CAMAL

The Campaign for Authentic Lager

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A record 16 members (one behind the camera and another elsewhere!) - half of those who then subscribed - and 2 guests attended our 1^ST Social in 2023

2026 Events

Confirmed:

'A Bath for the Electric Bear?'

Saturday, 17^TH October

Meet in good time at either Paddington for the 1000 train to Bath Spa or Reading for the same train at 1025. Then, await the 1134 connnection to Oldfield Park (next stop) and, upon leaving the station, turn right.

Noon - Charmbury Arms, 69-70, Brook Rd., Oldfield Park, Somerset, BA2 3RR. GBG 2026/7

A community local, traditional to the extent that credit or debit card payments are not accepted, which is deceptively larger than it, at first, appears having expanded into the cottages either side.

Continue north to the main crossroads and turn left.

1pm - Royal Oak, Lower Bristol Rd., Oldfield Park, Somerset, BA2 3BW. GBG 2026/7

A large pub with a kitchen converted into the Ralph's Ruin microbrewery (named after the pub dog!) which once stood in the shadow of a now-demolished Somerset & Dorset Railway overbridge (closed 1966).

Returning to the crossroads, turn left and continue north across the River Avon via Windsor Rd. bridge to the Upper Bristol Rd. From the stop immediately west, take a 39, an A4, a U3 or an X39 bus three stops west. Back a few yards to Osborne Rd. and, heading towards the River Avon, turn right along Brassmill La. Alternatively, along the Lower Bristol Rd. to a footbridge across the Kennet & Avon canal and thence along its towpath to Brassmill La. (1¼ miles).

2.30pm - Electric Bear brewery, Unit 12, The Maltings, Twerton, Somerset, BA1 3JL.

Showcasing an ever-increasing ale and lager range, this 11-year old brewery and taproom usually features at least one cask beer.

Leaving at 4pm, retrace route back to Newbridge Rd. and take a 39, an A4, a U3 or an X39 bus to two stops short of the City Centre bus stn.

4.45pm - Brewhouse, 14, James St. West, Bath, Somerset, BA1 2BX. GBG 2026/7

Almost adjacent to the former joint S&D/Midland Bath Green Park terminus, this building was once the Midland Hotel and, now, features its own on-site brewery that produces two regular beers.

Diagonally across the road to follow Charles St. round to Queen Sq. where, at its SW corner, follow Wood St. and turn first left.

5.45pm - Salamander, 3, John St., Bath, Somerset, BA1 2JL. GBG 2026

Although an 18^TH century building, this site only became a pub in 1962, having been a coffee bar for the previous five years, and is now owned by St. Austell brewery.

Return to Wood St., across junction and left into Quiet St.

6.30pm - Raven Pie(minster) & Ale House, 7, Queen St., Bath, Somerset, BA1 1HE. GBG 2026/7

Another 18^TH century structure housing a pub which, today, features four bars on three floors following expansion just four years ago. A true free house, Blindman's brewery beers are permanently-featured as does real cider.

Right out of pub and first left into Milsom St. where, at its north end, turn right along George St. to cross the Broad St./Belmont junction.

[For early leavers, a train at 2013 from Bath Spa stn. (¾ mile) heads to all major points east on the GWR main line.]

7.45pm - Cider House, 7, Bladud Buildings, The Paragon, Bath, Somerset, BA1 5LS.

Our APPFEL venue for this year, this cellar bar features up to 20 ciders and perries, some milled by Orchard Park Farms for blending on the premises in any of a vast number of vertical 500 litre maturation tanks adjacent to the bar, which should have one RA available.

Alternative great pubs nearby are Bell GBG 2026/7, Sickle GBG 2027 and Star. GBG 2026/7

Back to junction to follow Broad St. south to Northgate St. and just after it becomes High St., turn right.

8.45pm - Cœur de Lion, 7, Northumberland Place, Bath, Somerset, BA1 5AR. GBG 2026/7

Situated in a narrow passageway, this pub claims to be the smallest in the city centre and is now run by Abbey Ales brewery despite the fine stained glass fenestered frontage for the former Devenish brewery of Weymouth.

