Good Beer Guide published

The new edition of the Good Beer Guide has been published today (28th September) but which local pubs have been included in this, the 2024 edition?

Produced by the Campaign for Real Ale, with over 4,500 pubs listed in the guide chosen by independent consumers, this has been a popular beer and pub guide for over 50 years.

 
With an unmistakable cover design the foreword for this year’s Good Beer Guide has been penned by Bruce Dickinson, frontman and lead singer of Iron Maiden.

CAMRA says the foreword is "a personal reflection on his love of beer, pubs, and a job that he describes as ‘the best on the planet’ – which includes brewing and drinking beer!"

LOCAL ENTRIES

This year Whitchurch has two entries that make the pages – the very traditional community-focussed Prince Regent, and the only local Club to make the pages – the Whitchurch Sports and Social Club.
 
In nearby Freefolk the Watership Down remains in the book, while over the hill in Overton both the Red Lion and the Old House at Home are included.
 

Just down the road in Longparish both the Cricketers Inn and the community-owned Plough Inn[*] have been selected, while higher up the Bourne valley in Vernham Dean the George Inn has again been listed.

Further south the award-winning Wonston Arms has been chosen again, having also been the local 2023 Pub of the Year, and four years ago the National Pub of the Year.

Along in Andover the town has two entries, the Town Mills and the Andover Tap at the Lamb, while the Eagle at Abbotts Ann is once again listed.

To see the full listings the book can be obtained from CAMRA here: 
ORDER GOOD BEER GUIDE

[*] note there has been a recent change of management since entries to the book were selected.

A new Brewery for Andover

After many months of growing excitement, the first beer from Andover's newest brewery has reached the customers' glasses.

Tim Abram, owner of the Andover Tap at The Lamb has installed a small brewery at the rear  on which he has produced the first beer – a traditional amber ale named Ewe Brew Muttons Gold. Before starting the Andover Tap, Tim was previously brewer at The Test Brewery in Broughton producing award-winning beers.

The first pints are poured

Last Sunday (10th September) as soon as the news was out, the grapevine went to work and the pub became a magnet for those excited to try the long-awaited beer. With top bar supremo Matt Mutton pulling the pints, the afternoon saw the first cask rapidly emptied, a testament to its quality.

Matt Mutton (L) and Tim Abram (R) launch the new brew

A tasty beer
Muttons Gold is brewed to a very sessionable strength of 3.8%. It has a a good rounded balance of malt, with underlying fruitiness of dark berries and a touch of spiciness due to the mix of hops used.
The beer joins the range of traditional cask beers on the bar mainly from small local breweries, as well as a fine selection of craft beers, lagers, ciders and other drinks.

An amazing success
The development of The Lamb since its re-opening just two years ago (November 2021) is an amazing success story, especially as it now houses both a brewery and the Wessex Spirit's Gin Palace distillery. Earlier this year it was awarded local Cider Pub of the Year and has also gained a place in the Good Beer Guide. 

The Gin Palace, produces a range of artisanal gins as well as holding tastings and special events, with rooms available for private parties and business meetings. Bespoke gins are also produced by owner Kate. Recently it has also produced its own vodka, soon to be made available.

The Andover Tap at the Lamb and the Gin Palace

So much takes place
The small traditional style pub is a true community venture providing a wide range of attractions ranging from fortnightly themed food evenings to coach trips to breweries, charity events, cycle rides and the holding of the Lamb Folk Sessions. 
Events on the near horizon include a cheese and beer tasting session, a Trafalgar Dinner and a Victorian Kitchen evening.

Above all it is known for its friendliness and welcome; its helpful bar staff; the wide range of beer and ciders; and the convivial atmosphere. Without the distraction of TVs or fruit machines it is conversation that rules.

The Andover Tap at The Lamb

The Andover Tap at the Lamb and the Gin Palace are in Winchester Street opposite the police station.

See:
ANDOVER TAP AT THE LAMB

THE GIN PALACE

Andover's new brewery

Muttons Gold

Wychwood Brewery to close

After announcing the proposed sale of Ringwood Brewery, CMBC (Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company) has said it is planning to close Wychwood Brewery, best known for producing the beer Hobgoblin. 

The closure is expected to be in November with Hobgoblin likely to then be brewed in Burton on Trent.

It is reported that the closure is timed with a break clause in the lease of the premises, along with the continuing difficult economic climate.

Wychwood Brewery in Witney, Oxfordshire, was formed in 1989 at the Two Rivers Brewery, formerly Glenny Brewery. It took over brewing some of the Brakspear beers when they closed in 2002.
In 2008 Wychwood was bought by Marstons.

Hobgoblin is its best known beer and brewed at a variety of strengths dependant on whether for cask, bottle or can and is said to be the second best-selling bottled beer in the UK. 

Hobgoblin, Wychwoods most famous beer

Good Beer Guide – published this month

The new edition of the Good Beer Guide is to be published on 28th September, but which pubs will gain a much sought after entry?

We won't know until that eagerly awaited date.
Which local pubs do you think should be included?

Published by the Campaign for Real Ale, with over 4,500 pubs listed in the guide chosen by independent consumers, this has been a popular beer and pub guide for over 50 years. With an unmistakable cover design the foreword for this year’s Good Beer Guide has been penned by Bruce Dickinson, frontman and lead singer of Iron Maiden.
CAMRA says the foreword is "a personal reflection on his love of beer, pubs, and a job that he describes as ‘the best on the planet’ – which includes brewing and drinking beer!"

The book can be ordered here: ORDER GOOD BEER GUIDE