Branch Meeting Minutes 3rd June 2015

NORTH NOTTS CAMRA BRANCH  MEETING THE BLACKSMITHS ARMS EVERTON 8-30pm WEDNESDAY  3rd June 2015

·           PERSONS ATTENDING

John Bowden, Colin Tweed, Geoff Batrum, Joe Catlin, David French, Keith Snowden, Lynn Snowden, Alan Duffy, Barbara Duffy, Terry Johnson, John Bull, Clare Brown, Mark Clarke.

·           APOLOGIES

Steve Bownes, Dave Brown, Brian George, Mike Oates, Roger Smith, John Hutton, Nick Matthews, Gordon Town, Sue Johnson.

·           MATTERS ARISING FROM LAST MINUTES

No matters raised

·           TREASURERS REPORT

The branch bank balance is currently £496.58.

The social event promotional discount fund is currently £35.00.

·           MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

We have a total of 352 members which is an overall increase of 1from the previous month. 70 members are currently not signed up for email. Clare will be corresponding with this group via the new monthly newsletter in an effort to encourage the use of email and reduce postage costs.

·           MAGAZINE UPDATE

The deadline for articles of interest is Friday 5^th June. The magazine editor Dave Brown requested a copy of the quarterly BLO report for insertion. Distributors are urgently required to assist with circulation.  

·           WHAT PUB UPDATE

The latest data for What Pub is a total of 113 real ale pubs recorded, 100% with basis details, 90% with full details, however regular updates are required and more volunteers are needed to update on a regular basis.

·           PUB/CLUB NEWS

Springhead brewery, have run into difficulties with the refurbishment of the Ginger Pig in Retford apparently construction work ceased about 2 weeks ago. 

·           BLO REPORTS

Double Top The brewery will be under-going a rebranding exercise during the coming months. A web site, brand merchandise & the re-badging of 5core brands will be the main gist of the deal. The brewery has instructed Harper Creative, who have a track record in the industry for rebranding breweries like Wensleydale & Great Newsome. An event will take place at The Mallard to launch the changes in due course. It is hoped that the re-branding will be completed in time for us to start bottling by autumn in time for the festive period. Our Champion Mild of the East Midlands will be up against the other category winners in judging for the Champion Beer of the East Midlands at Derby Charter Beer festival next month. Orders for the brand are off the scale, but production continues in house as we have implemented additional brewing through the use of an extra tank.

Dukeries  no report.

Hales  no report.

Idle All is well on the brewing scene. Brian has reintroduced ldle Landlord due to popular demand and also Idle Bee for the summer season.

Idle Valley The brewing plant is running at full capacity and is undergoing some refinement, in particular the pumps are being upgraded to cope with ever increasing demand. New warm & cold rooms are being added and the overall brewing area is being expanded.

  

Grafton no report.

Pheasantry  Very little to report this month, the beer festival is taking place 26th 27th & 28th of this month and both Mark & I hope to see as many of you there as possible. The July artisan beer, a 4.3% American Style IPA is currently being brewed.

Springhead no report

Welbeck  no report

·           FUTURE EVENTS (SOCIAL SECRETARY)

The Grey Horses Beer Festival 12^th 13^th 14^th June

Pheasantry Beer Festival 26^th 27^th 28^th June

Grafton 1^st Independent Bassetlaw Beer Festival 11^th 12^th July

·           ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Alan Duffy stated he had difficulty locating last month’s minutes from the website, other members agreed that they also could not find them. Webmaster to investigate the possibility of expanding the site, by introducing more, sub sections and refining the route map.

All BLO’s are requested to email monthly reports to the Branch Secretary should they be unable to attend.

BLO vacancy for Dukeries Brewery, volunteer required.

·           DATE & VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

The Grey Horses Inn Carlton in Lindrick Wed 1^st July 8:30

Branch Meeting Minutes 6th May 2015

• PERSONS ATTENDING

Steve Bownes, John Bowden, Terry Johnson, Clare Brown, John Bull, Keith Snowdon, Lynn Snowdon, Gordon Town, Alan Duffy, Barbara Duffy, Ian Beattie, Howard Bacon, Geoff  Battram, Michael Oates, Nigel Goodman, Nick Matthews, Susan Hale, James Baker, Mark Clarke.  

• APOLOGIES

David Brown, Colin Tweed, Roger Smith, John Hutton, Joe Catlin, Brian George. 

