CAMRA Forth Valley is a regional branch for Forth Valley and the Trossachs belonging to the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). CAMRA is an independent, voluntary, consumer organisation which campaigns for real ale, real pubs and consumer rights. CAMRA has 192051 members nationwide and 200 branches in the UK.

Our Branch covers a vast geographical area in Forth Valley and the Trossachs. It covers pubs from Killin in the North to Amadale in the South and Bridge of Orchy in the West to Winchburgh in the East,

CAMRA is there to promote your love of real ale and new members are always welcome. In the Forth Valley Branch we manage to have a full social calendar and organise two successful real ale festivals a year. These are in Larbert in March and Alloa in November. If you love beer and pubs and enjoy a full pint, CAMRA is the place for you!

Forth Valley Branch was formed in September 1976 and founder members were Jim Watson from Polmont and Geoff Ainslie from Stirling amongst others. At the time the only breweries in the branch area were Maclays and Ind Coope Alloa brewery, both in Alloa and unfortunately now closed. Today the branch has eight breweries within its boundaries.

Stirling Real Ale Festival, the first run by the branch, started in 1980 and ran for ten years. Encouraged by the local council, Alloa Real Ale Festival started in May 1988 but run out of steam after 21 years in 2008. However, an Alloa Winter Ale Festival started in October 1992 and is still going strong today. Occasional beer festivals were run in conjunction with the Four Mary’s, Linlithgow until the Forrest’s took over the organising, running two festivals a year, until their leaving the pub in summer 2014. Looking for something to replace the Alloa ‘Mayfest’ the branch looked to an area devoid of real ale pubs but with its own brewery, Larbert. In 2009 Larbert Real Ale Festival was born in the Dobbie Hall and continues today. There is now a thriving real ale pub in Larbert so success.

In conjunction with CAMRA’s Mild in May campaign, a Mild Trail by Rail was started in 2011 along the Linlithgow – Dunblane rail line. Return tickets allow for break of journey, on the return leg, with those making the trip taking full advantage with pubs close to Dunblane, Bridge of Allan, Stirling, Larbert, Falkirk and Linlithgow having milds on tap. This was replaced by a Dark Ale Trail in 2021. The rail trails fit in well with CAMRA’s Support Your Community Pub Campaign.

We are always looking for like-minded people who are willing to give some of their time to help organise things like beer festivals or social nights. Why not come along to one of our monthly meetings and get involved?

And if you’re a CAMRA member visiting from another area, please feel free to join our monthly meetings and enjoy a chat and beer.

The views expressed on this site are not necessarily those of the Campaign for Real Ale Ltd or CAMRA Forth Valley. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information on this site is accurate and up to date, no responsibility for errors and omissions can be accepted.