COMMENT FROM THE EDITOR  

Comment                

In these hard times for the licensed trade it is vital that the customers gain a good impression at first point of contact with staff, unfortunately at too many public houses they don't. Of course an individual licensee cannot 'man' their particular bar at all times, slovenly employees will cost them money. All bar staff working in pubs serving traditional beer by hand-pump should be taught how to use the system correctly, by using minimum effort and creating less spillage. It should be possible to dispense a pint in five 'pulls' at most.

Bradford, Aire, Wharfe & National News                                               Back to top  

CALEDONIAN BREWERY BOUGHT BY S&NUK

Written by: Andrew Pring - Morning Advertiser  11/4/2008 Caledonian Brewing Company (CBC), the Deuchars brewer run by Steve Crawley, has been bought out by S&NUK for an undisclosed sum. CBC's brewery in Edinburgh was bought by S&N in 2004. At the same time it took a 30% share in the company and was given first option to buy if CBC ever wished to sell. Brewing of McEwan's ales was transferred to CBC when S&N closed its Fountainbridge brewery. In what is likely to prove its last deal before Heineken takes over, S&N has now taken control of the entire operation. Crawley, who has been at the company for 15 years, will remain at the helm of Caledonian, reporting to S&NUK managing director Jeremy Blood. His founding directors Sandy Orr, Donald MacDonald and Denis Critchley-Salmonson will stand down, and a new Caledonian board will be formed. He told Morning Advertiser: "It's great that Caledonian Brewery is surviving under S&N. We've had some great success with Deuchars, but this gives us a chance to reach many more outlets. "And we'll be stronger in the off trade and overseas." Harviestoun Brewery, in which Crawley has a stake, remains independent. No jobs are believed to have been lost at CBC.                                                             HARVIESTOUN BREWERY KEEPS ITS INDEPENDENCE   ThePublican.com Long-term shareholders have bought Harviestoun Brewery from Caledonian Brewing Company (CBC) to ensure its independence in the wake of the Scottish & Newcastle takeover. Founder shareholders in CBC Sandy Orr, Donald MacDonald and long term shareholder Stephen Crawley, have bought the brewery. Chris Miller, who has now been appointed managing director at Harviestoun, said: "It is very much business as usual here but obviously we are delighted with this turn of events. "Although we operated as an independent business this reinforcement of our status will be well-received by beer enthusiasts and opinion-formers everywhere. "Our aim is simply to keep making exceptional award winning beers that people enjoy drinking."  Back to top MANSFIELD BREWERY REMAINS TO BE DEMOLISHED, story Morning Advertiser  11/4/2008 Work to demolish the old Mansfield Brewery in Nottinghamshire will begin on 21 April. The news follows a series of vandalism acts, including a fire, at the brewery, which shut in 2001 after 146 years of brewing. "Mansfield Brewery has dominated Mansfield's skyline for many years and was once a major employer in the town, so in some ways, announcing its demolition is a sad day for the area," said council executive mayor Tony Egginton. "However, the site has fallen into severe dereliction over recent years and has become an eyesore that needs removing."

PLANNING APPLICATION FOR FORMER BREWERY ARMS, KEIGHLEY

Brewery Arms when leased to Clarks Brewery c1988, then called The Boon's Arms.

The Brewery Arms, Longcroft, Keighley, was closed in 2007 and little appears to have been done to the property since then apart from the removal of the pub's signs. Planning applications to Bradford Council for the week ending 28 March 2008 include one from Dr Aziz Ahmad Hafiz, Eldwick, for the Brewery Arms (application No: 08/ 01617/ COU) for change of use from A4 (Public House) to D1 (Community Centre / Place of Worship). Objections should be addressed to the Case Officer: Peter Timbrell, email planning.keighley@bradford.gov.uk Back to top

