History
of CAMRA NI
Birth of the Branch
Theakston's Best Bitter had been on sale in the Linenhall Bar, Linenhall Street, Belfast for some months during 1981, largely as a result of members of the Ulster Orchestra badgering the landlord to supply real ale.
On 17th October 1981 a group of nearly 50 CAMRA supporters met at the newly opened Hilden Brewery near Lisburn, Co Antrim. Those present were given a tour of the brewery by Ann and Seamus Scullion and saw the first commercial brew in progress.
Unfortunately it was to be a week or so before the first 'Hilden Ale' was ready for drinking.
Paul Carter, National Executive member from CAMRA HQ in England discussed the value of having a local branch of CAMRA and 23 new members joined CAMRA on the spot.
At the same time an embryo Northern Ireland local branch was formed under the chairmanship of Adrian Saunders, with his wife Cheryl as Secretary.
To be continued ...
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© CAMRA NI
2005
