Copyright (c) 2026 Protz On Beer, by Roger Protz https://protzonbeer.co.uk/categories/pub-news en-gb Sat, 06 Dec 2025 13:22:00 GMT Research since the Budget shows that, far from going down, business rates for pubs will rise dramatically over the next few years. Hospitality experts say thousands more pubs will close, hut not only by business rates but high costs for energy, increases in the Minimum Wage and National Insurance plus a rise in the price of beer as duty goes up. Sat, 06 Dec 2025 13:22:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2025/12/06/budget-business-rates-blow-to-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2025/12/06/budget-business-rates-blow-to-pubs An appeal to Chancellor Rachel Reeves to take urgent steps to help British pubs by removing business rates, cutting VAT and excise duty and removing anomaly where supermarkets don't pay VAT on beer sales Wed, 08 Oct 2025 11:31:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2025/10/08/sos-to-the-chancellor-for-british-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2025/10/08/sos-to-the-chancellor-for-british-pubs The demolition of the Crooked House in the Black Country has spotlighted the way in which more and more pubs are being destroyed by speculators. As a general election approaches, political parties should be asked to commit to appointing a Pubs Minister who will protect pubs and will also tackle such burning issues as high business rates, VAT and excise duties that penalise pubs and advantage supermarkets Sun, 03 Sep 2023 10:17:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2023/09/03/crooked-house-we-need-a-pubs-minister https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2023/09/03/crooked-house-we-need-a-pubs-minister Black Sheep Brewery in Yorkshire has been saved from administration and will continue to brew but chief executive Charlene Lyons says it will close three pubs as a result of "difficult trading" Mon, 17 Jul 2023 10:02:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2023/07/17/black-sheep-to-axe-three-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2023/07/17/black-sheep-to-axe-three-pubs For six years, Friends of the Iron Duke have campaigned to save the closed Art Deco listed building and to reopen it as a pub. The local council and its preservation trust have refused to put the pub out for tender and have now reached an agreement with a company called Zak's to turn the site into an American-style burger restaurant. Caroline Jones of Friends of the Iron Duke tells the story... Thu, 15 Jun 2023 12:43:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/columns/2023/06/15/battle-royal-over-iconic-art-deco-pub https://protzonbeer.co.uk/columns/2023/06/15/battle-royal-over-iconic-art-deco-pub The Bree Louise was an award-winning pub close to Euston station in North London. It was closed in 2018 and knocked down to make way for the new high-speed train service to Birmingham, HS2. Now there is speculation that HS2 may be cancelled or trains will start in the suburbs, not at Euston. So the pub and surrounding buildings need not have been destroyed Fri, 10 Feb 2023 11:29:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2023/02/10/bree-louise-did-this-pub-have-to-die https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2023/02/10/bree-louise-did-this-pub-have-to-die The Tamworth Tap, a brewpub opened just five years ago, has won CAMRA's coveted Pub of the Year award. The Tap is based in a 16th century building overlooking Tamworth Castle and offers beers from eight handpulls along with pub games and many other activities. Fri, 13 Jan 2023 11:28:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2023/01/13/tamworth-jewel-wins-top-pub-award https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2023/01/13/tamworth-jewel-wins-top-pub-award A Hampshire pub dating from 1721 has been given the top Pub Savings Award by the Campaign for Real Ale. The Plough Inn closed in 2015 but local people raIsed money through donations, grants and a community share scheme to buy the pub and restore it. The runner-up in the awards is the Three Horseshoes in Helions Bumpstead in Essex Mon, 26 Dec 2022 12:27:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2022/12/26/top-awards-for-pubs-saved-by-locals https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2022/12/26/top-awards-for-pubs-saved-by-locals A Victorian pub, the Boleyn Tavern, that once stood next to West Ham United's football ground, has won the prestigious Community Local award from CAMRA in its Pub Design Awards. Wells & Co and Joules Brewery have jointly won the New Build award for Brewpoint in Bedford and the Crown Wharf in Stone while Stay Original Company won the Refurbishment Award for the Kings Arms in Dorchester Tue, 26 Jul 2022 09:29:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2022/07/26/camra-unveils-top-pub-awards https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2022/07/26/camra-unveils-top-pub-awards The Farriers Arms in St Albans, home to the first CAMRA branch in 1972, has been awarded an Asset of Community Value listing by the local council. The pub is up for sale but the ACV means there will be a six-month moratorium on the sale during which time supporters and councillors will seek a suitable new owner who will keep the pub open. Tue, 12 Jul 2022 11:33:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2022/07/12/hopes-rise-to-save-famous-farriers https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2022/07/12/hopes-rise-to-save-famous-farriers The Land of Liberty, Peace & Plenty is a pub of historic importance. It was built in the 1840s to support a Chartist community in Heronsgate, Herts, and has traded ever since. It has won a large number of awards from CAMRA and is currently the Herts Country Pub of the Year. But the owners are thinking of selling as they haven't recovered from Covid lockdowns and say most of their former regulars stay at home and drink cheap supermarket alcohol Sun, 10 Jul 2022 17:48:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2022/07/10/historic-pub-struggles-to-survive https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2022/07/10/historic-pub-struggles-to-survive Following a long battle with here landlords, Carol Ross is now the proud owner of the Roscoe Head in Liverpool, one of only five pubs to be listed in the Good Beer Guide for 50 years. She still bears the scars of her battle to win control of the pub but is now turning her attention to saving cask ale as it's replaced by "craft beer" in many Merseyside pubs Mon, 21 Mar 2022 09:16:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2022/03/21/roscoe-s-carol-the-scars-are-healing https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2022/03/21/roscoe-s-carol-the-scars-are-healing CAMRA -- the Campaign for Real Ale -- has given its prestigious Pub Saving Award to locals in Stoke Ferry, Norfolk, who raised funds to buy the Blue Bell Inn that had closed and was threatened with being turned into housing. It will re-open in the spring. Runner-up was the Railway Arms in Saffron Walden, Essex, which has re-opened following a long campaign to save it by local people. Mon, 27 Dec 2021 16:34:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2021/12/27/prize-for-villagers-who-saved-their-local https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2021/12/27/prize-for-villagers-who-saved-their-local The Farriers Arms in St Albans has played a key role in the history of the Campaign for Real Ale. The longest surviving CAMRA branch was formed in the pub in November 1972. The Farriers was owned by Hertford family brewer McMullen but it sold the pub to the sitting tenants, Tony and Jannine Passmore, in 2013. They now want to retire and the pub is on the market. A local Lib Dem councillor will attempt to win an Asset of Community Value listing for the pub Wed, 08 Dec 2021 17:49:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2021/12/08/farriers-arms-camra-icon-for-sale https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2021/12/08/farriers-arms-camra-icon-for-sale The third edition of Des de Moor's guide to London pubs records a remarkable increase in the number of breweries operating in the capital -- up from 14 in the last edition to 140 today. The guide takes beer lovers on a dizzying trek round London, visiting the best pubs and breweries large and small, and noting the vast range of beer styles now available Sun, 21 Nov 2021 11:43:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/reviews/2021/11/21/join-des-s-great-london-beer-trek https://protzonbeer.co.uk/reviews/2021/11/21/join-des-s-great-london-beer-trek Nottingham was once dominated by two big breweries, now long gone. Today there's a large number of artisan breweries, led by Castle Rock, offering great choice drinkers. And there are some superb pubs, including the Kean's Head in the historic Lace Market. Fri, 10 Sep 2021 11:27:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/09/10/nottingham-great-beer-great-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/09/10/nottingham-great-beer-great-pubs The Magdala Tavern in Hampstead, North London, is famous as the place where Ruth Ellis -- the last woman to be hanged in Britain -- shot her lover in 1955. The pub, owned by Punch Taverns, had been closed since 2014 but it's been bought by Dick Morgan who also runs the Express Tavern in Kew and the Sussex Arms in Twickenham. He has spent £250,000 restoring a famous North London landmark with a fine range of beers Sat, 03 Jul 2021 17:46:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/07/03/historic-magdala-is-back-in-business https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2021/07/03/historic-magdala-is-back-in-business A famous East End pub, the Boleyn Tavern, has been restored to its Victorian splendour thanks to a £1 million refurbishment by its owners, Remarkable Pubs. The pub was opened in 1900 by the Limehouse brewer Taylor Walker and it was visited on several occasions by Mahatma Gandhi when he was studying in London. The pub fell into disrepair when West Ham United moved to Stratford but it's now fully open with a good range of cask beers Sun, 27 Jun 2021 10:07:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2021/06/27/historic-cockney-pub-restored-to-glory https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2021/06/27/historic-cockney-pub-restored-to-glory The future of the Iron Duke pub in Great Yarmouth hangs in the balance as the local council and preservation trust decide whether its future is as a pub or retail or private building. The Art Deco pub was built in the 1930s but has been closed for 15 years. It's now Grade II-listed but this will not protect it from being turned into different, alternative use Mon, 21 Jun 2021 20:08:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2021/06/21/battle-royal-to-save-art-deco-gem https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2021/06/21/battle-royal-to-save-art-deco-gem Matthew Curtis and Orlando Gili have given London pubs a much-needed boost with a gem of a book that lists 52 of the finest pubs in London. They list pubs in all parts of the capital, ranging from old coaching inns to modern watering holes, including one converted from a mock-Tudor public convenience Thu, 03 Jun 2021 16:48:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/reviews/2021/06/03/a-paean-of-praise-for-london-s-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/reviews/2021/06/03/a-paean-of-praise-for-london-s-pubs A coalition of brewers, consumers and pub groups has joined forces to urge the Chancellor to reduce the duty charged on draught beer to help pubs compete more fairly with cut-price beer in supermarkets. The group says a cut in duty would create many jobs for the pub sector and would encourage drinkers to use pubs more often Wed, 19 May 2021 12:14:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2021/05/19/coalition-calls-for-beer-tax-relief-for-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2021/05/19/coalition-calls-for-beer-tax-relief-for-pubs While the government has banned pubs from selling take home beer, retail outlets -- including petrol stations -- are free to sell alcohol. Twice as many pubs closed in 2020 compared to the previous year and it's expected many more will close as a result of the restrictions. Pictured, the King William IV in St Albans, now closed, while three retail outlets yards away can sell alcohol all day and evening. Fri, 08 Jan 2021 14:17:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2021/01/08/blinkered-thinking-is-wrecking-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2021/01/08/blinkered-thinking-is-wrecking-pubs Carol Ross, landlady of the Roscoe Head in Liverpool, is finally victorious. She now owns the historic pub after years of struggle with Punch Taverns and New River Retail. She is now free to sell the beers she favours, not those imposed on her by giant pub companies. Carol is full of praise for her supporters throughout the country who backed her in her battle for freedom Mon, 28 Dec 2020 10:49:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2020/12/28/roscoe-great-victory-for-all-pub-lovers