The Royal Oak, Perranwell Station Voted Summer Pub of the Season Congratulations to Jonathan, Hayley and the team at the Royal Oak, Perranwell Station on being crowned winners of the Summer Pub of the Season as voted for by members at the recent branch meeting.

The award will be presented at a social gathering at the pub on the 19th September, full details in the events section.

Saturday 18 July was a special and very hot summer’s day for Cornwall Branch at the Star Inn at Crowlas. It was Penzance Brewery’s 18th birthday which was marked with a beer festival in the car park in addition to the range of beers on the bar inside.

Having got our first pints (mine’s a Crowlas Amber Ale because there was no Mild on), we repaired to the dining room (aka the tasting training room) for our Branch business meeting.

We then went outside to the beer festival area, or Ooh Arr Bar, where I was delighted to find Tigertops Brewery Edwardian Porter on the bar. Tigertops is in Wakefield and I know the owners well, both involved in CAMRA tasting panels. I understood that Barry, the brewer, was somewhere in the Star, but I didn’t find him.

Branch Chairman Dave Pedlar presented a certificate to licensees Paul and Jane Badcock for being voted Cornwall Branch Pub of the Season for Spring 2026. Winning a Pub of the Season can lead to Branch Pub of the Year, SW Regional Pub of the Year, and even National Pub of the Year but there are many hurdles ahead!

Paul and Jane were joined by Penzance brewer Lewis Elliott and assistant Richard Hickman, who won Supreme Champion Beer of Britain in 2025 with Mild. On the day, they were working behind the Ooh Arr Bar!

Then Gerry Wills, the CAMRA Brewery Liaison Officer for Penzance Brewery stepped forward to award Lewis and Richard certificates for achieving positions in the finals of the CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain held at Cambridge Beer Festival in May. The two finalists were Mild and Potion No9. Well done!

On display outside were three other awards from CAMRA. In 2025 Champion Beer of Britain SW Region judging, Potion No9 won Gold (1st place) in its judging class, Pale, Blond and Golden Ales. Potion No9 seems to have a habit of getting well placed in CBoB! Also in 2025, Scilly Stout (yum – I am biassed!) won Silver (2nd place) in its class, Strong Stouts and Porters.

We finished off the afternoon with much socialising and beer drinking. Ah, yes, the third award pinned up outside. This was a special Cornwall Branch Gold Award in March 2009 to the late Star Inn owner, licensee and founder of Penzance Brewery, Pete Elvin, who passed away in 2023. Signed by then Chairman Rod Davis and Deputy Chairman Gerry Wills. Rest in peace Pete.

Cheers,

Steve Barber

Firstly, some explanation for those not au fait with CAMRA’s beer tasting activities. There are 86 Tasting Panels in CAMRA of which our local one is Cornwall. Like the Branch, it covers the county of Cornwall and all the breweries in it. Other Tasting Panels in our SW Region are Devon, Somerset and Bristol&Bath. All are quite big in terms of area and/or number of breweries. Tasting Panels are responsible for the majority of nominations of beers for CAMRA’s annual Champion Beer of Britain competitions and also maintain Tasting Notes for beers that appear in the breweries section of the annual Good Beer Guide and for other purposes.

CAMRA runs tasting training courses for Tasting Panel Members, both for new recruits to tasting and as a refresher for existing TPMs. We are fortunate to have two CAMRA Accredited Trainers in our region who form a double act, not the two Ronnies, but the two Grahams. One is Graham Whiting of Cornwall, who is a Member of Cornwall Tasting Panel. He organises the candidates and presentation, including visual aids. The other is Graham Dunbavan of Somerset, who is the Chair of Somerset Tasting Panel and a much respected but now retired Head Brewer of RCH and then Epic Beers (Pitchfork). He prepares all the flavour solutions for the training and lectures on the technical aspects of beer tastes.