HOBGOBLIN BREWER BOUGHT BY MARSTON’S

By Adam Withrington, 3/4/2008  ThePublican.com Marston’s has announced it has acquired Refresh UK which owns the Wychwood Brewery, brewer of Hobgoblin and Brakspear. The acquisition is consistent with Marston’s strategy of developing a portfolio of premium beer brands to complement the Marston’s range, led by Marston’s Pedigree. This purchase by Marston’s follows the company’s acquisitions of Jennings in 2005 and Ringwood in 2007. Marston’s has said it is committed to continuing the operation of the acquired Wychwood Brewery in Witney. Refresh is the UK's biggest brewer of organic ales, including Duchy Original organic for the Prince of Wales, and its portfolio also includes classic brown ale Mann's. Alistair Darby, managing director of Marston’s Beer Company said: "We are delighted to welcome Refresh to Marston’s. We plan to develop the brand as part of our desire to meet increasing consumer demand for premium ales with strong provenance and heritage. "We are looking to repeat the successes of the acquisitions of Jennings and Ringwood." Rupert Thompson, managing director of Refresh UK added: "Refresh has achieved a great deal since it was founded eight years ago. It is now the number three supplier of premium bottled ales to supermarkets. And Hobgoblin is one of the fastest growing premium ales in the UK." Refresh UK was formed in 2000 and brews 50,000 barrels of beer a year. And in the year ending May 31 2007 the business turned over £24.9m, making a profit of £1.1m. The purchase price is thought to be between £10 and £11 million.                                                       Back to top

PUNCH PUTS THE WHEATLEY HOTEL ON THE MARKET

Punch Taverns, Jubilee House, Second Avenue, Burton upon Trent Staffordshire, DE14 2WF 17 March 2008 Dear Mr Toft, Re: Wheatley, Ben Rhydding Further to your recent postcard regarding the Wheatley, I wanted to let you know that, after serious consideration, we have taken the decision to sell our freehold interest in the Wheatley and will place it on the open market on Monday 15th March. I appreciate this is not what you wanted to hear but would like to reassure you that we have not taken this decision lightly. Thank you for your interest and concern. Yours sincerely, Giles Thornley Chief Executive A local brewery was interested in purchasing the Wheatley a few years ago, it is not yet known what the asking price is for the property. Back to top

PUZZLE HALL INN, SOWERBY BRIDGE

Puzzle Hall beer bottle label c1905 The Yorkshire Post reported on the 3/4/2008, that the Puzzle Hall Inn may be about to get a new lease of life. A spokesperson for the owners Punch Taverns said "It had not been abandoned and is definitely not for sale." Concerns were raised over the historic inn's future after it was broken into and targeted by thieves who stripped stone slates from its roof. Area business manager Heike Funke said: "There is a lot of work required before we can reopen the pub and our biggest concern is the living accommodation. We have had lots of offers but we want to find the right person for this pub." She added that the stolen slates have been recovered.

The Puzzle Hall in 1979 - Tyke Taverner picture According to the Sheffield brewer S. H. Ward Ltd; who owned the Puzzle for many years, the building dated from the early seventeenth century when the property served as a two-roomed dwelling house. The company stated that "Its doors opened for the consumption of home-brewed ale about a century later." The Hainsworth family is said to have owned the pub for at least two generations. In 1905, a Mrs. Lydia Platt, née Hainsworth, had a tower brewery built at the back of the pub. Her husband, John Platt, produced stout in the brewhouse until 1912. Unfortunately in that year he fell from the pub roof while carrying out repairs and died aged 38. Arthur Culpan succeeded to the business and he was followed by Jonathan Hesselden. Brewing ceased at the pub around 1932/33. In 1936 Ward‘s bought the inn for £1,500. Unfortunately Ward‘s ceased to brew in 1999 when the company‘s then owner, Vaux of Sunderland decided to exit brewing and transform into Swallow Hotels. The firm pubs were then disposed of.