Leaving no later than 10pm, return to follow High St. further south to Manvers Rd. and direct to Bath Spa stn. (½ mile). A train at 2214 reaches Reading at 2310 and Paddington 2342. A later train runs at 2245.

Proposed (long term):

'Further London Lager Microbreweries'

Noon - Antwerp Arms, 168-70, Church Road, Tottenham, N17 8AS then

1.30pm - True Craft (ex-West Green Tavern), 68, West Green Road, South Tottenham, N15 5NR, then

3pm - Bohem Brewery Tap Room, Unit 5, Littleline House, 41-3, West Road, Northumberland Park, N17 0RE then

4.30pm - One Mile End Brewery Tap Room, Unit 2, Compass West Estate, 32, West Road, Northumberland Park, N17 0XL then

6pm - Redemption Brewery Tap Room, Unit 16, Compass West Estate, 32, West Road, Northumberland Park, N17 0XL Closes 7pm

(All taprooms are adjacent to each other, One Mile End moving into Redemption's premises when the latter relocated and Bohem moving nearby to create a venue adjacent to their resited brewery additional to that at Bowes Park.)

CAMAL membership badges should be worn - by those who have them! - by all participating members at every event.

This depiction of mediæval monastic brewing appears to have the CAMAL tankard clearly in view!

You have missed:

Sunday, 23^RD August

1pm - '40^TH Anniversary Meal' Regency Club, 18-21, Station Parade, Queensbury, HA8 5NR.

A return to a CAMAL favourite marked not only this anniversary but also that of the 60^TH edition of our Newsletter published late last year.

This restaurant featured the full range of Rothaus brewery lagers together with its own, badged, take on the style, Regency Pils, plus a couple of 'guests' on the bar.

Although a table for 12 had been reserved, our esteemed Treasurer decided not to attend after all and, with one other no-show, 10 members were able to indulge in excellent curries of varying strengths and content.

Afterwards, most decamped to JJ Moons in Kingsbury for further libation.

Friday, 3^RD - Monday 6^THJuly

'Bill English Memorial Trip to Amsterdam' (jointly with SPBW)

With all making their own travel and accommodation arrangements, many CAMAL members elected to stay at the Ibis City West hotel at Sloterdijk. An advance party arrived just before the Friday dawned, having been delayed by their Eurostar from St. Pancras being cancelled beyond Brussels - as had been the case from earlier that week due to a severe lineside fire in the Rotterdam Control Room - and our severely late-running transfer being terminated at Utrecht. A third, also late-running train, finally allowed arrival at Amsterdam Centraal a little over two hours later than originally envisaged.

As a result, this group were able to indulge in a mini-crawl around four historic bars of the Jordaan district to the west of the city centre before rendezvousing with most others at the In de Wildeman @ 5pm on 3^RD.

After that, the itinerary followed was largely determined on each day with the exception of the planned visit to the Ulitje Brewery Tap in Haarlem @ 1pm on the Saturday and a celebratory meal, to Bill English's memory, at an Indonesian restaurant, Sampurna, in Amsterdam's flower market @ 2pm on the 5^TH. A mini-crawl around a couple of bars in the vicinity had been embarked upon by the initial CAMAL group in the hours prior to this.

It was notable that, with an up-to-date CAMRA guide to the cities having been, amazingly, sourced by one of our party at a Waterstones in Amsterdam(!), we were able to alternately frequent some much newer, albeit more clinical, bars we were previously unaware of with some of the more historic, characterful, ones that previous guides had featured. However, perhaps significantly, a handful of 'brown' cafés had closed since CAMAL's last visit here in 2009.

Altogether, thirteen individuals had made the journey to The Netherlands, the majority being CAMAL members, though it was notable that one purely SPBW subscriber never caught-up with the rest of us but, apparently, had had a good time following his own agenda throughout! Most dispersed via various, now restored, direct Eurostars back to the UK on 6^TH.

