All the latest news, views and essential information from Castle Rock Brewery

No:6 Summer 2015

www.castlerockbrewery.co.uk

WelcomeWelcome to the summer edition of theCastle Rock Quarter.

There’s a lot toupdate you on, soI’ll avoid the waffleand begin!

It isn’t an unusualstate of affairs butsince the last timeof writing, we’ve

been very busy, particularly with the coupleof additional pubs you’ll find listed on theback. Firstly, we brought the Horse & Ploughin Bingham under Castle Rock operation inApril, and are delighted to hold the keys tosuch a treasure. Secondly, The Embankmentat Trent Bridge finally joined the Castle Rockclan just before this issue went to print. Bothof these pubs are covered in more depthwithin these pages.

On less than a happy note, the Willowbrookin Gedling suffered a severe fire in April. Wewere heartbroken and many tears were shed,but nobody was hurt and that’s the mainthing. I just want to say a big thank you forall the messages of goodwill, and all theindividuals involved in the herculean effort torestore the pub. I am amazed that by thetime you’re reading this, the doors will likelybe open again, and our team will be backbehind the bar welcoming you and servingexcellent beer and food.

Finally, I’m sure you’ll all join me in wishingour head brewer Adrian a very happy 50thbirthday. Congratulations on reaching thismilestone, and we hope you have many morepints left in you!

I hope you enjoy this issue. Cheers! Colin WildeManaging Director @SheriffTipple

If there are pub or beer related topics you’d likeus to cover in the coming issues, please let usknow.

CRQ is designed and produced by freerbutler limited

www.freerbutler-gds.co.uk

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Beer news

Although we had typicallyturbulent weatherthroughout spring, it looks like the balmyevenings are finally uponus, with the warm sunproviding the beautiful beer garden backdrop.By the time this edition lands, we’re hoping to besporting shorts and t-shirts, sunglasses andsandals, and a pint of beer in hand There are a number of Castle Rock beers tolook forward to during the summer months,from our delicious wheat beer, SkylarksReserve, to our James Shipstone collabo-rative brew with Richard Neale and ColinBrown. Remember, it’s not just about paleales; look out for our well-balanced coffeestout Sherwood Reserve which is the newestmember of our core range. With rich coffeeand chocolate aromas it’s a perfect matchfor intensely flavoured dishes. Who says stouts are just for winter?

Skylarks Reserve4.5%German-style wheat beerwith white chocolate andhints of clove. Unfined andvegan friendly.See: Pale Yellow, CloudySmell: Banana, Clove, SpiceTaste: Smooth, Refreshing,White Chocolate, CloveBitterness: 3Sweetness: 3Pair with: A sweet creamy pudding, likevanilla cheesecake or banoffee pie

Nottinghamian Celebration AlesJames Shipstone4.2%Old-style IPA with a moderntwist.See: Pale Golden Smell: Fresh Hop, HerbalTaste: Earthy, Fruity,Refreshing Bitterness: 4 Sweetness: 3

Hemlock Bitter (Available until July)4.0%Full-flavoured traditionalsession bitter.See: Mid-brownSmell: DistinctiveTraditional HopTaste: Dry, Bitter, LongAftertasteBitterness: 4Sweetness: 2Pair with: A ploughman’s platter of cheeses,pickle and rustic bread

Runnymede 800 (Limited availability)4.2%Brewed to commemoratethe sealing of the MagnaCarta 800 years ago,Runnymede 800 is agolden-brown bitterbrewed with local honeyand hop varieties fromNew Zealand and the USA.See: Golden BrownSmell: Fresh Hop, LemongrassTaste: Honey, Crisp, Spicy, Floral SweetnessBitterness: 4Sweetness: 3Pair with: Sweet and sticky meats, likemarinated ribs or pulled pork

Beers ofSummer

Robin Hood, Robin Hood,riding through the glen, Robin Hood, Robin Hood stopped for a pint or ten!”

Queensbridge Road, Nottingham NG2 1NB

Tel: 0115 985 1615

General enquiries:admin@castlerockbrewery.co.uk

Sales enquiries:lotte.sefton@castlerockbrewery.co.uk

Recruitment:sarah.halpin@castlerockbrewery.co.uk

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Beer and food

It’s arguable that beer is more food-friendlythan wine; after all, brewers can experimentwith a huge variety of ingredients, from barley,hops and yeast to spices, fruits and chocolate

Brews n’ Bites

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Munitionettes: Women’sWorkforce3.9%(Available fromSeptember)The fifth beer in theCommemorationCollection range, brewedin homage to the women’s workforce of thefirst world war, Munitionettes is a citrusy golden ale with afresh bitterness. Donations are made tocharity from the sale of each pint.See: GoldenSmell: Blueberries, Pine, CitrusTaste: Fresh Upfront BitternessBitterness: 4Sweetness: 3Pair with: Crispy beer battered fish andchips (Buy a “take out” of Munitionettes tomake your own beer batter at home)

Crafty Flanker 4.1%(Available fromSeptember)Celebrating Britain’shosting of the RugbyWorld Cup, CraftyFlanker is a balanced andrefreshing pale alebrewed with UK and US hops.See: Very PaleSmell: Grassy, CitrusTaste: Balanced, Clean, FreshBitterness: 3Sweetness: 2Pair with: Light, refreshing Mediterraneaningredients like mozzarella, balsamic andtomato

“He certainly would have stopped for this.Sherwood Reserve boasts a fine selection offlavour including chocolate with notes ofthe coffee. With this unique balance,

Sherwood Reserve still keeps that smooth and burnt taste we all enjoy in agood stout. I enjoyed this pint towards the end of the

day, so I’d say it’s a great nightcap!” Beer Opinions of a Bearded Man(Follow the Bearded Man on Facebook)

Along with the rising of craft beer hasbeen the recognition that beer has anamazing capacity to pair with all kinds offoods.

The general understanding is that commonalities should be found between thebeer and food. Take a stout for example:stouts are rich, dark and complexly flavoured,so they pair beautifully with roasted, smokedand barbecued foods.

