The Official Site of the Abercolwyn Branch of CAMRA

 
Home

Diary

News

Awards

About CAMRA

Local Branches


CAMRA HQ


About Cider


About Mild

Links


Contact Us


 

Follow CAMRA on

 

 

 

   
 

Abercolwyn Area Awards 2008/2010

 

 
     
  The Abercolwyn Branch of CAMRA  has just announced that its award for LocAle Pub of the Year 2010 has gone to Lynnette & Cherie Oliver and Darren Roberts of the Holland Arms, Trofarth near Abergele. So, what exactly is LocAle? Well, it’s a CAMRA initiative to promote Local Ale breweries in North Wales. The aim to ask local pubs to sell beers from local breweries thus reducing the ‘beer miles’ that the beer has to travel from the brewery to the pub and thus helping to tackle the ‘green’ issue. The hope is also to boost local businesses (both the breweries and the pubs) and also to make these beers available to the public. Currently there are 24 pubs who have signed up to this scheme and these can be found here. Each year we single out one pub which has shown special dedication to the cause of LocAle. The Holland Arms has been promoting four of the local breweries: Conwy Brewery, Great Orme Brewery of Glan Conwy, Purple Moose Brewery of Porthmadog and Bragdy’r Nant from Llanrwst. Beers available on the night of the presentation were Conwy Beachcomber Blonde, Orme from Great Orme, Nant Cwrw Coryn and Purple Moose Fleetwing 1874. Presenting the award Abercolwyn CAMRA chairman Ian Saunders commended the Holland Arms for promoting the local breweries and for presenting their beers in excellent condition. Accepting the award Lynnette, Cherie and Darren said that they are very keen to help promote and support local businesses and that as well as their beer all the ingredients for the food on their menu is sourced locally too!  
 

 
 

Pictured are Lynnette Oliver and Darren Roberts

 
 
 
 

Colwyn Bay Cricket Club, Rhos-on-Sea is Abercolwyn CAMRA's Club of the Year 2010

 
 

The Abercolwyn branch of CAMRA unveiled its Club of the Year 2010 over the Bank Holiday weekend. Colwyn Bay Cricket Club in Rhos-on-Sea was celebrating this accolade for the second year running and third time in total by running its second annual beer festival. Eighteen different real ales (including three different milds and a stout) and two real ciders were available. The event also included barbeques, a live band on the Sunday night and some excellent cricket. Abercolwyn CAMRA Chairman presented the award to club steward Stuart Chapman-Edwards and explained the club had won the award by providing its members with excellent quality real ale all year round. The bar always features four real ales including Tetley Dark Mild and Bitter and two guest ales. On the festival itself, Ian praised Stuart and club for having some mild beers on offer as CAMRA have been trying the promote mild during the month of May. He also said that it was commendable that the festival featured beers from local breweries such as Conwy, Great Orme and Bragdy’r Nant from Llanrwst, plus a Welsh cider. Stuart and the rest of the committee were thrilled to receive the award and Stuart said that the weekend had been a great success for the club.

 
 
   
 

The picture features (l-r) Mark Hartley, Stuart Chapman-Edwards and Ian Saunders

 
 
 
 
 

The Sun, Old Colwyn is Abercolwyn CAMRA’s Mild Pub of the Year 2010

 
  Each year in May the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) celebrates and promotes the drink of mild ale. Although fewer pubs are selling it these days there are still several to choose from in the area. Mild is a unique style of beer, it is normally made with darker malts making is darker in colour and normally weaker in alcohol by volume (ABV) and therefore usually a bit cheaper than other beers. The taster is often milder too with chocolate or liquorice flavours in evidence. Every year the Abercolwyn branch of CAMRA presents an award to the pub which has shown the most commitment to this beer style. The award this year has gone to the Sun in Old Colwyn. This pub has a history of selling mild for a number of years. Shaun and Sandra Clay have been at the Sun for 12 months now and have continued to sell mild in form of Theakston Traditional Mild, a 3.5% ABV beer from Masham in North Yorkshire. On the evening of the presentation the guest beer available was Dark Side of the Moose (4.6% ABV) from Purple Moose brewery in Porthmadog. Dark Side is another dark beer that falls into the category of Strong Mild/Old Ale, it has the same malty and chocolatey notes of a mild beer. Shaun and Sandra were extremely pleased with their accolade and as a special thanks to their customers; both mild beers were on special offer for the night and a great night it was too!  
 

