A write up of some of our branch social trips. Check our facebook page for more updates!

First post-lockdown branch outing

It was great to get together on a rainy Saturday afternoon for the first official social outing for almost two years, since lockdowns started. The opportunity was taken to present two pubs with special awards, The Rose and Crown, Graianrhyd (pictured) for 25 consecutive years in the Good Beer Guide; and The Raven, Llanarmon-yn-Ial for 10 consecutive years. Congratulations to both.

First joint social with The Brewery History Society

Some members spent a very enjoyable afternoon at the new Wrexham Lager brewery on a trip organised by the Brewery History Society. The UK's first proper lager brewery, est 1882, has a lot of history and our guide's enthusiasm for Wrexham Lager was very infectious! Looking forward to more joint trips with the BHS.

Mini Branch visit to Bala and area

One of CAMRA's key campaigns in Wales is to get the Welsh Assembly to introduce an Asset of Community Value (ACV) scheme in Wales. With around two pubs closing each week in the country it is vital that Welsh pubs have at least the same protection as those in England where some 1800 pubs have now been listed to provide extra protection in preventing pubs from being converted to other uses without any say from the local community.

One of the ways that CAMRA locally identifies pubs worthy of protection is by our Community Pub of the Year and this year's award was made 10th September 2016 to The Eagles, Llanuwchllyn. It is clear that this pub is very much the hub of the local community having a shop on the premises and supporting the local football team and others. Congratulations to Eleri & Meirion Pugh who have been running the pub since 2003.

Seven members started the day at The Eagles, Llanuwchllyn to make the Community POTY presentation. Six cask beers were on to our surprise including Purple Moose Ysygawen, Snowdonia, Glaslyn & Union Foundey Ale and Cwrw Cader Gold and Red Bandit all in good nick.

Next to Stori Beers in Bala for a couple of tasters - they now have a tap tasting room at the rear with 4-5 key keg beers and the usual excellent choice of bottled beers, now predominantly Welsh - a few new names included. Bryntirion Inn, Llandderfel was next with a really good Slaters Premium Bitter on together with the usual Purple Moose Snowdonia. Then just down the road to the Dudley Arms Hotel in Llandrillo. Under new ownership since early 2015, this was a first visit for most of the party and turned out to be big surprise. A good chat with the keen owner whilst drinking Stonehouse Station Bitter and Sunlander that were both in top form. This pub is well worth a visit and a very strong contender for GBG entry. Finally to the Leyland Arms, Llanelidan just in time to see Liverpool's third goal! This is another interesting building off the beaten track serving Brimstage Trappers Hat & Conwy Clogwyn Gold. A very pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon/early evening.

Seaside Summer Social

Over twenty people turned out on July 30th 2016, including some friends from Chester branch, for a very enjoyable afternoon in the southern end of the town. We started at Archies with the choice of three beers including Northern Lites from the local brewery, Axton, Best Offer from Monty's brewery of Montgomery and Facers Flintshire Bitter.

Then round the corner to Bar 236 that had four excellent cask and one key keg bitter on tap. This is one of Heavy Industry's regular outlets as evidenced by Nelson's Eye, Saison de Baiser - a collaboration with First Chop Brewery of Salford and Duet from Left Handed Giant Brewery Co. of Bristol - a brewery swap. Also on were The Pokies from Blackjack Brewery of Manchester and Atlantic Hop from Westgate Brewery of Wakefield.

The final stop was Halcyon Quest (HQ) that was thankfully only a short walk away. Four beers on here were Sampson's Jack from Gower Brewery of Llanrhidian, Facers Flintshire Bitter, Hoppy Hopkins from Green Duck Brewery of Stourbridge and Kinetic from Salopian Brewery of Shrewsbury. The latter was a potent brew at 6.5%. Blue sky prevailed by this time and the final drinks were supped in the beer garden at the rear where the "team" photographs were taken.

Facers Brewery 10th Anniversary Celebration

Members of Vale of Clwyd CAMRA all headed down to Facers Brewery in Flint on Saturday 20 February to help celebrate the brewery’s 10th Anniversary.

We first met Dave Facer when branch members visited the Salford Brewery Syndicate (SBS) over 10 years ago. At the time, Facers Brewery shared the plant and premises with Bazens and together they formed the SBS. Prior to Facers moving to Flintshire ten years ago, local breweries were thin on the ground unlike today, and so Facers was a welcome addition to the local brewery landscape.

The first beer from the Flintshire Brewery was AB Bitter named after local CAMRA stalwart & Brewery Liaison Officer Alan Banks who helped to get the brewery up-and-running. The core range was developed and proved popular locally, widening the profile of real ale in North East Wales.

Today the brewery landscape has changed beyond recognition and Facers has gone from strength to strength, so Vale of Clwyd CAMRA was pleased to recognise Facers 10th Anniversary of brewing in Flintshire with a special award.

Well done Dave and here’s to another 10 years!
http://www.facers.co.uk/

Purple Moose Brewery visit

Saturday 21st November saw a group of branch members and some of the volunteers from Mold Novemberfest board a coach to the West coast. An early start took in the snow-capped peaks on the way past Snowdonia, arriving at the brewery before midday. The owner Lawrence, welcomed us to the brewery and conducted a very informative tour of the impressive brew kit. A few samples of Darkside and Glaslyn were enjoyed during the tour which ended with a chippy lunch.

From the brewery we headed on foot to the brewery tap The Australia via the Purple Moose bottle shop in the high street. Back on the coach towards Bala, we stopped at the Good Beer Guide listed Eagles Inn, Llanuwchllyn and one last stop at the massively stocked new bottle shop Stori Beers in Bala. A very enjoyable trip, with a chance to try some beers from north west breweries that we don’t often see in the east – Cwrw Cader and Cwrw Lleu.