Local News Archive
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Park Inn, Shirley, Southampton Southern Hampshire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2024 We're delighted to announce our local branch's Pub of the Year 2024. This year's winner is Park Inn in Carlisle Road, Shirley, Southampton. The finalist pubs were each visited by four volunteer judges, who assessed them against CAMRA's national Pub of the Year scoring criteria (which will also be used in the regional and national competitions). The four finalists, selected by CAMRA members before the judging, also included: the Freemantle Arms, Southampton; Olaf's Tun, Southampton and Steam Town, Eastleigh. A formal presentation of this award will be announced in due course. Posted by Pete Horn on 13/03/2024 |
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David Pritchard presenting Stuart Poulter of Flower Pots a certificate for Pots Bitter for winning Silver in the Session Bitter Category of the London & South East CAMRA Regional Champion Beer of Britain 2023. David Pritchard (Flower Pots BLO) presented Stuart Poulter, head drayman of Flower Pots Brewery, a certificate for Pots Bitter for winning Silver in the Session Bitter Category of the London & South East CAMRA Regional Champion Beer of Britain 2023. Flower Pots is the largest independent brewery in Hampshire and has won numerous awards for its beers. Posted by Pete Horn on 22/02/2024 |
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Online voting is now open, starting the process of selecting our Pub of the Year 2024. Vote for your favourite pubs. You can change your votes any time before 4pm on the 16th of January 2024. The four top pubs will then be surveyed to the same criteria used in subsequent rounds of CAMRA's national pub of the year competition. It's a great excuse to visit some great pubs and test out the beer before making your final selections. Posted by Pete Horn on 10/12/2023 |
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Branch Chairman Norman Clinnick congratulating Nick and his team from the Woolpack, Sopley on being a new entry from our branch in the GBG Branch Chairman Norman Clinnick congratulating Nick and his team from the Woolpack Sopley on being a new entry from our branch in the GBG. The Woolpack was last in the Guide in 1994 Other pubs from Southern Hampshire branch area that are in the Good Beer Guide for the first time, or after a long gap are: Cleveland Bay, Chandler's Ford (returns after 18 years) Hidden Tap, Botley (new) Drop the Anchor Brewery, Hinton (new) Brewhouse & Kitchen, Southampton (returns after 5 years) For more about the guide visit 2024 Good Beer Guide Posted by Pete Horn on 11/10/2023 |
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Key & Anchor landlord Ady Vincentand CAMRA branch chairman Norman Clinnick with their copies of the 2024 Good Beer Guide Thursday 28th September saw the official launch of the 2024 Good Beer Guide. To promote the Guide, members of the Southern Hampshire Branch went to the Key & Anchor and presented landlord Ady Vincent with a complimentary copy of the Guide. As well as sampling the good range of beers at the Key & Anchor, customers had the opportunity to buy the new guide at a bargain introductory price. For more about the guide visit 2024 Good Beer Guide Posted by Pete Horn on 04/10/2023 |
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Robert Smith of SERV-Wessex receives a donation cheque from branch chairman Norman Clinnick The chosen charity for this year's Southampton Beer Festival was 'SERV Wessex - The Blood Runners' - a 24 hour service that that delivers blood products, urgent samples and medication from Hospital Pharmacies in Hampshire, South Wiltshire and Dorset. A total of £318 was raised by the customers of Southampton Beer Festival and the cheque was presented to Robert Smith (left) by Southern Hamshire branch chairman Norman Clinnick (right). Posted by Pete Horn on 14/08/2023 |
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Olaf's Tun We're delighted to announce our local branch's Pub of the Year 2023. This year's winner is Olaf's Tun in Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Southampton. The finalist pubs were each visited by four volunteer judges, who assessed them against CAMRA's national Pub of the Year scoring criteria (which will also be used in the regional and national competitions). The four finalists, selected by CAMRA members before the judging, also included: the Flower Pots Inn, Cheriton; Steam Town, Eastleigh and Witch's Brew, Southampton. A formal presentation of this award will be announced in due course. Posted by Pete Horn on 20/03/2023 |
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Online voting is now open, starting the process of selecting our Pub of the Year 2023. Vote for your favourite pubs. You can change your votes any time before 4pm on the 17th of January 2023. The four top pubs will then be surveyed to the same criteria used in subsequent rounds of CAMRA's national pub of the year competition. It's a great excuse to visit some great pubs and test out the beer before making your final selections. Posted by Pete Horn on 12/11/2022 |
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Chris Brown, August 2022 It is with great sadness that we announce that Chris Brown passed away on the afternoon of Monday 29th August after a sudden illness. Chris had been a CAMRA Member for many years and will be remembered for being our Social Secretary for a while in the 1990s and for organising and manning the foreign beer bars at Southern Hampshire Branch beer festivals. But most will remember him as the faithful partner to Ann, and their collective running of Bitter Virtue off-licence for nearly 25 years. Posted by Pete Horn on 01/09/2022 |
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Rob Whatley, July 2014 Rob Whatley sadly passed away on Saturday 16 July 2022 following a valiant battle against Cancer. Everyone who knew Rob is invited to remember him and celebrate his life: Thursday 11 August 2022 at 11:30am East Chapel, Southampton Crematorium, Bassett Green Road, Southampton, SO16 3QB And afterwards at Steam Town Brew Co., Eastleigh, SO50 6AD Rob requested that you wear bright colours - red and white or yellow and blue (The Saints home and away strip colours). If you plan to attend the ceremony and/or wake, please email funeral@shantscamra.org.uk as soon as you can so that we know numbers. If attending the wake, please include details any dietary requirements that you may have. Posted by Pete Horn on 27/07/2022 |
