On Saturday 3 December some CAMRA members from the length of Cornwall converged on the Blue Anchor in Helston to celebrate achievements in this 50th anniversary year of the Good Beer Guide.

The Blue Anchor is a flagship among pub breweries, and a survivor whose great claim to fame is that it is the only one of four home-brew pubs left at the time CAMRA was formed in 1971 that has had a continuous brewing history since. It is a rambling, unspoilt 15th-century granite building with thatched roof, slate floors and its own brewery above. There are no distracting jukebox or bandits, only lively conversation in the two small bars. There are two snugs on the other side of the central corridor. There is also a rare indoor skittle alley out the back with its own bar, which can be activated during group functions, and the garden also has a separate bar and barbeque for special events such as beer festivals. Dogs on leads are welcome in all areas and accommodation is in adjoining premises. The occasional seasonal beer may be a winter warmer as on our visit or some other commemorative brew - a 'bragget' or honey- and herb-based beer may appear to commemorate the 800-plus years of Helston's town charter.

Branch Chairman Dugg Polman presented certificates to Ben Stone and his girlfriend Jenine Williams who run the pub and brewery.

The first presentation was to the Blue Anchor pub for being selected for the Good Beer Guide for over 40 out of 50 years, 47 to be exact. Only five out of over 550 pubs in Cornwall have managed over 40 years.

The second presentation was to the Blue Anchor Brewery for being one of only two breweries to be continuously brewing beer in Cornwall over the first 50 years of the Good Beer Guide. The brewery is quaint, quite unique and famous for its Spingo beers.

The Christmas Special was superb. Three members of CAMRA Cornwall Tasting Panel did tastings of this Strong Ale and also of some of the other unique Spingo beers.

Cheers, Steve Barber