Pilsners on the other hand, are light andrefreshing, so work best alongside cheeses,seafood and salmon. Order a pilsneralongside your barbecued ribs however, andyou’ll likely miss the flavours of the beer.

By following this general guideline ofmatching, you’re in for a win-win situation.What you’ll find is that the notes from yoursip of beer evoke flavours from your past or

future bites, and vice versa.

We’ve suggested some complementarypairings alongside our Beers of the Summer.Next time you’re in a Castle Rock pub, andespecially if you’re used to ordering winewith your meal, why not give our pairingsuggestions a try? Our taster beers areserved in 1/3 pint glasses, so you can explorelots of different combinations. We’d love tohear what you try.

There are loads of great tips and ideas outthere for complementary and contrastingpairings (how about a bitter stout with someoysters?!) and an awful lot more to discoverabout food and beer pairing (temperature,carbonation, intensity…)

We recommend a visit to beerchow.comwhere you can search for ideas via mealcourse or beer type.

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Bingham is a lovely little town, quietlybustling with people but with the feel of asleepy village. It serves as the perfectbackdrop for the Horse and Plough whichis, in equal measure, a top quality pub andrenowned restaurant. With many originalfeatures in place, it absolutely brims withcharacter, making it an incredible place tovisit or call your “local”.

There is a rustic beauty about the Horse andPlough; a balance between simple dignity andjust the right amount of breweriana. Themain bar is relatively small but verycharming, and a great place for a drink andchat. Across the ground floor, which isenhanced by lots of exposed brickwork, you’llfind large tables and booths for a moreprivate meeting or dinner. Food in the Horse & Plough is equally as classic, with agreat range of tasty pub dishes from lightlunches to Welsh Rarebit.

On the first floor is theGrill Room; a restaurantperfect for any occasion,from a fine diningexperience to a Sundaylunch with family. In abright and airy room, withcontrasting deep-stainedbeams and tastefuldecoration, the Grill Roomserves a wide range ofartisan dishes. Quality ofingredients and flavourcombinations give therestaurant its strongreputation. The Grill Roomis still rather undiscovered in the Binghamand overall Nottinghamshire area, makingit a true “hidden gem.” Bookings can betaken but aren’t necessary, so do drop byfor an impromptu meal.

So what are Castle Rock’s plans for theHorse and Plough? Firstly, we want toassure regulars and locals that wearen’t planning any monumentalchanges. We were, after all, socaptivated by it for a reason. It’sreputation for well-kept real ale will ofcourse remain, with our flagship HarvestPale as the only permanent beeralongside other local guest ales. With thesuccess of the Grill Room, it is of courseour aim to ensure the food offering at

the Horse & Plough is the very best it canbe. We want the Horse & Plough to bethe place to go for an understated butexquisite dining experience.

We always welcome feedback in everythingwe do, so if you have any thoughts aboutthe Horse and Plough please give us anemail. Visit our website and fill in the“Contact Us” form.

New pub in focusHorse and Plough Just in time for Easter, Castle Rock was able to announce the acquisition of a new pub: the Horse and Plough in Bingham

The Embankment and the Horse and Plough have been acquired by The Beer Consortium Ltd, an EIS company that hasover 80 shareholders who have all invested in the business. Both sites will be operated by Castle Rock Brewery.

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The ‘black and white’ mock-Tudor buildingwas designed by Albert Nelson Bromley,the architect behind some of Boots’ mostdistinctive stores, and opened in 1907 asBoots Store 2. Jesse Boot was renownedfor his focus on the wellbeing of Bootsemployees, stating in 1919: ‘We areprimarily comrades […] Fellowship inrecreation, fellowship in ideals, commonhopes, common sympathies, and commonhumanity bind us together; and whateverfosters this happy union is valuable.’

That year the Boots Social Club was formed,housed on the same site, offering employeesa place to fraternise and play games likebilliards, snooker, chess and darts. Two yearslater the Social Club expanded throughout thebuilding, and in 1968 a bar was installed. In 1979 Boots Store 2 stopped trading, andthe whole site became a social club.

If you have had the opportunity to visit The Embankment, you’ll know what anastounding building it is. With three floors,eight separate (and huge) rooms, and

currently four bars, The Embankment is ourbiggest site and project yet. We are planninga significant refurbishment over the comingmonths, much of which will be in-keepingwith the traditions of the building. We’reworking closely with the archive team atBoots to source memorabilia and restore thefront of the building to how it appeared overa century ago.

Our plans include creating The Dispensary inthe former Boots Store 2. Expect a greatselection of LocAle, craft beers and classicpub snacks. We’re also creating a new dining

area, offering traditionaland high quality pubfood in the Castle Rockstyle. On the first flooryou’ll find a stunningrestored function roomwith a private bar, andour favourite of thewhole building: theJesse Boot room.

Geoff Newton, chairmanof Castle Rock, says,“Having been longestablished as a social

club and pub for locals, we are mindful ofcontinuing to provide a community facility forthe local residents and numerous groups thathave used the Embankment for many years.

“Although it is not a social club anymore, thesocial element of the Embankment is vital tous at Castle Rock, and of course the localcommunity.

“We’re planning to dedicate the basementrooms of the building to sports, games, andlive music, so you can watch the game, listento some tunes or play snooker - keeping therecreational vibe, just how Jesse liked it.

“We hope toprovide first classfacilities across abroad range ofoffers fromweddings andfunctions toprivate dining,coffee and cake,casual lunches andeverything else offered by Castle Rock. Wehope The Embankment will become anintegral part of the Nottingham food anddrink scene, and you will enjoy a greatexperience in a very famous landmark.”

The Embankment is open as usual, so comedown and join us for a celebratory drink.

New pub in focusThe Embankment We are delighted to have finally secured The Embankment at Trent Bridgeas the latest edition to the Castle Rock estate

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Drinks in FocusDiscover World Beers

@DiscoverWBeersFollow us to stay in the loop with offers, events and news

Siren Craft Brew - UndercurrentUndercurrent is an oatmeal pale alefrom one of the most interesting andexperimental breweries in the UK.Siren have quickly made a name forthemselves with triple IPAs andblended, barrel-aged barley wines,and their core range indicates thatthere is real quality throughout theirentire portfolio.The aroma to Undercurrent is

hop-forward with hints of stone fruit and citrus,and at 4.5% ABV the body is made a tad fullerby the addition of oatmeal. Expect to see it inkeg, bottles and occasionally in cask in ourvenues.Available occasionally on draught across DWBvenues and in bottles at Canalhouse.

