Greene King posted 3/9/05
Greene King have been shopping again. Suffolk-based Greene King has agreed to pay £187m ($337m) for Belhaven, Scotland's largest independent brewer. Belhaven will keep its name, brands and East Lothian brewery following the 625 pence-per-share deal, which is 16% higher than its Friday closing price. Greene King, which already owns some of the UK's best-known beers such as Abbot Ale, is to raise £47m through a share placing to help fund the takeover. Belhaven's products include 80 Shilling, Best, and St Andrews Ale. Belhaven Best, its flagship beer, is among the 10 most popular alcoholic drinks in Scottish pubs. 'Unique opportunity' Belhaven's 200 tenanted pubs and 100 managed pubs will now come under the umbrella of Greene King's estate of 2,064 pubs. "It is a unique opportunity for us to gain immediate scale in the important Scottish market," said Greene King chief executive Rooney Anand. However, the upcoming smoking ban in Scotland, due to start next year, may result in a "significant" cut in Belhaven's short-term profitability, Greene King warned. "This has been fully factored into Greene King's appraisal and valuation of Belhaven," the company said. The purchase comes a month after Greene King completed the £46m purchase of family-owned brewer TD Ridley, which resulted in the closure of its brewery. Since 1996, Greene King has snapped up more than 1,600 pubs in eight separate deals worth more than £1.3bn. Belhaven chief executive Stuart Ross, said the company had achieved 15 years of unbroken growth and the cash offer reflected the quality of the business. "We believe that Greene King is the ideal partner for Belhaven," he went on. "The commercial models of the two companies are almost identical and we share the same ideals about the value of people, brands and heritage. "In Scotland, we can look forward positively to the future and we are confident that our assets, including our people, will make a meaningful contribution to the future growth and prosperity of the enlarged group."
Waggon and Horses (Watton-at-Stone) posted 3/9/05
Welcome to Sue and Ian Bradford who took up the reins at the Punch owned Waggon & Horses in mid July. Sue and Ian are no strangers to the pub trade as this is their second pub. They also have the Highway on Old Highway in Hoddesdon. You will see both Sue and Ian at the Waggon & Horses but the pub is normally in the capable hands of manager Paula. Current cask beers are Greene King IPA and Shepherd Neame Spitfire.
Chequers (Buntingford) posted 16/8/05
This is to reopen again shortly. Contrary to previous rumour and the report in the South Herts CAMRA newsletter 'Pints of View' we now understand from the landlady that the pub will be catering for mature custom and families, and will be serving food.
Half Moon (Hitchin) posted 16/8/05
Howard reports a noticeable increase in trade since news of the Half Moon's Most Improved Pub award appeared in the local papers.
Strathmore Arms (St Pauls Walden) posted 16/8/05
Danny recently served his 1000th beer since taking on the Strathmore. It was specially brewed by Buntingford Brewery to mark the occasion, and was called simply 'M', which is the Roman numeral for 1000.
Rest and Welcome (Haultwick) posted 16/8/05
A recent flood during heavy rains left the Rest and Welcome badly water damaged, and McMullens had to bring forward the planned redecoration.
Fox and Hounds (Barley) posted 16/8/05
The tenants have left after owners Punch Taverns raised the rent to an alleged 40,000 pounds pa. A few quick sums indicate that they would have to sell about 100 pints a day just to cover the rent, let alone make a living.
Tilbury (Datchworth) posted 16/8/05
We understand the licencee is leaving after Brakspears hiked up the rent after his six month honeymoon period. There's a lot of it about.
Chequers (Woolmer Green) posted 16/8/05
The Chequers is raising money for ex-Arsenal and Scotland goalkeeper Bob Wilson's charity The Willow Foundation. They are halfway to their target of 10,000 pounds.
Ridley's brewery (Essex) posted 16/8/05
The board of the family-owned brewers Ridley's of Essex recently put the company up for sale, and it was purchased for around 45 million pounds by serial brewery closer Greene King. We understand that Ridleys beer disappeared within days from their 73 pubs, to be replaced with 'a pint of the unusual' (not round here it isn't!) Greene King IPA. Local Ridley's IPA outlet the Crown in Buntingford stopped selling it in protest, and Colin is now selling Everards Beacon Bitter and Tiger instead. At the recent Great British Beer Festival staff on the GK stand got a hard time over the future plans for the Ridley's beers. We understand that IPA, Old Bob and Prospect will become part of a range of 8 seasonal beers brewed by Greene King at Bury St Edmunds. We also were told that GK will be taking brewing of their very nice XX Dark Mild back to Bury, ironically enough it was contracted out to Ridley's as GK didn't want to make small batches of it.
