It’s May, the weather is getting nicer, and what better excuse to get out and about than some great socials with your local CAMRA branch! We’d love to see you at any of the following events – we’re a friendly bunch and new faces always get a warm welcome.
May is CAMRA’s annual “mild month”, an annual celebration of a uniquely British beer style. We will, of course, be playing our part in marking that – but we’ve also got a lot more lined up, catering for all beer and cider palates.
Read on to find out more…
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Saturday 10th – Sunday 11th May
St Albans Mild Festival Weekend
Facebook link: https://fb.me/e/5AT87V9pu
After proving very popular last year, the St Albans Mild Festival Weekend is returning for 2025 – with loads of great drinking establishments teaming up this weekend to put on an incredible selection of mild beers for us all to enjoy. Because there are so many participating venues, we’re running two trails over two days. So pick the one that looks like your favourite, or come along to both!
Mild is a beer style which developed in the late 18th and 19th centuries as drinkers started to demand a slightly sweeter and less aggressively hopped beer than porter. It is usually (but not always) dark brown in colour, due to the use of well-roasted malts or roasted barley. Modern milds tend to be in the lower-strength 3-4%ABV bracket but there are some stronger ones out there too. Expect a rich malty aroma and flavour, with hints of dark fruit, chocolate, coffee and caramel, with a gentle underpinning of hop bitterness.
Saturday route:
1300: Six Bells, St Michael’s Street
1345: Lower Red Lion, Fishpool Street
1430: Portland Arms, Portland Street
1515: Farriers Arms, Lower Dagnall Street
1600: Dylans Kings Arms, George Street
1645: Boot, Market Place
1730: Peahen, London Road
1815: Mermaid, Hatfield Road
Sunday route:
1300: John Bunyan, Coleman Green (if you would like to taxi-share from St Albans and back, meet at the Robin Hood at 1230)
1400: Royston Social Club, College Road
1500: Robin Hood, Victoria Street
1545: Great Northern, London Road
1630: Farmer’s Boy, London Road
1715: Beehive, Keyfield Terrace
1800: White Hart Tap, Keyfield Terrace
1845: Hare & Hounds, Sopwell Lane
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Saturday 17th May
London Pub Adventure: Carshalton
Facebook link: https://fb.me/e/48lrHs0st
Following the success of our last venture into London when we explored the best pubs of Peckham and Nunhead, we’re planning another pub exploration trip in an under-appreciated part of the capital – this time, Carshalton.
“Where?!” I hear you ask. Well, this little-known pocket of the South London commuter-belt boasts three Good Beer Guide entrants, plus a number of other highly-rated real ale establishments. And best of all, we will finish our crawl at a community-owned pub that has been named CAMRA’s Greater London pub of the year on no fewer than five occasions!
Carshalton is easily accessible by train from mainline stations in the branch. For those who live in St Albans, there is a direct service leaving St Albans City at 1222 which some of us will be catching. If you’re travelling from elsewhere, simply meet us in the first pub on the list below.
Please note that there is a total of approx 3 miles walking on this route, although that is broken up between several stops.
Our route will be as follows:
Meet at 1400 at Railway Tavern, North Street
Followed by…
Sun, North Street
Windsor Castle, Carshalton Road
Whispering Moon, Ross Parade
Duke’s Head, Manor Road
Cryer Arts Centre, High Street
Coach and Horses, High Street
Woodman, High Street
Hope, West Street
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Tuesday 20th May
A Timely Remilder… Hertford’s Mild Celebration
Facebook link: https://fb.me/e/3hIdRa17g
You didn’t think that was all the mild for May, did you? Who can forget Hertford’s longstanding annual celebration of the beer style, which is back yet again. Four outstanding Hertford town centre pubs will each be showcasing at least one dark mild from across the UK, in this small but perfectly-formed evening crawl.
Dark mild was once the most popular beer in Britain but almost died out in the late 20th century. Now it’s back and needs to be supported, and this is a great opportunity to do so in convivial company.
The route:
1945: Black Horse, West Street
2030: White Horse, Castle Street
2115: Old Barge, The Folly
2200: Old Cross Tavern, St Andrew Street
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Saturday 24th May
Cider and Cheese Afternoon @ The Mermaid
Facebook link: https://fb.me/e/2W7j2RdWx
Multi-award winning and all-round legendary St Albans pub The Mermaid is bringing back its famous May Cider Festival again this year. So once again we’ll be supporting it with our famous cider and cheese social – one of our most popular annual social events.
All are invited to join us for this glorious occasion, which in previous years has enjoyed beautiful weather and the opportunity to take advantage of the Mermaid’s fine garden.
To join in, simply meet us at The Mermaid from 1pm onwards, with a piece of (preferably interesting) cheese to share. We’ll have an area set aside dedicated to sharing the cheeses everyone has brought along – whilst also, of course, sampling the array of delicious ciders and perries available at the Mermaid’s festival. (Don’t worry – they also sell excellent cask ales if you’re not a cider drinker).
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Friday 13th June
Friends of the Festival: Music Bingo
Facebook link: https://fb.me/e/2pNpsMUIO
Finally, one for the music fans amongst you. With only a few months to go until St Albans Beer & Cider Festival gets under way, our resident DJs will be giving their festival music bingo game a practice run.
In a fun, family-friendly evening at the Royston Social Club in St Albans, we’ll be playing two rounds of music bingo, featuring pop tunes from different eras – and, by overwhelming demand, one of the rounds will feature some well known film soundtrack and Disney classics. In addition to that there will be further prize-winning opportunities with Play Your Cards Right.
At the bar you can expect to find a wide range of drinks at low prices, including a rotating selection of four cask ales. Join us from 7.30pm for an 8pm start. Excellent beer and an enjoyable evening guaranteed!
