south clwyd area news and reports

White Horse Wins Award (2 July 2009)
Coincidental to the report below, we've just discovered that the White Horse at Overton has been recorded as "Highly Commended" in CAMRA's Pub Design Awards in the refurbished category. It has effectively come third in the country for pub refits of 2008.

The judges comments were:- 'This was a run-down town-centre [sic] hotel which appeared ripe for redevelopment for residential or retail use. Instead, it's been saved in a manner that's spirited and individual. The enthusiastic provision of bright new stained glass, pristine wooden partitions and salvaged fireplaces is at times a bit over-eager, and occasionally the new elements compete rather than blend. But the original plan form has been largely retained, and a fine building, very much at Overton's cultural as well as geographical heart, has been successfully revitalised.'

Village centre more like surely. Whatever, congratulations to Joules Brewery (formerly Tuns Taverns) based in Market Drayton who own the pub. We eagerly await the opening on Wrexham's High Street of another of their pubs - the Royal Oak, - which we're being promised will be 'the' character ale-house in town.

► CAMRA pub design awards

South East Clwyd Tour (25 June 2009)
Not wishing to squander both the 'heat wave' and the long summer evenings, it was time to take to the saddle once more for a pedal based around the Overton area.

After leaving Ruabon train station the first refreshment stop was just over the border at the Queens Head at Sarn - our current Summer Pub of the Season. A quick half of Shropshire Gold was downed here and enjoyed in the confines of their riverside beer garden. Maps where then out to negotiate the quiet country lanes to lead us to the Hanmer Arms in Hanmer (left). Ticking over with a pleasing mix of diners and regular drinkers, two ales were on offer - Ansells Bitter (which we didn't know was still going) and Stonehouse Cambrian Gold. The latter got the nod. Good choice.

Storming down a relatively deserted A539 (bar the passenger in a boy racer car screaming at us as they passed - w****rs) it was through Penley (ignoring the keg Dymock Arms) and on to the White Horse at Overton. Only a change of licensee at selection time denied this pub a place in the forthcoming Good Beer Guide so it's pleasing to say little has changed under new capable hands. A quiz was starting up and the Salopian Shropshire Gold was, well, bloody marvellous, pint of the night. A splendid pub. One incidental: local knowledge has it that the Trotting Mare at nearby Knolton is open weekends only.

Reluctant to haul ourselves away but mindful of impending fading light, it was downhill most of the way (eating lots of greenflies) to finish off at the Buck in Bangor-on-Dee. Ales from Slaters and Titanic were amongst those on offer but the local Plassey Border Mild was ordered. Again another beer in tip-top condition to end (except for the cycle back) a tip-top night out. 

Llangollen Rail and Ale (8 June 2009)
The Llangollen Steam Railway is always worth travelling on but we had an added incentive to do so at the weekend - four casks of real ale stillaged in the buffet carriage.  Their inaugural Rail & Ale Excursion featured beers from the Stonehouse brewery with Station Bitter, Off the Rails, Wheeltapper and a specially produced Llangollen Aur available for the event. The beers were racked bright to avoid any sediment problems on a moving train and were all very good indeed. For the entry fee we each received a commemorative pint glass and a free pint, and could drink excellent real ale while the steam train travelled on two journeys along the Dee Valley to Carrog and back. The railway journey really is very picturesque with the train hugging the River Dee for the most part of it's 7 and a half mile line. After a brief glimpse of the impressive Horseshoe Falls the train enters the Berwyn tunnel where any empty window lets in blasts of steam, a great sensory experience. We were fortunate enough to get a first class cabin on the train and it was certainly a very comfortable way to travel.  It was just a shame the weather wasn't better for the trip but you can't have everything! Another Rail and Ale trip is planned for the 1st August and I would well recommend it.

Keep an eye on their website for details http://www.llangollen-railway.co.uk. 

