[Welcome] [What's New] [About the Branch]

Welcome to the North London Branch of CAMRA (Campaign For Real Ale), which covers the postal districts of WC1 and most areas of North and North West London. CAMRA was formed in 1971 as the voice of the beer-drinking consumer, at a time when real ale was rapidly disappearing from our pubs, and now has over 60,000 members.

Here in North London we monitor what is happening in the brewing industry, whilst also checking the beer quality and range in our pubs.

Each year CAMRA publishes the Good Beer Guide and all of the entries are pubs selected by local branches for the quality of their real ales, not easy when we have around 800 pubs in our area. It's a hard job, but someone's got to do it! And to help us get around them, we meet every week and visit a couple of pubs with an official Branch Meeting every few months.

We have also published a guide to all of the pubs that serve real ale in the WC1 area. This is a part of London where so many of the pubs are overlooked because they are in back streets and are not visible from main roads. Get the guide and find the hidden gems.

One major problem that has sprung up in recent years is the number of pubs that are closing and being converted into flats, restaurants or offices. Every CAMRA branch has a pubs officer, whose job is to monitor the situation, and North London CAMRA will always campaign vigorously when a pub under threat is worth saving.

CAMRA has also fought a long battle to get the Government to agree that a pint of beer should be 20 fluid ounces, but once again they have changed their minds. If you get a short measure, don't hesitate to ask for a top-up.

Since the mid-seventies, CAMRA has also supported real cider and perry. These drinks (especially perry, made from pears) are very difficult to find in North London, but most CAMRA beer festivals have a cider bar where you will find an interesting range.

Our own London Drinker Beer and Cider Festival takes place every March at the Camden Centre, Bidborough Street, WC1 and is the best way to find a range of real ales, ciders, perries and foreign beer all under one roof.

And finally, look out for our newsletter, The Full Pint, which is available free in pubs throughout our branch area.

So if you'd like to get involved why not join CAMRA and make your voice heard.

Cheers
Mick Lewis

Top