Weekly Meeting - Paul Williamson (CAMRA)

Paul Williamson - CAMRA

Paul Williamson, a director of the Hillside Brewery (well known to a lucky few of us), stood in at short notice for the designated speaker from CAMRA. He spoke with enthusiasm and knowledge about both topics which made for a light hearted evening. After all, the subject was real ale and its re–emergence in community life, part of British heritage and culture.

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is an independent voluntary consumer organisation with support of this re-emergence as one of its aims.  It promotes quality, choice and value for money through support of pubs and brewers.  Its membership is vast: 170,000 with branches throughout the UK. Gloucestershire now has three sub-branches. No wonder of its success!

HILLSIDE BREWERY

Hillside is a family run mini brewery based at Longhope in the Forest of Dean.  It was launched in 2014.  They are passionate about real ale and the importance of using the best ingredients including purity of the water – no impurities to affect the yeast. They have four main ales with strength of 3.5% to 4.7%.

Earlier this year, with encouragement from CAMRA and in support of the Royal British Legion they produced a special brew called ANZAC.  It used hops from Britain, Australia and New Zealand.  As you have guessed, it was in commemoration of the ANZAC landings.  A successful beer which demonstrated the versatility and quality of this young brewery.

's it for now as I am getting rather thirsty!  To Paul, his brewery and to CAMRA I offer our “cheers”!
 
Roger Atkinson