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Rob Whatley in 1997 wearing the 1976 Saints FA Cup strip It is with great sadness that we announce that Rob Whatley passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning, 16 July 2022. Rob had been a CAMRA Member since soon after CAMRA was founded and the roles he performed, both locally and nationally are nearly too numerous to mention. Locally, he was organiser of the highly successful Southampton Beer Festival at Southampton’s Guildhall for many years from 1999 onwards, and used his love of music to always arrange great bands to play. Rob diligently scanned all local newspapers, planning notices and licensing applications for Pub News, his section in Hop Press for over 35 years. Nationally he was the manager of the glasses stand at the Great British Beer Festival for as many years as most can remember, and as recently as May he compiled the pub planning report for Southern Hampshire for the national Campaigns Team. Rob loved sport (Southampton FC season ticket holder and life member of Hampshire Cricket Club), had an encyclopaedic knowledge of many things, and a great sense of humour. We wish him well at the big beer festival in the sky. Posted by Pete Horn on 17/07/2022 |
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Olaf's Tun - Southern Hampshire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2022 A mild April Tuesday saw a local CAMRA social at Olaf's Tun in Woolston, Southampton. The main event was the presentation of Southern Hampshire CAMRA's Pub of the Year 2022 award to Olaf'sTun. Pictured are publican's Maz and Rob (centre) receiving the award from competition organiser David Pritchard. Congratulations to Maz & Rob for running such a fine micropub. Olaf's Tun now goes forward to the Wessex Regional Pub of the Year competition. Posted by Pete Horn on 19/04/2022 |
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Olaf's Tun We're delighted to announce our local branch's Pub of the Year 2022. This year's winner is Olaf's Tun in Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Southampton. The finalist pubs were each visited by four volunteer judges, who assessed them against CAMRA's national Pub of the Year scoring criteria (which will also be used in the regional and national competitions). The four finalists, selected by CAMRA members before the judging, also included: The Handle Bar, Southampton; Steam Town, Eastleigh and Witch's Brew, Southampton. A formal presentation of this award will be announced in due course. Posted by Pete Horn on 10/03/2022 |
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December 2021 Hop Press is out
Normally, over 3600 copies of our branch magazine are delivered to our local pubs but that is not to be. Issue 90 is on-line only and it has just the regular Pub News for now and some snippets of national news; more articles will be added as we go on - the benefits of not being fixed to paper! Read it now. Posted by Pete Horn on 10/12/2021 |
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Pub of the Year 2022
Online voting is now open, starting the process of selecting our Pub of the Year 2022. Vote for your favourite pubs. You can change your votes any time before 4pm on the 18th of January 2022. The four top pubs will then be surveyed to the same criteria used in subsequent rounds of CAMRA's national pub of the year competition. It's a great excuse to visit some great pubs and test out the beer before making your final selections. Posted by Pete Horn on 01/12/2021 |
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Woolston Beer Festival
Woolston Beer Festival is back. 25 real ales, 5 ciders, a range of bottled beers, and food. Three sessions: Friday 6.30-11.00 (music from Rob Berry), Saturday 11.30-4.00 (Quiet Session) and 6.00-10.30 (music from One 4 the Road). Tickets for each session are £6, including glass and programme. £2 of free tokens for CAMRA members. Tickets are now on sale from the festival website or by cash from Olaf's Tun, Bitter Virtue or Park Inn. See www.woolstonbeerfestival.org.uk for further details. Posted by Pete Horn on 09/09/2021 |
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All Party Parliamentary Pub Group Inquiry
In response to the devastating impact of the COVID-19 crisis, the Pubs APPG is launching an inquiry that will aim to understand how pubs have been affected, and what they need from the Government to thrive in the coming months and years. To do this, the Pubs APPG wants to listen to the people who have made pubs the heart of so many communities, and ask what their businesses need. Their responses will be used to produce a report and recommendations on how the Government can support pubs and publicans in the future. To make your contibution to the inquiry and help with the survival of Real Ale and British pubs follow this link - apppg.camra.org.uk/inquiry. Posted by Pete Horn on 03/05/2021 |
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Beer in the UK
Added to On-line Hop Press, a reprint of Tim Webb's 'Beer in the UK – Issue 1 Reflections on Q1 2020', a brief report on the global brewing industry and the UK's place in it. See Hop Press for the full article. Posted by Pete Horn on 23/04/2021 |
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Southampton Late Night Levy ends
[Summary by Rob Whatley, for the full article see Hop Press] Southampton City Council introduced the Late Night Levy in 2015. It was able to do so following the passing of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, that enabled licensing authorities to raise a contribution from late-opening alcohol suppliers towards policing the night-time economy. As per the contents of the Act, the Levy covered the whole of the city licensing area, including small pubs in outlying areas. The annual amount paid is set nationally and is based on the rateable value of the premises. Of the money raised, 70% goes to the police while the remainder goes to support the likes of Taxi Marshalls, Street Pastors, street cleansing and CCTV. At a council meeting in November 2020 the decision was taken to stop the Late Night Levy in the city from 1 April 2021. Part of the reason for the change was that in 2017 a Business Improvement District (BID) was established in Southampton. The BID area covers the Above Bar and Bedford Place areas and is funded by local businesses. 49 premises were subject to both the Late Night Levy and paying contributions the BID. Although the Late Night Levy has ended for the time being in Southampton, there is the possibility that it could be reintroduced in the future. Further details can be found at: https://www.southampton.gov.uk/business-licensing/licensing/licensing-act-2003/late-night-Levy.aspx Posted by Pete Horn on 12/04/2021 |
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Spring 2021 Hop Press is out - plus a crossword
Normally, over 3600 copies of our branch magazine are delivered to our local pubs but that is not to be. Issue 89 is on-line only and while it has just the regular Pub News for now more articles will be added as we go on - the benefits of not being fixed to paper! Read it now. Plus, a 'just for fun' (i.e. non-competition) crossword from Quetzalcoalt has been added. Posted by Pete Horn on 03/03/2021 |
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Ray Massey
