Taking to the ministerial pumps for a third time in two years, Ilkley Brewery’s beer is once again on tap at the prestigious House of Commons’ Strangers’ Bar this week.

The spa town’s ‘Save the Pub’ ale will be enjoyed by MPs in support of the All Party Parliamentary Save the Pub group chaired by North West Leeds MP, Greg Mulholland. In recent years, the parliamentary group has been lobbying Government to come up with changes to help keep local pubs alive and well, including rules to try and stop developers closing down profitable pubs.

Back in July 2011, Mr Mulholland visited Ilkley Brewery and was one of the first to sample a pint of ‘Save the Pub’. Testament to the brew’s fine flavours, Mr Mulholland has now secured a sought-after spot for the beer at the House of Commons’ watering hole.

Mr Mulholland commented: ““The Save the Pub Group has worked tirelessly over the past three years, seeking to preserve and protect the Great British pub, which plays such an important part of this country’s history and heritage and is hugely important to the communities they serve. It is great to get together and toast our success and have the group’s hard work recognised.

“I was delighted to welcome Ilkley Brewery down to Westminster to join the Save the Pub Group in celebrating our third anniversary with a pint of their specially brewed Save the Pub ale. I hope my colleagues will take the opportunity, whilst the Save the Pub ale is on, to get down to Strangers’ and enjoy a pint and show their support for the Great British pub!

“The Save the Pub Group will, however, not be resting on our laurels and will continue being a strong voice for the British pub in Westminster and nationally for years to come.”

Speaking of his support for the group, Stewart Ross, one of Ilkley Brewery’s directors, said: “As a small brewery in a thriving town, we are continually reminded of the value local pubs bring to communities. Not only do they provide employment and support local food and drink producers, they offer a communal hub for people who live in the area and help build stronger and closer communities.

“We hope our ‘Save the Pub’ beer helps to raise awareness of some of the issues the All Party Parliamentary Save the Pub group is addressing and that we start to see an upturn in pubs’ prosperity across the land.”

To find out more about Ilkley Brewery, visit: www.ilkleybrewery.co.uk or to read the brewery’s blog, go to: www.ilkleybreweryblog.blogspot.com

A SOUTH Tyneside pub boss is brewing fresh expansion plans … on the other side of the river.

Jarrow Brewery, which opened its latest pub only a matter of months ago, has taken over the real ale and music pub, The Magnesia Bank in Camden Street, North Shields.

Launched in 2002, Jarrow Brewery already operates The Robin Hood in Primrose Hill, Jarrow, The Maltings Brewery Tap in Claypath Lane, South Shields, where its brewing operations are based, and The Isis, in Silksworth Row, Sunderland, the latter pub opening last October, after a £500,000 revamp.

Now brewery owners Jess and Alison McConnell are acquiring The Magnesia Bank, which they plan to refurbish.

Mr McConnell said: “The Magnesia Bank has been a very popular pub, and Jarrow Brewery is delighted to be taking it over.

“The pub has a reputation for real ale and live music, and we aim to continue with both, while improving the beer line, including introducing our own Jarrow Brewery beers and a good selection of other ales.”

Meanwhile, Jarrow Brewery is also pressing ahead with its plans to convert the former St Andrew’s Church on Hebburn riverside into a brewery. A planning application to turn the Grade 11-listed Victorian building into a brewhouse was due to be submitted to South Tyneside Council this week.

Mr McConnell said a survey revealed there were no bats in the old church, which could have delayed plans.

“It’s been a long, drawn-out affair, including a structural survey and other delays, but after the planning application goes in, things should start moving,” he added.

Rivet Catcher, Jarrow Brewery’s most popular beer, will eventually be brewed at Hebburn, while production of its other ales will remain at The Maltings in South Shields.

The Hebburn real ale scheme is set to create five jobs and 22 posts over the next five years, after Jarrow Brewery won a share of a £93m Government growth fund, expected to create 8,500 jobs across the region.

But Mr McConnell stressed that Jarrow Brewery’s headquarters remains rooted at the Robin Hood pub, where brewing first started a decade ago.

Moorhouse’s, the North West’s leading dedicated cask ale brewer, has announced a high-profile sponsorship of the Lancashire League 20/20 cricket competition.

The three year deal is a major marketing initiative as the internationally acclaimed brewer hits the first birthday for its ambitious multi-million pound brewing development.

It aims to further grow sales of the famous ‘Pendle Witch’ ales in Moorhouse’s heartland and puts the Burnley brewery up alongside brewing giant Heineken UK – sponsor of the 120 year old League under the Foster’s brand.
The annual competition is fiercely fought by 15 teams from Burnley and Todmorden, the Blackburn area and the Rossendale Valley and will be known as “The Moorhouse’s Brewery Lancashire Cricket League 20/20 Competition”. Moorhouse’s ales will be on sale at seven of the clubs.
Moorhouse’s managing director David Grant said: “As the first birthday of the new brewery approaches we are especially delighted to announce our support for such a terrific local contest. This is an exciting opportunity to promote our celebrated cask ales to cricket clubs and fans – a perfect fit with our future business development goals in our heartland.”
League officials have warmly welcomed the local sponsorship for the contest which attracts strong support to Friday night games over seven weeks, from late May to July.
League chairman Mike Bibby said: “Moorhouse’s are the top independent brewers who have a long and proud history and, being based in Burnley, are right in the heartland of the member clubs of the Lancashire League.

“The League Executive are delighted to have been able to attract such a well known local company as sponsors of one of our competitions.These games are an ideal opportunity for Moorhouses to have a presence and promote their products.”
The launch of a £4.2m brewing complex complete with visitor centre and training school last May trebled the former production capacity to more than 15 million pints a year to transform Moorhouse’s into regional brewer status. It has enabled substantial sales growth across the UK and the launch of special ales such as White Witch alongside its five award winning core brands, including Black Cat and Pride of Pendle*.