Christmas may be nearly upon us but there is plenty to keep real ale fans occupied over the next few weeks in St Albans.
We’d love to see you at any or all the following events! Just turn up, or if you’d like further details, feel free to drop me an email.
Friday 13th December:
Christmas social featuring Beer Festival Music Bingo
8pm at Royston Social Club, College Road, St Albans
Facebook link: https://fb.me/e/hH7sYJJa7
After proving very popular at September’s beer festival, our Music Bingo is making a festive return!
Come and join us for a fun, pre-Christmas gathering this Friday; enjoy some great cask ales; and test your music knowledge across the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.
There will also be rounds of Play Your Cards Right to keep things lively, with great prizes to be won. From the proceeds, we will be making a donation to the Psoriasis Association, in memory of longstanding branch member John Lightfoot who died last year.
The Royston Club is an excellent venue with a great range of beer, and you don’t need to be a club member to come along – just ring the buzzer. This will also be a family-friendly event so under-18s are welcome. Hope to see you there!
Friday 13th – Monday 16th December:
Winter Beer Festival
The Lower Red Lion, Fishpool Street, St Albans
Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/thelowerredlion
Make a note in your diary to call in at the Lower Red, as they put on a range of 15 cask ales, from dark winter favourites to white as snow pales, by breweries near and far. Plus, alongside the beer, they’ll be ladling out mulled wine, mulled cider and boozy hot chocolate.
Beyond drinks, they will have a delicious festive street food menu, and live music to keep you entertained. We haven’t got a specific time for a branch gathering planned, but you can expect to find many of us there over the course of the weekend – so do swing by!
Friday 27th December:
The annual Sopwell Sweep
2pm at The Beehive, Keyfield Terrace, St Albans
Facebook link: https://fb.me/e/8UwInbkzr
Now an annual tradition, the Sopwell Sweep is back for 2024. This pub trail, around a corner of St Albans famed for its excellent pubs, always attracts a good crowd, so don’t miss out!
We’ll be meeting up at the Beehive at 2pm before embarking on a trail of a number of top tier real ale establishments including the White Hart Tap (approx 2.45pm); Garibaldi (3.30pm); White Lion (4.15pm); Goat (5pm); and Hare & Hounds (5.45pm).
Do consider joining us. Christmas jumpers optional!
Tuesday 31st December:
NYE Family-Friendly Pub Walk
5.30pm at The Mermaid, Hatfield Road, St Albans
Facebook link: https://fb.me/e/4ppXTwMgT
Looking to get out and socialise on New Year’s Eve but without the city centre hustle and bustle? Why not join us for a civilised(ish) early evening pub walk – taking in a selection of excellent establishments, before things get too lively!
Starting at 5.30pm, we’ll be calling at four legendary St Albans pubs – all with a tempting selection of ales, ciders and other offerings – before heading to the Royston Club for its family-friendly NYE event featuring live music from The Push.
While at the Royston Club, South Herts CAMRA be making a special presentation to its secretary Barrie Lloyd on behalf of Club Mirror magazine – recognising the work he has done over the past few years to transform it from a club in decline, into a thriving community local with a coveted place in the Good Beer Guide.
Approximate timings: 5.30pm: Mermaid, Hatfield Road; 6.15pm: Farmers Boy, London Road; 7pm: Great Northern, London Road; 7.45pm: Robin Hood, Victoria Street; 8.45pm: Royston Club*, College Road.
* Please note there may be a small admission charge for non-members at the Royston Club.
Everyone is invited and we’d love to see you!
Save the date: London social on Saturday 11th January
We’re working on plans for a social trip around some excellent London pubs on Saturday 11th January. More details to follow, but please keep the date free if you would like to come along.
Struggling for a gift idea?
If you’re still looking for that perfect present for a special person in your life, why not consider a CAMRA gift membership! For more details, see https://camra.org.uk/membership/gift-membership.