All pubs in Halifax and Calderdale,
whether selling real ale or not, are visited annually and the Branch
compile a list from those found to serve a consistently good pint of
real ale. Pubs can be added upon the recommendation of branch
members or deleted as a result of changes in beer quality..
Pubs on the list
are visited regularly and the beers scored
on a scale of 0-5, where 0 is Undrinkable, 1 Poor, 2 Average, 3 Good, 4
Very Good, and 5 Excellent. We try to judge the quality and condition
of the beer rather than whether we like its particular inherent flavour
or not. When a beer is returned to the bar as undrinkable and is
exchanged in good grace and the beer taken off (e.g.. The pump clip
removed or turned back), a 0 score is not usually recorded. Should you
witness more of that beer being dispensed to another customer, the 0
score would be recorded. Marking is of course largely a subjective
thing, and different people may be considered hard or soft markers by
others in the branch, but after a while you will find your own level
and variations will average out over many tastings.
From the
amalgamated scores over a year, pubs for entry into
the Good Beer Guide are selected.
This is one of the
key jobs of the branch and one in which
every member of the branch can make a worthwhile contribution. The
current list is mailed to all branch members, whether active in
attending meetings or socials or otherwise – so do your bit and return
them! If you want some advice on how to score the beers, come
along to any of our events.
Beer
Quality Survey
For
the Good Beer Guide,
we need branch members to visit the pubs listed on the “pubs to visit”
sheet enclosed with this Newsletter and to score the beers on our 0-5
system, which is explained above. Other branches may have different
systems, so it is good to see that CAMRA has adopted the same (‘radical
new’) system for its National Beer Scoring System. See ‘What’s Brewing
March 2004’ for a full explanation. It also means members will be able
to submit scores for pubs outside their branch area more easily. Note
that we do not usually record a ‘0’ score if the undrinkable beer is
replaced in good grace and the beer taken off sale.
Also
please note that the
pub list is added to during the scoring season, so keep your list up to
date at meetings or from the website. There is a simple nominating and
checking procedure (usually involving an ad-hoc social) for such
additions. Click here
for pubs on the
current list, please check before submitting your scores as pubs for
the GBG are decided from this list, any scores for pubs not on the list
will be disregarded, however if you feel there is a pub we are missing
why not propose it goes on the list. Please contact us if this is the
case Edward-lee@sky.com (please
note it will have
to to be a seconded before we let it on the list, CAMRA members only)
Record
your scores on the
sheet, a copy, or on separate sheets of paper and post them or hand
them in at a meeting. You can also submit scores online see below:
ELECTRONIC
SCORING SHEET
Key: 1 Poor, 2 Average, 3 Good,
4 Very Good, 5 Excellent