https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2020/12/28/roscoe-great-victory-for-all-pub-lovers The 2021 edition of the Good Beer Guide, published by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, says the coronavirus pandemic has caused havoc for British pubs, many of which have not reopened since the first national lockdown was lifted in the summer. And for the first time for many years, the Guide reports a decline in the number of breweries operating in the country Thu, 29 Oct 2020 09:33:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2020/10/29/virus-wreaks-havoc-for-british-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2020/10/29/virus-wreaks-havoc-for-british-pubs The Budvan is a new service from Budweiser Budvar that delivers fresh Budvar Original to pubs with a full back-up service that enables the Czech lager to be served in tip-top condition. The Buvan is seen delivering beer to the Forge pub near Leicester, part of the Beautiful Pubs group. Tue, 04 Aug 2020 08:42:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2020/08/04/czeching-in-budvan-s-new-pub-service https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2020/08/04/czeching-in-budvan-s-new-pub-service The Mawson Arms, Fuller's Grade II-listed brewery tap in Chiswick, West London, is to close. The pub dates from the 18th century and was named after the Mawson family that bought two small breweries near the Thames that later merged into Fuller, Smith & Turner. The brewery was sold to Asahi of Japan in 2019 and Fuller's is now a pub company. It has moved to new offices and says the pub is surplus to requirements. Wed, 15 Jul 2020 11:34:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2020/07/15/fuller-s-historic-brewery-tap-to-close https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2020/07/15/fuller-s-historic-brewery-tap-to-close It's when the pubs are closed that you realise how much you miss them. Here's a run down of just some of the hostelries I have visited and treasured over the years. Pictured: the Boleyn Tavern in London E6 that used to stand next to West Ham United football ground Thu, 28 May 2020 14:34:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/05/28/pubs-you-always-miss-the-ones-you-love https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/05/28/pubs-you-always-miss-the-ones-you-love Pubs may be shut with no firm date for re-opening but beer lovers can take a visual tour of award-winning hostelries chosen by CAMRA's Pub Design Awards. They include some new builds and some pubs that have been restored to their former glory. The winners include the Farmers' Arms in Devon (pictured) Tue, 05 May 2020 10:51:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2020/05/05/take-a-visual-tour-of-award-winning-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2020/05/05/take-a-visual-tour-of-award-winning-pubs Carol Ross, pictured, landlady of the Roscoe Head in Liverpool -- one of the Famous Five pubs to feature in every edition of the Good Beer Guide -- is once again locked in a dispute with her landlord over its future. Last year New River Retail said it would more than double her rent and refused her request for Market Rent Only that would allow her sell beers free of the tie. Her lease is up for renewal and it's unclear whether New River will keep her on Mon, 27 Apr 2020 12:05:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2020/04/27/new-struggle-over-future-of-roscoe-head https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2020/04/27/new-struggle-over-future-of-roscoe-head The nation's pubs are shut tight and it's not the first time they have suffered during a time of crisis. During the First World War, the teetotal Liberal politician David Lloyd George (pictured) drove through measures that drastically cut pub opening hours, increased the price of beer and remodelled pubs to make them less cheerful places to visit. Massive rises in beer duty led to stronger beers such as IPA becoming a shadow of their former selves Thu, 09 Apr 2020 13:22:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/04/09/beer-and-pubs-in-the-firing-line https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/04/09/beer-and-pubs-in-the-firing-line As the pub lockdown enters its second week, pubs in England, Scotland and Wales are offering help to their communities with delivery services of fresh food, meals-on-wheels for senior citizens and accommodation for NHS nurses. Pictured: fire fighters at Cwbran with food parcels supplied by Brain's brewery in Cardiff Mon, 06 Apr 2020 09:52:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2020/04/06/pub-heroes-boost-their-communities https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2020/04/06/pub-heroes-boost-their-communities Liverpool is famous for its pubs but it's worth wandering into the backstreets to find some hidden gems, such as Ye Cracke (pictured), where John Lennon used to drink when he was at the nearby art college. There's more Beatles memorabilia at the Grapes in Mathew Street, close to the Cavern Club, and at the nearby White Star. The Roscoe Head has a fine offering of beer and needs support in case its owners close it. For the new face of Liverpool, don't miss the Love Lane brewery and tap Sun, 15 Mar 2020 14:53:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/03/15/beer-and-beatles-are-still-the-mersey-beat https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2020/03/15/beer-and-beatles-are-still-the-mersey-beat The All Parliamentary Beer Group, one of the oldest and most influential groups of MPs and Peers, is calling on the government in its Budget in March to make fundamental changes to both Business Rates and Beer Duty in order to allow high street pubs to flourish. At present the burden of rates and the high price of beer is leading to many pubs closing. Britain's oldest pub, the Old Fighting Cocks in St Albans (pictured), has been forced to close for two days a week in order to cut costs Thu, 27 Feb 2020 11:49:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2020/02/27/mps-demand-action-on-rates-beer-duty https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2020/02/27/mps-demand-action-on-rates-beer-duty A village pub on the Cambridge-Herts border has been saved from developers by locals. They raised £250,000 to buy the the 17th-century Three Tuns in Guilden Morden on the ancient Icknield Way and Ermine Street. The pub reopened in 2019 and has won a national Pub Saving award from CAMRA and Most Improved Rural Pub award from the local branch. Thu, 13 Feb 2020 19:59:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2020/02/13/top-awards-for-rural-pub-saved-by-locals https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2020/02/13/top-awards-for-rural-pub-saved-by-locals Eleven English pubs have had their listings upgraded to protect their historic architecture, interiors and facades. They include the Philharmonic in Liverpool (pictured), which is now Grade I, the only pub in the country to have the top listing. The government's listing means the pubs cannot be extended or changed in any way that detracts from their heritage Fri, 07 Feb 2020 11:31:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2020/02/07/11-pubs-win-special-government-status https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2020/02/07/11-pubs-win-special-government-status After years of pub closures there's now a revival as consumers turn their backs on expensive restaurants and choose good value pub grub instead. The Office for National Statistics reports that bigger pubs have benefited most from the growth but smaller pubs are also enjoying a slight revival Fri, 17 Jan 2020 16:59:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2020/01/17/grub-drives-pubs-revival https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2020/01/17/grub-drives-pubs-revival The JD Wetherspoon pub group -- founded by Tim Martin (pictured) -- plans to invest £200 million in its pubs and hotels over the next four years, creating 10,000 new jobs. The pubs will be in smaller towns along with such major cities as London, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham, Leeds and Galway Tue, 10 Dec 2019 14:09:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2019/12/10/wetherspoon-set-to-open-raft-of-new-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2019/12/10/wetherspoon-set-to-open-raft-of-new-pubs CAMRA -- the Campaign for Real Ale -- has named a short list of four pubs that have reached the final round of the annual Pub of the Year competition. The Swan with Two Necks, Pendleton, Lancs, the George & Dragon, Hudswell, Yorkshire and the Bell, Aldworth, Berks, have all won the competition before but the newcomer is the community-owned Red Lion at Preston, Herts. The winner will be announced in February 2020 Mon, 04 Nov 2019 10:01:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2019/11/04/camra-names-pub-of-the-year-finalists https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2019/11/04/camra-names-pub-of-the-year-finalists When two publicans in St Albans, Sean Hughes and Christo Tofalli (pictured) launched a campaign against crippling business rates on their pubs, the Boot and the Olde Fighting Cocks, they found that fellow pub owners throughout the country face a similar problem. What began as Save St Albans Pubs has now become a national campaign with publicans lobbying the Treasury for a review of rates Thu, 31 Oct 2019 13:46:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/10/31/st-albans-publicans-lead-big-rates-fight https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/10/31/st-albans-publicans-lead-big-rates-fight Rover, the awards scheme that encourages pubs to welcome dogs, has launched its 2019 competition to find Britain's most dog-friendly pub. It says allowing dogs into pubs is good for business and will allow more dog owners to go to their locals. Many can't go to pubs as they are not prepared to leave their dogs at home. The awards this year are aimed at millennials, 27 per cent of whom say they would like to take their dogs with them when they go out for a drink Wed, 09 Oct 2019 17:30:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2019/10/09/which-doggy-pubs-take-the-biscuit https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2019/10/09/which-doggy-pubs-take-the-biscuit The title of Britain's Oldest Pub is hotly contested but research shows that the most visited of the breed is the Clachan in Scotland (pictured), closely followed by the Skirrid Inn in Wales. Other popular watering holes include Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem in Nottingham and Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans Fri, 14 Jun 2019 11:20:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2019/06/14/a-pint-of-history-in-britain-s-oldest-inns https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2019/06/14/a-pint-of-history-in-britain-s-oldest-inns A cash injection of £188,000 will go from the government to boost rural pubs if they expand their services to include grocery shops, post offices and libraries. The announcement was made by Pubs Minister Jake Berry, who stressed the vital role played by rural pubs that offer more than just a drink but bring communities together. The funds will be administered by Pub is the Hub, the organisation set up by Prince Charles Wed, 27 Mar 2019 15:10:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2019/03/27/cash-help-for-rural-pubs-if-they-expand https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2019/03/27/cash-help-for-rural-pubs-if-they-expand Gary Murphy runs the historic, listed Old Mitre Inne in Barnet, North-west London and is locked in a long-running battle with the Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) as a result of his plan to go free of tie with the pub's owner, Greene King. He has spent thousands of pounds of his own money on legal costs and has taken to crowd funding to finance a court hearing with the PCA. Mon, 11 Mar 2019 12:32:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/03/11/david-goliath-battle-over-historic-inn https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/03/11/david-goliath-battle-over-historic-inn The Wonston Arms in Hampshire, that was derelict and closed four years ago, has won the prestigious title of National Pub of the Year in the annual competition staged by CAMRA -- the Campaign for Real Ale. Landlord Matt Todd not only serves a good range of local cask ales but also runs a series of events that involve the local community and raise funds for charities Thu, 28 Feb 2019 11:21:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2019/02/28/rescued-pub-now-britain-s-top-ale-house https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2019/02/28/rescued-pub-now-britain-s-top-ale-house Harry is the landlord of the Dock & Duck in rural southern England. He has a lease with Enterprise Inns, the country's biggest pub company, now known as Ei Group. Harry is not his real name as he wants to renew his lease but he is keen to show how difficult it is to run pubs when they are tied to their landlords for beer. Harry says he pays some £60,000 a year more than if he bought his beer on the open market. Thu, 14 Feb 2019 13:02:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/02/14/giant-pubco-has-landlord-over-a-barrel https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2019/02/14/giant-pubco-has-landlord-over-a-barrel Independent Yorkshire family brewer Black Sheep of Masham has bought York Brewery and its pubs, saving 40 jobs. York Brewery and its owner, Mitchells of Lancaster, went into administration earlier this month but now York will continue to brew and supply its pubs. Pictured are Rob Theakston and Andy Slee of Black Sheep, who have brought the brewery back into profit and are now pursuing a new retailing strategy Fri, 21 Dec 2018 14:13:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2018/12/21/black-sheep-saves-york-brewery-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2018/12/21/black-sheep-saves-york-brewery-pubs Jeffrey John Bell is one of the best-known pub landlords in the country who built his reputation with two London pubs, the Gunmakers and the Finborough Arms. But now he's running the ancient Ypres Castle Inn in Rye on the Romney Marsh in Sussex where he offers a range of beers from local breweries, including Three Legs on a local farm. Fri, 07 Dec 2018 17:33:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/12/07/top-landlord-offers-a-rye-look-at-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/12/07/top-landlord-offers-a-rye-look-at-beer A group of four beer lovers called The Completists take on the onerous task every year of visiting every pub listed in the Good Beer Guide.They visited St Albans, a small city with 50 pubs, and joined Roger Protz on a selection of some of the pubs in the 2019 guide. When news leaked out via social media, a few more drinkers came along for a crawl of pubs with not only good beer but also some fascinating history Tue, 27 Nov 2018 14:36:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/11/27/st-albans-great-heritage-pub-crawl https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/11/27/st-albans-great-heritage-pub-crawl The small market town of Waltham Abbey in Essex once claimed, with 27 inns, to have the most pubs in Europe. The number has declined to 10 but they include the ancient Welsh Harp, with links to the abbey, the 17th century Sun, and the multi-award-winning Woodbine on the edge of Epping Forest that has won 27 awards from CAMRA for beer and cider and now plans its own brewery Mon, 19 Nov 2018 09:42:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/11/19/small-essex-town-big-pub-heritage https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/11/19/small-essex-town-big-pub-heritage The Pub Code Adjudicator Paul Newby is tackling the giant companies over the barriers they have created to stop publicans getting a better deal on rents and beer choice. The pub code was brought in in 2016 to ensure a better deal for landlords, including the right to go free of tie with a Market Rent Only option. But few landlords have won the right to MRO and Newby is concerned by the high number of pub seizures and closures Fri, 31 Aug 2018 10:17:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2018/08/31/newby-pubcos-thwarting-tenants-rights https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2018/08/31/newby-pubcos-thwarting-tenants-rights Mark Crilley is a prolific author and artist who uses the Japanese Manga style to fashion his comics and adventure stories for a mainly young adult audience. He has travelled widely and fell in love with British beer and pubs on visits to the UK. He regrets that so little British beer is available in the U.S. though one brewery in Michigan, where he lives, makes an ESB. Pictured is an illustration showing a character outside an English village pub Fri, 02 Mar 2018 12:12:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/03/02/mark-crilley-on-manga-beer-and-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/03/02/mark-crilley-on-manga-beer-and-pubs The Cricketers Arms in St Helens, Merseyside, was boarded up five years ago but it was rescued by Andy and Denise Evans and has now won CAMRA's prestigious Pub of the Year competition for 2018. Judges praised its wide range of cask ales and its strong community spirit. Andy and Denise are seen centre receiving their award Wed, 28 Feb 2018 12:20:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2018/02/28/saved-pub-is-now-britain-s-top-ale-house https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2018/02/28/saved-pub-is-now-britain-s-top-ale-house A Kent pub has been given CAMRA's Pub Saving Award following a spirited campaign by locals to save it. The Harrow in Stockbury was closed by brewer Shepherd Neame but the community came together to raise the funds to buy and re-open it in 2017. It's now the hub of the community, offering not only good beer but book swaps and an internet cafe. Thu, 28 Dec 2017 11:52:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/12/28/pub-campaigners-win-top-award https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/12/28/pub-campaigners-win-top-award Three men -- Martin Taylor, Simon Everitt and Richard Coldwell -- known as the Completists have a rare passion for pubs. Their aim is to visit every pub listed in the Good Beer Guide -- and they plan weekends and holidays with military precision. They love pubs because "pubs are about people" and they don't enjoy drinking at home. Roger Protz joined them on a crawl of some of Sheffield's finest hostelries Sun, 17 Dec 2017 18:02:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/12/17/a-passion-for-pubs-the-completists-tour-britain-with-good-beer-guide-to-hand https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/12/17/a-passion-for-pubs-the-completists-tour-britain-with-good-beer-guide-to-hand 50 MPs have signed a petition calling on Chancellor Philip Hammond to ease the crippling tax burden on Britain's pubs in his autumn Budget in November. The petition is seen being delivered to the Treasury by MPs Mike Wood, Ruth Smeeth and Stephen Lloyd, officers of the Parliamentary Beer Group. MPs are calling for a cut or freeze in excise duty and help to ease the business rates burden on pubs Mon, 13 Nov 2017 13:34:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/11/13/mps-demand-a-budget-for-britain-s-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/11/13/mps-demand-a-budget-for-britain-s-pubs A former closed Young's pub in Richmond, London, has been restored as a vibrant community local by Chris French (pictured) with a policy of serving beers from outside the M25 along with bought-in pizzas and help from Rudi the cocker spaniel, voted the cutest UK pub dog Sat, 11 Nov 2017 09:06:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/11/11/beer-and-cute-pooch-boost-london-local https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/11/11/beer-and-cute-pooch-boost-london-local Four pubs have been short-listed by CAMRA for the prestigious National Pub of the Year award. The winner will be announced in February 2018. The four are the Stanford Arms in Lowestoft (publicans Samantha and David Burd pictured left), the Weavers in Kidderminster, the Cricketers, St Helens, and Wigan Central Tue, 07 Nov 2017 09:33:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/11/07/four-pubs-are-vying-for-national-glory https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/11/07/four-pubs-are-vying-for-national-glory The British Pubs Confederation has welcomed the appointment of barrister Fiona Dickie as Deputy Pubs Adjudicator and hopes she will break the legal log jam and help publicans gain access to the Market Rent Only option. MRO will enable publicans to go free of tie -- a move fiercely resisted by the large pubcos. The confederation is highly critical of Pubs Adjudicator Paul Newby who they claim has flouted the terms of the Pubs Code Wed, 25 Oct 2017 14:41:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/10/25/pub-campaigners-welcome-legal-voice https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/10/25/pub-campaigners-welcome-legal-voice The Square & Compass in Dorset was feted by CAMRA veterans when landlord Charlie Newman received a framed certificate to mark the pub's inclusion in all 45 editions of the Good Beer Guide. The pub serves beer from Hattie Brown's in Swanage, the first brewery in the town for more than 100 years. Pictured left to right: CAMRA founder member MIchael Hardman with a copy of the first guide in 1974, Charlie Newman, current editor Roger Protz, and pub manager Kevin Hunt Wed, 18 Oct 2017 11:52:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/10/18/saluting-dorset-pub-and-seaside-brewery https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/10/18/saluting-dorset-pub-and-seaside-brewery Liverpool pubs are picking up awards galore. Micro-pub Cask has twice been named Pub of the Year by the local branch of CAMRA while the famous Roscoe Head has been given a framed certificate to mark its inclusion in all 45 editions of the Good Beer Guide. Across the Mersey in Birkenhead, Gallagher's Pub & Barbers -- both Wirral and Merseyside Pub of the Year -- has had to stop offering haircuts due to the demand for its fine range of beers Sun, 08 Oct 2017 10:53:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/10/08/it-s-beery-across-the-mersey https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/10/08/it-s-beery-across-the-mersey Two Italians from Naples, Pasquale Ambrosio and Angelo Chionchio, run a successful pizzeria, Santa Maria, in Ealing, West London and they have now moved next door to run a Fuller's pub, the Red Lion on St Mary's Road. The Neapolitan duo have a passion for pizza and import all the ingredients from Italy, along with a wood-fired oven. They have added their own special beer, Santa Maria IPA from Bianca Road Brew in Peckham Mon, 02 Oct 2017 17:29:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/10/02/a-pint-and-a-pizza-the-real-italian-job https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/10/02/a-pint-and-a-pizza-the-real-italian-job Pubs face closure due to the crippling level of business rates imposed by the government. CAMRA -- the Campaign for Real Ale -- is making a submission to the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, ahead of the November Budget, calling for £5,000 annual rates relief for pubs to keep them in business. Thu, 28 Sep 2017 09:55:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/09/28/rates-time-bomb-killing-pubs--camra https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/09/28/rates-time-bomb-killing-pubs--camra The 45th edition of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide lists 4,500 pubs -- and five of them have graced all 45 editions of the guide. The pubs are in London, Liverpool, Dorset and Cambridgeshire and all share the same appeal -- superb pints of great beer. Pictured: the Buckingham Arms in Petty France, London, SW1 Sun, 17 Sep 2017 13:25:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/09/17/salute-good-beer-guide-s-famous-5-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/09/17/salute-good-beer-guide-s-famous-5-pubs The Gunmakers Arms in Hockley plays a central role in Birmingham Beer Week and specialises in unfined beers from the neighbouring Two Towers Brewery. The beers range from dark mild, through golden ale and bitter to porter and the lack of isinglass does not detract from the full-bodied character of the beers. Mon, 24 Jul 2017 09:57:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/07/24/gunmakers-firing-on-all-cylinders https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/07/24/gunmakers-firing-on-all-cylinders The Tallly Ho, a 90 year-old pub in Finchley, North London, has re-opened following a £750,000 refit by new owners Stonegate Pub Company. The pub dates from 1927 and was one of the earliest JD Wetherspoon outlets: founder Tim Martin had his office there. Wed, 07 Jun 2017 12:39:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/06/07/stonegate-re-opens-historic-tally-ho https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/06/07/stonegate-re-opens-historic-tally-ho The Red Lion at Histon near Cambridge is a shrine to good beer, decked out with memorabilia of the hey-day of brewing in the 20th century. But landlord Mark Donachy isn't living in the past as the Red Lion serves a wide selection of cask ales from today's independent breweries, mainly in East Anglia. Not surprisingly, The Red Lion has just been named Pub of the Year by the local branch of CAMRA. Sat, 29 Apr 2017 11:11:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/04/29/prize-winning-pub-a-shrine-to-good-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/04/29/prize-winning-pub-a-shrine-to-good-beer The fourth and biggest Beer Kitchen run by Scottish brewer Innis & Gunn has opened Glasgow's West End and features "tank fresh" beer from its own micro-brewery along with pastel portraits of such celebrities as Peter Capaldi (left), Sean Connery and Adel by local artist Lynn Howarth. There are 17 taps for cask and keg beers and one beer has been aged in Auchentoshan whisky casks. Sun, 23 Apr 2017 