Stroud CAMRA launched the 50th anniversary, 2023 Good Beer Guide at 2:30pm on Saturday 29th October at the Ship Inn, Brimscombe, which is in the Guide for the first time this year.
The new edition of the guide has an introduction by Prince (now King) Charles – a long-term enthusiast for pubs as shown by his Pub is The Hub initiative, of which he is patron. CAMRA members were well represented and especially delighted when they were unexpectedly rewarded with a portion of fish and chips after the presentation!
The Ship is a handsome former canalside pub that is set to become one again when the line of the Thames & Severn Canal that runs through its car park is opened up. This will reconnect the inland Brimscombe Port across the road to the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal and the national waterway network at Saul Junction. The inn sign shows a Severn Trow, a vessel whose dimensions were such that it could not proceed further than Brimscombe Port towards the Thames and would have to tranship its goods into Thames barges (and vice versa) at Brimscombe. This compulsory transhipment provided a very lucrative business for the proprietors of the Thames & Severn Canal Company.
Built around 1750, the pub was re-opened in July 2021 on a short-term lease from Stroud District Council by Wesley Birch, a local caterer and restaurateur. Wes had long wanted to run the pub and has made it a home for his family. He has thrown out the tired carpets in favour of stripped wooden floors to complement the already exposed stone walls. The interior is open-plan, though divided into three distinct areas, and surprisingly spacious. There is a large log fire, as well as a woodburning stove.
The pub serves two regular beers: Butcombe Gold and Uley Bitter, with up to two guest beers from the likes of Fresh Standard, Nene Valley and Northern Monk. On the day, Fresh Standard Solutions Common Pale Ale – a beer brewed at Nailsworth – was a welcome and refreshing draught.
Copies of the Good Beer Guide were available at the special members’ price of £12 – and still are to CAMRA members. Stroud CAMRA Pubs Officer Tim Mars said: “Together with our Pub of the Year, this is the most important event in the Stroud CAMRA calendar. It’s not about plugging the Guide on behalf of CAMRA, but celebrating the inclusion of eight of our local pubs.
- Prince Albert, Rodborough
- Ale House, Stroud
- Butchers Arms, Sheepscombe
- Stroud Brewery, Thrupp
- Ship, Brimscombe
- Crown & Sceptre, Stroud
- Bowbridge Arms, Bowbridge
- Crown, Frampton Mansell
Tim continued: “Above all, celebrating the hard work of all those who took part in assessing each of them three times over the course of the year, tabulating the results, discussing and agreeing the final shortlist at our Good Beer Guide selection meeting in February.
The new Guide features a specially commissioned cover by renowned artist and designer Neil Gower. The cover shows an idyllic thatched country pub, a pint of beer and a handful of hops, all executed to resemble an elaborate coloured mosaic—a material much in evidence in the external and internal décor of many pubs.
For the 50th anniversary edition of the Good Beer Guide, CAMRA says: ‘This year we have made the Guide much more user-friendly and accessible, featuring regional entries introduced by the award-winning writer of 50 Years of CAMRA, Laura Hadland, and bringing together pub and brewery information for the first time, making it easier to find your new favourite local ale.’
Stroud CAMRA Pubs Officer Tim Mars commented: “I first saw the new edition at the Ship on Saturday at the launch. I have to say that my view, and that of all CAMRA members present who voiced an opinion, was negative. People preferred counties listed alphabetically to regions, and all the breweries listed alphabetically at the back as before.”
Tim Mars
Pubs Officer, Stroud CAMRA