MINUTES OF BRANCH MEETING
25th January 2017,De Koffie Pot, Hereford
Present:Stephen Ballinger, Paul Brinkworth, Janet Crowther, Simon Crowther, Paul Grenfell, Mark Hudson, David Kelly, John Lee, Patricia Lee, Dave Matthews, Fiona Matthews, Phil Morell, Andrew Pearson (Chairman), Malcolm Rochefort (Secretary), John Scruff, Daphne Siggers, Keith Siggers, Russell Sutcliffe
Distribution:Branch membership, Nigel Bevan (Area Organiser), Gary Timmins (Regional Director).
1.Apologies
Mark Haslam, Karen & Dave Powell, Jo & Neil O’Connell, Mike Tennant, Mike & Sally Jefferis, Heather Davies
2.Minutes of the last meeting
The minutes from the meeting on 26th October 2016 were accepted.
3.pub of the season (SPRING)
The Balance at Luston was chosen as the Spring PotS.
4.Good Beer Guide 2018 / proposed changes to criteria
The attached revised criteria (Appendix 1) were accepted on a vote, after some debate concerning fairness and possible bias towards populated areas. The voting was 17 for; 0 against; 1 abstention.
Paul Grenfell, as pub database controller, encourage all members to try to score as many of the potential new entries (circulated at the meeting) as possible in the next 2 months. This is especially important for those entries with good scores, but from less than the required number of members (see Appendix 2)
It was agreed that the criteria for GBG 2018 entry for Herefordshire would be handed out to all publicans via the next Hopvine circulation. This is to avoid claims of bias and unfair deletions. Action: Paul Grenfell
5.FInance
Following payment to CAMRA HQ of £8,500 from the beer festival (£5,000 earmarked as donation and £3,500 as deposit for likely local expenses this year – e.g. HCAP roll-out), the Branch Account stands at £1,338.80, with petty cash at £460.64 (as at 5/1/2017). Paul G submitted the BotW XIII budget to CAMRA HQ on 30th December 2016, before the 1/1/2017 deadline which would have required submission in a new accounting format in an on-line form. This was done as Paul is not yet familiar with the new format, it would have taken a lot of extra work, the handling of VAT was uncertain, and, as this is the thirteenth beer & cider festival we have organised, the budget generation is well understood and proven.
6.beer on the wye xiii
The next meeting will be on Monday, January 30th at 8 p.m. in the Barrels, Hereford.
No problems expected so far, and the budget has been accepted by CAMRA HQ. The quote for security has been accepted on a three year basis to fix the known costs with a reliable & trusted supplier. Apologies from Simon Crowther and Malcolm Rochefort who cannot attend the next meeting.
7.BREWERY/Pub/cider NEWS
BREWERIES
- Odyssey. Odyssey’s two new pressure vessels/FV's have been installed meaning they will shortly commence canning their beer in much greater volume with WeCan; a local mobile canning unit. During 2017 Odyssey aim to produce roughly 4 times as much beer as produced in 2016.The first 6 cans to be released will be: Crowd Control - US West Coast style IPA - 6.7%; Hop Zombie Blood - 7%; Little India Pale Ale -session IPA 4.5%; Mo' Citra -pale ale (Mosaic + Citra) - 4%; Grievous Angel no.2 - Imperial Oatmeal Brown Stout - 9%. Revenant – is a brand new beer utilising a traditional London Ale yeast which helps Odyssey to create a beersofter and rounder beer, very hazy as the yeast isnot veryflocculent - 5.4%. Other than cans ring fenced for Beer in Hand and for Eebria, most of the 12,000 or so cans that will be produced during their first canning run have been pre-sold. All beers are ‘can conditioned’.Odyssey have also completed their first collaboration withTrack Brewing in Manchester. They have brewed 'Santa Muerte' an ImperialStoutin the Mexicake style with chocolate, vanilla and chilli. It's being launched next month at Track's Tap Room next month along with Revenant.
- Kelpaul – as mentioned, the owners have decided to return to Hereford Brewery. Longer term it is still the intention to find premises where Kelpaul will be the sole or main brewery. Beers are selling well and have been appearing in more pubs locally such as the Salutation in Weobley and Beer Revolution.
- Ledbury –Dr Ruudie’s now being brewed in addition to the core beers (Bitter, Gold & Dark). Other seasonals planned every 3 months.
- Wye Valley – IPA to be bottled.
- Swan – As those of us on the BotW XII volunteers’ tour found out, two new beers are being brewed – Mortimers using two new hop varieties (English style, but wilt resistant) which is like a light porter, and IPA, which is a pale American/Continental hopped session beer of lower strength than US IPAs. Apart from the regulars, a special (Balance Ale – 3.7% session beer) is brewed for the Balance Inn, Luston. Swan brewery is holding an open day on 4thFebruary.
- Saxon City & Mulberry Duck both stopped and brewing kit sold or being sold.
- Golden Valley – status in doubt as no brews made for some months.
