Have you cast your vote for the next Champion Beer of Britain?
The Champion Beer of Britain (CBoB) is one of the most prestigious beer competitions in the world. It is the ultimate honour for UK brewers and has helped put many into the national spotlight. It is awarded every year at the Trade Session of the Great British Beer Festival.
All CAMRA members are eligible to vote in the #CBOB competition and can vote for up to five beers per category. Is there a beer you love that you think merits next year’s prize? Or a brewery that deserves to be recognised? Make sure you cast your vote before the deadline of 1 November!
Vote online today: https://cbob.camra.org.uk
Tap & Can, Shrewsbury
A planning application has been made to open a new bar in an empty shop on Castle Gates. The proposal is to open a bar called the Tap & Can, which in their words ‘will be used to fill the gap in the market in Shrewsbury for a dedicated tap room for draft craft beer, with a minimum of 10 taps covering a wide range of different beers to suit all needs.’
Halfway House Inn & Seven Stars Inn, Halfway House
The ACV protected Halfway House in Halfway House near Shrewsbury has had it’s interim moratorium triggered by the intention of the current owners to sell the freehold of the pub. See here for the Council notice.
Prince of Wales, Shrewsbury
Our current Branch Pub of the Year has been announced as the winner of the West Midlands Pub of the Year competition. It now goes forward to compete with the other 15 regional winners for the National title. Click here to see the full list of winners.
Pour House, Frankwell, Shrewsbury
… will be re-opening this month under the stewardship of the team responsible for nearby Albert’s Shed. They are promising cask ales and a bar area, giving it more of a pub feel rather than it just being a restaurant. Link to Shropshire Star report.
Website news
A shameless bit of self promotion, but we are a finalist in the CAMRA Branch Website of the Year competition 2019.
This follows on from being a finalist in last year’s West Midlands Local Pub Trail competition. Thanks to all involved.
New issue of Shropshire TAles is out now. Available in a pub near you or click for online version.
Battlefield Brewery has been sold, according to their posting on Facebook:
We have some exciting news to share!!!
We have been a little quiet on here recently but there has been a lot going on! We are pleased to announce that after selling the business Battlefield Brewery has been acquired by Evolution Brewing!
We want to thank you all for you continued support over the past few years and hope that will continue for the new team! Keep your eyes peeled for the exciting things ahead!
The Evolution Beer Company have been testing brews for the last few weeks:
Belvidere, Shrewsbury
The ACV protected Belvidere in Shrewsbury has had it’s interim moratorium triggered by the intention of the current owners to sell the freehold of the pub. See here for the Council notice.
New venue in Whitchurch?
Planning permission has been granted to convert the ground floor of 40 High Street into an as yet unnamed drinking establishment. The relevant licences have yet to be applied for and approved. Ironically, part of the building used to be the Alexandra Temperance Hotel! PS Turns out the ‘drinking establishment’ may be a Coffee Shop rather than a pub – see Shropshire Star report
Following the death of Landlord Paul Bancroft last October, the Yew Tree in All Stretton has been sold. Apparently it has been acquired by a local company, who intend to develop the site, but retain the pub as a pub.
Anchor, Harlescott, Shrewsbury
The ACV protected Anchor has had it’s interim moratorium triggered by the intention of the current owners to sell the freehold of the pub. See here for the Council notice.
The Royal Oak at Treflach is currently closed and up for sale. Word is it may not survive as a pub and be converted to housing instead.
The Battlefield Brewery in Shrewsbury has been put up for sale according to the Shropshire Star.
Albion Vaults pic S Wood
The Albion Vaults in Shrewsbury has re-opened under the ownership of the local St Annes Brewery.
New issue of Shropshire TAles is out now. Available in a pub near you or click for online version.
Apparently new management have taken over at the King’s Head in Shrewsbury.
Apparently new management have taken over at the Plough in Oswestry.
The Golden Cross in Shrewsbury has been put up for sale with Samuel Wood for a 7 figure sum.
The Shropshire Brewer, the Brewery once of the Red Lion in Longden Common, latterly of Annscroft, have quit brewing as confimed on Facebook.
The Drayton Gate in Wem has been put up for sale with Matthew Phillips.
The Jack Mytton in Hindford has been put up for sale with Sidney Phillips.
Seven Stars pic R Wise
The Blood Bay in Ludlow, Jon Saxon’s new “Victorian pub”, opened on May 12th. On the same day the Seven Stars in Shrewsbury re-opened, having been closed since Christmas 2015.
The ACV protected Greyhound has had it’s interim moratorium triggered by the intention of the current owners to sell the freehold of the pub. See here for the Council notice.