• MATTERS ARISING FROM LAST MINUTES

The new committee are as follows: Chairman - Steve Bownes, Branch Secretary - John Bowden, Treasurer - John Bull, Branch Contact - John Bowden, Membership Secretary - Clare Brown, Magazine Editor - David Brown, Press Officer - John Bowden, What Pub Administrator - Steve Bownes, Clubs Officer - Terry Johnson, Social Secretary - vacant (Clare Brown temporary post) Webmaster - Brian George. Young Persons rep - vacant, Minute Taker - vacant (John Bowden temporary post)

• TREASURERS REPORT

The current bank balance is £496.58. The previous bank issues have now been resolved and written statements are now available on request.

• MEMBERSHIP UPDATE 

Clare Brown has taken on the role with great enthusiasm and will be contacting all existing & new members. Display stands & enrolment forms to be made readily available in a drive to increase membership, volunteers would be welcome to distribute and maintain stock at key pubs and prominent locations. Membership figures as follows: 351 existing, 9 new, 4 young persons, no lapses.

• MAGAZINE UPDATE 

David Brown to send global email requesting contributions, A meeting with the publishers is in hand, outstanding debts will be discussed. Display stands are on order, to be distributed at key locations and replenished with copies on a regular basis, volunteers would be welcome. David’s key objective is to increase the circulation and print quantity  

• WHAT PUB UPDATE

Steve Bownes is currently undertaking this role almost single handed and requires support in particular for the Worksop area. Information required forms are available on request from any committee member. Suzie Hale kindly volunteered to visit and record the detail for The Old Norfolk Arms, The Swan & The Greendale. John Bowden volunteered to do the same for The Woodend at Rhodesia, We have 112 pubs covered with 100% information and 90% with part information however many entries are out of date and a full update review is a priority. Once this is done the quantity of pubs listed is to be increased.   

• PUB/CLUB NEWS

Steve reports The Ginger Pig refurbishment has been delayed and is expected to open by the end of the month. The Newcastle has closed and the Manton Inn has been sold for development into flats. Following a change of hands and substantial refurbishment, The Riddle Arms has 4 real ales on hand pull with food being served Wednesday to Sunday. The management would welcome hosting a future branch meeting. 

Terry to visit Carlton in Lindrick WMC, St Josephs WMC, Misterton Social Club to promote potential for selling real ale.  

• BLO REPORTS

Copthorne – The proprietor Dean Penny reports that the brewery has been sold, all the equipment has been dismantled and is being refitted into alternative premises out of our area in The Vale of Belvoir, the new venture will be known as The Pickled Pig.  

Double Top - Nelson Mild has been specially brewed for the month of May, The St George Beer Festival went very well featuring The Shed Brewery “Charity Ale”which sold out by 6:35pm on the first day, once again praise to Colin for his outstanding contribution. £850 was raised by Carol donated to The Young Children’s Charity. 

Dukeries - no report. 

Grafton – A new beer named Pasha Pasha infused with a hint of passion fruit has recently been launched in London and is down to the last 5, to be judged in the final by Fuller’s. Sales are still flying high with Apricot Jungle their current champion beer. A new bottling plant from Italy is currently being installed at the Brewery housed on Claylands Industrial Estate. Brewery nights in Nottingham are proving to be popular.       

Hales - The mild for May named “House of Thieves” has been launched, and a new beer for June has been named “3 Card Trick”  this is a extra pale lager malt brew.

Idle - The brewery remains very busy with the core range of beers that are always available, supplemented with the launch of a new beer named “Idle Bodger” described as a honey infused brew. 

Idle Valley - The Brewery is launching out a ‘finite range’ which will run indefinitely and feature a constantly changing line of beers. Focussing heavily on new beer styles and adjusting existing ones with different hop varieties. The beers will be produced in small and often unique batch runs many being totally exclusive, available in both bottle, cask & pin. 

Pheasantry – The Artisan beer for May is the Mikado Mild a 5% ABV and if it proves to be as popular as the April beer Red Rye at 4.6% there will be no room for complaint as that sold the entire stock by the 17^th April. There is a beer festival taking place 26^th - 28^th June. Opening on Friday & Saturday 12noon until 11pm & Sunday 12noon until 4pm, although the 4pm is flexible. There is free entry to all CAMRA members on production of membership cards. Mark has recently done a brew for Stonegate Brewery at 4.2% a pale fruity beer which was on sale at the Pheasantry last Friday over the bar which is now sporting 6 hand pumps. The brewery has had to double its chilling capacity to meet the continual increased demand and they are currently investing in a new bottling line. Finally Mark is in the process of producing a traditional “real” 3.9% Pilsner which will be ready for June as it is the next Artisan beer for the beer festival, for full details visit the brewery website. 