 
 

Picture (l-r) are Sun Licensees Sandra and Shaun with their award

 
 
 
 

The Penrhyn Arms Penrhynside is Abercolwyn CAMRA

Cider and Perry Pub of the Year 2010

  The Penrhyn Arms in Penrhynside has earned the title of Cider & Perry Pub of the Year for the 5th year in a row making it the best pub in the county of Conwy for these most natural of alcoholic products. During that five year reign the Arms has proved also to be the best cider pub in Wales and amongst the top four in the UK. Last year they picked the awards for Best Cider Pub in Wales and Finalist in the National competition. Licensee John Sumbland says that he likes to concentrate on Welsh ciders and if possible those from North Wales. On the night of the presentation there were four ciders from Rosie’s Triple D of Llandegla, near Wrexham, a perry from Gwynt y Ddraig in Pontypridd and Moles Black Rat Cider from the more traditional cider-maker area of Somerset. As well as great ciders the Penrhyn Arms sells a great range of up to six real ales and on the award presentation night there was some great food available all cooked in cider: roast pork, honey roast ham and Bara Brith. So, despite the Government putting duty up by 10% above the rate of inflation, everyone in attendance managed to have a great night out on cider and perry!
   
  The picture shows licensee John Sumbland (left) being presented with the Cider & Perry Pub of the Year 2010 award by Abercolwyn CAMRA chairman Ian Saunders
 
 

Pen-y-Bryn, Colwyn Bay is Abercolwyn CAMRA Food Pub of the Year 2010

 

Every year the Abercolwyn branch of CAMRA  tries to find the pub that has the best combination of real ale and food. This year’s award has gone to the Pen-y-Bryn in Upper Colwyn Bay. They recently held a ten-day Pie & Ale week. The superb range of pies included traditional pies such as Cheese & Onion, Steak & Kidney, Chicken, Leek & Mushroom, Shepherd’s Pie and Fish Pie; the more unusual one included Chilli Beef, Rabbit & Crab and Lamb Wellington. There were also starter pies like Pork, Bacon & Egg and even sweet pies like Lemon Meringue, Banoffee and Chocolate & Pecan Pie. Chef Andrew Grant served approximately 2,000 pies during the ten day event which also included a beer festival where 20 different beers were featured including Thornbridge Jaipur IPA, Roosters Celtic Corker and Purple Moose Dark Side of the Moose.

Last year the pub held a similar event with Sausages and Ale being the theme. It was so successful they have decided to make it annual event.

CAMRA chairman Ian Saunders commended the pub in promoting not only good food prepared with local ingredients but also for serving a variety of great real ales – the perfect combination for a great night out.

 

 
  The Picture features (left to right): Manager Graham Arathoon, his wife Debbie, Head Chef Andrew Grant and Deputy Manager Rachel Roberts.
 
  Spring Pub of the Season 2010
  The lighter mornings and evenings meant that Spring had sprung and it was time for the Abercolwyn branch of CAMRA to unveil their Pub of the Season for Spring 2010. The winner was the Picture House which is the Wetherspoons in Colwyn Bay. CAMRA chairman Ian Saunders praised Licensee Steve Bland and his staff for keeping the real ale in excellent form.

 

 
   
 
  licensee Steve Bland (left) accepting the award from Abercolwyn Chairman Ian Saunders  
 

Eight handpumps dispense beers from all over the country and they also serve real cider. The Picture House always sells a local beer from breweries such as Conwy. The pub holds many beer festivals and the presentation of the award took place during a Welsh ales festival held to celebrate St. David’s Day. Amongst the beers on offer were Brains St. David’s Ale, Rhymney Dark, Vale of Glamorgan Wheat’s Occurring, Conwy Telford Porter, Breconshire Red Dragon and Bullmastiff Sun of a Bitch. This is the second CAMRA award the pub has received and they are a regular entry in the Good Beer Guide.