Firestone Walker – Wookey JackFirestone Walker’s entry into theUK has been eagerly anticipated bybeer fans on this side of the pond.We have finally picked up their beerand it hasn’t disappointed. Inter-estingly they do have some Britishheritage: co-founder David Walkeris a British ex-pat and isrepresented as a lion on their packaging. Theyuse a traditional British fermentation techniquesimilar to the Burton Union, and even theirhouse yeast is of British origin.Wookey Jack is a black rye IPA with balance; itbelies its ABV at 8.3% and is massivelydrinkable. There is a bit of roast from the malt,just enough to offset the citrusy hop aroma. Therye adds a hint of pepper, which seems to makethe transition from malt and hop flavours glidetogether. A different choice for fans of darkbeer. Available at Canalhouse

Yeastie Boys - GunnamattaYeastie Boys make some of the finestbeers in New Zealand, with a growingpresence in the UK. I’m sure you’ll get to know their beerspretty well (if you don’t already).Gunnamatta is a tea leaf IPA, with Earl

Grey as a pretty strongflavour, but it works so wellalongside the traditional IPAingredients of pale malt and big hops, creatingsomething really unique. Expect floral aromaswith a heavy hit of bergamot, light caramel maltgiving it enough sweetness to balance thebitterness provided by the tea and hops.Available at Canalhouse, Kean’s Head and Vat & Fiddle

La Trappe - WitteLa Trappe Witte is a simple but incredibly wellmade beer. It’s perfect for the summer monthsas a refresher. It’s light, similar to some morefamous Belgian Wits, but it’s different in thatthere is no addition of orange peel andcoriander. There’s a lemon zest note that comesfrom the hops and a hint of spice from theyeast. It’s clean, spritzy and refreshing –delicate yet full of flavour,what more could you wantin the summer sun?Available at Canalhouse,Kean’s Head and Swan inthe Rushes

The best craft beers arefleeting and only availableuntil the taps run dry!Follow us to make sureyou don’t miss out.

World beer buyer Wayne Harvey selects his favouritesthis summer from the Discover World Beers range

15th-21st June was an excitingweek for beer lovers inNottingham, with our first everCraft Beer Week.

It’s fair to say Nottingham has welland truly landed as Britain’s beerdestination. We host the RobinHood Beer & Cider Festival (one ofthe best-loved and biggest beer festivals inthe UK) and throw hundreds of smaller beerfestivals across the county every year.

Nottinghamshire is brimming with an array ofgreat pubs and bars and, come rain or shine;Nottinghamians seem always to see beer asthe drink of choice.

The inaugural Craft Beer Week, the first of itskind outside London, saw the entire city andwider county celebrate beer.

With Discover World Beers at theforefront of Nottingham’s CraftBeer scene, the Canalhouse hosteda Smackdown with Black Iris(based in Basford) vs. USA and aWeird Beard tap takeover, whilethe Kean’s Head held a FoundersBeer and Whiskey Night,

showcasing rare beers such as BlushingMonk and KBS, and beers across Castle Rockpubs were discounted for the event.

Not long had we stopped reeling from thelast Traffic Street Special (#4 Little Bitch wasa terrier of a brew at 10%) before Dan in thebrewery created his next masterpiece: #5Maggie’s Farm. This 4.0% abv ginger apricotSaison was the perfect addition toNottingham Craft Beer Week.

We’ll see you next year #ncbw16

Nottingham Craft Beer Week

Having closed before changing hands, we areexcited to hear of the re-born Spire Brewery of Chesterfield.

Gareth Jones, a Chesterfield CAMRAmember, has entered into a new venture bytaking on the Spire name and developingthe brewery. Since the purchase in October2014, Gareth has been working to ensurethe production of consistent and highquality beers through installing a qualitycontrolled lab. The plan is to cultivateyeast, crush malt, and purify water on site,to ensure each brew is consistent.

Spire Brewing Co. is developing seasonalbeers, bottled beers and kegged beers,alongside a core range of cask alesincluding a hoppy pale ale and a stout.Although only brewing since late November2014, Spire Winter Yaroslavna Stout tookhome ‘Beer of the Festival’ fromChesterfield and Marlow British LegionFestival.

We’ll be stockingsome beers fromSpire at the New Barrack Tavern and theDerby Tup, as well as guesting them acrossother Castle Rock pubs, so keep an eye outand support this new venture.

Best of luck to Gareth and the team, fromall of us at Castle Rock.

Inn-Spired!

Contact Wayne on

Twitter if there’s aspecific beer you’dlike us to source

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An established hostelry since the early1700s, the Golden Eagle is now acommunity pub on Lincoln’s lengthy HighStreet. It’s an unassuming building ofcream and (what we call) Castle Rockblue, with some true pub treasures todiscover.

The bar and lounge are separate rooms, bothwith a laid back and traditional feel; small andcosy spaces enjoyed by many. What reallymakes the Golden Eagle special is itsspectacular beer garden, which underwent amajor refurbishment just a couple of yearsago, and is the ideal spot for sunny days andwarm evenings.

We caught up with Tracy and Pete who havebeen lovingly looking after the pub and itslocals for ten years: “We always endeavour tolook after our customers. Pete sorts theircomputers, we help write letters, run peopleto the doctors and more. On Christmas Daythose who don’t have relatives come to us forlunch. It’s an extended family,” Tracy tells us.This is exactly the sort of service, care andattention that is priceless and why the GoldenEagle is so fondly loved.

Interaction with customers isabsolutely essential in asuccessful pub and indeed aCastle Rock pub, and Tracy andPete are particularly fond offinding synergy with theircustomers. “Everyone has astory to tell and I think sittingand taking the time to listen tothem maintains the ethos of thepub” says Tracy.