Saturday, 6^TH June

'Not the 1^ST Bohem pub's Anniversary'

Most assembled outside Battersea Power Station tube station at 11.45am and, keeping the 1920s Sir Giles Gilbert Scott/Leonard Pearce (not the 'Only Fools & Horses' actor!) edifice to the right, we headed north to the River Thames. Turning left and, without going under the bridge, turning left again, beneath the railway arches, we arrived at:

noon - Battersea Brewing, 14, Arches Lane, Nine Elms, SW11 8AB.

then

Returning to the riverside and going under the railway bridge, we ascended the steps adjacent to Chelsea Bridge to access Queenstown Road.

From the southbound stop, we took a 452 bus as a mob to Lavender Hill and, going back a short distance, turned right into Robertson Street for:

2pm - Queen's Arms, 139, St. Phillip Street, Lavender Hill, SW8 3SS.

Bohem's first venture south of the river, which turned one year old on 30^TH May, where we belatedly celebrated at this restored and revived traditional pub despite not being able to attend on the actual day.

then

Most retraced their steps to Lavender Hill and, at the traffic light-controlled junction there, turned right to take a 77 bus a few stops along Wandsworth Road, passing the former Plough ph & brewery (once home to Thomas Woodward & Sons' brewery) en route. [A few opted to walk the back streets instead.] Opposite the railway station of that name, underneath the arches, we found:

4.45pm - Distortion Brewing, 647, Portslade Road, Nine Elms, SW8 3DH.

then

Passing under the railway bridge, we continued east along Wandsworth Road and turned left along Stewart's Lane to reach:

6.30pm - Mondo Brewing, 86, Stewart's Lane, Nine Elms, SW8 4UG.

then

Finally, continuing north along Stewart's Lane, we returned to Nine Elms Lane and Battersea Power Station².

Saturday, 28th March

'Gander a Bicycle Affixed to the Shore'

A predominantly micropub tour of Worthing. However, given the nos. of other, including GBG 2026, pubs in the vicinity, it was anticipated that some attendees may not have wanted to visit all micropubs where food options were limited or non-existant.

Nearby alternative 'traditional' pubs have been posted in this font.

Noon - The Corner House, 80, High Street, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1DJ (GBG 2026) then

12.45pm - Old Bike Store, 65, Brighton Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1DJ then either

1.30pm - Beer No Evil, 82, Brighton Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 2EN or

1.30pm - The Egremont, 32, Brighton Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 3ED.

We then reconvened at:

2.30pm - Goose, 18^A, Marine Parade, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 3PT then either

3.15pm - Beach House, 32, Marine Parade, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 3PS or

3.15pm - The Thieves Kitchen, 10-2, Warwick Street, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 3DL.

We then reconvened at:

4pm - Tasting Room (Merakai Brewery), Unit 8, Stanford Square, Warwick Street, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 3EZ then either

4.45pm - Anchored (GBG), 14, Montague Place, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 3BG or

4.45pm - The Three Fishes ('spoons) (GBG), 56, Chapel Street, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1BE.

We then reconvened at:

5.45pm - The Hare & Hounds, 79-81, Portland Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1QG (GBG) then either

6.30pm The Railway Hotel, 26-7, Railway Approach, 79, High Street, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1UR or

6.30pm - The New Amsterdam, 79, High Street, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1DN.

Most of the 8 attendees met at Victoria station at 10am for:

1016 train ex-Victoria arr. 1141 (with some boarding at East Croydon).

The order of the micros was rejigged slightly to allow for use of public transport within Worthing and that the Tasting Room didn't open until 3pm. Also, with The Railway Hotel having been revamped as a Portobello pub, the majority ventured there instead of The New Amsterdam.

However, almost all returned to Worthing station opposite the former no later than 7.30pm for the 1933 train ex-Worthing, arr. Victoria 2058, although some alighted at East Croydon.

A link to pub descriptions, facilities and photographs, using the new CAMRA trip facility, was made available on the 'General' page on the CAMAL whatsapp site.

