Fenland News
27/10/2011 - Red Lion, Stickford
18/10/2011 - Branch Emails
18/10/2011 - Nottingham Beer Festival
07/10/2011 - 2012 Good Beer Guide Launch
06/10/2011 - 8 Sail "Threshing Weekend" Festival
19/08/2011 - Bank Holiday Beer Festivals
02/07/2011 - Heckington "Beers of Lincolnshire" Festival
12/06/2011 - Sleaford Brewery Open Day
29/05/2011 - Red Lion, Stickford
26/05/2011 - Rob Rowling
11/05/2011 - Trip to Elgoods Brewery
06/05/2011 - Heckington Mini-Beer Festival
30/04/2011 - Fenman Abroad again!
25/03/2011 - Sleaford & Heckington Beers Available
21/03/2011 - New Beer Festivals Page
04/03/2011 - Robin Hood & Little John, Aslackby
04/03/2011 - Brennans Bar, Spalding
04/03/2011 - Pubs Closed
02/03/2011 - Ivy Wall, Spalding
12/02/2011 - Leila Cottage Brewery, Ingoldmells
08/02/2011 - Chequers, Spalding (Mulberry Bar)
26/01/2011 - New Brewery for Sleaford
27/12/2010 - Website updated
17/12/2010 - Christmas Social
02/12/2010 - Chequers, Spalding (Mulberry Bar)
01/12/2010 - Thatched Cottage, Sutterton - 8 Sail Brewery
23/11/2010 - Moon under Water, Boston
13/10/2010 - The Thatched Cottage, Sutterton
13/10/2010 - Moon under Water, Boston
27/09/2010 - The Bell, Halton Holegate
13/09/2010 - The Moore's Arms, Frampton
23/08/2010 - The Wheatsheaf, Hubberts Bridge
29/06/2010 - The Thatched Cottage, Sutterton
10/03/2010 - Coach & Horses, Boston
05/03/2010 - Hundleby Inn, Hundleby
15/01/2010 - Draymans Arms, Spalding
18/12/2009 - The Granary, Long Sutton
18/12/2009 - The Thatched Cottage, Sutterton
07/12/2009 - Golden Fleece, Wigtoft
17/11/2009 - Draymans Arms, Spalding
16/11/2009 - Ship Albion, Spalding
04/11/2009 - Horncastle Community Members Squash Club
08/10/2009 - The Gardeners Arms, Spalding
29/09/2009 - White Hart, Old Leake
22/09/2009 - The Angel, Horncastle
Red Lion, Stickford
Over the weekend of 1st October, the Red Lion at
Stickford held their Lincolnshire Day Beer Festival. Nick
Wilkinson, the landlord writes:The Lincolnshire Day Beer Festival weekend was a great success. We thought we may have over ordered with 1200 pints in the cellar. As Saturday went by we then got a little worried that we may not have enough, the glorious weather had brought hundreds out over the weekend. As the last person left the pub on Sunday evening, I pulled myself a well earned ! pint out of the last barrel on, went in to the cellar and found it was the last pint left. You couldn't write a story like that and believe it. Thanks to all who turned up. Batemans Victory was voted favourite beer, closely followed by Old Diabolical.
Wed 7th December sees Batemans XB, DM, Tom Woods Bomber County and Dixons Old Diabolical on, with Carol Kane singing country and folk on Sat 10th.
(27/10/2011)
Branch Emails
Heather Girdlestone has advised that she is getting a number of undelivered email advices from members who had previously provided their addresses to receive branch news. If you have changed your email address recently, please let Heather know so that we can update the mailing list.(18/10/2011)
Nottingham Beer Festival
Some of our members took the opportunity to visit the Nottingham Beer Festival. A report on the day is featured here(18/10/2011)
2012 Good Beer Guide Launch
Fenland Branch is holding its Good Beer Guide launch on Saturday 15th October. The event will be held at two of this year's guide entry pubs, starting at 12noon to 2pm at the Moon Under Water in Boston, followed by the Carpenters Arms, Boston from 4pm to 6pm.(07/10/2011)
8 Sail "Threshing Weekend" Festival
8 Sail Brewery had another of their excellent festivals over the weekend 30th September - 2nd October.(06/10/2011)
Bank Holiday Beer Festivals
As the Bank Holiday approaches, why not visit one of the many beer festivals taking place. Within the branch area there are festivals at Horncastle and Hubberts Bridge, and just outside, the Peterborough Festival.(19/08/2011)
Heckington "Beers of Lincolnshire" Festival
8 Sail Brewery is holding a beer festival to coincide with the Heckington Show weekend - 29th to 31st July. Beers will be coming from all over the county.(02/07/2011)
Sleaford Brewery Open Day
Sleaford Brewery is holding an open day from 10am to 10pm on Saturday 25th June. Chris Smith, the brewer writes:After starting brewing in January Sleaford Brewery is already working at capacity and has forged a reputation for quality craft brewed beers. The brewery is having its Official Opening on Saturday 25th June 10am to 10pm and will of course feature a Real Ale Bar and its new little shop. Our main beers.. Pleasant Pheasant, Midnight Runner, Cats Eyes IPA and Sleaford Pale casks will be cooled down ready with the new Hedgerow Silver (Elderflower Beer) and Hedgerow Gold (Honey Beer) joining them. This really is craft brewing at its best, come down and try the beers.