The Golden Eagle stocks Harvest Palepermanently and Castle Rock guest beers,which go down a treat. Locality is alsoimportant to Tracy and Pete: “We try to stocklocal ales as much as we can, featuring thelikes of Pheasantry, Oldershaws, Newby Wykeand Cathedral Heights. But we love sourcingbeers no-one has had before. Having a goodrange is all about judging what goes downwell, and trying new beers is a part of that.”

The Golden Eagle is the only pub in Lincoln,and the only Castle Rock pub, to stock themodern red ale, Lincoln Red.

The beer garden of the Golden Eagle is a trueoasis in the historic city of Lincoln. “On awarm day it fills up with groups of familiesand friends,” Tracy says. The ever popularGolden Eagle Beer Festival takes place everyyear in the beer garden (last weekend of Juneso a year to wait now!)

The marquee becomes an extension of thepub, plus a BBQ and live music all weekendlong means there’s always a buzz during thefestival.

So if you’ve never been to the Golden Eagle,we thoroughly recommend you give thisdelightful pub a try, and to all those that have– thank you for your custom from all of us atCastle Rock.

Managed pub in focusGolden Eagle We’ve been getting up close and personal with our pubs since our firstCastle Rock Quarter launched in 2014.This time we’re focusing on the Golden Eagle in Lincoln

Pictures clockwise from top: Public Bar, Beer Garden, Lounge Bar, Childrens Play Area, Beer Garden,Distinctive High Street frontage

Beer Day Britain & the Magna Carta

Events

In medieval England ale was so essentialto life that it was mentioned in the Magna Carta, probably the most famousdocument in the history of human rights,which was sealed in 1215 on 15th June.

Britain’s beer heritage is enviable,contributing £21 billion to the Treasuryevery year, with more styles of beer brewedin the UK than in any other brewing nation,and of course the most desired pub scenein the world.

800 years on and it wasdecided that Britaindeserved a nationalevent to celebrate thebrewing and pubindustry, so Beer DayBritain was created.

A nationwide communal‘cheers’ to beer wasorganised for 12:15pm where brewers,pubs and beer lovers raised a glass incelebration of British beer. Using thehashtag #CheersBDB, Twitter was stormedwith photos of people across Britain takingpart in this unique event.

At Castle Rock we brewed Runnymede800, a golden-brown ale with local honeyand hops from New Zealand and USA, andgathered with friends and customers toraise our glasses. Across our pubs, staff

and customers did the same, joining thenation in a celebration of our favouritedrink (as at the Vat - pictured above).

Beer Day Britain was created by: Jane Peyton, Britain’s Beer Sommelier ofthe Year; Sara Barton, British Brewer of theYear 2012-13; and Sophie de Ronde,organiser of International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day and - like Sara - afounding member of Project Venus. Threeamazing figures in Britain’s brewing scene.

15th June 2015 brought the first celebration of a new annual event:Beer Day Britain

The Fox & the Civil War

In May, an exciting weekend tookplace with the opening of theNational Civil War Centre, less thana minute walk from our very ownFox & Crown on Appleton Gate. It is a modern and interactivemuseum detailing facts throughimage, video and text about thedevastating and tenacious Civil Warsieges on Newark.

To celebrate the opening of themuseum, Castle Rock brewed aunique beer called Charles’ Last Standavailable exclusively at the Fox andCrown. The beer had strong honeynotes as well as a botanical taste andwe have to admit it was met with asimilar reception to marmite -everyone had something to say aboutit! Regardless the Fox shifted plenty ofbarrels over the weekend, enjoyed bycustomers and re-enactors from the King’sLifeguard of Foote regiment which used theFox as its basecamp for the launch weekend.

Speaking for the regiment, Major Jez Harpersaid the Fox was the ideal billet: "Its location

is fine, a mere 100 paces from the Civil WarCentre and the victuals, ales, and servingwenches are worthy of the King."

We recommend you pay a visit to thisfantastic museum. With great transport links,Newark is the perfect day out and when you visit make sure you pop in to the

Fox and Crown and enjoy all it has to offer:great beer and locally sourced food.

The feel of the Fox harks back to our formerchairman’s original idea of a “pubtopia” –high quality beer served by welcoming andknowledgeable staff in a friendlyenvironment.

Newark is a market town steeped in history and absolutely brimming withcharacter...

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The King’s Lifeguard of Foote regiment outside the Fox and Crown, with the ‘serving wenches’ at centre-right

Events

Drinks in focus

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Summer of SportI feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toesSport is all around me, and so the feeling grows Well sport may not be everybody’s“half of mild” but one thing is forcertain; Castle Rock pubs always seemto be in the middle of it.

Last season was a fairly miserable affair forCastle Rock’s football loving staff andcustomers. In Nottingham, Sheffield, Lincoln,Derby and York, there was a general aura ofunderachievement. Only in Chesterfield andBoston was there fun to be had…before bothteams lost out in the play offs. Ah, bitterdisappointment!

Success however has come to the NottsCounty Ladies FC, who have had a greatFA Cup campaign so far. Congratulations, wewish you all the best in the final againstChelsea which takes place on 1st August.

But alas, the chilly seasons have rolled on byand a new summer is ahead of us. So let’s allagree to forget about last season; the newfixtures are out and Castle Rock pubs willagain be on hand to help fuel your pre-gameoptimism and soften your post-game misery.

Rest assured: we’ll always be on your side!

Nothing is more exciting for us than when theAussies come to Trent Bridge to contest theAshes. We love opening our doors for earlybreakfast, lunch, rain-stopped play anddinner, and with the Stratford Haven in WestBridgford and the Poppy & Pint in Lady Bay,the Embankment just over the bridge, andthe Vat & Fiddle, Canalhouse, Newshouse,Kean’s Head, Lincolnshire Poacher and theForest Tavern in the city, there’s quite a lot ofCastle Rock pubs to enjoy on your visit.

David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd is a regular at thePoacher, so take a stroll up and you maycatch the legend that is. If not, you can chillout in the ‘Bumble Hut’ in the garden withsome friends. Post-match banter is of coursea vital element of the Ashes, and we reckon aCastle Rock pub is the perfect place to sitdown with a pint and get the debatesflowing.

