An Introduction from our Branch Chairman

Thank you for visiting the website of the South Devon Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale. We form a small, but important part of a large, successful consumer organisation promoting quality and choice of real ale and cider.

Now in our 50th year, we have a current branch membership of well over 500 out of a national total of over 150,000, though only a small proportion of which are ‘active’ members and this we would like to increase.

Our area extends from Chagford and Moretonhampstead in the north, through Holne and South Brent in the west, down to Thurlestone and Salcombe in the south and then following the coastline past Dartmouth and Kingswear, onto Torbay and as far as Teignmouth. This area encompasses a wide variety of scenery ranging from the golden sands of the South Devon coastline, through rolling countryside of the South Hams to the wilds of parts of Dartmoor. It also includes the heavily populated area of Newton Abbot and Torbay.

We are blessed with a wide variety of pubs serving a diverse range of real ale, much of which is supplied from local independent breweries. We have a large number of free houses as opposed to those owned by the large pub chains, with many of them being rural. Most rely heavily on holiday trade, which enables them to remain an important part of the local community in the winter months, serving their locals as pubs have done for many years

Our devoted band of members visit these pubs throughout the year and it is they who nominate and survey the pubs for inclusion in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide and also vote on the Branch Pub of the Year. There are many public houses in the area and although the active members perform an excellent job of monitoring them via our Pub Liaison Officer chain there are always more that could be covered, especially in the more remote parts of South Devon. We are always looking for more active members to help with this

One of our favoured methods of promoting real ale is by means of beer festivals and this branch provides volunteers at many local events including the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) Maltingsfest and the Ales from Devon bar at the Devon County Show. These are very important links, as many of the aims of CAMRA compliment those of the independent breweries. We also organise our own Totnes Beer & Cider Fest in early July.

Amongst all of this 'work' and regular monthly branch meetings we do find time for play and organise many social events throughout the year including trips to breweries and beer festivals, a good opportunity to mix with members from other branches.

If you want to find out any more about the South Devon Branch of CAMRA or wish to get involved then please contact myself or any of the other contacts listed on this website. Full details of our meetings, social events and forthcoming beer festivals are given in the Branch Diary. Alternatively come to one of our branch meetings, where you will be made most welcome.

Cheers and Best wishes,

Clive Mackriell

Branch Chairman

A map of our area, with our pubs marked, can be found here

About the Campaign for Real Ale

CAMRA is considered one of the most successful consumer organisations across Europe. Founded by four real ale enthusiasts back in 1971, today we represent beer drinkers and pub-goers across the UK. Find out more here