To nobody’s great surprise, Gales brewery in Horndean will cease brewing on March 31, with the site being used as a depot from then. The beers will be brewed at Chiswick — for now, anyway.

The Bitter is being dropped — always likely, considering it was up against London Pride. Butser, Festival Mild, HSB and Prize Old are safe — for now. Still, the more paranoid reader might like to consider stocking up on Prize Old… (Going off-topic for a second, what of the country wines? The Black Beer & Raisin would be sorely missed…)

(Story from The Publican — more at BBC News)

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The Sussex Beer Festival is nearly upon us! The festival runs from Thursday, March 9 to Saturday, March 11, and will have 200 different beers, 30 ciders and perries, a beer exhibition and talks from Sussex brewers.

The Thursday session runs from 5pm to 11pm and costs £3.50.

The Friday lunchtime session runs from 11am to 3pm and costs £3. The Friday evening session runs from 5pm to 11pm, costs £6, has music from Karl Bashford, and is almost certainly sold out.

The Saturday lunchtime session runs from 11am to 3pm and costs £3. The Saturday evening session runs from 5pm to 10pm, has music from The Rhythm Method, and costs £4.

Tickets on sale from Brighton & Hove Centres, Gardeners Arms (Lewes), Evening Star (Brighton), Sir Charles Napier (Brighton), Buckingham Arms (Shoreham) and the Selden Arms (Worthing).

You can also get them by mail order — write to SCBF Ticket Sales, 14 Clover Lane, Ferring, WORTHING, BN12 5LZ, stating which sessions you want with a cheque for the appropriate amount made out to CAMRA Sussex Beer Festival. Please don’t forget to enclose a stamped addressed envelope!

Rather short notice about this one, I’m afraid — it’s this Saturday. Apologies for that — my email server died on me.

Cost will be about £10, depending on the number of seats sold, and pickup times will be as follows:

• 0915: Worthing station
• 1000: Littlehampton station
• 1030: Maypole Inn (at the end of Maypole Lane, as there’s no way we can get a bus down there)
• 1100: Chichester station (south side, outside the entrance)

To book your place, please contact Pete Brown on (01243) 552908 or email petebrown@2egs.freeserve.co.uk — alternatively, if you’re going to be picked up at the Maypole, you can leave your name at the bar.

Rather short notice about this one, I’m afraid — it’s this Saturday. Apologies for that — my email server died on me.

Cost will be about £10, depending on the number of seats sold, and pickup times will be as follows:

• 0915: Worthing station
• 1000: Littlehampton station
• 1030: Maypole Inn (at the end of Maypole Lane, as there’s no way we can get a bus down there)
• 1100: Chichester station (south side, outside the entrance)

To book your place, please contact Pete Brown on (01243) 552908 or email petebrown@2egs.freeserve.co.uk — alternatively, if you’re going to be picked up at the Maypole, you can leave your name at the bar.

Branch AGM, Maypole, Yapton.

All members please attend.

Crown & Anchor, Dell Quay Road, Birdham at 8:45<br/> Bell, Birdham, then either Ship, Itchenor or Blacksmith’s Arms, Donnington.

White Horse, Graffham at 8:45.<br/> Then Foresters Arms, Graffham, finishing at Three Moles, Selham.