All in all, our pubs are on hand to make forgreat day out, and we just hope that comeThursday 6th August (Fourth test) thatEngland still have a chance to win the series.

If you’re lucky, as you read this we may still

have some tickets left for an ‘Evening with’cricketer event at the Poppy & Pint. Last yearAlec Stewart was exceptional, and we cannow confirm that our headline name this yearis former England and Leicestershire left-hand batsman Paul Nixon. You can book yourtickets by visiting trap6events.co.uk

Watch out too for our ‘Buses to the Races’which take you out to Southwell, and maybesign up for the Castle Rock 10k Run whichwe are sponsoring for the first time, a greatway to get a limited edition Castle Rock t-shirt! you can sign up by visiting formulaonecc.co.uk

If you’d rather avoid the events and stay inthe pub, make sure to have a pint of CraftyFlanker, our beer brewed especially for theRugby World Cup 2015.

Follow our social media feeds and our websitefor updates on this “Summer of Sport”.

Orchard Pig Cider – MaverickOrchard Pig are a rapidlygrowing Glastonbury basedproducer, formed in 2004.While their flagship cider, Reveller,has been proving popular for some time now,one of their more experimental options iscoming to the fore in the form of Maverick. A thoroughly refreshing option, this ciderpossesses initial ginger and honey sweetness,before unleashing a jolt of chilli to reallybring it to life. At 4%, this is a delightfullyrefreshing session option for a warmsummer’s day.

Rosie’s Cider – Black BartNamed after Jack Russell andformer Chief Executive Officer, Rosiethe Dog, Rosie’s Cider is a cidermaker based in Wrexham. Black Bart ismatured in oak rum barrels from Barbados,which gives it an intense and unique flavour. Named after plundering West Indian pirateBlack Bart, this is a sweeter option withoutbeing too sickly and is full of character, justlike its namesake.

Thistly Cross – OriginalThistly Cross’ first cider is asmooth and refreshingoption, using fresh Scottishapples. Incredibly drinkable and not too complextaste-wise; this is an excellent option foranyone unfamiliar with traditional ciderwishing to try some. Beware though, at 7.2% it packs a powerfulpunch!

At Castle Rock we are huge supporters of real cider, stocking a great range across many of our pubs. Meet Alex McKenzie, our Cider Guru, here to give us his top three picks of real cider for summer 2015

Real cider

Follow the Cider Guru @CiderGuruCRB and let Alex know yourfavourites so we can try to source them

Pubs in focus

Speciality beers

On 2nd April, we woke to the devastating newsthat the Willowbrook had suffered a fire in theearly hours of the morning

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Everyone was relieved however to learnthe pub was closed at the time and noone was hurt. But we truly love all ofour pubs, and it was a strange feelingto learn that one had been so severelydamaged.

Having spent months refurbishing theWillowbrook before its official opening in lateApril 2014, it was less than a year old and stillgleaming. It had quickly become a favouriteamong the locals of Gedling, and ourcustomers were in as much shock (and upset)as we were when the fire broke out just before

Easter weekend.

Once the embers hadstopped burning andsafety measurestaken, we wereallowed access to thesite. The Fire Serviceascertained that thecause of the fire wasan electrical fault. The bulk of thedamage was limitedto the bar area, butsmoke damagethroughout the pubwas extensive.

Luckily the building was structurally sound, sowe were able to get to work on the refur-bishment fairly quickly.

At the time of writing, we are still in the midstof refurbishment, and are optimistic that theWillowbrook will be re-opening not long afterthis edition lands (perhaps you’ve picked upthis copy from the Willowbrook, in which case,thank you for visiting!)

We want to run great pubs, not just buildthem, so we can’t wait to open again and getback to serving the local community. The newdesigns are slightly different to pre-fire, andwe’re really excited to open the doors again.

Cheers to the Willowbrook of the future, a phoenix will rise from the ashes!

So far, Traffic Street brewer and project leader Dan Gilliland has brewedfive excellent Traffic Street Specials

Traffic Street Specials

These are #1 Stereotype (US IPA withWest Coast yeast), #2 Concrete Jungle(Pale Ale brewed with lemongrass andtarragon), #3 Double Barrel(Dandelion and Burdock Red Ale),

#4 Little Bitch(strong ImperialStout) and #5 Maggie’s Farm(Saison).

We’re excited toreport that thingscertainly aren’tstanding still, withplans already in

place for at least two more Traffic Streetsthis year.

Plus a new range ofbeers is being discussed,currently referred to asthe “Harvest PaleSessions”, with the ideato offshoot HarvestPale using variousdifferent techniquesand ingredients.

Without a doubt, the TSS most talked about is#4 Little Bitch. This little terrier of a beerpacked a huge punch, but retained excellentbalance. At 10%, the stout had intense

flavours of chocolate, coffee, boozy fruitcakeand liquorice. Using a 5 barrel kettle (recondi-tioned by Dan himself) and after numerousattempts to generate enough heat, we werevery proud when the final product arrived –a result of boundless experimentation, DIY,stress, risk and imagination. That, to us, isthe nature of craft brewing.

Dan tells us over the coming months he plansto brew a wine style beer, using grape mustduring fermentation, and there are manymore brews lined up for you to look out for.

Do you have an idea for a type of beeryou’d like to see brewed? Get in touch!@Traffic_Street

The Willowbrook: A phoenix will rise

Re-building the bar following the fire

Smoke damaged spiritson the back bar

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At Castle Rock, we seem to naturally ‘fall’for buildings with character and uniquequalities, whether it’s because of thebeauty of the architecture or the stories ofthe people who once graced its rooms. The Forest Tavern is no different.

William Abednego Thompson, better knownas ‘Bendigo’, trained in the rooms above thepub. England’s greatest bare knuckle boxer,Bendigo was born in 1811 into the slums ofNottingham, and by age 18 was earningmoney through fighting. Though shorter andsmaller than most of Nottingham’s fighters,he was nicknamed ‘Bendy’ for his weavingand speed, which became ‘Bendigo’. Youmight remember in 2011 we brewed aNottinghamian Celebration Ale for Bendigo tocelebrate his achievements.

