UPDATE: Unfortunately, due to health reasons, Roger Protz has had to take the difficult decision to cancel this event. For details of other events taking place as part of City of Ale weekend, see here.
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St Albans is a city rich in history, with its origins in the Iron Age and known as Verulamium following the Roman conquest in ad 43. Much of that history is enshrined in its amazing pubs, and Roger Protz - who has lived, worked and drunk in St Albans for over 50 years - has written a fascinating book on that very subject.
Come and join Roger for a very special talk on the research that went into his book, Ale City, and ask your questions about the pub and brewing heritage of the area. You'll also have the opportunity to purchase a copy of the book, or if you already have one, get it signed by the author.
The pubs of St Albans include old coaching inns; a pub where soldiers fighting in the Wars of the Roses relaxed with ale; and the famous Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, dating from the seventeenth century and possibly even earlier. Pubs connected to the railway age opened in the 19th century and there have been further additions in both the 20th and 21st centuries. These include the Farriers Arms, where the longest surviving branch of the Campaign for Real Ale was formed in the 1970s. Today, St Albans has fifty pubs, more per square mile than any other town or city in Britain.
Commercial brewing was established in the city during the seventeenth century, with the Kinder family opening the St Albans Brewery on Chequer Street.
All that and more is documented in Roger's book and will be covered in this talk. Hosting this event is the Royston Social Club, an award-winning club with a rotating selection of four cask ales and a range of real ciders. Although it is a members' club, this event is open to all and free of charge - just ring the buzzer on the door to get in!
The club is a pleasant 30 minute walk from St Albans city centre - but for those less mobile or short of time we recommend catching any bus in the direction of Hatfield, alighting at the Morrison's supermarket on Hatfield Road, and walking the short distance from there.