Blog Tracker
10-05-2023, 13:50
Visit the Paul Bailey's Beer Blog site (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2023/05/pub-talk.html)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmOVYrrRp5ox5aU8tiv0mWX2z2iam2jxLiUVtSqxVf8 mdTIOpMAjdGHS1zLbJo9ktJ7XGkD0MdPy1IMXIGlbbyLGHwW8D 3Ek75ydAwRe47qjpL-uHnOpGHHPEizJIIlHpM_cHR54jStYBIG42Zb1V9cC_4VHmlx40 vPHj1h6HJfa388X9SHhs96cG/w400-h236/Birmingham%20in%20the%20rain.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmOVYrrRp5ox5aU8tiv0mWX2z2iam2jxLiUVtSqxVf8 mdTIOpMAjdGHS1zLbJo9ktJ7XGkD0MdPy1IMXIGlbbyLGHwW8D 3Ek75ydAwRe47qjpL-uHnOpGHHPEizJIIlHpM_cHR54jStYBIG42Zb1V9cC_4VHmlx40 vPHj1h6HJfa388X9SHhs96cG/s3678/Birmingham%20in%20the%20rain.jpg)
I mentioned in a previous post how after one of the driest February's on record, March and April turned out complete opposites, as not only werethese months characterised by persistent, and at times heavy rainfall, buttemperatures too seemed way below average. I was reminded of this the otherevening whilst looking through some photos, trying to find some to help illustrate a post I was writing at the time. From the dates on the photos, it appearsMarch and April 2022 were characterised by plenty of sunshine and relatively warmtemperatures. Many trees were also in leaf, and we're talking here about pictures taken in April.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMtlkwqgKJoQMBvarh-Og0GVkm9s1VSBU6JAWa1x0A1bymLthl09QjR9NzVk1bgN5Gyya 7zDj_uFbpClfugofJ7SsDv7_7g_KCxAqAcOOtQJtOBLpywkrhQ kRM57kiEsCrlNbU63d0gOIlvY6MDLFbAVYHIcK-WkfIB5FzUzjWIbyQrp_gt93WvP_/w400-h225/IMG_20230428_110005.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMtlkwqgKJoQMBvarh-Og0GVkm9s1VSBU6JAWa1x0A1bymLthl09QjR9NzVk1bgN5Gyya 7zDj_uFbpClfugofJ7SsDv7_7g_KCxAqAcOOtQJtOBLpywkrhQ kRM57kiEsCrlNbU63d0gOIlvY6MDLFbAVYHIcK-WkfIB5FzUzjWIbyQrp_gt93WvP_/s4000/IMG_20230428_110005.jpg)
Something seems to have gone horribly wrong this year, becauseapart from the odd warm day, May has continued in the same vein. The wind has achill to it which, by right, should have disappeared long before, but it's therain that's been the most annoying, and with low pressure hanging over thecountry, drawing in wet fronts from the Atlantic, there doesn't even seem to beany end in sight,
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0xyqtg0KW5SKe4UCXj5uO9qoajd5IrAHDyDJakqKFY 9F-R-gkWDjZ3AgGw3mkWhWWaG6yasZlnWNtsYMdtpWKoL7D3yDlrFhD hmiBJfe-oXbuHmlTStJ_u9rGuivA9GjCbcceD5k9iJEAyFghwYQFmaL-kJzvIq8p1unkywpqUBgWrDpyLCLgqIS/w400-h225/IMG_20230421_155230.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0xyqtg0KW5SKe4UCXj5uO9qoajd5IrAHDyDJakqKFY 9F-R-gkWDjZ3AgGw3mkWhWWaG6yasZlnWNtsYMdtpWKoL7D3yDlrFhD hmiBJfe-oXbuHmlTStJ_u9rGuivA9GjCbcceD5k9iJEAyFghwYQFmaL-kJzvIq8p1unkywpqUBgWrDpyLCLgqIS/s4000/IMG_20230421_155230.jpg)
This topic came up last Thursday, when I joined members ofWest Kent CAMRA at the Nelson Arms, in Tonbridge, for a presentation markingthe pub achieving Branch Pub of the Year. One friend I was talking to, saidexactly the same thing about the weather, and being a keen walker like me, wasequally cheesed off. We’d both concluded that with conditions under foot beingfar too wet and slippery, the risk of falling over, or becoming stuck in themud, were sufficient to detract from the usual pleasures of hiking in the greatoutdoors. Consequently, like me, my friend has done very little walking thisspring.