We are sad to announce that branch stalwart Ray Massey passed away quietly in his sleep Tuesday Night 4th August 2020. Ray had been very active in the branch over the last 25 or so years, helping with beer festivals, pub surveying (22 current surveys) beer scoring and many memorable 'Walk for Drinkers' articles for both Hop Press and Winchester Beer Festival programmes. Ray was a true gentleman and will be missed by many. Posted by Pete Horn on 07/08/2020 |
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Kim Kellaway
We are sad to report that long standing branch member Kim Kellaway died on Thursday 23rd July aged 66. Kim had been heavily involved in CAMRA for many years and volunteered at festivals across the country. Kim was the organiser of some of the CAMRA beer festivals in Winchester in the 1980s and was also very active at the Great British Beer Festival - he was there at the first one at Alexandra Palace in 1977. He was a GBBF bar manager, before becoming 'Head of Technical' for all the bars there. More recently Kim helped re-establish Winchester Beer Festival in 2011 and was Bar Manager for the first four of the new events before ill health forced him to step down. Kim contributed a great deal to CAMRA over the years and will be missed by his many friends both locally and throughout the country. Posted by Pete Horn on 30/07/2020 |
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Spring 2020 Hop Press is out
Normally, over 3600 copies of our branch magazine are delivered to our local pubs but that is not to be. Issue 88 is on-line only and while it has just the regular features for now but more articles will be added as we go on - the benefits of not being fixed to paper! Read it now, and get stuck into Quetzalcoatl's fiendish crossword. Posted by Pete Horn on 03/05/2020 |
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COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
In line with the current efforts to limit or slow the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) all CAMRA beer festivals up to the end of June have been cancelled or postponed. Posted by Pete Horn on 18/03/2020 |
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Winchester Beer & Cider Festival
Tickets are now on sale for Winchester Beer & Cider Festival. Winchester Beer & Cider Festival 2020 is on 13th & 14th March. This festival, the tenth since our return to Winchester Guildhall, is a firm favourite and tickets usually sell out for most sessions. All details including ticket outlets are on winchesterbeerfestival.org.uk Posted by Pete Horn on 12/02/2020 |
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Winter 2019 Hop Press is out
Over 3600 copies of our branch magazine are being delivered to our local pubs, but you can read it now, on-line here. Posted by Pete Horn on 03/12/2019 |
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Pub of the Year 2020
Online voting is now open, starting the process of selecting our Pub of the Year 2020. Vote for your favourite pubs. You can change your votes any time before 4pm on the 14th of January 2020. The four top pubs will then be surveyed to the same criteria used in subsequent rounds of CAMRA's national pub of the year competition. It's a great excuse to visit some great pubs and test out the beer before making your final selections. Posted by Alex Presland on 13/11/2019 |
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Spring 2019 Hop Press is out
Over 3600 copies of our branch magazine are being delivered to our local pubs, but you can read it now, on-line here. Posted by Pete Horn on 23/05/2019 |
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Southern Hampshire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2019 award presentation
A warm Wednesday evening saw the crowds descend on The Steel Tank Alehouse in Central Precinct, Chandler's Ford, so many that there was queuing to get in - a case of 'one out, one in' for a while. The occasion was the presentation of Southern Hampshire CAMRA's Pub of the Year 2019 award to the Steel Tank Alehouse. Pictured is publican Adam Beal (left) receiving the award from competition organiser Alex Presland. Congratulations to Adam for creating such a welcome establishment. The Steel Tank Alehouse now goes forward to the Wessex Regional Pub of the Year competition. Posted by Pete Horn on 18/04/2019 |
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The Steel Tank Alehouse, Chandler's Ford is Southern Hampshire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2019
We're delighted to announce our local branch's Pub of the Year 2019. This year's winner is The Steel Tank Alehouse in Central Precinct, Chandler's Ford. The finalist pubs were each visited by four volunteer judges, who assessed them against CAMRA's national Pub of the Year scoring criteria (which will also be used in the regional and national competitions). The four finalists, selected by CAMRA members before the judging, also included: The Guide Dog, Southampton (last year's winner); Steam Town Brew Co., Eastleigh and Witch's Brew, Southampton. A formal presentation of this award will be announced in due course. Posted by Pete Horn on 13/03/2019 |
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Pub of the Year 2019
Online voting is now open, starting the process of selecting our Pub of the Year 2019. Vote for your favourite pubs. You can change your votes any time before 4pm on the 15th of January 2019. The four top pubs will then be surveyed to the same criteria used in subsequent rounds of CAMRA's national pub of the year competition. It's a great excuse to visit some great pubs and test out the beer before making your final selections. Posted by Alex Presland on 30/11/2018 |
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Autumn 2018 Hop Press is out
Over 3600 copies of our branch magazine are being delivered to our local pubs, but you can read it now, on-line here. Posted by Pete Horn on 06/11/2018 |
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Caskaway Tasting Rooms receives our first Cider Pub of the Year award
We announced in March that Caskaway Tasting Rooms had won our inaugural Cider Pub of the Year award. On Saturday 12th May members of Southern Hampshire CAMRA paid a visit to The Caskaway in Oxford Street and Philip King (right) presented the award to Caskaway's owner Inn Grosney (left). Caskaway has a great combination of cider choice and quality, served at a decent price and in a friendly atmosphere. In the competition, seven shortlisted pubs were visited and judged by the branch's Cider Representative (Philip King), accompanied and advised by fellow real cider enthusiasts; Caskaway came out on top with the runner up being The Wash House, Milford on Sea. Posted by Alex Presland on 13/05/2018 |
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Spring 2018 Hop Press is out
Over 3600 copies of our branch magazine are being delivered to our local pubs, but you can read it now, on-line here. [Crossword aficionados should note that in the printed version clue 28 across should read 'cm' in place of 'mm'.] Posted by Pete Horn on 29/04/2018 |
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Our website was a Finalist!
