Mild in May 2017
Passports have been distributed to pubs for this years Mild in May promotion. Over 60 pubs throughout the County are involved (click on the image on the left to see any news or corrections).
The Oak re-opens on Thursday 4th May at 12 noon. As previously reported, it is now owned by Black Country Ales (their Brewery is located in Lower Gornal, West Midlands).
The Inn has recently closed as a pub, a note on their website says:
“We are currently only open for bed & breakfast and private house parties.”
They have also submitted a planning application for a change of use from public house, restaurant and bed & breakfast to residential dwelling .
During their first year in the pub to 7 March 2017, the number of different beers served has been impressive, 282 in all. And the pace has certainly not slackened during the last month to 7 April 2017where 41 have appeared on the bar.
Here’s a link to the lists on their website Bailey Head Beers
Congratulations to the The Prince of Wales, Shrewsbury, which is Shrewsbury & West Shropshire CAMRA’s Pub of the Year in 2017, for the third year in a row.
Last year, the Prince not only won the Branch award, but was judged Pub of the Year for the County, and for the whole of the Marches area.
The picture shows landlord and landlady Victoria and Ian Payne being presented with the certificates by CAMRA Area Organiser Nigel Bevan, and Vicky looking inordinately pleased with her 2017 award, after the presentation by the Chair of Shrewsbury and West Shropshire Branch, Dave Roll. (Click on the picture for the full list of results.)
The Red Lion at Longden Common came under new ownership on 31 March. The adjoining Shropshire Brewer brewery was also included in the deal
….re-opened at the start of March, now leased by new tenants. Currently on the bar are beers from Marston’s & Wells.
CAMRA What’s Brewing 1997
Sad news to report, the death of Liz Newnes, landlady of the Railway Inn at Yorton. Her family had moved into the pub in 1937, Liz was actually born there after the war. The pub reached the final of the CAMRA National Pub of the Year competition in 1996 (see picture) and featured in 19 editions of the Good Beer Guide. The funeral is on March 23rd at All Saints Church, Clive.
Link to Shropshire Star obituary.
The Booksellers Arms, Ludlow
As reported by the Ludlow Ledger, permission has been granted to open another micro pub at 132 Corve Street in Ludlow. They are planning to serve three local cask ales and opening hours have been confirmed as 12-6pm Thursday – Saturday & 12-4pm Sunday. An opening date is not yet confirmed. (Jun 2016) UPDATE: A premises licence was issued for the property this week, so it looks like they are gearing up to finally open this year.
Has been bought by Black Country Ales. Completion of the deal is expected late March, they are about to interview potential licensees.
….closed on Feb 12th as the current management team have left the pub. It is not yet known when it will re-open.
Wetherspoon’s Spring Beer Festival 2017
Will be running from 22nd March to 2nd April. Our three local Wetherspoon venues – Montgomery’s Tower (Shrewsbury), the Shrewsbury Hotel (Shrewsbury) and the Wilfred Owen (Oswestry) – will be offering a selection of the 30 ales at any one time. Look out for local beer Salopian Lemon Dream (4.5%)
The Anchor closed rather suddenly on 12th Feb, as you can see from the notice left by the management, it’s future is uncertain.
As previously reported, the ACV protected Cock Inn had it’s interim moratorium triggered by the intention of the current owners to sell the freehold of the pub. An Extraordinary Parish Council Meeting was convened in Hanwood on 17th Jan to respond to this. From the minutes it can be seen that the following key points emerged:
The Cock Inn and bowling club are interdependent on each other and the pub relies on the bowling club for trade. David Roll of CAMRA also supported this view and said CAMRA could offer assistance to parties wishing to look at bidding for the assets. There is no alternative location in Hanwood for the club. The bowling club want to try and save the club, possibly by buying the green/pub.
Cllr. Evans further reported that the landlord has spoken to Punch Taverns who had recently put capital into the premises. Whilst Punch Taverns were content with the trade over the summer, they were not satisfied with trade for the autumn but the landlord has said that he has been told that Punch Taverns will take The Cock Inn off the market if trade improves by March. Punch Taverns are in the process of being taken over Heineken. It was acknowledged that it is key that as many people as possible use the pub.
It was RESOLVED that, as an eligible community group, the Parish Council wished to put itself forward as a community group to be treated as a potential bidder to purchase: 1) The Cock Inn, Hanwood Asset of Community Value And 2) The Bowling Green, Hanwood, Asset of Community Value
Recent Beer Sightings
Recent (Jan/Feb) local ales which have been reported to us and may be of interest include: Rowton Mother Plucking Turkey & Rowton Meteorite at the Vaults (Shrewsbury), Stonehouse Ballast Porter & Salopian Black Heart Stout at the Salopian (Shrewsbury), Rowton Bitter at the Green Dragon (Little Stretton), Six Bells Detox at the Admiral Benbow (Shrewsbury), New Brew Nova Gold & Salopian Orbital at the White Hart (Ellesmere), Gorgeous Ruby Porter & Joules Penny Pincher at the Rose & Crown (Ludlow), Rowton Bitter at the Bricklayers (Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury), Wood Rebbling at the Bagley Sports & Social Club (Shrewsbury), Rowton Area 51 at the Abbey (Shrewsbury), Joules Penny Pincher at the Bricklayers (Copthorne, Shrewsbury)
Latest from the Wheatsheaf:
Last week we unveiled our own house ale and, as The Wheatsheaf has been The Wheatsheaf since 1861 we named it… ‘Since 1861’. The ale is a gorgeous copper coloured with creamy head and, on the pump clip, we write: ‘Rich in malt with beautiful hop aromas, a smoothness that many brewers aspire to create’. AND for CAMRA members our SInce 1861 will be just £3 throughout January (usual price £3.40) so pop in and enjoy!
Bricklayers Arms, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury
The Bricklayers re-opened just before Christmas, and has reverted to it’s original name (though I daresay locals will continue to refer to it as ‘the Brick’). The recent refurb has seen a complete re-modelling of the central bar area. The new owners have connections with a new brewery in Newport (Shropshire) called New Brew, so their beers will regularly be on offer as well as guest ales.
Campaign for Real Ale - Shrewsbury and West Shropshire Branch 