Guide to Cellarmanship

[MeridianFC]

It's a fairly learned crew here so I was wondering if anyone's heard any rumblings about a reprint of Ivor Clissold's "Guide to Cellarmanship" (aka "CAMRA's Guide to Cellarmanship").

[chazwicke]

I looked around on the net for a copy. No luck. I'll be across the pond next Friday. I'll look for a copy in some of the book stores.

[MeridianFC]

It's out of print. I've been looking for a copy for over a year. I E-mailed CAMRA a while ago, but they were uncertain if there were any plans to reissue it (how can they not?). Used copies are seemingly impossible to find.

BTW if anyone has one and would be willing to photo copy it, I'd certainly pay £/$ and ship some beer prizes their way.

[Stodbrew]

You might want to try calling Paul Pendyk at UK brewing supplies in Lancaster, PA. 717-560-9447. www.ukbrewing.com. He still has it listed on his website, so you never know. Hope this helps.

[MeridianFC]

Originally posted by Stodbrew
You might want to try calling Paul Pendyk at UK brewing supplies in Lancaster, PA. 717-560-9447. www.ukbrewing.com. He still has it listed on his website, so you never know. Hope this helps.

I E-mailed them and they don't have it. Thanks for the heads up though, I appreciate.

[marksalehouse]

Hi Guys,

I was Chairman of the Northern Ireland branch of CAMRA for several years during the 90's (currently Pub Chains Liaison Co-ordinator for NI).

Believe it or not, I have my own pristeen copy of the A5 size book "Cellarmanship", dated 1992, and close to 50 pages! This is the second edition and the introduction is by P J O'Neill. Is this the same book?

I thought I had my back-up photocopy that I carried around to meetings etc. which I would have posted off.

If you email me (details on sig) then I will endeavour to copy and post to you.

Who did you contact in CAMRA?

If it is to be republished then it will be a major task as 12 years have passed by and some things have changed. like the current use of plastic casks and all the new problems they incur!

Mark

[carcusmox]

here's the response i just got from CAMRA:

Marcus,

Unfortunately we do not have anymore Cellarmanship copies left. We are
planning to have a new edition published next spring.

Therefore I would advise to get in touch with us next year.

Best regards

Caroline Clerembaux
Administration Secretary CAMRA

[chazwicke]

I checked around for it on my trip. I attended a fest in Ealing Broadway. Neither the gent who has the brewery books booth nor the CAMRA sales had it. I too was told that an updated version is coming out.

[Acataleptic]

Hmmmm? Seems strange that an organization dedicated to preserving traditional cask ale would let such an essential instructional guide go out-of-print. You can buy a tie from their online shop, but not the guide explaining the craft their crusading to save. Even the "out dated" 1981 information illuminates many aspects of cellaring a cask that remain valid even in 2004. As for plastic casks... that's not an issue. It's poor design that goes against the fermentation and storage rules for both beer and wine. Plastic leaches into liquid over a period of time and will impart unwanted flavor. If modern practice means sacrificing quality and flavor... sign me up for the Society for the Preservation of Beers from the Wood. CAMRA has done a great job preserving Real Ale over the years, but if the supply lines are being cut for education and application of the cask style of ale I'm sad to say it will be a slow agonizing battle.

As a homebrewer engrossed with Real Ale I bought the 2nd print in 1994 having already been cellaring & serving cask ale for four years out of a cornelius keg. Not the easiest thing, but persistence pays off and eventually I perfected the technique. A Brewing Techniques article about Cask Ale in America article pointed me in the right direction back in '93. It's a great overview of cellaring and serving from a cask.
http://www.brewingtechniques.com/library/backissues/issue1.4/cantwell.html
This may be of help until CAMRA reprints Cellarmanship which expands upon the basic theories within the article.

Now if I could find somewhere to purchase a wood or stainless Pin cask I'd be a happy camper. The homebrew market has come a long way, but not in the smaller cask sizes. The strange thing is I've read that England is joining the mad rush of outsourcing industrial needs and now the only traditional casks produced are from the French company Maisonneuve. http://www.maisonneuve-sa.fr/ Traditional English ale from a French cask, hmmmm?

Drink local, drink Independent!

LISTENING TO: Specials 1979 The Specials

[MeridianFC]

Thanks for the link to the articles. I think you're going to find yourself in good company here!