Local volunteers Pete Horn and Alex Presland were pleasantly surprised to find out that this website had been recognised as one of the best in the country, reaching the finals of CAMRA's annual Branch Website of the Year compeition. They receieved a certificate while attending CAMRA's National AGM & Members' Weekend in Coventry. Posted by Alex Presland on 21/04/2018 |
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A big turnout at The Guide Dog to celebrate Pub of the Year 2018
Tuesday 10th April saw a splendid turnout at The Guide Dog, Earls Road, Southampton to celebrate the pub being voted CAMRA Southern Hampshire Pub of the Year 2018. Many of the locals were there, along with a good contingent from Southern Hampshire CAMRA and a couple of brewers from Red Cat. Perhaps they were all tempted by the buffet laid on by the pub! Our picture shows Landlord Gary Clements (right) and his staff team with the award. Posted by Pete Horn on 12/04/2018 |
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Five years in the GBG for the Railway, Ringwood
This year The Railway, Ringwood has achieved 5 consecutive years in the Good Beer Guide. On Saturday 31/03/18 a contingent from CAMRA Southern Hampshire Branch visited The Railway to celebrate. Pictured is Landlord Malcolm Evans (left) receiving a '5 years in the GBG' award from CAMRA Southern Hampshire Branch representative Anthony Moore. Posted by Pete Horn on 11/04/2018 |
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Caskaway Tasting Rooms wins our first Cider Pub of the Year award!
For the very first time, Southern Hampshire CAMRA has chosen a Cider Pub of the Year. Caskaway Tasting Rooms in Oxford Street, Southampton has won our inaugral competition. Caskaway was found to have a great combination of cider choice and quality, served at a decent price and in a friendly atmosphere. The seven shortlisted pubs were visited and judged by the branch's Cider Representative, accompanied and advised by fellow real cider enthusiasts. Posted by Alex Presland on 19/03/2018 |
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Guide Dog, Southampton is Southern Hampshire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2018
We're delighted to announce our local branch's Pub of the Year 2018. This year's winner is The Guide Dog in Earls Road, Bevois Valley, Southampton. The finalist pubs were each visited by four volunteer judges, who assessed them against CAMRA's national Pub of the Year scoring criteria (which will also be used in the regional and national competitions). The four finalists, selected by CAMRA members before the judging, also included: Bookshop Alehouse, Southampton (last year's winner); Olaf's Tun, Woolston; and Steam Town Brew Co., Eastleigh. A formal presentation of this award will be announced in due course. Posted by Alex Presland on 14/03/2018 |
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Rose Road Association charity presentation
Members of South Hampshire CAMRA visited the Rose Road Association to officially present a cheque for the money raised on behalf of the charity during last year's Southampton Beer Festival. A total of £1,422.53 was raised at the festival, which was held at Saint Mary's stadium in June 2017, by customers who generously donated unused beer tokens as they left the event. Posted by Alex Presland on 18/01/2018 |
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Pub of the Year 2018
Online voting is now open, starting the process of selecting our Pub of the Year 2018. Vote for your favourite pubs. You can change your votes any time before 5pm on the 16th of January 2018. The four top pubs will then be surveyed to the same criteria used in subsequent rounds of CAMRA's national pub of the year competition. It's a great excuse to visit some great pubs and test out the beer before making your final selections. Posted by Alex Presland on 13/11/2017 |
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Autumn 2017 Hop Press is out
Over 3300 copies of our branch magazine are being delivered to our local pubs, but you can read it now, on-line here. Posted by Pete Horn on 30/10/2017 |
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Southampton Beer Festival Award
Black Panther Imperial Milk Stout brewed by London Road Brew House won Beer of the Festival at Southampton Beer Festival 2017. Brewer Lee Farling (right) receives the award from CAMRA branch chairman Deric Payne and other branch members while pub manager Sian Luker looks on from above! The 8.5% abv stout is a new brew by Lee, and Southampton Beer Festival was privileged to have the special cask version of this – the rest was bottled – and the customers at Southampton Beer Festival judged it to be the best beer there. Posted by Pete Horn on 28/07/2017 |
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Southampton Beer Festival 2017
The votes at Southampton Beer Festival for Beer of the Festival & Cider of the Festival have been counted. Congratulations to London Road Brew House with Black Panther Imperial Stout and Westcroft Cider with Janet's Jungle Juice. The festival also raised £1422.53 for Rose Road Association. Visit www.southamptonbeerfestival.org.uk2017/winners to see the full results. Posted by Pete Horn on 11/07/2017 |
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Bookshop Alehouse, Southampton is Southern Hampshire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2017
Tuesday 2 May saw the presentation of our local branch’s Pub of the Year 2017 award. This year’s winner is The Bookshop Alehouse in Portswood, Southampton. The photos show Branch Chairman Deric Payne presenting the award to landlord Jon Harris, and Jon with staff Tess Wood and Charlie Sunley with the award on the bar. Posted by Pete Horn on 10/05/2017 |
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Spring 2017 Hop Press is out
Over 3300 copies of our branch magazine are being delivered to our local pubs, but you can read it now, on-line here. Posted by Pete Horn on 10/05/2017 |
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Southampton Beer Festival 2017
The all new CAMRA Southampton Beer Festival! We are pleased to announce details of the new features of the forthcoming CAMRA’s Southampton Beer Festival on the 23rd and 24th of June at St Mary’s Stadium (home of Southampton Football Club), and let you know where you can purchase tickets to see the changes yourself! (… read more from the press release) or visit www.southamptonbeerfestival.org.uk Posted by Pete Horn on 27/04/2017 |
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Bookshop Alehouse, Southampton is Southern Hampshire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2017
We're delighted to announce our local branch's Pub of the Year 2017. This year's winner is The Bookshop Alehouse in Portswood, Southampton. The finalist pubs were each visited by four volunteer judges, who assessed them against CAMRA's national Pub of the Year scoring criteria (which will also be used in the regional and national competitions). The four finalists, selected by CAMRA members before the judging, also included: Guide Dog, Southampton; Royal Oak, Fritham; and Waterloo Arms, Southampton. A formal presentation of this award will be announced in due course. Posted by Alex Presland on 06/03/2017 |
