Sad News From Humpers Off LIcense

Michelle Murray, proprietor of Humpers Off License has died suddenly at a much too young age. Humpers was a frequent CAMRA Good Beer Guide entry over the last 20 years and is Bristol's only off license to offer both real ale and real cider. Michelle was celebrating 25 years in situ and an article praising Humpers had been included in the current edtiion of Pints West, which was already at the printers when the news broke.

The text of the Pints West article is reproduced below:

"Michelle Murray is celebrating 25 years at the helm of Humpers Off Licence in Staple Hill this year. Sadly her husband Jim, who she originally ran it with her, died some years ago, but she has continued with a thriving business, in an area not particularly renowned for its real ale and cider scene.

Unlike most off licences, Michelle concentrates on real ales and real ciders, selling several of each a week, and in line with trends of increasing consumption of these traditional products, she has continued to trade successfully over this period of time. Unless I am mistaken, the only other dedicated real ale and cider off licence in the last 25 years in the Bristol area was one located in the Bedminster area near Ashton Gate, home of Bristol City, but as I recall that this was a short-lived venture.

As a cider enthusiast myself, it is heartening to know that such is the demand these days that she has had to bring in additional stock and taken over some of the space previously used for wine to accommodate it. A recent example on sale was the excellent Wilcox cider from Shipham, which comes highly recommended.

During those 25 years, Humpers has been in the Good Beer Guide for the majority of that time, and has also featured in the Good Cider Guide and the Good Bottled Beer Guide, which gives an indication of the consistency that has been offered over the years.

On a personal note, I’d like to congratulate Michelle on reaching this magnificent milestone, and long may it continue!

Richard Walters

Humpers is located at 26 Soundwell Road, Staple Hill, Bristol and can be contacted on 0117 9565525."