PUBS
- The Freehold of the New Inn at Storridge is on the market with Sidney Phillips. This Admiral Taverns-owned pub has been closed for several months.
- Treacle Mine, St Martin’s Street, Hereford (listed as ACV) has been proposed for conversion. M Haslam to query whether an effort has been made to sell, and whether there really is no interest.
- The Volunteer Inn at Marden (re plan to demolish and replace pub, plus build 75 houses on adjacent land – see Hopvine). MH has sent and circulated the argument for an extension into February following concern from locals.
- New Inn, Bartestree – closed. The neo-gothic Victorian architecture and unique tiles in the cellar may make this of interest to English Heritage. Due to re-open this Spring..
- Broadleys, Ross Road, Hereford. There may be a planning application while M Haslam is on vacation. Andrew Pearson to monitor
- The Red Lion at Madley has closed. A temporary manager has been promised from end January – needs monitoring (Andrew P).
- The Bullring at Kingstone will close at the end of January. Noted stained glass in porch from Alton Court Brewing Company – Andrew P to try spot listing with English Heritage, will check with Mick Slaughter.
- The Spread Eagle, King St., Hereford is closed, but due to re-open.
- The Grapes, East St., Hereford is re-opening with an Irish Theme. Only Doom Bar on offer as a real ale at the moment.
- The Stockton Cross, Kimbolton is up for auction sale shortly. The current manager was interested in purchasing, but we understand his offer has been refused.
- The Farmers Arms, Wellington Heath has closed for refurbishment to the toilets, kitchens, etc. No problems expected as it is well supported.
- The Cottage of Content in Carey has been listed in the Good Pub Guide.
- The Crown & Sceptre in Bromyard has closed.
- The Hop Pole in Bromyard has re-opened.
- The Cosy Club in Hereford has a nice, plush interior, but poor beer quality at a recent sampling.
- Beer Revolution off-licence has a new location in Hay on Wye at 7 Market Street; has a wide range of craft beers on sale.
CIDER
- Cider pub of the year is the Yew Tree in Peterstow. Presentation at 7 p.m. on 26th January.
- At the three counties AGM it was announced that cider sold in the UK was down by 27% in the last 3 years, share down from 9.4% to 6.3%. Dave Matthews view is that this is at least partly because the industry has ‘lost touch with the apple’. Many add water, sugar & sweeteners to the must, or sweeteners to the final brew. Surprisingly, these artificial sweetenersdo not have to be declared. Fiona is sensitive to them and can easily tell when they are present. In DM’s & Russell’s view, CAMRA should more actively campaign for ‘pure’ cider. Is there something we could do at this year’s Beer & Cider festival? Simon Crowther to consider.
- The Yew Tree is holding a ‘real’ cider festival on 9th to 11th June.
8.CAMPAIGNING NEWS
National
- Awaiting definition of which clubs qualify by CAMRA HQ, expected to be ratified at April AGM.
Local
- Newtown Inn, Newtown. Following the decision against the owners and requirement to comply with the planning order to reinstate the pub, the owners are still contesting. However, they are required to come up with plans and a timescale to return the building to its original state.
- Heart of Oak, Newtown Rd., Hereford – now closed. Mark Haslam to send local commentary.
- The Moorfield Inn, Moorfield Street, Hereford, has applied for planning for 2 semi-detached houses. Mark Haslam has objected on behalf of the branch. There are rumours of drug problems, etc. with this pub and local support may be thin, though it has potential.
- The Lamb Inn, Stoke Prior – wants to sell part of its garden for development, to reduce mortgage debt. Concern is it will make it non-viable long term and that this is a pretext to close. Mark Haslam has indicated that under investment and lack of (any) effective marketing have made things bad, in a pub at a location with potential. MH is talking to locals who have concerns. The owners have objected to Mark’s intervention (‘phone call to S Crowther).
- The Parish Council nominated the Weston Cross Inn as an ACV last year. Herefordshire Council are processing the application, but it is understood that the pub's freehold owner Punch Taverns have appealed the ACV to the Council. We await the result but are confident that the ACV will eventually be confirmed.
- The Volunteer Inn, Marden – good objection from Mark Haslam re the new pub proposal, which appears to be purely a food & accommodation outlet, not catering for locals.
- Concern re the Tarrington Arms, Tarrington, which is not opening lunchtime or doing any food. More could be done in this prime roadside location.
9.SOCIAL Diary
Friday 27th January - Ludlow excursion by 17:53 train from Hereford.
Saturday 11th February - Lunchtime social and pub survey in Leominster. Start 11 a.m. at White Lion.
Saturday 4th March - rail trip to Elland brewery, West Yorkshire, to present Beer on the Wye champion beer certificate. Details to be confirmed.Malcolm R to contact head office re certificates for Champion beer of the festival (and runner up).
Saturday 14thApril (Good Friday)- bus trip to Kington & Radnor Cross Border festival. – Paul B
May – Reading trip – Paul B to confirm date and transport possibilities.