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Pub of the Year 2017
Online voting is now open, starting the process of selecting our Pub of the Year 2017. Vote for your favourite pubs. You can change your votes any time before 5pm on the 17th of January 2017. The four top pubs will then be surveyed to the same criteria used in subsequent rounds of CAMRA's national pub of the year competition. It's a great excuse to visit some great pubs and test out the beer before making your final selections. Posted by Alex Presland on 08/11/2016 |
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Autumn 2016 Hop Press is out
Over 3000 copies of our branch magazine are being delivered to our local pubs, but you can read it now, on-line here. Posted by Pete Horn on 01/11/2016 |
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Beer of the Festival Presentations
August saw us make two presentations; the first, to Vibrant Forest for their Oat and Coffee Stout, winner of Beer of the Festival at Southampton Beer Festival, then another to Alfred's Brewery for Winchester Pale, winner at Winchester Real Ale & Cider Festival. Posted by Pete Horn on 06/09/2016 |
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Royal Oak, Fritham Southern Hampshire CAMRA's Pub of the Year 2016
Earlier this year the Royal Oak, Fritham won Southern Hampshire CAMRA's Pub of the Year 2016. Saturday 21st May saw our presentation of the award. From left, Landlord Neil McCulloch, his daughter Cathy Wilson, long serving staff member Marie Barnes and making the presentation, Deric Payne, Chairman of Southern Hampshire CAMRA. The Royal Oak has now gone forward to the regional Pub of the Year competition and we look forward to it doing well. Posted by Pete Horn on 24/05/2016 |
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Spring 2016 Hop Press is out
Over 3000 copies of our branch magazine are being delivered to our local pubs, but you can read it now, on-line here. Posted by Pete Horn on 27/04/2016 |
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Vibrant Forest Celebrates Two Years and Festival Award
The Vibrant Forest Brewery in Bowling Green (near Lymington) celebrated its second anniversary. CAMRA gave it another reason to celebrate with Branch Chairman Deric Payne and Social Secretary Andy Burrows presenting brewer Kevin Robinson with an award. Vibrant Forest's Salted Liquorice Stout came second in the Winchester Real Ale and Cider Festival's Beer of the Festival competition. Posted by Alex Presland on 23/04/2016 |
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Royal Oak, Fritham is Southern Hampshire CAMRA's Pub of the Year 2016
The Royal Oak, Fritham is Southern Hampshire CAMRA's Pub of the Year 2016, following assessment against CAMRA's national Pub of the Year scoring criteria (which will also be used in the regional and national competitions). The four finaists, selected by CAMRA members before the judging, also included: Guide Dog, Southampton; Butcher's Hook, Southampton; and Waterloo Arms, Southampton. A formal presentation of this award will be announced in due course. Posted by Alex Presland on 09/03/2016 |
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Autumn 2015 Hop Press is out
Over 3000 copies of our branch magazine are being delivered to our local pubs, but you can read it now, on-line here. Posted by Pete Horn on 16/11/2015 |
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Triple Awards at Vibrant Forest
Saturday 15th August saw several CAMRA branches visit Vibrant Forest Brewery for the presentaion of various Beer of the Festival Awards to both Vibrant Forest and the visiting brewers from Betteridge's Brewery. Top left, Vibrant Forest Brewer Kevin Robinson receives the Beer of the Festival from Southampton Beer Festival 2015 for 'Metropolis', presented by Andy Burrows from Southern Hampshire CAMRA; Next, Kevin receives another Beer of the Festival award from Yapton Beer Festival for 'Radicale Oat & Coffee Stout', presented by Philip Wildsmith from Western Sussex CAMRA; Below, Deric Payne from Southern Hampshire CAMRA presents the third place award from Southampton Beer Festival 2015 to Mark & Jenny Betteridge of Betteridge's Brewery for 'Serious Black'. Posted by Pete Horn on 20/08/2015 |
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Pub of the Year runners up awards
A busy week in Southampton where we presented awards to the Butcher's Hook, the Guide Dog and the Waterloo Arms for being runners up in our Pub of the Year vote. The presentation to the winning pub, the Flowerpots, Cheriton, is being organised - keep an eye on our diary page. Posted by Pete Horn on 26/07/2015 |
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Southampton Beer Festival donates £1000 to Community Roots
The generous customers of Southampton Beer Festival donated £1000 to Community Roots, an allotment scheme which aims to provide integrated supported volunteering, training and work experience opportunities to people who have experienced homelessness, mental health, alcohol or substance misuse issues. Branch Chairman Julian Long (left) presented a cheque to Duncan Reade at our branch meeting on 14th July 2015. Posted by Pete Horn on 17/07/2015 |
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Southampton Beer Festival 2015 Awards
Congratulations to Vibrant Forest Brewery with Metropolis and Gethin's cider with Hapus for coming top of the public vote for Beer and Cider of the festival! Hampshire Beer of the Year, judged by a tasting panel, was won by Flowerpots Brewery with Perridge Pale. £1000 was raised for our charity 'Community Roots'. For more information see the Beer Festival website Posted by Pete Horn on 12/06/2015 |
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Spring 2015 Hop Press is out
Over 3000 copies of our branch magazine are being delivered to our local pubs, but you can read it now, on-line here. Posted by Pete Horn on 06/05/2015 |
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Hampshire Beer of the Year nominations
This year's Hampshire Beer of the Year competition will be judged at Southampton Beer Festival in June. The beers that will be judged include those voted the best at Octoberfest, Gosport and Winchester festivals, & those nominated by local CAMRA members. If you are a CAMRA member in Hampshire go to the HBOTY page to select your nominations. Posted by Graeme Hilton on 28/03/2015 |
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Winchester Real Ale and Cider Festival makes charity donation
Two charities benefitted from the generosity of festival goers last week. Over £3000 was raised for Hampshire Search & Rescue and Age UK Winchester. Posted by Graeme Hilton on 27/03/2015 |
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Flowerpots Inn, Cheriton is Southern Hampshire CAMRA's Pub of the Year 2015