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SUMMER CROSS SAVED FROM DEVELOPMENT......FOR NOW

By Matt Eley  ThePublican.com A campaign group is celebrating after winning a major battle in its attempt to save a West Yorkshire pub. Leeds City Council planners have thrown out a bid to knock down the Summer Cross pub in Otley and build 14 houses in its place. The pub, which recently won a Campaign For Real Ale award, was suddenly closed in October and then bought by property developer Chartford Homes. In a bid to protect the pub from redevelopment, campaigners including Otley MP Greg Mulholland formed the Save Our Summer Cross (SOS) group. Speaking after the council decision this week, he said: "This is great news and a real victory for the community. "I hope Chartford Homes will now accept that a development is not wanted here. They should have the good grace to walk away and allow someone to buy the Summer Cross and re-open it as a pub. "The good of the community must come before making money for developers and I hope that before too long the Summer Cross will be serving its community again, the way it did for so many years." SOS Chairman Shirley Lewis, said: "We’ve won a battle, not the war, but this just shows what a group of people can do if they really feel strongly about something." Local Councillor Graham Kirkland also hailed the decision. He said: "If they can't knock the pub down they can't proceed, end of story, so it is good news, although they could always try and convert it, of course, or appeal. "But for now it's Residents 1, Chartford Homes 0. It’s a bit like David against Goliath, or Barnsley against Chelsea." Back to top

OVER 20,000 ALREADY HAVE

  

EMAIL TO THE EDITOR

25/2/2008 Hi - Just a line or two to let you know what is going on at the Tap. The Brewery Tap up in Idle has been taken over some 18 months ago by myself and my mate Raymond, after cleaning the place up and getting the cask ale back up to standard, we are now offering on a weekly rotating basis on cask ales again which include at the moment Black Sheep, Spitfire, Bombardier, Old Speckled Hen, Abbot Ale. We will be getting in specialist guest ale each week soon as well as soon as we have sorted this out with Punch. Also coming soon will be Addlestones cider on draught and specialist lagers and beers in bottles. New customers get a 20p discount on there first pint. But all CAMRA members if they show there membership card to the bar staff can have a 10p discount on every pint bought. With live music and a warm and welcoming atmosphere plus a log fire we hope to bring The Brewery Tap back to a great real ale house. Regards, Gary      website - http://www.brewerytap.co.uk/

Silsden Pubs  - some of these pubs now have extended opening times

What's Brewing in May?                                                                                Back to top

Tyke Taverner - Bradford CAMRA's free beer magazine 

The May/June 2008 issue can be found at selected pubs in Bradford, Keighley, Halifax and Leeds districts.

Articles, pub & brewery news, up-to-date and times past, letters, pics galore, & etc....

Where to get one? Want to advertise? Contact the editor - David Boothroyd - Dave@Bradfordcamra.org.uk

Some issues of Tyke Taverner are available on Bradford CAMRA's Official site in PDF format.

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Spring 2008 is the current edition, it's available in over 200 pubs and clubs in Huddersfield & District.

Where to get one, contact Huddersfield & District CAMRA

Brewery News                                                                                                                    Back to top

COPPER DRAGON, Snaygill Industrial Estate, Keighley Road, Skipton.  Copper Dragon website  

Copper Dragon, has begun work on a new purpose-built £2.5m 120-barrel brewhouse which will more than double its output.
The first installation will be four state-of-the-art 60-barrel fermentation vessels, which will become the focal point of the new facility, which is scheduled for completion in August.
The new equipment will complement the existing set-up that has led to Copper Dragon becoming one of the region's favourite brewers since its creation in 2002. Its production increased six-fold in its first six years. The company sells around 4,000 casks a month to pubs and wholesalers throughout Cumbria, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Yorkshire.
Sales director Ruth Bennett said: "The new brewhouse will increase output by over 100 per cent enabling us to service our ever-increasing customer base."
- Details from Craven Herald 25/1/2008 & 21/3/2008

Tied houses:

Black Lane Ends (formerly Hare & Hounds), Skipton Old Road, Colne, Lancashire.
Blue Bell Hotel, Kettlewell.
Cross Roads Inn, Cross Roads, Keighley.
Masons Arms, 1, Bacup Road, Todmorden, West Yorkshire.
Shears Inn, Halifax.
Station Inn, Ribblehead.
Sun Inn, Back Colne Lane, Trawden, Lancashire.
Wharfeside Inn, Slaithwaite.

The business started by brothers Stephen & Robert Naylor at premises adjoining the Old White Bear.
In late 2006 they moved to Midland Mills, Station Road, Crosshills. An old industrial unit was converted into a brewhouse. Four fermenting vessels have been installed initially but this could eventually rise to a maximum of six. This will increase capacity from forty-five nine gallon casks per week to a capacity of 180 per week.

SALAMANDER BREWERY, Dudley Hill, Bradford.

Visit the Salamander Brewery website Back to top