New pub, new beer
The Old Town Tap in Shrewsbury has opened, and one of its first beers is Three Tuns Best, the latest offering from the Bishop’s Castle brewery. Click here for the Whatpub entry. This beer has also been spotted in the Abbey, Shrewsbury.
Old Town Tap, Shrewsbury
Look out for a new bar opening in February in Shrewsbury. Called ‘the Old Town Tap’ it is in a building which used to be an Antiques shop in the Frankwell area of town. They plan to have 3 handpumps on the bar.
Following the triggering of the interim moratorium of the ACV protected White Lion, events have moved on. A local community group have formed, they are attempting to raise the funds necessary to buy the pub. A public meeting about the situation is being held on Thursday 30th November in the local village at at 7pm. For more information, see their website (savethewhitelionash.co.uk) or Facebook page (savethewhitelionash).
The Warehouse Bar & Grill, Shrewsbury
A new venue which opened on 12th October. Four handpumps, currently featuring Battlefield and Salopian ales.
Pubs for sale
Two more local ACV protected pubs have had their interim moratorium triggered by the intention of the current owners to sell the freehold of the pub. The Horse & Jockey at Northwood near Wem, and the Golden Lion in Oswestry are the pubs concerned.
St Annes Brewery, Lea Cross
Recent beer spotted in the Bull in the Barne, Shrewsbury. Apparently from a new micro-brewery in Lea Cross? More news as we get it….
Stables Inn, Craven Arms
The Stables has closed, and has been sold by it’s owner who is retiring. Planning permission by the new owner to convert it into a restaurant/takeaway (called the RED LANTERN) has been approved. This is somewhat of a return to it’s roots, as for over 20 years the building housed two shops, one selling antiques, the other Fish & Chips. In 1988 the two shops were converted into the Stables pub.
Bricklayers Arms, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury
The Bricklayers is soldiering on despite a seemingly steady stream of temporary managers. However it is still a rare venue in town for the New Brew beers of nearby Newport. The latest addition to their beer range, Boscobel Bitter, has been on the bar this September.
Shropshire Tales
New edition of Shropshire Tales out now, it will be distributed to local pubs shortly (click on picture for online version)
The Shropshire Brewers Cup
A trophy awarded annually to the winner of the Shropshire Beer of the Year, usually judged at the Shrewsbury Beer Festival. This years winner was the Shropshire Legends Brewery, their beer in the competition was Raven’s Bowl Oatmeal Porter. (Second was Chapel Brewery Holy Grail, third was Salopian Brewery Oracle.) Click on the picture for a list of previous winners.
The ACV protected White Lion (SAWS CAMRA Pub of the Year 1997) has had it’s interim moratorium triggered by the intention of the current owners to sell the freehold of the pub. See here for the Council notice.
Champion Beer of Britain (CBOB) 2017
Results have recently been announced, the overall winner is Goats Milk, a Bitter from Church End Brewery in Warwickshire. Congratulations also go to two local breweries who have also picked up awards – Ludlow Gold won joint Bronze in the Golden Ale category, while Salopian Automaton won Bronze in the Strong Bitter category.
Link to full CBOB results for 2017
Shrewsbury’s only Black Country Ales pub has now been open for a couple of months. Despite a continuing search for permanent tenants and the odd temporary closure, it is still offering a fine if slightly reduced range of ales.
Frollies Wine Bar on Whitchurch High Street, which became Quince in October 2016, is planning to re-open with yet another name change – Docket No. 33 – in late July.
Sadly we have to report the death of Branch stalwart David Morgan. A page has been dedicated to his memory, which includes a link to funeral arrangements for those interested.
Following the change in ownership of the Red Lion at Longden Common, the new owners have decided not to continue brewing in the adjoining building. However, the Brewery will continue, they are currently relocating to premises in nearby Annscroft.
The Vault, the new pop-up micro bar in Ellesmere has opened, seems to be a weekend venue for the time being, full details to be confirmed.
Pic courtesy Robert Wise
Pic courtesy Robert Wise
The former Cornhouse at the bottom of Wyle Cop has recently re-opened under new management. Described by a local CAMRA member as a pub-cum-restaurant-cum-disco, it’s opening handpump selection has beers from London, South Wales & Peterborough.
Meet the Brewer
A growing trend is the appearance of local brewers in pubs giving informal talks on their beers & brewing processes. The Abbey in Shrewsbury has been a popular venue, already this year they have welcomed Hobson’s, Slater’s and Six Bells, with Joule’s being their next visitors on Monday July 3rd. Then on Saturday July 15th, the Bailey Head in Oswestry will be hosting an evening devoted to Salopian Brewery. These events are normally accompanied by a ‘tap takeover’, whereby as many of the handpumps of the pub as possible are given over to the Brewery concerned, so there is the opportunity of sampling the beers while hearing all about them.