The Flowerpots Inn, Cheriton is Southern Hampshire CAMRA's Pub of the Year 2015, following assessment against CAMRA's national Pub of the Year scoring criteria (which will also be used in the regional and national competitions). The four finaists, selected by CAMRA members before the judging, also included: Guide Dog, Southampton; Butcher's Hook, Southampton; Waterloo Arms, Southampton. A formal presentation of this award will be announced in due course. Posted by Alex Presland on 10/03/2015 |
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Guide Dog presented with Southern Hampshire CAMRA's Pub of the Year 2014 certificate
The Guide Dog, Earls Road, Bevois Valley, Southampton won Southern Hampshire CAMRA's Pub of the Year 2014 competition. This is their seventh win in ten years. Winning branch Pub of the Year also meant that they went forward for regional judging where they aquited themselves very well winning Runner Up for Wessex Regional Pub of the Year 2014. Here, licensees Paul Barden and Margaret Bridle (centre) receive the awards from Branch Chairman Deric Payne (left) and Branch Secretary Dave Richardson (right). Posted by Pete Horn on 23/10/2014 |
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October 2014 Hop Press is out
Over 3000 copies of our branch magazine are being delivered to our local pubs, but you can read it now, on-line here. Posted by Pete Horn on 05/10/2014 |
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Dancing Man Brewery presented with Southampton Beer of the Festival Awards
Dancing Man Brewery, based at the Platform Tavern, Southampton, won Beer of the Festival for 'Sea City Gold' at Southampton Beer Festival as voted by the customers. Sea City Gold is a beer specially brewed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Southampton gaining city status. Dancing Man's 'Smoke Rye'Sin' came third in the voting. Here, brewer Aiden (left) and brewery & pub owners Mandy & Stuart receive the awards from festival organiser Rob Whatley (right). Posted by Pete Horn on 02/10/2014 |
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Southampton Opportunity Group presented with Southampton Beer Festival donation
The generous customers of Southampton Beer Festival donated nearly £900 to the Southampton Opportunity Group, a charity that provides structured play sessions for children (aged 0 to 5) with additional needs. Rob Whatley (Festival Organiser) presented a cheque at our branch meeting on 8th July 2014. Posted by Alex Presland on 13/07/2014 |
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Hampshire Beer of the Year 2014
Flowerpots Brewery's Goodens Gold won the Hampshire Beer of the Year 2014 competition, judged at Southampton Beer Festival. Lamplight Porter from Longdog Brewery and Moondance from Triple fff Brewery came joint second. Photo credit: Graham Church Posted by Alex Presland on 04/06/2014 |
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Southampton Beer Festival 2014 Awards
Congratulations to Dancing Man Brewery and 146 Cider for coming top of the public vote for Beer and Cider/Perry of the festival! For more information see the Beer Festival website Posted by Graeme Hilton on 03/06/2014 |
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Pub of the Year 2014
This year's Pub of the Year is the Guide Dog, Bevois Valley, Southampton! Congratulations to The Guide Dog for being voted the best pub in the Southern Hampshire region. A presentation will be made to Paul & Margaret in due course. Keep an eye on our diary page for the date. Posted by Pete Horn on 30/04/2014 |
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April 2014 Hop Press is out
Over 3000 copies of our branch magazine are being delivered to our local pubs, but you can read it now, on-line here. Posted by Pete Horn on 27/04/2014 |
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Woolston 2013 Beer of the Festival Presentation
A group of CAMRA volunteers visited Box Steam Brewery to present the certificate for its Funnel Blower, which won Beer of the Festival at Woolston Beer Festival 2013. The beer of the festival award was voted for by customers. Posted by Alex Presland on 25/01/2014 |
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Pub of the Year 2014
This year we are again running our Pub of the Year voting online to enable as many members as possible to participate. Vote for your favourite pub. You can change your vote any time before 10pm on the 11th of March. It's a great excuse to visit some great pubs! Posted by Graeme Hilton on 22/01/2014 |
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October 2013 Hop Press is out
Over 3000 copies of our branch magazine are being delivered to our local pubs, but you can read it now, on-line here. Posted by Pete Horn on 27/10/2013 |
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Recent Awards
 Southampton Beer Beer Festival Charity Award
This year's charity at Southampton Beer Festival was the Joe Glover Trust, which helps give financial, respite and other help to families with children suffering from cancer. £817.30 was raised by donations from the customers of this year's Southampton Beer Festival, and Victoria Stevens, Executive Officer of The Joe Glover Trust (right) receives the cheque from Festival Organisor Rob Whatley and other members of the beer festival team.  Winchester Beer Festival Beer of the Festival
The customers of Winchester Beer & Cider Festival voted Alfred Brewery's Saxon Bronze as Beer of the Festival. We paid a visit to the tiny Alfred's Brewery on June 14th and beer festival organiser David Mackie (right) presented the award to owner & brewer Steve Haigh. Steve is hard at work now expanding the brewing capabilities of the brewery so he can brew more beers.  Pub of the Year
The Black Horse, West Tytherley is Southern Hampshire CAMRA's Pub of the Year 2013. On Saturday 11th May, Branch Chairman Drew Dyer (left) presented the certificate to Nick (right) & Elaine (centre). Our congratulations are due to Nick & Elaine for running what many regard as the perfect village pub. Posted by Pete Horn on 03/07/2013 |
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Southampton Beer Festival
Over 3400 people visited Southampton Beer Festival from Thursday 6th June to Saturday 8th June. After sampling a range of 99 real ales and 20 real ciders & perries they voted for their favourites. The results were: Beer of the Festival Beers up to and including 4.5% abv 1st Blackcurrant Mild, Itchen Valley Brewery 2nd Belgarum, Itchen Valley Brewery 3rd Elderado, Bowman Ales Beers over 4.5% abv 1st Black Forest Porter, Vibrant Forest Brewery 2nd IPA, Flowerpots Brewery 3rd= Bohemian Rhapsody, Kelham Island Brewery 3rd= Formosa, Flowerpots Brewery The overall winner was Black Forest Porter Perry of the Festival Oliver's Ocle Pychard, Herefordshire Cider of the Festival Wobbly Monk, Springfield Cider, Monmouthshire Posted by Pete Horn on 10/06/2013 |
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Hampshire Beer of the Year Results
This year's Hampshire Beer of the Year competition was judged at Southampton Beer Festival on June 8th. The results are:
Posted by Pete Horn on 09/06/2013 |
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May 2013 Hop Press is out