Members from local CAMRA branches are invited to attend.
(12/06/2011)
Red Lion, Stickford
The Red Lion Stickford, just off the A16 between Boston and Spilsby, reopened last December. An old fashioned country pub with Batemans XB as a regular, plus local guest ales. The pub welcomes musicians who just want to drop in and play. The pub is open from 7pm on Wednesday and Thursday, 6pm Friday and Saturday, and 12noon to 3pm and 7pm onwards on Sunday. Closed Monday and Tuesday.The pub is planning a Lincolnshire Beer Fest, over the weekend of Saturday 1st October (Lincolnshire Day), the plan being six Lincolnshire Beers with some fun and games and a live band or two. Further information is available from Nick and Marion Wilkinson, redlion.inn.stickford@hotmail.co.uk.
(29/05/2011)
Rob Rowling
Fenland members and CAMRA members further afield will have been saddened to have learned of the death of Rob Rowling. (more)(26/05/2011)
Trip to Elgoods Brewery
Surfleet Ladybirds are organising a trip to Elgoods Brewery and Gardens in Wisbech on Tuesday 14th June. There are spaces available, and CAMRA members are invited to join them. The coach goes from Surfleet Village Hall (which has parking) at 11 am and returning approx 6-6.30pm. The cost is £15.50 for coach, brewery and gardens. Lunch is extra. If you are interested in going, please contact Heather Girdlestone on 01775 821130.(11/05/2011)
Heckington
Mini-Beer Festival
There is a mini-beer festival at the 8 Sail Brewery over the Spring
Bank Holiday, featuring beers from local breweries. The May
branch social will
start with a visit to the festival on Friday night, followed by a visit
to other Heckington pubs. (06/05/2011)
Fenman Abroad again!
Our reporter has spent a week in Shropshire discovering a wealth of real ales...(read on)(30/04/2011)
Sleaford & Heckington Beers Available
Sleaford Brewery and 8-Sail Brewery will have their beers for sale in bottles at the Sleaford Farmers Market on Saturday 2nd April. Your chance to try these new beers, and support our local breweries.(25/03/2011)
New Beer Festivals Page
A new Beer Festival page has been added, giving details of local festivals that may be of interest to Branch Members (see link on right). If you know of a local festival which will have a range of Real Ales, please let us know the details.(21/03/2011)
Robin Hood & Little John, Aslackby
The pub has now re-opened, after having been closed for a couple of years. While very much a food establishment, it has three real ales on offer: Batemans XB, Greene King Abbot, and a guest beer, which last week was from Oldershaws.(04/03/2011)
Brennans Bar, Spalding
This venue has now re-opened, but with no real ale available.(04/03/2011)
Pubs Closed
Two pubs in our area have now closed and been converted into shops. The Victoria, Southgate, Sleaford is about to open as a heating supplier, and the Kings Head, Emery Lane, Boston is now a party dress shop.(04/03/2011)
Ivy
Wall, Spalding
The Ivy Wall has ceased giving a discount on production of a CAMRA
membership card. The staff at the Ivy Wall apologise for this,
which is due to a new national tills system which does not allow for
discounted prices. Wetherspoons CAMRA vouchers continue to be
accepted as normal. (02/03/2011)
Leila Cottage Brewery, Ingoldmells
Leila Cottage have now completed their 100th brew calling it "Leila's One Off". It is a 5.1% ABV dark ale with a distinctive chocolate after taste. Very smooth! It is now available at their bar in the Countryman and will be available in bottles soon.
(12/02/2011)
Chequers, Spalding (Mulberry Bar)
The Chequers in Spalding has put its prices up by 10p per pint and is doing value for money snacks and light meals, except on Sundays. The owners have also leased Brennans bar from the bank and are awaiting alterations to be completed and expect to reopen the bar in early March.
