The following pub and brewery news was reported at the Branch Committee Meeting on Monday 2nd October 2017.

Pub News

The Tavistock Inn, Tavistock, and Rising Sun Inn, Compton, are considering joining the LocAle Scheme; Michael Jonas, previous manager of the Brass Monkey, is rumoured to be taking over the Golden Hind, Mannamead, “soon”; the Prince Maurice, Eggbuckland, is holding their Autumn beer festival 13-15 October; all JD Wetherspoon pubs are taking part in their Autumn beer festival 11-22 October; the Coach House Hotel (Old Coach House Inn), Ottery near Lamerton, has changed to the Coach House Hotel and serve two local real ales, and is open to all; Mousetrap, North Hill, is now trading as Old Tom's Gin Palace & Bar, offering over 40 gins and "craft" beer.

Brewery News

Darkplace is a new brewery based in Colyton, near Exeter, but details are scarce at the moment – more to follow when known; Moorstone, of Mary Tavy, are going to fully focus on producing their bottle conditioned beers for the time being, and have gained CAMRA RAIB Accreditation; Stannary, Tavistock, have expanded to a 6 BBL plant and will relocate within the Pixon Trading Estate later in the year. There are now 6 core beers – Pale Ale, Fathead, Tokyo Dawn, Chocopolis, Saison Du Soleil and Aurora – in their range, with Verdi brewed for their Oktoberfest with locally-grown Challenger hops. They celebrated their first birthday over the August bank holiday weekend; Summerskills reported an increase in trade recently, and have released a new vegan-friendly beer, Urban Brew Coffee Stout 4.1%, in bottle conditioned format. The Prince Maurice, Eggbuckland, is now selling Whistle Belly Vengence permanently, replacing Best Bitter, and was formally sold under the name "Royale". Guzz Ale 4.6% is currently on the JDW portfolio. The green hop beer, Plymhop Ale, is now available again. Two Tone Brewery, Shebbear near Holsworthy, is another new brewery, with all beers named in connection to the Two Tone record label, of Coventry, where one of the owners comes from. Bottle conditioned beers will initially be brewed, for sale in local farmer’s markets. Two other new breweries have been seen in Bristol, Fierce & Noble and Little Giant. It has also been confirmed that Pitchfork Ales are now brewing on the old RCH site. There is no further news about Cosmic, in Bristol. All other local breweries report “business as usual”.

We would like to wish all new licensees and brewers all the very best in their new ventures!