Sun is Shining (6 June 2009)
At the weekend the presentation took place to our Welsh Pub of the Year 2009, the Sun Inn at Llangollen. During an interval in the live music, branch chairman Brian Vardy took to the mic to praise landlord Paul Lamb and his assistant Alan Adams declaring, to great applause, what a marvellous vibrant pub the Sun is. Paul stood to attention as he posed with his certificate (hopefully someone will drop off the frame later) before the band struck up once more and a packed pub recommenced their drinking from a range that included Salopian Shropshire Gold, Phoenix West Coast IPA and Northumberland Fog on the Tyne.

Good luck to the Sun which now progresses into the competition for the Regional Pub award where it goes head to head with other branch's PotYs !

Llangollen Steam Railway Beer Fest (27 April 2009)
For nine days starting from Friday 17th the walls of an upstairs room at Llangollen railway station have reverberated to the talk of Stanier Black Fives, Beavertail observation saloons, Timkin roller bearings, 9017s and hops and malts. Rail enthusiasts obviously like their beers and over the course of this massively popular Steam Steam and Stars event there was a good selection on the stillage with ales from the likes of Butcombe, Summerskills, Jolly Brewer, North Wales brewery all making an appearance. Two local ciders - Rosie's Wicked Wasp and Triple D were also there plus some bottled beers and served by two very extrovert barstaff. Great stuff and, if you took one of the many many train journeys, there was a treat in store down the far end of the line where the Grouse at Carrog had three Lees beers on the bar plus a choice of three bottled beers from Jolly Brewer.

By way of a reminder, there's a real ale train running on the 6th June exclusively selling Stonehouse ales (see below). If you like your steam and beer you'd be mad to miss it.

End of the Line for the Kiln (24 April 2009)
How sad to pass the branch's one time Welsh Pub of the Year, the Kiln in Cross Lanes, and see it stripped of all external pub artefacts and looking like it's being prepared for conversion to residential use. In the Good Beer Guide back in 2002, it was a cosy family owned pub with roaring fires serving beers from Hanby and Plassey. It subsequently fell into the hands of Markus Imfeld who tried to market the place as a bar-cum-Swiss restaurant. Not for want of trying things sadly never really worked out. The pub then sufffered a lengthy closure before another self-evidently abortive attempt was made at re-opening in 2007. A little gem lost forever.       

Peal o'Bells Fest Beer's List (20 April 2009)
Landlord Phil Liddell's been in touch from the Peal o'Bells in Holt to tell us the breweries we should expect to see at his forthcoming May Bank Holiday fezza. They include, with a distinct Lake District flavour, Hart, Watermill, Barngates, Bowland, Otley, Brimstage (tbc), Facers, Lancaster (tbc), Strands  (tbc), Great Gable (tbc), Loweswater, Cumbrian, Hawkshead, Dent, Hobsons, WC  (tbc), Foxfield  (tbc), Sandstone, Plassey, Weetwood, and Stationhhouse.

Should be a great event though there is one codicil you should be aware of. Phil also comments "for better or worse the morris dancers wont be appearing".

Peal o'Bells

Real Ale Rules at Ruabon Re-Opening (12 April 2009)
Now under the stewardship of the McGivern family (including eponymous brewer Matt) the Bridge End in Ruabon re-opened, as promised, at noon on Saturday after an impressive and tasteful refit. Where as before real ale used to be only an occasional feature at the pub it's now set as the major draw for the visiting customer. No less than ten cask beer featured over the course of the day as a heady mix of family, friends, curious locals and us real ale geeks squeezed into the two front rooms to sup their way through a fabulous local selection that included Stonehouse Station Bitter, Jolly Brewer Taffy's Tipple, Purple Moose Snowdonia, WC Lift a Buttercup, Facers Landslide and Woods Quaff. Naturally enough Matt's beers were also available with Bridge End Bitter, Amber, Cascade and a (fabulous) Stout on the pumps. Meanwhile, waiting their turn in the low-roofed cellar, were Great Orme Celtic Dragon, Plassey Bitter and Woods Shropshire Lass.