(08/02/2011)
New Brewery for Sleaford
The Sleaford Brewery hopes to start brewing within the next few
weeks. Based in a new unit on the Enterprise Park in Sleaford,
work on equipping the brewery is well underway. You can follow
progress on the brewery's website
http://hopmeup.co.uk. (26/01/2011)
Website updated
Regular users will notice a new look to our website. The News section has been moved from the Pubs page to allow us to post news on all sorts of beer related topics. Please make use of the submission system to let us know your latest news. Behind the scenes, a major reorganisation of the website has taken place to allow for easier updating as the content expands. Hopefully all the links work correctly, but if you come across an error, please let us know.(27/12/2010)
Christmas Social
About 25 Fenland festive fun seekers braved the winter weather to the Duke of York, Gosberton Risegate to sample Phil's beer selection of Rosey Nosey, Ossett Turkey Trauma, XB & Black Sheep - all in excellent form as usual. A mammoth spread was prepared by Sue which the beery bunch did their best to do justice to.Ena ran the raffle with bottles of best for prizes and Dave organised a visual quiz which had the heads scratching on beers & breweries (high scores indicating Fen folk spending too much quality time in pubs - all in the cause of research no doubt!).
Many thanks to Phil & Sue for their hospitality and an excellent night out.
(17/12/2010)
Chequers, Spalding (Mulberry Bar)
The Chequers in Spalding is doing Adnams bitter at £2.00 and Everards Tiger at £2.40. The Adnams is reported as always being excellent. The pub is open midday until late, Tuesday to Sunday.(02/12/2010)
Thatched Cottage, Sutterton - 8 Sail Brewery
Our intrepid local brewer, Tony Pygott, has been braving the elements and delivering casks far and wide. Of particular note are his trips to Hemingby, north of Horncastle (plenty of snow there!) and, more locally, to the Thatched Cottage at Sutterton. Yes folks, the classic 8 Sail Victorian Porter, brewed to an authentic nineteenth century recipe, and which wowed the punters at the Nottingham Beer Festival has arrived in the Fens. Be a pioneer, leave your fireside, beat a path to the "Thatch" and ENJOY!
(01/12/2010) Moon under Water, Boston
Wetherspoon's (Boston....Tel 01205 311911) is organising a trip to Bateman's Brewery on Tuesday 7th December leaving at 6.00pm. The cost (£22) includes transport both ways, brewery tour, supper (pie, mash and mushy peas) and two pints. Contact the pub if you are interested.(23/11/2010)
The Thatched Cottage, Sutterton
The Reverend James will be revisiting the Thatched Cottage, Sutterton soon (via Brain's of Cardiff) and is expected to proselytise until Christmas. When he was here earlier in the year he made many converts who remain loyal to the cause.(13/10/2010)
Moon under Water, Boston
Everard's Original is now available at the Moon Under Water, Boston. Several people on last Sunday's walk sampled this beer in Barnack and rated it highly.(13/10/2010)
The Bell, Halton Holegate
The Bell is holding a beer festival on 2nd October. Mike, the landlord tells us that he will be having 5 or 6 ales on, depending on whether his new hand pull arrives in time. He’ll also have Leffe and either Old Rosie or Weston’s Traditional Scrumpy on offer, as well as a BBQ.(27/09/2010)
The Moore's Arms, Frampton
The Moore's Arms features as
the second of our Pub Spotlights(13/09/2010)
The Wheatsheaf, Hubberts Bridge
The Wheatsheaf is holding its second beer festival over the August Bank Holiday Weekend starting on Friday 27th August, with 12+ Real Ales and Cider. The following beers should be available:Wells, Bombardier 4.3; Bateman, XB 3.7*; Bateman, XXXB 4.8*; Bateman, Summer Swallow 3.9*; Cotleigh, Barn Owl 4.5; Black Sheep, Black Sheep Ale 4.4; St Austell, Tribute 4.2; Swaton, Dozy Bull 4.5**; Fullers, London Pride 4.1; Adnam, Broadside 4.7; Wadworth, 6X 4.3; Tom Woods, Shepherd’s Delight 4.0*; Thwaites, Lancaster Bomber 4.4; Thornbridge, Jaipur IPA 5.9; 8 Sail, 8 Sail Ale 3.8**
* = Lincolnshire Brewery; ** = Local Brewery (Swaton and Heckington)Live music on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, and Sunday afternoon. Further details on their website http://www.thewheatsheafinn.org
(23/08/2010)
The Thatched Cottage,
Sutterton
We have an update for the
Thatched Cottage which we reported on last
December. Unfortunately, the prices have had to go up and the
current beer list reads as follows......John Smith's Cask
(£2.40), Theakston's Best Bitter (£2.40), Courage Directors
£2.60) and the guest ale £2.50-£2.70.(29/06/2010)
Coach & Horses, Boston
Kim Wilkinson, the
landlady of the Coach &
Horses, Main Ridge,
Boston advises that they are holding a Charity Quiz Night on
Thursday 25th March, at 8pm. Proceeds go towards sick
children. Beers on are XB, GHA &
Dark Mild. There is no need
to pre book, just turn up on the night. If you have any queries
ring 01205 362301.
