The following pub and brewery news was reported at the branch meeting on Wednesday 11th January 2017.

The CAMRA Discount Scheme enables pubs to promote their business to our members easily, and to hopefully encourage more trade. The discount given will be advertised free of charge in our branch magazine, Drake’s Drinker, as well as on this website CAMRA Discount Scheme and the National CAMRA website. We can also provide posters to advertise the offer to visitors. If you are the licensee of a pub and are interested of taking part in this scheme, please contact our Pubs Campaigns Coordinator, Andy Richardson, at ku.gro.armac.htuomylp@swenbup

The pub discount information has been notified to Plymouth CAMRA and is given in good faith, but is liable to change at short notice. Some discounts may be modified or restricted when special promotions are on offer.

Pub News

There have been no Cask Marque changes to the official list of pubs by Cask Marque; the licensee of the Eighteen87, Laira Bridge, is looking at retiring at the end of March – we would like to wish him all the very best for the future; the Trout 'N' Tipple, Tavistock, is now offering up to four real ales, which are in pins; the Mussel Inn, Down Thomas, is being sold free of lease by Enterprise Inns; & Bread & Roses, Ebrington Street, City Centre has joined our Pub Discount Scheme, offering members 10% off a pint – thank you very much. Please show them your support by visiting Bread and Roses.

Brewery News

CAMRA have decided to change the way in which the “CAMRA Says This Is Real Ale” for bottle conditioned beers is verified. Basically, the brewery are responsible for sending the bottled beer(s) to Brew Lab in Sunderland, along with a cheque for £15.00 to cover the technical issues involved in testing the beer for fermentable products. One bottle of each beer is sufficient for testing. The brewery should contact CAMRA head office in the first instance for full details on 01727 867201 and speak to reception.

Rebel – despite vociferous denials – went into administration in late December, but were very optimistic that they will be taken over “soon”. Brewing is temporarily suspended. Post Meeting Note: Clear Brew, the cellar management company, have made a successful offer for Rebel – we wish them well in their new venture! Big Rabbit, Cullompton, ceased production in November, with no definite news; Moor Beer, Bristol, received CAMRA RAIB Accreditation for their CANNED beer range, the first brewery to do so!! Rocket Science Craft Ales, Bristol, have been very difficult to get hold of during 2016, and have now been deemed to have ceased production, as their beers haven’t been seen and emails/phone calls go unanswered; Towles’, Bristol, have also ceased production. No further news available; North Curry, Somerset, owner Peter has retired, leaving his son, Jack, to brew on the plant under his own brewery name, Beat Ales, with an office in Bristol; Kettlesmith, near Bath, is a new brewery, established in Dec 2016, brewing cask, keg and bottle (unknown if RAIB); Penpont, Cornwall, ceased brewing temporarily (Nov and Dec), but are believed to be brewing again (Jan 2017). It is unclear if their Firebrand branded beers are still available; DEYA, Cheltenham, is another new brewery producing keg-only beers at present, as are Verdant Brewing, Falmouth; Bale Ale, Brentor, are a small micro brewery with one ale available so far, Haytor Rebel BPA, on bottle conditioned form. Owner/brewer James has contacted Head Office re gaining CAMRA RAIB accreditation; Tavy Ales have released a new beer, Tavy Golden Ale, ABV 4.0%.