 

 
   
 
 

The picture shows cellarman Jon Lyons and some other members of the local CAMRA branch.

 
 
 

Abercolwyn CAMRA Pub of the Year 2010

  The Penrhyn Arms in Penrhynside had just been announced as Pub of the Year by the Abercolwyn branch of CAMRA. Branch chairman Ian Saunders said that the pub had gained the award due to the consistent quality of the real ales on offer, not only in the last 12 months, but for a number of years. The pub also has the best range of ciders in Wales and had recently introduced a range of Belgian and other foreign beers. The presentation night was a special Pie and Porter evening where, not only were there a couple of great porters on the bar, but a selection of pies and other food was available. And just to prove what a great community pub the Arms is, the food was provided, not only by the landlord, but also by many local people. As well as the great pies, the two porters on offer were Downton Honey Porter (4.4%) and South Cotswold Hung, Drawn and Portered (5%). Also on sale were two local Welsh beers – Purple Moose Calon Lan and Nant Chwaden Awr plus Welsh ciders from Rosies Triple D and a Welsh perry from Gwynt-y-Ddraig. CAMRA is always trying to recruit new members to its ranks and the newest member Julia Barrett, who was on celebrating her birthday on the night of the presentation, was on hand to present licensee John Sumbland with the Pub of the Year 2010 award.
 

  Pictured left to right are:- Landlord John Sumbland, Abercolwyn CAMRA Chairman Ian Saunders and new recruit Julia Barrett (holding the plaque).
 
   
  Recently licensee Stephen Reece of the Kings Head in Llandudno was presented with the award for Pub of the Season 2009 / 2010 by the Abercolwyn branch of the Campaign for Real Ale . The Kings Head is still a favourite for CAMRA members as well as locals for its great atmosphere, fantastic food and, most importantly of all, some of the best beer around. Greene King IPA and Abbot Ale are always available and guest beers come from far and wide such as Titanic Stout, Wild Hop OPA and Butcombe Christmas Steps. Speaking at the presentation, Abercolwyn CAMRA Chairman Ian Saunders said that the pub had spent seven consecutive years in the Good Beer Guide and this was due to the great quality and variety of the real ales on offer. During the summer months real scrumpy cider is also available. Even though the presentation took place at the end of January the pub was packed out which is great to see in these times of pub closures. Everyone present had a great time and if pubs can be as good as this there no reason for them to close.

 

The picture features Licensee Stephen Reece (holding the award) and his staff.


 

Double Cider award for Penrhyn Arms, Penrhynside

  The Penrhyn Arms in Penrhynside near Llandudno has just received two awards from the CAMRA for the quality and range of ciders and perries on sale there. Earlier this year the village local was named as CAMRA’s Regional Cider & Perry Pub of the Year for the Merseyside, Cheshire & North Wales region but the now the pub has been named as the best in Wales and was also Runner-up in the national competition making it the second best pub in the whole of the UK for cider. The Arms specialised in Welsh ciders and perries and at the recent presentation night there were six ciders and two perries including offerings from Gwynt-y-Ddraig in Pontypridd and Rosies Triple D from Llandegla, near Wrexham. CAMRA’s Regional Director from Merseyside, Cheshire & North Wales was on hand at the presentation and praised licensees John & Sharon Sumbland for not only selling great cider but great beer as well. He went on to say what a great community pub the Penrhyn Arms is and although the presentation was on a wet Thursday night the pub was packed to the rafters with locals who there especially for the special presentation.
 

Pictured is CAMRA Regional Director Ian Garner (right) presenting landlord John Sumbland with the awards for Welsh Cider & Perry Pub of the Year 2009 and National Cider & Perry Pub of the Year 2009 Runner-up

 
 

