leeds full measure 131
DESCRIPTION
The campaigning magazine of Leeds CAMRA Branch. Spring 2015.TRANSCRIPT
Newsletter of the Leeds Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale
3
New Full Measure is pro-duced by the Leeds Branchof the Campaign for RealAle. The views expressed arenot necessarily those of the
editor, CAMRA Ltd or its branches.Copyright © Leeds CAMRA 2015. No part of this magazine may be repro-duced without express permission.
NFM Towers Address: Leeds CAMRA c/o 46 West GrangeGreen, Leeds LS10 3BB.Email: [email protected]: www.leeds-camra.com
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Publication Dates:The next issue of NFM (#132) will bepublished on 6th June 2015. NFM #131 copy deadline is 5th May.
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Welcome to issue #131 of NewFull Measure, the newsletter forthe Leeds Branch of CAMRA. Wehope you find something inter-esting and informative inside…
Exactly what is “interesting andinformative”? What do you findto be interesting? What do youwant to be informed about?
These questions have weighedupon me recently, as the contentof the magazine has been calledinto question. Why are there noarticles about the campaigningdone by members of this branch?Why are we not informed aboutthe stalwart efforts of local beerchampions? Much of what isdone within Leeds branch, in thename of campaigning, be it therecent Pubco Reform or theAssets of Community Value, isdone on a personal level, withindividuals reporting back to theOpen Monthly Branch Meeting(for dates see diary on the backpage). These actions and reportsare undertaken by volunteerswho care about these issues giving up their time freely, neitherseeking nor asking for any credit.
If there is sometimes a lack ofcoverage in this magazine, that isbecause campaigning is thin onthe ground or old news by thetime I get around to sending themagazine for publication. We pub-lish four times a year and, despitehaving a website, are unable tosupply you with the kind of cut-ting-edge 24-hour coverage thathas become the norm in oursociety. Occasionally, due to ourpublishing schedule, we miss theboat, such as last month’s victoryin the Commons by local MP andLeeds branch member GregMulholland. When such thingsoccur we look to set them right,when we get opportunity, hopingthat the injured party under-stands our limitations. They mayhave to remember that I, like othersin Leeds CAMRA, am a volunteerwith a full time career and do thislittle task not for the glory (thereisn’t any), the perks (very fewand far between) or adoration ofour peers.
Welcome!
Chairmans’ Corner 4
News 4-5
Northern Monk Brewery 7
New faces at Ridgeside 8-9
Leeds Beer Festival 11-15
Where’s Warren 17-19
Beer Festival Diary 20
Small Business 21
Branch Contacts 22
In Bread with the Enemy 24-25
Awards 27
Pub of the Moment 29
Diary Dates 30
Join CAMRA 31
Contents
CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
WELCOME - CONTINUED
With each issue, therefore, we hope you findour articles interesting and informative. We hopeyou are interested by the wanderings of ourmembers and the pubs they encounter. We hopeyou are informed on the latest opening in theLeeds area and the new places we report on foryou to go and try. However, should these not beof interest to you, should you feel like there issomething lacking, then put pen to paper, fire upthe pc or get out the jungle drums and let usknow. If you feel that you have an interesting article or some news that we are not covering, let us know. Email me at [email protected], or write to thebranch contact address shown on the pageopposite. For those on twitter, tweet us@LeedsCAMRA. We accept contributions from allmembers of the campaign, on any issue you feelrelevant. If it relates to beer, and you think it’sinteresting, then chances are our readers willtoo.
In this issue we have more wanderings fromintrepid traveller Warren Yabsley, braving thewilds of Kippax and Castleford, and the latestnews from Wharfe Bank and from one of thenewest breweries in the area, Northern Monk.
NFM would also like to take this opportunity tocongratulate regular contributor, Jeff Utley, onbeing honoured in the New Year with an MBE, forhis services to Engineering.
As you read this, our branch AGM looms signallingthe end of my first year as Leeds CAMRA BranchChairman. It has been a real honour and a privilegeto take on this role and I sincerely hope that whenyou pick up your next issue of New Full Measure, I will still be your Branch Chairman.
CAMRA is dependent on our volunteers and with-out them we wouldn’t be the organisation we are.So I thought I’d just take a moment to express mythanks to the following people for their help overthe last 12 months. In no particular order; DavidDixon, Christine Jopling, Warren Yabsley, SamParker, Keith Sunderland, Steve Staindale, PhilipMullen, Tony Coltman, Dave Ansley, John Rowe,Charlie Cavaye and Nigel Halton. Also a thank youto those who have supported us by attendingmeetings and socials.
Many of the people listed above (including me),hold multiple committee positions. Although thevolunteer work and campaigning is rewarding, areliance on the few to fulfil so many roles cansometimes be tiring and difficult. I'd love to wel-come some new faces to our meetings and socialsin 2015; you may not wish to volunteer to help,which is absolutely fine, but if we uncover one ortwo new people who can spare some of their freetime to help with branch, then their help would bemost welcome.
If this is something you've considered, or simplyjust want more information on, then you can con-tact me directly at [email protected] I'd be happy to answer any questions you mayhave.
On a different note, if you are planning on comingto our Beer Festival this year (12-14 March - seeour website for details), then please come and sayhi! I'll be there for the duration.
Until next time, cheers!
Mike
Chairman’sCorner
4
5
Wharfe Bank Brewery Unveil New Look for 330mlBottle Range
Wharfe Bank Brewery have unveiled a bold newlook for their 330ml bottle range. The Pool-in-Wharfedale brewer worked with local designerJosh Krzyworaczka to create a look that retainedfamilial bonds to their established 500ml range,whilst reflecting the bold flavours of the range.