Newsletter Editor

Meet in good time at either Paddington for the 1000 train to Bath Spa or Reading for the same train at 1025. Then, await the 1134 connnection to Oldfield Park (next stop) and, upon leaving the station, turn right.

Noon - Charmbury Arms, 69-70, Brook Rd., Oldfield Park, Somerset, BA2 3RR. GBG 2026/7

A community local, traditional to the extent that credit or debit card payments are not accepted, which is deceptively larger than it, at first, appears having expanded into the cottages either side.

Continue north to the main crossroads and turn left.

A large pub with a kitchen converted into the Ralph's Ruin microbrewery (named after the pub dog!) which once stood in the shadow of a now-demolished Somerset & Dorset Railway overbridge (closed 1966).

2.30pm - Electric Bear brewery, Unit 12, The Maltings, Twerton, Somerset, BA1 3JL.

Showcasing an ever-increasing ale and lager range, this 11-year old brewery and taproom usually features at least one cask beer.

4.45pm - Brewhouse, 14, James St. West, Bath, Somerset, BA1 2BX. GBG 2026/7

Almost adjacent to the former joint S&D/Midland Bath Green Park terminus, this building was once the Midland Hotel and, now, features its own on-site brewery that produces two regular beers.

5.45pm - Salamander, 3, John St., Bath, Somerset, BA1 2JL. GBG 2026

Although an 18^TH century building, this site only became a pub in 1962, having been a coffee bar for the previous five years, and is now owned by St. Austell brewery.

6.30pm - Raven Pie(minster) & Ale House, 7, Queen St., Bath, Somerset, BA1 1HE. GBG 2026/7

Another 18^TH century structure housing a pub which, today, features four bars on three floors following expansion just four years ago. A true free house, Blindman's brewery beers are permanently-featured as does real cider.

[For early leavers, a train at 2013 from Bath Spa stn. (¾ mile) heads to all major points east on the GWR main line.]

7.45pm - Cider House, 7, Bladud Buildings, The Paragon, Bath, Somerset, BA1 5LS.

Our APPFEL venue for this year, this cellar bar features up to 20 ciders and perries, some milled by Orchard Park Farms for blending on the premises in any of a vast number of vertical 500 litre maturation tanks adjacent to the bar, which should have one RA available.

Alternative great pubs nearby are Bell GBG 2026/7, Sickle GBG 2027 and Star. GBG 2026/7

Back to junction to follow Broad St. south to Northgate St. and just after it becomes High St., turn right.

8.45pm - Cœur de Lion, 7, Northumberland Place, Bath, Somerset, BA1 5AR. GBG 2026/7

Situated in a narrow passageway, this pub claims to be the smallest in the city centre and is now run by Abbey Ales brewery despite the fine stained glass fenestered frontage for the former Devenish brewery of Weymouth.

Leaving no later than 10pm, return to follow High St. further south to Manvers Rd. and direct to Bath Spa stn. (½ mile). A train at 2214 reaches Reading at 2310 and Paddington 2342. A later train runs at 2245.

1pm - '40^TH Anniversary Meal' Regency Club, 18-21, Station Parade, Queensbury, HA8 5NR.

'Bill English Memorial Trip to Amsterdam' (jointly with SPBW)

noon - Battersea Brewing, 14, Arches Lane, Nine Elms, SW11 8AB.

Nearby alternative 'traditional' pubs have been posted in this font.

1.30pm - The Egremont, 32, Brighton Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 3ED.

We then reconvened at:

3.15pm - The Thieves Kitchen, 10-2, Warwick Street, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 3DL.

We then reconvened at:

4.45pm - The Three Fishes ('spoons) (GBG), 56, Chapel Street, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1BE.

We then reconvened at:

6.30pm - The New Amsterdam, 79, High Street, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1DN.

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Meet in good time at either Paddington for the 1000 train to Bath Spa or Reading for the same train at 1025. Then, await the 1134 connnection to Oldfield Park (next stop) and, upon leaving the station, turn right.