Ben, manager of the site, says the Maze haskept the atmosphere of Bendigo ‘Without the

knuckles.’ We can only understand this tomean that the Maze is bursting with heat,excitement, energy. Take a look at the photoshere and you can see; it’s all happening.

The entrance is located through the Forest Tavern, a friendly and traditionalBritish pub with a relaxed Bavarian style bar,with diner-style seating and walls adornedwith music memorabilia. On the bar you’llfind a great selection of craft beers, spirits,continental lagers, ciders and of course Castle Rock real ale.

The Maze brings to Nottingham a mix of thebest local and underground acts, as well aslegendary bands and artists. Famous namesto grace the stage include Newton Faulkener,Laura Marling, the Slackers, Neville Staples ofthe Specials and of course Clifton’s lovechildJake Bugg. You’ll also find weird andwonderful comedy, spoken word, burlesque,

cult DJ nights and open micnights. The Maze is also ahandpicked venue for ComicAmerican Music, a live musicpromoter bringing the best and most diverse live music tothe stage.

The Maze has a sense of 1920s prohibitionabout it; never more present that when‘Brouhaha’ is in full swing. Brouhaha is afestival inspired night at the maze, bringingto this intimate venue the top musicians andDJs, performance artists, circus walkabouts,trippy décor, light and projection shows andmore. The genres showcased are an eclecticmix of Live Dance, World Music, Reggae, Skaand Hiphop, and fancy dress is paramount.

Visit www.themazerocks.com and put a date in the diary. You’re in for a great night.

Tenanted pub in focusForest Tavern & the Maze Castle Rock took over the Forest Tavern nearlytwenty years ago and, with the work of Ben Brettelland his team, it is now home to Nottingham’s best independent music venue, the Maze

Editor’s picksFull listings on our website -

www.castlerockbrewery.co.uk/event

Upcoming Events

12

JULY

Saturday 4th JulyUS INDEPENDENCE DAY4th July is the perfect excuse to celebrate thefood and brews from our friends across thepond. Our food menus go All-American withfried chicken, ribs and wings, PJ sandwiches,hot dogs, and cookie dough desserts. Paired offwith the best bottles of craft from the USA.Fill up at the Canalhouse, the Bread &Bitter, Poppy & Pint and the StratfordHaven.

Friday 17th JulyPIRATE PARTYWell blow me down, it’s 9 years since theCanalhouse came into the seas of CastleRock, and this year the big day falls on a Friday.Come down in your buccaneers’ attire for thePirate Party with Sharkbait cocktails, cake andtunes with footstomping beats and grizzly bluesmelodies… Harvest Pale and Sheriff ’s Tippleare discounted with 10% off a pint, and entryis free. See you there, Seadogs.

Thursday 30th JulyCHARNWOOD BREWERY NIGHTLoughborough’s family-run CharnwoodBrewery take over the lounge bar at the SwanIn The Rushes for the evening. We’re hopingJuly’s special ‘Hello Sunshine’ will be on thebar. Charnwood Brewery Night takes place onthe last Thursday of every month.

AUGUST

ASHES AT TRENT BRIDGEThursday 6th - Monday 10th AugustStart the day with breakfast at the Vat &Fiddle from 9am, with a daily BBQ followingend of play - kangaroo burger or beef? Thebrewery tap will also be opening up theirHarvest Pale bar especially, so it seems onlyright to refresh with a pint or two. If you’re already down in West Bridgford, ourreal ale oasis the Stratford Haven will beopen and serving breakfast from 8am everyday, with lunchtime and post-play BBQ.

Sunday 16th AugustGIN TASTING & HIGH TEAThe Golden Eagle host a gin tastingafternoon in their beer garden from 2pm.Relax with a selection of six gins, high tea andfood surprises. For a jolly English Sundayafternoon in the sunshine for £15 per head,call 01522 521058 or emailgoldeneagle@castlerockbrewery.co.uk

AUGUST BANK HOLIDAYWEEKENDFriday 28th August - Monday 31stAugust

• Food & Cider FestivalThe Fox & Crown celebrate Newark’s Food& Cider Fest 2015 from 27th-31st August.Cider lovers are treated by multiple venuesacross the town to an array of fruityconcoctions accompanied by delicious foodfrom pizza and pies to seafood. The perfectway to enjoy the bank holiday weekend…follow @TheFoxandCrown to stay in the loop.

• Food Festival The Bread & Bitter are celebrating with anoutside bar all weekend, a BBQ on 28th, a hogroast on the 29th, and hog roast cob breakfaston 30th.

• Kid’s Play AfternoonThe Golden Eagle open their beautifulgarden once again for a bank holidaycelebration. Open from 2pm on Sunday 30thAugust, the afternoon includes a bouncycastle, games, face painting and more…whileyou enjoy a pint and a burger from thebarbecue. Entry is free.

• NBT Music FestivalThe New Barrack Tavern throws its popularsummer music festival with live music on twostages from 7.30pm each evening, Friday28th- Sunday 20th August. Featuring MaisonRouge, Amelia Carter Band, Highway ChildReasons to be Cheerful and more, with foodserved late.

• Poacher Garden PartyIf you’re in Nottingham for the bank holiday,head up Mansfield Road to the walled gardenof this real ale haven. The LincolnshirePoacher will be celebrating from 6pm onMonday 31st August with live music, anoutside bar and a smokin’ BBQ. Entry is freeand the beer is the best you can get…

July 2015 August 2015

13www.castlerockbrewery.co.uk/event

SEPTEMBER

NOTTINGHAM FORESTLEGENDSFriday 11th September The Poppy & Pint host an evening withForest Legends Kenny Burns and JohnRobertson. Tickets are only available to ages18+ from gigantic.com. Doors open at 8pm. Come on you Redddsss!

BRITISH FOOD FORTNIGHTMonday 21st September-1st OctoberBritish classics are in the spotlight acrossCastle Rock pubs with special menusdedicated to in-season British ingredients,sourced locally wherever possible.

Enjoy the best the British Isles has to offerwith the dishes we all know and love.