June – Northants trip planned
July & August – local beer festivals
September – Oxford trip planned
October – Kidderminster & Bewdley
November – Topsham, Devon trip
December – Black Country bus trip
Paul G has resigned as minibus driver, so future trips are likely to require a deposit as outlay will be higher.
For more details of any trip or if you have any ideas for other trips or events please contact Paul Brinkworth ().
10.ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Note that in 2021 Hereford is vying to be declared city of culture. Russell’s view is that we should push the cider heritage, Mark Hudson indicated he may be able to help with this and, of course, the hop tradition in Herefordshire.
11.DATE OF NEXT MEETINGs
Wednesday 22nd February 2017, 8p.m., Gordon Bennetts, Hereford.
Wednesday 29th March, The Butchers Arms at Woolhope
Wednesday 26th April, the Bull Ring, Kingstone. Action: A Pearson
Wednesday 31st May, The Castle, Richards Castle. Action: M Rochefort
12.THANKS TO HOST PUB
Thanks were given to De Koffie Pot for hosting the meeting.
Appendix 1: Herefordshire CAMRASelection of Pubs for Good Beer Guide
Based on principles agreed at the Branch AGM in 2004, and subsequent refinements. Revised for GBG 2018.
The primary criterion for selection of pubs for the Good Beer Guide (GBG) is beer quality, which is assessed using the CAMRA National Beer Scoring System (NBSS).
The Pubs Officer is responsible for collecting the beer quality data from the WhatPub website or directly from CAMRA members in either hand-written or electronic form. Scores are accepted from any CAMRA member.
The Pubs Officer presents updates on the status of the beer scores to branch meetings during the year, highlighting pubs which are deserving of more attention. Every effort will be made to ensure that current GBG entries receive sufficient visits.
The branch encourages groups of four members to visit pubs noted above, and will pay expenses at CAMRA's standard mileage rate. In the event of visits of larger groups such as by minibus, no more than four scores will be accepted for each beer to avoid distortion of the overall results.
The Pubs Officer checks all scores submitted for validity. Any scores that appear irregular, or which are submitted by persons suspected of vested interest in the pubs or breweries concerned, are challenged, or eliminated. Scores are checked for undue strictness or leniency and may be adjusted, at the discretion of the Pubs Officer, if it is believed that a pub would otherwise be disadvantaged by frequent visits by a strict scorer or vice versa.Individual members’ scores are not discussed at open meetings.
To qualify for entry into the final selection process, a pub must receive a total of at least five scores from at least three different members on at least two different occasions. However, a current GBG entry will be eligible even if the branch has failed to ensure sufficient scores have been received, subject to licensee conditions (below).
Where the licensee of a pub has changed during the year, all scores prior to that change are eliminated.
A new licensee must have been in place for at least six months for a pub to be considered. This rule may be relaxed at the discretion of the selection meeting if the new licensee has come from another pub with a good record of GBG entries.
The current branch allocation of pubs is 26, and three reserves are normally submitted.
At the selection meeting (normally the February branch meeting), the scores are first examined to see if there are any pubs with insufficient scores that merit special consideration. This would apply particularly to pubs in the current GBG.
The qualifying scores are divided into three groups, at cut-off points agreed by the members present+-
The top group of around 15-20 pubs are briefly discussed, and automatically selected for the GBG unless the meeting agrees that there is a strong reason, such as extreme variability of scores, why they should not be selected.
The second group, typically giving a total of around 35 when added to the first group, are identified. These are discussed before going forward to a vote. Issues of variability of scores and geographical distribution may be highlighted.
The remainder are not considered for GBG entry.
Members then complete the voting form by indicating (A) whether they have visited the pub in the past year, and (B) how they would rank each pub they have visited, for inclusion in the GBG.
The Pubs Officer then determines the list of pubs for submission to the Regional GBG Co-ordinator:-
For each member, the rank of each pub visited is converted to a score. [score = no. visited - rank + 1]. Then, for each pub, the scores are totalled and divided by the number of members visiting the pub. Those with the highest aggregate scores join the first group to make a total of 26, and the next three are identified as reserves.
Collection of data for the following year's GBG begins immediately after the selection meeting.
Paul Grenfell
Pub Database Co-ordinator
January 2017
Appendix 2: Good Beer Guide 2018 entries
Existing entries needing more members’ scores:
Bridge Inn, Kentchurch
Tram Inn, Eardisley
Existing entries at risk through low scores:
Mail Rooms, Ross-on-Wye
Red Lion, Peterstow
Boot Inn, Orleton
Three Horseshoes, Norton Canon
Rose & Lion, Bromyard
Cottage of Content, Carey
Chase Inn, Upper Colwall
Sun Inn, Leintwardine
Possible new entries needing more scores from members:
Castle Inn, Richards Castle
Harewood End Inn, Harewood End
Plough, Little Dewchurch
White Lion, Leominster
Wheelwrights, Pencombe
Live & Let Live, Whitbourne
Major’s Arms, Halmonds Frome
The Swan, Hereford
The Oak, Wigmore
The Lion, Ledbury