LocALE

LocALE is an initiative by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) that promotes pubs stocking locally brewed real ale. The scheme builds on a growing consumer demand for quality local produce and an increased awareness of 'green' issues.

CAMRA Wigan Branch adopted the initiative in September 2008 and encourages non-tied pubs and clubs to buy locally produced beers. We have about thirty breweries classed as local to Wigan. The Branch decided that breweries within twenty miles from Wigan town centre would be potential LocAle suppliers. Click here for a list of LocALE breweries.

We now have a number of LocAle accredited pubs in the area which have not only to serve a local beer but in an excellent condition. LocAle accredited pub will display the CAMRA Wigan LocAle Accreditation Certificate. Click here for a list of LocALE pubs.

If you believe your local pub meets the LocALE criteria, then This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   details to us so that we can consider accreditation.

CAMRA Price Survey 2010

It's that time again - the annual survey of prices in our pubs. This year's survey form (see attached form) has been simplified from previous years. We are however particularly keen to find out if there are significant price differentials between those pubs that are tied for their beer purchases and those that are free to buy their beer supplies from whomsoever they wish (see summaries). It would be beneficial if all our branch members could conduct at least one survey prior to our next Branch Meeting. However, all surveys must be conducted before 28th February 2010 and final submissions are required before 8th March 2010.

Managed Pub : A managed pub is one where the person running it is an employee of the operating company (brewery or pub co) and is not allowed to buy beers apart from those on the company approved list.

Tied Pub : A Tied pub is one where the tenant or lessee is only allowed to buy beers through the brewery or pub co approved suppliers.

Free of Tie Pub : A Free of tie pub is one where the person running it is not limited in any way as to the beers he or she can buy. This may be a "genuine" freehouse or a pub co leased pub which is leased free of tie. The pub can be a freehouse but have a manager installed to run it. In which case the pub should be designated as a freehouse.

Company operating the pub : This will generally be the name of the owner i.e. Fullers, Punch etc; but in some circumstances the owner of the bricks and mortar may be a bank (Royal Bank of Scotland) or other financial investor and then the running of the pub has been delegated to an operating company - this is the name that should be stated in this case.

Branch AGM on Wednesday, 12th May 2010

Our AGM is scheduled to take place at The Orwell, Wigan Pier. All current members are welcome to attend and refreshments will be provided. Can those planning to attend please notify Carol or Ken Worthington by 30th April so that we can assess the catering requirements.

Nominations are sought for the following branch positions for 2010/2011:

• Branch Chair
• Branch Vice Chair
• Branch Secretary
• Branch Treasurer
• Membership Secretary
• Social Secretary
• Brewery Liaison Officer
• Media Officer
• Swiggin Editor
• Auditors

All nominations to be made to the chair Ken Worthington either in writing to 95 Greenfields Crescent, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan WN4 8QY or by email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   to arrive by 30th April so that nominees can be contacted to confirm their acceptance of nomination.

The meeting will also vote on our Pub Of The Year for 2009/2010 – our last year’s winner was the Crown at Worthington which went on to be a national finalist.

What's New

• 18/02/2010 : 'Booze News 54a' added 
• 18/02/2010 : 'Booze News 54' added 
• 07/02/2009 : Local Pub News updated
• 07/02/2009 : Local Brewery News updated  
• 06/02/2010 : 'Booze News 53' added 
• 09/11/2009 : 'Booze News 52' added
• 05/10/2009 : 'Booze News 51' added
• 24/09/2009 : By request, pink style sheet added
• 24/09/2009 : 'Next Events' module added (see right)
• 24/09/2009 : Use of Google Calendar for Branch Diary
• 24/09/2009 : Use of Google Calendar for Festival Diary
• 06/09/2009 : Local Pub News updated
• 06/09/2009 : Local Brewery News updated  
• 06/09/2009 : 'Booze News 50' added
• 06/09/2009 : 'Booze News 49' added
• 06/09/2009 : 'Booze News 48' added

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CAMRA NEWS - latest updates from www.camra.org.uk

BREWERY NEWS - latest updates from www.quaffale.org.uk

REAL ALE NEWS - latest updates from www.realalenet.co.uk