Penrhyn Old Hall wins CAMRA Pub of the Season award Autumn 2009

  The Abercolwyn branch of CAMRA recently presented their award for Pub of the Season Autumn 2009 to Guy Marsh of the Penrhyn Old Hall in Penrhyn Bay . The Old Hall has been in the Marsh family since 1963 and have always been advocates of real ale. Speaking at the presentation CAMRA branch Chairman Ian Saunders said that the pub had a reputation for the best pint of Bass around, and in for the last few years have also been selling a variety of guest ales. The Penrhyn Old Hall features in the recently released CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2010 and this is the fifth year in succession that the pub has been in the guide. This is down to the hard work of Guy and his staff in keeping the real ale in top form. Guest beers come from several independent breweries such at Cottage and local breweries such as Conwy, Great Orme, Nant and Spitting feathers are often available, indeed on the evening of the presentation the guest beer was Rampart from the Conwy Brewery. Many locals and CAMRA members attended the presentation and the night proved to be a great success. Guy and the team were thrilled to receive the award
 

 

Pictured is Guy receiving the accolade from CAMRA Branch Chairman Ian Saunders

 
 

Red Lion 15 Years in the Good Beer Guide

 
Recently CAMRA has launched the Good Beer Guide 2010 which lists over 4,500 of the best pubs in the UK . The Red Lion in Old Colwyn has now been in the Guide for the last 15 years running, so to commemorate this feat a special presentation night was held there. Licensees Geoff and Debby Hughes welcomed CAMRA members and locals to sample their ales for a special price of £1.95 for the evening and CAMRA were offering special discounts on the Good Beer Guide for the duration of the event. Eight different real ales were on offer plus a real cider and a real perry. For the record the beers were: Marston’s Burton Bitter, Brains Dark, Mauldons Ploughmans, Wylan Northern Kite, Weetwood Cheshire Cat, Black Dog Schooner, RCH Steam Harvest and Double Header, plus Westons Traditional Scrumpy Cider and Westons Country Perry. Speaking at the presentation Abercolwyn CAMRA Chairman Ian Saunders said that very few pubs could gain entry to the Guide year after year and that the only way to do so was by having consistently high quality ales all year round and that’s exactly what the Red Lion has been doing for the last 15 years. Pictured is Ian with current Licensee Geoff Hughes.

 


 

Summer Pub of the Season 2009

 

The Abercolwyn Branch of CAMRA recently presented it’s award for Summer Pub of the Season 2009 to Cobden’s Hotel in Capel Curig near Betws-y-Coed. CAMRA Chairman Ian Saunders explained that Cobden’s had won the award for serving excellent quality real ales and ciders. On the evening of the presentation the four ales on offer were all from North Wales breweries: Orme from Great Orme, Dark Side of the Moose from Purple Moose, Facer’s DHB (Dave’s Hoppy Beer) and a beer especially brewed for the hotel by Conwy Brewery – Cobden’s Ale.  The cider available was also local: Rosie’ s Triple D Medium and a special treat was in store as the cider producer himself, Steve Hughes was on hand and had brought with him his brand new medium perry. Steve himself was recently a winner having received Joint Silver in CAMRA’s National Cider & Perry competition for his dry cider. Cobden’s licensee Chris Jones was thrilled to receive his award and was the perfect host for the evening of celebration.

 
 

Pictured (left to right) are Cobden’s licensee Chris Jones

and Cider Maker Steve Hughes with their awards

 

Chris Jones being presented with his award from

Abercolwyn CAMRA chairman Ian Saunders.

 
 

Recently, the Penrhyn Arms in Penrhynside was awarded Regional Cider & Perry Pub of the Year 2009 for Merseyside, Cheshire & North Wales. This is the second year running that the Arms has picked up the accolade. Earlier this year they were crowned Abercolwyn CAMRA Cider & Perry Pub of the Year making it the best cider pub in the County of Conwy but now it is the best in the region. Three years ago the pub was a National Finalist in the competition putting it in the top four in the UK and Licensees John and Sharon Sumbland are hoping to repeat that feat this year or maybe even go one better!