In March, the two Grahams ran a course in Somerset which attracted members mainly from Somerset, Bristol and Bath. On 11 July, during the heatwave, they delivered a training course for members in the west of the region. Thanks to landlord Steve Hall, we were able to use the upstairs room at the Hole in the Wall in Bodmin.

The two Grahams were assisted by Karen Whiting, who labelled endless plastic tot glasses with numbers for the various flavours to be assessed by the trainees.

The trainees beavered away diligently through the course before we all retreated downstairs for a well-earned pint or two.

Thanks to the two Grahams, Karen and our host Steve. Oh, why was I there? On duty as SW Regional Tasting Panel Coordinator!

Cheers,

Steve Barber

Now a regular beer festival in the south west, Totnes Beer & Cider Fest has become a favourite day out for Cornwall CAMRA members. Run by South Devon Branch of CAMRA in the Civic Hall in the ancient town of Totnes on the River Dart, complete with classic Norman motte-and-bailey castle.

Coming by train, the walk is fairly short but steep from the station to the bustling town centre on market day. A sign on the pavement pointed the way up to the hall.

The hall was spacious and airy with a red theme. One long bar with a treble-height stillage. Plenty of tables and chairs plus a video display on the stage. Outside tables as well for those who liked to be baked in the sunshine.

We had a good go at the 52 cask beers and 12 ciders and perries. I had seven beers finishing with the fearsome 8% Prize Pig barley wine, plus a very nice medium dry perry from Sticklepath. There was food available and various activities going on including tutored tastings and meet the brewer. Perhaps next time I should stay for all three days…

But for the one-day trip it was time to cross the Tamar back to Kernow.

Thanks to South Devon Branch and all the volunteers.

Cheers,

Steve Barber

On a glorious summer’s day, Saturday 15 August, CAMRA members descended on Trevaunance Cove not to mingle with the holidaymakers and surfers but to the Driftwood Spars pub-b&b-restaurant-brewery.

We were there for a branch business meeting followed by presentations to the brewery for wins in the Champion Beer of Britain (CBoB) competition. On the bar downstairs were Driftwood’s own Bawden Rocks, Stippy Stappy and a new beer St Agnes Brown Ale, plus Timothy Taylor’s Boltmaker and local Touchwood Cider.

The business meeting took place including voting for Cornwall Branch Pub of the Season – Summer. Then followed lunch and informal chat.

Driftwood Spars Alfie’s Revenge then took centre stage. This excellent Strong Ale (6.5% ABV) won CAMRA’s Champion Winter Beer of Britain in 2012. Head Brewer Pete Martin was there to receive the award for his beer. Sadly, Pete passed away in 2020, but current Head Brewer Tim Lawrence continues to brew Alfie’s Revenge, which was available on the top bar alongside Stippy Stappy and St Agnes Brown Ale.

At CAMRA’s national judging of Barley Wines and Strong Ales at the Liverpool Beer Festival in February, Alfie’s Revenge did it again, coming top in its class (Gold place) against all other beers in the class for 2026! As if that was not enough, when the CBoB final judging took place at Cambridge Beer Festival in May, Alfie’s Revenge won Bronze (3rd place) in the Overall Winners category, against thousands of other beers that were eligible for the competition.

Tim and Driftwood owner Lou Treseder were present at Cambridge to celebrate the success. Here at the pub, National CBoB Coordinator Kevin Travers presented Tim and Lou with the formal certificates for the wins.

They were joined by Cornwall Branch Chair Dave Pedlar on the balcony overlooking the Cove, all very happy bunnies.

Finally, a group photo in the restaurant with a toast to Alfie the squirrel. Cornwall CAMRA branch magazine One & Ale on the table shows Pete Martin in the brewery. Rest in peace, Pete. Well done Tim and thanks to Louise.

Cheers,

Steve Barber

Thursday 4 June started with heavy rain in Liskeard as Cornwall CAMRA members waited for our bus to Launceston for our two-pub social of the day in the east of the Branch.