12:24:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/04/23/on-site-beer-celebrities-in-glasgow-bar https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/04/23/on-site-beer-celebrities-in-glasgow-bar London mayor Sadiq Khan -- seen in the Wheatsheaf pub in Tooting -- has teamed with CAMRA to launch a drive to stop the closure of pubs in the capital. A quarter of London's pubs have closed over the past 15 years and the number now stands at 3,615 compared to 4,835 in 2001. The mayor says he is determined to boost the night-time economy in London where pubs play a vital role Thu, 20 Apr 2017 11:02:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/04/20/london-mayor-aims-to-halt-pub-closures https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/04/20/london-mayor-aims-to-halt-pub-closures A run-down pub in London's King's Cross that became a strip club, has walked away with CAMRA's top design award after a major refurbishment that has restored the pub to its early 20th-century, Grade II glory. Other awards have gone to the Tim Bobbin in Burnley and Ship Inn in Sheffield. The CAMRA awards are run jointly with English Heritage Wed, 05 Apr 2017 11:27:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/04/05/former-strip-pub-wins-top-design-award https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/04/05/former-strip-pub-wins-top-design-award The Campaign for Real Ale has hailed a government decision to plug a loophole in planning law that will stop pubs being demolished or converted to other use without first getting planning permission. CAMRA chief executive Tim Page (pictured) says this is a victory for campaigners and for much-loved community pubs Sat, 25 Mar 2017 11:45:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/03/25/camra-hails-plugging-pubs-loophole https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/03/25/camra-hails-plugging-pubs-loophole The Mermaid in St Albans, an unspoilt bare-boards cottage-style pub, has been named both pub of the year and cider pub of the year by the South Herts branch of CAMRA. The Mermaid will now go forward to the next round of CAMRA's national pub of the year competition. Runner up was another St Albans pub, the legendary Fighting Cocks Mon, 20 Mar 2017 20:03:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/03/20/mermaid-in-the-swim-with-top-pub-award https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/03/20/mermaid-in-the-swim-with-top-pub-award Some of Britain's top award-winning pubs face massive hikes in rates when the new system kicks in in April, according to the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). The Baum in Rochdale, CAMRA's National Pub of the Year in 2012 (pictured,) will see its rateable value rise by 377% while the 2015 winner of the award, the Sandford Park in Cheltenham, faces a rates rise of 181%. CAMRA is calling on Chancellor Philip Hammond to review the increases in this week's Budget Sun, 05 Mar 2017 11:19:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/03/05/top-pubs-face-massive-rates-hike https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/03/05/top-pubs-face-massive-rates-hike The George & Dragon in Yorkshire's Swaledale, named CAMRA's National Pub of the Year for 2017, is to add its own micro-brewery. The pub closed in 2008 but was rescued by the local community. A co-operative raised the money to buy back and refurbish the pub, which was re-opened in 2014 by former local MP William Hague, who is one of the shareholders. Landlord Stuart Miller (pictured) buys most of his beers from Yorkshire breweries Fri, 03 Mar 2017 08:50:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/03/03/award-winning-pub-to-add-own-brewery https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/03/03/award-winning-pub-to-add-own-brewery Publicans packed a meeting in St Albans this week to launch a petition to halt punitive rises in business rates. St Albans with 50 pubs has the biggest number of any town or city in the country -- but 20 could close unless rate increases are halted. The meeting was convened by Sean Hughes (pictured) who runs the 15th century Boot pub Fri, 24 Feb 2017 14:01:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/02/24/rates-ticking-time-bomb-for-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2017/02/24/rates-ticking-time-bomb-for-pubs Margot James, Minister for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, told the House of Commons on 26 January there was clear evidence some pub companies were flouting the new Pubs Code and preventing tenants from applying for the Market Rent Only option that would allow them to have a wider choice of beer. A debate on the code resulted in MPs voting to re-open the appointments process for controversial Pubs Code Adjudicator Paul Newby (pictured) Sun, 29 Jan 2017 11:34:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/01/29/minister-pubcos-are-flouting-the-code https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2017/01/29/minister-pubcos-are-flouting-the-code CAMRA -- the Campaign for Real Ale -- has called on the government to give greater protection to pubs as it salutes the fact that 2,000 pubs now have Asset of Community Value status. But to stop pubs being demolished or converted, CAMRA wants more planning support. Pictured: locals in Sheffield with MP Nick Clegg supporting the Plough, Sandygate, which Sainsbury's wants to convert to a retail outlet Tue, 27 Dec 2016 12:03:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2016/12/27/camra-calls-for-greater-pub-protection https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2016/12/27/camra-calls-for-greater-pub-protection Veteran pubs campaigner Mark Dodds is back doing what he enjoys best --- pulling pints in a pub. After a long losing and bruising battle with pub companies in London, he is back in the North-east, reviving the fortunes of the Brown Bear in Berwick. He is also planning to raise crowd funding money to help save other community locals Sun, 11 Dec 2016 16:15:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/12/11/mark-dodds-is-back-pulling-pints https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/12/11/mark-dodds-is-back-pulling-pints Sheffield pubgoers plan to stall an attempt by Enterprise Inns to sell the Cherry Tree pub to the Co-op, which will turn it into a retail outlet. Residents, backed by the local branch of CAMRA, plan to apply for Asset of Community Value status for the pub, which if granted will give them six months to find an alternative buyer. Mon, 21 Nov 2016 17:38:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2016/11/21/residents-fight-to-save-sheffield-pub https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2016/11/21/residents-fight-to-save-sheffield-pub Pub campaigners in Surrey are battling to save the Cambridge Hotel from being sold to a property developer. It's the last pub standing on London Road, Camberley, where 16 pubs once stood. Members of the Surrey Hants Borders branch of CAMRA (pictured) are urging the local council to give the pub Asset of Community Value status that would allow the local community to attempt to raise funds to buy the pub Wed, 20 Jul 2016 20:28:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2016/07/20/fight-to-save-last-pub-on-busy-high-street https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2016/07/20/fight-to-save-last-pub-on-busy-high-street Figures produced by CAMRA -- the Campaign for Real Ale -- show that pub closures have fallen from 27 to 21 a week. The campaign says this is due to vigorous work at grassroots level (pictured) to save pubs, supported by the government's freeze on beer duty. But rural and suburban pubs are still at the sharp end of closures as new openings bring respite to the high streets Thu, 14 Jul 2016 07:52:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2016/07/14/cheer-as-pub-closure-rate-declines https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2016/07/14/cheer-as-pub-closure-rate-declines There are fears that tenants of giant national pubcos will be denied the right to apply for the Market Rent Only option following the government's decision to withdraw its new pubs code. The code, due to come into effect on 26 May, had "drafting errors". The delay means that pubcos can now impose rent increases with tenants having no right to apply for MRO. In one case, Trish Mason, who runs the Millwright Arms in Warwick, has been told by Punch Taverns that her rent will rise by 40%. Sun, 29 May 2016 13:40:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2016/05/29/pub-tenants-hit-by-delay-to-new-code https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2016/05/29/pub-tenants-hit-by-delay-to-new-code Daisy Claeys has run 't Brugs Beertje -- the Little Bruges Bear -- for 30 years and has never sold a drop of Pils in a country dominated by Stella Artois. She sells as many as 300 different beers a year, all from small, independent Belgian breweries. Drinkers from all over the world flock to the small bar that was put on the map in the 1980s by Michael Jackson and Tim Webb Thu, 05 May 2016 08:37:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/05/05/daisy-claeys-30-beer-years-in-bruges https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2016/05/05/daisy-claeys-30-beer-years-in-bruges Comedian Jasper Carrott is so outraged by Enterprise Inns' decision to terminate Ayman Zahran's lease at the Red Lion in Claverdon that he has threatened to join a picket line outside the Warwickshire pub and bring his showbiz friends with him. In 2015 Enterprise agreeed to extend Mr Zahran's lease but is now terminating it. A local petition has gained close to 2,000 signatures. Jasper Carrott is pictured outside the pub with Mr Zahran. Sat, 16 Apr 2016 13:22:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2016/04/16/jasper-carrott-threatens-showbiz-picket-at-village-pub-over-landlord-eviction-threat https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2016/04/16/jasper-carrott-threatens-showbiz-picket-at-village-pub-over-landlord-eviction-threat A local community in Limehouse, East London, is battling to save the Queens Head pub from closure. The Young's pub is thought to be the model for the Queen Vic in Eastenders and was famously visited by the Queen Mother, who was photographed drinking a pint of Young's Special. The pub has been listed as an Asset of Community Value Wed, 06 Apr 2016 13:20:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2016/04/06/battle-royal-to-save-east-end-lively-local https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2016/04/06/battle-royal-to-save-east-end-lively-local Grant Cook (pictured) was on holiday when he put in a bid for a former nightclub in Cheltenham. Three years later, the Sandford Park Alehouse has been named National Pub of the Year by CAMRA, with judges praising the choice of 10 cask beers, the warm welcome and the stylish modern decor in the Grade II-listed building Thu, 25 Feb 2016 09:43:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2016/02/25/former-nightclub-crowned-pub-of-year https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2016/02/25/former-nightclub-crowned-pub-of-year PUB16 is a major exhibition that celebrates the great British pub with exhibitors displaying new trends in food and drink to boost sales and attract customers. It takes place on 9 and 10 February at Kensington Olympia in London. Fri, 29 Jan 2016 10:57:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2016/01/29/olympia-fest-backs-the-great-british-pub https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2016/01/29/olympia-fest-backs-the-great-british-pub Major national retailer the Co-op has joined forces with CAMRA -- the Campaign for Real Ale -- to protect Britain's community locals. The retail group will allow pubs to remain on land where convenience stores are built alongside and it will engage with all local groups when any change of use is considered. The Co-op will also take into account pubs with Asset of Community Value status when building convenience stores alongside Wed, 30 Dec 2015 13:39:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/12/30/co-op-agrees-to-back-community-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/12/30/co-op-agrees-to-back-community-pubs Twelve pub groups campaigning for pubco rerform have joined forces to launch the British Pub Confederation to present a united front in the battle with such national pub-owning companies as Enterprise Inns and Punch Taverns over the beer tie and rents. The new group will be chaired by Greg Mulholland MP, who also heads the Parliamentary Save the Pub Group and who steered the Market Rent Only option through the last parliament. Sun, 20 Dec 2015 18:17:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/12/20/mulholland-leads-new-pub-reform-group https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/12/20/mulholland-leads-new-pub-reform-group Pubs can be saved if owners have belief in them and are prepared to invest to attract customers. The Queen Charlotte in Windsor has had a £500,000 investment from Punch and Oak Taverns and offers a warm welcome, a great range of beer and imaginative food. In sharp