On the night of the presentation, there were nine ciders and perries available and all but one from Wales . There were six ciders, two perries and a pyder (from Gwynt-y-Ddraig, Pontypridd) which is a blend of cider and perry. The offerings included Ralph’s from New Radnor and the full range from Rosie’s Triple D of Llandegla, near Wrexham including the world premiere of the new perry. Rosie’s Triple D owner and producer Steve Hughes was in attendance because he had also won a prestigious award. Last year Steve picked up the joint runner-up spot in the Welsh Cider &

Perry Competition and this year he was the

overall winner. He then went onto to win Joint Silver in the National Cider & Perry Competition 2009 making Rosie’s Triple D one of the best ciders in the UK

The evening was topped off with some great food including ham cooked in cider, bara brith made with cider and apple scones. The full list of ciders & perries were as follows:-

Gwynt-y-Ddraig Malvern Hills Perry – 5.5%

Rosie’s Triple D Perry – 6%

Gwynt-y-Ddraig Pyder (medium) – 6%

Briavel’s Cider – 5.5%

Ralph’s Medium – 6%

Rosie’s Triple D Medium – 7.2%

Rosie’s Triple D Dry - 7.2%

Rosie’s Triple D Rampant Ram -7.4% (fermented in rum barrels)

Rosie’s Triple D Wicked Wasp - 7.4% (fermented in whisky barrels)

 

 

Abercolwyn CAMRA Club of the Year 2009

 

Recently, the Abercolwyn branch of CAMRA presented their award for Club of the Year to Colwyn Bay Cricket Club in Rhos-on-Sea.

The ceremony took place on Friday 22nd May and served as a curtain raiser to the clubs first ever beer festival featuring no less than 17 different beers from 11 different breweries including beers like Mauldons Black Adder, Sringhead Roaring Meg, Taylors Landlord and local breweries such as Conwy and Great Orme. CAMRA chairman Ian Saunders presented the award to club steward Stuart Chapman-Edwards, assistant steward Sandra Hartley and Honorary Treasurer David Madoc-Jones explaining that the award was not just to do with the beer festival but for the consistent quality and variety of the real ales on offer all year round in the main bar. Four ales are always available: Tetley Bitter & Dark Mild and two guest beers. The presentation set the scene for a great weekend at the club as the fantastic weather was complemented by some great cricket, a Sunday afternoon barbecue and a great live band on Sunday night: Xell. Stuart and the committee were delighted that their efforts had been recognised by CAMRA and all present thought that the beer festival had been a great success and it was hoped that this would be the start of an annual event.


 

Most Improved Pub of the Year 2009

The Holland Arms in Trofarth has been unveiled as Most Improved Pub of the Year 2009 by the Abercolwyn branch of CAMRA. Current licensees Lynnette and Cherie Oliver and Darren Roberts have being running the pub for about 18 months now and have transformed the place. An extensive refurbishment was tastefully done and was in keeping with the ‘country pub’ image that the Holland Arms has always had. One of the areas where the pub has returned to its former glory is in the kitchen, where delicious, good value meals are prepared.

As far as CAMRA is concerned however, the most important change has taken place in the bar, where a selection of three real ales from Conwy, Great Orme and Purple Moose breweries is now available. Always kept in superb condition, these have included beers such as Welsh Pride, Celtica and Dark Side of the Moose. These changes have been reflected in customers coming back through the doors and in the reintroduction of the pub into the Good Beer Guide for the first time in many years; culminating in the presentation of the Most Improved Pub award. Lynnette, Cherie and Darren were delighted that their work had been rewarded by CAMRA and extended an invitation for customers old and new to come and try the great beer, food and atmosphere of the Holland Arms


 

Abercolwyn CAMRA Food Pub of the Year, The Toad, Rhos on Sea

Every year the Abercolwyn Branch of CAMRA tries to find a pub that serves the best combination of excellent food and real ale. This year the accolade has gone to the Toad in Rhos-on-Sea, Colwyn Bay . Over the last 12 months they have served the best value and quality food in the area. On Tuesday nights they have a "Pie and a Pint Night". They also keep an excellent cellar, with two or three top quality cask ales from the Marston’s range available on the bar looked after with great care by licensee Peter Hammond. On the evening of the presentation head chef Wayne Roberts provided a special three course dinner menu with a choice of six starters, six mains and six sweets to celebrate their award. The favourite starters were the strips of beef cooked in ginger and sweet chili and the mushrooms stuffed with stilton cheese. The preferred main course was fillet beef with pate in puff pastry and the Chicken in bacon and shallot sauce. To provide the perfect finish was the trio of chocolate:- a mousse, triple choc fudge in a brandy basket and a shot of brandy chocolate milkshake.
As result of their hard work, Abecolwyn Branch chairman Ian Saunders presented Pete and Wayne of the Toad with the award of Food Pub of the Year 2009. They were both ecstatic to receive the honour and Pete thanked all of his bar staff and kitchen staff. The Toad was fully booked on the evening and everyone present agreed that it had been a superb night.

