D, (to whom all subscription renewals should be sent) for the test robot, CeeMeePeedThrreOh, to be sent to the new planet (which, at that time, was only known by a code number of H2 – "Home" type, 2nd level) to try the local brews and confirm local reaction to them.

The first results were encouraging. Apparently, CMP/30 radioed back that the planet was overflowing with alcoholic beverages. He'd actually found a spring, not of mineral waters (used to be mixed with an obsolete drink call "Djinn" or some such name) but of something that looked and tasted remarkably like Crudgington Gold Medal Bitter (1049) with a dark, nutty and fruity taste. Hot springs of spirituous liquid also existed on the planet, which had a striking similarity our own historic drink, RUM (or Rheum). Nevertheless, despite this plenty, the natives, a human-like bi-pedal race ("Thanks be," V'Nang was heard to whisper, with memories of the Octopoidal N'Grundians who'd almost torn him apart at the last Festival in their eagerness to buy tickets) drank only a clear liquid they apparently brewed in large vats in the centre of their townships.

"What's more", reported CMP/30, rather pettishly, "They won't let me have a sample. They want to spring it on the rest of the Universe at the Festival and not a moment sooner. All I can report is that after only two pints or so of this stuff, the natives fall over, mouth platitudes, and giggle. In my opinion, it must be at least 1060 og. Can not tell about pleasant fruity, nutty taste".

With that and a hastily-despatched invitation, the Committee had to be content. With only two weeks to the Festival, they could only hope for the best (in the tradition handed down for generations). By sheer chance, the CCXXVIIIth Festival was to be held on Earth (instead of the Moon – the organisers always had a careful eye open for people getting home after the event) and the day finally came for the opening – to the music of the Outlandish Brew & Meteor Band – with none of the organisers even sure whether or not the H2ers would be there.

Just as the activities were at their height, P'Jon rushed in with a large barrel clasped to his chest. "It's here, lads" he cried. "The new brew". Within a twinkling the bung was in the spigot turned on, and a dozen pairs of throats worked convulsively. "Aaargh" shot out Son O'Jed. "Phhrrrrt", went P'Jon. "Yuuuuurk", spluttered V'Nany. "What the bloody hell is it? No taste, no og, no nothing".

"Ah well," said the smiling, blond giant appearing then in the doorway and reaching for a pint mug, "It's our brew – it suits our metabolism exactly, and it gets us pissed. We call it, in honour of this our first Festival: 'H2O"!

INNSIGHT – THE EXCHANGE, WINCHESTER Hop Press index

The unique pub name of the Exchange originated from the Royal Exchange Assurance Co. In 1784 Carew Gauntlet became the first agent for the Exchange Fire Assurance Co. in Winchester and when, following the death of his father in 1792 he inherited the family wine and spirit business in Southgate Street, he quickly formed his agency office within the building. The exterior carried the first (No. 1) firemark in Winchester. He also introduced Barnes beer brewed in Winchester High Street. Succeeding generations of the family (Peter, William and Frank) continued the business. At some time during this period people began going to Exchange for a drink.

In 1869 Charles Sherry, who owned the former Black Swan Hotel opposite, purchased the business. He rebuilt the property and gained a full licence, naming the house the Exchange Hotel. This quickly became a meeting place for traders, councillors and gentry, before passing into the ownership of James Baroot in 1871. He sold it to a local brewer, Thomas Bailey (who also owned the Lawn Brewery – once opposite the Mash Tun) in 1875. On his death in 1886, Courage of Bermondsey bought the pub. It still remains, to this day, a Courage house.

Following a refurbishment a couple of years ago, the exterior was restored to its former Victorian Style; very attractively done and in keeping with its surroundings.

Inside, the single horseshoe bar is typical of many a city centre pubs today; carpeted throughout, decorated and furnished to a high standard. It offers an extensive menu and attracts a good lunchtime trade from local office workers and others.

