Our monthly branch email to members. What's that? You're a member? and you're not receiving it? Head over to camra.org.uk, log in (your username is your membership number) and make sure you have an up to date email address in your contact details.
Hello from the Colchester Camra with news of what is going on and a few suggestions to keep you warm on these cold autumn nights
News – In brief and in no real order
- Hole in the Wall - has reopened
- Foundry Arms – Now stocking Colchester Brewery beers, last spotted was No 1, with Red Diesel next up.
- Fox and Fiddler - under new management
- The Swan at Chappel - under new management
New Real Ale Runabouts – up to next September – click on link for details
Look out for the India Overland!! Sorry! The Edwardstone Overland, it’s all just too exciting!!
Note - Runabouts will leave from Head Street, outside RBS, whilst the towns roads are being dug up.
Upcoming Events
Novemberfest at the Five Bells, Colne Engaine
Thursday, November 1st, 11:00am to Monday, November 5th - 11:00pm. Lots of ales to choose from. Drink them dry on the 5th, whatever's left must go!
November Runabout: Lamarsh & Bures Hamlet
(and an optional short walk to Bures St Mary). Thursday, November 8th, 2012 - 7:00pm
Informal trip to First Beccles Beer Festival at Beccles Public Hall, Free Admission
Friday 9th to Sunday 11th November meet at North Station main entrance at 10.25 to get 10.47 train and arrange 4 for 2 tickets
http://www.becclesbeerfestival.co.uk/
The New Inn Beer Festival
Friday, November 16, 2012 - 11:00am to Monday, November 19, 2012 - 11:00pm
A beer festival at the fine South Street establishment known as the New Inn.
Details are thin on the ground but it'll almost certainly involve a range of delicious beers, locally sourced or from further afield.
Victoria Inn Beer Fest - Saturday 17th November, 11am till close of business,
This event is strictly ticket only, available only from the Vic, advisable to book early. Ticket price £10.00 pp includes; 3 pints-worth of beer (beers will be served in 1/3 pint glasses, so plenty chance to try several. Unlimited buffet, Tutored tasting sessions, Brewing demonstrations, The 'Future Champions' Beer Festival is being held in association with the Shed Brewers - a branch of the Craft beer Association. Who knows, we may just find a future champion.
Last Friday Colchester Pub Crawl - Friday, November 30th,
8.00 George Hotel
8.45 Purple Dog
9.30 Marquis of Granby
10.15 Trotters
10th Harwich & Dovercourt Bay, Winter Ale Festival, CAMRA
Thursday 6th December 11.00 to Saturday 8th December 11.00 to 23.00
At the Kingsway Hall, Dovercourt 5 minutes from Dovercourt Station
http://www.tendringcamra.org.uk/harwichfest.html
December Runabout: Dedham & Bromley
Thursday, December 13 - 7:00pm
Branch Xmas Social – Live and Let Live Stanway
Friday, December 14, 2012 - 8:00pm
January Runabout: Feering, Feering & Feering – Be afeared, be very afeared.
Thursday, January 10, 7:00pm
6th Colchester Winter Beer Festival
Wednesday, January 23, 12:00pm to Saturday, January 26, 11:00am – 11.00pm
PETITION TO STOP THE BEER ESCALATOR
Well done to all who signed this and a big Thank You You did it!! As a result of so many CAMRA members getting involved and achieving 100,000 signatures on the "Stop the Beer Duty Escalator" e-petition, a debate has been secured in Parliament to question the effect this damaging policy is having on the beer and pub industry.
Colin Valentine, CAMRA National Chairman, comments
‘CAMRA was delighted to see the ground swell of support from MPs from all parties in today’s debate for a review of the damaging beer duty escalator. Passing a motion for the Government to conduct a thorough review of the economic and social impact of the escalator is a major step forward for the industry and sends out a clear message from inside Westminster that enough is enough.
‘At a time when Britain’s pub closure rate is back on the rise, any review must take into account the 5,800+ pubs which have closed since the Government’s punitive escalator system was introduced in 2008. It must also be reinforced that further planned increases will bring in no additional revenue for the next 3 years, and will only serve the purpose of harming many communities across Britain when their local pub is no longer able to run a viable business.
‘Building on the success of today’s debate, CAMRA will be upping the ante and looking ahead to its Mass Parliamentary Lobby on December 12th, where over 1,000 beer drinkers and pub goers will be descending upon Westminster to ensure MPs keep the pressure on Government to conduct a proper review and scrap the beer duty escalator.’
Beer Scores
You opinion counts!
We use beer scores in our Good Beer Guide selections and our Pub of the Year competition.
So any time you visit a pub throughout the year your opinion will be influencing the results of these competitions. We don't want to make GBG selections and POTY prizes on the basis of one visit to a pub or solely on a ballot of those members who happen to turn up one afternoon to a particular meeting
Excellent...details of how to score at www.colchestercamra.org.uk/beerscoring
How good was your Pint – Great or Awful - Let us know
Anyway that's all folks.
John 'The Membership' Howson