The following pub and brewery news was reported at the Branch Social Meeting on Wednesday 1st November 2017.

Pub News

The Turtle Bay Plymouth, part of the national Turtle Bay chain, opened on Sunday 22nd October, specializing in Caribbean cuisine and has over 40 different rums/cocktails. The Swan, St. Andrews Street, joined the LocAle Scheme and now offer a 30p/pint discount to card-carrying CAMRA members on all real ales – thank you very much! The White Thorn Inn, Shaugh Prior, has reopened under the ownership of local musician Michael Mathieson, better known as Mad Dog McRea. Jail Ale and Tribute are always on, with two locally-sourced guest beers. Michael Jonas, a previous manager of the Brass Monkey, has returned to Plymouth and is now managing the Tamar, Crownhill. Sadly, Good Companions, city centre, has finally been demolished for the city centre regeneration project. The Drakes Wine Bar & Cafe, Tavistock, formally the Ordulph Arms on Pym Street, is due to reopen in time for Christmas.

Brewery News

All breweries are gearing up for the Festive Season, with brewing of the festive beers already well under way. There are two new breweries in North Devon, Taw Valley of North Tawton and Buckland Brewers, of Buckland Brewer, near Bideford. Tow Tone Beers, of Shebbear, North Devon, may have to be renamed, as a brewery of a similar name exists in Columbus, Ohio, USA (named 2 Tone). Shortts Farm, of Suffolk, UK, also brew a beer named Two Tone (a 3.8% mild ale), along with a number of other musically-named beers.

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