Today’s tidy up produced a hoard of 27 new CAMRA magazines for US Dave to collect on his next visit, probably to the Maidenhead Murk Mania In May festival.
Confession: I printed Ullage out off the web for this photo, as the copy I had was dog-eared, but at least it’s not burnt.
No favourites this year, they’re all good, though some acted better as protection against the rain (thanks Notts).
If the WiFi isn’t working and there aren’t copies of The Countryman from 1955, the local magazine is what the unsociable pubber relies on to pass 15 minutes with a pint half dregs.
I’m impressed that local branches can produced such quality publications; along with the GBG and WhatPub they’re one of CAMRA’s key campaigning tools.
Nice to have such a good read back in central Manchester,
but of course Stockport has the bonus of the mysterious P Edwardson Esq to give us those honest assessments of beer quality we so love.
Stocky (& co) is one of the few branches I’ve seen where you get reports on visits to normal backstreet pubs outside the GBG circuit, and faithful reports on quality.
I don’t expect NBSS scores, though they’d be welcome, as I understand they can get misinterpreted by local publicans.
But it would be good to hear more about consistent good quality of stock beers, rather than long lists of one-off beers and ABVs; that’s what Imbiber is for.
Also, I don’t want pubs scored by their discounts offers, but I’m sure that’s a topic best debated, endlessly, on Discourse.
What does impress me is little guides like this one in Maldon, a little late for Joan and Dave’s visit, which writes about ALL of the local pubs, real or keg. It’s a joy.
Anyway, Dave, they’re waiting for you in a Lidl bag underneath the milk empties.
retiredmartin 
I think my favourite is the Lichfield, Sutton & Tamworth mag…a stonking good read.
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I like that one a lot, lots of articles about pub trips local and further field. Nice read.
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Yes not too beery…if that makes any sense!
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LAF,
But not the same without the ‘Cask and Keg’ cartoon.
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Oooh I’ve not seen that one!
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LAF,
Imagine Dizzy Blonde and Top Totty as lesbian pub customers – and that’s why you won’t have seen it !
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The Walsall ones (Kils ‘n’ Kins ) is a good one. They include non GBG pubs too, plenty of trips in there too.
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Some branches discourage pub tourism articles, but obviously I like them a lot. Preferable to articles where six blokes go on a bus trip to local pubs and record the full name, ABV and price of every beer on the bar and take photos of themselves outside with glasses raised.
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I like non GBG ones so I’ll check it out 👍 cheers Neil
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That Edwardson guy is a rock star. I am always amazed at the quality of the CAMRA magazines. We never visit an area without reading through all of the local magazines. We see stuff I would never find any other way. When people question the value of CAMRA they really don’t realize some of its tangential value. Great stuff. On our way once Dick’s shoulder heals. Valley of Beer is on our current route. Those Midlands beckon as well.
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Dick really shouldn’t stack those glasses and carry them back to the bar.
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Yes, he should. Every customer should.
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Don’t encourage Dick, Scott. Every man should do their own glass.
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My days of ‘stack and carry’ are finished.
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Did someone say “stacks”?
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“Opening Times” has recently won the CAMRA Magazine of the Year award for Greater Manchester 😊🏅🍻
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All good Mags
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There is a certain amount of diplomacy involved in the descriptions of beer quality, of course. “A little past its best” may be a euphemism for “approaching vinegar”.
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T’other Mudgie,
Yes, just as “approaching vinegar”.may be a euphemism for “Sarsons”.
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My favourite is Hereford Hopvine. Very pub focussed, an area I’m very interested in, and a good cider coverage too. The adverts can be as useful as the articles…
Most of them are happy to take our own long-form blogging efforts, though I’ve never managed to get anywhere near below the miniscule word count that Tiny Pint in Rutland insist on.
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Hopvine is good. Haven’t got down their yet this GBG year, and with flooding may be a while…
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Have a look at Canny Bevvy online st Northumberland CAMRA. Good article from Hughie in Winter 2019 edition. Many mentions of the Doom Bar lookalike.
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Argh! You don’t have Marsh Mash?
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I did have one, John, think I gave it to Dave when he visited in September.
It’s a great read.
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If Dave has room in his case, and doesn’t mind exceeding his baggage allowance, I’m sure I could better your paltry total of 27 mags, Martin.
I won’t be lugging them up to Burton next month, though! 😁
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Lotta room in the suitcase.
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And I shan’t be taking them back if you do 😉
Think I picked up a dozen at the GBBF when I saw you there, and offloaded those on Dave the next month.
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Glad you like Beer Buzz, although my contributions currently are proof reading and a few photos, I do think we produce a very good magazine.
Fancy writing something for us Martin? Could be about camper vans, or a gig review? (Combining the two were you ever a fan of Campervan Beethoven? One of the two gigs I’ve been to – the other was Spacemen 3 at the Boardwalk – most of the audience sat on the floor for most of the proceedings)
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Take the skinheads bowling, take them bowling, bowling.
Could do.
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Tims Ullage is always good stuff but don’t see it that often, I always end up with plenty of London Drinkers though.
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“Tim’s Ullage is always good stuff” – yes, as you’re not referring to 9am in a high street barn.
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Still barred from Wolves Spoons then. Paul? 😉
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Never barred, not that I would mind if I was.
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Shame. It would have looked good on your CV for the CAMRA National Executive.
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