CAMAL

 The Campaign for Authentic Lager

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2020 Events

 

 

Proposed:

 

Sunday, 22nd or 29th November

 

'Annual General Meeting'

 

1pm - The Bolton (Pröflokaal Rembrandt Bar), 326, Earl's Court Road, Earl's Court, SW5 9QB

 

Card-carrying CAMAL members only please. 

 

 

 

Proposed (short term):

 

'Queensbury Curry' - The Regency Club - February 2021

 

 

Proposed (medium term):

 

'Yet More SE London Micropubs' - April 2021

 

Times may vary and venues (as well as date!) to be confirmed but will probably include:

 
noon
The Radius Arms, Whyteleafe
 
1.30pm
Cronx, East Croydon
 
3pm
Rail Ale Way, Hayes
 
4.30pm
The London Beer Dispensary, Crofton Park
 
5.30pm
Joyce, Brockley
 
 
Finally:
7pm
The Bolthole, Falconwood

 

 
Public Transport will be required to/from and between all venues.
 
 

Proposed (long term):

 

'Specialist London Lager Microbreweries III' - July 2021

 

Antwerp Arms, Tottenham, then

 

True Craft (ex-West Green Tavern), West Green, then

 

One Mile End Brewery Tap, Northumberland Park

 

Redemption Brewery Tap Room, Northumberland Park

 

(both adjacent to Bohem's Brewery premises, their Taproom here being currently closed) 

 

 

 

Also:

 

'Bill English Memorial Trip to Amsterdam & Antwerp (possibly including Ypres) - tba

 

 

 

Further details will be posted here shortly. 

 

  

CAMAL badges should be worn by all participating members at every event. 

 

 

                    *

 

 

You Have Missed:

 

Sunday, 4th October

 

'Specialist London Lager Micro-breweries II'

 

1pm - Ranelagh, 82, Bounds Green Road, Bounds Green, N11 2PP then

 

3pm - Springfield Bar & Grill, 133, Bounds Green Road, N11 2EU then

 

4.30pm - Bohem Brewery Taproom, 120A, Myddleton Road, Bowes Park, N17 8NQ

 

The Ranelagh was refurbished around 10 years ago, revamped as a 'craft' beer outlet alongside real ales, offering both occasional 'tap takeovers' and good food in addition. Notably available was a St. Stephanus Abbey beer whilst Sunday lunch was partaken here by all 5 members who attended throughout the day, well within the 'rule of six' diktat. The Springfield Bar & Grill was formerly The Springfield Park Tavern until refurbished in 2013 and had similarly been 'improved' from having been a genuine and well-regarded Irish establishment. Whilst no distinctive 'craft' beers were available, a very acceptable Hardy's & Hanson's Kimberley Bitter (albeit an ersatz beer nowadays brewed by Greene King) was imbibed by all. 

 

At Bohem's Brewery Tap, a particularly convivial session was enjoyed with Marek Průša presiding at the bar and locals alike all engaging with the group exhibiting the bon homie of true (Czech) micropub fashion. As the showcase for the nearby (Tottenham) brewery of the same name run entirely by Czech ex-pats - shades of the original German-run Austro-Bavarian/Imperial Lager brewery (also in Tottenham) of the late 19TH century - Bohem is believed to be unique in London for being the capital's only all-lager concern. Five of the six pivos on tap (Amos, Martina, Raven, Sparta & Vasco) were sampled but the last, Gregor (a German lager), ran dry before we could order any! 

 

All venues were accessed by walking between them; public transport - to/from Bounds Green Underground station and Bowes Park National Rail station - only being used at the start and finish of the event. 

 

 

Saturday, 8th August

 

'Specialist London Lager Micro-breweries I'

 

1pm - Signal Brewery Tap, 8, Stirling Way, Beddington Farm Road, CR0 4XN then

 

3.30pm - Anspach & Hobday Brewery Tap, 11, Valley Point Industrial Estate, Beddington Farm Road, CR0 4WP.

 

Although initially Lager-only, Signal have now diversified into producing other brews, including a Porter, whereas Anspach & Hobday is already well-known to CAMAL members. Originally part of the 'Bermondsey Beer Mile', the latter has recently relocated its brewery to a site close by Signal's brew house. 

 

Both having on-site taprooms, open on Saturdays only, close to Tramlink, they were reached from the Therapia Lane tramstop between Wimbledon and Croydon. 

 

On one of the hottest days of the year to date, a Kung Flu-compliant 'bubble' of 4 existing CAMAL members and one 'guest' took advantage of shaded seating outside Signal and internal bench seating at A&H. The pizza franchise outside the former provided welcome sustenance and even one new member (our 'guest') was signed-up. 

 

 

Saturday, 22nd February

 

'Leap Between Berks Taprooms Early'

 

Having taken the 1235 or 1241 train from Ealing Broadway or Hayes & Harlington stations respectively to Tilehurst station arriving 1327 or the latest fast train at 1247 from London Paddington that connected with the same service above at Reading (at 1323) (or from London Waterloo that departed at 1150, Clapham Junction 1158 and Twickenham 1210), a creditable 11 people (4 CAMAL members, 3 West Middx. and 4 Reading CAMRA members) attended this social at some or all points during the course of the day. 

 
2pm
The Double-Barrelled Taproom, close to Norcut Junction along Portman Road, opened promptly at 2pm but, on this occasion, no collaboration brews with other brewers were featured. It was accessed by all making the short 2/3 mile walk rather than taking a route 16 bus ride from the roundabout close to Tilehurst station.
 
3.30pm
The German-themed venue known as The Bierhaus was reached by some who walked the 2 miles and others who took a 16 or 17 bus from Norcut Junction to the Broad Street Mall stop. Available authentic food included a Jäger (wiener) schnitzel atop sliced fried potatoes which, about the size of a large dinner plate, was eventually consumed - after a struggle - by your Newsletter Editor/de facto Social Secretary! 
 
5.30pm
Phantom Brewery’s tap room ‘The Haunt’, which opened in November 2019, featured a selection of Phantom's (and guest) brews across 12 taps and, as predicted, had a visiting street food vendor on this (and every) Saturday. All reached it by a mile long walk from Reading centre. 
 
7pm
Finally, although the reopened Corn Stores (ex-Fullers') was attained by partly retracing our steps, the tank lager from Meantime, seemingly the only beer available and that somewhat expensive, failed to inspire and, so, other pubs - including the keg-only Railway Club - near Reading station were patronised instead by a hard core of remaining attendees.
 
It is notable that, during the course of the day, the 3 West Middx. CAMRA members joined CAMAL en masse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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