Following the death of the owner earlier this year, the Railway Inn Community Venture has been set up with the brief: The purchase of the freehold of The Railway Inn, on behalf of the community, to secure its future as a key village amenity and to expand its role as a “hub” for other activities. Shares in the venture are available now, over £100,000 has already been pledged. Click here for more details.
Cider & Perry Trail 2017 – Saturday 1st July to Thursday 31st August
Passports are being distributed to pubs for the Cider & Perry promotional trail. This year over 70 pubs throughout the County are involved (click on the image on the left to see any news or corrections). The Trail will be open for July AND August.
…is a new bar on Scotland Street which is opening on June 17th. According to the owners, it will be:
… a new micro bar set in Ellesmere town centre. Serving you fine wine and local craft beer in a retro underground setting.
The ACV protected Anchor has had it’s interim moratorium triggered by the intention of the current owners to sell the freehold of the pub. See here for the Council notice.
Following the death of the owner, this is the latest news from a local group on Facebook:
NEWSFLASH……. An opportunity exists right now to buy this fabulous, multi award winning, pub for everyone who loves it for what it once was and for those who can appreciate what it can still be. Owners like Addie, Alice and Liz come along once in a millennium, people who will cherish a pub for eighty years won’t be found again. We can protect their legacy and at the same time create a hub for our local community which will thrive. There are 70 co-operatively owned community pubs now and not a single one has failed; another 110 are in the pipeline. A new Railway Inn would be for everyone, young or old, male or female. It could be so much more than ‘just a pub’ with potential for imaginative, great value food and off-sales of excellent wines and craft beers. There can be meeting rooms, a children’s play area, a coffee shop. The list goes on ….
There is a legal structure being put in place and grant funding being accessed. More complicated than Renshaw’s Field, but every bit as important and even more rewarding. Come along to an open meeting and contribute your ideas.
The meeting is on Monday 15th May 7.30pm, CLIVE VILLAGE HALL.
Branch members have started delivering certificates to winners and runners up. Click here for more details.
After many years in the wilderness, Real Ale has returned to the Old Slipper in Shrewsbury, which under new ownership has re-invented itself as Albert’s Shed. Evenings and later will still find the venue thronging with young revellers and live music, but there is a space during the daylight hours for those interested in their ale offering. Four handpumps are in place, beers up to now have been mostly local from the likes of Salopian and Chapel (the house beer, Albert’s Ale, is also a Salopian ale)
Campaign for Real Ale - Shrewsbury and West Shropshire Branch 
The Dog Hangs Well at 14 Corve Street, Ludlow opened today at 12 through until 9, serving Big Shed Engineers Best. Christmas Day and Boxing Day it will be open 12 – 2.
Normal opening hours will be 5 – 9 Thursday and Friday and all day Saturday.
The Dogs Hangs Well is a corruption of the once popular pub name ‘The Gate Hangs Well’ featuring a five-barred gate; once inscribed: This gate hangs well, and hinders non, refresh and pay, and travel on.
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Many thanks Mark. It is now in Whatpub should you wish to add a beer score!
http://whatpub.com/pubs/SHR/16840/dog-hangs-well-ludlow
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Will do, we need a Whatpub entry for Artisan Ales too, which I visited on Tuesday. Details as per the comments from Les Lumsdon below
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Thanks for your comments Les. We did have a group in Ludlow last week, but unfortunately before the place first opened to the public Let’s hope it is an asset to real ale in Ludlow, after
recent news re The Rose & Crown.
Pete Duckers
Pub Preservation Team.
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Pete
I really do hope that Joules takes care to preserve the very best features at the Rose and Crown, especially the stained glass window at the front of the pub by the current entrance.
Like Mark I also tried the Dog Hangs Well; it is a parlour pub to be recommended. Pleased to see it is up on What Pub and beer scored accordingly. It’ll be good to load up details for the Old Tap Room and Artisan Ales on 4 Old Street. The landlord, Gary Jones, can be contacted on 07971 640584 for verification of details and if anyone needs to check opening times.
Best Wishes
Les
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Have just returned home for an enjoyable hour at Artisan Ales, 4 Old Street, Ludlow ( near the Bull Ring and 5-8 minute walk from the railway station) which has opened an upstairs as the Old Tap Room with three beers on the stillage-Ludlow Blonde, Hobsons Old Prickly and Saddlers Stout. Beers on form! Open 12-8 weekdays and 12-6 on Sundays.
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