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDfwNz634RQjgPnILohtoqRjDd0iqC-necvMMet9C4mwuFCJcOZt6drifk4DczhWVAhpX9kiAMq0MZKtu d8D-mK1ipZX7ypr47dMlRHWSZjcnmKfYCSc8BZPdqCgicqbGiKNMFw-MOBaUyc4BLCIs-6ahU37PnWhlW20rUa1ZVZ1y26kWVaglJdob/w225-h400/Black%20Sheep%20Hand%20pull.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDfwNz634RQjgPnILohtoqRjDd0iqC-necvMMet9C4mwuFCJcOZt6drifk4DczhWVAhpX9kiAMq0MZKtu d8D-mK1ipZX7ypr47dMlRHWSZjcnmKfYCSc8BZPdqCgicqbGiKNMFw-MOBaUyc4BLCIs-6ahU37PnWhlW20rUa1ZVZ1y26kWVaglJdob/s4000/Black%20Sheep%20Hand%20pull.jpg)
Another topic of conversation that evening, was the newsconcerning the Black Sheep Brewery of Masham, North Yorkshire, being on the verge of going intoreceivership. This is bad news for anyone who likes a decent pint, and sad newstoo for a company which celebrated its 30th anniversary last year. Foundedin 1992, by Paul Theakston, of the famous brewing family, Black Sheep became amajor force in Yorkshire brewing. Now it is facing a “perfect storm” of post-COVID debt, rising costs, and uncertain demand.There had been a fair amount of debate on one the local WestKent CAMRA WhatsApp groups, about possible reasons for Black Sheep’s troubles,with one of the younger members stating, that the beers the company brewedweren’t exciting enough to appeal to his generation. Several of usresponded that whilst there might be the odd grain of truth in this, noteveryone wished to drink beers with a strong citrus flavour. I made the point thatwith very few pubs of their own, Black Sheep might have placed too much relianceon the free trade, and have now found out just how fickle this section of themarket can be, and how cut throat is the competition to get their beers on thebars of Yorkshire pubs.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKt0CXkXMOrm7rIkyifxFPmA8__8jYmDg_qbEuW0H3J 8E7RWDh8QNBLs-e2pzBDhh7YHWbqRdhgb060DwHgqMXwJ_GL-IENRnNppBBWNHwWHy5xQHjrPlDEgykPeGcA0qeIBul6inBPgvT mkuCexN0mfTaYzbMiysjeCU0beUnQ5u8DRTi9K55pJe/w400-h300/Sheep.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKt0CXkXMOrm7rIkyifxFPmA8__8jYmDg_qbEuW0H3J 8E7RWDh8QNBLs-e2pzBDhh7YHWbqRdhgb060DwHgqMXwJ_GL-IENRnNppBBWNHwWHy5xQHjrPlDEgykPeGcA0qeIBul6inBPgvT mkuCexN0mfTaYzbMiysjeCU0beUnQ5u8DRTi9K55pJe/s4000/Sheep.jpg)
Another contributor chipped in saying that the lack of aflagship brand within the Black Sheep portfolio, was a serious handicap for thebrewery. He claimed that Riggwelterwould fit the bill, but it was a beer that drinkers rarely come across, and onethat seems to receive very little promotion, certainly outside of its Yorkshireheartland. I personally think that a flagship brand can be a double-edgedsword. In the past, breweries have been purchased by a larger rival, that just wantsto get its hands on the better known, named beer.Theakston’s Old Peculier was one such beer, and after the originalfamily company fell into financial difficulties, the brewery was purchased byMatthew Brown of Blackburn. This turned out to be a bad move for the Lancashire company,as their ownership of Theakston’s attracted the attention of a much largerfish, in the guise of Scottish & Newcastle. The latter didn’t give twohoots about Matthew Brown, its brewery or its beers, they just wanted to add the Old Peculierbrand to their portfolio.