contrast, Spirit's Baton pub in St Albans, unloved and unwanted by the pubco, is to be demolished, robbing its community of a local Mon, 07 Dec 2015 18:07:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/12/07/one-pub-reopens-another-bites-the-dust https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/12/07/one-pub-reopens-another-bites-the-dust CAMRA chief executive Tim Page stresses that if a pub is given ACV -- Asset of Community Value -- status is doesn't mean the pub can't be sold on as a going concern but would remain a pub. ACV means that pub owners can't turn pubs into flats or other busnesses against the wishes of local communities Mon, 19 Oct 2015 16:31:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2015/10/19/acvs-are-badge-of-honour-to-protect-pubs-says-camra-chief-executive-tim-page https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2015/10/19/acvs-are-badge-of-honour-to-protect-pubs-says-camra-chief-executive-tim-page Bristol is enjoying a major revival of good pubs and good beer. The fast-growing Brewhouse & Kitchen chain has a new outlet in the Clifton area while trendy King Street is awash with pubs and bars serving a large range of cask ales and craft keg products. The pubs include the imposing Royal Navy Volunteer Inn, in a "town house" dating from the 17th century Sun, 27 Sep 2015 10:53:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/09/27/good-beer-is-all-ship-shape-in-bristol https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/09/27/good-beer-is-all-ship-shape-in-bristol Britain's top 16 regional pubs are named today by CAMRA to coincide with the launch of the 2016 Good Beer Guide. The pubs -- including the Old Poets Corner in Ashover, Derbyshire (pictured) -- have come through a long trail of judging by local CAMRA branches, who choose local and regional pubs. The lucky 16 will now go forward to be judged in the national competition with the National Pub of the Year announced next February Thu, 10 Sep 2015 10:46:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/09/10/top-pubs-jostle-for-national-crown https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/09/10/top-pubs-jostle-for-national-crown The new Good Beer Guide reports a growing number of micro or pop-up pubs that offer cask beer at sharp prices and offer drinkers new outlets, using buildings that have often lain empty for years. Martyn Hillier, pictured, started the micro revolution with the Butchers Arms in Herne, Kent, and he expects there will be 200 by the end of the year Thu, 10 Sep 2015 09:20:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/09/10/micros-lead-the-pub-revival https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/09/10/micros-lead-the-pub-revival Pubs are closing not just as a result of changing lifestyle, the smoking ban and cheap supermarket alcohol. Giant pubcos, saddled with crippling debts, are selling pubs to property developers who turn many of them into retail outlets and even knock them to the ground without planning permission. Carol Ross (pictured) runs the Roscoe Head in Liverpool, one of 158 Punch outlets sold to a company that specialises in turning them into convenience stores Wed, 09 Sep 2015 18:26:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2015/09/09/why-i-fear-for-the-future-of-the-british-pub https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2015/09/09/why-i-fear-for-the-future-of-the-british-pub Historic England -- formerly English Heritage -- has listed 21 pubs built between the two world wars of the 20th century making they are safe from redevelopment or demolitiion. Several of the pubs are built in the distinctive "Brewers' Tudor" style of the period and include six Truman's pubs in London and surrounding areas. The Black Horse in Birmingham is pictured Fri, 28 Aug 2015 09:41:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/08/28/historic-inter-war-pubs-saved-for-nation https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/08/28/historic-inter-war-pubs-saved-for-nation Punch Taverns, with a debt mountain £1.5 billion, has eased its problems by selling 158 "non-core" pubs for £53.5 million to New River Retail, a group that specialises in turning pubs into convenience stores. The pubs include the award-winning Roscoe Head in Liverpool, which New River says will remain a pub. NRR bought 202 pubs from Marston's in 2013 for £900 million and "is making good progress in converting a number to convenience stores" Mon, 24 Aug 2015 13:22:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/08/24/top-liverpool-pub-safe-from-the-axe https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/08/24/top-liverpool-pub-safe-from-the-axe A good way to spend a Saturday is to visit an ancient alehouse on the Romney Marsh in Kent that has been run by the same family for around 100 years and then visit a new brewery producing an excellent range of draught and bottled beers. Doris Jemison, owner of the Red Lion at Snargate, was presented with a special award for being in 30 continuous editions of the Good Beer Guide while Matt Calais (pictured) has given up a successful career in TV to open his brewery Thu, 20 Aug 2015 17:18:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/08/20/beer-old-and-new-on-the-romney-marsh https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/08/20/beer-old-and-new-on-the-romney-marsh Pubs Minister Marcus Jones will unveil a Badge of Honour campaign to save locals under threat of closure. The first badge will be awarded at the opening trade session of the Great British Beer Festival today (12 August) as new statistics show that suburban pubs are most likely to close Tue, 11 Aug 2015 11:08:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/08/11/minister-in-drive-to-save-pubs-from-axe https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/08/11/minister-in-drive-to-save-pubs-from-axe Beer and pubs are booming in Newcastle and Gateshead as the area recovers from the loss of heavy industry and carves out a new future. The once derelict Quayside area of Newcastle is now thriving with bars and pubs while new breweries are opening throughout the region, including Northern Alchemy where Carl Kennedy and Andy Aitchinson (pictured) brew in a former shipping container Wed, 29 Jul 2015 09:03:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/07/29/beer-and-pubs-are-the-talk-of-the-toon https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/07/29/beer-and-pubs-are-the-talk-of-the-toon Wandsworth Council in South London has told a property developer to rebuild "brick by brick" the Alchemist pub on St John's Hill that was bulldozed without planning permission. The council says the pub is a building rich in architectural detail. It's the second London pub to be bulldozed in London this year: Westminster Council has told property developers to rebuild the Carlton Tavern in Maida Vale Wed, 22 Jul 2015 13:02:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/07/22/council-says-rebuild-this-pub-1 https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/07/22/council-says-rebuild-this-pub-1 The Montagues and the Capulets will be loving, fighting and dying in pub gardens in August and September as Fullers' joins forces with the Permanently Bard group of travelling actors to stage Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Good food and the Chiswick brewery's full range of beer will be available to help prove that "the play's the thing". Fri, 19 Jun 2015 12:44:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/06/19/fuller-s-offer-beer-and-the-bard https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/06/19/fuller-s-offer-beer-and-the-bard While traditional pubs are closing at an alarming rate, a new type of outlet for beer drinkers has achieved nationwide success. Pop-up pubs are small, utilitarian and based in premises designed for other purposes. Martyn Hiller (pictured) opened the first pop-up pub, the Butchers Arms, in Herne, Kent, 10 years ago and its success should see some 200 small pubs operating by the end of the year. Thu, 18 Jun 2015 13:40:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/06/18/popping-up-all-over-micropub-revolution https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/06/18/popping-up-all-over-micropub-revolution The Sailor Boy pub in Hitchin, Herts, has been gutted by fire. The former Enterprise Inns pub had stood empty for several months following a ruling by the local council that it could be turned into a convenience store. Campaigners say the Walsworth area of Hitchin now has no pubs and people will have to travel in to the town centre for a drink Fri, 05 Jun 2015 09:54:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/06/05/fire-robs-town-of-community-local https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/06/05/fire-robs-town-of-community-local A Good Beer Guide-listed community local, the Prince of Wales in Moseley, Birmingham, has seen Keith and Diane Marsden (Keith pictured left) named Licensees of the Year by the British Institute of Innkeeping. The pub serves a wide range of cask ales, two ciders -- and also has a vast collection of Cuban cigars Tue, 02 Jun 2015 19:50:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/06/02/brum-community-local-scoops-top-award https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/06/02/brum-community-local-scoops-top-award The Antwerp Arms -- "the Annie" -- in Tottenham, North London, has been saved by its locals. When Enterprise Inns wanted to sell the pub to a property developer, an action group was set up and got the local council to declare the Annie an Asset of Community Value. A co-operative was formed and shareholders raised the cash to buy the pub, which re-opened in April Thu, 21 May 2015 07:51:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/05/21/tottenham-s-annie-spurred-to-success https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/05/21/tottenham-s-annie-spurred-to-success Christo Tofalli has turned beer sales round at Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans -- officially Britain's oldest pub -- and now serves more cask beer than keg and lager. He specialises in beers from smaller independent breweries but his landlord, giant pubco Mitchells & Butlers, wants him to concentrate on such brands as Doom Bar and London Pride. Who will come out on top? Wed, 22 Apr 2015 11:24:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/04/22/ancient-inn-sticks-up-for-beer-choice https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/04/22/ancient-inn-sticks-up-for-beer-choice The "beers from the wood" quiet revolution is spreading. It started in the Junction pub in Castleford, West Yorkshire, where owners Neil Midgley and Maureen Shaw have now bought the neighbouring pub to spread the woody word. They plan to install a micro-brewery -- with vessels made of oak. In Leeds, Andy Yuill at the Duck & Drake offers beers served in both oak and metal. Pictured, Neil Midgley (right) with cooper Alastair Simms Fri, 10 Apr 2015 14:08:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/04/10/woodies-on-the-rise-in-yorkshire https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/04/10/woodies-on-the-rise-in-yorkshire Scouse wits say you can get half cut in Gallaghers' pub in Birkenhead without touching a drop of booze. Frank and Sue Gallagher (pictured) are professional hairdressers who fancied running a pub. When they took over the derelict Dispensary pub they not only restored it and changed the name but added a barber's shop as well. Now you can enjoy local cask ales and have a short back and sides. Wed, 25 Mar 2015 18:57:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/03/25/how-to-get-well-cut-in-a-merseyside-pub https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/03/25/how-to-get-well-cut-in-a-merseyside-pub Launching Community Pubs Week, CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, reports that 600 pubs have now been listed as ACVs -- Assets of Community Value. They include a brewpub, the Bohemia, in Finchley, North London (pictured). This success is underscored by the third successive beer duty cut in the Budget that will boost pub sales and save jobs Mon, 23 Mar 2015 08:52:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/03/23/600-listed-pubs-win-drinkers-backing https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/03/23/600-listed-pubs-win-drinkers-backing The Catford Bridge Tavern, South London, destroyed in a major fire on 1 March, was due to become a bar with residential flats. The pub was previously owned by Punch and Spirit pub groups. The ground floor had been leased to Tesco by a subsequent pubco but the supermarket group failed to get permission to turn it into a store. Now, following the fire, there are doubts it will ever be a pub again Sat, 07 Mar 2015 14:42:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/03/07/pub-blaze-raises-doubts-over-future https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/03/07/pub-blaze-raises-doubts-over-future Former City of London trading analyst Peter Tiley, who had never pulled a pint before, has walked away with the national Pub of the Year award from CAMRA -- the Campaign for