Of course, it's unlikely we'll ever see that quantity and range again as the hard work really begins in winning over Ruabon folk to the joys of proper beer so get those fingers crossed. Encouragingly, quite a few were in the following day with Matt reporting 80% drinking the cask. 

So, we urge you to pay a visit and support this noble enterprise. Hours are 5-11 midweek and 12-11 at weekends. The pub is easy to get to being a two minute walk from Ruabon station while plenty of buses pass right outside. And, if you want to make a crawl of it, the nearby Wynnstay (Robinsons) and the Duke of Wellington (Marstons) are also well worthy of attention.

Llangollen Real Ale Trains (20 March 2009)
If you like your steam engines as well as your beer then this sounds perfect for you. Llangollen Steam Railway has announced two dates when they will be running "rail and ale excursions" which involve a double return journey to the end of the line at Carrog. 

On Saturday 6th June, all real ales on the train will be supplied by Stonehouse brewery from Oswestry (including a debut for their 'Llangollen Aur') while on August 1st, Jolly Brewer will be exclusively showcasing their wares. Tickets cost £10 and if you purchase one in advance it will include a free pint. The train will depart from Llangollen at 18.30 and finally return at approximately 21.15. For more details ring 01978 860979.

Hopefully this will be the first of many such real ale trains - Llangollen Railway certainly hope so - and maybe other local brewers will see it as an opportunity to exhibit their skills with a mash tun to a captive audience.

Llandegla Findings (17 March 2009)
At the top of Horseshoe pass at a crossroads between Wrexham, Chester, Ruthin and Corwen is Llandegla. There are two tied-houses near the small village and both serve real ale. Alas the Crown (pictured), belonging to Lees brewery, has been closed for about the last six weeks. It's a nice cosy place inside so here's hoping the big advert outside seeking new tenants is successful. 

The nearby Plough is part of the Robinson's group and, truth be told, often strikes like a restaurant with a pub stuck in the middle. A recent visit had it serving Dizzy Blond and something Welsh like Tain y Waigyn.

What a shame Bodidris Hall, also in Llandegla, serves no cask ale. This is a fantastic old 15th century hall reached down a long drive with inglenook fireplace, real fire, panelling and cosy armchairs. No problem with just a drink and highly recommended just for the experience. Seek out the medieval style restaurant.

Holt and Llangollen Beer Festivals  (2 March 2009)
The Peal o'Bells in Holt - the branch's Pub of the Year 2008 - has announced plans to host another May Day weekend beer festival. The extra beers will be on stillaging in a marque in the rear beer garden. Landlord Phil acknowledges he had too many dark beers on last year and will be this time be placing emphasis on the lighter, more in vogue beers. Wrexham and Chester folk are urged to attend by whatever means available possibly utilising the C56 bus for an afternoon session. 

Llangollen Railway station will be the unusual setting for a beer festival running from Friday 17th of April through to Saturday the 25th. There will be a £5 entry fee which gives you a ticket and complimentary glass both of which you'll need to bring to gain free entry on subsequent days. Sounds unusual. A "large selection of guest ales" is promised. Here's a good opportunity to ride the steam train and perhaps visit the good beer guide listed Sun at Glyndyffrwdy and the Lees owned Grouse near the line's terminus at Carrog.

Boat Sinks (10 February 2009)
Oh dear. We have visual - visual confirmation that the Boat at Erbistock has gone belly up and into receivership. Idyllically set next to St Hilary's church alongside a still youthful river Dee, this wisteria clad sandstone building with flag-stoned bar and restaurant has been stripped of furniture and fittings and now cuts a forlorn figure. For selling a couple of well-kept real ales and a cider the Boat had earned itself a place in the 2009 Good Beer Guide so CAMRA HQ will need to be notified of its demise.

Fingers crossed for a swift reopening and the chance once more to sup good ale in the wonderful beer garden or sat in front of its roaring fire.

That's all folks. Anything over six months old is entered into our archived records and not available on the website.