Besides its lunchtime trade, it also has a strong local evening following, and indeed, the pub is well known for its sporting connections. One area of the bar is set aside for darts and the Exchange has a reputable darts team. It also fields, unusually, an excellent rugby team, which has many honours to its name; and the pub also donates a shield to the best boxer among the local 'Greenjacket' army recruits.

The Real Ales on sale to day are courage Best Bitter and Directors, as well as handpumped traditional cider.

Pop in on a Friday night, if your preference in live music is of the relaxing, middle-of-the-road kind. Your hosts Barry and Jacqui run a friendly pub, so you'll be sure of a warm welcome.

Branch Activities Hop Press index

Author

CAMRA Hop Press index

CAMRA ls now almost a victim of Its own success. In 15 years of campaigning, the keg tide has been turned so successfully that some areas of the country now have well over three quarters of their pubs selling real ale. In the North West, Scotland and Ireland, the battle goes on to ensure that pub customers are given the freedom to choose real beer, but in most other areas, the emphasis of CAMRA's campaigning ls shifting.

CAMRA ls still working to maintain and Improve the quality and variety of real ale available to pub customers throughout Britain, but we are also fighting a continuing battle – on behalf of all pub customers – not Just the real ale drinkers – to protect and preserve British pubs. Though changing times will always lead to changes in pubs as in everything else, we must ensure that pubs retain their essential character. No-one wants to see their local converted into a replica of a nineteenth century New Orleans whorehouse or a set from Flash Gordon and the Venusian Vindaloo at the whim of some designer with more brewery money than sense.

CAMRA will continue the fight for sanity in our licencing laws, so that publicans open the hours that suit themselves and their customers, and advertise those hours inside and outside their premises. We shall fight against any further reduction in competition in the brewing industry, and any further reduction in choice for the consumer, whether through mergers, takeovers, brewery closures or the disappearance of local or regional varieties of beer. We shall continue to fight against excessive rates of duty being levied on our national drink.

CAMRA will also continue to represent the consumer – the pub customer – against the brewery giants and against those governments that continue to let us pay our money, but fall to let us have our choice.

CAMRA membership remains remarkable value at only £7 – unchanged now for four years. Your £7 not only helps to maintain the fight for real ale and real pubs, It also gets you generous discounts on a wide range of CAMRA products and publications, including the Good Beer Guide. A CAMRA member receives a monthly copy of What's Brewlng -the Campaign's lively and informative newspaper, a member's handbook and has the chance to join in all CAMRA's activities – brewery trips, branch meetings and socials, conferences, beer exhibitions and foreign travel.

Don't let others do your job for you. It's your pint and your pub – Join CAMRA and help protect them.

WINCHESTER BEER FESTIVAL Hop Press index

WELCOME to the Sixth Winchester Beer Festival.

Once again our aim is to introduce to S. Hampshire some of the enormous range of traditionally brewed beers available in Great Britain.

This year we have chosen the N.East of the country, from Nottingham to Northumbria, with, we hope, a brew or two from over the border. The beers are all purchased from the breweries and we are under no obligation to promote any particular product.

The festival is organized and run entirely by unpaid CAMRA members.

CAMRA membership at reduced rates is available at our information booth.

We hope that you will enjoy the festival and help to make it the success of previous year.

Happy quaffing..... see you again!

Beer Festival Committee Hop Press index

Programme of Events Hop Press index

Friday Afternoon 12 – 4.00

    No planned entertainment...

Friday Evening 7 – 11.30

    7.00 – 8.15 Fried Sock Skiffle Company
    9.15 – 11.30 Real Ale and Thunder Band

Saturday Afternoon 12 – 4.30

    12.00 – 1.45 Fulham Brass Band and City Morris
    2.30 – 4.30 Fulham Brass Band and City Morris

Saturday Evening 7 – 11.30

    7.00 – 8.30 Fulham Brass Band
    9.15 – 11.30 Andy Dickens Jumpin' Joint

THE ENTERTAINERS Hop Press index

The Fried Sock Skiffle Company– produces the kind of sound that could be imagined from its improbably (and sometimes random) marrying of curious, gruesome and ancient relics with strange objects of a more recent era. The instruments are equally as odd.