After an hour travelling through the countryside around the east of Bodmin Moor, we arrived at the entrance to the Pennygillam Industrial Estate just south of the A30 and a short walk to Firebrand Brewery and Taproom.

The Taproom itself is a large, brightly decorated hall with a colourful mural explaining how beer is brewed - sort of.

Through large windows we could see some of the brewery plant including a pallet of 2,000 cans.

Turning to the Taproom to see what was on offer, there was a helpful board on the wall listing eight craft keg brews. An Howl, Black Stuff, Patchwork Rocket Pale and West Coast Session IPA are also available in cask (and live canned), but not on our visit.

The solitary handpump served Shipwreck Coast, a session pale ale, which is what we had.

Then it was off to the bus stop again for the next leg to Callington, fortunately not in the rain this time.

Our destination was the Cornish Ancestor micropub, a former pet shop, where I caught a few surprised members through the window.

When I got inside, the Salcombe Lifesaver had just been replaced by Exeter County Best.

But my attention was drawn to Nethergate Old Growler, a beer which I loved (being a strong porter) that I first had at the brewery in Clare, Suffolk, on 25 November 1992 on a North Herts Branch brewery visit. The visit was hosted by brewer Ian Hornsey himself, who liked strong-flavoured beers. Old Growler was named after Ian’s bulldog, now long gone (the dog not the beer). Ian himself passed away in 2021. I have had Old Growler only a few times since and would not miss the opportunity to have one.

Between my pints of Old Growler, I enjoyed a Tintagel Merlin’s Muddle as well! The whole party spent a happy afternoon at the Ancestor where the beers all scored highly.

Cheers,

Steve Barber

The summer season is now upon us and hopefully members are out and about enjoying the current glorious weather by spending some time visiting our wonderful Cornish pubs. Nominations are now open for Pub of the Season – Summer 2026, so please take the time to enter your personal favourite. Please send your nomination with a brief description of why you think it deserves to be considered to Dave Pedlar on either of the following emails: - ku.gro.armac.llawnroc@namriahc ku.gro.armac.llawnroc@sdrawabup

Cornwall Branch Social Secretary Steve Buxton kindly organised a CAMRAmble for us on Saturday 4 April. What is a CAMRAmble? Simple – it is a pub crawl involving rambling across country between pubs!

The weather was dry but with a biting cold wind, at least on the exposed parts of the walk. We started at the Blue Anchor at Helston having arrived by bus.

Suitably primed by some Spingo, we headed down to the Cober valley, entering the National Trust Penrose Estate beyond the Coronation Boating Lake.

The trees were sprouting leaves, and the bluebells were out on the 1½ mile stroll towards Penrose House. The Loe Pool looked calm enough, but the onshore wind made for very rough seas beating against the coast.

We were hoping for a coffee break at the Penrose Stables café, but there was no room for our large party, so we soldiered on over bracing Penrose Hill to descend into the top of Porthleven via Shrubberies Hill.

At one point on the hill, we had to choose which pub to head for. Knowing that the Atlantic had a beer festival but not knowing whether the Loe Bar sold any real ale, we went for the Atlantic. Yes, I know that I am a silly s*d.

On arriving at the Atlantic Inn, we found the expected beer festival in the pub. On the pub bar were regular beers Sharp’s Doom Bar and Atlantic (what else) and Tintagel Arthur’s Ale. In the cosy rooms round the back were the 24 casks of the beer festival with tables and chairs.

Having sampled several beers and some lunch, we reluctantly dragged ourselves away from the comfort of the Atlantic and headed down into town.

The Ship Inn sits on the opposite (northwest) side of the harbour and some of our crew made it for a pint.

The harbour area was quite busy with people. We all passed the Harbour Inn which some called in for a pint.

At the top end of the harbour behind the bus stop lies a line of three industrial units. The middle one is Shoals Brewery and Taproom, which was the final destination before taking the bus back up to Helston and onward home.

Thanks to Steve for organising a grand day out with good beer and a pleasant parkland walk.

