Fuller, Smith & Turner, the premium pubs and hotels business, is building on its heritage and reputation with a new campaign, starting today [16 September 2024], aimed at encouraging more people to try cask ale – the drink that is only in the pub. Supported by new beers – including some bespoke brews – exciting events, in-pub marketing, and a targeted online campaign, Fuller’s aims to reinforce cask ales position at the heart of Fuller’s pubs. Beers on offer in the coming weeks includes some favourites from the Griffin Brewery such as Fuller’s Red Fox and draught Fuller’s Vintage Ale, as well as Dark Star’s Starlink IPA. There will also be an exclusive collaboration with Siren brewery on offer across the estate. The activity will be supported with a wide-reaching digital marketing campaign, Only in the Pub, targeting a younger group of craft beer customers, and encouraging them to enjoy a free pint when they introduce a friend to cask ale. There will also be a digital stamp-card, through the Magic Stamp App, for customers to try the full range of beers that are on offer during the first six weeks of what will be an ongoing campaign. A whole range of events will be taking place too – including a Vintage Ale launch at Ye Olde Mitre in Holborn on 19 September, a Red Fox launch at The Old Customs House in Portsmouth also on 19 September, a Vintage Ale tasting at The Admiralty in Trafalgar Square on 27 September, the launch of Dark Star Starlink IPA at The Harp in Covent Garden on 11 October, and the launch of the collaboration beer with Siren at The Foresters in Ealing on 17 October. Fuller’s pubs across the estate are also being encouraged to host their own events and full details of these events can be found through the Fuller’s website What’s On section: https://www.fullers.co.uk/event-finder. Sam Bourke, Fuller’s Marketing Director, said: “Cask ale is a real sweet spot for Fuller’s pubs – it taps into our heritage, is a product we excel at keeping and serving, and we already outperform our peers when it comes to cask ale sales. “We have lined up an outstanding programme of beers and events to support this and, supported by our Master Cellarman programme to promote excellence in beer quality, there’s never been a better time to rekindle your love of cask ale. “Pubs are at the heart of their communities and cask ale is at the heart of a great pub. It cannot be replicated at home and takes love, care and skill. It really is only in the pub – and we hope to see lots of loyal and new customers enjoying cask ale.”

Born in Reading in 1953, Allan attended Bulmershe School. He joined CAMRA in 1972 and was an active member of the local branch. Had he realised it was an option, he would have become a life member. Owing to the white stripes in his hair, he was affectionately known as ‘Badger’. For two years Allan was the branch Social Secretary, prior to moving to York in 2007 to join Melissa, whom he subsequently married in 2008. After moving to York, Allan continued to help with Reading Beer Festival and he and Mel remained the Festival Beer Orderers until 2015, a massive undertaking. Allan became very involved with CAMRA in York, particularly with the York Beer Festival and the Branch Magazine. He paid frequent visits to Reading and was a well-known face in the local pubs and tap rooms, along with those in York and its environs. He also loved trains, having recently completed a trip on the Rocky Mountaineer as part of a journey around Canada. Other interests were hill walking, cycling and ski-ing, weekends away in a newly acquired camper van, and his extremely large record collection. Known for his catchphrases, “You should get out more”, “Stop it now!” and “That’s wasting valuable drinking time”, Allan died suddenly on 2nd July 2024, aged 71. He had a pint in his hand at the time, having spent the day helping to set up the Merchant Adventurers Beer Festival in York. Unfortunately, he spilled his Beer, which he would have hated, but would have been proud to have a death certificate giving the location of his demise as Brew York.

King's Arms (Wantage) Beer Festival 21 to 23 June 2024

Fri 21st 12noon to midnight. Sat 22nd 12noon to midnight. Sun 23rd 12noon to 10:30pm (pub open until then, but the beer festival beers and ciders may have sold out) 12 real ales and 6 ciders (three from real cider producers). Details on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kingsarmswantage.

Sonning Golf Club were our branch Club of the Year Runners Up and we are delighted to have a photo from where we presented them with their award

On 6th June 2024 we were pleased to present Jayne Worrall with her long service award for her time at the Bull Hotel in Wargrave.

On Friday 3rd May the Fox and Hounds, Caversham were presented their awards for Pub of the year 2024.

The Bell at Waltham St Lawrence were presented their awards for Cider pub of the year and Runner up Pub of the Year 2024.

All votes have been counted and we are pleased to announce the following winners for the Reading and Mid-Berks CAMRA Pub of the Year 2024:

Pub of the Year 2024 - The Fox and Hounds, Caversham Runner up - The Bell, Waltham St Lawrence

Cider Pub of the Year 2024 - The Bell, Waltham St Lawrence Runner up - The Nags Head

Club of the Year 2024 - Wargrave & District Snooker Club Runner Up - Sonning Golf Club

Huge congratulations to all the winners