Over 3000 copies of our branch magazine are being delivered to our local pubs, but you can read it now, on-line here. Posted by Pete Horn on 05/05/2013 |
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Hampshire Beer of the Year nominations
This year's Hampshire Beer of the Year competition will be judged at Southampton Beer Festival in June. The beers that will be judged include those voted the best at Octoberfest, Gosport and Winchester festivals, & those nominated by local CAMRA members. If you are a CAMRA member in Hampshire go to www.wessexcamra.org.uk/branches/hboty to select your nominations. Posted by Pete Horn on 29/04/2013 |
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Pub of the Year 2013
This year's Pub of the Year is the Black Horse of West Tytherley! Congratulations to them for being voted the best pub in the Southern Hampshire region. A presentation will be made to Nick and Elaine on the 11th of May. See the diary page for more details. Posted by Graeme Hilton on 15/03/2013 |
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Membership Newsletter
Our latest Membership Newsletter is now online for both members and non-members to read. Non-members can Join CAMRA online to help support our campaigning and support of pubs, real ale breweries and real cider makers. Posted by Alex Presland on 11/03/2013 |
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Good Beer Guide 2014 Survey Data Submissions now online
To continue our significant efforts in collating our pub data into a branch pub database, we've developed a system for our Good Beer Guide 2014 survey results to be submitted and edited online (password required). Our pub database is already used to publish our data to CAMRA's national pub guide Whatpub.com (currently in beta testing for CAMRA members only). If you have any photos of our pubs past or present which you're willing to share, please upload them here. Posted by Alex Presland on 14/01/2013 |
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Woolston Festival Charity Presentation
On behalf of everyone who donated to the Jubilee Sailing Trust at the Woolston Beer Festival in October, we have presented £332 in the conservatory of the Waterloo Arms. Posted by Rob Bennett on 17/12/2012 |
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Hop Press published - October 2012 edition
Over 3000 copies of our branch magazine are being delivered to our local pubs, but you can read it now, online here. Posted by Alex Presland on 03/11/2012 |
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Junction Inn Re-opens
The much anticipated reopening of the Junction Inn happened on the 7th September. Following the fire the bar has been refurbished, but keeping all the features that make this the Junction Inn. The beer range has been supplemented by up to five local ales. We wish Dawn and Martin continued success. Posted by Graeme Hilton on 18/09/2012 |
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2013 GBG Launched at the Platform Tavern
Thursday 13th September saw the official launch of the 2013 Good Beer Guide. To promote the Guide, members of the Southern Hampshire Branch went to the Platform Tavern and presented landlord Stewart Cross with a complimentary copy of the Guide. As well as sampling Dancing Man (the pub’s microbrewery) Cloud Cuckoo, the new wheat beer, customers had the opportunity to buy the new guide at a bargain introductory price. Posted by Pete Horn on 14/09/2012 |
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Woolston 2012 Tickets on sale
Tickets for Woolston Beer Festival 2012 went onsale today. Get them quickly as they have sold out rapidly in previous years. There is a correction due on the newsletter which incorrectly says the Waterloo Arms is selling tickets, whilst missing the Guide Dog. We do apologise - for correct and up to date information please see the Woolston Beer Festival website. Posted by Rob Bennett on 05/09/2012 |
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Flowerpots Brewery presented awards
Southern Hampshire CAMRA paid a visit to the Flowerpots Inn and Brewery to present Brewer Catherine Bate with two certificates. One for winning Beer of the Festival at the Woolston Beer Festival, and another for winning the Bitter category of the London and South East round of the Champion Beer of Britain competition. The winning beer, Flowerpots Bitter, went on to scoop joint bronze in the national competition at the Great British Beer Festival. Posted by Graeme Hilton on 18/08/2012 |
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The SS Shieldhall presented with Southampton Beer Festival donation
The generous customers of Southampton Beer Festival donated nearly £900 to the SS Shieldhall, the largest remaining working steamship in Britian, which is based in Southampton Docks. Rob Whatley (Festival Organiser) and other CAMRA volunteers presented a cheque in the ship’s bridge on 4th August 2012. The SS Shieldhall is a heritage ship which runs excursions, during which the seafarers can sample a wide range of bottled real ales in the well-stocked bar. Posted by Pete Horn on 04/08/2012 |
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Hop Press - May 2012 is out
Over 3000 copies of our branch magazine are being delivered to our local pubs, but you can read it now, on-line here. Posted by Pete Horn on 09/05/2012 |
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New Southampton Beer Festival website launches
After many years of including the Southampton Beer Festival site on these pages, we've decided that it deserves its own website. The new site launches today at http://www.southamptonbeerfestival.org.uk/. We hope by doing this that the information will be more clearly presented for our customers, rather than a single (long!) page on this site. Posted by Alex Presland on 10/04/2012 |
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Pub of the year vote
This year we are again running our Pub of the Year voting online to enable as many members as possible to participate. UPDATE: The 2012 winner is the Guide Dog, Earls Road, Southampton. See our Awards Page for this and the previous winners. Posted by Alex Presland on 13/03/2012 |
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Hop Press - October 2011 published
The latest issue of Hop Press has been published, with over 3000 copies on their way out to pubs. You can read it on-line here. Posted by Alex Presland on 25/10/2011 |
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Jubilee Sailing Trust Presented with Southampton Beer Festival donations
The generous customers of Southampton Beer Festival donated nearly £1000 to the Jubilee Sailing Trust. Rob Whatley (Festival Organiser) and other CAMRA volunteers presented a cheque to the Jubilee Sailing Trust on 23rd June. Posted by Alex Presland on 13/07/2011 |
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Hop Press - May 2011 published
Over 3000 copies of our branch magazine are being delivered to our local pubs, but you can read it now, on-line here. Posted by Pete Horn on 12/05/2011 |
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Southampton Beer Festival 2011 - Postal tickets OPEN!
