PubsandBeer
History: Home > CAMRA 2026 AGM at Alban Arena -
CAMRA 2026 AGM at Alban Arena - (CAMRA Beer Festival)
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Charlie Wells (also branded as Brewpoint) - Homeward Bound |  | 1 |
| New River - Chadwell | | 1 |
| XT Brewing - Valances Best Bitter | | 1 |
Visits Details
18 Apr 2026 (Hogan Sampling)
Sixth stop on this St Albans’ visit: Quiet on my arrival a little after 4.15pm as the CAMRA AGM held at The Alban Arena, St Albans’ largest theatre and entertainment venue, was not due to finish until about 4.30pm and so I timed it just right for picking up a selection of regional CAMRA branch magazines and being the first to the festival bar. Some 34 real ales on and with many from Hertfordshire breweries and a handful from Cambridgeshire and Buckinghamshire. Assembled members did not pour out of the main conference area until about 5.15pm and so I was afforded a good 45 minutes of peace and quiet to sample three thirds without the inevitable queuing that would have become necessary once members emerged.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New River - Chadwell | 4.20 | | 2nd beer of the visit: Good head and lacing and sticking to the glass on this pale chestnut-coloured bitter named after Chadwell Spring in East Hertfordshire and from New River set up in 2015 and based on Pindar Industrial Estate in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire. It is situated on the banks of the New River, an early 17th-century man-made aqueduct supplying water to London. New River itself is known for its unique strain of "wet" yeast in its core range of cask and bottled ales aiding an energetic fermentation. A dry bitterness on the first bite. A moreishly dry hoppiness rising from its UK hops and notably Fuggles, lending it for me an earthy, herbal and slightly woody bitterness. A fruited hoppy note winning over. A maltiness joining in and likely to be Maris Otter Pale Ale Malt lending it bready, biscuity flavours, and Crystal Malts aiding its toffee or caramel sweetness, and lingering. Certainly, a pronounced caramelised biscuity touch on its downwards outflow. Very moreish as served in fine fettle but a touch too sweet for me. |
| Charlie Wells (also branded as Brewpoint) - Homeward Bound | 4.60 | | 1st beer of the visit: Very good head and lacing presented and lasting to the end on this Bedford-brewed Extra Special Bitter* set up in October 2020 at Fairhill, a commercial area situated 1.5 miles northwest of Bedford’s town centre.** A very dry bitter first hit. A malty bitterness rising aided by its mix of Special B, Carapils, Chateau Melano and English Pale malts. A pleasant hoppiness prevailing aided by its Magnum, Fuggles and Goldings lending floral and earthy hints. A toasted bread and biscuity sweetness with caramel touches and the odd toffee flavouring lingering in the aftertaste with the merest hint of dark chocolate caressing my taste buds. Served in good nick. *The name "Homeward Bound" pays tribute to the brewery's founder, Charles Wells, and his transition from a career in the Merchant Navy back to Bedford to establish his brewing legacy. **Brewpoint was built to replace the massive Eagle Brewery on Havelock Street which Wells & Co. sold to Marston's in 2017. Brewpoint is the "new home" of the Wells family's brewing legacy and the new smaller facility brews a wider variety of contemporary beers, such as those in the Josephine Wells range, alongside traditional ales. |
| XT Brewing - Valances Best Bitter | 4.50 | | 3rd beer of the visit: Good head and lacing and lasting on this specialty best bitter, made in tribute to the original 1912 recipe from the defunct Sidmouth brewery, and now from Notley Farm in Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire, and on the border with Oxfordshire, and where XT was set up in 2011 and operates an 18-barrel plant. A very malty bitterness on its first bite. A dry hoppy fruitiness rising. A bready biscuity note winning over aided by its malts and likely to include Maris Otter to lend it its flavours. A marmalade-infused citrus and spice emanating from its hops with hints of "hedgerow" flavours joining in and likely to be derived from English varieties such as Fuggles and East Kent Goldings. A very malty bitterness prevailing and before spiralling downwards. Served in good nick. |
About the CAMRA 2026 AGM at Alban Arena -
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
 | - |
 | - |
| 3 |
 | - |
 | - |
The pub is found in St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3LD.
The Alban Arena, Civic Close, St Albans, was hosting CAMRA's annual AGM for 2026 and serving 34 real ales and with many from Hertfordshire breweries and a handful from Cambridgeshire and Buckinghamshire.
We have visited this pub once, seen 3 different beers and tried them all.
Postcode: AL1 3LD