The following pub and brewery news was reported at the November 2021 Committee Meeting.

Pub News

The Minerva Inn Minerva, Barbican, still has a sign on the board outside stating “proof of vaccine status required for inside service, otherwise you will be served outside”. The Prince Maurice, Eggbuckland, a beer festival in its’ car park and marquee area, over the weekend of 15/17 October 2021. JDW also held a beer festival during the last days of October, from Wednesday 20th. A lady with three generations of licensee in her family, going back to the 1920’s at the Crown Hotel, Stonehouse (more recently known as the General Moore), emailed a selection of photos of the pub, from the 1930’s – many thanks go so Sally Parker for these, and the branch website now includes several of these photos. Seventy pub records have been updated on What Pub during the last month, with 305 updated during 2021 so far – only 98 more pub records to go !!!!!! However, pubs still need to be formally surveyed with a CAMRA Pub Survey Form, which are available on the branch website when signed in as a CAMRA member. A new beer was available in the Drake Manor Inn, Buckland, Monochorum, last Friday, Crapstone Brewery 30-Miler (ABV 4.3%). There are no further details on this brewery at present.

Thatchers and Weston’s cider is no longer considered real cider by the APPLE Committee of CAMRA.

Plymouth CAMRA LocAle Scheme

There are currently 70 establishments listed as being accredited to the Plymouth CAMRA LocAle Scheme. These are listed on the branch website.

CAMRA Member Discount Scheme and CAMRA Voucher Scheme.

There are currently 21 establishments listed as being members of the CAMRA Member Discount Scheme, and a further nine which are part of the CAMRA Voucher Scheme, making 30 in total. Please give these pubs your support if/when you go out! These are listed on the branch website.

Planning Applications

A Planning Application, reference number 21/01683/MOR, has been submitted as a pre-application for change of use to “Nano brewery and Tap Room (Class B2/Sui Generis)” by Pilgrimage Brewery, for 190, Exeter Street, PL4 0NQ. A decision was due on 11/10/21, but the City Council planning website has yet to be updated.

Cask Marque Accreditation

Castle Inn, Lydford; Cornish Arms, Tavistock; Penguin Lounge, Lipson; Rose & Crown, Yealmpton; & Waterfront Pub & Eating House, The Hoe, are no longer Cask Marque Accredited. We are not aware of any pubs in our branch area who have gained CM Accreditation during the last month or so.

Brewery News

Art Brew, formally of Holsworthy, have now moved away from the area and are believed to be using Sherfield Village, of Sherfield on Loddon, Hampshire, to brew their beers again – they formally used Sherfield Village prior to 2015. New Lion, Dartington, has moved to another unit within Shinners Bridge, Dartington. Brewery tours are no longer available. The Tap Room is now a semi-permanent fixture at Meadowbank Community Centre, and is “thriving”. Roam have brewed a new beer, called Taz, a ABV 5.1% hazy pale ale in keg. Roam have also been awarded Gold in the Food and Drink Awards, Devon, for Hometown Pale – congratulations, Jon! Steel Brew Co have announced that Melville Building, RWY, will be undergoing some major redevelopment soon, and that they will be relocating across the road and into Mills Bakery. This will give them more space for expansion and increased brewing capacity. The new venue will also be a lot warmer for customers to enjoy their beers in! Their bottled Plymouth Pale Ale has just been awarded Champion Beer 2021 at the SW Taste of The West awards. Turk’s Head, Exeter, this brew pub opened on Wednesday 01 September as previously reported. They now have five cask conditioned real ales in their portfolio, which are:- God’s Little Cows, ABV 3.6%; Dickie’s Best, ABV 3.8% (Editor - my favourite !!!); Crusader, ABV 4.1%; Witches Brew, ABV 4.5%; & Hand Off, ABV 5.0%. Finally, there may be a new brewery in the Yelland area of North Devon. Details are sketchy and involve a student who may have gone away to university !!!! The brewery may be named “Brewing Unplugged”, but may not !!! As stated above under “Planning”, there may be a new brewery coming to Plymouth city centre shortly, named Pilgrimage Brewing – what this space!

Beer Festival News

The Maltings + Vessel Craft Beer Festival will take place at the Maltings, Newton Abbot, on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 November 2021. This is being organised by the Vessel Bottle Shop, Plymouth, and the Maltings Taphouse & Bottle Shop, Newton Abbot. Tickets are available for £12.00 each, includes glass and one pint of beer. For more details, please visit CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL