Pub News – December 2020

The following pub and brewery news was reported at the virtual Plymouth CAMRA Committee Meeting held on Monday 7th December 2020.

Burrator Inn, Dousland – is undergoing refurbishment; Lugger, Devonport – incorrect landline replaced by mobile number (from irate domestic customer who gave the mobile number from Facebook !!!); Victoria Inn, Hooe – incorrect landline indicated by landlady, who has been asked to supply the new one. Awaiting further details. Cornwood Inn, Cornwood – reopened and then closed again due to Lockdown. It is now closed on Monday and Tuesday; closed on Wednesday and Thursday lunchtimes, but open for takeaway in the evenings; Friday and Saturday is open in the evenings (restaurant); & Sunday open for lunchtime only (restaurant). The Tavy Club, Tavistock, is being renamed Stannary Arms, according to license application, by M & C Beech Ltd, for on and off sales 1200 to 00:00 Mon-Sat, 12:00 to 23:00 Sun and live music 12:00 to 00:00 Mon-Sat. The premises will open to the public at 0800, but there is no indication of when it will reopen. Mary Tavy Inn, Mary Tavy, is open for takeaway only at the moment (TBC); Roam Brewery Tap, Peverell, is open for takeaway/collection only Tuesday – Friday 1100 – 1600, Saturday 0800 – 1200. Beers ordered for delivery on Fridays only. Stannary Brewery Tap, Tavistock, is open for collection only on Friday 1500 – 1900 and Saturday 1200 – 1600. See website for delivery options. It intends to open for Pre-Christmas drinks on Wednesday & Thursday 1900 - 2200; Friday 1500 - 2000; & Saturday 1200 - 2000; Too Hoppy, Tavistock, the shop is open for takeaway only Tuesday – Sunday 1200 – 1800; Steel Brew Co Taproom, Royal William Yard, is now open with food service. Chandler’s Bar & Bistro, Queen Anne’s Battery, has changed its name to Waypoint Bar & Bistro.

POST MEETING NOTE The West Devon Club, Tavistock, serves up to four real ales. Sadly, it has been confirmed that the Langdon Court Hotel, Wembury, has closed, after parent company, Heritage Hotels, went into administration in December 2019. The hotel closed in April 2020, with the loss of 20 jobs.

We have listed pubs which may have reopened following Lockdown 2. These are listed on Pubs Serving Substantial Meals - 2nd to 30th December 2020

Brewery News

Anchor House: The brewery website appears to have been discontinued/unavailable. However, they still have a presence on Facebook, and have recently made a collaboration brew with Firebrand Brewing, of Altarnun, Cornwall (Altarnun Brewery Co/Penpont), a 6.0% cherry stout, available in cans.

Bere: the Brewery continue to do their off sales every Wednesday 4.30-7pm and every Saturday 3-5pm. Please check for updates on their website and Facebook page.

Billy Ruffian’s: No communication has been possible.

Bulletproof: the Taphaus was closed prior to Lockdown, due to a customer testing positive for C-19. However, the Taphaus is now open again, for takeaway or eat-in, with Zephyr burgers available whilst dining in. See Facebook for details.

Dartmoor: They are still brewing and are listed on Pulling Together and deliver nationwide via their own web store. Please see their website for delivery options.

Ivybridge: no news.

Morwell: no news. Suspect they are still suspended due to location in tourist attraction. Bob?

Noss Beers Works: They are listed on the Pulling Together website, and are now available for direct delivery in Plymouth and the South Hams, or for collection from the brewery. Church Ledge, Mew Stone and Ebb Rock are available in 500 ml bottles, 5L mini kegs and bag-in-box (10L & 20L) – see Facebook for full details, or ring 07977 479634 and ask for sales.

Roam: Roam are still brewing, and the Tap is open as stated above.

Salcombe; have produced a number of new Special Brews recently: two barrel-aged porters, one in whiskey and one in bourbon, available for £19.95 each in 750 ml bottles; several other Christmas brews, see website for full details.

Stannary: The Tap is still open on Friday (1500 – 1900) and Saturday (1200 1600) for collection only. See their website for delivery details, including national delivery via courier.

Summerskills: The brewery is still brewing. The Foxhound at Brixton are still authorising the sales and taking payments for Summerskills beer which Norm can then home deliver. Beer purchased through the Foxhound can also be collected from the brewery and pre-ordered beer collected from the pub.

The brewery is also managing orders through CAMRA’s Brew2You app and is featured on the Pulling Together page. The beer is bottled by South Hams Drinks. They are having difficulty sourcing the profile of bottle that Summerskills use but there doesn’t appear to be a shortage of glassware generally. Summerskills have the core range: Start Point; Westward Ho! Tamar Best Bitter; Devon Dew; Bolt Head; Indiana’s Bones. In addition there is: Stout; Devon Frost; Turkey’s Delight; Whistle Belly Vengenace; Plymouth Porter and Christmouse. They also had their annual brew of Plymhop in September and have a few firkins of that left.

As well as the brewery's beers, Norm can also deliver Hunts and Countryman cider.

Wickwar Wessex Brewery Co have decided to leave brewing and concentrate on running their 20 pub estate – their plant and equipment are up for auction. The company will go into voluntary liquidation, apparently, with their beers being brewed under contract by another brewery. We believe that they intend to concentrate on their pub estate of 20 pubs in and around Bristol and Gloucestershire. It is understood that the reasons for this move into being a pub company only, and not a brewer, are due to the uncertainty of the pandemic and Lockdowns.

General brewery comments: there is no known UK brewery brewing at their usual levels for this time of year. Most are producing about 25-50% of usual production levels. Lots of brewers have furloughed staff, then brought them back, and then furloughed again. There have been some redundancies throughout the industry.

Plymouth CAMRA would like to wish all publicans, bar staff, waiting staff, brewers, and all associated Licensed Trade Staff all the very best during these very difficult times.