East and Mid Surrey

Campaign for Real Ale

Campaign for Real Ale

Branch News

Here's the latest pub and real ale news from within our branch area. Click on the headline or photo to read the full article.

Remember we have an regularly updated 'X' (Twitter) feed, and also a Groups.io group for branch members to share news on real ales, breweries and pubs in the area and receive reminders about meetings and events.

You can find previous branch meeting minutes in the Members' Area.


2024

  • Jack Fairman Beer Tasting Tuesday 5 March 2024



    The next Wetherspoon Beer Festival starts on Wednesday 6th March and runs until Sunday 17th March.

    The manager of the Jack Fairman in Horley has kindly offered a small group from the CAMRA East and Mid Surrey branch a free tasting of up to 10 of the festival beers in stock direct from the cask in readiness for the start of the festival the next day.

    The tasting will be held at the pub on Tuesday 5th March, from 6.30pm.

    Spaces are limited and offered on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis. If you would like to join us, please email ku.gro.armac.sme@ces.mem to add your name to the list and confirm your attendance. If all places are taken when you reply, we will let you know and should any places become available before the event, we’ll offer them again in the order of replies received.

    We will hopefully be allowed to select the first cask to be put on public sale, for us to enjoy immediately after the free tasting has finished. Remember to bring your vouchers!


  • Pilgrim Ale Trail 2024 Friday 1 March 2024


    This year's Pilgrim Ale Trail is taking place across 10 outlets in Reigate and Redhill between 1st - 31st March.

    Pick up your passport from any of the participating outlets:

    Buy a pint of Pilgrim ale and receive a stamp on your passport and then, when you've collected all 10 stamps, you can pick up your limited edition Ale Trail finisher's t-shirt.


  • Notice of 2024 Branch AGM Tuesday 20 February 2024

    The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the CAMRA East and Mid Surrey Branch will be held at 8pm on Tuesday 20th February 2024, at The Garland, 5 Brighton Road, Redhill, RH1 6PP.

    The agenda for the 2024 AGM and minutes of the 2023 AGM can be downloaded from the Members' Area. Copies will also be available at the meeting.


  • Welcome to Drop Kick Monday 12 February 2024



    Drop Kick Brewing opened in December 2023, taking over the site and kit of Trailhead Brewing.

    The owner, Fin, is a keen rugby fan and is a former brewer at Pilgrim. Beers are mainly keg but the occasional cask is produced.

    The Drop Kick Brewing Tap Room is currently open Wednesday and Thursday 1600-1830, Friday and Saturday 1200-2230, and Sunday 1200-1700.


2023

  • Whyte Harte Re-opens Thursday 16 November 2023


    After a long period of closure, the good news to report is that The Whyte Harte Hotel on the High Street in Bletchingley has now re-opened.

    There appears to be up to three real ales available, including one from Pilgrim Brewery.

    The venue is well served by bus with Metrobus services 400 and 410 stopping almost outside the door.


  • Redhill 2023 Festival Headlines Sunday 29 October 2023

    A big thank you to all those who attended the 2023 Redhill Beer Festival and made it such a success.

    We welcomed nearly 900 people through the doors and served around 3,600 pints over the three days of the event.

    The joint winners of the Beer of the Festival were Surrey Hills Brewery Collusion XXX and New Bristol Cinder Toffee Stout. The Cider of the Festival was Barnards Surrey Medium Cyder, made in the branch area at Abinger Hammer.

    We also raised £811 for our festival charity, St. Catherine’s Hospice.


  • Double Win for The Surrey Oaks Tuesday 17 October 2023


    Congratulations to The Surrey Oaks in Newdigate who not only won our branch 2023 Pub of the Year award, but also then went forward and won the overall CAMRA Surrey County Pub of the Year 2023 Award as well.

    Well done to all involved.


  • Club of the Year Presentation Monday 9 October 2023

    The evening of Monday 9th of October saw us at Kingswood Village Club not only for our branch meeting, but also to present the Club with our branch 2023 Club of the Year certificate.

    The Club has now won this award 11 times, so is well worth a visit. CAMRA members can gain access by showing their membership card.


  • Dorking Brewery Take Over Old House Monday 2 October 2023


    Dorking Brewery have today announced that they have taken over The Old House in West Street, Dorking.

    Their plans include local food, local beers (not just their own) and live music. There is also a substantial refurbishment planned for January 2024.


  • Cider Pub of the Year Award Tuesday 5 September 2023


    Members of the branch paid an evening visit to Cobbett's in Dorking on Tuesday 5th September 2023 to present them with the branch’s 2023 Cider Pub of the Year certificate. This is Cobbett’s first win of the award.

    We found 4 draught ciders available, including one from local cider maker Barnard’s, who are based in Abinger.

    Pictured are our branch chairman, Rob Wells, handing over the certificate to Helen and Tim from Cobbett’s. Helen commented that they always tried to avoid mass produced ciders when making their selections.

    Luckily as it was a Tuesday, all drinks were 10% off - a regular offer at the venue.


  • Titsey Taproom Opens Thursday 29 June 2023

    The Titsey Brewing Co. taproom will be opening on Thursday 29th June.

    It will be open four days a week, serving a selection of Titsey beers, as well as a food menu featuring brunch bagels, smashed patty burgers and rotisserie chicken.

    Opening hours (to start with) will be:

    Thursday: 12pm - 10pm

    Friday: 10am - 11pm

    Saturday: 9am - 11pm

    Sunday: 9am - 7pm


  • Oxted Festival CAMRA Discount Tuesday 30 May 2023

    The 2023 Oxted Festival committee is offering all CAMRA members discounted entry tickets for Friday 7th July.

    Please visit www.oxtedfest.co.uk, select the booking page and input the discount code "CAMRAOF23" and you will receive 30% off the price of your admission ticket.

    Kim Cooper from the Festival says "We have the best real ale bar in the country and a great selection of locally brewed craft lagers. Come try them all and support our fun festival!"


  • Pilgrim Success at SIBA Awards Friday 17 February 2023



    Pilgrim Brewery’s Progress and Saracen have both been awarded Bronze at this year’s SIBA South East beer awards.

    Congratulations to Head Brewer John and all the team at Pilgrim.


  • Notice of 2023 Branch AGM Monday 6 February 2023

    The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the CAMRA East & Mid Surrey Branch will be held at 20:00 on Wednesday 22nd February 2023 at the Pilgrim Brewery Tap Room, 11 West Street, Reigate RH2 9BL.

    The agenda for the AGM and minutes of the 2022 AGM can be found in the Members' Area of our website. (You will need to use your CAMRA website login to gain access to this area).