Magellan NZ Pale Ale, Oberon IPA, RedGoddess Rhubarb Hefeweizen, Ro Sham BoSession IPA, Black Geld Black IPA and TheMexican Chilli Pale Ale will all appear with thenew branding as the year progresses.
Brand Manager Leigh Linley said: “As we arehoused in a former paper and printing mill, weasked Josh to use the history of the building asinspiration for the new look. Ink, printing pressesand paper were all points of interest - as well asensuring that the look didn’t stray too far fromour established style.”
The new labels feature a paper-style design andan individual stamp effect that outlines the beerdetails. The River Wharfe remains prominent, andIBU (international bittering unit scale) are shownas well as the alcohol content.
Josh Krzyworaczka also took his first brandredesign contract in his stride, and looks forwardto a long-lasting working relationship withWharfe Bank. “The Wharfe Bank team have somegreat ideas and the opportunity to create anidentity for these fantastic beers has been anenjoyable experience. I have learned a lot fromthem during this project - not only as a graphicdesigner but also as a drinker of craft beer.”
J.D. Wetherspoon have opened two new pubsin the Leeds area during December.
In Morley the Picture House, built in 2 units,has a cinema-style frontage and in Bramley theOld Unicorn is a major rework of the previouspub there.
Initial plans are underway for a Wetherspoonsin Headingley, several months away yet, subjectto planning approval.
Ridgeside brewery have a new head brewer,Matt Lovatt, who has previously worked at 2 localbreweries. He is planning some new beers alongside the core range. In December Ridgesidebrewery launched a new citra hopped beer @4.4% called Presence (named after a LedZeppelin album).
Two pubs in Otley and Guiseley have re-opened early December after a period of closure.
The Manor House in Otley has been refurbishedinternally and is now selling its own house beeralongside 3 Thwaites beers and guest ales.
In Guiseley the Red Lion has re-opened andcurrently has one LocAle on the bar.
In Leeds centre the Head of Steam openednear the railway station. The pub (quondamSpencer’s) has retained the same layout with around central bar and offers a choice of up to 10real ales (Camerons Strongarm and TimothyTaylor’s Landlord amongst others).
Leeds will be getting 2 more microbreweriesnext year if all goes to plan. The North Barpub chain want to set up a brewery called NorthBrewing Co and are looking for a site that canoffer room for a bar alongside the brew plant.Their plan is to initially brew a core range toinclude a pale ale and a porter/stout.
There are also plans by the Sandinista BarCompany to set up a 2.5bbl plant in a room atthe back of the Black Swan on Call Lane.
News
6
The brewery was the brainchild of Russell Bissettwho had wanted for five years to set up a brew-ery; he took on local investment enabling the for-mation of the current brewery in Leeds.
Brian Dickson is the brewer in charge ofNorthern Monk Brewery. He learnt his trade bytravelling around the country helping out at manydifferent breweries, plus he did some cuckoobrewing for The Grove, Huddersfield whilst work-ing for them over a seven year period.Whilst the brewery was being assembled, sometest beers were cuckoo brewed at HambletonAles from Jan – Aug 2014.
Situated in the Holbeck district of Leeds, a partof the city now experiencing rejuvenation, thebrewery is on the ground floor of the Grade IIlisted Old Flax Store, which was a part of theadjacent Marshalls Mill.
The brewery kit is a new 10bbl (16hl, c.40casks) plant manufactured by Malrex Fabricationsof Burton-on-Trent and production commenced inAugust 2014 with New World IPA being the firstbeer. Brewing takes place twice per week usingfinest Yorkshire mains water, with malts mainlyfrom Fawcetts of Castleford; hops are fromCharles Faram’s extensive selection – Mosaic,Simcoe and Centennial being favourites.
Present brews are: True North, a 3.7% pale ale(cask); Eternal, a 4.1% session IPA (keg);Monacus NZ, a NZ pale (cask & keg) - their bestselling beer; Chennai, a 5.4% export porter(cask & keg); Northern Star, a 5.9% mocha
porter (cask &keg); NewWorld IPA, a6.2% US IPA(mostly keg);Dark Arches, a6.7% black IPA (mostly keg) and Strannik, a9.0% Imperial stout (mostly keg). Next beer -Faith, (5.1%) is due in February.
Future plans include a bottling plant, possiblyby Easter 2015, and it is intended to add twonew fermenting vessels/conditioning tanks soon.There are also plans for brewing collaborationsand barrel-ageing projects.
Northern Monk beers may often be found locallyat Bundobust, Belgrave Music Hall, Friends ofHam, Tapped, Sela Bar and The Reliance.
On the first floor of the Old Flax Store, abovethe brewery, is the modern-styled Tap Room andRefectory. Here can be found a bar having 16taps and a couple of handpumps. At least eightNorthern Monk beers are usually available plusguests. There is also a bottle shop, plus food isserved at breakfast, lunch and dinner on a dailybasis by The Grub & Grog Shop.
The Brewery, Tap Room and Refectory are locat-ed at The Old Flax Store, Marshall Street,Holbeck, Leeds, LS11 9YJContact: [email protected]: www.Northernmonkbrewco.com
Jeff Utley MBE
7
Northern Monk Brewery‘get into the habit’
8
As 2015 began, a new brewing team took thehelm down at Ridgeside Brewery in theMeanwood district of Leeds. The new HeadBrewer is Matthew Lovatt and his assistant isJuan Mendoza.