Springhead – no report

Welbeck – Mini kegs & May beer is the new range available in 8 pints dispensed to pour at home, requiring no settling time are vegetarian & vegan friendly due to the lack of finings. Henrietta, Red Feather, Cavendish & Harley will be available in the new size keg available from 22^nd May. New specials available at your local over the next few weeks are – Slovak Paradise 4.5% Pilsner style. St Simon 4.0% English pale ale. Kaiser 4.1% Lager style pale.

• FUTURE EVENTS (SOCIAL SECRETARY)

The Mallard has arranged buses for the Rail Ale festival at Staveley. A charity auction is in hand at the Gate inn Sutton cum Lound for the 14^th May. The Newark Beer Festival takes place 23^rd May, tickets £10. Newark Rugby Club beer & cheese in June. Pheasantry 26^th June. Bassetlaw 1^st Independant beer festival at the Grafton 10^th – 12^th July featuring 24 hand pulls plus food vendors. Recruitment “wear a sash” date TBA. Visit Facebook, Twitter & our website for regular updates. York brewery tour and lunch date TBA, Red Hart Blyth date TBA. Magna Rotherham 11^th – 13^th June date TBA. 

• ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Susan Hale of The Grafton requested nomination for CAMRA status for the forthcoming 1^st Independant Bassetlaw Beer Festival, Steve Bownes to obtain official information pack for further discussion. Following previous comments from Colin Tweed who is our sole sponsor for the monthly raffle, a show of hands was unanimous and the motion carried foreword that a social fund be created to subsidise future events, this will be known as the social fund. The raffle sponsored by Colin Tweed raised £25 for the new social account. Sponsors to the magazine to take priority for copies of the nnotts drinker magazine, breweries are also to receive copies by their respective BLO. Articles of interest written by members would be welcome before the deadline for the next print run which is 5^th June, distribution volunteers are also required. Alan & Barbara Duffy are to relocate out of our area, we thank both Alan & Barbara for their valuable contribution and wish them well at their new home. A new BLO is now required to replace Alan, as no volunteer came forward at the meeting the position remains vacant.     

• DATE & VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

      Blacksmiths Arms Everton Wed 3^rd June 8:30pm.

Passing it on

Another item from the Welbeck brewery, this time giving us an insight into how they work with he local community to educate and inform those outside the the industry on what it takes to brew real beer.

Pass it on.

From mother to daughter, father to son, teacher to pupil; passing on knowledge and the joy of learning and is one of the many unique aspects of being human.

There are many age-old crafts and skills which are rarely taught to our children now, be that baking, cheesemaking, pottery or woodwork skills. Here at Welbeck, there is community focussed around rekindling the passion for these crafts and passing on the skills and knowledge from Masters to the younger generation. Brewing, like baking, is one of these ancient crafts enjoying a well deserved renaissance.

Although we are a commercial brewery making up to 18,000 pints a week, we also work closely with local schools and charities to teach a little about brewing.

During Sheffield Science week, we worked with Sheffield Hallam University and Doncaster CAMRA to host 21 adults of all ages from Sheffield and the surrounding area to explore the science behind beer and brewing. We looked at the way in which brewers need to extract fermentable sugars from malted barley and then made our own hydrometers for testing the sugar content in a mystery solution of beer. We also explored what exactly makes hops smell the way they do, and malt taste the way it does. The University-grade microscopes came out too, giving all the budding scientists a look at live yeast taken from the brewery not an hour beforehand.

A question and answer session followed the brewery tour and practical experiments, and we were pleased to be able to answer questions on not only the practical and scientific elements of brewing, but also the complexities of setting up a business and dealing with the logistical side of delivering.

Not only have we hosted a number of adults on a science-focused evening, we also hosted 36 year 11 top set science students studying for their GCSEs. The students from Beaumont Leys were brought to the brewery by three teachers to learn about enzyme activity, fermentation and process engineering. Whilst I'm sure the teacher who thought up the plan may have had an ulterior motive, actually the science of brewing turns out to be bang on Y11 curriculum!

There is often a very romantic image surrounding brewing, quite probably similar to that of an artisan baker or pottery. The reality, however, is that running a brewery requires not only passion and enthusiasm for the craft, but a vast breadth and depth of scientific knowledge dosed with a hearty helping of hard graft and business sense.