To be experienced to be believed – a band of which Sir Adrian Boult was once heard to exclaim "Good Grief".

Fulham Brass Band– always a smash hit at beer festivals, return for their sixth year by popular demand.

Founded in 1895, they are the longest surviving brass band in South London and have played regularly on London bandstands. A spirited and lively band, they play traditional brass to the highest standard.

Audience participation is almost obligatory, driven enthusiastically along by the elastic Mr. Exton (who has been observed conducting the band and audience behind him simultaneously!). See if you can stop yourself singing.

The City Morrisare the newest and most exuberant team to have been formed in the area for some years. They dance their own original dances in an original style, to provide traditional festival entertainment.

Andy Dickens Jumpin' Joint. Well known local jazz musician, Andy Dickens brings together this band of expert musicians to provide the kind of lively trad jazz that will be enjoyed by all.

Real Ale and Thunder Band, another Beer Festival favourite, this lively group also returns for their sixth year. Well known and deservedly popular throughout the South with their stomping jazz-pop, they are guaranteed to get even the tiredest foot tapping.

Beers At The Festival Hop Press index

As we have mentioned earlier, the beers for this years festival come in the main from the North East, an area of the country much associated with beer drinking and where they reckon they have stronger beers than are found in the South. This last point is one which is arguable as the South has its fair share of strong brews.

Talking of strength, you will find an 'OG' number on each beer. This is the original gravity and is. a term used to denote the percentage of fermentable matter used before fermentation.

1000 is the OG of pure water, 1030 – 1035 includes many milds and most lagers, 1035 – 1045 best bitters and anything above 1045 are strong ales and draught barley wines. The highest OG in this country is a mind blowing 1080 for draught beer, some bottled beers exceed llOO.

To enjoy the beers it is always best to start with the lower gravities and work up the scale slowly to the more heady brews.

BALLARD – ROGATE, SUSSEX.

One of the new generation of small breweries situated on a rural smallholding near Petersfield. Brews consistently good quality beers for nearly thirty free trade outlets.

Best Bitter (1046) – Nutty and delicious
Wassail (1060) – A heavy strong ale.

BATEMAN – WAINFLEET, LINCOLNSHIRE

A family run independent brewery with 104 tied houses most of which sell Real Ale. The Company is known for its picturesque brewery and many excellent pubs serving their distinctive beers.

Mile (1032) – Dark, smooth and creamy
XB (1037) – Distinctive, well-hopped bitter
XXXB (1048)- Strong malty ale.

BISHOPS – WELLINGTON, SOMERSET

A new brewery set up last year by Ted Bishop, founder of Cotleigh brewery in Devon.

Bishops Best Bitter (1041) should be good!

BORDER- WREXHAM, CLWYD

Taken over last year by Marston's of Burton upon Trent. In most brewery takeover the smaller brewery closes due to under capacity by the bigger brewery. In this case Borders Beers are now brewed at Burton; but have they changed?

Exhibition (1034) – light and flavoursome
Bitter (1035) – Light and malty

BOURNE VALLEY – ANDOVER, HAMPSHIRE

Started in 1978 by two CAMRA members with Ringwood Brewery supplied equipment. Has one tied house, the Lardicake in Andover, but most beer is supplied to the free trade.

Weaver's Bitter (1037) – Hoppy and refreshing
Andover Ale (1040) – Distinctive hoppy brew
Henchards Bitter (1045) – A strong bitter

BRAKSPEAR- HENLEY-ON-THAMES, OXFORDSHIRE

The Henley brewery, an old friend to CAMRA, is renowned for its delightful unspoilt pubs, many of them in the country. Real ale is served in all but one.