Saturday 19th September - Sunday 4th October OKTOBERFEST It’s that time of year again – one of CastleRock’s favourite annual events. CelebrateGerman beer festival ‘Oktoberfest’ in many ofour pubs, strap on your lederhosen (you canbuy official ones at shop.oktoberfest.de shouldyou feel inclined), and bring your friends fordinners of Pork Schnitzel, Bratwurst andZweibelkuchen. Enjoy some of best beersGermany has to offer, including as manyofficial Oktoberfest beers we can get ourhands on! Keep an eye on @DiscoverWBeers on Twitter for updates.

Thursday 24th SeptemberFOX & CROWN BIRTHDAY PARTYThe Fox & Crown celebrates another year inthe Castle Rock clan, with live music fromCameron at 6.30pm, a buffet and birthdaycake. Entry is free so fill on up and get on upfor a boogie…

Sunday 27th SeptemberROBIN HOOD MARATHONWhether you’re running the marathon, thehalf or the mini, many of our Nottingham pubsare offering discounts on food and beer whenyou show your medal at the bar. The Vat &Fiddle is open from 9am for breakfast so youcan carb up and wake up. Follow your CastleRock local to find out what you can enjoy torest your weary bones. Don’t forget our newpub The Embankment at Trent Bridge willbe open and ready to welcome you.Both the Vat and Embankment are en route,so great places for a spectator basecamp.

Thursday 24th September - Sunday 4th OctoberCASK ALE WEEKJoin us in celebrating our nationwide love ofcask ale! Every day is a cask ale day, if you askus, but over this week you’ll find discounts andoffers, new brews hitting Castle Rock bars,mini beer festivals and ‘Ales of the Day’. TheKean’s Head in the Lace Market,Nottingham, will be creating a special beer-cooked and paired menu. Follow @CRBrewery on Twitter to keep upwith all things ale.

• EVERY WEDNESDAY at the Horse &Plough we throw a themed food night.Join us from 5.30pm for a different menueach week. To whet your appetite…thelast theme included a sloppy-joe burger, asweet potato and halloumi burger, and agourmet venison burger. • It’s Pie & Pint night every Mondayevening from 5.30pm only £7.95

MONDAYS: Bread & Bitter - Curry & Quiz Night,£8.95 from 5pmKean’s Head - Homemade Pie & PintNight, £10.95 from 5pmStratford Haven - Curry & Pint Night,£7.95 from 9pm

TUESDAYSPoppy & Pint - Curry & Quiz Night, £7.95for curry and a pint, quiz £1 (9pm)Stratford Haven - Pie & Pint Night, £9.955-9pm

WEDNESDAYLincolnshire Poacher - Old Nick TradingCompany live from 9pm

Visit our website for daily listings

October 2015September 2015

Regulars

Visit beerfestival.nottinghamcamra.org

events in Castle Rock pubs are updated daily

Available at your Castle Rock local

15

Coming up nextOur Autumn seasonal and special brews

Our new Castle Rock vanis on the road deliveringbeer to thirsty drinkers as far as Liverpool

OCTOBER to DECEMBER 2015

All of our beers contain Gluten from Malted Barley and Wheat. For full allergen information, please check our website or ask at the bar

You may remember we were planning toopen a micropub in a small grade ii listedbuilding, just outside the main concourseat Nottingham railway station.

All plans were “go” when we received thestrange news that, during refurbishments,the power and drainage lines to the buildinghad been cut. We were of course disap-pointed to put the plans on hold, but remainoptimistic that a solution may be possible.

We’ll keep you updated if the situationchanges.

4.2% abvThe final beer in our 2015

Nottinghamian Celebration Alesrange. Brewed to celebrate the lifeand works of Nottingham artistDame Laura Knight, this rich andfruity porter is a dark ruby colour,with aromas of chocolate and a

molasses & coffee finish.AVAILABLE OCTOBER-DECEMBER

4.4% abvMost Haunted is the ideal

Hallowe’en brew: a dark porterwith aromas of chocolate, nutmegand pumpkin spice, leading to a

rich and smooth finish.AVAILABLE OCTOBER

5.5% abvA black IPA with aromas ofcaramel and a complex,

hoppy finish. Rich and warming for the colder

seasons.AVAILABLE OCTOBER-MARCH

4.2% abvThe palest of pale ales with a floralcitrus on the nose and a clean, crisp

and fresh taste, Snowhite isbalanced and smooth with

wide appeal.AVAILABLE NOVEMBER-FEBRUARY

4.0% abvThis amber beer with a long zesty

finish is brewed with charitydonations to the Jon van GeestCancer Research Centre, in aid of

men’s health.AVAILABLE NOVEMBER

4.0% abvBlack Friday is a special brew forthose avoiding the horror of BlackFriday on the high-street. Recipe isto be decided, so keep your eye on

our social media feeds.AVAILABLE NOVEMBER

4.0% abvFourth in the Wildlife Reserve series,Attenborough is a pilsner-style pale

ale, pale golden in colour and well balanced with a spicy

sweet taste.AVAILABLE DECEMBER-FEBRUARY

4.4% abvBack for 2015, First Mo El is awarming light brown ale withfestive spices and a bitter, fruity

finish.AVAILABLE DECEMBER

Autumn is packed with celebrations, bringing ourbiggest selection of seasonals and specials to you.From the spooks of Hallowe’en to the festivities of

Christmas, we’re marking pretty much everyoccasion for the final months of 2015.

Have you spotted our new Castle Rock vanon the road? Our man Gary is usually atthe wheel, so if you spot him make his daywith a tweet to @CRBrewery

The question is, what do we call this newaddition to the family?

Tweet us your suggested name by 30thSeptember for a chance to win a CastleRock gift pack.

Soon (maybe already by the time you readthis), our Elsie van will be delivering. Be sure to chat to @Elsiemocrb if you seeour Glorious Golden Ale on the road, sheloves to hear from you…

Micropub update

News updateI need a name!

A national award-winning blondebeer. American hopsgive a refreshinglycrisp, citrus finish.

A well balanced,award-winning dark

mild with somebitterness.

Full-bodied but notoverly sweet.