 


 

Pen Y Bryn, Llanrwst is Abercolwyn`s LocAle Pub of the Year 2009

During the first week of June, the Abercolwyn branch of CAMRA  held its first ever Local’s Pub Week. This was designed to encourage people to use their local pub. Several pubs in the area held events such as quiz nights and music nights to entice punters back to the pub. The Picture House in Colwyn Bay , for example, held a week long beer festival of local Welsh ales. The highlight of the week was on Friday night at the Pen-y-Bryn in Llanrwst where a presentation took place for LocAle Pub of the Year 2009. So what is LocAle? Well, basically it means simply Local Ale. The idea behind it is to encourage pubs to promote and sell beers from local breweries thus reducing the number of ‘beer miles’ a beer has to travel to get from the brewery to the pub door and thus reducing the carbon footprint and also saving on fuel. It is also, of course, supporting local businesses and ‘keeping it Welsh’. The Pen-y-Bryn has, for some time now, been supporting its local brewery Bragdy’r Nant which is less than a mile down the road. Since 2007 Nant have been producing some excellent real ales such as Chwaden Aur and Gran’s Lamb. On the night of the presentation the Pen-y-Bryn was serving the easy drinking Cwrw Coryn (4.2%) and Mwnci Nell, a fantastic stout ale at 5.3%. Abercolwyn CAMRA’s LocAle Scheme now features more than 20 pubs in the county and this award was presented to Arwyn & Paul at Pen-y-Bryn for showing the greatest dedication to LocAle and for ‘keeping it local’. The presentation evening was a great success with the pub packed with locals sampling the LocAle.


 

Purple Moose is the Champion Beer of Wales

 

Three North Wales Breweries enjoyed success at the Great Welsh Beer & Cider Festival in Cardiff where almost all (35 approx) real ale Welsh breweries were represented.

Nominations for the competition are made each year by the Welsh CAMRA branches and tasting panels in a number of categories covering all of the different beer styles. 

Great Orme took the award for Strong Mild for their Welsh Black, Facer’s were runner up in the Best Bitter category for Dave’s Hoppy Beer and in the Bitter category for Flintshire Bitter. The winner of the Bitter award was Purple Moose Snowdonia which went on to become the overall winner of the competition making it the Champion Beer of Wales 2009. This coincides with their 4th anniversary and 500th brew! Glaslyn also secured the runner-up spot in the Golden Ale category. So congratulations go out to Lawrence Washington of Purple Moose, Jonathan Hughes of Great Orme and Dave Facer. Iechyd Da!

The winners in each category as awarded by independent judging panels are as follows:

Bitter Category - Winner: Purple Moose Snowdonia.  Runner-up: Facers Flintshire Bitter

Best Bitter - Winner: Breconshire Cribyn.  Runner-up: Facers DHB

Golden Ale - Winner: Celt Experience Golden.  Runner-up: Purple Moose Glaslyn

Strong mild - Winner: Great Orme Welsh Black

Mild - Winner: Bryncelyn Buddy Marvellous.  Runner-up: Brains Dark

Strong ale - Winner: Otley OG.  Runner-up: Breconshire GVX

Barley Wine - Winner: Otley O8.  Runner-up : Heart of Wales High as a Kite

Speciality beer - Winner: Breconshire Spirit of the Dragon. Runner-up: Otley 'O' Garden

Stout - Winner: Heart of Wales Welsh Black.  Runner-up: Otley Dark 'O'

Porter - Winner: Otley Porter

 

Overall Champion Beer of Wales - Winner: Purple Moose Snowdonia.  Runners-up: Otley OG, Otley Porter. 

