Forty members of the CAMRA Members’ Investment Club began a day in Nottingham with a guided tour of our brewery before setting off to sample the city’s other attractions, pubs and the occasional ale.

Hosted by Charlie Blomeley, and the city’s official Robin Hood, aka Tim Pollard, the guests from all parts of the UK were shown the new brewery and given tastes of many of the regular Castle Rock ales available in the Vat and Fiddle. After lunch, the group split up with many making their way to the Canalhouse and Lincolnshire Poacher.

The CAMRA Members’ Investment Club bought its first shares in 1989 and continues, through the purchase of shares in brewers and pub operators, to allow members of the Campaign for Real Ale to have a say in, and perhaps influence, boardroom decisions. There are around 3,500 members.

According to committee member Neil Kellett, the brewery trips and other social events: “allow the members to meet regularly to discuss our £11 million investment portfolio and discuss the merits of blonde versus dark beers … or not.”