Real Ale -- at the Salutation Inn in the village of Ham in Gloucestershire. The pub is known locally as "the Sally" and impressed the judges with its range of real ales, ciders and perries -- and the warm welcome from Peter and Claire Tiley and their staff Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:49:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/02/17/sally-triumphs-in-top-pub-awards https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/02/17/sally-triumphs-in-top-pub-awards Richard Osmond, with a one-barrel 'nano brewery' at the Verulam Arms in St Albans, pays homage to medieval times with Gruit, ale made with the addition of herbs and spices. The beer matches the food in the pub, which uses ingredients foraged from the surrounding countryside. Sun, 08 Feb 2015 09:20:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/02/08/going-wild-over-spiced-up-ale https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2015/02/08/going-wild-over-spiced-up-ale Both towns and villages see the hearts ripped out of their communities as pubs close. They are being sold by pubcos to both supermarkets and property speculators to turn either into stores or expensive residential homes. Pictured: the White Swan in Startforth in Teesdale, the last pub in the village, which has been sold a property developer with the backing of the county council. Pubs under threat in Brighton from property developers Thu, 05 Feb 2015 13:31:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/02/05/terrible-toll-of-pub-closures-goes-on https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/02/05/terrible-toll-of-pub-closures-goes-on Anglia Ruskin University has teamed up with the Tram Depot pub in Cambridge for research into how drinkers choose their favourite beers on the bar. Using "eye tracking" goggles, the research will analyse why some pump clip have more appeal than others Thu, 29 Jan 2015 12:21:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/01/29/beer-goggles-have-a-sharp-eye-for-top-pints https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2015/01/29/beer-goggles-have-a-sharp-eye-for-top-pints The Beer Orders, brought in by Business Secretary Lord Young in Margaret Thatcher's government in the early 1990s, sought to break the power of the "Big Six" national brewers whose tied estates dominated beer retailing. But the orders backfired, leading to the creation of giant pub companies -- pubcos -- that now exercise an even greater grip over the supply of beer Sat, 27 Dec 2014 10:57:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2014/12/27/tied-hand-and-foot-the-sad-and-sorry-saga-of-the-rise-of-britain-s-giant-pubcos https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2014/12/27/tied-hand-and-foot-the-sad-and-sorry-saga-of-the-rise-of-britain-s-giant-pubcos Christmas arrived early in Islington, North London, on Sunday 21 December when the William IV pub laid on a special meal for the homeless and those struggling financially. 400 meals were served and vegetables for the occasion were donated by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. Many people were given free lifts to the pub by London cab drivers. The photo shows chef Adam Hardiman with a volunteer preparing food in the pub kitchen Mon, 22 Dec 2014 10:02:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/12/22/london-pub-welcomes-homeless-at-xmas https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/12/22/london-pub-welcomes-homeless-at-xmas Brigid Simmonds of the British Beer & Pub Association attacks the Market Rent option for pubco tenants by defending the "tied house" system she says has been around for centuries. She's rewriting history in her rush to defend the giant pub companies Fri, 19 Dec 2014 09:55:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2014/12/19/the-tie-don-t-dump-on-the-truth-brigid https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2014/12/19/the-tie-don-t-dump-on-the-truth-brigid There are now 600 pubs listed as Assets of Community Value but CAMRA -- the Campaign for Real Ale -- attacks the government for failing to protect community locals by refusing to close loopholes that allows them to be turned into supermarkets.Pictured: the Ivy House in South London, one successful pub listed as an ACV Wed, 10 Dec 2014 13:11:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/12/10/government-failing-local-pubs--camra https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/12/10/government-failing-local-pubs--camra East London is becoming a pub desert as more and more locals are pulling down the shutters. And the situation will get worse when West Ham United move away from Upton Park to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford. Pictured: the Old Rose, one of the area's great old boozers but now boarded-up and derelict Mon, 01 Dec 2014 18:58:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/12/01/how-cockneyland-is-losing-its-locals https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/12/01/how-cockneyland-is-losing-its-locals Britain's giant pubcos were dealt a major blow today when MPs voted to support a call to give pub tenants a "market rent" option to their contracts that will allow them buy beer free of the tie. The successful amendment was moved by Greg Mulholland (pictured second left with victorious landlords), chairman of the Parliamentary Save the Pub group. CAMRA hailed the vote a "landmark victory" for publicans and drinkers Tue, 18 Nov 2014 18:11:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/11/18/landmark-defeat-for-giant-pubcos https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/11/18/landmark-defeat-for-giant-pubcos On Tuesday 18 November parliament will debate a Bill to give greater power to tackle giant pub companies. The Bill will propose creating a post of Pubs Adjudicator to settle fair rents for publicans. But missing from the Bill is the call for a "market only" rent that would give publicans the right to buy beer free of the pubco tie. 38 Degrees and CAMRA have joined forces with an online petition to MPs -- sign it now and help stop our pubs closing Sat, 15 Nov 2014 10:31:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/11/15/one-last-heave-to-save-great-british-pub https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/11/15/one-last-heave-to-save-great-british-pub St Austell, the West Country's leading family brewery, has transformed a 19th-century bonded warehouse on Exeter Quayside into a pub restaurant with a smokehouse and the biggest range of craft beers in the region Thu, 06 Nov 2014 16:42:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/11/06/new-pub-restaurant-lights-up-exeter-quay https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/11/06/new-pub-restaurant-lights-up-exeter-quay The Red Lion at Snargate in Kent has been run by the same family for more than 100 years and is a fine example of an old ale house that has hardly changed for centuries. Doris Jemison, now in her 80s, still sits in the pub every day, surrounded by WWII memorabilia and traditional pub games Wed, 01 Oct 2014 10:32:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/10/01/the-little-pub-that-time-forgot https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/10/01/the-little-pub-that-time-forgot Ten cask beers from breweries all round the world will be on sale at Wetherpoon's pubs throughout Britain during a 17-day autumn beer festival. They will be joined by up to 40 beers from British breweries. Brewers from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium have brewed cask versions of their ales for the occasion. Five of the beers have been produced by "brewsters" or women brewers and two British brewsters have also added their ales to the range Mon, 29 Sep 2014 12:57:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/09/29/feast-of-foreign-beers-at-spoons-fest https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/09/29/feast-of-foreign-beers-at-spoons-fest The Ferry Boat Inn at Thorganby near York closed on 27 September and will become private housing. Gavin Aitchison reports on the sad end to an unspoilt ale house that has been run by the same family since 1934 Sun, 28 Sep 2014 17:28:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/09/28/the-tide-goes-out-at-the-ferry-boat-inn https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/09/28/the-tide-goes-out-at-the-ferry-boat-inn The Campaign for Real ale is launching a petition at the Great British Beer Festival that calls on the government to close loopholes in planning laws that currently allows Tesco and other retailers to convert pubs against the wishes of beer drinkers and local communities Tue, 12 Aug 2014 08:36:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/08/12/camra-call-to-stop-tesco-pubs-grab https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/08/12/camra-call-to-stop-tesco-pubs-grab Neil Midgley loves wood and he uses oak casks made for his pub, the Junction in Castleford, West Yorkshire, to serve a wide range of beers stored in wooden casks in the pub cellar (pictured). A tasting of beer from conventional casks and oak proved that wood can give added dimensions to aroma and flavour Thu, 10 Jul 2014 17:42:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/07/10/the-pub-where-wood-is-in-pole-position https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/07/10/the-pub-where-wood-is-in-pole-position British pub operator J D Wetherspoon will hit Dublin in a big way with its first pub, the Three Tun Tavern, in the Irish Republic -- and it will give a dramatic boost to cask beer, with up to 12 pumps serving real ale from both Irish and British breweries. Pub manager John Hartigan (pictured) has run a Wetherspoon pub in North London and is looking forward to offering a wide range of beers to Dubliners. -- but don't ask for a Guinness Mon, 30 Jun 2014 17:33:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/06/30/wetherspoons-hits-dublin-with-cask-beer https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/06/30/wetherspoons-hits-dublin-with-cask-beer The White Hart in Witham, Essex, has a new ground-floor 'cellar' with a big range of cask ales on view to customers. The Greene King pub will showcase its own cask beers along with ales from micro-breweries in East Anglia. Landlord Dave Arnott is seen tapping a pint Fri, 20 Jun 2014 20:40:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/06/20/see-through-cellar-taps-into-cask-ale https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/06/20/see-through-cellar-taps-into-cask-ale Colin Keatley restored good beer and choice to Norwich with his first Fat Cat pub. Now there are three Fat Cats in the city, including one with its own brewery. As well as beers from all over Britain and the rest of the world, the pubs pay homage to the great Norwich breweries destroyed by Watneys in the 1960s and 70s Mon, 16 Jun 2014 05:53:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/06/16/fat-cats-where-drinkers-purr-with-pleasure-and-salute-lost-breweries https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/06/16/fat-cats-where-drinkers-purr-with-pleasure-and-salute-lost-breweries Val Spencer -- aka Life Long Landlady -- runs the Cock in Lavenham, Suffolk and is a leading campaigner via Twitter for reform of the pubco model and the need for a market-rent option for licensees. In typical Twitter style, she expresses her disappointment at Business Secretary Vince Cable's watered-down pubco proposals Wed, 11 Jun 2014 08:35:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2014/06/11/vince-cable-we-need-mro-bis-plan-not-enough-to-saveourpubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2014/06/11/vince-cable-we-need-mro-bis-plan-not-enough-to-saveourpubs Simon Clarke, both a chartered surveyor and publican, is a leading light in the Fair Pint campaign seeking a better deal from pubcos. He argues that the response by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) to Vince Cable's proposals for pubco reform is woefully inadequate and ignores the fact that beer is cheaper on the open market Sat, 07 Jun 2014 10:20:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2014/06/07/bbpa-wake-up-and-smell-the-coffee https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2014/06/07/bbpa-wake-up-and-smell-the-coffee Proposals in the Queen's Speech for pubco reform from Vince Cable and Nick Clegg stop short of meeting demands for a real shake-up that will give tenants a market-only rent option to widen drinkers' choice. And nothing in the plans will prevent the closure of pubs, running at 28 a week Tue, 03 Jun 2014 12:09:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2014/06/03/cable-proposals-won-t-stop-pub-closures https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2014/06/03/cable-proposals-won-t-stop-pub-closures In an Open Letter to Business Secretary Vince Cable, Roger Protz says the delays to Dr Cable's report into the pub companies is causing great concern for pub tenants and pubgoers. As a result of their debt mountains, Enterprise and Punch are selling off viable pubs and closing down vital community assets. The time for action is now Sun, 01 Jun 2014 