Watch out for fake handpumps

Click the image above for more information on how to spot this misleading dispense, and how to report it.

London Drinker

Click the image below for the December 2024 - January 2025 edition of London Drinker. Printed copies are being distributed to pubs now and we will aim to keep them topped up subject to stock being available.

Click London Drinker outlet list for a list of Croydon & Sutton pubs where you should be able to find London Drinker magazines. Please note the disclaimer at the top of the list.

Celebrating 50 years

Fifty years ago this month (25th April 1974) the Croydon branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) held its initial meeting at the Horse & Groom in Cherry Orchard Road, Croydon (The pub was renamed the Glamorgan following a spell known as the Grouse & Claret). Unfortunately, the building is now forlorn and empty.

In the first year of the branch, meetings were also held at the Newton Arms in Croydon, the Two Brewers in Selhurst, the New Town in Sutton, the Greyhound in Carshalton, the Stag & Hounds in Croydon and the Shirley Poppy in Shirley.

Out of area visits to the Derby Arms in Epsom Downs and the Nutley Hall in Reigate also took place.

Only three of these pubs remain open.

The ‘and Sutton’ part was added to the branch title in 1975.

The first edition of Real Beer in London was published in May 1974. A copy of this is available on the CAMRA London website.

To read more, please click on this link: Branch 50th Anniversary

Pub of the Year 2024

Congratulations to our 2024 Pubs of the Year:

Croydon borough - Claret & Ale, Addiscombe; The presentation took place on 18 June. Click Croydon borough Pub of the Year 2024 presentation for a picture.

Sutton borough - The Hope, Carshalton. The presentation to the Hope took place on 30 May. Click Sutton borough Pub of the Year 2024 presentation for a picture.

Following the decision made at our 2023 AGM, the pub that went forward to the London regional round last year cannot go forward this year. Therefore the Claret & Ale has gone into the London regional round.

How good was that beer?

We can all usually tell a good beer from a bad one, but only a few members tell CAMRA what they think. That's a shame, because we need to know, and use the information to help choose which pubs go into the Good Beer Guide each year. It's a lot easier than you think to 'score' a beer and we'd love it if you would help by recording your scores. You don't need any particular expertise, so why not give it a go, next time you have some cask ale? More information is available on this page: Beer Scoring

Help keep WhatPub? up to date

When visiting pubs, please continue to let us know any relevant updates, changes and information by using the feedback form on the pub's page on https://whatpub.com/

Membership Discounts

Go to the Members' Area page (CAMRA login required) for a list of pubs which offer a CAMRA discount.

Website Contributions

Contributions to the website (articles, photos) always welcome - please send to ku.gro.armac.nodyorc@retsambew

Social Media

C&S Facebook page (Facebook logon required)

Instagram: Croydon CAMRA

Bluesky: Croydon & Sutton CAMRA Bluesky