In the Beginning

For many years, Fife was divided between two CAMRA branches. The southern part of the Kingdom, including the area from the Forth Bridges through Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes, formed part of the Edinburgh & South East Scotland Branch, while the north and west of Fife came under the Tayside Branch.

Although local members regularly attended branch meetings, it soon became apparent that Fife's pubs and drinkers would be better served by a dedicated local organisation. One of the driving forces behind this was Martin Butler, who proposed that Fife should seek full branch status rather than remain a sub-branch. At the time it was widely believed there were too few volunteers to sustain an independent branch, but with growing local enthusiasm and support this began to change.

Among those who played important roles during this period were Ken Davie, Martin Butler, Ken Broadbent, Matt Bald, Steve Darby, Jim Brande and Ewan Brande, alongside many other local volunteers whose enthusiasm helped establish CAMRA in the Kingdom of Fife.

Becoming and Independent Branch

Working closely with Colin Valentine, then Scottish National Director, local members developed plans for Fife to become an independent CAMRA branch.

A well-attended meeting at the Whey Pat Tavern in St Andrews during 1998 proved to be the turning point. At this meeting it was agreed that the Kingdom of Fife would become a full CAMRA branch, bringing together the areas previously administered by the Edinburgh and Tayside branches.

Following approval, Ken Davie became the branch's first Chairman, Martin Butler its first Secretary and Branch Contact, with Ken Broadbent serving as Treasurer. This marked the beginning of the modern Kingdom of Fife CAMRA branch.

The First Fife Beer Festival

With the new branch established, plans were soon made for a beer festival. The opportunity arose when Frank, manager of the Rothes Halls in Glenrothes, approached Martin Butler about organising an event.

The inaugural Kingdom of Fife Beer Festival took place in 1999 in Hall B of the Rothes Halls. Supported by experienced volunteers from the Edinburgh branch, the festival was a success and returned a modest profit, proving there was strong local support for real ale in Fife.

The festival began life with the distinctive "Glenrothes Guzzle" logo – a small figure shaped like the letter "G" enjoying a pint – which remained associated with the festival for many years.

From these modest beginnings, the Kingdom of Fife Beer Festival grew into one of Scotland's best-loved regional beer festivals, attracting thousands of visitors before its final event in 2019.

Growth of the Branch

Over the following decades the branch continued to flourish, campaigning for better beer, supporting local pubs and encouraging the growth of brewing across Fife.

The county has transformed from having very few breweries to becoming home to a thriving independent brewing scene. The branch has also become well known for recognising excellence through its Pub of the Year, Cider Pub of the Year and Champion Beer competitions, as well as organising pub trails, social events and campaigning on behalf of local pubs.

Today

Today the Kingdom of Fife branch represents over 250 CAMRA members and campaigns for real ale, cider, perry and the protection of pubs throughout the Kingdom.

Fife pubs have enjoyed considerable success in Scottish CAMRA competitions. The Hillend Tavern became Scottish Pub of the Year in 2023, following The Commercial Inn, Dunfermline in 2022. Earlier winners include The Albert Tavern, Freuchie (2009 and 2010) and The Harbour Bar, Kirkcaldy (2000), all of which went on to represent Scotland in the National Pub of the Year competition.

The branch continues to build on the foundations laid by those early volunteers whose vision created an independent Kingdom of Fife CAMRA branch in the late 1990s.