Matt was born and grew up in Hull and afterstudying Humanities at Manchester, soonshowed his prowess for brewing by winning anumber of competitions. His professional brew-ing career began at Kirkstall Brewery in Leedswhere he worked for a year before moving on tobe Lead brewer at Summer Wine Brewery atHonley near Huddersfield. Matt does not driveso travelling became a drag although it did nothinder his brewing skills which produced suchtasty beers as Zenith, Diablo and Oregon. Whenthe opportunity to become the new Head brew-er at Ridgeside arose it proved ideal for both hispersonal advancement in the trade and for hisfamily commitments.
Juan came to live in Britain from Colombiawith his family in 2012. With an initial back-ground in advertising he went on to become achef, baker and restaurateur. Once in Britain hecontinued to work as a Head Chef for ChrisBerry at his pubs – the Taproom in Batley andThe Woods in Chapel Allerton, Leeds. He dis-covered “the beautiful world of real ale” andbegan home brewing. He found that, becauseof his food background, he had an extraordi-nary talent for detecting and evaluating flavours
Two permanent ales: Leeds Pale, Tetley Bitter plus FIVE rotating guest ales.
Sky Sports and BT Sports on Four Screens
Beer garden with Plasma Screen and Car Park to the rear
Main meals - Two for £9.00We are open Mon-Wed 12noon-11pm
Thurs-Sat 12noon-midnight, Sun 11am -11.30pm
Quiz nights:Monday – General Knowledge Tuesday – Music
Thursday – Entertainment
The Regent
15/17 Regent Street, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 4PETel: 0113 2939395 Email: [email protected]
LEEDS
CAMRA
Pub of the
Season
Autumn
2014!
Real Ales from: Brown Cow, Theakston,Timothy Taylor, John Smiths and now
Leeds Brewery
The Chequers InnLedsham, Leeds LS25 5LP Tel: 01977 683135
Beer Garden • Bar MealsRestaurant • Open Sundays
Food served 12noon - 9.15pm
Leeds CAMRA BranchRural Pub of the Year 2014
and aromas. Quite by chance, while out shop-ping recently, he became aware of the full timeopportunity to become a brewer at Ridgeside.With his hard work and varied practical skills he
has already become the perfectfoil to work with Matt.
As every brewery isdifferent Matt andJuan are learningrapidly to get togrips with thenuances of the
equipment and aremaintaining the conti-nuity and quality of thecurrent recipes. Whilstbeing committed to
traditional beer styles they are equallyinterested and intrigued by the new wave “à laThornbridge” for whichthey have great respect.The intention is to consol-idate the current beerrange and to create vari-ety and diversity via regu-lar specials. Specials willbe Special.
Remember also that aquantity of every brewgoes into wooden casks.These create an extra taste dimension for thoselucky enough to frequent the pioneering andunique Junction pub at Castleford.
Their first new beer is Phoenix which has aPale Malt base with Crystal and Rye malts forextra character and dry finish. Simcoe hops are
Brewery News
used for bittering and the beer is late hoppedwith Citra and further Simcoe hops. Phoenixwas launched at the brewery on February 3rdwith members of Leeds CAMRA branch being
the guinea pigs as it was thevenue for their monthly meeting.Without exception it was a greatbig fat thumbs up for the maidenbeer of the new brewing team.Well done guys!
Exciting Times atRidgeside BreweryExciting Times atRidgeside Brewery
9
Back foranother year!
Leeds Beer, Cider and Perry Festival information
11
WHERE Pudsey Civic Hall, Dawson’s Corner, Stanningley, LS28 5TA, (5 min-utes walk from New Pudsey BR Station, Caldervale Line which servesLeeds, Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Wakefield, York andManchester)
WHEN Thursday 12th March11am - 3pm & 5pm - 11pm
Friday 13th March11am - 3pm & 5pm - 11pm
Saturday 14th March11am - 11pm
WHATNearly 200 Real Ales from Yorkshire and beyond
- this year’s theme is rugby. Leeds has a greatrugby heritage, and now we have linked it to beer.Look out for the beers with a connection to thegame, and prepare yourself for some terrible puns!
Traditional Real Cider and Perry from aroundthe country, including lesser-known producingareas. The best range for miles with somethingfor all tastes.
Global Beer Bar featuring a great range ofU.S. craft beers, fruity favourites and a world ofother styles!
The Mild Trail – drink this quintessentialEnglish ale and get a freebie!
Don’t forget – we’re now open all daySaturday
Glasses lined at one third and two thirds only- no half measures!
Local musicians performing, plus some quietsessions
Hot & cold food, beery stalls, snack emporium, tombola
Full disabled access
Over 18s only – please bring ID if you lookyoung!
HOW MUCHThursday am session FREE; pm session £4.00,FREE to NUS members
Friday am session FREE; pm session £5.00
Saturday £5.00 before 17:00 then £3.00
CAMRA members FREE at all times (exceptFriday evening, £3.00) and can gain admission15 mins earlier at all sessions
HOW TO GET THEREServices within 5 minutes walk
Train: New Pudsey Station, on the CaldervaleLine
Buses: 9, 16, 16A, 72, 508, X6
112
What is the theme?
This year’s theme is rugby. Leeds has lon
g
since had an association with rugby, and
now we have linked it to beer.
Look out for the beers with a connec-
tion to the game, plus one or two
other rugby-themed features.
Can I buy aticket inadvance?
W
Fo ha no ur a W ra ch bu di re st
What do a
ll
those colo
ured
labels mea
n?
