North Surrey

Campaign for Real Ale

News

  • CAMRA GOOD BEER GUIDE 2025 PUBLISHED Thursday 26 September 2024

    The UK’s best-selling beer and pub guide is celebrating its 52nd edition with not one but two covers featuring two of the UK’s most well known if mythical locals. The Guide, which surveys 4,500 of the best pubs across the UK, is the definitive beer drinker’s guide for those seeking the best pints in the nation’s pubs. Available now via Good Beer Guide 2025. Also available in webapp form.

    All pubs included are selected by local CAMRA members. An enjoyable task, why not join in for next edition? See Beer Scoring and GBG for more info.

  • CASK ALE - ALL THE WAY FROM THE USofA Friday 20 September 2024

    Thames Side Brewery have received some very special one off CASK ALES all the way from the US of A. These would normally have gone to GBBF but following it's cancellation, have been distributed around UK organisers of NERAX, the New England Real Ale Exhibition in Boston, of which Thames Side Brewery is one. The six casks include three different ones from Backbeat Brewing in Beverley, Massachusetts, with whom Andy has done several collaborations, and three from other New England breweries.

    The transport costs and taxes are substantial, so beer price will reflect this, even though Andy basically knocking it out at cost price to him. This will be a unique opportunity as US brewers generally only produce cask beers twice a year, for NERAX & GBBF, and will be worth paying for. They will be on as special guest beers at Thames Side Brewery so keep an eye out.

  • WALTON VILLAGE BEERFEST REPORT Saturday 14 September 2024

    We had a good turnout at the The Walton Village pub Beer, Whisky and Cheese Festival, with not all of our group in the photo. Several excellent ales were tried, as well as some interesting cheese and grape combinations. There was no entry fee, and ales were £2.50 a half, a reasonable price for ales in this neck of the woods. Why show the price per half rather than pint? Well the Siren Craft Imperial Coffee Stout was 9%, very nice, see Walton Village PubFest Beer List, but a pint will have been too much for some. I don't think anyone tried any of the interesting sounding whiskies, maybe next time!

  • PUBS - USE IT OR LOSE IT Thursday 12 September 2024

    CAMRA promotes responsible drinking and recognises the harmful effects of excessive levels of alcohol consumption. Fundraising and awareness campaigning from charities which seeks to reduce harmful alcohol consumption should be welcomed. However, we do not believe that these present a complete solution to harmful drinking, as they remove trade from pubs and clubs, where the sale and consumption of alcohol is controlled and in a community setting.

    We campaign to ensure that consumers are presented with a balanced view on the debate around alcohol harm and responsible drinking and, and believe pubs and social clubs are the safest place to drink. Given the financial pressures currently faced by the trade, it is particularly important that consumers visit and support their local pubs and clubs, where there also lots of non-alcohol alternatives.

  • CLUB OF THE YEAR 2024 UPDATE Wednesday 14 August 2024

    Our very own Egham United Services Club is through to the Super Regional Round of the Club Mirror/CAMRA Club of the Year Competition, aka the Last 16. To see who our competitors are within our Super Region, see Club of the Year 2024 - Last 16. The winner of each Super Region will form the last 4 going through to the final Club Mirror Club of the Year Awards 2024 on 27th November. Good luck to all .... but especially the Egham United Services Club!

    Above picture shows local CAMRA members enjoying a pint or two at one of their many Beer Festivals.

  • HARVEY'S BREWERY UNVEILS PELLS PALE Monday 22 July 2024

    Harvey's Brewery has launched Pells Pale Ale, named after the Sussex word for a body of water, in this case drawn up from their own artesian wells. Produced with Motueka and UK hops, Pells Pale is described as hop forward, with citrus aromas, a fruity palate, and a subtly bitter finish. Who'll be the first to find and try it? Let us know if you do.

  • NEWS & ALE - SUMMER 2024 Friday 19 July 2024

    The latest edition of our CAMRA magazine News & Ale should be hitting a pub near you anytime now. It is kindly produced by our neighbours in Surrey Hants Borders Branch, and covers all four Surrey CAMRA Branch areas including ours.

    I know the editor is always looking for content, so if you have anything you think might be of interest, please Contact Branch.

  • WINDSOR WANDER Monday 1 July 2024

    On Saturday 29th June, several members enjoyed our latest Windsor Walkabout. We met up at the King & Castle , right opposite Windsor Castle. Fortunately beer choice in downstairs bar was better than the main one, which is probably aimed at huge tourist numbers nearby. Things picked up when we strolled out to the Windsor Trooper which had a wide selection of ales, friendly charming staff, and a patio to enjoy the unusual sunshine. We followed up with the Hoppy Place with some great beers, and where a credit card is particularly useful. We then did the Windsor Beer Mile which involved the well established Windsor & Eton Brewery,. Also the new kids on the block (well under the arches) Two Flints Brewery and adjacent Indie Rabble Taproom.

    A great day, but where shall we go next? Got an idea, please Contact Branch.

  • HAMPTON BEER FESTIVAL 2024 Monday 3 June 2024

    This annual pint sized festival took place in the 1st Hampton Hill Sea Scout's Hut in Hampton on 3st May/1st June. There was a good selection of beers, mostly local, and all very reasonably priced at £3.90 a pint, as well as fresh food from the scout BBQ, and a decent looking cheese platter. There is seating in the hall and in garden, and fortunately the weather stayed dry. A nice little festival, and all the money raised goes to charity.