A full-bodiedpremium bitter of

typical East Midlandscharacter. Perfect

bitter-sweet balance.

3.8%3.8% 4.4%

Brewed to be atraditional session alewith a malty bitter

taste.

3.4%

Brewed with freshColumbian coffee

beans. Flavours of richchocolate and coffeeare in the nose, andthe taste is smooth

and lasting.

4.5% 5.5%

American-style red alebrewed with darkcrystal malt, plus

El Dorado and Kohatuhops.

4.3%

Core Castle Rock Beers

Castle Rock Pubs ALEXANDRA HOTEL203 Siddals Road, Derby DE1 2QETel: 01332 293993e-mail: alexandrahotel@castlerockbrewery.co.ukF: Alexandra Hotel T: @Alex_Pub_Derby

CASTLE ROCK TAPROOM & KITCHENFirst Floor Departure Lounge, East Midlands AirportOperated by Autogrill

FOREST TAVERN/MAZE257 Mansfield Road, Nottingham NG1 3FTTel: 0115 947 5650email: info@themazerocks.com • web: www.themazerocks.comF: The Maze T: @themazenotts

KEAN’S HEAD46 St. Mary’s Gate, Nottingham NG1 1QATel: 0115 947 4052 e-mail: keanshead@castlerockbrewery.co.ukF: Kean’s Head T: @keanshead

NEWSHOUSE123 Canal Street, Nottingham NG1 7HBTel: 0115 952 3061e-mail: newshouse@castlerockbrewery.co.ukF: The Newshouse T: @NewshouseNotts

STRATFORD HAVEN2 Stratford Rd, W. Bridgford, Nott’m NG2 6BATel: 0115 982 5981 e-mail: stratfordhaven@castlerockbrewery.co.ukF: Stratford Haven T: @stratfordhaven

VICTORIA HOTEL Dovecote Lane, Beeston, Nott’m NG9 1JGTel: 0115 925 4049 e-mail: vichotel@btconnect.com F: The-Victoria-Hotel T: @TheVicBeeston

BREAD AND BITTER153-155 Woodthorpe Dr, Mapperley, NG3 5JLTel: 0115 960 7541e-mail: breadandbitter@castlerockbrewery.co.ukF: Bread Bitter T: @breadandbitter

DERBY TUP387 Sheffield Rd, Chesterfield S41 8LSTel: 01246 454316e-mail: derbytup@castlerockbrewery.co.ukF: The Derby Tup T: @TheDerbyTup

FOX AND CROWN4-6 Appletongate, Newark, Notts NG24 1JYTel: 01636 605820e-mail: foxandcrown@castlerockbrewery.co.ukF: The Fox & Crown Newark T: @TheFoxandCrown

LINCOLNSHIRE POACHER161-163 Mansfield Road, Nott’m NG1 3FRTel: 0115 941 1584e-mail: lincolnshirepoacher@castlerockbrewery.co.ukF: Lincolnshire Poacher T: @lincpoacher

POPPY AND PINTPierrepont Road, Lady Bay, Notts NG2 5DXTel: 0115 981 9995e-mail: poppyandpint@castlerockbrewery.co.ukF: Poppy & Pint T: @PoppyandPint

SWAN IN THE RUSHES21 The Rushes, Loughborough LE11 5BETel: 01509 217014 e-mail: swanintherushes@castlerockbrewery.co.ukF: Swan Rushes T: @swanrushes

HORSE AND PLOUGH25 Long Acre, Bingham, Notts NG13 8AFTel: 01949 839313 e-mail: horseandplough@castlerockbrewery.co.ukF: Horse and Plough T: @HorseandPlough

WILLOWBROOK 13 Main Rd, Gedling, Nottingham NG4 3HQTel: 0115 987 8596 e-mail: willowbrook@castlerockbrewery.co.ukF: The Willowbrook T: @WillowbrookCRB

CANALHOUSE48-52 Canal Street, Nottingham NG1 7EHTel: 0115 955 5060e-mail: canalhouse@castlerockbrewery.co.ukF: Canal House T: @canalhousebar

EAGLE144 West Street, Boston, Lincs PE21 8RETel: 01205 361116e-mail: eagle@castlerockbrewery.co.ukF: The Eagle T: @TheEagleBoston

GOLDEN EAGLE21 High Street, Lincoln LN5 8BDTel: 01522 521058e-mail: goldeneagle@castlerockbrewery.co.ukF: The Golden Eagle Free House T: @GoldenEaglePub

NEW BARRACK TAVERN601 Penistone Road, Sheffield S6 2GATel: 0114 234 9148e-mail: newbarracktavern@castlerockbrewery.co.ukF: New Barrack Tavern T: @NewBarrack

ROOK AND GASKILL12 Lawrence Street, York YO10 3WPTel: 01904 655450e-mail: rookandgaskill@castlerockbrewery.co.ukF: The Rook and Gaskill T: @RookGaskillYork

VAT AND FIDDLE (The Brewery Tap)

12-14 Queensbridge Rd, Nottingham NG2 1NBTel: 0115 985 0611 e-mail: vatandfiddle@castlerockbrewery.co.ukF: Vat and Fiddle T: @VatandFiddle

All of our pubs follow the latest allergen legislation. Further details are available in each establishment.

(Hands On Pub Company)

The next issue of Castle Rock Quarter is published in October

F: Sheriff TippleT: @SheriffTipple

Blonde and beautifulsingle malt golden ale

refreshing on thepalate.

4.7%

F: Elsie MoT: @Elsiemocrb

A national champion.Strong India Pale Ale.Lots of everything soproceed with caution.

F: Screech OwlT: @ScreechOwlCRB

F: Castle Rock Brewery

T: @CRBrewery

EMBANKMENT282-284 Arkwright St, Nottingham NG2 2GRTel: 0115 986 4502e-mail: embankment@castlerockbrewery.co.ukF: Embankment Pub & Kitchen T: @EmbankmentNottm

T: @RedRidingHoodCR

For details of seasonal beers please see pages 2,3 & 15 in this issue

Breakthroughpoint Ltd

Beer Consortium

Lady Bay Inns

Beer Consortium