The labels on t
he ends of the
casks are the
re to
help you find t
he beer you wa
nt. We’ve colo
ur
coded them so
that you have
an at-a-glance
guide
to the beer styl
e:
Blue = Mild
Cream = Bitte
r
Gold = Golde
n Ale/IPA
Green = Stou
t/Porter
Red = Barley W
ine/Strong A
le
Orange = Spec
iality
... just look for
the colour keys
on the beer rack
ing.
How can Ijoin CAMRA?Why not join at the Festival? We have aspecial deal where you get a freebie ortwo, and your entry fee back!
Alternatively, you can join at the nationalCAMRA website www.camra.org.uk.
Sorry, no, we do not
sell advance tickets.
Friday evenings can be
busy, but once we’re
open there is rarely a
queue.
13
What happens
when I arrive?
If there’s an entry fee
on the day, you’ll
pay that at the front d
oor. In the foyer,
there’s the glass and
beer ticket stall.
Here you hire your gla
ss (you can keep it
or go back for a refun
d at the end of your
session), and purchas
e your beer tickets,
which are also refunda
ble if you don’t
use them all. You get
a free programme
here, too. Then you’r
e all set to dive in
and enjoy the festival
!
How do I payfor beer?You pay using beer tickets, which you buy on theway in. These are dinky little tickets that are worthapproximately a third of a pint each. Becausesome beers at the festival are not so strong theymay be a bit cheaper than the ticket price, likewise some stronger beers are a bit moreexpensive. If the beer you choose is less than theticket price we will give you some change. Thebars have a very small float so bring a bit of loosechange to the festival so that if you buy some ofthe stronger beers you can supplement your ticket with a few extra pence.
We do it this
way so that:
The bars don’t have a
lot of money behind
them, which helps us
with security.
We can have a good
range and a fair syste
m
where all beers aren’t
a blanket price.
It’s quick and easy for
everyone at the bar
and at the refund stan
ds.
We don’t have pen m
arks all over our hand
s,
which we would have
if we used the system
that certain other near
by festivals use.
What aboutthe glasses?
ollowing the positive feedback, we are once againaving glasses lined at one-third and two-thirds,o halves, no pints. By having just these meas-res it does speed things up at the bar as it allows large proportion of beers to be on ticket price.We are calling the measures Small and Largeather than one-third and two-thirds, far lesshance of being misheard, particularly at theusier and noisier sessions. We would prefer youdn’t use your own glass at the festival; it wouldeally muck up our change system if everyonetarted bringing otherwise legal glasses to the bar.
14
ABBEY INN99 Pollard Lane, Newlay, Leeds, LS13 1EQ
DUCK & DRAKEKirkgate, Leeds, LS2 7DR
HUNTERS INNHarrogate Road, Pool in Wharfedale, LS21
2PS
NEW HEADINGLEY CLUBSt Micheals Road, Headingley, LS6 3BG
OTLEY TAVERNNewmarket, Otley, LS21 3A
STATIONHenshaw Lane, Yeadon LS19 7RZSTICK OR TWISTMerrion Way, Leeds, LS2 8PD
THREE HULATS13 Harrogate Road, Leeds, LS7 3NB
TROYDALE CLUBTroydale Lane, Pudsey, Leeds, LS28 9LD
WOODS5 Steinbeck Corner, Chapel Allerton, LS7 3PG
Festival Etiquette
DO dress for the weather. Nobody likes queuingoutside but sometimes it is inevitable. Check theforecast and be prepared.
DON’T forget that most CAMRA festivals will offerdiscounted or free entry to CAMRA members andmay include an early entry to the festival. Youshould also be able to join at the festival.
DO study the festival programme and check outthe location of the beers you want to try. A wellput together program will tell you where to lookand how to get there.
DON’T forget to take your glass to the bar.Festivals as a rule require you to retain yourglass for every beer you’d like to try. No glass, nobeer.
DO be mindful of others at the bar. Festivals canget quite packed and it can be a bit of a scrum toget served. Be patient and courteous to otherpatrons and everyone will have a good time.
DON’T try to buy beer with money at a ticket-onlybar. Selling tickets for beer avoids the need tocarry change on the bars for the £10 note youare waving. Please don't cause embarrassmentby making the staff turn you away.
DO be polite with your serving staff. At CAMRAfestivals everyone behind the bar is a volunteerand they have given up their time to pour beer andgenerally ensure that you have a great festival.
DON’T forget to pace yourself. There is generallya mix of styles and strengths of ale at a goodbeer festival. You might find yourself venturinginto the strong ales towards the end of the session. Remember that some of these ales arebest sampled in thirds.
DO ask to try a sample before you commit to anunknown beer. Most festivals will be happy to letyou try an ale and may be able to advise you, ifyou can describe what you like.
DON’T hog the server by asking to sample beerafter beer. Understand that the server may haveto leave you to sample your beer while they servesomeone else.
DO eat something during the session. A lightmeal or snack during the session can help tosteady the ship and prevent an event to remem-ber becoming an event you can’t remember.
DON’T forget to try the cider. Cider at festivals isnothing like the gassy pop that passes for ciderfrom the large commercial brewers. Real Cidersfrom craft producers who care about their prod-ucts are a whole other animal. Again, take carewith the strength of these, but make sure to takethe time to try at least one.
DO bring a small bag to take your glass home, orfor your various tombola winnings!
DON’T forget to vote for the beer of the festivalor pass your comments on to the organisers.They make the best festival they can determinedby what they think people want. Feedback fromthose that attend helps to shape the festival andmake it the best that it can be.
DO share your beery thoughts on the varioussocial media platforms, such as Twitter andFacebook or the more beer focused ones, suchas Untappd. This helps to generate a buzz for theorganisers and goes a long way to making thefestival a success.
