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When I got inside, the Salcombe Lifesaver had just been replaced by Exeter County Best.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