 

 
 

Abercolwyn Mild Pub of the Year

 

 
In May CAMRA  celebrates and promotes that almost forgotten drink of mild. Mild tends to be darker in colour and maltier than other beers. It also tends to be lower in alcohol and therefore usually cheaper. Each year the Abercolwyn branch of CAMRA singles out a pub that has championed the cause of mild over the last year. In Rowen, Tŷ Gwyn Hotel has been selling Lees Brewer’s Dark for about 18 months and it is being enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Speaking at the presentation Abercolwyn CAMRA Chairman Ian Saunders commented what a great community pub Tŷ Gwyn was and how pleased CAMRA were that the pub is now selling three real ales, because as well as the mild, Lees Bitter and Dragonfire are on sale as well. Licensee Gwen Doran was thrilled to receive the accolade that that her efforts had been rewarded. Pictured is Gwen Doran receiving the plaque.

 

 


 

 

Abercolwyn Pub of the Season, Spring 2009

   

The Gladstone in Dwygyfylchi, near Penmaenmawr has just been awarded the Pub of the Season, Spring 2009 by the Abercolwyn branch of CAMRA . When presenting the award CAMRA Chairman Ian Saunders commented that two years ago the pub won the Most Improved Pub of the Year award and has been constantly improving since then. During the recent National Cask Week the pub featured over a dozen real ales and were offering ‘try before you buy’ samples to customers. In fact on the presentation evening there were no less then six ales to try: Anglo Dutch Oliver Crunch, Black Sheep, Everards Beacon and three from the local Conwy Brewery: Mulberry Dark, Welsh Pride and Celebration. And what a celebration is was! Laurence Scally was on hand to collect the accolade and was delighted that the pubs efforts had been rewarded by CAMRA. And all CAMRA members and locals agreed that the Gladstone was indeed, championing the cause of Real Ale. Cheers!


 

Abercolwyn Pub of the Year 2009

 

 

The Abercolwyn CAMRA branch Pub of the Year award for 2009 has gone to the

Kinmel Arms in St. George near Abergele.

 

The photos shows (left to right): James Guest, bar person Sarah, Lynn and Tim.

To celebrate the event owners Lynn Cunnah-Watson and Tim Watson organised a Gourmet Beer Tasting Evening. This involved a five course meal with each course cooked in a different beer and served with that beer.

The appetiser was a ‘Trucker’s Breakfast’ which was black pudding, tomato and bacon crouton topped with a soft poached quail’s egg. This was served with a local beer from the Great Orme brewery: Welsh Mountain IPA. The next course was belly pork with apple sauce and cooked in a real cider from North Wales : Rosie’s Triple D Rampant Ram. The main course was a duo of venison served with a dark German Wheat beer: Erdinger Dunkel Weiss. The sweet was treacle tart and clotted cream with another local beer Facer’s North Star Porter. The cheese course came with a Finnish beer: Lapin Kulta.

 

Speaking at the presentation, Abercolwyn CAMRA Chairman Ian Saunders explained what qualities a good pub or inn should possess: “Originally pubs were coaching inns providing accommodation and food as well as ale. The Kinmel provides all of these amenities at the highest quality. Obviously, the ale is the most important aspect for CAMRA and cellarman and chief bar person James Guest seeks out the best real ales and ciders he can find. Even more impressive is the emphasis on local North Wales breweries.” On the night of the presentation there were three draught beers and two ciders and all locally produced


 

The Bridge Inn, Conwy is

Abercolwyn CAMRA

Pub of the Season Winter 2008/2009

 

 

The Abercolwyn Branch of  CAMRA have just announced that their award for Winter Pub of the Season has gone to the Bridge Inn, Conwy. The certificate was presented (left to right) to Bar Manager Catherine Hughes and Licensees Keith Boothby and Jennifer Thomas. Abercolwyn CAMRA chairman Ian Saunders congratulated Jenny and Keith praising them on the outstanding quality of the ales and of the great atmosphere and sense of community that they have instilled in the pub. They serve up to five real ales at any one time and on the evening of the presentation they were Banks’s Bitter, Jennings Dark Mild and Cocker Hoop and Marston’s Pedigree and 175 Not Out, a 4.2% beer celebrating 175 years of brewing at Marston’s. The Bridge is currently enjoying National fame as it is featured in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2009. The presentation night was a fantastic evening with CAMRA members and locals celebrating the accolade. Keith and Jenny said that were delighted to receive recognition for their work and now want to build up an equally fine reputation for their new pub venture Y Bedol in Tal-y-Bont.

