Thanet CAMRA | Campaign for Real Ale

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LOCAL NEWS - ROYAL VICTORIA PAVILION PRESENTED WITH AWARD - Added 17/06/19 1011

Chris and his team were presented with their certificate by our Chair Martin Knight on National Beer Day for being named Joint Winner in the Conversion to a Pub category of CAMRA's annual Pub Design Awards. Anybody who has visited the premises will appreciate the transformation from being one of the most at risk properties in the UK to being named Joint Winner. Wetherspoons have sympathetically restored this grade II listed building which has been in its time a concert hall/assembly rooms, a night club and a casino. For more details CLICK HERE

LOCAL NEWS - EAST KENT & WEST KENT PUBS OF THE YEAR ARE ANNOUNCED - Added 17/06/19 1022

Each of the 9 branch winners were visited by volunteer judges (East Kent visiting West Kent and vice versa) to determine which would be named Pub of the Year for East Kent and West Kent before going head to head to be named Kent Pub of the Year 2019. And the winners are;-

EAST KENT PUB OF THE YEAR 2019 = Swale CAMRA's Admiral's Arm, Queensborough CLICK HERE for more details

WEST KENT PUB OF THE YEAR 2019 = Medway CAMRA's 10:50 from Victoria, Strood CLICK HERE for more details

NATIONAL CAMPAIGN - #SUMMEROFPUB SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL THIS SUMMER - Added 22/05/19 1322

CAMRA launch a new campaign on Friday 24th May - the campaign is simple in it's aim as all you have to do is go to the pub with your friends and have a drink.

Nothing else, just go to the pub...……….we totally support that plan...!!

If you have any events planned then please email me This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact me through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram - I will promote it locally with the #summerofpub 

Let's get Thanet pubs buzzing but if you have events planned and would like big CAMRA to promote it then CLICK HERE to add it to the map and events section.

 

LOCAL NEWS - CIDER PUB OF THE YEAR PRESENTATION - Added 20/05/19 1129

Our Chair, Martin Knight, presented Gary and Julie from the Hair of the Dog in Minster with their certificate for being named Thanet CAMRA's Cider Pub of the Year for the second year running.

In a closely fought competition Mickey and Jim from the NauticAles in Northwood was named as runner up.

LOCAL NEWS - FORMER BOTTLE SHOP MARGATE RE-OPENS AS NIGHT SWIFT - Added 14/05/19 0708

It's great news, the premises formally known as Bottle Shop Margate which closed a little while ago has been re-opened with a new name. Night Swift will be offering more of the same fare i.e. fantastic craft beers on tap and in bottles. We wish you luck Steve and Charlie and we will be in very soon. 

LOCAL NEWS - BRANCH MEETING HELD AT WHEEL ALEHOUSE BIRCHINGTON - Added 14/05/19 0630

Branch Meeting last night at The Wheel Alehouse in Birchington. Thanks for hosting us.
Highlights:-
++Membership - locally the number has risen to 625 from 567 in March
++Digital Media - Followers/Likes - Twitter 674 (618) Thanet CAMRA Facebook 575 (538) Thanet Easter Beer Festival Facebook 455 (359) Instagram 243 (200)
++Social Secretary - good turn outs at recent events - next dates for diary - 12/6 @ 7.30pm Margate meet at HARBOUR ARMS MARGATE - 22/6 @ midday Ramsgate meet at HARE & HOUNDS - 16/7 @ 7.30pm Broadstairs meet at THE CHAPEL
++Pub Update - Bottle Shop Margate is going to reopen as NIGHT SWIFT 
++Brewery Report - 4 CANDLES business as usual - ISLE VALE ALESMITHS business as usual - NAUTICALES business as usual - NORTHDOWN two new beers to launch a New England IPA and a summer golden ale - some products now going into key keg - RAMSGATE new tap room,shop and small batch kit to launch soon - No.11 scoops award - Small Batch Mild out and about (grab it while you can!) - WANTSUM seasonal brews out and about - "Five a Day" launching at their May 18th/19th beer festival - 10th year anniversary
++Good Beer Guide - proofs for our lucky eleven entries are being checked - book launches in September
++Cider Pub of the Year - HAIR OF THE DOG will be presented with their winner certificate on Friday 17th May 7.30pm - Runner Up NAUTICALES date TBC
++Beer Festival - full update to follow but headline is the weather was favourable and therefore the number of people attending was considerably up compared to previous year. All feedback has been taken on board and the committee will reform in September to begin planning the 15th Thanet Easter Beer & Cider Festival - if you want to get involved contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
++Next Meeting - Wed 10/7 @ 7.45pm - venue TBC (check website and Facebook for details)

