Bath & Borders

News

  • Apple Tree Share Offer now open Tuesday 21 July 2026

    The Apple Tree Inn, Shoscombe. share offer is now open ! This is your opportunity to save this lovely pub Minimum 200 shares ( £200)

    .>br>

    Full details here :- Shoscombe Community Benefit Society.

  • You're being lied to about British beer Friday 10 July 2026

    Four foreign-owned corporations make 80% of it. The 'imported' lager in your hand was probably brewed in Burton-on-Trent. That craft IPA on the bar is owned by Heineken. Here's how we lost our pint — and how to win it back.

    Beer in the UK report

    CAMRA’s ground-breaking Beer in the UK report is the authoritative consumer view on the UK beer market. The report lays bare the stark state of British brewing – that it is dominated by four international conglomerates with little affinity with our brewing heritage, or what beer drinkers want.

    “Today, Britain only brews two thirds the amount it used to. (Half our pints and most of our established brewers, gone in a generation.)" “Your 'continental' lager was probably made just off the M1. (So-called 'imports' are being brewed in Northampton, Burton-on-Trent and Hartlepool — with a Union Jack swapped for a foreign flag.)" “Seven of the UK's ten best-selling 'craft beers' are made by the big four.” “Drinkers want indie beer. The market won't let them have it. (Four corporations are making sure you drink what they want to sell, not what you want to buy.)”

    If all this makes you angry — good. Time to do something about it...

    You can read the full report here:

    camra.org.uk/beer-report

    CAMRA has campaigned for the rights of beer drinkers and pub-goers since 1971. We've saved thousands of pubs, protected cask beer, and kept independent brewing alive. But we can't do it without members.

    So if you're not already a member, please consider joining CAMRA here: camra.org.uk/join

    CAMRA issues "Beer in the UK" report
  • Summer edition of Pints West now available Thursday 18 June 2026
  • Iford receive certificate for Windfall cider Monday 4 May 2026

    Brendon Lee ( Bath & Borders Cider rep) was delighted to present Silver award to Iford cider at their taproom on Saturday 2 May.

    ”Windfall”, a still and cloudy 5.5% West Country cider won Silver award at Gosport Winterfest XXXII hosted by Portsmouth & SE Hants CAMRA in February.

    We were delighted to present the certificate on behalf of the hosting Branch

    .

    Pictured (l-r) are Brendon Lee and Joe Abbot head of production at Iford Cider & Taproom

  • Next step towards saving Somerset Arms, Semington Monday 27 April 2026

    The Semington Community Benefit Society (CBS) are trying to save The Somerset Arms and are now seeking to establish the level of community backing to buy and re-open the pub. The CBS is seeking pledges from potential share buyers – at this stage these pledges are non-binding but will give the CBS an indication of likely financial support. A separate share offer will be launched in the summer, minimum investment is expected to be £250.

    .

    Full details on their website

    .

    Running alongside this a Crowdfunder campaign seeking donations mainly to help with start up costs such as marketing, IT, admin, events, professional fees etc, but any excess will go towards the actual purchase of the pub. Details on the same website.

    SAVE THE SOMERSET ARMS !

  • Hop Pole, Limpley Stoke named Branch Pub of the Year 2026 Thursday 2 April 2026

    Just fourteen months after re-opening as a community owned pub The Hop Pole in Limpley Stoke has been chosen as Bath & Borders Pub of the Year 2026.

    .

    Many congratulations to the Limpley Stoke Community Benefit Society and pub management team of Charlie Rawlings & Hannah Randall.

    The certificate will be presented to the pub on the evening of Tuesday 21st April and the pub will go forward to the Regional judging round

    The 2026 runner-up is The Raven, Bath (the 2023 winner) and their certificate will be presented to the pub on the evening of Thursday 21st May.

    Photo of 1st birthday party courtesy of Jon Tonks

  • Spring edition of Pints West out now Friday 20 March 2026

    Multi-award winning Pints West out now - look out for it at at pub near you

    Further details here Pints West.