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbAGB29v1m-eW4YmEwE5v_bbz8pe2cUzdtbUdOzDOMSWPxw0eqx3iVm9OWTyQ xPQFtGqMCmuAZ34_7q8xuibIMlkhnU3U7svi5zPmWOYQBO48ff MInkRseRSCaP0AIX3vVNZVg6jYkAvq6IiVnTLq86OoSB1eoYij Bu35fr1fu5m0GeX1RJCw_Bez/w400-h225/IMG_20230316_182238.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbAGB29v1m-eW4YmEwE5v_bbz8pe2cUzdtbUdOzDOMSWPxw0eqx3iVm9OWTyQ xPQFtGqMCmuAZ34_7q8xuibIMlkhnU3U7svi5zPmWOYQBO48ff MInkRseRSCaP0AIX3vVNZVg6jYkAvq6IiVnTLq86OoSB1eoYij Bu35fr1fu5m0GeX1RJCw_Bez/s4000/IMG_20230316_182238.jpg)
Sure enough, following a rather bitter takeover battle,S&N acquired the Theakston brands they were after, Matthew Brown’s Blackburnbrewery was closed, and the Brown name very quickly disappeared. If you want toknow how quickly, ask how many of today’s drinkers have heard of Matthew Brown?I suspect there is a large proportion of CAMRA members who haven’t heard of thebrewery, either.I’ve laboured things rather on this last point, and we’vedrifted way off topic from my opening remarks about the weather, but this is oftenwhat happens with many conversations that take place over a few pints. There’s nogetting away though from the point that, like the weather, the brewing industryand pub trades are both in a state of flux, with no-one really knowing what theend game will be. As with all the other bad stuff that is going on in the worldat the moment, a little stability, would be most welcome, but whether or not itmaterialises, is anyone’s guess.
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More... (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2023/05/pub-talk.html)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmOVYrrRp5ox5aU8tiv0mWX2z2iam2jxLiUVtSqxVf8 mdTIOpMAjdGHS1zLbJo9ktJ7XGkD0MdPy1IMXIGlbbyLGHwW8D 3Ek75ydAwRe47qjpL-uHnOpGHHPEizJIIlHpM_cHR54jStYBIG42Zb1V9cC_4VHmlx40 vPHj1h6HJfa388X9SHhs96cG/w400-h236/Birmingham%20in%20the%20rain.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmOVYrrRp5ox5aU8tiv0mWX2z2iam2jxLiUVtSqxVf8 mdTIOpMAjdGHS1zLbJo9ktJ7XGkD0MdPy1IMXIGlbbyLGHwW8D 3Ek75ydAwRe47qjpL-uHnOpGHHPEizJIIlHpM_cHR54jStYBIG42Zb1V9cC_4VHmlx40 vPHj1h6HJfa388X9SHhs96cG/s3678/Birmingham%20in%20the%20rain.jpg)
I mentioned in a previous post how after one of the driest February's on record, March and April turned out complete opposites, as not only werethese months characterised by persistent, and at times heavy rainfall, buttemperatures too seemed way below average. I was reminded of this the otherevening whilst looking through some photos, trying to find some to help illustrate a post I was writing at the time. From the dates on the photos, it appearsMarch and April 2022 were characterised by plenty of sunshine and relatively warmtemperatures. Many trees were also in leaf, and we're talking here about pictures taken in April.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMtlkwqgKJoQMBvarh-Og0GVkm9s1VSBU6JAWa1x0A1bymLthl09QjR9NzVk1bgN5Gyya 7zDj_uFbpClfugofJ7SsDv7_7g_KCxAqAcOOtQJtOBLpywkrhQ kRM57kiEsCrlNbU63d0gOIlvY6MDLFbAVYHIcK-WkfIB5FzUzjWIbyQrp_gt93WvP_/w400-h225/IMG_20230428_110005.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMtlkwqgKJoQMBvarh-Og0GVkm9s1VSBU6JAWa1x0A1bymLthl09QjR9NzVk1bgN5Gyya 7zDj_uFbpClfugofJ7SsDv7_7g_KCxAqAcOOtQJtOBLpywkrhQ kRM57kiEsCrlNbU63d0gOIlvY6MDLFbAVYHIcK-WkfIB5FzUzjWIbyQrp_gt93WvP_/s4000/IMG_20230428_110005.jpg)