LOCAL NEWS - BOTTLE BAR, CIDER & PERRY , MAIN BAR LISTs NOW LIVE - Added 09/04/19 1127

Main Bar, Bottle Bar, Cider and Perry lists now live on Beers & Cider page

LOCAL NEWS - THANET CAMRA'S CIDER PUB OF THE YEAR REVEALED - Added 09/04/19 1121

In a close fought competition Minster's Hair of the Dog held off Northwood's NauticAles to retain the Cider Pub of the Year title.

They go forward to take on the rest of kent hoping to be named Regional Cider Pub of the Year. 

Presentation dates will be announced very soon so you acn join these two worthy Cider pubs to celebrate their success.

 

LOCAL NEWS - BEER FESTIVAL COMMITTEE MEETING 1st APRIL - Added 02/04/19 1327

17 days to go until #easterbeerfest - the organising team met last night to check all items are where they should be and I am happy to report that they are....!!

  • CATERING - Whilst we are not responsible for the catering at the venue we have seen the list the Winter Gardens will be offering during the festival and our mouths are watering already.....Beetroot, Quinoa & Red Pepper Burger and BBQ Beef Brisket amongst the options.......remember that you are not allowed to bring your own food in to the venue and by purchasing the food you will be supporting the venue in these times of austerity for council funded leisure facilities such as this. There will also be olives and cheeses available from the concessions in the quiet hall.
  • BOTTLE BAR - 25 Beers incl 3 Gluten Free options, 1 Alcoholic Ginger Beer and 5 Ciders 
  • CIDER BAR - 62 different Ciders and 10 Perries to choose from
  • MAIN BAR - 169 beers ordered with 11 more on the list making - the list will be revealed later this week once availability is fully confirmed 
  • CHAMPION BEER OF BRITAIN - We will once again be judging one of the categories to select the Regional champion to go forward to Great British Beer Festival judging
  • LEARNING & DISCOVERY - We are only the second CAMRA - the Campaign for Real Ale, the consumer's champion official #beerfestival to have a Learning & Discovery zone at our festival - think Pepsi challenge meets touch and feel.............full details will be revealed very soon of this very exciting addition to the festival
  • ADVERTISING - downloadable PDF poster are available on our website www.thanet-camra.org.uk - Banners are now up around Thanet - have you seen one yet??
  • COMPETITION - your chance to win entry to the Festival on Friday or Saturday, a souvenir festival beer glass and a pint - all you have to do is like this page and find the competition post tagging ONE friend who you would like to go with - entries close at midday on Monday 15th where one lucky person will be chosen at random - entrants must be aged 18 or over
  • VOLUNTEERS - we are light on the evening sessions on Friday and Saturday so if you can help please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit http://www.thanet-camra.org.uk/…/2015-03-09-15…/volunteering

 

I'm sure there was more but gives you a flavour - it is happening, it's going to be marGREAT - put the date in your diary

LOCAL NEWS - KENT CAMRA REGIONAL PUBS OF THE YEAR - Added 19/03/19 0732

All of the above (except Bexley branch) will now split into sub-regional competitions with guest judges from the opposite area before a two pub shoot out East Kent vs West Kent to be named best in Kent.

East = Bowl Inn vs Tyler's Kiln vs The Berry vs Admiral's Arms vs Bake & Alehouse

West = Old House vs 10:50 from Victoria vs Larkins' Alehouse vs The George

 

LOCAL NEWS - LATEST EDITION OF ALE OF THANET AVAILABLE ON-LINE (PDF VERSION) - Added 13/03/19 1237

 

LOCAL NEWS - HIGHLIGHTS OF BRANCH MEETING - Added 11/03/19 1515

Branch Meeting highlights (March 6th)