(10/03/2010)
Hundleby Inn, Hundleby
Steve, the landlord at the Hundleby Inn, says that there is a "Meet the Brewer" event on at the pub on 1st April from 7pm, when Everards Brewery will be bringing several pins of their flagship ales along for sampling and a chat etc. There will be some refreshments - Steve says probably a pie & a pint for £5.In order to let Steve know of numbers in advance, could you please let Dave Mellor know if you are intending to go. (See Report)
(05/03/2010)
Draymans Arms, Spalding
We reported in November that the Draymans Arms had recently re-opened. One of our members visited recently, and reports that it has been spruced up inside and is cosy "locals" pub. He was pleased to report that there is Batemans XB on handpump (not commonly found around the Spalding area to his knowledge) and it was on good form and good value at £2.20!...worth a visit from any Spalding members.(15/01/2010)
The Granary, Long Sutton
Sean
&
Paula
Portas re-opened the
old Corn Exchange in Long Sutton as the Granary Hotel a year ago, after much
and tasteful refurbishment. Many said
their
initial good trade would fade after Christmas 08, but it has maintained
its excellent food and drink standards and is prospering well, despite
all we hear about pubs closing. The Granary features live music,
and for jazz fans, there are sessions on the last Wednesday of every
month. One real ale is available, changing on a regular
basis. More details available from their website www.thegranaryhotel.co.uk
The Thatched Cottage,
Sutterton
The Thatched Cottage at
Sutterton has just increased its real
ale range
to four and decreased its prices! From between £2.20
and £2.40 you can
have John Smith's Cask and Courage Directors as regular
beers together
with, currently, Elgood's Wisbech Winter Ale and Theakston's XB
(which
may be alternated with Black Bull or Best Bitter). If all the
cask ales
run out together, you have the choice of Theakston's Dark and
Murphy's
Stout on keg as well as some sort of fizzy lager and cider.(18/12/2009)
Golden
Fleece,
Wigtoft
The Golden Fleece features in
the first of our Pub
Spotlights. (07/12/2009)
Draymans Arms, Spalding
The Draymans Arms, 44 Little London, Spalding has recently re-opened and is serving Batemans XB. Opening hours are 12 midday to 11pm.(17/11/2009)
Ship Albion, Spalding
The Ship Albion in Albion Street, Spalding opens on Monday November 23rd at 5pm after a considerable period of closure. It will be run by Steve Moore, one time landlord of the White Horse.(16/11/2009)
Horncastle Community Members Squash Club
CAMRA branch member Tim Verdon reports on a club at Horncastle that manages to retain real ale through careful management, as a contrast to other clubs and pubs who don't sell vast amounts of draft beer and therefore give up on the cask beer. Learn how they do it!(04/11/2009)
The Gardeners Arms, Spalding
Stuart
Wright
from
The
Gardeners
Arms,
Springfields
Outlet
Shopping
&
Festival
Gardens,
Spalding
reports
that
at present they have 3
real ales on at any time from local micro
breweries, such as Oakham Ales, Elgoods, Tydd Steam, Poachers,
Hopshackle, Blue Bell. They occasionally have other UK micro brewery
beers. In addition to the ales they stock 3 very local real ciders in
bottles - Spalding Scrumpy & YellowBelly and The Beeches - Dry
cider (Weston Hills). (08/10/2009)
White Hart, Old Leake
Ron Wheatley, the
licensee of the White Hart in Old Leake, hopes the
sale of a beer brewed exclusively for him by local brewery
Batemans will help him meet his target of raising £10,000 for the
British Heart Foundation, with 20p from each pint going to the
charity. The 4% ABV beer is called the Queen of Hearts. Item from September What's
Brewing.
(29/09/2009)
The Angel, Horncastle
This pub was selected by the branch for the 2010 Good Beer Guide. However a recent visit has found that the pub has closed and is up for sale. We will arrange for a deletion to be shown in What's Brewing.(22/09/2009)