Something seems to have gone horribly wrong this year, becauseapart from the odd warm day, May has continued in the same vein. The wind has achill to it which, by right, should have disappeared long before, but it's therain that's been the most annoying, and with low pressure hanging over thecountry, drawing in wet fronts from the Atlantic, there doesn't even seem to beany end in sight,
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0xyqtg0KW5SKe4UCXj5uO9qoajd5IrAHDyDJakqKFY 9F-R-gkWDjZ3AgGw3mkWhWWaG6yasZlnWNtsYMdtpWKoL7D3yDlrFhD hmiBJfe-oXbuHmlTStJ_u9rGuivA9GjCbcceD5k9iJEAyFghwYQFmaL-kJzvIq8p1unkywpqUBgWrDpyLCLgqIS/w400-h225/IMG_20230421_155230.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0xyqtg0KW5SKe4UCXj5uO9qoajd5IrAHDyDJakqKFY 9F-R-gkWDjZ3AgGw3mkWhWWaG6yasZlnWNtsYMdtpWKoL7D3yDlrFhD hmiBJfe-oXbuHmlTStJ_u9rGuivA9GjCbcceD5k9iJEAyFghwYQFmaL-kJzvIq8p1unkywpqUBgWrDpyLCLgqIS/s4000/IMG_20230421_155230.jpg)
This topic came up last Thursday, when I joined members ofWest Kent CAMRA at the Nelson Arms, in Tonbridge, for a presentation markingthe pub achieving Branch Pub of the Year. One friend I was talking to, saidexactly the same thing about the weather, and being a keen walker like me, wasequally cheesed off. We’d both concluded that with conditions under foot beingfar too wet and slippery, the risk of falling over, or becoming stuck in themud, were sufficient to detract from the usual pleasures of hiking in the greatoutdoors. Consequently, like me, my friend has done very little walking thisspring.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDfwNz634RQjgPnILohtoqRjDd0iqC-necvMMet9C4mwuFCJcOZt6drifk4DczhWVAhpX9kiAMq0MZKtu d8D-mK1ipZX7ypr47dMlRHWSZjcnmKfYCSc8BZPdqCgicqbGiKNMFw-MOBaUyc4BLCIs-6ahU37PnWhlW20rUa1ZVZ1y26kWVaglJdob/w225-h400/Black%20Sheep%20Hand%20pull.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDfwNz634RQjgPnILohtoqRjDd0iqC-necvMMet9C4mwuFCJcOZt6drifk4DczhWVAhpX9kiAMq0MZKtu d8D-mK1ipZX7ypr47dMlRHWSZjcnmKfYCSc8BZPdqCgicqbGiKNMFw-MOBaUyc4BLCIs-6ahU37PnWhlW20rUa1ZVZ1y26kWVaglJdob/s4000/Black%20Sheep%20Hand%20pull.jpg)
Another topic of conversation that evening, was the newsconcerning the Black Sheep Brewery of Masham, North Yorkshire, being on the verge of going intoreceivership. This is bad news for anyone who likes a decent pint, and sad newstoo for a company which celebrated its 30th anniversary last year. Foundedin 1992, by Paul Theakston, of the famous brewing family, Black Sheep became amajor force in Yorkshire brewing. Now it is facing a “perfect storm” of post-COVID debt, rising costs, and uncertain demand.There had been a fair amount of debate on one the local WestKent CAMRA WhatsApp groups, about possible reasons for Black Sheep’s troubles,with one of the younger members stating, that the beers the company brewedweren’t exciting enough to appeal to his generation. Several of usresponded that whilst there might be the odd grain of truth in this, noteveryone wished to drink beers with a strong citrus flavour. I made the point thatwith very few pubs of their own, Black Sheep might have placed too much relianceon the free trade, and have now found out just how fickle this section of themarket can be, and how cut throat is the competition to get their beers on thebars of Yorkshire pubs.