Cheers,

Steve Barber

Each quarter Cornwall branch members nominate then vote for their Pub of the Season. This is open to any Cornish pub serving real ale, also known as live beer. Voting takes place at a branch meeting, and our Pub of the Season is chosen. The criteria that each voting member decides upon are really of their own undertaking, but it is mostly about beer quality and often with a nod in the direction of pub features appropriate to the season that we are picking for, open fire for winter, gardens for summer, etc.

This generates four finalists for our Cornwall CAMRA Pub of the Year. From this stage is selected the Pub of the Year which goes forward for judging in CAMRA’s Regional and maybe then National Pub of the Year competition. Our 2025 winner was The Hole in the Wall (Bodmin) which made it all the way to the final 16 of the National Pub of the Year competition.

Our four finalists this year were:

Pub of the Season Spring – The Blue Anchor, Helston

This is a true and rare “National Treasure” of a pub and famous for its historic atmosphere and home brewed Spingo Ales. Back in 1971 when CAMRA was formed it was one of only four pubs in the UK which brewed its own beer! Since then, it has been the only brewpub to brew beer without a break. The other three closed for a period and then subsequently reopened.

Pub of the Season Summer – The ‘front, Falmouth

A perennial favourite and multiple previous winner, much loved for the quality of its huge range of real ales and harbourside location.

Pub of the Season Autumn – The Beerwolf Books, Falmouth

There is nowhere quite like this. It combines being a pub with a bookshop and is almost an amusement arcade! Add to this a great selection of unusual ales and it is no wonder that it’s so popular.

Pub of the Season Winter – The New Inn, Tywardreath

This is an unspoilt, traditional St Austell house that also serves draught Bass under covenant as well as other guest ales. A great community local and social hub for the village.

Judging

At this stage volunteers from the branch make anonymous visits to the finalists and complete scoring forms. The pubs are judged on:

• Quality and condition of real ale/cider
• Promotion and knowledge of real ale/cider
• Cleanliness and staff hygiene
• Community focus
• Service and welcome
• Style, décor and atmosphere
• Sympathy with CAMRA’s aims
• Overall impression and value

Once all the scores are in, it is a case of simple arithmetic and the Cornwall Pub of the Year emerges.

And the winner is??

The ‘front in Falmouth. What particularly impressed the judges was the pub’s commitment to serving a large range of perfectly kept ales, the warm welcome and the product knowledge of the staff. Such is the regard for the ‘front in Cornwall that it is a multi-winner of our Pub of the Year and last won in 2023.

A group of CAMRA members from Cornwall Branch led by Dave Pedlar (CAMRA Cornwall Acting Chair) gathered at the ‘front on Saturday 28 March to celebrate and drink lots of their lovely beer.

Our congratulations go out to the ‘front as well as the other three finalists.

From left to right, the ‘front staff are Josh, Faith, Max (Manager) and Adri.

Steve Barber, Russ Durbridge and Vince Curtis

The Cornwall Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, Cornwall CAMRA (CAMRA Kernow), is proud to announce that the of Cornwall Pub of the Year 2026 is the ‘front at Falmouth. It won convincingly after survey visits and scoring forms were completed by branch members. Such is the regard for the ‘front in Cornwall that it is a multi-winner of our Pub of the Year and last won in 2023. The ‘front will now progress further in CAMRA’s competition for National Pub of the Year as Cornwall’s representative for the South West region

More information can be found at CAMRA KERNOW PUB OF THE YEAR 2026

St Austell Brewery partners with student-run microbrewery to bring campus favourite stout to Wetherspoon’s national beer festival

Stu Brew - Europe’s first student-led brewery, based at Newcastle University – travelled to St Austell Brewery’s headquarters in Cornwall in February to scale up production of Exam Room Tears (5.5% ABV), its rich maple and pecan stout that has become a firm favourite in the North East.

Full write up here St Austell Brewery partners with student-run microbrewery to bring campus favourite stout to Wetherspoon’s national beer festival