09:25:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2014/06/01/dear-dr-cable-no-more-shilly-shallying-it-s-time-to-get-tough-with-the-pubcos https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2014/06/01/dear-dr-cable-no-more-shilly-shallying-it-s-time-to-get-tough-with-the-pubcos Pub landlords and CAMRA members delivered a petition to Business Secretary Vince Cable yesterday demanding action to save pubs from closure and to curb the power of the giant pubcos. But it's strongly rumoured that Dr Cable's promised report on pubcos will not now appear before the general election Thu, 15 May 2014 09:48:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/05/15/save-pubs-petition-delivered-to-cable https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/05/15/save-pubs-petition-delivered-to-cable CAMRA's Greater London Region has appealed to mayor Boris Johnson to include greater protection for the capital's pubs in his Plan for London. The campaign wants to stop pubs being turned into supermarkets or betting shops and will hold an open seminar at the end of May Fri, 09 May 2014 10:59:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/05/09/camra-in-pub-appeal-to-london-mayor https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/05/09/camra-in-pub-appeal-to-london-mayor The Fox & Goose pub in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, looked doomed to close when the landlady became ill. But locals formed a co-op that raised the money to pub the local and save it from the hands of the dreaded 'pubcos' Thu, 17 Apr 2014 16:51:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/04/17/why-the-fox-s-goose-wasn-t-cooked https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/04/17/why-the-fox-s-goose-wasn-t-cooked Groups representing publicans and consumers have written to Business Secretary Vince Cable urging to press ahead with pub company reform, including a market rent that will give licensees a decent income and stop them losing their jobs Wed, 02 Apr 2014 10:41:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/04/02/cable-urged-to-act-on-pubco-reform https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/04/02/cable-urged-to-act-on-pubco-reform More than 50 British pubs are now owned by their communities, research by CAMRA reveals to mark the start of April's Community Pubs month. Many more have been listed as Assets of Community Value to stop pub companies asset stripping them. One example of a community owned pub is the Norton in the Essex village of Cold Norton, with licensee Debbie Guppy pictured behind the bar Mon, 31 Mar 2014 14:30:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/03/31/pub-lovers-join-forces-to-save-their-locals https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/03/31/pub-lovers-join-forces-to-save-their-locals Villagers in the tiny Devon village of Littlehempston -- population 207 -- have rallied to save their local pub, the Tally Ho Inn, that was threatened with being turned into housing. The inn has been given Asset of Community Value status and 100 villagers became shareholders in the co-op that now runs the pub and which is open for business Tue, 25 Mar 2014 08:58:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/03/25/villagers-raise-300-000-to-save-their-pub https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/03/25/villagers-raise-300-000-to-save-their-pub Antwerp is packed with fine bars and taverns, many of them dating back hundreds of years . Robert Dyserynck and Ann Carruet organise Beer Pilgrimages that take beer lovers on a tour of the city's finest hostelries, with time for a small beer at each stop Mon, 24 Mar 2014 18:39:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/03/24/rob-and-ann-promise-a-beer-pilgrimage-to-the-historic-taverns-of-old-antwerp https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2014/03/24/rob-and-ann-promise-a-beer-pilgrimage-to-the-historic-taverns-of-old-antwerp Nicholson's Inns nationwide beer festival, which runs from 24 March to 19 April, will feature an IPA specially brewed by Truman's in East London in collaboration with writer and broadcaster Danny Wallace, whose new novel Who Is Tom Ditto? will be published next month. Danny is pictured in Truman's Brewery at Hackney Wick Thu, 20 Mar 2014 11:12:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/03/20/author-danny-wallace-brews-beer-with-truman-s-to-boost-nicholson-s-pub-festival https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/03/20/author-danny-wallace-brews-beer-with-truman-s-to-boost-nicholson-s-pub-festival A beer festival in Wetherspoon's pubs nationwide will feature 10 beers from overseas brewers never before seen on cask in Britain. They include beers from the U.S., Australia and South Africa, and they will be joined by a range of British-brewed ales. Pictured: a group of the international brewers in the Crosse Keys in London Wed, 19 Mar 2014 09:22:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/03/19/wetherspoon-beer-fest-goes-global https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/03/19/wetherspoon-beer-fest-goes-global The crisis at giant pubco Punch Taverns deepens as the group -- with debts totalling £2.3bn -- has been forced to abandon talks with shareholders. If no agreement is reached, the group could be forced into administration and tenants would lose an estimated £20,00 each in lost deposits. Pictured: famous Roscoe Head in Liverpool, owned by Punch Sat, 15 Feb 2014 14:06:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/02/15/punch-crisis-could-mean-ruin-for-tenants-if-pubco-goes-bust-and-they-lose-22-6m https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/02/15/punch-crisis-could-mean-ruin-for-tenants-if-pubco-goes-bust-and-they-lose-22-6m The Swan with Two Necks in the village of Pendleton in Lancashire has won the prestigious National Pub of the Year award from CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale. The Swan beat off competition from pubs throughout the country. Landlord Steve Dilworth has run the pub for 27 years, features Copper Dragon ales as his house beers and says the secret of his success is "talking to the barrels" Wed, 12 Feb 2014 09:13:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/02/12/rural-gem-wins-camra-top-pub-award https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/02/12/rural-gem-wins-camra-top-pub-award Research by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, reveals that two pubs a week closed in 2012 as a result of takeovers by giant supermarkets. Tesco is by far the worst offender. CAMRA is calling on the government to close a loophole in the law that allows pubs to be turned in to other premises without planning permission Thu, 06 Feb 2014 11:36:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/02/06/supermarket-takeovers-destroying-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/02/06/supermarket-takeovers-destroying-pubs Business Secretary Vince Cable came under strong criticism in the House of Commons for his slowness in bringing forward plans to reform the giant pub companies. He was speaking during a Labour debate on the need to bring in a statutory code of practice for pubcos. Before the debate, CAMRA's Chief Executive Mike Benner (pictured) said on TV that pubs were closing as a result of high rents and lack of beer choice Wed, 22 Jan 2014 12:16:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/01/22/cable-flayed-over-delay-in-government-plans-for-pubco-reform-guest-beer-rights https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/01/22/cable-flayed-over-delay-in-government-plans-for-pubco-reform-guest-beer-rights CAMRA has launched a campaign, complete with posters, to promote pubs in January -- a notoriously "dead month" for the trade. Poor customer visits could spell the end for more pubs, CAMRA,says, unless beer lovers rally to their support. And the consumer group is also calling for a freeze on beer duty in the 2014 budget Mon, 06 Jan 2014 09:42:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/01/06/camra-call-to-boost-pubs-in-january https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2014/01/06/camra-call-to-boost-pubs-in-january Giant pub company Punch Taverns has pocketed £3.7 million from the sale of two North London pubs. Both the Star near Lord's and the Old White Bear in Hampstead will become private houses, robbing locals of hubs of their communities. Wed, 11 Dec 2013 11:31:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/12/11/punch-body-blow-for-two-london-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/12/11/punch-body-blow-for-two-london-pubs The York Station Tap has won the coveted Conversion to Pub prize in CAMRA's annual pub awards. Other winners include Best Street Corner Local, a village pub saved from closure and a new concept in a marina pub and restaurant Fri, 06 Dec 2013 11:28:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/12/06/york-station-tap-feted-in-pub-awards https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/12/06/york-station-tap-feted-in-pub-awards The Mayflower on the south bank of the Thames marks the spot where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America in 1620. Lovingly restored, you can marvel at the beams, settles and latticed windows...and enjoy good ale and food Tue, 26 Nov 2013 12:46:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/11/26/mayflower-one-of-london-s-pub-gems https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/11/26/mayflower-one-of-london-s-pub-gems A damning report by Greg Mulholland's Parliamentary Save the Pub Group demolishes claims by the giant pub companies and the BBPA that more free trade pubs are closing than those owned by the pubcos Thu, 21 Nov 2013 10:28:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/11/21/pub-closures-the-big-lie https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/11/21/pub-closures-the-big-lie William Nicholson, a 19th-century gin distiller in London, was also a keen cricketer who helped fund Lord's ground. His company bought Victorian "gin palaces" that form the bedrock of modern Nicholson's pubs, which stages a major beer festival until the middle of November. Some of the pubs, such as the Coal Hole in London's Strand, have more humble origins Mon, 21 Oct 2013 10:43:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/10/21/how-cricket-and-victorian-gin-palaces-combine-to-drive-nicholson-s-beer-festivals https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/10/21/how-cricket-and-victorian-gin-palaces-combine-to-drive-nicholson-s-beer-festivals A damning report by Fair Deal for Your Local shows that the giant national pubcos are closing locals at a frightening pace in order to pay off their horrendous debts. As Business Secretary Vince Cable ponders the role of the pubcos, Fair Deal says the case for a statutory code of practice must be top of his agenda Sat, 28 Sep 2013 11:47:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2013/09/28/pubcos-drinking-in-last-chance-saloon https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2013/09/28/pubcos-drinking-in-last-chance-saloon The Good Pub Guide says between 2,500 and 4,000 pubs should close. This would rip the heart out of many local communities. People need pubs -- and not just the upmarket, food-led pubs featured in the guide. Pubs can be saved -- as in the case of the Bull in Great Milton, Oxfordshire,rescued by locals, including celebrity chef Raymond Blanc, seen in the foreground Sun, 01 Sep 2013 16:29:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2013/09/01/time-to-stand-up-for-the-great-british-pub https://protzonbeer.co.uk/comments/2013/09/01/time-to-stand-up-for-the-great-british-pub The Boot Inn in St Albans market place dates from the early 15th century and soldiers fighting in the Wars of the Roses drank there. Now the pub has been given special recognition from the Battlefields Trust. Photo -- courtesy of Herts Advertiser -- shows Harvey Watson (left) from the trust presenting landlord Will Hughes with his presentation panel Thu, 01 Aug 2013 05:39:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/08/01/battlefield-award-for-historic-st-albans-pub https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/08/01/battlefield-award-for-historic-st-albans-pub Carol and Ian Elliott bought and restored the Duke's Head in Bridgefoot, Cumbria, to give their village a focus. Renamed the Duke of Cumberland Inn, it will sell Jenning's cask beers Sat, 20 Jul 2013 09:36:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/07/20/duke-brings-life-back-to-cumbrian-village https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/07/20/duke-brings-life-back-to-cumbrian-village The Six Bells in St Michaels Village, St Albans, has won several awards from CAMRA for the quality of its cask ales. Jo and Patrick Remmington have history, from as far back as Roman times, all around them but they have to live in a real world of intense competition in the pub trade Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:06:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/06/17/ring-the-chimes-for-a-pub-with-history-and-prize-winning-beers-with-that-local-touch