Noon - Charmbury Arms, 69-70, Brook Rd., Oldfield Park, Somerset, BA2 3RR. GBG 2026/7

A community local, traditional to the extent that credit or debit card payments are not accepted, which is deceptively larger than it, at first, appears having expanded into the cottages either side.

Continue north to the main crossroads and turn left.

A large pub with a kitchen converted into the Ralph's Ruin microbrewery (named after the pub dog!) which once stood in the shadow of a now-demolished Somerset & Dorset Railway overbridge (closed 1966).

2.30pm - Electric Bear brewery, Unit 12, The Maltings, Twerton, Somerset, BA1 3JL.

Showcasing an ever-increasing ale and lager range, this 11-year old brewery and taproom usually features at least one cask beer.

4.45pm - Brewhouse, 14, James St. West, Bath, Somerset, BA1 2BX. GBG 2026/7

Almost adjacent to the former joint S&D/Midland Bath Green Park terminus, this building was once the Midland Hotel and, now, features its own on-site brewery that produces two regular beers.

5.45pm - Salamander, 3, John St., Bath, Somerset, BA1 2JL. GBG 2026

Although an 18TH century building, this site only became a pub in 1962, having been a coffee bar for the previous five years, and is now owned by St. Austell brewery.

6.30pm - Raven Pie(minster) & Ale House, 7, Queen St., Bath, Somerset, BA1 1HE. GBG 2026/7

Another 18TH century structure housing a pub which, today, features four bars on three floors following expansion just four years ago. A true free house, Blindman's brewery beers are permanently-featured as does real cider.

[For early leavers, a train at 2013 from Bath Spa stn. (¾ mile) heads to all major points east on the GWR main line.]

7.45pm - Cider House, 7, Bladud Buildings, The Paragon, Bath, Somerset, BA1 5LS.

Our APPFEL venue for this year, this cellar bar features up to 20 ciders and perries, some milled by Orchard Park Farms for blending on the premises in any of a vast number of vertical 500 litre maturation tanks adjacent to the bar, which should have one RA available.

Alternative great pubs nearby are Bell GBG 2026/7, Sickle GBG 2027 and Star. GBG 2026/7

Back to junction to follow Broad St. south to Northgate St. and just after it becomes High St., turn right.

8.45pm - Cœur de Lion, 7, Northumberland Place, Bath, Somerset, BA1 5AR. GBG 2026/7

Situated in a narrow passageway, this pub claims to be the smallest in the city centre and is now run by Abbey Ales brewery despite the fine stained glass fenestered frontage for the former Devenish brewery of Weymouth.

Leaving no later than 10pm, return to follow High St. further south to Manvers Rd. and direct to Bath Spa stn. (½ mile). A train at 2214 reaches Reading at 2310 and Paddington 2342. A later train runs at 2245.

1pm - '40TH Anniversary Meal' Regency Club, 18-21, Station Parade, Queensbury, HA8 5NR.

'Bill English Memorial Trip to Amsterdam' (jointly with SPBW)

noon - Battersea Brewing, 14, Arches Lane, Nine Elms, SW11 8AB.

Nearby alternative 'traditional' pubs have been posted in this font.

1.30pm - The Egremont, 32, Brighton Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 3ED.

We then reconvened at:

3.15pm - The Thieves Kitchen, 10-2, Warwick Street, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 3DL.

We then reconvened at:

4.45pm - The Three Fishes ('spoons) (GBG), 56, Chapel Street, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1BE.

We then reconvened at:

6.30pm - The New Amsterdam, 79, High Street, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1DN.

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Although an 18^TH century building, this site only became a pub in 1962, having been a coffee bar for the previous five years, and is now owned by St. Austell brewery.

Another 18^TH century structure housing a pub which, today, features four bars on three floors following expansion just four years ago. A true free house, Blindman's brewery beers are permanently-featured as does real cider.

1pm - '40^TH Anniversary Meal' Regency Club, 18-21, Station Parade, Queensbury, HA8 5NR.