It feels like a long time since we were able to enjoy the simple pleasure of supping a pint with friends in the pub. Hopefully we will all be able to get back to that pint before much longer, perhaps early next month.

In the meantime several of our local breweries and pubs are doing an excellent job of keeping us supplied with deliveries and carry-outs of beer and food. Please support them, particularly while our pubs and clubs remain closed. It will help ensure they are still there and able to continue trading when a new normality comes along, whatever form that may take.

The various temporary pub arrangements can be found on whatpub.com. Just enter your postcode or town/village and all your local choices will be displayed. You may well be surprised at the number of options available. Please let us know if you are aware of any pub offerings not listed and we will certainly add them.

Several Somerset breweries are selling lots of beer direct, by website shop, on-site shop, or delivery. These can be found at camra.org.uk/pulling together Here are a selection of local deals to whet your taste buds:

Cotleigh Brewery of Wiveliscombe are delivering locally, including to the Taunton area. Their on-site shop is open six days a week, where they will gladly fill your empty containers.

Exmoor Ales in Wiveliscombe are offering CAMRA members a 10 per cent discount on web shop purchases during June. See: exmoorales.co.uk/camra-members A choice of Exmoor Ales are also available for takeaway from the Farmers Arms, Combe Florey (see whatpub.com)

Odcombe Ales from Odcombe (near Yeovil) have a food and drink takeaway service operating from the Masons Arms masonsarmsodcombe.co.uk/drinks

Pitchfork Ales / 3D Beer in West Hewish have a brilliant click 'n' collect Drive Thru set up, local deliveries and national courier deliveries. Details here: beerdrivethru.com

Quantock Brewery of Bishops Lydeard are offering free home delivery within 12 miles of the brewery. Website discounts and offers available. NHS staff discount for personal callers to the brewery shop, open to all Mon-Sat 11am-4pm. quantockbrewery.co.uk

Tapstone Brewing Co of Chard are open for takeaway service on Mondays 2pm-4.30pm and Fridays midday-6pm. See tapstone.co.uk/beers

Yeovil Ales are supplying 9, 18 or 36 pint bag in boxes, 9 pint mini casks and 500ml bottles. These can be delivered free within 8 miles of the brewery. Collections can also be made by prior arrangement or at a set time on a Saturday. yeovilales.com

Crossways Inn, West Huntspill, our Somerset CAMRA Pub of the Year 2020, have cask ales, ciders and cans available for take-away and delivery. See their facebook page for current range of ales and exact details. whatpub.com/pubs/TAU/193/crossways-inn-west-huntspill

Several local cider producers are offering take-aways. Please see our website for details.

Our branch website has lots more news, updates and fresh articles: somerset.camra.org.uk

Enjoy the read with a fresh cask ale or cider, delivered by or collected from one of our lovely local breweries!

Cheers 'n' Beers 'til next time.