https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/06/17/ring-the-chimes-for-a-pub-with-history-and-prize-winning-beers-with-that-local-touch Publicans from all over Britain rallied in Westminster on 5 June to urge the government to bring in legislation that will offer pubco licensees a fairer deal and stop the closure of pubs -- now running at 26 a week Thu, 06 Jun 2013 12:05:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/06/06/campaigners-converge-on-westminster-to-stop-the-loss-of-britain-s-community-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/06/06/campaigners-converge-on-westminster-to-stop-the-loss-of-britain-s-community-pubs When a pub in South London was threatened with closure to be turned into private housing, loyal customers banded together to raise the funds to buy it. Now the Ivy House, once a major 'pub rock' venue, will reopen later this year Wed, 08 May 2013 08:26:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/05/08/clinging-to-the-ivy-how-locals-united-to-save-pub-that-hosted-top-name-rock-stars https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/05/08/clinging-to-the-ivy-how-locals-united-to-save-pub-that-hosted-top-name-rock-stars Simon Moore, landlord of the Chequers in Witney, Oxfordshire -- the prime minister's constituency -- faces losing his job and his home as a result of the crippling rents imposed by his landlord, Enterprise Inns. According to Greg Mulholland MP and the GMB trade union, the case proves the need for reform of the giant pubcos Tue, 07 May 2013 17:36:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/05/07/tenant-facing-eviction-in-david-cameron-s-constituency-proves-need-for-pubco-reform https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/05/07/tenant-facing-eviction-in-david-cameron-s-constituency-proves-need-for-pubco-reform Unite, Britain's biggest trade union, has joined the campaign to stop pubs closing and communities withering Tue, 07 May 2013 12:39:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/05/07/major-union-backs-big-pubs-campaign https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/05/07/major-union-backs-big-pubs-campaign The Jolly Angler in Reading was closed and boarded up by enterprise Inns. Now it's a flourishing pub free of the pubco tie. It was used as the launch pad for a major campaign that seeks a fair deal for tenants struggling with high prices and rents at the hands of the giant pubcos Fri, 03 May 2013 09:26:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/05/03/pub-that-came-back-from-the-dead-used-to-launch-campaign-against-giant-pubcos https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/05/03/pub-that-came-back-from-the-dead-used-to-launch-campaign-against-giant-pubcos For the second year running, MP Greg Mulholland, who chairs the Parliamentary Save the Pubs Group, has been named Parliamentary Campaigner of the Year by the Campaign for Real Ale as a result of his role in combating pub closures. He is pictured, centre, with CAMRA chief executive Mike Benner (left) and national chairman Colin Valentine Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:25:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/04/29/mulholland-feted-as-campaigner-of-the-year https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/04/29/mulholland-feted-as-campaigner-of-the-year Graham Yates has brewed beer and pulled pints at the Brunswick Inn in Derby for more than a decade. But now he's retired, leaving the world's first railway workers' pub in good hands for the future Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:05:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/04/09/legendary-publican-calls-time-at-derby-s-famous-railway-tavern-and-microbrewery https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2013/04/09/legendary-publican-calls-time-at-derby-s-famous-railway-tavern-and-microbrewery CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has launched a month-long celebration of the British pub to encourage more people to use them following the scrapping of the Beer Duty Escalator. Pictured: the Baum, Rochdale, CAMRA's national pub of the year Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:38:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/04/02/big-drive-to-boost-britain-s-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/04/02/big-drive-to-boost-britain-s-pubs The Ivy House in Nunhead, south London, which has featured such music stars as Elvis Costello and Joe Strummer, has been saved by local people after giant pub company Enterprise Inns sold it. An action group got backing from English Heritage, which listed the building, and financial support from the Architectural Heritage Fund Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:25:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/03/27/community-action-saves-london-music-pub https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/03/27/community-action-saves-london-music-pub In the wake of last week's budget decrease in beer duty and the scrapping of the duty escalator, the Wetherspoon pub chain will cut the price of its beer. But founder Tim Martin (pictured) is also calling for a reduction in VAT so pubs can compete more favourably with supermarkets Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:34:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/03/25/wetherspoons-to-slash-beer-prices https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/03/25/wetherspoons-to-slash-beer-prices Pub owner Dawn Hopkins on the dire impact the Beer Duty Escalator is having on pubs, customers and the people who run them. As next week's budget looms, she says it's time for the government to help struggling pubs. Dawn is pictured speaking at the Save the Pubs rally in London earlier this year Thu, 14 Mar 2013 08:39:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/columns/2013/03/14/time-to-rescue-the-poor-battered-pub https://protzonbeer.co.uk/columns/2013/03/14/time-to-rescue-the-poor-battered-pub CAMRA's names top pub, the Baum, next door to the first-ever Co-op shop in Britain. Giant brewer AB Inbev announces nationwide push for Goose Island beers; Sambrook's launches pale ale with aid of German lagering technique; Purity reports booming sales Wed, 13 Feb 2013 11:18:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/02/13/news-roundup-converted-shop-is-pub-of-the-year-ab-inbev-to-expand-goose-island-beers-sambrook-s-launches-pale-ale-with-a-german-twist-beer-booms-at-purity https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/02/13/news-roundup-converted-shop-is-pub-of-the-year-ab-inbev-to-expand-goose-island-beers-sambrook-s-launches-pale-ale-with-a-german-twist-beer-booms-at-purity Specialist bars, including a brewpub, are bringing new pleasure to drinking in the Czech capital. They include Pivovarsky Klub, pictured, which specialises in beers from Czech micros Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:08:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/01/22/new-pubs-brighten-beer-drinking-in-prague https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/01/22/new-pubs-brighten-beer-drinking-in-prague Celebrities including Hugh Grant (left) signed a 1,000-strong petition to stop the Phene Arms in London's Chelsea being turned into a £20 million private house. The pub was once the local of football legend George Best Sat, 19 Jan 2013 19:42:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/01/19/stars-sign-up-to-save-george-best-s-local https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/01/19/stars-sign-up-to-save-george-best-s-local The Head of Steam pub chain is beating the recession and pulling in big crowds with a policy of global beers and specialist tastings. Graham Frost, manager of Tilleys Bar in Newcastle (pictured) has imported Alaskan Smoked Porter with great success Tue, 15 Jan 2013 20:14:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/01/15/steaming-northern-pubs-show-how-to-pack-the-punters-in-with-global-craft-beers https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2013/01/15/steaming-northern-pubs-show-how-to-pack-the-punters-in-with-global-craft-beers Mike Benner (left), chief executive of the Campaign for Real Ale, says weak planning laws are allowing high street giants to take over viable pubs and are robbing local people of vital amenities Tue, 20 Nov 2012 08:54:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2012/11/20/camra-calls-on-government-to-stop-supermarkets-killing-community-pubs https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2012/11/20/camra-calls-on-government-to-stop-supermarkets-killing-community-pubs Pub operator Tony Brookes has surveyed high street beer prices before and after this year's budget and says supermarkets are selling beer so cheaply that it would be more profitable for publicans to buy from them instead of breweries Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:15:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2012/09/26/head-of-steam-boss-accuses-supermarkets-of-killing-pubs-with-pre-budget-beer-prices https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2012/09/26/head-of-steam-boss-accuses-supermarkets-of-killing-pubs-with-pre-budget-beer-prices Tim Martin (left), founder of J D Wetherspoon, reported healthy profits but he will open fewer pubs this year as a result of the tax burden. He attacks the government for both high rates of duty and 'stealth taxes' that cost him £4 million a year -- but he's firmly against minimum pricing. Sun, 16 Sep 2012 07:52:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/09/16/beer-taxes-stop-crippling-pubs-says-w-spoon-boss-in-plea-to-government https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/09/16/beer-taxes-stop-crippling-pubs-says-w-spoon-boss-in-plea-to-government Stratford may be a 'Heineken exclusion zone' for the Olympics but you can enjoy good beer in the Kings Cross/St Pancras area before heading east. Pictured is Fuller's new Parcel Yard at Kings Cross Sat, 14 Jul 2012 04:49:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/07/14/look-north-for-a-decent-pint-before-heading-east-for-olympics-stadium https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/07/14/look-north-for-a-decent-pint-before-heading-east-for-olympics-stadium An open letter to the Economic Secretary to the Treasury who supports the Beer Duty Escalator Thu, 12 Jul 2012 02:13:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/07/12/get-off-the-escalator-ms-smith https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/07/12/get-off-the-escalator-ms-smith The Farriers Arms in St Albans flew the real ale flag in the 1970s and is now visited by legions of cask beer drinkers anxious to worship at at the shrine where first CAMRA branch was founded Thu, 28 Jun 2012 08:22:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/06/28/great-little-local-at-heart-of-cask-revolution https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/06/28/great-little-local-at-heart-of-cask-revolution Otley Brewery in South Wales is staging a Grape versus Grain evening at its celebrated pub, the Bunch of Grapes. Diners will be asked to judge whether ale or wine is the best companion during a five-course meal cooked by a celebrated chef Sun, 03 Jun 2012 13:40:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2012/06/03/the-great-welsh-beer-and-wine-challenge https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2012/06/03/the-great-welsh-beer-and-wine-challenge Three beers that won Gold in SIBA's National Beer Competition will hit 1,000 Punch pubs during the Royal Jubilee weekend and Euro 2012 Fri, 25 May 2012 09:34:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2012/05/25/gold-medal-beers-pack-a-punch https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2012/05/25/gold-medal-beers-pack-a-punch Diageo, producer of such brands as Guinness, Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff, was forced to make a grovelling apology to Scottish craft brewer BrewDog after a crude attempt to hijack an awards ceremony Thu, 10 May 2012 14:33:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2012/05/10/global-bully-boys-attempt-to-steal-scottish-craft-brewery-s-top-bar-of-the-year-award https://protzonbeer.co.uk/news/2012/05/10/global-bully-boys-attempt-to-steal-scottish-craft-brewery-s-top-bar-of-the-year-award The Queen's Head near Cambridge is a historic inn that was closed when a London family bought it and breathed life back into the community. It's been in every edition of the Good Beer Guide Sun, 15 Apr 2012 12:09:00 BST https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/04/15/how-the-shorts-saved-historic-country-inn https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/04/15/how-the-shorts-saved-historic-country-inn People make the arduous train journey to a Cumbrian hamlet to sample the one-off beers at the Prince of Wales brewpub Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:40:00 GMT https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/01/29/the-pub-now-standing-at-platform-one https://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2012/01/29/the-pub-now-standing-at-platform-one