Leeds Beer and Cider Festival information
15
With a bit of preparation and planning a night at a beer festival can be a great night out. Here are my Dosand Don’ts for festival success!
116
FRIDAY 3rd 1pm till 11pm Real Ale, Food, Fun Fair Rides,
Live Music
SATURDAY 4th 12 till 7pm
Real Ale, Food, Market Stalls,
Fun Fair Rides, Live Music
7pm - lateReal Ale, Food,
Live Band
SUNDAY 5th12 till 5pm
Festival Finale andmuch much more
Sky Sports will beshown all weekend
Weekend pass £3which includes commemorative glass& festival programme - Under 16’s
free
Where’s Warren?Following the article about my travels fromTurkey to India, I planned to write about subse-quent adventures in West Africa. However, followingthe tragic outbreak of Ebola and the devastationthat it has brought to the people and countries inthis area it would be totally inappropriate andinsensitive to be lauding beer.
Instead, I bring you tales of an alternative trip,albeit rather closer to home, as I travelled on theArriva 163 and 166 buses to Castleford! It’s sur-prising how many pubs are passed on the routesso I’ll just cover the final part starting fromKippax. Both services follow the same routethrough the village to the edge of AllertonBywater.
The first port of call is The Moorgate, reachednot long after entering Kippax. Set back from theroad, this 1960s building complete with old,metal windows, is a Sam Smith’s pub. There’s asimply decorated public bar and more comfort-able, large carpeted lounge. Note the large,multi-coloured glass ‘mosaic’ on the ceiling inthe latter room. Old Brewery Bitter is available atthe standard, low price.
A couple of minutes on the bus brings you tothe main street where the first of three pubs inclose proximity is The Commercial.Unfortunately, the Doom Bar pump clip wasturned around on my visit so I was unable tosample any ale. In addition to the spacious main
room, where the decoration follows a blue colourscheme, a games room can be found at the endof the bar through a low archway.
Next is The Old Tree Inn with its intact BYBmosaic flooring in the entranceway. BYB stoodfor Bentley’s Yorkshire Breweries, which wasestablished in Woodlesford in 1828. At the timeof the takeover by Whitbread in 1968, it had anestate of 380 pubs. Brewing on site ceased fouryears later but the premises were used for bot-tling and distribution until 1984 when they wereshut and demolished not long after. Here endeththe history lesson, so back to the present. Thesmall central bar serves the permanent ale,Timothy Taylor Landlord, to both the tap roomwith its tiled floor and darts board with pool tablebeyond the archway, and the lounge
By the mini-roundabout is The White Swan,which was built in 1915 as inscribed over thedoor. Unusually, it has a long curved corner onthe street junction rather than having a rightangle. Inside, this corresponds to the comfort-able though somewhat dimly lit lounge. The spa-cious main room houses the bar that has fourwickets. Leeds Best and Revolutions Cocker werethe ales available with a glass on the other handpumps indicating Leeds Pale and Sharp’s Doom
Kippax to Castleford
17
Where’s Warren returns, this issue, with a slightly more local flavour.
Continued overleaf >
Bar weren’t on at the time. A busy previousevening perhaps? Beyond the bar is anotheroddly-shaped room, a small triangular one thistime that contains the pool table. I bumped intoa couple of CAMRA members here and learntthat the large building 20 metres down the hillused to be The Royal Oak but it closed a coupleof years ago (thanks for the information Phil).
Leaving Kippax you cross the old railway linethat is now a well-surfaced, flat trail ideal forwalking and cycling between Garforth andAllerton Bywater, before reaching The New Innat Great Preston. This red brick building has a frosted glass window each side of the entrance,one is engraved with Smoke Room whilst TapRoom adorns the other. However, the interior isone room now but decorated to a high standardthat blends tradition and comfort with modernfeatures. For example, there is a fireplace and anumber of leather-style chairs whilst over the baris contemporary glass shelving and vase-shapedceramic lampshades. John Smith’s Bitter andTetley’s Bitter are the two ales available.
It’s a little longer on the bus now until the nextpub. In Allerton Bywater at a mini-roundaboutthe bus routes split. Here, the 163 goes left (busstop 100 metres on) but the 166 continuesahead along Leeds Road with a bus stop after100 metres. From here take the first right after50 metres into Main Street and in a couple ofminutes you’ll see The Victoria on the corner. It’s a large and rather grand, red brick establish-ment built in 1898 and, surprisingly, it’s anothercurved building. The interior befits the exteriorwith traditionally styled, sumptuous decorationmaking for a cosy atmosphere. Timothy TaylorLandlord and Thwaites’ Wainwright were availablewith pump clip ‘toppers’ for Cask Marque in use.In addition to the main area around the bar thereis further seating, including settees, in a raisedarea where you’ll also find a piano. The attentive,young barman pointed me in the correct directionafter I started heading for the ladies toilets by the bottom of the wide staircase that leads to thesnooker room, an unusual feature for a pub. If you’re wondering, the gents are at the oppositeend and can be accessed via what I suspect wasthe original public bar that is more simply decorated and now contains a pool table.
It’s not far now at all to your next beverage;turn left on leaving then immediate left alongVictoria Street and The Anchor will be 100metres on your right. In comparison, it’s simplerboth inside and out but was warm with thecoal/wood burner doing an excellent job of dry-ing socks for someone who got caught out in aheavy shower. An anchor design is present in afew places in the long but narrow lounge includ-ing a repeating pattern carved into the side of thebar; there’s also a small, separate public bar. Alarge A-frame board at the front advertises theweek’s guest ale, Wells Bombardier when I wasthere, but unfortunately the pump clips for itwere turned around so I supped the permanentbrew, Tetley’s Bitter, instead.