Bitter (1035) – A sweet bitter
Special (1043) – Rich distinctive bitter

BURTS – VENTNOR, ISLE OF WIGHT

Isle of Wights only brewery which was lucky to keep its independence during the 1960's and early 70's. Founded in 1840 it was bought by the present owners in 1906, but the original name has been retained. The Brewery's high quality ales are the cheapest in Southern England, but are found in real form only in 6 out of 14 tied houses and some Watney and free trade outlets.

VPA (1040) – A hoppy, distinctive bitter

CAMERON – HARTLEPOOL, CLEVELAND

A Brewery up for sale, who narrowly escaped being taken over by Scottish and Newcastle last year. Scottish and Newcastle were forced to drop their bid to buy Camerons after the office of Fair Trading decided to refer the deal to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission for investigation. This happened due to CAMRA and others' opposition to the sell which would have destroyed beer choice in the North East. Cameron's Brewery would most probably have been shut due to Sand N over capacity, thus losing two fine Real Ales.

Lion Bitter (1036) – A tasty, hoppy brew
Strongarm (1042) – A fine malty bitter

DARLEY – THORNE, DONCASTER, SOUTH YORKSHIRE

Taken over by the Vaux brewing combine in 1978, Darleys have gradually increased their commitment to Real Ale with 43 of the 64 selling unpressurised beer.

Mild (1036) – Pleasant malty brew
Thorn Best Bitter (1038) – Full-flavoured bitter.

FULLER (FULLER, SMITH AND TURNER)CHISWICK, LONDON

One of only two long established brewers to survive in the capital during takeovers in the sixties, 84 out of its 127 houses are now serving its award winning Real Ales.

Chiswick Bitter (1035.5) – Pleasant light bitter
London Pride (1041) – Tasty, fruity beer
ESB (1055) – Strong excellent ale.

GALES – HORDEAN, HAMPSHIRE

Hampshire's longest established independent brewery. Gales has for years been popular for its good honest traditional beers. Only two of its 100 pubs serve beer with pressure.

During last summer Gales opened a new brewhouse at their Brewery and teething troubles caused problems with their ordinary bitter, but is back to its old self now. Gales produce a naturally – conditioned beer sold in a corked bottle – Prize Old Ale (1093).

Dark Mild (1031) – A pleasant mild, hard to find
Bitter (1037) – Hoppy bitter with a malty after taste
HSB (1051) – Full-bodied distinctive bitter.

GIBBS MEW – SALISBURY, WILTSHIRE

Once an all keg. producer, but have now changed and are fully committed to Real Ale. Has 85 pubs many of which are run like free houses.

Premium Bitter (1039) – Malty beer
Salisbury Bitter (1042) – New distinctive brew
Bishops Tipple (1066) – A barley wine.

HALL CROSS – DONCASTER, SOUTH YORKSHIRE.

A home brew pub established in 1981, based in a Victorian Pub, now pushing their beer into the free trade.

Stocks Best Bitter (1037) – unsampled
Stocks Select (10440 – unsampled
Old Horizontal (1054) – A strong brew.

HALL AND WOODHOUSE

Originally located in the tiny village of Ansty for 100 years, brewing was transferred to its present site at Blandford Forum in 1882. Their beer usually known as "Badger Beers" are found across Southern England in 153 tied houses, 132 of which supply Real Ale. Badger Beers are also found extensively in the free trade.

Best Bitter (1041) – Well-hopped and full bodied
Tanglefoot (1048) – Lightish well balanced strong ale.

HARDY AND HANSONS – KIMBERLEY BREWERY, NOTTINGHAM

In 1930 the two Kimberley breweries merged to give the name today. About 70% of the 200 houses sell Real Ale.

Best Mild (1035.4) – Dark sweet brew
Best Bitter (1038.6) – Distinctive, well-hopped beer.

