Campaign For Real Ale

Welcome to the Web Site of the Gainsborough Branch of CAMRA - The Campaign for Real Ale

About us

Gainsborough CAMRA is one of the smallest branches in terms of numbers in the country with around 70 members. However we have an enthusiastic, active membership with our monthly meetings being well attended and we like to think that we are also one of the friendliest branches.

The branch was initially established as a sub-branch to Lincoln in 1995 with full branch status following a couple of years later. Without doubt the impetus for the set-up and expansion of the branch came from the opening of the Eight Jolly Brewers pub in the town by Alex Craig in 1994. Before this, Gainsborough was a relative desert in terms of real ale outlets.

The 'Brewers' continues to be the flagship pub for the branch and the availability and variety of real ale in Gainsborough and the surrounding areas has increased substantially. We are now lucky enough to have in our area the award-winning Grafters Brewery set up in 2008 by Phil Troop at his pub, the Half Moon, in Willingham-by-Stow. Grafters Moonlight has won awards in the last 3 years at Peterborough beer festival, the second biggest in the country, including overall Champion Beer in 2009.

After a gap of 10 years we held a beer and folk festival in conjunction with Gainsborough Folk Club in October 2009. This was held in the spectacular surroundings of Gainsborough Old Hall, a 15th century medieval manor house, and we believe it to be the only festival in the country held in an English Heritage building. The event was a terrific success and in 2010 and 2011 we held our second and third such festivals which are now an established part of the town’s ‘Octoberfest’.

Our monthly meetings are held in different pubs around the area with a view to 'spreading the word' about CAMRA and the aims of the campaign to a wider audience. All members are of course welcome and if you are reading this as a non-member we would be delighted if you came along and saw what we are about - details of our meetings are shown on the ‘Branch Diary' page. The 'Other Events' page also gives details of related events in and around our area.

Please also see the 'Contact us' page for details of the branch officials who will be pleased to answer any queries. We would also be pleased to receive any feedback regarding the site - we are very much novices at this and any suggestions for improvement will be carefully considered.