Back to Main Street where you need to take aleft. In less than five minutes the road ends andanother pub with a nautical themed nameappears ahead, The Boat. Given that it’s next tothe River Aire the name makes sense and the
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location contributes to the pub’s popularity atcertain times, aided by a few benches located onthe grassy river bank. The ales on offer duringmy visit were Wychwood Hobgoblin and OssettSilver King with another one or two available inthe summer months. The Boat micro-breweryoperated from this site between 1999 and2004. Today, it’s owned by Mornington PubCompany as is The Royalty on Otley Chevin. Thebar area was primarily for drinking, the raisedrear room for dining and the side room a mixtureof the two. I didn’t eat there but the menu itemswere reasonably priced with a decent selection ofsimple, vegetarian dishes.
Now you have a choice to get to Castleford. Youcan either return to the bus stop or walk the1.25 miles or so along the river, leaving theLeeds area en route where the River Calder joins.The impressive Millennium Bridge over the RiverAire takes you into town where the jewel in thecrown lies: The Junction. Reach it by turningright and walking a couple of minutes to theroundabout then turning left for the sameamount of time and the pub will be on your leftjust before the road widens.
Although it might not look anything from theoutside it’s the UK’s premier pub for ale servedfrom wooden casks. It has rightly received muchcoverage at both local and national level, includ-ing featuring in Beer (CAMRA members’ maga-zine), and has recently been voted Pub of the
Year by the friendly and welcoming WakefieldCAMRA branch. Many casks belong to the pubowners, Neil and Maureen, so a wide selection ofbreweries, usually micros, features. Around half adozen ales are available covering a range of lightto dark styles that you can enjoy in traditional,simply-furnished surroundings complemented bya warming fire. A couple of real ciders are alsoon offer and much fundraising for The GurkhaWelfare Trust takes place. What an excellent wayto finish off this pub tour and you’ll be verypleased to know that the new bus station, which should be open by the time youread this, is only a two minute walk away.
You’ll need a £4.70 Day Saver ticket, whichallows you to hop on and off any Arriva bus inWest Yorkshire. Combined, the 163 and 166operate a service every 15 minutes on weekdaysand Saturdays until tea-time when it changes toevery 30 minutes whilst on Sundays it’s a half-hourly service throughout the day. The last busfrom Castleford to Leeds leaves at 10 pm daily.I’ve found that apart from weekday tea-times theservice is usually exemplary so make sure you’reat the stop in time for the bus. WhatPub lists TheJunction’s opening hours as Mon-Tue 2-8.30,Wed-Thu 2-11 and Fri-Sun 12-11. However,please ensure you check bus times and stops,and pub opening times, before you go.
Warren Yabsley
Kippax to Castleford - continued
CAMRA Branches hold beer festivals across thecountry, throughout the year. They are organ-ised and run by volunteers, who give up theirown time to promote Real Ale and Real Cider tothe public. The majority of the beer festivalsadmit card carrying CAMRA members free ofcharge or offer discounts. Remember to do yourhomework and check details before you travel!
February 26th –28th (Thu – Sat)Bradford Beer Festival 2015Victoria Hall, Victoria Road, Saltaire, BD18 3JS.bradfordcamra.org.uk. 100+ real ales, cider and foreign beer. Check out website for ticketarrangements.
March 12th – 14th (Thu – Sat)Leeds CAMRA Beer, Cider & Perry FestivalPudsey Civic Hall, Dawson's Corner, LS28 5TA,4 mins walk from New Pudsey Station200-ish real ales, 20+ cider & perry, Global Beer Bar. Rugby theme.
April 9th – 11th (Thu – Sat)Doncaster’s 25th Beer FestivalThe Hub (the waterfront college building),Chappell Drive, DN1 2RF, doncastercamra.org.uk/beer-festival.html 120real ales, ciders and foreign bar.
April 16th – 18th (Thu – Sat)Hull Real Ale & Cider Festival 2015Holy Trinity Church, Hullhullcamra.org.uk/hullbeerfest/ 130 beers, 25ciders and Perries. No advanced tickets, cashon door only.
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BeerFestivalsBeerFestivals
Image © CAM
RA
Small Business BillAs we went to press last month, there was amajor success in Parliament that will herald anew and fairer era for licensees who work in tiedpublic houses.
In a rare defeat for the Government, 284 MPsvoted in favour of the Small Business Bill, whichwill empower pubco licensees to choose betweena tied agreement and a market rent only agree-ment that will allow them to buy beer on theopen market.
What does this really mean though? Well, beinggiven the option to buy beer on the open marketmeans that licensees will be able to purchasebeer to sell at a much more competitive rate thanthey currently do in a tied agreement. The knock-on effect will be a better deal for the drinker, amore profitable pub for licensees and, in turn, it'santicipated that the high number of pubs thathave to close each week in the UK will reduce. Ineffect, this bill is a major step to saving the GreatBritish pub. It's estimated that around 13,000pub tenants will benefit from this much fairerdeal.
What is particularly pleasing about the successof this campaign is that it has been led by a
Leeds CAMRA branch member, Greg Mulholland.Greg and his All-Party Parliamentary Save thePub Group have worked tirelessly alongsideCAMRA to drive this change and I'm proud wecan trace its roots back to Leeds.
