News

If you have any news relating to real ale, pubs, clubs etc. please share it with us. contact@awcamra.org.uk

Area Pubs of the Year 2023 Announced

The votes have been cast and counted. Here are the results.

AreaPub of the Year
North AyrshireFrasers Bar, Millport
South AyrshireNumber Forty-Seven, Troon
East AyrshireBlack Bull Inn, Darvel
WigtownshireHarbour Inn, Garlieston

Details for each of the presentations can be found here.

The End of an Era

Nan O’Brien, mine host of Wellingtons Bar in Ayr for the past 32 years, has decided to put her feet and enjoy a well-deserved retirement.

It was in June 1991 when Nan and her late husband Mick took on the helm at Wellies. They rapidly developed a solid customer base which has remained loyal over the past three decades.

Many years ago, real ale was introduced, with Nan in particular, always keen to provide ale in the best possible condition. Consequently, Wellingtons Bar has been listed in the Good Beer Guide on many occasions and is a former branch Pub of the Year.

Nan has always provided a warm and friendly welcome to her customers, and it has always been a pleasure to visit Wellies. Ayrshire & Wigtownshire CAMRA wish Nan a long and happy retirement.

Nan receives a special award from branch chair Lindsay Grant

More Success for Full Pints

Our branch magazine, Full Pints, gained further recognition by being rewarded with second place in the annual CAMRA Branch Magazine of the Year Competition

The announcement was made during the Members’ Weekend in Sheffield in April. 

Magazine editor Stuart McMahon was on hand to receive the award from National Executive member Sarah Crawford.

Outlets

Glen Park Hotel – Ayr
The Glen Park closed for good on Sunday, 25 February. The final bits of paperwork have yet to be completed, but owner Anne Rossi expected those formalities to be finalised within days. After 17 years at the Glen Park, Anne can hopefully look forward to a long and happy retirement.

Steam Packet Inn – Isle of Whithorn
Alastair Scoular has once more taken up the reins at the Steam Packet.

Sharps – Largs
A welcome return to the local real ale scene is JG Sharp’s in  Largs, which has reintroduced real ale on both handpumps and seems to be selling well.

Twa Dugs – Millport
The Twa Dugs is also selling real ale, although availability is patchy.

Abbotsford Hotel – Ayr
The Abbotsford Hotel has been sold. The new owners have also recently bought Wellingtons Bar and Bridges Bar. It is not known if real ale will be reintroduced to the Abbotsford.

McKays – Troon
The new tenants have now taken over. Real ale continues to be available.

Brass & Granite – Kilmarnock
Greene King continues to seek new tenants for this once-popular outlet.

Brewery News

Arran
Nothing significant to report.

Arran Botanical Drinks
Two kegged versions of their beer are available at the Cladach beach site, along with their bottles (RAIB) and some from Loch Ness Brewery. Bramble Buzz will be a new 5% beer in the autumn featuring local brambles and honey.

Five Kingdoms
Nelson Sauvin, their latest single hop ale in cask has been released. This is a New Zealand hop offering juicy flavours of grape, passionfruit and gooseberry.

The brewery has been shortlisted for the Scottish Small Brewery of the Year award.

They continue to attend local markets, including Kirkcudbright, Portpatrick and Dumfries and to supply Ayrshire customers with delivery runs.

Seagate
The majority of output is now in keg (approx 55%), with RAIB bottles next (40%) and cask (5%). Several new outlets include Kildonan Hotel and Brodick Pizza Parlour (both with bottles). Coming soon will be a Lagg peated/spirit infused version of the Monday Morning Mocha at 7.4%.

Wigtown
Seeking more information.

Are you getting information?

Each month the branch sends out an email, detailing all the events taking place that month.

Do you receive it?

If the answer is NO, please let us know so that we may be able remedy the situation.

contact@awcamra.org.uk