Welcome to the web site of the Kingston-upon-Thames branch of the Society for the Preservation of Beers From the Wood. We are a group of beer enthusiasts in South West London who meet regularly to enjoy each other’s company and sip a few ales.
Branch History
In the Beginning
The Branch origins lie in a chance meeting of a group of beer fans and three hirsute SPBW members at the Great British Beer Festival 1997, where we were asked if we would like to join the society. At this stage it is only fair to say that we had not heard of the SPBW in any shape or form, but listening to the obvious enthusiasm this trio of weirdy beardy beer drinkers had for their involvement we signed up on the spot. Thus the Surbiton branch was born. Enthused with new hope and infused with old ale we wrote up a constitution, set up a series of monthly meetings and sat around in various pubs thinking “well, this is nice, but what happens next”. Around the same time thoughts of a beer society were being entertained at the Willoughby Arms in Kingston and through a mutual acquaintance and an astoundingly good guest beer the two groups merged into one – the Kingston SPBW.
The Branch Today
The branch meets on the first Wednesday of every month at the Willoughby Arms, Willoughby Road, Kingston. The meetings are lively, informal, democratic and fortified by the regular and guest beers always available at the bar. Our main strengths lie in the diversity of our membership and our busy social calendar. Check out the diary page for the latest news. Branch Personnel are elected at the AGM in January and all members are entitled to put their names forward for positions. The posts are currently held by the following:
| Chairman | Mike Lapworth |
| Vice-Chairman | Dave Laing |
| Bursar | Bob Stanley |
| Secretary | Noel Jones |
| Social Secretary | Ralph Thompson |
| Web Site | Phill Hughes |
Beer of the Year
Each year, at the branch AGM, the members vote for what they consider to have been the best beer they have sampled during the previous year. The eligible beers are those served at the bar at each branch meeting, and, if everybody moans enough, beers from the Willougby beer festivals. The winners so far have been -
| 1998 | Hop Back – Summer Lightning |
| 1999 | O’Hanlon’s – Red |
| 2000 | Brakspear’s – Bee Sting |
| 2001 | Fuller’s – Honey Dew |
| 2002 | Young’s – Winter Warmer |
| 2005 | Twikenham Fine Ales – Crane Sundancer |
Membership
Membership of the branch is £12.00 pa which entitles you to attend all meetings, functions and to have a say in running of the branch. Our AGM is held in January and all members can stand for election to the executive posts.
Meetings are normally held on the first Wednesday of every month at the Willoughby Arms at 8.30pm for a 9.00pm start (check the diary page to confirm the date and venue).
If you would like to get involved with our branch e-mail us at spbwkingston AT googlemail.com or call the Willoughby Arms on 020 8546 4236 and ask to speak to Rick.
