Brewery news Bridgetown Brewery continues to grow, with 36 extra barrels being purchased to cope with the increased demand for its beers, notably Shark Island Stout. The increased demand has now resulted in the stout now being brewed all year round. ‘Wasted’ and ‘Queen's Speech’ are available over Christmas. For Winter, Black Tor Brewery brings back Advent 4.8% ABV on cask, a rich ruby red festive ale fortified with special reserve port, and Dunkelweizen 4.7% ABV, a dark German-style wheat beer. Following Success at The Taste of The West Awards, they celebrated two Gold and one Silver award at The Food & Drink Devon Awards. January see the return of Resolution 4.4% ABV, a golden straw coloured malty bitter late-hopped with New Zealand Wakatu hops. Dartmoor Brewery has 2 new beers, a Black Porter at 4.5% which is part of the Discovery Range available currently, and Santa’s Secret, a 4.2% a yuletide beer with overtones of Christmas pudding spices which is available from the end of November through the festive period. Devon Earth has brewed Lost in The Woods for Chris’s charity event at the Queen’s Arms in Brixham in December. They’re always keen support this beer festival especially as it raises money for local charities. New Lion Brewery, in line with its ethic of collaboration and cooperation is planning to change its status to that of a Community Benefit Society, a body that carries on a business for the benefit of the community. This will take place in 2019 around the same time that the brewery moves to new premises in Dartington Industrial Estate. Shares will be sold enabling their owner to have a vote in its running and profits must then be used for the benefit of the community. Brewing will continue in the same way, although the new location is likely to give room for more seating, allowing educational, tasting and music events. In addition there will be space for two new fermenters, thus enabling increased White Label capacity. At the brewery’s recent 5th birthday party, the stand-out ale for our reporter was Little, packing a lot of taste at 2.9% while their companion drank some of the Large 7.7%, both made with New Zealand hops (Waimea, Motueka, Wakatu) and with the same malt bill. The brewery is producing a special seasonal Winter Warmer this year called Quark, Strangeness and Charm at 6.5%. It will be showcased at the Exeter Winter Beer Festival early next year. Another busy autumn for the Otter Brewery crew. With in-form Exeter Chiefs going from strength to strength in the Premiership, Derek the Otter continues to keep fans at Sandy Park entertained with his half-time fun and games. Building on this long standing relationship, the brewery has now been added to the Exeter Foundation XV – another string to its charity supporting bow. Over in Ottery St Mary, ‘Flaming Ale’ helped cool everyone off last month as the town’s Flaming Tar Barrels event took place. Soon after that was the launch of ‘Poppy Otter’ outside Exeter Cathedral. This is their 12th year of supporting the Royal British Legion with 5p from every pint sold throughout November and December being donated to the charity. Finally, two new beers to look out for this month. First up is the return of their American-inspired hoppy OPA (Otter Pale Ale) and then joining Otter Claus in their festive ale range is a new winter warmer, Otter Elf. Due to the success of previous years, Red Rock Brewery's Christmas ales are back but with new improved recipes. Christmas Cheers is a hearty, spiced brew flavoured with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and star anise. If a full bodied ale isn't to your taste, there's the Hoppy Crimbo - a festive amber ale dry hopped with Amarillo hops. Both ales are available in pins, casks and 500ml bottle. The Hoppy Crimbo ale has also been rebranded for Tolchards Drinks. Winter Stag will be available in outlets across the South of the country. Riviera Brewing Co has increased its storage space to be able to stock more Malt since the sad closure of Tuckers Maltings. The malt will now be obtained in larger quantities from a wholesaler. It is still the intention to use Maris Otter Floor Malt but now from Warminster Maltings. This Christmas Riviera will again have special Ales available in small cask and bottles. Christmas Gold 4%, hoppy and Santa Express 5% a spiced special amber ale. Salcombe Brewery Co has released a brand-new porter, the first to this expanding range of beers. Inspired by Salcombe’s Island Street’s boat builders, this is a hand crafted, rich, velvety porter. A blend of eight malts produce hints of dark chocolate, coffee and black cherry which combined with British hops, creates an aroma reminiscent of Black Forest gateaux. Island Street Porter is available to buy in 330ml bottles. This 5.9% ABV porter uses only British hops and is the perfect winter warmer. Summerskills Akela IPA, brewed with Styrian Wolf hops was very well received with firkins in the Fortescue (Plymouth) selling out in 3 hours! Whistle Belly Vengeance has been featuring in the JD Wetherspoon National Guest Ale programme and the pump clip has been generating a lot of interest as well as the beer. Our Christmas beers are Turkey’s Delight at 4.6% and Christmouse at 5.1%, we brewed some more Stout and Plymouth Porter in November and the latter will be featuring in the JD Wetherspoon National Guest Ale programme after Christmas. We were very pleased to receive a Food Drink Devon Gold Award for our Devon Dew in October”. At the Totnes Brewing Company a few new brews have been made: Devon Brown 4.2% made with green hops from a local gardener, a sweet stout called Permission to Land 4.2% and Red Ink 5%, a version of Ink made with super low roast chocolate malt which has the same taste as its stable mate but with a Flanders red colour. One of the new popular brews is Easy Rider 3.7% baby brother of Prism 4.5% made with single malt/single hop (Maris Otter and Mosaic). Both have a great punchy taste. And somewhere in the future will be a Lactose Oats IPA of around 8.5% to be called Super High Power Fire Pony. Kevin Wilson It is with sadness we have to report the death of Kevin Wilson at the early age of 60. He had been the steward of Shaldon Conservative Club and died after a long battle with cancer. He was always very friendly to CAMRA visitors and responsible for the Club having some interesting beers from outside the locality, and especially the West Midlands from whence he hailed, thus playing a significant part in the Club’s entry in the guide over many years. The branch was represented at the funeral by Kevin’s friend Mike Fitzmaurice and many club members. Our thoughts are with Lesley.