A big thanks to Artillery Arms Ramsgate for hosting us - great beer and a lively old time being had by #community

i) Membership - steady at 567 ii) Social Secretary - lots of events planned - see CALENDAR for full details - 26th March Broadstairs - 39 Steps, Magnet (new Micro Pub) and more

iii) Social Media - Followers/Likes - Instagram 200 Twitter 618 Thanet CAMRA Facebook 538 Thanet Easter Beer Fest Facebook 337 Website c. 130k hits

iv) Pub Updates 
NEW - Magnet micro pub (opp Chapel in Broadstairs) formally Reef
TENANCIES AVAILABLE - Rose in June Margate, Neptunes Hall Margate, Hare & Hounds Northwood (under offer), St Lawrence Tavern Ramsgate (under offer), Deal Cutter Ramsgate
FREE HOLDS AVAILABLE - Honey Suckle Ramsgate, London Tavern Margate, Swan Westgate (not pub business but freehold of the overall property under offer)

v) Brewery Updates 
New beers at Ramsgate and Wantsum - see individual websites for full details
Four Candles, Isla Vale, Margate, NauticAles and Northdown - no major news

vi) Pub of the Year - awards planned 16th March multi-presentation day (4 stops) midday at Bake & Alehouse Westgate - 3/4 Montefiore Arms 8pm

vii) Beer Festival - plans progressing well with the slightly less than 6 weeks to go - more volunteers required (when aren't they!!) especially any industry keg/cask experts (publicans, sommeliers, brewers) - contact us if interested in this exciting new addition to our festival

viii) Club of the Year - looking to bring this competition back - seeking nominations of easy entry, beer/cider focussed clubs - let us know

Well done LOCAL NEWS - AGENDA FOR BRANCH MEETING ON WEDNESDAY 6th MARCH 2019 - Added 04/03/19 0924

CLICK HERE

 

LOCAL NEWS - TWO WINNERS BUT WHO WILL BE CROWNED OVERALL THANET PUB OF THE YEAR 2019? - Added 20/02/19 1414

   

Congratulations to John at Bake & Alehouse, Westgate-on-Sea (Micro Pub of the Year 2019) and Eddie at Montefiore Arms, Ramsgate (Traditional Pub of the Year 2019) for being named the best in their category in our Pub of the Year competition.

One of these two pubs has also scooped the overall prize but won't find out until the day of the presentation - how exciting....!!

Check back for details of the presentations which will probably be Saturday 16th March.

Joint runners up in the Micro Pub of the Year competition were The Hovelling Boat Inn, Ramsgate  and Old Bay Alehouse, Minnis Bay.

Runner up in the Traditional Pub of the Year was Banks Ale and Wine House, Cliftonville.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS

NATIONAL NEWS - HOSTS FOR GREAT BRITISH BEER FESTIVAL IN WINTER 2020-22 REVEALED - Added 20/02/19 0737

After an amazing three years in Norwich the GBBFW will be hosted by West Midlands CAMRA in 2020, 2021 and 2022. The venue and the dates to be confirmed very soon.

Well done to the team and we look forward to joining you next year.

 NATIONAL NEWS - CHAMPION WINTER BEER OF BRITAIN REVEALED - Added 20/02/19 0659

Congratulations to all the beers who made it through the nomination process, multiple beer tasting rounds to get to the final where the following were named the best of the best.

OVERALL

  • GOLD Lacon's Audit Ale  SILVER Calverley's Porter BRONZE Harviestoun's Old Engine Oil

BARLEY WINE STRONG OLD ALES

  • GOLD Lacon's Audit Ale  SILVER Tring Death or Glory BRONZE Robinson's Old Tom

OLD AGE STRONG MILDS

  • GOLD Tintagel Excalibur  SILVER Harvey's Old Ale BRONZE Brampton Mild

PORTERS

  • GOLD Calverley's Porter  SILVER Harviestoun's Old Engine Oil BRONZE Dancing Duck Indian Porter

STOUTS 

  • GOLD Plain Ales Inncognito SILVER Dark Star Imperial Stout BRONZE Cairngorn Black Gold 

LOCAL NEWS - #TRYANUARY MINI-TOUR OF RAMSGATE 23RD JANUARY 2019 - Added 24/01/19 0803

 

LOCAL NEWS - AGM - HIGHLIGHTS - Added 21/01/19 0719

AGM on Saturday 19th January was well attended. Elections for the committee took place and delivered the following:-

