The following pub and brewery news was reported at the August 2022 Committee Meeting held in the Providence Inn, Greenbank.

Pub News

Fortescue Hotel, Mutley Plain, served its’ last barrel of Spingo Special on Sunday 24 July after owners, Greene King, decided that they can only sell beer off the GK list, or order direct from SIBA member breweries. The Victualling Office Tavern, Stonehouse, is still undergoing total refurbishment and is due to open in September as a craft beer bar. The SECO Lounge, Royal William Yard, no longer serves cask conditioned Live Beer (and has not “since before covid”, apparently). The Steel Brew Co Taproom stopped serving cask ales as “there is no demand for it” TBC. The Boringdon Arms, Turnchapel, apparently no longer offers a CAMRA discount. The Trout 'N' Tipple, Tavistock, have advertised for a new leaseholder or tenant to take over the running of the pub.

Drake's Drinker Magazine

The latest edition of the branch magazine can be found by clicking on the Drake's Drinker Magazine link. These can now be viewed onscreen or downloaded to your device.

Beer Scoring

So far this year (from 1st April to 31st July), we have received a total of 846 (698 last month) beer scores for 95 different pubs (88 last month), submitted by 41 members (37 last month) from 21 branches (18 last month), including 17 Plymouth branch members (13 last month). The Plymouth members submitted 718 beer scores (602 last month); 24 non branch members (24 last month) submitted 127 (96 last month) when they visited our branch area – so Thank You all very much! Beer Scoring informs the Branch that those particular named pubs are open and serving cask conditioned real ale (or not, if zero scored). It also helps us to monitor the quality and consistency of the real ales available, and to help keep What Pub as up-to-date as possible.

Cider News

The Fortescue Hotel, Mutley Plain, now appears to be selling real cider from Lilley’s. Summerskills Breweryare now offering Devon Dabber cider in their drinks portfolio.

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 20 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 pre-application, Application Number 22/01160/MOR, for change of use of ground floor from pub (Sui Generis) to 1 in no flat (Class 3), for Eagle Tavern, Commercial Road, Coxside, Plymouth PL4 0LD was notified to us on 18 July 2022.

Cask Marque Accreditation

There are no pubs locally that have gained or lost CM Accreditation in the last month or so.

Brewery News

Ivybridge BLO Andrew Richardson: Their new Tap and Bottle Shop opened recently, about six weeks ago. Steel Brew Co BLO Bob Holmes: Two beer engines have recently been installed in their Tap Room where they intend to dispense cask versions of their own core beers. One of the first of these was "Just Ask Phill", ABV 5.0% stout, with good body and a chocolate finish. (31/07/2022) However, they may no longer be selling real ale “as there is no demand”, apparently ! This is to be confirmed with the owners. Summerskills BLO Ian Dickinson: They are now offering Devon Dabber cider in their drinks portfolio.

There is nothing newsworthy to report for Anchor House, Bere, Bulletproof, Dartmoor, Morwell, Noss Beer Works, Roam and Stannary breweries this month,

Beer Festival News

The next Walkhampton Inn Sausage and Cider Festival 2022 will take place over August Bank Holiday, Friday 26th to Monday 29th 2022.

The South Devon CAMRA Sunshine Beer Festival took place at Teignmouth RFC from Thursday 21st until Saturday 23rd July 2022.

The Great British Beer Festival 2022 returns to Olympia and runs from Tuesday 2nd until Saturday 6th August 2022.

The charity festival, Abbfest 2022, also makes a welcome return, and runs from Friday 16th until Sunday 18th September 2022.

The Two Bridges Saltash Beer Festival 2022 will take place from Thursday 20th until Sunday 23rd October. There will be up to ten real ales (Live Beer) and eight real ciders, in addition to their usual offerings. This will replace the one usually held in the Minerva Inn, Looe Street.

Plymouth CAMRA would like to wish all new Publicans and Brewers all the very best in their ventures.