Edward the Confessor (Stevenage) posted 16/8/05
An unconfirmed report says 'Ted the Grass" is selling real ale again.
Jolly Sailors (Buntingford) posted 16/8/05
Now owned by Punch, the Sailors has been painted inside and out, new carpets have been installed and the pool table has been moved out into the conservatory. On the bar there are now two real ales, Spitfire and London Pride. The smoke content has gone down considerably as well due to the new air conditioning.
Red Lion (Preston) posted 16/8/05
Following last year's trend, our branch Pub of the Year went on to win the Hertfordshire Pub of the Year award. Join us on September 14th, where we will have special guest Roger Protz, the Good Beer Guide editor, to present the award. It's also the release day for the 2006 Good Beer Guide. Members can get a copy on the night at the special meeting only price.
Fox and Duck (Buntingford) posted 16/8/05
The Fox and Duck has been decorated inside and out, and seems to be selling IPA only at the minute.
Two Diamonds (Stevenage) posted 24/5/05
The Two Diamonds which has been closed for refurbishment re-opened as a Mac's tenancy. Named "2DRY" this gives the prospective guests an idea of the type of changes made. Good news is that they will be serving a full range of McMullen's cask beers."
Jolly Waggoner (Ardeley), Bull (Cottered), Moon & Stars (Rushden) posted 24/5/05
Pay attention as this gets complicated, and we now have more information from a reader. Thanks for the update Nadine. Darren Perkins is the tenant of The Bull and he has been for the past 12 years. Darren was the tenant of both The Bull and The Jolly Waggoner for about 14 years. Darren gave up his tenancy recently at The Jolly Waggoner to concentrate on operating The Bull as it had been under trading. Darren has relocated all his staff from The Jolly Waggoner to The Bull. The chef who used to work for Darren at The Bull, Neil Martin has taken a tenancy out on The Moon & Stars. However, the regional and national food operator award was awarded to Darren Perkins personally for HIS cooking abilities and was NOT awarded to Neil Martin. This award is awarded to the Chef and NOT the pub and would follow Darren wherever he decided to produce food. Neil is opening the Moon and Stars 7 days a week.
Licence Extensions posted 24/5/05
It would appear that some McMullens pubs are applying to extend their opening hours to 1000-2400 in the week, and 1000-0100 at weekends, under the new licencing laws run by the local authority rather than magistrates. All Greene King pubs in the area are also applying to open till midnight, with minor variations.
Boot (Dane End) posted 24/5/05
The Boot has new licencees, who have got rid of the pool table, and will be concentrating more on food. Real ales are GK IPA and a weekly guest, recently Adnams Bitter, London Pride and Adnams Broadside.
Three Tuns (Great Hormead) posted 24/5/05
The new people here are settling in. Speckled Hen may be removed due to poor sales, and be replaced with something else tba. Note: all beers are currently on cask breather, but the IPA may be taken off if sales volumes continue at current levels. The food menu looks nice, and is not as dear as the previous incumbents.
Brewery Tap (Furneux Pelham) posted 24/5/05
Reached the regional final of GK's community pub competition.
Sword Inn Hand (Westmill) posted 24/5/05
Has been painted outside, has a new sign, now does 'luxury B&B', and has acquired an extra 'n' in its name.
Countryman (Chipping) posted 24/5/05
The Countryman doesn't do Bass any more. Along with GK IPA, the second pump now has rotating guest ales.
White Hart (Puckeridge) posted 24/5/05
The White Hart has been decorated inside and partly opened out, and has a very nice feel to it now. The small standard menu is backed up by a wide choice on the specials board. Try the ultimate burger or the huge cod and chips at only £6 each for excellent food at a very good price. The Hart's head in the bar didn't survive the decorating.
Victoria (Baldock) posted 24/5/05
Now sells Deuchars IPA, which seems to be getting everywhere these days.
The Strathmore Arms (St Pauls Walden) posted 22/4/05
Summer must be here as real cider and perry are back on the menu at the Strathmore Arms. Also the Fullers Chiswick Bitter has been replaced with Woodforde's Wherry, which is proving very popular.
Hitchin Beer Festival posted 21/3/05
Apologies to anybody wanting to come to last weekend's Hitchin Beer Festival on Saturday night. Due to excessive demand on Friday, we sold out of real ale by 5pm on Saturday, and just about everything else by 7pm, so we had to close early.