LONG BARN – CIPPENHAM, BERKS

A home brew pub

Stallion Bitter (1037) – unsampled
Barnstormer (1048) – unsampled

LORIMER AND CLARK – EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

A subsidiary of Vaux of Sunderland, the brewery having a coal-fired copper and open square fermenters. The brewery has no tied houses as they were sold to Allied Breweries and now supplies the free trade.

70/- Ale (1036)- Well-balanced brew (sold as best scotch in 'some Vaux houses)
80/- Ale (1043) – Full-bodied and flavoursome
Caledonian (1077) – A-rich strong ale

MANSFIELD – MANSFIELD, NOTTINGHAM

Converted back to brewing Real Ale after a 10 year break in 1982. The beer is still on a trial period and only available in 14 of the 200 tied pubs, let's hope it survives.

4XXXX (1045) – Well-balanced creamy beer.

MAPLE LEAF – NEW ARK, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

Ind Coope home brew pub brewing 4½ barrels per week.

Maple Leaf Bitter (1037) – Tasty, consistent brew.

MARSTON's – BURTON-UPON-TRENT, STAFFS

A "household" name for Real Ale in Winchester. Marston, Thomspon and Evershed acquired the old Winchester brewery in 1923, introducing Southerners to the Burton taste. Marstons have 80 pubs in Hampshire but others can be found throughout the country. Marston's beers are renowned for their quality; they are the only brewery using the Burton Union System which gives Pedigree its excellent taste. The formidable Owd Rodger must be treated with great respect!

Pedigree (1043) – Full-bodied and smooth
Merrie Monk (1043) – A strong mild
Owd Rodger (1080) – Heavy, rich ale.

PLOUGH – BODICOTE, OXFORDSHIRE

Home brew pub established 1982 which brews with water from its own well.

Jim's Brew or JB (1036) – unsampled
No. 9 (1043) – unsampled

RINGWOOD – RINGWOOD, HAMPSHIRE

One of the first in the new small breweries explosion, Ringwood produces a variety of beers and has established a thriving trade. Founder, Peter Austin, has helped create many other small breweries around the country.

Best Bitter (1040) – Hoppy and full bodied
Fortyniner (1049) – A heavy malty brew
Old Thumper (1066) – Well hopped, strong bitter

SHIPSTONE – NEW BASFORD, NOTTINGHAM

Taken over by Greenall Whitley in 1978, Shipstone's bitter became less distinctive, to the annoyance of locals but nevertheless is still a reasonable beer. With 270 tied houses, nearly all selling Real Ale, their pubs are worth a visit.

Local Mild (1038.6) – Dark and well-hopped
Local Bitter (1038.6) – Popular and refreshing

SAMUEL SMITH -TADCASTER, NORTH YORKSHIRE

Not to be confused with its larger neighbour, John Smith, (which has just reintroduced Real Ale). Claimed to be Yorkshire's oldest brewery it was founded in 1758. Fermentation still takes place in slate "Yorkshire Squares" and wooden casks are still widely used.

Old Brewery Bitter (1039) – Full-bodied and malty
Museum Ale (1040's?) – A stronger ale

TIMOTHY TAYLOR- KEIGHLEY, WEST YORKSHIRE

One of the country's best breweries, their beer are renowned for their high quality. At two of the Great British Beer Festivals in recent years, the Landlord Bitter was voted best beer.

Gold Best (1033) – Light and malty
Best Bitter (1037) – Well hopped bitter
Landlord (1042) – A classic premium bitter

WADWORTH – DEVIZES, WILTSHIRE

Wadworths is said to be an "English county brewery at is magnificent best". A family firm Founded in 1875, their Northgate Brewery dominates the heart ofDevizes. Known by drinkers as "Waddies" they have pubs in Southampton and Winchester, but many of their 150 tied houses are delightful village inns, serving beer from wooden casks stillaged behind the bar.