  • CHAIR - Jo Walbank stepped down after two years and Martin Knight was elected unopposed
  • VICE CHAIR - Steve Saunders retained this position as well as the Pubs Officer and Editor of Ale of Thanet magazine
  • TREASURER - Jez Leming stays on
  • SECRETARY - Dennis Brandrick stays on
  • MEMBERSHIP - Julian Dungey stays on
  • SOCIAL SECRETARY - Danny O Sullivan stays on
  • WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA - Nick Gurr stays on in these roles and picks up Press & Publicity Officer from Damien Clark who has stepped down form the committee after many years volunteering
  • BRANCH CONTACT - Graham Rickett stays on 
  • CIDER REP - Jo Walbank continues on the committee and is our first Cider Rep and brings great experience to the role from her time as Cider Co-Ordinator for the Thanet Easter Beer & Cider Festival
  • MEMBERS WITHOUT PORTFOLIO - Anthony Walbank, Peter Jaquiss, Geoff Orton, Mike St Clare-Newman & Mark Sharratt

If you would like any more information please CLICK HERE for contact details.

Next meeting will be Wednesday 6th March 8pm in Artillery Arms Ramsgate CLICK HERE for details.

LOCAL NEWS - AGM AGENDA NOW AVAILABLE - Added 15/01/19 0754

Saturday 19th January, midday at Bradstow Mill where a new committee will be formed (with some familiar faces no doubt) and the real ale and cider scene of Thanet will be discussed. All welcome to attend though only CAMRA members affiliated to Thanet branch will be eligible to vote.

Hear about upcoming socials, the latest news on the beer festival (and an opportunity to volunteer...!!), membership numbers and social media/website news.

See you there??

CLICK HERE to see agenda and minutes from last years.

LOCAL NEWS - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR 14TH THANET EASTER BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL MONDAY 15TH THROUGH TO TUESDAY 23RD - Added 09/01/19 0800

Peter, our volunteer co-ordinator, is looking for volunteers for this years Beer Festival to help with set up, the actual event and the take down. If you can spare any time he would love to hear from you.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO GO TO THE VOLUNTEER PAGE

LOCAL NEWS - SUNDAY SOCIAL - Added 07/01/19 0935

As part of TRYANUARY we yesterday visited Banks Ale and Wine House in Cliftonville (https://whatpub.com/pubs/THA/222/banks-ale-wine-house-cliftonville), Yard of Ale St Peters (https://whatpub.com/pubs/THA/189/yard-of-ale-st-peters) and White Swan Reading Street Broadstairs (https://whatpub.com/pubs/THA/103/white-swan-broadstairs). Thanks for your hospitality one and all.

NATIONAL NEWS - CAMRA APPOINT NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE & DEPUTY - Added 04/01/19 0945

Tom Stainer and Ken Owst have been appointed to the above roles. For full details CLICK HERE

NATIONAL NEWS - CLUB OF THE YEAR FINAL FOUR ANNOUNCED - Added 11/12/18 0830

LOCAL NEWS - NOVEMBER BRANCH MEETING MINUTES ADDED TO WEBSITE - Added 10/12/18 1508

CLICK HERE

LOCAL NEWS - 4TH QUARTER ALE OF THANET MAGAZINE NOW ON-LINE - Added 06/12/18 0716

The latest edition of our very own Ale of Thanet magazine is now available to look at on-line CLICK HERE

The volunteer distributors will be getting these out to your favourite watering holes as soon as they arrive from the printers so you can read yours over a pint or two.

If you fancy helping with the distribution (many hands make light work...!!) please contact Nick Gurr on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. letting me know where you would like to deliver to.

 

 FOR PREVIOUS NEWS CLICK HERE

What is Real Ale - In the early 1970s CAMRA coined the term 'real ale' to make it easy for people to differentiate between the bland processed beers being pushed by the big brewers and the traditional beers whose very existence was under threat. Real ale, also referred to as cask-conditioned ale, continues to develop its wonderful tastes and aromas in the cask through a process called secondary fermentation.

Except where otherwise indicated, all content © 2016 Thanet Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale

Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information on this site is accurate and up to date, no responsibility for errors and omissions can be accepted. The views expressed on this site are not necessarily those of the campaign for Real Ale Ltd

 

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