FIFTY years ago, a quiet revolution began that has changed the way British people enjoy their drink – and Walsall was at the heart of it.
Black Country Arms awarded Pub of the Year 2019
The nationwide Campaign for Real Ale – or CAMRA – was launched in 1971 to fight the spread of gassy keg beers and lagers and to support proper cask conditioned beer, better known as real ale.
Half a century later, drinking habits have changed massively, with a booming real ale market driven by popular brands and thousands of micro-breweries.
And one of the very first branches of CAMRA was formed right here in Walsall in the late summer of 1972, based at The Pretty Bricks pub in John Street.
Driven by founder Peter Linley, who was Vice Principal of the then Walsall Technical College, the Pretty Bricks was the spiritual base for the North Midlands Branch, which actually covered the country as far north as John O’Groats.
CAMRA almost 50 years old
Now the Walsall branch is preparing to celebrate it own 50th anniversary next year.
Chairman Mikee Evans said: “We have come a long way in 50 years. Back then, the country had been taken over by these keg beers, and the national brewers that dominated the beer industry, so CAMRA was launched to challenge that.
“Now when you walk into a pub like the Black Country Arms there are 20 different ales and 20 different brewers – and you have to think CAMRA have played a big part in that.
“It’s not just pubs, it’s in the shops too – the change in the last 30 years has been massive, it’s a different world.”
So, what is it about real ale that converts so many drinkers?
Mikee said: “It’s the variety really. With lager, you only have different strengths, but with ales you have different styles, different flavours. There are so many varieties that you can come up with. It can be pale, it can be red, there are so many different options. Using different hops and malts can completely change the taste, while lager is just lager, really.”
The Fountain – Second place for Pub of the Year – 2019
Just as the real ale scene has become trendy CAMRA, once perceived as a club for older drinkers, has changed too.
“There are a lot of young people that drink real ales now,” Mikee said, “All kinds of people are trying it – it’s not the ‘old man beer’ that it used to be perceived as.”
Walsall CAMRA membership
Membership of CAMRA has benefits too – you get ‘50p off a pint’ vouchers for Wetherspoons, as well as discounts to CAMRA beer festivals and magazines. Then, of course, there’s the simple joy of going to branch meetings, and meeting new friends over a pint.
Mikee said: “Obviously, the pandemic had quite an effect on our meetings, but when branch meetings are on, we go to a different pub every month to give them our support, encouraging people to visit them and try their beers.”
But he explained that while pubs had been hit hard by lockdowns, COVID 19 hadn’t stopped beer lovers from enjoying a tipple.
Jiggers Whistle awarded 1st place for Cider Pub of the Year – 2019
“Actually, during the pandemic people have been drinking more at home, and in that respect, Real Ale has benefited from getting delivered – breweries and producers have really gone the extra mile to get their beers to customers.”
Which local brewers would Mikee recommend Pioneer readers try?
“There’s a great Walsall brewery called AJ’s Ales which is doing brewery deliveries,” Mikee said, “and there’s New Invention in Bloxwich and the Backyard Brewhouse in Brownhills, which is really good too.”
Now, as the country starts to leave lockdown and hopefully put the pandemic in the past, Walsall’s CAMRA members are starting to think about how they will raise a glass to celebrate their 50th birthday next year – and the role they played in changing how British people drink.
Mikee said: “We’re really looking forward to it and are currently discussing anniversary celebrations in meetings. First and foremost, we’re getting the wheels turning to get the regular Walsall Beer Festival back on, as well as various other events.”
And it goes without saying that, 50 years after it saw the launch of the Walsall branch, members will be once again paying a visit to the Pretty Bricks.