The Campaign for Real Ale is encouraging beer lovers to ‘tap into’ brewery taprooms this Tryanuary with 14 recommendations from its members. Tryanuary is a nationwide campaign in which participants are encouraged to try new venues in order to help local businesses during what can be a challenging month for retailers. Taprooms can be a great place to sample the latest beers straight from the source, which is why CAMRA has put together a list of recommendations.

The list is available on the CAMRA website: https://camra.org.uk/pubs/learn-more/love-pubs-join-camra/brewery-tap-rooms-for-tryanuary/

Details of two entries on the list that are close to the Surrey/Hants Borders area are reproduced below along with details of tap rooms that are in in the branch area.

CAMRA National Director Ash Corbett-Collins said: “We’d like to encourage anyone who loves beer to support the industry this month. Tryanuary was launched in order to help offset what can be a difficult time for pubs and breweries, as people try to atone for overindulgence during the festive period.

“January is a great time to sample new beers – particularly real ale – which is why we’ve put together this list of taprooms around the UK. Taprooms provide a unique experience, allowing you to try beers straight from the source, speak to brewers directly and find styles and flavours you love. We hope everyone can get involved.”

The list forms part of the Love Pubs, Join CAMRA campaign which will see individual pub recommendations released each month to encourage more beer-drinkers and pub-goers to support the cause.

Thames Side Brewery and Tap Room, Surrey – founded by CAMRA member Andy Hayward in 2015 in an old boatyard on the River Thames. The Taproom boasts a full view of the brewery in operation. Three core ales and a rotating real cider are on offer, with two additional ones when trade permits. The upstairs room and balcony overlook the river and historical Staines Bridge and are ideal for socials and meetings. A great addition to the local real ale scene, it is open Wednesday to Sunday.

Redemption Tap Room, Greater London – opens on Saturdays when Tottenham Hotspur FC has a home game – 11th and 22nd in January 2020. It offers a good selection of keg and cask beers, including the award-winning Hopspur on cask and Solar on keg. Also, some of the best street food producers from across London are also on hand for a tasty pre-match meal!

Ascot Brewing Company Tap Room - Tap Room for the Ascot Brewing Company. Opened in December 2019, with the brewery itself due to relocate to the site in March 2020. Opening hours are likely to vary until the tap is firmly established. A selection of beers in bottle and on draught from the core Ascot range, together with their Disruption is Brewing craft range are available. Also on sale are bottled beers from Belgium. No real ale yet. WhatPub entry

Craft Brews @ Frensham Brewery - Frensham Brewery is open to the public 2 days a week. Beers can be purchased to take away or ordered by the pint to drink actually inside the brewery, as there is a full on licence. The aim is to always have 4 or 5 beers own beers on at any one time, there are also cider/perry in a box and other non-beer drinks. WhatPub entry

Hogs Back Brewery Shop & Winter Bar - The Winter Bar opened in November 2019 following the successful Summer Bar in advance of a taproom in their new kiln next year, Ordering and beer collection takes place from a new counter in the shop. Drinkers sit on a selection of benches under a covered and heated canopy outside the brewery. Bottles purchased from the brewery shop can be sampled on site, with Hogs Back bottles attracting a premium to drink in. WhatPub entry.

The Crown - Thurston’s brewery tap - A brewery tap in the traditional sense. The Crown is a welcoming two-bar community pub that happens to be the birthplace of Thurstons Brewery. Three beers from Thurstons and three other real ales are available at any one time. The Crown is CAMRA’s current Surrey Pub of the Year. WhatPub entry