Late Submission 5.0% - Single Can
Lincoln Green supports the 50th anniversary of the University of Nottingham Real Ale & Cider Society
This academic year marks the 50th anniversary of the University of Nottingham Real Ale and Cider Society! Founded in 1974 in the old Lenton Hall (now Hugh Stewart Hall) on University Park, the society’s first chairman was Chris Horner. In its early years, meetings were held at Wortley Hall (now home to the Department of Architecture & Built Environment), which boasted the best selection of real ale on campus. Socials often included trips to Beeston for pints of Homes, Shipstones, Kimberley, Bass, and Ind Coope, with one particularly memorable night at the Hop Pole when society members—alongside the Trent Real Ale Society—managed to finish an entire barrel of Ind Coope Burton Ale.
Brewery visits have always been a highlight of the society’s calendar. Annual trips to Hardys & Hansons, Shipstones, and Home Ales were well-attended, with the Hardys & Hansons visit standing out. The Head Brewer would lead an informative tour, followed by a generous sampling session and a guided pub crawl around Kimberley.
The society’s beer festivals were also a great success, traditionally held on the top floor of the Portland Building—though carrying kegs upstairs was quite the challenge when the lift was out of order!
Over the past 50 years, Nottingham’s real ale scene has flourished, with numerous local breweries opening and more pubs than ever offering an excellent selection of ales. Despite these changes, many traditions have endured. Pub crawls remain a staple, with regular trips to Canning Circus, Sneinton, and Beeston. For years, the society’s first event of the academic year was a BBQ and brewery tour at The Plough with Nottingham Brewery. More recently, members have visited Blue Monkey, Magpie, and Castle Rock breweries, as well as attending the Nottingham Robin Hood Beer & Cider Festival and exploring the beer scenes in Derby, Sheffield, and Grantham. The society’s beer festival has also made a comeback, now hosted at the SU bar, Mooch. Other popular events include the "Beer by Tram" route and comedy nights at the Canalhouse.
Homebrewing has also played a key role in the society, with workshops and equipment available for members interested in brewing their own beer. In 2011, the university strengthened its ties to brewing by opening the International Centre for Brewing Science, further enhancing the society’s expertise. In early 2020, the society collaborated with Brewhouse & Kitchen to brew "Portland Pale" under the name Nottingham Brewni.
Like many student groups, the society faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has been rebuilding momentum over the past few years. Recently, it achieved CAMRA affiliation, marking an exciting new chapter. This year has been packed with events, from pub crawls and brewery visits to homebrew days for both beer and cider. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the countless students, alumni, and committee members who have contributed to the society over the decades. Their enthusiasm for real ale and cider has kept the society thriving and created a welcoming community for new members each year.
The society would also like to extend a huge thank you to the many local pubs and breweries that have supported us over the years, offering us not just great beer but also fantastic venues for socials, brewery tours, and collaboration brews. Their generosity and passion for brewing have played a huge role in shaping Nottingham’s vibrant beer scene and have made the last 50 years so memorable.
The crowning achievement?
A brew day with Lincoln Green Brewery to celebrate this incredible milestone. 5 members of the society teamed up with the brewers at Lincoln Green to create a special 50th anniversary beer, “Late Submission”.The brew is a hazy, hop forward, NEIPA, a perfect accompaniment to a (hopefully) warm and sunny summer. 2 society members will also support the kegging and canning process and it is due to be released as a limited cask version, but with keg, bottle and cans also available! Keep an eye out for it in pubs around Nottingham from mid-July onwards!
Here’s to 50 years of great beer, good company, and lasting traditions—cheers!
If you want to find out more about the Society, please e-mail:
real-ale@uonsu.comIf you want to find out more about the CAMRA Young Members, please e-mail:
youngmembers@nottingham.camra.org.uk