IPA (1035) – Light tasty bitter
6X (1041)- A famous malty beer
Farmers Glory (1046) – Dark and distinctive

WARD – SHEFFIELD, SOUTH YORKSHIRE

Taken over by Vaux of Sunderland in 1972 with 102 pubs, half of which serve Real Ale, found mainly in South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and parts of Derbyshire.

Sheffield Best Bitter (1038) – Full bodied and malty.

WETHERED – MARLOW, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

Unlike other breweries at this beer festival Wethered are a member of one of the big six brewing combines, Whitbread. With a fine traditional brewery and some good Real Ales Wethered pubs are worth a visit, but watch for high prices.

Wethered Bitter (1035.6) – Well balanced
SPA or SPECIAL (1041.6) – Stronger hoppier bitter.

YOUNGS – WANDSWORTH, LONPON

Long established independent brewer in the capital which have always been good friend with CAMRA, for they stood alone against the keg tide in the early seventies. All 140 houses offer real ale, many of them fine, traditional locals.

Bitter (1036) – Light and bitter
Special Bitter (1046) – Distinctive full flavoured brew

CIDER AND PERRY

As at most Beer Festivals there is a wide selection of traditional cider and perry (fermented pear juice). The cider and perry supplied is from Westons in Herefordshire and Selborne from Alton in Hampshire (local stuff), these being traditional products which are far superior to the nationally available keg brands such as "Strongbow" and "Dry Blackthorn". A precautionary note is that these traditional ciders and perrys are all strong in alcohol and must be treated with respect!

Nomenclatural Sweepings Hop Press index

Mike Barratt

As we meander into the "Market," fall into the "Fulflood" or reel out of the "Roebuck" spare a thought for how this or that hostelry obtained its name.

Most pub names are simply derived. A large number being obtained from the badges of landowners or other notable locals such as "The Bear & Ragged Staff' – the device of Richard III and goes back to 1483. "The Talbot" for instance, is the sign of the Shrewsbury family; the "Cross Keys" is the badge of the Archbishop of York, and "The Plume and Feather" is the crest of the Prince of Wales.

Occupations are frequently reflected in pub signs, such as "The Bricklayers' Arms", "The Masons' Arms", "The Carpenters' Arms" and so on...

Some of the stranger signs are corrupted versions of the originals. "The Goat and Compasses" is simply a popular rendering of 'God encompass us', while the "Bull and Gate" is of French origin, meaning the 'Boulogne Gate'. The "Cat and Fiddle" – a common sign in the Midlands, is a corruption of 'Le chat fidele', where as "The Cat and Wheel" is a loose way of pronouncing 'Catherine Wheel'.

Hunting accounts for a large number of signs "The Hare & Hounds", "White Hart", "Old Red Deer" and the nearer to the forest one goes the more frequently these are found. In an area such as South Hampshire there is no shortage of names recording historical incidents. "The Robin Hood" is well understood, whereas "The Royal Oak" refers to the plight of King Charles II at the battle of Dettingen. "The North Pole" became popular for houses established in the 1850s, when all eyes were directed to Arctic exploration.

"The Rose and Crown", "The Crown", and "The Royal Standard" are patriotic symbols, but where would one explain "The Swan with two Necks?" The 'necks' being nicks, the two nicks being the mark put by the Vintners' company on their swans.

Those houses named after their location are very obvious – "The Westgate", "The Southgate Hotel" and so on – but some houses named after historical characters can be somewhat obscure. "Jack Straw's Castle" being in memory of Wat Tyler's rebellion, "The Fair Maid of Kent" is named after Joan the wife of the Black Prince, whereas "Dirty Dick" recalls Dick Bentley, a notoriously dirty London miser.

And so, what about the "Market", the "Fulflood" and the "Roebuck"? It's obvious isn't it?

Hop Pressissue number 16 – Winchester Beer Festival: May 1985

Editor: Charlie Excell
Winchester 63706

hop-press@shantscamra.org.uk

© CAMRA Ltd. 1985