London Beer Flood 1814...

I meant to write about the anniversary of the London Beer Flood that happened close by what is now the Dominion Theatre in London's West End, on the 17th of October 1814 (though some reports record this tragedy to have been on the 16th, the evidence to support the 17th looks to be stronger), but I forgot to, so... 

In those days, London drinkers were supplied by dozens of competing breweries, and competition saw some of the breweries build enormous vats in which to ferment and condition their ales. The enormous porter vat of the Maux & Company had a capacity of over a million pints! At about 6pm, on the 17th of October, 204 years ago, one of the steel restraining bands that enveloped the vat broke and released the contents!. Together with the million plus pints of porter released, other vessels in the brewery released more beer into the flood as well. The resulting deluge damaged the brewery and a nearby pub, the Tavistock Arms, and flooded the basements of nearby homes.   

Sadly, depending on which reports you read, between 7 and 9 people died as a direct result of the flood, most drowning in their own basements, and many more were seriously injured, including some of those who came to help rescue survivors. 

Some may joke "what a way to go" but I say R.I.P. to those who sadly died in their own homes... 

Congratulations to the Dolphin in Hastings!

So, congratulations to the Dolphin Inn (website), Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings TN34 3DW, for winning the South East Sussex CAMRA Community Pub of the Year 2018!

 The Award

The Dolphin sells 6 different cask conditioned ales, 3 of which are regulars, ie Dark Star Hophead, Youngs Special and Harveys Sussex Best, so 2 local ales there. In addition, they always have 3 guest ales, with an emphasis on providing ales from local brewers.

Receiving the Award

Community pub? Certainly, the Dolphin is in the centre of the fishing quarter, opposite the Fish Market, and provides a service for the local community. You'll see fishermen, local tradespersons and artisans, retired and working, male and female, young and old! Regulars who need help get it, whether it's dropping off coal at their homes or providing food at home for those not so well, the landlord and a regular annually paint the Stacey Marie RX134 opposite (Hastings Fishermen's Museum outdoor exhibit), and various other locals help as well, including rebuilding and adding a fibreglass deck, as volunteers. And the catering side of the business is a firm champion of the local fishing industry and Hastings Fish (blog). 

Also, £thousands are raised every year for charity, including the local Winkle Club, RNLI Hastings Lifeboat, St Michael's Hospice, and, this year, making a specific campaign to raise money to support the grandchild of a local fisherman, Elsie- Rose, and for the Elsie-Rose & Friends Foundation (blog).

All in all, nice one Mark, Maureen, family & colleagues!