The Waggon and Horses (Watton-at-Stone) posted 21/3/05
The current licencees Sarah and Martin have been in just over a year now. Martsons Pedigree and London Pride are regulars, with a guest available, often Black Sheep Bitter. Sarah tells us that real ale sales have tripled in the year so they are clearly getting it right. This is a Punch pub and thanks to their hard work they now get the choice of 200 real ales on the Punch 'Finest Ales' list.
The Red Lion (Preston) posted 3/3/05
The Red Lion has been voted branch Pub of the Year for 2005. Branch members are invited to attend the presentation evening on Friday 8th April at 8pm. The Red Lion will now go forward to the Hertfordshire Pub of the Year competition.
The Squirrel (Stevenage) posted 3/3/05
The Squirrel won the Ted and Josie Arnold Memorial Community Pub of the Year. Again, members are invited to attend the presentation a week earlier on Friday 1st April at 8pm. The Squirrel is also to remove Greene King IPA and replace it with Red Squirrel Bitter from Hertford's Red Squirrel Brewery.
The Half Moon (Hitchin) posted 3/3/05
Following successful lobbying by Susan our Cider Officer, the Half Moon now stocks real cider permanently. Howard and Wendy will be running their first beer festival in April, with up to 20 real ales available.
The Pig and Whistle (Aston) posted 3/3/05
Has new owners and is currently shut for a major refurbishment.
The Fox (Pirton) posted 3/3/05
Now has 2 new handpumps on the bar, rumour has it that Taylors Landlord will become a regular beer.
The Fox (Woolmer Green) posted 3/3/05
Now has new licencees, who are running a lot of feature nights.
Pubs to let (all over) posted 3/3/05
If you fancy running your own pub, the George and Dragon, Baldock, the Fold, Stevenage, and the White Horse, Stevenage Old Town are all reportedly up for sale or to let.
The Pear Tree (Stevenage) posted 3/3/05
Has changed hands.
The St Nicholas (Stevenage) posted 3/3/05
Is open again.
The Litten Tree (Letchworth) posted 3/3/05
Has been turned into a restaurant. No news on availability or otherwise of real ale.
The Fox (Willian)
The Fox had a refit in the bar before Christmas, and now has a pleasant modern feel. The restaurant area has been demolished and is currently being rebuilt, larger and better than before. The fourth handpump on the bar remains enigmatically empty, in spite of rumours of rotating guest ales. The Woodforde's Wherry is still very nice.The Catherine Wheel (Albury)
The Catherine Wheel was completely destroyed in a fire recently. The Police suspect arson by persons unknown. Fortunately nobody was hurt. Owners Punch Taverns are considering having it rebuilt, which is big of them.
The Lytton Arms (Old Knebworth)
Now has a new manager, Steve Baker. Steve has previously run pubs in London and Kent.
The Bull (Watton-at-Stone)
The licencee at the Bull has won a cellarmanship award from Punch Taverns. The Bull sells GK IPA and Abbot, and three guest ales.
The Beehive (Hare Street)
Shortly after having a pretend sign while it was acting as the Horse and Groom in the movie version of 'Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy', the Beehive has a brand new sign. Locals in the know say it can be seen from as far away as Braughing and Barkway.The Fox and Hounds (Barley)
Has a new licencee, Dennis Lindsay, who promises to be more real ale friendly than the last incumbents. Let's hope he can get a good pub back to how it ought to be. First visit looks promising; there was a choice of GK IPA, Adnams Bitter and Broadside, all pretty good. They have up to 200 beers to choose from on the Punch Taverns list, so look out for a bit more variety in the future. The old microbrewery is still there and there are thoughts about cleaning it up and having a go with it. There is a refurbishment planned in February, subject to listed building consent.
The King Pin (Stevenage)
The King Pin now has a manager running it.
The Railway (Buntingford)
The Railway is now a Chinese restaurant as well as a pub. New landlord Nick also runs the Yew Tree in Walkern, so we hope the food and the beer will be as good in the Railway.
The Red Lion (Preston)
Shortly after its cameo appearance in ITV's 'Foyle's War' the Red Lion has planning permission approved for an extension to the restaurant area, improved disabled access and resiting of the toilets.
The Green Man (Ickleford)
Is also under new management. There's a lot of it about.
The Millstream (Hitchin)
Has been refurbished.
The Marquis of Lorne (Stevenage)
Has a new landlady.... Reports say the opening night was good.