Other Leeds MPs as well as Greg voted in favourof the Bill - Hilary Benn (Leeds Central), RachelReeves (Leeds West), George Mudie (Leeds East),Fabian Hamilton (Leeds North East) and Ed Balls(Morley and Outwood). I’d like to extend thankson behalf of Leeds CAMRA to all our branchmembers who lobbied their MP to support thisbill and of course to our MPs who voted in favour.
Unfortunately, not all of our MPs voted in favour.Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) and StuartAndrew (Pudsey) both voted against the bill.
Following on from our campaigns to scrap theBeer Duty Escalator and reduce duty on the priceof a pint, this is a major success for CAMRA, theAll-Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group,licensees and everyone who supported the bill.
So next time you're down the pub, make sureyou raise a glass as we look forward to a newhorizon for the pub industry.
CAMRA News
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BranchContactsCommittee membersChairman: Mike [email protected]
Branch Contact: Nigel [email protected]
Festival Organiser: David [email protected]
Locale Coordinator: Steve [email protected]
Membership Secretary: Mike [email protected]
Newsletter Editor: Tony [email protected]
Press and Publicity Officer: Sam [email protected]
Pub Database Holder: David [email protected]
Pub Preservation: Sam [email protected]
Public Transport Officer: Philip [email protected]
Secretary: Warren [email protected]
Social Secretary: Charlie [email protected]
Tasting Panel Coordinator: David [email protected]
Treasurer: Keith [email protected]
Webmaster: Christine Jopling [email protected]
Young Members: Waren [email protected]
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Tucked in behind the Corn Exchange, in in one of thecity's most iconic and oldest buildings, White Cloth Hall,is the small but perfectly formed BrewDog Leeds.Opened in 2013 after a protracted, and much publicised,licence application, BrewDog have done what they dobest. By fielding an ever changing line-up of interesting,hard to find craft beers, tutored tasting “Beer Schools”which walk people through the range and styles on offerand hosting the Leeds Homebrew Club (2nd and lastWednesday of the month from 6pm) they have built up asteady following.
It is perhaps fitting that, along with a revamp of themenu, a new interest has emerged amongst the staff,that of bread making. Beer and bread go almost hand inhand through history, with similar ingredients andprocesses; it’s not hard to see how a fascination withone can lead to a fascination with the other. I caught upwith barman Ads to talk crust and crumb.
“I’ve always made bread,” he told me, “the challenge here is making bread in such a small space.” He’s not kidding, BrewDog Leeds is one of the smallest
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I heard a rumour recently, a rumour too intriguing not toinvestigate. There was, so the tale went, live yeast behindthe bar at BrewDog Leeds! I had to go find out formyself…
in the group, and space behind the bar is at apremium. Four fonts dominate the bar dis-pensing the main board’s staple beers, suchas New Dead Pony (3.8% pale ale), BrixtonPorter (5% porter) and 5am Red (5.0% red),along with an ever changing board of specials.On tap for my visit was the mouth-puckeringlysour collaboration between Beavertown andDogfish Head, Londoner Weisse (2.8%Berliner Weiss) and the Stone Ruination (8.2%double IPA). Fridges crammed with bottled alesline the walls to round out the offer.
“We started by adding different beers to ourflour, to see what the differences would be.You can really taste the hops come throughwhen you use the stronger American beers.”Case in point is the Stone Ruination Ryedough he’s kneading behind the counter. Thepowerful hoppy aroma floats across the bar asthe dough is stretched and folded. “Adding amalty beer results in a sweeter taste, 5amRed works really well.”
We talk shop for a while, comparing the vari-ous beers and their effects on the final prod-uct, while Ads works the rye dough into asmooth ball. “Just got to let it rest now, allowit to double in size them knock it back beforeshaping for the oven.” The oven, maybe thesmallest oven you’ll came across, sits just theother side of the bar ready to receive its pre-cious bounty. “It’s done a great job so far and,being as small as it is, we can only make asmall loaf at a time, so we have to make freshbread every day.”
The bread takes pride of place on the newmenu’s platters, and what was once justsomething to balance cheese on nowbecomes it’s own talking point. “I’m looking totry with sourdough and wild yeast next, buildup the flavours and complexity.” I’ve seen thislook before, the fresh breadbug has taken hold. I leaveAds with a present, a jar ofmy sourdough starter and apromise to pop in and try theresults. So if you find your-
Recipe Corner
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In looking up various recipes for my ownbread adventures, I came across this recipethat I’d like to share with you. The method issimplicity itself and the results are nothingshort of spectacular.
Beery BreadIngredients.625g self-raising flour (yep, self-raising, stay with me here)500ml bottled beer A good pinch of saltA good handful of mature grated cheddar.Olive oil or melted butter, enough to coverthe dough.
Firstly, set your oven to 180C, gas mark 4.Then place the flour into a large mixing bowl.To the flour, add the salt and the cheese.Pour in the beer and stir until the beer andflour have come together to form a dough.Pour this into a 1kg loaf tin or sheet-pan for
baking. Brush or pour yourchosen oil over the top of thedough. Bake in the oven forapproximately 50 minutes.Allow to cool, slice and enjoy.
self with a craving only good fresh bread can fix,pop in and see Ads. He’s the one with the beard.
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100 Fartown, Pudsey LS28 8LUTel: 0113 236 2748
Every Wednesday starts 9.30pm: General Knowledge Quiz starts
Beer Tokens for prizes.Play your Cards Right - Cash, Free Food.
This award winning, traditional unspoilt pub serves 5 caskales alongside fine wines and spirits. Now the Spring is herecome and visit of the the best kept secrets of Pudsey, The
Fleece beer garden! Now with an extended decked area,this well maintained, enclosed, child friendly beer garden is
an ideal place to meet.
