Summer Newsletter 2026 continued

With Guinness set to increase the price of beer into the ‘On Trade’ by 5.2% and CAMRA urging small brewers to brew black stout, Molson Coors has resurrected the Caffreys brand and launched Caffreys Black Stout. Compared with Guinness at 4.2% this new product is 3.4% which offers a            ’strong value proposition’ says the company. Stout is proving undoubtedly more popular, with strong growth particularly among 24 to 34 yr. olds where it is up 97% while female drinkers are up 48% compared with male at 26%. (Strong growth-weak beer- where are we going with this? -ED)

Black Country Day - 14thJuly celebrates the anniversary of the installation of World’s first commercially successful steam engine near Dudley Castle by engineer Thomas Newcomen. (British and Best -ED)

AJ’s :  Next open day – May 30th 12 - 2100. Andy is still progressing with his new brewery in Shropshire, the plumbing’s done and the electrics are in. Now he is digging a big hole for his waste water collection tank (they won’t let him install a septic tank) and converting an old shipping - container to a chill room for storing finished beers. Of course he will keep the Brewery Tap in Walsall for his regular openings.  For Home delivery prices message Andy on 07841 459212

Beowulf : Well the promised Open Day didn’t appear, but Joe is still doing well with a new American Pale Ale called ‘Feortig’ which is proving very popular. He hopes people will vote for it in the CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain competition. Phone before turning up to buy bottles. 01543 454 067

Kudos to member David who not only paid his membership and coach fare to Chester, but donated £50 to the charity fund as well. Well beyond the call of duty – thank you very much.

Diary dates:  Black Country Day 14th July;  Chasewater Railway Beerfest 3-5th July; Wolverhampton Beer Festival 23-25 th July;  Peterborough trip 29th Aug;  Tamworth Beer Festival 10-12th Sept; . Shrewsbury Beer Festival (in St Mary’s Church) 23-26th Sept;

And Finally: “Behind every successful man is a woman. Behind the fall of a successful man, is  usually another woman.”      

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