That said, we all love working in the brewery and sharing that passion. Needing to bring in science, hard work, and decent business accumen makes learning and working in this artisan industry exciting, varied and ultimately a joy.

Thanks again to Clare at Welbeck for the update.

If you are reading this blog and you aren't a CAMRA member (why not!?) go to www.camra.org.uk and join the 170,000 other people who think that Beer (and Cider and Perry) is something worth getting excited about!

I don't know what you're having,

But I'll have one of those

Latest news from Welbeck Brewery, new beers and your own (mini) barrel of beer.

Minikegs and May beer

Eight pints cleverly dispensed at home to pour just like a pint in the pub. What more could you need for a bank holiday weekend or special occasion? Maybe two...?

These minikegs require no settling time and vegetarian and vegan friendly due to the lack of finings. The pints which you'll be able to pour at home may be a tad hazy due to the natural yeast content, but this adds depth of flavour and certainly does no harm.

Henrietta, Red Feather, Cavendish and Harley will be the delicious beers available in this new sharing-size keg, all of which will be available directly from us and in the Welbeck Farm shop from 22nd May.

Spring Specials

If you're planning on popping to your local pub over the next few weeks, we'll have the next specials available:

St. Simon 4.0% English Pale Ale. Making a reappearance this year after great success in the last two. This is a classic English pale ale which makes the most of home-grown malted barley and hops, giving a delightfully balanced pint.

Slovak Paradise 4.5% Pilsner-style. This pilsner-like blonde is brewed with lager malt and Dana hops from Slovakia for a dry finish.

Kaiser 4.1% Lager style pale. Crisp, dry, biscuity lager malt flavours are perfectly balanced with sweet, honey like floral hops from Germany.

Whatever and wherever you're drinking this spring time, enjoy!

Thanks to Clare Monk at Welbeck for the update.

If you are reading this blog and you aren't a CAMRA member (why not!?) go to www.camra.org.uk and join the 170,000 other people who think that Beer (and Cider and Perry) is something worth getting excited about!

Carol's Sacrifice - A Tale from The Mallard

St Georges Beer Festival at the Mallard in Worksop.  It is well past now and was an absolutely cracking festival.  The Ales were plenty and various, the atmosphere alive and happy.  However, down in the cellar bar things were afoot!  The first thing of note was the lack of Carol behind the bar.  She couldn't be ill, I don't think Carol has time for illness so just tells it to bugger off.  So where was she?  A short exploration, well, not exactly exploration, this is the Mallard, a short walk down the steps to the cellar revealed all...  

A while before the St Georges Festival, Carol had been debating having her hair cut.   Just throwing so much hair in the bin seemed wrong.  I believe most Ladies will appreciate that, it takes us a long time to grow our hair, it means something!  So, after chatting with friends and asking them what they thought, they both came up with the same suggestions - Children's Cancer Charity, Little Princess Trust.  After a little Googling and reading online, there was really no question about it.  This would be the right thing.  

Little Princess Trust is a charity who create and provide wigs for children who have lost their hair due to Cancer treatments.  More details can be found on their website here:  http://www.littleprincesses.org.uk

The next step was to approach Wayne Cadman, Landlord of the Mallard.  Local Champion Homebrew Legend, Colin Tweed of Shed brewery donated a pin of beer (36 pints) to be sold and the proceeds donated to charity - had a charity been selected yet?  It turned out it hadn't so Carol told him about the idea and asked about perhaps her having it cut at the festival.  This became the plan.

At 17:30pm on Saturday April the 18th the plan began.  Sponsorship forms were printed and the word was out.  By last orders £165 had been pledged or donated! 

" Customers were coming up to me and giving me money without having to ask them."

By the end of the festival, the auction of Shed Brewery beers had raised a total of £115 and together with the funds raised by Carol this all amounted to a staggering £905!  The generosity of the patrons of the Mallard, staff and friends is simply wonderful and so heartening to see.

When asked why she did all of this, all Carol said was: 

"If you can make someone smile, it's well worth it. It's always good to smile, as others will smile back at you x x x"

£905 worth of hair!

Well done to Carol and everyone who donated! 

If you are reading this blog and you aren't a CAMRA member (why not!?) go to www.camra.org.uk and join the 170,000 other people who think that Beer (and Cider and Perry) is something worth getting excited about!