Every Sunday: Music Quiz starts 9.30pmStars 9.15pm - Beer Tokens
Play Your Cards Right - Cash, Free Food
Your Friendly Local
Voted Leeds CAMRA WinterPub of the Season 2015!
Justlast issue we were debating the merits of themost Improved Pub Award and in typical fashiona worthy winner yet again presents itself, provingthe sound logic of giving the award. I’ll let theexcellent nomination from members AdamWilson and Carole Taylor spell out just why theAbbey Inn is a well-deserved winner. “The returnof Martin Lockett to the helm of the Abbey is agreat boon to the pub and local community.Martin ran the Abbey in years gone by, elevating itto a regular community pub award winner. After afew years of varying management quality, we arealready seeing the return to consistent high quali-ty ale, a welcoming atmosphere and cracking pubquizzes. We are looking forward to seeing TheAbbey regain its place as a first rate ale houseand hub of the community.” If you missed thepresentation on the 14th January there isvideo of the event on YouTube.com.Congratulations go to Martin and his team.
Just at the beginning of February we madethe trip up to Guiseley, to the Factory WorkersClub, to present the Club of the Year award.
Established over 100 years ago by the Yeadonand Guiseley Factory Workers Union, the Club isvery much a hub of the community. The club isvery traditional in some aspects with Thursdaynight bingo, Saturday night turns and Sundaynight is quiz night.
The club stock a good selection of local andguest ales. Information about these can be foundon their website. Membership is normallyrequired for entry, but visitors will be signed in onproduction of a ‘Good Beer Guide’ or CAMRAmembership card. The photo shows 2 of the reg-ular bar staff at Guiseley Factory Workers Club,Katie and Maggie, holding the award for LeedsClub of the Year 2013-2014. This is the club's10th consecutive year in the Good Beer Guide.More than 2000 different beers have been onsale from 450 different breweries and they willhold their 9th annual beer festival in April.
The Leeds Branch of CAMRA regularly recognises achievements by breweries and licensed premisesin the district which are worthy of special mention.
The West End House was first listed as a beerhouse in 1867 and has been trading ever since.The first licensee was Mr William Tordoff, afterwhom the local terraced houses were named.Kirkstall Brewery, now converted to studentaccommodation, supplied beer to The West Endfrom 1867-1936. Then Duttons brewery fromLancashire bought Kirkstall Brewery along withtwo other local breweries, Albion Brewery andWillow Brewery. They in turn were bought byWhitbread in the early 1960s, who then sold tothe present owners in 2001.
Under the watchful eyes of current licenseesPaul Gill & Robert Trainor, today the West EndHouse is supplied by many of Yorkshire’s finestbreweries - Barnsley Brewery, Ilkley Brewery,Leeds Brewery, Salamander Brewery and WharfeBank Brewery – with the ever-changing guestbeer line-up complemented by guest ciders. Thepub is well known for its food, nothing overlyfussy, just well-cooked dishes in proper Yorkshireportions. Sunday lunch is a particular treat.
Paul and Robert took on the West End House in1992 and, after signing another extension to thelease, have treated the interior to a show-stop-ping make over, surely paving the way for another20 successful years at the helm.
Pub of the Moment
The West End House, Kirkstall
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Appointment with BeerLeeds CAMRA holds a formalbusiness-style meeting on thefirst Tuesday of every month. Themeeting starts at 7:30pm andhas an approximate finishing timeof 9:00pm.CAMRA members are advised to
check "What's Brewing" for confirmation of meetinglocations and for details of other events. A full listing of events is also published athttp://www.leeds-camra.com/ where it is regularlyupdated. Leeds CAMRA is organised and run entire-ly by unpaid volunteers. All members are alwayswelcome at meetings and socials.
Feb 2015
Sat 21st Feb Oakwood Social, Preston,Roundhay Road 2pm, Stew and Oyster,Roundhay Road, 4pm.
March 2015
3rd March Open Branch Committee Meeting,White Cloth Gallery, Aire Street, Leeds 7.30pm –9.00pm
10th March Beer Festival Social, Stick or Twist,Merrion Way, Leeds, 8pm.
12th - 14th March Leeds Beer, Cider and PerryFestival 2015, Pudsey Civic Hall, Stanningley,Leeds.
21st March Kirkstall Social, West End House,Abbey Rd, Kirkstall 2pm, Kirkstall Bridge Inn,Bridge Road, Kirkstall, 4pm
April 2015
9th April Open Branch Committee Meeting,Victoria Family and Commercial Hotel, GreatGeorge St, Leeds, 7.30pm – 9pm
diary dates
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Thank You for Having Us!Thanks go out to those that have hosted ourOpen Branch Committee Meetings; Mr Foley’sCask Ale House, Leeds; The West Riding,Wellington St Leeds; Ridgeside Brewery, Leeds. Thanks also to The Garden Gate,Hunslet and The Palace, Kirkgate for hosting ourxmas socials.
Don’t be a Wazzock! Don’t Drink and Drive.Public transport information for the Leeds areais available from Metro offices and atwymetro.com There really is no excuse.
West Yorkshire TradingStandards Service Tel: 0113 253 0241 PO Box 5, Nepshaw Lane South, Leeds, WestYorkshire, LS27 0QP
Leeds CAMRA Members' NoticeboardFollow @LeedsCAMRA on Twitter or“like” our Leeds-CAMRA Facebookpage for up-to-date informationabout socials, meetings and pubs
info in and around Leeds.
Leeds-CAMRA
@LeedsCAMRA