We are now OPEN for Postal Ticket sales for Southampton Beer Festival 2011. Early ticket requests received through the post will be processed by late April (when tickets will be available in outlets). The Southampton Beer Festival webpage has been updated with more ticket information. Posted by Alex Presland on 02/04/2011 |
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Pub of the Year 2011
Following over two months of online voting and voting in person at our February and March branch meetings, we are pleased to announce that our Pub of the Year 2011 is the Wheatsheaf Inn, Shedfield. Please see the pub of the year page for more information. Posted by Alex Presland on 28/03/2011 |
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SIBA is Proud of British Beer
SIBA, the Society of Independent Brewers, has launched a video showing that it is Proud of British Beer. Twitter users can follow the thread #proudofbeer. Posted by Alex Presland on 14/03/2011 |
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Southampton Beer Festival 2011
Initial details of this year's Southampton Beer Festival are now available. Posted by Alex Presland on 01/03/2011 |
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Pub of the year vote
This year we are running our Pub of the Year voting online to enable as many members as possible to participate. Posted by Rob Bennett on 19/01/2011 |
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146 Cider Presented First Award
Earlier this year at Southampton Beer Festival, customers voted the "Howat Dry Cider" from Southampton's cider producer 146 Cider as the best cider of the festival. The Hop Inn, Bitterne Park hosted the presentation which had to be postponed a number of times - the last of which when it snowed heavily a week before. We hope that this will be the first of many awards for 146 Cider. The apples used in the production of the cider are grown locally, near Hedge End, making Howat Dry Cider a truly local product. The award was presented by Rob Whatley, organiser of Southampton Beer Festival 2010. Posted by Alex Presland on 19/12/2010 |
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Save the Forest Heath Hotel Campaign
A change of use planning application went in on 4th October and there is only a short time to lodge objections to this. A public meeting will be held in Sway Village Hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday 27th October. See our campaign page for details. Posted by Pete Horn on 23/10/2010 |
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Woolston Beer Festival 8th & 9th October
The first Woolston Beer Festival was a huge success with all tickets sold out in advance. Over 2000 pints of beer and 150 pints of cider were consumed, leaving just 5 beers and one cider left at the end. Our 412 customers also raised £365.91 for our charity 'Hearing Dogs for the Deaf' – a tremendous achievement. Beer of the Festival was Downton Quadhop. Posted by Pete Horn on 13/10/2010 |
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Hampshire Beer of the Year 2010 Results Announced
Hampshire Beer of the Year 2010 was again judged at the Hampshire Octoberfest. Every single Hampshire-brewed cask beer was blind tasted on Friday evening, with the final being held on Saturday 2nd October. The final results were:
Posted by Alex Presland on 03/10/2010 |
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Hop Press - October 2010 published.
Over 3000 copies of our branch magazine are being delivered to our local pubs, but you can read it now, on-line here. Posted by Pete Horn on 02/10/2010 |
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Friends Celebrate Hilary Jazuk
Hilary Jazuk sadly passed away on 10th August 2010. She spent many years as a highly active member in the Southern Hampshire branch of CAMRA, including being our Chairman and Social Secretary, until being struck down by a stroke. She was still active in branch activities (especially brewery trips) for a long time after this. A significant number of people were present at a service to remember Hilary at Southampton Crematorium on Monday 23rd August, and afterwards at the Guide Dog. Bowman Ales generously donated some casks of Swift One, which was sold as "Hilary's Half" with proceeds going to charity. The money made from this and other donations in the Guide Dog raised over £400 for Wessex Cancer Trust. Further donations can be made through J Lawrence Undertakers. Posted by Alex Presland on 06/09/2010 |
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Southampton Sight Sees Festival Drinkers' Charity
£900 was raised at Southampton Beer Festival 2010 for Southampton Sight. The cheque was presented to Tom McInulty and his guide dog Brunel at the Wellington Arms. Posted by Pete Horn on 29/07/2010 |
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Hop Press Crossword - Correction!
Hop Press Crossword (June 2010) - unfortunately a printing disaster has led to the printed crossword being incorrect. You can download the correct crossword from here. And if you downloaded before noon on 29th May the length of the 'U' clue should be changed to 6. Posted by Alex Presland on 29/05/2010 |
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