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKt0CXkXMOrm7rIkyifxFPmA8__8jYmDg_qbEuW0H3J 8E7RWDh8QNBLs-e2pzBDhh7YHWbqRdhgb060DwHgqMXwJ_GL-IENRnNppBBWNHwWHy5xQHjrPlDEgykPeGcA0qeIBul6inBPgvT mkuCexN0mfTaYzbMiysjeCU0beUnQ5u8DRTi9K55pJe/w400-h300/Sheep.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKt0CXkXMOrm7rIkyifxFPmA8__8jYmDg_qbEuW0H3J 8E7RWDh8QNBLs-e2pzBDhh7YHWbqRdhgb060DwHgqMXwJ_GL-IENRnNppBBWNHwWHy5xQHjrPlDEgykPeGcA0qeIBul6inBPgvT mkuCexN0mfTaYzbMiysjeCU0beUnQ5u8DRTi9K55pJe/s4000/Sheep.jpg)
Another contributor chipped in saying that the lack of aflagship brand within the Black Sheep portfolio, was a serious handicap for thebrewery. He claimed that Riggwelterwould fit the bill, but it was a beer that drinkers rarely come across, and onethat seems to receive very little promotion, certainly outside of its Yorkshireheartland. I personally think that a flagship brand can be a double-edgedsword. In the past, breweries have been purchased by a larger rival, that just wantsto get its hands on the better known, named beer.Theakston’s Old Peculier was one such beer, and after the originalfamily company fell into financial difficulties, the brewery was purchased byMatthew Brown of Blackburn. This turned out to be a bad move for the Lancashire company,as their ownership of Theakston’s attracted the attention of a much largerfish, in the guise of Scottish & Newcastle. The latter didn’t give twohoots about Matthew Brown, its brewery or its beers, they just wanted to add the Old Peculierbrand to their portfolio.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbAGB29v1m-eW4YmEwE5v_bbz8pe2cUzdtbUdOzDOMSWPxw0eqx3iVm9OWTyQ xPQFtGqMCmuAZ34_7q8xuibIMlkhnU3U7svi5zPmWOYQBO48ff MInkRseRSCaP0AIX3vVNZVg6jYkAvq6IiVnTLq86OoSB1eoYij Bu35fr1fu5m0GeX1RJCw_Bez/w400-h225/IMG_20230316_182238.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbAGB29v1m-eW4YmEwE5v_bbz8pe2cUzdtbUdOzDOMSWPxw0eqx3iVm9OWTyQ xPQFtGqMCmuAZ34_7q8xuibIMlkhnU3U7svi5zPmWOYQBO48ff MInkRseRSCaP0AIX3vVNZVg6jYkAvq6IiVnTLq86OoSB1eoYij Bu35fr1fu5m0GeX1RJCw_Bez/s4000/IMG_20230316_182238.jpg)
Sure enough, following a rather bitter takeover battle,S&N acquired the Theakston brands they were after, Matthew Brown’s Blackburnbrewery was closed, and the Brown name very quickly disappeared. If you want toknow how quickly, ask how many of today’s drinkers have heard of Matthew Brown?I suspect there is a large proportion of CAMRA members who haven’t heard of thebrewery, either.I’ve laboured things rather on this last point, and we’vedrifted way off topic from my opening remarks about the weather, but this is oftenwhat happens with many conversations that take place over a few pints. There’s nogetting away though from the point that, like the weather, the brewing industryand pub trades are both in a state of flux, with no-one really knowing what theend game will be. As with all the other bad stuff that is going on in the worldat the moment, a little stability, would be most welcome, but whether or not itmaterialises, is anyone’s guess.
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More... (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2023/05/pub-talk.html)