 
 

Penrhyn Arms, Penrhynside – Penrhyn Arms, Penrhynside is

CAMRA Welsh Cider & Perry Pub of the Year 2008

 

 

It’s been a great year for John & Sharon Sumbland at the Penrhyn Arms in Penrhynside as far as cider and perry are concerned. Earlier this year they won the Abercolwyn CAMRA award for Cider Pub of the Year and then went on to win the Regional Competition for Merseyside, Cheshire & North Wales and it has now named the best cider pub for the whole of Wales . A presentation took place at the pub recently where the four ciders and one perry on offer were all Welsh. From Gwynt-y-Draig in Pontypridd were Farmhouse Sweet and Haymaker plus Two Trees Perry and, hailing from Llandegla near Wrexham, were Rosies Triple D Medium and Dry (both 7.2%). There was some great food served at the presentation including cider sausages, gammon cooked in cider and even bara brith made from cider. This caps off a great year from John & Sharon as they recently celebrated the arrival of their second child Lydia . Landlord John was on hand to receive the accolade for Welsh Cider & Perry Pub of the Year 2008 and was delighted that his efforts had been recognised by members of CAMRA and locals alike.

Pictured is John Sumbland (left) receiving the award from Ian Saunders, CAMRA’s Regional Cider Co-ordinator for North Wales .

 
  Wings Social Club, Colwyn Bay – Branch Club of the Year, Regional Club of the Year
 

A local social club had just received a major award from CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale). After winning the local Club of the Year competition earlier this year, the Wings Social Club in Colwyn Bay had been voted Regional Club of the Year 2008 by members of CAMRA from Merseyside, Cheshire & North Wales. This means that the club is now recognised by CAMRA as being in the top 16 clubs in the country. There were a couple of special guests at the presentation including Assembly Member Mark Isherwood and CAMRA Regional Director for Merseyside, Cheshire & North Wales Ian Garner. Speaking at the presentation Mr. Garner commended the pub on serving excellent quality real ales and said the judges had been very impressed with the welcome they received at the club and the hospitality extended to them. Ian singled out steward Dawn Prosser-Richards for particular praise for keeping the ale in such good order. The club serves beers from the J.W. Lees brewery: Brewers Dark, Bitter and a seasonal beer such as John Willies, a premium 4.5% bitter. Dawn put on a fantastic buffet for the presentation that included a lamb stew cooked in real ale and a great time was had by all.

 
 

Penrhyn Arms, Penrhynside – Branch Pub of the Year, Branch Cider & Perry Pub of the Year, Regional Cider Pub of the Year, Welsh Cider & Perry Pub of the Year

 
 

The Penrhyn Arms in Penrhynside has been presented with the award for Regional Cider pub of the Year . Early this year, the pub won the Abercolwyn Branch Cider Pub of the Year making it the best cider pub in the county of Conwy but this Regional award now makes it the best in the region of Merseyside, Cheshire & North Wales and is now in a competition to make the best in all of Wales . Why so many accolades? Well, quite simply, it is the best outlet for miles around for quality cider and perry at competitive prices.The pubs reputation has spread far and wide meaning that it is able to stock up to four ciders and a perry at any one time. At the recent presentation there were two from the south of England : Black Rat and Cheddar Valley , a Gwynt-y-Draig Malvern Hills Perry from Pontypridd and two local ciders from Llandegla near Wrexham Rosies Triple D and Wicked Wasp. The presentation was attended by many locals and CAMRA members including Ian Saunders – CAMRA Regional Cider Co-ordinator for North Wales and Rhys Jones who is a member of CAMRA’s National Committee for cider and Perry. Pictured is Rhys Jones (left) presenting the award to licensee John Sumbland (seen drinking a pint of Wicked Wasp).

 
   
 

 

 
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 

 

   
   
   
   
   
   
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 

Download

Aledrinker


 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
     

The views expressed on this site are not necessarily those of the Campaign for Real Ale Ltd. 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.